
The Action Catalyst
The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond.
Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.
Latest episodes

May 14, 2024 • 30min
The Courage to Have the Conversation, with Karin Hurt and David Dye (Conflict Resolution, Teams, Relationships, Leadership)
Karin Hurt and David Dye, the CEO and President, respectively, of Let’s Grow Leaders, dive into the findings of their book “Powerful Phrases For Dealing With Workplace Conflict”, including the REAL trends of workplace conflict and what’s driving it, the role of generational leadership styles, new world conflict vs old world conflicts, expectation violation, why silence is selfish, going with your G.O.A.T.s, scheduling the finish, having the courage to have the conversation, and contending with a "global staring contest with mortality".

May 10, 2024 • 21min
Update: Get Better at Anything, with Scott H. Young (Science, Education, Learning, Self-Improvement)
Author, programmer, and entrepreneur Scott Young rejoins The Action Catalyst to talk about his book, "Get Better at Anything", including topics of discussion like what things it's NOT worth getting better at, what exactly IS "talent", the tension of learning, how these principles were on display during the Renaissance, the role of Tetris in all of this, and why monkey see is NOT monkey do.

May 9, 2024 • 4min
CLIP: Attack Your T.A.M.
Alex Neist, founder of Hostage Tape sleep enhancement tape, talks about the transition from professional football to business, the value of polarizing marketing, and how to target your T.A.M.Hear Alex's full interview in Episode 456 of The Action Catalyst.

May 8, 2024 • 2min
"T.A.C. Is The Place To Be"
You may have wondered, rightfully so, why The Action Catalyst doesn't have it's own upbeat 80s ballad yet. Well, wonder no more...T.A.C. is the place to be, Ignite inspiration, spark creativity, Top leaders bulldoze through complacency. Produced by Southwestern Family of Companies.With Adam Outland, and host supreme in Stephanie Maas, yeah she's a boss. With the biggest guests, yeah we've got 'em all, let's hear a roll call!Chip Gaines, Adam Grant, Kris Allen, Stephen Covey, Cal Newport, Dean Koontz, Dave Ramsey, Stedman Graham, governors, senators, Olympians, and more,Creating impact is what they're here for.In and out in 30 minutes or less, it's no wonder we've been named as the best. Subscribe and listen anywhere that you like, Always growing, there's no end in sight.T.A.C. is the place to be!

May 7, 2024 • 30min
Always Learning, with Gary Kusin (Leadership, Improvement, Mentorship, Software)
Gary Kusin, co-founder of GameStop, Laura Mercier Cosmetics, and former President and CEO of Kinko’s, unveils his new book Always Learning: Lessons on Leveling Up from GameStop to Laura Mercier and Beyond, and shares insights on alignment and accountability, respect, honesty, and integrity, continuous change, tackling toxicity, good reasons vs real reasons, only getting paid for the stuff you DON’T like, launching what would become GameStop, the delicate and sometimes dark nature of mentorship, the 4 most mission-critical things to look for when hiring, and not necessarily being driven to win, but refusing to lose.

May 2, 2024 • 2min
CLIP: The 4 Cornerstones of Distinction
Best-selling author, Hall of Fame speaker, and distinction expert Scott McKain explains what it means to be different vs. distinctive, and lays out the 4 cornerstones of setting yourself apart.Hear Scott's full interview in Episode 4 of The Action Catalyst.

May 1, 2024 • 2min
Overtime with Outland: Alex Neist, Episode 456
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 456, with former pro arena football quarterback, and now the founder of Hostage Tape sleep enhancement tape, Alex Neist.

Apr 30, 2024 • 27min
Hostage Situation, with Alex Neist (Sleep, Football, Marketing, Entrepreneurship)
Alex Neist, founder of Hostage Tape sleep enhancement tape, shares his first love of football and his time as a former professional quarterback in the arena football league, explains how dedication is just motivation over time, gives the story behind the name “Hostage Tape”, and talks about the importance of being polarizing, targeting your T.A.M., the TRUE definition of success, and finally making it on Rogan.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching

Apr 25, 2024 • 4min
CLIP: Climate is the Whole Restaurant
Award-winning journalist and CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir explains why reporting on climate includes reporting on EVERYTHING, and how storytelling is the thing that sets humans apart from everything else on the planet, and also, which brings us together.Hear Bill's full interview in Episode 455 of The Action Catalyst.

Apr 23, 2024 • 10min
REMASTERED: Create Distinction, with Scott McKain (Sales, Customer Service, Author, Business)
Best-selling author, Hall of Fame speaker, and distinction expert Scott McKain explains different vs. distinctive, pursuit vs. attraction, the 4 cornerstones of setting yourself apart, and how creating clarity often means saying “no”.
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