Podcasts about Tarina

(This episode originally aired on May 13, 2024.)Nic and Tarina are joined by their daughter, Elle. She shares how she got started making the Encouragement Cards and how this experience over the past 9 years has given her confidence in her gift of encouragement. It's a special episode profiling Elle's leadership as well as her courage to do what others may consider weird. Her example is living proof that small gestures—whether it's encouragement, faith, or cookies—can have a big impact. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

This is the second half of Nic's interview with Brett Russell, retired Fire Chief for the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, and small business owner. What's one of the biggest leadership lessons you've learned? Do you appreciate the power of presence and proximity as a leader? Are values something you just put on the wall or something you actively reinforce every day? As a true leader, what really matters to you? How do you inspire your team to want the same thing? Brett has learned and applied these lessons—and like a true leader, is still learning. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Tervetuloa nukahtamaan tämän lempeän iltasadun pariin. Astrid Lindgrenin rakastettu tarina Kultasiskoni, johdattaa sinut lämpimään, lohdulliseen ja mielikuvitukselliseen maailmaan. Tarina kertoo yksinäisestä lapsesta, joka kohtaa salaperäisen Kultasiskon ja pääsee matkalle kauniiseen satumaahan. Kertomus käsittelee ystävyyttä, rakkautta, toivoa ja turvallisuuden tunnetta tavalla, joka koskettaa niin lapsia kuin aikuisiakin.Tämä rauhoittava iltasatu sopii kaikenikäisille iltarutiiniksi: rentoutumiseen, stressin lievittämiseen sekä nukahtamisen tueksi. Pehmeä tarinankerronta auttaa hiljentämään mielen, rauhoittamaan hermostoa ja päästämään irti päivän kiireistä. Voit kuunnella sadun sängyssä, levätessäsi tai osana omaa mindfulness- ja rentoutumishetkeäsi.Iltasadun kuunteleminen tukee lasten kielenkehitystä, sanavaraston laajenemista, keskittymiskykyä ja mielikuvitusta. Samalla se luo turvallisen ja rauhallisen siirtymän valveillaolosta uneen sekä auttaa säätelemään tunteita päivän päätteeksi.Myös aikuisille iltasadut tarjoavat monia hyvinvointihyötyjä. Tarinoiden kuunteleminen voi vähentää stressiä, rauhoittaa ylivirittynyttä mieltä, helpottaa rentoutumista ja tukea parempaa unenlaatua. Sadun rytmi ja lempeä tunnelma auttavat irrottautumaan huolista ja ohjaavat kohti levollista unta.Sulje silmäsi, hengitä rauhallisesti ja anna tarinan kuljettaa sinut kohti syvää rentoutumista, sisäistä rauhaa ja levollista yöunta.✨ Hyvää kuunteluhetkeä ja suloisia unia.#iltasatu #nukahtaminen #unisatu #univaikeus #rentoutuminen #stressinlievitys #mindfulness #rauhoittuminen #hyväuni #unettomuus #iltarutiini #lastensadut #astridlindgren #kultasiskoni #meditaatio #rentoutus #palautuminen #unenlaatu #hyvinvointi #sadut #rauhallinenääniMusic by Leigh Robinson from Pixabay

What are the desires of your heart? What's next for you after a successful and fruitful career? Nic's guest is Brett Russell, retired Fire Chief for the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, where he has served since 2017. How do you transition from one good thing to the next good thing? Are you, as a leader, ready to let go and let your people perform? Do you know what will be said for your eulogy? Will people speak about you as an intentional leader? If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

It's funny what happens when we don't read the fine print. It's also funny how ah-ha's arrive when we least expect it. And men, do you feel you're serving your wife because you joined in what she wanted? But did you complain the whole time? Are you really serving from the heart or making your wife pay emotionally for dragging you along to an event you didn't really want to do? If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

This episode originally aired on April 22, 2024.How do you as a leader develop your men and women to become problem solvers? Or will you remain frustrated rather than get curious about how to lead differently? Good foremen recognize that for many of the people they lead, this is their first real job. Do you remember your first job and all the mistakes you made? When we remember our own growth we begin to appreciate the difference between being curious versus judgmental.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

In this episode, Nic delivers the commencement address to the Corn Bible Academy Class of 2026. After being “warmly” introduced by his son, Cruze, Nic asks an important question: What do you do when you see your neighbor suffering?If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Are you frustrating yourself or your people or even your kids with your inability to delegate well? Does the way you delegate actually set your people up to succeed? Do you know why you're delegating or not delegating? Unfortunately some people delegate too much and others not enough. Where do those you lead land on the Delegation Ladder? What mind traps keep you from putting in the time to train and develop your people to do the work in the right way?To delegate well is a critical leadership skill and separates great leaders (and great parents) from bad ones. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

The Builder connects the dots. The question leaders must ask: What does the builder need from you to keep them from leaving? Are you ignoring your Builder or taking them for granted? Do you recognize the Builders on your team—if not, you may be too late and lose them.Watch for the book Nic is writing on the The Four Levels of Ownership.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Työuupumus on yli kaksinkertaistunut 30–45-vuotiailla viime vuosina. Samalla yhä useampi kokee epävarmuutta työn tulevaisuudesta, yksinäisyyttä ja ristiriitaa omien arvojen ja työn vaatimusten välillä. Toivoa on vähemmän, mutta tarve sille suurempi kuin koskaan.Tässä jaksossa vieraana on Lassi Kervinen, Ardereum-yhtiön perustaja ja toimitusjohtaja, joka puhuu työelämän inhimillisistä kipukohdista suoraan ja oivaltavasti.Lassi kertoo jaksossa avoimesti omasta uupumuksestaan ja siitä, miltä työelämän paineet tuntuvat sisältä käsin – ylä- ja alamäkineen.Tämä jakso ei tarjoa pikaratkaisuja, mutta se tarjoaa jotain vielä tärkeämpää: rehellisyyttä, samaistuttavuutta ja uusia näkökulmia modernissa työelämässä pärjäämiseen, toivoa ja itseään menettämättä.

Kun sinulta kysytään, keitä Jumala käytti valmistaessaan pelastusta koko ihmiskunnalle, ei Rahab todennäköisesti tule ensimmäisenä mieleesi. Jumala käytti Rahabia. Jumalalla on tehtävä myös sinulle. Sinun elämäsi muodostaa ehkä yllättävänkin tarinan. (Hepr. 11:31)Seurassasi Kirsi Tiira

Every job site has Cowboys and you will know them by their wake. But the challenge for every leader is how every Cowboy is different. Do you know which version of Cowboy you are leading? Do you know whether the Cowboys on your team are unaware or indifferent? The difference is frustrating and often highly consequential. What do they need from you and what are the consequences if you don't deliver?Check out the previous two episodes: The Passenger (EP113) and The Worker (EP114).If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

The goal as leaders is to move our people from level to the next. Do you know what The Worker needs or what they want? Are they good at taking direction, getting work done, but not thinking for themselves? How do you develop someone who has been trained to believe: “I'm not paid to think?” What is your strategy for empowering them to take initiative—to see-a-need-fill-a-need?As the leader, how are you creating a safe place for your workers to fail? If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

If you're a leader, your work is to develop your people. The answer is not to do more or work longer or harder. What would it take for you to put that time and effort into people development? As a GM or leader, are you trying to do everything? Who on the worksite is just there for the ride-along while you carry more? Do you feel like you're the only one thinking on your job? If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Nic claims these are not rules of traveling, but common courtesies—especially in airports. Have you ever wondered what it might be like to travel with Tarina? Imagine being Nic and Tarina's new son-in-law on your first vacation with the Bittle Ranch. What if traveling meant being trapped on a boat for seven days with unlimited access to ice cream and a lactose-intolerant brother-in-law? There is a lot of life in this episode. If you listen carefully, you may catch a little leadership. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Laulaja ja taiteen parissa monipuolisesti työskentelevä Anette Åkerlund kertoo lämpimästi ja iloisesti omasta polustaan musiikin pariin. Kiinnostus laulamiseen ja taiteeseen sai alkunsa jo lapsuudessa, kun kotona musiikki ja kulttuuri olivat vahvasti läsnä vanhempien kautta. Keskustelussa Åkerlund pohtii myös romanikulttuurin merkitystä elämässään sekä sitä, miten tärkeää romanikielen säilyminen on tuleville sukupolville. Hänen toiveensa on, että yhä useampi romaninuori oppisi ja käyttäisi romanikieltä ylpeästi osana omaa identiteettiään. Haastattelusta välittyy elämänmyönteinen ja inspiroiva näkökulma taiteeseen, kulttuuriin ja omiin juuriin. Toimittajana Dimitri Grönfors.

With gale force winds outside, Nic and Tarina are back in the Corn Studio having returned safely from their cruise. Nic has enough material to host a podcast describing what it's like traveling with Tarina for a week. Have you ever wanted to be heard and respected better? Do you have trouble being understood? Or, perhaps, your people do the opposite of what you said? Tarina shares what she recently learned from a Jefferson Fisher podcast on short and concise answers. Will Nic agree or disagree with this titan of communication? Listen to find out. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Eevan kirjaklubin vieraana on Hanna-Riikka Kuisma. Hänet tunnetaan väkevistä romaaneista, jotka kertovat elämästä yhteiskunnan marginaalissa. Hanna-Riikan uusin teos Maaperä on trillerimäinen kertomus pikkukaupungin salaisuuksista, jotka nousevat väkivaltaisesti pintaan. Kirjaklubissa Hanna-Riikka kertoo, miten syntyi vihatun naisen tarina ja miten hänen taustansa kuvataiteilijana vaikuttaa kirjoittamiseen. Lue lisää: Eevan kirjaklubi Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tarina got to see Nic speak—first time in six months. They had a direct flight to Atlanta and Nic dressed up a bit. She asked, “Are you wearing your tacky Dakotas belt?” Afterwards, she promised to work on her Nic Bittle clarification. They are going on a family vacation soon. Nic claims Tarina will bring 70 pounds of clothes, and he'll take a tank top and swimsuit. This conversation returns to Episode 5 and Nic shares the lesson of being confident and owning his decision after a small and funny run in at a Las Vegas Spa. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

It was a hard couple of weeks at the Bittle Ranch. Nic and Tarina had to put down Stella, Elle's dog. Stella is remembered as being all kindness and a lot of joy.Today's episode is about the damage done from unspoken kindness—Part 2 of The Power of a Kind Word. The unspoken kind word or constant criticism can do untold harm. Tarina tells a story about a top athlete in high school who was under constant criticism at home and felt she could never do good enough. This young woman couldn't wait to quit sports and does not have fond memories about that time in her life. Nic realizes that in golf you count every stroke—where the objective is to count every “mistake.” He asks, “What if on every missed shot in basketball they deducted 2 points?” Silence is a real issue—we often take it as disapproval. If a leader walks into a room and greets everyone but one person, that individual will wonder inside, “What's wrong with me? What did I do wrong?” The leader's silence echoing in his mind. The leader's job is to bring in the right criticism or correction to develop his/her people. If you're naturally critical, it'd be best to keep it to yourself. If in doubt, use the filter: is it true, is it kind, is it necessary. Most criticism isn't necessary. Consider two things: If your gift is always finding fault, that's not a gift. Also, silence is a deadly trap we can fall into. Be aware that both of these are problems. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Tarina is working on delegating, especially the deep house cleaning. Nic and Tarina report having a hard conversation about Nic's travel schedule and his to-do list. And Nic, for the first time ever, went ice fishing with Jason and Derrick and actually drove on the ice. Both Nic and Tarina share stories about receiving a kind word and how it made them feel. Examples range from recognition and appreciation and a compliment. Often this can serve as affirmation for keep doing good and being kind. And it's important to say the kind word aloud and not just keep it inside. People are hungry to matter and as Nic points out, kindness is leadership in action. Things flow better when leaders shine a light on what's going right and not just what needs to improve. Kindness can also be shown as well as said. It takes courage to pray for a waitress at a restaurant, overcoming our hesitation of sounding weird. Nic ends with a story worth hearing. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Nic judged a grade school speech competition and had to tell a couple of kids, “No snacks for you.” He enjoyed it because he got to exercise one of his spiritual gifts: judging people. Tarina also points out that Nic is hard to make toast for.The idea of this episode is to build the profile of your ideal week. If you don't have a profile and life just happens. It's better to be intentional. What Nic and Tarina found out that life fills up spaces not blocked off. Your schedule reflects what you care about, says Tarina. Whether it's vacation, work, relaxation, or a workout—it's important to have it scheduled.Nic says it's important to ask the question, “What do I want?” Then says we have to ask, “What am I willing to do to get it?” This helps identify our priorities and our non-negotiables.If you don't put what's most important to you on your calendar, someone will be happy to fill your calendar for you. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Nic received two packages—and on a Saturday of all days. Tarina says she never gets packages on Saturdays. One of them is a new “sock cap” for Nic's bald head because it's still cold in Oklahoma. The most important proof of leadership is Ownership. This is the fifth and final proof. When you make a mistake do you “own it” or do you make excuses? We all struggle with admitting when we mess up, especially when holding a leadership position. For some, there's an explanation for everything. When things go wrong, these folks don't take responsibility and avoid accountability. The work of “owning it” takes development (see Proof #4). This applies whether it is in the rearing of kids or raising up future leaders at your organization. Ownership is fundamental to building trust as a leader and in modeling (see Proof #3) for potential leaders how to build trust.Mistakes are not the problem—perfection isn't the goal. Performance issues often are fixable. When someone justifies their actions or makes excuses, this is an integrity issue. When we bend the truth we risk breaking trust. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Nic and Tarina mention “snow-megadon” in Oklahoma. While they were looking for warm clothes to fight the chill, Tarina wanted her robber mask. Nic, bumfuzzled, confirms they have plenty of robber/ski masks. In this episode, Nic says that when leadership happens we're developing others. This is the fourth proof of leadership. It's important to note that teaching and development are not the same thing. Teaching a skill is one thing. Developing the person is different. Leaders focus on technical skills, on the how-to, whereas developing focuses on a person's capacity. Teaching is showing. Developing someone's capacity is drawing out and raising up—and it takes patience. Capacity to handle more responsibility, make better judgments, or handle more stress—this takes patience and a focus on the long-term. As a leader, you show proof of your leadership by asking more questions, engaging your team in thinking for themselves. You also show proof of leadership where you let your people struggle and figure it out. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Tarina launches with a question for Nic: “Can you help me improve?” Nic immediately knows it's a trap—and he questions whether to take the bait, which he does. In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the third Proof of Leadership: Model. They take the idea of leading by example further—giving substance to the practice of modeling the behavior you want to see in others. The question they ask themselves: If we aren't leading by example, then what happens to our influence? Modeling is a discipline not just a skill. You have to develop the capacity to do the hard things, whether it's strapping on the tool belt or doing the paperwork. The easy thing is to just send an email or schedule a Zoom call. The hard thing is to go to the job site, pull on your steel-toe boots, the hardhat, and look at the crusty sheet metal workers in the eye. Behavior is communication and doing the hard thing builds trust over time. Nic shares a story about how to model the communication you want to see. He concludes, “Just because information is bad doesn't give you permission not to communicate it.” If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Nic nearly Wreck-it-Ralph'd his Corn studio because he couldn't get his microphones working—only to find out his speakers were off. And evidently, Tarina loves a good gas station hotdog (not). In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the second Proof of Leadership: Clarity. They provide personal examples of how successful they are together when they communicate with clarity. And they agree that it's important to say it not just think it. A (new) hard Nic Bittle rule: “Lack of capacity does not excuse lack of communication.” In other words, you're inability to say something aloud doesn't give you permission to make assumptions about the another person's grasp of what's most important—or how you want things to get done. One area people drop the ball when it comes to clarity is, as Tarina shares, if a leader does not clarify directions and the team executes based on what the leader says and consequently the results are not what the leader wanted, the leader gets upset at the team. As a leader, are you telling your team “Just get it done” or “This is how I want you to get it done”? This is how you set clear expectations if you want good results. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

Akun Tehdas on kasvanut alansa isoksi toimijaksi vaikka Tampereen verotoimisto linjasi 1980-luvulla että rockyhtye ei voi olla osakeyhtiö.Aku Syrjä kertoo miten yritystoiminta sai alkunsa ja että mitä tapahtuu seuraavaksi?Käsittelyssä myös rumpalin ja toimistusjohtajan roolit ja niiden erot.

Nic and Tarina talk about some comments they received from the recent episode on marriage. Nic then informs listeners that Tarina is “fancy”—which we already knew.In the episode, Nic introduces The 5 Proofs of Leadership: Evidence that Leadership is Happening. The first proof that you are competent leader is: You Protect. They discuss different lenses (environments) where you lead. The question: How do you protect those around you? It's about carrying the load—absorbing the stress and tension as people grow and develop. One way to handle the tension is to have someone on your team that you can vent to. Protection as a leader also means not passing the load onto your family or bringing it into your life. Protection is about self-sacrifice—stepping in between the danger and your people.To protect your people is one of the five proofs of leadership. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com. ---

On Marriage: PART 2Nic launches the conversation with an important question: “How do you keep someone as big of a deal like me coming home?” He claims getting that asked a lot.Nic and Tarina have been married for 25 years. One thing they agree contributes to their success is they like each other. They choose each other and pursue one another every day.They admit this isn't magic. They act on showing love—bridging the knowing-doing gap on a daily basis. And when they experienced areas which needed improvement, they sought outside counsel. They did this in their tenth year of marriage.One thing they've learned is to share their individual expectations with each other, especially when they travel together. This reduces possible frustration and disappointment. And they share insights with one another—things they notice about themselves, how they raise their personal awareness and communicating this with the family.They cover a number of important best practices, so grab a notebook and pen.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

According to Tarina, Nic has a “pretty” bald head. And the week Nic was on the road, the Bittle compound experienced peace and quiet.In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about both: what to look for in a mate and how to be a good mate. Answer the questions: What traits do you want your future spouse to have? What traits are they looking for in you?Nic asks, “Are you the person, or trying to become the person, to be the person they want?” Said another way—Nic doesn't pull any punches—quit training to be a loser and make something of yourself and become the person someone you want would be attracted to.Tarina adds, “You can't have high standards of the person you want to marry, but have no standards for yourself.”If you're dating, be deliberate and find someone with similar values and makes similar decisions. Unity on basic core values should stay the same.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic asks Tarina about her new wardrobe item: a “dickie.” Tarina claims it's a “collar bib.” And, of course, it's bedazzled. Christmas was good and enjoyable—cherishing time with friends and family.In this episode, Nic and Tarina don't talk about new year resolutions. One question Nic is struggling with as he look at 2026: Is this the year he slows down a bit?In this episode they talk about being more intentional in 2026.Tarina talks about how she has already started to saying more often what she thinks/feels, like picking up the phone and thanking people or writing a quick note. It's about being deliberate in doing what you think—the power of a kind wordAs Tarina points out, this level of intentional kindness takes courage for some people, especially when you admire someone. The reality is everyone, no matter who they are, appreciates being shown kindness.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic and Tarina prepare for family visiting for Christmas—with only a brief reference to the Christmas Vacation. They share a memory of driving around to look at Christmas lights when Elle was little. One house was decked out with all the lights and Elle said, “Wow! They're daddy must be strong.”In this episode, Tarina and Nic express gratitude for a few listeners and all listeners. They celebrate their most downloaded episode (#73) which featured their new son-in-law, Micah Graf, as well all 12 of their guests over the past year.They also reflect on feedback received from the last episode (#97). Based on a listener question, Nic shares that we need to look at the emotion behind whether we are complaining or venting. He encourages us to ask ourselves, “What do I want in this moment—for someone to listen or to do something?”Be sure to listen to Nic's encouragement at the end.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic and Tarina are nearly ready for Christmas—especially Tarina, who loves both receiving and giving presents. Nic shares about his latest return trip home and how he got a splinter from a Starbucks stir stick. And they shout out to Chris who loves the podcast.In this episode, they talk about conflict: the difference between venting and complaining. Venting is relieving pressure—getting something off your chest. Complaining is expecting a fix. Conflict happens is when someone is venting and we think they are complaining or the opposite.When you complain it is because you want something fixed. Tarina often complains—like about how her computer isn't working right. When you vent it's because you want to be heard. Nic often vents—he just needs to Tarina listen about the ache in his shoulder.Together they discover that Nic is more people focused and Tarina is more task focused. This influences how they each approach venting versus complaining. Tarina wants things fixed and Nic will listen to discover.As Nic and Tarina wisely observe our job is to listen without judgment. This doesn't erase tension in the moment but can lead to better and more caring resolutions.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

As Nic prepares to go on a 8-day tour, Tarina will battle a dryer that went caput while Nic is flying cross country.Nic asks Tarina: What is a success that we've experienced together?To answer this question for yourself, consider even the small achievements you made every day. As the phrase goes: People overestimate what they can accomplish in a day and under estimate what they can accomplish in a year.They reflect how that they are nearing their 100th podcast episode in 2025 and Nic has done over 500 Leadership Drips on YouTube. We should give ourselves more credit for what we accomplish and not diminish our actual achievements.Nic shares that he believes more in what he is doing and that he's making a real difference. He appreciates the momentum he's built and the good reputation he has. It's the 1000 small steps and incremental factors about being in the arena.They recount a couple of lessons learned over the year. And they encourage you, the listeners, to share with Nic and Tarina successes you've had and lessons you've learned in 2025. Email them at info@nicbittle.com.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic kicks off with a story about flying during the government shutdown. And Tarina bought Nic a new towel—which he claims takes him 8 minutes to collect black fuzz; it's like drying off with a trash bag.Tarina has a question for listeners: If you have a budget for a present, and you pay significantly less that regular retail, do you buy two of the item? Is it about how much you spend or about the gift itself?In this episode, Tarina picks up where she left off with explaining her PAUSE before the Holidays method. The acronym Tarina created for herself is PAUSE. P is for Pray. A is for Aerobic. U is for understand. S is for Sit. E is for Express.When we seek to Understand the people's perspective, it is most likely coming from a good place. As Nic says, “We often judge others by their behaviors and judge ourselves by our intentions.”To sit, as Tarina explains, means to take time for yourself. If there is something meaningful to work through, time the time to sit with the emotions, environment, or anticipation of the experience.The PAUSE idea is designed to give you a practical framework for approaching the holidays with grace and power.Email info@nicbittle.com to receive a “pretty big deal” Christmas card from Nic and Tarina.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Tarina defends how the Monday before Black Friday is Black Friday. Nic confirms she doesn't need a sale to shop. He also confesses: “I can't park. I can back up a trailer.” As Tarina has pointed out more than once, “So, you're going to park into the garage crooked?”In this episode Tarina sets up the conversation with a question: How do we prepare for the holidays to be kind, generous, and not cause a fuss?To help, Tarina created an acronym: PAUSE. Pray, Aerobics, Understand, Sit, Express. She created it to give herself pause before meeting with different personalities in what could be stressful times over the holidays.Tarina points out that PAUSE takes time—in order to be the best person we can be. Nic puts it in his own words that to Pray means to go vertical to God before going horizontal with people.“A” for Aerobics means to move your body especially in nature. It lowers your blood pressure and releases endorphins. And it's something you can even do in real time—calm starts in the body and so does stress.Listen to next week's episode to hear part 2 of PAUSE.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

It's unseasonably warm in Oklahoma as Nic and Tarina record the episode. Tarina reports that Nic is trying to rebuild her computer. Evidently she has 32,800 high-definition photos and over 2000 videos on her computer—"which may be why it's running a little slow.” (Nic uses the voice.)Nic meets a guy who carries human tissue to the airport every day. When Nic asked, the guy said the heads go in smaller boxes—now he can't sleep.Shifting gears means the struggle we all experience when going through life transitions. Kids go through transition every six months or so. Parenting has its own transitions when the kids go from child to teenager.Nic brings up how some parents don't shift gears—they fight their kids' battles. He shares the example of how a mom called an employer after her 21-year-old son got fired.Transitions are hard. Nic and Tarina will be empty nesters soon, so they are preparing for how they will shift gears. They are having lots of honest conversations together and asking, “What does empty nesting look like?”In the construction world, there are journeymen who become a foreman, but they never step up and actually lead. The new gear means what got you here won't get you there. It's a shift in mindset to being the best journeyman to being a great boss.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic starts off talking about parking problems at hotels (which he solved with style) and issues with his underwear. Tarina reflects on choosing to not fold Cruze's left foot socks—this is why Nic only wants gray socks without L or R printed on the toes.In this episode, Nic and Tarina discuss ways to make hard decisions easier. One step Nic mentions is to take the emotion out of the decisions. Time can sometimes be used to help take the emotion out of a decision. “You can't take a year to do it, though.”They also talk about what often stops people from making decisions. Nic often is brought in to be a neutral third party—which is another option for people who are stuck. Find someone who doesn't have a “dog in the hunt” to help provide perspective.As you will learn in this episode, hard decisions may never be not hard, but there are ways to make them a little less hard. It's important to remember that sometimes the hard thing and the right thing are the same thing.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

David Finley, the manager of the NECA chapter (National Electrical Contractors Association) in Oklahoma, joins Nic in the studio. David was the one who spurred Nic to launch his leadership training work.After working in the sugar industry in Hawaii, David moved to Oklahoma. In 2010, he took over both the Kansas and Oklahoma SMACNA (Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors National Association) chapters. Today he is the only chapter manager who oversees all the trades: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Sheet Metal Air Rail Transport (SMART), and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UAPP).From his perch David sees the differences in the various trades: the massive shortage in labor as well as a shortage of good leaders who can manage teams to get jobs done.Together, Nic and David created the Oklahoma NECA Leadership Academy. They built a program for future leaders to see the value in assuming the role of a foreman or supervisor. In an environment where many say being a foreman or supervisor not worth the headache, Nic has identified how messaging the value of being a leader is the real opportunity.One thing for contractors David advises: “Don't get trapped in the old ways. There are so many opportunities out there that do not require a college degree.” He highlights how some of the big tech firms do not require a degree but today look for skills.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

In this episode, Carl Britton, Jr. joins Nic across the lens to talk about AI and how it can benefit workers in the skilled trades and construction industry.Before Carl ran his own concrete company, now he's training men and women in the trades in how to implement AI in their work and life. He is the founder of Iron Thread Consulting and a family man. One use case Carl's mentions is how to let AI produce a safety briefing, manually verify its accuracy, and save a lot of time in the process.In his trainings Carl shows individuals how to build agents and GPTs to help automate some of the mundane tasks and other time-consuming tasks. Personally, he has uses it to help him improve his diet and nutrition as well as produce images for his presentations.They discuss the barriers to people using AI and recognize how those who know AI will likely be the ones who keep their jobs or replace those who don't know how to use AI.You can reach out to Carl at http://www.ironthread.online/.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

In this episode, Patrick puts Nic in the hotseat and ask him questions. Together they explore tough conversations, frameworks, and the four mindsets: 1) Struggler 2) Achiever 3) Thinker and 4) Doer.As Nic says, “We're all in the people business.” Patrick adds how our work is to create more human connections. “The magic happens through the conversations we have and the connections we make.”The question we want to ask: How can I create a connection with this person? And in the process help them thrive?Building on the last week's episode, it is important to develop strong communication skills because how we communicate reflects how we lead.You can reach him at patrick@punchn.io. This is the second of two episodes with Patrick. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

After producing nearly 90 episodes the Life & Leadership Podcast, Patrick gets in front of the microphone. Beaming into Nic's Office in Corn America is Patrick McGowan, Nic's podcast producer and expert in communication. Patrick is the CEO of Punchn Communications (www.punchn.io), a growing communication and organizational change consulting firm. At the heart of his communications training is the belief that powerful communications isn't just about speaking—it's about creating moments of connection that spark engagement and inspire action. Additionally, Patrick believes that the best leaders are great communicators—and should invest in themselves as Nic recommends.Together, Nic and Patrick discuss how communication is a hard skill and should treated as such. They explore the reasons why communication training doesn't get more attention. And Patrick also provides a couple of useful frameworks leaders can use to communicate more efficiently and more effectively. As he says, “Just because I own a hammer, doesn't make me a good carpenter. Similarly, just because I know how to talk doesn't make me a good communicator.” You can reach him at patrick@punchn.io. This is the first of two episodes with Patrick. If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic rants about able-bodied people who walk slowly side-by-side in an airport—rather than single file. He argues that capital punishment would be warranted.What's next for Nic? He's writing a new book on creating connections. Tarina asks if this is part of Nic's sensitivity training, which it is not. His purpose is to help people be more human. The idea is that relationships will open doors, the key to life, and the key to success. Tarina adds that relationships are the key to fulfillment.Nic shares a story about speaking at church about video games to a group of 6th and 7th grade boys. In his own words, he unloaded both barrels. Tarina asks tongue-in-cheek, “Did you connect with them?”When the Bittles host the football team for dinner before home games, Nic and Tarina have a basket for the boys to leave their phones. It's building teamwork and connection before the game. The noise level is less desirable (Nic and Tarina are “old and crunchy”), but the engagement is worth every decibel.What you will learn in this episode is behaving in a way that the human in front of you is more important than your device, your podcast, your video game, or your doom scroll. Because we all crave connection and fulfillment, we need to remove the barriers to connecting with people.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Tarina gives Nic a new nickname, “Wreck it Mouth.” And Nic congratulates Tarina on saving $2.50 on her “$9.00” coffee shop espresso drinks.In this episode, Nic and Tarina lead a conversation on what it takes to be a great leader.Their discussion can be summed up in a simple phrase: “Own it.” Among the attributes and activities of great leaders, here are a few they talk about:A leader protects his peopleA leader walks into danger firstA leader leads with empathyA leader is about influence not authorityA leader lives with the consequences of their decisionsAs Nic observes, the construction industry needs good leaders. The hard part to swallow is many are promoted to a leadership position who don't want the responsibility nor do they have the ability to lead well.Leadership, as Nic and Tarina share, is a sacred responsibility and an important skill.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic sits down with Jason Downs for a talk about career and education options. Jason is a self-described middle-aged family man with an accounting degree who recently served on a local school board. After a series of accounting related jobs, today finds him a stay-at-home dad.They start their discussion with a focus on the Swiss VET System. VET stands for “Vocational, Educational, and Training.” The system is designed to assess high school students' aptitude, how they are wired, and then put them on a track that includes job skills training.The kids graduate ready to enter the workforce and make a real contribution rather than wait to learn everything on the job.Nic observes, “There's something magical about being a producer and not just a consumer.”Jason shares his story about choosing accounting over becoming an architect. His heart is clear: we need to find a way for our school systems to do a better job. The statistics in Switzerland show two-thirds of kids going into the trades. In the United States, two-thirds go to college and half of them never finish college.The realization is not every kid is academically wired. Jason's desire is for high school to be both “life prep” and “college prep.” He wants to believe there's a better way for kids to find their path that allows them to contribute to society in a meaningful way.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Nic and Tarina joke about the possibility of producing a 2026 calendar featuring him and Cruze moving plants into the rain. Tarina “loves” the idea. Nic also believes Tarina lost her true calling as a word-smith. “So good it just tastes like really dark dirt,” was Tarina's comment after taking a sip of her Americano.Nic shares a correction on the previous episode about Charlie Kirk. Nic believes people feel connected with Charlie because he was courageous. A lot of people are inspired by his example of boldness in faith, work, and life.Tarina and Nic just returned from the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) National Conference in Chicago. Nic spoke about how to have hard conversations while there. This is one of the skills Nic loves teaching. It takes courage to tell somebody they can do better.In a standing-room only session, Nic talked about being able to do an assessment on your leadership style. A lot of people afterwards came up with questions and feedback.It was a great time to catch up with people, connecting in person, and invite them to be on the podcast.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Charlie created a connection with people, especially college students. One way he did this was have conversations with people and stay cool under pressure.While Nic sees him as a greater debater, he didn't feel like he knew him like some folks have expressed online. They both see him living boldly his values: You know where he stood on his beliefs and his perspective.Do you want to do a better job of connecting? You have to let people in, be vulnerable, practice humility, and be more curious not judgmental. You also need to be aware and available, not on your device, and have conversations.Ask yourself the question: Do people really know me? Why or why not?If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Tarina has her “Cream Dr. Pepper” and Nic confronts Tarina about her other addiction—buying plants. Her latest plant purchase is a rubber tree.To listen to Nic and Tarina's early days and what they struggled through, you can go back to early episodes. “Everyone is fighting a fight that the rest of the world knows nothing about.” When we are vulnerable and share, it builds trust and connection. Leaders who share their own struggles will build stronger teams because it makes them relatable and human.Often, when we're going through it, we sometimes feel like the only one. The reality is we're all going through something. And sharing can help others heal in small ways. As Nic says, people are more inspired by your failures than your successes. Sometimes we are too eager to impress and less eager to connect.If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

Tarina joins the podcast with a good cup of coffee having already done her weighted-vest walk and sauna workout. Nic had replaced the organic beans with some Starbucks cinnamon strudel and Tarina is loving it.In today's episode, Nic and Tarina talk about Patrick Lencioni's book The Ideal Team Player, a book Nic recommends to all his clients.The top three virtues of an ideal team player are: Humble, Hungry, and Smart.Here's a link to the TedX Talk Nic and Tarina reference.Hunger is that desire to a do a little bit more. Humility is the C.S. Lewis definition: It's not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less often. Smart isn't about IQ or how good you are at what you do. Smart is about having emotional intelligence, EQ.(For a primer on being good with people and improving your EQ, listen to episodes 20-24.)If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---

In the spirit of football season, Tarina bought a t-shirt that says “Football Social Club” on Etsy and Nic has no idea what Etsy is. Nic compares Tarina's purchase to the mileage he gets out of his underwear.Nic makes a point by honoring a potential customer with a phone call rather than just replying to a text. He prioritizes creating a connection with the person and understanding what they want.He wants people to know they matter. A phone conversation is one way he does this.Nic tells the story about a young man who said he'd never leave the company. Why? Nic asked. Because Harold, the owner, took the young man out to lunch and had a conversation. This took place eight years before Nic heard about it.That's the power of creating a connection. People are looking for significance.When we connect with someone we create trust with someone. As Nic says, “Trust travels so much faster than technology.”If you enjoy Nic and Tarina's podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at info@nicbittle.com.---