It's All About the Questions

Ever wonder how a 1970s computer game saved Apple or why some entrepreneurs seem to scale effortlessly while others stay stuck? In this episode, business strategist Dan Morris joins Laura Steward to reveal the unexpected connections between history, storytelling, and massive business success. Dan Morris shares his unique perspective on the intersection of audience and business, explaining how his award-winning podcast, Tracing the Path, informs his approach to modern marketing. We dive deep into the origin of BC Stack, a project born from necessity that transformed into a recurring revenue powerhouse. You will also learn practical strategies for managing anxiety using Gantt charts and breaking down overwhelming tasks into bite-sized actions that move the needle. Whether you are curious about how to grow a business, whether marketing and advertising are manipulation, the golden age of advertising, the impact of AI on future marketing, or how to build a successful affiliate program, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Dan and Laura discuss why authenticity matters and how to stay focused on your long-term vision even when the path gets difficult. Chapters: 0:00 Intro and Welcoming Dan Morris 3:12 The Secret to Tracing the Path Podcast 6:48 Lessons from Paul Harvey and Storytelling 10:25 The Oregon Trail and Apple Connection 14:40 Deciding What to Share with Your Audience 18:15 Managing Trolls and Negativity Online 21:50 The Evolution of the Amplify Podcast 26:10 How Income Changes Your Business Priorities 31:05 The Origin Story of BC Stack 35:30 Overcoming Fear and Taking Action 40:00 Using Gantt Charts to Reduce Anxiety 45:15 Breaking Down Big Projects into Small Steps 49:45 Marketing Insights from Mad Men and Pepsi 54:10 The Future of AI in Advertising 57:20 Mastering Affiliate Marketing for Growth 1:01:15 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Dan If you enjoyed this deep dive into business and history, make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell for more insights on asking the right questions. Check out Dan's work at tracingthepath.com and let us know in the comments which part of his journey and ideas resonated most with you! #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #Storytelling #AffiliateMarketing #TracingThePath

Are you struggling with workplace drama or avoiding those tough conversations that keep you up at night? In this episode of It's All About the Questions, host Laura Steward sits down with award winning author and leadership expert Marlene Chism to dive deep into the lessons from her book, Spilling the Beans. Together, they explore how clarity, accountability, and conflict management can transform your professional life. Marlene shares her unique insights on how to navigate the modern workplace, from the shifting tectonic plates of AI reinvention to the delicate art of accountability. We explore why many traditional management techniques, like the feedback sandwich, actually do more harm than good and how you can replace them with a clear architecture for difficult conversations. Marlene explains that every big problem in an organization can be traced back to a conversation that should have happened but did not. Whether you are an entrepreneur leading a small team or an executive at a large corporation, this discussion reveals how to identify bottlenecks, set healthy boundaries, and move from reaction to conscious creation. Marlene also explains the connection between leadership and presence, using her experience in ballroom dancing to illustrate the power of knowing when to lead and when to follow. Chapters ⏳ 0:00 Intro and Welcoming Marlene Chism 4:20 The Story Behind Spilling the Beans 8:15 AI Reinvention and Managing Workplace Fear 13:40 The Paradox of Choice and Time Management 18:10 Balancing Accountability and Responsibility 22:50 Identifying Bottlenecks in Leadership 27:15 Why Leaders Avoid Difficult Conversations 32:30 The Failure of the Feedback Sandwich 37:45 Moving Chess Pieces and Avoidance Tactics 42:10 The Architecture of a Productive Conversation 48:20 Managing Emotions and Staying Regulated 54:15 Lessons in Leadership from Ballroom Dancing 59:30 Setting Boundaries and Knowing When to Part Ways 1:02:40 Final Thoughts and How to Connect   If you found these leadership insights helpful, please like this podcast and subscribe for more conversations on how to ask the right questions for lifelong success. You can find more of Marlene's work at her website, performancecoachingmodel.com, marlenechism.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn to continue the conversation. #leadership #workplacedrama #accountability #businessstrategy #difficultconversations For more episodes and insights, checkout https://www.laurasteward.com where you can download a free workbook to start asking better questions today.  

Are you struggling to recover from an injury or wondering how to maintain your physical health while running a business? In this episode of It is All About the Questions, host Laura Steward sits down with Dr. Steve Ryland to discuss why movement is the ultimate medicine and how to overcome the mental hurdles of physical pain. Learn how to advocate for your own health and discover the small shifts that can lead to lifelong success and resilience. In this deep dive, Dr. Ryland shares his expert perspective as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a business owner who has navigated his own journey through significant physical and brain injuries. You will learn the difference between muscle pain and bone pain, why your MRI is not a life sentence, and how to build a support system that allows your business to thrive even when you are sidelined. From the importance of proper posture at the kitchen sink to the future of virtual healthcare, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to live a more active, pain-free life. Dr. Ryland also provides insight into the importance of choosing the right medical professional and how to navigate the complexities of the modern healthcare system. Chapters 0:00 Intro and Welcome to the Show 3:15 Meet Dr. Steve Ryland 6:40 The Role of a Doctor of Physical Therapy 9:50 Why Movement is Key to Health 13:20 Overcoming the Fear of Pain 17:45 Choosing the Right Physical Therapist 22:10 Remote Monitoring and Home Exercises 26:35 Evaluating Fitness Advice Online 30:50 Nano Steps for Breaking Through Fear 35:15 Why Squatting Saves Your Back 39:40 Dr. Ryland's Career Pivot Story 44:20 Lessons from Scaling a Business 49:10 Recovery and Business Resilience 53:45 Post-Concussion Syndrome for Entrepreneurs 57:15 The Future of Healthcare and Virtual PT 1:01:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you found these insights helpful, please hit the like button and subscribe to the channel for more conversations on how the right questions can change your life. You can find Dr. Ryland on social media for daily tips and exercises to help you stay mobile and healthy. Get his latest do at home material here https://bit.ly/4x7oYRt

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of your career and personal life? In this episode of It's All About the Questions, Laura Steward sits down with author and business strategist Karl Palachuk to explore the life-changing philosophy of Relax, Focus, Succeed. Discover how stepping back and finding balance can be the ultimate catalyst for your professional and personal growth. In this deep dive conversation, Karl explains why relaxation is not a reward for hard work but a fundamental requirement for it. They discuss the critical importance of saying no to the wrong business, how to fire toxic clients to protect your peace, and the science of how your brain processes solutions while you sleep. Whether you are struggling with workaholism or simply feel stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, this episode provides actionable steps to help you reclaim your time and sharpen your focus. Key highlights include understanding Maslow's hierarchy in a modern context, the power of unplugging from digital noise, and how to use micro habits to shift your perception of reality. Karl also shares his insights on why the brain is a terrible place to store information and how a simple pad of paper can save your best ideas. Chapters 0:00 Intro to It's All About the Questions 2:45 Introducing Karl Palachuk and Relax Focus Succeed 6:15 The Difficulty of Saying No to New Business 10:30 Maslow's Hierarchy and the Survival Brain 14:00 Why You Should Fire One Client Every Year 19:15 Redefining Relaxation as a Success Tool 23:45 The Danger of Constant Digital Input 28:00 Creating a Morning Routine with Quiet Time 32:30 How the Brain Solves Problems During Sleep 36:15 Perception vs Reality and Choosing Your Lens 41:00 Moving Past the Point of Exhaustion 45:30 Overcoming the Fear of Failure and Asking for Help 50:45 Breaking the Cycle of Workaholism 55:30 Using Micro Habits for Lasting Change 59:00 Book Giveaway and Closing Thoughts 1:01:55 End of Video If this conversation helped you rethink your work life balance, please leave a comment sharing one small step you are taking today to relax. Be sure to subscribe for more insights on how asking the right questions can change your life.

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a spontaneous 15,000 dollar investment into a legendary riverfront dining destination? Join host Laura Steward as she sits down with the incredible Chef Stuart Borton, the mastermind behind Florida's famous Yellow Dog Cafe, to discuss a journey that spans continents and decades. In this episode of Its All About the Questions, Stuart shares his fascinating transition from selling insurance in Australia after a stint in the U.S. Army, to becoming an award winning chef and business owner in the United States. We dive deep into the reality of the restaurant industry, covering everything from the importance of understanding your prime costs to the logistics of running a high volume kitchen with a small footprint. Stuart also explains how he successfully pivoted into the world of publishing and urban farming, proving that growth requires constant innovation and a strong foundation. You will learn why communication is the secret ingredient to a calm and efficient workplace, how to treat every customer like family, and why teaching your staff to do your job is actually the best way to move your business forward. Stuart also offers a special discount for listeners on his beautiful cookbooks, filled with the signature recipes that made the Yellow Dog Cafe a staple of the Florida culinary scene. Chapters 0:00 Intro and Welcome 2:45 Introducing Chef Stuart Borton 5:15 Buying a Restaurant at Age 21 8:30 From Insurance to the Kitchen 11:45 Moving Between Australia and America 15:00 The Core of Hospitality 18:15 Building an Urban Farm and Hydroponics 22:30 Scaling the Garden for a Restaurant 25:45 Why You Must Know Your Numbers 29:00 Understanding Prime Costs and Profit 33:15 Pivoting into the Printing Business 37:00 Writing and Publishing Cookbooks 40:30 Maintaining a Calm Kitchen Environment 44:00 The Importance of Clear Communication 47:15 Treating Every Guest with Kindness 50:45 Expanding from 28 to 300 Seats 53:30 The Power of Teaching and Mentorship 56:00 Staying Focused and Closing Thoughts 58:17 End of Video If you enjoyed this conversation, please like this episode and subscribe to the channel for more insights on business and life. To grab your copies of Stuarts cookbooks, visit yellowdogcafe.com and use the code Laura at checkout for a 25 percent discount! #YellowDogCafe #ChefLife #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantBusiness