Send us a text We trace how a dining table mic turned into a focused blue-collar podcast and why showing up beats having perfect gear. We dig into trade careers, union vs non-union nuance, and the real time cost of making a quality show while life and work keep moving. • origins of a three-host shop-floor show • evolving into interviews, leadership, and growth • audience focus on hands-on workers and learners • time cost of editing and tools that help • consistency over perfection and analyt...
Send us a text We share a six-book reading stack and explain why switching between genres—biography, classic epic, mystery, gothic, and marketing—makes ideas stick. We show how fast first reads, slow second reads, and simple note-taking turn reading into a useful habit. • six-book list from Lucas to Homer to Hopkins • how the chapter-by-chapter “buffet” system works • why second reads deepen insight and recall • Daniel Pink’s note-taking approach we use https://youtu.be/vhZ6QAYlA_g?si=...
Send us a text We celebrate the clean, bold flavor of Louisiana hot sauce and call out the frustrating plastic seal that slows breakfast to a crawl. We share a simple packaging fix and ask listeners to send their worst “who designed this?” examples for future features. • brief history of Louisiana hot sauce and its simple recipe • the protective seal problem and why it fails users • a practical design tweak using a bold perforation stripe • other packaging pain points ac...
Send us a text Ben and Scott discuss whether it's time for Mike Gundy to step down as Oklahoma State's head football coach after the team's devastating loss to Oregon. • Gundy transformed OSU from an afterthought into a nationally respected program with 15 Top 25 finishes • Last season was Gundy's worst as head coach with only three wins • The Oregon game exposed fundamental issues with coaching, discipline, and player development • OSU's performance compared to Oklahoma shows a significant ...
Send us a text Sometimes the most meaningful discoveries come when we venture beyond our usual preferences. Having just finished "Theo of Golden," by Allen Levi. a book far removed from my typical action-packed thrillers, I found myself profoundly moved in unexpected ways. When Eric Rostad, host of Books of Titans podcast and a friend whose literary judgment I trust implicitly, recommended this book, I took notice despite my hesitation. Where Brad Thor novels offer adrenaline and espionage, ...
Send us a text We're celebrating a major milestone on the podcast with our 7,500th download after five years and 234 episodes. This achievement represents the longest project I've ever committed to outside of my professional career. • Most new podcasts don't make it beyond 7 episodes • The conversations with guests and their stories have been the driving force behind the show's longevity • Sharing these insights with listeners has brought tremendous joy to the podcasting process • This miles...
Send us a text featuring: Draven Hope Ben Townsend Ever caught yourself replaying a meeting or conversation days later, questioning your every word and action? You're not alone in this leadership struggle. Our latest installment in the Leadership is Influence series tackles the complex relationship between reflection and effective leadership. Through an insightful conversation with Liz Draven Hope from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and the show's executive producer, Ben Townsend, we explore ...
Send us a text Leadership is about influence and aligning people to goals while serving them empathetically and helping them develop to reach their full potential. • Leadership develops through experience, just like learning to walk—you fall down, get up, and improve as long as you're paying attention • The ability to influence is the essence of leadership, which can be wielded ethically or unethically • Emotional resonance is more compelling than facts alone when trying to lead and influenc...
Send us a text We explore the emotional and mental challenges of decluttering during life transitions and how our attachment to possessions can hold us back from moving forward. • Moving reveals the overwhelming accumulation of possessions that often go unused for years • The emotional challenge of parting with items tied to significant memories and life events • How digital alternatives can preserve memories while reducing physical clutter • The mental clarity and reduced anxiety that comes...
Send us a text Scott Townsend welcomes back familiar guest Ben Townsend for a deep dive into why "a well-defined problem is half the solution" and how this principle applies across business and personal scenarios. • Understanding customer needs beyond their stated requirements is essential for effective problem-solving • In software development, where engineers cost $130-$250/hour, misunderstanding problems leads to wasted time and resources • The "tree swing" example demonstrates how commun...
Send us a text Diving into HG Wells' 1897 classic "The Invisible Man," Scott explores how the novel uses invisibility as a device to illuminate human nature. This short but profound book examines what happens when accountability disappears and reveals who we truly are when no one is watching. • First-time reading of the 162-page classic "The Invisible Man" by HG Wells • Brief overview of Wells' other influential works including Time Machine and War of the Worlds • Discussion of Griffin, the ...
Send us a text A preview of next week's exploration of the Net Promoter Score (NPS), the single-question metric that helps businesses predict growth through customer loyalty. We'll uncover who created it, why it's widely used, and how different companies implement this powerful tool. • Net Promoter Score revolves around one question about customers' likelihood to recommend • Various companies use different names for NPS (ESQI at Enterprise, LTR elsewhere) • The metric provides a quick snapsh...
Send us a text Career setbacks happen to everyone, but how you respond to them determines your professional trajectory and future opportunities. • The "tube top" comment highlights the importance of getting honest feedback after a rejection • One word in an interview (describing a workplace as "hostile") can sink your chances if the interviewer takes issue with it • Remember interviews are two-way conversations - you're also deciding if you want to work there • Always be kind to gateke...
Send us a text Understanding how to navigate rejection in your career is vital for long-term success and personal growth. Emphasizing resilience, this episode explores effective strategies for responding to disappointment and staying prepared for future opportunities. • Discusses initial feelings of disappointment after not being promoted • Highlights the importance of preparing emotionally for rejection • Shares insights on expressing gratitude and seeking feedback after intervi...
Send us a text This episode emphasizes the transformational power of intentional outreach and empathy in supporting those facing difficult times. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, we explore ways to foster meaningful connections while dismantling the stigma against asking for help. • The impact of consistent check-ins on emotional well-being • Empathy as a driving force in providing support • Social isolation during illness and the need for connection • The significance of eff...
Send us a text Retail theft is costing businesses billions, but locking up merchandise alienates customers and reduces sales. Solutions exist, and finding a balance between security and customer satisfaction is crucial for retailers. • Retail theft costs nearly $94.5 billion annually • 60% of shoppers encounter locked merchandise regularly • 27% of customers abandon purchases due to locked items • Locking up products damages trust and customer loyalty • Innovati...
Send us a text Ever had a package disappear from your doorstep? It happened to me, which got me thinking about how we handle neighborly etiquette in today’s tech-driven world. With delivery drivers often skipping the doorbell, it’s easy to miss when a package arrives. I share a story about a mix-up with a package pickup and a simple solution: using the Ring camera’s recording feature to communicate intentions and avoid confusion. With tools like this, we can turn potential issues into chances...
Send us a text The episode explores an unexpected encounter with a stranger asking for fuel on a bitterly cold morning, prompting thoughts on kindness, trust, and decision-making. The story raises questions about empathy and the balance between safety and generosity in our interactions with others. • A 5:30 AM encounter in a deserted parking lot • Meeting a scruffy man with a gas can seeking help • Navigating feelings of skepticism and instinct • Choosing to act on kindness...
Send us a text Erik Rostad joins us once again for his third annual appearance on the Scott Townsend Show, bringing fresh insights from his impressive reading project. Since 2017, Erik has been on a mission to read 52 books a year, but his journey has grown to encompass nearly 200 authors, exploring timeless works that have shaped literature and thought. He shares his passion for epic texts like those by Homer, Egyptian writings, and the Epic of Gilgamesh, and how these classics are interwove...
Send us a text As we embrace the festivities, it's all too easy to get lost in the whirlwind of consumerism and the hustle and bustle of modern life. But what if we paused for a moment to rediscover the true reason for the season? In his signature style, Scott takes us on a reflective journey as he reads Luke 2:8-14, the timeless passage that encapsulates the essence of Christmas. Through his words, we're reminded of the profound significance of this season, transcending the material trapping...