The Sean Trace Show
Join host Sean Trace on The Sean Trace Show, where creativity and inspiration collide. Each episode features a diverse group of creatives sharing their personal stories, insights, and creative processes to help you ignite your own spark of inspiration. With a focus on authenticity, resilience, abundance, and health, Sean's goal is to help you discover your own unique journey and empower you to live a more inspired life. So tune in and get ready to be inspired.
Self-Trust, AI, and the New Economy with Chris Walker | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with five-time entrepreneur, athlete, and author Chris Walker, who built Refine Labs into a $20 million business and now explores human potential, self-trust, and mindset.Â
We talk about how AI and a tough job market are pushing us through the third major economic transition in history, and why entrepreneurship may be less risky than the traditional 9 to 5.Â
He explains invisible contracts like the productivity contract and the beauty contract, and shows how limiting beliefs and identity hold us back far more than missing skills ever will. We also di...
Success Is a Costume | Karl Klausewitz | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with life purpose coach Karl Klausewitz to unpack why so many high achievers look like they have it all together on the outside while feeling lost on the inside.Â
We talk about success as a costume, and why burnout often starts with self-abandonment rather than hard work. Karl shares three warning signs youâre heading toward a wall, why succeeding at something that doesnât matter to you can be more dangerous than failing, and what changes first when someone moves from burnout to alignment.Â
Whatâs one thin...
Why Creatives Fear Charging | Amani Roberts | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Amani Roberts, a fractional artist manager, professional DJ, author, and music professor based in Las Vegas, to unpack the fear, low self-worth, and perfectionism that hold creators back.Â
We talk about how to build creative courage, why thereâs no such thing as overnight success, and how a growth mindset turns every ânoâ into fuel. Amani shares practical advice on how to monetize your passion without guilt, and why done is always better than perfect.
Whatâs one creative project youâve been holding back on?Â
TSTS - K-Pop Makeover | Enjoys the Moments
What happens when your 10-year-old daughter decides your podcast needs a K-pop makeover? You say yes. đ
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, Ailani decided I needed a completely different look, and apparently that meant transforming me into a K-pop star. But underneath the ridiculous makeup, this episode became about something much bigger.
Life is short.
We spend so much time working, planning, worrying, chasing goals, and taking ourselves seriously that sometimes we forget to actually enjoy the moments happening right in front of us.<...
Train to the Crisis | Marty Strong | The Sean Trace Show
When retired Navy SEAL officer Marty Strong sat down with me, we got into why so many of us wait for a crisis before we start improving ourselves.Â
Marty has also managed high net worth portfolios, worked in counterterrorism consulting, and served as a CEO, so he brings a rare perspective on leadership under pressure. We talk about the biggest mistakes leaders make when the heat is on and why smart teams end up solving the wrong problem.Â
Marty shares his Lean Six Sigma lesson on root cause analysis, a st...
Dean Karnazes: The Ultramarathon Man | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with ultramarathon runner and bestselling author Dean Karnazes, and he completely shifted how I think about motivation, fear, and personal growth.Â
Dean has run over 300 marathons across all seven continents, and he shared the mindset that keeps him going when everything hurts. We talked about why so many people believe they're too old, too fragile, or too late to chase a big dream, and why that conditioning is often the real barrier.
Dean explained how staying present, focusing on your very next footstep, and quieting the noise i...
Why We Stop Saying Yes | Kelly Leonard | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Kelly Leonard, the legendary creative executive behind Second City, the theater that launched Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Stephen Colbert.
We dig into the real origins of "Yes And," tracing it back from a social worker teaching immigrant kids in Chicago all the way to boardrooms and FBI hostage negotiators. Kelly breaks down why our default setting as humans is to say no, and why that instinct is quietly killing our creativity, our careers, and our relationships.Â
We talk about the Keith Jarrett KĂśln Concert st...
I Was Addicted to Being Busy
For a long time, staying busy made me feel like I had control. Five podcasts in a day, constant projects, always working, it felt like I was moving forward.
Then I slowed down and realized something uncomfortable: being busy and making progress are not the same thing. And when the work stopped, some of the anxiety I had been outrunning came right back.
Iâm still figuring this out. For now, the goal is simple: control the things I can control and learn to let go of the rest.
How to Move Forward When Fear Holds You Back | Frank Viscuso | The Sean Trace Show
Iâve always believed that some of the best leadership lessons come from places you wouldnât expect, and in this conversation, I got to explore that idea with retired deputy fire chief and author Frank Viscuso. We talked about what firefighters can teach us about fear, pressure, teamwork, and leadership and why staying calm in a crisis isnât simply something youâre born with. Frank explains how training, preparation, urgency, and what he calls âruthless repetitionsâ can help us make better decisions when everything starts falling apart.
We also dug into trust and empathy, why great leader...
Pushing Back Chaos | Kris Hregdovic | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with retired Navy SEAL senior chief Kris "Herge" Hregdovic, and this conversation cracked me wide open in the best way.Â
We start with a story about my daughter and a moment on a train in Bangkok that taught me what it really means to fight the good fightÂ
He breaks down why so many men wait until they're completely broken before asking for help. We also get into servant leadership, the lie that toughness is about looks or titles, and why knowing who you are internally matters mo...
What's your One Word? | Cancer Survivor, Serial Entrepreneur Rich Keller | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Rich Keller, a former corporate branding executive who walked away from a thirty-year career on the spot to help people discover their identity in a single word.Â
Rich breaks down why so many of us stumble when someone asks "tell me about yourself," and how conflating what we do with who we are quietly steals our confidence, our resilience, and our sense of purpose.Â
We talk about Apple, Steve Jobs, and why iconic brands never waver from their core value, then bring it back to something de...
Generational Food Trauma Is Real | Cynthia Blancaflor | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with naturopath and anti-inflammation expert Cynthia Blancaflor, and this conversation cracked something open for me.Â
Cynthia grew up watching diabetes and heart disease take her family one by one, until she discovered a deep gut detox technique from a Chinese medicine master that healed her own sciatica in two weeks.Â
Now she's built a program, Self-Care Blueprint, that's helped her clients heal chronic pain, autoimmune disease, and inflammation just by changing what they eat. We got into what she calls generational food trauma, and why 80% of grocery st...
ADHD Needs Structure | Lisa Woodruff | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Lisa Woodruff, founder of Organize 365 and author of The Paper Solution and Escaping Quicksand, to talk about why so many of us feel exhausted before the day even starts.Â
We got into the invisible workload that runs every household, the 20 to 40 hours a week it actually takes to keep a family functioning, and why treating your home like a business with real systems changes everything.Â
We also talk about parents putting themselves last, how organization is a learnable skill, and what it really means to run yo...
From Losing Everything to Feeding Thousands | Glenn Freezman | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode, I sit down with Glenn Freesman, founder of Digital Speaker Agent and the force behind the Two Hands, Two Meals, Two Lives movement, for a raw conversation about resilience, reinvention, purpose, artificial intelligence, and paying it forward.Â
Glenn shares how losing nearly everything at 13 pushed him to sell 500,000 soft pretzels, help save his familyâs home, and build a lifelong belief that one act of kindness can transform generations. We talk about why he came out of retirement, taught himself Python, and developed technology that helps professional speakers find and apply for speaking opportunities fas...
Why You Quit When Things Get Hard | Navy SEAL Thom Shea | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with retired Navy SEAL Thom Shea for a conversation that hit me harder than I expected.Â
We got into why so many of us quit long before we actually reach our limits, and Thom broke down the four excuses that quietly sabotage every person's potential.Â
We talked about why practice and repetition matter more than talent, why modern comfort has made us softer without us even realizing it, and why the lie we tell ourselves about how we feel is the biggest barrier to growth.Â
<...
Donât Duel the MOFO | Anger Is Fuel, Donât Let It Drive | The Sean Trace Show
Today was one of those days where anger completely took over.
A project my wife and I had worked on for months got canceled, and I found myself furious, exhausted, and thinking about the absolute worst ways to deal with conflict.
Including, apparently, wondering whether dueling people is still legal in 2026.
But the more I thought about it, the more I came back to one idea:
Anger is fuel. Donât let it drive.
Anger can tell you something is wrong. It can give you energy, courage, and resolve. Bu...
Some Grow From Pain. Others Get Stuck | Anne Grady | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Ann Grady, bestselling author and resilience expert. Ann opens up about raising her son Evan, who lives with autism and severe developmental delays, and how that journey reshaped everything she understands about adaptability.Â
We dig into the real difference between enduring hardship and actually being resilient, why your brain treats uncertainty like a tiger attack, and how learned helplessness quietly rewires your nervous system over time.
Ann breaks down her EVOLVE framework, explains why confidence comes from behaving rather than believing. We also get into the l...
Burnout Is Costing You More Than Money | Dr. Karthik Ramanan | The Sean Trace Show
What happens when you achieve the career, money, and success you thought would make you happy and still feel empty?
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Dr. Karthik Ramanan, a former Wall Street professional turned naturopathic physician and emotional health mentor, to explore the hidden cost of high performance. We talk about his journey from working 12 , 14 , and even 18 hour days during the Great Recession to realizing that professional achievement wasn't creating the life he actually wanted.
We dig into the early signs of burnout, why entrepreneurs keep moving the...
Stop Living on Autopilot and Lead with Purpose | Michael B. Clegg | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode, I sit down with leadership development expert and Q Works Group CEO Michael âCleggâ Clegg to explore why being busy isnât the same as being productive. We unpack how unclear priorities, weak boundaries, and the habits we quietly tolerate can drain our energy and keep us trapped in a âdefault future.â Clegg shares how a devastating accident in 2023 forced him to reassess his life, rediscover his purpose, and build everything around three pillars: freedom of time, money, and purpose.Â
We also discuss the power of saying no, using the Eisenhower Matrix to eliminate distraction...
Why Spinning in Circles Might Make You Smarter | Sheila Thelen | The Sean Trace Show
I had no idea how much the vestibular system could affect the way we move, think, react, and navigate everyday life until this conversation with master figure skating coach and vestibular training specialist Sheila Thelen. We talk about the connection between balance, brain health, cognitive performance, reaction time, aging, sports performance, and independence and why Sheila believes these abilities can be trained throughout life.
Sheila shares how her work has expanded from elite athletes and figure skating into vestibular training for older adults, people recovering from concussions, children with sensory challenges, and military operators. We also explore...
Silence Is A Skill | Jenn Alex | The Sean Trace Show
Communication isnât something youâre either naturally good or bad at, itâs a skill you can actually train. In this conversation with Jenn Alex, I wanted to understand why communication breaks down so easily, even when everyone involved thinks theyâre being clear. We talk about why people say yes when they really mean no, how assumptions create unnecessary mistakes, and why trying to sound smart can actually make your message harder to understand.
Jenn also explains why difficult conversations get worse when we avoid them, why preparation matters when emotions are high, an...
Feeding the World: The Truth About Ranch Life | Jaclyn Wilson | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Jaclyn Wilson, a fifth-generation cattle rancher from the Sand Hills of Western Nebraska.Â
Jaclyn helps run Flying Diamond Beef, a ranch homesteaded back in 1888, and she broke down why the "simple country life" people romanticize is actually one of the most dangerous and misunderstood professions out there.Â
We talked about the wild misconceptions people have about American agriculture versus what she's seen traveling the world, the terrifying reality of working with animals that can weigh up to two thousand pounds.Â
Did you kno...
Kids Notice Everything | Christia Spears Brown | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with developmental psychologist Christia Spears Brown to explore how children learn stereotypes, recognize differences, and absorb bias from the world around them. Christia explains that children notice race, gender, skin tone, and appearance much earlier than many parents realize. The real issue is not that kids see differences, but how they begin attaching assumptions and meaning to those differences.
We discuss how children pick up subtle messages through body language, media, toys, friendships, school environments, and adult reactions. Christia also explains why young children sometimes repeat...
Work Is Performance | Jeroen Kraaijenbrink | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with strategy and culture expert Jeroen Kraaijenbrink to ask the question that's been on my mind for years: why do so many leaders pretend everything is fine when it's clearly not?Â
Jeroen calls it the ostrich effect, and he breaks down why organizations have quietly made dishonesty the rational choice.Â
We get into his PACE framework, purpose, awareness, connection, and energy, as the real foundation for honest leadership, and why even CEOs secretly feel like frauds.Â
We also talk about why work and per...
Sit With The Chaos | Marc Lesser | The Sean Trace Show
Why do so many successful people achieve everything they thought they wanted and still feel dissatisfied? In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Zen teacher, executive coach, author, and mindful leadership expert Marc Lesser to explore the relationship between mindfulness, business leadership, happiness, and the human mind.
Marc shares lessons from spending ten years at the San Francisco Zen Center before earning an MBA, building companies, and bringing mindfulness practices into organizations such as Google. We discuss why human beings are naturally wired to search for danger, why being hard on ourselves...
Your Brain Is Lying | Drenda Thomas Richards | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with speaker and belief disruptor Drenda Thomas Richards to uncover the hidden beliefs and stories that keep us stuck. We explore how subconscious beliefs can influence our confidence, fuel self-sabotage, and make us afraid to pursue change even when we already have the skills to move forward.
Drenda explains why fear of judgment often begins in childhood, how our careers can become tied to our identities, and why uncertainty surrounding AI and the future can trigger a fear of becoming obsolete. We also discuss people-pleasing, burnout...
Uncomfortable On Purpose | Luke Lloyd | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Luke Lloyd, founder of Lloyd Financial Group, and this conversation hit way deeper than money.Â
We got into why so many people feel lost even with more access and connection than ever, and Luke broke down how studying money is really just studying people.
We talked about the Roman Empire's economic collapse, Napoleon Hill's philosophy on belief and procrastination, and why comfort might be the most dangerous trap of all.Â
We also got into anxiety being a natural human trait instead of so...
The Hidden Cost of Waiting | The Sean Trace Show
We often tell ourselves that we have more time. We will take the family photos next year, start the degree tomorrow, try something new later, or wait until life feels less stressful. But while we are busy making plans, our children grow up, our parents get older, and ordinary moments quietly disappear. During a family photo shoot before an upcoming work trip, I was reminded that some experiences cannot be recreated. A babyâs first family photo, a birthday dinner, a childhood memory, or a rare moment when everyone is together may never happen in exactly the same way ag...
Confidence Comes Later | Fred Joyal | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode, I sit down with Fred Joyal, longtime entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and founder of 1-800-DENTIST, to talk about what it really means to become bold. Fred breaks down why boldness is not the same as confidence, and why waiting to feel ready might be the thing keeping you stuck.Â
We talk about taking action when you are uncomfortable, building boldness like a muscle, learning through failure, and why doing hard things early can make life easier later. Fred also shares how one bold decision helped him leave his job, build a business, and g...
Why Smart People Fear Speaking | John Vautier | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with communication coach John Vautier of Vautier Communications, and this conversation completely reframed how I think about fear, confidence, and the way we talk to each other.Â
John breaks down why even brilliant, capable people freeze up in front of an audience, walking me through the four stages of competence and why public speaking anxiety has almost nothing to do with intelligence and everything to do with reps.Â
We get into why comparison is quietly wrecking people's confidence, how executive presence is built in the first ninety se...
Train Your Brain | David Hitz | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode, I sit down with David Hitz, a neuroscience-based mental performance coach and COO of Athlete Narrative, to explore how athletes, entrepreneurs, and everyday people can train their minds to perform under pressure. David shares how personal loss led him to study neuroscience and build a more intentional approach to mental health, physical performance, and personal growth.
We discuss why visualization should include more than imagining success. David explains that mentally rehearsing mistakes and, more importantly, the recovery afterward can prepare your brain for the moments when things do not go according to plan. We...
Fatherhood Gets Lonely | Shannon Carpenter | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Carpenter, author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad, for a real conversation about fatherhood, male loneliness, modern masculinity, friendship, burnout, and what dads actually need.Â
We talk about why so many men can be surrounded by family, work, and responsibility but still feel deeply alone. Shannon shares why adult male friendship is so hard to build, why men often struggle to open up, and how having a safe person or group can help lighten the burden of stress and anxiety. We also get into what kids need most from their d...
The Mentalist's Edge | Daniel Chan | The Sean Trace Show
I sat down with Daniel Chan, known as the Millionaires' Mentalist, and this conversation went so much deeper than card tricks.Â
Daniel performs for billionaires, CEOs, and celebrities across the world, charging up to $10,000 a show, and he broke down exactly how he got there.Â
What started as street performing and kids' birthday parties after getting laid off from PayPal turned into a global career built on one core principle: knowing your leverage and never letting someone else define your worth.
We talked about the danger of...
Nobody's Really Listening | Julian Treasure | The Sean Trace Show
What if the biggest communication problem today isn't how we speak, but how we listen? In this conversation, I sit down with Julian Treasure, one of the world's leading experts on listening, communication, and human connection, to explore why so many people feel unheard despite living in the most connected era in history.
We dive into how social media, constant distractions, and noisy environments are quietly destroying our ability to truly listen, and why that has consequences far beyond conversations. Julian explains how poor listening fuels loneliness, polarization, broken relationships, ineffective leadership, and even costs businesses trillions...
Men Are Tired | Zachary J. Monroe | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode, I sit down with  Zachary J. Monroe, founder of Forge & Freedom, to talk about male loneliness, brotherhood, discipline, digital burnout, fatherhood, and what it really takes for men to rebuild momentum in life.Â
Zachary shares why so many men feel isolated even though we are more connected online than ever, and why real connection still happens face-to-face, through challenge, accountability, and community. We talk about what it means to be a father, how work stress can affect family life, and why discipline is not about perfection, but about creating small pockets of fr...
Comfort Is Making You Weak | The Sean Trace Show
I made a painful mistake.
After eating cashews with the skin still on them, I triggered a severe allergic reaction that left nearly 40% of my body covered in a rash. It was miserableâbut it also reminded me of something important:
Adversity teaches lessons that comfort never will.
In this episode, I talk about accepting reality faster, leaning into discomfort, building resilience, finding perspective, and why life's toughest moments often become our greatest teachers.
The goal isn't to avoid adversity.
The goal is to become the kind of...
Discipline Beats Motivation | Alan Stein, Jr. | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Alan Stein, Jr. , a corporate keynote speaker, author, and former basketball performance coach who spent 20 years working with elite athletes, coaches, and high performers.Â
What I loved about this conversation is how Alan breaks down success in a way that feels simple, practical, and real. We talk about why the best performers never get bored with the basics, how Kobe Bryantâs approach to fundamentals shaped Alanâs mindset, and why consistency matters more than motivation. Alan also shares how discipline, self-awareness, humil...
From Struggle to Strength | Harry Psaros | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Harry Psaros, bestselling author, executive neuroscience specialist, martial artist, and one of Pittsburgh's most passionate autism advocates.Â
Harry opens up about his journey raising his son Gus through an autism diagnosis, the devastating setback of watching two and a half years of therapy progress disappear after a single accident, and what it truly means to refuse to quit. We talk about resilience as a daily choice, the Greek philosophy of philotimo - doing good for the sake of good, and why real s...
TSTS - Calm Is A Weapon
Calm is not weakness. Calm is a weapon.
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, Iâm talking about why the person who stays calm the longest usually wins. Not because they are stronger, smarter, or tougher, but because they can still think clearly while everyone else is reacting emotionally.
I share a few real stories from my own life, including a failed âGoggins-styleâ video shoot, a contract situation that almost made me go scorched earth, the chaos of being a new dad, late-night podcasting, Muay Thai with my daughter, and the uncomf...
Systems Set You Free | Kate Guillen | The Sean Trace Show
In this episode of The Sean Trace Show, I sit down with Kate Guillen, founder of Simplicity Ops, to unpack why so many businesses collapse under their own growth and how simple systems are the real secret to scaling without losing your mind.Â
Kate breaks down how complexity quietly kills momentum, why your team's chaos is almost always a direct reflection of your own energy as a leader, and what it actually means to build operations that hold up even when your key people go down unexpectedly. We talk about the trap of chasing n...
