Take It Offline

Does going public erode a company's culture? Does staying private conceal toxicity? Mike and Nate debate the durability of public and private models, challenge the myths about corporate structures, and examine whether "Job Lock" helps bad companies stay in business.

On this episode, the guys take on the lie that great companies can be neatly packaged, standardized, and franchised out. But maybe, just maybe, the traits of an "unkillable" company run deeper than that? And is building a resilient company a teachable skill? Or an innate gift?

Mike and Nate are in your phone discussing why the interview status quo doesn't work and steps to take if you want to find (and hire!) high-quality, high-character candidates that fit your culture.

"He's a genius, so we have to put up with his bad behavior." Sound familiar? This week the guys discuss how to separate wisdom from personality, and why being a "curator" beats being a "disciple" every time.

"You can always teach skills." Really? Always? Mike and Nate debate what a popular leadership quote gets right, what it leaves unsaid, and why context matters.

Mike and Nate discuss whether organizations develop and promote known talent or simply default to buying an external resume. Which track is ultimately more beneficial? Is employee loyalty a thing of the past? And are you someone who is developing your own bench or just filling a req?

This week, Mike and Nate discuss why workplace friction is avoided. The guys examine leader behavior vs. cultural conditioning - and introduce three micro-actions to help normalize productive debate.

Mike and Nate discuss what any leader can learn from the NFL’s growth, scarcity, customer loyalty, talent model, and blind spots – no football knowledge required! (But football nostalgia appreciated…)

If your team never argues, you aren't aligned - you're just terrified. This week, Mike and Nate dissect why conference rooms are overrun with polite nods, fake smiles and unearned consensus. Tune in as they debate the difference between healthy friction and total chaos.

Mike & Nate discuss what it takes to have a lucrative career in corporate America - according to someone who’s done exactly that. Is it possible to balance playing the game strategically without sacrificing your identity?

Will AI be your new boss? Where did NASCAR find its roots? Are sports teams a new investment vehicle? Is Gemini the new corporate water cooler? The guys tackle all that and more in this fast-paced, full-tilt episode.

Mike and Nate wrap up their  Atomic Habits  conversation with James Clear’s fourth law:  Make It Satisfying. The guys discuss why immediate rewards are so powerful, the tension between what feels good  now  and what’s good for us  later , and how tracking progress, celebrating small wins, and creating meaningful rewards can help turn positive choices into lasting habits.

Lasting change isn't about just exerting more willpower—it's about reducing friction and creating systems that make good habits almost automatic. If you've ever struggled to stay consistent, this conversation will challenge you to stop making habits harder than they need to be.

The guys are back with Part Two of our conversation around habits and habit-building. All habits start with a cue that leads to a craving that leads to an action. Master the craving and a positive habit is sure to follow. But that begs the question: are we actually craving the things that serve us at work? All that, and Mike has some…houseguests. Join us as we Take It Offline.

Mike and Nate kick off a four-part series inspired by Atomic Habits by James Clear. This isn’t a book review – it’s a conversation about how small intentional choices shape who we become. In Part 1, the guys explore the power of cues, why our habits often run on autopilot, and practical ways to make positive change obvious.

Mike & Nate are back at it with actionable tips for improving your communication as well as some tactics for self-imposed growth. And also: is a movie better when you know the ending? (You’re either team Mike or team Nate!) Take It Offline starts . . . right now.

Communication requirements radically shift as you move from managing projects to people. From strategy and tactics to context switching to leading through crisis, Mike & Nate break down the evolution of communication from the front lines to the C-suite.

Good leadership and effective communication are inseparable. But what are the components of good communication exactly? Because in the end, it’s not what you say that matters - it’s what people hear.

Can you be a great leader if you’re a terrible communicator? Or does leadership fall apart the moment people stop understanding you? This week the guys discuss where the line really is between bad communication and bad leadership.

Mike brought the quarters. Nate brought the questions. It’s time to pull the plunger and see who gets the high score!

Weaker or stronger? Higher or lower? Complimentary or conflicting? Join the guys as they debate the difference between Standards and Expectations.

In business and in life - is there a place for mediocrity? Mike & Nate break it down. (Plus one of the guys has a high-achieving bathroom fixture.)

Are high achievers and mediocre people really at odds? Join the conversation as Mike & Nate debate the issue. Plus, hear Mike’s Yelp review of Canada’s only nude beach.

Burnout. It happens. But who’s responsible? And who’s to blame? Better question - what are you going to do about it? Mike & Nate discuss all this and more as we Take It Offline.

Burnout. Is it real? Or is it simply good, ol’ fashioned, everyday workplace stress? Mike & Nate dig into the research and explore the most current trends. (And how modern work culture may have blurred the lines.) It’s Part 1 of our first-ever two-part episode this week on Take It Offline.