The Business of Doing Business with Dwayne Kerrigan

At 500 knots each, two F-16s point straight at each other with less than a second to react, one of them upside down. That's the moment Michelle "Mace" Curran walks Dwayne through in Part 2 of this conversation, and it's just the entry point into a masterclass on what she calls "the space between": the pause between feeling fear and deciding what to do with it. In this episode: The near head-on collision during a Thunderbirds training pass, closing at roughly 1,000 mph, missing by what she believes was inches and the split-second decision-making that got both pilots through it Why Michelle earned her call sign "Mace" (Mach at Circle Entry) by accidentally breaking the sound barrier on her second flight in Japan, and how she turned it into a badge of honor The physical disruptor, wiggling her toes, that a flight instructor taught her to break out of over-control and hypervigilance, and the neuroscience behind why it works Why the Thunderbirds' hiring process (40 applicants, 3 spots, a 12-officer interview panel) weighs personality, composure, and preparation over raw technical skill Her "bubble" routine in her third year with the Thunderbirds, strict self-care boundaries that helped her show up better in a public-facing role Why she sees fear as a signal, not a stop sign, and how that reframe applies as much to a hard business call as it does to flying a fighter jet Time Stamps: 00:00 Competence Over Noise 00:33 Welcome Michelle “Mace” Curran 01:32 Imposter Syndrome Pivot 02:53 Bravery And Fear Reframed 07:20 The Space Between 12:03 Near Miss Decision Making 14:54 Physical Disruptors Tool 21:56 Fear Signals In The Body 23:29 High Performance Discipline 29:01 Hiring For Team Traits 33:39 Thunderbirds Selection Process 36:20 Prep Under Pressure 37:13 Working Interview Signals 38:32 Downtime Reveals Drive 39:31 Bias and Perception Checks 41:15 Women in Fighter Aviation 47:13 Media Noise and Unity 50:58 Leading for Bigger Impact 54:56 Self Care for Performance 59:06 Where to Find Michelle 01:00:09 Call Sign and Failure Lessons 01:04:19 Final Thanks Michelle "Mace" Curran is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who flew as a Thunderbirds lead solo and trained the incoming opposing solo pilot during her tenure on the team. Over a 13-year military career she flew combat missions and instrument approaches in extreme conditions, including a station in Misawa, Japan. She is now a keynote speaker and author of the children's book Upside Down Dreams and its sequel centered on fighter pilot call signs, and has written a book exploring fear and decision-making under pressure. She also runs corporate workshops and speaks widely on high performance, fear, and leadership. Connect with Michelle Website: https://macecurran.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macecurran/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

She's the second woman in history to fly lead solo for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and she still describes her early years in a fighter squadron as "classic imposter syndrome." Michelle "Mace" Curran spent years running from failure before she realized what was actually driving her forward, and in this conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, she pulls back the curtain on the debrief culture that rebuilt her confidence — and the messy, control-freak transition from single-seat cockpit to solo entrepreneur. In this episode: How a moment in the bookstore at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum led, four years later, to Michelle's children's book What's Your Call Sign? Why Michelle calls her first Air Force assignment "classic imposter syndrome" — and how she learned to tell the difference between being pulled toward a goal and running from failure Inside the Air Force flight debrief: how "root cause" and a single "lesson learned" sentence turn every flight — successful or not — into a team-wide teaching moment What changed when Michelle transferred to a reserve squadron in Texas right after it had debriefed a near-catastrophic mishap Why leaving the military for entrepreneurship exposed her as, in her words, "a control freak," and what she's doing to build a real team instead of running her business like a one-person cockpit How hitting the USA Today bestseller list with her book The Flip Side actually coincided with a dip in speaking bookings — and the lesson she took from it Time Stamps: 00:00 Imposter Syndrome 00:24 Welcome 00:55 Meet Michelle “Mace” Curran 02:39 Why Kids Books 05:24 From Wisconsin To Jets 06:53 Advice For Parents 09:10 Pull Versus Push 14:48 Japan Pressure Cooker 18:39 Reputation And Legacy 21:25 Finding Your Team Role 23:35 Learning From Mishaps 26:32 Fighter Pilot Debriefs 31:32 Debrief Cadence Matters 32:40 Feedback Without Fear 34:36 Stacking the Odds 36:17 Solo Entrepreneur Shock 39:17 Delegation and Control 43:56 Trust Systems Not People 48:45 Building SOPs and CRM 52:17 Book Launch Reality Check 56:30 Entrepreneurship Fear and Freedom 58:49 Closing and Listener Takeaways Michelle "Mace" Curran is a former U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter who flew as the fifth woman and second woman ever to fly lead solo with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. She left active duty in 2022 after 13 years of service and founded Upside Down Dreams, a speaking, training, and education company. She is the author of three books, including the national bestseller The Flip Side, along with two children's books, Upside Down Dreams and What's Your Call Sign? Resources mentioned: The Flip Side (book) Upside Down Dreams (children's book) What's Your Call Sign? (children's book) Follow The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast for Part 2 of this conversation, and find more from Michelle "Mace" Curran. Connect with Michelle Website: https://macecurran.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macecurran/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

On this episode, Dwayne sits down with Keiron McCammon, host of Spark of Trust podcast, to unpack why that show exists in the first place. It starts with a wrong answer: Keiron went looking for what broke in 2022, blamed social media, and found something underneath it. Trust didn't collapse all at once, it broke in three acts over six decades: first our communities, then our institutions, then our information environment, each one stacking on the last, so no single fix, founder, or organization can repair it alone. Over the next hour and a half, Dwayne and Keiron dig into that unraveling, and why the honest response isn't a solution, it's a signal. Time Stamps: 00:00 Welcome Keiron McCammon - Spark of Trust Podcast 01:36 Why Trust Matters 02:57 Tech Optimism to Disillusion 05:06 From Misinformation to Trust 06:14 Three Acts of Trust 09:54 Spark of Trust Mission 13:47 Community Pillar Questions 17:04 Neya 24:08 Institutions and Business Trust 30:27 Why Small Business Wins 34:20 Earning Trust Locally 35:19 Reimagining Broken Institutions 37:48 Community Care Lost 41:13 New Models in Healthcare 42:51 Building Trustworthy News 45:11 Tech Accelerates Misinformation 48:08 Internet of Humans 51:12 Trustworthy AI and Fiduciary Duty 57:26 Agents Bots and Identity 01:02:07 Optimism and Network Building 01:04:48 Podcast as Information Network 01:08:28 Dream Guests and Mission 01:09:32 From Listeners to Action 01:12:32 Building Trust Communities 01:18:36 Capital and Trust Tech 01:20:20 Mission-Proof Business Models 01:26:20 Honesty Builds Trust 01:28:02 Character and Consumer Power 01:31:53 Closing Reflections If this conversation named something you've been feeling, share it with someone who needs it. And follow the show wherever you listen. It helps the right people find it. Connect with Spark of Trust https://sparkoftrust.com/ https://www.youtube.com/@SparkofTrust https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparkoftrust https://www.instagram.com/sparkoftrust/ https://www.facebook.com/sparkoftrust https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/spark-of-trust/id6807994008 https://open.spotify.com/show/3XYhVqgSkTCGMpUYiRZDAQ?si=befe38707d834864 Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Canada's top female entrepreneur two years running, flying between magazine covers and global stages and privately rocking on the floor with the door locked. Kelsey Kitsch, former CEO of Mind Cure and author of Success Hangover, sits down with Dwayne to unpack the ego that built her empire, the psychedelic experience that dismantled it, and what she found once the striving finally stopped. Content Warning: This episode discusses psychedelics from personal experience. Dwayne and Kelsey explicitly state they are not promoting psychedelics. If you choose to explore this topic, please do thorough research, consult a medical professional, and ensure proper facilitation and integration support.This content is for informational purposes only. This episode also touches on mental health and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7 in both the US and Canada. In this episode: The three conditions Kelsey uses to unlock curiosity and better ideas, novelty, motion, and high emotion, drawn from researcher Mary Helen Immordino-Yang's work Why Kelsey builds weekly goals instead of long-term SMART goals, and how her brother Trent Kitch's annual "goal card" shaped that thinking The battle between her "ego self" and "soul self" that played out over four hours in her first guided psychedelic experience and what was waiting on the other side A breakdown of psychedelic experience levels, from psilocybin and MDMA to ayahuasca, San Pedro, mescaline, and 5-MeO-DMT, and what "set, setting, and sacrament" actually mean Why Dwayne points listeners toward Dr. Dispenza's breathwork program as a non-psychedelic starting point, and the Othership app Kelsey uses The reframe that closes the episode: "We can only feel loved in proportion to how much we're seen, and we can only be seen in proportion to how much we show people of ourselves." Time Stamps: 00:00 Psychedelic Safety Disclaimer 00:42 Mett Kelsey Kitsch 03:30 Reinvention in a Changing World 05:13 Curiosity as a Career Compass 08:23 Play Framework for Creativity 16:34 Pattern Interrupts and Choice 19:48 Expectations Goals and Targets 30:23 Funeral Mindset and Daily Meaning 33:44 Opening Up About Psychedelics 35:32 Hustle Identity 36:31 Success Yet Empty 37:54 First Guided Journey 38:52 Sufficiency After Silence 41:15 Safety And Legality 42:22 Psychedelic Levels 44:44 Set Setting Integration 48:29 Breathwork Alternative 51:20 Beyond Woo Woo 59:39 Curiosity Over Protocol 01:03:10 Operating System Reset 01:04:58 Ego Versus Soul 01:10:04 Seen To Be Loved 01:13:01 Closing Remarks About Kelsey Kitsch: Kelsey Kitsch is a Canadian entrepreneur recognized as the country's top female entrepreneur two years in a row and named to Canadian Business' Top 25 Under 35 and the Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network's Top 200 Globally. She started in construction at 15 in her father's business, later becoming President of Belvedere Place Development before founding Spark Play. She is the author of Success Hangover, delivered the TED Talk "Play Is the New PhD," and previously served as CEO of Mind Cure, a psychedelic-focused mental health company. She is now the founder of Paramont Love, focused on intimacy intelligence. Resources mentioned: Book: Success Hangover by Kelsey Kitsch TED Talk: "Play Is the New PhD" by Kelsey Kitsch Connect with Kelsey Kitsch: https://www.kelseykitsch.com/ Linked In Connect: Follow The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast for a new episode each week, and follow Kelsey Kitsch's ongoing work in intimacy intelligence at Paramont Love Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Kelsey Kitsch was Canada's number one female entrepreneur two years in a row. She was on the cover of magazines, speaking at global economic forums, and building multimillion-dollar companies. She was also sitting on the floor of her locked office, in the darkest period of her life, wondering why none of it felt like anything. In Part 1 of this conversation, she and Dwayne explore what happens when the life you built no longer fits — and what it takes to build a new one from the inside out. In this episode: The three-factor brain state that produces your best ideas — novelty, motion, and high emotion — drawn from Mary Helen Imordino-Yang's research, and why Kelsey's most creative moments happen driving fast with the windows down in a place she doesn't know Why most people set goals wrong: Kelsey's case for short-term weekly goals anchored to a long-term direction, and why the deeper question isn't "what do I want to achieve?" but "who do I want to be when I get there?" Kelsey's experience with guided psychedelic therapy — the four-hour ego vs. soul battle she audio-taped during her first journey, and what it felt like to experience sufficiency for the first time: just being, without striving or driving or winning Why woo-woo is a category problem, not an evidence problem — and how Kelsey frames breathwork and psychedelics the same way: repeatable patterns that produce consistent results, regardless of whether the mechanism is fully explained yet The Othership breathwork app and Dr. Joe Dispenza's Marco Island program as non-invasive entry points for anyone curious about expanded states but not ready for psychedelics The single most important insight Kelsey has learned about love and being human: we can only feel loved in proportion to how much we're seen, and we can only be seen in proportion to how much we show of ourselves. Content Warning: This episode discusses psychedelics from personal experience. Dwayne and Kelsey explicitly state they are not promoting psychedelics. If you choose to explore this topic, please do thorough research, consult a medical professional, and ensure proper facilitation and integration support.This content is for informational purposes only. This episode also touches on mental health and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7 in both the US and Canada. Episode Highlights (audio): 00:00 - Psychedelic Safety Disclaimer 00:42 - Podcast Intro 01:13 - Meet Kelsey Kitsch 03:28 - Reinvention in a Changing World 05:13 - Staying Curious to Pivot 08:23 - Creativity Formula - Three Factors 16:34 - Pattern Interrupts and Choice 19:48 - Expectations Goals and the Golf Metaphor 25:16 - Identity Driven Targets and Daily Intentions 30:23 - Mortality Mindset and Showing Up Fully 33:43 - Opening the Psychedelics Conversation 34:32 - Driven to Deliver 36:31 - Success Yet In Crisis 37:54 - First Guided Journey 38:52 - Quiet Mind Breakthrough 41:15 - Safety and Legality 42:22 - Psychedelic Levels 101 44:44 - Set Setting Integration 48:29 - Breathwork Alternative 51:20 - Debunking Woo Woo 57:15 - Curiosity Beyond Protocols and Unknowns 01:04:58 - Ego vs Soul Battle 01:10:04 - Seen Known Loved 01:13:01 - Closing and Disclaimers Resources mentioned: Success Hangover — Kelsey Kitsch’s book TED Talk: Play Is the New PhD — Kelsey Kitsch MINDCURE — psychedelic drug research company Kelsey co-founded Overcoming Adversity: A Journey to Self-Alignment and Impactful Entrepreneurship with Sophia Plank Part 2: Finding Balance: The Intersection of Self-Reflection and Business Growth with Sophia Plank About Kelsey Kitsch: Kelsey Kitsch is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and founder who was twice named Canada's top female entrepreneur by PROFIT and Chatelaine. She built and led multiple multimillion-dollar companies including Belvedere Place Development, co-founded MINDCURE (a psychedelic drug research company), and is now the founder of Paramount Love (https://paramountlove.com/), focused on intimacy intelligence. She is the author of Success Hangover (published as Kelsey Ramsden) and has given a TED Talk titled Play Is the New PhD. Connect with Kelsey Kitsch: https://www.kelseykitsch.com/ Linked In Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Kate Bradley Chernis spent over a decade figuring out how to use sound to make strangers feel like friends. At Sirius/XM, she was building 200-layer audio files for 30-second commercials. Next, she was infusing radio theory into a generative AI platform before most people knew what generative AI was. Now at Backline EQ, she's using the same instinct, that sound tells you things a transcript never could, to engineer human connection at scale. This conversation covers all of it: the neuroscience, the pivots, and the parts of the journey she rarely shares out loud. In this episode: The theater of the mind and why it's the foundation of trust: when your brain constructs the story rather than receiving it passively, it taps into nostalgia, memory, and emotion — the three keystones of why we buy, connect, and believe Why your eyes lie but your ears don't — Kate's case that sound is the most honest and hardest-to-trick human sense, and what that means for AI tools that rely entirely on transcripts The "rules of radio" Kate embedded into Lately's AI — word choices like "remember" versus "don't forget" that trigger different emotional responses, drawn from her training in the neuroscience of music and parasocial connection How Backline EQ outperformed the Microsoft/IBM/Google industry-standard language model (MFCC) by 70% in measuring team fit — using voice patterns alone, without transcription Kate's vulnerable disclosure about a difficult period in her life after eleven years building a company and how her mother's reminder that she was a prodigy at six became the unexpected anchor that helped her begin again The investor who finally told her to stop inventing something new and just make existing technology better and how that single pivot made everything easier for the first time in over a decade Content Warning: This episode includes a brief discussion of suicidal ideation. The conversation is handled with care and context, but we want our listeners to be prepared. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7 in both the US and Canada. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Podcast Welcome and Content Warning 00:17 - Sound Design Obsession 01:20 - Meet Kate Bradley Chernis 03:32 - Kinder Egg Smuggling Story 04:13 - From Radio to AI 05:56 - Theater of the Mind 10:23 - Why Sound Builds Trust 12:36 - Building Lately Secret Sauce 15:23 - Voice Control and Trust 21:18 - Staying Human in AI 28:58 - Leaving XM and Starting Up 34:27 - Early Genius, Confidence and Reinvention 36:26 - Self Love and Authenticity 38:38 - Imposter Syndrome Scale 39:15 - Resume Exercise for Confidence 42:29 - Trusting Your Gut 44:10 - Loneliness and Standing Up 47:05 - Entrepreneurship Lessons 52:05 - Rebuilding The Village 56:19 - Backline EQ Pivot 01:01:37 - Patterns and the Bridge 01:06:49 - Collecting Data the Hard Way 01:09:56 - Sound As A Force 01:11:22 - Return on Collisions 01:13:20 - Saying No and Self Care 01:16:57 - Closing Thanks and Outro Resources mentioned: This Is Your Brain on Music — Daniel Levitin The Art of the Start — Guy Kawasaki Backline EQ Live Conversations — Kate's audio salons, every other Thursday at 2:00 PM Eastern MFCC (Mel-frequency cepstral coefficients) — industry language model standard Kate's technology was benchmarked against Quotes: “Your eyes lie. They can lie to you, but sound doesn't.” - Kate Bradley Chernis “Often people will focus so much on their life condition rather than, "No, I'm here for a reason. I just need to maybe alter the blueprint." That doesn't mean lower your expectations, it just may mean shift your standards. Shift the way you're gonna get there, timeline, trajectory.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “You have to start measuring. You have to start collecting data.” - Kate Bradley Chernis “I can make people I can't see feel like they belong. It's more than that. I can make you feel like with a conversation that is either as powerful or more powerful than if we were eye to eye in real life. That's how transcendent sound is. There's a magic there that is, well, it's magical. It's fantastical.” - Kate Bradley Chernis “Entrepreneurship's f***ing hard. This is a gladiator sport. And there is no substitute for the constant and never-ending courage that you need to have inside this, this arena.” - Dwayne Kerrigan About Kate Bradley Chernis: Kate Bradley Chernis is an early Generative AI visionary who co-founded the first closed-data, proprietary machine learning and natural language processing platform in 2014. She is the co-founder and CEO of the Backline Network, which uses curated audio-only salons to capture real-time conversational dynamics and convert them into AI that predicts and engineers group chemistry at scale. Before her career in AI, Kate spent over a decade as a rock 'n' roll radio DJ, serving 20 million listeners daily as Music Director and on-air host at Sirius/XM. An early prototype of her technology delivered Walmart a 130% ROI year-over-year for three years. Connect with Kate Bradley Chernis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebradley Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

What happens when the business you built becomes too dependent on you to keep growing? Mark Bradley, Founder and Chairman of LeanScaper and author of the newly released The Landscaper’s Operating System: Build a Landscape Company That Runs Without You, joins Dwayne Kerrigan for Part Two of a conversation about one of the most important transitions an entrepreneur can make: moving from being the person who runs everything to becoming the leader who builds a company capable of running without them. Mark draws on decades of experience building, scaling, and evolving businesses to break down the disciplines that separate growth from sustainable scale. He shares why strong systems and processes matter, how a CEO’s role must change as the company grows, and why the ability to prioritize, protect your time, and develop capable people becomes increasingly critical at every stage. The conversation also gets into Mark’s relentless approach to learning — seeking out experts, asking better questions, openly measuring progress, and refusing to let past success become a reason to stop improving. For Mark, better businesses are built by leaders willing to continuously evolve themselves alongside the organization. That philosophy has shaped each chapter of his career. Mark scaled TBG Landscape from a backyard operation into one of North America’s Top 100 landscape contractors before co-founding LMN in 2009, creating the business-management software he wished had existed while running his own company. Today, he is continuing that mission through LeanScaper, helping landscape business owners build stronger operations, better teams, greater profitability, and businesses that no longer rely on the owner to solve every problem. His new book, The Landscaper’s Operating System, takes that mission even further, distilling decades of hard-earned lessons into a framework for owners who want to step out of the bottleneck and build a company designed to perform beyond them. If you are trying to scale a business, lead at a higher level, or create something that does not require your constant involvement to succeed, this is a conversation worth revisiting. You can access Mark's book here: https://book.leanscaper.com/ Time Stamps: [00:00] Introduction [01:24] Preframing the Landscape Industry [02:15] Creating Software for the Landscape Industry [10:22] Asking for Mentorship and Luck [13:53] Mental Shifts in Transitioning to Software [17:40] Overcoming Personal Overwhelm [19:22] Impact of Personal Goals on Business Success [21:57] Journey to Losing 140lbs [24:05] Advice to Younger Self [29:26] Initiating Landscape Management Network (LMN) [37:13] Keys to Business Success [43:00] Innovating Your Business Model [50:50] The Importance of Being Feedback-Oriented [53:25] The Role of Progress in Success [1:01:45] Scaling from 1M to 30M in Revenue [1:11:36] A Day in the Life of a CEO [1:18:00] Thanks and Connecting with Mark Bradley [1:20:08] Closing Remarks and Disclaimer Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

What does it take to build a business that is profitable, principled, and strong enough to scale? Mark Bradley, Founder and Chairman of LeanScaper and author of the newly released The Landscaper’s Operating System: Build a Landscape Company That Runs Without You, joins Dwayne Kerrigan for Part One of a wide-ranging conversation on the decisions, disciplines, and operating principles that helped shape his career. Mark’s path was anything but conventional. After leaving the nuclear industry, he entered landscaping and began building what would eventually become TBG Landscape, growing it from a backyard operation into one of North America’s Top 100 landscape contractors. Along the way, he developed a distinctly operator-driven approach to business — one built around understanding the numbers, choosing the right customers, investing in great people, and refusing to compromise on the standards required to build something sustainable. In this conversation, Mark explains why not every customer is a good customer, why strong businesses need healthy margins, and why paying exceptional employees exceptionally well can become a competitive advantage rather than a cost to control. He also breaks down the importance of clear goals, disciplined budgeting, job costing, and measuring productivity so that business decisions are driven by facts rather than instinct. At the heart of Mark’s philosophy is a simple idea: a better business should create better outcomes for everyone involved. Better customers create healthier margins. Healthier margins allow you to invest in better people. Better people deliver better work. And when the entire system is aligned, growth becomes far more sustainable. That operating mindset eventually led Mark to co-found LMN in 2009 after recognizing that the business-management software his own landscape company needed simply did not exist. What began as a solution to an internal problem grew into technology used throughout the landscape industry. Today, Mark continues that mission through LeanScaper, helping landscape business owners strengthen their operations, improve profitability, build more capable teams, and create businesses that are less dependent on the owner. His new book, The Landscaper’s Operating System, brings together decades of those lessons into a practical framework for owners who want to build stronger companies with greater clarity, discipline, and independence. If you are building a company and want to understand the fundamentals beneath sustainable growth — the customers you choose, the people you hire, the numbers you measure, and the standards you refuse to compromise — this conversation is a powerful place to start. You can access Mark's book FREE here: https://book.leanscaper.com/ Time Stamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:35] Mark Bradley: TBG Landscaping Journey [01:38] Starting a Business: Mark's Story [07:34] Acquiring First Customers: Strategies [13:17] Business Evolution: Landscaping Today [14:03] Replicating Business Success: Insights [18:41] Targeting Ideal Customers [23:59] Maximizing Revenue Per Hour [27:15[ Mindset: Abundance vs Scarcity [29:33] Financial Management: Budgeting Tips [32:55] Crafting a Solid Business Plan [37:00] Preserving Company Culture During Growth [42:10] Leadership's Role in Business Success [46:06] Setting Strategic Business Goals [47:53] Implementing Goals Across Your Team [51:39] Earning Based on Results: A Business Philosophy [54:54] Transition from Landscaping to Software Development [57:20] Emphasizing the Role of Education in Business [1:00:18] Entering the Software Industry: A New Venture [1:06:48] Mindset Shifts for Software Business Success [1:07:27] Announcement: 2 Part Podcast Series [1:07:54] Future Podcast Topics Discussion [1:09:00] Finding Industry Mentors [1:10:33] Youthful Entrepreneurship: Learning the Ropes [1:12:12] Tailoring Advice to Fit Your Business [1:13:55] Closing Remarks and Contact Information Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

This episode is a re-release and features Phil M. Jones, a successful entrepreneur and speaker, who brings to light the significance of mastering pivotal conversational moments in sales and customer service for business success. Join us as we delve into strategies for overcoming and preventing customer objections, understanding decision-making processes, and enhancing customer journeys in diverse industries. We explore the necessity of identifying critical moments in a customer's journey, tailoring compensation to motivate sales teams, and the impact of mindset on professional growth. Phil provides practical advice on setting targets, using direct rewards, and resources for further learning in sales and business strategy. An entrepreneurial success story and founder of 5 multimillion dollar companies, Phil M Jones is a strategic Advisor to pioneering leaders of the world’s biggest brands. The author of 7 best-selling books including the “Exactly” Book Series with over 2 million copies sold, he is the Producer of the “Most Listened To” Audiobook of all time and Innovator of the highly coveted “How to Persuade” audible production. To date, more than 800 different industries, across 59 countries and 5 continents, have benefited from his input. Phil recently joined a long list of global leaders who serve in residence at High Point University’s Access to Innovators Program. The program at HPU connects students with industry leaders for networking and mentorship opportunities. He joins Apple Co-Founder Steve Wozniak, Netflix Co-Founder Marc Randolph and many others. For more info on Phil M. Jones; https://www.philmjones.com/ or https://exactlywhattosay.com/ Check Out Phil’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Phil-M-Jones/author/B0097DKWP4?qid=1510658902&sr=8-1&ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [00:38] Phil Jones Background [05:02] "Exactly What to Say" Overview [08:32] Mastering the Art of Asking [13:41] Effective Communication Strategies [18:01] Achieving Results vs. Being Right [24:30] Traits of Successful Salespeople [28:43] Enhancing Customer Experience [31:45] Sales Training Fundamentals [32:35] Mastering Product Knowledge [37:15] Developing Sales Skills [39:45] Cultivating the Right Attitude [41:01] Ideal Sales Training Schedule [49:15] Encapsulating Excellence in Sales [51:30] Embracing Discomfort in Sales Training [1:02:05] Critical Business Moments [1:20:58] Preventing Sales Objections [1:40:30] Connecting with Phil M Jones [1:42:25] Outro Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessofdoingbusinessdk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessofdoingbusinessdk/ Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Business of Doing Business are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Business of Doing Business is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Andrew Pancholi doesn't hedge his calls. In Part 2 of his conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, the cycles analyst behind Market Timing Report lays out exactly where he thinks gold and oil are headed next — the kind of specific, put-your-name-on-it targets most analysts avoid — plus the one year already circled on his calendar for the next real market correction, and why the pullbacks along the way are buying opportunities, not warning signs. Using research that traces back nearly a century, Andy breaks down which years tend to run hot, which tend to break, and the one he's watching most closely right now. Dwayne and Andy also dig into digital currency, BRICS, and whether replacing the US dollar would really just be a way to wipe out national debt — and Andy shares how a historical pattern tied to the Dust Bowl era points toward a coming boom in grain and commodity markets. Episode Time Stamps: 00:00 Cycles Love Or Hate 00:22 Welcome Back Andrew Pancholi 01:23 Digital Currency Questions 03:40 Crypto Value And BRICS 05:06 AI Bots and Cycle Speed 07:01 NFTs Bitcoin and Scrutiny 09:55 Debt Reset and History 11:41 Future Of Money Risks 14:50 Market Timing Report 18:28 Risk Management Trading Edge 24:00 Market Outlook and Year Cycles 31:10 Gold Oil and Commodity Boom 34:22 Mississippi Grain Crunch 36:08 Gold Cycles Explained 36:53 Why Cycles Matter 40:54 Gold Targets and Pullbacks 42:56 Cycles vs Technicals 45:45 AI and Modern Warfare 53:13 Using AI for Research 58:14 Upside of AI Progress 01:01:28 Detaching From Tech 01:02:46 Where to Find Andrew 01:04:21 Final Takeaways and Wrap Guest bio: Andrew Pancholi is the founder and CEO of The Market Timing Report, a global macro research service used by professional investors and portfolio managers to identify risk windows and periods of asymmetric opportunity. For over 40 years, he has forecast turning points in markets including the S&P 500, gold, oil, and Bitcoin using time cycle analysis built on the methods of W.D. Gann, Edward Dewey, and Ralph Elliott. He is co-author of the bestselling book Zero Hour with Harry S. Dent Jr. and a board member of the Foundation for the Study of Cycles. Before market timing, Andrew spent decades as a senior pilot for a major flag carrier airline, including roles as Training Captain and Training Standards Captain. Resources mentioned: Find Andrew Pancholi's daily cycle updates and forecasts at www.markettimingreport.com or on YouTube at Market Timing Report https://www.youtube.com/@markettimingreport https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpancholi/ https://www.facebook.com/markettimingcyclesanalysis/ Instagram @andrew.pancholi Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In January 1981, American hostages were released from Iran within hours of Reagan's inauguration. Forty-five years later — to within 30 hours — Andrew Pancholi told his subscribers an Iran conflict was about to begin. He was right. This is not luck. It’s mathematics — and in this conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, Andrew breaks down exactly how cycle analysis works, what it's telling us about real estate, geopolitics, and the global economy right now, and what business owners and investors should be doing with that information. In Part 1 of this episode: The 18.6-year real estate cycle: why we are currently at the same position in the cycle as 2007 — just before the Global Financial Crisis — and what the smart money did last time, and what to do now The 100-year pandemic cycle — how Spanish flu, cholera, and COVID all followed the same pattern, and why Andrew saw COVID coming The 90-year geopolitical cycle: how the polarization, rise of nationalism, anti-immigration sentiment, and challenges to global order we're seeing now mirror the 1930s decade almost exactly — including the economic conditions that led to the rise of fascism The 250-year empire cycle — America at a tipping point, the petrodollar's quiet expiry, and China's strategic expansion while the West was distracted Why Andrew predicted the Israel-Iran conflict to within 30 hours — the convergence of a 45-year cycle, a 90-year cycle, and a 36-year cycle, and why Netanyahu's personal history from the 1976 Entebbe raid has driven his policy decisions in Gaza and Lebanon The AI boom through the lens of cycles — why every major boom is fueled by new technology, and whether the return on investment can justify what's going in. Note: This conversation is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please consult a qualified financial professional before making any investment decisions. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Hidden Patterns Teaser 00:30 - Podcast Intro Setup 01:03 - Meet Andrew Pancholi 04:39 - Why Cycles Matter 07:06 - Real Estate Cycle 08:44 - Big Cycles 2029 Risk 12:15 - What Should We Do 15:38 - Seven Year Life Cycles 19:43 - Forecasting Iran Conflict 24:25 - Pandemic Cycle Evidence 29:29 - Boom Signals And Technology 35:45 - Real Estate Action Steps 40:09 - Timing the Property Cycle 41:38 - Strategy Over FOMO 43:25 - Cycle Experts and Herd Signals 45:53 - Geopolitics in 90 Years 48:44 - The 250 Year Empire Shift 58:11 - Petrodollar and BRICS Challenge 01:06:21 - China’s Resource Playbook 01:11:38 - War Outlook Russia Ukraine Taiwan 01:15:31 - What to Watch Next 01:18:01 - Wrap Up and Disclaimers Resources mentioned: Zero Hour — book by Andrew Pancholi and Harry S. Dent Jr. The Secret Life of Real Estate and Banking — book by Philip Anderson The Secret Wealth Advantage — book by Akhil Patel The Art of War — book by Sun Tzu The Market Timing Report — markettimingreport.com Quotes: “The minute you start a conflict, a physical conflict, you have lost the war.” - Andrew Pancholi “The markets are an indication of the psychology of the world. That's the way I've always been trained and always looked at it, is that it is gonna give you what the psychology of the world is looking at things from a economic standpoint.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ If you don't have to buy, keep saving, 'cause the chances are the house prices will come down, and then when we get to about 2031, 2032, that might be a good time to start looking.” - Andrew Pancholi “ Religious texts, philosophical texts, they all hide mathematical patterns within them. There is something secret hidden away. I mean, it's an open secret if you go and study it, but there are some patterns and years, certain mathematical patterns that do repeat in the bigger picture.” - Andrew Pancholi “ I put the, uh, message out on the Thursday evening to our subscribers saying, "This is gonna kick off, uh, I believe on tomorrow or, or Saturday," and it actually happened on Saturday. So depending on where you are in the world, it was maximum 30 hours out.” - Andrew Pancholi Andrew Pancholi is the founder and CEO of The Market Timing Report, a global macro research service used by professional investors, portfolio managers, and family offices to identify risk windows and periods of asymmetric opportunity. For over 40 years, he has forecast turning points in markets including the S&P 500, gold, oil, and Bitcoin using time cycle analysis built on the methods of W.D. Gann, Edward Dewey, and Ralph Elliott. He is co-author of the bestselling book Zero Hour with Harry S. Dent Jr. and a board member of the Foundation for the Study of Cycles. Before market timing, Andrew spent decades as a senior pilot for a major flag carrier airline, including roles as Training Captain and Training Standards Captain. Connect with Andrew Pancholi: https://andrewpancholi.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewpancholi/ The Market Timing Report — markettimingreport.com Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most business owners think getting a call from private equity is the finish line. Brian Will says that's exactly when you're most at risk. In Part 2, Brian delivers the frameworks that took him three exits and decades of hard lessons to build — from the five keys to success (which are also the five keys to failure) to what private equity firms will do to your earn-out if you're not paying attention. In this episode: The five keys to success — and why every single one is also a key to failure Why your business is not your product — it's the business inside the business: marketing, data, systems, and the ability to put any product through a machine that finds customers and converts them The private equity playbook most sellers never see coming: how an $80 million deal became $60 million, why earn-out structures based on EBITDA are almost always a trap, and why you must never let a PE firm take over your accounting Brian's AI workflow — three screens, three AI models (Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude, which he calls Jake, Elwood, and Jeff), and the one prompt he uses to make sure they challenge him Why you should stop chasing advice from billionaires — and find someone exactly ten steps ahead of you, fresh out of the game, who's made mistakes at your level recently enough to still remember what they felt like Living Forever AI: Brian's current startup building interactive AI twins for personal legacy, professional use, and homeschooling — and why he's bootstrapping it while competitors have raised $20 million. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Escape the Commodity Trap 00:30 - Podcast Intro and Setup 01:30 - Five Keys to Success 01:50 - Key One Strong: Why 02:25 - Keys Two and Three 04:38 - Key Four: Check Ego 05:25 - Key Five: Master P&L 07:33 - KPIs and Pattern Forecasting 09:54 - Pricing and Testing 13:14 - Business Is a Data Game 14:59 - AI for Financial Analysis 16:49 - Living Forever AI Twins 20:37 - Experience Meets AI 23:56 - AI Jobs and Media Fear 29:36 - Why Start at 60 31:07 - Proving It Again 31:52 - Builder Not Manager 32:43 - Exit Strategy Reality 34:51 - Private Equity Earnouts 39:43 - How PE Rollups Work 44:02 - Structuring Safer Earnouts 45:44 - Post Acquisition Lessons 49:52 - Business Beyond Product 55:28 - Using AI As Advisors 57:52 - Stop Chasing Billionaires 01:00:49 - Final Advice And Wrap Resources mentioned: Dropout Multimillionaire, No: The Psychology of Sales and Negotiations, The Invisible Multimillionaire, I Give the Dumb Kids Hope — Brian Will's books Living Forever AI — Brian Will's current company: https://livingforeverai.com/ brianwillmedia.com — Brian Will's website ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude — Brian's three AI models, running simultaneously for business planning and analysis The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey Quotes: “ If you are a commodity business, the only way for you to win is to chase pricing down to the bottom until you can't make money.” - Brian Will “ I did a company, literally 32 marketing channels, and when I did the analysis, nine of those channels were unprofitable. Nine. And they represented 20% of their spend, their marketing spend.” - Brian Will “ And at some point, I started questioning me. I've been doing this consulting thing and telling people what to do for 20 years. I wonder if I actually know what I'm talking about.” - Brian Will “ Wherever you feel, you know, some angst around something, and this could be anywhere in your life, I think it's really important that you lean into it and realize that that angst is, is not there for you to pull back from anything. It's actually for you to lean into something, and there's something that you don't yet know.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Stop chasing the advice of billionaires, because they can't help you.” - Brian Will About Brian Will: Brian Will is a serial entrepreneur, two-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and business consultant who has founded or co-founded ten companies across four industries, with combined valuations exceeding half a billion dollars. He is a two-time TEDx speaker and the author of four books including Dropout Multimillionaire and No: The Psychology of Sales and Negotiations. Currently, Brian is the CEO of Living Forever AI and runs a coaching and consulting practice helping entrepreneurs master the core metrics, sales systems, and processes that drive sustainable growth. Connect with Brian Will: https://brianwillmedia.com/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Brian Will has owned 10 companies across five industries, made three exits worth over $500 million, and written four books — including two Wall Street Journal bestsellers. None of it was handed to him and the odds were very much against him. In this conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, Brian unpacks the frameworks behind his success: the personal filter, the success ladder, and the $80 million decision he almost said no to. In this episode: The "I'm in" moment: Brian's business partner Steve asked him to borrow $66,000 more after nine months of zero revenue and $500,000 in losses — Brian's accountant, CMO, and COO all quit before he finally said yes, and the company sold for $80 million just 18 months later Why "failure leads to success" is a myth Brian calls out directly — it's learning from failure that leads to success, and most people skip that step entirely The success ladder framework: Brian started at step zero with no education, no backing, and no mentors — and why the only two ways to climb are to learn every painful lesson yourself or find someone who's already done it The personal filter concept: everything you've ever heard, read, and experienced creates a subconscious filter that accepts or rejects new information — and why people who seem to have the Midas touch aren't lucky, their brain just knows how to recognize success How Brian's abusive childhood created what he calls the "anger box" — and how that same fuel, once controlled, became his most powerful sales and leadership tool Why three years of counseling after his divorce was the moment he realized the only person he was still trying to prove anything to was himself Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Keep Moving Forward 00:15 - Podcast Intro 00:47 - Meet Brian Will 02:53 - Dumb Kids Hope Story 04:40 - Military Discipline Lessons 08:30 - Abuse, Anger, and Trauma 12:28 - Anger Box Control 13:35 - Learning From Failure 17:04 - Mentorship Strategy 17:59 - Steve and the Big Bet 19:40 - All In Decision 20:38 - Breakthrough and Exit 22:36 - Ego Surrender and Trust 26:46 - Vulnerability and Divorce 32:20 - Drowning Mind in Books 34:30 - Who Steve Was 35:27 - Equity Swap Origin Story 39:23 - Email Marketing Gold Rush 41:10 - Success Filter Framework 46:05 - Wrap Up and Next Episode Resources mentioned: I Give the Dumb Kids Hope, Dropout Multimillionaire, No: The Psychology of Sales and Negotiations, and The Invisible Multimillionaire — Brian Will’s books How to Win Friends and Influence People — Dale Carnegie book Master Key to Riches — Napoleon Hill book The E-Myth Revisited — Michael Gerber book Blink — Malcolm Gladwell book Rich Dad Poor Dad — Robert Kiyosaki book Living Forever AI — Brian Will's current company: https://livingforeverai.com/ Quotes: “ Failure does not lead to success, ever, never, ever, ever. Learning from failure leads to success, and that's the thing that a lot of people don't do, especially in business.” - Brian Will “ In 60 days, we hit our first offer. We did $6 million, then 20, then 30, and then sold the company for $80 million 18 months later.” - Brian Will “ The only person that still thinks, or in my case, still thought that I was that kid laying in the yard crying after I got beat up by my stepdad was me. I was the guy that I did, I had to prove something to.” - Brian Will “ Failure will be inevitable at some point, and learning is optional." - Dwayne Kerrigan “ It's your personal filter that will determine whether you succeed or fail in life.” - Brian Will “ Most of the time, they quit right before they're about to make a breakthrough. That's just a fact.” - Brian Will About Brian Will: Brian Will is a serial entrepreneur, two-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and business consultant who has founded or co-founded ten companies across four industries, with combined valuations exceeding half a billion dollars. He is a two-time TEDx speaker and the author of four books including Dropout Multimillionaire and No: The Psychology of Sales and Negotiations. Currently, Brian is the CEO of Living Forever AI and runs a coaching and consulting practice helping entrepreneurs master the core metrics, sales systems, and processes that drive sustainable growth. Connect with Brian Will: https://brianwillmedia.com/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Sean Barry's team used to spend six months building a feature. Now they build it in two to three weeks. In Part 2, Sean and Dwayne move from the AI transformation inside LeanScaper to the bigger picture: what the software industry looks like in twelve months, why autonomous cars and AI adoption are fundamentally different problems, and what it actually means to participate in this change rather than spectate. In this episode: Why the software industry is facing a potential 50-80% company turnover in the next 12-18 months — and why it's simultaneously the best time to be a consumer of technology and the most terrifying time to be building it The voice and ambient AI future that Sean sees arriving in the next 12 months: screens shrinking from 98% of the interface to 60%, then 20%, as conversational AI replaces the need to navigate software at all Why AI adoption is fundamentally different from autonomous car adoption — when the choice is 150 hours of your time versus 5 hours with AI, it's not a choice your employer gives you, it's a choice that gets made for you How AI can lift wages across entire workforces by removing waste from businesses — Sean's case that the real gift of AI isn't productivity, it's the ability to pay people more Sean's closing philosophy on AI and empathy: the sentiment is largely negative because people aren't participating, and the antidote isn't optimism — it's getting informed, then helping others do the same Start building your identity with Dwayne’s Identity Framework created for the LeanScaper Conference: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/identity-framework/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Be Informed About AI 00:25 - Podcast Intro 01:26 - Shipping Faster With AI 05:55 - Producing What Was Impossible 09:52 - Keeping Pace With Change 11:01 - AI’s Growth Curve 12:11 - Voice First Interfaces 16:54 - Future Of Software SaaS 21:16 - Build Vs Buy For SMBs 25:23 - Leverage Expertise With AI 27:31 - Does It Ever Normalize 31:12 - Autonomous cars 35:35 - Removing Waste Raising Wages 37:32 - Robotics And Scarcity 42:16 - How We Treat AI 46:12 - Participate With Empathy 51:12 - Closing And Disclaimers Resources mentioned: LeanScaper — AI operating system for the landscape industry Lana — LeanScaper's AI agent Mark Bradley — founder and chairman of LeanScaper Claude Code — referenced by Dwayne as the platform he used for his planned 10-week AI course for his staff and their families Lovable — referenced as a tool enabling small business owners to build their own apps Eleven Labs / Cartesia — referenced in context of voice AI development OpenClaw agents and Jarvis — referenced by Dwayne in context of his own AI setup Tesla / Waymo — referenced in autonomous vehicle comparison Anthropic — referenced re: recursive self-improvement blog post released day of recording Paul Akers’s episode on The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast — referenced regarding eliminating business waste: Episode 135: The Lean Maniac: Paul Akers on Eliminating Waste Quotes: “ This isn't a choice. Like, people who think this is a choice aren't paying attention. Back to what I said before, this happens either to you or with you.” - Sean Barry “ What we accomplished in that two, three weeks would have taken us six months.” - Sean Barry “ I honestly think it's normalizing already, and I have a wonderful wife who, who grounds me in these things because as well I'm like, "Man, if we're not go, go, go, like, we're gonna be left behind." And her very nuanced understanding of people, way better than I have, is like change takes time and people need time.” - Sean Barry “ Nobody likes uncertainty, but that's where all the growth lies, is in your uncomfort.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ We can help an industry transform the lives of its entire workforce because we can take all of the waste out, and then all of a sudden there's enough money to really pay people well.” - Sean Barry About Sean Barry: Sean Barry is the Chief Product Officer at LeanScaper, an AI operating system and business community built specifically for the landscape and snow contracting industry. He brings nearly two decades of product and digital leadership experience, including almost four years at LMN (Landscape Management Network) — the landscape industry's leading business management platform — where he rose from SVP of Product to Chief Product Officer. Before entering the green industry, Sean spent 14 years at Laughlin Constable, a Milwaukee-based agency, where he built his career from Lead Engineer to SVP of Digital, Account and Innovation. He is currently at the forefront of applying AI to real-world business operations for contractors. Connect with Sean Barry: https://leanscaper.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbarry/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In January, 95% of the code Sean Barry's team wrote was written by hand. Six months later, that number is 2%. Sean isn't predicting what AI will do to your industry — he's living it, building it, and losing sleep over it. In this conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, Sean Barry - the Chief Product Officer of LeanScaper - shares what the AI transformation actually looks like from the inside: the grief, the identity crisis, the compounding flywheel effect, and the window that's closing faster than most people realize. In this episode: Why most small to mid-sized businesses can't implement AI on their own — and what LeanScaper is doing about it for the landscape industry The compounding flywheel effect: why companies that embrace AI now may be uncatchable by competitors who wait six months The emotional journey Sean's team went through when AI fundamentally changed their jobs overnight — and what's on the other side Why the most powerful AI asset in your business might already be sitting in a drawer somewhere The one thing Sean tells every business owner who doesn't know where to start Why the resistance to AI — in boardrooms, on campuses, and inside teams — all traces back to the same root cause Start building your identity with Dwayne’s Identity Framework created for the LeanScaper Conference: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/identity-framework/ Episode Highlights: 00:00 - AI Pace Shift 00:27 - Podcast Intro 00:59 - Meet Sean Barry 03:33 - LeanScaper Explained 04:33 - DIY AI Struggle 08:28 - Jobs Fear vs Abundance 14:46- Human Connection Premium 17:08 - Mindset, Education, and Retraining 25:57 - How to Start Using AI 30:36 - SOPs as Superpower 36:00 - Uncatchable Flywheel 43:43 - Grief and Identity Shift 53:26 - What Changed Since January 58:14 - New Team Workflow Rebuilt 01:00:51 - Wrap Up and Stay Tuned for Next Episode Resources mentioned: LeanScaper — AI operating system for the landscape industry LMN (Landscape Management Network) — landscape industry business management software Mark Bradley — Chairman and founder of LeanScaper Lana — LeanScaper's AI agent ChatGPT — referenced as starting point for AI adoption Claude / Anthropic — cited as the inflection point in AI coding capability that changed everything in late 2024 Claude Code — referenced as coding tool Codex — referenced as AI coding resource GitHub Copilot / Microsoft Copilot — referenced in context of AI coding history Figma — referenced as design tool being replaced by AI-assisted coding OpenClaw agents — referenced by Dwayne as agents running in his own setup Quotes: “ Your choice is not whether or not this happens, your choice is whether it happens with you or to you, and that's the choice you get to make.” - Sean Barry “ In January, ninety-five, ninety-eight percent of the code we would write was written by hand, and today, two percent. Yeah, that's six months.” - Sean Barry “ Take next week off and stop doing your day job, and then spend forty hours learning AI and diving into ChatGPT, Codex, Claude. Figure out what you want. Dive in, there's tons of education. You just ask AI how to use it. Then the next week, that time will pay back. You will have moved yourself so far in that forty hours that you will get that time back the next week.” - Sean Barry "You'll be uncatchable by people who don't." - Sean Barry “ I think 95% of small to mid-sized businesses don't have the time nor resources to go accomplish that. So I think we're at the exciting point in what we're trying to do is, is take all that power and then do all the heavy lifting for landscape contractors so they can just turn it on and use it and not need to go figure out how to put it all together.” - Sean Barry About Sean Barry: Sean Barry is the Chief Product Officer at LeanScaper, an AI operating system and business community built specifically for the landscape and snow contracting industry. He brings nearly two decades of product and digital leadership experience, including almost four years at LMN (Landscape Management Network) — the landscape industry's leading business management platform — where he rose from SVP of Product to Chief Product Officer. Before entering the green industry, Sean spent 14 years at Laughlin Constable, a Milwaukee-based agency, where he built his career from Lead Engineer to SVP of Digital, Account and Innovation. He is currently at the forefront of applying AI to real-world business operations for contractors. Connect with Sean Barry: https://leanscaper.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbarry/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most people treat sleep like something that happens to them. Dr. Michael Breus, aka The Sleep Doctor, treats it like a system — one that can be built, optimized, and recovered no matter how badly you've abused it. In Part 2, Dwayne and Dr. Breus move from theory into full practice: the single morning habit that regulates your entire sleep schedule, the truth about supplements and peptides, and why a 78-year-old entrepreneur taking four different drugs to get through the day became drug-free in two weeks and now more productive than his staff can handle. In this episode: The one rule that regulates your entire sleep schedule The three-15s morning routine: 15 deep breaths, 15 ounces of water, and 15 minutes of direct sunlight within 20 minutes of waking — and why vitamin D is a circadian pacemaker The supplement framework most people get completely wrong Dr. Breus's unambiguous position on peptides: lab-use-only compounds are being injected by people who have no idea what the 10 or 20-year consequences are, and the only thing he's ever found that he cannot fix without medication or intervention is physical pain and major mental health issues How Dr. Breus accidentally became The Sleep Doctor: rejected from his first-choice sports psychology program, he sold himself into a sleep track, fell in love with clinical sleep medicine, and never looked back — "You change somebody's sleep, you change their life." Discover Your Chronotype - Take The Quiz: https://sleepdoctor.com/pages/dr-breus-podcast-dwayne-kerrigan Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Sleep Boosts Everything 00:22 - Podcast Welcome 01:24 - Wake Time Consistency 01:41 - Melatonin Timer Explained 03:12 - Minimum Sleep Safety 04:54 - Sleep Quality For Performance 06:41 - Exercise And Cooling Hacks 10:53 - Home Sleep Testing 14:51 - Sauna Timing And Cold Plunge 19:06 - Blue Light and Screen Stimulus 22:05 - Morning Sun Routine 23:51 - Supplements vs Bloodwork 27:50 - Magnesium Types And Research 30:24 - Avoid Over Supplementing 33:01 - Eight Hours Myth 34:42 - Modern Sleep Basics 35:40 - Kids and Teen Sleep 38:36 - What Good Sleep Feels Like 39:44 - Depression Meds and REM 45:29 - Entrepreneur Sleep Debt 49:39 - Peptides Sleep Shortcuts 54:36 - Sleeping Pills and Tapering 01:00:21 - Sleep Doctor Origin Story 01:04:03 - Sleep and Purpose 01:05:48 - Final Takeaways and Goodbye Resources mentioned: Take the Original Chronotype Quiz | SleepDoctor.com Sleep Doctor At Home Sleep Test (SleepDoctor.com) The Sleep Doctor At-Home Sleep Test provides clinical-level sleep analysis from the comfort of your own bed. Using two simple sensors and a connected app, users receive personalized results reviewed by a licensed provider in under a week. Orion Sleep — mattress topper for temperature regulation Eight Sleep — mattress topper referenced as comparable product ChiliPAD — referenced as comparable cooling product Full Script — Supplement Management & Lab Testing Platform Andrew Huberman — referenced in context of the apigenin/magnesium threonate sleep stack Dan Sullivan / Strategic Coach — case study referenced with permission Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece — referenced in context of sauna/cold plunge performance camp Quotes: “ Everything you do, you do better with a good night's sleep. Everything. There's not a single biological function that you don't do better when you sleep.” - Dr. Michael Breus “ 25% of the people that show up on my doorstep, I have them go do blood work. As soon as we fix the deficiencies, they're done. They're gone. They don't need anything. But here's the funny part. Nobody has a deficiency in ashwagandha, right? Nobody has a deficiency in passionflower, right? Nobody.” - Dr. Michael Breus “ God's delays are not God's denials. You know, you thought you wanted to be this, and you were pursuing this expectation or this hope or this dream, but then what you really found was your true purpose.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Wake up at the same time seven days a week. Notice I didn't say go to bed at the same time. I said wake up at the same time.” - Dr. Michael Breus “ Sleep is the currency of attention. You cannot pay attention to anything if you're not well-slept. ADD, ADHD gets worse when you're not well-slept. You can't focus. Everything depe- this is why sleep is so fundamental to life, is because it's, it literally dictates what you look at, what you focus on, and where you spend your time. It's all comes from whether or not you got a good night's rest.” - Dr. Michael Breus Dr. Michael Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sleep Specialist, and one of only 168 psychologists in the world to have passed the Sleep Medicine Boards without attending medical school. Known as The Sleep Doctor, he is the founder of sleepdoctor.com, was named the Top Sleep Specialist in California by Reader’s Digest, and one of the 10 most influential people in sleep, and is the author of several books including The Power of When and Sleep, Drink, Breathe: Wellness is Too Complicated. He has appeared on Oprah, CNN, The Today Show, and The Dr. Oz Show more than 40 times, and lectures globally for organizations including YPO and Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power Within. Connect with Dr. Michael Breus: YouTube: Sleep Doctor Instagram: Sleep Doctor (@thesleepdoctor) Take the Original Chronotype Quiz | SleepDoctor.com Sleep Doctor At Home Sleep Test (SleepDoctor.com) The Sleep Doctor At-Home Sleep Test provides clinical-level sleep analysis from the comfort of your own bed. Using two simple sensors and a connected app, users receive personalized results reviewed by a licensed provider in under a week. Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

You've been told to get eight hours of sleep your whole life. Dr. Michael Breus — The Sleep Doctor — says that's not only wrong, it may be making things worse. In this conversation with Dwayne Kerrigan, one of the world's foremost sleep specialists breaks down the science of when to sleep, when to drink caffeine, when to workout, and why most people's sleep problems aren't about how much they sleep — they're about when. In this episode: The four chronotypes — Lion, Bear, Wolf, and Dolphin — and why knowing yours could reduce your total sleep while dramatically improving quality; plus why 55% of the population are Bears, and what that means for your nine-to-five schedule The 90-minute caffeine rule: how adrenaline and cortisol make caffeine useless for the first 90 minutes after waking, and when to stop caffeine entirely to protect your sleep The biology of the 1:00–3:00 AM wake-up: every human on Earth wakes up in this window due to a cortisol spike — and Dr. Breus's four-step protocol for getting back to sleep, including the four-seven-eight breathing technique developed by Dr. Andrew Weil for Navy snipers Why alcohol destroys Stage 3 and 4 deep sleep — the physical restoration stage where the brain's glymphatic system flushes beta amyloid and tau proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease — and the exact wine-with-dinner timing strategy that lets you drink without wrecking your sleep Sleep tracking devices: why none of them are accurate for measuring sleep stages, why rings outperform wristbands, why you should only review your tracker data once a week, and how to use trend analysis rather than nightly numbers Dr. Breus's personal disclosure: he has moderate obstructive sleep apnea and stops breathing 26 times an hour — and why he wants every listener to stop avoiding sleep testing out of fear Discover Your Chronotype - Take The Quiz: https://sleepdoctor.com/pages/dr-breus-podcast-dwayne-kerrigan Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Entrepreneurs Sleep Differently 00:33 - Welcome and Guest Introduction 01:06 - Tony Robbins Connection 03:17 - Meet Dr Michael Breus 05:05 - Middle of Night Awakenings 07:40 - Understanding Chronotypes 11:31 - The Lion Chronotype 12:47 - The Bear Chronotype 13:18 - The Wolf Chronotype 14:23 - The Dolphin Chronotype 18:07 - Bad Sleep Habits 20:39 - Morning Workouts and Cortisol 22:27 - Perfect Time for Sex 25:20 - Understanding Cortisol 26:37 - Why We Wake at 3AM 28:57 - Don't Go Pee 30:52 - Don't Look at the Clock 31:43 - Four Seven Eight Breathing 34:59 - Getting Out of Bed 36:28 - Stay Positive 38:06 - Breathing Technique Recap 38:51 - Breathing Techniques Really Work 42:50 - Alcohol and Sleep Quality 46:47 - Caffeine Timing Guidelines 49:49 - Cannabis and Sleep 51:39 - Understanding Sleep Stages 54:29 - Sleep Cycles Explained 56:11 - Sleep Tracking Devices 01:00:08 - Choosing the Right Tracker 01:04:18 - Heart Rate Variability 01:07:17 - Quality Over Quantity 01:08:46 - Sleep Apnea and Testing 01:12:12 - Finding Your Sleep Need 01:12:36 - Closing Thoughts and Stay Tuned for Part 2 Resources mentioned: Several of Dr. Michael Breus’ books – The Power of When, Energize!, The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan, Good Night, and Sleep, Drink, Breathe Four-seven-eight breathing technique — developed by Dr. Andrew Weil Muse headband — brainwave monitoring headband for sleep and meditation Oura Ring — sleep tracking ring Whoop Strap — activity and sleep tracker Apple Watch — sleep tracking The Happy Ring from Happy Sleep — FDA-approved ring for sleep studies Tony Robbins’s book Unleash the Power Within Quotes: “Eight hours is a myth, man. So many people try to force themselves to get... The math doesn't even work. Like, the right number of cycles doesn't even end up at eight hours.” - Dr. Michael Breus “ I really, honestly, legitimately feel like I've dumbed myself down a little bit when it comes to, when it comes to my, like, abuse of sleep over the years.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “To be clear, dude, you are your best doctor. When you wake up in the morning, if you feel good, you feel good. Like, you slept well.” - Dr. Michael Breus “ The first liquid that crosses your lips every morning should not, I repeat, not be caffeinated.” - Dr. Michael Breus “ Stop thinking about hours. This is a quality game, not a quantity game. If you get six and a half hours of good quality sleep- As a sleep doctor, I am much more interested than if you get eight hours of crappy sleep.” - Dr. Michael Breus Dr. Michael Breus, Ph.D., is a double board-certified Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Sleep Specialist, and one of only 168 psychologists in the world to have passed the Sleep Medicine Boards without attending medical school. Known as The Sleep Doctor, he is the founder of sleepdoctor.com, was named the Top Sleep Specialist in California by Reader’s Digest, and one of the 10 most influential people in sleep. He is the author of several books including The Power of When and Sleep, Drink, Breathe: Wellness is Too Complicated, and has appeared on Oprah, CNN, The Today Show, and The Dr. Oz Show more than 40 times, and lectures globally for organizations including YPO and Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power Within. Connect with Dr. Michael Breus: YouTube: Sleep Doctor Instagram: Sleep Doctor (@thesleepdoctor) Take the Original Chronotype Quiz | SleepDoctor.com Sleep Doctor At Home Sleep Test (SleepDoctor.com) The Sleep Doctor At-Home Sleep Test provides clinical-level sleep analysis from the comfort of your own bed. Using two simple sensors and a connected app, users receive personalized results reviewed by a licensed provider in under a week. Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Nobody jumps out of bed wanting to do a bad job. So why does the day fall apart by lunch? In this episode, Dwayne Kerrigan breaks down the actual mechanics of high-performance productivity — not the philosophy, not the mindset pep talk, but the specific rituals, systems, and daily habits that determine whether your week produces results or just burns time. In this episode: The Time Management Matrix — originally developed by Franklin Covey, which Dwayne taught for 35 years — and why the only quadrant that actually moves your life forward is Q2: things that are important but not urgent, including planning, training, creative thinking, and relationship building Why weekly planning and solitude is the single most important hour of the week — what Dwayne looks at during that block, how he structures it, and why if you miss it consistently, everything else breaks down How Dwayne uses a color-coded identity calendar — each role in his life assigned a color, from Chairman to Love Slave — so that every time block is set with intention, not just task completion The AI accountability system: Dwayne sends his planned week and his actual week to an AI agent named Jarvis, who measures his efficiency against his seven-year mission and purpose — and tells him when he's gotten sucked into operations The 30-to-60-second rule for managing in-the-moment interruptions: handle it now if it takes under a minute, or put it on the task list immediately and review every two to three hours Why perfection is a fool's game — Dwayne's case for defining "good enough" before you start, launching at that standard, and building a continuous improvement process rather than waiting for perfect. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Progress Over Perfect 00:28 - Podcast Introduction 01:05 - Productivity Not Time 02:44 - Roles And Identities 03:44 - Mindset State And Why 04:56 - Strategy Culture Habits 06:47 - Health Vitality Long Game 08:32 - Vision Plan Action Framework 11:33 - Weekly Planning Solitude 16:07 - Time Management Matrix 23:18 - Plan Your Week In Practice 24:41 - Daily Planning 29:09 - Handle Interruptions Fast 30:33 - Email Tasks 34:06 - Inbox Overload Fixes 35:39 - Stop Chasing Shiny Objects 36:39 - Eat The Frog First 37:35 - Perfection Blocks Progress 38:56 - Get Resourceful Ask Help 40:09 - Break Tunnel Vision 41:29 - Identity Based Weekly Planning 43:08 - AI Accountability Feedback 45:00 - Guardrails And Honest Feedback 46:42 - Daily Execution Rituals 49:46 - Urgent Versus Important Explained 55:51 - Stop Unneeded Meetings 57:17 - Prioritize Across Roles 59:59 - Why Breaks Feel Hard 01:05:23 - Calendaring To Reduce Stress 01:09:17 - Wrap Up And Disclaimers Resources mentioned: FranklinCovey Time Matrix, Plan and software (Dwayne's current task management tool) The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — book by Stephen Covey Exactly What to Say — book by Phil Jones 2 Second Lean — book by Paul Akers Byron Katie’s four questions framework — "Is it true? Is it absolutely true?" Video text messaging - Todd Hartley and Paul Akers referenced Waking Up app — Sam Harris meditation app Tony Robbins — six human needs framework referenced Keith Cunningham — "Progress is not only measured by yards gained, but sometimes by yards not lost" Quotes: “Don't mistake being busy for producing results” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Lose two hours of your day out of an eight-hour day, it adds up to a 20% of your day all of a sudden disappears. Well, factor that out over the year, you've got 20% of your year that you've not been working at directing yourself to a target.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “The difference between excitement and fear is just the label that we put on it. Physically and physiologically, it's kind of the same experience in our body, but we put a label on fear versus excitement.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ The biggest problem that we make is we let perfect get in the way of progress. We've gotta identify what is good. And I'm not saying lower your standards, but what I am saying is we can get stuck on perfection or our need for certainty, and we have what I call failure to launch syndrome.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ We often overestimate what we can accomplish in a year and we underestimate what we can accomplish in a decade.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Kyle Scheele went from 17 TikTok followers to a million in 25 hours — not because he had a strategy, but because he finally stopped waiting for the right time and posted the video. In Part 2, he and Dwayne walk through the five things every idea needs to make it into the world, why AI is a sycophancy machine that will confidently tell you exactly what you want to hear, and why creativity is a team sport — and always has been. In Part 2 of this episode: The five things every idea needs — a chance, a home, a time and place, a bodyguard, and a crew — and the specific, practical way each one applies inside a business or organization Why Kyle went from 17 followers to a million on TikTok in 25 hours: a one-minute video about photoshopping his dad's tilted head in a family portrait, and the James Joyce principle that explains why the most particular stories become the most universal The chemical company story: a PhD chemist had known for years that her company's product would work perfectly in another industry — and never said anything, because no one asked Why AI is good at the "I" and the "A" of the idea cycle (inspiration and action) but can't do discovery or evolution — because those require taste, distaste, and skin in the game that no algorithm has How fear of running out of money drove Kyle's entire entrepreneurial career — and why that fear, managed well, doesn't make you play small, it makes you play smart. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Creativity Needs Others 00:32 - Podcast Intro and Setup 01:30 - Give Ideas a Chance 04:44 - Ideas Need a Home 07:20 - Systems That Invite Ideas 11:56 - Launch Now Not Perfect 13:20 - TikTok Breakthrough Story 21:06 - Protect Ideas with Bodyguards 27:23 - Ideas Need a Crew 29:25 - Creativity Needs a Crew 30:50 - Viking Funeral Origin Story 33:03 - Fear of Regret as Fuel 35:05 - Calculated Risks Over Gambling 37:08 - Strategic Projects and Social Media 42:22 - The Idea Cycle Framework 45:35 - Where AI Helps and Misses 51:08 - AI as a Tool and Its Tradeoffs 55:02 - Creativity Beyond Business 56:44 - Applying Creativity Tools to Life 01:01:10 - Final Thanks and Wrap Up Resources mentioned: Several books (for adults and childen) referenced written by Kyle, can be found here: https://kylescheele.com/Books TED Talk: How to Find a Wonderful Idea — OK Go, on creativity and discovery Vivian Maier — street photographer whose work was discovered posthumously Tony Robbins — Business Mastery referenced by Dwayne ChatGPT / AI — referenced throughout Quotes: “ I always say creativity is a team sport because life is a team sport. You are not designed to do any of this stuff on your own, and even if you did, what would be the point of it all?” - Kyle Scheele “ On my third video, I went from 17 followers to a million followers, and that changed the course of my business, my trajectory, my life. It opened so many doors for me, and that all happened off a video that I almost didn't post because I almost didn't post any of them because I was waiting for the right time and the right place. “ - Kyle Scheele “ Give everyone notebooks on your team. Just give them a pocket notebook and go, "Hey, here's the things I want you to start looking for. This week, here's a focus.” - Kyle Scheele “ The reasonable man adapts himself to the world. The unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man." - George Bernard Shaw (quoted by Kyle Scheele) “ If you're not innovating, you're dying, and that is just the truth.” - Dwayne Kerrigan About Kyle Scheele: Kyle is an author, speaker, and creativity expert known for turning bold ideas into unforgettable results — from hosting a Viking funeral for the regrets of 21,000 people to launching the world's first fake marathon. With more than 750 keynotes delivered in all 50 states, Kyle combines humor, sharp insights, and real-world experimentation to help organizations unlock creativity and innovation at scale. He has worked with teams at Walmart, Deloitte, Fidelity, and Chick-fil-A, and his work has been featured in WIRED, The Washington Post, Fast Company, and Yahoo!. His books include We Put a Man on the Moon, How to Host a Viking Funeral, A Pizza With Everything On It, and A Sunday With Everything On It. Connect with Kyle Scheele: https://kylescheele.com/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most people think creativity is something you either have or you don't — a gift, a gene, a mysterious lightning bolt that strikes a chosen few. Kyle Scheele has spent his career dismantling that belief, and in this conversation he makes the case that creativity isn't magic at all. It's problem-solving. And everyone already does it, every single day. In Part 1 of this episode: Why your brain is not a truth-seeking machine — it's a belief justification machine: give it the belief "I'm not creative" and it will spend the rest of your life finding evidence to prove you right Kyle's spontaneous ideation theory — the creativity myth he compares to the 17th century scientific belief that dirty rags and wheat kernels spontaneously generated mice, and why most people's understanding of where ideas come from is just as wrong The coffee shop moment that defined Kyle's career: his friend Isaac told him, "most people come in here, talk about an idea, and the next time you hear about it, it's just an idea again — you come in two days later editing the footage" How Kyle went from broke high schooler selling "Osteoporosis is bad to the bone" T-shirts out of the school lunch room to getting a line into Urban Outfitters in his first year of college — and what that early experience installed in him about figuring things out Why 70% of the time, when companies give their teams the bandwidth to explore a challenge internally, the answer is already there — it's just inside the head of someone who hasn't been asked yet (Harvard Business Review, cited on stage) Content Warning: This episode includes a brief discussion of childhood suicidal ideation. Kyle shares openly about his experience as a child feeling isolated in school and experiencing dark thoughts, before a friendship changed his perspective. The conversation is handled with care and context, but we want our listeners to be prepared. If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7 in both the US and Canada. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Creativity as Problem Solving 00:36 - Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro 03:24 - Turning Ideas Into Action 06:33 - Early Hustle T Shirt Business 11:40 - Belief Systems Block Creativity 15:27 - Ambition Versus Contentment 20:59 - No Right or Wrong in Ideas 25:06 - AI Limits and Skin in Game 26:46 - School Struggles and Finding Belonging 28:44 - It Only Takes One Person To Make An Impact 29:36 - Creative Kid Origins 30:12 - Student Council Confidence 31:45 - Baby Steps Momentum 32:15 - Window Of Possibility 33:45 - Vision Into Action 35:08 - Fuel Creativity Thrives Within Constraints 36:49 - Recovering Curiosity 39:34 - Questioning Limiting Beliefs 44:15 - Everyone Is Creative 45:41 - Claiming Artist Identity 48:29 - Business Needs Crystal Clear Goals 51:12 - Creativity As Problem Solving 52:39 - Unlocking Team Innovation 57:27 - Closing Remarks and Stay Tuned For Part 2 Resources mentioned: Several books (for adults and childen) referenced written by Kyle, can be found here: https://kylescheele.com/Books Harvard Business Review study on internal innovation Heather Moyse — Olympic athlete referenced by Dwayne re: chunking goals Spontaneous generation theory / Francesco Redi experiments — referenced in context of the creativity myth Orbis Medicinae — Jan Baptist van Helmont, referenced in context of spontaneous generation Steve Jobs interview — paraphrased by Kyle re: everything in the world being made by people no smarter than you LeanScaper Operations Intensive — conference where Dwayne first saw Kyle speak Quotes: “ What you might consider might be right or wrong is really based on what's the possibility of it happening, and then it'll only be judged when you look back on it in history.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ If you don't get clear on that goal, it's hard to know where to go.” - Kyle Scheele “ Creativity is just problem-solving. Every idea is the solution to some problem.” - Kyle Scheele "If it never gets any better than this, what a life. But I think it can get better than this." - Kyle Scheele About Kyle Scheele: Kyle Scheele is an author, speaker, and creativity expert known for turning bold ideas into unforgettable results — from hosting a Viking funeral for the regrets of 21,000 people to launching the world's first fake marathon. With more than 750 keynotes delivered in all 50 states, Kyle combines humor, sharp insights, and real-world experimentation to help organizations unlock creativity and innovation at scale. He has worked with teams at Walmart, Deloitte, Fidelity, and Chick-fil-A, and his work has been featured in WIRED, The Washington Post, Fast Company, and Yahoo!. His books include We Put a Man on the Moon, How to Host a Viking Funeral, A Pizza With Everything On It, and A Sunday With Everything On It. Connect with Kyle Scheele: https://kylescheele.com/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2, Kyle and Brent Pease go beyond the race course and into the harder terrain — the screaming match in a New York City taxi after a broken wheelchair nearly ended their marathon, the board member who called every morning during school drop-off, and what it actually takes to build an organization that can run without you. This is where the mission meets the mechanics, and where two brothers figure out how to grow up together in public. In this episode: How Kyle and Brent built the Kyle Pease Foundation from scratch — including the nine months it took to help their very first family, the decision to race at least once a month to create visibility, and how they've grown from six events in 2013 to 64 events across 14 states last year The New York City Marathon story: the wheelchair broke mid-race, Brent spent an hour trying to fix it with help from the NYPD, and eventually told Kyle he was done — and what Kyle said back that got them across the finish line Brent's framework for hiring in a nonprofit: passion for the mission matters more than fit for the role, and for every non-disabled hire, he wants to add another employee with a disability doing real work — not stuffing envelopes The Dick Hoyt lesson — the father behind the famous push-assist duo called Brent before the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship and gave him these words of advice: "just keep pushing the pedals" How Kyle became the athlete-coach he is today: years of sitting on the sidelines, listening to adults talk, and watching his brother compete gave him an observer's precision that most coaches never develop Support the Kyle Pease Foundation Dwayne is matching donations — up to $5,000 total. Every dollar counts twice right now: 👉 Donate here: https://kyle-pease-foundation-inc.networkforgood.com/events/99987-the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Purpose Meets Passion 00:22 - Podcast Intro And Setup 01:25 - Priorities And Time Juggling 03:13 - Scaling A Mission Nonprofit 05:52 - Mentors And Running It Like Business 08:51 - Spreading The Mission Through Racing 12:42 - Measuring Impact And Growth 14:25 - Adaptive Equipment And Inclusion 19:00 - Speaking And Education Programs 21:58 - Kona Gear Innovation 24:46 - When Things Break And Tempers Flare 28:26 - Brotherhood Evolved 29:00 - Humanity in Relationships 30:44 - Keep Pushing Pedals 33:47 - Fiercely Experience It 34:12 - Hawaii Cutoff Heartbreak 35:51 - Still Growing Forward 37:33 - Family Balance and Kids 39:17 - Twin Brother Dynamics 41:16 - Parenting and Inclusion 44:43 - Kyle as Coach 49:20 - Scaling Beyond Racing 53:06 - Volunteer and Donation Match 55:51 - Closing Thanks and Disclaimers Resources mentioned: Beyond the Finish — Kyle and Brent Pease’s book The Kyle Pease Foundation — kylepeasefoundation.org TED Talk: The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong — Dan Pallotta The Hoyt family — Dick and Rick Hoyt, pioneer push-assist racing duo Field of Dreams — film referenced by Kyle and Brent Tony Robbins — referenced by Dwayne: "emotion is motion" Alvin Law — thalidomide survivor and speaker referenced by Dwayne IRONMAN World Championship, Kona, Hawaii Quotes: “ It does not have to be something that we fiercely protect. You know, it's something that we can all fiercely experience.” - Brent Pease “ I think that we're still growing. We're still evolving. When you stop growing, that's when you need to walk away from whatever you’re doing.” - Kyle Pease “It got the point where I basically just looked at him. I was like, dude, I'm done. I'm out. This isn't us. I dunno what we're doing. And Kyle said, well, you can quit, but I'm gonna finish.” - Brent Pease "These small lessons inside of our relationships that teach us about humanity — a lot of times what's missing in the world, and you guys are sharing it through stories like that, which I think is supremely powerful.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Because finding people who love what the mission is, like, that's more critical to me than finding the person who fits the exact role. Because if you have somebody who loves what you do and believes in it - a true believer if you will - then they're gonna be able to lean into whatever the task is and grow because they're willing to do it for the people that we serve.” - Brent Pease About Kyle and Brent Pease: Kyle Pease is a six-time IRONMAN finisher and co-founder of The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), born with cerebral palsy and widely regarded as one of the most compelling voices on disability inclusion in the country. Brent Pease is an endurance athlete, coach, and Executive Director of KPF, who has raced alongside Kyle in over 100 events including six IRONMAN triathlons. Together they made history as the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in 2018, and have since helped raise well over $10 million in support of athletes with disabilities. Connect with the Kyle Pease Foundation: https://kylepeasefoundation.org/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan: Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Kyle and Brent Pease have completed more than 100 races together — including two IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii — and in 2024 they broke the push-assist course record with a finish time of 14 hours, 8 minutes, and 3 seconds. Kyle, born with cerebral palsy, is the coach, the motivator, and the athlete who has to be the most positive force in the world for 15 hours straight while his brother, Brent, pushes him across 140.6 miles. What looks like a sports story from the outside is something much harder to categorize: a 15-year study in resilience, gratitude, and what it actually means to show up when both of you want to quit. In Part 1 of their conversation: How Brent and Kyle broke the push-assist course record at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii — and what 15 years of racing together has taught them Why Brent says true balance is an illusion — and how he and Kyle define "all in" as the real unit of energy management, shifting fully between Ironman training, family, and the foundation depending on the season Kyle's framework for getting out of dark moments: prayer, music, visualization, and the discipline of reducing the time between a hard moment and a shift in perspective What the foundation's inclusive employment program looks like on the ground How racing together has taught both brothers to say "I'm not okay" — and why that vulnerability has become one of their greatest competitive and leadership advantages Support the Kyle Pease Foundation Dwayne is matching donations — up to $5,000 total. Every dollar counts twice right now - Donate here 👉 https://kyle-pease-foundation-inc.networkforgood.com/events/99987-the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Get Out Your Own Way 00:39 - Podcast Welcome 02:29 - Meet Kyle and Brent 04:00 - Ironman Explained 05:50 - Why They Race - Mindset 08:45 - Kyle Positivity Tools 10:12 - Show Up Anyway 13:29 - Dark Days Tools 17:34 - Brent One Step Focus 21:25 - Gratitude in the Body 24:36 - Process Over Outcome 27:44 - Kyle Coaching Brent 31:32 - Brotherhood and Empathy 34:02 - Vulnerability and Faith 41:13 - Business vs Ironman 44:26 - Closing and Subscribe Resources mentioned: Beyond the Finish — Kyle and Brent Pease's book The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) — kylepeasefoundation.org IRONMAN World Championship Kennesaw State University — Kyle's alma mater Florida State University — Brent's alma mater Tony Robbins — referenced by Dwayne in context of emotional states and the "figure eight" Quotes: “ Although you don't know what I go through on a daily basis, it is a struggle, right? I choose to look at my life as I get to do this, I don’t have to do this.” - Kyle Pease “ I would say the hardest thing is that real balance is an illusion. You know, people talk about balance all the time. True balance is knowing when to be all in and what to be all in on.” - Brent Pease “Ironman isn't for everybody. I mean, less than 1% of triathletes set foot on the Ironman in Hawaii. Kyle's done it twice.” - Brent Pease "I look at it as an opportunity to showcase my ability rather than my disability." - Kyle Pease “ I’ve gotten better and better over the years to say, I'm not okay. This doesn't feel good. You know, this is hard.” - Brent Pease “The mind leaves the relationship before, you know, the physical body leaves the relationship.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Can you get in the water and just start swimming? Can you do that much? Because you might feel better if you start.” - Brent Pease About Kyle and Brent Pease: Kyle Pease is a six-time IRONMAN finisher and co-founder of The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), born with cerebral palsy and widely regarded as one of the most compelling voices on disability inclusion in the country. Brent Pease is an endurance athlete, coach, and Executive Director of KPF, who has raced alongside Kyle in over 100 events including six IRONMAN triathlons. Together they made history as the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in 2018, and have since helped raise well over $10 million in support of athletes with disabilities. Connect with the Kyle Pease Foundation: https://kylepeasefoundation.org/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

What separates average teams from truly high-performing ones? In this episode, Dwayne Kerrigan breaks down the real mechanics of building high performance teams — from hiring A-players to creating a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement. Backed by real-world experience across decades in business, Dwayne walks through the systems, frameworks, and leadership mindset shifts required to build teams that don’t just function but thrive. You’ll learn why most hiring processes fail, how to identify true A-players, and why the behavior you tolerate ultimately becomes your company’s standard. Dwayne also dives deep into onboarding, coaching, culture, and the hidden psychological patterns that impact performance — including ego, storytelling, and leadership blind spots. This is not theory, this is a practical blueprint for leaders who want better results through better people. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Ego And Needs 00:39 - Podcast Introduction 01:11 - Why Teams Matter 03:03 - AI And Future Workforce 04:32 - Role Clarity First 06:17 - Interview Intensity 08:58 - Hiring Process Steps 13:58 - Scorecards And Evaluation 16:08 - Compensation And Bonuses 19:19 - Onboarding With Outcomes 22:46 - Episodic Engagement Coaching 26:12 - Culture Standards 28:53 - Measure And Document SOPs 31:19 - My Style Document 35:32 - Hunting For A Players 36:52 - Traits Of High Performers 41:52 - Culture Skill Matrix 43:19 - Developing B Players 44:52 - Coaching Low Culture Talent 46:18 - Managing C Players Fast 48:14 - Story Meaning Behavior Model 52:17 - Standards Above the Line 54:42 - Four Culture Principles 57:06 - Team Dysfunctions Breakdown 01:00:44 - Q&A Backbenching and Ego 01:09:18 - Accountability Without Morale Loss 01:14:16 - Moving Players Up the Chart 01:18:00 - Leadership Growth and Triggers 01:20:57 - Recognizing Base Hits 01:24:06 - Closing and Disclaimers Key Takeaways: The Behavior You Tolerate Becomes the Standard Hiring A-Players Starts With Clarity Always Be Recruiting Onboarding Is a Competitive Advantage Coaching Is Not Optional Measure Everything Most Team Problems Are Psychological A, B, and C Players Require Different Strategies Resources Mentioned: Phil Jones – Exactly What to Say Rich Divinney – The Attributes Patrick Lencioni – The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Tony Robbins – Human Needs & Triad Framework Byron Katie – Loving What Is Keith Cunningham – Business Mentorship Referenced Episodes (The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast): Phil Jones episode (sales, communication, and training insights) https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/27-exactly-what-to-say-with-phil-m-jones/ Rich Divinney episode (attributes + performance under pressure) https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/16-transition-tactics-and-building-high-performance-teams-with-former-navy-seal-rich-diviney/ Emma Murray episode (performance mindset + A/B game thinking) https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/61-breaking-the-b-game-loop-how-top-performers-master-their-mindset-with-emma-murray/ Also these Emma Murray episodes: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/the-mindset-secret-to-crushing-your-b-game-with-emma-murray/ https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/127-skillset-vs-mindset-the-real-performance-equation-with-emma-murray/ https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/128-critique-over-criticism-emma-murray-on-learning-faster-under-pressure/ Quotes: “Everything we do, we do to meet our needs.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “The behavior that you allow in your presence becomes the standards.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Keep it simple. Stupid complexity is the enemy of execution.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they’re too heavy to be broken.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Anything you monitor will get better.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Progress equals fulfillment.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Don’t adjust your standards to meet someone’s mediocrity.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most business owners think AI and new technology will fix what's broken in their company. Paul Akers disagrees — and he's been inside factories with 10,000 employees on every continent to back it up. In Part 2 of this conversation, Paul and Dwayne go deeper into the mechanics of Lean culture, and why the secret to happiness and business success might be the same thing. In this episode: Paul's three-word formula for rolling out Lean in any organization without blowing up the culture: slow, consistent, and self-selection The 30-minute challenge: instead of solving an employee's problem on the spot, Paul gives them 30 minutes to come up with three solutions on their own — and why that single shift changes everything about how a team operates Why Lean is not a burden — it's pure joy: when every tool is where it belongs, every process flows, and people aren't waiting on you to fix things, the business stops grinding and starts moving Paul's take on AI and technology: they are accelerants to a well-run company, not a substitute for one Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Technology Not The Answer 00:17 - Podcast Intro And Setup 01:20 - Change Only When Ready 01:58 - Burn The Ships Commitment 03:05 - Slow Consistent Self Selection 04:11 - The Bob Conversation 06:17 - Labor Laws And Firing Customers 07:14 - Communicate With Video 09:11 - Lean Should Feel Fun 10:28 - Tools And Process Thinking 13:00 - Progress Equals Happiness 13:33 - Gemba Walkthrough Basics 15:22 - Teach People To Solve Problems 17:30 - Meetings Are Mostly Waste 20:19 - No Departments Just Lean 21:25 - What Gemba Really Means 22:56 - Job Sites And Lean Visits 25:21 - Action This Day - Winston Churchill 28:43 - Capture Lists And Proximity 31:04 - Text Expanders For Flow 32:23 - Instant App Sharing 32:54 - Flow With Text Expanders 34:10 - Avoiding Overproduction 34:32 - What Slow Really Means 36:02 - Lean Health Basics 38:47 Lean Life Happiness Map 40:36 - Filling Knowledge Gaps 42:34 - One Improvement Daily 44:34 - AI As An Accelerant 46:31 - Simple Finance Systems 49:07 - Lean Culture At Home 52:43 - Japan Mission Requirements 54:25 - Hiring For Humility 56:24 - Lean Is Fun Closing 58:23 - Where To Find Paul 59:59 - Podcast Wrap Up Resources mentioned: 2 Second Lean — Paul Akers Lean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness — Paul Akers Toyota Production System (TPS) Kaizen foam — referenced tool for visual process organization 5 Whys — Japanese problem-solving method referenced Training Within Industry (TWI) — referenced framework Getting Things Done — book by David Allen FastCap YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/user/fastcaptv Quotes: “ The answer to having a great company is not to focus on technology or focus on AI. Those are tools that are accelerants to a well run company. You still have to have a well run, well organized company with well-trained people.” - Paul Akers “ I almost don't know what's going on in my company anymore. It's, it's so, they're, they're so far ahead.” - Paul Akers “ I met a lot of my needs of significance and certainty by solving people's problems for them.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Slow, consistent and self-select. Self-select. The people that don't wanna do this will self-select out.” - Paul Akers “ People are depressed, because nothing's changing. And matter of fact, they're in decline. This Lean thing, this idea of continuous improvement is like the secret to life.” - Paul Akers About Paul Akers: Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for professional builders, started in his garage in 1997. FastCap now has thousands of distributors in over 40 countries and launches 20–30 innovative products per year. Paul is the author of 2 Second Lean — now available in 15 languages and a Shingo Institute award winner — along with many additional books. He has won Seattle Business Magazine's Business Executive of the Year and spoken in over 34 countries. Connect with Paul Akers: https://paulakers.net/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Paul Akers started FastCap in his garage with no MBA, no funding, and one simple conviction: fix what bugs you. Today FastCap ships over 2,000 products to more than 40 countries, and runs on a philosophy so simple it fits in two words — eliminate waste. In Part 1 of this conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with Paul to unpack the Lean methodology that made it all possible, and why it has nothing to do with manufacturing. In this episode: Paul breaks down the eight wastes of Lean thinking — overproduction, transportation, inventory, defects, over-processing, wasted motion, customer waiting, and wasting human potential — using a Costco toilet paper run as the most memorable example you'll ever hear Why Paul calls himself a "Lean maniac", not a lean practitioner: "How do I improve this? And how do I make it easier for everyone around me?" — the two questions that drive every decision at FastCap The communication standard Paul holds his entire organization to: no one should ever have to ask you a question twice, and why every back-and-forth email chain is a symptom of a deeper waste problem How FastCap documents every single process — from cleaning a toilet to setting up a $250,000 injection molding machine — using eight-step visual SOPs, QR codes, and unlisted YouTube videos that any employee can access instantly Why Paul starts every Lean implementation the same way, regardless of company size: the bathroom. And why every visitor to FastCap — including presidents of major corporations — cleans the bathroom before they're allowed a tour The mindset Paul refuses to argue with: if you're not ready to change, he's not interested in convincing you — and why that boundary is itself a Lean principle Episode Highlights: 00:00 - No Questions Twice 00:22 - Podcast Welcome 00:54 - Meet Paul Akers 04:37 - FastCap Origin Story 08:31 - Lean Gospel Mindset 10:34 - Lean Maniac Defined 13:42 - Eight Wastes Explained 17:03 - Small Daily Improvements 20:10 - Hunger and Underdogs 28:31 - Lean History Lesson 31:36 - Toyota Just In Time 34:15 - Skeptic to Believer 35:25 - Lean Is People First 36:33 - Stop The Line Mindset 38:00 - Three Habits Of Toyota 40:46 - Morning Meetings 42:45 - Dialogue Not Monologue 43:26 - Keynote Agenda And Culture 48:03 - Defects And Kanban Flow 51:56 - One Hour Before Work Pays 53:59 - Ego And Leadership Growth 57:08 - How To Start 01:03:16 - Standard Work And QR Training 01:07:30 - Who Actually Changes 01:08:22 - Wrap Up And Disclaimers Resources mentioned: 2 Second Lean — Paul Akers Lean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness — Paul Akers The Amezawa Legacy — Paul Akers Lean the Gospel Dressed Up in a Business Suit — Paul Akers (in progress at time of recording) Out of the Crisis — Dr. W. Edwards Deming Toyota Production System (TPS) FastCap — Paul Akers' company Bob Taylor / Taylor Guitars — referenced as Paul's early mentor Training Within Industry (TWI) — referenced framework FastCap YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/user/fastcaptv Quotes: "I have no time whatsoever to convince you of common sense. Zero." - Paul Akers “ I read Dick and Jane like 10 times when I had to read it in front of the class. I had to read it over and over and over again and memorize it so I didn't screw it up when I read in front of the class.” - Paul Akers “ But there's one thing that I've kind of realized in life is that the reason why we don't have something in our life is because of the story that we're telling ourselves.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Everything I look at, I'm always thinking, how do I improve? How do I increase the quality and reduce the burden on me and the people around me? So I want everything to be. Easy for everyone. No struggle in flow.” - Paul Akers “ No one should ever ask you a question twice. If you communicate to someone, your communication should be so clear that when you say it and the words come out of your mouth, they go, I understand exactly what you want.” - Paul Akers About Paul Akers: Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for professional builders, started in his garage in 1997. FastCap now has thousands of distributors in over 40 countries and launches 20–30 innovative products per year. Paul is the author of 2 Second Lean — now available in 15 languages and a Shingo Institute award winner — along with many additional books including Lean Health, Lean Travel, and Lean Life. He has won Seattle Business Magazine's Business Executive of the Year and spoken in over 34 countries. Connect with Paul Akers: https://paulakers.net/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most entrepreneurs think the next stage of their business requires a better strategy. Dwayne Kerrigan disagrees. In Part 2 of his live keynote at the LeanScaper Operations Intensive in Cape Coral, Florida, he makes the case that what's actually required is a different identity — and that without that shift, no system, tool, or team will get you where you're trying to go. In this episode: Dwayne walks through his personal identity chart — from the "warrior" and "general" identities that ran his life for years, to the consciously designed identities he operates from today, including the Chairman, the Profit Seeker, and the Peak Performance Coach Why the Serenity Prayer became one of the most powerful business tools Dwayne ever learned — and how distinguishing what you can and can't control transformed his leadership at 32 years old, running an $18M business with 300 employees A live identity creation exercise: how to write your own eulogy for a specific business role, and why that process is the starting point for becoming who your business needs you to be The eight stages of the entrepreneur and the business lifecycle — and why understanding exactly where you are in both is critical to knowing which identity needs to show up The four economic seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter) and why Dwayne believes the landscaping industry is currently sitting somewhere between late fall and early winter 40 years of lessons learned — distilled into the principles that have shaped how Dwayne builds, leads, and recovers Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Tsunami Of Change 00:27 - Podcast Mission 00:59 - Internal Vs External 02:07 - Serenity Prayer Lesson 03:42 - Identity Chart Origins 04:32 - From Warrior To General 06:10 - Purpose And Marriage 07:47 - Building New Identities 08:48 - Chairman Identity Script 09:50 - Language And Questions 12:38 - Borrowing Role Models 13:41 - Post Fight Debrief 14:40 - Create Your Identity 16:48 - Write Your Eulogy 17:46 - Visualization And Realism 19:01 - Do The Work 19:48 - Physiology Guidelines 20:15 - Physiology and Rituals 20:57 - Energy and Emotions 22:00 - Identity Agent Tool 23:53 - Daily Identity Editing 24:56 - Future Shock and Adaptation 26:22 - Economic Seasons Framework 27:58 - Entrepreneur Stages 29:13 - Business Lifecycle Reality 31:33 - Shift Identity in 3D 31:56 - Courage and Deep Thinking 34:57 - Lessons Learned Log 37:19 - Hard Won Business Rules 40:19 - Final Fear and Farewell Resources Mentioned: Think and Grow Rich — Napoleon Hill Stephen Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey Institute Keith Cunningham — referenced as the "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad Tony Robbins — Date With Destiny, UPW seminars Identity framework AI agent — available at The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/identity-framework/ Quotes: “You can either be right or you can be rich, but you can't be both.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “I did this for my wife through a lot of pain and self suffering, I had to get to the point where the general just couldn't run the show anymore because it was just not sustainable.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “You don't experience the life that you live. You're experiencing the life that you focus on.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ My greatest fear in life is on my final day to meet the man that I could have been.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Most entrepreneurs don't burn out because the business gets too hard — they burn out because they never stopped being the operator. In this keynote, recorded live at the LeanScaper Operations Intensive in Cape Coral, Florida, Dwayne Kerrigan makes the case that the real battle isn't strategic, it's psychological. Until you understand the most powerful force in the human condition, no framework, system, or tool will save you. In this episode: Dwayne breaks down the operator's mindset vs. the owner's mindset — and why operators get tired while owners get rich Why your purpose has to be large enough to keep you out of "the tyranny of how" — the trap that pulls owners back into the weeds The identity principle Dwayne calls the single most important lesson from 10+ years at Tony Robbins' side: the most powerful force in the human condition is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves The event–meaning–emotion–behavior chain, and how changing the meaning you attach to an event changes your results How physiology, language, and focus (the triad) function as your meaning-making filter — and how to use them to access empowering states more consistently Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Purpose Over How 00:27 - Podcast Welcome 00:59 - Event Introduction 02:53 - Dwayne Takes Stage 04:12 - Finding The Why 05:40 - Mentors And Lessons 08:58 - Business Root Causes 11:55 - Operator Vs Owner 14:48 - Core Values And Purpose 19:37 - Identity Drives Action 21:20 - Bus Fight Identity Shift 24:14 - Reframing a Past Bully 25:17 - Identity and No Negotiation 25:51 - Procrastination Becomes Identity 27:47 - Event Meaning Emotion Loop 31:34 - The Triad Explained 32:45 - Physiology Power Positions 36:31 - Energy Thermostat and Mirroring 40:47 - Language Questions Shape Reality 45:21 - Focus Habits and Meaning 47:49 - Closing Thanks and Disclaimer Resources Mentioned: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey Keith Cunningham — referenced as the "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad Tony Robbins — Platinum Partners immersion program Simon Sinek — referenced in the context of finding your why John Grinder — creator of NLP, mirroring and matching technique LMN (Landscape Management Network) — referenced by Dwayne and Mark Bradley Quotes: “Taking your passion and turning it into a business is usually not a good wealth strategy.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “If you stand like this for 10 minutes a day, it will increase your testosterone 20%. You can look this up. This is true 20%. It'll increase your testosterone. If you stand like this, it will reduce your cortisol from anywhere from 23 to 25% and it will increase the odds of you being able to make a decision by 33%.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “I'm in the ground and I'm down there and I'm like, and I remember thinking, and through the course of this whole thing, this whole event, is that I am never, ever going to get beaten up again. "From that day forward, I started working out…” - Dwayne Kerrigan “The most powerful force in the human condition is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Change the meaning, change the emotion, change your life.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Operators get tired and owners get rich.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation on The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, Adel Sayegh shares the deeper chapters of his entrepreneurial journey — including betrayal in business, a life-threatening health crisis, and the resilience required to rebuild both physically and professionally. After helping grow a company from the ground up to more than 1,200 employees, Adel watched it eventually go public for billions of dollars without receiving anything himself. For many people, an experience like that could lead to lasting bitterness. Instead, Adel chose a different path — one rooted in forgiveness and perspective. But the challenges didn’t stop there. Adel also opens up about facing a serious illness that forced him to confront his own mortality and rethink what success truly means. Through that experience, he rebuilt his health, refocused his priorities, and ultimately emerged stronger than before. Today, Adel reflects on how adversity — whether in business, health, or life — can become the foundation for growth. His story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about wealth or status, but about resilience, forgiveness, and the ability to keep moving forward even after life’s most difficult setbacks. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Opening quote on forgiveness and harboring hatred 00:25 - Show intro and welcome back to Part 2 01:28 - Building a global security empire and the China partnership betrayal 03:58 - How RFID technology revolutionized retail loss prevention 06:10 - Facial recognition's secret use in catching shoplifters 09:08 - GPS chips in pharmaceutical bottles to track stolen opioids 10:45 - The Ring camera Super Bowl commercial backlash 14:22 - Microchip technology debate - child safety vs. privacy 20:15 - Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 49 while at the peak of success 42:38 - Surviving the night when doctors said he wouldn't - and his wife's unconditional love 46:50 - Discovering the company was embezzled while fighting for his life 1:06:18 - Choosing forgiveness over prosecution and finding peace 1:12:10 - From discipline-driven to commitment-driven; a philosophical shift on purpose 1:17:00 - The Unbroken Foundation mission to end child trafficking 1:29:15 - Closing prayer and final words of encouragement Key Takeaways: True peace is impossible while holding onto hatred or resentment. Forgiveness is often more about healing yourself than the other person. Building a global company requires persistence, trust, and innovation. Financial success alone does not guarantee fulfillment or peace. Perspective and resilience help transform betrayal into growth. Quotes: “You can't have a hundred percent peace if you are harboring hatred on anyone.” - Adel Sayegh “I don't approve what they do.” - Adel Sayegh “I don't have them in my life, but I've forgave them because that was also medicine for me.” - Adel Sayegh “ I never even dreamed of, you know, growing up a little kid immigrant from Jordan that I would have, the lifestyle that I would have.” - Adel Sayegh “On a marketing level that’s about as bad as the Bud Light commercial.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Your story is unbelievable. You are an example of evolution and grace and commitment to the values and beliefs and faith that you have.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Adel Sayegh’s story is one of grit, grace, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in his garage, he built a company that reached a $1 billion valuation. A Marine Corps veteran and pancreatic cancer survivor, Adel has overcome tremendous adversity, shaping his mission to use every challenge as a platform to serve others. His unwavering faith in God has been the cornerstone of his journey, grounding him through both triumphs and storms. Today, Adel speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers, challenging them to rise above adversity, pursue excellence, and live with purpose. His message of resilience, faith, and hope leaves a lasting imprint on audiences, calling them to embrace challenges as opportunities and build a legacy that outlives them. Connect with Adel Sayegh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adel-sayegh-06109a9/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan: Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this deeply personal conversation, Adel Sayegh joins Dwayne Kerrigan to share Part 1 of his story of losing everything — financially, professionally, and emotionally — and the lessons that followed. Adel opens up about the moment when the life he had built suddenly collapsed. The house, the car, the career, and the identity that came with success were all gone. What followed was one of the most defining moments of his life: facing fear, uncertainty, and the realization that everything he once believed about stability and success could disappear overnight. But this story is not about loss — it’s about resilience. Adel reflects on how faith, humility, and the support of his wife helped him rebuild from the ground up. He explains how identity often becomes tied to status and material success, and why losing those things forced him to rediscover who he really was. This episode is a powerful reminder that adversity is not the end of the story. Often, it’s the beginning of the one that matters most. Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Opening: Finding meaning and purpose in life's challenges 00:31 - Introduction to Adel Sayegh's remarkable journey of resilience 01:27 - Growing up in poverty in Jordan during the 1967 war 5:14 - Starting with childhood: The foundation of character 9:37 - The watermelon truck story: Early entrepreneurial lessons 12:06 - Life in a one-room house with 11 family members 16:23 - Zimbabwe lesson: True happiness vs material wealth 22:44 - Hit by a car at age 5: Experiencing hatred and survival 26:22 - Joining the Marines: Brotherhood and pushing beyond limits 33:20 - MetLife success: Youngest manager making $250K at 28 57:30 - The OJ Simpson moment: Vision for surveillance technology 1:05:52 - Rock bottom: Losing the house and filing bankruptcy 1:07:30 - Wife's ultimate sacrifice: Offering her jewelry to save the dream 1:09:02 - The turnaround: Business takes off and light at end of tunnel Key Takeaways: Success can become dangerously tied to identity and status Losing everything can reveal who you truly are Support from loved ones can anchor you during crisis Resilience is built through hardship, not comfort Faith and perspective can reshape how we view failure Starting over requires humility and courage True strength comes from facing adversity head-on Quotes: “I was vulnerable because for the first time in my life I just, I thought I had it all figured out and now I don’t.” - Adel Sayegh “I just lost everything. I lost my house, I lost my job, I lost my car, I lost my identity.” - Adel Sayegh “Now fear said, what? What if this doesn’t work out? What if this isn’t going anywhere?” - Adel Sayegh “Businesses is a series of relationships and one of the biggest relationships that we have is with ourself.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Your story is unbelievable. It’s an unshakeable journey of overcoming obstacles.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Adel Sayegh’s story is one of grit, grace, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in his garage, he built a company that reached a $1 billion valuation. A Marine Corps veteran and pancreatic cancer survivor, Adel has overcome tremendous adversity, shaping his mission to use every challenge as a platform to serve others. His unwavering faith in God has been the cornerstone of his journey, grounding him through both triumphs and storms. Today, Adel speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers, challenging them to rise above adversity, pursue excellence, and live with purpose. His message of resilience, faith, and hope leaves a lasting imprint on audiences, calling them to embrace challenges as opportunities and build a legacy that outlives them. Connect with Adel Sayegh: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adel-sayegh-06109a9/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan: Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this powerful episode, Brad May returns for Part 2 of a raw and honest conversation about leadership, resilience, identity, and what it truly takes to win at the highest level. Brad reflects on being traded multiple times during his NHL career, adapting to new teams, and learning how to integrate into different locker rooms without disrupting culture. He shares the emotional journey of winning the Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks — and why celebrating that moment with his family meant more than the trophy itself. The conversation expands beyond hockey into business leadership. Brad breaks down why coaches are “salesmen,” why clarity of vision is essential, and why delegation without interference builds trust. He unpacks the difference between playing not to lose versus playing to win — and why excuses quietly erode culture. At its core, this episode is about ownership. Ownership of performance. Ownership of mistakes. Ownership of mindset. As Brad says, there is no “try.” You either do or you don’t. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Mindset over body: eliminating "try" and taking ownership 0:34 - Welcome and introduction to part two of the episode 1:31 - Adapting to seven different NHL teams and building new relationships 6:00 - Winning the 2007 Stanley Cup with Anaheim after 16-year career 7:50 - Scott Niedermeyer's perspective on being lucky to share the Cup with family 11:04 - What makes a good coach: selling a system and getting buy-in 13:49 - Comparing coaching styles: Mark Crawford vs Ted Nolan vs Randy Carlisle 15:30 - Ted Nolan's simple advice: "Just play left wing" analogy 17:31 - Randy Carlisle's relentless work ethic and pursuit of excellence 21:28 - Why some players leave the game bitter and unfulfilled 25:08 - Identity after hockey: from "I used to be" to "I am a hockey player" 30:28 - Eliminating excuses: "You either do or you don't" 33:28 - Leadership lesson from Brian Burke: delegating responsibility to coaches 55:38 - Playing to win vs playing not to lose: the power of identifying your goal 58:38 - The bar speech that united the team and families to win together Key Takeaways: Leaders must communicate crystal-clear goals (short, medium, and long term). Identity loss can derail high performers after retirement or career shifts. Playing to “not lose” creates hesitation; playing to win creates momentum. Ownership beats excuses — every time. Leaders must reflect on whether failure was execution or lack of resources. Energy, clarity, and consistency win over time. You must declare what you want — silence guarantees nothing. Resources Mentioned: The Secret (law of attraction concept) Tony Robbins – mindset principle referenced NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) era in NCAA athletics Cold plunge discipline practice Billions (TV show reference for executive coaching concept) Notable Quotes: “Your mind is in charge. Doesn’t matter what your body feels, just do it.” - Brad May “It’s okay if you’re not successful, but own it and learn from it and let’s go. Let’s keep moving.” - Brad May “The moment that a coach compromises his values, he's not the same guy and he's probably not as good.” - Brad May “A coach is just a salesman. He needs 25 guys to buy in.” - Brad May “You gotta enjoy the small wins.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “There's just some people, some leaders, who are just not having the hard enough conversations.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “You also have to have people around you that are willing to say - hey, you're being either too easy or too hard. Like you just, you have to have a team around you to help you identify as a leader.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Guest Bio: Brad May is a former NHL forward whose 19-year career spanned more than 1,000 regular-season games across the league. He is a Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and remains a recognizable figure in hockey history for his 1993 overtime playoff goal against Boston, remembered by fans as the iconic “May Day” moment. Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2010, May transitioned into broadcasting, working as an NHL analyst with CBC, Rogers Sportsnet, and AT&T SportsNet, where his candid, player-first perspective made him a natural presence on air. In 2024, May entered a new chapter off the ice, joining NFP as a Client Executive, where he works with businesses and individuals on insurance and risk management. Guest Social Links: Instagram: www.instagram.com/maydayhockey LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/brad-may-24228662 Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, former NHL veteran Brad May joins Dwayne for candid conversation about leadership, grit, and longevity — on and off the ice. Brad reflects on his 19-year NHL career, what separated players who made it from those who didn’t, and why mental fortitude mattered more than raw talent. From locker room lessons and team dynamics to integrity in business and life, Brad shares the foundational principles that shaped his journey: set achievable goals, outwork the competition, do the right thing — even when no one is watching. He speaks openly about fear, discipline, evolving training methods, investing in himself, and the power of speaking goals into existence. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, or chasing a dream, this conversation is a masterclass in character, culture, and consistency. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Opening: The power of achievable goals and how success begets success 2:10 - Amazing Race experience: A month of uninterrupted father-daughter bonding 8:13 - Ken May's integrity story: Choosing ethics over extra commission in real estate 13:36 - Playing 1,041 NHL games: The 5% club and what it takes to last 19 years 14:47 - The Miracle on Ice: Herb Brooks' leadership and the power of divide and conquer 21:36 - Training evolution: What Brad wishes he knew then vs. what athletes know now 27:54 - Nathan McKinnon's training: Heavy lifting before games to wake up the nervous system 33:28 - Building championship teams: The right mix of leaders, followers, convicts, and dreamers 39:04 - Locker room lesson: When Pat LaFontaine taught Brad about playing smart vs. playing hard 49:35 - The power of manifestation: Speaking your goals into existence 58:13 - "You can't get blood from a rock": Brad's mental fortitude superpower 1:02:03 - Parenting reflection: Being too soft on the next generation vs. learning through adversity Key Takeaways: Success is the realization of a predetermined goal Achievable goals create momentum and compound wins Longevity requires discipline beyond talent Mental fortitude is a competitive advantage You cannot succeed alone — success is collective Speak goals into existence and back them with action Resources Mentioned: The Secret (law of attraction concept) Miracle on Ice (1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team story) Herb Brooks leadership model Journaling & written goal-setting Quotes: “Set your goals, achievable goals, and you do that on a regular basis and you're gonna get to where you're going.” - Brad May “The definition of success is the realization of a predetermined goal.” - Brad May “You can’t get blood from a rock.” - Brad May “Leadership shows up in a lot of different ways.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “The strongest force in the human psyche is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Brad May is a former NHL forward whose 19-year career spanned more than 1,000 regular-season games across the league. He is a Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007, and remains a recognizable figure in hockey history for his 1993 overtime playoff goal against Boston, remembered by fans as the iconic “May Day” moment. Following his retirement from professional hockey in 2010, May transitioned into broadcasting, working as an NHL analyst with CBC, Rogers Sportsnet, and AT&T SportsNet, where his candid, player-first perspective made him a natural presence on air. In 2024, May entered a new chapter off the ice, joining NFP as a Client Executive, where he works with businesses and individuals on insurance and risk management. Links Instagram: www.instagram.com/maydayhockey LinkedIn: ca.linkedin.com/in/brad-may-24228662 Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Emma Murray and Dwayne Kerrigan move from awareness into practical performance tools. Emma introduces one of the most powerful distinctions in high performance: critique versus criticism. She explains why self-criticism is a survival response that quietly destroys confidence, slows learning, and locks people into repeated mistakes. Through examples from elite sport, sales, leadership, parenting, and everyday life, Emma breaks down how to review performance by examining the entire process — thoughts, feelings, actions, and results — rather than attacking outcomes or identity. The conversation also dives into fear-based leadership, tunnel vision, stress responses, and why people perform worse when they feel watched, pressured, or unsafe. Emma shares actionable techniques to regain presence under pressure, including breath, body awareness, and “small focus” anchors that keep the mind out of fight-or-flight. This episode equips leaders, entrepreneurs, and performers with a repeatable framework for learning faster, leading better, and performing consistently — even when stakes are high. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Emma on self-kindness under pressure and stopping the internal threat response 01:00 – Dwayne intro + framing Part 2: turning attention and mindset into action 02:00 – Critique over criticism: how thoughts drive feelings, actions, and results 03:30 – Outcome focus vs process focus and why pressure hijacks performance 05:05 – How to critique the entire performance process (thinking, feeling, doing) 06:40 – Turning failure into growth by extracting the right lessons 08:00 – Why quarterly reviews fail and daily reflection matters 09:45 – Coaching teams beyond checklists and task correction 11:25 – A-game vs B-game language and building awareness in teams 13:40 – Leaders, fear, control, and psychological safety 15:30 – Running toward outcomes vs accessing creativity and big-picture thinking 17:30 – The “flashlight of attention” metaphor for leaders and parents 19:40 – Stress responses, presence, and anchoring attention (breath, feet, listening) 22:00 – Training attention as a performance muscle 25:45 – Stress cycles, recovery, and sustainable performance 29:10 – Introduction to the Closed Eye Process and presence training 32:00 – Deep dive: critiquing vs criticizing explained step-by-step 36:30 – Survival wiring, subconscious files, and performance memory 39:30 – The CHIMP brain, danger signals, and slipping into B-game 42:30 – Small controllable focus as the pathway back to A-game Key Takeaways: Critique examines process, not personal worth Thoughts drive feelings, feelings drive actions, actions drive results Growth comes from extracting learnings — not from failure alone Fear narrows focus and creates tunnel vision Small, controllable focus prevents fight-or-flight Connection reduces fear and restores execution Quotes: “Failure does not give you growth if you are not actually eliciting the lessons from it.” - Emma Murray “Feet on floor, bum on chair … Bring your attention to your feet, your bum, your breath … those things are gonna anchor you back into the present moment” - Emma Murray “When all this fails, use your breath” - Emma Murray “The human mind cannot carry two thoughts simultaneously.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Resources Mentioned Critique Over Criticism Framework A-Game / B-Game Performance Model CHIMP Paradox – Dr. Steve Peters Closed-Eye Process Emma is sought-after by ASX 100 corporations, executives, and the education sector for her unique High Performance Mindfulness practice that drives sustainable improvements in performance, by providing the skills and tools that enable participants to bring their 'A-Game' to high-pressure moments. Website: https://www.emmamurray.com.au/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/highperformancemindfulness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/em.murray.mindcoach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-performance-mindfulness/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Performance mindset coach Emma Murray returns to The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast to break down why even highly capable people struggle under pressure - and how to fix it. Emma explains that humans are not wired to perform at their best in business, sport, or life - we’re wired for survival. When pressure hits, our attention naturally drifts to fear, loss, and outcomes we can’t control, pulling us out of the present moment. Through powerful examples from golf, sales, leadership, parenting, and elite sport, Emma shows how performance collapses the moment attention leaves the task. Together, Dwayne and Emma unpack the difference between skillset and mindset, why elite performers win through attention regulation, and how “chunking down” - narrowing focus to something small, controllable, and strength-based - restores clarity, confidence, and execution. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Emma opens by explaining why humans are wired for survival, not greatness. 01:00 – Dwayne introduces Emma and frames the conversation around skillset, mindset, and attention. 03:30 – Emma explains why attention patterns are universal across sport, business, and life. 06:00 – Golf example: how attention drifts under pressure and breaks execution. 08:30 – Skillset vs mindset explained using the “boxes within boxes” analogy. 11:00 – Scott McLaughlin story and consistency through mindset regulation. 13:30 – Expectations, execution, and why lowering outcomes is the wrong solution. 16:00 – Survival wiring: fear of loss vs fear of missing gain. 18:30 – Sales leadership example and why people avoid known next steps. 21:00 – Horse riding comeback story and gratitude removing danger thinking. 23:30 – Freeze response explained and attention leaving the arena. 26:00 – Why leaders can’t fix fear with cheerleading or pressure. 28:30 – Catching attention drift and recognizing A-game vs B-game signals. 31:30 – Small focus strategies for golf, sales, and presentations. 34:30 – Breath as the fastest way to regulate attention and mindset. 38:30 – Process focus vs outcome focus and competitive advantage. 41:30 – Post-execution review introduced: critique over criticism. 44:30 – Bonus segment setup: “Chunking Down” as a performance tool. 47:30 – Chunking down explained with leadership, sales, and riding examples. Key Takeaways: Humans are wired for survival, not peak performance Pressure pulls attention away from the present moment Skillset lives inside mindset — mindset determines delivery Outcomes and comparison destabilize performance Small, controllable focus creates safety and clarity Breath is the fastest way to regulate attention Elite performers anchor attention on process, not results Performance improves when danger is removed from the mind Quotes: “We are not wired to be great in competition or to be great in sales or business, or even a great friend for that matter, or a great parent. We are just wired for survival.” - Emma Murray Big stuff, big goals, big expectations, small focus.” - Emma Murray “If you are stepping into that moment with your attention on the process, you've already got a massive competitive advantage.” - Emma Murray “Control is an illusion” - Dwayne Kerrigan Resources Mentioned Traditional Mindfulness (adapted by Emma Murray) Chunking Down Technique Closed-Eye Processes (mentioned as bonus content) Emma is sought-after by ASX 100 corporations, executives, and the education sector for her unique High Performance Mindfulness practice that drives sustainable improvements in performance, by providing the skills and tools that enable participants to bring their 'A-Game' to high-pressure moments. Website: https://www.emmamurray.com.au/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/highperformancemindfulness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/em.murray.mindcoach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-performance-mindfulness/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this special bonus episode recorded ahead of their full mindset conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan and Emma Murray reflect on a deeply personal topic: relationships. As Valentine’s Day approaches, they explore how intimate relationships often absorb the stress, pressure, and emotional buildup from the outside world. Dwayne shares candidly about his own growth — recognizing how habitual reactions, unmet needs, and old internal stories can surface at home if they’re not processed throughout the day. Emma adds insight into how unconscious patterns, primary questions, and survival wiring shape the way we show up with those we love most. Together, they discuss raising standards inside the relationship, practicing conscious awareness, meeting your partner’s needs without expectation, and replacing self-judgment with grace. This short but powerful conversation reframes love not as grand gestures, but as attention, awareness, and intentional daily behavior. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction: Valentine's Day as a renewal for relationships 0:27 - Viewing Valentine's Day as a time for awareness and meeting needs 1:23 - Why we release stress on loved ones instead of during the day 2:41 - Holding different standards for work vs. intimate relationships 3:43 - The importance of awareness in meeting your partner's needs 4:34 - Breaking habitual negative response patterns in relationships 5:11 - How relationship quality affects every area of life 5:38 - "Chains of habit are too light to be felt until too heavy to be broken" 6:06 - Treating your partner with conscious awareness 7:14 - Focusing on relationship growth: reading, podcasts, and learning 7:53 - Enjoying the process instead of fixating on an end state 8:30 - Getting addicted to lighting up your partner 9:10 - Managing anger and identifying emotional triggers 9:52 - Using Byron Katie's four questions to examine stories we tell ourselves 10:12 - Taking responsibility instead of projecting onto your partner 10:30 - We're all learning - giving yourself and your partner grace 11:54 - Appreciating yourself for being imperfect Key Takeaways: We often release built-up stress on the people we love most Awareness creates choice inside intimate moments Love grows when we actively meet one another’s needs Self-reflection prevents projection Grace and ownership dissolve conflict faster than blame Relationships are built through process, not perfection Conscious love is practiced — not automatic Quotes: “There’s nothing better in this world and nothing makes life feel greater than having an amazing relationship that is just full of love and abundance when it is going and operating at its peak level.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ I didn't hold myself to the same standard inside the intimate relationship as I did in my professional life.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “If things are not good in your relationship, they’re not good anywhere you go.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “I think our relationships are very based on just habitual responses.” - Emma Murray “Our relationship is the core of our existence here.” - Emma Murray “The excitement of treating your person that you love most with such conscious awareness.” - Emma Murray Resources Mentioned Loving What Is - Byron Katie Primary Question Framework (personal development concept referenced) 10,000 Hours Principle (mastery concept referenced) Emma is sought-after by ASX 100 corporations, executives, and the education sector for her unique High Performance Mindfulness practice that drives sustainable improvements in performance, by providing the skills and tools that enable participants to bring their 'A-Game' to high-pressure moments. Website: https://www.emmamurray.com.au/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/highperformancemindfulness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/em.murray.mindcoach/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/high-performance-mindfulness/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, Sarah Jeanneault and Dwayne Kerrigan tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in modern business: AI implementation without foundational process. Drawing from Sarah’s background in education, finance, trading psychology, and her current role at ProcedureFlow, the discussion reframes AI not as a silver bullet—but as an amplifier of whatever already exists inside an organization. Together, they explore why many companies are failing to see ROI from AI investments, how skipping SOPs and governance creates chaos, and why leaders must slow down before they scale up. Using powerful metaphors—from sourdough baking to mountain biking—Sarah explains why meaningful AI adoption requires patience, critical thinking, and uncomfortable conversations. The episode also expands into leadership, parenting, culture-building, and the human elements AI will never replace: empathy, judgment, and connection. This is a grounded, honest conversation for leaders who want to use AI responsibly—without gambling their business on hype. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Sarah introduces AI implementation using a sourdough recipe analogy 01:00 – Dwayne welcomes listeners and frames Part 2 02:00 – Imposter syndrome, fear, and language we use to protect ourselves 05:00 – Growth mindset and the “10 more steps” principle 08:00 – Parenting, resilience, and building long-term capability 12:00 – Leadership, culture, and why hard conversations matter 16:00 – Why AI investments often fail to produce ROI 20:00 – SOPs, governance, and backing the bus up 25:00 – Customer experience, AI chatbots, and human frustration 30:00 – Agentic AI, avatars, and future customer service models 35:00 – Why AI is already here and cannot be undone 40:00 – Doom scrolling, humanity, and preserving curiosity 46:00 – Data collection as preparation—not prediction 53:00 – Visual flows and simplifying complex knowledge 59:00 – AI timelines, human choice, and optionality 01:05:00 – Where AI helps—and where it shouldn’t replace humans 01:10:00 – Final reflections and resources Key Takeaways: AI amplifies broken systems, it doesn’t fix them SOPs, processes, and governance must come before automation ROI fails when AI is implemented for optics instead of outcomes Process clarity enables both humans and AI to perform better Not every industry, or company, is ready for AI at the same pace Data collection today enables smarter AI decisions tomorrow AI should augment human judgment, not replace it The future still belongs to human connection, empathy, and choice Resources Mentioned: ProcedureFlow – Enterprise knowledge management platform - https://procedureflow.com/ Notable Quotes: “The only difference between a dream and a goal is a timeline.” - Sarah Jeanneault “I want people to think about implementation of ai, like you're following a recipe for something that's really tricky to cook.” - Sarah Jeanneault “ If you are willing to go 10 steps of uncertainty when you feel like you really need to stop, but you're gonna push for 10 more seconds, you are going to get so much further ahead of somebody else.” - Sarah Jeanneault “ Anything worthwhile is hard. If it's not, it's probably not worthwhile.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ The real meaning behind imposter syndrome is, you know, am I enough?” - Dwayne Kerrigan Sarah Jeanneault is the Vice President of Marketing at ProcedureFlow, where she’s helping redefine customer experience in the age of AI. With over 20 years of leadership across fintech, wealth management, and brokerage services, Sarah is an award-winning executive, speaker, and founder who brings both personal passion and professional expertise to the table. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women Leaders in Finance in the U.S. Known for her dynamic mix of strategic vision and human-centered leadership, Sarah believes lasting success comes from having a goal, a dream, and the determination to pursue it—along with a willingness to keep learning and growing. Links LinkedIn:https://ca.linkedin.com/in/iam-sarah-potter Website: https://procedureflow.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Procedureflow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/procedureflow Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/ Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Sarah Jeanneault shares her unconventional journey from struggling with math in school to becoming a respected leader in fintech, trading education, and enterprise knowledge management. She and Dwayne Kerrigan explore the deep gaps in financial literacy, why traditional education often fails to prepare people for real-world decision-making, and how learning truly begins after formal schooling ends. Sarah explains how she applied adult learning theory to teach herself trading, why psychology matters more than numbers in the markets, and how curiosity, pattern recognition, and humility shaped her success. The discussion expands into the future of education, AI’s role in learning, entrepreneurship, identity shifts after business exits, and the emotional reality of leadership transitions. This episode is a thoughtful examination of growth, risk, and why continuous learning is the most valuable skill anyone can develop. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Sarah opens by naming the gap in real-world financial literacy. 02:00 – Dwayne introduces Sarah and frames the episode around learning and reinvention. 05:00 – Sarah shares struggling with math and early assumptions about intelligence. 09:00 – Losing her best friend and questioning the direction of her life. 14:00 – Discovering trading and applying adult learning theory to self-education. 18:00 – Why financial literacy is rarely taught despite its life-long impact. 23:00 – Breaking down trading basics and removing unnecessary complexity. 28:00 – Psychology, emotion, and why ego derails good financial decisions. 33:00 – Risk, uncertainty, and learning to sit with discomfort. 38:00 – Podcasts, curiosity, and self-directed learning as modern education. 44:00 – Continuous learning as the foundation of entrepreneurship and leadership. 49:00 – Gamifying learning to build confidence and consistency over time. 54:00 – Building community through transparency and shared learning. 59:00 – Scaling education-driven businesses and teaching at scale. 64:00 – Identity shifts after acquisitions and redefining success. 69:00 – Leadership, disagreement, and creating psychologically safe teams. 74:00 – AI, critical thinking, and the future of learning. 79:00 – Personal growth, reinvention, and staying curious long-term. 84:00 – Reflections on learning, humility, and what truly creates confidence. 88:00 – Closing thoughts, gratitude, and setting up Part 2. Key Takeaways: Financial literacy is rarely taught, yet deeply shapes life decisions. Learning accelerates when curiosity replaces fear of being “bad at math.” Real education often begins after formal schooling ends. Trading and business are driven as much by psychology as by data. Growth comes from pattern recognition, experimentation, and reflection. Entrepreneurship requires comfort with uncertainty and identity shifts. AI will amplify learning — but only if critical thinking is prioritized. Strong leaders create environments where disagreement is encouraged. Sustainable success comes from continuous learning and reinvention. Resources Mentioned: ProcedureFlow – Enterprise knowledge management platform - https://procedureflow.com/ CNBC – Financial markets media reference Notable Quotes: “ There really isn't a lot of real financial literacy. We really don't talk about - what do you do with money?” - Sarah Jeanneault ”But what I don't want anyone to believe is that tomorrow you can make a million dollars in the S&P because that is not true. There's no lottery ticket to this journey.” - Sarah Jeanneault “ I think I'm most proud of doing quite well in finance … someone who really struggled in school with math.” - Sarah Jeanneault “Stocks go up, sideways, or down — that’s it.” - Sarah Jeanneault “If you think you're gonna go from education, whatever it is, university, high school, wherever you go, and then learning stops, like go start your own business and try not to learn.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “I would say that one of the key components to the most successful people that we've had on the show … the key component that they have threaded through there is they’re learners” - Dwayne Kerrigan Sarah Jeanneault is the Vice President of Marketing at ProcedureFlow, where she’s helping redefine customer experience in the age of AI. With over 20 years of leadership across fintech, wealth management, and brokerage services, Sarah is an award-winning executive, speaker, and founder who brings both personal passion and professional expertise to the table. In 2023, she was recognized as one of the Top 10 Women Leaders in Finance in the U.S. Known for her dynamic mix of strategic vision and human-centered leadership, Sarah believes lasting success comes from having a goal, a dream, and the determination to pursue it—along with a willingness to keep learning and growing. Links LinkedIn:https://ca.linkedin.com/in/iam-sarah-potter Website: https://procedureflow.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Procedureflow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/procedureflow Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/ Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Robyn Benincasa returns to go deeper on one of the most misunderstood elements of leadership: commitment when motivation fades. Drawing from decades of adventure racing, firefighting, and nonprofit leadership, Robyn explains why elite teams don’t wait to feel ready — they move forward anyway. Together with Dwayne Kerrigan, Robyn unpacks the difference between confidence and ego, why standing still is often more dangerous than moving imperfectly, and how innovation only emerges when teams focus on how to win, not how to avoid losing. Through unforgettable stories involving Steve Gurney, creative rule-bending, and suffering with grace, she illustrates how forward momentum unlocks answers that planning alone never will. The conversation culminates with a deep dive into Project Athena, the nonprofit Robyn founded to help survivors of medical and traumatic setbacks reclaim identity, confidence, and purpose through team-based endurance adventures. This episode is a masterclass in leadership under pressure, culture design, and why the ability to suffer well — together — is a competitive advantage in business and in life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Robyn explains commitment through action, not emotion. 02:00 – Dwayne connects mentorship, influence, and leadership responsibility. 05:00 – Why being willing to be a beginner fuels innovation. 07:30 – Failure, repetition, and learning through action. 10:30 – Why preparation paralysis keeps people stuck. 13:30 – Emotions, discipline, and not letting feelings run your life. 16:00 – “Winning is that way” and the mindset shift that sparks innovation. 18:30 – Steve Gurney stories and thinking inside the rules vs. white space. 22:00 – Team selection, culture fit, and suffering equally. 26:00 – Ego vs. confidence and rotating leadership by strength. 30:00 – Why top-down leadership fails in complex environments. 34:00 – Relinquishing ego to avoid slowing the entire team down. 38:00 – Project Athena’s mission and creating comeback identities. 43:00 – How shared suffering builds lifelong trust and leadership. 48:00 – “Excellent suffering” and using adversity as an advantage. 52:00 – Robyn’s six hip surgeries and redefining resilience. 54:00 – Where to find Robyn, Project Athena, and closing reflections. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Commitment is demonstrated by action, not emotion. Feelings can inform decisions, but they should never rule them. Forward momentum creates clarity; standing still creates fear. Innovation comes from operating in the white space. Helping others is the healthiest outlet for ego. Identity is shaped by comeback stories, not setbacks. NOTABLE QUOTES: “ I show my commitment to my goals by what I do, regardless of how I feel.” - Robyn Benincasa “ Commitment starts when the fun stops, right? I mean, you're not actually showing your commitment until shit's not fun anymore.” - Robyn Benincasa “There’s a difference between confidence and ego” - Robyn Benincasa “ Anybody can sail a ship in calm waters, but when the shit hits the fan, where are you? - Dwayne Kerrigan RESOURCES MENTIONED: Project Athena – projectathena.org RobynBenincasa.com – leadership resources, blog, free TEAMWORK PDF TEAMWORK Framework (Robyn Benincasa) Steve Gurney – adventure racing innovation examples Adventure Racing World Championships Project Athena Adventures (San Diego Coast Walk, Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim, Keys to Recovery, Zion Traverse) As a two-time World Champion Adventure racer, San Diego Firefighter, and CNN Hero, Robyn Benincasa knows a thing or two about creating Human Synergy, or as she puts it, “That magic that allows ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things together.” Through harrowing experiences in places like the jungles of Borneo and the Himalayan peaks, Robyn has studied the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty of Extreme Teamwork. Her refreshing and unique techniques build and foster impactful, inspired teams that succeed against all odds and turn setbacks into comebacks. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynbenincasa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobynBenincasa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobynBenincasaSpeaker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynbenincasa/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with world-class endurance athlete, firefighter, nonprofit founder, and keynote speaker Robyn Benincasa to unpack what truly separates great teams from the rest. Drawing from decades of extreme adventure racing, Robyn shares how elite teams win not by being the most talented, but by being the most committed to each other. She introduces her powerful TEAMWORK framework, revealing why total commitment, empathy, adversity management, mutual respect, and relinquishing ego are the real competitive advantages—whether you’re racing through jungles or leading a modern organization. Through unforgettable stories—including hallucinations after days without sleep, tying boats together to beat world champions, and redefining leadership mid-race—Robyn shows how purpose, preparation, creativity, and shared ownership create cultures that don’t just survive pressure… they win because of it. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and building teams that operate as one heart, one mind, especially when the stakes are high and the path forward is uncertain. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Robyn opens with the defining trait of elite teammates: leaving ego at the start line. 01:00 – Dwayne formally introduces Robyn and outlines her extraordinary background. 03:00 – Robyn shares discovering kayaking after hip surgery and focusing on what she could do. 06:30 – Why progress toward a meaningful goal is what makes humans feel alive. 10:30 – Competing to explore personal limits rather than seeking validation or approval. 14:00 – Why great teams care more about each other than themselves. 18:00 – How Robyn accidentally became a speaker after Fast Company’s “Extreme Teamwork” 21:30 – The importance of leaving ego behind and accepting help to win as a team. 25:30 – The “Steve Gurney Missile” story and choosing to race to win instead of not lose. 30:00 – Creativity, calculated risk, and living in your strengths under pressure. 34:30 – Relinquishing ego, rotating leadership, and leading based on strengths—not titles. 39:00 – Hallucinations, extreme fatigue, and supporting teammates through suffering. 42:00 – Kinetic leadership and adapting leadership styles to what the team needs. 45:30 – Purpose, coaching influence, and how early mentors shaped Robyn’s drive. 50:30 – Innovation, self-awareness, and evolving by leaning into strengths. 56:00 – Finding a greater purpose in business. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Winning teams prioritize commitment to each other, not individual performance. Progress toward a meaningful goal is what makes humans feel alive. Creativity and innovation emerge when teams operate from trust and purpose. Leadership should rotate based on strengths, not titles or tenure. Accepting help is not a weakness, it’s how teams move faster and farther. Great leaders show people how amazing they are, not how amazing the leader is. NOTABLE QUOTES: “ I feel weird when I don't have a goal. I get my juju, I get my energy from progress.” - Robyn Benincasa “ I think humans really feel alive when they're progressing towards a goal.” - Robyn Benincasa “Winning is that way.” - Robyn Benincasa ”You don't inspire people by showing them how amazing you are, you inspire people by showing them how amazing they are.” - Robyn Benincasa “ In business, if you're not innovating, you're, you're dying.” - Dwayne Kerrigan RESOURCES MENTIONED: Project Athena (founded by Robyn Benincasa) Fast Company Magazine – Extreme Teamwork feature Adventure Racing World Championships Guinness World Records (endurance paddling) TEAMWORK framework (Total Commitment, Empathy, Adversity Management, Mutual Respect, We-thinking, Ownership, Relinquishment of ego) Daniel Goleman – Emotional Intelligence (leadership styles reference) As a two-time World Champion Adventure racer, San Diego Firefighter, and CNN Hero, Robyn Benincasa knows a thing or two about creating Human Synergy, or as she puts it, “That magic that allows ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things together.” Through harrowing experiences in places like the jungles of Borneo and the Himalayan peaks, Robyn has studied the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty of Extreme Teamwork. Her refreshing and unique techniques build and foster impactful, inspired teams that succeed against all odds and turn setbacks into comebacks. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynbenincasa/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RobynBenincasa YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RobynBenincasaSpeaker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robynbenincasa/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part 2 of this conversation, Michael Grandjean shares the emotional and psychological turning point that allowed him to rebuild his life and career after profound loss. From a raw moment of self-forgiveness in the mountains of Morocco to the daily discipline of “kicking the can,” Michael walks through the mindset shifts, rituals, and relentless patience required to climb out of depression, debt, and despair. Together with Dwayne Kerrigan, this episode explores the role of brotherhood, leverage, honest self-reflection, and creating a compelling new story when the old one no longer serves you. This is a masterclass in resilience, identity rebuilding, and what it truly takes to come back stronger — with wisdom, humility, and purpose. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Michael opens with the realization that self-forgiveness was required to move forward. 01:00 – Episode introduction and framing this as Part 2 of Michael’s comeback story. 02:00 – The Morocco mastermind trip and being forced to confront the truth. 05:00 – Emotional breakthrough on the mountain and the decision to rebuild. 07:30 – Creating the Three Ps: plan, persistence, and patience. 09:00 – “Kick the can” explained and committing to daily forward movement. 12:00 – Brotherhood, accountability, and why we’re not meant to do life alone. 16:00 – Letting go of guilt, disappointment, and the need for self-forgiveness. 20:00 – Depression, isolation, and breaking life down to “just get through today.” 24:00 – Writing the plan on a whiteboard and becoming resourceful again. 30:00 – Changing the internal story to create a compelling future. 36:00 – Writing goals again, paying off debt, and getting back to zero. 42:00 – Daily mantras, rituals, and retraining the mind. 48:00 – Shifting from hourly work to profit-based consulting and rebuilding cash flow. 01:01:00 – Final reflections, where to find Michael, and the podcast disclaimer. Key Takeaways: Self-forgiveness is a prerequisite for real forward movement. Progress is built daily through patience, persistence, and simple actions. You cannot rebuild alone - community and accountability matter. Changing your internal story changes your future trajectory. Rituals, mantras, and physiology are tools for rewiring the mind. Resources Mentioned: Checkmate: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1365025640684229 Tony Robbins – Date With Destiny Mastermind Personal goal-setting and written planning practices Daily mantras and meditation rituals Whiteboard strategic planning Notable Quotes: “The past is the past. The past doesn't equal the future.” - Michael Grandjean “You have to change your story … If you’re living in a shitty story, you’re going to stay in a shitty story.” - Michael Grandjean ”When you're in the bottom you can't see the top. And that's the hardest part of trying to figure out how to get out of it.” - Michael Grandjean “We are not meant to walk through this world alone. Humanity is not meant to walk through this world alone.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Luck is labour under correct knowledge” - Dwayne Kerrigan Michael Grandjean is a serial entrepreneur whose journey from Navy corpsman to construction industry leader exemplifies the American spirit of perseverance and reinvention. His story isn't just about building businesses, it's about getting back up, learning from failure, and proving that resilience isn't just surviving the fall, but using it as a foundation for what comes next. Links: Website: itsmissioncritical.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.mikeg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrandjean Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this candid and powerful conversation, Michael Grandjean joins Dwayne Kerrigan to share the real story behind his rise, collapse, and rebuilding as an entrepreneur who led with heart—and paid a steep price for it. From early service as a volunteer firefighter and Navy corpsman to building a $25M remediation company, Michael reflects on the leadership blind spots that quietly dismantled his business: avoiding confrontation, ignoring early warning signs, and letting emotion override structure and accountability. He opens up about losing everything, the humility required to face hard truths, and the moment that changed his trajectory—the realization that even at checkmate, the king still has one more move. This episode is a raw masterclass in leadership self-awareness, responsibility, and what it truly takes to rebuild when everything falls apart. Episode Highlights: 01:15 — Dwayne introduces Michael and some of his background 03:00 — Framing the conversation: collapse, comeback, and leadership through adversity 05:00 — Early life experiences that shaped Michael’s instinct to serve and protect others 08:00 — How learning-by-doing in the military built confidence, skill, and leadership 12:00 — The missed Naval Academy opportunity and how a single point changed his life path 16:00 — Discovering the root of his need to “fix everything” through early childhood memory 20:00 — How that identity became both a leadership strength and a business liability 24:00 — From couch-surfing to starting his first company with borrowed money 28:00 — Explosive growth: scaling from zero to $25M and building teams that drove success 35:00 — Hiring high-accountability leaders and why standards matter more than likability 42:00 — The beginning of complacency and losing focus after reaching the “top” 48:00 — Major projects fail, millions lost, and the cost of avoiding confrontation 55:00 — Hard truths: personal blind spots, delayed decisions, and leadership responsibility 01:05:00 — The emotional bottom, rebuilding identity, and the realization that “the king still has one more move” 01:20:00 — Final reflections on honesty, courage, accountability, and choosing to move forward Key Takeaways: Leading with heart is powerful, but without boundaries it becomes expensive. Relationships, not brands, carry small and mid-sized businesses. SOPs, structure, and accountability protect leaders from their blind spots. Complacency quietly erodes even successful companies. Leaders must be honest with themselves before they can fix anything else. Even at your lowest point, you still have one more move. Resources Mentioned: Checkmate: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1365025640684229 Tony Robbins – Date With Destiny Awaken the Giant Within (Tony Robbins) Mastermind Notable Quotes: “The king still has one more move” - Michael Grandjean “When people show you who they are, believe it.” - Michael Grandjean “The thing that you said that probably is the most important is, absolutely positively being honest with yourself.” - Michael Grandjean “You don't have to be a $20 million business or a 50 or a hundred million dollars business to be successful. That's not the definition of success.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “There's not a single rich dude, I don't know, that wouldn't give all his money for having health.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Michael Grandjean is a serial entrepreneur whose journey from Navy corpsman to construction industry leader exemplifies the American spirit of perseverance and reinvention. His story isn't just about building businesses, it's about getting back up, learning from failure, and proving that resilience isn't just surviving the fall, but using it as a foundation for what comes next. Links: Website: itsmissioncritical.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/big.mikeg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgrandjean Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

Part Two of the Best Of 2025 series brings together some of the most impactful leadership, mindset, and business insights shared on The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast this year. This curated collection highlights defining moments from seasoned executives, founders, and operators who have navigated growth, failure, succession, identity shifts, and reinvention at every stage of their careers. Across these clips, listeners hear honest reflections on making unpopular but necessary decisions, balancing intensity with elegance in leadership, evolving career horizons, and knowing when to step forward—or step aside. The episode explores entrepreneurial thinking inside both startups and large organizations, the power of conviction over persuasion, and why great leadership is rooted in process, accountability, and self-awareness rather than blame. This Best Of episode also dives into legacy thinking: building multi-generational companies, transitioning leadership roles, redefining success beyond ego, and discovering fulfillment through contribution rather than achievement alone. From mindset and marketing to succession planning and service-driven purpose, Part Two captures the wisdom that emerges only through lived experience. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:34 - Introduction 2:53- France Margaret Bélanger 05:13 - Ron Tite 06:50 - Jason Castellan 09:54 - Karl Tabbakh 13:15 - Jeni Hott 16:26 - Swish Goswami 17:55 - Mark Bradley 19:36 - Jim Ritter 21:51 - Irfan Rajabali 24:43 - Rod Khleif 27:18 - Vaneli Martinov 31:50 - Scott Clary KEY TAKEAWAYS: *Conviction gives leaders the courage to act when approval is uncertain. *Strong leaders balance intensity with elegance, standards with emotional control. *Career growth should widen future opportunities, not narrow them. *Identity and ego can quietly sabotage fulfillment if left unchecked. *Sustainable success requires planning for succession long before it feels necessary. *Authority and clarity outperform persuasion and desperation in marketing and leadership. *Happiness comes from progress, contribution, and growth—not from hitting a single goal. NOTABLE QUOTES: “You should never achieve a big goal without having other goals lined up behind it” - Rod Khleif “What gives you the courage to make those tough decisions … you have the conviction that it’s the right decision ultimately” - France Margaret Bélanger “I see a problem, I think deeply about it, and I come up with a solution, and act on it” - Swish Goswami “When I’m no longer being challenged as a leader, this is where I think ok, what should I be doing next?” - Karl Tabbakh “I’ve got a solution that works and I know it’s here for them. That conviction comes through as leadership.” - Jeni Hott Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/ Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

This Best Of episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast brings together some of the most powerful, human, and perspective-shifting moments from recent conversations—highlighting the inner work that fuels resilience, fulfillment, and sustainable success. Across these standout clips, Dwayne and his guests explore the quiet transformations that happen beneath the surface: reframing everyday frustrations into gratitude, redefining identity after loss or transition, and understanding how meaning—not circumstances—shapes our experience of life and leadership. Listeners will hear deeply personal reflections on illness, sobriety, scarcity and abundance, self-belief, and the courage required to evolve beyond old identities. From learning to “get from” experiences instead of merely getting through them, to recognizing that progress creates happiness and balance—not extremes—creates longevity, this episode weaves together the wisdom that resonates long after the moment passes. This Best Of collection serves as both a reminder and a reset: fulfillment isn’t waiting at a destination. It’s found in the journey, in presence, perspective, and the daily choices that shape who we become. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00:32 - Introduction 03:22 - Jessica Janzen 05:52 - Master Co 09:34 - Molly Bloom 12:02 - Tod Melnyk 15:10 - Emily Williams 16:56 - Mara Dorne 19:33 - Alvin Brown 22:55 - Jaime McKenna 25:52 - Rich Diviney 29:09 - John Karpov 31:16 - Alan Stein Jr. 34:04 - Heather Moyse KEY TAKEAWAYS: Perspective can transform frustration into gratitude. Identity drives behavior; what you place after “I am” shapes your choices. You are not your thoughts, emotions, or circumstances — you are the observer of them. Growth comes from introspection and learning from experiences, not just getting through them. Failure becomes lighter when reframed as information, not identity. Sustainable high performance requires balance, not extremes. The journey itself—not the destination—is where fulfillment lives. NOTABLE QUOTES: “We find certainty in some of the smallest things, and that certainty is what gives us purpose.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “You’re not the emotion. It was created by you.” - Master Co “If you don’t get from an experience, you’re bound to repeat it over and over again.” - Alvin Brown “Let go of things and trust the process” - Emily Brown “When you feel good on the inside, you look good on the outside, you perform better” - Mara Dorne Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/ Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/ Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.com Disclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this special Q&A leadership session, Dwayne Kerrigan brings forward one of his most personal and powerful teachings yet—an unfiltered look at problem-solving, decision-making, emotional mastery, strategic planning, and the rituals that shape high-performance leaders. Responding to 51 listener questions, Dwayne breaks down the “three pillars of progress,” the psychological layers of every problem, why decision-making is a muscle, and how fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm quietly sabotage performance. He shares the exact rituals he has used for decades—from weekly solitude planning to identity-based scheduling—and the transformative practice he credits with changing his life: think time. This episode is a masterclass in intentional living and high-performance leadership, blending mindset, structure, neuroscience, and real-world business wisdom. If you’re navigating fast-moving environments, leading teams, or trying to build a more purposeful life, this conversation gives you a proven roadmap forward. Key Takeaways: Decision-making is a muscle—if you don’t practice small decisions with process and ritual, big decisions will always overwhelm you. Your focus determines your emotional life—the meaning you attach to events shapes long-term joy or suffering. Rituals create identity and outcomes—weekly solitude planning, think time, and identity-based scheduling produce clarity and momentum. Strategic thinking requires cadence—yearly visioning, quarterly reviews, weekly planning, and daily recalibration. AI will disrupt faster than expected—leaders must systemize processes now to survive the shift. Self-love, vulnerability, and forgiveness are essential ingredients for emotional mastery and better decision-making. Quotes: “Decision making is a muscle .. and it's a skill set. And often times where we struggle is this area of making the tough and difficult decisions.” “What you ritualized in practice in private is rewarded in public.” “The business side of things should be a game. I mean, it should be fun most of the time.” "What is going to make you a happier and more joyful person, is attaching a different meaning to the events that happen in your life.” Resources Mentioned: Tony Robbins – “Three Pillars of Progress,” Date With Destiny program, life-planning philosophy Stephen Covey – prioritization framework (A/B/C method) Waking Up App (Sam Harris) – meditation and mindfulness ChatGPT (Teams) – referenced as part of Dwayne’s business infrastructure SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) – foundational to AI-based workflow agents Identity-based scheduling – Dwayne’s personal system (Chairman, Husband, Father, Student, etc.) Audio Timestamps: 00:00 – How meaning, not outcomes, determines happiness and fulfillment. 01:00 – Welcome, context for the live Q&A format, and session overview. 02:00 – Framing the biggest listener questions around decisions, problems, and leadership. 03:00 – The three pillars of progress and why focusing on problems makes them grow. 05:00 – The three levels of a problem: external, internal, and psychological. 07:00 – Why fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm stop people from making decisions. 09:00 – Decision-making as a muscle and the importance of rituals for small decisions. 12:00 – Managing overwhelm through physiology, breathing, and better questions. 16:00 – Focus, meaning, and how emotional patterns shape leadership behavior. 23:00 – Strategic thinking rituals: yearly visioning, quarterly reviews, and weekly planning. 30:00 – Identity-based scheduling and prioritizing what truly matters. 37:00 – Think time as a leadership superpower and how to train your mind. 43:00 – Accountability, scorecards, and building high-performance teams. 47:00 – Thriving in fast-moving environments through cadence, communication, and clarity. 53:00 – AI, SOPs, and preparing organizations for rapid technological change. 01:00:00 – Gamification, morning rituals, and energizing daily performance. 01:05:00 – Shifting from goal-setting to road mapping and intentional living. 01:08:00 – Awareness, vulnerability, self-love, and forgiveness as leadership foundations. 01:12:00 – Final reflections, gratitude, and invitation for feedback. Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In Part Two of this high-impact conversation, Dwayne continues his deep dive with global business strategist and Success Story Podcast host Scott Clary, who breaks down exactly why attention is the foundational currency of modern business — and why companies that fail to adapt will be overtaken by those who move quickly with media, content, and AI. Scott unpacks the psychology of why leaders resist content, the identity fear behind “not wanting to suck,” and how legacy businesses risk losing everything because they’re still marketing for 2005 while technology is sprinting into 2025. Dwayne and Scott explore real-world examples—from lawn-care companies to B2B manufacturers to billion-dollar firms—and show how even the most “unsexy” industries can dominate simply by capturing attention and building trust at scale. The conversation expands into AI disruption, the collapse of traditional SEO, the rise of generative search, modern buyer behavior, shortening sales cycles through content, and the undeniable compounding power of personal brand. This episode is a wake-up call to business owners everywhere: adapt now, or be replaced by those who do. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 00:00 – Media equals attention and attention drives every business outcome. 02:00 – The real starting point for content: sucking at first and learning through repetition. 04:30 – Scott unpacks why universal business principles apply to content creation. 06:00 – Identity, fear, and why business owners avoid content creation. 07:00 – The widening gap between tech adopters and those still resisting digital change. 09:00 – Legacy vs. legitimacy: content won’t damage your reputation, but irrelevance will. 11:00 – Content isn't just video - newsletters, audio, and niche education all count. 13:00 – Niche creators winning with “unsexy” businesses. 17:00 – Example content strategies. 20:00 – Why Scott studies fast-growing creators - not the biggest creators. 23:00 – The explosive business outcomes possible when you master content (“not a 1x or 2x”). 27:00 – Why even billion-dollar CEOs must build trust through media. 33:00 – How content accelerates B2B sales cycles and increases closing ratios. 37:00 – Generative search is replacing Google. 43:00 – Scott breaks down the KPI stack: retention, shares, watch time, and qualified leads. 48:00 – Essential tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Opus Pro, CapCut, etc., and what they’re best for. 50:00 – Hiring global talent. 56:00 – The coming AI household-assistant revolution. 01:02:00 – SEO collapse and the rise of creator-driven education and media networks. 01:08:00 – Entrepreneurs have already done hard things - this is simply the next one. 01:10:00 – Passion is the outcome of mastery, not the prerequisite. 01:11:00 – How older leaders can partner with younger digital natives. KEY TAKEAWAYS Attention is the gateway to trust, and trust drives every buying decision. Content doesn’t mean dancing online; it means choosing a medium you can stick with. AI and generative search are rewriting SEO overnight. Content massively increases sales velocity and close rates. Small businesses have the most to gain from adopting a media strategy. Entrepreneurship is staying alive long enough for your strategy to work.   QUOTES: "Media is attention. From the beginning of time, attention and influence is what drives people to make decisions." - Scott Clary " Entrepreneurship is a game of staying alive as long as possible until it works." - Scott Clary " I've always found that like you, you become passionate through mastery, through success, through figuring things out." - Scott Clary " People tie their identity to their business and if they try to go and do content and it sucks, it's a reflection that they suck and they don't want to put themselves out there." - Dwayne Kerrigan " I believe that people shift through the power of story. I think it's the greatest way for us to learn because it allows us to put ourselves into other people's shoes." - Dwayne Kerrigan RESOURCES MENTIONED ChatGPT (OpenAI) – ideation, scripting, research assistance. Claude (Anthropic) – content development and refinement. Opus Pro – turns long-form video into short-form clips. CapCut – simple editing tool for social video. Substack – newsletters and niche written content. Beehiiv – newsletter growth platform. Upwork – for finding global editors and creators (Scott’s preferred starting point). HubSpot – case study for shifting from SEO to media networks. Gary Vaynerchuk / VaynerMedia – example of media-first business building. Alex Hormozi – example of massive content-driven product launches. Scott Clary is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and author. He hosts the Success Story podcast, where he has candid conversations with some of the most prolific business & thought leaders in the world. Links: Website: https://www.scottdclary.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary Podcast: https://www.successstorypodcast.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottdclarypage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottdclary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdclary Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this conversation, Dwayne sits down with entrepreneur and creator Scott Clary, host of the Success Story Podcast with 30M+ downloads. Scott opens up about his unlikely path from a government-family upbringing to becoming a media-first entrepreneur, the early exposure that ignited his drive, and why curiosity and tenacity can outperform almost anything. Scott walks through how small companies create the best “entrepreneurial classrooms,” why every creator should think like a founder, and how success hinges on defining your personal North Star before you start sprinting. The episode dives deep into AI disruption, content strategy, internal vs. external locus of control, personal branding, and how businesses of every size can prepare for the next wave of transformation. Scott offers tactical clarity on building a media-first business, testing content efficiently, disrupting yourself before the market does, and why attention—sustained over time—is the most valuable commercial asset any entrepreneur can build. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS 03:53 - Scott's telecom background 08:22 - How working at a small company provides exposure to all aspects of business 14:27 - The importance of curiosity as a foundational entrepreneurial skill 17:25 - Warning: Be careful what you pursue - success requires understanding your true goals 23:25 - Finding your North Star: Be rigid in goals but flexible in execution 28:10 - Identifying what energizes you through trial and error 32:33 - Building a business while working full-time: The side hustle strategy 38:15 - How AI is disrupting businesses and the need for constant self-disruption 43:15 - The four types of leverage: Capital, technology, people, and media 51:00 - The power of AI to make individuals 10-100x more productive 01:06:30 - Internal vs external locus of control and taking ownership 01:13:30 - Content creation strategy: Testing ideas at scale on forgiving platforms 01:27:26 - How media and AI are already transforming traditional industries like restaurants KEY TAKEAWAYS Define your North Star before you start running Many people pursue success without clarity on what they actually want — a lifestyle business, a scalable company, privacy, or fame. If you have tenacity and skill, you’ll eventually succeed… so make sure you're climbing the right mountain. Curiosity is the foundation of career acceleration Scott attributes almost everything in his career to relentless curiosity — the willingness to ask questions, learn widely, and self-educate. AI won’t replace people but people who use AI will replace people who don’t The companies thriving in this era are disrupting themselves before someone else does. Every role can be up-leveled 10x–100x with the right tools and mindset. Media is the ultimate leverage Capital, technology, people… and media. If you don’t build a personal or company brand, someone in your industry eventually will — and they will take market share. Content is business R&D Social content is the best testing ground for messaging. Use it to refine your voice, validate ideas, influence sales scripts, and improve marketing before spending ad dollars. Attention over time creates trust The companies, creators, and leaders who show up consistently earn trust — which compounds into opportunity. Internal locus of control is a superpower Entrepreneurs who take ownership — good or bad — create their own luck and navigate volatility more effectively. QUOTES From Scott Clary: “If you have the right skill set and you have the right tenacity, whatever you go after, you will find a way to become successful at that thing.” “Be rigid in where you want to end up, but very flexible in how you get there.” “Attention over time builds trust.” “The best employees are entrepreneurs, just in a different season of their life.” “If you don’t disrupt yourself, someone else will come along and take your lunch.” From Dwayne Kerrigan: “Every bad idea I’ve ever had started with a good idea at the time.” “Be careful what you wish for because you might actually get it.” “Pros get paid to practice.” Scott Clary is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and author. He hosts the Success Story podcast, where he has candid conversations with some of the most prolific business & thought leaders in the world. Links: Website: https://www.scottdclary.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/scottdclary Podcast: https://www.successstorypodcast.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scottdclarypage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottdclary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottdclary Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.