Thinking Differently with Kathie Rotz

It's America's 250th birthday, and John and I are celebrating with a powerful leadership lesson. Using the quarterback's pre-snap read as a perfect analogy, we unpack John Maxwell's principle that leaders see more, and before, theirpeople. From the founding fathers' visionary thinking to a simple truth about steering a moving object, this episode will challenge you to look furt...

There's a big difference between a leader who moves and a leader who builds momentum. John Rotz unpacks the five rungs of the Focus Driven Leadership Model and reveals the one trap that stops most leaders from ever reaching their full potential. Plus, find out how to take a free leadership assessment to discover exactly where you fall on the ladder today. Focus Driven Leadership Survey Midwest...

The words you use every day are shaping your leadership and not always for the better. In this episode, John and I call out three common words that are quietly killing team culture, productivity, and trust. From "busy" to "delegate" to "my team," find out why these words are holding you back and what to replace them with to instantly shift your mindset and your team&#...

When a top performer stops pushing themselves, most leader look the other way. But what you allow continues. John and I unpack the comfort trap, the sneaky pattern that follows trust, and share real stories of how great leaders and great teams slowly drift from excellence to average. Plus, the Brady-Belichick lesson every leader needs to hear about standards, accountability, and never letting your...

A drive through severe Iowa storms becomes a powerful lesson in slowing down. After trying to outrun dangerous weather, I discovered the value of pausing, breathing, and waiting out the storm, both on the road and in life. This inspiring episode is a reminder that sometimes slowing down is the key to moving forward safely and successfully. Visit our YouTube channel and websites, too.   * unitycons...

Slowing down isn't about doing less, it's about doing what matters most. I'm sharing two powerful tools to help you break out of autopilot: the SLOW acronym for everyday moments and the 4-7-8 breathing technique proven to improve decision-making and emotional regulation. This week's challenge: drive the speed limit and see what it reveals about your mind. Visit our YouTube channel...

What happens when the world’s highest mountains become your greatest teachers? In Episode 3 of this powerful series , legendary mountaineer Joel Schauer shares unforgettable stories from Everest, Antarctica, and the SevenSummits—revealing how mountains expose our ego, strengthen our faith, andclarify our purpose. This conversation dives deep into: What your next summit really is (physical or metap...

After falling down 14 stairs and breaking his neck, John is back, but with a whole new mindset. In this honest and inspiring episode, Kathie and John discuss the four stages of learning, the danger of going back to "autopilot," and why slowing down now means a better quality of life later. A must-watch for anyone navigating a season of forced pause. Visit our YouTube channel and websites...

What do you do when the vision is too big and you’re running on empty? In Part 2 of this powerful series, elite mountaineer Joel Schauer shareshow climbing Mount Everest taught him to break massive goals into one step,ten breaths at a time . This conversation dives into leadership, resilience,silencing naysayers, and why the hardest moments aren’t hell—they’re the keysto heaven . If you’re leading...

What happens when you say yes to an unexpected opportunity? In Part 1 of this three-part series, I'm sitting down with Joel Schauer, an Adventurers Grand Slam achiever, one of the few people in the world to reach the North Pole, South Pole, and the highest peak on every continent. What makes Joel’s story extraordinary isn’t just the mountains, it’s that he started at age 48, never had climbing on...

In this episode, my husband John and I share the true story of a devastating fall that resulted in a broken neck—and a powerful life lesson most leaders resist: you have to slow down to truly speed up. This raw, honest conversation explores: The moment everything changed The mental and physical cost of never slowing down Why recovery is essential for clarity, productivity, and leadership How slowi...

Today, I’m breaking down the real difference between good fat and bad fat—why your body needs healthy fats, how bad fats drain your energy, and which foods actually support your brain, hormones, and metabolism. You'll learn what to avoid, what to add, and how one simple fat choice this week can transform your wellness. Make one small change—and feel the difference. Visit our YouTube channel an...

In this episode, I’m challenging you to rethink the products, habits, and pace that shape your daily life. From the ingredients you put on your skin to the foods you bring home, I’ll show you how small, intentional “less is more” choices can create big shifts in your health and energy. With simple swaps, smart tools, and a mindset reset, you’ll feel empowered to clear the clutter, trust yourself,...

After a dinner conversation and a surprising moment of self-discovery, I realized I’d been carrying quiet baggage for years: believing my behind-the-scenes strengths weren’t worthy of recognition. In this episode, I unpack how one friend’s insight shifted everything for me. I open up about embracing my natural talents, letting go of the need to do everything alone, and recognizing the wow inside t...

Today, I’m breaking down the sneaky sugars hiding in your food — anything ending in “ose.” From glucose to high-fructose corn syrup, learn why sugar fuels disease, triggers inflammation, and keeps you craving more. Check out my personal story, smart swaps, and how to rethink sweets for better health. 🍭 #Wellness #HealthyLiving #SugarFree #ThinkingDifferently Documentary referenced: That Sugar Far...

Today I’m sharing how a visit to an organic farm and my husband’s battle with pesticide-related cancer changed how Ithink about food. Learn what “grass-fed & finished,” “pastured,” and “organic” really mean, how to avoid hidden chemicals, and three simple habits to shop and eat cleaner. 🌱 #Wellness #OrganicLiving #HealthyHabits #ThinkingDifferently Visit our YouTube channel and websites, too....

In this week’s wellness pop-up, I’m sharing why I’m swapping out white potatoes for sweet potatoes — and why you might want to as well. From travel hunger pangs to discovering the power of complex carbs, here’s how adding sweet potatoes to my daily routine has boosted my energy, kept me full, and supported my health journey. Get practical tips for prepping them ahead of time, plus creative ways to...

Join me on my two-and-a-half-year health journey - navigating perimenopause, weight changes, and the frustration of conventional medical advice. Finding a functional medicine doctor transformed my approach to nutrition and inflammation, and revealed the threebiggest shifts that have already helped me lose weight and regain energy: adding two servings of vegetables at every meal, using fruit as des...

Your thoughts create your emotions, your emotions drive your actions, and your actions shape your results. But here’s the secret, everything starts with a neutral circumstance,and it’s your thoughts that give it meaning. In this episode, I unpack the “thought cycle” and shows how shifting your perspective can transform stress into growth, failure into fuel, and challenges into opportunities. With...

Join me for our final week of our summer Mastermind! Today's discussion is related to the chapter 9 of Winners are Quitters. If you haven't gotten your book yet, please check out the links below. Paperback- https://a.co/d/cqeDLo8 Kindle- https://a.co/d/7EowvTw Audiobook- https://a.co/d/4ARI6N6 If you missed any of the questions, check them out here! Chapter 9 1.  Are you currently doing so...

Join me for week Six of our summer Mastermind! Today's discussion is related to the chapter 8 of Winners are Quitters. If you haven't gotten your book yet, please check out the links below. Paperback- https://a.co/d/cqeDLo8 Kindle- https://a.co/d/7EowvTw Audiobook- https://a.co/d/4ARI6N6 If you missed any of the questions, check them out here!   Chapter 8 1.   How do you respond to conflic...

Join me for week Five of our summer Mastermind! Today's discussion is related to the chapter 7 of Winners are Quitters. If you haven't gotten your book yet, please check out the links below. Paperback- https://a.co/d/cqeDLo8 Kindle- https://a.co/d/7EowvTw Audiobook- https://a.co/d/4ARI6N6 If you missed any of the questions, check them out here! 1.    What neutral circumstance are you struggling wi...

Join me for week four of our summer Mastermind! Today's discussion is related to the chapter 6 of Winners are Quitters. If you haven't gotten your book yet, please check out the links below. Paperback- https://a.co/d/cqeDLo8 Kindle- https://a.co/d/7EowvTw Audiobook- https://a.co/d/4ARI6N6 If you missed any of the questions, check them out here!   1.    Think of a current result you’re not...

Join me for week three of our summer Mastermind! Today's discussion is related to the chapter 4 and chapter 5 of Winners are Quitters. If you haven't gotten yourbook yet, please check out the links below. Paperback- https://a.co/d/cqeDLo8 Kindle- https://a.co/d/7EowvTw Audiobook- https://a.co/d/4ARI6N6 If you missed any of the questions, check them out here! Chapter 4 1.How do your current...

Join me for week two of our summer Mastermind! Today's discussion is related to the chapter 2 and chapter 3 of Winners are Quitters. If you haven't gotten your book yet,please check out the links below.   Paperback- https://a.co/d/cqeDLo8 Kindle- https://a.co/d/7EowvTw Audiobook- https://a.co/d/4ARI6N6   If you missed any of the questions, check them out here! Chapter 2 1.     How easily do you qu...