The Culture Matters Podcast

"People often say motivation doesn't last. Neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily." - Zig ZiglarThe founder of All Things Insurance Group and one of our favorite repeat guests, Pete Fournier, has found his way back to the show and we couldn't be happier to have him back.  For today's conversation, Pete and Jay are taking a look into the values of All Things Insurance Group and what makes the company such a success.  Pete is pulling back the curtain and giving our listeners some insight into his values, work ethic, and overall business philosophy that is sure to give you some great ideas toward keeping your own values top of mind.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Education is not preparation for life. Education is life itself" - John DeweyWe are continuing our values of Culture Matters series today with our very own Jay Doran focusing on the letter 'U' which, for us, stands for 'unique'.  They say no two snowflakes are alike and the same can absolutely be said for human beings.  Being unique adds a different voice when one is necessary.  Being unique offers fresh takes on issues or problems and can help find solutions that may be considered a little outside of the box but solutions nonetheless.  When everyone else is looking right, don't be afraid to look left.  We are celebrating being unique on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"An intelligent investor is a realist who sells to optimists and buys from pessimists." - Benjamin GrahamOn a special episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are welcoming back the founder of Arena Securities, Aleck Arena, to co-host the show with our very own Jay Doran and this episode is coming right off of the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting which means our co-hosts are still in the same place!  On this series, we have explored people's differing views and experiences surrounding value investing, but we've never really dug into Aleck's thoughts on the subject.  That ends today.  Jay and Aleck are taking a deeper dive into value investing than we have ever taken before and hopefully after listening to this episode, our listeners will have a better and clearer understanding of what value investing truly is.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Responsibility falls on the most aware."We are back again with another episode based around our very own Jay Doran's work entitled Thirty Days of Thought.  Today's discussion is focusing on management and, more specifically, asking the question: do you want to be managed?  Maybe that isn't a question you've ever asked yourself, but it is an important one to look into to potentially figure out the next steps in your professional journey.  By taking a deeper look at your values and your ability to communicate with those around you, you'll be able to answer that question in no time.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"While John Locke didn't explicitly use the word 'curiosity', his writings heavily emphasize the importance of intellectual inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge. He believes that the human mind is a blank slate at birth and through experience and reason, individuals can acquire knowledge and understanding. Locke's emphasis on reason and experience directly encourages curiosity as the driving force behind the acquisition of knowledge.Here's how Locke's philosophy implicitly supports the concept of curiosity: Locke's philosophy, particularly his An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, argues that knowledge comes from experience and reason, not inane ideas. This implies that individiuals must be curious about their surroundings and engage in the process of learning and understanding."On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is going to give his thoughts on a topic that is very near and dear to him: the interview.  Interviewing someone or being interviewed can be a tricky experience if the person asking the questions is unfamiliar with how to structure and conduct an interview.  Good interviews take preparation, study, and a willingness to be open-minded in your inquiry as well as unwavering curiosity about the people you're speaking with.  Jay is here with a few pointers and preparatory hints and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly or it vanishes." - Peter DruckerOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is behind the can to discuss a work he has created to help entrepreneurs and businesses in general called "The Culture Puzzle".  Jay is giving a little insight into what the Puzzle is, what its purpose is, and what it can do to help distinguish the differences between founders and CEOs.  The Puzzle isn't for everyone, but it is a very helpful tool for those who need it.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Man is a rope stretched between the animal and the Superman -- a rope over an abyss.A dangerous crossing, a dangerous wayfaring, a dangerous looking-back, a dangerous trembling and halting.What is great in man is that he is a bridge and not a goal: what is lovable in man is that he is an OVER-GOING and a DOWN-GOING. I love those that know not how to live except as down-goers, for they are the over-goers.I love the great despisers, because they are the great adorers, and arrows of longing for the other shore.I love those who do not first seek a reason beyond the stars for going down and being sacrifices, but sacrifice themselves to the earth, that the earth of the Superman may hereafter arrive.I love him who lives in order to know, and seeks to know in order that the Superman may hereafter live. Thus seeks he his own down-going.I love him who labors and invents, that he may build the house for the Superman, and prepare for him earth, animal, and plant: for thus seeks he his own down-going.I love him who loves his virtue: for virtue is the will to down-going, and an arrow of longing.I love him who reserves no share of spirit for himself, but wants to be wholly the spirit of his virtue: thus walks as he spirit over the bridge.I love him who makes his virtue his inclination and destiny: thus, for the sake of his virtue, he is willing to love on, or live no more.I love him who desires not too many virtues. One virtue is more of a virtue than two, because it is more of a know for one's destiny to cling to. I love him whose soul is lavish, who wants no thanks and does not give back: for he always bestows, and desires not to keep for himself.I love him who is ashamed when the dice fall in his favor, and who then ask: "Am I a dishonest plater?" -- for he is willing to succumb.I love him who scatters golden words in advance of his deeds, and always does more than he promises: for he seeks his own down-going.I love him who justifies the future ones, and redeems the past ones: for he is willing to succumb through the present ones.I love him who chastens his God, be he loves his God: for he must succumb through the wrath of his God.I love him whose soul is deep even in the wounding, and may succumb through a small matter: thus goes he willingly over the bridge.I love him whose soul is so overfull that he forgets himself, and all things that are in him: thus all things become his down-going.I love him who is free of spirit and a free heart: thus is his head only the bowels of his heart; his heart, however, causes his down-going.I love all who are like heavy drops falling one by one out of the dark cloud that lowers over man: they herald the coming of the lightning, and succumb as heralds.Lo, I am a herald of the lighting, and a heavy drop out of the cloud: the lightning, however, is the SUPERMAN." - Friedrich NietzscheChief Victory Officer at the Center for Victory and Executive Coach and the Director of Learning and Development of Top Contractor School Eric Guy is our guest on the show today and after the longest quote in the history of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are getting down to business.  Eric and Jay are digging into Eric's word for 2025 and what his yearly words have been over the past few years, the businessperson's mentality, and how the dynamics of relationships are changed when you're not in front of the camera.  We hope you enjoy this conversation with the one and only Eric Guy.

"Your beliefs become your thoughts. Your thoughts become your words. Your words become your actions. Your actions become your habits. Your habits become your values. Your values become your destiny." - GhandiOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are beginning a brand new series where are our very own Jay Doran is here to pull the curtain back on what Culture Matters is all about.  Jay is starting with the first 'C' and discussing why it stands for 'collaboration'.  Culture Matters is all about collaboration and it could be argued that it is the thing that keeps this train rolling down the track.  What better way to learn a little more about what CM is all about than from the man who started it all?  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Those who vote decide nothing. Those who count the vote, decide everything." - Joseph StalinOn another culture content edition of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is back to discuss leadership acting like leaders and not like dictators.  Delegating is a primary skill for any leader to possess, but depending on how that delegating takes place, it is possible for an element of tyranny to slip in.  In order to make sure that doesn't happen, Jay has a few thoughts on the subject and by the end of this discussion, we think you'll be able to delegate in a way that encourages rather than creates animosity.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

After a brief hiatus, we are welcoming back the founder of Arena Securities, Aleck Arena, to co-host the show with our very own Jay Doran for another episode of our Investor Series.  Today's installment is a little different from the rest as, instead of being across the globe from one another, Aleck and Jay are actually in the same room!  With last week's annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting taking place last week and with both of the gentlemen in attendance, it seemed only appropriate for them to get together to share their thoughts on this year's event.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.