The Action Catalyst

Karen Arrington, author, global philanthropist, and Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, explains how to assemble your “power entourage”, a group of people providing resources and support for any situation life may throw at you, as well as who NOT to include in the group.Hear Karen’s full interview in Episode 401 of The Action Catalyst.

Jamie Beaton, co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education, the world’s leading US and UK university admissions support company, talks about his new book, “Accepted”, increasing student admissions, helping exceptional students overcome self-doubt, the “Moneyball” approach to college acceptance, the role that parents should play in the process, tackling ageism and skepticism, and geeking out to Warhammer with host Dan Moore.  Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Advantage.Southwestern Advantage

Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine, author, and podcast host, talks about the misconceptions around career trends and new job creation, including historical examples of huge oversights and follies by the likes of Kodak, Blockbuster, and a particularly furious John Philip Sousa.Hear Jason’s full interview in Episode 400 of The Action Catalyst.

Karen Arrington, author, global philanthropist, and Goodwill Ambassador to Sierra Leone, shares some of the 7 rules of power, confidence, and opportunity for black women in America, the massive opportunity of small grants, how to find your tribe and eliminate or renegotiate exhausting relationships, explains how to see what you DON’T want to see what you DO want, and talks about working internationally and doing business 35,000 feet in the air.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by GEC, Global Educational Concepts.GEC, Global Educational Concepts

Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Tech Correspondent for CNBC, shares a few of the specific strengths that women bring to leadership roles, and explains why, although a high-profile example, Elizabeth Holmes is not particularly representative of successful female leadership attributes. Hear Julia’s full interview in Episode 399 of The Action Catalyst.

Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine, author, and podcast host, explains "wouldn’t go back" moments, thinking vertically instead of horizontally, the 4 phases of change, the lessons learned from a Baltimore wig shop, and how entrepreneurs are adapting in Ukraine, talks John Philip Sousa and “the menace of mechanical music”, and details the forward-thinking theory of work that lands you your next big opportunity, how time expands under pressure, and the importance of always asking "what else do I know?"Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching

John and Mark X. Cronin, father and son co-founders of the largest sock store on the planet, John's Crazy Socks, share the story of how their fun socks sparked a friendship with former President Bush, and won them a big fan in Nancy Pelosi.Hear John and Mark’s full interview in Episode 398 of The Action Catalyst.

Julia Boorstin, Senior Media & Tech Correspondent for CNBC, talks about what inspired her new book, “WHEN WOMEN LEAD - What They Achieve, Why They Succeed, and How We Can Learn from Them”, and touches on the changing face of leadership, contextual thinking and communal leadership, the unusual case of Elizabeth Holmes, the gender issue in tech and computer science, being camera-ready in 40 minutes or less, the great value of reaching out to your "outer circle", and why there’s no such thing as a cold call anymore.

Ariel Garten, neuroscientist and the co-founder of tech startup Muse, explains how her company’s revolutionary technology helps you become the coach and the guru inside your own brain, the broader mission of her work, and how if you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else.Hear Ariel’s full interview in Episode 397 of The Action Catalyst.

John and Mark X. Cronin, entrepreneurs, advocates for Down Syndrome, and co-founders of the largest sock store on the planet, John's Crazy Socks, explain the 5 essential pillars of business, the joys and the challenges of working as a father and son team, a small problem they ran into with opening a food truck, making friends with Washington elite, and the importance of uplifting differently-abled employees.

David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group, describes the current state of the insurance industry, and what sets his company apart from others in the ever-more-competitive insurance landscape.Hear David’s full interview in Episode 396 of The Action Catalyst.

Ariel Garten, neuroscientist, former psychotherapist, and the co-founder and visionary of tech startup Muse, explains the mission behind her company’s revolutionary technology, the way inspiration can translate from art to science, hitting the research lab at the age of 17, the power of naivety, her responsibility to society, calming the nervous system and relying on yourself, and how if you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else.*Listeners, use code POD10 at checkout at ChooseMuse.com for special savings!

Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies, shares the story of the tragic natural disaster that nearly changed the course of her family’s history, and how the kindness demonstrated by strangers helped shape who she is today.Hear Patty’s full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by ThinkingAhead.Thinking Ahead

David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group, shares successful philosophies on expanding your team, why hindsight is the best foresight, how your trials are someone else’s inspiration, and what it means to define “fun” in business, plus covers his adventures in water polo, getting hit in the face, and the similarity between himself and Mark Wahlberg.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Insurance Group.Southwestern Insurance Group

Gary Garfield, speaker, author, and former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, shares a few times when he empowered his workforce to speak truth to power, drive innovative ideas from within, and speak up for themselves, resulting in one of Bridgestone's most well-received initiatives.Hear Gary's full interview in Episode 395 of The Action Catalyst.Also be sure to check out Gary's first appearance on the podcast, in Episode 243 of the Action Catalyst.

Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies, shares her upbringing in Central America and the natural disaster that helped shape her early life, to her beginnings in security in the 9/11 era, stint in city management, and the influences and determination from her unique background that help her create the safest, most inviting work environment for employees of all types.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Thinking Ahead.Thinking Ahead

Author and mental scientist Dr. Hank Seitz shares the unbelievable story of his time as a double agent for the Korean mafia and the CIA and explains how the conscious and the subconscious minds shape our beliefs.Hear Dr. Hank’s full interview in Episode 394 of The Action Catalyst.

Gary Garfield, speaker, author, and former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, shares the "rules of the road" from his new book, "Driving Results", including why humility is freedom from arrogance, the advice from the best boss that HE ever had, the equation to creating a productive and trusting company culture, the discrepancy between professional auto testing and consumer driving, creating innovation & how one of Bridgestone's best ideas came from an employee submission, and answering the question of "who's REALLY the boss?"Also be sure to check out Gary's first appearance on the podcast, in Episode 243 of the Action Catalyst.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Speakers.Southwestern Speakers

Bill Ottman, CEO and co-founder of blockchain based, open source social network Minds, discusses the next frontier of social media, addressing matters of privacy, new capabilities brought by Web 3.0, and the Metaverse.Hear Bill’s full interview in Episode 393 of The Action Catalyst.

Author and mental scientist Dr. Hank Seitz explains how he overcame what he was told was a permanent disability, talks quantum science and molecular biology, the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, the 3 steps that create experience, answers of the question of “What ARE beliefs?”, and shares the unbelievable story of his time as a double agent for the Korean mafia and the CIA.

Dr. Julia DiGangi, a neuropsychologist, author, and expert in the brain’s relationship with stress, resilience and relationships, explains the 2 drivers of the brain that create nearly all interpersonal problems, including how new studies suggest your co-workers really can have a lasting impact on your neurological makeup.Hear Dr. DiGangi’s full interview in Episode 392 of The Action Catalyst.

Bill Ottman, CEO and co-founder of blockchain based, open source social network Minds, talks to host Dan Moore about systems theory, web 3.0 and the decentralized internet, Facebook and the dawn of the Metaverse, cryptocurrency, hanging out on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and more, in this wide-ranging, forward-looking interview.

Greg Patterson, CEO of The Advisory Group of San Francisco, covers the parallels between triathlon training and preparing for the business world, and how something known as the “gas pedal risk” can create premature burnout.Hear Greg’s full interview in Episode 391 of The Action Catalyst.

Dr. Julia DiGangi, a neuropsychologist, author, and expert in the brain’s relationship with stress, resilience and relationships, covers the growing study of mental health, “emotional shake”, how 99% of the world has good intentions, the way co-workers can LITERALLY alter your physiology, behavioral math and emotional physics, and the 2 drivers of the brain that create nearly all interpersonal problems.

We catch back up with Michael F. Schein, writer, speaker, and Founder & President of Microfame Media, who recounts the success of his book “The Hype Handbook”, explains why forming your own secret networking society might yield big results, and spills the beans on the secrets of the Freemasons. Uh-oh! Hear more from Michael in his original appearance on Episode 382 of The Action Catalyst.

Greg Patterson, CEO of The Advisory Group of San Francisco, covers business lessons from time spent abroad and as a triathlete, including how overtraining and overconfidence can be tragic flaws, the “gas pedal risk”, determining what mile you’re on in the Ironman of life, and adopting the Spiderman principle of power and responsibility.

Inventor and entrepreneur Travis Rosbach and host Dan Moore explore the parallels between the first successful summit of Everest, and the founding of Hydro Flask, including how sometimes the greatest motivating force can be having no way out.Hear Travis’ full interview in Episode 390 of The Action Catalyst.

Our very own Dan Moore joins Insumo's Habit Talks podcast as a guest, exploring different aspects of finding and maintaining inspiration. Among the topics he discussed were practicing gratitude and grounding techniques such as box breathing, as well as some advice around adapting to the pandemic. Habit Talks host, Ceylan Ersoy, discusses how she seeks meaning and inspiration, how to leave a mark, pivots, and how to balance life. It's a great talk! Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Advantage.Southwestern Advantage

Seems like our guests love being on The Action Catalyst just as much as we like having them!

Former CEO and Fortune 50 Global Executive Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann and Founder of SOFit SF Inc., Lillian So, explain why it’s impossible to be grateful and be in a crisis at the same time, and how optimism is nothing more than trust directed at a purpose.Hear Rebecca and Lillian’s full interview in Episode 389 of The Action Catalyst.

Inventor and entrepreneur Travis Rosbach discusses the parallels between founding Hydro Flask and the successful ascent of Everest, attacking brick walls with terror, passion, or avoidance, putting philanthropic power in the hands of the consumer, LITERALLY getting off on the right foot, knowing when to hold ‘em & when to fold ‘em, and the power of unseen forces.

Comedy Central creator Art Bell shares why you’ve got to tell everybody what you REALLY want to be doing (even if you aren’t doing it currently), how “intrapreneurship” is the new entrepreneurship, and why passion and vision, BIG vision, are the secret weapons of making any pitch.Hear Art’s full interview in Episode 388 of The Action Catalyst.

It’s a rare tag-team episode, featuring former CEO and Fortune 50 Global Executive Rebecca Macieira-Kaufmann alongside fitness pro and Founder of SOFit SF Inc., Lillian So, covering the importance of paying yourself first, the 4 major Rs (reset, renew, rest, reflect), why it’s impossible to be grateful and be in a crisis at the same time, the virtues of simplification, and wisdom from their new book, "FitCEO: Be the Leader of Your Life".

Writer and former media executive Art Bell talks about shifting from economics to comedy, creating and (barely) getting Comedy Central off the ground, turning around Court TV, pitching 3DTV to Victoria’s Secret and the Superbowl, the benefits of “intrapreneurship”, and how if you don’t get fired once in a while, you’re not doing anything interesting.

Author, diversity & inclusion expert, and Founder of The Change Coaches, LaTonya Wilkins, explains her concept of “Below the Surface” leadership, and outlines the 3 terrible biases that absolutely destroy company cultures.Hear LaTonya’s full interview in Episode 387 of The Action Catalyst.

In this special bonus release, we bring you an appearance by Action Catalyst host Dan Moore on Episode 12 of the Experience Magazine Podcast, hosted by Michael Sharp & Erik Alanson of the University of Cincinnati, and presented by Experience Magazine, a publication of CEIA (Cooperative Education and Internship Association). You can find this and other episodes of the Experience Magazine Podcast at ExperienceMag.org/category/podcast. Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Advantage.Southwestern Advantage

Healthcare innovator, author, and former Tivity Health CEO Donato Tramuto shares how losing his hearing as a child forced him to develop character and trust, and reveals the tragic event that led him to the field of healthcare.Hear Donato’s full interview in Episode 386 of The Action Catalyst.

Author, diversity & inclusion expert, and Founder of The Change Coaches, LaTonya Wilkins, talks about the value of meandering in the muck, what makes a R.E.A.L. leader, why humans are born to exclude and exclude to belong, overcoming the “terrible 3” biases, and going on your own discovery tour.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching

Whether you’re just getting started, or have sat in the C-Suite for years, sooner or later, most of us hit a wall, a plateau, an obstacle. The Action Catalyst podcast is designed for THIS moment, to help you reflect, refocus, and smash through complacency and the challenges holding you back.  Led by one of the nation’s most established private companies, The Action Catalyst has delivered hundreds of talks with actionable steps from top thought leaders in business, sports, and entertainment, and a brisk format perfect for on-the-go listening, which has earned it a place on numerous top podcast lists from Inc, Entrepreneur, Business Insider, and many more. Ignite your inspiration now at TheActionCatalyst.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Terri Rickard, Founder and President of Southwestern Travel Group, relives the huge challenge of rethinking travel in the midst of a global pandemic, and learning to find opportunities in new places.Hear Terri’s full interview in Episode 385 of The Action Catalyst.

Healthcare innovator, author, and former Tivity Health CEO Donato Tramuto shares how he’s faced life’s “bulldozer moments” like losing his hearing as a child, the family tragedy that pushed him into healthcare, the importance of “collaborative IQ”, fighting “trust decay”, and how Empathy + Action = Compassionate Leadership.

Derek Pankaew, co-founder of NFT investment software Mythia, explains what an NFT even IS, covers its beginnings in the art and video game worlds, and talks about how the technology can be applied to nearly all businesses in the future.Hear Derek's full interview in Episode 384 of The Action Catalyst.

Terri Rickard, Founder and President of Southwestern Travel Group, talks about not being held back by childhood struggles, the paramount importance of controlling your schedule, guiding a travel company through a pandemic that brought the industry to a grinding halt, and always being sure to “do the next right thing”.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Travel Group.Southwestern Travel Group

Randall Kaplan, Founder and CEO of Sandee, shares his story of perseverance and how he wrote personal letters to over 400 school alumni and 300 CEOs when searching for a career change, ultimately landing over 80 meetings with leaders who said they’d never taken a meeting from a cold letter in their lives.Hear Randall’s full interview in Episode 383 of The Action Catalyst.

Derek Pankaew, co-founder of NFT investment software Mythia, covers the brave new world of NFTs in this masterclass about what the emergent technology is, how it has come a long way from its beginnings in the art world, and how it can revolutionize businesses both large and small, plus the roles of cryptocurrency and Discord in NFT trading. If you've ever been curious about investing in this newest trend, this is a MUST-listen episode.

Randall Kaplan, serial entrepreneur, and the Founder and CEO of Sandee, explains how his app offers the most comprehensive database of beaches in every country, with over 90 different filters for amenities and attractions, the largest collection of beach photographs in the world, and more, plus shares his experiences seeing Suge Knight every night at a bagel shop, what he looks for when investing in companies, writing hundreds of personal letters to CEOs, and how persistence truly pays.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Travel Group.Southwestern Travel Group

Michael F. Schein, Founder & President of Microfame Media, and author of "The Hype Handbook”, explains how you can perfect your own presentation by embracing what you may view as your quirks and insecurities, using Andy Warhol as a pivotal example.Hear Michael’s full interview in Episode 382 of The Action Catalyst.

Michael F. Schein, writer, speaker, Founder & President of Microfame Media, and author of "The Hype Handbook”, covers learning his marketing chops from his time in a punk rock band, the importance of taking side doors in your work, how to perfect your packaging by embracing your quirks and insecurities, starting a “secret society”, and tips on becoming your own “hype artist”.

Donna Orender, former President of the WNBA and Senior VP of the PGA Tour, and CEO of Generation W, explains how athletics breeds confidence, work ethic, and thinking on the fly, combating negativity in women’s sports, and changing the world one kindness at a time.Hear Donna’s full interview in Episode 381 of The Action Catalyst.

On this special episode, host Dan Moore is joined by Pavel Aleabov, a close associate from Action Catalyst parent company, Southwestern Family of Companies, with a strong personal connection to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. From a poor upbringing in his native Moldova, to great successes in athletics and business, to having to flee his home at the outbreak of the current war, he shares his unique experiences, and the determination, and will, of the people of Moldova.  And for anyone wishing to provide relief for U.S. and international aid foundations supporting the Ukrainian people, visit Southwestern.com for a list of organizations who provide for electronic donations.  To the people of Ukraine, Southwestern is with you in spirit.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by GEC, Global Educational Concepts.GEC, Global Educational Concepts