

Brad Hook Podcast
Bradley Hook
Discover the Brad Hook Show: a place for the curious. Each episode offers deep dives with diverse guests—from academics demystifying theories to athletes discussing grit, authors revealing their thought processes, or storytellers enchanting with tales. It's a fusion of backgrounds and ideas, aiming to provide listeners with a kaleidoscope of inspiration, knowledge, and passion.
Brad is the author of Start With Values (Penguin), founder of the Values Institute, and founder of Surfd.com, an action sports magazine. He is head of the Resilience Lab at Resilience Institute.
Brad is the author of Start With Values (Penguin), founder of the Values Institute, and founder of Surfd.com, an action sports magazine. He is head of the Resilience Lab at Resilience Institute.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 11, 2024 • 56min
The Business Growth Expert: Mindset, Branding, and Strategic Partnerships — Athin Cassiotis
This episode is brought to you by Brad's forthcoming book, Start With Values (https://startwithvalues.com/). To support this show, we'd love it if you could order your copy. If you do, please email hello@bradleyhook.com, and we'll send you a thank-you gift. Connect with Brad here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad.
Meet our guest, Athin Cassiotis
Athin Cassiotis is an accomplished business growth expert, investor, coach, mentor, consultant, and international speaker. He successfully runs multiple businesses, including a waste management consulting firm and his business growth coaching practice.
Additionally, he hosts the Business Growth Show (https://www.athincassiotis.com/podcast/) and has delivered numerous speeches worldwide. Athin's entrepreneurial journey began at a young age and has led him to work with prominent brands and business owners, achieving six, seven, and eight-figure growth.
Connect with Athin:
https://www.athincassiotis.com/
https://www.facebook.com/athincassiotis/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/athincassiotis/
https://www.instagram.com/athincassiotis/
https://www.youtube.com/@AthinCassiotis
https://x.com/AthinCassiotis
https://www.tiktok.com/@athincassiotis
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Athin shares his wealth of knowledge and insights to help entrepreneurs and business owners scale their ventures. Starting with the fundamental importance of mindset and identity, Athin delves into strategies for building robust brands, the intricate nuances of sales and marketing, and the effective implementation of systems and AI in business operations.
Throughout the conversation, Athin emphasizes critical aspects of branding, elaborating on how perception and emotion play crucial roles in successful branding. He offers valuable advice on developing a strong brand voice that resonates within the market. The discussion also addresses common challenges in sales, providing practical tips on transitioning from a product-focused approach to a service-oriented mindset, ensuring alignment of values and effective team delegation.
Key Takeaways:
Mindset and Identity: Building a successful business starts with adopting a growth mindset and continuously upgrading your identity to align with higher goals.
Branding: Establish a strong personal and corporate brand by focusing on emotional connections and strategic messaging.
Marketing Strategies: Utilize a mix of organic methods, paid ads, and strategic partnerships to attract and nurture leads effectively.
Sales Techniques: Transition from a traditional sales approach to a service-oriented strategy with a focus on building intrinsic motivation within teams.
Leveraging AI: Integrate AI tools to enhance efficiency, streamline operations, and maintain competitive advantages in a rapidly evolving market.
Notable Quotes:
"Marketing is the engine and branding is the fuel."
"People don't like to be sold to. People love to buy."
"Sales is more about serving. How can I serve this person in the best possible way?"
"You’re only as good as the systems in your business."
"AI can make a person double efficient in their daily tasks."
Dive into the full episode for a comprehensive understanding of these strategies and more, and stay tuned for future episodes packed with invaluable business insights.

Oct 4, 2024 • 48min
The Five Practices for Thriving Teams: A Deep Dive into The Collaborative Way — Lloyd Fickett
This episode is brought to you by Brad's forthcoming book, Start With Values (https://startwithvalues.com/). To support this show, we'd love it if you could order your copy. If you do, please email hello@bradleyhook.com, and we'll send you a thank-you gift.
In this episode of The Brad Hook Podcast, we are joined by Lloyd Fickett, the founder of The Collaborative Way (https://collaborativeway.com/). Lloyd shares his wisdom on building extraordinary teams through collaboration, respect, and a small set of practices that enhance how people work together. This conversation dives deep into the core principles of The Collaborative Way, a methodology that has been transforming workplaces for over 30 years, making them more productive and fulfilling.
Lloyd also discusses the importance of listening generously, speaking straight, being for each other, honoring commitments, and appreciation as foundational practices to success in both business and personal life. Tune in to learn how these practices not only improve company culture but also spill into people’s lives outside the workplace.
Notable Quotes:
“To be extraordinary as a team, it’s not enough that individuals are extraordinary. It’s about how we work together.”
“We’re not just listening generously for the sake of it, we’re listening generously to move forward, accomplish our mission, our vision, our objectives.”
“It’s not just about what we achieve, but how we achieve it.”
Links:
Connect with Lloyd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloydfickett
The Collaborative Way by Lloyd Fickett
Visit the Collaborative Way website: https://collaborativeway.com/

Sep 27, 2024 • 46min
The Career Coach: Mastering Resumes and Interviews — Wendy Alexander
This episode is brought to you by Brad's forthcoming book, Start With Values (https://startwithvalues.com/). To support this show, we'd love it if you could order your copy. If you do, please email hello@bradleyhook.com, and we'll send you a thank-you gift. Connect with Brad here: https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad
Wendy Alexander (https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyaalexander/) is the founder and creator of Happy Career Hub (https://happycareerhub.com/), a renowned career coach, and business copywriter. With over 23 years of experience in corporate project management, Wendy has worked with major Australian companies such as Telstra and various banks and consulting firms. She specializes in writing resumes, LinkedIn profiles, cover letters, and negotiation packs for mid-level career professionals, as well as coaching clients through challenging career transitions and interview preparations. Wendy’s unique approach combines her extensive corporate experience with her passion for empowering individuals to find their best career paths.
Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode, Bradley Hook interviews Wendy Alexander, a seasoned career coach and founder of Happy Career Hub. Wendy shares her journey from working in corporate project management for over two decades to becoming an influential career coach, helping individuals at critical points in their professional lives. Through her personal and professional experiences, Wendy offers valuable advice on how to construct compelling resumes, excel in job interviews, and ultimately attain career fulfillment.
Wendy provides a detailed breakdown of how job seekers can better articulate their achievements and strengths on their resumes using the CAR framework (Challenge, Action, Result) and the rule of three. She stresses the importance of investing in interview coaching to avoid common pitfalls such as waffling and failing to provide concise responses. Wendy also touches on her personal journey of overcoming adversity, growing up under apartheid in South Africa, and how she transformed her challenges into success through self-awareness and a strong support system.
Key Takeaways:
CAR Framework for Resumes: Utilize the Challenge, Action, Result framework to make your resume achievements clear and compelling.
Rule of Three: Simplify your action steps and interview answers into three main points for better retention and impact.
Invest in Interview Coaching: Professional coaching can significantly improve interview performance by providing honest feedback and structured practice.
Transition from Victim to Creator: Personal empowerment and success often require stepping out of a victim mentality and taking proactive steps to create positive outcomes.
Embrace Honesty and Community Support: True personal and professional growth starts with self-honesty and seeking support from a community when overcoming challenges.
Notable Quotes:
"The human brain works very well in threes. We remember threes. We like threes. I say always do three little action steps." – Wendy Alexander
"I don't believe you have your full, well-rounded success until you give up the victim mentality and actually go and find your own empowerment." – Wendy Alexander
"Where I've seen people really fall down in interviews is in the waffle, you know, talking too long, not answering the question." – Wendy Alexander
"Love, community, family, honesty, spirituality – these values drive everything I do." – Wendy Alexander
"Go out and live your life to the best and take the actions. One action every day is all you need to do to move towards any form of success." – Wendy Alexander
In this enlightening episode, Wendy Alexander delivers practical strategies for career advancement and personal growth, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to navigate their professional journey successfully. Listen to the full episode and stay tuned for more insightful conversations on achieving career fulfillment and overcoming life's challenges.

Sep 19, 2024 • 1h 13min
Stress Less, Achieve More: Emotional Mastery and Motivation — Daniel Tolson
This episode is brought to you by Brad's forthcoming book, Start With Values (https://startwithvalues.com/). To support this show, we'd love it if you could order your copy. If you do, please email hello@bradleyhook.com, and we'll send you a thank-you gift.
In this episode of The Brad Hook Podcast, Brad (https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad) sits down with Asia’s #1 business coach, Daniel Tolson, to dive deep into the world of emotional intelligence, resilience, and the journey to personal mastery. Daniel shares his personal story of overcoming self-sabotage, including an unforgettable wakeboarding experience that taught him early on about the power of mindset. From his struggles with a learning disability to becoming the Australian men’s wakeboarding champion, Daniel explains how resilience played a key role in his success.
Key Moments & Topics Discussed:
0:00: Daniel reflects on the Japanese proverb “fall down seven times, get up eight” as he introduces the concept of resilience in both life and business.
0:56: Daniel shares a pivotal childhood experience that helped shape his understanding of self-sabotage and limiting beliefs.
5:19: Daniel delves into the root causes of fear and perfectionism, explaining how they impact success.
7:05: Daniel recounts his journey to becoming the Australian men’s wakeboarding champion, despite facing numerous setbacks and injuries.
14:53: The conversation shifts to stress management, highlighting the critical role of sleep in maintaining peak performance, with insights from coach Vince Lombardi.
20:30: Daniel outlines the five pillars of emotional intelligence, discussing how self-awareness, motivation, and social regulation can help combat procrastination.
27:27: Daniel introduces a “new way” of goal setting, explaining how setting achievable goals can boost motivation and success.
37:49: Daniel talks about hiring and team building, emphasizing the importance of understanding behavioral and motivational styles to create a high-performing team.
43:19: Daniel explains the science behind emotional intelligence and its measurable impact on productivity, leadership, and personal growth.
52:40: Daniel introduces his breakthrough Mind Report tool, which offers listeners a chance to discover their emotional intelligence levels through a quick 90-second voice analysis.
Connect with Daniel Tolson:
Website: https://danieltolson.com/
Experience the Mind Report: https://danieltolson.com/mind-report-free/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniel.tolson.988
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danieltolson/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danieltolson/
Be sure to subscribe and leave a review if you enjoyed the episode!

Sep 11, 2024 • 50min
The Founder's Coach: How to Heal and Find Spaciousness — Rachel Hamlin
This episode is brought to you by my forthcoming book, Start With Values: discover your values, reduce stress, increase clarity, and find meaning.
Introducing Rachel Hamlin
Rachel Hamlin is a distinguished mindset coach and somatic healer, catering primarily to high-performing founders and executives. Formerly a brand strategist and product leader, Rachel has an impressive background, having collaborated with companies ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to early-stage Ethereum startups across London, Berlin, and New York. She specializes in addressing chronic stress, healing burnout, revitalizing careers, and helping leaders grow. Her unique coaching approach eschews traditional goal-setting in favor of delving into emotional underpinnings and using tools like breathwork, EFT tapping, and somatic healing.
Resources:
Connect with Rachel Hamlin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelhamlin/
Visit her website: https://rachel-hamlin.com
Episode Summary:
In this compelling episode, Brad Hook welcomes Rachel Hamlin to discuss her innovative approach to executive coaching and stress management. Rachel explores the significance of somatic healing and how addressing the body can resolve deep-seated issues driven by chronic stress. She shares her journey from brand strategist and product leader to a renowned mindset coach, helping high performers break through barriers and achieve sustainable success. Rachel emphasizes the importance of cultivating spaciousness and dealing with internal drivers of burnout to foster better leadership and personal fulfillment.
The conversation further delves into the myths of productivity, highlighting the need to redefine personal metrics of success. Rachel encourages leaders to embrace practices that promote well-being and authentic self-expression without succumbing to societal pressures. She introduces strategies like embodied hypnosis, EFT tapping, and visualization as tools to overcome emotional resistance and unlock latent potential. The dialogue offers rich insights on how executives can transform stress into a source of resilience and become more effective and adaptive leaders.
Key Takeaways:
Cultivate Spaciousness: Making room for personal reflection and relaxation is crucial for tapping into creativity and passion.
Internal Drivers of Burnout: Addressing self-worth and satisfaction can mitigate burnout more effectively than changing external circumstances.
Productivity Myths: True productivity isn't about being constantly busy but rather achieving meaningful contributions each day.
Emotional Resistance: Overcoming limiting beliefs and emotional resistance is essential for integrating well-being practices effectively.
Visualization and Imagination: Employing visualization techniques can help manifest future goals and enhance personal and professional growth.
Notable Quotes:
"We decide things and act based on how we feel. And it's quite a subconscious mechanism."
"Cultivate spaciousness. That’s the place where you're going to tap into those beautiful resource states."
"Productivity myth…we're only working if we're sat in front of a computer or on a meeting and being accounted for."
"Just because you can doesn’t mean you should…You have to forego making other people happy."
"We can all do anything. To me, that is just a fact."

Sep 7, 2024 • 54min
From Police Officer to Entrepreneur and Mentor — Brian Livingston
This episode is brought to you by my forthcoming book, Start With Values.
Our guest:
Brian Livingston is the founder of My Mentoring Guru, a successful entrepreneur, and a former police officer. Over the past two decades, Brian has assisted numerous individuals in building businesses that together boast a net worth exceeding $100 million. He now dedicates his efforts to helping first responders transition into entrepreneurship, mentoring them to achieve fulfilling, financially stable lives. Based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Brian is also recognized for his work in the traffic ticket industry and his resilience in overcoming personal struggles, including a battle with late-stage colon cancer.
In this episode:
In this episode, Brad Hook (https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad) sits down with Brian Livingston, an inspiring entrepreneur and former police officer, to uncover his extraordinary journey from trauma and hardship to mentoring and success. The conversation delves into Brian's transition from policing to entrepreneurship, the profound impact of hitting a PTSD wall, and the trials he faced in rebuilding his life from scratch multiple times. Throughout the episode, Brian shares insightful lessons on leveraging one's skills, the importance of mentorship, and the need for a supportive community.
Brian's journey is a testament to resilience and the power of mentorship. He emphasizes the necessity of finding a business mentor who can guide you through the pitfalls of starting and growing a business. Brian candidly discusses his pivotal moments, from overcoming workplace trauma to launching successful businesses in both traffic tickets and investment software. He also highlights the significance of service-oriented leadership, collaboration, and maintaining a positive mindset despite numerous setbacks, including his fight against cancer.
Takeaways:
Resilience and Adaptation: Brian's story illustrates the importance of bouncing back from setbacks and continually adapting to new challenges.
Value of Mentorship: Emphasizes the critical role mentors play in guiding and accelerating entrepreneurial success.
Community and Collaboration: Highlighting the power of a supportive community and collaborative efforts in achieving business goals.
Service-Oriented Approach: Discusses the necessity of putting service above self-interest to achieve long-term success.
Clear Roadmap and Goals: The importance of setting clear, actionable goals and mapping out the steps to achieve them.
Brian Livingston on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-livingston-583114268/
My Mentoring Guru: https://mymentoring.guru/
Listeners are encouraged to connect with Brian on LinkedIn and explore his mentoring services through My Mentoring Guru. Tune in to the full episode to gain deeper insights from Brian’s incredible journey and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations and valuable content from our series.

Aug 31, 2024 • 39min
The Sensible Psychologist: How to Achieve Psychological Flexibility and Happiness — Dr. Carrie Johansson
Dr. Carrie Johansson is a psychologist, speaker, and author widely recognized as the "Sensible Psychologist" due to her practical, effective approach to mental health and well-being. With two decades of experience in private practice in Denver, Dr. Carrie specializes in managing anxiety, diminishing trauma, and improving team performance using evidence-based treatments. She frequently collaborates with corporate audiences, teams, and individuals to help them navigate life's challenges with greater ease and joy.
This episode is brought to you by Start With Values (https://startwithvalues.com/) — get the book now: https://amzn.to/3yXSyA4
Meet Dr. Carrie:
Book: https://amzn.to/3MqNR4H
Website: https://www.selfhelponthego.com/
In this episode, host Bradley Hook (https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad) welcomes Dr. Carrie Johansson, also known as the "Sensible Psychologist," to discuss psychological flexibility, healthy communication, and the importance of setting boundaries. Dr. Carrie, with her extensive 20-year experience in private practice, offers practical advice for increasing happiness and maintaining emotional balance in our daily lives.
Dr. Carrie delves into the concept of psychological flexibility, explaining its foundations in acceptance and commitment therapy. She highlights how accepting our present reality rather than clinging to past or future expectations can ease emotional stress. Emphasizing the role of thoughts and emotions and their impact on behavior, she shares practical tools to navigate these effectively. One of her key suggestions for managing negative emotions is simply labeling them, which can cut their intensity by half.
The conversation also touches on the "boundary castle" analogy to help listeners visualize and set effective boundaries with people in their lives. Dr. Carrie offers several real-life examples to explain how setting thoughtful boundaries can reduce stress and improve relationships. Additionally, she talks about the importance of communication, using the assertiveness formula "I'm feeling because of, and I wish" to manage conflicts without judgment.

Aug 23, 2024 • 1h 14min
Positive Parenting and the Importance of Unlearning for Personal Growth — Dr. Jessica Koehler
Dr. Jessica Koehler, an Associate Faculty Member in the University of Arizona Global Campus Psychology Department, holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Maryland, where she researched teacher beliefs. Her background includes positions at Georgetown University, managing research assistants, and conducting neuropsychological evaluations in a functional neuroimaging lab. As a psychologist in diverse school settings, she conducted comprehensive psycho-educational assessments alongside roles as an undergraduate and graduate psychology instructor and social skills program evaluator. As a homeschooling parent and blogger for Psychology Today (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/beyond-school-walls), she is deeply invested in bridging the gap between psychology as a science and its practical applications in learning and everyday life.
In this Episode:
In this engaging episode, Brad Hook (https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad) interviews Jessica Koehler, a psychologist and educator with a deep understanding of child development, education, and well-being. Jessica's journey from traditional school psychology to homeschooling her two sons provides a unique perspective on divergent parenting and the application of psychological principles in everyday life. Her insights on customizing education to fit individual needs and the importance of positive parenting resonate throughout the episode.
Jessica discusses various topics ranging from the benefits and challenges of homeschooling to the practical application of ancient wisdom in modern life. She emphasizes the significance of focusing on what we can control and the impact of diet, sleep, and exercise on mental health. Utilizing Martin Seligman's PERMA model, she outlines strategies for achieving holistic well-being and shares personal anecdotes to illustrate her points. The importance of curiosity, lifelong learning, and scaffolding is also explored, making this episode a rich resource for parents, educators, and psychology enthusiasts.
Key Takeaways:
Divergent Parenting: Emphasizes the importance of tailoring education and parenting styles to fit individual children's needs and family dynamics.
Holistic Well-being: Introduces Martin Seligman's PERMA model and discusses the significance of balancing positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment.
Technology in Education: Advocates for the judicious use of technology like ChatGPT to enhance learning and productivity while maintaining clear boundaries.
Ancient Wisdom: Highlights the relevance of Stoic philosophy and cognitive-behavioral principles in fostering mental resilience and emotional regulation.
Nutrition and Mental Health: Explores the connection between diet and mental well-being, sharing personal experiences of the benefits of a low-sugar, high-protein diet.
Quotes:
"All of life is learning."
"Figure out how we can help them use [technology] in positive ways rather than avoiding it entirely."
"Today my goal is to be better than I was the day before."
"Between stimulus and response, there is a space… and in that space is our freedom."
"Focusing on what we can control and letting go of what we can't is a powerful tool for well-being."
Connect with Jessica:
Jessica's Blog on Psychology Today
Jessica Koehler on X (formerly Twitter)
Jessica on LinkedIn
Jessica's Website: koehleracademy.com
Books Mentioned:
"The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday
"Brain Energy" by Chris Palmer
Discover more about Jessica's perspective on education, mental health, and well-being by tuning into this in-depth episode. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on holistic development and innovative approaches to learning and growth.

Aug 17, 2024 • 56min
Sustainable Action and Empowered Consumer Choices — Lindsey Coffey
Meet our Guest: Lindsey Coffey
Head of Community Engagement and Impact Awareness at EcoBranders
2020 Miss Earth, the first U.S. representative to win the title
Environmental activist, model, and advocate for sustainable practices
Background in Political Science and Communications
Episode Summary:
In this episode, Brad Hook connects with Lindsey Coffey, an environmental activist and the head of Community Engagement and Impact Awareness at EcoBranders. Lindsey shares her passion for sustainability, discussing the vital connection between human consumption patterns and the health of our natural ecosystems. Drawing on her experiences from a small Pennsylvania town to the global stage as Miss Earth, Lindsey emphasizes the power of mindful consumption and the role of consumers in driving market trends and corporate responsibility.
Lindsey also highlights the importance of ethical marketing, transparent business practices, and adopting a circular economy model. She encourages listeners to engage with their communities, participate in legislative processes, and take small steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle, proving that sustainability and profitability can coexist.
Connect with Lindsey:
www.ecobranders.com
www.lindsey-coffey.com
www.instagram.com/lindseymariecoffey
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecobranders/
Key Takeaways:
Mindful Consumption: Prioritize quality over quantity and support companies with ethical practices to make a positive environmental impact.
Empowered Consumer Choices: Consumers, through their purchasing decisions and advocacy, have the power to shape market trends and drive corporate responsibility.
Ethical Marketing: Transparency and honesty in marketing are essential for building genuine connections and long-term consumer trust.
Circular Economy: To reduce environmental impact, businesses should adopt models that ensure products are recyclable, upcycled, or compostable.
Community Engagement: Local activism and participation in legislative processes are key to driving systemic change towards sustainability.
Notable Quotes:
“We are the ones who decide if we want to fall or if we want to climb.” — Lindsey Coffey
“Slow action is better than no action, and you don’t have to go green overnight.” — Lindsey Coffey
“Consumers really underestimate the power behind their purchases because they control market trends.” — Lindsey Coffey
“Greenwashing is when a company portrays themselves as being more sustainable than they are. Green wishing is when a company genuinely wants to create a positive impact but lacks the awareness or knowledge to know how.” — Lindsey Coffey
“The interconnectedness between nature and consumption is a complex relationship where human consumption patterns directly impact our natural ecosystems.” — Lindsey Coffey
Listen to the full episode to delve deeper into Lindsey Coffey's insights, and stay tuned for more enlightening content that inspires mindful action toward a sustainable future.

Aug 10, 2024 • 49min
The Skin Expert: Holistic, Science-Backed Skincare Made Simple — Dr. Mary Alice Mina
Meet Dr. Mary Alice Mina:
Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon
Co-owner of Baucom & Mina Derm Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia
Host of the podcast “The Skin Real”
Connect with Dr. Mina:
Website: theskinreal.com
Free resource: theskinreal.com/habits;
Instagram: @drminaskin
Episode Summary:
In this insightful episode, Brad Hook (https://link.bradleyhook.com/brad) welcomes Dr. Mary Alice Mina, an accomplished dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, to discuss comprehensive skincare routines, the importance of holistic health for skin vitality, and graceful aging. Dr. Mina shares her journey into the world of dermatology, her inspirations for starting “The Skin Real” podcast, and how she aims to clear up the confusion surrounding skincare with scientific and straightforward advice.
Key Takeaways:
Holistic Skincare: Healthy skin starts from within and involves maintaining overall body health.
Simple Routine: Essential skincare components include a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen.
Lifestyle Impact: Diet, stress levels, sleep, and physical activity significantly impact skin health.
Cosmetic Procedures: Options like Botox and fillers can be done subtly to maintain a natural, youthful appearance.
Grateful Aging: Embrace aging gracefully and appreciate each season of life.


