The Action Catalyst

Dean Koontz, best-selling author with over 100 novels published and more than 500 million copies sold, talks about the way his alcoholic father shaped his childhood as well as his writing, has a personal realization about his first major character, shares the real life experience that led to creating the character of Odd Thomas, addresses how to deal with naysayers, gives his best advice that translates from the literary world to the business world, tells a cautionary career tale about zombie novels, and reveals more than a few spoilers from his latest book.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching

Courtney Bowie, Managing Attorney for Earthjustice, shares the huge misconception and history-making moment around the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and why water rights, not race, lie at the bottom of many civil issues.Hear Courtney's full interview in Episode 412 of The Action Catalyst.

Courtney Bowie, Managing Attorney for Earthjustice, shares her thanks to ThinkingAhead and her time in the New York Supreme Court, why 50 years in the legal world is just a short time ago, the huge misconception and history-making moment around the protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline, the importance of resting up for a squabble, and other thoughts on the history of struggle, working with existential threat, "forest bathing", leaning on a higher power, and a bit of motivation from Helen Keller.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Thinking Ahead.Thinking Ahead

Joan Cronan, University of Tennessee Women's Athletic Director Emeritus and Pat Summitt Leadership Group Advisory Board Chairman, talks about being denied the right to compete as a child, repeating the mantra of “left foot, right foot, breathe”, and decisively answers the question “Is Title IX still working 50 years later?”Hear Joan's full interview in Episode 411 of The Action Catalyst.

Nationally syndicated radio host, "America's Career Coach", and No. 1 bestselling author Ken Coleman explains how employers can drive retention in the midst of the “Great Resignation”, the three categories that most job-seekers fall into, and the 4 “F’s” that hold people back.Hear Ken’s full interview in Episode 410 of The Action Catalyst.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by ThinkingAhead.Thinking Ahead

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 411, with Joan Cronan, University of Tennessee Women’s Athletic Director Emeritus and Pat Summitt Leadership Group Advisory Board Chairman.

Joan Cronan, University of Tennessee Women's Athletic Director Emeritus and Pat Summitt Leadership Group Advisory Board Chairman, talks about being a tennis champion and a pioneer in women’s athletics, repeating the mantra of “left foot, right foot, breathe”, discusses her friendship with Pat Summitt, the inception of the “Definite Dozen”, the ongoing work of the Pat Summitt Leadership Group and Foundation, and the true meaning of legacy, plus shares Jerry Jones’ definition of a leader, and asks the question “Is Title IX still working 50 years later?”Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching

Action Catalyst host Dan Moore reflects on one of the best parts of 2022, and looks forward to a prosperous 2023.

Action Catalyst host Adam Outland wishes all listeners a safe and happy close to 2022, and best wishes as we head into 2023 together.

Cortney Woodruff, tech investor, entrepreneur, and Executive Chairman and co-founder of Assemble, reveals how like many great leaders before him, his destiny and mission became clearer after a life or death encounter at gunpoint.  He then shares the vision behind, and purpose for his work with Assemble, and the social re-engineering necessary to solve core problems.Hear Cortney’s full interview in Episode 409 of The Action Catalyst.

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 410, with nationally syndicated radio host, "America's Career Coach", and No. 1 bestselling author Ken Coleman.

Nationally syndicated radio host, "America's Career Coach", and No. 1 bestselling author Ken Coleman covers why people are creatures of progress, the 4 F's that hold people back, 7 stages to finding your dream job, experience vs. skill, going from income to influence and impact, shares lessons from the great Pat Summitt, and talks about truly, always "feeling the juice".Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Thinking Ahead.Thinking AheadLearn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching

Action Catalyst host Dan Moore explores the true meaning of "joy" and gratitude here in the holiday season.

Action Catalyst host Adam Outland wishes you the Merriest of Christmases, to you and your family.

Erik Weir, producer, investor, author, and principal of WCM Global Wealth LLC, shares a hard lesson in karate, and life, handed down by none other than Chuck Norris.Hear Erik’s full interview in Episode 408 of The Action Catalyst.

Cortney Woodruff, tech investor, entrepreneur, and Executive Chairman and co-founder of Assemble, shares the crazy story of the interaction at gunpoint that delayed his Action Catalyst appearance, a clever deal with his college professors, socially re-engineering what success looks like, how to muster energy late in the 4th quarter, and throwing potential business partners an alley-oop.

Award-winning journalist, author, and television host Joan Lunden dives into the secrets behind building a trusting rapport, and getting the information you want, from tough guests like Prince Charles, and putting guests like Mary Tyler Moore, Steve Martin, Michael Bolton, and Celine Dion, at ease during their time in the hot seat.Hear Joan’s full interview in Episode 407 of The Action Catalyst.

Erik Weir is a jack of many trades; principal of WCM Global Wealth LLC, author, movie producer, investor and real estate developer. Erik explains how he considers himself a “farmer of life experience”, why fear and gratitude cannot coexist, the 5 F's that drive your life, the “rule of 72”, shares his experience with Chuck Norris and learning a hard karate lesson, and talks about why change is an inside job, and how a big shot is just a little shot that keeps shooting.

Mike McFall, Co-CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE®, the US’s third largest coffee franchise, talks about working towards being the eventual owner of the Detroit Red Wings (any day now), doing due diligence on yourself as an entrepreneur, and determining your “Grind Score” (pun intended?).Hear Mike's full interview in Episode 406 of The Action Catalyst.

In this special bonus episode, entrepreneur and author Nick Gray leads you through the advice in his book, “The 2-Hour Cocktail Party”, including the benefits of hosting, both personal and professional, how to make everyone feel included and even get help along the way, how to be the perfect guest, the two magic words for meeting new people at an event, the best days to throw a shindig, and a lot more.How to Host a Party WebsiteThe 2-Hour Cocktail Party: Book infoThe 2-Hour Cocktail Party: AmazonNetworking Event: How to Host One EasilyClothing Swap Tips and Tricks from Nick Gray (How to do it)  Happy Hour Best Practices: How to Plan, Host, and Throw a Great PartyNick Gray's personal website 

Award-winning journalist, author, and television host Joan Lunden recounts her youth spent traveling around the world, the “low and slow” approach to broadcast, Tony Robbins helping her out of her public speaking fear, and battling cancer and taking control of her own narrative, plus the behind the scenes drama of leaving Good Morning America, playing the long game, and special guest appearances by Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Mary Tyler Moore, Steve Martin, Michael Bolton, Celine Dion, and more.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Speakers.Southwestern SpeakersLearn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching

Please join us in welcoming the newest host of The Action Catalyst, Adam Outland!  With more than 15 years of sales and leadership experience, Adam is an elite-level coach and Partner for Southwestern Consulting, who thrives on awakening others to their potential and inspiring them to create powerful impact. Adam is also the host of his own podcast, "Inside Great Minds", and a youth coach focused on developing the next generation.Learn even more about Adam in his interview on Episode 403 of The Action Catalyst.

Dominic Zijlstra, founder of Traverse.link, an app that helps professionals learn faster using science-backed learning methods, explains the steps to building a growth mindset, finding the root of learning, tips for improved and enhanced memorization, and the importance of making learning personal.Hear Dominic's full interview in Episode 405 of The Action Catalyst.

Mike McFall, Co-CEO of BIGGBY COFFEE®, the US’s third largest coffee franchise, recalls sailing around the world as a teenager and expounds on conscious capitalism, working towards being the eventual owner of the Detroit Red Wings (any day now), doing due diligence on yourself as an entrepreneur, determining your “Grind Score”, gut-checking your ego, why reading is fundamental, combating the Great Resignation, being a heretic to other CEOs, creating a "moonshot" for yourself, and emotionally connecting with your future.

Joel Green, CEO of Pro Level Training, National Director of Nike Sports Camps, and a former professional basketball player, explains the concepts of “filtering” and “camouflage opportunities”, talks about extracting strength from struggle, and shares why obstacles are only a midpoint in your journey.Hear Joel's full interview in Episode 404 of The Action Catalyst.

Action Catalyst host Dan Moore explains what he's thankful for this Thanksgiving holiday.

Dominic Zijlstra, founder of Traverse.link, an app that helps professionals learn faster using science-backed learning methods, explains how to adopt more effective learning habits, recounts his time as a rocket scientist (sort of), and details the steps to building a growth mindset, finding the root of learning, and creating a roadmap, plus the 4 steps to enhanced learning and recall, the value of making it personal, and letting your unconscious mind solve problems for you.And just for Action Catalyst listeners, sign up at https://traverse.link/actioncatalyst and receive a superlearning guide customized just for you, courtesy of Dominic!

Adam Outland, Partner at Southwestern Consulting, Elite-Level Sales and Leadership Coach, and host of the "Inside Great Minds" Podcast, lays out the steps to developing a durable personal mission statement, and explains why feeling good about new undertakings is the most important factor towards building better habits.Hear Adam's Full interview in Episode 403 of The Action Catalyst.

Joel Green, CEO of Pro Level Training, National Director of Nike Sports Camps, and a former professional basketball player, talks about growing up in an abandoned home, explains the concepts of “filtering” and “camouflage opportunities”, striking deep and striking gold, why fun doesn’t come first and insecurity is the ground for improvement, recounts playing professional basketball in Europe, how to respond instead of react, and not being put here FOR ourselves, but to BE ourselves.

Jamie Beaton, co-founder and CEO of Crimson Education, the world’s leading US and UK university admissions support company, explains how his algorithm works, taking a full, holistic look at students and their entire background to calculate probability when guiding that student into the collegiate world, in a way not unlike the "Moneyball" system that revolutionized major league baseball.Hear Jamie's full interview in Episode 402 of The Action Catalyst.

Adam Outland, Partner at Southwestern Consulting, Elite-Level Sales and Leadership Coach, and host of the "Inside Great Minds" Podcast explains the importance of learning how NOT to be and how to let go graciously, the equation for creating a personal mission statement, nurturing youth leadership and teaching emotional intelligence, the virtue of deferred gratification, debunking antiquated psychology, and being a grown-up baby.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching

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.