The Daniel Stih Podcast

Health care reform is often discussed in terms of cost, insurance, access, and policy. Underneath those debates is a more fundamental question: What problem are we trying to solve? In this episode, I explore the idea of universal health care, the Affordable Care Act, and the arguments for making health care accessible to everyone. Along the way, we examine how different definitions of the problem...

This conversation is not about taking sides—it's about how we think about complex, high-stakes problems. I'm joined by Mitch Francis to examine how solutions are formed across issues like the U.S. deficit, inflation, education, housing, and climate change. Rather than focusing on what to believe, we explore a deeper question: Are we solving the right problem? Throughout the conversation, I questio...

How a different setting changes how problems are approached. This episode tells the story behind It's Just a Scramble —a song written in an unlikely setting, with people who had never written a song. We were a group of climbers, held up in a hotel by cold weather. No plan to write music. No expectation of creating. Just time, conversation, and a shift in environment. What followed was a different...

My guest is Corissa Grant, creator of the Worthy Chaos comic series. This conversation focuses on a deeper question: How do creative projects actually get made—especially when the path isn't obvious? In this episode, we explore: • How constraints shape creative work • What it takes to turn an idea into a finished product • The role of funding platforms like Kickstarter • How creators sustain proje...

How do you make career decisions when the path isn't clear, expectations are high, and the stakes are personal? In this episode, we welcome Dr. Benjamin Ritter, consultant, life coach, and author of Becoming Fearless: 65 Strategies to Journey from Self-Doubt to Self-Mastery. Dr. Ritter shares his insights on becoming the leader of your career and living fearlessly. We discuss how to redefine your...

This conversation is not just about relationships—it's about a deeper question: How do we interpret behavior, communication, and signals in relationships—and why do we often get it wrong? In this episode we explore the art of creating and nurturing meaningful relationships with Michelle Hoffmann, Master Life and Relationship Coach. Michelle shares advice on building confidence, navigating online d...

In this solo episode, I look at how we think about age—and what might be getting confused. A number is meant to measure time. It can also carry meaning: identity, decline, expectations. From memory and Alzheimer's to conversations about age, this is a look at how a simple number can shape how we see ourselves—and whether it's describing reality or influencing it. This is a look at how assumptions...

This conversation is not just about Ukraine—it's about a deeper question: How do we understand complex conflicts when information is incomplete, narratives compete, and firsthand experience doesn't always align with what we're told? I'm joined by Alex Craiu, a war correspondent who spent significant time on the ground in Ukraine, witnessing the conflict firsthand. Alex shares his experiences trave...

My guest is Lauri Smith, a public speaking and leadership coach who works with individuals to improve how they communicate and engage audiences. This conversation focuses on a deeper question: What actually makes a message land when someone speaks—and why do so many talks fall flat? In this episode: • Why public speaking feels difficult for most people • What creates real connection with an audien...

My guest is J.J. Jerome, an engineer, futurist, and award-winning innovator whose work focuses on how technology is shaping human behavior and decision-making. This conversation is not about predicting the future. It's about a deeper question: How do we think clearly about human change in a world increasingly shaped by technology? In this episode, we explore: How technology is influencing behavior...

Ready to do something that's never been done? In this solo episode, I share seven actionable tips for catching lightning in a bottle and creating something innovative and fresh for your business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, or dreamer, these strategies will help you spark original ideas, break free from the ordinary, and build something truly groundbreaking. If you're looking to push...

This episode is about what happens when there's no clear path—and you still have to decide where to go. "City of Faith" came out of a moment on an island where there were no signs, no clear direction, and no obvious way forward. Every turn required a choice without certainty. That same pattern showed up in the music. Starting from a simple set of root chords, the question wasn't which direction to...

Discover how to create a healthier and happier indoor environment with simple, actionable solutions. In this solo episode, I share insights from my book  Healthy Living Spaces to uncover hidden factors in your home and workplace that may be impacting your well-being. Learn where these issues originate, the effects they can have on your health, and ractical steps to transform your space into a sanc...

My guest is Tammy Cox, a transformational coach who works with people navigating the impact of past experiences on relationships. This conversation focuses on a deeper question: How do early experiences shape relationship patterns—and what actually helps those patterns change? In this episode, we explore: • How childhood experiences influence adult relationships • Why certain patterns repeat, even...

My guest is KINGSLEY, a pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur building a creative brand around her work and audience. This conversation focuses on the question: What does "authenticity" mean—and why does it connect in some cases, not others? In this episode, we explore: • What authenticity looks like in practice (not just as an idea) • Why some artists connect deeply with audiences and others d...

Curious about what's actually in your drinking water? In this episode, I break down how to test your water first—before choosing a filter , and why skipping that step often leads to the wrong solution. I cover: what different water tests measure (and what they miss) common contaminants and how they show up how to interpret results without overreacting and how to match a water filter to your specif...

My guest is Barry LaBov, founder of LA-BOV Marketing, who has worked with brands like Harley-Davidson and Audi to help them stand out in competitive markets. This conversation focuses on a question: What makes a brand stand out—and why do so many fail to differentiate? In this episode, we explore: What differentiation really means (beyond messaging)  Why many brands sound different but feel the sa...

Climate data is widely discussed—but rarely examined directly. The real question is: what do you see when you look at the data yourself? In this episode, I walk through how to access and visualize global climate data using Python, so you can explore it firsthand. We cover: • Where to find publicly available climate datasets • How to plot and visualize trends step by step • What shows up in the dat...

Can you actually design your life from within—and if so, what does that mean in practice? In this conversation with John Novello—award-winning jazz keyboardist, composer, and author—we explore the idea that thoughts, beliefs, and internal patterns shape external outcomes. Examine how people talk about "manifestation," what's actually happening underneath it, and where the concept holds up—and wher...

My guest is John Chrastka, Executive Director of EveryLibrary, an organization focused on supporting libraries and access to information. This conversation focuses on a deeper question: How should we think about access, curation, and free speech when values conflict? In this episode, we explore: • The role libraries play in access to information • Why book bans emerge and how they're justified • T...

This episode begins a series on writing a book, starting with the part that's often the least clear. Not structure. Not formatting. What you're actually trying to say. Writing a book is a different kind of problem. The material is internal. The direction isn't obvious. The challenge is turning something loosely formed into something coherent over time. In this episode, I walk through: How to set t...

My guest is Jeff Hardy, founder of Care for Peace, a nonprofit providing healthcare and support in regions experiencing political instability and conflict. This conversation focuses on a the question: What actually works when trying to create stability and improve lives in unstable environments? In this episode, we explore: • How aid systems function in conflict zones • Why good intentions often d...

My guest is David Fradin, a former product manager at Hewlett-Packard and Apple who has worked on over 75 products across a range of industries. This conversation focuses on the question: Why do some products succeed while others fail, often despite strong teams and ideas? In this episode, we explore: What determines product success  Why good ideas often fail in execution  The role of customers, t...

In a world flooded with information, how can you separate fact from fiction? In this episode, part of the Technology and Curiosity series, we dive into the world of misinformation and disinformation — and how to spot the difference. You'll learn: 🔎 How to critically evaluate sources and recognize red flags 🧠 Ways to identify bias — in media, institutions, and yourself 💻 Tools and tech for fact-...

This episode is about what happens when the path you're on isn't working—and you finally let it go. "O'Birdie" started from a familiar structure, drawing on traditional folk songs. After a full day of trying to make it work, nothing felt right. So I threw it away. In that moment—without a plan, without a direction—something new appeared. A simple moment, looking out the window, shifted everything....