1% Better Improvement Podcast

Health is where getting 1% better starts. In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen sits down with Justin Juntunen , founder of Cedar & Stone Sauna , to explore the ancient practice of sauna and why it continues to matter in modern life. Justin shares the cultural roots of traditional Finnish sauna, the difference between sauna and infrared, and why heat, recovery, ritual, and c...

If we’re trying to get 1% better every day, one question matters most: better toward what? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen sits down with Mitch Larson , author of The Power of Purpose , to explore how purpose gives direction to personal and professional growth. Mitch shares the life experiences, books, mentors, and observations that shaped his own journey — and explains wh...

Why aren’t more people getting better, despite more access to health information than ever? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen speaks with Sue McKinley , a certified homeopath who specializes in helping individuals navigate complex and chronic health challenges. Sue introduces the concept of “load” - the cumulative impact of stress, toxins, environment, and life experiences -...

In the wake of the 2026 Winter Olympics, what can we learn from elite performers beyond the medals? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen speaks with Patrick “Packy” Mader , a retired teacher, author, and interviewer of Olympians and athletes. Packy shares the patterns he’s seen across high performers, including perseverance, humility, discipline, and a strong commitment to givi...

What does it mean to treat AI as a team member? In this Fast 15 episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen speaks with Trissential’s Robert Wallace about a new mindset for working with artificial intelligence. Rather than viewing AI as a simple question-and-answer tool, Robert explains how organizations can integrate AI into teams by giving it specific roles, personas, and context. From acti...

What does it truly take to compete at the Olympic Games? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen sits down with John Benton, 2010 U.S. Olympic curler , to explore the mindset, preparation, and resilience required to perform on the world stage. John shares what the Olympic experience is really like - from the adrenaline and media spotlight to the grind of preparation and the import...

What do Hollywood thrillers , the FBI , and leadership development have in common? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast , host Craig Thielen sits down with Zad Vecsey , CEO of ALEAS Simulations and a longtime collaborator of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi , the creator of Flow . Together, they explore how flow state psychology shows up in real-world leadership, decision-making under pressure, and the...

In this episode, Craig Thielen flips roles as guest while Paul Batz (Author, CEO and Founder of Good Leadership) hosts a deep dive into three years of inspiring conversations. Discover the top themes that emerged - purpose, mindset, and community, and hear powerful stories of perseverance, growth, and authentic leadership. Craig shares lessons learned from over 50 episodes and previews what’s next...

How do you truly engage people - whether it’s students, teams, or entire organizations? In this Fast 15 episode of 1% Better, Craig Thielen talks with Chad Harlander, Director of the REACH Program, about the power of authentic relationships and culture. Chad shares: Why you have just 26 seconds to make a lasting impression How vulnerability and presence build trust Why creating a safe, supportive...

What if your greatest pain became your greatest catalyst? In this episode of 1% Better , Craig Thielen talks with Brian Bogert, speaker, coach, and host of Flipping the Lid podcast, about his incredible journey from losing his arm at age seven to building a life of impact and freedom. Brian shares: ✅ How vulnerability and authenticity unlock true human connection ✅ Why emotional pain often hides...

In this Fast 15 episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Craig Thielen sits down with technology veteran Brian Zielinski to unpack the real meaning of Digital Engineering and why it’s more than just writing code. In under 15 minutes (well with this episode 18 minutes), you’ll learn how Human Centered AI, Intelligent Automation, and modern delivery practices can help organizations move faster, reduce tec...

In this powerful episode of the 1% Better Podcast, host Craig Thielen sits down with Mick White - Founder of Purpose Fueled and The 100 Year Manifesto - to explore how personal loss, reflection, and one small daily action became the catalyst for a purpose-driven life. 👉 Learn how Mick: Transformed grief into growth after losing his mother Created a one-page manifesto to guide intentional living H...

1% Improvement Podcast host Craig Thielen chats with our 50th guest, Darin Lynch - Founder & CEO of Irish Titan. Darin shares his story behind Irish Titan’s growth, guiding philosophies, and vision for the future of digital commerce. They explore: ✅ How AI is fueling the "commerce anywhere" movement ✅ Why SEO is fading and AEO (AI Engine Optimization) is emerging ✅ The power of pu...

What if the secret to becoming better… is realizing you already are enough? In this powerful conversation, host Craig Thielen sits down with JC Lippold - coach, storyteller, and “professional homemaker” - to talk identity, enoughness, and how slowing down might just be the ultimate productivity hack. 💡 Real talk on wellness, leadership, language & growth. Learn more about JC Lippold's ser...

Ever thought about writing a book? You're not alone. Over 4 million books are published each year, and behind many of them is someone like Kevin Johnson. In this inspiring episode of the 1% Better Podcast , Kevin shares what he’s learned after authoring or coaching over 200 books. From working with 500 middle schoolers to consulting Hollywood on movie tie-ins, his journey is anything but ordin...

AI isn’t about magic tricks, it’s about empowering people, and measurable improvement. In this eye-opening conversation, 1% Better host, Craig Thielen reconnects with Arijit Sengupta, Founder & CEO of Aible. They challenge the mainstream AI hype and dive deep into agentic AI, human centered design, and why explainability matters more than ever. They dig into what’s working, what’s failing, and...

What if the only thing standing between you and your next chapter… is a single bold decision? Craig reconnects with Krishna Kumar, author, master coach, and founder of the Intrad School of Executive Coaching. They discuss his new book Crossing the Rubicon and explore the masks we wear, the power of reflection, and how small moments of wisdom can lead to big transformations. Key takeaways: Crossing...

Meet Chris Nikic - the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman... and who's also ran all six World Marathon Majors, and won two ESPYs.🏅 Alongside him is his father, Nik, who transformed a simple idea of getting 1% better each day into a powerful mindset that’s helping people around the world realize their true potential. Chris and Nik share how a system built on daily progress, bel...

What happens when you leave a 32-year career behind? Pat Brickson opens up about the unexpected emotions of change, facing imposter syndrome, and ultimately finding new purpose through reinvention, data consulting, and his passion project: a radio show called The Mixtape. From burnout to creative breakthrough, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to start fresh. We talk about: Reinv...

Ever felt like you’re holding it all together on the outside but barely hanging on inside? This episode of the 1% Better Podcast hits deep. Host Craig Thielen sits down with Luke Wendlandt, Founder and CEO of Cadre - a social platform to improve mental health. 🎙️We talk about: The moment he realized success didn’t mean fulfillment How discomfort became his best teacher What most wellness apps get...

What if purpose was the smartest business strategy? On this episode, host Craig Thielen talks with Amanda Brinkman, CEO of Sunshine Studios and creator of The Small Business Revolution. Amanda shares how doing good isn't just the right thing, it's the most impactful thing. From brand building to personal breakthroughs, Amanda’s story proves that purpose isn’t a buzzword... it’s a ripple ef...

What happens when an NFL Pro Bowler and a passionate educator team up to transform young lives? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast, host Craig Thielen sits down with Chad Greenway, former Minnesota Viking and founder of the Lead the Way Foundation... and Chad Harlander, founder of the REACH Program. The two first connected at a football camp in South Dakota, and their partnership quickly gre...

In this inspiring episode, we meet Dave Clark, the only professional baseball player to pitch from crutches, and Doug Cornfield, the storyteller who helped bring Dave’s journey to life through books like A Pound of Kindness and Pulling Each Other Along. Together, they co-founded the D3 Foundation (Disability Dream & Do) to help kids with disabilities unlock their potential. This episode is the...

Welcome to the 1% Better Improvement Podcast. Disability isn't rare - it's part of the human experience. In our latest 1% Better episode, Accessibility Advocate Kelly Risser shares how small changes in design, communication, and mindset create a better world for everyone. 💡 From invisible disabilities to the curb-cut effect, learn why accessibility isn't just compliance - it's innovation, empathy...

Welcome to the 1% Better Improvement Podcast. From five-hour commutes to 58 countries and a dream job at sea—Andres Guzman’s story is a powerful reminder that the right risk can transform your life. 💡 In the latest episode of the 1% Better Podcast , we explore how authentic service, cultural empathy, and staying true to yourself can open doors you never expected. Key Takeaways: Life Transitions C...