Nic Bittle: Life and Leadership

(This episode originally aired on May 13, 2024.)

Nic and Tarina are joined by their daughter, Elle. She shares how she got started making the Encouragement Cards and how this experience over the past 9 years has given her confidence in her gift of encouragement. It’s a special episode profiling Elle’s leadership as well as her courage to do what others may consider weird. Her example is living proof that small gestures—whether it’s encouragement, faith, or cookies—can have a big impact.

If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get some...

This is the second half of Nic’s interview with Brett Russell, retired Fire Chief for the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, and small business owner.

What’s one of the biggest leadership lessons you’ve learned? Do you appreciate the power of presence and proximity as a leader? Are values something you just put on the wall or something you actively reinforce every day?

As a true leader, what really matters to you? How do you inspire your team to want the same thing?

Brett has learned and applie...

What are the desires of your heart? What’s next for you after a successful and fruitful career?

Nic’s guest is Brett Russell, retired Fire Chief for the City of Clinton, Oklahoma, where he has served since 2017.

How do you transition from one good thing to the next good thing? Are you, as a leader, ready to let go and let your people perform?

Do you know what will be said for your eulogy? Will people speak about you as an intentional leader?

If you...

It’s funny what happens when we don’t read the fine print. It’s also funny how ah-ha’s arrive when we least expect it.

And men, do you feel you’re serving your wife because you joined in what she wanted? But did you complain the whole time? Are you really serving from the heart or making your wife pay emotionally for dragging you along to an event you didn’t really want to do?

If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle...

This episode originally aired on April 22, 2024.

How do you as a leader develop your men and women to become problem solvers? Or will you remain frustrated rather than get curious about how to lead differently?

Good foremen recognize that for many of the people they lead, this is their first real job.

Do you remember your first job and all the mistakes you made?

When we remember our own growth we begin to appreciate the difference between being curious versus judgmental.

In this episode, Nic delivers the commencement address to the Corn Bible Academy Class of 2026. After being “warmly” introduced by his son, Cruze, Nic asks an important question: What do you do when you see your neighbor suffering?

If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button, share it with a friend, or both. Your recommendation goes a long way in helping us reach more people.

Also if you have questions that you want Nic and Tarina to answer, email them at in...

Are you frustrating yourself or your people or even your kids with your inability to delegate well? Does the way you delegate actually set your people up to succeed? Do you know why you’re delegating or not delegating?

Unfortunately some people delegate too much and others not enough. Where do those you lead land on the Delegation Ladder? What mind traps keep you from putting in the time to train and develop your people to do the work in the right way?

To delegate well is a critical leadership skill and se...

The Builder connects the dots. The question leaders must ask: What does the builder need from you to keep them from leaving?

Are you ignoring your Builder or taking them for granted? Do you recognize the Builders on your team—if not, you may be too late and lose them.

Watch for the book Nic is writing on the The Four Levels of Ownership.

If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this Nic Bittle Crap,” please hit the like button...

Every job site has Cowboys and you will know them by their wake. But the challenge for every leader is how every Cowboy is different.

Do you know which version of Cowboy you are leading? Do you know whether the Cowboys on your team are unaware or indifferent? The difference is frustrating and often highly consequential.

What do they need from you and what are the consequences if you don't deliver?

Check out the previous two episodes: The Passenger (EP113) and The Worker (EP114).

<...

The goal as leaders is to move our people from level to the next.

Do you know what The Worker needs or what they want? Are they good at taking direction, getting work done, but not thinking for themselves?

How do you develop someone who has been trained to believe: “I’m not paid to think?” What is your strategy for empowering them to take initiative—to see-a-need-fill-a-need?

As the leader, how are you creating a safe place for your workers to fail?

If you...

If you’re a leader, your work is to develop your people. The answer is not to do more or work longer or harder. What would it take for you to put that time and effort into people development?

As a GM or leader, are you trying to do everything? Who on the worksite is just there for the ride-along while you carry more? Do you feel like you’re the only one thinking on your job?

If you enjoy Nic and Tarina’s podcast and get something from listening to “all this...

Nic claims these are not rules of traveling, but common courtesies—especially in airports.

Have you ever wondered what it might be like to travel with Tarina? Imagine being Nic and Tarina’s new son-in-law on your first vacation with the Bittle Ranch. What if traveling meant being trapped on a boat for seven days with unlimited access to ice cream and a lactose-intolerant brother-in-law?

There is a lot of life in this episode. If you listen carefully, you may catch a little leadership.

If you enjoy Nic...

With gale force winds outside, Nic and Tarina are back in the Corn Studio having returned safely from their cruise. Nic has enough material to host a podcast describing what it’s like traveling with Tarina for a week.

Have you ever wanted to be heard and respected better? Do you have trouble being understood? Or, perhaps, your people do the opposite of what you said?

Tarina shares what she recently learned from a Jefferson Fisher podcast on short and concise answers. Will Nic agree or disagree with this titan of communication? Li...

Tarina got to see Nic speak—first time in six months. They had a direct flight to Atlanta and Nic dressed up a bit. She asked, “Are you wearing your tacky Dakotas belt?” Afterwards, she promised to work on her Nic Bittle clarification.

They are going on a family vacation soon. Nic claims Tarina will bring 70 pounds of clothes, and he’ll take a tank top and swimsuit.

This conversation returns to Episode 5 and Nic shares the lesson of being confident and owning his decision after a small and funny run in at a...

It was a hard couple of weeks at the Bittle Ranch. Nic and Tarina had to put down Stella, Elle’s dog. Stella is remembered as being all kindness and a lot of joy.

Today’s episode is about the damage done from unspoken kindness—Part 2 of The Power of a Kind Word. The unspoken kind word or constant criticism can do untold harm.

Tarina tells a story about a top athlete in high school who was under constant criticism at home and felt she could never do good enough. This young woman...

Tarina is working on delegating, especially the deep house cleaning. Nic and Tarina report having a hard conversation about Nic’s travel schedule and his to-do list. And Nic, for the first time ever, went ice fishing with Jason and Derrick and actually drove on the ice.

Both Nic and Tarina share stories about receiving a kind word and how it made them feel. Examples range from recognition and appreciation and a compliment. Often this can serve as affirmation for keep doing good and being kind.

And it’s important to say the...

Nic judged a grade school speech competition and had to tell a couple of kids, “No snacks for you.” He enjoyed it because he got to exercise one of his spiritual gifts: judging people. Tarina also points out that Nic is hard to make toast for.

The idea of this episode is to build the profile of your ideal week. If you don’t have a profile and life just happens. It’s better to be intentional.

What Nic and Tarina found out that life fills up spaces not blocked off. Your schedule...

Nic received two packages—and on a Saturday of all days. Tarina says she never gets packages on Saturdays. One of them is a new “sock cap” for Nic’s bald head because it’s still cold in Oklahoma.

The most important proof of leadership is Ownership. This is the fifth and final proof. When you make a mistake do you “own it” or do you make excuses?

We all struggle with admitting when we mess up, especially when holding a leadership position. For some, there’s an explanation for everything. When things go wrong...

Nic and Tarina mention “snow-megadon” in Oklahoma. While they were looking for warm clothes to fight the chill, Tarina wanted her robber mask. Nic, bumfuzzled, confirms they have plenty of robber/ski masks.

In this episode, Nic says that when leadership happens we’re developing others. This is the fourth proof of leadership.

It’s important to note that teaching and development are not the same thing. Teaching a skill is one thing. Developing the person is different. Leaders focus on technical skills, on the how-to, whereas developing focuses on a person’s capacity.

Teaching...

Tarina launches with a question for Nic: “Can you help me improve?” Nic immediately knows it’s a trap—and he questions whether to take the bait, which he does.

In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the third Proof of Leadership: Model. They take the idea of leading by example further—giving substance to the practice of modeling the behavior you want to see in others.

The question they ask themselves: If we aren’t leading by example, then what happens to our influence? Modeling is a discipline not just a skill. You have to deve...

Nic nearly Wreck-it-Ralph’d his Corn studio because he couldn’t get his microphones working—only to find out his speakers were off. And evidently, Tarina loves a good gas station hotdog (not).

In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about the second Proof of Leadership: Clarity. They provide personal examples of how successful they are together when they communicate with clarity. And they agree that it’s important to say it not just think it.

A (new) hard Nic Bittle rule: “Lack of capacity does not excuse lack of communication.” In other words, you’re inability t...

Nic and Tarina talk about some comments they received from the recent episode on marriage. Nic then informs listeners that Tarina is “fancy”—which we already knew.

In the episode, Nic introduces The 5 Proofs of Leadership: Evidence that Leadership is Happening. The first proof that you are competent leader is: You Protect.

They discuss different lenses (environments) where you lead. The question: How do you protect those around you? It’s about carrying the load—absorbing the stress and tension as people grow and develop.

One way to handle the tension is to have someo...

On Marriage: PART 2

Nic launches the conversation with an important question: “How do you keep someone as big of a deal like me coming home?” He claims getting that asked a lot.

Nic and Tarina have been married for 25 years. One thing they agree contributes to their success is they like each other. They choose each other and pursue one another every day.

They admit this isn’t magic. They act on showing love—bridging the knowing-doing gap on a daily basis. And when they experienced areas which needed improvement, they sought outside counsel...

According to Tarina, Nic has a “pretty” bald head. And the week Nic was on the road, the Bittle compound experienced peace and quiet.

In this episode, Nic and Tarina talk about both: what to look for in a mate and how to be a good mate. Answer the questions: What traits do you want your future spouse to have? What traits are they looking for in you?

Nic asks, “Are you the person, or trying to become the person, to be the person they want?” Said another way—Nic doesn’t pull any punches—quit training...

Nic asks Tarina about her new wardrobe item: a “dickie.” Tarina claims it’s a “collar bib.” And, of course, it’s bedazzled. Christmas was good and enjoyable—cherishing time with friends and family.

In this episode, Nic and Tarina don’t talk about new year resolutions. One question Nic is struggling with as he look at 2026: Is this the year he slows down a bit?

In this episode they talk about being more intentional in 2026.

Tarina talks about how she has already started to saying more often what she thinks/feels, like picking up the p...

Nic and Tarina prepare for family visiting for Christmas—with only a brief reference to the Christmas Vacation. They share a memory of driving around to look at Christmas lights when Elle was little. One house was decked out with all the lights and Elle said, “Wow! They’re daddy must be strong.”

In this episode, Tarina and Nic express gratitude for a few listeners and all listeners. They celebrate their most downloaded episode (#73) which featured their new son-in-law, Micah Graf, as well all 12 of their guests over the past year.

They also reflect on feedback...

Nic and Tarina are nearly ready for Christmas—especially Tarina, who loves both receiving and giving presents. Nic shares about his latest return trip home and how he got a splinter from a Starbucks stir stick. And they shout out to Chris who loves the podcast.

In this episode, they talk about conflict: the difference between venting and complaining. Venting is relieving pressure—getting something off your chest. Complaining is expecting a fix. Conflict happens is when someone is venting and we think they are complaining or the opposite.

When you complain it is because you...

As Nic prepares to go on a 8-day tour, Tarina will battle a dryer that went caput while Nic is flying cross country.

Nic asks Tarina: What is a success that we’ve experienced together?

To answer this question for yourself, consider even the small achievements you made every day. As the phrase goes: People overestimate what they can accomplish in a day and under estimate what they can accomplish in a year.

They reflect how that they are nearing their 100th podcast episode in 2025 and Nic has done over 500 Leadership Drips on Yo...

Nic kicks off with a story about flying during the government shutdown. And Tarina bought Nic a new towel—which he claims takes him 8 minutes to collect black fuzz; it’s like drying off with a trash bag.

Tarina has a question for listeners: If you have a budget for a present, and you pay significantly less that regular retail, do you buy two of the item? Is it about how much you spend or about the gift itself?

In this episode, Tarina picks up where she left off with explaining her PAUSE before the Holi...

Tarina defends how the Monday before Black Friday is Black Friday. Nic confirms she doesn’t need a sale to shop. He also confesses: “I can’t park. I can back up a trailer.” As Tarina has pointed out more than once, “So, you’re going to park into the garage crooked?”

In this episode Tarina sets up the conversation with a question: How do we prepare for the holidays to be kind, generous, and not cause a fuss?

To help, Tarina created an acronym: PAUSE. Pray, Aerobics, Understand, Sit, Express. She created it to give herself p...

It’s unseasonably warm in Oklahoma as Nic and Tarina record the episode. Tarina reports that Nic is trying to rebuild her computer. Evidently she has 32,800 high-definition photos and over 2000 videos on her computer—"which may be why it’s running a little slow.” (Nic uses the voice.)

Nic meets a guy who carries human tissue to the airport every day. When Nic asked, the guy said the heads go in smaller boxes—now he can’t sleep.

Shifting gears means the struggle we all experience when going through life transitions. Kids go through transition every six mo...

Nic starts off talking about parking problems at hotels (which he solved with style) and issues with his underwear. Tarina reflects on choosing to not fold Cruze’s left foot socks—this is why Nic only wants gray socks without L or R printed on the toes.

In this episode, Nic and Tarina discuss ways to make hard decisions easier. One step Nic mentions is to take the emotion out of the decisions. Time can sometimes be used to help take the emotion out of a decision. “You can’t take a year to do it, though.”

They...

David Finley, the manager of the NECA chapter (National Electrical Contractors Association) in Oklahoma, joins Nic in the studio. David was the one who spurred Nic to launch his leadership training work.

After working in the sugar industry in Hawaii, David moved to Oklahoma. In 2010, he took over both the Kansas and Oklahoma SMACNA (Sheet Metal Air Conditioning Contractors National Association) chapters. Today he is the only chapter manager who oversees all the trades: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Sheet Metal Air Rail Transport (SMART), and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters (UAPP).

From...

In this episode, Carl Britton, Jr. joins Nic across the lens to talk about AI and how it can benefit workers in the skilled trades and construction industry.

Before Carl ran his own concrete company, now he’s training men and women in the trades in how to implement AI in their work and life. He is the founder of Iron Thread Consulting and a family man. One use case Carl’s mentions is how to let AI produce a safety briefing, manually verify its accuracy, and save a lot of time in the process.

In h...

In this episode, Patrick puts Nic in the hotseat and ask him questions. Together they explore tough conversations, frameworks, and the four mindsets: 1) Struggler 2) Achiever 3) Thinker and 4) Doer.

As Nic says, “We’re all in the people business.” Patrick adds how our work is to create more human connections. “The magic happens through the conversations we have and the connections we make.”

The question we want to ask: How can I create a connection with this person? And in the process help them thrive?

Building on the last week’s episode, it is important to...

After producing nearly 90 episodes the Life & Leadership Podcast, Patrick gets in front of the microphone. Beaming into Nic’s Office in Corn America is Patrick McGowan, Nic’s podcast producer and expert in communication. 

Patrick is the CEO of Punchn Communications (www.punchn.io), a growing communication and organizational change consulting firm. At the heart of his communications training is the belief that powerful communications isn’t just about speaking—it’s about creating moments of connection that spark engagement and inspire action. Additionally, Patrick believes that the best leaders are great communicators—and should invest in themselves as Ni...

Nic rants about able-bodied people who walk slowly side-by-side in an airport—rather than single file. He argues that capital punishment would be warranted.

What's next for Nic? He's writing a new book on creating connections. Tarina asks if this is part of Nic’s sensitivity training, which it is not. His purpose is to help people be more human.

The idea is that relationships will open doors, the key to life, and the key to success. Tarina adds that relationships are the key to fulfillment.

Nic shares a story about speaking at chur...

Tarina gives Nic a new nickname, “Wreck it Mouth.” And Nic congratulates Tarina on saving $2.50 on her “$9.00” coffee shop espresso drinks.

In this episode, Nic and Tarina lead a conversation on what it takes to be a great leader.

Their discussion can be summed up in a simple phrase: “Own it.” Among the attributes and activities of great leaders, here are a few they talk about:

As Ni...

Nic sits down with Jason Downs for a talk about career and education options. Jason is a self-described middle-aged family man with an accounting degree who recently served on a local school board. After a series of accounting related jobs, today finds him a stay-at-home dad.

They start their discussion with a focus on the Swiss VET System. VET stands for “Vocational, Educational, and Training.” The system is designed to assess high school students’ aptitude, how they are wired, and then put them on a track that includes job skills training.

The kids graduate ready to ent...

Nic and Tarina joke about the possibility of producing a 2026 calendar featuring him and Cruze moving plants into the rain. Tarina “loves” the idea. Nic also believes Tarina lost her true calling as a word-smith. “So good it just tastes like really dark dirt,” was Tarina’s comment after taking a sip of her Americano.

Nic shares a correction on the previous episode about Charlie Kirk. Nic believes people feel connected with Charlie because he was courageous. A lot of people are inspired by his example of boldness in faith, work, and life.

Tarina and Nic just r...