Becoming Better: How Vertical Development Transforms Leadership, Purpose, and Personal Growth with Dr. Ryan Gottfredson

Dr. Dan sits down with leadership researcher, author, and mindset expert Dr. Ryan Gottfredson to explore what it truly means to become better—better leaders, parents, partners, and human beings. Drawing from his groundbreaking work on vertical development, Ryan reveals why most of us are overdeveloped in “doing” and underdeveloped in “being,” and how this imbalance limits our growth, purpose, and connection in every part of life. 

During this powerful and deeply human conversation with Dr. Dan, Ryan shares personal stories of emotional neglect, independence, healing, and the courageous work of rewriting one’s internal operating system. Dr. Ryan and Dr. Dan dive into the profound relationship between self-awareness, compassion, resilience, and authentic leadership and why healing isn’t a soft concept, but a neurological upgrade that changes how we respond to stress, relationships, and opportunity.

Listeners will learn the difference between horizontal development (knowledge, skills, and doing) and vertical development (mindsets, presence, and being), and why the most effective leaders elevate through intentional inner work. 

This episode is for anyone seeking deeper purpose, greater self-awareness, healthier relationships, and a more grounded, empowered approach to leadership. Whether you’re guiding a team, raising a family, or navigating your own personal evolution, today’s episode offers inspiration, clarity, and transformative possibility.

Take Ryan’s free assessments, explore his books (including Becoming Better), and access additional tools at.

For more information, visit ryangottfredson.com and follow @ryangottfredson  on Instagram.

Please listen, follow, rate, and review Make It a Great One on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow @drdanpeters on social media. Visit www.drdanpeters.com and send your questions or guest pitches to podcast@drdanpeters.com.

We have this moment, this day, and this life—let’s make it a great one.

– Dr. Dan

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