The Mike Method

We’re re-releasing one of our most listened-to and loved episodes! A timeless conversation that hits just as hard today as when it first aired.What if the real reason your sales team isn’t closing deals has nothing to do with the market and everything to do with your company’s diluted genius?In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with international business mentor and Models Method creator, Simon Bowen, for a deep dive into what truly sets high-performing companies apart. Spoiler: it’s not just about having a great product. It’s about clarity, believability, and staying connected to your company’s core brilliance — what Simon calls your “genius.”Simon breaks down how that genius can fade as a company grows, especially when the founder’s original thinking gets lost across departments. He shares how complex ideas become instantly more persuasive when they’re visualized instead of just talked about — using frameworks, models, and even simple drawings to make the message stick.Mike and Simon also explore why believability often matters more than trust in complex sales, and how showing (not telling) your story makes all the difference. The conversation offers practical insight into adapting to changing markets without losing your company’s soul.Whether you’re leading a global team or refining your own message, this episode is a masterclass in clear communication, strategic positioning, and protecting what makes your business unique.Episode Resources:Connect with SimonThe Models MethodViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpLeadership CirclePeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins breaks down the mechanics of being triggered and introduces the ABC Method, a simple yet powerful way to shift out of automatic reactions and into conscious choice.Mike shares how awareness, a single breath, and a prepared choice can transform the way we respond in heated moments. With practical examples, he shows how this method can help us move from defensiveness to accountability, curiosity, and stronger connection.Whether it’s at work, at home, or in everyday conversations, learning to pause and choose differently can change the quality of our relationships and improve our communication skills.What you’ll take away:Triggers often spark automatic reactions that don’t serve us.The ABC Method: Awareness, Breath, Choice.Why it helps to decide on your new response in advance.How defensiveness shows up and what to do instead.Practical ways to take responsibility, diffuse tension, and ask better questions.A small shift in the moment can create big changes over time. Try it out and see how it works for you.Episode Resources:John Dwyer: LinkedIn / WebsiteInstitute of WowViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do free vacations, Jerry Seinfeld, and Happy Meals have in common? For John Dwyer, they are all part of a playbook that has helped businesses bring in billions in revenue.In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike sits down with John Dwyer (JD), founder of the Institute of Wow and a direct response marketing legend. JD has worked with brands like Disney, KFC, 7-Eleven, Woolworths, and BP, and his campaigns have broken records while leaving competitors wondering what just happened.JD shares how to use psychology, storytelling, and what he calls “artificial wow factors” to design irresistible offers. You’ll hear how he turned beer into currency, sold out turf farms, and helped a small bank grow by giving away free vacations. He also breaks down why most loyalty programs miss the mark, the biggest myths about branding, and how B2B companies can stay creative with incentives while keeping it ethical.This conversation is creative, practical, and full of fresh perspective. Whether you are a marketer, entrepreneur, or just curious about what makes people say yes, you’ll walk away with plenty of ideas and inspiration.Episode Resources:John Dwyer: LinkedIn / WebsiteInstitute of WowViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to be “driven”?In this episode of The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins sits down with Dr. Doug Brackman, a psychologist, ultra-endurance athlete, and author of Driven. Doug brings both academic expertise and lived experience, sharing insights from his own journey and two decades of work with elite performers, entrepreneurs, Navy SEALs, and world-class athletes.Together, Mike and Doug explore the unique wiring of driven individuals, the pull toward chaos and innovation, and the hidden costs that often come with intensity and ambition. They dig into the neuroscience of drive, why the world feels designed for farmers but breakthroughs are born from hunters, and how to transform that restless energy into a force for purpose and impact.Along the way, they cover:Shame, imposter syndrome, and the myth of normalFounder syndrome and the loneliness of visionary leadersBuilding trust and finding your “Wolfpack”How to reframe what feels like a burden into a giftIf you’ve ever asked yourself, Why am I like this?, or wondered how to channel your energy into something meaningful without burning out, this conversation will give you new language, perspective, and tools to work with.Episode Resources:Dr. Doug Brackmann: Website / LinkedinDriven by Doug BrackmannViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what leadership sounds like through the eyes of a grade eight student? Mike and his daughter Lillie share their perspective.This week on The Mike Method, Mike Desjardins is joined by his daughter Lillie for a special conversation about leadership. Their discussion is playful, honest, and thoughtful, exploring what leadership means from both a young student’s perspective and a parent’s viewpoint.They talk about school, friendships, mentorship, and emotional intelligence, highlighting how leadership starts with guiding ourselves and showing up authentically for others. Along the way, their conversation is full of curiosity, laughter, and meaningful reflections.The episode celebrates connection between parent and child, across generations, and in the ways we develop kindness, communication, and resilience in everyday life.Episode Resources:ViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpAmelia EvansMonique MarcottDeryn LavellGoMacroPeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we step into September, it’s a perfect moment to slow down, reflect, and bring more mindfulness into the way we lead and live. That’s why we’re bringing back one of our most listened to episodes of The Mike Method, a powerful conversation with Mo Jessa.Mo has spent over three decades with Earls Restaurants, helping grow the company from 13 locations to more than 70 across North America. Along the way, he has become a sought-after voice on leadership, known for his ability to inspire people to see what’s possible in themselves and others.In this episode, Mo opens up about his journey from humble beginnings to leading in the restaurant industry. He and Mike explore the role of mentorship in unlocking potential, the importance of promoting based on possibility rather than just experience, and how that approach creates more diverse and capable leaders. Mo also shares how presence, gratitude, and mindfulness have shaped his leadership and why surrounding yourself with the right people matters just as much as strategy.It is a conversation about shifting limiting beliefs, building psychological safety, and leading in a way that not only drives results but also creates a fulfilling life.Episode Resources:Mo Jessa: LinkedInViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpGoMacroFlyKitt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re bringing back one of our most popular episodes of The Mike Method—a conversation with Dan Box, General Manager and Vice President of EA Ventures.Dan and Mike explore how Electronic Arts (EA) is evolving from being purely a video game company into a community-driven organization. With over 700 million gamer accounts, EA is reimagining its future by investing in the creator economy, user-generated content, and new ways of connecting fans beyond the game itself.Dan shares what it takes to lead through rapid change—emphasizing curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a willingness to ask better questions over sticking to rigid plans. Together, they unpack how leaders can spark innovation, navigate resistance, and create environments where creativity and adaptability thrive.This episode isn’t just about gaming—it’s about the leadership mindset required to drive innovation, build meaningful communities, and stay ahead in a rapidly shifting world.Episode ResourcesDan Box: LinkedInElectronic ArtsHub SpotSonosViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if every young woman entered adulthood already knowing her strengths, her values, and the power of her voice?That is the vision driving Lauren MacKinnon, executive coach, leadership development facilitator, and founder of superpowHER, a youth leadership movement equipping the next generation with the confidence, skills, and values to lead with authenticity and impact. With more than 20 years in senior leadership, including serving as COO of a leading engineering firm, Lauren has guided hundreds of leaders through transformation and cultural change. Today, she is channeling that expertise into preparing young leaders for the complex challenges of the future.In this episode of The Mike Method, Lauren shares why courage is the true starting point for growth, how peer groups can provide girls with a lifelong network of allies, and the cost of conforming to outdated definitions of leadership. She also reflects on how this work is transforming not only the girls she teaches but also herself as she sheds old layers of corporate conformity to lead with authenticity.Listeners will walk away with both inspiration and a blueprint for equipping the next generation of women in leadership and reclaiming their own voices along the way.Episode Resources:Lauren Mackinnon: Website / LinkedInOwn It: The Power of Women at Work by Sally KrawcheckViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpGoMacroPeloton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most listened-to episodes of The Mike Method is back — and it’s just as relevant today as when it first aired.In this conversation, host Mike Desjardins sits down with Deborah Wong, Executive Leadership Development at General Motors, to tackle burnout, perfectionism, boundaries, and redefining success. They explore the lingering impact of the pandemic, the double-edged role of AI in productivity, and why vulnerability, balance, and a coaching mindset are essential for sustainable leadership.With over 20 years of leadership and executive coaching experience, Deborah shares practical strategies leaders can put into action right now.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite platform.Episode Resources:Deborah Wong: LinkedIn / WebsiteMultipliers by Liz WisemanViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign UpThinkificFathom Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mike sits down with Dr. Patty Ann Tublin, a world‑class expert in emotional intelligence, communication, and human behavior. Founder of The Relationship Toolbox, bestselling author, high‑performance executive coach, and host of The Dr. Patty Ann Podcast, she’s worked with leaders at the highest levels — from the co‑founder of Netflix to the president of Starbucks.Together, they dig into the real conversations most leaders avoid:Why 50/50 partnerships are a recipe for stalemate.How to foster healthy, ideological conflict without it getting personal.The signs your culture is quietly rotting from within.Why contracts won’t fix a trust problem — and what will.Dr. Patti Ann shares how CEOs and COOs can stay aligned, the role emotional maturity plays in leadership, and why the best organizations aren’t “families” — they’re high‑performing teams that care for each other.If you’re a founder, executive, or just someone who knows great leadership starts with great relationships, this one’s for you.Episode Resources:Dr. Patty Ann: WebsiteThe Trust Doctor PodcastBooks By Dr. Patty AnnBook: How to Change the WorldLearn more about Manager Essentials at ViRTUSViRTUS: Website / Instagram / LinkedInSign up for our Newsletter: Sign Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.