The Story in Your Head

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore “agency” as a person’s capacity to act independently and make free choices, contrasting living as the author of your life versus being acted on by outside forces. They discuss how people throughout history have been led to believe they have no agency, and connect agency to everyday situations like feeling trapped in a job, unemployme...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb ask, “What would you tell a room full of graduates entering the workforce at a time when AI seems to be changing everything?” Inspired by recent graduation ceremonies where mentions of AI were met with boos from students concerned about their futures, Ron and Deb imagine the advice they would give to graduates stepping into an uncertain worl...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the biggest conversations happening in business today: why are so many organizations investing heavily in AI – and still struggling to see results? The conversation moves beyond technology into the heart of leadership development, company culture, and the communication problems organizations face when transformation collides w...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the least discussed forces shaping the future of business: the collision between demographic decline and artificial intelligence. As developed nations face shrinking populations and aging workforces, organizations are being forced to rethink everything from labor strategy to company culture, workforce sustainability, and long-...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by Julian Caldwell, Chief Information Officer at JR & Co., explore how artificial intelligence is transforming even the most traditional industries. Together they discuss how leaders in his company are shaping company culture, accelerating leadership development, and addressing communication problems that often hold organizati...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb break down what happens when AI and your human network don’t agree, how communication problems begin to surface inside organizations, and what leadership development really looks like in a world where data and human judgment collide. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of na...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by Jason Beutler, founder and CEO of RoboSource, on why artificial intelligence often sparks both curiosity and apprehension. Together, they explore how to view AI as less of a threat and more as tool to unlock human potential. Jason shared powerful insights not only on AI adoption, but on how leaders must rethink company culture,...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how technological change reshapes not just productivity, but company culture, trust, and the way leaders communicate. In today’s rapidly advancing technological world, adapting to new tools like generative AI is no longer optional – it’s a defining moment for modern leadership development. As AI becomes embedded in the workplace, the...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the ever-evolving landscape of AI in the workplace, and how recent events have highlighted the impact of taking a stand. They weave together the connection between leadership strategy, organizational culture, and the ripple effects that a leader's decisions have on employees, customers, trust, company culture, and the broader AI indu...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb welcomed Andre Walker, Senior Vice President of Power Operations at Pattern Energy, to discuss AI in the workplace, leadership, and the evolving demands on modern organizations. Together, they explored not only the technological implications of AI, but also how its integration influences company culture, trust, and strategic decision-making....

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore a timely question: what happens when AI in the workplace collides with human curiosity? As organizations integrate artificial intelligence into everyday operations, leaders are being challenged to rethink company culture, communication, and how curiosity drives innovation. Together they examine curiosity not only as a human trait but...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how leadership mindset, company culture, and shared stories determine whether teams merely function – or truly thrive. Together they discuss how teams, organizations, and AI can achieve greater outcomes when stories, purposes, and roles are aligned. The conversation transitions from leadership and followership dynamics to the implica...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the reasons behind the fear of AI taking over jobs and whether AI is truly coming for your job. They examine the role of employers in choosing AI over human workers and how AI can actually enhance jobs rather than replacing them. They also bring forward philosophical perspectives on the purpose of businesses – whether it's to take ca...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore of the future of work, leadership, and human connection in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Inspired by the underlying theme of many of their conversations throughout 2025, they continued to pontificate on how AI is reshaping companies and company culture – and why strong human connection remains central to eff...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb are joined by guests Thomas and Jason to talk about the significance of lifelong learning. Thomas, a sales leader in the healthcare sector from Orlando, and Jason, a CTO involved in AI tools for financial services in Dallas, share their personal learning journeys, the value of curiosity, and how continuous learning impacts their professional...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb engage in another thought-provoking conversation with Adry Muñoz, a 20-year-old social media coordinator and senior at Michigan State University. Together they explore today's rapidly changing job market and the challenges faced by Gen Z. In this candid conversation with Adry, highlighting how company culture, leadership development, and com...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Joel Strom, founder of Chief Value Officers, a business strategist and leadership development expert who helps transform companies from ordinary to extraordinary. Together, they explore what it takes to build a thriving company culture, strengthen leadership, and overcome the communication problems that often hold teams back fr...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb examined how fear – especially during uncertain times – can shape business decisions, impact communication, and limit growth. They share insights from their careers, along with personal reflections on how fear manifests in business environments and how effective leadership can help overcome it.   Embark on a transformative journey with 'The...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb discover how internal competition, fear, and communication problems shape company culture and leadership development. Together, they explore how these problems shape the way organizations handle competition – both inside and outside their walls. Through a blend of real-world insights and storytelling, they uncover how leaders can build stron...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb engage in a thought-provoking conversation with special guest Adry Munoz, a 20-year-old social media coordinator and senior at Michigan State University. Together they explore the narrative behind not hiring Generation Z and delve into the reasons behind this perception. Adry shares insights on how the corporate world's resistance to change,...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how to know whether your company is good or just lucky. Through personal anecdotes and industry examples, they delve into the concepts of preparation, opportunity, and the sunk cost fallacy. They discuss how market conditions, timing, and adaptability play critical roles in business success. They also touch on the importance of havin...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Bob Latham, managing partner and principal at IBG's offices in Arizona and Texas. With over 30 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions, Bob discusses the critical factors that can make a business unsellable. He shares insights on the importance of diversified customer bases, clean financial records, and established mana...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy explore a problem entrepreneurs often find themselves stuck in - a cycle of micromanagement – effectively keeping their company on “life support.” This episode of The Story in Your Head explores how company culture, leadership development, and better communication can help business owners step back while their teams thrive. Ron...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy unpack the evolving reality of hybrid work and remote work culture. They explore how leadership, trust, and company culture are being reshaped in this new environment—and why some leaders struggle to adapt. Through honest discussion, they reveal how communication problems and outdated leadership development strategies can sabot...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy demystify the adverse effects of mandatory two-day leadership courses. They explore why believing you can learn leadership in such a short time is damaging to both individuals and organizations. Through discussing real scenarios, they highlight the disengagement and frustration these courses can cause, especially when leaders w...