Problem Solvers

Feeling stuck? Uninspired? Unsure how to find the right answer to the problem you're trying to solve? Scott Anthony can get you unstuck. He teaches strategy at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmout, and is the author of the book Epic Disruptions. He walks us through simple, science-backed strategies to reboot your creativity, the psychology behind peak performance, and why the worst way to solve a problem is to force it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes an idea truly worthy of your time? Nir Zicherman, co-founder of Anchor and former Head of Audiobooks at Spotify, thought he’d left the startup world behind. But he kept wondering if he could help people learn in a better way. And oboe.com was born. In this conversation, Nir and Jason explore how to know when you’ve found something that’s more than a project. It’s your next calling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Jared Foster of Times Ticking bought a small watch shop, he realized one question was killing sales. So he replaced it with a simple, repeatable strategy that made customers feel welcome and ready to buy. That shift helped Times Ticking land on Entrepreneur’s list of America’s Favorite Mom & Pop Shops and turn quick repairs into big sales. This episode is brought to you by CLA. With you on every step of your financial journey. To learn more, visit CLAConnect.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Executive coach Muriel Wilkins joins the show to unpack one of the biggest growth blockers in business. The leader who needs to be involved in everything. Drawing from her new book Leadership Unblocked, she breaks down how that urge forms, why it destroys trust and agency inside organizations, and how to recalibrate your time toward the work that actually drives results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NBA stars don’t open up easily, but Taylor Rooks makes it look effortless. The lead host of Amazon’s NBA on Prime joins the show to share how she earns trust fast, even from the most guarded people in the room. It’s not just about asking questions. Whether you’re interviewing the team or leading it, trust is the foundation of every successful relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Bosstick, founder and CEO of Dear Media, breaks down the mechanics of audience growth and what smart creators do after they’ve built one. He shares his proven blueprint for turning attention into impact. This conversation will change how you think about the audience as an asset, not just a metric. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most people think taking a month off work is impossible, but what if it’s actually a smart career move? Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often, argues that planning a “mini-retirement” isn’t just good for your sanity. It forces you (and your company) to build better systems, and delegate more effectively. In this episode, Jason digs into her framework for making extended time off possible in any situation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jon Levy, behavioral scientist and author of Team Intelligence, is here to blow up what you thought you knew about leading teams. He reveals why most leadership advice is outdated, how the entire industry is built on a con man’s research from the 1900s, and what actually drives people to follow great leaders. He also shares one scientifically proven tip to build a smarter team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneurs face two kinds of problems: One has clear answers, the other does not. But is it possible to take unclear paths... and make them clearer? Alibaba.com president Kuo Zhang joins the show to talk about Accio, the company’s new AI tool that helps entrepreneurs create products, and the larger business lesson it represents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Shivery, founder of Blue Moon Camera and Machine in Portland, thrives in the analog photography world while embracing necessary change. He discusses how he successfully combined classic photography services with modern needs, like film scanning and social media. Jake shares insights on finding his unexpected young customer base and how to adapt without losing a core mission. His journey highlights the importance of blending traditional craft with innovation to survive in a rapidly changing business landscape.