The Tension Podcast (Tim Sweetman)
Explore every episode of The Tension Podcast
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 Jul 2023 | #3 - Bouncing Back: The Story of SpringFree Trampoline's Disruptive Leap with Steve Holmes (Part 1) | 00:24:28 | |
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 05 Jul 2023 | Introducing the Tension Podcast | 00:02:09 | |
A shift, and a rebrand away from the Mission & Margin podcast. Same host, with an intense look at more and more tensions in both business and life. Learn more soon at The Tension Podcast. Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 01 Sep 2023 | #9 - Patrick Miller: Putting Truth Over Tribe (Part 1) | 00:35:37 | |
The Social Media Divide: Straining Family TiesThe conversation kicks off with a chilling account of how social media is becoming the battleground for family feuds. Social platforms, where algorithms are designed to keep you engaged, fuel existing tensions to the point where family members disinvite each other from weddings or even boycott funerals. The Power and Peril of AlgorithmsPatrick Miller emphasizes how these algorithms, run by machine learning on vast neural networks, exploit human weaknesses for outrage and anger. By effectively "hooking" users with content tailored to their psychological triggers, these algorithms risk driving a wedge between family and friends. The Psychology of Tribalism: Intriguing Research FindingsThe episode takes a turn into the academic realm as Patrick recounts various psychological studies. These studies, starting from the 1950s, unveil human beings' innate tendency towards tribalism. Even adults can resort to tribal behavior with minimal provocation, proving that it takes almost nothing to "flip the tribal switch" in our heads. The Biochemistry of Tribalism: The Oxytocin ParadoxThe narrative delves into the fascinating role of oxytocin, commonly known as the "love drug," in tribal behavior. While oxytocin strengthens bonds within a group, it paradoxically heightens antagonism towards outsiders, making it a double-edged sword in the context of tribalism. The Christian Perspective: Finding the Right TribeIn the concluding segment, Patrick Miller articulates a Christian viewpoint on tribalism, stating that the goal is not to become anti-tribal but to join the 'right tribe.' According to him, Jesus's tribe is the only one that embraces diversity and exists for the sake of others, providing a way to turn the dark aspects of tribalism into something positive. Closing Remarks and Teaser for Part TwoTim Sweetman wraps up the episode, hinting at the intriguing content lined up for part two of the discussion. He also urges listeners to leave reviews and find more information about The Tension Podcast online. These segments collectively offer a panoramic view of tribalism, its roots in human psychology and social media algorithms, and possible solutions from a Christian perspective. Links:
Extra ResourcesTribalism in Social Media: Social Media Algorithms and Addiction:
Oxytocin and Relationships:
Psychological Effects of Tribalism: Consequences of Online Debates in Real Life:
The Eagles and the Ratlers Study:
Andre Tashval's Study on Minimal Group Paradigm:
Christian Perspective on Tribalism: Truth Over Tribes Concept:
The Tension Podcast by Tim Sweetman:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 11 Nov 2023 | #14 - Alex Harris and Redefining Faithfulness: The True Meaning of Doing Hard Things (Part 1) | 00:37:00 | |
Key Quotes:
Links:About AlexAlex Harris is a trial lawyer who handles a diverse array of high-stakes litigation matters, including mass tort, trade secrets, defamation, and complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the country. In recent years, Alex has served on trial teams for a trade secret jury trial for Hewlett Packard Enterprise related to automated testing software, a bench trial involving equitable claims for unjust enrichment and quantum meruit brought by the founder of a group of privately held oil and gas companies, and a public nuisance jury trial for Walgreens as part of nationwide litigation related to the distribution and sale of prescription opioid medications. Alex has also handled multiple pro bono matters, including successfully representing an asylum seeker fleeing persecution and death threats by a Central American drug cartel and resolving claims for defamation arising in the professional gaming industry. Alex graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was a recipient of the Sears Prize and served as Supreme Court Chair of the Harvard Law Review. After law school, Alex clerked for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
The Tension Podcast by Tim Sweetman:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 11 Sep 2023 | #10 - Patrick Miller: Putting Truth Over Tribe (Part 2) | 00:41:24 | |
Key Quotes:
Links:
Extra ResourcesTribalism in Social Media: Social Media Algorithms and Addiction:
Oxytocin and Relationships:
Psychological Effects of Tribalism: Consequences of Online Debates in Real Life:
The Eagles and the Ratlers Study:
Andre Tashval's Study on Minimal Group Paradigm:
Christian Perspective on Tribalism: Truth Over Tribes Concept:
The Tension Podcast by Tim Sweetman:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 15 Nov 2023 | #15 - Alex Harris and Redefining Faithfulness: The True Meaning of Doing Hard Things (Part 2) | 00:36:27 | |
Key Quotes:
Links:About AlexAlex Harris is a trial lawyer who handles a diverse array of high-stakes litigation matters, including mass tort, trade secrets, defamation, and complex commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the country. In recent years, Alex has served on trial teams for a trade secret jury trial for Hewlett Packard Enterprise related to automated testing software, a bench trial involving equitable claims for unjust enrichment and quantum meruit brought by the founder of a group of privately held oil and gas companies, and a public nuisance jury trial for Walgreens as part of nationwide litigation related to the distribution and sale of prescription opioid medications. Alex has also handled multiple pro bono matters, including successfully representing an asylum seeker fleeing persecution and death threats by a Central American drug cartel and resolving claims for defamation arising in the professional gaming industry. Alex graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was a recipient of the Sears Prize and served as Supreme Court Chair of the Harvard Law Review. After law school, Alex clerked for Justice Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Honorable Neil M. Gorsuch of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 21 Sep 2023 | #11 - Special Episode: Navigating the Tensions of Leadership, Identity, and Business Success (A Conversation with Tim Sweetman) | 00:41:41 | |
Dive into an episode of the Tension podcast that's a goldmine for anyone navigating the complex world of business and personal relationships. Guest host Andrew J. Mason from the ProGuide podcast sits down with Tim Sweetman to unpack the secrets of balancing purpose with profit, redefining leadership, and keeping your identity intact in the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. From game-changing books to life-altering insights, this episode is your roadmap to a more intentional and fulfilling life. Don't miss out—your next breakthrough could be just a listen away! Key Links:
5 Takeaways and Lessons with Quotes: "The difference between something that is tangled and something that's woven is intentionality." - John Marsh "When you take the path of humility, you're going to be successful. It's really as simple as that." - Tim Sweetman "Don't wrap your identity up in either your success or your failure." - Tim Sweetman "When things are a little messy, that's actually a good thing. That's a great place to be." - Tim Sweetman "Businesses are loosely functioning disasters." - Brent Beshore Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 20 Aug 2023 | #7 - Dr. Josh Packard: GenZ Uncovered: Trust, Diversity, and the Mental Health Crisis (Part 1) | 00:26:24 | |
Dive into an enlightening conversation with Josh Packard as he delves deep into the world of GenZ. From their fundamental distrust of institutions to the increasing emphasis on diversity and authenticity in their lives, understand the unique challenges and perspectives that shape this generation. As we explore GenZ's relationship with mental health, especially amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, we'll uncover how they perceive belonging in a digital age. Tim Sweetman hosts this essential discussion, offering insights and raising thought-provoking questions about the state of our society and where we're headed. Key Links:
Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tensionpodcast/message Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 13 Jul 2023 | #2 - Creating a Million Jobs and Saving Ten Million Lives: Tommy Martin, Founder of Mammoth & Vestia (Part 2) | 00:37:09 | |
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 27 Jul 2023 | #4 - Steve Holmes - Bouncing Back: The Story of SpringFree Trampoline's Disruptive Leap (Part 2) | 00:27:28 | |
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 06 Jul 2023 | #1 - Transforming the Future of Medicine with Venture Capital: Tommy Martin, Founder of Mammoth & Vestia (Part 1) | 00:33:57 | |
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 31 Oct 2023 | #13 - Danny Miranda — Connection, Purpose, and Presence | 00:56:25 | |
With over 400 episodes under his belt, Miranda doesn't just see podcasting as a medium for entertainment. To him, every episode is a passport stamp to a new 'country,' a new world of ideas, experiences, and insights. Each conversation has taught him to be more open to diverse perspectives and life's myriad teachings. Balancing the practical voice of his father and the free-spirited ethos of his mother, Danny reflects on how key moments in life can often pivot on which inner voice we choose to heed. A missed chance to see Steven Bartlett live exemplifies the importance of seizing the day, while his commitment to producing three high-quality podcasts a week defies the conventional wisdom of the industry. Miranda’s appreciation for genuine connection shines through as he reminisces about his favorite guest appearance on a podcast, emphasizing the unmatched value of genuine presence and deep research. The episode culminates with a challenge, a hallmark of Miranda’s own show. Today’s challenge? Embark on a run. A simple, yet profound testament to the man’s ethos: intertwining physical health, mental clarity, and a zest for pushing personal boundaries. Join Tim and Danny for an episode that promises introspection, motivation, and a peek into the world of a man obsessed with his craft. Links:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 24 Aug 2023 | #8 - Dr. Josh Packard: How GenZ Seeks Meaning at Work (Part 2) | 00:32:08 | |
Key Links:
Unpacking Gen Z's Workplace Expectations The Evolution of Workplace Norms Gen Z's Pursuit of Purpose Workplaces: The New Community Hubs The Vital Role of Contemporary Research Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 22 Nov 2023 | #16 - Paul T. Tran — Boss vs. Leader | 01:12:11 | |
Key Links: Quotes from Paul
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| 12 Aug 2023 | #6 - Brent Beshore - Permanent Equity (Part 2) | 00:45:19 | |
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 06 Oct 2023 | #12 - Purpose Beyond Profit: Why Jeremy Reyes Killed His Business | 00:48:13 | |
Key Takeaways:
Links: Key Quotes:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 05 Aug 2023 | #5 - Brent Beshore - Permanent Equity (Part 1) | 00:44:50 | |
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 30 Nov 2023 | #17: Andres Marquez-Lara — Feeling vs. Thinking | 00:57:39 | |
About Andres Marquez-Lara Andres Marquez-Lara is the Founder and CEO of UFacilitate, a global facilitation company that makes cross-cultural collaboration work! They help high-performing teams deal with the “messy human stuff”—egos, cultural differences, miscommunication, conflict—that creates silos that put their mission at risk. They break down barriers to collaboration across people, departments, and organizations. They've worked with groups like the World Food Program, The Nature Conservancy, Easterseals, The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and many others. He teaches leadership development in various executive programs at Georgetown University. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (CEPL) at George Washington University. He is also an Advisor at the Emergence Project for Purposeful Entrepreneurship at Stanford University. He has been recognized by Ashoka and the American Academy of Certified Public Managers. He earned a BA in psychology from Duke University, and a graduate degree in clinical community psychology from the Universidad Catolica Andres Bello in Caracas, Venezuela. He lives in the triangle area in North Carolina with his wife and two young children. Show Notes & Links * Facilitating Leadership by Andres Marquez-Lara: https://www.ufacilitate.com/book/ * The Poem Ithaka: * “The Messy Human Stuff” by Andres Marquez-Lara: * Wild Geese by Mary Oliver * Dee Hock * We are not thinking creatures that feel, we are feeling creatures that think * Zone of Proximal Development * Playback Theater North America Synergy in Action: * Bestiary by Joanna Macy * Dan Pink * Liberating Structures 9 Why’s Tension is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 07 Dec 2023 | #18: Justin Ricklefs — Being Transactional vs. Being Relational | 01:01:18 | |
"People don't buy facts and figures. We buy stories or connect,” says Justin. “We're hardwired... from the beginning of time, we were hardwired to tell stories and to remember stories, and stories have the power to transform and change us." About Justin Ricklefs Justin is the Founder and CEO of Guild Collective. He launched Guild in 2017 after spending 13 years in various sales and leadership roles at the Kansas City Chiefs, Learfield Sports, and ECCO Select. After stumbling into a passion for writing, Justin wrote personal pieces for large publications like Huffington Post, The TODAY Show, and Yahoo. While he enjoys writing on personal topics, Guild was formed with the awareness that many brands struggle to connect to the souls of their audience, and Justin believed he could help bridge that gap. Justin is responsible for the Visionary role in the agency, which most often looks like charting the company’s strategy, driving new revenue, developing leaders within the business, and hoping one of his many ideas end up being halfway decent. Justin is married to his high school sweetheart, Brooke (she was slower to the realization). They live in Liberty, MO and have been married 20 years and have five children: Kamden, 19; Addi, 17; Rowan, 15; Silas, 13; Henley, 11. He and Brooke love traveling when they can. Justin enjoys writing, running, watching his kids’ activities, and sitting in his cabin where it’s quiet. Key Themes * Importance of Storytelling in Business: Justin emphasizes the power of storytelling as a tool for connecting with customers. Instead of focusing solely on products or services, he suggests that businesses should engage customers through stories and experiences that resonate with them on a personal level. * Transition from Transactional to Relational Approach: He advocates for a shift in business mindset from being purely transactional to building genuine, long-term relationships with customers. This approach involves understanding and addressing the real needs and emotions of customers, rather than just selling a product or service. * Learning from Mistakes and Experiences: Justin reflects on his career path, acknowledging the highs and lows he encountered. He stresses the importance of learning from both successes and failures, and how these experiences have been instrumental in shaping his approach to business and life. * Personal Development through Discipline: Discussing his experience with the 75 Hard program, Justin highlights the value of personal discipline and routine. He notes that such practices not only improve physical and mental health but also help in finding a sense of balance and appreciation for life's simpler aspects. * Family and Work-Life Balance: Throughout the podcast, Justin touches on the challenges of balancing a demanding career with family life. He shares personal anecdotes, like attending a Taylor Swift concert with his daughters (see Long Live Love: Essay by Justin), to illustrate the importance of making time for family and cherishing moments together. Links Mentioned * 'Unreasonable Hospitality' by Will Guidara * Taylor Swift * Long Live Love: Essay by Justin Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 15 Dec 2023 | #19: David Wachs — Technology vs. Tradition | 00:54:32 | |
The best day to start a business? Today! That’s the word from David Wachs, the highly successful serial entrepreneur featured on this episode of The Tension Podcast. Most recently the visionary behind Handwrytten, a robot-based platform for writing personalized notes in pen, David shares his words of wisdom and life experiences that have shaped his career. He has never been afraid to get in over his head, embracing tools before he could fully imagine them and building out technologies on the fly. You’ll find out how David bootstrapped his earliest ventures and got out way ahead of the mobile marketing curve by growing a widely used platform to deliver millions of text messages to consumers for clients like Toys-R-Us, Abercrombie & Fitch, Sam’s Club and Pizza Hut. He also explains how, more recently, he has pioneered Handwrytten robot-based solutions capable of sending out personalized, direct-mail notes at the rate of some 20,000 per day. It’s no surprise that David is a sought-after speaker at technology hotspots like South-by-Southwest and a commentator for prominent publications like The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. Learn why personal connection is more valuable than ever to business success in a world increasingly dominated by AI, robots and automation. The show also wraps with recommended reading you won’t want to miss! Curious about how Handwrytten can translate your personal thoughts into pen and ink communications? Visit their website to get all the details about how your business can deepen customer bonds through systematic direct-mail that conveys a human touch. Relevant Links/Further Resources * Sign up for the Tension newsletter here. * Find out more about Zapier, the automated workflow platform that integrates with a wide range of business applications. * Explore Handwrytten’s many partner relationships – including Salesforce, Shopify, Hubspot and others – at this link. * Learn more about Roger Martin, business thought leader, speaker and former dean of the Rotman School of Management at University of Toronto. * More about how to transform your business at EOS Worldwide * Get more info about Ninety, the central hub for remote, hybrid and in-person teams. * Michael E. Gerber’s books about all facets of the “E -Myth” are available here. * "Creating Superfans: How to Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates," by Brittany Hodak. * "Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business," by Gino Wickman. Thank you for reading Tension. This post is public so feel free to share it. What You’ll Learn: * Life-Changing Encounter: How talk show host Conan O’Brien changed the trajectory of David’s career with this advice: Always get in over your head! * In the Deep End: Why – even more than specific expertise – David looks for people who have the “figure it out” gene – the innate ability to get ingenious. * Out of Ashes: How David’s first entrepreneurial ventures grew out of adversity and a strong gut instinct for leveraging the early mobile marketing wave. * The Magic of Handwritten: About the opportunity David identified to zig where other marketers were zagging, offering an automated sales tool to generate personal letters. * Organic Growth: Why David is a big believer in bootstrapping businesses rather than taking (and burning through) outside investor funding. * Key Differentiator I: How Handwrytten’s advanced technology and platform separated its service from the pack of competitors who were unable to scale. * Visionary Framework: What it looks like to develop a platform driven by a robust API layer rather a static website with limited interactivity and applications. * Key Differentiator II: More than a one-off marketing gimmick, Handwrytten is a utility whose design fully integrates with daily CRM functions at scale and on an ongoing basis. * Spinning Gold: Why snail-mail retrieved from an old-fashioned mailbox is received like treasure these days – and how Handwrytten leverages that special feeling. * Maximizing Time: How putting in place systems and tools that telegraph a personal touch sends a signal to customers: We care on a human level. * David’s evolving leadership style incorporates: * An inclusive approach. * Mindfulness with regard to demeanor and behavior. * Meditation or hypnosis and other tools that support calm. * Coupling intentionality with deliberation (before action). * A Shout-Out for Business Management Tools that Work: * EOS – Entrepreneurial Operating System. * Ninety – the cloud-based operating system. * Weekly business meetings to keep everyone on the same page. * Mantras for Handwrytten’s Corporate Culture: * Be the change you seek (aka figure it out!). * Focus on the customer. * Play as a team. * No B.S. – be open, transparent. * How David Protects Work-Life Balance: * Uninterrupted dinner time is non-negotiable. * Online work at home has to wait until after the kids’ bedtime. * Weekends are devoted (as much as possible) to family time. * David’s Recommended Resources for Entrepreneurs: * Michael E. Gerber’s books about the "E-Myth." * Brittany Hodak’s "Creating Superfans: How to Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates." * Gino Wickman’s "Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business." Follow our Guest: Follow Host Tim Sweetman: Tension is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 22 Dec 2023 | #20: Bethany Babcock — Success vs. Surrender | 01:05:43 | |
In this episode of The Tension Podcast, we dive into the life of Bethany Babcock, the founder of Foresite Commercial Real Estate. Bethany's narrative is not just a story of business acumen, but a profound personal journey interwoven with faith, resilience, and the art of balancing life's multifaceted roles. Here's a breakdown of her insights: * Darkest Before Dawn: Why Bethany wants to share the story of her first deal – which was anything but a storybook narrative or breakthrough success. * Finding Her Path: How Bethany’s path has been anything but straight – sometimes boosted by strokes of luck and other times battered by economics and circumstances. * Power in Partnership: What mentorship brings to career development and why it’s worth pursuing, whether formally or informally, as a bridge to long-term goals. * Inviting Abundance: How unpredictable times breed a scarcity mentality and what it looks like to release control and turn open-heartedly to faith. * Daily Provision: About the daily miracles that have guided Bethany on her path. Even when we are our lowest, darkest moments full of doubt, there is evidence of light. * Falling Into Place: How Bethany became a “reluctant entrepreneur” by using the worst possible life timing as a springboard for the best possible time to launch her venture. * Mindset Shift: Why it was important for Bethany to adopt a positive attitude, vanquishing the waste of time and energy that chronic fear and doubt represent. * Hiring and Firing: How Bethany has built a top San Antonio workplace by intentionally hiring good people (who attract more of the same) right from the outset and also knowing why it can be an “act of mercy” to part ways when an employee isn’t the right fit. * · The Right Kind of Growth: About the 10-point code of ethics that Bethany and her partner at Foresite developed and why it’s central to scaling their workplace culture. * Some Key Foresite Principles: Putting other people first. Full disclosure and transparency. Stepping back from transactions that don’t align. Anticipate the client’s current and future needs. * Faith-Driven Entrepreneur: What are the elements that define purpose and foster an ethical, inclusive workplace culture. * Wearing Different Hats: How Bethany embraces her ambition while also showing up for her family and community – a balance not without struggle. She’s still figuring it out! * Reframing Success: About the power in permission to show up as our imperfect selves, staying present while recognizing the need for grace through all seasons of life. * Change in Perspective: What science tells us about narrowed vision and how it increases stress and reduces our resistance to stress, anxiety and depression. * Reconsidering Television: How opting out of (or limiting) TV and video games can free up significant chunks of life and invite untapped creativity, health and … joy! * Leveraging Social Media: Why Bethany believes that seasoned pros have a lot of wisdom to share on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and positive stories to share. * Reverse Culture Shock: About the imprint left by her family’s many years of missionary work in Chile – the challenge and strength Bethany found in re-adapting to America. * Senior Project: How Bethany’s mandate at age 18 to develop life skills (including budget research and financial management) empowered her and fueled her resilience. * Words of Wisdom: Don’t stop. Don’t give up! Key Takeaways for the Aspiring and the Seasoned Alike: * Resilience is Key: Bethany's narrative is a masterclass in weathering storms and emerging stronger. * Faith as a Business Compass: Her story offers a unique perspective on integrating personal beliefs with professional endeavors. * The Power of Mentorship: The importance of having seasoned guidance in shaping one’s career cannot be overstated. * Embracing Life's Juggling Act: Bethany’s experience provides real-life insights into the challenge of balancing a successful career with personal responsibilities. * Crafting a Nurturing Workplace: Her approach to hiring and fostering a positive company culture is an inspiration for building a supportive and thriving work environment. Bethany Babcock’s story is more than just a business success story. It's a mosaic of faith, grit, mentorship, and the relentless pursuit of balance, offering valuable lessons and inspiration for anyone navigating the complex waters of life and career. Key Links * Foresite Commercial Real Estate: To learn more about Bethany's company and her work in property management, leasing, and investment sales, visit Foresite Commercial Real Estate. * The Tension Podcast: Dive into more insightful conversations like Bethany's by exploring The Tension Podcast, where host Tim Sweetman interviews various leaders and thinkers. * Bethany Babcock on Twitter: For more of Bethany's thoughts and updates, follow her on Twitter @BethanyJBabcock. * LinkedIn Profile: Gain professional insights and connect with Bethany through her LinkedIn profile. * Forbes Contributions: Check out Bethany's articles on Forbes for her expert opinions on real estate and business. Visit Bethany Babcock on Forbes. * CRE Launch Program: Learn about the CRE Launch Program, an initiative by Foresite for training new talent in the industry, by visiting the Foresite CRE Launch Program page. * Author, coach and podcast host Tim Ferriss discusses the neural and vision impacts of stress with guest Andrew Huberman, a Stanford neurobiologist, at this link. Thank you for listening, Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 29 Dec 2023 | #21: Miche Priest — Burnout vs. Balance | 00:49:39 | |
For each epside of The Tension Podcast it costs a few hundred dollars. I want to continue to make quality content. Would you consider paying for a subscription to keep these interviews flowing? Miche Priest has had a lifetime of facing challenging decisions. She spent her youth in a small town in Oklahoma then living abroad moving 6 times to 4 different countries in 10 years. She has had 7 career changes starting with being an art teacher. She met with hundreds of couples as a financial advisor. Her latest job was leading an animal health technology company with artificial intelligence at its core. She's gone back to being an entrepreneur building products and services that bring more moments of happiness in the lives of others. Miche holds a Master of Arts in Communications and Technology from the University of Alberta and draws on the theories examined in her master's capstone to develop the Unstuck in 15 decision-making framework. In this episode, we dive into her diverse life experiences and innovative frameworks for decision-making. This episode reflects on human behavior, the struggle for personal identity, and the journey toward happiness and belonging. Key Topics and Learnings * Diverse Backgrounds Shaping Perspectives: Miche Priest's journey from a small town in Oklahoma to living abroad and experiencing multiple career changes has given her a unique lens to view the world. Mish emphasizes, "We see things through our own lens," indicating how our diverse experiences shape our individual perspectives. * The 'Incredible Unstuck' and Decision-Making: Mish introduces her "Incredible Unstuck in 15" decision-making framework, which encourages exploring beyond binary choices. This approach challenges the conventional norms, offering innovative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. * The Journey from Emotional Expression to Articulation: Miche reflects on her childhood struggles with emotional expression, attributing it partly to her unique background and upbringing. She remarks on the importance of finding one's voice and using it effectively for self-expression. * The Evolution of Happiness: Miche's definition of happiness has evolved over time, from seeking external pleasures to finding joy in family, and friends, and being present in the moment. She poetically states, "Happiness is not a destination. It comes in moments." * Overcoming Burnout and Finding Balance: Miche shares her personal encounters with burnout, particularly in the tech industry. Her experiences led her to develop strategies for self-care and boundary-setting, emphasizing the importance of listening to one's body and mind. * Challenging Assumptions and Beliefs: The podcast touches on the significance of challenging one's assumptions and beliefs. Miche credits her professors for opening her eyes to new perspectives, which played a crucial role in her personal growth. * Framework for Unstuck in 15: Miche outlines her micro-coaching model, which involves asking three pivotal questions within a 15-minute session to help individuals navigate their dilemmas. This model is a testament to the power of focused and quality questioning. Key Quote from the Episode: * "We all have ways that we cause ourselves to be stuck." - Miche Priest References and Interesting Links: * Unstuck in 15 Framework - Miche Priest's official website offers more details on her decision-making framework. * Miche Priest's Substack: * The Opposable Mind by Roger Martin * Multiculturalism and Identity * Emotional Intelligence and Expression Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 05 Jan 2024 | #22: Mike Farag — Founder Mindset vs. CEO Mindset | 01:24:12 | |
Mike Farag (“fair-egg”) is Fervor's founder, CEO, and Chief Brand Strategist. After building a career in the corporate world, Mike started Fervor after a life-changing trip to Haiti. (Learn more about that here.) In addition to being our leader and chief vision-caster, Mike leads Fervor's business development efforts. After years of climbing the corporate ladder, Mike Farag knew his life needed to change after going on a mission trip to Haiti. He started with a brief marketing project for the Global Orphan Project but soon realized he wanted to help other non-profits and faith-based organizations market their work more effectively, which led to the creation of Fervor Marketing. In this episode, Mike discusses some of the biggest lessons he’s learned while building Fervor, and he offers advice to leaders who are looking to better incorporate their faith into their businesses. Episode Recap: * What did you learn from starting a BBQ sauce company? * How did a trip to Haiti transform your life? * What did the process of building Fervor look like? * How do you prioritize your mission while still staying profitable? * Why did you decide to make your organization explicitly faith-based? * What steps can a leader take to start adding their faith into their business? * 1. Seek wise counsel * 2. Define your core values, game plan, structure * 3. Find the unique way your business can implement those values * How have you made the shift from entrepreneur to CEO? * What benefits have you noticed since establishing an EOS? * How important are core values? * What strategies do you use to make and keep the right hires? * How do you handle terminations and other HR decisions? * What do you say to organizations that don’t understand they need to make a profit? * How do you celebrate your employees? * Why do you hate the word balance? * What does health look like for you and your family? * What encouragement can you give to leaders in the midst of a difficult year? Get Connected: * Learn more about Fervor Marketing * Connect with Mike on LinkedIn Tension is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 12 Jan 2024 | #23: Chad Smith — Masculinity vs. Femininity | 01:24:23 | |
Chad Smith is the CEO and co-founder of HumanWealth Partners. He is a dad, entrepreneur, and spiritual guide living north of Boston on the Massachusetts Seacoast. He’s a former pastor and former Dean of Spiritual and Ethical Development. As the CEO of Human Wealth Partners — a boutique firm specializing in coaching — he spends his time consulting and providing communication services. He also writes at The Human Fire, where he curates and writes on the human disciplines for human excellence. Summary This episode dives deep into the realms of business, personal development, and the evolving definitions of manhood in the 21st century. Chad Smith, with his diverse background as a former pastor, entrepreneur, and CEO, shares his insights on various topics including remote working post-COVID, the importance of real conversations, online communities, and the changing dynamics of masculinity. * Impact of COVID-19 on Business and Personal Life: * Transition to remote working. * Shifts in social media and digital interaction importance post-COVID. * Evolution of Online Platforms: * The transition from traditional blogging to modern platforms. * The significance of platforms like Substack in fostering discussions. * Chad Smith’s Experience with ‘Write of Passage’: * Impact on personal development. * Networking and community building online. * Reading Habits and Intellectual Development: * Approaches to diverse reading. * The role of literature in personal and intellectual growth. * Building Conversational Skills and Relationships: * Strategies for effective communication. * The role of technology in shaping social interactions. * Redefining Manhood in Contemporary Society: * Challenges to traditional masculinity norms. * Personal identity vs. societal expectations. * Embracing Vulnerability and Emotional Intelligence: * The strength in vulnerability. * Authentic emotional expression and personal development. * Business and Sustainability: The Role of ESG: * Business responsibilities in societal and environmental issues. * The evolving importance of ESG in corporate strategies. * Adopting a Mindset of Change and Curiosity: * The process of changing perspectives. * Being open to new ideas and continuous learning. Resources and Mentions * Human Wealth Partners: Chad Smith's firm focusing on coaching and consulting. Website * “What Makes a Man?” Essay: * The Human Fire on Substack: Chad’s platform for sharing his thoughts and writings. Substack Link * Write of Passage Course: Online course for enhancing writing abilities. Course Link * Substack: A popular avenue for independent writers. Substack Website * Reading Material: * "The Wall Street Journal": For comprehensive daily news. WSJ Website * "The Economist": Offers global perspective on current affairs. The Economist Website * "The New Yorker": Known for its arts, culture, and humor. The New Yorker Website * "Christianity Today": Christian news and viewpoints. Christianity Today Website * "The Atlantic": Features deep-dive essays and analyses. The Atlantic Website * James Clear’s 3-2-1 Newsletter: For insights on habits and productivity. James Clear Newsletter * Allison Taylor's Upcoming Book 'Higher Ground': On ESG and sustainable business practices. Author Info * Founders Podcast by David Senra: Focuses on biographies and stories of business leaders. Podcast Link (https://twitter.com/patrick_oshag/status/1742218033932771697) * 'How to Read a Book' by Mortimer Adler: Guide on effective reading strategies. Amazon Link * Ryan Holiday’s Works: Books and thoughts on stoicism and personal growth. Author Website * Permanent Equity by Brent Beshore: Insights on private equity and business leadership. Company Website * Jordan Peterson’s Lectures and Books: Discussions on psychology, philosophy, and life. Official Website Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 19 Jan 2024 | #24: Matt Tressider — Care vs. Candor | 01:08:46 | |
Matt Tresidder is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder at Leadr. He joined Leadr after six years at the unicorn startup Pushpay where he led all facets of the sales team. Matt joined Pushpay as the first US-based salesperson. After succeeding as a high performer in sales, Matt was promoted to SDR Director and then Vice President of Sales where he led a team of 130+ sales reps. Matt is passionate about hiring, training, and developing leaders at every level of the organization. This passion is the foundation of why Leadr exists to develop 1M leaders through its software. Matt studied at Life Leadership College in Auckland. He is a recent graduate of Seth Godin’s altMBA and the Wharton Business School Executive program. Born in New Zealand, Matt moved to Seattle with the Pushpay team where he met his wife Kiasa. Matt and Kiasa now live just outside of Dallas with their dog Lucy. Leadr is a tool based on the belief that one of the key pieces of success in the war on talent is one-on-ones. Leadr posits that all employees must have 5 things in order to be successful: * Regular 1:1 meetings with their manager at least every two weeks * Understanding and recognition of their unique strengths * Receives frequent feedback from their manager * Has clearly documented goals * Has a personalized learning and development plan Leadr has over 14 eBooks around these topics and more on their website. Matt has also co-authored a new book, Management is Dead. Episode Description: Sometimes, the only way to become a better leader is by building your experience and making mistakes. Matt Tresidder experienced this at Pushpay when he moved from the company’s first sales hire to the VP of Sales in just three years. Matt is now the CEO and co-founder of Leadr, a people development software focused on hiring, training, and developing leaders at every level of an organization. In this episode, Matt reflects on some of the biggest leadership lessons he’s learned throughout his career, and he shares some practical insights about his approach to leading in periods of economic uncertainty, hiring Gen Z employees, prioritizing one-on-one meetings, and much more. Episode Recap: * How did you end up in the U.S. after growing up in New Zealand? (2:14) * What motivated you to work at Pushpay even though it didn’t pay? (7:24) * What were the biggest lessons you learned at Pushpay? (9:39) * Can you tell us about the moment you realized your mindset about leading people needed to change? (19:16) * How did the altMBA assignment about empathy impact the way you lead? (26:45) * What’s the origin story of Leadr? (30:25) * What changed when you joined Leadr that helped you not feel imposter syndrome anymore? (37:10) * Why should one-on-ones be a top priority, and how can leaders conduct them effectively? (46:00) * How do you prioritize culture in the midst of economic uncertainty?(56:34) * How does trust inform your leadership style? (1:00:07) * What do leaders need to know about hiring Gen Z? (1:04:32) * How to connect with Matt and learn more about Leadr (1:09:19) Links and Resources Mentioned: * Leadr * Pushpay * altMBA * Wharton Executive Education Program * “Radical Candor” book * “Thanks For the Feedback” book * Follow Matt on LinkedIn and Twitter Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 26 Jan 2024 | #25: Jacob Hensley and Steve Gaudio — Service vs. Scale | 00:55:44 | |
Jacob Hensley is the CEO and founder of District Dogs. Steve Gaudio is the Founder of District Equities Real Estate and Managing Partner at District Dogs. District Dogs began as a dog walking business in 2014, which Jacob Hensley founded as the sole employee. Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or your favorite podcast platform. Listen to the interview on YouTube here. "Franchising is not just about expanding a business; it's about finding partners who share your passion and dedication." – Steve Gaudio, District Dogs In the fall of 2016, Jacob opened a storefront in Washington, DC's Parkview neighborhood, fulfilling his vision of building a full-service pet care company. In the spring of 2019, they opened their second location in Southeast DC's Navy Yard neighborhood. Show Notes SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE * Connect with Jacob Hensley: Twitter | Instagram * Connect with Steve Gaudio: Twitter | Instagram * Learn more about District Dogs Franchise: District Dogs Franchise * Check out District Dogs on Instagram for a glimpse into their brand and services: District Dogs on Instagram Recommended Books: * Grinding It Out: The Making of McDonald's by Ray Kroc | Amazon * Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen | Amazon SHOW NOTES * [00:00:00] Introduction to Jacob Hensley and Steve Gaudio * [00:03:25] The beginning of District Dogs and the journey of entrepreneurship * [00:07:40] Importance of risk-taking in entrepreneurship * [00:11:15] The evolution of District Dogs into a successful franchise model * [00:14:50] Criteria for selecting franchisees and the role of passion in business * [00:18:30] Unique challenges in the pet care industry and overcoming them * [00:22:00] The customer experience at District Dogs and the innovative services offered * [00:25:45] Financial considerations for potential franchisees and business growth strategy * [00:29:10] Book recommendations by Jacob and Steve * [00:32:15] Contact information and where to find more about District Dogs * [00:34:50] Closing remarks and episode wrap-up QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW * "Entrepreneurship is about embracing risks and making your vision a reality." – Jacob Hensley * "Persistence and a high standard of personal accountability are key traits of successful entrepreneurs." – Steve Gaudio * "Our approach combines high-quality pet care with an exceptional human experience." – Jacob Hensley * "Franchising is not just about expanding a business; it's about finding partners who share your passion and dedication." – Steve Gaudio PEOPLE MENTIONED * Ray Kroc Tension is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 02 Feb 2024 | #26: Mike Sharrow — Mission vs. Margin | 01:13:06 | |
Mike Sharrow is the CEO for The C12 Group, a for-profit operator of peer advisory groups serving Christian CEO and owners and their key players. C12 was founded in 1992 by Buck Jacobs and has grown to serve over 42,000 members across the US, with new chapters in Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, South Africa China, and Brazil. C12 serves CEOs, owners, and businesses from a million to five billion in gross revenue through full-day peer advisory groups, facilitated by full-time C12 chairman using proven best practices, performance-enhancing tools, and MBA-level curriculum geared around helping the serious-minded entrepreneur build a great business for a greater purpose. With a business as ministry mindset based upon Ephesians 2:10, Galatians 2:20, and 2 Corinthians 5:10. Mike Sharrow started his career in a startup financial services small business in Lake Forest, Illinois, focused on pension plans and wealth management, then was part of a startup subsidiary of the Walgreens Company, focused on health plan strategies and pharmacy benefits. It was while working at Walgreens that Mike first began the odyssey of an integrated missiology. Reconciling the artificial but handicapping sacred versus secular mindset and pursuing a great commission and identity-based vocational mindset instead of a positional or contextual one. He embraced tension. After Walgreens, Mike joined the staff of his local church, Grace Point Church, as the associate pastor for four years. It was in the latter time of pastoring that Mike launched a management consulting business, TQ Strategies, focused on serving the enterprise healthcare arena, served as a fractional strategy leader for Health by Design, and first joined a C12 Group as a member in 2010. In 2011, Mike became a C12 Chair in San Antonio, then partnered up to buy a combined Austin and San Antonio region, which grew to be the largest market for C12 from 2013 to 2016. In 2016, there was a succession event for the C12 Group, and Mike was selected to be the third CEO to lead the national organization, with the HQ operations eventually relocated from North Carolina to Texas. The mission of the C12 Group is to equip Christian CEOs and owners to build great businesses for a greater purpose towards a vision of changing the world by advancing the gospel in the marketplace. Connect with Mike Sharrow: Selected Links * Mike Sharrow | LinkedIn | Twitter * 2024 Strategic Planning Guide * Balanced Scorecard Worksheet * 9 Essential Roles of a Christian CEO Recommended Books: * The Balanced Scorecard by Steve Kaplan * Take the Day Off by Robert Morris * The Garden City by John Mark Comer * The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer and John Ortberg Quotes from the Interview * Haitian Leadership Proverb: “Behind every mountain is just more mountains.” * “As a leader, you’re always reacting to where the pain is, but that tactical reactionary leadership rarely scales your enterprise for the future so you need to have some sort of model that forces you to work on the thing that’s not broken today but will break you tomorrow so you stop having fire drills.”- Mike Sharrow * “The leader has got to lead with integrity that helps set the direction both corporately and personally.” - Mike Sharrow * “I cannot outsource my marriage, I cannot outsource my parenting.” - Mike Sharrow * “Not all opportunity is calling, not all growth is good growth.” - Mike Sharrow * “Leadership should never be done alone, should always be done with peers, [because] who you run with matters.” - Mike Sharrow People Mentioned * Yogi Berra - “You gotta be careful where you’re going because you might not get there.” Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Mike Sharrow * [00:04:00] Mike growing up with RA * [00:11:00] Important person in Mike’s life, Tony Barret and impact on life and faith * [00:15:40] Mike reluctant to go to Texas then becomes a pastor * [00:19:00] Mike realized God rescued him from disaster * [00:25:40] Elevator pitch for C12 * [00:29:50] Mike scales C12 * [00:33:45] Lessons learned in scaling * [00:40:50] Five-point alignment and balance wheel tools used at C12 * [00:43:30] Steve Kaplan impact on C12 tools * [00:46:25] How to challenge ministry thinking beyond funding * [00:52:20] Characteristics of a great CEO * [00:59:00] How CEOs can improve on rest and retreat in 2024 * [01:05:00] Knowing when to grow and how to grow * [01:08:00] What’s coming up at C12 * [01:12:32] Closing remarks and episode wrap-up Tension is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. A few people have asked about my new setup. If you're interested and you want to create a studio like mine, check out the "My Dream Studio" Course here. Don't spend thousands to create a graveyard of gear! Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 09 Feb 2024 | #27: Jamie Harrison — How to Get Truly Healthy This Year | 01:20:18 | |
Jamie Harrison is the founder of The Consistency Club. Jamie is a dynamic 27-year-old entrepreneur from Gloucester, England, and the visionary founder of The Consistency Club, an Executive Health Coaching service. With over a decade of experience in health coaching, Jamie has been a pivotal figure in the startup of a corporate wellness app and has honed his skills in the corporate world as an Account Director. Jamie's journey is fueled by a deep-seated passion for educating and coaching busy professionals. He is dedicated to enhancing their health, energy, appearance, and overall lifestyle. His mission is ambitious yet inspiring: to positively impact the health of 1,000,000 people through his endeavors in the health and wellness industry. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jamie is a family man, eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first child in May 2024. His personal experiences and upcoming role as a father only deepen his understanding of the challenges and importance of maintaining a balanced, healthy lifestyle amidst the demands of a busy career. Jamie brings to the table not just expertise, but a personal commitment to transforming lives, making him a compelling voice in the world of health and wellness. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Jamie Harrison: LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | Website SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE * AG1 * Fitness Wearables: Garmin, Whoop, Apple Watch, Fitbit * Yuka App Recommended Books: QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW * “If you don’t have a habit in place, you're solely relying on motivation.” - Jamie Harrison * “You don’t get into a habit without discipline.” - Jamie Harrison * “Habits, routines, and structure of your day are as important as getting workouts done, eating well, and getting a good night’s sleep.” - Jamie Harrison * “That’s what makes this thing called life so beautiful because we all experience it in a different way and it all comes down to the conversation of acceptance - acceptance of who you are, acceptance that you need to change, finally coming around to the fact that you need to take action and building self-confidence in yourself because you’ve done it. It doesn’t matter what anyone else is, does, says, looks like. This is your journey and it’s you versus you.” - Jamie Harrison * “Losing body fat and losing weight are very different from being healthy and that’s a very important thing to consider.” - Jamie Harrison * “Where there’s mental resistance, there’s growth.” - Jamie Harrison Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Jamie Harrison * [00:03:50] Why Jamie chose to focus on super busy business leaders’ physical health * [00:05:45] Position of leadership comes with a certain level of stress and accountability * [00:09:30] Why Tim chose working with Jamie over other options * [00:11:23] Jamie’s philosophy behind Consistency Club * [00:14:30] Jamie focuses on long term goals and longevity * [00:16:00] How Jamie helps people get over feeling too busy to start * [00:19:50] Element of lack of self-confidence people feel before starting * [00:21:00] Power of habits * [00:27:10] What are the few habits that will change your routine * [00:34:00] Embracing walks and breathing work * [00:38:25] What does a sustainable approach to food and diet look like * [00:43:50] How to avoid the comparison trap * [00:48:17] Know idea when you start how the transformation is far greater than the physical transformation and how mindset is so important * [00:55:30] Why put in the energy and effort over the shortcuts and bandwagons * [00:59:00] Weight loss is very different from being healthy * [01:01:00] What are some things that can help enhance brain function for people who have to make high level decisions * [01:06:45] Key supplements * [01:13:00] Jamie’s mission and how people can work with him * [01:17:55] Technology recommendations Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 16 Feb 2024 | #28: Tim Sweetman & Chad Smith — Random Show | 01:11:31 | |
Chad Smith is an entrepreneur, philosopher, and spiritual guide who’s spent nearly two decades working on issues central to organizational development, ethics, learning cultures, and sustainability. As a consultant for Fortune 500 companies in sectors ranging from agribusiness to petrochemicals to retail, as well as for leading nonprofits and educational institutions, Chad has sought to build bridges within and between organizations, and between them and the world, by connecting them to a mission that is both humane and financially sustainable. As the CEO and co-founder of HumanWealth Partners, Chad offers clients a variety of custom-tailored programs and services to help create or redesign organizational cultures and systems so that they truly support and nurture human beings in today’s diverse and hyper-connected world. Rooted in the belief that there is an easier, more efficient, and more enriching way to work and live, HumanWealth’s approach has tangible benefits: increased employee engagement, development, and retention; greater operational efficiency through reduced friction in systems and human interactions; improved reputation; and deeper, more meaningful connections to stakeholders and the wider community. Before founding HumanWealth, Chad taught history and ethics at the college and secondary levels, and served as the Dean of Spiritual and Ethical Life at Deerfield Academy. Chad holds degrees in cultural history, philosophy, and theology from Boston College, Boston University, and Lipscomb University, as well as a certificate in leadership and management from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University. A former pastor, he currently serves on the advisory board of the Massachusetts Council of Churches. Residing in Newburyport, MA, with his wife and son, Chad is completing a book tentatively titled The Art of Life, which draws together management theory, ethical development, and social philosophy, to offer a pragmatic and hopeful vision of the good life in our time. Listen to our first episode together here: Tension is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE Connect with Chad Smith: SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE * Pigma Micron 05 Archival Ink - Yellow Recommended Books: * Timothy Keller’s Biography by Collin Hansen * The Power Of Story - Jim Loehr * Jeff Tweedy - How to Write One Song QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW * “We need to have a better conversation with ourselves about the stories we tell ourselves”. - Chad Smith * “Having the confidence to engage with the things that you find of value and connecting with others is all to the good.” - Chad Smith * “You mistake the activity of doing something for growth. Rather than saying what may be growth is to just say what the heck am I dealing with right here and here’s how I feel about it.” - Chad Smith PEOPLE MENTIONED SHOW NOTES * [00:00:00] Introduction to Chad Smith * [00:02:28] Do we listen to the stories we tell ourselves * [00:09:50] Adopting the posture of questions * [00:15:08] Exploring boundaries * [00:17:55] What is the line between being intellectual curiosity and moral relativism * [00:23:10] Need for intellectual honesty * [00:24:48] Dialogue is powerful in breaking down stories that aren’t true * [00:26:14] How to survive 2024 and not leaning into fear * [00:33:09] Politics is downstream from culture * [00:36:16] Story we’ve been told that government is the problem * [00:40:15] Monitoring in ourselves what’s going on internally * [00:43:50] Creator space having healthy debates * [00:46:58] Is it hubris to be a content creator? * [00:49:30] Process of connecting with people and sharing it with the world * [00:52:30] Loving the process of what you do rather than how people perceive it * [00:55:50] Trusting the process when things are going great in life versus difficult challenges * [01:01:05] What makes you feel most alive in dealing with challenges * [01:07:03] Book and tool recommendations Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 01 Mar 2024 | #29: Michael Graham — The Great Dechurching | 00:57:28 | |
Michael Graham (MDiv, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando) is program director for The Keller Center. He is the executive producer and writer of As in Heaven and coauthor of The Great Dechurching. He is a member at Orlando Grace Church. He is married to Sara, and they have two kids. Connect with Mike: * Website Selected Links From the Episode: * Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics * As In Heaven - Michael Graham Recommended Books: * The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back? - by Jim Davis (Author), Michael Graham (Author), Ryan P. Burge (Author), Collin Hansen (Foreword) * A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders by Mark Sayers Quotes From the Interview * “We would all be wise to trade in our defensiveness for curiosity.” - Mark Sayers * “An attitude of suspicion is condescending and harmful to others and isolating to those who embrace it.” - Michael Graham People Mentioned: Show Notes: * [00:00:00] Introduction to Michael Graham * [00:01:45] Tim’s thoughts on Michael’s book * [00:03:00] Why Michael took this approach to his book * [00:07:00] Is it a lack of curiosity that people leave the church? * [00:09:40] Hard part of having the posture of quiet, calm, curiosity is you have to be really secure. * [00:13:36] Don’t just give people the answer but also question the answers * [00:14:27] Comprehend, commend, critique, fulfillment * [00:16:30] Identity story * [00:18:50] If chasing you identity, how do you know you found it * [00:23:00] Overview of research methodology * [00:31:00] Results of ex-evangelicals made Michael emotional * [00:36:18] Encouraging things found in the research * [00:40:00] Tendency to choose highly doctrinal or all on outreach * [00:44:48] The push to make a decision between confessional and missional * [00:47:55] The older brother vs the younger brother framework * [00:53:00] Reading of Michael’s book Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 08 Mar 2024 | #30: Dr. Josh Packard — The Future of Faith | 01:04:22 | |
Dr. Josh Packard is the Vice President of Strategy at @NCEATalk, the Founder at Future of Faith, and previously was the Founding Executive Director at Springtide. He is the author of Church Refugees and Stuck. He has over 20 years of experience studying new forms of religion and how people make meaning in their lives. First as a professor of sociology where he ran The Dechurched Project, then as the founding Executive Director of Springtide Research Institute and where he helped to create the largest dataset in the country about young people and faith, and now at NCEA where he leads the applied insights division and co-founded Future of Faith. Dr. Packard has had the unique opportunity to see the landscape of religion and spirituality from a human and research perspective. Connect with Josh Packard: Recommended Books: * Church Refugees - Dr. Josh Packard * Profound Questions - Bobb Biehl * Gone for Good? - Mark Elsdon * Love Plus Work - Marcus Buckingham Quotes From The Interview: * “People would say all the time that adults act like they know everything when we know they don't know everything and so flipping that on its head…where they can ask you things is very disarming.” - Dr. Josh Packard * These flourishing experiences that help us become more human not less human - Tim Sweetman People Mentioned: Show Notes: * [00:00:00] Introduction to Dr. Josh Packard * [00:02:55] Why established Future Faith and book teaser * [00:05:14] What’s the overall vision of Future of Faith? * [00:08:10] Why did institutions work really well in the past and what is the breakdown * [00:13:56] What is sacred listening * [00:19:24] How to encourage someone not good at listening to take action * [00:24:13] Difficult to remain present in a conversation, what do you recommend? * [00:27:00] Powerful for young people to be present * [00:36:00] Opportunity to invite young people to ask question * [00:39:47] What excites Dr. Packard in the future of faith * [00:43:00] What does sacred space look like * [00:46:00] How can we create human flourishing in the space that we show up in * [00:51:21] Train people to notice to show up where we resource people to be * [00:52:38] Considering relationships and community in view of technology coming out * [00:57:00] Adolescence right now are growing up really fast and growing up really slow at the same time * [00:59:46] Supporting children’s spiritual journey as parents Previous Episodes with Dr. Packard: Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 15 Mar 2024 | #31: Derek Sloan — Leading With Vulnerability | 01:35:48 | |
Derek Sloan is a licensed professional clinical counselor, a certified master life coach, and a leading authority on integrating leadership effectiveness with mental health awareness. With years of experience, Derek has dedicated his career to helping individuals and organizations bridge the gap between their current realities and their aspirational goals. He is also a coach with Lead Every Day and the host of the Mental Stillness Podcast. Connect with Derek Sloan: LinkedIn | Podcast | Official Website | The Resilience Playbook Selected Links From The Episode * How to Embrace Slow Productivity, Achieve Mastery, and Defend Your Time — Cal Newport & Tim Ferriss * Brené Brown | The Power of Vulnerability TED Talk Recommended Books: * Wherever You Go, There You Are by Jon Kabat-Zinn * Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport * The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, Kaley Klemp Quotes From The Interview * If we’re hurried, it hurts us but it also hurts them. - Derek Sloan * No one wants to follow a leader that’s perfectly put together. How do we share in a way that’s enough to show them that I’m flesh and blood but not so much that I’m showing that I’m bleeding out. - Derek Sloan People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Derek Sloan * [00:02:12] How do you approach people who don’t know how to rest? * [00:07:00] Getting caught in trap of striving for the next thing instead of living in the now * [00:09:49] Repeatable version of a vacation that is sustainable * [00:13:15] Derek Sloan’s personal process of decompressing * [00:17:20] Derek Sloan’s backstory * [00:27:10] How helping in the free clinic was a profound experience * [00:31:00] Idea of slow productivity * [00:36:30] People are reaching out for connection and need for more vulnerability * [00:46:00] Fear of being judged as weak but really shows as strength * [00:46:56] Resiliency Playbook and the six plays * [00:47:46] How to cultivate psychological safety * [00:53:27] Open communication and tactical ways to do this and keep it authentic * [01:01:00] How to motivate employees and give autonomy in communication * [01:07:29] The trap of it being really easy to find the bad * [01:14:00] Every leader hopes they’re not a micromanager but how can leaders really empower their members * [01:19:20] How to empower leaders through fear and change * [01:29:00] Idea of work life balance and our identities Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 22 Mar 2024 | #32: Alec McNayr — Searching for Who You Truly Are | 01:05:12 | |
Alec McNayr is the Founder of Spotlight & Co., and former founder and COO of McBeard which was acquired by FullScreen in 2015. He is an Entrepreneurial leader, storyteller, and builder of teams. Alec advocates for creative approaches to social media, humor as a leadership development device, and remote-working strategies. He was named to the "40 under 40" list for both AdAge and Pepperdine University. Alec has also published a humor book, sold a pilot to ABC, was honored by the Webby Awards, worked for two failed dot-com companies, grew a company from two people to hundreds, and then navigated McBeard's acquisition by Fullscreen in 2015 (and then to AT&T/WarnerMedia in 2018). Connect with Alec McNayr: Spotlight | Substack | LinkedIn | X Recommended Books: * Decade By Decade by Bobb Biehl * Asking Profound Questions by Bobb Biehl * The Pathless Path: Imagining a New Story For Work and Life by Paul Millerd Quotes From The Interview * “I painted myself into a corner professionally. I didn’t like that I couldn’t be myself and so is it the nature of corporate business that paints people who are creative and odd and different in a corner or not?” - Alec McNayr * “I once got a standing ovation, and it kickstarted the darkest era of my entire life.” - Alec McNayr (Tweet This) People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Alec McNayr * [00:03:05] How Alec got started with digital marketing by day and performed at night * [00:06:27] Choosing between being pragmatic vs creative * [00:08:00] What were you like at 10 years old? * [00:10:09] The hilarious way McBeard was formed * [00:13:10] Nokia becomes first client of McBeard * [00:13:48] Got introduced to 20th Century Fox and made a Twilight spoof * [00:16:57] Team grew from 2 to 150 people in 8 years * [00:17:49] Alec and Alan start another company together * [00:19:54] Getting a standing ovation kickstarted my darkest era * [00:25:19] Grappling with self-identity between being serious and being creative * [00:29:18] What would Alec go back and tell himself * [00:34:40] Redefining success * [00:39:50] How Alec encourages others to be their authentic selves * [00:44:19] Balancing between pride, humility, and confidence * [00:51:39] What’s been difficult and what’s been working in doing the inner work * [00:56:28] What do you hope to achieve with having a coach? * [00:59:48] What Alec is working on now Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 29 Mar 2024 | #33: Josh Etress — COO at Anchor Investments; Tactical Leadership Lessons, Life Planning, and 5 Key Elements of Time Management | 01:20:15 | |
Josh Etress is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Anchor Investments, America’s most generous Commercial Real Estate Company. He is also the COO of The Russell and The Gallatin Hotel. He brings experience from previous roles at WildSparq as the Vice President of Sales & Client Success, as well as years serving with Campus Outreach in Birmingham, Alabama. He is a graduate of Berry College. Josh Etress’ Personal Mission No matter where I land, I intend to multiply leaders.Life mottos: No Reserves. No Retreats. No Regrets. #TheBestIsAhead #KeepImpactingPersonal Values:- Relentless Optimism- Bias Toward Action- Team > Self- Aggressive Learning- Focus on People & ResultsHow I think about life:Healthy things grow w/ the right soil, sunlight, and root system to produce 30x, 60x, 100x impact. Creating maximum conditions for growth; Pruning all aspects of life that don’t produce fruit.1, 5, 10, 20 year and Lifetime Targets:- Impact 100 Lives: in 1 Year- Impact 1,000 Lives: in 5 years- Impact 10,000 Lives: in 10 Years- Impact 100,000 Lives: in 20 years- Impact 1,000,000 Lives: in my lifetime Connect with Josh Etress: Selected Links From The Episode * POPSP Recommended Books: * The Right—and Wrong—Stuff: How Brilliant Careers Are Made and Unmade by Carter Cast * The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character by Jon Tyson * The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss * When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel H. Pink * Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport * Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport * Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant * Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip Heath & Dan Heath * Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear * Coaching for Breakthrough Success: Proven Techniques for Making Impossible Dreams Possible by Jack Canfield & Peter Chee Quotes From The Interview * “There’s always a legal right and there’s a moral right in real estate or a legal right and an ethical right and what that means is you can actually alter the experience that a tenant has with you by going above and beyond to educate them.” - Josh Etress * “One of the best things you can say as a leader is to say that you were right, I was wrong, will you help me, and you invite people into your personal growth.” - Josh Etress * “Logic and intuition, one is not better than the other. You have to have the right blend personally, professionally within your team within the context of your business to make the best decisions.” - Josh Etress People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Josh Etress * [00:01:40] Journey from leadership role to real estate * [00:03:34] One thing that attracted Josh to Anchor is generosity as a core value * [00:03:57] Commercial real estate and hospitality industry are similar in challenges * [00:04:54] Flipping the idea of traditional landlord and tenant relationship on its head * [00:07:00] Generosity in going above and beyond to educate a tenant and alter their experience into a positive one * [00:07:21] Generosity in long-term impact on future partnerships * [00:08:55] Generosity in redeeming the buildings we purchase * [00:09:24] Thoughtful in creating a portfolio of real estate where people can engage * [00:10:20] How to have this mission mindset while staying in business * [00:13:04] What have you done to switch that mentality for your team and community to pursue excellence rather than maximize profit for self? * [00:17:51] Josh and Tim first meeting through Wild Spark and growth over the years * [00:19:24] How Josh evolved into the a leader that does a great job in helping others multiply and grow * [00:24:45] How do you create the right environment for your team to grow? * [00:31:12] How have you gone about getting people to feel confident enough to give feedback to their boss and how do you use that feedback * [00:39:00] How have those who’ve reported to you responded when you ask for their feedback? * [00:40:39] How are you intentional in giving and receiving feedback? * [00:46:20] The great resignation and the cultural shift * [00:50:29] How would you encourage a leader that’s found themselves in an organization they’ve allowed to become toxic? * [00:54:00] The 1-Page Plan for Your Life * [00:57:33] Many leaders don’t spend a lot of time on a strategic plan, what would you say to someone who says I don’t need this? * [01:02:18] Five key elements in time management * [01:09:53] Josh’s article on the mantra “You can do better” and getting away from that * [01:15:00] Recommended books and authors Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 05 Apr 2024 | #34: Desmond Lim — Co-Founder of Workstream, Harvard & MIT Graduate, and Immigrant Success Story | 00:28:56 | |
Desmond Lim is co-founder and CEO of Workstream, an automated hiring platform for companies hiring hourly workers. He is a graduate of Harvard and MIT Media Lab, former product manager at WeChat, and investor at Dorm Room Fund. He was named to Silicon Valley Business Journal’s 40 under 40, and was honored by Ernst and Young as an entrepreneur of the year finalist. He is based in San Francisco and lived in Palo Alto with his wife and two young daughters. Connect with Desmond Lim: Selected Links From The Episode * Workstream Raises Additional $60M, Extending Series B Round to $108M * Desmond Lim in Forbes Magazine * The complete guide to applicant tracking systems Quotes From The Interview * “What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.” - Desmond Lim * “I believe in the democratization of technology for the deskless workforce. - Desmond Lim People Mentioned * Jay-Z Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Desmond Lim * [00:02:27] Growing up in Singapore and parents’ example shaped Desmond today * [00:06:31] Lessons his parents instilled in him * [00:07:31] Importance of taking hard work seriously growing up * [00:09:03] Grateful to have made it to the U.S. * [00:10:36] Favorite failure and the challenges along the way and how he approached it * [00:14:32] Workstream is about his seventh company, learning ins and outs of business * [00:18:36] What is the one thing that you encourage founders to do? * [00:21:50] Vision for Workstream * [00:25:55] What do you share to inspire your team? Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 12 Apr 2024 | #35: Samuel James — Author of Digital Liturgies on Why You Aren't Getting Published, Embodiment in a Digital Age, and Becoming More Human | 01:11:16 | |
Samuel D. James serves as associate acquisitions editor at Crossway Books. He is a regular contributor to First Things and The Gospel Coalition, and his writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Review. Samuel and his wife Emily live in Louisville, Ky., with their two children. Connect with Samuel James: Selected Links From The Episode Recommended Books: * Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel James * Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman Quotes From The Interview * “When it comes to writing, I try to help people have this strong sense of why. Why are you doing.” - Samuel James * “Movement itself does not mean action.” - Tim Sweetman * “When it comes to the web and the Christian life, the question so what do I do now is especially tricky, why because there’s no straight line from Christian wisdom to rejection of Technology.” - Samuel James * “There’s something about this environment that will always kind of mess up our relationship with the world because it wasn’t meant to be just you alone in your room with a device experiencing the world is meant to be so much more dimensional than that.” - Samuel James People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Samuel James * [00:02:03] How Samuel approaches writing and bringing reality into it * [00:07:37] Motives for writing, what is your “why” * [00:14:00] Quality vs quantity * [00:18:23] Book contract and having a baby * [00:20:40] Approach to writing books and process * [00:21:32] Tech sometimes get in the way of writing * [00:26:12] Advice to those who want to write a book * [00:29:30] Writing a book proposal * [00:31:16] Does a writer need to have a huge audience to start? * [00:37:15] Publishers are a business * [00:38:04] Ability to show you can write, nothing to do with social media followers * [00:40:34] Samuel’s book and embodiment vs disembodiment * [00:47:16] Digital liturgy has changed us and now we are making decisions to make sure it doesn’t change us * [00:52:44] Digital environment creeping into the physical environment * [00:55:37] Is there a way out of this and technology will make us more human? * [01:04:07] Practical ways James curates his interaction with technology * [01:08:00] What James is currently working on Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 19 Apr 2024 | #36: Courtney Moore — Founder of Women & Work on Empowering Women in Faith and a Vision for Biblical Leadership | 01:05:35 | |
Courtney Moore is the founder and president of Women & Work, as well as co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. She holds a B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Mobile and an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Courtney is passionate about seeing Jesus Christ honored by women as they steward their gifts and leverage their unique potential for His glory. She has been married to Brent for 15 years. They have 3 great kids and live in El Paso, TX where Brent pastors LIFEchurch. Connect with Courtney Moore: Selected Links From The Episode Quotes From The Interview * “Women have so much to bring to the table that men don’t have. So if you think about a conference room, if you have only men in there you’re going to get a perspective but guess what you don’t even really know what you're missing because you’ve never invited a woman in and heard her perspective. - Courtney Moore * “My biggest thing actually is stepping into confidence … There have been other times when fear going back to fear has really kept me complacent and that has not served our organization well or my team well.” - Courtney Moore People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Courtney Moore * [00:02:12] Upbringing and what led Courtney to her leadership role * [00:07:18] What triggered in her mind the need to come up with an answer to using her gifts * [00:11:52] How are you redefining a woman that works? * [00:19:19] Leveraging the gifts of the entire people * [00:25:25] Vocation work as a calling * [00:27:18] Equality between genders * [00:30:05] So many opportunities to do good works * [00:34:10] Other women who have embraced this idea * [00:36:58] Idea of work in seasons * [00:41:22] SBC and the treatment of women * [00:45:07] Fear and a limiting mindset * [00:49:20] Being curious and being faithful * [00:53:21] Idea of humble confidence and being a reluctant leader * [00:59:39] How Courtney went about rest and recovery after burnout * [01:03:49] What Courtney is excited about in seeing this conversation move forward * [01:07:05] Courtney’s podcast Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 26 Apr 2024 | Episode #37: Daniel Darling — Cultivating Confidence in a Cynical Age | 01:16:43 | |
Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He currently serves as the Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Assistant Professor of Faith and Culture at Texas Baptist College. Prior to his leadership of the Land Center, Darling served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. He has also pastored churches in Illinois and Tennessee. Website | Substack | Podcast | X Selected Links From The Episode * Founders Podcast by David Senra Recommended Books: * A Non-Anxious Presence: How a Changing and Complex World will Create a Remnant of Renewed Christian Leaders by Mark Sayers Quotes From The Interview * “The environment I was in was really rewarding, in terms of leadership was this kind of alpha you’re not a leader unless you’re a super alpha and running over people but basically that’s kind of what defined courage and leadership so I felt like am I actually a leader because I feel like I can motivate people and have vision but I don’t feel like being a jerk to people.” - Dan Darling * “Forgiveness matters…willingness to not carry with me the bitterness of my hurt and spend my whole like getting even is so important…” - Dan Darling People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Dan Darling * [00:02:20] Upbringing and how father shaped Dan into who he is today * [00:10:58] Discovering ability to write * [00:15:54] Where ideas to write come from and the process * [00:21:43] Intentional in reading selection or read widely? * [00:28:05] Stress testing leadership principles * [00:35:29] Think about the mood and culture in the organization * [00:39:48] How to overcome negative reviews * [00:49:02] Evangelicals and role in America * [00:56:52] Leaning into headlines and extremes versus meeting people in real life * [01:04:50] Leadership in government * [01:08:07] Ideas on upcoming book covering being Christian and patriotism * [01:15:22] Where to find Dan Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 04 May 2024 | Episode #38: Gretchen Heinen — Navigating the Tensions of Entrepreneurship | 00:59:59 | |
(Originally released April 19, 2022 — links and resources may have changed) Gretchen Heinen is the Founder/CEO of Authsnap, a team of healthcare experts who have come together to create solutions for hospitals in the complex areas of revenue cycle management. Gretchen is a nurse turned seven-figure entrepreneur and previously was the founder of Net Worth It School, a faith-based business mentorship program that offers coaching, courses, and a monthly membership to help people create financial legacy. Gretchen started her career as a nurse but quickly reached the top of her field and felt called to do more. During the 2008-2009 recession, she and her husband faced financial difficulties, prompting her to pray for wisdom. This led to the creation of her podcast, Net Worth It, where she interviewed financially successful individuals. Through her podcast, Gretchen learned that wealth is created by building multiple income streams. She experimented with various entrepreneurial ventures, learning valuable lessons along the way. In 2020, she rebranded her podcast and business to be faith-based, aligning her work with her Christian values. As a mother and foster parent, Gretchen understands the challenges of balancing family life with entrepreneurship. She emphasizes investing in personal development, hiring coaches, and surrounding yourself with successful people to grow and reach your full potential. Gretchen is passionate about helping others develop a healthy relationship with money and view it as a tool to accomplish their mission in life. Through her Net Worth It School and podcast (now Daring Daughters), she continues to inspire and guide others on their journey to financial freedom and purposeful living. X | LinkedIn | Daring Daughters Selected Links From The Episode * The power of words and affirmations * Tips for drinking more water * Benefits of walking for exercise * Guide to creating a morning routine * Productivity tips for entrepreneurs Recommended Books: * Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill * Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker * The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp * Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck Quotes From The Interview * "I'm okay with looking stupid or failing... I just do it. Be okay with knowing even if this fails, I'll figure it out." * "If you're going into entrepreneurship because you hate your job, don't do it because you won't succeed. You have to have a passion to solve a problem." * "Money is a tool that we get to use to do whatever it is we're supposed to do in this world that we feel is our mission." * "Our words have power... We need to be so careful about our words and what we say." Show Notes * [00:00] Introduction * [01:58] Gretchen's journey from attempting to become a doctor to pursuing nursing * [04:04] Reaching the top of her nursing career and feeling called to do more * [06:14] Starting the Net Worth It podcast and interviewing financially successful people * [08:40] Transitioning to a faith-based podcast and rebranding in 2020 * [10:23] Balancing nursing and entrepreneurship * [13:40] Overcoming the fear of failure and looking stupid * [16:55] The importance of having a passion and purpose in entrepreneurship * [19:40] Investing in yourself by getting in the right rooms and hiring coaches * [22:15] Taking action and being okay with failing * [24:42] Treating your job as an investment partner while building your business * [27:00] Changing the way we think about and relate to money * [30:25] Overcoming the belief that you're not worthy of talking to successful people * [33:40] The power of words and canceling negative words spoken over you * [37:20] Prioritizing self-care as an entrepreneur * [40:30] Micro tweaks to ensure proper nutrition, hydration, and exercise * [43:15] Gretchen's ideal daily routine and schedule * [48:40] The importance of having a plan and theming your days * [49:50] Where to find Gretchen's resources and free 5-day challenge Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 10 May 2024 | Episode #39: Austin Linney — Lessons from the Frontlines, Breaking Negative Mindsets, and What Real Success Looks Like | 01:14:14 | |
In this episode of the Tension podcast, host Tim Sweetman interviews Austin Linney, a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, business and mindset coach. Austin shares his personal journey of overcoming negative thought patterns, self-sabotage, and alcohol addiction to live a life of abundance and significance. He emphasizes the importance of taking radical responsibility for one's mindset and life choices. Austin and Tim discuss the power of an engaged, involved boss or CEO in impacting employees' lives, and the higher calling of serving others through business. They explore the role of faith in Austin's journey, learning to surrender and believe in a higher power during challenging times. Austin shares his philosophy of giving people opportunities to show greatness and the lessons he's learned from interviewing successful individuals. He recommends two influential books: What You Say When You Talk to Yourself and The Gap and the Gain. Throughout the conversation, Austin's infectious energy and passion for personal growth shine through. He encourages listeners to embrace curiosity, think for themselves, and consistently work towards becoming the best version of themselves. The episode offers insights on mindset, leadership, and the transformative power of taking responsibility for one's life. About Austin Linney Austin Linney is a serial entrepreneur, real estate investor, business and mindset coach, and host of the weekly podcast, Construct Your Life with Austin Linney. He has built an expansive network of top professionals in leading industries, and helped countless individuals break through obstacles and become who they were meant to be. For years, Austin struggled with negative thought patterns, self-sabotage, and alcohol addiction that left him trapped in an unfulfilling job, financial struggles, and disconnected and failing relationships. When he reached a breaking point, Austin knew he needed to take radical responsibility for his mindset and his life. He dedicated everything to learning strategies, systems, and tools to break free from a self-destructive cycle and live a life of abundance and significance. Now Austin lives his passion and purpose helping people establish habits and improve their mindset so they can live the life they truly want. Whether you are looking to build a business, obtain financial freedom, or become more of who you are, Austin can help you get where you want to go. Connect with Austin Linney X | Instagram | Podcast | Website Recommended Books: * Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal by Oren Klaff * Flip the Script: Getting People to Think Your Idea is Their Idea by Oren Klaff * The Gap and the Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan, Dr. Benjamin Hardy * What to Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter PhD, Douglas Martin * 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan Quotes From The Interview * “I guarantee you there’s three to four to five things whether in your personal life or your business life that you’re stringing along…there’s a million things that I could do to make money but that doesn’t mean I’m going to do them because it doesn’t make me happy.” - Austin Linney * “The number one skill I see in all those people that make them happy and successful is curiosity. They’re never done learning, they got a notepad next to them and they ask questions.” - Austin Linney People Mentioned * Jim Rome Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Austin Linney * [00:03:02] Simplicity and margins * [00:08:33] Energy and getting things done * [00:09:37] Growing up and addiction * [00:16:38] What helped Austin break a negative mindset * [00:20:46] Going to the extreme and ownership * [00:23:27] Stared in coaching * [00:26:50] Strategy to break the negative thinking * [00:35:00] Why are people afraid to make the big change * [00:39:33] What should a person do to work through criticism in making changes * [00:46:50] The impact of an engaged leader * [00:49:18] How faith is becoming part of Austin’s journey * [01:04:00] Serving and leadership Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 13 May 2024 | Episode #40: Jeff Bezos — Lessons from 1997-2023 Amazon.com Shareholder Letters | 00:37:38 | |
I read every single shareholder letter written by Jeff Bezos from 1997-2023 in order to learn everything I could about how Bezos applies the concepts of integrative thinking and tension into Amazon. I was not disappointed. Bezos doesn't shy away from the discomfort of tension — he leans into it as a powerful tool for unlocking creativity and making the impossible, possible. By challenging the assumption that leaders must choose between competing priorities, Bezos has been able to carve a unique path for Amazon. His integrative thinking keeps the company relentlessly focused on customers while also building for the long term. Packed with insightful quotes and stories, I hope this episode offers you a masterclass in how to turn tension into an advantage. Intro * Jeff Bezos and Amazon embrace tension and integrative thinking to drive innovation and growth * Integrative thinking involves finding creative solutions that combine opposing ideas, rather than choosing one over the other * Great leaders lean into the discomfort of tension to unlock transformative ideas Idea 1: Embracing Long-term Thinking vs. Short-term Thinking * 1997 shareholder letter: "We are firm believers that the long-term interests of shareholders are tightly linked to the interests of our customers" * Bezos believed creating a strong business through customer obsession would ultimately benefit shareholders * Amazon makes decisions based on long-term market leadership rather than short-term profitability or Wall Street reactions Idea 2: World-class Customer Experience vs. Low Prices * Amazon strives to offer the best of both, rejecting the traditional trade-off between high-quality service and low prices * By turning fixed costs into variable ones, Amazon can offer low prices and superior service * Bezos: "Proactively delighting customers earns trust, which earns more business from those customers, even in new business arenas." Idea 3: Invention and Customer Obsession * Bezos: "We can be a large company that's also an invention machine." * Amazon's culture of innovation is centered around core values of customer obsession * Innovations empower others, including third-party sellers, rather than solely benefiting Amazon Idea 4: Making Judgement-based vs. Math-based Decisions * Judgement-based decisions, while debated and controversial, are key to innovation and long-term value creation * Amazon combines inspiration from old models with new innovations to create unprecedented value * Bezos: "Many of the problems we face have no textbook solutions, and so we – happily – invent new approaches." Idea 5: Internal vs. External Motivation * Amazon is internally driven by a desire to impress customers, not just to best competitors * Being proactive and customer-focused allows Amazon to invent and improve before external pressure demands it Idea 6: High-velocity vs. Slow Decision Making * As companies grow, they tend to make decisions slowly; Amazon fights this tendency with a "Day 1" mentality * Type 1 decisions (irreversible) and Type 2 decisions (reversible) – most decisions are Type 2 and should be made quickly * Bezos: "The senior team at Amazon is determined to keep our decision making velocity high. Speed matters in business." Idea 7: Wandering and Experimentation * Wandering, guided by intuition and curiosity, is an essential balance to efficiency in business * Many innovations (like AWS) come from wandering and experimentation, even when the market doesn't know what it wants * Failure is a necessary part of invention; the path to success is not straight Conclusion * To maintain distinctiveness, you must resist the pull to be normal and continually invest energy in being unique * Leaning into tension and integrative thinking is difficult but essential for innovation and growth Books Mentioned: Working Backwards: Insights, Stories, and Secrets from Inside Amazon by Colin Bryar and Bill Carr The Everything Store: Jeff Bezos and the Age of Amazon by Brad Stone The Opposable Mind: How Successful Leaders Win Through Integrative Thinking by Roger Martin Both/And Thinking: Embracing Creative Tensions to Solve Your Toughest Problems" by Wendy Smith Additional Resources: * Shareholder letters from Amazon * Founders podcast, especially episode 179 Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 18 May 2024 | Episode #41: Truett Cathy — Chick-fil-A Founder's Essential Lessons from "It's Easier to Succeed Than Fail" | 00:57:44 | |
I read It’s Easier to Succeed Than to Fail to share the essential lessons from the founder of Chick-fil-A. S. Truett Cathy was founder and chairman of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Cathy started the business in 1946, when he and his brother, Ben, opened an Atlanta diner known as The Dwarf Grill (later renamed The Dwarf House®). Through the years, that restaurant prospered and led Cathy to further the success of his business. In 1967, Cathy founded and opened the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Atlanta’s Greenbriar Shopping Center. Lessons from It’s Easier to Succeed Than Fail: * Things don't happen by chance, they happen by choice. Associate with winners and those with great attitudes. "Associate yourselves only with those people you can be proud of, whether they work for you or you work for them." "A less qualified individual with a good attitude would be more welcomed at my company than a highly talented individual with a bad attitude." * Generosity and care for others, even amidst business challenges, is essential. Truett was deeply moved and inspired by Gene, a blind and deaf boy he helped on a flight, saying "If I ever felt, or feel sorry for myself, I turn my thoughts to that courageous boy." "As we blessed others, we ourselves were blessed in fulfillment of Proverbs 11:25 'He who waters will also be watered himself.'" * Every problem has a solution if you persevere and get creative. When faced with shortages of building supplies after WWII, Truett said "I couldn't wait for five or six months. Ben and I had to get that building up so we could start earning a living." He drove to small towns to buy nails and scavenged wood from torn down buildings, doing whatever it took to finish construction. * Consistency is the most important aspect of business, especially in food service. "The friendliness of the staff, the expression on your face, paying attention to their special requests - all these are extremely important. People don't always go out to eat because they're hungry. They may be simply looking for fellowship or a pleasant experience." * Crisis is an opportunity in disguise. Get away from problems to find solutions. Faced with the company's first sales decrease in 1982, the executive team went on a retreat to refocus on their purpose. "As I've learned so often in life, people need to get away from a problem in order to solve it. Sitting in the midst of the trouble only makes people more conscious of the negative forces." * Craft a meaningful corporate purpose that honors God and influences others. Profit and purpose can coexist. The team developed this purpose statement: "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." "We wanted to be faithful to our statements, but we also were in business to make a profit. I knew the two could work together." * Stay closed on Sundays out of spiritual principle, even if it seems illogical from a business perspective. "It was just a principle that I stand very firmly on for my business... We find closing on Sunday attracts those people who give attention to spiritual growth and are family oriented." * Embrace the power of integrative thinking - face tensions and find creative resolutions that contain elements of each side. Chick-fil-A could have expanded more rapidly through franchising or going public, but Truett decided to grow slowly, stay private, and focus on people over profits. This allowed them to be extremely generous in unconventional ways. * Success takes time and persistence, like the Chinese bamboo tree that shows no growth for 4 years then shoots up 90 feet in 6 weeks. "Life is much akin to the growing process of the Chinese bamboo tree. It is often discouraging. We seemingly do the right thing, and nothing happens. But for those who do things right and are not discouraged and are persistent, things will begin to happen. Finally, we begin to receive the rewards." * It truly is easier to succeed than to fail if you do things right. "May I assure you, who are kind enough to read this book, that it is indeed easier to succeed than to fail. That it takes time to succeed and time to fail, but more time to fail than to succeed." Truett Cathy's remarkable life and leadership demonstrate the power of uncompromising commitment to faith, generosity, relationships, and a higher purpose beyond profits. His legacy inspires us to lead organizations that honor God and serve people with consistency and care. Books: * It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail (1989) * Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People (2002) * It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men (2004) * How Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for Success (2007) * Wealth, Is It Worth It? (2011) * The Generosity Factor: Discover the Joy of Giving Your Time, Talent, and Treasure (2002) Timestamps: * 0:00 Introduction * 7:24 Things don't happen by chance, they happen by choice * 12:00 Generosity and care for others is essential * 31:00 Every problem has a solution if you persevere * 36:00 Consistency is the most important aspect of business * 40:00 Crisis is an opportunity in disguise * 46:00 Craft a meaningful corporate purpose * 51:00 Stay closed on Sundays out of spiritual principle * 53:00 Embrace the power of integrative thinking * 55:00 Success takes time and persistence * 56:00 It truly is easier to succeed than to fail * 57:00 Conclusion Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 24 May 2024 | Episode #42: Jodie Hylkema — Embracing the "And" | 01:03:21 | |
Jodie’s passion is investing in people. She thrives helping clients process and gain perspective, moving them forward toward personal and professional goals. At Leadership Consultancy, Jodie coaches Operators, senior leaders and their teams on setting and achieving goals, building trust, managing conflict, owning roles in the restaurant, and developing and leveraging emotional intelligence. She conducts Operator consultations, helping them identify areas of focus and creating individual and team focused development plans. She is also a contributing writer for The Operator Pathway, Leadership Consultancy’s guidebook for Operators developing deliverables for their business framework, talent cycle, and systems and processes in the restaurant. Using one of her main strengths of developer, she cultivates growth in individuals and teams as they become the best they can be. Jodie holds a bachelor’s degree in counseling from Moody Bible Institute. She spent four years as a senior leader at Chick-fil-A™ Citrus Plaza in Redlands, CA. As an executive leader specialist, she supervised all aspects of the talent cycle, including recruiting, hiring, labor allocations and scheduling, disciplinary conversations, and leadership development. She also managed receipts, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and incremental profit opportunity in a restaurant grossing 10 million in sales and experiencing consistent 18%+ growth year-over-year. Jodie's clients use CliftonStrengths®, the Enneagram, The Leadership Challenge®, EQi® 2.0 and other models to discover deeper insights and opportunities for growth. Connect with Jodie Hylkema: LinkedIn | Leadership Consultancy Selected Links From The Episode * Mitch Rales: Are You Investing Podcast * Steve Harvey: You Gotta Jump To Be Successful Recommended Books: * Turning the Flywheel: A Monograph to Accompany Good to Great by Jim Collins * The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner * Chasing Failure: How Falling Short Sets You Up for Success by Ryan Leak * The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick) by Seth Godin * Leveling Up: 12 Questions to Elevate Your Personal and Professional Development by Ryan Leak * Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry * No One Understands You and What to Do About It by Heidi Grant Halvorson * Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown * David Gibson Book Collection Quotes From The Interview * “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable because truly that is where the beauty of growth takes place. That is where we start to grow when we’re willing to say you know what this is a really really hard for me to say this person is probably not going to be happy with me when I hold them accountable but I think what a disservice we do to someone else to not address it and not give them the opportunity for their own growth.” - Jodie Hylkema * “The best leaders chase failures meaning they chase opportunities to learn.” - Jodie Hylkema People Mentioned Show Notes * [00:00:00] Introduction to Jodie Hylkema * [00:03:50] Going from Chick-fil-A to coaching * [00:07:55] What sets Chick-fil-A apart from other brands and makes them successful * [00:10:12] Why aren’t other brands adopting Chick-fil-A’s vision * [00:13:14] Lessons leaders could apply and emphasis on core values * [00:19:27] Hardest part of leadership is clarity * [00:22:39] Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable * [00:27:00] Craving tension and leaning into the difficulty * [00:34:07] Embracing the “and” as leaders * [00:40:30] Examples of tension and ambition * [00:45:00] The challenge of making small changes and the output leads to success * [00:46:44] How the best leaders react to failure * [00:52:00] Failing and failing forward * [00:54:45] Finding balance between comfort and tension * [00:58:00] Helpful resources Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 07 Jun 2024 | Episode #43: Viktor Frankl — Man's Search for Meaning | 00:48:13 | |
In this episode, Tim Sweetman delves into the profound wisdom and insights from Viktor Frankl's influential book, "Man's Search for Meaning." As a Holocaust survivor and renowned psychiatrist, Frankl's experiences in the concentration camps served as the foundation for his groundbreaking philosophical and therapeutic approach, logotherapy. This episode explores the central themes of Frankl's work, emphasizing the significance of finding meaning in life, even in the face of unimaginable suffering and adversity. Key Takeaways: * The Importance of Tension for Personal Growth and Meaning: Frankl argues that a certain degree of tension is essential for mental health and personal development. He suggests that what humans truly need is not a tensionless state, but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal or a freely chosen task. This tension between what one has already achieved and what one still ought to accomplish is the driving force behind self-actualization and the discovery of meaning in life. * The Paradox of Happiness: One of the central ideas in Frankl's work is the paradox of happiness. He maintains that directly pursuing happiness can lead to frustration and disappointment. Instead, he suggests that happiness is a byproduct of accepting uncertainty and tension in life, and focusing on finding meaning and purpose. By dedicating oneself to a cause greater than oneself or loving another person, one can experience a profound sense of fulfillment and happiness. * Three Ways to Find Meaning in Life: Frankl identifies three primary ways in which individuals can discover meaning in their lives: * Creating a work or doing a deed: Engaging in creative pursuits or accomplishing tasks that contribute to the world around us. * Experiencing something or encountering someone: Finding meaning through the appreciation of beauty, art, nature, or forming deep connections with others through love and relationships. * The attitude taken towards unavoidable suffering: When faced with unavoidable suffering, individuals have the opportunity to find meaning by choosing their response and maintaining a courageous and dignified attitude in the face of adversity. * The Power of Choice and Human Dignity: A central theme in Frankl's work is the importance of recognizing and exercising our freedom to choose, even in the most dire circumstances. He argues that the ability to choose one's attitude and response to any given situation is what sets humans apart and allows us to maintain our dignity and find meaning, even in the darkest of times. Frankl emphasizes that while we may not always have control over our circumstances, we always have the freedom to choose how we respond to them. * Tragic Optimism: Finding Hope in the Face of Pain, Guilt, and Death Frankl introduces the concept of tragic optimism, which is the ability to remain hopeful and find meaning despite the presence of what he calls the "tragic triad": pain, guilt, and death. He suggests that by embracing tragic optimism, individuals can transcend their suffering and find purpose and significance in their lives, even when confronted with the most challenging and painful experiences. Notable Quotes: * "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way." (p. 66) * "Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'." (p. 76) * "The salvation of man is through love and in love." (p. 37) * "Suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning." (p. 113) * "The meaning of life is to be discovered in the world rather than within man or his own psyche." (p. 115) * "Man does not simply exist but always decides what his existence will be, what he will become the next moment. By the same token, every human being has the freedom to change at any instant." (p. 131) * "Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose." (p. 104) * "In some way, suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice." (p. 113) * "The point is not what we expect from life, but rather what life expects from us." (p. 77) * "Love is the only way to grasp another human being in the innermost core of his personality." (p. 111) Logotherapy and Paradoxical Intention: Frankl's experiences in the concentration camps led him to develop logotherapy, a form of existential analysis that focuses on the search for meaning as the primary motivational force in human life. Logotherapy emphasizes the importance of helping individuals identify and pursue their unique purpose, even in the face of suffering and adversity. One of the key techniques used in logotherapy is paradoxical intention, which involves encouraging individuals to embrace and even exaggerate their fears or anxieties. By doing so, patients can break free from the cycle of anticipatory anxiety and self-fulfilling prophecies. Frankl provides examples of how paradoxical intention can be used to treat conditions such as insomnia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and phobias. Frankl's Legacy and Influence: "Man's Search for Meaning" has had a profound impact on the fields of psychology, psychotherapy, and personal development. Frankl's insights into the human condition, the importance of meaning, and the resilience of the human spirit have inspired countless individuals to find purpose and hope in the face of adversity. Frankl's work has been widely recognized and celebrated, with "Man's Search for Meaning" having sold over 16 million copies worldwide and being translated into more than 50 languages. The Viktor Frankl Institute, founded in Vienna, Austria, continues to promote and advance Frankl's ideas and the practice of logotherapy. Applying Frankl's Insights to Modern Life: While Frankl's experiences in the concentration camps may seem far removed from the challenges of modern life, his insights and wisdom remain highly relevant and applicable. In an age of increasing automation, technology, and potential for existential vacuum, Frankl's emphasis on the importance of finding meaning and purpose is more important than ever. Individuals can apply Frankl's ideas to their own lives by: * Identifying and pursuing personal values and goals that align with their unique sense of purpose. * Embracing challenges and viewing them as opportunities for growth and meaning. * Cultivating a sense of responsibility and commitment to something greater than oneself. * Practicing self-awareness and exercising the freedom to choose one's attitude and response to life's circumstances. * Seeking out experiences that promote personal growth, connection, and the discovery of meaning, such as engaging in creative pursuits, fostering meaningful relationships, and contributing to the well-being of others. Conclusion Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning offers a timeless and profound exploration of the human condition, the importance of finding purpose, and the resilience of the human spirit. Through his own experiences and the development of logotherapy, Frankl provides valuable insights and tools for individuals seeking to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, even in the face of adversity and suffering. By embracing the key takeaways from Frankl's work, such as the importance of tension for personal growth, the paradox of happiness, the three ways to find meaning in life, the power of choice and human dignity, and the concept of tragic optimism, individuals can cultivate a deeper sense of purpose and navigate life's challenges with greater resilience and hope. Resources Mentioned: * Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl (Amazon link) * The Will to Meaning: Foundations and Applications of Logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl (Amazon link) * Recollections: An Autobiography by Viktor E. Frankl (Amazon link) * The Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna (Website) * Viktor Frankl: A Life Worth Living by Anna S. Redsand (Amazon link) * The Unheard Cry for Meaning: Psychotherapy and Humanism by Viktor E. Frankl (Amazon link) Additional Resources: * Yes to Life: In Spite of Everything by Viktor E. Frankl (Amazon link) * The Doctor and the Soul: From Psychotherapy to Logotherapy by Viktor E. Frankl (Amazon link) * Prisoners of Our Thoughts: Viktor Frankl's Principles for Discovering Meaning in Life and Work by Alex Pattakos and Elaine Dundon (Amazon link) * Viktor Frankl's Search for Meaning: An Emblematic 20th-Century Life by Timothy Pytell (Amazon link) * Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up by James Hollis (Amazon link) * The Power of Meaning: Crafting a Life That Matters by Emily Esfahani Smith (Amazon link) * The Pursuit of Meaning: Viktor Frankl, Logotherapy, and Life by Joseph B. Fabry (Amazon link) Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||
| 09 Sep 2024 | Episode #44: The Soul of Starbucks —Howard Schultz on Crisis, Culture, and Comeback | 00:38:28 | |
Episode Summary This episode explores Howard Schultz's book Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul, detailing Starbucks' journey through the 2008 financial crisis and its subsequent transformation. The host analyzes Schultz's leadership philosophy, Starbucks' core values, and the challenges faced during this pivotal time. Key Takeaways * Schultz's leadership philosophy centers on balancing profit with social conscience * Starbucks lost its way in 2007 due to rapid expansion and loss of focus on core operations * The importance of maintaining brand authenticity and customer experience during growth * Schultz's return as CEO in 2008 to lead the company's transformation * The role of employee (partner) engagement in delivering exceptional customer experiences * Implementing customer feedback systems like MyStarbucksIdea.com * Balancing efficiency with maintaining the "romance" of the Starbucks experience * The challenges of closing 600 stores and its impact on communities * Applying lean methodologies to improve operations without compromising quality Quotes * "As a business leader, my quest has never been just about winning or making money. It has also been about building a great, enduring company, which has always meant trying to strike a balance between profit and social conscience." - Howard Schultz * "No business can do well for its shareholders without first doing well by all the people its business touches." - Howard Schultz * "Success is not sustainable if it's defined by how big you become." - Howard Schultz * "Starbucks never set out to be cool. We set out to be relevant." - Howard Schultz People Mentioned * Howard Schultz (former CEO and Chairman of Starbucks) * Jim Donald (former Starbucks CEO) * Michael Dell (founder of Dell Technologies) * Jim Senegal (co-founder and former CEO of Costco) * Steve Jobs (mentioned briefly) * Cliff Burrows (Starbucks leader) * Daniel Henninger (Deputy Editor of the Wall Street Journal) * Bono (U2 frontman, quoted on business ethics) Books Mentioned * Onward: How Starbucks Fought for Its Life without Losing Its Soul by Howard Schultz Companies/Organizations Mentioned * Starbucks * Dell * Costco * McDonald's (as a competitor) Concepts and Ideas Discussed * Integrative thinking in leadership * Brand authenticity and customer loyalty * The "Third Place" concept in retail * Balancing growth with maintaining company culture * Crisis management in large corporations * The importance of customer feedback in business transformation * Lean methodologies in retail operations * Corporate social responsibility * The role of company culture in business success Starbucks Initiatives Mentioned * MyStarbucksIdea.com (customer feedback platform) * Starbucks Rewards program * Entertainment strategy (selling music and movies in stores) * Pike Place Roast (as a product development example) * Lean techniques implementation in stores Episode Highlights * [00:01:00] Introduction to Howard Schultz's book "Onward" * [00:05:00] The "beverage of truth" and shutting down all stores for training * [00:08:00] Signs of hubris and overextension into entertainment * [00:15:00] The importance of emotional connection in Starbucks' value proposition * [00:19:00] Implementation of MyStarbucksIdea.com * [00:22:00] Balancing business transformation with preserving company culture * [00:27:00] The critical role of store managers in Starbucks' success * [00:29:00] Decision to close 600 stores and its impact * [00:34:00] Howard Schultz's personal approach to competition and customer loyalty * [00:36:00] Applying lean methodologies to improve store operations Get full access to Tension at www.timsweetman.com/subscribe | |||