How'd it Happen?

Welcome to a short but sweet episode of the How'd It Happen Podcast.  I just wanted to sit down and talk to you guys about protecting your time, focus, and energy. This is going to be a super quick one, so tune in and learn how to protect yourself and your most valuable assets. I hope you enjoy this episode that was first published earlier last year. Show notes:  [0:40] Would you mind leaving...

Trauma and disabilities should never be reasons to not succeed in life or reach your dreams. In this episode, Phillip Stutts shares that very same life lesson. He talks to us about his life growing up, his journey to his massively transformative purpose, and the work that he is doing for himself. He also walks us through his podcast and book—which are both worth looking into. Phillip Stutts comes...

Have you ever wondered why the people who are proven to be the most successful tend to be more approachable? It is challenging to get the chance to interview people much more when they have so much on their plates. In this episode, I will share with you why I think successful people, who are supposed to be the busiest, are more responsive when asked for an interview for shows like this. I hope you...

Chad Willardson , CFF, CRPC®, AWMA®, is the founder and president of Pacific Capital , a fiduciary wealth advisory firm serving entrepreneurs and families. He’s a 3-time best-selling author. His first book, Stress-Free Money , was featured in Forbes’s “21 Books to Read in 2021.” His second book, Smart, Not Spoiled : The 7 Money Skills Kids Must Master Before Leaving the Nest , deals with increasin...

In this episode, I talk about my “Forbidden Phrases.” Nothing alarming, just some phrases that push my buttons.  They’re redundant. They’re often unclear. And they’re just not necessary. I’m guilty of many of these myself. But once I made a point of adding them to my growing list of what causes my awareness antenna to rise, I realized how often I tend to rely on these fluffy phrases and make a sin...

Dr. Tarryn MacCarthy is The Happiness Coach.  As the CEO of Embrace the Lead LLC, she is passionate about empowering business leaders and leaders of their own dreams to strive for inner fulfillment. Tarryn coaches business owners across the globe on self-empowerment, empowering their teams to ambassadors of their dreams, and how to redefine success to find happiness in work and, ultimately, their...

In this episode, I talk about Quiet Quitting. We’ve heard a lot about people who are quiet-quitters, especially since the “end” of the Covid pandemic, around the time everyone started going back to their offices.   But Quiet Quitting isn’t what I thought it was, and it certainly isn’t new. That’s what I go into on this podcast.  I hope you’ll join me for this episode!   To Connect with Mike: Websi...

Scott Donnell is a visionary entrepreneur who has created many leading companies in the biotech, fintech, education, and entertainment industries. He is the founder of Apex Leadership Co., a school fundraiser; HeroMaker Studios , an NFT Comic Book Company; Hapbee Technologies , a biotech company in mental health; and GravyStack , a financial literacy bank account for kids. With over 600 employees,...

In this episode, I ask, “Is it enough to know what you want?” Well, the short answer is no.  As a Coach for entrepreneurs and folks in the C-Suite, we talk quite a bit about this. I believe everyone knows what they want – they don’t know how to talk themselves into it. But in a mic-drop, coaching-the-coach moment I shared with Todd Musselman [Episode 338], he suggested that it’s not enough to know...

Manuj Aggarwal is a business mentor, entrepreneur, digital & business strategist, author, podcast host, and inventor. From working in a factory for $2 a day at age 15 in his native India to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, Manuj has become world-renowned AI and entrepreneur expert. Besides technical expertise, Manuj has a deep knowledge of human psychology and neuroscience that he beli...

In this episode, I talk about FTX, the Bahamian-based cryptocurrency firm that went from Billions to what I call Nillions – it means nil – in a matter of weeks.  We’ve all watched the drama unfold and heard the talking heads ponder what could have gone wrong – just last fall, there was nothing this Wunderkind couldn’t have done. Well, my take is that I believe FTX was never created to succeed – it...

Marty Brooks is the President and CEO of the Wisconsin Center District in Milwaukee. In this role, Marty also oversees business growth and operations for the Wisconsin Center , UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena and Miller High Life Theatre . He works closely with VISIT Milwaukee to secure unforgettable acts and diverse conventions year-round that heighten WCD’s value and brand in the Midwest.  With his v...

In this episode, I ask the question, Who’s Leading You?  In past episodes, I know we’ve discussed the importance of holding your employees or team members to a higher expectation than they would hold themselves. And the importance of then helping them achieve those goals. So what about you? As a leader?  Who are you asking to hold you to higher expectations?  A coach? A mentor? It’s worth a discus...

Todd Mussselman is a Leadership Trainer, Motivational Speaker, and Executive Coach. Famous for producing effective results through one primary mechanism – Fierce, Focused & Supportive Conversations. He’s also a musician and leads the folk rock band Exit 232. After working in his family’s business for more than 25 years, Todd chose to become a coach and trainer and studied under master coach an...

In this episode, I talk about a sort of fable called Nails in a Fence.  Some of you may be familiar, but if not, I draw real-world parallels that I think you might appreciate. You won’t want to miss this episode. Enjoy! To Connect with Mike: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Coaching Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift Please LIKE 👍SHARE 📲SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on all LIVE Streams on Facebo...

L. Scott Ferguson is a Lifestyle Optimation Artist and hosts the Time To Shine Today Podcast . His mission is NOT to have ANYONE feel like they have NO-ONE.  Scott’s story was highly sought after by people in the entertainment business, which he was not ready to share until now.  At Time To Shine Today, Scott shares Knowledge Nuggets to help individuals and teams Level UP both in business and pers...

In this episode, I discuss the concept of “Leaving it on the Field.” Many of us have our favorite sports and teams that we are fans of; some of us can be somewhat over-enthusiastic fans, possibly even rabid fans.  But in the end, it is just a game, and most of us can walk away and remain friends with those who are not as enthusiastic about the teams we support.  Which made me think that if it can...

Sheldon Epps is one of the all-time most influential African-American theatre leaders. He has directed on and off Broadway, in London’s West End, and at many theatres across the US. He’s also a prolific television director helming some of the classic shows of recent years. He was the artistic director of the renowned Pasadena Playhouse for two decades and currently serves as a senior artistic advi...

In this episode, I talk about the origins of the Coffee Break – it’s probably nothing that you would expect – how it was initially an experiment that went wrong.   You won’t want to miss this episode. Enjoy! To Connect with Mike: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Coaching Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift Please LIKE 👍SHARE 📲SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on all LIVE Streams on Facebook, LinkedIn...

Jeff Wickersham is a sought-after Accountability and Peak-Performance Coach who specializes in helping clients intentionally step into the best version of themselves, personally and professionally.  Jeff guides his clients to install habits and systems that set them up for success.  Clients call out his consistency and authenticity most when working with him.   Jeff will meet you exactly where you...

In this episode, I talk about the 8 Life Rules Worth Breaking. These ideas started with Sahil Bloom’s newsletter, which is called the Curiosity Chronicle .  I used his 8 rules, but I put my spin on them.  They make great sense to me; I hope they do too. Don’t this episode. Enjoy! To Connect with Mike: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Coaching Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift Please LIKE 👍SH...

Andrew Thorp King  isn't like many entrepreneurs. He didn't go to college. He wasn't born into riches. He isn't clean-cut or cleanly shaven, and unlike many entrepreneurs, Andy is willing to share the plethora of ways in which he's screwed up and had to learn on the fly. He's not the "crush-it guy" saturating social media today. He's the "get-crush...

In this episode, I talk about the Freedom of Roundabouts. Strange thought, perhaps, but my take on Roundabouts is that they are examples of freedom and autonomy.  Stick with me here, and I’ll share why. You won’t want to miss this episode. Enjoy! To Connect with Mike: Website LinkedIn Instagram Twitter YouTube Coaching Get Mike’s book: Owner Shift Please LIKE 👍SHARE 📲SUBSCRIBE to stay updated on...

Scott Rahn is the founding partner of RMO LLP , a national probate litigation law firm focused on representing beneficiaries, heirs, executors and trustees in contested trust, estate and probate litigation matters and families and fiduciaries in contested conservatorships and guardianships. A frequent contributor to news media such as the BBC, Scott has been named to the Chambers and Partners “202...

In this episode, I talk about Luck – and a unique framework around luck that I came across that resonated with me.  I talk about the four types of luck entrepreneur Naval Ravikant came up with – until then, I thought about luck one-dimensionally.  So, we’ll go through the four types of uncertainty, and then I’ll assign a percentage to the types of luck I have experienced.  It’s an eye-opening exer...