Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business Owners

Some red flags don’t look like red flags until it’s too late. And when it comes to relationships and money, the costcan be devastating. Emily Rose—known as Mama Wilder—found herselfin a financially abusive marriage, pregnant and alone, and had to build a safe, stable life from scratch. Now she’s helping other women do the same through her nonprofit work, Instagram advocacy, and real-talk conversat...

What happens when a self-proclaimed couch potato decides to plunge into some of the coldest waters on earth? You get Ryan Stramrood, world record ice swimmer, Antarctic adventurer, and performance coach who’s redefined what it means to push past impossible. In this episode of Decidedly , we dive deep (literally and figuratively) into Ryan’s journey from ordinary beginnings in Cape Town to becoming...

What do Michael Jordan, Dean Smith, and high-performing CEOs all have in common? The answer: culture beats talent every time. In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Coach Matt Doherty, 1982 UNC National Champion, former head coach of the Tar Heels, and now an executive coach for business leaders. From cutting down nets with Jordan to coaching at Notre Dame and UNC, Doherty has lived throu...

Are you as good at making decisions as you think you are? 🤔 In this replay of the Decidedly Podcast, we sit down with repeat guest Don Moore , UC Berkeley professor and author of Perfectly Confident and Decision Leadership , to unpack the hidden dangers of overconfidence and overprecision in business, investing, parenting, and everyday life. You’ll learn: ✅ What the Dunning–Kruger effect really...

What if the biggest threat to your business growth wasn’t a lack of ideas—but chasing the wrong ones? In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Tim Hines – fractional CMO, business coach, and author – to unpack how entrepreneurs can stop wasting time on “shiny objects” and start building marketing strategies that actually drive revenue. With years of experience helping companies go from zero...

What if the key to resilience wasn’t about avoiding suffering—but learning to embrace it with grit, faith, and silence? In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Father Stephen J. Gadberry – Catholic priest, Air Force veteran, and ultra-endurance athlete – to uncover how tragedy, discipline, and devotion shaped his approach to decision-making and leadership. From losing his father and sister...

What if achieving success had nothing to do with setting goals—and everything to do with making decisions you can’t turn back from? In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Dr. Apollo Emeka – former Green Beret, FBI analyst, and business strategist – to uncover why goals keep so many leaders stuck, and why reframing them as decisions is the key to real progress. From evacuating during Calif...

What if changing your life didn’t start with habits, but with rewiring how you think? In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Dr. Caroline Leaf – cognitive neuroscientist, bestselling author, and pioneer in the field of neuroplasticity – to explore how conscious choices reshape your brain, your beliefs, and your entire reality. From the power of family business to the neuroscience of decis...

John R. Miles and Sanger discuss doing less of what you don’t care about and more of what you love.   KEY TOPICS Remembering to do what you want (not what you ‘should’ do) while maintaining a productive business. Building trust and strong relationships with team members. Simplifying your life so you have time and energy for whatyou care about. Identifying the gap between your actual self and your...

What if the root of your fatigue, brain fog, weight gain—or even poor decision-making—wasn’t your hustle, but your hormones? In this episode of Decidedly , functional medicine expert Dr. Julie Kennedy reveals the invisible health disruptors most people overlook: from sleep-depriving stress hormones to thyroid dysfunction caused by mold, processed foods, and everyday household toxins. We explore th...

What does it really take to build resilience—and how do you know when to push through or pivot? In this episode of Decidedly, we’re joined by Dr. MH Pelletier, work psychologist and author of The Resilience Plan, to break down what resilience looks like in business, leadership, and life. You’ll learn how to strategically build mental strength, recognize early signs of burnout, and make better deci...

What if your childhood was a prison disguised as adventure? In this gripping episode of Decidedly , Suzanne Heywood shares the shocking true story of growing up trapped on a sailboat for nearly a decade—with no friends, no school, and no way out. Her parents set off to “follow Captain Cook,” but what began as a three-year journey turned into a cult-like isolation across the oceans. At just 16, Suz...

What if the key to better decisions, stronger relationships, and real leadership… isn’t having the right answers, but asking better questions? In this episode of Decidedly , we sit down with Abigail Doust—coach, trainer, speaker, and lifelong student of communication—to unpack the underrated power of listening, how to navigate hard conversations, and why most people are asking the wrong questions...

What does a 500-mile trek through Spain, a rain-soaked trail in Scotland, and a solo summit in Colorado have to do with building a meaningful life or business? In this episode, we share the unexpected lessons learned from long-distance hikes, Ironman races, and conversations on the trail — and how they mirror the journey of entrepreneurship, leadership, and self-discovery. From the spiritual silen...

Are your business decisions driven by instinct, or by strategy? How often do you actually stop to tell the difference? Matthew Confer, the mind behind decision-making simulations used by leading companies, reveals why your gut might betray you, what most leaders get wrong under pressure, and how to sharpen your instincts for critical decisions.   KEY TOPICS The bold move leaders can make to avoid...

What if the real reason your team can’t get along... is you? In this mind-shifting episode, international best-selling author and human behavior expert Thomas Erikson (yes, the guy behind Surrounded by Idiots ) joins Decidedly to decode how understanding personality types can transform your business, relationships, and leadership style. Using the DISC model—Red, Yellow, Green, and Blue—Thomas expl...

What if the most important medical information was hiding in plain sight? In this eye-opening replay of Ep. 166, we sit down with Alexandra, the powerhouse behind @justtheinserts, to uncover what pharmaceutical companies and government agencies actually disclose—if you know where to look. From vaccine inserts and adverse reaction data to the legal loopholes that protect drug manufacturers, this co...

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, stuck in the same place despite your efforts? In this episode, hosts Shawn and Sanger delve into the practical strategies to help you break free from life's ruts and reignite your momentum.  Drawing from their extensive experience in decision-making and personal development, they introduce the "5 Levers of Change": Systems, Goals, Habit...

What’s the real point of your business — and your life? In this mind-opening conversation, scholar and cultural commentator Spencer Klavan joins host Sanger Smith to explore one of the most overlooked foundations in entrepreneurship: God . Spencer, associate editor of the Claremont Review of Books and host of Young Heretics , draws from ancient philosophy, Western civilization, and his own theolog...

What makes a customer feel like they matter?  In this powerhouse conversation, bestselling author and world-renowned customer experience consultant Dr. Joseph Michelli joins us to unpack the magic behind some of the most beloved brands in the world — from Ritz Carlton and Starbucks to Zappos, Mercedes-Benz, and more.  Whether you're a business owner, team leader, or someone obsessed with elevating...

In this episode of the Decidedly podcast, hosts Sanger Smith and Shawn Smith engage in a lively discussion with guest Whitney Uland, a multifaceted entrepreneur, filmmaker, and expert in intentional living. Whitney shares her insights on harnessing 'celebrity energy' to empower entrepreneurs to build successful personal brands. Through her unique perspective, Whitney explores the psychological bar...

What would happen if you did a gratitude practice before opening each meeting? Are mindfulness practices a fluffy waste of time? Michael O’Brien suffered a personal tragedy that caused him to reset how he thinks about his beliefs, and how he utilizes his energy in daily life. Today, he shares the power of recognizing that everything in life is neutral until we label it…and how the labels we choose...

What happens when you stop playing by the rules and start asking better questions? Where’s the line between healthy dissent and chaos — and why do the best leaders welcome a little pushback? Psychologist and researcher Dr. Todd Kashdan joins us to make the case for principled insubordination — and why compliance culture kills innovation. We’re breaking down how to lead curious teams, challenge bad...

Have you wondered if the education system is actually preparing the next generation to lead? Do you question whether *real* learning happens within the confines of a classroom? What if the very foundation of how we’ve been taught to think is broken? Matt Beaudreau is on a mission to rebuild the way we raise young people into impactful adults. Through his educational program, Apogee Strong, he’s em...

What do you do with fear that isn’t going away? Akshay Nanavati has walked ahead of Humvees looking for bombs in Iraq, dragged a 400-pound sled across Antarctica, and spent ten days in complete darkness—all in pursuit of one thing: a better relationship with fear. In this episode, heand Sanger talk about the difference between fear and danger, how most of us distract ourselves to avoid stillness,...