Discover
The Action Catalyst
The Action Catalyst
Author: Southwestern Family of Podcasts
Subscribed: 1,445Played: 14,966Subscribe
Share
© Copyright 2026 Southwestern Family of Podcasts
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.
801 Episodes
Reverse
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.
Ron Alford, Senior Partner and a Professional Sales and Leadership Coach at Southwestern Consulting, lays out his holistic approach to coaching.Hear Ron and Josh's full interview in Episode 217 of The Action Catalyst.
Action Catalyst host Stephanie Maas helps turn the page on 2025, and takes a look ahead for this podcast and all of our listeners!
Host Adam Outland bids farewell to 2025, and looks ahead to the new year and everything that's in store for our listeners!
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 other tech, and offer an in-depth use case as well as some guiding principles for vetting potential tools and vendors, engaging stakeholders in your operation, integrating into existing systems, and even using AI to learn about AI.
Alex “Sandy” Pentland, a Professor at MIT, a Stanford University Fellow, and one of the most cited computational scientists in the world, explains the misunderstood issues around artificial intelligence, including alignment and human centricity, and shares the way you can apply AI in your business straight away that he calls "a little bit of genius".Hear Dr. Pentland's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
Host Adam Outland wishes all of our listeners a very "Catalyst" Christmas!
Action Catalyst host Stephanie Maas shares what's keeping her spirits merry and bright at this magical time of the year, and her wishes for all of our listeners.
Ron Alford, Senior Partner and a Professional Sales and Leadership Coach at Southwestern Consulting, and Josh Hudson, CEO of Hudson's Furniture, cover the unique relational challenges of operating in a family business, how to establish a rhythm quickly with coaching, identifying patterns in yourself, learning to accept but also to question, and letting others help you help yourself.Mentioned in this episode:This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.Southwestern Coaching
Angie Moss, Sales and Leadership Coach and Certified Trainer with Southwestern Consulting, shares how her coaching client adopted the productive mindset of working ON your business rather than IN your business.Hear Angie and Brad's full interview in Episode 150 of The Action Catalyst.











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..