The Action Catalyst
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Description
The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond.
Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.
Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.
812 Episodes
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Tom Bilyeu, co-founder of unicorn company Quest Nutrition and CEO of Impact Theory, lays out the impact of acting for ONE vs many, talks about making their own manufacturing equipment, pulling people out of The Matrix, becoming the new Disney and adopting a Jedi mindset, and waxes poetic on the impossibility of impossibility.
With the 2026 Olympic Games underway, we dug into The Action Catalyst archive for three guests who have represented Team USA on an Olympic level; Vince Poscente, who is now an in-demand speaker and expert on resiliency, explains how he used determination and innovation to rise to the ranks of an Olympic skier in just four short years, Johnny Quinn, a professional speaker and former professional football player with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers tells the story of his unbelievable journey from the NFL to the United States Olympic bobsled team, to competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, and getting trapped in a bathroom in Olympic village, and Scott Hamilton shares the bittersweet experience of his gold medal win in 1984.
Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation, examines the emotional and practical implications of trust, both in personal relationships, and also inside of organizations, including a cautionary tale from Uber.Hear Jimmy's full interview in Episode 499 of The Action Catalyst.
Internationally renowned psychologist and author Dr. Guy Winch shares how a life-changing event in an elevator set him on his path, reveals the biggest misconceptions about work-life balance, and explains how to distinguish between true physical and mental fatigue, burdens vs. nuisances, using “stress thermometers”, and when to take email intermissions.
In this cut-for-time clip from Episode 499 of The Action Catalyst, Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation, explains how the internet has ALWAYS had dark corners, and what he sees as one of the bright spots on the web today.Hear the rest of Jimmy's interview in Episode 499 of The Action Catalyst.
In honor of this year’s Superbowl, we've put together a special episode featuring the many guests we've been pleased to welcome to the show, all of whom have had a career with the National Football League.Hear from:Jim Steeg, former Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the San Diego Chargers from 2004 to 2010, head of the NFL’s Special Events Department, and “the man who branded the Super Bowl”. You can hear Jim's full interview in Episode 139.Shawn Harper, a seven season offensive lineman with the Rams, the Oilers, the Colts, and in NFL Europe. You can hear Shawn's full interview in Episode 414.Johnny Quinn, former professional football player with the Buffalo Bills and Green Bay Packers. Hear Johnny's full interview by checking out Episode 149.Matt Mayberry, a former NFL linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Hear Matt's full interview in Episode 155 of The Action Catalyst.Maurice Clarett, former Denver Broncos draft pick. Hear Maurice's full story in Episode 191.Will Bartholomew, also a former Denver Bronco. Will's full interview can be heard in part number 8 of the Action Catalyst's “Redefining Possible” bonus series.
Dawn Fotopulos, Founder of Hidden Profit Academy, and Associate Professor of Business at The King's College, explains what bankruptcy really IS and ISN'T, and some common mistakes around income, invoicing, and cash flow.Hear Dawn's full interview in Episode 65 of The Action Catalyst.
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 499 with Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation.
Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia and the Wikimedia Foundation, replays the origins of Wikipedia and the unique challenges it faced, examines the emotional and practical implications of trust, and chats about working with for-profit vs non-profit stakeholders, his issues with large language models and the way they work, the polarization of societal and business interests, and why he remains a “pathological optimist”.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching
In honor of this year's Grammy Awards, we are taking a look back at a pair of Grammy nominated and Grammy winning artists that we have had the pleasure of welcoming to The Action Catalyst. We begin with Freddie Ravel, a virtuoso piano player and more who has performed with some of the biggest names in music, and co-produced and wrote the title track, as well as performed on the George Benson/Al Jarreau album “Given It Up”, which won 4 Grammys in 2007, and was nominated for a 5th, and continue with Dennis Scott, a two-time Grammy Award winner for his work in children's music, first on an album of country songs for Sesame Street, and second for a collection of music from Mr. Fred Rogers. Dennis is also the recipient of two Emmys, a Parent’s Choice Award, and a Telly.Hear Freddie's full interview in Episode 258 of The Action Catalyst.Hear Dennis' full interview on Episode 367 of The Action Catalyst.
Dave Mortensen, President and Co-Founder of Self-Esteem Brands / Purpose Brands, explains why the fitness industry is like the McDonald's ball pit, and what AI has taught his team about the behavior of it's gym members.Hear Dave's full interview across Episodes 497 and 498 of The Action Catalyst.
Dawn Fotopulos, Founder of Hidden Profit Academy, and Associate Professor of Business at The King's College, lays out the 3 financial questions to ask when running ANY business, what bankruptcy IS and ISN'T, the 3 main parts of a balance sheet, recognizing accounting yellow flags, and the importance of adopting a new mindset around managing your money.
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.In this segment, Adam dissects Episodes 497 and 498, with Dave Mortensen, President and Co-Founder of Self-Esteem Brands / Purpose Brands.
Dave Mortensen, President and Co-Founder of Self-Esteem Brands / Purpose Brands, continues the conversation with insights on advancement vs perfection, noise vs value, the 80/20 rule of where good ideas come from, listening to the voice not speaking in the room, and how to "live in the grey".Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student CoachingThis episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching
Adam Outland, Action Catalyst host and President of Southwestern Consulting, examines the true superpower of curiosity and it's relationship to risk, both in the business realm, and on a personal level.Hear more from Adam in his appearance in the Action Catalyst Panel, "Scaling With Purpose".
Dave Mortensen, President and Co-Founder of Self-Esteem Brands / Purpose Brands, recounts the improbable meeting between himself and his business partner of over 30 years, and shares why 80-90% of any great idea isn't about the idea itself, the secret to truly great partnerships, the 4 Ps of executing their business, doing vs leading, identifying passion and talent, and why the fitness industry is like the McDonald's ball pit.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student CoachingThis episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching
Scott Stratten, Creator and President of UNMarketing Inc, explains what marketing is at it's core, and how you're never NOT doing it. Hear Scott's full interview in Episode 140 of The Action Catalyst.
Adam Outland, Action Catalyst host and President of Southwestern Consulting, and David Stuart, President and Founder of Southwestern Insurance Group, break down how they've each re-examined the structure of their long-standing businesses, including a few key decisions on what NOT to do, taking a hard look at where true revenue comes from, reframing and calculating risk, following the data, the push-pull relationship with tradition, improving the client experience, bringing technology into the mix, and the superpower of curiosity.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern CoachingThis episode is brought to you by Southwestern Insurance Group.Southwestern Insurance Group
Vice President of Information Technology for the Southwestern Family of Companies, Ed Solima, and Training and Development Manager for Southwestern Consulting, Chad Rothermich, examine recent changes in AI, and explain how you can even use AI to learn more about...AI!Hear Ed and Chad's full discussion in their very special episode of The Action Catalyst.
Scott Stratten, Creator and President of UNMarketing Inc, explains how the context defines which sales approach you need, why marketing is an "always on" function, the huge lesson he learned from his wife's business, and the fear, promise, and future of social media and AI.
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Hundred mile an hour speaking by Rory on taking time to think among other subjects. Take a breath and slow down
Nice talk, I enjoyed listening but quite disappointed with self marketing, could have been done differently..