THINK BETTER SOON *the positive podcast

Will Stein, the hedgehog concept, and why adaptability mattersJason Newland and JP Bradley connect Jim Collins’ hedgehog concept to Kentucky football coach Will Stein. They explore how passion, excellence, and impact can align around a clear goal—and why a focused vision still needs the adaptability of a “fox.”Using Stein’s coaching, recruiting, and confidence as examples, they ask: when does conviction become hubris, and how can leaders stay both confident and humble? The conversation also draws on Tolstoy, War and Peace, and the reminder to adapt as circumstances change.Key topicsJim Collins’ three-circle hedgehog concept:Will Stein’s Kentucky roots, coaching craft, and early impactThe contrast between a hedgehog’s focused vision and a fox’s ability to respond to many variablesWhy effective leadership may call for both focus and flexibilityStein’s “because of me” remark—and the line between confidence and hubrisKentucky’s momentum and the challenge of staying adaptable in the NIL eraTolstoy’s view of history as the result of many small actionsA practical test for new opportunities: Do they fit your passion, strengths, and engine?Timestamps00:00 - Opening the hedgehog and fox conversation01:14 - What makes someone a hedgehog or a fox02:29 - Jim Collins’ three circles10:29 - Will Stein’s Kentucky roots and passion12:41 - Coaching success and player outcomes13:39 - Stein’s “because of me” comment15:36 - Why a clear vision also needs adaptability18:53 - Mark Stoops, NIL, and the importance of adapting19:21 - Tolstoy, War and Peace, and the limits of control23:00 - Where conviction ends and hubris begins27:24 - Applying the three-circle test to your own work29:06 - “You have to adapt or die”31:26 - Staying curious and avoiding entitlementNotable quotes“You have to adapt or die.”“The hedgehog builds a fence.”“Be a hedgehog about what you’re building and a fox about how you read the world.”

The Flywheel: Discipline, Growth, and Building to LastJason Newland and JP continue their discussion of Jim Collins’ flywheel concept by focusing on discipline three, disciplined action, and stage four, built to last. Key topicsIn this episode, Jason recaps the earlier disciplines of the flywheel and pushes JP to remember the first two: disciplined people and disciplined thought.JP explains how he has tried to guard his thinking this week, using Bible reading and prayer to keep his emotions from taking over during a rough stretch.Jason and JP discuss a tense union meeting in Battle Creek and how disciplined thought helps someone respond without reacting emotionally.They break down disciplined action as the kind of steady behavior that builds trust over time, especially in business and labor negotiations.JP shares a real example from a plant where a year and a half of consistent conduct made a two week collective bargaining agreement possible.Jason explains the flywheel with the Amazon example, showing how lower prices, more customers, more sellers, and more selection all feed one another in a loop.They compare the twenty mile march to the South Pole race, using it to show why consistency matters more than bursts of effort.The cannonballs and bullets idea becomes a practical lesson in testing small before betting big, especially for entrepreneurs.Stage four, built to last, shifts the conversation toward durability, adaptation, and avoiding decline by staying honest about risk.They walk through the five stages of decline and connect them to real examples like Blockbuster, Radio Shack, Circuit City, and Best Buy.The clockmaker versus time teller comparison leads into a discussion of leadership, culture, and whether a system can survive without its leader.The episode closes with a reminder to identify your own twenty miles, draw your flywheel, and create a stop doing list that clears room for what matters most.Timestamps00:00 - Welcome back and the flywheel recap00:35 - Remembering disciplined people and disciplined thought01:02 - Keeping thoughts focused during a hard week02:20 - Handling conflict with the union in Battle Creek03:44 - Why the best thinker in the room matters05:23 - Why giving feedback is not always wise06:25 - Moving from disciplined thought to disciplined action07:23 - Why real success usually looks like a flywheel, not a miracle08:48 - A bargaining example that proves the power of consistency10:13 - The Amazon flywheel as a loop, not a list11:12 - Introducing the twenty mile march12:31 - The South Pole example and the cost of inconsistency13:43 - Fire bullets before cannonballs14:44 - Test small, then bet big15:53 - Stage four: built to last16:18 - Preparedness, margin, and productive paranoia17:10 - The five stages of decline18:54 - Applying decline stages to a local business example19:43 - Why a healthy flywheel does not need a Hail Mary20:15 - Blockbuster, Netflix, and outdated business models20:44 - Clockmaker versus time teller22:03 - Dynamic duality, core values, and adaptation22:49 - The big hairy audacious goal23:24 - Return on luck and the 10X company idea24:19 - Greg Popovich, team culture, and leadership standards25:58 - Luck as preparation meeting opportunity26:40 - Survivorship and why some companies last27:29 - Radio Shack and the cost of not adapting27:59 - Bringing it home with the twenty mile march28:30 - Drawing your flywheel and making a stop doing list29:29 - Why the flywheel needs to connect to what matters29:54 - Activity breeds activity

In this episode of Think Better Soon, Jason Newland and JP Bradley discuss Jim Collins’ Turning the Flywheel and break down the first two stages of sustainable growth. They focus on how great outcomes begin with the right people and the right mindset, not just a strong plan.The conversation also connects Collins’ ideas to faith, leadership, negotiation, and everyday habits. It’s a practical discussion about humility, standards, focus, and knowing what to stop doing.Key topicsDisciplined people as the foundationDisciplined thought and mental clarityThe level five leaderWindow and mirror leadershipFirst who, then whatGreat vision without great people is irrelevantThe genius of the andThe Stockdale ParadoxThe hedgehog conceptStop-doing listsTimestamps00:00 - Welcome back to Think Better Soon and the episode setup00:55 - Why Jim Collins and Turning the Flywheel matter right now01:53 - Stage one begins with disciplined people03:27 - Disciplined action and the level five leader04:43 - Humility and indomitable will in real leadership07:10 - The window and mirror test for leaders08:46 - Why credit should go to the team and blame should come back to the leader09:16 - First who, then what: getting the right people on the bus10:29 - Why the wrong people can sabotage even a good plan11:01 - Great vision without great people is irrelevant12:29 - Transition into stage two: disciplined thought13:13 - The genius of the and versus the tyranny of the or14:35 - The Stockdale Paradox and surviving brutal facts15:47 - Faith versus optimism in hard seasons16:36 - The hedgehog concept and simple beats clever17:52 - The three circles that create alignment18:47 - Walgreens and focus on profit per customer visit19:47 - Why Collins pushes stop-doing lists21:29 - How JP organizes notes and priorities in practice23:23 - Letting go of work that no longer belongs to you24:09 - Using the three circles to decide what to stop doing24:55 - Wrap-up and next episode preview

Summary: In this episode, Jason shares heartfelt reflections on his daughter's wedding day, from morning routines to emotional dances, highlighting the significance of family, memories, and love.Keywords: wedding, family, memories, father-daughter dance, celebration, love, gratitude, special moments.Key TopicsFather's morning routine and thoughtsSignificance of wedding venue and memoriesFather-daughter walk and emotional momentsSpecial wedding songs and their meaningsFamily and friends' sacrifices and presenceReflections on love, gratitude, and future hopesCherish the small moments that build lifelong memoriesMusic can evoke powerful emotions and symbolize relationshipsExpress gratitude and love openly during special occasionsFamily and friends' sacrifices highlight the importance of communityReflecting on past and future helps appreciate the present"It was a big hug and anticipation.""That's my daughter in the water.""I lost every time I fought her."Chapters00:00 Introduction and purpose of the episode01:31 Morning thoughts and routine on the wedding day04:11 Writing and preparing the wedding speech08:21 First look and emotional reactions16:02Father-daughter dance and its significance20:07 Reflections on love, future, and family23:54 Gratitude for family, friends, and the day’s moments29:51 Closing thoughts and hopes for the future

Think Better Soon — Jason’s Father of the Bride Toast Jason Newland and JP Bradley work through Jason’s toast for his daughter Andrea’s wedding. The conversation is part rehearsal, part family reflection, and part honest discussion about what it feels like to see a daughter enter marriage.Key topicsJason explains the six-part toast structure: introduction, acknowledgments, Andrea, Connor, words of wisdom, and the toast.JP helps Jason think through the ideal length and worries the toast may run longer than planned.Jason shares a full draft, including thanks to guests, memories of Andrea’s childhood, and appreciation for family.The draft highlights Andrea’s growth, resilience, academic success, and personality.Jason explains why he feels confident in Connor and their relationship.Both hosts discuss marriage, commitment, compatibility, and the importance of staying together through difficult seasons.Jason reflects on why the wedding feels more like gratitude than grief.JP shares his more emotional and protective perspective as a father.The conversation touches on faith, control, worry, and trusting the next chapter.Jason closes with a goal of keeping the toast under seven minutes.Timestamps00:00 - Opening the wedding week and setting up the toast rehearsal01:56 - JP gets drafted to give the father of the bride toast02:22 - Jason explains the six parts of a wedding toast03:30 - Thanks, acknowledgments, and the missing “words of wisdom” section04:20 - Toast length and the fear of going long05:24 - Why Father of the Bride hits home07:50 - First draft of the toast begins08:45 - Traveling guests, family mentions, and gratitude10:07 - Early childhood memories and Andrea’s baby book11:03 - Music, resilience, and Andrea’s personality12:02 - Andrea’s academic success12:25 - Connor’s character and love for Andrea13:22 - Final toast lines and blessing over the couple14:16 - JP reacts to the draft and the timing debate16:23 - Why Jason feels grateful rather than sad18:01 - JP’s emotional view of watching daughters marry19:47 - Jason’s perspective on control and acceptance23:57 - Marriage advice: good times, bad times, and becoming one24:38 - Loving a daughter more than oneself26:15 - Why permanence matters to a child of divorce27:09 - The baby book joke and whether it lands29:42 - Matthew 6, trust, and letting go of worry31:31 - Wrapping the episode as a wedding-week time capsule32:26 - Looking ahead to listening after the weddingNotable quotes:"This is an artificial intelligence free zone.”“I’m Jason, the incredibly proud father of the bride.”"If this were to go over ten minutes, you’ve lost everybody.”