The Action Catalyst

40 Episodes
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By: Southwestern Family of Podcasts

The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond. Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.

Overtime with Outland: Dr. Tom Frieden, Episode 495
Today at 10:30 AM

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.

In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 495, with Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC Director, NYC Health Commissioner, and current President and CEO of the global health organization Resolve to Save Lives.


The Formula for Better Health, with Dr. Tom Frieden (Healthcare, Leadership, Mindset, Success)
#495
Yesterday at 10:30 AM

Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC Director, NYC Health Commissioner, and current President and CEO of the global health organization Resolve to Save Lives, shares the influence of his father, the single question that changed his life, the 3 step formula for impactful healthcare, how to assess levels of certainty, the 6 keys to a longer, healthier life, the low-tech device he uses every day, and the mindset that keeps him moving forward.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/Students

Southwestern Student Coaching


CLIP: Perfecting Your Press Release
Last Thursday at 10:45 AM

Mickie Kennedy, PR expert and the founder of eReleases, a leading press release distribution service, dives into how to create the perfect press release for maximum attention for your business.

Hear Mickie's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Disruption, Innovation, and Battling Complacency, with Whitney Johnson (Business, Leadership, Executive, Learning)
#242
10/28/2025

Speaker, coach, and CEO / Co-Founder of Disruption Advisors, Whitney Johnson, talks about disruptive innovation and the levers of disruption, making it scarier NOT to change, providing “proof points”, the “learn, leap, repeat” method, disrupting a MARRIAGE, when feeling scared and lonely is a positive sign, and silly little things that take over the world.


CLIP: Don't Be A Nickel
10/23/2025

Speaker, author, and President & CEO of OCLC, Skip Prichard, shares the insightful way that people can often be like nickels....but you shouldn't want to be.

Hear Skip's full interview in Episode 230 of The Action Catalyst.


Release Yourself, with Mickie Kennedy (Public Relations, News, Promotions, Business)
10/21/2025

Mickie Kennedy, PR expert and the founder of eReleases, a leading press release distribution service, dives into why press releases aren’t just for the big boys, how to create the best one for maximum attention, and what to do in a damage-control setting, plus shares his “3% rule”, and explains how even local press can net BIG wins for your business.

Mentioned in this episode:

The Puppet Masters Playbook is available now at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXB4VKBH

Puppet Masters Playbook / Jonathan Graves


Introducing "Think Big, Buy Small"
10/20/2025

Today on the podcast, we’re excited to feature a conversation from Think Big, Buy Small, produced by our friends at Harvard Business School. Hosted by HBS professors (and former Action Catalyst guests) Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, Think Big, Buy Small explores the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), highlighting how ambitious leaders build lasting wealth and careers by acquiring and growing small businesses. Each episode features candid conversations with CEOs, investors, and entrepreneurs who have taken the leap into small business ownership.

On this special episode, you’ll hear their discussion with Paige Sopcic, who left be...


CLIP: The 51 Percent Rule
10/16/2025

Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founders of Beekman 1802 skincare, partners in both business as well as life, explain the "51% rule" for decision making, both professionally, and personally.

Hear Brent and Josh's full interview in Episode 494 of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Mistakes Leaders Make, with Skip Prichard (Nonprofit, Publishing, Success, CEO)
#230
10/14/2025

Speaker, author, and President & CEO of OCLC, Skip Prichard, shares his unusual childhood background, the research on near death experiences, why to fail faster, how people are often like nickels, and the philosophy of working harder on yourself than you do on your job.


CLIP: What Has Being Realistic Cost You?
10/09/2025

CEO and Founder of Dream University, Marcia Wieder, explains the value of realism, self-confidence, and risk taking in dreaming, how to break down big dreams into small projects, and why you should want to be PIE (but not the baked good).

Hear Marcia's full interview in Episode 134 of The Action Catalyst.


GOAT Wisdom, with Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell (Entrepreneurship, Business, Community, Skincare)
#494
10/07/2025

Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, a.k.a. the “Fabulous Beekman Boys”, co-founders of Beekman 1802 skincare, recount settling in with Farmer John and his goats and packing 52,000 bars of soap, and chat about making neighbors, not customers, making hay while the sun shines, NOT Shark Tank-ing every business, making kindness part of the business model, working with your partner, reframing work-life balance, and finding contentment without sacrificing ambition.


CLIP: Creating "Creating Humanity At It's Best"
10/02/2025

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, the tech entrepreneur known as the “father of the cable modem", explains what things like broadband and cable modems REALLY are, and how their invention quickly impacted producers, consumers, and the broader economy.

Hear Rouzbeh's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Dreams, Purpose, and Vision, with Marcia Wieder (Goals, Success, Personal Development, Self Improvement)
#134
09/30/2025

CEO and Founder of Dream University, Marcia Wieder, explains the difference between dreams, fantasies, and goals, the value of realism in dreaming, how intention and integrity work together, breaking down big dreams into small projects, separating dreams from doubts, the 3 little words that breed self-sabotage, and why you should want to be PIE (passionate, interested, excited, not the baked good).


CLIP: Why South Africa?
09/25/2025

Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent, explain why offshoring isn't really what it used to be anymore, it's present-day benefits, and how the South African people are creating a world-class talent pool.

Hear Hattingh and Werner's full interview in Episode 493 of The Action Catalyst.


The Accidental Network, with Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard (Technology, Entrepreneurship, Internet, Author)
09/23/2025

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, the tech entrepreneur known as the “father of the cable modem", explains the two experiences he brought together to create the revolutionary device, what things like broadband and cable modems REALLY are, why he gave it all away free of royalties, and the role of homemade Persian food in making it all possible.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn more about Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard and his legacy from "The Accidental Network", a business history book recounting the invention of the cable modem and the global broadband evolution it inspired.

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard / The Accidental Ne...


CLIP: Texas Roadhouse and "The Noble Cause"
09/18/2025

Author, executive coach, and culture consultant Chester Elton breaks down the idea of "the noble cause" in business, and how Texas Roadhouse restaurants are a shining and enduring example of the idea in action.

Hear Chester's full interview in Episode 35 of The Action Catalyst.


Overtime with Outland: Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Episode 493
09/17/2025

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.

In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 493, with Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent.


Workforce Innovation, with Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard (Staffing, South Africa, Talent, Hiring)
#493
09/16/2025

Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent, explain the unique career history that spawned the business, the professional services gap that they are filling and why it exists, why offshoring isn't really offshoring anymore, how the South African people create a world-class talent pool, overcoming start-up pain points, and why sometimes the low-tech solution is the winning one.

Mentioned in this episode:

Learn more at SouthwesternTalent.com

Southwestern Talent

Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/Students

Southwestern Student Coaching


CLIP: The Greatest Thing Mike Johnson Ever Did
09/11/2025

Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, as well as an alum of The Action Catalyst's parent company, Southwestern, explains why his participation in the Southwestern Advantage program was "the best thing he ever did".

Hear Speaker Johnson's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Going All-In, with Chester Elton (Culture, Business, Leadership, Management)
#35
09/09/2025

Author, executive coach, and culture consultant Chester Elton walks us through how to create an all-in culture in our business, including managing culture during crisis, and why the customer experience will never exceed the employee experience.


CLIP: Interested, Not Interesting
09/04/2025

Speaker, author, and coach Bruce Van Horn explains the best ways to be "other-focused" on social media, and provide more value to, and thereby get more loyalty from, your audience.

Hear Bruce's full interview in Episode 11 of The Action Catalyst.


God Is Not Done With America Yet, with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Leadership, Politics, USA, Success)
09/02/2025

Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, as well as an alum of The Action Catalyst's parent company, Southwestern, breaks down his unique path to the speakership and the big role Southwestern played in getting him there, recounts danger in Tucson and getting a little help from Brett Favre, delivers an absolutely killer Trent Lott impression, outlines the importance of speaking with clarity, conviction, and consistency, and explains why "duty is ours, but result belong to God".

Mentioned in this episode:

This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Advantage.<...


CLIP: The REAL Cost of Turnover
08/28/2025

Dr. Angela Jackson, the founder/CEO of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explains the REAL cost of turnover in organizations, and the numbers may surprise you.

Hear Dr. Jackson's full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Twitter Tips for Movers and Shakers, with Bruce Van Horn (Social Media, Business, Success, Networking)
#11
08/26/2025

Speaker, author, and coach Bruce Van Horn shares Twitter/X tips for movers and shakers, including the critical importance of authenticity, putting connection over saturation, and the most common-sense advice that you probably overlook all of the time.


CLIP: Don't Put Strategy Over Heart
08/21/2025

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares why it’s important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, and how developing the awareness to do both can be a challenge.

Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 128 of The Action Catalyst.


The Win-Win Workplace, with Dr. Angela Jackson (Management, Leadership, Business, Engagement)
08/19/2025

Dr. Angela Jackson, the founder/CEO of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reveals the lessons learned from studying Fortune 500 companies, the REAL cost of turnover, why top-down decision making is dead, and the two main takeaways for small business owners.


CLIP: Actual Vs. Foundational Knowledge
08/14/2025

Greg DeVore, CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps, lays out his “Find & Follow” philosophy to reduce supervisor burnout and improve employee performance, including concepts like actual vs. foundational knowledge, the value it can provide in the event of a sale, and the knowledge operations maturity model.

Hear Greg's full interview in Episode 492 of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, with Jenni Catron (Strategy, Faith, Business, Author)
#128
08/12/2025

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares “The Grand Commandment” and how it pertains to leadership, why it’s important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, the value of creating a safe space for honest feedback, the delicate balance of being bold but respectful, the role of faith, and why leadership is sacred work.


CLIP: Optimize, Automate, and Outsource
08/07/2025

Author, entrepreneur, and “overwhelmologist” Ari Meisel reveals how to optimize, automate, and outsource, the shockingly straightforward system for keeping work, and anxiety, from piling up.

Hear Ari's full interview in Episode 122 of The Action Catalyst.


Overtime with Outland: Greg DeVore, Episode 492
08/06/2025

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.

In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 492, with Greg DeVore, CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps.


Find & Follow, with Greg DeVore (Productivity, Learning, Performance, Teams)
#492
08/05/2025

Greg DeVore, CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps, lays out his “Find & Follow” philosophy to reduce supervisor burnout and improve employee performance, breaking down concepts like actual vs. foundational knowledge and knowledge spenders vs. knowledge investors, the knowledge operations maturity model, the dead simple exercise that’ll change how your team gets work done, how just good people with the right tools can be world-class people, and why he’s a bit of a rockstar on Animal Planet.


CLIP: It's a Crisis! Now What?
07/31/2025

Founder & CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group, Liana Zavo, reveals THE biggest PR mistake people make, and what they SHOULD be doing instead when a crisis hits.

Hear Liana's full interview in Episode 491 of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Less Stress, More Productivity, with Ari Meisel (Time Management, Email, Tech, Business)
#122
07/29/2025

Author, entrepreneur, and “overwhelmologist” Ari Meisel reveals how to optimize, automate, and outsource, gives a masterclass in Virtual Assistants 101, explains what delegation REALLY means, and breaks down the "3D" inbox zero plan.


CLIP: Comparison, Jealousy, and Fear
07/24/2025

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron takes a hard look at comparison vs. jealousy, what the differences are, and how fear lies at the bottom of both.

Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 26 of The Action Catalyst.


Unleash the Story Within, with Liana Zavo (Public Relations, Branding, Crisis Management, Reputation)
#491
07/22/2025

Founder & CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group, Liana Zavo, recounts how a college dropout and single mom made the jump from Russia to the US and from the style world to PR, gives a bit of advice for Blake Lively, reveals THE biggest PR mistake people make, how to come down from the ledge of panic in the moment, why authenticity and accountability equals authority, the difference between brand vs. reputation, and what it means to “B.E.P.I.C.”


CLIP: Doing Side / Being Side
07/17/2025

Best-selling author, professor, and leadership expert Ryan Gottfredson distinguishes the doing side vs. the being side of ourselves, what each of those means, and how they contribute to who we are.

And be sure to check out Ryan's original appearance in Episode 317 of The Action Catalyst.


REMASTERED: Putting Feet to Vision, with Jenni Catron (Mindset, Leadership, Personal Development, Self-Improvement)
#26
07/15/2025

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron takes a hard look at “clout killers”, and talks about exchanging fear for truth, comparison vs jealousy, combating a scarcity mentality, the duality of insecurity and pride, and how control means putting power over influence.


CLIP: Understanding Energy and "Performance Zones"
07/10/2025

Klaus Kleinfeld, the former CEO of Siemens and Alcoa and the only leader to have successfully served as CEO of two Fortune 500 companies on different continents, explains why we should be talking about energy instead of productivity, and what it means to staying in your desired "performance zone".

Hear the full interview with Klaus in Episode 490 of The Action Catalyst.


Update: Becoming Better, with Ryan Gottfredson (Mindset, Growth, Healing, Personal Development)
07/08/2025

Best-selling author, professor, and leadership expert Ryan Gottfredson explains how mindsets aren't just attitudes, distinguishes the doing side vs. the being side of ourselves, and talks about gauging your "window of tolerance", the 3 levels of adult development, reaction vs. response, and healing to grow.

And be sure to check out Ryan's original appearance in Episode 317 of The Action Catalyst.


CLIP: Comparison and Contentment
07/03/2025

Author, podcast/radio host, and Certified Financial Coach Rachel Cruze explains why comparison isn't just the thief of joy...it's the thief of your paycheck as well.

Hear Rachel's full interview in Episode 161 of The Action Catalyst.