The Action Mappers Podcast

Thank you to everyone who joined today’s live. If you missed it, here’s the quick recap and the core exercise we did together.As we move through December, the online world gets loud. Suddenly everyone becomes a planning expert. Everything is on sale. Every program claims it will “change your 2026.” The pressure to buy something “before the year ends” hits hard.But here’s the truth we talked about today:Most of what’s being sold right now has nothing to do with your actual goals. It’s noise. It drains money, energy, and attention.So we asked a simple question:What does alignment mean for YOU in 2026?Not for the gurus who think they know you. Not for the trends. For you.Alignment is simple.It means making decisions that match who you are, what you want, and how you work best. It means stopping the habit of outsourcing your direction to people who don’t know you.The 2-Post-it Exercise We Did TogetherThis was the heart of the session, and you can do it on your own anytime.Post-it #1: “Aligned for 2026”Write one goal or direction that feels true for you. Something you want because you want it.Post-it #2: “Not For Me”Write one shiny object, program, or temptation you’re not chasing next year — because it doesn’t match your actual direction.Hold both notes side by side.What you see is clarity.When you externalize your aligned path and your distractions, your next step becomes obvious.Your Reminder Going Into 2026You don’t need more programs.You don’t need more pressure.You need clarity, alignment, and decisions that match who you are and what you’re building.If you joined the live, I’d love to hear what you wrote on your two notes.If you’re catching the replay, reply back and tell me your biggest takeaway.🥂 Here’s to a calm and aligned start to 2026.🩷 Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Action Mappers Podcast, I sit down with one of the most authentic voices on Substack, Claire Venus—writer, engagement consultant, and founder of Sparkle on Substack. Claire shares her journey from the arts and festival world in the UK to becoming a global creative leader helping thousands of writers and creators find their voice online.We talk about how to stay grounded in a digital world that constantly pulls on your attention, why Substack became the home for her creative expression, and how creators can use online platforms without losing their identity or boundaries. This is a conversation about alignment, voice, self-expression, and trust—both in yourself and in your work.📌 What We Cover (AI Generated Summary)• The early days of SubstackHow Claire discovered the platform in 2022, why it felt like a quiet refuge, and the unexpected human experiment that unfolded as more creators joined.• The shift from noise to alignmentWhy online creators feel overwhelmed, and how to stay rooted in your values despite pressure from algorithms, trends, and outside opinions.• AI and authentic voiceClaire’s balanced take on how to use AI as a supportive tool without letting it dilute your message or replace your creativity.• Building a calm creative lifeHow Claire structures her days, protects her nervous system, and uses nature, quiet, and intentional boundaries to stay grounded.• The real story behind her successClaire talks openly about her husband’s long-term illness, her need for financial stability, and how these challenges shaped her drive, independence, and nine income streams.• Living inside your vision boardWhy this practice changed everything for Claire and how you can use it to build a calm, aligned, creative life starting today.🔑 Key Takeaways• You don’t need to “play the algorithm” to build a meaningful creative career.• Substack is a powerful home for writers, podcasters, and creators who value depth, connection, and ownership.• True growth comes from alignment, trust, and consistency—not from noise or speed.• Your online life will stabilize when your offline life has space, stillness, and structure.• You can build a business that feels like your vision board—one grounded in calm, clarity, and self-expression.👥 Connect With ClaireWebsite: https://creativelyconscious.co.ukSparkle on Substack: Click hereInstagram: creativelyconscious 💬 Share Your TakeawaysSend me or Claire a message with your biggest insight from the episode.If this conversation brought clarity or calm, be sure to subscribe and share it with someone who needs it!!Enjoy!—Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Too many coaches and course creators face the same frustrating reality: low completion rates, clients falling off halfway, and inconsistent results. The Scorecard helps you quickly identify why that’s happening—and what to do about it.In this special workshop-style episode of The Action Mappers Podcast, I shared a powerful tool I’ve been using with clients: The Client Success Scorecard™️We walk through the 5 pillars of client success:* Onboarding Clarity – Do clients know exactly how to get started and what to expect?* Milestones & Progress Markers – Are there clear “you are here” signs along the journey?* Accountability Systems – Is there built-in follow-up so clients don’t fall off track?* Feedback Loops – Are you checking in and adapting to client experiences in real-time?* Ownership & Empowerment – Do clients walk away feeling confident, capable, and ready to apply what they’ve learned?Then, we score each category (1–5) and then tally results to reveal if your program is a Broken Engine (0–9), producing Inconsistent Results (10–15), or primed for Scalable Success (16–20)👉 If you haven’t yet, download the free Client Success Scorecard™️ below and score your program. Then, DM me on LinkedIn with your score and we can set up a 30- minute clarity call to review the results and I’ll give you 3 custom steps to strengthen your program’s success engine.Can’t wait to see those scores!—Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

🎙️ Episode 28: Product Strategy That Actually Works with Roman PichlerWelcome to The Action Mappers Podcast—the podcast for Business Leaders ready to turn vision into execution and misalignment into momentum. I’m Tamar Stolz, and I’m passionate about empowering leaders to create clarity, streamline execution, and drive meaningful measurable business results.In this episode, I sit down with Roman Pichler, renowned product leadership expert and author of Strategize. We unpack what product strategy really means, why copy-paste solutions don’t work, and how to continuously adapt your approach in a changing market. Learn actionable frameworks, hear real-world insights, and walk away with one change you can apply immediately.What You’ll Learn:* The four essential elements of product strategy every leader needs to define* How to review and adapt strategy continuously instead of treating it as a one-time exercise* Why empowerment, collaboration, and ongoing learning are key to influencing outcomes and building trustConnect With Roman & His Resources:* The Product Vision Board* Roman’s Website: https://romanpichler.com* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romanpichler/* Check out Roman’s books on AmazonBe sure to let us know your main take-away below!Enjoy,Tamar Stolz | Founder & Creator of The Action Mapping Method Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

This episode was such a full-circle moment for me. I sat down with someone who has been a role model of mine since 2021—Andra Stefanescu—and honestly, it felt surreal. Back when I joined the AJ&Smart Workshoper Master program, Andra was one of the names I wrote down to just “watch and learn from.” And now, here we are.Andra is a leadership trainer and certified neuromindfulness coach who teaches neuroscience-based frameworks to help leaders transform resistance into collaboration. What I love most is how she brings the brain into the boardroom—translating big scientific concepts into super practical, empathetic communication strategies.In our conversation, Andra shared the emotional turning point in her leadership journey—sitting on a park bench, burnt out and wondering if she was even cut out for this work. What shifted everything? Learning about the amygdala hijack and the SCARF model. She didn’t just read about it—she applied it. And saw her team dynamic, her product quality, and even her boss’s perception of her change overnight.We explored:* What makes some workshops magnetic and others fall flat* The secret power of asking open, non-assumptive questions* Why connection must come before collaboration* How to structure intros that bring people’s true selves into the room* Her latest favorite workshop tool (spoiler: it involves Play-Doh!)* A brilliant walk-and-talk retrospective that turned a grumpy team into energized collaboratorsAndra also generously shared a resource she's created: a free downloadable booklet with 54 neuroscience-backed powerful questions you can use in your own sessions. It’s gold. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to lead, facilitate, or connect—this episode will remind you that the breakthrough often lies in going back to the basics and learning how our brains actually work in change, stress, and communication.🎧 Tune in. Take notes. And let’s keep making the invisible visible.📬 Connect with Andra:* Newsletter: teamflow.substack.com* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andracristianastefanescu/🎁 Get Andra’s free booklet of 54 powerful workshop questions Enjoy!—Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Most people focus on tactical setup (your bio, banner, publication name, settings...)But the things that actually move the needle? They’re emotional, invisible, and deeply human.Substack isn’t just a publishing platform—it’s an experience.Today, I had the privilege of co-hosting a live emotional design workshop with the Magdalena Ponurska. We didn’t talk tactics. We didn’t walk through tech. Instead, we zoomed out—and focused on you, the human behind the keyboard.Together, we unpacked the 4 core pillars that shape the reader journey on Substack:1️⃣ First Impressions – In the first 10 seconds, your tone, tagline, and visuals tell people everything they need to know. Are you being intentional?2️⃣ Emotional Resonance – People subscribe when they feel something. What message are you sending without saying a word?3️⃣ Trust + Belonging – The magic isn’t in the content. It’s in the community. The sense of “I’m not alone.”4️⃣ Momentum – Your words help someone move. What transformation are you helping readers create?We’re not just building newsletters. We’re architecting human connection.Whether you're writing about motherhood, marketing, music—or something in between—this framework will anchor you in what matters: showing up with clarity, consistency, and courage.Thank you Magdalena for preparing slides for the workshop- you can download them below 👇Listen to the workshop and let us know what your biggest take-aways are in the comments below!!Subscribe below to learn more about Magdalena and her publication, Courage to Create👇If you enjoy the Action Mapping Method, it would mean so much to me if you shared it with a friend :) You can do so by clicking the link below 👇.—Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

This week I had the opportunity to sit down with my friend and fellow solopreneur (and member of Justin Welsh’s Unsubscribe Inner Circle) Claire Alvis—to explore what real community looks like for solopreneurs building their dreams.Community has become a buzzword—but behind the hype is something deeply human: the need to be seen, supported, and surrounded by people who get it.Together, we unpacked what makes a community truly meaningful, how it can shift the way we build, and why every solopreneur deserves to feel less alone in the process.Here’s What We Covered:* Why solopreneurs need connection just as much as strategy* The difference between performative and powerful communities* Red flags to watch for when choosing your community* How to find your people—or build your own space* The role of generosity, safety, and shared values* Personal stories of breakthroughs sparked by real communityWhy This Matters:Whether you're writing, coaching, consulting, or building something brand new—this conversation will help you:→ Reimagine how you're supported→ Reflect on where you feel most connected→ Remember that you were never meant to do this aloneIf You Enjoyed…Both Claire and I write weekly newsletters filled with honest reflections, practical insights, and tools to support your journey as a solopreneur.If this resonated with you, make sure to subscribe to both of our newsletters so you never miss a future conversation.👉 The Action Mapping Method by Tamar Stolz👉 Shine, Unfiltered by Claire AlvisBecause the right community doesn’t end when the call does—it grows with every real connection you make. Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

This was an impromptu Substack Live that turned into something much deeper than I expected.What started as a casual convo about UX design quickly became a powerful breakdown of how user experience thinking applies far beyond software.In this live episode, I share the full arc of how I went from corporate UX strategist to building a business around experience-first strategy—and why I believe everyone is already a UX designer in their own way.Whether you’re a coach, a writer, a founder, or just trying to create something meaningful… if you’ve ever asked yourself:* Who am I really building this for?* How do I help people actually experience transformation—not just consume content?* What am I really designing when I create an offer, a business, or a brand?…this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn:* What UX actually is—and why it’s not just about “making things look pretty”* UX is just a fancy word for being intentional about how someone feels when they interact with your work.* The story of my first UX job (and the color-change moment that changed everything)* Why emotional alignment matters more than any strategy* The connection between identity → experience → outcome (inspired by Atomic Habits)* Why clarity doesn’t come from copying—it comes from reconnecting with who you are* We’re all designing experiences—whether we realize it or not.* Before you build a system, reclaim your identity. Otherwise, it won’t stick.👋 Want to go deeper?I built the Action Mapping Method™ to help you organize your thoughts, clarify your ideas, and turn them into aligned action—visually. No templates. No fluff. Just a system that works the way your brain does. Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Episode SummaryIn this powerful episode, I had the special opportunity to sit down with Seung Paik—retired Air Force colonel of 25 years, public speaker, and now debut author of Leadernomics—to unpack a revolutionary perspective: how economics can serve as your greatest mentor.Seung shares his inspiring journey of discovering clarity and purpose through the unexpected lens of economics. We explored how economic principles—often dismissed as dry or irrelevant—can be profoundly personal, insightful, and transformative when applied to leadership, decision-making, and life itself.This episode is a masterclass in reframing how we think, lead, and grow. Get ready to shift from chaos to clarity using the most unexpected mentor: Econ.🧠 What You’ll Learn:* Why economics is more than supply and demand—it's a full-body mirror into your decisions, priorities, and leadership.* How crisis can become the catalyst for discovering life-changing insight.* What “Leadernomics” really means—and how it can guide your relationships, leadership style, and self-awareness.* The story behind Seung’s upcoming book, Leadernomics: Life and Leadership Lessons from My Mentor Economics.* Why textbook economics fails us—and how to bring it back to life.🗓️ The Leadernomics Book Launch:📖 Leadernomics releases on September 9, 2025🔥 Pre-order and join the launch army at: https://leadernomics.orgBecome an advanced reader, leave a review, and help spread a message the world needs.Connect with Seung Pak:* Website: leadernomics.org* Email: [email protected]* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seung-paik-leadernomics/ Let us know what you’re taking away from this powerful episode in the comments below 👇! Enjoy,Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

I went live today on Substack expecting a solid crowd (many people registered for this live event)Instead?Many people weren’t there.No one could access the chat.And I was basically talking to myself.Here’s the thing:When you try to show up, serve, and create something meaningful—sometimes tech breaks, timing’s off, or you just miss the mark.But I’m not embarrassed.I’m energized.Because I KNOW this work matters. And the recording worked—so you can watch the replay👇!👉 I’m hosting a Live 3-Day Challenge next week to help you clear the chaos, organize your ideas, and finally build real momentum—using my Action Mapping Method™.You’ll get 3 powerful, 90-minute interactive sessions—all designed to help you take aligned action without burning out.💥 It’s just $67 for all 3 days, or FREE for paid subscribers.✨ If you upgrade to a paid subscription today, you’ll get 10% off + free access to the challenge—but that offer expires tomorrow.Only 20 spots left. You in? JOIN THE CHALLENGE NOW!!ALSO I’m thinking of doing a pop-up redo tomorrow—shorter, tighter, live again (with the chat actually working this time 🤪).Would you come?Let me know!!—Tamar Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Welcome to episode #25 of the Action Mappers Podcast! Today, I had the pleasure and opportunity to sit down with Gorjana Carreon—controls engineer, facilitator, military spouse, and true queen of reinvention. Her journey spans five powerful pivots across continents, careers, and crises. From factory floors to cybersecurity certificates, from burnout to building a business, Gorjana’s story will leave you feeling inspired, empowered, and ready to embrace your next chapter—no matter how unexpected it may be.🔑 What You’ll Learn:* Why reinvention isn’t failure—it’s fuel for growth (Gorjana has 5 to prove it)* The challenges military spouses face in the job market—and how Gorjana’s changing that* How human design, health challenges, and motherhood led to her true calling* How visual reminders (like a lock-screen vision board) and sticky notes can anchor your goals* Why being a “resource queen” and helping others is the key to building an aligned business📣 Resources & Links:* Gorjana’s Website: https://gorjanax.com/ * Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gorjanacarreon/ * Facilitator Pro Community: https://www.skool.com/@gorjana-carreon?g=facilitator🧠 If you’re feeling stuck, doubting your worth, or unsure how to start over—this episode is for you.Gorjana reminds us: reinvention is not about starting from scratch—it’s about building on everything you’ve survived.You’ll walk away reminded that you are resilient, resourceful, and already more equipped than you think. Enjoy!— TamarFounder, The Action Mappers Podcast & Author of ✍️ Back to the Drawing Board Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Back to the Drawing Board: A New Season BeginsAfter a short break, The Action Mappers Podcast is BACK—and we’re kicking off Season 2 with a seriously powerful conversation.In this episode, I had the absolute honor of sitting down with Doug Neill, founder of Verbal to Visual and one of the most influential mentors in my visual thinking journey (even before he knew I existed 😄).Doug shares his journey from education to visual thinking, and we dive deep into how visual mapping can help bridge the gap between chaotic thoughts and confident action. You’ll walk away with powerful tools to start using visual thinking as a learning, problem-solving, and communication tool—no artistic talent required.🔑 What You’ll Learn* How visual thinking helps bridge the gap between ideas and action (even if you’re not “artistic”)* A simple 3-step framework—Define Your Purpose, Collect the Pieces, Solve the Puzzle—to structure your thoughts* How visuals can support better client communication, deeper learning, and more effective decision-making📣 Resources & Links* The Sketch-It-Out framework - Video Tutorial Link* Doug Neill’s Newsletter: https://verbaltovisual.com/start-here/* Doug Neill’s Website: https://verbaltovisual.com/* Doug’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@verbaltovisual* Verbal to Visual Community: Join Here!If you’re someone with a million ideas and no traction—or if you’ve ever bought courses you never actually used—this is the episode that’ll shift how you think.🎨 No artistic skill required. Just a brain that’s ready to work the way it actually works.I can’t wait for you to hear this! — TamarFounder, The Action Mappers Podcast & Author of ✍️ Back to the Drawing Board✍️ Subscribe to the newsletter here → Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Formerly known as The Unstoppable Product Pioneer, this new season is all about one thing: clarity in chaos and imperfect action.🔥 In this kickoff episode, I share:* Why the podcast rebranded to The Action Mappers* How visual thinking and self-workshopping became her secret weapon* The unexpected shift from corporate UX to coaching creative entrepreneurs* The true power of imperfect action and visual mapping* Why traditional online business advice is keeping people stuck—and how to break free💡 Whether you’re a designer, founder, coach, or visionary entrepreneur drowning in “what-should-I-do-next” overwhelm, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and take aligned action.🌟 Join the Action Mappers Community — where visual thinkers, doers, and dreamers map out momentum, one sticky note at a time.👇 Ready to ditch perfection and start making progress? Watch now, hit like, and subscribe for weekly wisdom from guests who walk the walk! Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

In this episode, I had the honor and privilege of sitting down with one of my mentors, coaches, and role models Amr Khalifeh, Senior Consultant at AJ&Smart!! YES THE FAMOUS AJ&Smart that I call “my family”!! We had the chance to delve into Amr’s transformative personal journey—tracing his path from early challenges to becoming a pioneering leader in digital innovation. Listeners will discover how his experiences shaped his resilience, strategic mindset, and the ability to reinvent himself in an ever-evolving industry.🔑 What You’ll Learn:* How embracing change and learning from setbacks propelled Amr toward breakthrough success.* Actionable strategies for transforming personal challenges into opportunities for growth.* The motivational power of resilience and continuous reinvention in navigating today’s dynamic digital landscape.👤 Connect With Amr on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amrkhalifeh/ 💬 Join the ConversationHave thoughts on this episode? Want to connect with others listening and special guests on the podcast?? Join our community to continue the conversation: Alignmentiskey.com Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

Welcome back to another awesome episode of the UPP Podcast! In this episode, I had the chance to dive into embracing change and driving innovation with special guest Chris Bradshaw, Global Product Strategy Director at Infinum. Tune in to learn more about how to turn workshops into powerful alignment engines, harness AI as a true co‑pilot (not just a buzzword), and leave with one practical change you can implement immediately to boost your team’s impact.🔑 What You’ll Learn:* How to use structured workshops as an “MVP” discovery process that uncovers misalignment early, de‑risks product initiatives, and creates clear, actionable roadmaps* A simple framework for integrating AI responsibly into your product strategy—as an augmentation tool rather than a destination—to amplify team productivity and innovation* Why embracing change as the only constant fuels career growth and organizational momentum, turning uncertainty into opportunity for you and your team👥 About Chris:Chris Bradshaw is a Product Strategy Director with 20+ years in tech, leading global strategy and innovation at Infinum. As a certified facilitator and collaboration coach, he helps teams rapidly align, test ideas, and launch AI‑driven digital solutions that deliver real business impact. Passionate about ethical AI, Chris has founded multiple companies, guided enterprise innovation programs, and regularly shares insights through podcasts and industry events.Connect on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbradshawai/ 💬 Join the Conversation:Have thoughts on this episode? Want to connect with others listening and special guests on the podcast?? Join our community to continue the conversation: Alignmentiskey.com Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe

🎙️Ep: #20- Iterate to Elevate: Embracing the Art of Leadership With Michael LoppIn this episode, I sit down with industry veteran Michael Lopp, a leader with decades of experience at iconic companies like Apple, Pinterest, Slack, and Netscape. Michael dives deep into his leadership journey, sharing insights on fostering a culture of iteration, embracing feedback, and empowering teams by asking questions rather than dictating solutions. Learn how to unlock your team's potential through practical strategies and real-world lessons that drive continuous growth.🔑 What You’ll Learn:* How to lead by setting a collaborative tone and empowering your team to solve challenges together.* The power of iterative problem-solving and the importance of actionable, honest feedback in one-on-ones.* Why embracing both hard and “soft” (people) skills is key to staying relevant and successful in today’s fast-paced tech environment.👥 About Michael:Michael Lopp is a veteran Silicon Valley-based engineering leader who builds both people and products at historic companies such as Slack, Borland, Netscape, Palantir, Pinterest, and Apple. When he’s not deeply concerned with staying relevant, he writes about leadership, bridges, superheroes, and humans at the popular weblog Rands in Repose. He currently works at Apple. This is the way.🔗 Connect With Michael: randsinrepose.com🔗 Join Rand’s Slack Community: https://randsinrepose.com/welcome-to-rands-leadership-slack/💬 Join the Conversation:Have thoughts on this episode? Want to connect with others listening and special guests on the podcast? Join our community to continue the conversation: Alignmentiskey.com Get full access to The Action Mapping Method at www.actionmappers.com/subscribe