Find My Catalyst Podcast

  In this solo episode of  Find Your Catalyst , host Mike Simmons explores the concept of leadership, focusing on how true leadership begins with self. He emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-confidence, and self-worth in building strong leadership skills. Mike shares practical insights on how to develop essential leadership qualities like problem-solving, decision-making, communicati...

"Leadership is how we move forward. It's about making progress and maintaining momentum." "If you give people the tools to lead themselves, you unlock their ability to act and drive results for your business." "Leaders fall short when they focus on preference over principle. It's about principles that guide decision-making." Mike Simmons and Tim Dyck discuss leadership's core components, emphasizi...

In this episode, Mike Simmons breaks down key leadership skills, emphasizing how leaders can move teams forward through guidance, direction, and motivation. He stresses the importance of communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. Leadership starts with leading oneself, and when done effectively, it translates into leading others and organizations successfully. Mike shares insights on the...

Tracey Cesen is the founder of Forever Human AI , a professional services company focused on ServiceNow solutions. With a background in both business and technology, Tracey's ability to connect the two has defined her career. In this episode, she discusses her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she's learned balancing business and family. Three Key Quotes from Tracey: "You're not just rais...

Paul Michelman, Editor in Chief with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), has a deep background in content curation and digital transformation. He shares insights into the development of GENE , a conversational AI agent co-hosting podcasts, and how generative AI is reshaping content creation, management, and executive engagement at BCG. Key Quotes "Necessity is the mother of the best kind of invention."...

In this episode, host Mike Simmons shares insights on 2025 business planning . He discusses the importance of early planning, aligning strategies with objectives, and using tactics to achieve goals. He also introduces the 30-Day Blueprint to Success and the rebranding of The Phoenix Club to The Leader Lab , designed for leaders seeking to think and do differently. Three Key Quotes: "If you're doin...

Tim Dyck is the founder of Best Culture Solutions, a company focused on aligning people with the right roles in organizations. Tim specializes in recruitment, career transitions, and people strategies, helping businesses optimize their workforce for success. 3 Key Quotes: "Every problem in every business is a people problem." "People are choosing more control over how, when, and where they work."...

In this solo episode, Mike Simmons discusses leadership from the perspective of self-leadership. He emphasizes the importance of looking inward before seeking leadership from others. Mike provides practical insights into building leadership skills through self-reflection, goal-setting, and problem-solving. He also touches on how mindset plays a crucial role in the journey to effective leadership....

Jen Bergren is an expert in process documentation and operations, with a strong focus on helping organizations become more efficient. She's passionate about simplifying processes, improving onboarding experiences, and ensuring that organizations can operate smoothly and creatively through thoughtful documentation. Jen is a key voice in operational strategy and process improvement, especially in re...

In this episode, host Mike Simmons dives into event strategies and tactics. He shares insights on different types of events, how to plan for them, and how to make the most out of attending or speaking at events. Whether you're attending a massive trade show or a small niche event, this episode offers actionable advice for maximizing your impact. Key Quotes from Mike Simmons: "Participating in even...

"Start. Right…you can make a lot of plans, but sometimes it's just about jumping into the cold water and seeing if you can swim." "Partnerships are not a transactional relationship. It's about working together towards a mutual goal." "Revenue is not a goal—it's a result. Understand what you want to achieve and how you can align with your partner's goals." In this episode, Martin Scholz discusses t...

Three Key Quotes "If you want to fail, pitch without context. Your customers care about solving their problems, not your product." "Don't try to be the hero. Remember, your customer is the hero, and you're the guide helping them solve their problems." "If you always make it about you, you will fail. Focus on the needs of others to truly succeed." This episode highlights ten behaviors that can lead...

Sean Barnes is a business leader who recently transitioned into full-time entrepreneurship. With a background in IT and a passion for helping others grow, Sean now leads a small but dedicated team. His insights into leadership, business strategy, and personal development make him a valuable resource for those looking to find their catalyst in both professional and personal growth. Key Quotes: On S...

"Mindset is critical. Your Attitudes and beliefs — what attitude do you bring to each situation, and how do your beliefs impact or influence that attitude?" "Use tools to create leverage and improve problem-solving. It's about moving from your current state to your desired state." "First, make sure you get your mind right, get that mindset going, and then take advantage of the skills you've alread...

On Leadership: "We all want our employees and our loved ones to do the right things, but often we don't get a chance to see that. We are very aware when they screw up, but the day-to-day—boy, I hope they make the right decision today." On Vulnerability in Leadership: "As a leader, if you show vulnerability, it shows weakness, which is absolutely B.S., in my opinion. Knowing your employees is the a...

"Everything is theoretical until you put it into practice; then it becomes practical." "To maintain focus, I gain clarity—clarity around what's important to me and those I work with." "You learn more with the questions you ask than with the statements you make." Find your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ Mike discusses the transition from theory to practice, emphasizing that clarity is...

Jeff Conroy is a seasoned nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience as a CEO. He recently authored the book Nonprofit Leadership Success , which delves into the challenges and strategies of leading nonprofit organizations. Jeff is passionate about effective leadership, the importance of coaching, and the unique dynamics that drive nonprofit success. Key Quotes: "Coaching is someone who has...

"Leadership starts with self, so you are all leaders." "Enable and empower people to achieve the results they want to achieve through a combination of people and process." "If your people aren't getting fired up about the work that they're doing, something's wrong." Find Your Catalyst at https://www.findmycatalyst.com/ Mike Simmons  discusses the concepts of enabling and empowering others by provi...

"Leadership is more about empowering others to do the thing than doing the thing yourself." "If you're collaborating, their goals are your goals." "The cool thing about fractional roles is you're addressing a specific problem or specific need." Summary: In this episode, Jared Robin discusses the importance of leadership, collaboration, and personal development in business. He explores how empoweri...

"The biggest mistake people make when starting content creation is overthinking before doing." "It's amazing what happens when people smile; a joke can break down walls and start genuine conversations." "You don't know what you're good at until you actually go out there and start doing it." In this episode, Will Aitken discusses the journey of content creation and the importance of authenticity an...

In this episode, Mike Simmons delves into the strategic process of hitting sales targets. He discusses the importance of understanding your numbers, creating multiple pathways to achieve goals, and building a solid pipeline. Mike shares insights from his experience, emphasizing the need for detailed planning and execution to drive sales success. Key Quotes "Think a bit like fractals; it's the same...

Leslie Greenwood is community builder, known for her work with Pavilion and her consulting firm, Chief Evangelist Consulting. Jen Simmons and Mike Simmons are the leaders of the Phoenix Club, a community aimed at connecting professionals from diverse backgrounds. Three Key Quotes: Leslie Greenwood : "Connection, growth, and expanding your reach are what truly excite me about community." Jen Simmon...

Key Quotes: "Your north star can change over time. And it's okay." "Strategy from my perspective…is how will we do it? Not what will we do." "With the right mindset, with the right skill set and the right tool set, you can move the world." Mike Simmons discusses life and business strategies using the game metaphor. He emphasizes finding a changing North Star, creating a clear GAME PLAN with goals,...

Coach Kurt Hines, head football coach and author, shares his journey of empowering others through faith, leadership, and personal growth. With over 27 years of coaching experience, Hines emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and helping others find their strength and purpose. Key Quotes "I truly feel like I've been called to empower. That's where I get the most joy in life – when I can b...

In this episode, Mike Simmons explores the crucial elements of mindset, skillset, and toolset, and their roles in personal and business growth. Mike emphasizes the importance of each component and how they interconnect to drive performance and success. Three Key Quotes: "In the absence of mindset, the other stuff doesn't work. Don't care what your skill set is and what your tool set is, if you don...