Podcasts about letter word

Henry Tolbert was sitting at a fire pit behind a rental house, grilling hot dogs for his wife and four daughters because the insurance money for their flooded home was running out, when he finally said out loud what he had been avoiding for months: this isn't fine.A few years earlier, Henry had been leading a small church that grew from 40 people to nearly 200, and had been named bishop over 65 churches. Then, without warning, discord broke out with the leader who had brought him in, and he was forced to resign from everything at once. In that same season, an unidentified animal chewed through the water lines in the walls of his home, flooding the first floor and displacing his family for six weeks. He had no job, no income, and what he calls a broken sense of purpose.On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Henry tells Lori Saitz the full arc: a high school football career derailed by one injury after another, a scholarship earned in just five games, an NFL tryout built on the wrong game tape, a Bible study intervention that redirected him into ministry, and the fire pit moment that gave him permission to stop building other people's dreams and finally build his own.What You'll Take AwayWhy a childhood dream pursued through repeated injury taught Henry more than an NFL career would haveHow losing his ministry role and his home in the same season forced an honest reckoning he had been avoiding for yearsWhy judging his life by lead goals, the inputs he controls, instead of lag goals, the outcomes he doesn't, changed how he shows up every dayWhat shifted when Henry stopped chasing clients and started inviting people insteadHow admitting he wasn't fine gave him permission to finally build something of his ownGuest BioHenry Tolbert spent years answering “How are you?” with “I'm fine” while quietly running on fumes, leading a church, building a business, and pretending he had it all together. Spoiler: he didn't. Now he's the Founder of Simple Systems Consulting, author of The Comeback Plan, and a recovering “I'm fine” addict who helps pastors and entrepreneurs stop white-knuckling their way through leadership and start building systems that actually let them breathe. He's also an Associate Pastor, podcast co-host, husband, dad of four, and a man who once grilled hot dogs over a fire pit in his backyard because life had completely fallen apart, and decided that was the last time he'd pretend everything was fine when it wasn't.Chapters & Key Timestamps00:00Opening and introductions — the Henry connection and generational names01:33The values that shaped him: faith and football in Birmingham, Alabama05:07A high school career derailed by injury after injury07:07Five games, one scholarship, and a record-setting career at Grambling State07:47What NFL scouts never saw: the tape from his best season08:47His grandmother's plea to walk away — and why he couldn't11:07The Bible study intervention that redirected him toward ministry13:47“There's a light around you” — the moment that sealed it14:47Becoming a bishop over 65 churches, then losing it overnight15:47The critters, the flooded house, and six weeks displaced with four daughters17:47The fire pit moment: admitting he wasn't fine21:07Why people of faith are so good at sweeping things under the rug25:47Lead goals vs. lag goals: judging life by inputs, not outcomes27:47The coaching advice that changed everything: invite, don't chase29:47Why the people who found him became his best clients31:47Building an audience by just showing up, even when only his wife was watching34:07In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins: Henry's walk-up song35:07Where to find Henry: getchurchsystems.com and mybusinesssystems.comResources MentionedBook: The Comeback Plan by Henry TolbertFree Resource: Get Church Systems — getchurchsystems.com (for ministry and church leaders)Free Resource: My Business Systems — mybusinesssystems.com (for business owners and entrepreneurs)Resource: The Mandate Method — themandatemethod.comSong: In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins — open.spotify.com/track/7Dbg5O9nNWu6SWxDjJ9qoqConnect With Henry TolbertCompany: Simple Systems ConsultingWebsite: getchurchsystems.comWebsite: mybusinesssystems.comWebsite: themandatemethod.comBook: The Comeback PlanLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/henry-tolbert-005a3943Facebook: facebook.com/htolbertInstagram: instagram.com/henry_tolbertContinue With LoriWebsite: zenrabbit.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.comInvitation From LoriThis episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/Related ConversationEpisode 237: Scott Doggett — a leader who lost his role suddenly and rebuilt around a clearer sense of who he actually was.About FINE is a 4-Letter WordFINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.Follow FINE is a 4-Letter WordFollow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.

Content Note: This episode includes a brief, non-graphic reference to a personal crisis involving suicidal thoughts.Jim Morris grew up believing giving was the whole equation. His father taught him to give the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it, and it showed up everywhere in his childhood, right down to the night his father pulled a stranger from a burning car outside their home.What Jim didn't learn for a long time was how to receive. It took a high-stakes business risk, a $240,000 self-funded conference that lost $112,000, and a moment of real personal crisis for him to finally ask for help directly.On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Jim tells Lori Saitz about the Triple H method for actually supporting the people you love, and about four words from his two-year-old daughter that pulled him back from the lowest point of his life.What You'll Take AwayWhy guessing what someone needs, help, being heard, or a hug, is one of the most common ways people let each other downHow a single moment of connection can ripple outward in ways you'll never see or know aboutWhy anticipating the worst contractually protects relationships and business deals alikeThe Five Alive exercise: what's already sitting, untapped, in your last five text conversationsWhy Jim now treats a $112,000 loss as an investment, not a failureGuest BioJim Morris is a keynote speaker who helps organizations scale revenue and create deep belonging by centering their culture on integrity, connection, and intentional growth. He is the author of Connect or Die: How to Survive AI and serves as the CEO of Human Touch Publishing.Chapters & Key Timestamps03:00The night a car crashed outside his childhood home05:00His father pulling a stranger from a burning car, and the police officer's warning07:00The question that reframes everything: how are you at receiving?09:00The moment everything was on the line and he finally had to ask for help11:30The Triple H method: help, heard, or hugged, and why guessing wrong fails people17:47A period of profound personal crisis, interrupted by four words from his daughter26:30The confidant, ally, acquaintance bullseye exercise, and how to build it32:00The Five Alive exercise: what's already sitting in your text messages34:00The $240,000 conference, the sales team that walked out, and losing $112,00035:30The sign on the highway that said exactly what he needed to hear37:30Reframing failure as an investment, not a lossResources MentionedBook: Connect or Die: How to Survive AI by Jim Morris — a.co/d/00BVmyGxSong: Spinnin by Connor Price — youtu.be/UekfKh59KOwConnect With Jim MorrisCompany: Human Touch PublishingWebsite: realjimmorris.comBook: Connect or Die: How to Survive AI — a.co/d/00BVmyGxLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/realjimmorrisFacebook: facebook.com/therealjimmorrisInstagram: instagram.com/realjimmorrisContinue With LoriWebsite: zenrabbit.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.comInvitation From LoriThis episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/Related ConversationEpisode 240: Amanda Van Der Heiden — on resilience, boundaries, and what it costs to keep giving without receiving.About FINE is a 4-Letter WordFINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.Follow FINE is a 4-Letter WordFollow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.

Suneet Bhatt spent 12 years in private equity and venture-backed businesses, and every job followed the same arc: new and exciting at first, then, faster each time, something felt off, and he went looking for the next one. He never noticed he was the common denominator.It took his wife, after his last business exit, to name what he couldn't see in himself: his happiness at work was getting shorter each time, his exits were getting more acrimonious, and he needed to stop and figure out what actually mattered to him.On this episode of FINE is a 4-Letter Word, Suneet talks with Lori Saitz about what came after that conversation — the executive coaching practice, the Rutgers class that doesn't mention the word purpose until session 15, and the research-backed exercise he uses to counter the brain's built-in negativity bias.What You'll Take AwayWhy purpose has to start with reflection, not predictionThe three consistent through-lines across every popular definition of purpose: personal, forward-looking, bigger than youThe 18-minute exercise, happy, proud, not yet satisfied, and why the order mattersWhat the research on self-forgiveness and procrastination actually showsWhy 'stuck' is not one problem, and each version of it needs a different responseGuest BioSuneet Bhatt has spent more than 25 years helping people gain clarity about who they are and what they want, then move toward it with purpose. He coaches founders and leaders, works with teams as an EOS Implementer, and has guided people from boardrooms to classrooms. He is the author of Making Sense of Purpose, out August 25, 2026 from Morgan James, built on one premise: before you can make sense of your purpose, you have to make sense of yourself.Chapters & Key Timestamps01:33Values from an immigrant household: be helpful, above everything else07:14The corporate route: Fortune 500, an MBA at Duke, then 12 years in private equity08:30Why he never noticed he was the common denominator08:58His wife's intervention after the last exit12:03Why 'finding your purpose' feels like waiting for an Amazon package13:43Personal, forward-looking, bigger than you: the three common threads in every definition of purpose14:12The Rutgers bait-and-switch: purpose doesn't come up until class 1516:07Why you should never build your purpose on a single point of failure like joy18:16Happy, proud, not yet satisfied: the 18-minute exercise, explained start to finish22:06Negativity bias: why we respond more strongly to negative stimuli than positive23:48Plateaus, not stuck: reframing what it means to feel stuck25:09Self-forgiveness research: the procrastination study and what it provesResources MentionedBook: Making Sense of Purpose by Suneet Bhatt (Morgan James, August 25, 2026) — available for pre-orderResource: book soundtrack, one song per chapter, on Spotify, YouTube, and Amazon MusicResource: Purpose Radar Library — a free, rated map of books, podcasts, and films about purposeSong: Da Rockwilder by Method Man and Redman — youtube.com/watch?v=WCYy8jpp7R8Connect With Suneet BhattWebsite: makingsenseofpurpose.comBook: Making Sense of Purpose (Morgan James, out August 25, 2026)LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/suneetbhattInstagram: @suneetonpurposeContinue With LoriWebsite: zenrabbit.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/Email: Lori@ZenRabbit.comInvitation From LoriThis episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Trust is the foundation of all great workplaces, and in today's hybrid, fast-moving work culture, it's built through consistent, clear, human communication.Quarterly town halls, Slack messages, or team-building events are rarely enough to create the connection employees need. That's why forward-thinking companies are hiring Lori to create internal and private podcasts that bring leaders and employees together through authentic stories and real conversations.Think of it as the old-school company newsletter reinvented for the modern workplace.If your company wants to strengthen communication, connection, community, and culture, connect with Lori at Lori@ZenRabbit.com or on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorisaitz/Related ConversationEpisode 238: Scott Doggett — on purpose, burnout, and what it takes to stop and ask the bigger question.Research & SourcesSuneet cites research showing humans respond 2 to 5 times more strongly to negative stimuli than positive. This aligns with well-established negativity bias research, including Roy Baumeister's 'bad is stronger than good' review, Kahneman and Tversky's work on loss aversion (roughly a 2:1 ratio), and Cacioppo's neural response studies showing measurably stronger brain activation to negative stimuli. The exact ratio varies by study and context, but the underlying finding is well replicated.About FINE is a 4-Letter WordFINE is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is fine. We explore what it takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage, especially during the seasons when life and leadership feel anything but fine. Listen for honest conversations about how human connection influences innovation, retention, leadership, and real impact. New episodes every week.Follow FINE is a 4-Letter WordFollow or subscribe so you never miss an episode. If this conversation gave you something useful to think about, leave a review. Reviews help more people discover the show and join the conversation.

Amanda Van Der Heiden could trot on a horse before she could walk. Her parents strapped her legs to the stirrups as a toddler. By age two, when she fell into the sandpit they trained in, they put her right back on before she was done crying. There was no discussion. You get back up. That was the whole lesson.Decades later, with two degrees in psychology and a career built across some of the largest organizations in the country, Amanda has hit the same wall more than once: working 20-hour days, running teams across continents, and eventually burning out so completely that when she left one company, they replaced her with three full-time employees. She saw it as a badge of honor. It took her years to recognize the pattern for what it actually was.On Episode 240 of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Amanda talks with Lori Saitz about the horse farm childhood that built her resilience without a vocabulary for it, the psychology behind why executive presence is instantly recognizable even when it cannot be defined, the real difference between introversion and extroversion (it has nothing to do with how much you like people), and the framework she now uses to help leaders set their teams up to actually succeed instead of just survive.She also shares her redefinition of failure — you either win or you learn — and why she believes the fear of trying is almost always worse than whatever you were afraid of in the first place.Listen on all platforms:Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Timestamps:[00:00] Cold open: there is no choice, you get back up[00:39] Welcome and introduction: setting people up to excel[01:05] Raised on a horse farm: work ethic, determination, resilience[02:14] Empathy as a learned trait — echoing a recent conversation with Rob Scheer[03:21] Raised between Kentucky and Long Island: the dichotomy that shaped her adaptability[04:29] Too city for the country, too country for the city — and how that became a strength[05:05] Two-color hair, a Southern accent in New York, and never being able to blend in[06:08] The chameleon principle: adapting how you communicate without changing who you are[07:19] The horse story: strapped into the stirrups before she could walk[08:06] The sandpit: falling at two years old and being put right back on[09:53] Why staying down was never presented as an option — and the case for why it was actually safer[11:13] How the horse farm resilience shows up in her own parenting today[12:28] Letting her daughter struggle with a 25-pound shaving bag on purpose[13:31] The leadership philosophy: show the vision, let people find their own way there[15:14] Never having had a real manager in her entire corporate career[18:09] The leadership conference: watching executive presence in real time across three tiers of seniority[20:32] Why professional women have to be fine — and what that costs[22:03] The burnout pattern: 20-hour days, a team of 10 across two continents, 17,000 people[23:17] Getting replaced by three full-time employees — and thinking it was a compliment[23:48] Realizing the same burnout happened at a completely different company — the common denominator was her[24:55] What self-care actually means (hint: it is not a manicure)[25:41] Introversion and extroversion explained correctly: it is about refueling, not sociability[28:01] Win or learn: the redefinition of failure that removes the fear[31:20] Get Things Done — the song, the mantra, and the bias toward action[32:29] Where to find Amanda: the free goal-setting workbook at gtdscorp.comConnect with Amanda Van Der Heiden: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandavanderheiden/ Website: https://gtdscorp.com/ About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

Cyndy Etler was 13 years old when she chose foster care over going home. Her mother had stood in the bathroom doorway and watched her stepfather hurt her, and that was enough. She chose the ink on the fingertips at the police station over the house she had been living in.What followed was a month at Janus House — a youth shelter in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where the staff were the first adults who ever gave her a choice and respected the answer. It was there, at 14, walking to the corner store with a pack of Marlboro Reds and a new sense of what an adult could be for a kid, that she was struck by lightning. She knew what she was supposed to do with her life.Then her mother enrolled her in Straight Incorporated.Straight was a warehouse program that ran under the guise of drug rehabilitation. Parents signed over their child and left. The ACLU later described it as a concentration camp for throwaway teens. Cyndy had smoked marijuana three times and drunk beer once. She was held for 16 months, with her first contact with her mother not happening until five months in, through a supervised visit with a scripted exchange. She came out brainwashed, isolating in high school bathroom stalls, telling kids who tried to talk to her that they were not in her best interest.Then an English teacher saw her writing, read it out loud to the class, and said: Cyndy wrote that.On Episode 239 of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Cyndy Etler — foster care survivor, Straight Inc. survivor, trained boxer, summa cum laude graduate, teen life coach, and author of Dead Inside and We Can't Be Friends — talks with Lori Saitz about what it took to get from there to here, what one adult's genuine interest can do for a kid's entire life, and why she tells every teenager she works with to watch for the adult who sees them and wants absolutely nothing in return.Her books are Dead Inside and We Can't Be Friends. Season 2 of Robert Downey Jr.'s podcast The Sunshine Place is the full history of Straight Incorporated, narrated by Cyndy.Listen on all platforms:Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Timestamps:[00:00] How they met at a networking event and booked the show within days[01:00] The plan that never happened: her father, the musician, the Costa Rica sabbatical, his death when she was one[02:30] The values she was raised with — and the mother who modeled them[04:30] The age-nine decision: be the opposite of her mother[05:30] Born a fighter: the stepfather, the abuse, the bathroom doorway[07:00] Choosing foster care at 13 — the ink on the fingers, the choice at the police station[09:00] Janus House: the first adults who gave her a choice and respected the answer[10:30] Hit by lightning at 14: walking to the corner store and knowing her purpose[13:30] Straight Incorporated: the warehouse, the ACLU verdict, 16 months, 250 kids, the coercive cult[17:00] Why you could not just fake your way out — the Lord of the Flies dynamic[18:30] Five months before she could speak to her mother, with a script and an observer[19:00] Coming out brainwashed, eating lunch in bathroom stalls, telling kids they weren't in her best interest[21:00] The English teacher who read her writing to the class and said her name out loud[22:00] The book signing reunion: the teacher still Blanche DuBois, still rolling her eyes at the jock[24:30] What the teacher taught without knowing it: one drop of water and a dying plant[26:00] The lesson Cyndy carries into her work: you can change a life without carrying the kid forever[27:00] What teenagers actually need versus what they usually get: autonomy vs. control[29:30] Coaching vs. therapy: no DSM-5, no IEP goals, just what do you want to change[30:30] Education, boxing, and the other building blocks that kept her above water[31:30] The one adult who listens without wanting something in return — what to watch for[33:00] Dead Inside and We Can't Be Friends — the books, the writing process, the hair falling out[34:30] The Sunshine Place podcast Season 2 — Robert Downey Jr.'s series, narrated by Cyndy[35:30] Bobby Brown's My Prerogative as the energy song — and why she almost became a rock star anyway[36:30] Where to find Cyndy: theteenlifecoach.com and cyndyetler.comConnect with Cyndy Etler: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndy-etler-med-icf-acc-b9149535/ Books and author info: https://cyndyetler.com/ About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

Scott Doggett spent 30 years in corporate America — first running hotels and resorts in hospitality operations, then leading learning and development teams up to vice president. He was, by every external measure, successful. Titles. Awards. Promotions. The ladder, climbed. Then came the layoff at the end of 2023. His first in 30 years. He gave himself the six months of his severance package to figure out what came next. He tried consulting. He taught college classes. He worked with a Native American tribe in Alabama. Nothing sparked. On the exact six-month anniversary of the layoff, he had what he describes as a mini panic attack — the realization that he was no closer to his purpose than the day he was let go. That night he prayed and surrendered. The next morning, the first email in his inbox was a LinkedIn job posting for a director role at a Christian nonprofit — a role that described, almost word for word, everything he had spent the last decade building. He applied. He got a call back the same day. He got the job. Nine months later, he was laid off again. On Episode 237 of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Scott Doggett tells host Lori Saitz the full story: the values from a small New England town, the 30 years of go-go-go that never left room to ask the real questions, the wilderness journey, the two layoffs, the servant leadership he witnessed at the nonprofit that changed everything, and the movement he is now building through National ALD to humanize workplaces across America. Along the way he shares the Gallup numbers that should alarm every business leader (only 30% of your workforce is fully engaged — and 20% are actively working against you), the boat analogy that reframes where leadership energy actually belongs, the Ebenezer Scrooge workshop experience that wakes leaders up to their own future, and why he believes the leaders of tomorrow will be defined not by what they know but by how well they connect. Listen on all platforms: Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Timestamps: 00:00 The water-instead-of-coffee opening and getting right into it 01:00 Values from a small New England town: every person is a priceless human being 02:00 Early leadership lessons that didn't fit: the big stick, the raised voice, the five-second experiment 03:30 How authoritarian leadership styles persist — and what is forcing them to change 05:30 Why employees today expect more: options, mobility, and the cost of turnover 06:00 The label problem: why calling people 'resources' and 'assets' changes how we treat them 07:00 The Gallup numbers: 30% engaged, 50% apathetic, 20% working against you 08:30 What that 50% actually wants — and why pizza parties aren't the answer 09:00 Scott's fine-but-not-fine moment: VP title, the layoff, and the six-month wilderness journey 10:30 Consulting, teaching college, the Alabama tribe, and nothing sparking 11:30 The panic attack on the six-month anniversary — and the prayer that night 12:00 The LinkedIn email the next morning and why he almost didn't open it 13:00 Getting the job, nine months at the nonprofit, and getting laid off again 14:00 What he saw at the nonprofit that he had never seen in 30 years of corporate life 15:00 Slowing down, morning walks, scripture, and learning to listen for answers 17:00 What to say to the leader still inside the corporate grind who thinks this doesn't apply to them 19:00 The mirror exercise: changing the label from 'resource' to 'priceless human being' 20:00 The boat analogy: three rowing hard, five barely dipping oars, two rowing backwards 22:00 Practical technique: pause, notice the label, change it to priceless — even in traffic 24:00 Great Aunt Frida in the blue Cadillac convertible, and the grace it teaches 26:00 AI, stress, and why the future of leadership is human connection 27:30 The national movement: nationalald.com, faculty across the country, public workshops 29:00 The Ebenezer Scrooge experience: past, present, future — what do you want to be known for? 30:30 Take care of your geese. The goose and the golden egg. 31:00 Eminem's Lose Yourself as the long-run pick-me-up song Connect with Scott Doggett: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdoggett/ Website: https://www.nationalald.com/ About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

Rob Scheer was thrown out at 18 with a trash bag. He was the youngest of 10 children. His mother was married six times. His father beat him and his siblings, punching him in the bladder so repeatedly that by the time Rob joined the Navy, it ruptured. He had spent his senior year of high school homeless — sleeping in the bathroom of the taco restaurant where he worked, on beanbag chairs in the public library after closing, and on the floors of friends' homes. He barely graduated. He had no family to go back to. He had no picture to put on his bunk in boot camp except one of Tina Turner. Then he became one of the most successful mortgage bankers in the country. On Episode 237 of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Rob Scheer sits down with Lori Saitz to share the full arc: the teachers who believed in him when no one else did, the Navy discharge that sent him hitchhiking down Route 7 with a Salvation Army suit and a fabricated resume, the mortgage industry boss who ripped that resume in half and told him he was the most honest person he had ever met, the 28-year banking career, and the moment he looked at his four children in designer clothes and realized he had raised entitled kids who had never learned empathy. That realization led to Comfort Cases — a nonprofit that packs backpacks filled with brand-new essentials for children entering foster care on their first night. No more trash bags. Over 320,000 cases delivered to all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the United Kingdom. Three-month waiting list for volunteers. Published by Derek Jeter. Featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Rob also shares what it means to be a foster and adoptive father to five sons, including one adopted at 18 in an adult adoption. He talks about why empathy is not in our DNA and must be taught, what leadership actually looks like outside of a job title, and why a five-year-old named Grayson was the one who understood from the very beginning that every backpack needs a blanket. Listen on all platforms: Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Timestamps: 00:00 How Rob's team pitched this episode: "Anytime I can talk about foster care, I'm gonna do that" 01:30 The teachers who shaped him — not parents — and the book signing reunion with Mrs. Boley 05:00 Aging out of foster care at 18: the trash bag at the door, the youngest of 10 06:30 His mother's choices vs. her environment — and why Rob refuses to blur that distinction 07:30 Senior year homeless: the taco bathroom, the library beanbags, the school breakfast line 09:30 Joining the Navy to have somewhere to go — and being voted Honor Man at boot camp 11:30 The bladder rupture: 12 years of his father's abuse, and how the Navy discharged him 13:00 Hitchhiking down Route 7, the Salvation Army suit, and the fabricated resume 14:30 Confessing the lies to his boss — and the boss who ripped the resume and said "get back to work" 16:00 28 years in banking, mortgage companies across the country 17:00 Looking at four entitled children in designer clothes and realizing something had to change 18:00 What five-year-old Grayson said about the blanket in the backpack 19:00 320,000 cases delivered to all 50 states, DC, Puerto Rico, and the UK 19:30 Empathy is not in our DNA — it has to be taught 23:00 Derek Jeter published his memoir. The Ellen Show. Walking away from banking for purpose. 25:00 740 children enter foster care every day in the United States 25:30 Three-month volunteer waiting list, 40,000 cases this year, and the expansion plan 28:00 Leadership: not a title, not followers, not waiting for someone else to fix the problem 29:00 How you can help: used books, hotel toiletries, yarn for the women at Topeka Correctional Facility 31:00 The gecko/iguana/frog stuffy knitted by women at a Kansas prison — and Melissa Etheridge's role 32:00 Tina Turner's Simply the Best — the only picture he had in boot camp 32:30 How to reach Rob Connect with Rob: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-scheer-27482653/ Website: https://comfortcases.org/ About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

Jodi Scott fell off her bike. That's how Green Goo started. Riding the same Texas road she rode every day, her laces caught in the spokes, and she looked up at an overgrown driveway leading to a white Southern colonial estate she'd somehow never noticed before. The next day, a for sale sign appeared. Her realtor grandmother told her she'd never qualify for the loan and that no one goes to Kyle, Texas. She bought it anyway. That one bed and breakfast became four B&Bs, four wedding venues, and three event services companies. Then she got pregnant, found a first aid cabinet full of ingredients she couldn't justify, and called her mom and sister to start making plant-based salves in the kitchen — production eventually took over so completely they had to cook meals outside on camping equipment. Green Goo grew into a national retail brand. Then came the pandemic, a sale to what looked like the right partner, and a federal raid on that partner that gave Jodi less than 24 hours to terminate her entire team — her mom, sister, husband, brother-in-law, and closest friends. On Episode 236 of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Jodi Scott tells Lori Saitz the full story: the military upbringing that shaped her values, the pivot from psychoneuroimmunology into entrepreneurship, the coach who wouldn't let her cancel her Monday session, and the two-year fight to buy Green Goo back. Plus how Taylor Swift's Ready For It became her boardroom pump-up song — a detail her 14-year-old daughter had to remind her of.Listen on all platforms: search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Timestamps: 00:00 How Jodi found the show and why she insisted on reaching out personally 01:30 Military upbringing: honor, integrity, commitment, and overdue library books 02:30 Her mother, the self-taught programmer who predicted mobile business in the third grade 04:00 Pre-med pivot: double major in biology and psychology, master's in health psychology 04:45 Psychoneuroimmunology: training physicians on the biopsychosocial model 06:30 Why international medical students were the most open to holistic thinking 09:30 The bike fall, the overgrown driveway, and the phone call to her grandmother 11:30 One bed and breakfast becomes four, plus four wedding venues and three other companies 15:00 A pregnant Jodi, a first aid cabinet full of chemicals, and the idea for Green Goo 16:30 Growing herbs in Idaho, drying them on screen doors, selling at farmers markets 18:00 Why they renamed the entire brand Green Goo — because customers kept calling it that 19:30 Plant-based first aid before plant-based was a category: the uphill battle with buyers 23:30 The pandemic pivot from retail to online, and why they almost did not survive 25:00 Selling the company to find a financial partner — and what happened next 26:30 The acquirer gets raided by the feds. 24 hours. Entire team terminated. 28:30 The kitchen table moment: running out of lip balm and getting emails from customers 30:30 The coach who refused the cancellation and started a mental fitness boot camp 32:30 Micro-meditations every three hours: how presence rebuilt her decision-making 34:30 Leadership advice: anticipate the worst contractually, invest in mental fitness 36:30 Taylor Swift's Ready For It as her boardroom prep song, revealed by her daughter 37:30 Where to find Jodi: greengoo.com and LinkedIn at Jodi Scott Guest Bio: Jodi Scott grew up in a military family, drawing service and resilience from her father and reinvention from her self-taught programmer mother. After studying biology and psychology (plus a master's in health psychology) and training physicians in holistic care, a chance bike accident redirected her into hospitality — building four B&Bs and four wedding venues. A sketchy first aid cabinet during pregnancy inspired her, her mother, and sister to launch Green Goo, a plant-based first aid and skincare brand that grew from an Idaho herb garden into national retail. After a sale to Green Goo collapsed when the acquirer hit federal legal trouble, Jodi spent two years rebuilding — then bought the company back. She now runs Green Goo with her family in Colorado. Connect with Jodi Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-scott-7234331b8/ Website: https://www.greengoo.com/ Jodi is open to connecting with people who reach out directly. About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

What do you do when you get offered the top job in your industry and you turn it down anyway? Will Steel did exactly that. He grew up in rural Yorkshire, delivering milk at the age of three alongside his mother, who ran the family's milk round for 40 years just to cover the grocery bill. He worked for a stonemason from age 12 to 16, digging graves and mending roofs. He talked his way into an engineering apprenticeship, earned two technician qualifications simultaneously, got into university, discovered the Royal Air Force Flying Club, and became an RAF pilot — something he describes as almost impossibly unlikely for someone with his background. Then he joined the airlines. And hated it. He calls commercial flying "like being a bus driver" — rigidly routed, waiting to get home, doing it for the paycheck and nothing else. When he discovered the Landmark Forum and realized he could make a real difference with people, he was offered the top role in UK aviation: flying long-haul 747-400s out of Heathrow for British Airways. At the same time, he was offered a job starting at the bottom in personal development work — with a 75% pay cut. He took the pay cut. On this episode of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, Will Steel — now a business coach, author of Free to Lead, and host of the Free to Lead podcast — talks with Lori Saitz about the values he was raised with, the career pivots that looked like madness from the outside, and the core problem he now spends his days solving: business owners who are working 65-75 hours a week, trapped inside their own companies, unable to delegate, and wondering why the business is not growing. He also shares the practical tool he uses to help clients get their time back, the story of a car body shop owner who went from chasing $2.5M to landing a $23.5M acquisition offer, and why authenticity is not a feeling — it is a practice of catching yourself being inauthentic and telling the truth about it. Listen on all platforms: Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. Timestamps: [00:00] Will calls in from Costa Rica, about to go surfing after this [01:30] The values he was raised with — and delivering milk at three years old in Yorkshire [04:00] His mother's 40-year milk round and what his parents built from nothing [06:00] Hard work vs. working smart: how his thinking evolved [08:30] The car body shop owner who went from $2.5M to $23.5M in 12 months [11:00] The unlikely career path: stonemason, engineer, university, RAF pilot [14:00] Joining the airlines — and why it felt like being a bus driver [15:30] The Landmark Forum, the British Airways offer, and the 75% pay cut decision [18:00] "You can't get enough of what you don't really want" [20:00] Why business owners get stuck in the doing, and what it costs them [23:00] The 15-minute time audit tool that reveals where the hours actually go [25:00] The architect who spent 7.5 hours a week driving kids to school — and got it all back [27:00] Delegation done right: pay for outcomes, not doing [31:00] What the Saudi Arabia pharmaceutical executive learned about his own communication [32:00] Authentic leadership: it is not a feeling, it is a practice [34:00] Rock 'n' Roll Star by Oasis — and why Will almost became a singer instead [36:30] How to reach Will: willsteel.com | Book: Free to Lead | Podcast: Free to Lead Guest Bio: Will Steel grew up in rural Yorkshire, England, in a family built on work ethic and honesty. His mother ran a milk delivery round for 40 years to cover household expenses while his father worked in a tractor factory. Will worked alongside a stonemason from age 12, completed dual engineering apprenticeships, earned a degree in electronic engineering, and discovered flying through his university's Royal Air Force squadron. He became an RAF pilot, joined commercial aviation, and then walked away from a British Airways 747 captain position to pursue work in personal development after attending the Landmark Forum. He has since spent 27 years coaching business owners and leading large-format programs across industries, helping them identify where they are stuck, recover their time, and grow their businesses by working less hours while generating substantially more. He is the author of Free to Lead and hosts a podcast of the same name. Connect with Will Steel: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-steel-business-coach-high-performance-transformation/ Website: willsteel.com Book: Free to Lead About the Show: Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

Candice Van Dertholen did not arrive at her work in energy healing by reading about it. She lived through it.In this episode of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, host Lori Saitz sits down with energy practitioner Candice Van Dertholen for an unflinching conversation about single parenthood at 22, a Texas maximum security prison career she stumbled into out of financial desperation, an abusive marriage that escalated into a violent car ride with her children in the backseat, and the night she nearly took her own life — waking up in a hospital bed furious that she was still alive.From Joyce Meyer's Battlefield of the Mind on a hospital nightstand to affirmations she wrote thousands of times before she even knew what affirmations were, Candice traces the slow, unglamorous, piece-by-piece rebuilding that took two years before she felt like herself again. She also shares the complicated grief of finding out both ex-husbands had died within the same year, and why disenfranchised grief rarely gets the space it deserves.Now a practitioner who holds space for others in those same pivotal moments, Candice talks about why self-sabotage is almost always a story, why money in alignment multiplies, and what happens when we finally stop running from the relationship with ourselves.Listen on all platforms:Search "Fine is a 4-Letter Word" on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your shows. Subscribe so you never miss an episode.Timestamps:[00:00] Introductions — Candice and Lori on mutual friend Chris Schembra and life in Charlotte[01:45] The values she was raised with: personal integrity and the discipline of non-judgment[03:00] Growing up between two worlds — her mother's nursing work with terminally ill children[06:00] Her mother's unrecognized PTSD and the compassion Candice finally found, decades later[08:30] Becoming a single parent at 22 and the judgment she faced in Texas[09:45] The unexpected detour: corrections officer at a Texas Level 5 max security prison[13:00] The abusive marriage — how familiar energy patterns kept her from seeing the signs[15:30] The violent car incident that involved her children and set off a CPS investigation[18:30] The night she nearly took her life and the hospital room that changed everything[20:00] The books, therapy, affirmations, and two-year rebuild that followed[22:00] Finding unexpected permission to leave through a hospital chaplain's words[24:00] Complex grief: losing both ex-husbands within a year[28:00] Burnout, 75 Hard, and the yoga studio that led her to energy healing[30:00] What to do when you feel stuck and unworthy of the next level[33:00] The song that gets her going: Ready or Not by Britt NicoleGuest Bio:Candice Van Dertholen is an energy practitioner whose path to healing work was forged through personal experience. A single mother of three from a young age, she has navigated poverty, domestic abuse, correctional work, burnout, and near-fatal crisis to arrive at a practice centered on helping others break the self-sabotaging patterns that keep them from the next version of themselves. She works with clients in pivotal transition moments and offers pay-it-forward sessions for those who cannot afford standard rates. She found her work in energy healing through a yoga studio in Virginia, where she met her first practitioner after years of seeking the missing piece in her healing journey. She and her husband are military family who have relocated multiple times across the US.Connect with Candice:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/candicevandertholen/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candice_elizabeth.co/Candice also offers pay-it-forward sessions for those who need support but are working with limited means.About the Show:Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

The word motivation is back in style, and just as many people are busy tearing it down. Maybe you've felt that pull yourself, fired up one week and flat on the couch the next. Today I want to settle the argument. Motivation matters, but it's not the whole story. There's a tiny word hiding in plain sight that does the real work, and most people race right past it. It's only two letters. Once you see what it does, you can't unsee it. Come on in and let me show you. Featured Story Yesterday I went back and listened to the very first Motivation to Move show I ever did. It was on an AM radio station, years ago. I'd bought the time myself, seven o'clock on a Saturday morning, because that was all I could afford back then. Almost twenty years later, the only thing that's really changed is that my voice got a little raspier. The name stuck. Motivation to Move. I picked those words because I understood what they meant, even if I couldn't have explained it. What I didn't notice for the longest time was the little word sitting right in the middle, quietly doing all the work. Important Points Motivation alone won't carry you. Build your structure first, and the spark shows up almost on its own once you're calm. Some of what blocks you is the stuff you love. The mortgage, the family, the vacations all pull at your motivation, too. Motivation is only a spark, and moving changes your state. The real magic lives in the word that connects them. Memorable Quotes Most people try to live on motivation alone, and that by itself won't get you anywhere without the other side of it. Motivation is a spark, just a flash in the dark. It's not the target, it's the trigger that sends you toward it. The minute you put the word to in the middle of motivation and move, then what you're doing isn't random anymore. Scott's Three-Step Approach Start by building your structure and plan until everything feels calm, since a peaceful base is where motivation sparks. Next, name exactly what you want, so the spark has a clear target and your movement stops being random autopilot. Then build the bridge and move, because the word to means nothing until you actually cross it toward what you want. Chapters 0:02 - A wide-open weekend with no plans at all 0:34 - Listening back to my very first radio show 2:00 - Why motivation got so controversial lately 3:50 - Why motivation is only a spark in the dark 6:03 - Moving means changing your physical and mental state 7:11 - The two tiny letters everybody races past 8:53 - Commit, spark it, build the bridge, then move Connect With Me Search for the Daily Boost on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify If you enjoy the Daily Boost, you might like Notes From Scott. A few mornings each week, I send a short note with something I've been thinking about or noticing lately. Sometimes those ideas turn into podcast episodes later. You can sign up at https://notesfromscott.com. Email: support@motivationtomove.com Main Website: https://motivationtomove.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/dailyboostpodcast Instagram: https://instagram.com/heyscottsmith Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/motivationtomove Facebook Group: https://dailyboostpodcast.com/facebook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everte Farnell spent seventeen years married to a partner he now believes had borderline personality disorder, enduring verbal, emotional, and eventually physical abuse before everything came to a head in his own kitchen. In this conversation, he opens up about why men rarely report abuse, what changed the night his daughter stepped in, and how he rebuilt his health, his confidence, and his life from the ground up.What You'll LearnWhy a majority of domestic abuse incidents involve female aggression toward male partners, and why almost none of it gets reportedHow borderline personality traits can drive a partner to undermine the people closest to them out of fear of abandonmentWhat it actually took for Everett to leave a marriage he had stayed in for years out of fear and outdated research about kids and divorceHow losing over 100 pounds became part of Everett's recovery from years of stress eating and undiagnosed sleep apneaWhy filing for a protective order as a man can come with its own uphill battle in the legal systemHow Everett went from believing the world was an emotional hellscape to seeing it as full of opportunityGuest BioEverte Farnell grew up in the small town of Umatilla, Florida, and built a career as an entrepreneur, including scaling a roofing company to ten times its weekly sales in under sixteen months. After surviving a seventeen-year marriage marked by abuse, he rebuilt his life, lost over 100 pounds, and remarried into what he describes as the healthiest relationship of his life. He now shares his story to help others recognize and talk about abuse that often goes unreported.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Introduction and Everett's background growing up in rural Florida04:00 — The toxic beliefs about money Everett had to unlearn06:00 — How Everett rewired disempowering beliefs over time13:00 — Living with smiling depression and undiagnosed sleep apnea14:00 — Seventeen years married to a partner with borderline traits20:00 — Why Everett stayed longer than he should have25:00 — The night everything changed in the kitchen28:00 — The truth about domestic abuse against men31:00 — How Everett became more empathetic and rebuilt his lifeConnect with Everte Farnell:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/everte-farnell-aa77556/Website: https://evertefarnell.com/About the ShowFine is a 4-Letter Word is a podcast about what happens when people stop pretending everything is fine and start telling the truth about what they are really going through. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests for honest conversations about the moments that changed everything.Subscribe so you never miss a conversation that might change how you see your own story.

For more, visit www.BishalSarkar.com.In this practical episode of the "I Love Public Speaking" podcast, Bishal Sarkar reveals the power of replacing the word “BUT” with a simple yet transformative 3-letter word.Join Bishal Sarkar as he explains why the word “BUT” can undermine your message and create resistance in conversations and presentations.Learn what this effective 3-letter word is and how it can help you communicate more positively and persuasively.Tune in to the "I Love Public Speaking" podcast with Bishal Sarkar to discover how making this small change in your language can lead to more constructive and impactful interactions.

You're not failing because of lack of skill or effort. You're failing because of patterns you picked up before you were old enough to choose them. Dr. Kevin Mays, leadership coach and author of Lead Yourself First, built a career helping executives see that the behaviors driving their success are often the exact same ones quietly sabotaging what they're trying to build.What You'll LearnWhy childhood patterns like people-pleasing and humor as a deflection tool show up in the boardroom decades laterHow to shift from being run by unconscious programming to making intentional choices from a place of presenceThe difference between geographic disruption and internal disruption, and why the latter is the harder and more powerful pathHow to reprogram your subconscious using 'I am' statements rather than 'I would like' statementsWhy comfort is the true enemy of growth, and what to do about it when you're not at rock bottomWhat it really means to step into the void with no plan B and why that clarity can change everythingAbout the Guest:Dr. Kevin Mays is a leadership coach, speaker, and author based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Through his company, Upgrade Your Leadership, he works with executives and founders to uncover the unconscious patterns holding them back and develop the self-awareness needed to lead at a higher level. His book, Lead Yourself First, recently made the Amazon best-seller list.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 — Cold open and show introduction01:25 — Welcome and breathing exercise before the call03:36 — Kevin's upbringing in Michigan: the car company culture and what it programmed05:22 — Birth order, family patterns, and the youngest child's drive for attention08:11 — How Kevin began studying self-awareness and what opened that door09:12 — The motorcycle trip: riding to the Pacific Coast until the bike broke down12:50 — Aeronautical engineering, near-miss in the airplane, and choosing a different road15:48 — Identity falling away piece by piece and the moment of real surrender19:22 — How to strip away constraint without hitting bottom first22:48 — Quitting his job, moving to Michigan, and committing with no plan B27:06 — Overcoming early programming: affirmations, rewiring neural pathways, and the piano analogy31:48 — Releasing constraint vs. replacing it: Kevin pushes back on 'brainwashing'34:37 — Music, Rumi, and how Kevin finds presence and energy35:18 — Lori's five key takeaways from the conversation38:12 — ClosingConnect with Dr. Kevin Mays:Website: https://upgradeyourleadership.com/Book: Lead Yourself First (available on Amazon)Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kevin-mays/Guest Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maysleadershipKevin's hype song: Friday I'm In Love by The CureAbout the Show:Fine Is a 4-Letter Word is the show for leaders who are tired of pretending everything is okay. Host Lori Saitz brings on guests who get honest about what it really takes to lead with empathy, vulnerability, gratitude, and courage. New episodes every week.Subscribe so you never miss an episode, and if this conversation hit home, leave a review. It helps more leaders find the show.

Scott Lackey grew up as a free-range kid roaming the woods and building forts, convinced he had all the time in the world. Then three questions from three people in the span of two weeks turned everything upside down. What followed was a winding path through the military, a failed invention, a Ponzi scheme, and a long list of promises he kept breaking to himself — until one sleepless night during Covid changed the trajectory of his life.In this episode of Fine Is a 4-Letter Word, host Lori Saitz sits down with Scott to unpack the stories behind his upcoming book, including why crossing the finish line is never the actual victory, how military service wired him differently than the civilian world could handle, and why the Ironman he completed wasn't really about endurance at all.Scott shares the moment he realized broken promises to himself were the root of his unrest, and why learning to listen to your inner voice, whether you call it God, instinct, or something else entirely, changes how you move through every challenge.Key Topics Covered:How Scott's free-range upbringing shaped his sense of adventure and created the blind spots that nearly derailed his early adult lifeThe two-week period where three questions from a coach, a teacher, and his father forced him to think about the future for the first timeHow an Army commercial became the clearest sense of direction he had ever feltServing with the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, and why four years of military service were irreplaceableThe Wire Dog invention he built in the desert, the $10,000 Ponzi scheme that ended the dream, and what those failures actually taught himWhy Scott believes the gifts are always in the pain, and how that principle shaped his leadership philosophyThe danger of taking advice from people who have nothing at stake in your decisionHow broken promises to yourself erode self-trust, and the internal wake-up call that led him to register for the IronmanThe practices Scott uses to stay connected to his inner voice, including journaling, fasting, long workouts, and meditationWhat the Ironman's question 'What are you willing to sacrifice?' ultimately revealed to him If you've ever felt stuck at 'fine' and couldn't put your finger on why, this conversation will hit close to home.GUEST BIO: Scott Lackey Scott Lackey is a US Army veteran, entrepreneur, Ironman athlete, and author whose life story reads like a series of pivot points, each one forced by failure, chance, or a voice he couldn't quite ignore. He grew up in rural America, joined the Army after seeing a TV commercial that spoke to something he couldn't articulate, and served with the 1st Infantry Division across Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait.After leaving active duty, Scott pursued an entrepreneurial dream built around an invention he'd prototyped in the desert, only to have it derailed by a Ponzi scheme. What followed was years of building, failing, learning, and ultimately creating something worth sustaining. His upcoming book draws on all of it, examining why failure and pain carry more lasting value than the victories people celebrate, and why the hardest promises to keep are often the ones made in private, to yourself.Scott completed a full Ironman (140.6 miles) after a period of quiet internal reckoning during Covid, a decision he kept to himself for six weeks because he didn't yet trust himself to follow through. He's a husband, father, and dedicated student of what it means to live with integrity to your own inner compass.Connect With Scott:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottlackey1/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thescottlackey/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Thescottlackey/X: https://x.com/thescottlackeyYou may find some of the topics in his top 10 most requested keynotes of topical interest. Link on his website: https://scottlackey.com/speaking/Another area of possible interest is his published short stories: https://scottlackey.com/published-work/Subscribe to Fine Is a 4-Letter Word wherever you listen to podcasts.Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit.com.Because when people feel heard, they engage.

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Welcome to the celebration of five years of fine is a four letter word. I'm your host, Lori Saitz, and man, what a ride it has been. Five years. I don't know that I could have said five years ago that I would expect to be still doing this show five years later. mean, man, that's like another lifetime ago.Think of everything that's happened in your life in the past five years. I mean, I had different cats, I lived in a different state. I've had so many adventures in the past five years and met so many amazing, incredible people and been through so many experiences. Someone asked me the other day, I was a guest on someone else's show, and they asked me what I was grateful for, and I said, all the incredible experiences I have gotten to experience, all the incredible adventures I've gotten to experience in my life. So grateful.You know what else I'm grateful for? Every single guest, more than 200 of them who have been on this show, and especially the first 20 who trusted me enough to give me their time and say yes to being on a brand new show. Because stats show 80 to 90 % of shows never make it past the first 20 episodes. 44 % don't even get past the first three episodes. And here we are at episode 227, five years of weekly publishing. Wow. Sure, there have been some vacation weeks like last year when I was in Tanzania and that year, Panther and I were on our month long road trip sabbatical, but average it out and we've published 45 episodes a year.When I say we, I'm referencing that this show isn't a solo effort from the people who've helped me with strategy before it even launched, specifically Donnie and Mark, to my editors Greg and Chad and Adam and team and Jennifer, who put it all together after it's recorded. I thought for this episode, we do a little review of some especially memorable moments and shows.This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Listen, we all know that no one's reading emails and those all hands meetings and Slack messages can feel a little impersonal. How do you make work feel more human? Leaders who are serious about building real trust with their teams are finding more modern and effective ways to strengthen culture, create connection and foster community. That's where I come in.Forward-thinking companies, and specifically those with new CEOs, are hiring me to produce internal podcasts, to bring leadership and employees together through insightful stories and personalized conversations, and to share information that actually helps you move your career and company forward. Think of it as your old school printed company newsletter, reinvented. I know, what a cool idea, right? If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at lori at zenrabbit.com.As I look ahead, I can't necessarily promise another five years, but I can promise I'll keep doing this for as long as it brings me joy. And right now, it brings me SO MUCH JOY to meet all these fantastically interesting people and hold space in my studio for them to be seen and heard and to tell their stories.Thanks for listening to Fine is a 4-Letter Word. If you enjoyed the show, please follow and share it with a friend. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform to help others discover it too.Remember, you do not have to settle for FINE. You have the power to become a leader people respect and want to follow AND create a life you love. Now let's f-ing go!

Ready to step into a whole new energy, yet that tiny little niggle of your conscious mind keeps holding you in resistance.. shouting at you... "YOU ARE NOT THAT PERSON!" keeping you perpetually stuck in the same old reality? This tiny little hack will allow you to bypass all of that once and for all and embody a new identity, without the resistance! Ps. Join Miracle May and get recoded for infinite possibilities down below!  www.tarabrunet.com/the-manifestation-clubhttps://www.tarabrunet.com/offers/xrKT6egZ  

We're more connected than ever… and more lonely than ever. Because connected online is very different than connected offline.In this solo episode, I'm exploring the quiet epidemic of loneliness and why it shows up in places most leaders overlook.If you're interested in being successful – whether you're running a business or working for someone – no matter what your definition of success is… and you want to amplify or upgrade your abilities, this episode is for you. If you're interested in living longer without having to eat kale and work out two hours a day, seven days a week, this episode is for you.More than 10 years ago, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy uncovered an epidemic of loneliness in the U.S. What surprised him the most was the degree to which people described feeling lonely. And the diversity of people affected – all genders, all ages, all levels of education and professionalism and wealth.People were reporting they didn't feel like they belonged. And people felt embarrassed and ashamed to admit they felt lonely. Because they didn't want to appear needy or inadequate. Because of course, in America, we're all about independence and self-sufficiency.Nothing has changed since then. If anything, these findings have only intensified in the past decade and were especially exacerbated by pandemic times.When people don't feel seen, known, or supported, collaboration suffers, trust erodes, and work becomes heavier than it needs to be.The truth is, humans aren't designed to operate like machines behind screens all day. Real connection fuels creativity, resilience, and engagement. It also plays a surprising role in how long and how well we live.If you want a stronger culture, better communication, and a team that actually enjoys working together, this episode will give you a place to start.Resources:My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.meInvitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit.Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication.Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?!If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.Because when people feel heard, they engage.

If you run your own business or work directly with clients, understanding how to sell is one of the most important skills you can develop. In today's episode, Mike, Brook, and Mac break down what effective sales really looks like—from building rapport and listening to customers, to identifying decision makers and overcoming objections. They also discuss how confidence, preparation, and genuine communication can help turn everyday conversations into long-term business relationships. All this and more on the Cleveland Real Estate Investor Podcast.  [3:10] Mike introduces the topic of sales and explains why selling should not be viewed negatively, emphasizing that strong sales skills help build long-term customer relationships.[11:20] Mike compares sales to investigative journalism, explaining that great salespeople ask questions, listen carefully, and uncover the real problem before offering solutions.[20:05] Mike explains the concept that “the customer is not the foreman,” and how professionals must provide expertise instead of letting customers dictate the solution.[31:40] Brook discusses the importance of listening more than talking in sales and how customers can sense anxiety when a salesperson over-explains or tries too hard.[43:50] The group wraps up with advice for sales professionals—build confidence, focus on relationships, and remember that even if you don't close the sale, you can still build a connection. 

BREAK UP WITH BROKE: amyvanmeijl.com/breakupwithbrokeThe audio journey designed to release worry, reframe debt and recalibrate your thinking to welcome in expansion and wealth into your life.Not all relationships are meant to last babe.  If you're still struggling with worrying about your money and bills, if you feel fear that you don't have enough or you'll mess it all up when you get more, this program is for you.

 Is your quest to "optimize" everything making you miserable? In this eye-opening episode of the Better Than Fine podcast, host and well-being expert Darlene Marshall reveals why the drive for constant optimization can actually sabotage your happiness, health, and satisfaction in life. Join Darlene as she unpacks the science behind decision fatigue, perfectionism, and the hidden dangers of the self-improvement hustle culture. Drawing from Dr. Barry Schwartz's groundbreaking research on the "Paradox of Choice," Darlene explains why more options and relentless striving rarely lead to a happier, more fulfilled life—and what to do instead!

What if every time you said "I'll try," you were actually announcing you just weren't going to do it?Carla Ondrasik breaks down why "trying" sabotages your goals and why your brain literally can't process the word. This conversation goes beyond surface-level motivation into the neuroscience of language and accountability.What you'll discover:- Why children under two never say "try" until shame enters- What happens in your brain when you attempt the try test- How "I'll try" creates a grab bag of excuses with zero accountabilityCarla Ondrasik spent 25 years in music publishing before writing "Stop Trying," challenging one of the most ingrained patterns in modern culture.This week's challenge: Become hyper-aware of every time you say "try"—count how many times before 10 a.m.Resources:- Carla's book "Stop Trying": https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Trying-Discover-Lifelong-Greatness/dp/1637744129- Carla's website: https://stop-trying.com- Follow Carla on Instagram: @carlaondrasikReady to go deeper? Join the Mind Love Collective for monthly themed calls where we work through exactly this kind of transformation. Details at https://mindlove.com/joinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adrienne Mann and Melissa Stratman dig into a timely question for health centers: how should we be talking about productivity right now? With federal funding on shaky ground, they reframe productivity as a mission-protecting tool—not a punitive metric—and share practical ways leaders can discuss capacity, schedules, and expectations with clarity, fairness, and trust, building on the ADKAR model for change management. A must-listen for teams feeling the pressure to serve more patients while building real financial resilience.Thanks for listening! If you or someone you know should be interviewed for this show, send us an email. Check us out on: FacebookInstagramLinkedInOur WebsiteTikTokTwitterYouTube

Is your home ever done? We're discussing the age old argument of 'should you be done decorating your house at some point' or should you keep improving it? If you stop decorating your home, we believe it can feel stagnant. It's not just about keeping your home current, but also keeping it feeling fresh and not boring. SCHEDULE A DESIGN CONSULTNeed help with your home? We'd love to help! We do personalized consults, and we'll offer advice specific to your room that typically includes room layout ideas, suggestions for what the room needs, and how to pull the room together. We'll also help you to decide what isn't working for you. We work with any budget, large or small. Find out more ⁠HERE⁠ Hang out with us between episodes at our blogs, IG and Kelly's YouTube channels. Links are below to all those places to catch up on the other 6 days of the week!⁠Anita's IG ⁠⁠Kelly's IG⁠⁠Anita's blog⁠⁠Kelly's blog⁠⁠Kelly's YouTube⁠ Are you subscribed to the podcast? Don't need to search for us each Wednesday let us come right to your door ...er...device. Subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. Just hit the SUBSCRIBE button & we'll show up! If you have a moment we would so appreciate it if you left a review for DTT on iTunes. Just go ⁠HERE⁠ and click listen in apple podcasts. XX,Anita & KellyDI - 9:46See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

 As the House Votes with only one no (Rep Clay Higgins) to release the Epstein case files, the Clintons refuse to appear before Congress to discuss their relationship with the disgraced pedophile. But no one is above the law...  Rep Jim Jordan breaks down the Trump Derangement that too many democrats have hitched their political identities to as Rep Ralph Norman moves for a House vote to censure Rep Stacey Plaskett for texting with Epstein during Michael Cohen's testimony. The censure vote failed, Rep Anna Paulina Luna says, because of swampy back room deals.

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What happens when a basketball star loses everything from his NBA dream, his identity, and even his beloved coaching job at his alma mater?In today's episode of "Fine is a 4-Letter Word," you get to meet Coach Matt Doherty, who opens up about the masks we wear, the power of vulnerability, and why saying "I'm fine" can be the most dangerous lie we tell ourselves.Coach Doherty grew up on Long Island with dreams of basketball greatness. He achieved remarkable success as a three-year starter at the University of North Carolina under legendary coach Dean Smith. But his NBA dreams were cut short, leading him to Wall Street during the decade of greed where he began self-medicating with alcohol.After building a successful coaching career that culminated in his dream job as head coach at UNC, Matt's world came crashing down when he was fired after just three years in a very public manner. This devastating blow, combined with his struggle with alcoholism, forced him into a period of deep self-reflection and transformation. The turning point came through discovering emotional intelligence and the power of vulnerability, leading him to remove what he calls his three masks: the "tough guy mask," the "smart guy mask," and the "I got my shit together mask."Today, Matt is an executive coach using his hard-earned wisdom to help leaders avoid the landmines he stepped on during his own leadership journey. Through his work with peer advisory groups and his book "Rebound: From Pain to Passion," Matt demonstrates that true strength comes from exposing your struggles to the light instead of hiding them.Get ready to hear about the morning routine that changed his life, why he believes vulnerability is the new invincibility, and the surprising origin of the word "coach." Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or just trying to get out of bed some mornings, this episode will challenge you to take off your masks and step into who you're meant to be.Matt's hype song is Ramble On by Led ZeppelinResources:Coach Matt Doherty's websites: https://coachmattdoherty.com/ and https://dohertycoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachmattdoherty/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachmattdoherty/ Claim your copy of “Rebound: From Pain to Passion” at https://dohertycoaching.com/books/ Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication. Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership...

Fine is a 4-Letter Word is all about those moments when “fine” is just the mask we wear before life gives us a loud wake-up call.For Massimo Backus, that wake-up call came wrapped in a leadership 360 evaluation that painted a picture he didn't recognize. The team he thought he was inspiring and supporting saw someone defensive, unsafe to approach, even a bully. Gut punch, right?Raised by creative, supportive parents who met in a woodworking class over a three-legged chair, Massimo learned the values of creativity, acceptance, and generosity that would later guide his unconventional career path. He also carried the invisible weight of childhood dyslexia and a lifelong habit of needing to prove himself. That pattern followed him into adulthood and eventually showed up in how he led others. His relentless pursuit of purpose-driven work eventually led him to a prestigious position as global head of leadership development for a large international consulting firm, where he thought he had finally “made it.” However, that 360-degree feedback assessment came as an unexpected wake-up call.Massimo first tried to “fix” himself on his own. It wasn't until he surrendered control and attended the Hoffman Process, a weeklong retreat, that he uncovered the real saboteur: his own inner critic.Through self-compassion, Massimo finally found the power to stop performing and start being. Listen as we unpack his journey from overactive inner critic to radical freedom.Massimo's hype song is Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Sound SystemResources:InKind Leaders Website: https://www.inkindleaders.com/Massimo's Personal Website: https://massimobackus.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/massimo-backus/Claim your copy of: “Human First, Leader Second” bookInvitation from Lori: This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication. Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?! If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com. Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.

Want more Coach Kim in your life? Join the Total Female Hockey or Orange Machine newsletters - all details and differences can be found here: https://totalfemalehockey.com/subscribe-orange-machine/In this week's 22 minute episode, Coach Kim dives deep into the #1 thing that drives coaches in the girls game crazy. In a recent episode, Kim talked about how being LAZY was the #1 thing that drove coaches crazy. And that's definitely still true. But this other 4 letter word is particularly maddening because players are so great at it away from the ice and yet so weak at it when they get on the ice. Listen, learn and share with any friends, teammates, parents and coaches who are looking for simple ways to take their game to the next level this season and beyond.Join ⁠⁠⁠The Orange Machine⁠⁠⁠ — your secret weapon to building elite-level Hockey IQ and confidence this season. This is our premium paid newsletter where Coach Kim shares all her best stuff every week!What You Get as a Member of The Orange Machine:

Hey high achiever, what if the only way to save your life… was to finally stop doing all the things and learn how to be?In this powerful and deeply honest episode of Fine is a 4-Letter Word, we sit down with Karen Brown, a global leader, poet, and mentor who has lived and worked in nearly 90 countries—and once wore her “busyness” like a badge of honor. I know you can relate to that. Raised in Jamaica on the values of personal identity, learning, and service, Karen built her life around helping others. But when decades of stress and 18-hour workdays landed her in the emergency room, she was forced to face a painful truth: the woman who'd mastered productivity had forgotten how to pause.What followed was a journey of rediscovering the power of silence. Because for Karen, silence wasn't just absence of noise; silence was painful and jarring. It was a void she tended to fill with constant learning and doing. Over time, though, she learned to sit with silence, to let it restore her body, calm her mind, and reconnect her to herself. That transformation didn't just heal her—it deepened the way she serves others.Now, Karen changes lives through the simplest of acts: truly seeing people. Whether mentoring a young professional, writing letters to hotel staff around the world, or stopping a stranger just to say, “You are seen,” Karen reminds us how small moments of kindness can heal invisible wounds and ripple outward into the world.But here's the question that lingers: when silence finally knocked on her door… what truth did it whisper that changed everything?Tune in to find out how Karen turned stillness into strength—and how you can, too.Karen's hype song is "We Pray" by Coldplay.Resources:Karen Brown's website: https://bridgearrow.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridge-arrow/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BridgeArrow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoeKJ8Bnc_POr-IidXaNAFgInvitation from Lori: This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication. Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?! If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade communication, facilitate connections, build community, and maintain culture, let's chat. Message me at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com. Because when people feel heard,...

Welcome to a new season of Fine is a 4-Letter Word. I'm excited for today's guest because there is no better time for you to meet someone who embodies what it means to live boldly, build with purpose, and refuse to accept “fine” as a final answer. Dr. Kimberly McGlonn spent 18 years as a high school teacher, a job she loved thoroughly. She could have stayed there and finished up an amazing career. But she realized she was only reaching about 100 people a year. And she wanted to reach thousands.So Kimberly took a sabbatical and traveled to East Africa where she dove deep into creativity. She came back with a mission of starting a new breed of fashion design company she called Grant Boulevard.The first Black woman-owned B Corp in the U.S. fashion industry, her design firm aligned with a value she learned in childhood of combating disenfranchisement. Going way beyond creating eye-grabbing blouses and fashion tastemaking, this brand was interested in sustainable materiality. Focused on supply chain and procurement and climate action, but also very interested in not separating climate action from the need to take care of workers. They recruited women in the Philadelphia area whose lives had been impacted by the criminal justice system to sew the clothing, creating empowerment and opportunity.We're connecting with Kimberly just at the point where she sunsetted Grant Boulevard and is bringing to life another design company – Black Ivory Thrift. And she has taken the powerful step of writing a book to exponentially share her message of sustainability, service, and advancing the common good.So far, we've only scratched the surface. Over the next 30 minutes, you're about to discover Kimberly's fascinating story which goes into so many more areas as well!Kimberly's hype song is “New Day” by Alicia KeysResources:Dr. Kimberly McGlonn's website: https://www.drkimberlymcglonn.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkimberlymcglonn/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlymcglonn/ Claim your copy of “Build It Boldly” in audiobook, paperback, and e-book format by visiting the links at https://linktr.ee/builditboldlyInvitation from Lori: This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication. Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands meeting and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?! If you run, work...

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Romans: The Christian's Constitution, Volume 1

Even though we have sinned and will keep on sinning, God has declared us as righteous. How? We are justified by faith in Christ. Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13). Take hold of grace and thank God for His righteousness gifted to you by faith in Christ!

Romans 4:1-13 / September 5-8, 2025 Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13). From the Series: Romans: The Christian's Constitution read more

Even though we have sinned and will keep on sinning, God has declared us as righteous. How? We are justified by faith in Christ. Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13).Take hold of grace and thank God for His righteousness gifted to you by faith in Christ!

Even though we have sinned and will keep on sinning, God has declared us as righteous. How? We are justified by faith in Christ. Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13).Take hold of grace and thank God for His righteousness gifted to you by faith in Christ!

Even though we have sinned and will keep on sinning, God has declared us as righteous. How? We are justified by faith in Christ. Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13). Take hold of grace and thank God for His righteousness gifted to you by faith in Christ!

Romans: The Christian's Constitution, Volume 1

Romans 4:1-13 / September 5-8, 2025 Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13). From the Series: Romans: The Christian's Constitution read more

Romans 4:1-13 / September 5-8, 2025 Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13). From the Series: Romans: The Christian's Constitution read more

Even though we have sinned and will keep on sinning, God has declared us as righteous. How? We are justified by faith in Christ. Learn with Pastor Chuck Swindoll how Abraham's and David's lives demonstrate that justification comes by faith apart from works and the law (Romans 4:1–13).Take hold of grace and thank God for His righteousness gifted to you by faith in Christ!

By the time you see this episode, I'll be in Tanzania, petting lions and riding zebras.(Ok, I KNOW, that's not likely to happen, but I wish it could!)This week marks a lot of milestones.It's the one-year anniversary of my father's passing, and part of my reason for visiting Tanzania is to honor his memory and express gratitude for making sure he left behind the funding I'd need for the trip.It's also the 200th episode of Fine is a 4-Letter Word – and as I was doing my last-minute packing and thinking about what I'd share, what immediately came to mind are the many valuable friendships and connections I've made through interviewing our amazing guests, working with our production team, and having the chance to dialogue with you – the listener – about what we share here.Thus the topic of this very short (just 12 minutes and 50 seconds) episode, which is all about valuing yourself equally in friendships.I've been around long enough to see friendships come and go – and stay – and am convinced of the validity of the saying “Some are for a season, some are for a lesson, and some are for life.” In today's episode, YOU are the subject.When you tune in now, you'll discover a simple but powerful blueprint that helps you determine which of your friendships serve you equally with the other person, which don't, what you may be able to do to correct it, and what happens if you can't.At the very end, I have two very short “asks” of you – one is about the podcast, and one is about the status of your friendships.I only ask if you could please give each one of them their due – it will take but a couple minutes – because the benefits you gain may astound you.Lori's hype song as she records this special episode is “Raise Your Glass” by Pink.Resources:My Website: https://ZenRabbit.com/ LinkedIn: https://zenrabbit.com/linkedin/ Facebook: https://zenrabbit.com/facebook/ Instagram: https://zenrabbit.com/instagram/Visit the “FINE is a 4-Letter Word” store at https://zenrabbit.printful.me Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication. Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of connection and community. And it's easy to believe your organization is doing a great job of maintaining an awesome corporate culture. Because you've got annual all-hands and open door policies, and “fun" team-building events.But let's be real. Leaders who are serious about building real trust are finding better ways to strengthen culture, create connection, and foster community.That's where I come in. Forward thinking companies are hiring me to produce internal/private podcasts. To bring leadership and employees together through authentic stories, real conversations, and meaningful connections. Think of it as your old-school printed company newsletter - reinvented for the modern workforce. I KNOW, what a cool idea, right?! If you run, work for, or know of a company that wants to upgrade...

To register for my newsletter and a chance at the FREE ADV Backpack, sign up herehttps://baselineintelligence.substack.com/For 10% off ADV Racket Bags, click herehttps://www.advtennis.pro/discount/stokketennisJeff Greenwald, MFT, is a licensed psychotherapist, best-selling author, and a leading expert in sports psychology, renowned for his book The Best Tennis of Your Life. A former number one world ranked player on the ITF Masters Tour and professional tennis player, Jeff brings unparalleled experience both as a competitor and elite mental coach. For over twenty-seven years, he has empowered thousands of adult and youth athletes worldwide, helping them develop the mental edge and elevate their performance. As the founder of Mental Edge & Fearless Tennis (established in 1997), Jeff continues to shape the next generation of champions while competing globally on the Masters Tour. He was inducted into the Northern California Hall of Fame in 2019. Visit him at mentaledgeforsports.com to learn more about the services he provides for athletes, parents, coaches, and corporate executives around the world. Buy Jeff's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Mental-Edge-Young-Athletes-Champions/dp/B0FJPTWXXR/ref=zg_bsnr_g_11370_d_sccl_7/000-0000000-0000000?psc=1Audio Book: https://transactions.sendowl.com/orders/163188170/f13b225fa2f820281ab3e35dd7f0f95d/1We Talk:1:22 The trap of expectations9:32 Worrying about what people think of your game19:17 Character development vs. skill development25:07 How gratitude can help your game29:30 Getting back into the present

If you're having difficulty finding what you're looking for in life, have you thought about looking in a completely different place? One that might require walking away from what you have?Of course you can say that's a lot easier said than done, especially if it feels like there's not a whole lot out there for you. For Shaun Murphy, known internationally as Mister Motivation, the idea of staying in place, settling, and subsisting never really worked for him. Fine is a 4-Letter Word, and at every step of the way, standing still has never been “fine” for him.His father was murdered when he was six years old. His mother, an immigrant from Barbados, was poverty-stricken yet resourceful and would go through walls to make sure the family had enough – not much, for sure, but enough – with about $100 per month to spare. And yet, if she was down to her last $20 and met a starving stranger on the street, she'd buy them a good meal. So showing up, working hard without complaining, staying grounded in service, and helping other people – these were the core values the experience imprinted on Shaun.After high school, he briefly went to college then dropped out to serve in the military for eight years. But when he got out, he discovered three unpleasant truths. One, there is not nearly enough support for military servicepeople transitioning to civilian life. Two, after eight years of active duty and living well, all of a sudden he was back to not knowing for sure where his next meal would come from. And third, he found that as a man in his community, a man just couldn't talk about it when things aren't fine. Even if his buddies gave him an understanding ear in the moment, they might embarrass him over it a few weeks down the road. And women would see him as soft.Shaun's next job was working in the mailroom at NYU, where he learned a priceless lesson I'll let him tell you about. Next it was off to Iraq, working as a combat civilian working the postal mission. And then he was introduced to Teach for America and realized this was his calling. By now, he had a good-paying steady job and career prospects. “Impact over income”, Shaun tells us – so he got the degree he needed and took a huge pay cut for the opportunity to spread wealth into the lives of others.Fast-forward a bit, and Shaun found himself a former college dropout who had become a college professor teaching college students how to succeed in college.There's so much more to this story, as I'm going to let Shaun tell you in his own words. Now, he's an accomplished motivational speaker, musician, author – and sports team owner. I can't wait to share.Shaun's hype song is "The Bunker" by Mister Motivation.Resources:Shaun Murphy's website: https://mister-motivation.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmurphy1/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misterm0tivati0nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/misterm0tivati0n/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mistermotivation492 Claim your copy of Shaun Murphy's book, Unbreakable Valor: Triumph Through the Soul of...

A lot of companies use positive-sounding cliches like “people over profit” and “work-life balance”. This sounds good, until somebody pulls the sales reports and says “we need more revenue and profits”. Then, the bottom line becomes the bottom line. This is sometimes served with a side of “you come to work to do work, change the world on your own time”.Now, picture a model where putting people over profit actually increases profits. Where work-life balance is not measured using number of hours worked or percentage of time in the office vs. working remotely. Being involved with a company that breaks the rules and norms for its industry, where coming to work to do work means doing your part to change the world.Christian Agulles has created all of these things in an industry known for squeezing its engineers like getting that last drop out of the toothpaste tube.Born and raised in College Point, a little town in Queens, Christian was a devout Catholic who went to church, went to Catholic school, and had the whole Catholic experience that, as he describes it, formed him and scarred him at the same time. His father, a police officer, was shot in the line of duty when Christian was seven. Even being able to retire on three-quarters pension, that money didn't go far supporting a family including Christian and his two younger brothers. His mother went to work in the school cafeteria so she could align her schedule with her sons, and cleaned houses on weekends. By example, she taught Christian to not be afraid to do hard things and to do them with grace.While starting his family, Christian spent the first 20 years of his career with an engineering firm that moved him around the country to open new offices. But over those 20 years, his employer was repeatedly acquired and evolved into company that focused more on acquisition, revenue, and EBIDA. It was right around this time he was recruited to join PAE. Everything worked out fine, yes? Well, Fine is a 4-Letter Word. Did his moment of realization come from a coaching session at PAE with Sandy Lindstrom, known for the “polishing the diamond” principle, where he found out they did not feel he was very good at delivering feedback? Was it discovering that his foundational values around doing hard work with grace could be merged with volunteerism, altruism, and contribution?In a moment, when I bring Christian on, he's going to guide us through his experience leading a Certified B-Corporation and how he's taken one of their metrics – utilization – and redefined it to build PAE into a company that has a net positive impact not only on its employees, but on society as a whole. If, up until now, you've seen your best-laid plans get trumped by “the bottom line” when bills are due, this could be what you need to hear. Christian's hype songs are "Bring It On Home To Me" by Sam Cooke and "Right to Be Wrong" by Joss Stone.Resources:Christian Agulles' website: https://www.pae-engineers.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-j-agulles/Invitation from Lori:This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart business leaders know trust is the foundation of every great workplace. And in today's hybrid and fast-moving work culture, trust isn't built in quarterly town halls or the occasional Slack message. It's built through consistent, clear, and HUMAN communication. Companies and leaders TALK about the importance of...