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

Donna Orender, former President of the WNBA and Senior VP of the PGA Tour, and CEO of Generation W, shares why learning is a superpower, and curiosity won’t allow for complacency, how pandemic has defined the power of community, focusing on what’s possible, the way that incremental steps make exponential change, and what Michael Jordan, Tom Brady, and Tiger Woods can teach about work ethic.

Bestselling author and thought leader Stephen M. R. Covey addresses the powerful impact of an inspired workforce, and how you don’t need charisma to be inspirational, plus internal vs. external motivation, and making company culture contagious.Hear Stephen’s full interview across Episodes 379 and 380 of The Action Catalyst.

Bestselling author and thought leader Stephen M. R. Covey is back, speaking on handling his father’s legacy, Command & Control vs Trust & Inspire leadership and why you don’t need charisma to be inspiring, plus navigating the gap between what being are capable of and what they deliver, and leadership lessons from Microsoft.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching

Dr. John Delony and Dustin Hillis dive into the challenges that shaped them as kids, and how despite overcoming them, the stories still shaped the men they would become.  Be a fly on the wall for this behind-the-curtain look at the two highly successful thought leaders.Hear Dr. John’s full interview in Episode 378 of The Action Catalyst.

Bestselling author and thought leader Stephen M. R. Covey joins The Action Catalyst for the first of two great episodes, covering everything from being one of six generations of Stephen Coveys, root canals, being trapped in a blizzard, balancing margin with purpose, the most important mission for merging teams and companies, and how trust is a learnable competency.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching

David Novak, former CEO of Yum! Brands, leadership coach, and host of the “How Leaders Lead” podcast, describes how to identify what blocks your joy vs builds it, and how getting off on the right floor from the “mood elevator” can dramatically impact your decision making.Hear David’s full interview in Episode 377 of The Action Catalyst.

Dr. John Delony, bestselling author, mental health expert, and host of The Dr. John Delony Show, talks about misconceptions around trauma & anxiety, including the way it compounds over time, creating a “bedrock of wellness”, not buying into the story the world tries to create for you, having hard conversations with your kids, always asking “what comes next”, and how to own your past to change your future.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching

Author, Hall of Fame speaker, and former National Speakers Association President Ron Karr explains the 3 key leadership strategies being put to work by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the ongoing conflict with Russia and how they're just as relevant in the business world as in the geopolitical world, as well as how Zelenskyy embodies the "Velocity Mindset", his own experience growing and learning through tragedy, and more.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by GEC, Global Educational Concepts.GEC, Global Educational Concepts

David Novak, former CEO of Yum! Brands, leadership coach, and host of the “How Leaders Lead” podcast, offers insight on being self-aware and “other-directed”, facing reality, the perils of “riding the mood elevator”, identifying what blocks your joy vs builds it, why gratitude opens you up for growth, and shares his new book “Take Charge of You”.

Author and retired Navy SEAL Marty Strong breaks down how to approach obstacles using a SEAL mindset, and how approaching change with humility can truly grant you a second chapter in your life.Hear Marty’s full interview in Episode 376 of The Action Catalyst.

Mark Briggs explains how workplaces, and individuals, innovate when they are given, for lack of a better word, playtime.Hear Mark’s full interview in Episode 375 of The Action Catalyst.

Marty Strong, author, retired Navy SEAL, and CEO of LGS Management Group, recounts the way he accidentally became a Navy SEAL, how he landed a job by mistakenly calling the company’s COO, and how to be professionally agile, deal with obstacles using a SEAL mentality, harness a healthy dose of paranoia, and the life-changing power of humility and apprenticeship. 

Rick Maurer breaks down the 3 levels of resistance, which are also 3 levels of support:  1. I don’t get it, 2. I don’t like it, 3. I don’t like YOU.Hear Rick’s full interview in Episode 374 of The Action Catalyst.