The Story in Your Head

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy talk with Fred Neil, Founder and CEO of Magellan Venture Partners, about what it really takes to grow your business – and yourself. Learn how to escape the day-to-day, avoid common leadership blind spots, and build a company culture that thrives without burning out its founder. Through a thoughtful conversation rooted in experi...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy explore the surprising leadership strategy that top performers use to grow: surrounding themselves with disagreement. Learn how building a “challenge network” can elevate your leadership development, transform company culture, and drive better decisions—both personally and professionally. If you’ve ever felt stuck in an echo ch...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb take a closer look at a practice that undermines both leadership credibility and workplace morale: dry promotions. These promotions, where employees are given new titles and increased responsibilities without a pay raise, are more common than many leaders realize—and they carry long-term consequences for company culture and employee engageme...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Lori Grubs, a seasoned HR leader and expert in leadership development and company culture transformation. With over two decades of experience, Lori shares her mission to make workplaces better across the globe. From piloting flexible workspace initiatives to navigating complex organizational challenges, Lori reveals how experim...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the essential difference between being busy and being productive. They discuss why it's vital to recognize this distinction, identify the pitfalls of busyness, the importance of strategic planning, and the role of leadership in fostering productivity. They also offer practical experiments and tips on how to transition from busyness t...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the current debate surrounding the return to the office—a hot topic as businesses worldwide are being encouraged to reassess workplace dynamics post-pandemic. They explore the benefits and challenges of both remote work and office work from the perspectives of employees and employers. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The S...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the controversial topic of company surveillance. Together they discuss the legal and ethical implications of employers monitoring employees, and explore the fine line between necessary security measures and building a culture of trust within an organization. They highlight the impacts on company culture, employee trust, and produc...

Welcome to "The Story in Your Head" podcast with Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy.   In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into how radical candor can build trust, while showing care for others by challenging them directly. The explore how this can foster a culture of openness and growth, and how radical candor can transform workplace dynamics by creating deeper connections and t...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore changing your fundamental stories. They share personal narratives about how deeply ingrained beliefs—formed early in life—can shape one's reality. With compelling stories from their own lives, they explore the process of recognizing and transforming these narratives to alter one’s perception of self-competence and worth. Embark on a...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb navigate the complexities of leading through uncertain times. From global political shifts and AI advancements to company layoffs and market deregulation, they share personal experiences and offer valuable advice on building trust, being transparent, and fostering a calm, inclusive work environment. Whether you're a startup founder or a seas...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive deep into two major forces that shape our lives, cultures, and businesses: fear and hope. They discuss how fear can manipulate and wear down individuals in a business environment, leading to decreased productivity and innovation. They then explore the power of hope, highlighting how it can drive resilience, creativity, and a positive wo...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the dynamic relationship between shareholders and employees in business. They delve into the roles and expectations of shareholders—who invest financial capital for returns—and employees—who invest their time and energy for compensation and growth. They discuss the challenges CEOs face in balancing these interests, the impact of stoc...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sat down with returning guest Dr. Mladenoff, a leading expert in concussion care, to discuss his new book which delves into the intricacies of diagnosing, treating, and understanding this serious health issue. Dr. Mladenoff shares personal experiences with concussions, both within his family and professionally, highlighting the physical, emo...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how holding onto past traumas and grudges can stifle your creative potential and how forgiveness, whether towards others or oneself, can facilitate emotional freedom and personal growth. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the c...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive deep into the true meaning and power of apologies. Together they reflect on the psychological burden of unspoken guilt, the importance of making genuine apologies for personal liberation, and the four essential steps for a meaningful apology. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into t...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore how altering the stories in our heads and setting authentic stands can transform how we experience the holidays. They candidly discuss the importance of creating space, prioritizing meaningful interactions, and finding joy in simplicity. Tune in to discover how to shift from merely surviving the holidays to truly celebrating and cher...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into the complex world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Deb shares her personal story of being hired as part of a quota system and the struggles she faced in proving her competence in a male-dominated field. Ron reflects on his own challenges as an engineer, addressing the dynamics of fairness, inclusion, and the business impl...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the concept of continuous learning, its necessity to adapt to change, and the impact of continuous learning on career development. They emphasize the importance of individual responsibility in continuous education and offer practical advice on how to embrace a learning mindset. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Yo...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into chaos—both internal and external—and discuss strategies for creating peace. Ron and Deb dive into the aftermath of an election, highlighting the chaos that often follows such significant events and questioning how we can foster peace amidst the turmoil. The conversation explores the psychological aspect of managing turmoil by unde...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the timely topic of collaboration amidst personal differences. They explore the fear of being wrong and the importance of creating a safe space for dialogue both in personal settings and the workplace, highlighting the value of diverse opinions as a means of fostering innovation. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron dives into leadership development and the costs associated with leadership training. He emphasizes the significant returns on investment that can be garnered from proper leadership development programs. Ron shares personal insights and experiences, discussing the nuances of training leaders, why investing in leadership training is crucial, and the p...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive deep into the topic of ghosting, focusing on both personal relationships and professional settings. They explore its impacts, possible reasons behind it, and the consequences of ghosting for both job seekers and employers. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narrativ...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into common challenges faced in workplaces such as lack of communication, misaligned goals, and personal conflicts. They explore how these issues stem from the different 'stories' or perspectives individuals hold, and the transformative potential of aligning individual stories with shared organizational goals. Embark on a transformative...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb dive into the world of team building exercises. They discuss their personal experiences with traditional team-building methods, highlighting the common issues and limited long-term impact of such activities. They also share a program focused on trust-building and self-discovery, that has proven to create strong, cohesive teams that carry the...

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb delve into the profound yet often overlooked importance of active listening in communication. Whether it’s your peers, colleagues, or loved ones, actively listening has the power to transform your relationships and interactions. Deb and Ron engage in a lively conversation about what it means to actively listen and the impact it can have on y...