DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy

In this short and heartfelt episode… Mitch Matthews is keeping it simple but powerful. It's a mini-episode, just 15 minutes… but it's packed with a mindset shift that could transform your holidays (and maybe even your new year!). As we dive into this season that's often full, fast, and a little frantic… we wanted to offer you a concept that's helping Mitch to stay grounded, present, and joy-filled. It's a two-word mantra that's serving as his personal battle cry: "Christmas Curious." Whether you're someone who loves spreadsheets and schedules… or you're someone who just wants to soak up the season in a more meaningful way… this episode is for you. We talk about the tendencies that sneak up on us… especially high achievers… this time of year… and how just a shift in perspective can help us experience more peace, spontaneity, and connection. Let's do it. Read The Full Show Notes: https://mitchmatthews.com/443/

An Interview with former Navy SEAL, CEO & bestselling author Brent Gleeson In this powerful episode, Mitch Matthews sits down with Brent Gleeson - former Navy SEAL, CEO, and bestselling author - to dive into the mindset, routines, and values that allow you to go ALL IN on what matters most, even during the most chaotic of times… (even the holidays!). With insights from Brent's new book ALL IN: The Pathway to Personal Growth and Professional Excellence, this episode offers a practical roadmap for finishing the year strong and stepping into 2026 with focus, clarity, and intention. Read the full show notes now: https://mitchmatthews.com/442

An interview with Olympic Medalist, Author, & Design Thinker John K. Coyle What if your next breakthrough wasn't about fixing your weaknesses… but doubling down on your strengths? This week on DREAM THINK DO, Mitch sits down with John K. Coyle - an Olympic silver medalist turned Fortune 500 exec, design thinking expert, and Emmy-winning analyst - to explore what happens when you stop trying to fix what's "wrong" with you… and instead, design a life around what you do best. John shares his journey from burnout and humiliation on the U.S. Olympic speed skating team to a world-record-breaking comeback - by rejecting a "weakness-focused" system and training solo, built entirely around his strengths. Now, as a bestselling author and consultant, John helps leaders, organizations, and individuals around the world design for strength, flow, and intentional living. If you're navigating a pivot, feeling stuck, or just ready for more clarity and impact in your work or life… this episode is for you. You'll walk away inspired and equipped to start designing your next breakthrough. READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://mitchmatthews.com/442/

In this inspiring and deeply authentic episode, Mitch sits down with someone he recently shared the TEDx stage with - Dr. Angela Walker Franklin. Dr. Franklin is the President and CEO of Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences, and not only is she the first woman and first person of color to hold that role in the university's 125+ year history… she's also a licensed clinical psychologist, a published author, and a powerful voice for leading with empathy, courage, and clarity. They dive into her unique upbringing in a small South Carolina town - where her family ran a funeral home - and how that shaped her perspective on life, leadership, and compassion. You'll hear how her father made a bold, sacrificial pivot from medical school to embalming school to support the family's legacy… and how Dr. Franklin has brought that same spirit of service and innovation into her work today. They also explore the origins of her impactful TEDx talk, "How to Call Out the Elephant in the Room," and how she brought this strategy into leadership meetings, creating a safe space for honest dialogue and collaboration. This episode is filled with laughter, heartfelt stories, and powerful strategies for anyone looking to lead well, connect deeply, and navigate hard conversations with grace. Let's go! READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES NOW: https://mitchmatthews.com/440/

In this episode, Mitch sits down with the brilliant and bold Dr. Julia Garcia - a psychologist, behavioral researcher, and the author of the powerful new book, The 5 Habits of Hope. With 20+ years of experience working with students, educators, CEOs, and entire communities to create space for hope, Dr. J brings the science and the soul - blending tactical tools with raw honesty and deep life experience. This isn't toxic positivity. This is real, grounded, authentic hope. And it couldn't be more timely. As we head into the holidays - a season that can stir up a lot of different emotions - this conversation offers practical tools and a fresh perspective to help us navigate burnout, disappointment, and disconnection… and choose hope anyway. You'll leave this episode with powerful strategies to reconnect to your values, build healthier relationships, and actually feel more like yourself again. It's inspiring, it's practical, and honestly… it's healing. Oh… and make sure you stay until the very end… because Dr. J drops one of the most specific moments in DREAM THINK DO history! So… let's go! READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES HERE: https://mitchmatthews.com/439

We've got an inspiring and eye-opening conversation for you this week as Mitch sits down with Shawn D. Nelson - the founder and CEO of LoveSac. If the name sounds familiar, it should. LoveSac has become a billion-dollar disruptor in the furniture space, known for their ultra-comfy bean bags and their game-changing modular couches that are built to last a lifetime. But long before LoveSac became a publicly traded company with hundreds of retail stores… it started in Shawn's parents' basement with a roll of vinyl, some foam, and a wild idea. Since then, Shawn's story has included entrepreneurial highs (like winning Richard Branson's The Rebel Billionaire) and deep valleys (like navigating bankruptcy and rebuilding the company from scratch). Through it all, he's remained committed to building things that last - and helping others do the same. In this episode, we get real about Shawn's journey, his mission to inspire people to buy better stuff so they can buy less, and what it really takes to stay in the game long enough to win. This one's packed with powerful takeaways, candid stories, and practical wisdom for anyone who's chasing a big dream, yearning to lead more effectively or just wanting to live their best life! CONNECT AND READ THE FULL SOW NOTES HERE: https://mitchmatthews.com/438

Mitch Matthews shares a heartfelt journey of overcoming struggles that led to the creation of the Big Dream Gathering, a movement that helps people clarify their dreams. He introduces the innovative Category Compass, a tool designed to cut through confusion and spark fresh ideas. Listeners learn how starting with low-pressure categories like travel can reignite passion. Mitch emphasizes that dreams are best pursued collaboratively and highlights the power of writing down goals to significantly boost success rates. It's an inspiring guide for anyone feeling stuck.

What if you could actually feel good about money? Not just make more of it - but feel less stress, more clarity, and a sense of freedom around your finances? That's exactly what we're talking about this week with our guest, John Kennedy. He's a Certified Financial Planner, yes… but his superpower is helping people unpack the emotional side of money, build simple systems that work, and finally take control of their financial life - without shame or overwhelm. John is a partner and senior wealth advisor, and the co-host of the Above Board Podcast, which ranks in the top 2% of business shows globally. He's also a husband, dad, 5K runner (with his dog, Chipper!), and a dedicated Braves fan who believes financial health starts with mindset. In this candid convo, we talk about real-world money hangups - even for successful people - and how to shift from scarcity to freedom. Whether you're building a business, launching a new season of life, or just tired of feeling stressed about your finances, this episode offers fresh perspective, relatable insights, and practical tools to help you rewrite your money story. READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://mitchmatthews.com/436/

In this powerful episode, Mitch reconnects with Vanessa McNeal - a dynamic speaker, trauma-informed life coach, and certified elite coach who's changing the way leaders think about difficult people, burnout, and team culture. Vanessa's mission? To help high achievers ditch burnout, quiet the noise of overwhelm, and lead from a place of inner alignment. She's not about surface-level fluff - her strategies are rooted in science, her story is authentic, and her presence is transformative. In this conversation, Mitch and Vanessa dive deep into the neuroscience behind stress, conflict, and leadership - and she reveals how understanding your nervous system states can unlock empathy, better communication, and lasting transformation for yourself, your team, and your relationships. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a tricky workplace, or just trying to show up as your best self - you'll walk away with tools that are practical, powerful, and grounded in both science and soul. READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://mitchmatthews.com/435

What does it take to fully step into the life you were meant to live? What happens when you lose a big part of your identity… and have to rebuild from the ground up? That's what we're talking about in this raw and real episode with Nick Koumalatsos. Nick is a former Marine Raider, turned multi-passionate entrepreneur, coach, and author. He's also the co-founder and CEO of Johnny Slicks, a fast-growing premium grooming brand. He's also the author of Excommunicated Warrior: 7 Stages of Transition - a powerful book that explores how to navigate major life shifts without losing yourself in the process. With over 810K followers and 54 million+ views on YouTube, Nick's message has reached people around the globe… and it's not hard to see why. He's built a reputation for being bold, unfiltered, and deeply intentional - and in this episode, we go there. Whether you're facing a big change… wrestling with self-doubt… or ready to stop playing small, Nick's story will encourage you to embrace the chaos, stop hiding, and courageously become unapologetically YOU. READ THE FULL SHOW NOTES: https://mitchmatthews.com/434