I Have Some Questions...
What if leadership wasn’t about having the answers—but about asking better questions?On "I Have Some Questions…", Erik Berglund – a founder, coach, and Speechcraft evangelist – dives into the conversations that high performers aren’t having enough. This isn’t your typical leadership podcast. It’s a tactical deep-dive into the soft skills that actually drive results: the hard-to-nail moments of accountability, the awkward feedback loops, and the language that turns good leaders into great ones.Each week, Erik explores a question that has shaped his own journey. Expect raw, unpolished curiosity. Expect conversations with bold thinkers, rising leaders, and practitioner...
077: "Performing and Leading Are Entirely Different Sports" ft. Michael Bostarr
In this candid and energizing conversation, Erik sits down with Michael Bostarr — a coach, creative, and former sales leader who made a bold pivot from performance-driven achievement to values-based leadership. Together, they explore how to shift from chasing external validation to living and leading with clarity. Michael shares the real story behind walking away from big roles, the surprising weight of “almost” success, and what happens when you build your identity from the inside out. Whether you’re mid-career, mid-pivot, or just feeling the grind, this episode is a permission slip to do things differently.
👤 About the Guest<...
076: What Actually Builds Trust in a Team? (It’s Not What You Think)
In this episode, Erik unpacks one of the most overused and under-examined words in leadership: trust. But instead of vague advice, he gives a direct, no-fluff framework for how to build trust that actually scales — across teams, organizations, and even families. He breaks it down into three specific behaviors that any leader can start modeling today. This is an episode for leaders ready to stop guessing and start earning trust that lasts.
❓ The Big Question
How do you build real trust in a team — not just hope for it?
💡 Key Takeaways...
075: "What Does It Mean to Truly Empower a Team?" (lessons from Chris Dyer)
🧠 Erik’s Take
In this solo reaction, Erik distills three powerful insights from his recent interview with culture expert Chris Dyer. As the pace of change continues to accelerate—fueled by AI and organizational upheaval—leaders are being called to step into a very different kind of role. Erik explores what it really means to lead when you don’t have all the answers, how to unburden your team from unnecessary meetings, and how to start building real culture with two simple questions.
This is an honest and strategic debrief from a coach who’s walki...
074: "The Future CEO Will Be a Chief Executive Orchestrator" ft. Chris Dyer
In this episode of I Have Some Questions..., Erik sits down with culture strategist and bestselling author Chris Dyer to unpack the hardest leadership question of our time: how do you lead through relentless, accelerating change? From the elephant sitting on your chest to the myth of perfect AI adoption, this conversation dives into practical, human-first strategies for thriving in chaos. Chris challenges CEOs to fire themselves from the job they think they have and step into a radically different role—one that empowers experimentation, transparency, and better work for everyone.
👤 About the Guest
Chr...
073: Which Leadership Phase Are You In (Really)?
In this solo episode, Erik maps out the leadership lifecycle — from the moment you step into a new leadership role to the point where you’re building your replacement. It’s a powerful framework for self-awareness and strategic leadership, especially for those stuck in “Chief Problem Solver” mode. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, over-involved, or unsure of your next leadership move, this episode delivers the clarity you need.
❓ The Big Question
Why do so many capable leaders get stuck — and how do you break the cycle?
💡 Key Takeaways
Your leadership l...072: "Must Capitalism Be Realigned Toward More Desired Outcomes?" (lessons from Dr. Helmut Love)
🧠 Erik’s Take
In this solo reflection, Erik recaps and wrestles with the high-stakes conversation he had with Dr. Helmut Love — a guest who isn’t afraid to bring politically charged topics to the table. From socialism and wealth inequality to the role of capitalism in solving human problems, Erik walks through his own reactions, questions, and moments of discomfort.
This episode isn't about endorsing policies — it’s about staying in the room with hard ideas. Erik unpacks what it felt like to challenge a mayoral candidate on nuanced economic claims, the surprising clarity he fo...
071: "Is It Possible to Restructure Capitalism Without Losing its Drive for Innovation? (ft. Dr. Helmut Love)
Erik sits down with Dr. Helmut Love—entrepreneur, spiritual thinker, and former Atlanta mayoral candidate—for a bold conversation about the future of capitalism, personal responsibility, and what it means to lead with love in a fractured political system. From incarceration reform to the failures of socialism, they explore what a “responsible capitalism” might look like in practice—and what’s keeping us from building it. Dr. Love offers provocative insights rooted in faith, data, and lived experience, challenging the left/right binary and inviting listeners into a bigger conversation about systems, incentives, and human dignity.
👤 About the Guest...
070: Are You Too Nice to Be a Good Leader?
In this solo episode of I Have Some Questions..., Erik flips the script on a widely held belief: that being “nice” makes you a better boss. With characteristic fire and clarity, he challenges listeners to stop aiming for short-term emotional safety and start choosing long-term leadership impact. Erik introduces the sharp distinction between niceness and kindness—and why the latter is essential to leading high-performing teams.
❓ The Big Question
Is your need to be liked quietly killing your leadership impact?
💡 Key Takeaways
Being “nice” often protects the leader, not the team.Ki...069: "How Parental Presence Intersect Across Sports And Leadership" (lessons from Sandy Cohan)
🧠 Erik’s Take
In this follow-up to his powerful interview with Sandy Cohan, Erik reflects on how grit, standards, and parental presence intersect across sports and leadership. With stories from the soccer field and frameworks from the professional world, he distills the conversation down into three big insights that matter just as much at home as they do in the office.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
Grit is built by winning today. It’s not about toughness—it’s about consistent action in the face of resistance.Competition teaches standards. It reveals tha...068: "The Dangerous Difference Between Expectations And Standards" ft. Sandy Cohan
In this powerful conversation, Erik sits down with mindset coach and author Sandy Cohan to dig into what grit really is—and what it definitely isn’t. From youth sports to corporate leadership, Sandy breaks down the habits, standards, and mental frameworks that shape resilient, high-performing individuals. Whether you're raising a gritty kid or trying to become a more disciplined leader yourself, this episode will shift how you think about perseverance, pressure, and personal development.
👤 About the Guest
Sandy Cohan is a mindset development coach, speaker, and the author of 99 Rules Every Athlete Needs t...
067: How to Build Rock Star Teams (Even If You Didn't Hire One)
In this solo episode of Leadership Unplugged, Erik breaks down the myth that great teams are hired—and reveals the truth that they’re built. If you’ve ever felt stuck with an underperforming team or unsure how to level up your people, this is your blueprint. Erik lays out the three types of “team-building work” every leader must master, challenges the traditional approach to feedback, and introduces a deceptively simple tool that can revolutionize how your team thinks, acts, and grows. It’s practical, high-impact, and deeply human leadership—unplugged.
❓ The Big Question
What if the te...
066: "Is Loyalty Enough to Keep Someone From Leaving?" (lessons from Alan Bell)
🧠 Erik’s Take
In this personal reflection on the interview with Alan Bell, Erik unpacks the hidden dynamics behind one of the boldest career moves he’s heard: a 14-person walkout, where nearly 80% of a team left a company at once. But this isn’t just about a big exit—it’s about the leadership patterns that cause them, the people-centered values that prevent them, and the internal compass each of us needs to follow to get where we’re meant to go. This episode is a cautionary tale for leaders and an empowering reminder for anyone feel...
065: "What Happens When a Whole Team Quits Together?" ft. Alan Bell
In one of the most gripping interviews yet, Erik sits down with Alan Bell—mortgage expert, former film lab engineer, and team-builder extraordinaire—to dissect a rare and bold professional move: the collective exit of 14 team members from one company to another. This episode explores leadership, loyalty, team dynamics, and how to know when it’s time to make a leap—not alone, but together.
👤 About the Guest
Alan Bell is the founder of Ring the Bell Home Loans, a mortgage professional with a rich background in high-stakes film post-production, and a systems thinker wit...
064: What’s the Real Cost of Winging It?
In this solo episode, Erik confronts the quiet crisis of preparation—or more often, the lack of it. He takes listeners through a bold reframing of how to prioritize prep time, not based on urgency or frequency, but on consequence of failure. This is a mindset shift episode: provocative, clear, and full of systems-thinking strategy for anyone looking to level up their performance.
❓ The Big Question
How much time should you actually spend preparing—and how do you know what’s worth it?
💡 Key Takeaways
Most people don’t prepare—not...063: "Is Your Company Ready for AI, or Just Excited by the Hype?" (lessons from Tulio Siragusa)
🧠 Erik’s Take
This conversation with Tulio Siragusa left a deep imprint. Here’s a guy who’s both deeply competent in business and deeply rooted in service, and that rare blend made this conversation one of the most fulfilling I’ve had on the show. This reaction dives into three standout themes:
The tension between who we are and who we think we areHow service creates self-awarenessWhy AI isn’t a savior—it’s a spotlightTulio’s story is a masterclass in what it means to lead from experience, not ego. His honesty about f...
062: "Why Most Leaders Aren’t Self-Aware (and How to Change That)" ft. Tulio SIragusa
Tulio Siragusa has led in New York, London, Silicon Valley, and Latin America—and his leadership philosophy is rooted in empathy, not ego. In this conversation, Tulio and Erik dive into the real mechanics of emotional intelligence, self-awareness, intention-based design, and how adversity reshapes who we become. From losing it all in the 2008 crash to reshaping how leaders think, this is a vulnerable and high-level look at what it really takes to evolve as a human being and a leader.
👤 About the Guest
Tulio Siragusa is a seasoned technology executive, leadership coach, and the f...
061: What’s the Best Way to Change Your Culture (Without Faking It)?
In this episode, Erik tackles one of the most frequently asked leadership questions he gets in coaching: “How do I change my company’s culture?” Drawing from real stories, industry frameworks, and his own systems-thinking approach, he breaks down the four-part process every leader needs to architect intentional culture—without fluff or jargon.
This is a direct, no-BS solo masterclass on what culture actually is, how it's built (even when you're not trying), and the real reason most cultural initiatives fail. If you've ever said "our culture needs to change," this one’s for you.
❓ The Bi...
060: "Are You Coaching Your Team or Just Saving the Deal?" (lessons from Kim Willis)
🧠 Erik’s Take
In this post-interview reflection, Erik breaks down his conversation with Kim Willis, exploring what makes someone truly excellent at sales—and why that matters for leadership. Rather than glamorizing charisma or relying on old tropes, Erik digs into the deeper attributes: curiosity, storytelling, feedback loops, and the relentless pursuit of truth. This reaction feels part tactical, part philosophical, and wholly committed to real leadership growth—especially for those building teams, shaping offers, or selling visionary ideas.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
Sales is a truth-finding process. The best salespe...059: "Can Storytelling Be Your Most Underrated Leadership Skill?" ft. Kim Willis
In this episode, Erik sits down with Kim Willis, a speaker coach and story mentor who helps founders, creatives, and entrepreneurs reclaim their voice by getting radically honest about the stories they tell—and the ones they avoid. In this conversation, Kim shares how years of being a high-performing communicator eventually led him to disconnection, what it took to find his way back, and why story isn’t just a tool for influence—it’s a path to self-recovery, alignment, and leadership that actually lands.
👤 About the Guest
Kim Willis is a story strategist...
058: How To Deal With The Looming Talent Glut
In this thought-provoking solo episode, Erik unpacks a major second-order consequence of AI: the collapse of the entry-level talent pipeline. As AI increasingly absorbs the "grunt work" across industries, we risk losing the slow, steady process by which professionals build context, mastery, and leadership skills. This looming talent glut isn't just about job displacement—it's about long-term strategic gaps in leadership. Erik calls on leaders to start planning now for a future where developing and redeploying human potential will be more critical—and more difficult—than ever.
❓ The Big Question
What happens to leadersh...
057: "Are We Training People to Know—or to Do?" (lessons from Cortney Harding)
🧠 Erik’s Take
After interviewing Cortney Harding, Erik reflects on how VR, AI, and immersive learning are reshaping the way we train people—especially in communication. But beyond the tech, this episode is about mindset shifts: from teaching to training, from knowing to doing, and from buying solutions to solving real problems. It’s a direct and thoughtful take on why so many AI and training initiatives fail—and what to do differently.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
Don’t start with the tech—start with the problem. Buying AI solutions without knowing the core b...056: "Will VR Reshape The Future Of Corporate Learning & Training?" ft. Cortney Harding
What if workplace training wasn't passive, boring, or easily ignored—but instead felt like an unforgettable lived experience? In this conversation, Erik sits down with Cortney Harding, a pioneer at the intersection of VR, AR, and AI in corporate training, to explore how immersive technologies are redefining how humans learn, lead, and empathize at work.
From empathy-driven virtual experiences to AI-powered avatars that practice with you 24/7, Cortney shares why most corporate training is broken—and how the future is already here (if we’re brave enough to use it).
👤 About the Guest
Cortney...
055: Why Do We Struggle to Have Meaningful 1:1 Conversations?
In this solo reflection, Erik unpacks a persistent and nuanced leadership challenge: why so many people struggle with deep, direct, one-on-one conversations. Drawing from personal experience, client work, and even his marriage, Erik explores processing styles, conversational pressure, and how leaders can adapt to create more inclusive, thoughtful dialogue—especially in high-stakes, fast-paced environments.
❓ The Big Question
Why do so many people struggle to go deep in one-on-one conversations—and what can we do about it?
💡 Key Takeaways
The pressure to “respond well” often overrides true listening and participation...054: "The Power of Saying 'I’m Happy Today'" (lessons from Andrew Anderson)
🧠 Erik’s Take
After sitting with Andrew Anderson’s powerful story and coaching wisdom, Erik reflects on the themes that stood out most: authentic communication, radical clarity, and the role of faith as a foundation. This episode distills the 90-minute conversation into three sharp insights that leaders, parents, and humans alike can apply right away.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
Authenticity builds trust — Vulnerability often precedes trust, not the other way around.Clarity is the real boundary setter — Saying no starts with knowing exactly what you’re saying yes to...053: "Why Does Vulnerability Build More Trust Than Success?" ft. Andrew Anderson
Erik sits down with Andrew L. Anderson, coach, author, and master communicator, to unpack what it means to live with conviction, interrupt the scripts we’re stuck in, and lead with both vulnerability and strength. From red shoes to real suffering, Andrew shares how pattern disruption, faith, and belief shape his work and life — and why being your brother’s keeper is very different from trying to be your brother’s savior.
👤 About the Guest
Andrew L. Anderson is a coach, author, and speaker with over a decade of experience helping people brea...
052: What Should You Be Saying 'No' To?
In this solo episode, Erik goes deep on one of the most deceptively difficult questions in leadership and life: What should you be saying no to? Drawing from his own calendar, coaching practice, and real-time decision-making, he lays out four clear steps—and several powerful tools—for reclaiming your time, energy, and focus. This is a masterclass in discerning the good from the right.
❓ The Big Question
How do you decide what to say no to when everything feels important—or good?
💡 Key Takeaways
Clarity on what you’re saying yes...051: "Authenticity as a System of Living—Not Just a Buzzword" (lessons from Rose Archer)
Fresh off his conversation with Rose Archer, Erik is lit up—not just by what Rose is building, but by how she’s building it. In this reflection, Erik dives into the raw threads of authenticity, opportunity, and human connection that run through Rose’s story. It’s more than admiration—it’s a call to pay attention to how the universe shows up for us when we’re willing to show up as ourselves.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
Authenticity isn’t a buzzword—it’s a system of living. Rose embodies her values so...050: "Authenticity Scales When It's Felt" ft. Rose Archer
Erik sits down with Rose Archer, founder of the Luscious Supper Club—a sold-out monthly dining experience that’s as much about human connection as it is about exquisite food. What started as a side hustle from her Northeast Bend home has become a sought-after ritual for those craving beauty, belonging, and a return to the sacredness of breaking bread. Rose shares the deeply personal roots of this venture, the philosophy behind the mystery, and how staying fiercely authentic has become her greatest asset.
👤 About the Guest
Rose Archer is the founder and head ch...
049: What If Every Excuse You’ve Ever Heard Was Just One of Four?
You’ve heard a thousand excuses—but what if there were really only four? In this sharp, tactical solo episode, Erik unpacks the universal patterns behind excuses and gives leaders a practical four-step play to move from frustration to clarity. With real-life examples and sharp reframes, this is your go-to guide for handling the conversations you’ve been avoiding. Get ready to ditch the dread, drop the debate, and redirect like a pro.
❓ The Big Question
What if the excuses you dread the most could be dismantled with one simple play?
💡 Key...
048: "Seeing Gen Z as Problem Solvers, Not Problems" (lessons from Logyn Coats)
🧠 Erik’s Take
After sitting down with Logyn Coats, Erik reflects on what it really means to understand—and lead—across generations. At just 16, Logyn offered perspective far beyond her years, surfacing insights that resonate with the challenges leaders face today: motivating, teaching, and connecting with Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
This review digs into the three big takeaways Erik carried forward: alignment, parental influence, and AI literacy. Together, they form a map for how leaders can adapt in real time to the changing mindset of the next generation.
🎯 Top I...
047: "Can Gen Z’s Drive Reframe the Way We Lead Today?" ft. Logyn Coats
What happens when you stop waiting for life to happen and start building it with intentionality? In this episode, Erik sits down with Logyn Coats, a driven student-athlete with an unconventional story of accelerated learning, discipline, and vision. From navigating dyslexia to graduating high school in two years, from shaping her worldview through volleyball to imagining careers as bold as space architecture, Logyn challenges assumptions about what Gen Z really wants and how they think.
This isn’t just a story about one ambitious young leader — it’s a lesson in what’s possible when structur...
046: Stop Hiding Behind The 'I Lead By Example' Phrase
This episode is meant to challenge you. Erik takes on the lazy, surface-level claim of “I lead by example” and unpacks why it’s an insufficient leadership philosophy. He shares his own hard-learned lessons, what went wrong when he tried to evolve past it without clear communication, and why every leader needs a sharper articulation of their philosophy.
❓ The Big Question
What does it really take to move beyond “leading by example” and step fully into the responsibility of leadership?
💡 Key Takeaways
“Leading by example” is table stakes — not the whole game.If...045: "Why Asking for Help Builds More Trust Than Giving Answers" (lessons from Jake Stahl)
After sitting down with Jake Stahl, Erik reflects on the biggest insights from their conversation about neuro-strategy, influence, and the subtle ways leaders can shape trust. He pulls forward Jake’s key practices and maps them onto his own curiosity-driven approach to leadership and coaching.
🎯 Top Insights from the Interview
Preparation shapes influence: First impressions begin long before the first handshake or Zoom call—your digital presence and prep work matter.Ask for input as a gift: Seeking advice or perspective triggers the same positive biological response as giving someone a treat...044: "My Only Competitor Is Me From Yesterday" ft. Jake Stahl
In this conversation, Erik sits down with Jake Stahl, CEO of Orchestraight, to dig into the nuances of adaptability, trust, and leading with presence. From reframing how we think about time to building spaces where people feel seen, Jake offers a refreshingly human approach to leadership growth.
👤 About the Guest
Jake Stahl is the CEO of Orchestraight, a consultant, and a coach who helps organizations unlock adaptability through people-centered learning and leadership. With a background spanning corporate training, coaching, and systems thinking, Jake’s mission is to create environments where leaders and teams thriv...
043: How to Give Feedback People Actually Hear (And Act On)
Erik unpacks the art and science of giving feedback that doesn’t just land—but transforms. Drawing from leadership trenches, he challenges the old “feedback sandwich” cliché and lays out a sharper, more human way to communicate with clarity, care, and conviction.
❓ The Big Question
How do you give feedback that someone can truly hear—without defensiveness, confusion, or dismissal—and actually use it to grow?
💡 Key Takeaways
Feedback fails when it’s vague, sugarcoated, or disconnected from reality.The goal isn’t to deliver feedback—it’s to create change.Specifici...042: “Can You Build Systems for Emotional Resilience?” (lessons from Troy Karnes)
Coming off an intense, vulnerable conversation with Troy Karnes, Erik reflects on what it means to be trained to be human — and how most of us simply haven’t been. This episode is less a summary and more a reckoning: with parenting, leadership, addiction, loneliness, and the self-sabotaging decisions we make when we’re just trying to survive.
Troy’s story — addiction, family fracture, and a surreal cancer diagnosis that upended everything — becomes the frame for a much broader conversation about what we’re actually equipped for. Erik doesn’t just admire Troy’s courage; he uses it as a mi...
041: “How Do You Lead When You’re Still Healing?” ft. Troy Karnes
In this raw and revealing conversation, Erik sits down with entrepreneur and systems thinker Troy Karnes to explore what happens when your ambition starts to burn you out — and how to rebuild from the inside out. They dig into the identity loops that trap high performers, the hard cost of playing it safe, and what it means to take control of your own narrative when life no longer fits the script.
👤 About the Guest
Troy Karnes is a performance-driven entrepreneur and coach who has worked across industries — from real estate...
040: What Do You Do When Your Team Thinks You Don’t Deserve the Job?
In this episode, Erik breaks down how to earn trust, build consensus, and handle the uncomfortable conversations that come with stepping into leadership when the room isn’t exactly rooting for you.
❓ The Big Question
How do you earn trust and lead effectively when your team believes someone else should have gotten your job?
💡 Key Takeaways
You don’t owe anyone an explanation for why you got promoted—stop trying to justify it.Trust is earned daily, not given with the title.Ideas are easy; execution with people is the hard...039: Why Your A-Players Leave (And How to Prevent It)
Losing a top performer is brutal—and often preventable. In this episode, Erik goes beyond the cliché of “people don’t leave companies, they leave managers” to unpack the real reasons your best people walk out the door. He reveals three leadership moves that will keep your rock stars engaged, growing, and aligned—without relying on promotions, titles, or raises.
❓ The Big Question
What can you do as a leader to stop losing your best people—even if you can’t offer them more money or a bigger title?
💡 Key Takeaways
Top...038: The Leadership Hack That Eliminates 80% of Check-Ins
Check-ins are killing your calendar. In this episode, Erik breaks down why endless reminders are actually a symptom of low confidence and poor expectation-setting—and he teaches a simple leadership “play” that flips the script. Instead of you chasing progress updates, your team will push you the information you need—freeing up your time, building accountability, and strengthening trust.
❓ The Big Question
What if you could eliminate 80% of your check-ins and still have full confidence that the work is getting done?
💡 Key Takeaways
Most check-ins are rooted in lack of confi...
