Best The Self Development Factory Inc Podcasts (2025)

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CLIP: Perfecting Your Press Release 4:33

Play Pause

19h ago4:33

4:33

Mickie Kennedy, PR expert and the founder of eReleases, a leading press release distribution service, dives into how to create the perfect press release for maximum attention for your business. Hear Mickie's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.

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REMASTERED: Disruption, Innovation, and Battling Complacency, with Whitney Johnson (Business, Leadership, Executive, Learning) 16:01

3d ago16:01

16:01

Speaker, coach, and CEO / Co-Founder of Disruption Advisors, Whitney Johnson, talks about disruptive innovation and the levers of disruption, making it scarier NOT to change, providing “proof points”, the “learn, leap, repeat” method, disrupting a MARRIAGE, when feeling scared and lonely is a positive sign, and silly little things that take over th…

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Episode 56 Your Morning Routine: Your Guide to Your Day 11:45

4d ago11:45

11:45

How you begin your day sets the stage for everything that follows. The first hour is the rudder of the day. All too often, we start in a state of reactive chaos—jolted awake by an alarm, immediately grabbing our phones, and flooding our minds with the emergencies, demands, and distractions of the outside world. This reactive start puts us on the de…

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CLIP: Don't Be A Nickel 2:42

8d ago2:42

2:42

Speaker, author, and President & CEO of OCLC, Skip Prichard, shares the insightful way that people can often be like nickels....but you shouldn't want to be. Hear Skip's full interview in Episode 230 of The Action Catalyst.

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Episode 55 Developing Emotional Intelligence for Better Relationships 11:31

9d ago11:31

11:31

In the pursuit of success and fulfillment, we often focus on cultivating our intellect and honing our practical skills. We learn to code, to negotiate, to analyze data, and to build strategies. Yet, underlying all meaningful achievement and connection is a more fundamental human capacity: the ability to understand and manage our inner world and to …

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Release Yourself, with Mickie Kennedy (Public Relations, News, Promotions, Business) 26:26

10d ago26:26

26:26

Mickie Kennedy, PR expert and the founder of eReleases, a leading press release distribution service, dives into why press releases aren’t just for the big boys, how to create the best one for maximum attention, and what to do in a damage-control setting, plus shares his “3% rule”, and explains how even local press can net BIG wins for your busines…

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Introducing "Think Big, Buy Small" 58:50

11d ago58:50

58:50

Today on the podcast, we’re excited to feature a conversation from Think Big, Buy Small, produced by our friends at Harvard Business School. Hosted by HBS professors (and former Action Catalyst guests) Rick Ruback and Royce Yudkoff, Think Big, Buy Small explores the world of entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA), highlighting how ambitious lea…

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Episode 54 Procrastination: The Fight Within 11:52

14d ago11:52

11:52

Procrastination is a universal human experience. It is the gap between intention and action, the frustrating habit of delaying important tasks despite knowing we will be worse off for it. We tell ourselves we’ll start tomorrow, next week, or when we "feel like it." But this "thief of time," as the saying goes, robs us of our potential, creates unne…

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CLIP: The 51 Percent Rule 3:38

15d ago3:38

3:38

Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell, co-founders of Beekman 1802 skincare, partners in both business as well as life, explain the "51% rule" for decision making, both professionally, and personally. Hear Brent and Josh's full interview in Episode 494 of The Action Catalyst.

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REMASTERED: Mistakes Leaders Make, with Skip Prichard (Nonprofit, Publishing, Success, CEO) 11:44

17d ago11:44

11:44

Speaker, author, and President & CEO of OCLC, Skip Prichard, shares his unusual childhood background, the research on near death experiences, why to fail faster, how people are often like nickels, and the philosophy of working harder on yourself than you do on your job.

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Episode 53 The Superpower of Consistency 11:43

18d ago11:43

11:43

In our culture of instant gratification, we often celebrate dramatic breakthroughs and overnight successes. We are drawn to stories of sudden genius and explosive growth, hoping to find a shortcut to our own goals. Yet, if you look closely at any meaningful achievement, you will find it stands on a foundation built not of lightning strikes, but of …

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Episode 52 Unlocking Creativity: Tapping Into Your Hidden Potential 12:56

21d ago12:56

12:56

Creativity is not a mystical gift bestowed upon a chosen few. It is a fundamental human skill, a way of thinking that allows us to connect seemingly unrelated ideas, solve complex problems, and bring something new and valuable into the world. It’s the engine of innovation, the source of artistic expression, and the key to adapting in an ever-changi…

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CLIP: What Has Being Realistic Cost You? 3:54

22d ago3:54

3:54

CEO and Founder of Dream University, Marcia Wieder, explains the value of realism, self-confidence, and risk taking in dreaming, how to break down big dreams into small projects, and why you should want to be PIE (but not the baked good). Hear Marcia's full interview in Episode 134 of The Action Catalyst.…

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GOAT Wisdom, with Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell (Entrepreneurship, Business, Community, Skincare) 27:56

24d ago27:56

27:56

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Episode 51 The Power of No: Setting Boundaries for a Better Life 11:11

25d ago11:11

11:11

In the pursuit of growth and success, we are often encouraged to say yes. Yes to new opportunities, yes to helping others, yes to taking on more responsibility. While this affirmative spirit can open doors, an unchecked habit of saying yes can lead to a life dictated by external demands rather than internal priorities. The most successful and fulfi…

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Episode 50 The Impact of Positivity on Potential: Transforming Your Life 11:20

29d ago11:20

11:20

Your perception of the world fundamentally shapes your experience of it. It is the lens through which you view challenges, opportunities, and your own potential. While many factors contribute to success and happiness, one of the most powerful and controllable is the quality of your outlook. A positive mindset is not about ignoring reality or preten…

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CLIP: Creating "Creating Humanity At It's Best" 5:08

29d ago5:08

5:08

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, the tech entrepreneur known as the “father of the cable modem", explains what things like broadband and cable modems REALLY are, and how their invention quickly impacted producers, consumers, and the broader economy. Hear Rouzbeh's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.…

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REMASTERED: Dreams, Purpose, and Vision, with Marcia Wieder (Goals, Success, Personal Development, Self Improvement) 19:51

1M ago19:51

19:51

CEO and Founder of Dream University, Marcia Wieder, explains the difference between dreams, fantasies, and goals, the value of realism in dreaming, how intention and integrity work together, breaking down big dreams into small projects, separating dreams from doubts, the 3 little words that breed self-sabotage, and why you should want to be PIE (pa…

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Episode 49 Building a Growth Mindset Your Path to Unlimited Potential 12:53

1M ago12:53

12:53

The difference between those who achieve their goals and those who remain stuck often comes down to a simple but profound shift in perspective. It's not about intelligence, talent, or circumstances—though these factors matter. It's about how you view your own capacity for development and change. This fundamental belief system, known as a growth min…

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CLIP: Why South Africa? 5:46

1M ago5:46

5:46

Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent, explain why offshoring isn't really what it used to be anymore, it's present-day benefits, and how the South African people are creating a world-class talent pool. Hear Hattingh and Werner's full interview in Episode 493 of The Action Catalyst.…

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The Accidental Network, with Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard (Technology, Entrepreneurship, Internet, Author) 25:57

1M ago25:57

25:57

Rouzbeh Yassini-Fard, the tech entrepreneur known as the “father of the cable modem", explains the two experiences he brought together to create the revolutionary device, what things like broadband and cable modems REALLY are, why he gave it all away free of royalties, and the role of homemade Persian food in making it all possible. Mentioned in th…

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Episode 48 The Role of Perseverance in Success Strategies to Keep Moving Forward 13:31

1M ago13:31

13:31

The most important conversation you'll ever have is the one you're having with yourself right now. As you read these words, your mind is processing information, making judgments, and forming reactions. Yet how often do you actually pay attention to this internal dialogue? How well do you truly know the person making your decisions, choosing your wo…

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CLIP: Texas Roadhouse and "The Noble Cause" 2:14

1M ago2:14

2:14

Author, executive coach, and culture consultant Chester Elton breaks down the idea of "the noble cause" in business, and how Texas Roadhouse restaurants are a shining and enduring example of the idea in action. Hear Chester's full interview in Episode 35 of The Action Catalyst.

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Overtime with Outland: Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Episode 493 2:46

1M ago2:46

2:46

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 493, with Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent.

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Episode 47 The Role of Perseverance in Success Strategies to Keep Moving Forward 12:48

1M ago12:48

12:48

The path to success is rarely straight. It twists through valleys of doubt, climbs mountains of challenge, and often seems to disappear entirely in the fog of uncertainty. Yet some individuals navigate these treacherous paths with remarkable consistency, reaching their destinations while others turn back at the first sign of difficulty. What separa…

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Workforce Innovation, with Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard (Staffing, South Africa, Talent, Hiring) 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

Hattingh Basson and Werner Barnard, Senior Partners at Southwestern Talent, explain the unique career history that spawned the business, the professional services gap that they are filling and why it exists, why offshoring isn't really offshoring anymore, how the South African people create a world-class talent pool, overcoming start-up pain points…

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Episode 46 The Power of Emotional Intelligence 13:32

2M ago13:32

13:32

Today, we explore emotional intelligence through the lens of enduring philosophies. We will see how Stoic self-awareness, Sun Tzu's strategic understanding of human nature, and the intentionality of minimalism all point toward the mastery of our inner world as the key to navigating the outer world effectively. This is not just about feeling good. I…

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CLIP: The Greatest Thing Mike Johnson Ever Did 3:16

2M ago3:16

3:16

Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, as well as an alum of The Action Catalyst's parent company, Southwestern, explains why his participation in the Southwestern Advantage program was "the best thing he ever did". Hear Speaker Johnson's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.…

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REMASTERED: Going All-In, with Chester Elton (Culture, Business, Leadership, Management) 9:12

2M ago9:12

9:12

Author, executive coach, and culture consultant Chester Elton walks us through how to create an all-in culture in our business, including managing culture during crisis, and why the customer experience will never exceed the employee experience.

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Episode 45 Mindfulness in Everyday Life 12:58

2M ago12:58

12:58

In our journey toward growth and achievement, we often prioritize intellectual knowledge and technical skills. We learn to analyze data, build strategies, and solve complex problems. Yet, a more fundamental skill underpins all lasting success. It is the ability to understand and manage our own emotions and to recognize and influence the emotions of…

1
CLIP: Interested, Not Interesting 2:29

2M ago2:29

2:29

Speaker, author, and coach Bruce Van Horn explains the best ways to be "other-focused" on social media, and provide more value to, and thereby get more loyalty from, your audience. Hear Bruce's full interview in Episode 11 of The Action Catalyst.

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God Is Not Done With America Yet, with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Leadership, Politics, USA, Success) 15:40

2M ago15:40

15:40

Mike Johnson, the 56th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, as well as an alum of The Action Catalyst's parent company, Southwestern, breaks down his unique path to the speakership and the big role Southwestern played in getting him there, recounts danger in Tucson and getting a little help from Brett Favre, delivers an absolutely…

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Episode 44 Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Forging Unbreakable Mental Toughness 15:27

2M ago15:27

15:27

Life presents every individual with moments that test the very foundation of their character. These moments arrive without warning, often when you feel least prepared to handle them. A career setback strikes just as you believed success was within reach. A relationship ends when you thought it would last forever. A health challenge emerges when you…

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CLIP: The REAL Cost of Turnover 2:39

2M ago2:39

2:39

Dr. Angela Jackson, the founder/CEO of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, explains the REAL cost of turnover in organizations, and the numbers may surprise you. Hear Dr. Jackson's full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.

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Episode 43 The Power of Gratitude: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Well-Being 20:32

2M ago20:32

20:32

Gratitude stands as one of humanity's most overlooked superpowers. The ancient Stoics understood this truth thousands of years ago, weaving thankfulness into the very fabric of their philosophy. Sun Tzu recognized its strategic value in maintaining perspective during conflict. Minimalists embrace it as the antidote to consumer culture's endless hun…

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REMASTERED: Twitter Tips for Movers and Shakers, with Bruce Van Horn (Social Media, Business, Success, Networking) 8:24

2M ago8:24

8:24

Speaker, author, and coach Bruce Van Horn shares Twitter/X tips for movers and shakers, including the critical importance of authenticity, putting connection over saturation, and the most common-sense advice that you probably overlook all of the time.

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Episode 42 Overcoming Self-Doubt - Building Confidence and Silencing Your Inner Critic for Personal Growth 12:17

2M ago12:17

12:17

This episode dives into a topic that resonates with everyone at some point in their journey—self-doubt. It’s that small, persistent voice in your head that questions every move you make, every decision you consider, and every dream you’ve dared to imagine. Self-doubt doesn’t discriminate—it’s universal, affecting people of all backgrounds, ages, an…

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CLIP: Don't Put Strategy Over Heart 3:57

2M ago3:57

3:57

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares why it’s important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, and how developing the awareness to do both can be a challenge. Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 128 of The Action Catalyst.

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The Win-Win Workplace, with Dr. Angela Jackson (Management, Leadership, Business, Engagement) 22:03

2M ago22:03

22:03

Dr. Angela Jackson, the founder/CEO of Future Forward Strategies and a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, reveals the lessons learned from studying Fortune 500 companies, the REAL cost of turnover, why top-down decision making is dead, and the two main takeaways for small business owners.…

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Episode 41 Mastering Time Management: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Productivity 11:11

3M ago11:11

11:11

By The Self Development Factory Inc

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CLIP: Actual Vs. Foundational Knowledge 4:29

3M ago4:29

4:29

Greg DeVore, CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps, lays out his “Find & Follow” philosophy to reduce supervisor burnout and improve employee performance, including concepts like actual vs. foundational knowledge, the value it can provide in the event of a sale, and the knowledge operations maturity model. Hear Greg's full interview in Episode 492 of T…

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REMASTERED: The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership, with Jenni Catron (Strategy, Faith, Business, Author) 18:28

3M ago18:28

18:28

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares “The Grand Commandment” and how it pertains to leadership, why it’s important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, the value of creating a safe space for honest feedback, the delicate balance of being bold but respectful, the role of faith, and why leadership is sacred work.…

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Episode 40 The Art of Effective Communication – Techniques to Convey Your Message Clearly and Confidently 17:32

3M ago17:32

17:32

In this episode, I’ll guide you through the timeless art of communication. We’ll explore principles that go beyond surface-level tips and dive into the deeper techniques that make your words more impactful. Drawing on ancient wisdom from philosophies like Stoicism, the strategic brilliance of Sun Tzu, and practical modern approaches, we’ll uncover …

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CLIP: Optimize, Automate, and Outsource 3:28

3M ago3:28

3:28

Author, entrepreneur, and “overwhelmologist” Ari Meisel reveals how to optimize, automate, and outsource, the shockingly straightforward system for keeping work, and anxiety, from piling up. Hear Ari's full interview in Episode 122 of The Action Catalyst.By Southwestern Family of Podcasts

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Overtime with Outland: Greg DeVore, Episode 492 2:48

3M ago2:48

2:48

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests. In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 492, with Greg DeVore, CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps.By Southwestern Family of Podcasts

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Find & Follow, with Greg DeVore (Productivity, Learning, Performance, Teams) 29:50

3M ago29:50

29:50

Greg DeVore, CEO and co-founder of ScreenSteps, lays out his “Find & Follow” philosophy to reduce supervisor burnout and improve employee performance, breaking down concepts like actual vs. foundational knowledge and knowledge spenders vs. knowledge investors, the knowledge operations maturity model, the dead simple exercise that’ll change how your…

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Episode 39 The Science of Habits 20:42

3M ago20:42

20:42

Today, we’re diving deep into the fascinating science of habits. Why do we do what we do? How are habits formed? And how can we take control of them to create the life we envision? From ancient philosophies like those of Sun Tzu, who emphasized the role of discipline in mastering challenges, and the Stoics, who taught the power of daily practice, t…

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CLIP: It's a Crisis! Now What? 2:46

3M ago2:46

2:46

Founder & CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group, Liana Zavo, reveals THE biggest PR mistake people make, and what they SHOULD be doing instead when a crisis hits. Hear Liana's full interview in Episode 491 of The Action Catalyst.By Southwestern Family of Podcasts

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Episode 38 Leadership Through Empathy 16:51

3M ago16:51

16:51

Empathy in leadership isn’t about simply being “nice” or accommodating; it’s about actively engaging with the perspectives, emotions, and challenges of others. It’s a skill that lies at the intersection of emotional intelligence, strategic thinking, and personal strength. When leaders practice empathy thoughtfully and consistently, they create an e…

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REMASTERED: Less Stress, More Productivity, with Ari Meisel (Time Management, Email, Tech, Business) 15:41

3M ago15:41

15:41

Author, entrepreneur, and “overwhelmologist” Ari Meisel reveals how to optimize, automate, and outsource, gives a masterclass in Virtual Assistants 101, explains what delegation REALLY means, and breaks down the "3D" inbox zero plan.By Southwestern Family of Podcasts