Decidedly I Decision Tips for Business Owners

Is it possible to become the man you never had as a role model? Ryan Michler didn’t grow up with a blueprint for manhood—but that didn’t stop him from building one. He and Sanger talk about why so many men feel aimless and how stepping up—not faking it—is the way out. They talk about the appeal of distractions like sports and alcohol, the discomfort of starting from zero, and the kind of fulfillme...

How much of your time is actually yours? Jamie Hopkins is back, and we’re breaking down what it takes to run a company without letting it run your life. He cuthis travel by 90%, began coaching his kids’ sports teams, and took on a bigger leadership role in business—all by making one critical decision. We’re also talking about the kind of curiosity that makes or breaks leaders, how most CEOs sabota...

Building a brand is about more than having a great product—it’s about getting people to believe in it. Brian Smith, founder of UGG, knows this firsthand. What started as a niche surf product exploded into a globalphenomenon, but the real challenges came with scaling, staying ahead of competitors, and making the tough call to sell. In this episode, Brian shares the behind-the-scenes realities of gr...

Everyone preaches discipline as the key to getting more done—but what if it’s actually slowing you down? Craig Ballantyne coaches top entrepreneurs,and he argues that discipline alone won’t make you or your business productive. In this episode, we’re breaking down why most business owners waste time on the wrong things, and how to structure your day for real progress. If you’re working all day but...

Confidence is essential in business, but unchecked overconfidence? That’s where things fall apart. Don Moore, a leading expert on decision science, breaks down why most people—especially successful ones—tend to be too sure of themselves in areas they know little about. We dig into why business owners struggle to evaluate risk, why past wins can make you blind to future mistakes, and how probabilis...

How do you know if you’re being persistent or simply wasting your time? Dr. Art Markman joins us to break down how our brains process disappointment, why we misjudge sunk costs, and how different personality types handle setbacks. Whether it’s a business decision, a personal goal, or even a high school football career you should’ve walked away from sooner, this conversation will help you fine-tune...

Why do we justify bad decisions—even when we know better? From business to parenting to the worst excuses people use to defend bad habits, this episode breaks down why we rationalize dumb decisions. They get into why work-from-home isn’t always the dream people claim, the myth of “Fed is Best” among new parents, and why bad customer service is usually due to bad leadership.   KEY TOPICS Work-from-...

What makes something worth remembering? Sanger and Shawn break down why grit and a little discomfort create the most memorable experiences, whether it's backpacking or making even the most boring sports fun. If you’ve ever wondered why some moments stick with you and others fade away, this episode will change how you approach decision-making, adventures, and how you play.   KEY TOPICS How over-pla...

What happens when poor training leads to high-stakes mistakes? Adam Haidary went from patrolling the streets to reshaping law enforcement—training officers to perform at their peak, saving lives with groundbreaking programs, and exposing the raw realities of life on the frontlines. In this episode, he dives into why poor training in high-stress environments can lead to catastrophic decisions. Whet...

What all goes into a 7-year, 28,000-mile walk around the world? Why would someone take on such a huge adventure in the first place? What about when you get lost, lonely, or lack the drive to keep going? Tom Turcich, the 10th person to walk around the world, shares his experience of being immersed in unknown places, forced into adventure, and coming to better understand the world and himself. KEY T...

What if the real health hacks aren’t from the latest influencer or supplement, but from our ancestors? Could the answers lie in the simple habits we’ve forgotten? In this replay of Ep.131, Hilda Labrada Gore, host of The Wise Traditions Podcast, shares six ancestral health practices that go beyond the noise of modern wellness trends. From sunlight to sleep to cold exposure, Hilda shares simple, ef...

Think body language is just about crossed arms and forced smiles? Think again. After years spent catching spies and decoding body language, Joe Navarro reveals how the smallest cues can uncover the biggest truths. From subtle tells that exposed Soviet operatives to pinpointing the hidden leader in any room, Joe offers a masterclass in seeing what others miss. If you’ve ever underestimated the powe...

Why do New Year’s resolutions fail so often? Maybe it’s because they’re designed to. In this episode, Sanger and Shawn tear into the traditional approach to resolutions and explain why they’re usually a waste of time. Instead, they break down a no-nonsense way to set goals that actually reflect what matters most. If you’re tired of empty promises and quick fixes, this conversation is a fresh take...

What happens when family dynamics intersect with business strategy?   David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, shares the highs and hurdles of taking the reins in a family business. With roots in his grandfather’s Wonderlic Test and his mother’s Kolbe Index, David explains how understanding instincts and strengths has shaped his leadership, his family relationships, and the way he keeps fresh ideas flowing...

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 drives someone to leave behind a career in the UFC to serve the world's most forgotten people? In this episode, we sit down with Justin Wren, a former professional MMA fighter who traded his career in the cage for a mission with real impact. Justin shares his journey from a bullied child to UFC fighter, and eventually to his work with the Pygmy people of Africa through Fight for the Forgotten...

Have you ever felt like life’s become a little too predictable? Maybe you’re wondering if there’s more to see, more to learn—if you could just get a fresh perspective. Eric Weiner has explored the world as a Peabody-winning journalist, lived in the chaos and beauty of New Delhi, and uncovered the secrets of happiness in the most fascinating places on Earth. In this episode, he shares what he’s lea...

Why do some businesses flourish while others struggle, even when everything looks perfect on paper? In this episode, we sit down with Ray Kelly, Senior VP at Think2Perform, to share the decisions you can make TODAY to bring out the best in each person working in your business.   KEY TOPICS Why your team’s bad habits reflect your leadership. How Netflix turned a failing business into a $300 billion...

What if all those medical products we trust come with more risk than we think? And how much of that risk is buried in the fine print most of us never read? In this episode, we’re talking to Alexandra from @justtheinserts, who’s made it her mission to help people decode medical inserts, so we actually know what we’re putting in our bodies. Alexandra digs deep into the pharmaceutical industry's clai...

What’s it like to be pulled from your home at just seven years old and set adrift on the open ocean? How do you survive ten years of brutal storms, danger, and isolation on a small yacht with your family? In this episode, Suzanne Heywood shares the chaos of her childhood spent sailing around the world—constant physical and emotional storms, tight living spaces, and the fight to hold onto hope. She...

With every election cycle, the noise grows louder—polls, predictions, and endless opinions from every direction. But how much of it is real, and how much is just noise? How can we think clearly and make decisions that serve us, our families, and our businesses? In this episode, Sanger Smith sits down with Ken Coleman to break down the true impact of elections beyond the headlines. They discuss why...

How do you come back from a 1% chance of survival? How do you fight back when life gives you every reason to give up? John O’Leary didn’t simply survive a devastating childhood fire—he found a way to transform his battle into something far greater. In this episode, John shares the approach that helped him overcome incredible odds and how you can apply it to your own challenges in life. This conver...

Have you ever felt like your marketing message isn’t hitting home? Are you struggling to differentiate your business in a sea of competitors who all seem to say the same thing? What if the real issue isn’t your product, but how you’re communicating its value? Guy Kawasaki has mastered the art of evangelizing great products—and in this episode, he’s sharing why most companies are getting it wrong....

What would happen if you suddenly disappeared from your business for a month? Could it run without you? What about your kids…could they be competent, contributing members of society if you weren’t hounding them? And when it comes to your goals…are you so caught up in the lines of your business plan that you’re losing vision? Derrick Kinney, creator of the Good Money Framework, shares the highs and...

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...