The Charismatic Leader

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. In this special conversation, Brett McDermott sits down with Julian Treasure—international speaker and author of one of the most viewed TED Talks of all time—to explore why true influence begins not with speaking, but with listening. Julian introduces his “pyramid of communication,” where listening forms the base, speaking builds on it, and presenting sit...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott explores one of the most underrated tools of influence—your voice. Two people can say the same words, but one feels magnetic while the other fades into the background. The difference isn’t the message—it’s how the message lands. In this episode, Brett breaks down how tone, pace, volume, pitch, and pauses quietly determine whether people le...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott unpacks one of the most underrated communication skills: projecting certainty—even when you don’t have all the answers. This episode isn’t about faking expertise. It’s about becoming the emotional anchor in the room by delivering clarity, calmness, and confidence when people look to you for direction. Brett shares practical tools like the...

Welcome to the Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott breaks down a game-changing truth: confidence isn’t a personality trait—it’s a loop you can trigger on demand. In this episode, Brett reveals how physiology, self-talk, and behavior form a feedback system that creates unshakable presence. He shares practical resets and scripts you can use before any meeting, pitch, or presentation to step...

Welcome back to The Charismatic Leader Podcast. Brett McDermott takes us beneath the surface of techniques and behaviors to explore the foundation of true influence—the charismatic mindset. In this episode, Brett reveals why charisma doesn’t start when you walk into the room—it starts in your mind. He breaks down three pillars that shape how leaders project presence, confidence, and connection: in...

Welcome to The Charismatic Leader Podcast . Brett McDermott kicks off this new era with a practical deep dive into the science of influence—because success isn’t just about working harder, it’s about communicating better. In this episode, Brett reveals three levers you can pull today to transform how people experience you: eye contact, verbal pausing, and listening without interruption. These aren...

Today we sit down with Scott D. Clary, former C-suite executive turned podcast powerhouse with tens of millions of downloads under his belt to talk about what really separates high performers from highlighters. We unpack the hidden cost of information overload and how even the smartest minds can get stuck in the cycle of constant consumption. We get into the difference between learning and doing,...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a deceptively simple but game-changing episode of Persistence Playbook . If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just talk productivity—he gives you frameworks that make discipline inevitable. This time, he breaks down how to turn your to-do list from a pile of vague wishes into a powerful daily playbook. If you’re new here, get ready to lear...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a powerful episode of Persistence Playbook on what it really takes to supercharge your influence. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just share ideas—he gives you communication techniques you can practice today. This time, he reveals three deceptively simple skills that shift how people respond to you and open the door to deeper connecti...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a tactical episode of Persistence Playbook that flips your daily planning on its head. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just talk productivity—he builds systems that stick. This time, he breaks down how to stop reacting to your day and start designing it like a pro. If you’re new here, get ready to learn why time-blocking isn’t enough—...

Today we sit down with Sterling Hawkins, a keynote speaker, bestselling author, investor, and global expert on redefining organizational culture and navigating discomfort to unlock personal missions. Sterling takes us into the transformative power of discomfort, showing how seeking out challenges and building inner trust can lead us to a deeper purpose. From practical strategies to insights that p...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a myth-busting episode of Persistence Playbook that rewires how you think about affirmations. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t do fluff—he delivers frameworks that actually work. This time, he breaks down why most affirmations fail—and how to make them stick. If you’re new here, get ready to learn why “I am confident” might be hurting...

Today we sit down with Evan Carmichael, the same powerhouse you know from YouTube, to discuss all things mindset, fear, and success. Evan shares his insights on fighting through fear, believing in yourself, and why that’s the fuel to achieving your biggest goals. We also dive into his unique strategy of theming your days to stay on track and keep your business afloat. You won't want to miss th...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott and neuroscience expert Ashleigh Di Lello for a powerful episode of Persistence Playbook . If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett brings more than motivation—he delivers mental rewiring strategies that stick. This time, Ashleigh breaks down how to override your brain’s craving for comfort and build the willpower to take action—even when you don’t feel l...

Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a masterclass in one of the most underrated leadership tools: silence. In this episode of Persistence Playbook, Brett unpacks how intentional pauses can transform your presence, your message, and your impact. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just drop insights—he delivers strategies you can use by Monday morning. If you’re new here, ge...

Today, we sit down with Brett McDermott and the world's top thought leader on workplace confidence, Selena Rezvani, for a transformative new episode on The Persistence Playbook. Selena redefines confidence not as fixed bravado or manicured perfection, but as a daily practice of curiosity, humor, and a learner’s mindset. Dive into the strategies to defeat the comparison trap, master the power o...

In this episode of the Persistence Playbook, host Brett McDermott sits down with acclaimed writer and speaker Minda Harts to uncover the secrets to building a thriving workplace culture. Why is trust the most valuable currency for modern leaders? Minda introduces her revolutionary "Seven Trust Languages" framework, giving you the playbook to defeat workplace resistance and empower your t...

In this episode of The Persistence Playbook, join Brett McDermott as he sits down with author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur Sam Demma—founder of the High School Assembly Tour, a program that’s inspired thousands of students. Sam Demma shares the powerful concept of "emptying our backpack" , a metaphor for shedding the limiting beliefs and negative opinions we've been carrying. He shares his p...

Elite performance isn’t just about grit—it starts when your eyes are closed. In this episode, human performance expert Dr. Greg Wells joins Brett to reveal how mastering sleep can unlock next-level energy and focus. From breaking his neck as a competitive swimmer to becoming a leading physiologist, Dr. Wells shares science-backed habits to help you outsmart the afternoon slump and wake up sharper...

In this episode of the Persistence Playbook, host Brett McDermott sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and coach, Chris Welton. Chris is a resilience expert with a fascinating journey, from a childhood upheaval and limb difference to becoming an impactful leader. Chris breaks down what it truly means to turn adversity into action and how to have an "Undefeated Morning" by stacking...

What if the only thing holding you back isn’t lack of ideas, but lack of focus? In this episode, Brett McDermott unpacks how entrepreneurs can cut through daily resistance and lock in on the work that really moves the needle. If you're new here, get ready to learn why a long list of tasks can be a bad idea, and how to work in "structured sprints" instead of "endless marathons&qu...

Today we sit down with Brian Galke; founder of SubtleSkills, keynote speaker, trainer, and self-proclaimed “awesome podcast guest.” With a career built on teaching others how to unlock the power of human connection, Brian has developed an eye for the nuances that often go unnoticed in our daily interactions. In this conversation, Brian pulls back the curtain on the hidden language of the face. Fro...

Today, we sit down with Juan Bendana: A motivational keynote speaker and best-selling author who’s built a career on showing people what’s possible when persistence meets intention. Known for his ability to turn fear into fuel, Juan has inspired audiences across the globe to step past hesitation and into the kind of action that changes everything. In our conversation, Juan shares the real story be...

If you’ve been rocking with Persistence Playbook for a while, you already know Brett doesn’t just love a solid list. He builds with it. But for the newcomers, welcome.  Around here, lists aren’t about ticking boxes they’re tools for transformation and this week, Brett’s taking the mic solo giving you 10 practical ways, to gain clarity on your purpose—not in theory, but in practice. From creating m...

Today we sit down with Alan Stein Jr., keynote speaker, performance coach, and author known for bridging the worlds of elite athletics and high-level entrepreneurship. With decades of experience working with top athletes, Alan shares how the habits that build champions on the court can also build clarity, consistency, and confidence in business. In this episode, Alan breaks down why discipline, no...