It’s our best Black Friday Deal ever! Get $100 off Business Made Simple when you sign up now at BusinessMadeSimple.com/BlackFriday. Join thousands of successful business owners who’ve used the 6-step plan to grow their small business. Visit BusinessMadeSimple.com/BlackFriday. to learn more and take advantage of our best offer of the year!   --   Everyone has a love-hate relationship with social media these days. It’s great for staying in touch and laughing at cute pets, but it can also be a source of distraction and disconnection, especially in your personal life. Many find it hard to manage their time on social media, which can get in the way of real-world responsibilities. So, how can you enjoy social media without it taking over

It’s our best Black Friday Deal ever! Get $100 off Business Made Simple when you sign up now at BusinessMadeSimple.com/BlackFriday. Join thousands of successful business owners who’ve used the 6-step plan to grow their small business. Visit BusinessMadeSimple.com/BlackFriday. to learn more and take advantage of our best offer of the year!   --   Are you struggling to get your team to click? In the world of work, getting everyone on the same page can feel like herding cats. Misunderstandings, conflicting ideas, and just not seeing eye-to-eye can turn your dream team into a group that barely gets things done. In an era where teamwork is the key to success, finding a way to make all these different pieces fit together is a puzzle many

Exciting news alert! To get results for your clients as a coach, delivering value in your coaching sessions is key. That’s why Donald Miller is hosting an exclusive livestream event this Friday (November 17, 2023) walking you through exactly how to do that no matter if you’re an aspiring or established coach. AND you can join us for this game-changing event for FREE! Just follow these three easy steps:   Pre-order Don's new book, Coach Builder Submit your receipt number at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast Automatically secure your spot for the November 17th event   Don’t miss out on this chance to join Don and learn how you can elevate your coaching game before the end of the year. Just pre-order Coach Builder before the November 17 event, submit your receipt number at <em data-stringify-type="ita

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonuses like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you're immediately able to jump start your coaching career!    --   Feeling invisible in the bustling marketplace? You're not alone. Many brands and businesses hustle hard but still stay hidden in the shadows of their flashier competitors. It's tough to get the world to take notice, and even tougher to figure out where to start. If you're tired of watching from the sidelines and ready to step into the spotlight so you can transform your reach and reputation, this is the episode for you.   Today, dive in with guest host Dr. J.J. Pete

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonuses like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you're immediately able to jump start your coaching career!    --   Professionals often find themselves in situations where they need to negotiate, whether it's closing a deal, discussing salaries, or resolving conflicts. But many struggle to understand what it takes to be a good negotiator. They get caught up in demands rather than understanding real needs — often leaving a lot of value on the table. So how can you become a better negotiator who creates win-win scenarios?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller is joined by John Lowry,

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonuses like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you're immediately able to jump start your coaching career!    --   Even though it's the Halloween season, for many of you, the real horror is being trapped in a job that drains the life out of them, a corporate world filled with the ‘living dead’ – monotonous routines, unending meetings, and a lack of fulfillment. It’s a corporate zombie apocalypse where passion and creativity are often buried, and every day is a struggle to survive. But there’s hope!   In this Halloween special of Business Made Simple, Donald Miller and Dr. J.J. P

Is your website failing to bring in sales? You may have a great looking site with a fancy tagline, but if it’s not selling, you’re probably missing the most important element: clear messaging that shows how you solve your customer’s problem. So what steps can you take to transform your website into a revenue-generating engine?   In today’s episode, host Donald Miller is joined by J.J. Peterson, Head of StoryBrand and co-host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast, to discuss a simple formula for building a website that will generate leads and drive sales. You’ll also discover the reason why 65% of businesses fail and how you can avoid being one of them. Tune in and learn how to turn your website into a lean, mean sales machine! Get free access to The Ultimate Website Template at <a href= "http://businessmadesimple.com/website" target="_blank" rel= "noopener" data-link-card=

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonues like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you can jump start your coaching career immediately!    --   Service providers, like photographers, writers, or designers, often hit a revenue cap, limited by the hours they can work. Breaking through the revenue ceiling can be a challenge when your business relies heavily on your personal time and effort. So how can you scale your business and increase your revenue without working more hours? Is this even possible without making an expensive hire?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller sits down with Tyler Core, owner of <a href="h

Pre-order Coach Builder, Donald Miller's new book, at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast and transform your expertise into a lucrative consulting career. If you pre-order right now at CoachBuilderBook.com/Podcast, you'll unlock amazing bonues like the 90-minute audio summary of the book so you can jump start your coaching career immediately!    --   It's a common struggle for coaches—being tethered to an hourly rate, feeling undervalued, and unable to scale their business. The traditional model of trading time for money limits income potential and growth. So how do you transform your expertise into a sustainable, profitable business without being confined by the clock?   In today's episode, host Donald Miller shares a new perspective pulled right out of his newest book, Coach Builder, offering coaches a lifeli

When it comes to marketing, it’s easy to feel bombarded with endless opportunities. The key is to choose wisely and avoid jumping at everything that comes your way. Marlee Joseph, the Director of Marketing at Business Made Simple, is a pro at this. She’s mastered the art of prioritization by using the ICE framework, a simple decision-making formula that helps her sift through marketing opportunities and pick the winners.     In today’s episode, host Donald Miller sits down with Marlee to unpack this process and how it can help you avoid overwhelm in your business. You’ll discover how Marlee’s strategic use of the ICE Method has led to more informed decisions, prioritized actions, and amplified marketing impact. Tune in and learn how you can use the ICE Method to make smarter choices that boost your marketing and drive growth!   --   FIND OUT WHAT NEXT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO SELL YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: <a href= "https://businessmadesimple.co

In an age ruled by social media, entrepreneurs are discovering the power of crafting a personal platform to catapult themselves (and their products) into the limelight. But forget about trendy dances and silly reels – it's all about honing in on the problem you solve.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller shares five underrated tactics for creating your personal platform on Instagram. Learn how to become the voice for those facing the same challenges, master the art of crafting memorable sound bites, and truly embody your message. If you've been looking for a roadmap to start building your personal platform, this episode is for you!   --   FIND OUT WHAT NEXT STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO SELL YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: SellYourSmallBusiness.com.   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR Y

As your business grows and you begin to hire more employees, this inevitable question comes up: “do you provide healthcare benefits?” And how you answer that question could be the difference between hiring top talent and settling for a less qualified candidate. But where in the world do you start when most healthcare packages seem too expensive and the insurance industry is so confusing?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Austin Lehman, CEO of Remodel Health, a company revolutionizing the way health benefits are delivered to employees. Austin breaks down the complex topic of employer-sponsored health insurance and shows you how you can get started for only $125/month per employee. Tune in now to learn how you can take great care of your employees and increase that care as your business (and team) grows!   Go to TruthInHealthInsurance.com to get clarity around the health insurance

Have you ever had an idea for the Business Made Simple podcast? We want to hear from you! We’re always dreaming up ways to make this podcast more valuable for our listeners, so we want to hear what you’ve loved and what you want to hear more of so we can make future episodes even better!   Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Survey to help us make the podcast even better! If you take this quick survey before Friday, September 15, you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Take the survey today at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Survey.    *See terms and conditions at businessmadesimple.com/terms.   --   Most organizations w

Have you ever had an idea for the Business Made Simple podcast? We want to hear from you! We’re always dreaming up ways to make this podcast more valuable for our listeners, so we want to hear what you’ve loved and what you want to hear more of so we can make future episodes even better!   Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Survey to help us make the podcast even better! If you take this quick survey before Friday, September 15, you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Take the survey today at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Survey.    *See terms and conditions at businessmadesimple.com/terms.   --   Many business profes

Have you ever had an idea for the Business Made Simple podcast? We want to hear from you! We’re always dreaming up ways to make this podcast more valuable for our listeners, so we want to hear what you’ve loved and what you want to hear more of so we can make future episodes even better!       Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Survey to help us make the podcast even better! If you take this quick survey before Friday, September 15, you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Take th

Have you ever had an idea for the Business Made Simple podcast? We want to hear from you! We’re always dreaming up ways to make this podcast more valuable for our listeners, so we want to hear what you’ve loved and what you want to hear more of so we can make future episodes even better!     Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Survey to help us make the podcast even better! If you take this quick survey before Friday, September 15, you’ll be entered to win a $50 Amazon gift card. Take the survey today at BusinessMade

Congratulations! It’s the last day of the Double Your Revenue Challenge. You’ve done nine things over the past two weeks to help you grow your revenue. What you’ve just experienced is a little taste of what it feels like to implement a business growth plan at an aggressive pace. If you want that kind of business growth plan… but on steroids… Small Business Flight School is for you.   Small Business Flight School is a comprehensive growth program for small businesses who want to scale revenue quickly. Join now at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Double and get access to a video training series that will help you optimize each key part of your business: Leadership, Marketing, Sales, Products, Operations, and Cash Flow. You also get access to weekly business coaching through our Q&A calls with Business Made Simple experts so you never have to wonder what you should be

Many business owners treat their business finances like their own personal bank account. They think they’re being frugal by only taking what they “need” – but it’s actually a sloppy way to manage both business and personal finances.    It’s Day 9 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and in today’s episode, Donald Miller challenges you to put yourself on a consistent salary. Just like you’d pay an employee or contractor a fixed rate, Don recommends treating yourself the same way. Determine the amount of money you’re going to pay yourself – and then live within those means! The result? Better financial discipline, enough money to pay business taxes and expenses, and more motivation to increase overall revenue. Tune in now!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge</a

Many small business owners and their teams spin their wheels when it comes to productivity. It feels like everyone is doing a ton of work – and you probably are! But since your effort is going in so many directions, your business isn’t gaining meaningful traction. That’s exactly why setting a limited number of priorities – and touching base on them weekly – is so important.    It’s Day 8 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and today is all about productivity! Donald Miller teaches you how to increase your productivity not by working more – but by working on the right things. If you and your team would only set and follow through on strategic priorities, you’d not only get more done – you’d actually make a whole lot more revenue. Tune in now to learn how!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at

Most people feel like they have to put on their “sales hat” in order to convince people to buy. But when you take this approach, it often feels fake and ingenuine – not only for you, but for your customers as well! What if there was a way to have more natural and organic sales conversations that didn’t feel like “selling” at all?   It’s Day 7 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and in today’s episode, Donald Miller teaches you the single most important thing you can do in a sales conversation. Instead of spending your time talking about your product, you’ll learn how to talk about the problem it solves for your customer. The only reason people buy products is to solve a problem – and when you know how to talk about those problems, you’ll sell more. Tune in now to learn how!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at <a href= "https://businessmadesi

Did you know that 95% of people say that reviews or testimonials influence their purchasing decisions? That’s why it’s so important for businesses to utilize testimonials throughout all of their marketing – but many businesses forget to ask them!   It’s Day 6 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and in today’s episode, Donald Miller challenges you to interview one customer for a testimonial. When you capture someone’s story about how your product made their life better and share it with your audience, your credibility goes through the roof. Tune in now to learn specific tips on capturing compelling testimonials!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge.   --    If you’re looking for comprehensive training and ongoing weekly c

If you’re like most business owners, you probably have leads that would buy from you – but you’re putting off asking for the sale. Why? Because you don’t want to come off as salesy or manipulative. But here’s the truth: if your product is solving a problem that your customer has, you’re actually making their life better by asking them to buy it.   It’s Day 5 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and in today’s episode, Donald Miller challenges you to call some of your leads and ask them to buy. It might be awkward and uncomfortable – but it gets easier with practice! And… people aren’t going to buy unless you ask them to. Tune in now to learn how to ask for the sale!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge.   --    If you’re

As a business owner, you probably have untapped revenue opportunities sitting right under your nose. If you’d only create a strategic product bundle or upsell, you could make a whole lot more money with very little effort.   It’s Day 4 of the Double Your Revenue Challenge, and in today’s episode, Donald Miller walks you through ideas on how to create new products or bundle existing products to generate more revenue in a single transaction. Tune in now to learn how you can boost your revenue with a simple tweak of your product line!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge.   --    If you’re looking for comprehensive training and ongoing weekly coaching to help you double your business’s revenue, join Small Business Flight Scho

Is your website helping your business – or hurting it? The truth is, potential customers go to your website and make a decision within seconds about whether or not you can help them. That’s why your website must pass the “grunt test.” Unfortunately, most business’ websites don’t pass this test. And if your website doesn’t pass the grunt test… you’re losing sales!   In today’s episode, we continue our 2-week series on the Double Your Revenue Challenge. For Challenge #3, Donald Miller wants you to put your website to the grunt test. He explains that even the most primitive thinker (like a caveman) should be able to look at your website and know these 3 things within seconds: 1) What you do 2) How it will make his life better 3) What he needs to do in order to get it. Does your website pass the test? Tune in to today’s episode to find out!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Chall

Are you leading your business well? One way to know is whether or not you and your entire team are clear about your company’s top 3 priorities. And not just any priorities – priorities that actually make your business money. When you focus on a few strategic objectives, you’ll actually gain traction toward your revenue goal.   In today’s episode, we continue the Double Your Revenue Challenge with Challenge #2! Donald Miller explains how you can rally your team using Business Made Simple’s Mission Statement Formula. Your challenge today is to review and update your mission statement using that formula – and then make it part of your team’s DNA. Tune in now to get your entire team pulling in the same direction!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge</e

Are you making less money than you thought you would in 2023? You’re not alone. Many business owners believe that less revenue is inevitable right now. But if you believe that you can’t do something to boost your revenue, you’re believing a lie. That’s why we’re inviting you to join us and thousands of business owners in the Double Your Revenue Challenge!   Over the next two weeks, Donald Miller will give you one simple thing each day to increase your revenue upon implementation. By the end of the two weeks, you’ll be positioned to dramatically increase your revenue by the end of the year. Tune in to today’s episode for Challenge #1!   Take action and download the Double Your Revenue Challenge checklist at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Challenge.

Many founders and entrepreneurs write books and become published authors. Why? Because it’s a great way to build credibility, grow your platform, and create awareness for your business! But most business owners also feel at a loss when it comes to getting started.  How will you get published? Do you really have the time to write a book? And how can you know if people will actually buy and read your book?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller pulls back the curtain on his own writing journey and teaches you a step-by-step process that will make writing a book easier. Tune in now to learn 7 tips for writing a book and how becoming a published author isn’t as impossible as it seems!   Ready to turn your book idea into reality? Learn directly from Donald Miller himself in our upcoming Write a Book Workshop. Register now at BusinessMadeSimple.com/WriteABook and join

Are your revenue goals for 2023 slipping away? Don't worry, you're not alone. Join us on August 3, 2023 for the Mid-Year Revenue Accelerator and learn the same steps we used at Business Made Simple to grow into a $15 million operation.   Regain control of your growth and finish the year with more money! Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Acceleratorto register.   --   You've heard us say it over and over again: your job is to invite your customers into a story where they are the hero who wins the day. And that means focusing on their story instead of telling your own! But we're going to let you in on a secret today: There actually is a way you can tell your story without making yourself out to be the hero!   Today we continue our Summer Replay Series, highlighting our top episodes of all time. In today’s replay, Donald Miller talks with

Are your revenue goals for 2023 slipping away? Don't worry, you're not alone. Join us on August 3, 2023 for the Mid-Year Revenue Accelerator and learn the same steps we used at Business Made Simple to grow into a $15 million operation.   Regain control of your growth and finish the year with more money! Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Accelerator to register.   --   Success as a business owner can feel like a double edged sword. You are accomplishing your dream and growing a business you're passionate about, but you're also overworked and overwhelmed. You bear the weight of making sure everything runs as it should, and as your business grows, this becomes an even bigger burden.   Today we continue our Summer Replay Series, highlighting our top episodes of all time. In today’s replay, Donald Miller talks with the founder and CEO of th

Cash flow problems are the number one reason that small businesses fail. If your business is going to stand the test of time, you must have an effective system for managing your business finances. Unfortunately, many business owners are confused by their bookkeeping, don’t understand what’s really happening in their finances, and never have enough money saved for taxes. But it doesn’t have to be that way!   Today we continue our Summer Replay Series, highlighting our top episodes of all time. In today’s replay, you’ll learn a simple cash flow management system using 5 checking accounts. When you learn Donald Miller’s simple framework, you’ll finally have a no-nonsense strategy to manage cash flow with zero confusion or stress. Tune in now to learn the 5-part framework that simplifies managing finances and ensures you never run out of cash!   Go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/cash to access our new cou

Most businesses slow down in the summer – but yours doesn’t have to! Our Summer Replay Series is here to help. You’ll get to hear the episodes our listeners have found most helpful for making an immediate impact on business growth.   Today you can listen to Part 2 of Donald Miller’s conversation with Ryan Deiss, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer. In this value-packed conversation, Ryan breaks down a step-by-step digital marketing strategy to help you generate and convert more leads so you can stay ahead of your competition and make more money this summer. Tune in now!   --   IF YOU'RE SERIOUS ABOUT IMPLEMENTING A PLAN TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS AND REVENUE, FLIGHT SCHOOL IS FOR YOU! JOIN NOW: SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   ORDER DON'S NEW BOO

If you’re like most business owners, summer is full of fun activities – but it’s easy to get complacent and check out when it comes to your business. How can you take a much-needed breather while also continuing to grow your business during the summer months? Our Summer Replay Series is here to help! You’ll get to hear the episodes our listeners have found most helpful for making an immediate impact on business growth.   First up is Part 1 of Donald Miller’s conversation with Ryan Deiss back in the spring of 2021, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer. In this value-packed episode, Ryan breaks down a step-by-step digital marketing strategy to help you generate and convert more leads so you can stay ahead of your competition and make more money this summer.    --   Have

When you need to increase revenue for your small business, what ideas come to mind first? If you're like most business owners, you mind likely gravitates to sales and marketing ideas. But there is actually a ton of untapped revenue in your existing products! More money is in existing customers than new customers.   In today’s conversation, Donald Miller talks with Jennifer Rodriguez, owner of Porter Flower Reserve. She also happens to be Don's sister! Don gives Jennifer ideas on how she can take her existing products and increase her revenue immediately. Listen in to get inspiration for ideas that you can execute on now to increase the money coming through your cash register.   If you want to learn how to optimize your products so they make YOU more money, check out our new course, Product Optimization Made Simple, in the business made simple platform. In the course, Donald Miller will teach you, just like Jennifer, how to examine your products and figure

Ever had a day where you felt unstoppable? It feels like you’re on top of the world and you believe wholeheartedly in what you’re building. But then there are other days when you’re so discouraged you can’t even take out the trash. What’s the difference between those days? Your belief level. Without belief, our productivity levels plummet, our motivation dwindles, and our perspective shrinks.   In today’s conversation, Donald Miller talks with Mignon François, founder and owner of the Cupcake Collection and author of the new book "Made From Scratch: Finding Success Without a Recipe". Mignon shares her mindblowing story of turning a five-dollar bill into a $10M business through the power of faith and hard work. Listen to Mignon’s incredible journey of entrepreneurship and learn how building your belief level can help you overcome obstacles and achieve what seems impossible – in your business and in your life.   Order Mignon's new book at <a href= "http

Trust is like oxygen for your personal and professional relationships. Whether you’re interacting with your spouse, a colleague, or a customer, establishing and maintaining trust is the only way for the relationship to last. But what exactly are the building blocks of trust? And is there any way to rebuild trust if it’s been broken?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Dr. Henry Cloud, acclaimed leadership expert, psychologist, and best-selling author. Dr. Cloud shares insights from his latest book, “Trust: Knowing When to Give it, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken.” Tune in now to learn 5 helpful criteria for trust and 4 specific things you can do to rebuild trust if it’s been broken.   Order “Trust: Knowing When to Give it, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken” at TrustByDrHenryCloud.com or wherever you buy bo

It’s no secret that COVID-19 changed the American workplace. Remote work, Zoom meetings, and using Slack for communication has become the norm and changed the way we do work as a society. But what does all of this mean for business leaders? The reality is, the skills set of a leader has changed since COVID-19, and so has the expectations of work culture.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Seth Godin, best-selling author, renowned entrepreneur, and Marketing Hall of Fame inductee. Seth shares insight from his new book, The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams. You’ll learn how the new landscape of the American workplace requires leaders who trust their employees, embrace turnover, and encourage collaboration and creativity. Tune in now to learn how you can embrace new ways to lead and so you can have happier, more productive team members that bring health and growth to your entire organization.   Order "The Song of Significance" at <

As a business leader, you know what it's like to constantly juggle multiple responsibilities and face the demands of a fast-paced work environment. Your days are filled with meetings, calls, and strategic decisions that require your undivided attention. Time is of the essence, and it feels like you never have enough of it. In this competitive landscape, staying on top of your game requires strategic delegation and effective time management.    In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with the CEO of Belay, Tricia Sciortino, about best practices for hiring and using a virtual assistant. A virtual assistant can help you handle crucial tasks such as scheduling, correspondence, meeting note-taking, and follow-ups to give you back hours of your workweek. With a virtual assistant by your side, you can reclaim precious time and focus on the strategic initiatives that drive your business forward. Tune in now to learn best practices on hiring and using a virtual assistant! <

Continue learning a new way to understand yourself and others in Part 2 of Donald Miller’s conversation with Mike Foster.   --   Humans are complex. But understanding ourselves and others is an essential part of human flourishing. When we don’t engage with our emotions and the emotions of others in a healthy way, we can develop unhealthy patterns of controlling others, people-pleasing, perfectionism, anxiety, and more. As a result, we don’t show up as our best selves in our personal or professional lives.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller continues his conversation with Mike Foster, best-selling author, speaker, and executive coach emp

Small Business Flight School has launched! And to continue the celebration we are offering $275 off when you use promo code FLIGHTSCHOOL275 at SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com. This is a limited time offer only through the week of May 8th, 2023!   If you’re serious about implementing a plan to grow your business and revenue, Flight School is for you! Join now at

Small Business Flight School launches TODAY! Join now at SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   If you want to implement a plan to double your revenue, this is your moment!   Sure, you could keep doing what you’re doing and hopefully grow your revenue at a decent pace.   OR… you could join Small Business Flight School where we’ll help you implement a plan to streamline your business and double your revenue.   If you’re serious about implementing a plan to grow your business and revenue, Flight School is for you! Join now at SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com.   —   Most business owners play it safe when i

Small Business Flight School launches in one week! Join waitlist to get an exclusive discount during launch week at SmallBusinessFlightSchool.com. Small Business Flight School is an elite, 6-month program for small business owners who want to double their revenue.   When you join Flight School, you get…   💥 Access to our 6-month video training series taught by Donald Miller to completely overhaul your business 💥 Actionable workbooks to help you optimize the 6 key parts of your business (Leadership, Marketing, Sales, Products, Operations, and Cash Flow) 💥 Weekly Q&A calls with our team of experienced small business experts  💥 Quarterly live coaching sessions from Donald Miller 💥 Lifetime access to the Flight School community, weekly Q&A calls, and quarterly coaching sessions    If you’re serious about implemen

Most people think that humans fall into one of two categories: you’re either self-disciplined or you’re lazy. But that’s not how humans operate. Even if you’re extremely disciplined in one area of your life, another area of your life might be a mess. For example, you might be incredibly self-disciplined when it comes to working out, but you have terrible habits when it comes to managing your money. How can you grow in self-discipline in the areas that don’t come naturally to you?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Craig Groeschel, pastor of Life.Church and New-York Times best-selling author. Craig shares secrets about self-discipline from his newest book: "The Power to Change: Mastering the Habits That Matter Most". You’ll learn how to change the way you think about self-discipline and discover the secret to forming habits that actually stick. Tune in now and learn how you can experience lasting chan

Don’t need to feel trapped in the day-to-day of growing your small business. Order "How to Grow Your Small Business" and get the 6-step plan proven to help grow your business taking it to the next level.   Order "How to Grow Your Small Business" at GrowYourSmallBusiness.com/Podcast today and get the Making Your First Million video series with your purchase. -- It’s tax season, which means many businesses are about to get a pulse-check on how their money management is going. It’s stressful to get to tax season and realize you don’t have enough money! Unfortunately, this happens to small businesses all the time. How can you ensure you have enough money to cover all of your expenses with enough left over to pay taxes?   Join us for the final episode in our seven-part series based on Donald Miller's new book "How to Gr

Attention small business owners, do you want to take your business to the next level? Well, we have great news for you! Donald Miller's new book "How to Grow Your Small Business" is now available, and it's jam-packed with practical tips and strategies that will help your business thrive.   And if you order the book before April 4, 2023, you'll receive a FREE ticket to our exclusive live virtual event: Business Growth Bootcamp! This 3-hour livestream will feature world-renowned marketers and business leaders, including Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson, and special guest Amy Porterfield. To gain access to this incredible event, simply go to BusinessMadeSimple.com/Bootcamp, enter your receipt number, and you're in! But don't wait, this offer is only available to those who order "How to Grow Your Small Business" before April 4.   Don't wait to take advantage of this amazing opport

Attention small business owners, do you want to take your business to the next level? Well, we have great news for you! Donald Miller's new book "How to Grow Your Small Business" is now available, and it's jam-packed with practical tips and strategies that will help your business thrive.   And if you order the book before April 4, 2023, you'll receive a FREE ticket to our exclusive live virtual event: Business Growth Bootcamp! This 3-hour livestream will feature world-renowned marketers and business leaders, including Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson, and special guest Amy Porterfield. To gain access to this incredible event, simply go to GrowYourSmallBusiness.com, enter your receipt number, and you're in! But don't wait, this offer is only available to those who order "How to Grow Your Small Business" before April 4.   Don't wait to take advantage of

Great news for all small business owners out there! "How to Grow Your Small Business" is now available and it's filled with practical tips and strategies to help you take your business to the next level.   To celebrate our launch, we're offering an exclusive bonus just for our early bird customers. Order your copy of "How to Grow Your Small Business" now and you'll receive the 10x Business Growth Plan - a blueprint of how to 10x your business and achieve rapid, yet sustainable, growth without burnout.    Visit GrowYourSmallBusiness.com/Podcast to order your book and claim your 10x Business Growth Plan bonus today!    --   Research shows that 97% of people distrust salespeople. Why? Because most salespeople try to talk people into buying their product regardless of whether or not the customer needs it.

Great news for all small business owners out there! "How to Grow Your Small Business" is now available and it's filled with practical tips and strategies to help you take your business to the next level.   To celebrate our launch, we're offering an exclusive bonus just for our early bird customers. Order your copy of "How to Grow Your Small Business" now and you'll receive the 10x Business Growth Plan - a blueprint of how to 10x your business and achieve rapid, yet sustainable, growth without burnout.    Visit GrowYourSmallBusiness.com/Podcast to order your book and claim your 10x Business Growth Plan bonus today!    --   Attention small business owners: are you struggling to convert potential customers into actual buyers? It's time to revamp your marketing strategy and focus on creating an effective

Are you ready to take your small business to the next level? Don't miss our upcoming Business Growth Bootcamp, featuring world-renowned marketers and business leaders: Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson, and special guest Amy Porterfield! This 3-hour livestream event on April 4, 2023, will be jam-packed with actionable insights to help you grow your business and increase revenue. Best of all, the event is completely FREE! All you have to do is pre-order a copy of our new book, "How to Grow Your Small Business," and use your receipt number to register at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Bootcamp. We've never offered this much value before, so don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity. Join us for a day of learning, networking, and business growth. Pre-order your copy today and reserve your s

To celebrate the arrival of our new book, How to Grow Your Small Business, we’re hosting our first ever Business Growth Bootcamp on April 4, 2023. In this livestream event, you’ll get 3 action-packed hours of advice from some of the world’s top marketers and business leaders: Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson, and special guest Amy Porterfield!    We’ve never packed this much value into a free event before, and you do NOT want to miss it. To attend, all you have to do is pre-order How to Grow Your Small Business then use your receipt number to register at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Bootcamp for FREE access to our upcoming Business Growth Bootcamp. Can't wait to see you there!   --   11 years ago,

What if you could grow your small business on autopilot? Our new tool will show you how! Access our free PDF compiling all parts of the plane– the steps you need to grow your small business–into one place so you can install a business growth plan that leads to higher revenue, less chaos, and more freedom. Get immediate access to our free PDF at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Autopilot.    --   Do you find yourself bogged down in painstaking details? When you’re in charge of so many menial tasks – whether it’s family-related or work-related – it’s hard to focus on important matters. There’s just not enough time in the day to complete all your work tasks, book your travel arrangements, schedule important meetings, make sure you exercise and spend time with family and friends… A

What if you could grow your small business on autopilot? Our new tool will show you how! Access our free PDF compiling all parts of the plane– the steps you need to grow your small business–into one place so you can install a business growth plan that leads to higher revenue, less chaos, and more freedom. Get immediate access to our free PDF at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Autopilot.    --   Are you a discouraged entrepreneur? You’re not alone. Starting a business comes with a lot of painful setbacks and crippling self-doubt. This can get even worse when you look around and see successful people who don’t seem to be struggling like you are. If that sounds like you, grab a cup of coffee and get ready for some real talk and practical advice from one of the most successful ent

What if you could grow your small business on autopilot? Our new tool will show you how! Access our free PDF compiling all parts of the plane– the steps you need to grow your small business–into one place so you can install a business growth plan that leads to higher revenue, less chaos, and more freedom. Get immediate access to our free PDF at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Autopilot.    --   Have you ever considered leaving your 9-5 to start your own coaching business? Quitting a job with steady income can seem intimidating, but when you know what it takes to successfully launch a coaching business, you realize it’s completely doable. If you’re great at business, desire to help people succeed, and love the idea of working for yourself, becoming a business coach might be the

One of the hardest parts of building a business is hiring the right people. This becomes even more challenging when you’re looking to hire a second in command. You need someone you can trust on a deep level and someone who has the right skills set for the job. If you make the wrong hire in this area, it can be catastrophic for your business and ruin years of hard work.   In today’s episode, guest host Dr. J.J. Peterson, Director of StoryBrand and host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast, talks with Cameron Herold about how to hire the right person for this important leadership role. Cameron is the author of the book "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO" and shares practical tips on hiring a second in command and points out that it doesn’t always mean hiring a COO. Listen in now to learn how you can hire a second in command with confidence and clarity to help scale your business!   Go to Inv

Concerns about the economy are on the rise as the U.S. hit the debt limit last Thursday. If the “extraordinary measures” taken by the Treasury Department aren’t enough, it could create a financial nightmare for many Americans – including small business owners. How can you prepare your small business for the looming economic downturn?   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Alex Hormozi, founder of Acquisition.com and author of best-selling book, $100M Offers: How To Make Offers So Good People Feel Stupid Saying No. Alex shares key tactics for preparing yourself and your business to withstand the financial pressure coming your way. Listen in to learn how managing expectations, adjusting personal finances, and increasing output will help your small business weather the economic storm on the horizon. Follow Alex on Instagram at <a href= "https://www.instagram.com/hormo

What if you could look back on 2023 and say that it was the best, most fun, and rewarding year you’ve ever had? For many of us, our life looks almost the same year after year. No big goals reached, no bucket list items crossed off, and nothing to make the year particularly memorable. If you’re ready to have a stand-out year that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, this episode is for you.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller shares 3 things you can do to have your best year ever both personally and professionally. Instead of giving you a complicated plan that’s hard to follow or takes a lot of time to implement, these 3 things will take you less than an hour to develop and will fit on one sheet of paper. Not only that, they are 100% doable. Listen in now to start transforming 2023 into the most exciting year of your life.   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS:

If you feel like you’ve been trying to achieve “work-life balance” for years and never experiencing it, you’re not alone. Most business leaders have a hard time shutting off work and finding time to focus on other things like time with family, health and fitness, and personal hobbies. But if you constantly live with unhealthy work hours and stress, it can have serious effects on your mental and physical health.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller opens up about how he’s changed his perspective on work-life balance over the years. Instead of viewing work-life balance as a thing to achieve, Don recommends seeing it as a journey of constant self-correction and uncovering the deeper issues driving your behavior. Listen in to learn two self-reflection exercises that can help you refocus your life on what really matters and succeed where it counts the most.   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS

Is your highest business expense people’s salaries? If so, managing people and productivity is vital to your company’s ability to scale. If you want to make your business operationally effective, there are only two options: you either have to decrease the cost of your labor or make your labor more productive. But how can you increase productivity without burning people out?   In today’s one-on-one coaching conversation, Donald Miller gives you the solution to increase productivity while also increasing company morale and employee job satisfaction. You’ll learn how to install 5 strategic meetings that ensure productive labor and protect your team from burnout. When you implement these 5 meetings, your team will be more productive and you’ll have more time to focus on the big picture things that will actually grow your business. Listen in now to learn how to scale your business while energizing your team!   Go to <a href= "https://businessmadesimple.com

Continue to position your marketing and messaging for success heading in the new year with Part 2 of our Marketing Mixtape. In this bonus episode, J.J. and April continue calling out the best marketing takeaways from this year to help you get even more clarity and inspiration going into 2023! Help the Marketing Made Simple Podcast deliver even more value by completing our Hero Maker survey at StoryBrand.com/Survey. Let us know what you're loving and what you're wanting more of in future episodes! Just go to StoryBrand.com/Survey.   Re-listen to the full episodes from Part 2 of our Marketing Mixtape on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:   Marketing Mixtape Part 2 Spotify Playlist <a href= "https://open

Running a business can be exhausting and complex. As a business owner, you have to think about every aspect of your business including sales, finances, marketing, product development, and so much more! If you don’t take a step back every now and then to look at the big picture, you can get so lost in the details that you miss important opportunities for growth.   In today’s episode, we’re sharing the top business growth hacks from our 2022 episodes. You’ll hear clips from four conversations Donald Miller had with four business owners (including Amy Porterfield!) about growing their business. Listen in to these fan-favorite coaching moments so you don’t miss out on key business growth strategies going into 2023!   Re-listen to the full episodes from today's show on Spotify or Apple Podcasts:   Top Business Growth Hacks of 2022 Spotify Playlist

If you’re feeling overwhelmed closing out 2022, you’re not alone! Many business owners and marketers feel the weight of incomplete projects, initiatives that never got started, and stress from trying to keep up with the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing. To make matters worse, you’re not even sure what to prioritize for 2023.   Instead of overworking yourself or getting paralyzed thinking about all there is to do, take a moment to take a step back with us. In this bonus episode of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast, J.J. and April present you with a “Marketing Mixtape” – the best marketing takeaways from our top episodes in 2022. Listen in to learn key marketing strategies from our top guests on the show this year to help you get clarity and inspiration going into 2023!   Re-listen to the full episodes from Part 1 of our Marketing Mixtape on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: <a href= "https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5

If your business didn’t make as much money as you thought it would in 2022, it’s time to perform a profitability audit. Instead of dumping more money into sales and marketing and hoping for better results, you need to take some time to evaluate the foundation of your business: the profitability of your products or services.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller coaches you one-on-one how to perform a product profitability audit. When you understand where your money is truly coming from, you’ll know which products to prioritize and which ones to eliminate. Listen in to learn how to improve your product profitability so your business can make more money in 2023.   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: GrowYourSmallBusiness.com   SUB

No one wants to listen to a boring presentation – and no one wants to be a boring presenter! Yet so many presentations are either uninspiring or completely self-centered. If you fall into either of those ditches, your audience will tune you out and your message won’t get heard.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller coaches you one-on-one through the 7 parts you need to give a great presentation. If you have a big presentation coming up or want to become a better speaker, this episode is for you. Listen in to learn the 7 parts your next presentation needs to immediately win over your audience and make your message more inspiring and impactful.   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: GrowYourSmallBusiness.com   SUBMIT FOR YOUR CHANC

It’s exciting when your business reaches max capacity, but scaling your operation can be challenging. You have to continue to produce at high volume while figuring out how to build infrastructure to produce more. It can feel like a catch-22 for a busy entrepreneur. To make matters worse, you know you’re missing out on a ton of revenue because you can’t meet demand. In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Laura Higgins, founder of 3DayWebsites.co, where Laura and her team create websites for their clients in just 3 days. Laura’s services are in high demand and she's stuck figuring out the best way to expand production in order to keep up. Listen in as Don shares 5 tips on how to scale operations without missing a beat on current business!   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: <a href= "https://businessmades

Are you frustrated with slow growth even though you have a service you know will help your customers? It’s frustrating when your business doesn’t take off, but it’s even more frustrating when you don’t know what you’re doing wrong! If you don’t figure out what’s holding your business back, your business won’t survive long enough to become profitable.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks to Aimee Bennett and Lauren Paradis, founders of Empower Postpartum Physical Therapy. Aimee and Lauren are struggling to grow their business even though they have a service that millions of women need. Listen in as Don helps them reposition their business with a new name idea, a more specific offer for their customers, and fixed pricing for their products. If you’re in a service-based industry, this episode will help you position your services as tangible products, making your customers more likely to buy so you can help more people and your business can grow!   Find

If you’re looking to grow your business FAST, you might be surprised to learn that email marketing is one of the best ways to do that. But there’s a big problem: Most small business owners think they don’t have the time or expertise it takes to write marketing emails. In today’s episode, we’re busting that myth and helping you learn an email framework that’s doable and effective.   In today’s episode, you’ll learn from the email marketing master himself, Donald Miller. Join Don for this concentrated one-on-one masterclass where he shares the 6 emails you can send to generate sales and revenue. Not only will you learn how to write 6 money-making emails, you’ll also get 5 lead generator ideas that will help you capture your ideal customers’ email addresses. If you’re looking to grow your business and want a strategy proven to work quickly, this episode is for you!   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINE

More often than not, small businesses need more money than their businesses are bringing in order to grow and scale. There are options like private equity, venture capital and loans that can help you take the next step. But how do you decide if bringing on an investor is best for your business?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Ryan Filsinger, CEO of Iron Fox Games, and walks him through the pros and cons of different investment options and helps him determine the right path for his business. If you are considering bringing on an investor, or if you're considering investing in a company yourself, this episode is for you!   Find out more about Iron Fox Games at IronFoxGames.com.   --   PRE-ORDER THE NEW BOOK HOW TO GROW YOUR SMALL BUSINESS: <a href= "https://businessmadesimple.com/how-to-grow-your-small-business/"

Do you have customers and a great product but aren’t seeing an increase in cash flow? You might be tempted to create a new product – which might be a good move. But before you do that, you should consider how you can make more money with what you already have! Sometimes, all you need to do is think more creatively about what you’re currently offering your customers.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Elisha Reverby, CEO and Founder of Elique Organics, a luxury plant-based skincare line. Elisha has a loyal customer base and  products people love, but needs to make more cash to keep her business going. Instead of creating a new product, Don suggests adding a subscription service and creating a bundled package to sell. Listen in to learn how these strategies could help your own business make more cash without having to create a brand new product!   Find out more about Elique Organics at Eli

Tune in for this special Halloween “whodunnit” murder mystery episode! Like so many small businesses, Penelope Featherbottom’s business has died. The doors have closed and all that’s left is the carnage of what used to be a thriving soap business. When Business Detective Dr. J.J. Peterson (host of the Marketing Made Simple Podcast) arrives on the scene, he helps Don piece together clues to solve this dreadful mystery so that it never happens to anyone else.   Was the cause of death a mission statement that nobody cared about? Or was it pushy sales tactics and a confusing marketing message? J.J. investigates the tragedy using Business Made Simple’s 6-step framework, finally uncovering the culprit that killed Penelope’s business. Listen in to discover the cause of this horror so that it never happens to you!   --   PRE-ORDER THE N

If you’ve ever thought that hospitality is only for… well, the hospitality industry… think again! Your customers are craving human connection more than ever – whether they’re staying in a hotel or buying a pair of socks. And genuine acts of hospitality don’t have to be extravagant or break the bank to have an impact. In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Will Guidara, James Beard Award winning restaurateur and author of the new book, Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect. James shares how implementing unreasonable hospitality was key in leading to Eleven Madison being voted the best restaurant in the world. He also breaks down how you can start practicing unreasonable hospitality to grow your business and enrich the lives of those around you!   Order Will Guidara's new book, Unreasonable Hospitality, at UnreasonableHospitality.com<

If you have a great line of products but don’t optimize, price and package them strategically, you are leaving money on the table. The truth is, 10% of your customers are willing to pay you 10 times more money if you had the right product or package for them. Every company should think through having an entry-level product, a mid-level product, and an elite-level product for customers with different needs (and pocketbooks!).    In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Dr. Tarun "T-Bone" Agarwal, Owner of 3D Dentists, an educational service helping dentists run a successful dental practice by simplifying both the business and clinical sides of dentistry. Don helps T-Bone think through different tiers of products that could triple his revenue and help him reach his goal of having a wait list for his programs. Listen in to learn how optimizing as well as strategically pricing and packaging your products can help you skyrocket your own revenue!  </

Do you have a great product that people need, but for some reason people aren’t buying it? This is a common problem when you’re just starting out or launching a new product. When customers are confused about the problem your product solves or it sounds too complicated to buy or use, they won’t be motivated to pull out their wallets and buy.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Tyler Robertson, Founder and CEO of Diesel Laptops, a company providing much-needed resources for repairing complex semi-truck engines. With nationwide supply chain issues and the need to get trucks back on the road quickly, why aren’t Tyler’s newest products selling like crazy? Listen in to see what Tyler needs to do differently so you can apply these strategies in your business!   Find out more about Diesel Laptops at DieselLaptops.com.   --   GET A 6-STEP PL

Are you tired of losing sales because you’re fumbling over your words? Your customers deserve to know about your product and services – but unless you know how to communicate the value you offer, people won’t buy from you. Instead of losing sales and feeling tongue-tied, you can learn 6 strategic talking points that will help you approach sales conversations with confidence.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller continues to unpack the new The Customer if the Hero sales framework with this week's guest Jessie Daavettila, CEO & Founder of Raskana, a maternity and baby apparel brand. Jessie faces a common problem when it comes to sales: needing a cohesive, focused message about the problem her product solves. Listen in to learn 5 key talking points that will help you close your next deal, write your next email, or draft your next proposal!   Go to <a href= "http://onlinesalesscript.com/podcast?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=ep92&utm_campaign=

If you’re like most people, you hate being sold to – and you don’t enjoy selling to others, either! But as a small business owner, you have to sell to survive. Selling your products or services shouldn’t feel slimy or nerve-wracking. When you learn our storytelling framework for sales, you can stop pushing products and start inviting customers into a story instead.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller introduces you to the The Customer is the Hero sales framework. When trying to sell, many people make the mistake of positioning themselves as the hero. But what your customers are looking for is a guide who can help! Listen in to learn a 5-step framework that will give you talking points for every sales conversation and help you make your customer the hero while you become the trusted guide who can help them.   Go to Onlin

Are you struggling to find confidence and step out of your comfort zone at work when it comes to growing as a leader and asking for what you want? Today's guest will show you how! In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Karen Laos, author of the book Trust Your Own Voice and host of the podcast, Ignite your Confidence with Karen Laos. Karen shares practical tips on how aspiring leaders can confidently speak up and become a valuable player everyone else wants to hear from.   First, Karen encourages you not to be afraid to be the first to speak. This gets any nerves out of the way and positions you as a confident leader, even if you’re just making an observation. Second, Karen recommends using the phrase “here’s my vote” as an unapologetic, straightforward way to share an idea or recommendation. Lastly, Karen shares how being thoughtfully concise will make you stand out as a communicator. Listen now and use these strategies in your next business meeti

Are you a leader or executive in your company? If so, you’re one of the biggest expenses in your business. You’re also one of the most sought-after people in your company. This creates a problem: you need to use your time extremely wisely, but you’re constantly being pulled in multiple directions. If you don’t learn practical strategies to protect your time, your work (and life!) will suffer from constant overwhelm and frustration.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller coaches you one-on-one from his own personal productivity and decision-making playbook so you will always know what to prioritize and what to say no to. Listen in to learn 5 strategies you can immediately use to improve your personal productivity and efficiency: 1) Let plates fall 2) Limit people’s access to you 3) Keep correspondences short 4) Get a personal assistant 5) Use a project manager. When you learn to protect your time and stop feeling guilty about it, you’ll actually get more done, escape overw

Are you struggling to adapt to a recent change in your life or business? No matter what your personality type, research shows that people move through 4 stages when a massive disruption occurs: 1) Panic 2) Adaptation 3) New Normal 4) An “I wouldn’t go back” moment where you no longer wish for the old normal. Your adaptability depends on how efficiently you can move through those four phases and how much belief you have that your “I wouldn’t go back” moment is coming.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine, a startup advisor, podcast host, and author of the new book Build for Tomorrow. Listen in to learn how you can move through unexpected changes with poise and use them as opportunities to grow and innovate.   Order Build for Tomorrow now at JasonFeifer.com/Book, Amazon or wherever you buy books.    --</p

If you started a company, you probably have the personality of an entrepreneur. Which means you don’t like running day-to-day operations! Visionaries are at their best when they can dream up ideas and launch new initiatives – not when they are bogged down in the details of running an operation. It makes sense for entrepreneurs to run things for a while, but it can end up hurting your business and frustrating your team if you stay in that seat too long.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks to Toby Walters, Owner and founder of ChurchGear, a company that certifies and resells used AV equipment to churches. Toby knows he isn't the best operator for his business and is struggling to find someone he can trust (and pay!) to take over. Listen in as Don talks through exactly how to craft a clear job description for the role, what kind of person to look for, and how to set the relationship up for success.   Learn more about Toby Walters

Are you looking to scale your startup? If you’re like most entrepreneurs, you have two major obstacles to growth: limited time and how to best differentiate your product in the marketplace. In today’s episode, Donald Miller coaches Anna Belle and Lila Mae Skidmore, owners and founders of Granola’d, a company selling gluten-free granola, through how they can scale their startup.    At only 17 and 20 years old, Lila Mae and Anna Belle are already growing their company but still need help with strategy, time management, and product positioning. Listen in to learn how being ruthlessly efficient, hiring a virtual assistant, and getting your messaging right can turn your startup into a million-dollar company – all without working 80 hours a week!   Order gluten free granola that actually tastes great at Granolad.com.   --   TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF RUNNING YO

Did you know that your brain spends 30% of its time daydreaming? But not when your mind is engaged in a story. When you’re emotionally connected to the plot points of a story, your brain focuses fully on that story. In today’s special episode, Donald Miller presents the power of story to business students at Baylor University and teaches them how to use the art of story in the marketplace.   If you want to grow your ability to influence those around you, engage your customers, build trust, and grow your business, this episode will show you how. And be sure to share this special episode with your favorite college student!   --   TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR ON-DEMAND COURSES: BusinessMadeSimple.com   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: <a href= "htt

Entrepreneurs are wired to constantly come up with new ideas. But sometimes creative juices can cause your business to get pulled in multiple directions, making you a jack of all trades and a master of none. Even worse, it kills your company’s potential to hone in on the products and services that actually boost revenue.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with board-certified art therapist, Jocelyn Fitzgerald, about how a controlling idea can help her take advantage of the opportunities right in front of her. Don and Jocelyn discover that there’s a product she’s already selling that could massively impact her bottom line when she applies the concept of a controlling idea. Listen in to discover how a controlling idea can help you stay focused and not overlook the business opportunities right under your nose.   Learn more about Jocelyn Fitzgerald at JocelynFitzgerald.com.  

Having trouble being seen as an authority in your niche? No matter what you’re selling, if you don’t position your products correctly, you’ll lose credibility and stunt the growth of your business. To own market share, you’re going to have to do one thing extremely well: be known for solving a very specific problem – and it may not be the problem you have in mind!    In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Walter & James Miltenberger, brothers and business owners who run Syft, a company serving people in the resale and flipping industry. Listen in as they discuss how being more specific about the problem they solve can build their authority and bring massive growth to their business. Find out how specificity can help you become more of an authority in your niche, too!   Learn more about Walter and James' business at Syftapp.io.   --   TAKE THE M

The economy has many business owners on edge. How can you recession-proof your company? One key way is to make sure your marketing is strong and effective. The right marketing strategy has the power to make your business thrive and grow, even in an economic downturn.    In today’s episode, Donald Miller shares some marketing tips that every business owner should implement. These tactics can help you boost your revenue and carry you through a disruption in the economy. Listen in and discover how a menu of products, creating a sales funnel, and setting financial goals can help you make more money no matter what's going on in the economy.   Get immediate access our new How to Grow a Great Marketing Business 10-Step Checklist at GrowYourMarket

What if you had recurring revenue that covered most (if not all) of your monthly expenses? Anything on top of that would be pure profit. If your business is seasonal or has a highly fluctuating monthly cash flow, a subscription model could help you stabilize your revenue stream and cover your monthly overhead.   In today’s coaching conversation, Donald Miller sits down with Jacob Bradley, CEO and owner of PsychTalent, a company that recruits clinicians for their clients. Jacob’s biggest challenge is that his only stream of revenue is inconsistent – some months bring in a lot of money, while other months are pretty thin. Listen in as Don coaches Jacob through creating a subscription model you can also use to generate additional recurring revenue in your own business!   --   TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS WITH OUR ON-DEMAND COURSES: BusinessMadeSimple.com</s

When you have extra money in the bank, you should reinvest it in your company. But how do you know where to invest when there are many areas that need attention? Instead of sitting on your profit with uncertainty or putting money in the wrong places, you want to pour cash in strategic growth areas.   In today’s episode, Donald Miller talks with Rebekah Scott of Rebekah Scott Designs, a luxury handbag brand that allows women to design their own purses. In 2020, Rebekah reinvested some of her profit in a business initiative that flopped. Listen in as Rebekah and Don discuss reinvesting principles that provide results, not regrets. As you’ll see in today’s coaching session, disciplined investing in sales, marketing, and products will keep your business strong and growing!   Find out more about Rebekah's custom bags at ShopRSD.com and 1948Leather.com. Use prom

Is your business stuck making the same revenue as last year? No matter what industry you’re in, expanding or changing a product or service could be the boost you need. A strategic pivot can help you tap into a new area of the market and ignite the growth you’ve been looking for.   In today’s coaching session, Donald Miller talks with Scott Mueller, president and owner of Mueller Memorial Funeral Homes, about a new product spinoff for his business. Like many business owners in America, narrow margins have made it hard for Scott to take his business to the next level. Listen in to learn how pivoting a product could add millions to your bottom line.   --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    TAKE THE MYSTERY OUT OF RUNNING YOUR BU

Many business owners find their personalities are tightly bound to their company's marketing, especially thanks to social media. On one hand, this can allow your customers to feel a connection to you and your brand. However, it also can act as an open invitation to for people to criticize you and, at times, even your family. So the question is how authentic and vulnerable should you be over social media? What is the right balance of authenticity to ensure you don't lose customers?   In today's episode, Donald Miller talks with personal branding expert Jenna Kutcher. Jenna is the host of the Goal Digger Podcast and author of the new book How Are You Really? - Living Your Truth One Answer at a Time. If you are struggling to find the balance around how to be authentic in a way that helps your brand, without alienating your loved ones or customers, you find those answers in today's episode.   Order Jenna Kutcher's new book, How Are You Really?,</

What would you do if your boss gave you the opportunity to buy the company? It's a huge decision, and hard to know where to even begin evaluating if it's a good investment for you. Today's episode will give you the key questions to ask and things to look out for so you enter negotiations confident and prepared.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Ray Martindale, a video producer who was recently offered the option to buy the company where he works. But having never owned a company, Ray wants to be positive he's making the right decision.   If you've ever been offered to buy a company you didn't start or are even thinking about starting your own company, today's episode will set you up for success.   --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast 

As a consultant, customers are paying for your expertise. The problem is how can you scale if your business model limits your services to one-on-one interactions? You could charge more but that's only a temporary fix. What's the long term approach you should take?   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Alexis Alvarez, CEO of Burst Event Company. Alexis hopes to grow her wedding planning business by offering customers more one-on-one options but is nervous about the overhead that comes with bringing on more event planners. She also doesn't want to self-sabotaging her big ticket services by offering ones at a lower price. If your business is centered around consulting, today's conversation will provide the steps you need to get back your time, scale the right way and increase revenue!   Learn more about Burst Event Company at BurstWeddings.com.    --   <p class="p1"

You've heard us say it over and over again: your marketing should invite your customers into a story where they are the hero. And this means focusing on their story instead of telling your own. But we're going to let you in on a secret today. There actually is there a way you can tell your brand's story. You just have to make it all about your customer and solving their problem.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Eddie Zingleman, owner and furniture maker at Tennessee Woodworks. Don coaches Eddie through how he can utilize his unique story to grow his business, all while playing the guide and not the hero, even in his story.   If you are struggling to figure out how you can incorporate your story into your marketing and messaging without playing the hero, today's conversation will show you how.   Check out Eddie Zingleman's amazing work at TennesseeWoodworks.com

When it comes to growing your business, it's easy to fill up a list with potential great ideas. What's hard is deciding which ones to implement and when, especially if you only have the time and money to go with one.   In this episode, Donald Miller walks Jeff Stoner, co-owner of My Mickey Vacation Travel, through the decision-making process of choosing the next strategic initiative for his business. Don also coaches Jeff on how to "market for the moment," shifting resources and taking advantage of key points in time in your industry where you can more easily boost your lead numbers.   If you're running a business and aren't sure what your next big project should be, this episode is for you.   Explore the vacation services Jeff and his team have to offer at MyMickeyVacation.com.   --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAS

One of the questions we get asked the most at Business Made Simple is "Can you apply these frameworks to help grow nonprofits?" The simple answer: YES! And in today's episode, Donald Miller will show you how as he coaches Breanna Owen of Beza Threads, a nonprofit selling handcrafted leather goods to fight human trafficking around the world.   If you're tired of hitting a wall when it comes to growing your nonprofit and engaging with more active donors, today's conversation will show you the best way forward.    Go to BezaThreads.org and use promo code BMS15 for 15% off your next purchase.   --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast    APPLY TO BECOM

Starting and growing a business can't happen in a vacuum. You need supporting players to help foster your dream into a reality. But what happens when the people you brought on to grow your company decide they want to leave? Even more importantly, how can you manage their exit so it's smooth and constructive?   This scenario is very familiar in the walls of Business Made Simple as Don talks with Tim Schurrer, former Business Made Simple COO and author of The Secret Society of Success. Don and Tim discuss how they both worked through Tim's exit and how to create an environment that fosters positive, healthy exits in your business. They also discuss Tim's venture into building a personal platform and his new view on success. If you've never been sure how to constructively manage employees departures, listen in to today's conversation.   Order The Secret Society of Success now at https://amzn.to/3wvujDU

Your website is the front door to your business, and you only have a few seconds to win over a customer before they either engage with your brand or move on. That's why it's crucial that your website is clear and simply explains how you will help your potential customer solve a problem to make their life better.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Sam, a retired law enforcement officer starting up a personal protection agency. Don helps Sam craft his brand and message so it is completely clear to any future customers. If you are too close to your message or don't quite know how to talk about what you do so people get excited to buy your products, you're going to love today's coaching conversation.   Learn more about Sam's business at TheAVWay.com.   --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: <a href= "https:

As a business owner, starting a business from nothing can feel like solving an impossible mystery. But with the right frameworks and insight you can remove that mystery to create a business not only survives, but thrives. Today we've brought on special guest and online marketing expert Amy Porterfield, host of the Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast, to compare notes with Donald Miller around how they built their businesses narrowing down the seven steps you should take to start and grow a strong and successful business from the ground up.   Find out more about Amy Porterfield and listen to the Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast at AmyPorterfield.com. --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: BusinessMadeSimple.com/Podcast   </

Many artists don't believe they're competent at business or feel thinking about their art as a business might cheapen it. But whether you're an author, painter, musician or produce any other type of creative work, without steady cash flow, it's nearly impossible to get your work in front of the world. It's only when you think of your art as a product you sell that you can truly market and get in front of the right audience.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Raj Lulla, an up-and-coming novelist trying to figure out how to best market and sell his upcoming book. If you are an artist, want to become an artist, or know of an artist struggling to get their name out there and create art for a living, you're going to love today's coaching conversation.   Find out more about Raj Lulla and his upcoming book The Caring House at RajLulla.com.   --  

You started your business to follow your passion, to fill a need or even to accomplish a mission. But exactly how can you inspire customers to buy into that mission and buy your products?    In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Tara Hurster, founder of the TARA Clinic in Sydney, Australia. Her mission is providing busy and successful people help as they try to regain control over substance use and addiction, all while leaving guilt and shame behind. Don coaches Tara on exactly where she should clarify her marketing efforts and what immediate products she needs to offer so her mission is positioned to call customers to action allowing her to fuel her business with cash.   If your business is like an airplane, this episode is all about the right engine (your marketing and messaging) and your wings (your products). If your business is fueled by a mission to change the world, today's conversation will show you how to use that mi

As a leader it's easy to feel the pressure of needing to make every decision. It's also easy to fall into the trap of dismissing other people's ideas thinking your way is best. In fact, leaders who lead by force not only erode confidence within their company but can ultimately push it to failure. So how can you lead with authority while still being inclusive and open-minded?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with David Novak, founder and CEO of David Novak Leadership and co-author of Take Charge of You. David is also the co-founder and retired CEO of Yum! Brands, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies including KFC, Pizza Hut, and Taco Bell. Throughout the conversation, David shares his incredible insight coaching you how to identify if you're holding your company back as a leader then shows you exactly how to develop one of the most powerful tools every successful leader needs: self awareness.   If your business is built like an ai

The pandemic shifted business in a huge way. As things start to return back to normal, many businesses are stuck trying to get back to where they were pre-pandemic or even trying to figure out what a new normal looks like.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with David Bron, owner of Praxis Learning International, a summer camp program for international students. Don coaches David on what steps he needs to take to breathe life back into his once thriving business and how you can too.   If your business is built like an airplane, this episode is all about the right engine, or your marketing and messaging. If you are eager to let your customers know you are back in business, finally escape out of the pandemic slump and re-enter back into a state of growth, this episode is for you!   Learn more about Praxis Learning International at PraxisLearningInternational.com

When it comes to future-casting, business leaders often try to think of the next big product they can create or service they can offer. But what if your next opportunity to bring in more revenue is actually right in front of you? If you want to keep your costs low, profits high, and avoid overworking your employees, you need to work smarter, not harder.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Kristin "KB" Newton, founder and CEO of Heart Convos, a business that gives you the framework you need to foster healthy and strong friendships. Don coaches KB through how she can find new products among what she's already offering and how you can too.   If your business is like an airplane, this episode is all about the wings, or your products. If you want to discover more ways to make money with the products and services you already have without adding any additional work load, this episode is for you!   Learn more about Heart Con

Last week's conversation was all about honing in on the problem you solve for customers because when your product is the solution to a problem, its value doubles immediately. But what if you're focusing on the wrong problem?   In this coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Adam Jones, a comedic stage hypnotist, about how he needs to rethink the problem he solves for his clients so he can always be front of mind and book more gigs!   If your business like an airplane, this episode is all about the right engine, or your marketing. If you are struggling to hone in on the actual problem you solve for customers, today’s coaching conversation is for you!   To book Adam Jones for your next event, go to SquawkLikeAChicken.com.    --   SUBMIT FOR A CHANCE TO GET COACHED ON THE PODCAST: <a href= "https://businessmadesimple.co

Do you think of your product or your business as a solution to a problem? If your product is the solution to a problem, your product's value doubles immediately. But if you're in a crowded market, how do you set yourself apart and get more customers?   In this coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Kaytlyn Wells, physical therapist and owner of Beyond Repair. Don coaches Kaytlyn on how to define her brand identity and own the problem her business solves in the market.   If your business like an airplane, this episode is all about the right engine, or your marketing. If you are struggling to craft a strong brand identity and define what specific problem your product solves for your customers, today’s coaching conversation will give you the answers you're looking for!   Learn more about Kaytlyn Wells at BeyondRecoveryPT.com.    --   <span

So many small businesses feel stuck when it comes to their revenue. Year after year they keep making the same amount, and no matter what they try, it doesn't seem to grow. How do you break out of a revenue rut?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with balloon artist Natalie Teabo, owner of Hello Sunshine Balloons, who feels stuck in what her business is currently making. Don coaches Natalie on how she can triple or even quadruple her prices to not only keep her business afloat (no pun intended) but also grow it.    If your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the wings, or your products. If you are constantly struggling to build demand and get customers to see the value of your products, then today’s coaching conversation is for you.    Learn more about Hello Sunshine Balloons at <a href=

Your business needs highly trained individuals to serve your clients well. But hiring top talent is expensive, and businesses often wonder how they can pay well and still keep the business afloat, especially when they have looming overhead expenses as well.   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Michael Remole, CEO and Founder of Gateway Family Services of Illinois, a mental health organization providing services including equine assisted therapy. Don coaches Michael on how he can attract, retain and compensate the highly specialized workforce his practice needs to thrive.   If your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the body, or your overhead. If you are struggling to attract and retain top talent while also struggling to offer a competitive salary, this episode will give you a path forward and some much needed relief.   Learn more about Gateway Family Services at <a href= "https://www.gatewayfa

As a soloprenuer, you are used to doing everything yourself. But as a team of one there's only so much you can do to scale your business. So when it comes to growth, how do you create a strategy for expanding your team that doesn't inflate your overhead, grows your revenue, and utilizes your time and talents to the fullest?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Laurelyn Dexter, owner of My Brand Photographer, a business that helps female entrepreneurs grow their businesses through strategic brand photography, and coaches her on how to make a strategic first hire that makes her business scalable.   If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the body (overhead) and wings (products). After listening, you will have a clear idea how to bring on a new team member to increase the strength of your wings without adding more weight to the body of your plane.   Learn more about Laurelyn Dexter and My B

As a leader, you’re committed to making a difference, leaving a mark, and making the world a better place. But when it comes to moving things forward, does it often seem like you’re fighting an uphill battle against broken systems, impossible demands, and unreasonable people?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Tim Arnold, leadership expert and author of the new book Lead with And, to coach you to move beyond the traditional Either/Or approach to solving problems and embrace the transformational power of Both/And thinking.   If your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about the cockpit! After today's conversation will help you learn how to rise above polarity, division, and conflicting values and gain the courage to lead with AND.   Order Tim Arnold's new book Lead with And at LeadWithAnd.com.   --   Have you ever created a ne

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.   In the final part of this limited series, Donald Miller talks about the last and most important character in every story- the hero. Playing the hero improves our stories dramatically, but how do we get there? In this episode, Donald walks you through how to embody heroic energy to take control of your life, craft your own meaningful life story, and rise up with courage to change our circumstances.   Dive deeper into crafting a life story filled with meaning and order Hero on a Mission on Amazon, Audible,

When it comes to selling your products, they need to be in demand and profitable. But what about if you are the product? How can you strategize and build a personal brand that is both in demand and profitable?   In this episode, Donald Miller coaches Shanera Williamson, founder and podcast host of Brown Mama Bear, a personal brand centered around helping mothers raise brown children in white spaces. Don coaches her on a step-by-step plan to grow her audience and build engagement.   If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about building the airplane! After today you will have a clear path on how to build a personal brand as well as what's needed to grow and sustain it.   Learn more about Brown Mama Bear and listen to Shanera's new podcast at BrownMamaBear.com.   --   Are you stuck trying to grow your amazing business

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.   Every story includes four basic characters: a hero, villain, victim and guide. Do you know which character you're playing in your life? Unfortunately, more often than we'd like to admit, it's easy for us to default to villain energy, making others feel small or talking about them behind their backs. We get stuck wishing for our friends and colleagues to fail, or worse yet, paint them as villains all so we can find comfort from our own insecurities. Being a villain might give us that temporary dopamine hit, but will always act

Customers are buying your product. They're loving it. ... Then what? As a business, is your job done now? We'll go ahead and give you the answer. If you're not equipping your customers to share about your products after they buy, you're leaving a ton of money on the table.   In this episode, Donald Miller coaches Connor Meakin, founder of Blue Bird Provisions, on how to create marketing that gives your customers everything they need to share about your product, turning them into a sales force for your company. If you thought word-of-mouth marketing was dead, lean in and listen to this episode.   If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about your right and left engines, your marketing and sales, and after today you will know how to build and implement your marketing so it's not only captivating but moves your customers to spread the word!   Go to BlueBirdPr

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.   Every story includes four basic characters: a hero, villain, victim and guide. Do you know which character you're playing in your life? We often play the victim when we feel overwhelmed with our to-do lists or stuck at our jobs. But unlike true victims who do need our help, a victim mentality is a temporary state that can actually be avoided.   In part four of our series, Donald Miller breaks down how you can take control of your own life, escape the victim mentality, and transform into a hero on a mission. <

Success as a business owner can feel like a double edged sword. You are accomplishing your dream and growing a business you're passionate about, but you're also doing so much, feeling constantly overwhelmed by the weight of making sure everything runs as it should.   Today's coaching guest finds herself here. Renee Thompson is the founder and CEO of the Healthy Workforce Institute, an organization eradicating bullying and incivility inside the healthcare system. In this episode, Donald Miller coaches Renee on how to evaluate which tasks are the most important and truly need your attention to avoid overworking yourself. After all, if you break yourself, you won't be able to fix what's broken in the world.   If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is continuing to show you how to strengthen your wings, or your products, so you can stop living in a state of chaos and actually find time to take a break.   Learn

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.   In part three of our series, Donald Miller breaks down how to create a morning routine that gives every day meaning, all from his new book Hero on a Mission. Donald walks through the steps to take to propel you towards a meaningful life, including starting your day by reading your eulogy (trust us on this one), reviewing your vision for the future, and knowing exactly what you want to accomplish. Today's conversation will show how to begin each day with intention and purpose.    When you order Hero O

It's inevitable; even the most successful businesses eventually hit a plateau. So how do you avoid losing the momentum that grew your business from the ground up?   Today's coaching guest, Gabe Helguera finds himself here. Gabe is the founder and CEO of Drum Beats Online, a subscription-based platform helping drummers level-up their skills. In this episode, Donald Miller coaches Gabe on how to keep his business growing towards his next goal.   If you think of your business like an airplane, this coaching conversation is all about how to strengthen your wings, or your products, helping you level up and reach seven figures!   Learn more about Gabe Helguera and his amazing business at DrumBeatsOnline.com.   --   Are you stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to <a href= "http://businessmadesimple.com/Podcast"

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.   In part two of our series, Donald Miller talks through the exercise of writing your own eulogy, all from his new book Hero on a Mission. While it may seem morbid, writing your eulogy while you're alive actually gives direction how you should spend your time each day and how you truly want to spend the rest of your life. You'll find that determining how you want your story to end acts as the perfect filter to help make decisions on living a life that gives you true meaning and purpose.   When you preorder

Do you have life experiences that feel too valuable not to share with the world? Or have you figured something out in you business you know other business owners struggle with? Writing a book is great way to not only share your valuable story, but also give your business an extra dose of fuel. While it may seem like it's in a different lane, publishing a book helps strengthen several parts of your airplane - your marketing engine, your sales engine, and even your leadership in the cockpit.   But where do you even begin? In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller gives Kirbee Miller, owner of KiNiMi Kitchen, a step-by-step plan for how to start writing her first book. If you're ready to share what you have to offer with the world, today's episode is for you.   Learn more about Kirbee Miller and order some of her delicious one-of-a-kind popcorn at KiNiMiKitchen.com/Shop. You can clao follow Kirbee

When it comes to your own personal story and experiencing a meaningful life, do you feel like things are coming up short? Even if you have a packed schedule, you might still wake up feeling restless, bored or even hopeless. Know that you are not alone. Too many people have lost interest in their own stories. But in this Business Made Simple six-part limited series, we want to help you change that. We want to help you become a hero on a mission.   In part one of our series, Donald Miller shows you how to find purpose in your life's story, all from his new book Hero on a Mission. If you're ready to wake up every morning interested in your own life, your own business, and your own story, then lean in and listen to how you can discover a deeper sense of meaning.   When you preorder Hero On a Mission on Amazon, Audible, or wherever you buy books, you'll also get free instant access to Donald Miller's limited video series How to Transform

For some business owners, the mission behind the business is what truly drives them, and at the end of the day, means more to them than making a profit. However, as a business, you have to make money to stay operational and actually sustain the mission. So how do you do both successfully? First, you need to incorporate your mission into your products. Second, you need to market your mission and your products consecutively.   Think of it this way: if your business is like an airplane, your products are your wings, and it's imperative they are strong and stable so you can make it to your destination. If not, your business will crash!    In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Abra Kinkopf, founder of L.A. America by Mux. Abra designs and sells high end t-shirts to support her mission of saving and preserving Kaqchikel, a Guatemalan language, from dying out. If you run a mission-based business but feel like you're headed into a nose dive,

Most of us are bored with the story we’re living. We’ve lost interest in our own lives, and as a result, we spend our days feeling anxious, restless or just flat out hopeless. But what if you stopped trusting fate to write the story of your life and started living like a character in an interesting story? Our new six-part limited podcast series, Hero on a Mission, will help you do just that! In this preview of an upcoming episode, host Donald Miller walks you through creating a morning ritual so you know exactly how you should be spending each day.    Just follow the Business Made Simple Podcast feed and every Thursday starting January 6th for six weeks we will unpack what you need to do to create a life plan that finally lets you live everyday with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.    If you are ready to stop l

2021 was quite the ride, especially for businesses, and we’re honored you took the journey with us! Before we say goodbye to 2021, let’s look back on some of the most valuable and insightful moments from this year.   First, we return to episode one, where you learned how to build your business like an airplane so it flies far and fast. Then we’ll revisit the most valuable bites from conversations with:   John Lee Dumas (Episode #12) - How to Create a Content Production Plan   Ryan Deiss (Episode #19 & 20) - Start creating an Amazing Digital Marketing Strategy   Erin Meyer (Episode #34) - How to Give Freedom to Your Team and Still See Amazing Results   Hala Taha (Episode #37) - Why You Need an Internship Program and How to Build a Great One   --   If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can give you a customized plan to fix it. Just go

Most of us are bored with the story we’re living. We’ve lost interest in our own lives, and as a result, we spend our days feeling anxious, restless or just flat out hopeless. But what if you stopped trusting fate to write the story of your life and started living like a character in an interesting story? Our new six-part limited podcast series, Hero on a Mission, will help you do just that!    Just follow the Business Made Simple Podcast feed and every Thursday starting January 6th for six weeks we will unpack what you need to do to create a life plan that finally lets you live everyday with a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.    If you are ready to stop leaving your life up to fate and rediscover true purpose and meaning, the Hero on a Mission limited podcast series is exactly what you need. Just follow the Busi

When it comes time to expand and grow, companies often rush to create new products that inflate their overhead. But in order to stay in business, doubling your costs means you must also double your profits. If you don't it could send everything into a tailspin. Think of it this way: if your business is like an airplane, your products are your wings. They need to be strong and stable to support your overhead, or the body of your airplane. If not, your business will crash!    In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Courtney Jacobsen and Kylie Mimitz, co-owners of The School of Dance in Salt Lake City, all about how to grow their product offerings without bloating their overhead. If you want to start looking at how you can serve customers and make more profit all within your current business model, lean in and listen to today's episode!   Learn more about The School of Dance in Salt Lake City at <a href= "https://www.theschoolofdancesl

After a customer purchases a product from you, what's next for them? You could call it a day and let that customer drop off. Or you could create a path for them to discover their next purchase from you. Creating a product funnel and guiding your customers through it is a key way to turn one-time purchasers into lifelong customers, generating sustainable revenue for your company.   Think of it this way: if your business is like an airplane, your products are your wings. They need to be strong and stable or your business will crash! In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Trevor and David Muir, two brothers behind TheInternUniversity.com, all about how to create an amazing product funnel. If your products are struggling to keep your business in the air, lean in and listen to today's episode!   Find out more about Trevor and David Muir's business at <a href= "https://www.thei

Let's start with the bad news. If you're attempting to target anyone and everyone as a potential customer, your business will never be known for anything. But here's the good news! When you nail down exactly who your customer is and become super specific in telling them exactly what problem you can solve for them, your business will fly far and fast.   This is what today's episode is all about. Our guest, Stephanie Gray, is a corporate trainer who originally came to us needing help strategizing how to grow her client list. But in her coaching conversation with Donald Miller, an entirely new career path was revealed! If you are struggling to get specific with the problem you solve for customers, lean in and listen, because today's coaching conversation with Stephanie Gray is for you.   --   Are stuck trying to grow your amazing business everyone should know about? We can help! Go to Busines

You may take pride in wearing your heart on your sleeve when interacting with your team, feeling it comes across as transparent and honest. The trouble is even though you may have the best intentions, your impact could be leaving team members feeling judged or dismissed. And, even more troubling, it could be holding you and your company back! Today we talk with Tom Henschel, executive coaching expert and host of The Look & Sound of Leadership Podcast, all about how to navigate the gap between intention and impact and how you can strengthen what Tom refers to as your "executive presence."   Listen to Tom Henschel on The Look & Sound of Leadership Podcast wherever you stream podcasts. Access Tom's free resources to help jumpstart your executive presence at EssentialComm.com.   --   If you are struggling to discover the problem that's keeping your business from growing, we can

Solopreneur- we applaud you. You’ve worked hard, started a business, and grown it to where it is today. Now you’re ready to take the next step! ... Except you’re stuck. And because you alone continue to act as the “secret sauce” powering everything inside your business, you never see the light of day. To take the next step in scaling your business and avoiding burnout, you must first figure out how to scale yourself!   Today's guest, Katherine Kelly of KatherineKellyDesign.com, knows this all too well. Katherine is the "secret sauce" powering her very successful stationary business but is finding it harder and harder to grow when she's stuck doing everything herself. Donald Miller coaches Katherine (and you!) how to give up the need to control all aspects of the business, develop ways to automate, and staff her liabilities to finally gain back the freedom needed to continue dreaming and growing.   O

Over the last year, podcasts have exploded in popularity, becoming a powerful marketing tool. Podcasts are a great way to engage with and build your customer base, but starting one can seem like a huge undertaking. That's exactly why we invited Hala Taha, host of the Young and Profiting podcast and founder of YAP media, back to the show. She joins Donald Miller to coach you through developing a podcast strategy from start to finish. Hala also reveals which social platform you and your business need to be utilizing to increase engagement and strengthen your customer base.     Find out more about Hala's Young and Profiting podcast and YAP Media at YoungAndProfiting.com/Yap-Media.   --   Join Don and Tyler Ginn, Business Made Simple's VP of Sales & Marketing, for a Live Coaching Q&A on How to Drive Sales Using Social Media, Thursday, November 18th. Business Made Simple memb

You know your business is supposed to be on social media, right? So you keep showing up there, posting randomly, spending time and money trying to connect with customers. But if you’re honest, all of your social media efforts don't seem to be leading to more customers or more revenue.   It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s possible to use social media to connect with prospective customers, add new email addresses to your list, and ultimately drive more revenue for your business. In today’s conversation, Donald Miller and Tyler Ginn, Vice President of Marketing and Sales at Business Made Simple, break down the four things that most companies do wrong on social media and tell you exactly how to fix it.   Join Don and Tyler for a member-exclusive Q&A livestream on How to Drive Sales Using Social Media, Thursday, November 18th. Business Made Simple members get free access! If you're not a Business Made Simple member, go to <a href= "https://busin

How can you build your business when you have nothing? Nothing in the bank, nothing left in your fuel tank and nothing much to work with. Believe it or not, there’s a way. That’s why we invited Mignon Francois, founder and CEO of The Cupcake Collection, to share her story of how she started a business at one of the lowest points in her life and grew it into a $15 million empire! If you’re feeling like there’s no way you could ever succeed in your business, Mignon’s story of resilience and reinvention will give you some much needed inspiration.   P.S. If you’re feeling bored with life and are ready to start living with meaning and purpose, just like Mignon, pre-order Donald Miller’s new book, Hero On A Mission (available January 11, 2022). In this book, Donald Miller offers you practical steps you can follow to experience a deep sense of meaning every single day of your life. If you’re tired of living life on autopilot and are ready to make a serious change in

With the holidays just around the corner, is your business ready to make the most of it? In this week’s conversation, Joshua DuBois, co-founder and CEO of Gauge.ai, returns, packing a powerful punch with his top three predictions for quarter 4. He’ll coach you on how to best position your business so it’s ready to take on your customer’s problems head-on into the new year!     Find out more about Joshua DuBois and how he and his team can help your business get ahead at Gauge.ai.   --   If you need help assessing what’s wrong with your business, you can hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach at HireACoach.com. We certify the best business coaches in the world who can help you figure out exactly what’s wrong with your business then give you the tools y

Are your employees always busy, but your business still doesn’t seem to move forward? Do you feel like you’re always stuck micromanaging? Without a management and execution system, this is the arena you can expect to play in. But if you want employees who are focused, productive, and happy in their jobs, then today’s conversation is for you! Donald Miller and Tim Schurrer, Vice President of Talent Management and Culture at Business Made Simple, coach you through the simple but effective management and execution framework you need to empower your employees, stay out of the weeds and leave you feeling confident as a leader knowing your team is tracking toward your big goals.   Get access to the upcoming Business Made Simple Live Coaching event: Management & Execution: Master a Simple System to Manage Any Team on Thursday, October 21 at 10a (CT). Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com and register now

Creating and nurturing customer relationships is key to growing your business. You must know where they are in their journey to buying your product so you can easily guide them to the sale. But managing it all can be overwhelming and exhausting which is exactly why you need a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. Speaking from experience, implementing a CRM system helped grow StoryBrand and Business Made Simple to over $15 million! Today we are joined by Clate Mask who is co-founder and CEO of Keap, a leading CRM platform. Clate will coach you on how to easily integrate a CRM to help manage all of your customer relationships, automate email follow-ups and grow your business.   Want to start growing your business with a CRM? Go to Keap.com/BMS to access a limited offer exclusively available to our Business Made Simple listening community.   --

Growing your business can feel like a constant and overwhelming guessing game. That's exactly what this week's guest, Sheri Rowney, owner of Harmonized Brain Center, was facing when she came to us for help. Sheri is a brilliant business owner with a great business model, but like many of you, she's hit a roadblock when it comes to growing and scaling. In this coaching conversation, Don walks Sheri through exactly what she needs to do to grow her business without adding hours to an already packed schedule. If you're feeling like your business has hit a ceiling when it comes to growth potential, you need to listen to this episode! --   See the amazing work Sheri Rowney offers through LENS therapy and how it could help you at HarmonizedBrainCentersTN.com. Do you have an amazing business everyone should know about but are stuck trying to grow it? We can help! Go to <a href= "http:

Over 95% of Americans are considering quitting their jobs right now. Are you one of them?   This week, we’re continuing our deep dive into how you can escape feeling redlined at work and follow your true passion instead. We talk with Cathy Heller, host of the Don’t Keep Your Day Job podcast, who coaches you through how to get out of your own way and become delusionally optimistic about paving your own path forward.   --   Join Cathy Heller's Quitter's Club at <a class="ql-link" href= "https://www.cathyhe

Close to 11 million people, almost 10% of the U.S. workforce, have recently quit their jobs in search for greater purpose. Some have coined this moment the "Great Resignation". If you're one of those people, feeling stuck in a job and going through the motions, then you need to listen to today's conversation with Tanya Dalton! Tanya is a productivity expert and author of the new book On Purpose, and will help you escape the merry-go-round, follow your passion and find your "soulmate client."   --   Order Tanya Dalton's new book, On Purpose, and access exclusive content at <a class="ql-link" href= "https://tanyadalton.com/elb"

Some the biggest challenges you face growing your business are finding the right talent and managing to pay your people without overhead getting too high. That's why you need an internship program. And we don't mean some stereotypical program where college students complete mindless tasks. In today's conversation with expert Hala Taha, host of the Young and Profiting podcast and founder of YAP media, you'll learn how to build an internship program that makes it easy to find and train the talent you need to grow your business.   --   Find out more about Hala's Young and Profiting podcast and YAP Media at <a class="ql-link" href= "https://younga

Want to beat the competition every time, without having the lowest price in the market? First, make it unbelievably easy to buy from you. Second, surprise and delight customers by taking the extra step to show them you care. In this episode, Don is joined by Scott Jeffrey Miller, author of Marketing Mess to Brand Success. They’ll coach you through how to make your marketing air tight so your customers not only have an effortless buying experience, but rave about your brand to everyone they know!   --   Order Scott Jeffrey Miller's book, Marketing Mess To Brand Success, at MarketingMessBook.com   If you need help assessing what’s wrong with your business, you can hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach at HireACoach.com. We certify t

Some believe being a strong leader means having all the answers and ruling with an iron fist. But unfortunately for them, they don't last long. It's only when you lead with empathy and compromise that you build trust and buy-in within your organization. In this episode we talk with former Tennessee governor Bill Haslam, author of the book Faithful Presence, about how to lead, even in the most turbulent times, with an open mind and not by your emotions.   --   Click here to order Bill Haslam's new book, Faithful Presence. You can also find it wherever buy books.    If you need help assessing what’s wrong with your business, you can hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach at <a class="ql-link" href="http://HireACoach.com" target="_blank

Hard work is irrelevant. Be radically honest. And never, ever try to please your boss. Would you believe these are the rules Netflix has lived by to reach their stratospheric level of growth and success? Well, in this week’s conversation with special guest Erin Meyer, co-author of No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, you learn exactly why following them will help grow your business and attract the talent your business needs to become the next “Netflix” of your market!  --   Order Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings’ book, No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, at NoRulesRules.com.   Get access to the upcoming Business Made Simple Live Coaching event: Talent Management - Your Playbook for Hiring and Compensating Top Talent on Thursday, August 26

Never assume people will understand how your brand can change their lives. You need to clearly tell your customer how buying your product will end in their success. This is best way to offer them what they want most: a happy ending to their story where they become the hero! This week, J.J. and April work the final section of the StoryBrand framework: Success. They’ll also show you:    How to cast a vision of a climactic scene for your customers    How to frame success against failure   Examples of success language for your website   We also talk with Anthony Dicks, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how creating a “happily ever after” vision for his client’s ma

Hiring and managing top talent to grow your business can be overwhelming. Without a clear process to thoroughly qualify potential hires, you could find yourself on-boarding your uncle’s best friend’s cousin as your new sales director solely based on the fact that “they sold stuff at a job they had in college one time”. Not okay. If you never want to find yourself in that situation, you need a talent management framework. This week Don breaks down how you can start implementing one with special guest and Business Made Simple President, Doug Keim. Listen now to finally learn how to begin attracting, hiring and managing top talent within your business!   --   Get access to the upcoming Business Made Simple Live Coaching event: Talent Management - Your Playbook for Hiring and Compensating Top Talent on Thursday, August 26 at 10a (CT). Just go to <a href= "https://www.businessmadesimple.co

A story lives and dies based on one question: Will the hero succeed or will they fail? This is also true for your marketing. You need to tell your customer what’s at stake if they don’t buy your product. Without clearly showing that failure, your customer has no motivation to make a purchase.   This week, J.J. and April work through the Failure section of the StoryBrand framework and show you:    Exactly how to talk about failure without overwhelming your customer   How to breakdown and show the consequences related to not buying your product   Whether to use short-term vs. long-term failure in your messaging   We also talk with Jessie Congleton, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how

When running a growing team, developing your employees is no small feat. Today’s conversation with Tennessee Governor Bill Lee offers guidance and a solid example of how you can educate and strengthen your workforce to position your business for massive growth!   --   At Business Made Simple we help you understand what’s wrong with your business and show you how to fix it. Just go to BusinessMadeSimple.com and for only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month. Take the mystery out of growing your business today at BusinessMadeSimple.com.

In a story, a character never takes action on their own. They need to be challenged. The same is true for your customer! As the guide in your customer’s story, you must let them know what’s at stake if they don’t buy your product then clearly call them to action by asking for a commitment to buy.   This week, J.J. and April unpack the Call To Action, or CTA, section of the StoryBrand framework and show you:    How to create a strong Call To Action or CTA for your customer   Specific examples of effective CTAs    Exactly where to position CTAs in your website to increase customer engagement   We also talk with Angie Schultz, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Gu

When one of your team members decides to leave your company, even for the best reasons, it is crucial to conduct a great exit interview. Without one you are missing an opportunity to collect valuable feedback for improving how you hire and retain top talent.  Today Don, J.J. and Koula discuss exactly what’s needed in an effective exit interview and provide a list of strategic questions to capture honest feedback while also positioning your team member to leave with a great sense of closure.    Sadly, today’s conversation also acts an exit interview for our co-host Koula Callahan. Koula is truly a foundational pillar at Business Made Simple and is off to new and fantastic opportunities! But before she leaves, we are extremely grateful she has allowed this personal conversation to air on the podcast, giving you an inside look at how to

You should always begin your customer's story by identifying what they want then define their problem to spark interest in how you can help them overcome that problem. Next, reveal yourself as their guide by expressing empathy and demonstrating authority. Now is the time to ask your customer for a commitment to buy your product however that won’t happen unless you have a clear and simple plan for them to follow.   This week, J.J. and April unpack Plan section of the StoryBrand framework and show you how to:    -Build a great three step plan, no matter your business, giving your customer a clear path to buying from you   -Use specific language in your marketing to activate your customer to make a commitment to buy   -Clearly show your customer how buying your product will make their life better   <p class="p1"

We live in a time filled with conflict and uncertainty, feeling like we're stuck watching from the sidelines ready to give up. But even as we are constantly bombarded by our news and social feeds, there are proven steps you can follow allowing you to plant the seeds of transformation to create change within your business, community and even your world. Today John Maxwell, leadership expert, change-maker and author of the new book, Change Your World, joins the conversation and shares the simple steps you need to finally break through the noise and achieve the change your world is so desperately needing!      --   Order John Maxwell’s new book, Change Your World, and get access to bonus content at ChangeYourWorld.com <span style= "font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemF

Many businesses feel like they have something to prove and position themselves as the hero in their story. But customers aren't looking for another hero, they're looking for a guide! When you position yourself as the guide, showing customers exactly how your product can fix their problems and transform them into the hero, you're destined to win!   This week, J.J. and April unpack the Guide section of the StoryBrand framework and show how you can:    -Use specific language throughout your marketing to position your brand as the guide   -Combine empathy and authority to build trust and engagement   -Craft your marketing tools, like a sales email, through the voice of a guide   --   Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and Apri

The character of your business is a critical driver of sustained success. Without character, there is no trust. So if your customers are reluctant to commit to buying your products or your team members are constantly at odds, you definitely need to listen to this episode! We're joined by Frank Calderoni, CEO of Anaplan (a cloud-based business planning software company) and author of the new book, Upstanding. Frank breaks down how you can align your business around a character-led culture to build trust and improve your bottom line.   --   Order Frank Calderoni's new book, Upstanding, at UpstandingCharacter.com.   Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 a

Can you name the specific problem your business solves for your customers? Identifying your customers' problem deepens their interest in the story you invite them in and shows you truly understand them. It’s the “hook” of your story, but without it, your customers have no reason to engage with your brand causing your story to fall flat.   This week, J.J. and April guide you through the Problem section of the StoryBrand framework and how you can:   -Clearly identify the problem you solve    -Breakdown that problem into Three Levels of Conflict your customers are facing   -Implement problem-language into your marketing and messaging   J.J. also talks with Aleya Harris, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares how she worked to specify the problem for a client who was st

Sometimes it can feel like you’re constantly stuck in the same soul-sucking routine day after day, like a hamster in a wheel. And even if it's not draining all your energy, it can still be mentally exhausting. That is exactly why we invited David Eagleman to the podcast! David is a neuroscientist and best-selling author of the Pulitzer nominated Livewired: The Story of the Ever-Changing Brain and gives you simple and easy ways to break out of your routine, improve brain health and gain back your energy at work and at home.    --   Order David Eagleman's newest book, Livewired: The Story of the Ever-Changing Brain, at Eagleman.com/Books.   Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com

As a brand, you must define what your customer wants. As soon as you define that, a story question forms in their mind: Can this brand really help me get what I want? Without this, the customer has very little interest in the story.   This week, J.J. and April guide you through the Character section of the StoryBrand framework and how you can:   -Define exactly what your customer wants   -Plug that specific language into your marketing   -Help transform your customer into the hero after they use your product or service to get what they want   April also talks with Stacey Moore, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, who shares an example of how she redefined what her client's customer really wanted and how it not only clarified their message but grew their business.</

Have a minute? If you're like most business leaders today, the answer is probably no. But you need open windows of time during the day in order to thrive, especially if you're growing a business. On this episode special guest Juliet Funt, author of A Minute To Think, shows you how to find moments of "white space", or strategic pauses, throughout your day to eliminate mindless tasks, enhance your performance and productivity, and reinvent the way you work.    --   Pre-order A Minute To Think at JulietFunt.com and then go to JulietFunt.com/BusinessMadeSimple for a free Facilitated Book Club Guide designed to deliver deeper insights and even more “ah-ha” moments about A Minute to Think! Plus, the first 1500 people to sign up will also receive an invit

In every great story, the main character goes on a journey and by the end she transforms from zero to hero. This is called identity transformation. The same is true for your marketing. When you participate in your customer's identity transformation you are going to win!  This week J.J. and April unpack the first part of the StoryBrand framework, identity transformation, and how you can apply it so your customers feel like they've transformed after purchasing your product or service. April also talks with Macy Robison, one of our amazing StoryBrand Certified Marketing Guides, about how she directly used identity transformation inside the marketing of one of her clients and how it literally transformed their business!   --   Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryB

Running a business, you constantly run into challenges that need creative solutions. But what happens when you've hit a creative rut and time is ticking? This episode's special guest Josh Linkner, author of Big Little Breakthroughs, shows you exactly how to reclaim your creativity using five brainstorming techniques to help solve your trickiest problems and unlock your biggest opportunities!    --   Order Josh Linkner's book Big Little Breakthroughs and access exclusive bonus content at BigLittleBreakthroughs.com   Finally take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you'll get instant unlimited access to all of our online courses, including our signature course, How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events

Does your company have a clear message? If not, it could be costing you thousands or more! That's exactly why we've invited Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand and Marketing Made Simple, as our first guest. Don will guide you through the StoryBrand framework which has already helped thousands of businesses clarify their message to turn browsers into buyers. Listen and learn how to create marketing that is easy and that works!   --   Every week on Marketing Made Simple, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins give you practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework and show you how to invite customers into a beautiful story where they become the Hero and you become their Guide. When you help your customers win, you win.   Subscribe to weekly episodes, dropping every Wednesday in the Marketing Made Simple feed! Just search "Marketing Made Simple" and look for the smiling J.J. on Apple Podcast, Spot

The post-COVID spending boom is coming! Is your business positioned to get the most out of it? Joshua DuBois, co-founder and CEO of Gauge.ai, returns to the podcast giving his top three predictions on exactly what you need do to get ahead of the game this upcoming quarter.    --   Find out more about Joshua DuBois at Gauge.ai   Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses, including our signature course How To Grow A Business, plus live coaching events with Donald Miller every month.   Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to Bu

Showing your customer exactly how your product can transform their life is essential if you want your business to win! It's called identity transformation and in an upcoming episode of Marketing Made Simple, you'll learn what language to use in your messaging to engage your customer's identity transformation by inviting them into a beautiful story.   Every Wednesday, starting June 23, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins will deliver practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework you can immediately apply to improve your marketing and get more cash in the door.    On Marketing Made Simple we believe your marketing should be easy and it should work. Finally learn how to build your marketing the right way and SUBSCRIBE NOW!

We tend to equate success with working hard and think anything worth getting is worth working for, no matter the cost. But once we reach the level success we've dreamt about, we’re too burnt out to even enjoy it. Does this resonate with you? If so, pause and listen to today's conversation with Greg McKeown, author of the new book Effortless. Greg will teach you how to prioritize and reframe your priorities to make things easy allowing you to finally focus on what matters most. If you are constantly living inside your last edge of energy, this conversation is the reprogramming you need so can finally stop wearing your burn out as a badge of honor.   --   Order Effortless at GregMcKeown.com/Books/Effortless/ and listen to Greg's new What's Essential podcast at GregMcKeown.com/Podcast/ <p class=

If your company does not have a clear message, it could be costing you thousands if not more! But don't worry because our brand new Marketing Made Simple podcast is here for you and here's a teaser of our very first episode with special guest Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, Marketing Made Simple and Business Made Simple.    Every Wednesday, starting June 23, marketing experts Dr. J.J. Peterson and April Sunshine Hawkins will deliver practical marketing tips rooted in the StoryBrand framework you can immediately apply to improve your marketing and get more cash in the door.    On Marketing Made Simple we believe your marketing should be easy and it should work. Finally learn how to build your marketing the right way and SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Are you feeling helpless or stuck in perpetual chaos emerging into the post-COVID landscape? Today's guest, Carey Lohrenz, author of Span of Control, offers a solution. As the first female F-14 Tomcat Fighter Pilot in the U.S. Navy, Carey has been there and  breaks down exactly how you can overcome that helpless feeling to navigate uncertainty and equip yourself to truly perform under pressure!   --   Order Span of Control at CareyLohrenz.com then take the Span of Control test to find our if you're equipped to perform under pressure at CareyLohrenz.com/Span-Of-Control-Test   Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you

Have you been trying to start up a business but keep dragging your heals overthinking every detail? If so, you need to listen to this episode! Special guest, Ellen Bennett, author of Dream First, Details Later and Founder/CEO of Hedley & Bennett, shares how she grew a $300 apron start-up into a multimillion dollar company. You'll come away knowing how to squash your doubt and build a personal playbook for taking action before you stop yourself again!   --   Click here to order Dream First, Details Later then find your perfect apron at HedleyAndBennett.com   Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com

This week we're asking the question, "What would happen if you shift the need to control to a need to empower?" Special guests Charles Koch and Brian Hooks, co-authors of Believe In People: Bottom Up Solutions for a Top Down World, give you their answer in this captivating conversation. They explain how an obsession with control is at the root of many of our current problems and offer a solution through empowerment. For anyone wanting to become the best version of themselves and make a true difference inside their business or community, this conversation acts as the perfect roadmap!   --   Order Believe In People: Bottom Up Solutions for a Top Down World and learn more about Stand Together at BelieveInPeopleBook.com   Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional

Special guest, Ryan Deiss, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer, is back to continue guiding you step-by-step through a digital marketing strategy that will help your business scale and make you more money. --   Find out more about Ryan Deiss at DigitalMarketer.com   Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses plus live coaching sessions with Donald Miller every month.   Take the mystery out of growing your business and go to BusinessMadeSimple.com.

These days your business needs an effective digital marketing strategy not only to keep up with the competition but in order for it to fly far and fast. Without one, you could be headed for a crash landing! But don't worry—we’ve got you covered because over the next two episodes special guest, Ryan Deiss, digital marketing expert and CEO of Digital Marketer, guides you step-by-step through a digital marketing strategy to help your business scale and make you more money. --   Find out more about Ryan Deiss at DigitalMarketer.com   Start on your path to becoming a Business Made Simple Professional at BusinessMadeSimple.com. For only $275 annually you get instant access to all of our online courses plus live coaching sessions w

Most people think success is a solo endeavor – you have to do it alone and there's no one else who can help you get there. But the reality is that we are surrounded by resources and people who can support us in our journey toward success. This week's guest, Leah Glover Hayes, host of the podcast "Her Story of Success", shares inspiring stories of women trailblazers, entrepreneurs, artists and business leaders from all walks. She’s distilled their advice into three keys to success you can use in any area of your life. These keys will help set you on the path to what matters most.   --   Find out more about Leah Glover Hayes and her podcast, "Her Story of Success" at HerStoryOfSuccess.com   If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimp

The failure rate for startups is 90%. That means 9 out of 10 businesses will fail! It doesn’t have to be this way though. If you know the patterns causing these failures and avoid them, your chances for success increase dramatically. This week's guest, Tom Eisenmann, Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School and author of “How Startups Fail”, surveyed 470 entrepreneurs and investors about their failed businesses and discovered six distinct patterns leading to their failure. In this episode we discuss and unpack those patterns so you know exactly what to avoid when starting your own business or investing in someone else’s.   --   Order Tom Eisenmann's "Why Startups Fail" now!   If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at <e

No matter what your role is within your business, there will be a time when you need to step in and take over something somebody else has built. Not knowing how to manage that transition could put you in a nose dive toward disaster. So how can you successfully lead something you didn’t start? This week special guest, Tyler Reagin, author of “Leading Things You Didn’t Start", answers that question! He gives you the five steps you'll need when taking over any project, department or company.    --   Order "Leading Things You Didn't Start" at TylerReagin.com/LifeGivingLeader   If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses plus access to live coaching sessions with Donald Mi

You know you have a story to tell but struggle how to even begin telling it. Where should you start? Is it captivating? Who really wants to hear your story? It's overwhelming. That's why we’re answering the question, “How and why should you write your story?” We're joined by special guest Allison Fallon, author of "The Power of Writing It Down", who’s helped hundreds of people find their voice, tell their stories, and share them with the world. In this episode she’ll walk you step-by-step on how to start writing your story and the best way to tell it.   --   Let Allison help you start writing your story at WriteYourStory.com   If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com</

The post-COVID wave: most of us are thinking about it but few of us feel prepared for it. What's going to happen to our businesses? How will consumer behavior change? What exactly is this "new normal?" These are the exact questions we are answering this week. Joshua DuBois, founder of Gauge.ai, a market research firm that surveys tens of thousands of people per day, will share what you can expect in Q2 of this year and how your business can be prepared for the changes that will come as the world emerges from COVID.   --   Find out more about Joshua DuBois at Gauge.ai   If you want to become a Business Made Simple professional, sign up for pro access at BusinessMadeSimple.com and get all our online courses pl

On this week’s episode we’re answering the question, “Is it possible to grow your business working only six hour days?” Michael Hyatt, co-author of the new book “Win At Work & Succeed At Life,” is convinced you can. You'll hear why as he shares his insight into how fewer, more focused hours can lead to significant growth in your business.   --   Order Michael Hyatt's new book, "Win at Work & Succeed At Life"  and get access to exclusive bonus content at WinAndSucceedBook.com/BMS    When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at BusinessMadeSimple.com    

It feels like just about everyone is trying to "build their online platform" these days. But only the people who do it right are the ones that reap the benefits. And yes -- there is a "right" way to do it. On this week's episode, John Lee Dumas, author of the book "The Common Path to Uncommon Success" shares a step-by-step plan for how you can produce consistent content for your platform that doesn't feel cheesy and allows you to expand your influence.   --   Find out more about The Common Path to Uncommon Success at UncommonSuccessBook.com   When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at <span

This week we’re answering the question: How can non-profits who want to fundraise less, raise more money and build a community of monthly givers? Special guest, Vik Harrison of Charity: Water, an organization that to date has delivered clean and safe drinking water to over 10 million people across the globe, gives you the answer! Then host Donald Miller walks you step-by-step through crafting the perfect mission statement for any type of business.   --   Find out more about Vik Harrison at VikHarrison.com and CharityWater.org   When you become a Business Made Simple Professional, you get access to our library of courses that take the mystery out of growing a business. Become a Business Made Simple Professional today at <a href="http://businessmad

You’re negotiating all the time without even knowing it. And that’s a problem, because your success in life depends on how well you can negotiate. That's why in this week's episode we're teaching you the six things every great negotiator does to create more win/win outcomes in work and in life. Don also talks with Dr. John Lowry, President of the Lowry Group and instructor of our newest course at Business Made Simple University - Negotiation Made Simple. John shares what it's like inside a high stakes negotiation and his approach for achieving the desired outcome.   --   Find out more about The Lowry Group at LowryGroup.net   Get access to the course Negotiation Made Simple at NegotiationMadeSimple.com   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certifi

This week Martin Lindstrøm, author of The Ministry of Common Sense and expert at helping businesses around the world unleash their common sense, joins Don, Koula and J.J.  Martin shows how to embrace empathy and unlock pure common sense to help grow your business and make you more money!    --   Find out more about Martin Lindstrøm and his book The Ministry of Common Sense at MartinLindstrom.com/Ministry-Of-Commonsense   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com   At B

Run out of cash and your business will crash! That's why in this final episode of our seven-part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we explain exactly how to manage your finances, giving you a plan to keep your business fueled with cash. Don also talks with finance guru, Mike Michalowicz, who shows you how to implement his Profit First method.    --   Find out more about Mike Michalowicz or Profit First at ProfitFirstProfessionals.com   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing

A coke machine in the break room or a food truck party for your staff might sound like a fun idea. But the reality is – that’s overhead, and it’s slowing your business down (and costing you money). In part six of our seven-part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on overhead. Sure, you’re going to have some expenses that don’t drive crazy revenue, and sometimes that’s okay. The answer isn’t to cut those expenses altogether – it’s to learn this simple formula so you know what’s worth your time, and what’s holding you back.   --   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to <a href="http://hireacoa

There’s a myth that says it takes dozens of bad product ideas to uncover one good one. The problem is, that means you’re sending revenue down the drain. In part five of our seven part series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on the wings of the airplane – or your product. You don’t have to waste any more time creating dead-end products. Do these two things and you'll knock your product ideas out of the park the first time.    --   Learn more about Allison Trowbridge how her company, Copper, can help you build meaningful community through book clubs by joining the waitlist at MeetCopper.com   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to <a href="h

If you’re running your own business then you know selling your product can be a challenge. Whether it's finding leads, crafting the perfect pitch or dealing with crippling self doubt, you need to sell your product to stay in business. We're taking a slight detour from our 7-Part Series, How Your Business Is Like An Airplane, to talk with Jamie Kern Lima, who is no stranger to overcoming obstacles. As co-founder of IT Cosmetics, she grew the company from her living room into a $1.2 billion megabrand, all in less than ten years! And she accomplished it all by pushing through her fear of selling. Don and Jamie have an enlightening one-on-one conversation giving you the insight you need to overcome your fear of selling and come out the other side more confident than ever. This is Business Made Simple.   --   Pre-order Jamie's new book, "Believe IT", at <a href= "http://www.believeit

You’ve got no shortage of customers in your pipeline, but getting them to sign on the dotted line? That’s a completely different story. In Part Four of our series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on the Left Engine – Sales. You don’t have to go full-on used car salesman to get your leads to convert. There’s a better way, and we’re teaching it to you in this episode.   --   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com   At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — BusinessMadeSimple.com

Here’s the sad reality: countless businesses close their doors every day. It’s not always for the same reason, and sometimes, the problems in a business totally sneak up on you. In Part Three of our series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on the Right Engine (aka - great marketing). Getting this essential piece of a business right could truly be the difference between if your business succeeds, or if you have to close your doors...for good.   --   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com   At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to gro

What if leadership wasn’t about rallying your team around a mission or being liked? What if great leadership meant mastering seven core competencies that actually drive your team forward? In Part Two of our series, How Your Business is an Airplane, we’re focusing on The Cockpit. Don, Koula, and JJ break down each of these seven pillars (and spoiler alert: they may not be what you think). ...   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireAC

In this inaugural episode of the Business Made Simple podcast, our hosts, Donald Miller, Dr. J.J. Peterson and Koula Callahan explain how a business really works and debate whether or not your college degree was worth the investment.   ...   Want to become a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Apply now at CertifiedBusinessCoach.com   Needing to hire a Business Made Simple Certified Coach? Go to HireACoach.com   At Business Made Simple, we teach you everything you need to know to grow a business — Busi

Well, friends, we did it! We’ve wrapped on yet another year of the Building a StoryBrand Podcast. And you know what that means: it’s time for the annual “Best of” episode. On this year’s episode, we’ve pulled together some of the best nuggets of wisdom from guests like Adrienne Bankert, Matthew McConnaughey, and even our very own Business Made Simple President, Doug Kiem. So join us as we revisit some amazing business (and life) advice we got in 2020.   Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback!  

There is no doubt we’re all craving a return to normalcy. But is getting back to the way things were what your customers actually want? Joshua DuBois, market research expert and CEO of Gague.ai, gives Don some surprising insight. Peeking into his “crystal ball”, Joshua predicts how trends will change so you and your business can be more than ready heading into 2021!   Head to storybrand.com/survey to complete our 2020 Listener Survey before December 31 for a chance to win a $50 Amazon Gift Card! Just head over to storybrand.com/survey and give us your feedback! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!  

There are specific qualities that highest paid people possess. I don’t mean integrity or honesty or kindness — those are characteristics you have to have in order to be a decent human. I’m talking about tangible character traits that make you a value-driven professional. Traits like understanding how to receive feedback, de-escalating drama and prioritizing your highest return opportunities. There’s a reason the highest paid people are where they are — and I want to teach you why.   If you develop these characteristics, you become seen as a valuable “product” that organizations will want to invest in. Not too dissimilar from a good stock, you become the type of employee who gives your organization a great return. And when you give an organization a great return, they’re more likely to pay you more. A lot more.   In this week’s episode I’ll explain the 10 characteristics of every value-driven professional and how you can develop them. When you embody these

Have you ever found yourself feeling a bit...meh.. about your career trajectory?  You’re proud of what you’ve accomplished, and you should be. But you just can’t shake the fact that you feel unfulfilled and that there's got to be more to life... It wasn’t too long ago when Good Morning America news anchor, Paula Faris, found herself in the same rut. So she decided to change things. She quit her job and completely re-engineered her life to discover her true purpose. What some might have thought was a drastic move, Paula knew was right. On this week’s episode, she shares her journey of finding a career that aligned with her purpose and offers practical tools to help you clear out the clutter and find meaning in life.

Many artists think sheer talent and creativity are all they need to turn their art into a lucrative business. Sadly, here’s what usually ends up happening: they realize talent alone isn’t going to cut it so they resort to being a “starving artist” and never really achieve the type of success they once dreamt possible. Elida Field could have easily fallen into the same trap, but her focus and determination propelled her into a profitable career she loves. In this week’s episode, she’ll share her process for how she defeated the “starving artist” phase and built a profitable career as an artist. If you’re a creative and need a plan to help you monetize your art and build a successful career, this episode will help! 

In a candid moment from his back porch, Don shares a few ways you can break through the noise at the dinner table this Thanksgiving and focus on what really matters--sharing love and connection with friends and family. Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Fate is a terrible writer -- and it shouldn’t be the one in the driver’s seat of your life. But there has to be a balance between fate and control, right? Matthew McConaughey’s take on this topic is an inspiring one, and in this week’s interview, he talks about how fate works together with self-determination to help you create the life you really want. He argues that ego is actually a healthy thing and that there is a beautiful balance between freedom and responsibility (in his terms, “giddy-up and innate ability.”) This epic conversation with Don and Matthew will inspire you to learn from your setbacks, take back control of your life, and develop the kind of optimism that will help you succeed.

We all want to live a meaningful life, but if we’re honest, we’ve been letting fate author our story for way too long. A meaningful life doesn’t happen when we let fate write it for us. A meaningful life happens when we create and follow a life plan that gives us a clear direction and purpose. Imagine knowing every task you completed was contributing to a life full of meaning. Imagine waking up each day not in a fog, but with a clear sense of purpose.  That’s exactly what you’ll experience when you create and follow the life plan Donald Miller teaches in this episode. These five steps will help you take back control of your life so you wake up every day knowing your work matters and is part of an incredibly meaningful story. 

Most people think there are those who are “just born” creative, and those who just aren’t. Seth Godin would disagree. He believes that creativity, like riding a bike, is a skill everyone can learn and develop over time. It’s an important skill, too, and if we don’t develop practices that keep us creative, we could get left behind. In today’s episode, Seth gives us insight into how we can become more creative with our work. Whether you’re a graphic designer, and architect, a CEO or a receptionist, these practices will help you grow and become a more valuable professional.

Your business can’t always be booming. So what do you do when it feels like everything is slowing down? If you’re like most people, you’ll probably panic -- but Lee LeFever would challenge you not to. Lee decided he was going to embrace the slow down and learn how to gain success even if he wasn’t making money. If you’re the type of person who hates when things slow down, this is the episode you need. Plus -- our friend Justin Christensen stops by to share how he pivoted his business during the pandemic and saw serious growth.

When COVID-19 hit, everyone scrambled to pivot their businesses. And our friends at the Canlis restaurant in Seattle were no exception. They took their fine-dining restaurant and made it a burger joint, and a crab shack, and oh yeah ... a drive-in movie theatre?! So when we got the chance to talk to them about their (new and improved) business model, we just couldn’t resist. And we get it -- your business might not need to do a full 180 like it did six months ago. But this episode will transform the way you think about what’s possible for your business -- regardless of if there’s a global pandemic forcing you to pivot or not.

The beginning of the pandemic felt like being chased by a tiger. For a lot of us, this is the first time we’re getting to slow down and catch our breath. This week, Daniel Harkavy stops by to share why it’s important to spend time really reflecting on your wins and losses from this season. His new book, The 7 Perspectives of Effective Leaders, provides a framework to become a better leader even in the face of enormous challenges. When you use his perspectives to reflect on everything that’s happened this year -- you’ll feel proud of all you and your team have actually accomplished.

If you’ve ever tried to wrangle a screaming preschooler into a car, you know what the worst days of leading a team feel like. Managing a team and parenting a small child can sometimes feel … a little too similar. But Hal Runkel doesn’t think that’s such a bad thing. This bestselling author of books like ScreamFree Parenting and Choose Your Own Adulthood joins the podcast to show you how his proven parenting techniques can also help you become a confident and respected leader.

How many times have you been told to leave your emotions at the door? Probably too many to count. But when you’re sitting at your desk with chest pains or feel your ears ringing after a frustrating meeting -- that feels pretty impossible. Miles Adcox flips the script when it comes to emotions in the workplace. He gives you permission to actually feel your emotions and shows you 3 ways to use them to your advantage.

You want recurring revenue for your business. The thing is — you just aren’t sure if you have what it takes to create something people will actually buy. It stinks, but subscription services can sink your business — fast. So if you’re going to do this, you need to do it right. Robbie Kellman Baxter literally wrote the book on creating subscription services that make money. And in this episode, she’s giving you her secret formula for building a recurring revenue stream that lasts. Listen now!

You have great ideas that have the power to transform your business. But it’s hard to get people to pay attention. What you need is a proven framework that makes any communication campaign a success and gets buy-in from your entire team. And that’s exactly what you’ll get in our newest Business Made Simple University course -- Communication Made Simple. On this week’s episode, we’re giving you a sneak peek into the paradigm-shifting framework so you can start applying these helpful tips today!

Building a profitable business takes a lot of hard work. But when you boil it down -- there are two characteristics every profitable business leader has in common. On today’s episode, StoryBrand Certified Guide Sherman Merricks is sharing why these two characteristics have the power to make or break your business. Plus, Don and Sherman talk about the current social climate and how business leaders can affect change.

If you’ve ever tried to convince someone your position is right, you know it can feel like talking to a brick wall. But what if you were just going about persuasion in the wrong way? The truth is—most people aren’t convinced by some compelling set of facts. Most people change their minds because of their emotions. Lee Hartley Carter has studied the art of persuasion and on today’s episode, she’s sharing what works, what doesn’t, and what you can do to persuade people when it matters most.

Life is busy. Between email notifications, calendar reminders, and your wandering mind, it’s easy to let distractions rule the day. But what if staying focused and being productive didn’t have to be so hard? Nir Eyal, author of Indistractable, has cracked the code on staying focused. In this episode, he’s breaking down how to control your attention-span, increase your productivity, and say no to distractions once and for all. If your mind wandered even a little bit while reading this podcast description — this episode is for you.

You’ve worked hard to grow your business, so you want to make sure that every little thing is done right. But what if there were parts that would be more successful if you let someone else take the wheel for a change? London Business School professor, Gary Hamel, is sharing why top-down micromanagement structures are suffocating businesses and stifling their growth. If you’ve struggled to give up control of your business, this episode might just convince you that it’s actually the best thing you can do.

We have two options when we’re faced with a problem. We can either resolve it and walk away or figure out why it’s happening in the first place. It’s tempting to just solve problems as they come up, but bestselling author and speaker Dan Heath thinks there’s a better way. On today’s episode, he’s sharing why it’s important to get to the root of a problem. If managing conflict at work has ever felt like a game of whack-a-mole, this episode will give you the tools you need to create lasting change instead.

When you know your product or service will make your customer’s life better and you have the confidence to back it up, your business strategy is foolproof. But most of us walk around giving wimpy pitches instead because we’re afraid of sounding arrogant. Today’s guest, Nicole Walters, shows you why that’s costing you money. There’s actually a missing ingredient in your business strategy. It’s not better branding. It’s not more advertising. It’s confidence. Listen now. On today’s episode, we talk about becoming a Business Made Simple Certified Coach. Click here to apply: https://bit.ly/bms-coach

Tiffani Bova is an executive at Salesforce and the author of Growth IQ. Her strategies have helped companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and IBM take their business to the next level. When it comes to scaling your business, it can be hard to know where to start. But the path to success is not as daunting as you might think. There are actually ten paths to grow a business, and this week’s guest is sharing them with you.

The most well-recognized thought leaders have one thing in common: an irresistible personal brand. But for those of us without a platform, it’s hard to know where to start. Rory Vaden, author of Take the Stairs, has worked with countless influencers to develop brands people gravitate towards and love. In today’s episode, he shares the keys to creating a personal brand that will elevate your status and help you win big with customers.

Great leaders have a superpower that helps them stay centered while the world spins around them. They know how to be still. On today’s episode Ryan Holiday, author of Stillness is the Key, shows you how to incorporate daily practices into your routine that help you avoid distractions and stay fully present. Our greatest insights usually come out of our quietest moments. Today's episode shows you how to find those crucial moments of stillness in our fast-paced world.

Succeeding at work takes a high level of competency. But today’s podcast guest believes you have an even greater superpower — kindness. Adrienne Bankert, ABC News national correspondent and Emmy-award winning journalist, is sharing the philosophy behind her new book, Your Hidden Superpower. Succeeding at work doesn’t have to be exhausting — you just have to be kind.

Trust is the foundation for any great relationship. But have you ever thought about what role trust plays at work? Work environments without trust are both exhausting and demoralizing. And most of the time, you don’t notice how much you need trust at work until it’s no longer there. Stephen M. R. Covey is the author of The Speed of Trust, and on this week’s episode he and Don are unpacking why trust is so important at work and how to get it back if it has been lost. Listen now!

We all set goals in life. But for many of us -- the road stops there. We make plans to buy a bigger house or take the next step in our career without ever stopping to ask what bigger dreams we might be leaving behind. Today’s guest, Bob Goff, is an expert at helping people discover their dreams and turn them into reality. His new book, Dream Big, is available now, and on today’s episode he’s offering practical tips to help you do just that. You don’t have to be bound by the limitations you put on yourself -- you can dream big instead. 

If you’re like most businesses, you’ve probably lost more deals this year than you’d like to admit. And if you’re being honest, you actually don’t understand why that is. You’ve got a great product, clear messaging, a smooth sales process -- but time and time again you just aren’t closing the deal. Well, there’s good news. The secret to closing more deals is as simple as writing a great proposal. On this week’s episode, Koula Callahan shows you how to create a 7-part proposal that will help you close more deals and drastically increase your revenue.

Giving gifts is an essential part of building relationships in business. But most business leaders only think about gifts when it’s somebody’s birthday or they’re closing a deal. And even then, they usually end up sending baskets of stale popcorn and chocolate bars wrapped in cellophane. There has to be a better way. That’s why we’ve invited John Ruhlin, author of Giftology, to share his seven steps to giving gifts that grow your business. In this episode, he explains the art of giving gifts and the competitive advantage you get in the marketplace when you’re thoughtful.

Growing your business to $10M can be hard work -- but it doesn’t have to be. On this week’s episode, we’re talking with Curt Richardson, founder of Otterbox, about what it’s like to scale a business. He’s sharing practical tips about how he did it and the inspiration you need to keep going even when it gets tough. Your business has potential to get to (and far surpass) $10M in revenue. Listen to this episode to find out how.

It’s not often that an author chooses to be vulnerable in a business book. But that’s exactly what co-founder of The Hollis Co., Dave Hollis decided to do. In his new book, Get Out of Your Own Way, Dave unpacks 7 lies he used to believe about leadership and how those lies affected him both personally and professionally. Join Dave and Don as they debunk these false beliefs and uncover the truth about leadership, vulnerability, and what it means to live a life of meaning.

If you’re like most people -- the economy might be keeping you up at night. But what if you were able to use this season as a chance to change your mindset AND make more money? Chris Guillebeau, author of The Money Tree, is explaining how to view the current economic situation as an opportunity to grow. If you’ve felt worried about money over the last few months, this episode offers hope and practical action to help you recover.

What would it be like to release a product without any platform, customer base, or name recognition? That’s exactly where James Clear found himself when he released his book, Atomic Habits. Now, Atomic Habits is a staple on bestsellers lists with over one million copies sold. On today’s episode, James is unpacking the psychology of a successful product launch and sharing his secrets with you. No matter what type of product you sell or what your customer base looks like today, these tips will help your next product launch be a hit!

Right now, most business leaders finally have time to work on the things that have always bothered them about their business. But improving a business is like opening a junk drawer -- things can get overwhelming fast. Mike Michalowicz, author of Fix This Next, is sharing his guide that will help you fix your business one step at a time. From growing revenue to creating repeatable processes for your team, Mike’s strategies will help every part of your business thrive. Don’t get bogged down by all details, listen to this episode instead.

Most people believe they fall into one of two categories when it comes to their leadership style: those who cast a vision for the company and those who get stuff done. The problem is -- a really good leader needs to do both. Bestselling author and CEO, Michael Hyatt, created a formula to help leaders become visionaries and now he’s sharing it with you. In this episode, he’s unpacking what it means to have a vision for your company, why it’s important, and what you can do to become a vision-driven leader today.

What if the best leaders actually have more in common with drug addicts than anyone else? That’s exactly what Michael Brody-Waite, author of Great Leaders Live Like Drug Addicts, shares in his conversation with Don. The truth is -- drug addicts and great leaders have the same super power. And if you can harness it, it’ll advance your career. Discover what that superpower is and how to unlock it in today’s episode.

After any crisis, there comes a time to rebuild. But it can be hard to know where to begin. On this episode, Joel Peterson is sharing foundational strategies for building a healthy business. He used these strategies to grow JetBlue Airways, and now you can apply them to your business. If you’ve been wondering how you’re going to rebuild after the COVID-19 crisis is over, this episode is for you.

When the team at StoryBrand HQ realized everything was about to change, we jumped right into a plan that would help us survive these uncertain times. Now, we’re sharing that plan with you. Join Don in his conversation with Doug Keim, the President of StoryBrand, as they unpack the 6-part checklist that will help your business survive this crisis and come back stronger than ever.

Winston Churchill was no stranger to leading during a crisis. He led his country through World War I, World War II, an economic crisis, and much more. And he has 9 things that made him an effective leader during those times. On this week's episode, author Stephen Mansfield is unpacking Churchill’s 9 strategies for leading during a crisis. These nine practical tips will help you become the leader your team needs during this challenging time.

Don and J.J. give you three strategies to manage anxiety through the COVID-19 crisis. It’s possible for your business to survive, and even thrive, after the dust settles -- but you have to know how to manage stress in the meantime. This week's episode will show you how.

The coronavirus is disrupting careers, lifestyles, and peoples’ overall sense of calm. These are inevitably difficult times, and most business leaders are overwhelmed trying to decide what to do next. So we invited bestselling author and speaker, Jon Gordon, to the podcast to share strategies for managing stress. Even the most calm, assured people can freeze with anxiety in turbulent circumstances like these. This episode provides hope and practical tips that will help you -- and your business -- get through this.

Most business leaders have a surplus of great ideas, but get stuck at one crucial step -- implementation. When businesses don’t implement their ideas, growth becomes impossible. In today’s episode, Howard Partridge outlines ten proven principles that will help you get unstuck and actually deliver on your businesses’ best ideas.

As a business leader, you have to take risks. But for most people, taking even the smallest risk can feel terrifying. This week’s guest, Bruce Deel, has a different perspective altogether. He founded the incredible community service organization, City of Refuge, and he believes taking risks could be the key to finding your purpose. This paradigm-shifting episode will push you outside of your comfort zone. And who knows -- you might just feel a little braver after listening!

Workplace drama is why so many employees dread Monday mornings and struggle to work as a team. And unfortunately, nobody is immune to it. But what if conflict didn’t have to be so stressful? What if it could actually lead to best-case-scenarios for everyone involved? Today’s guest, Dr. Jennifer Goldman-Wetzler, believes it can. She’s the author of Optimal Outcomes and today she’s giving you her strategies for understanding, managing, and even negotiating conflict. After this episode, you won’t have to worry about hard conversations at work anymore! Listen now!

If you run a nonprofit, you’ve probably wondered whether the StoryBrand Framework will work for you. Here’s a secret -- it totally will! But don’t just take our word for it. We’ve invited Jeremy Vallerand to the podcast to share how Rescue:Freedom International is using the StoryBrand Framework every day. It’s helped them talk about what they do, share stories of the people they serve, and expand their relationships with donors. And it can do the same for your nonprofit, too. Listen now!

Good business coaches can make a big difference in the success of your company. But if your “coach” just roots for you from the sidelines, they might actually be more of a cheerleader than a coach. Our Executive Vice President, Doug Keim, acts as our coach at StoryBrand everyday and he’s sharing the nine areas where every business needs good coaching. This episode is full of practical tips that you can implement in your business right now. Plus — we’re announcing some exciting news about what’s around the corner at StoryBrand. You don’t want to miss this!

As a StoryBrand podcast listener, you know all about creating great marketing. But do you know how to create a great brand? Crafting a brand that gets people excited is no small task. That’s why we invited Ben Weprin, mastermind behind Soho House and Graduate hotels, to share how he’s built a brand that welcomes people to live inside of a story. He’s a master of whimsy and believes if you can build a magical brand, it might be the most meaningful part of your life.

People can’t help you if they don’t know what you need. But it’s hard to ask for help -- so you usually wind up just doing the job yourself. Dr. Wayne Baker, author of All You Have to Do Is Ask, has harnessed the power of asking for help. This episode doesn’t stop at why it’s so important. It actually gives you practical tools to overcome your fear of asking. If you’ve ever needed help but didn’t know how to ask, this episode is for you!

Have you ever wished you could just read your customers’ minds and know exactly how to sell them your product? Spoiler alert: telepathy is impossible, but today’s guest has a formula that can get you pretty close. Shelle Rose Charvet is the author of Words that Change Minds and she knows how to figure out what customers want. If you’ve ever struggled with sales, negotiation, or communication in general, her 14-part framework is here to help!

Could your price actually become a selling point for your product? On today’s podcast, author and speaker Allan Langer shares his secret to pricing products in a way that makes them sell. It isn’t about cutting costs and running sales -- it’s about using price as a sales strategy. When you implement these five practical tips, you’ll harness the power of pricing once and for all.

We don't have very many emotionally healthy leaders anymore, and the ones who are don't get the microphone. We often feel like we're being led by a bunch of adult children. Emotionally healthy leaders are an imperative in our culture, and on today’s podcast, we talk with author and speaker Michele Cushatt, who shares some paradigm-shifting knowledge about how to be vulnerable without risking control as a leader.

In today’s culture, standing for something important and sticking to it takes guts, but it’s also one of the fastest ways to grow your business or nonprofit. On today’s podcast, Jeff Henderson, entrepreneur, speaker, pastor and author of the book Know What You’re For, gives practical examples of actions leaders can take to bridge the gap between what they’re known for and what they’d rather be known for. He’s launched churches and worked in marketing for Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta Braves and other larger organizations, but he breaks his expertise into bite-sized chunks.

As you kick off the new decade (!), take a moment to reflect on how you’re growing as a business leader. This episode can help. We’ve compiled the best and brightest insights from 2019's episodes, from guests like Michael Hyatt, Rebekah Lyons, and Adam Savage. It’s a wealth of wisdom to equip you for a successful 2020.

So many people have everything they need to succeed but get in their own way. A lack of confidence often keeps people from achieving their potential. Sound familiar? Life doesn’t have to be that way. The start of a new year (and decade) is the perfect time to reflect on what’s most important and make sustainable changes to create a life you love. Today on the podcast, Don and JJ walk you through creating a personal life plan step by step (and you can follow along!). What if a plan was the only thing you needed to accomplish your goals in 2020 and beyond? If you’re tired of struggling in key areas of your life, this approach will help you overcome and flourish in your work, relationships, spirituality and health.

When Chanda Bell’s family sold 5,000 units of the “Elf on the Shelf” book and doll in its first season in 2005, they knew they were onto something. With 11 million elves now in homes around the world, they were right. But that success didn’t happen overnight. Hear on the podcast how this family bootstrapped their beloved family tradition into a cultural phenomenon without the help of publishers and corporations -- and what we can learn from their enduring success and unique company culture. If Chanda and her family can do this with a fictional story, imagine what you can do with yours. Listen now!

Many individuals and families are living in a "narrative void." Without a sense of purpose, mission or agency, we drift through life feeling unfulfilled and sometimes even depressed. In this special edition of the podcast, Don and JJ talk about the formative practice of creating guiding principles for you and your family (not just your business). Living a great story doesn't happen on accident. When you follow this formula, you'll begin to inspire others and get investment into a cause that can change the world–starting with your own.

No one creates success alone. And the most successful teams are positive ones that are continuously strive to get better. But how do you create a positive culture of growth when we’re hard-wired for negativity and competition? On today’s podcast, Jon Gordon, a world leader on executing positivity, shows you the role “positive discontent” can play in creating connection and commitment in your organization. He’s seen it work with his corporate clients like Dell as well as sports teams like the Rams, Clemson, Dodgers, Heat and the Pacers. He says what you believe ultimately determines what you create, and in this episode, he shares practical tips on how to do it.

In this episode, Koula Callahan interviews our own Dr. J.J. Peterson about his doctoral dissertation on StoryBrand Narrative Marketing. Don’t just tell your customers a story, invite them into it. Don’t miss this detailed, StoryBrand-focused episode that unpacks the data and science behind why this 7-part framework drives revenue for every type of business. 

If you approach creating a habit with drudgery, you won’t stick with it. The key is to create pleasure around healthy habits so they’re more likely to stick. Today on the podcast, Atomic Habits author James Clear gives us an entirely fresh approach to making and breaking habits. What if discipline and willpower had nothing to do with it? If you’re tired of failing at the habits that will create a better life for you, make sure you listen to this episode.

What will your customers lose if they don’t make a timely decision to buy your product or service? That’s the power of scarcity, and it’s one of the oldest tools in the marketer’s box. But how has this seminal marketing principle evolved now that the way people consume has changed so dramatically?  That’s why we’re excited to welcome Dr. Kelly Goldsmith to the podcast. She’s an award-winning Yale-educated behavioral scientist (and former Survivor contestant) who examines scarcity’s seemingly paradoxical effects. You’ll rethink what scarcity looks like in your marketing after this.

Ian Morgan Cron, who teaches our all-new Enneagram Made Simple course at Business Made Simple University, is back with Part 2 of our two-part Enneagram series. He and Don dive deep into what winning in relationships and business looks like when our personalities are each wired so differently. In this episode, we dive into the remaining Types 5-9: The Investigator, The Loyalist, The Enthusiast and The Peacemaker. Plus, discover how to go even deeper with your own team so you waste less time on workplace drama.

Life and business revolve around relationships. That means things can get messy fast. Our unconscious motivations can sometimes derail communications, creating obstacles and inefficiencies. Ian Morgan Cron, who teaches our all-new Enneagram Made Simple course at Business Made Simple University, joins us to talk about what winning looks like when we’re all wired so differently. The conversation he and Don have is so packed with helpful Enneagram content that we’re sharing it in two parts. In this episode, we dive into Types 1-4: The Perfectionist, The Helper, The Performer and The Romantic.

Most of us are good at setting goals. But accomplishing them? That’s another story. Today’s digitally native world constantly vies for our attention and energy, threatening to derail the best-laid plans. This is especially true within organizations. On today’s podcast, Megan Hyatt Miller, the Chief Operating Officer of Michael Hyatt & Company, shows you how vision can help you get instant clarity so you can focus and accomplish your goals personally and as a team. She’s a practitioner at her father’s company, not just a philosopher, and their success is proof you can do it, too.

What can you do in your business to turn casual customers into super fans? On this episode of the podcast, Donald Miller talks with online marketing expert Pat Flynn about how to interrupt customers’ routines, delight them with exclusive experiences, and more. Why? Because if your customers are succeeding because of your product or service, then you are, too. Whether you have an email list of 26 or run an enterprise, this super practical episode has a tip you can start using today.

You may not even realize it, but you’re stressed out. Today’s modern world is undermining all our efforts to live a full and productive life. In this episode, Rebekah Lyons will help you identify and manage anxiety so you can prevent burnout and actually improve your productivity. If you think you’ve heard it all before, this tender yet powerful conversation will open your mind to new possibilities.

If you lead a business, you’re in the public eye. That means people are talking about you and your brand on social media – even if you don’t realize it. Today’s guest, former Twitter executive Claire Díaz-Ortiz, shares a model for how to succeed at social media for your company. This episode, and StoryBrand's new free online course (at www.SocialMediaMadeSimple.com), is going to give you the confidence to know if you’re using the correct platform for your brand and creating the right content.

Our cups overfloweth with data. But creating a story with data can feel like drinking from a firehose. These days, powerful presentations are less about stand-and-deliver presenting. It’s more about crafting an explanation that can spread online. That’s why we’re so excited to have Nancy Duarte on the podcast. Author of Data Story, she’s the world's leading expert on how to create a compelling keynote. Learn how you can apply her powerful four-part strategy to your own brand to create memorable messages that hit a nerve and earn an audience.

How do you frame a mission, get buy-in for it, and then make it work? That’s what we’re discussing in this episode with U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Trafficking in Persons John Cotton Richmond. When we need to make sure wrong things are being made right, it takes maximum engagement around a clear mission. Ambassador Richmond shares brilliant insight on how to build a team around a mission and help people understand their role – and that the mission is doable. Whether you’re saving lives or improving them, this approach can generate more passion and engagement and make a huge difference.

It’s time for corporations, businesses, and consumers to wise up about how supply chains play a role in human trafficking around the world. While there are more slaves today than ever, Gary Haugen, CEO and founder of International Justice Mission, shares a game plan to stop it. In this critical interview, hear how IJM is partnering with giants like Walmart and Target to clean up supply chains so they don’t facilitate human trafficking. You’ll also hear how “story” is fueling those efforts. If you’re a nonprofit or business owner, you don’t want to miss it.

Local businesses are the heartbeat of a local economy. But to succeed, they have to play the guide. In this episode, our own Koula Callahan interviews Brooke Allison, co-owner of Scout's Barbershop, about the grassroots strategies they’ve employed to grow to 6 neighborhood-based locations. Whether you’re marketing, hiring, learning your customer, or giving back to the community, you need to understand your role in the process. Don’t miss this super practical, local-business focused episode!

Marissa Orr, a former executive at Google and Facebook, is a self-proclaimed Corporate Rebel, and in her new book, Lean Out, she challenges the notion that women have to change in order to succeed in corporate business. In this episode of the podcast, she and Don discuss the myths that prevail about the wage gap and unpack how we got to where only 5 percent of CEOs in the Fortune 500 are women. This is a fascinating discussion you won’t want to miss.

Leaders are the lynchpin in company culture. So how do you identify and develop great ones within your business? Today on the podcast, we talk to management expert Scott Miller, an Executive VP at FranklinCovey, on why management takes a complete shift in mindset – one that’s counterintuitive to your top producers. You owe it to your company to build a culture where people choose to stay and give their all. This episode will help you do that.

Millennials want to work from home or a totally open office space – and have unlimited time off – right? Wrong. On today’s podcast, Lindsey Pollak, a leading expert on Millennials and author of the book The Remix: How to Lead and Succeed in the Multigenerational Workplace, debunks modern workplace myths. She offers insight into what Millennials want instead, and why many companies are re-thinking that age group for the primary talent pool. Discover how you can create a thriving culture that develops employees who are much more likely to stick around.

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with our smartphones and digital media. The technology is here to stay, so how can we keep social media and apps like Slack from killing our productivity? Marie Kondo may have helped us declutter our homes, but on today’s podcast, Cal Newport, a professor of computer science at Georgetown University and author of the book Digital Minimalism, shows you how to digitally declutter. Discover how to harness your tech and keep it from sabotaging your brain’s optimal performance.

Captain Obvious here: Successful businesses don’t do stupid stuff.  Of course we all know that, but running a business is hard! And that means we all make dumb (and costly) mistakes along the way. Today’s guest, Keith Cunningham, teaches 5 key disciplines that will help you avoid those common business mistakes. Today’s episode could save you a TON of wasted money and effort. It’s like free consulting. Listen now!

“Well, I’m not really a creative type.”   Today on the podcast, Adam Savage (host of the popular show Mythbusters) is going to bust THAT myth for us.   We’re all creative -- whether we build model cars or entire organizations. But we don’t always know how to tap into that part of ourselves.    When you listen to this episode, you’ll hear Adam’s practical advice to add more creativity to your life. You’ll learn why it matters. Best of all, you’ll give yourself permission to be more curious and creative, both at home and at work.   Give it a listen!

If you’re a leader, you need energy. But if you don’t have the right people in your life, you’ll always feel drained. On today’s podcast, Dr. John Townsend shares the 7 types of relationships -- which ones we need, which ones we don’t, and how to balance them so the people in your world keep you focused, creative, and fueled u

We all know we’re supposed to be using social media to build our brands. But how can we do it in a way that truly serves our customers, too? Craig Detweiler is a film and media commentator, and he joins our own Dr. J.J. Peterson to show us how. If you want to actually connect on social media (instead of just wasting time pretending to), then you want to listen to this episode.

If you manage a team, you may think you need a collection of top-notch specialists. But you’ll second-guess that strategy after you listen to today’s podcast. David Epstein joins us to show the power of having range -- broad, generalized knowledge that helps us see hidden patterns and solve big problems. He’s turned swaths of data into compelling case studies that will shift the way you think about your team (and your own career

Leadership is tough enough from your comfy cubicle. Now, imagine doing it on the front lines as a Navy SEAL. That’s exactly what today’s podcast guest has done. Former Navy SEAL Commander Alden Mills joins us to share four powerful (and surprisingly heartfelt) leadership principles. This is hard-won wisdom, and he’s found a way to make it practical for us. If you want to build up a daring team that knows how to win, then you want to listen to this episode

What’s the biggest factor in our success? It’s not what we do. It’s who we’re in proximity to. Today on the podcast, Ken Coleman tells us how to surround ourselves with influential people and put ourselves in intentional places. Listen now, and you just might discover how to change careers, land your next big client, or finally launch that side hustle.

If you’re a leader, you probably got your role by being an expert in your field. So what happens when you need to broaden your leadership role and oversee people whose field you aren’t an expert in? Today’s guest, Dr. Wanda Wallace, shows us three practical ways we can “span” our leadership into new areas by adding unexpected value. It’s a paradigm shift you don’t want to miss -- listen now!

You may not even realize it, but a lot of our “traditional” principles of leadership don’t fit today’s modern world. In this episode, Kevin Kruse will help you ditch outdated leadership ideas so you can strengthen your team and improve your company.

If you’re a visionary leader, you know how to inspire your company with big ideas. But you may not know how to scale your company with the right processes and hires -- and over time, your bottom line will suffer. Listen to today’s episode with Les McKeown, and learn the 5 practical steps to clean up and scale your company -- so you’re free to pursue the big-picture stuff you love.

Could you take a month-long vacation from your business without things falling apart? One of our favorite guests, Mike Michalowicz, returns with seven steps you can follow to build a more efficient organization that runs on its own, without relying on you every step of the way. And hey, maybe that dream vacation is closer than you think!

Great leadership starts with understanding your customers and your staff. But it doesn’t end there. To truly succeed, you need to be able to make genuine human connections with those around you. Today on the podcast, Donald Miller welcomes Joshua DuBois. After working with President Obama and Oprah, he now runs a cutting-edge focus group firm. He shares how we can become better marketers and leaders by truly connecting with people’s struggles and motivations.

Do you want a team that’s collaborative and innovative? That means you’ll also have conflict and failure -- and all the messy emotions that come with them. On today’s podcast, Dr. Susan David shares how we can welcome emotions at work while also using them to grow in powerful ways outside of the office. It’s practical and rich stuff -- listen now!

How much do financial markets actually impact your small business? More than you probably realize. And in this case, what you don’t know really can hurt you -- and your employees. Today on the podcast, fiduciary analyst Josh Robbins will arm you with the information you need to make smart decisions about your financial advisors, investments and 401k plans -- without getting taken advantage of.

Nobody wants to talk about it, but a potential recession is looming. And that’s a scary thought for most business leaders. But what if it was possible to make a a few changes in your business now so that you would be ready to survive a recession? Or better yet — what if your business could actually THRIVE during a recession? This week on the podcast, Don and J.J. lay out a plan for “recession proofing” your business. This could be the episode that keeps your business running at full speed while your competition is hitting the panic button. Don’t miss it!

Behind Willie Robertson’s success in the reality show “Duck Dynasty” is a powerful story of American entrepreneurship. Today on the podcast, he and Don share an honest (and hilarious) conversation about Willie’s journey as an unlikely CEO. How can we process well through failure? What’s the key to staying true to yourself in success? How do our family and faith impact us as leaders? There’s lots of wisdom here for any business leader -- listen now!

So much productivity “advice” these days will help you cut down your workload. That’s great! But if you fill that time back up again with more work, that’s a surefire way to burn out and compromise the relationships in your life that really matter to you.   Today on the podcast, Michael Hyatt gives us a radical new approach to productivity: what if we can keep achieving at work and still be present for what matters in life? If you’re tired of the hustle and want to design a more intentional life, make sure you listen to this episode.

Shannon Sedgwick Davis is the CEO of Bridgeway Foundation, the foundation arm of a capitol management firm that gives half of its profits away, and with that money, she fought a Ugandan warlord. Yes, really! She’s on the podcast today to share the extraordinary story. Plus, she inspires us to consider how our businesses can help turn the tide on the social issues that keep us up at night. Listen now!

Running a business can (and will) mess with your emotions. And when our emotions take over, the rational part of our brain shuts down. Not a good thing when you’re making high-stakes business decisions. Sean Webb show you how to “hack” your happiness so you can control how you respond in charged situations. Listen now!

You may have the finely honed skills of a leader, but people won’t follow you unless you have the heart of a leader. And that’s what we’re talking about today with Mark Miller. He’s the VP of High Performance Teams at Chick-fil-A, and he shares 5 character traits of strong leaders. If you’re ready to become the kind of leader people want to follow, listen to this episode.

As a business leader, you’ve got to pay attention to what’s going on in the world. But with 24-hour news cycles, constant outrage, and endless “hot takes,” it can feel impossible to truly understand the issues. To help us make sense of it, Don sits down with CNN analyst Kirsten Powers for an honest and nuanced conversation about how we can process the news in complex times.

If you lead a business, you’re constantly negotiating -- even if you don’t realize it. Make sure no one’s taking advantage of you, with help from today’s guest. Chris Voss is a former FBI hostage negotiator, and he understands the neuroscience that drives any negotiation. He sits down with Don to help us apply those tactics in our everyday lives as business leaders. If you want to approach your next deal with confidence, don’t miss this episode.

As the Governor of Tennessee for the last eight years -- and a successful business leader before that -- Bill Haslam knows a lot about leadership. In this special episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, he joins Don for an earnest and inspiring conversation. Whether you lead in the public or private sector, you’ll find practical wisdom that’ll sharpen your leadership skills.

How did one family-owned business crank out a 90% conversion rate (!!!!) for their golf course fertilizer -- even when their product cost more than their competitors’? They showed their prospects how great life could be once they buy -- and they did it in a wild and wonderful way. David Pursell, the CEO of Pursell Farms, tells the whole story this week on the podcast. It’ll inspire you to think creatively about your sales process, too.

What will your customer miss out on if they don’t buy your product or service? That’s the power of “FOMO” - or “Fear of Missing Out.” And as marketers, it’s critical that we create it -- without resorting to cheap fear tactics. That’s why we’re excited to have Matt Ford on the podcast. He’s the creative force behind experience-driven marketing campaigns for Hulu, Adidas (among others) that customers don’t want to miss out on. Learn how you can apply this powerful strategy to your own brand!

It’s no secret that a strong call to action is key for creating great marketing material. But what does it look like to actually craft a call to action that people respond to? To help answer that question we invited our Director of Marketing, Tyler Ginn, to join the podcast for this week’s episode. He sits down with Don and JJ to break down a successful email campaign and gives you practical tips for creating calls to action in your marketing that will get a response. Plus, find out which type of salesperson is statistically proven to be the most successful (hint: the answer will probably surprise you).

The Ritz-Carlton is one of the most iconic brands in the world. And on this episode of the podcast, we welcome the visionary who built it, Horst Schulze. He shares the practical strategies he used to do it. How to craft a compelling vision. How to make sure all your employees share that vision. Plus, the four key objectives every successful business pursues in order to succeed. It’s a masterclass in authentic branding and visionary leadership from a man who knows exactly what it takes to excel at the highest level -- and what he shares will help you excel, too.

We all need to know how to conduct great interviews. Whether you’re hiring, networking, doing customer discovery, or even dating, you need to be able to ask questions that solicit meaningful answers. On this episode of the podcast, Donald Miller talks with master interviewer Dean Nelson about what questions to ask, how to listen, and more. Don’t miss this super practical episode!

Want to make your brand’s messaging exponentially more powerful? Learn how to define a villain for your customers. That’s because our brains are hard-wired to pay attention to negative things -- threats, villains, potential losses. On today’s episode, Mike McHargue (a.k.a. “Science Mike”) explains the science of why this happens. And don’t worry -- he uses simple terms we can all understand and apply to our businesses without being manipulative.

What are you selling? Your quick answer may be “real estate” or “jewelry” -- but to really connect with customers, you need to understand the deeper value you offer them. You don’t sell real estate, you sell peace of mind. You don’t sell jewelry, you sell confidence. Join us on this episode for a deep dive into defining what your customer really wants. First, Don and JJ talk about why we need to understand our customers’ desires. Then, Don interviews advertising executive Aaron James about real-world ad campaigns that have done just that. If you want to give yourself a big advantage as we start 2019, this is the episode for you!

As we close out the year and look ahead to 2019, take a moment to reflect on how you’re growing as a business leader. This podcast is a great place to start. We’ve compiled the best and brightest insights from this year’s episodes, from world-renowned guests like Rachel Hollis, Daniel Pink, and Patrick Lencioni. It’s a wealth of wisdom to inspire and equip you for the year ahead. http://buildingastorybrand.com/129

Word of mouth plays a role in 50-90% of all buying decisions. But most of us have never actually sat down to outline a strategy that would get more customers talking about our brand. If that’s you, it won’t be after you listen to this episode. Jay Baer joins Donald Miller to talk about “talk triggers” -- moments you can create for your customers that they’ll tell their friends about. He’s full of specific, practical examples that will inspire you. You may very well transform your whole business with the big idea you get from this episode. Listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/episode-128/

Should your company take a stand on a social issue? There’s no better person to ask than TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie. He and his team have built a thriving footwear brand on the One for One model of giving a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair they sell. And recently, they launched a bold campaign on the controversial issue of gun violence. In this episode, we examine the finer points of what happens when your company takes a stand on a social issue. How does it affect your employees’ lives? Your bottom line? Your brand? The cause itself? Listen now and see for yourself. http://buildingastorybrand.com/127

We business leaders like to talk about our "core values," but all too often, those values don't actually show up in our products, services, and business practices. That's not the case at Brandless, an online retailer with a wholly different approach to how people shop for home essentials. They've built everything around core values like quality, community, and kindness. On today's episode, our guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks with Tina Sharkey, the co-founder of Brandless, about the practical ways we can build our businesses around our core values. Listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/126

The Enneagram is a personality typing system that teaches there are nine basic personality styles in the world. These styles, or “Types,” deeply influence how we think and act. But what does that mean for us as leaders? Enneagram teacher Ian Cron is back for part 2 of our Enneagram series for leadership. This time, he shows you how to leverage the strengths of your own Enneagram Type in order to lead your team well. (Not sure of your Type? You may have a better idea of it after you listen to this episode!) http://buildingastorybrand.com/125

The Enneagram is a personality typing system that teaches there are nine basic personality styles in the world. These styles, or “types,” deeply influence how we think and act. Today on the podcast, we welcome Ian Cron, an Enneagram teacher, to walk us through leadership “do’s and don’ts” for each type so we can lead our teams well. Download the cheat sheet for this episode: http://storybrand.com/enneagram http://buildingastorybrand.com/124

By now you know the framework of story can transform your marketing. But how can story make you a better leader? Today on the StoryBrand podcast, the tables turn as Andy Stanley interviews Donald Miller about how to invite those you lead into a bigger story. Learn the 3 questions you need to answer for your organization and you’ll be ready to re-energize your team. Listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/123

Got something you need to communicate to a crowd? You KNOW it needs to be clear and memorable. But that’s easier said than done. Today on the podcast, we welcome one of the finest communicators we know, Andy Stanley. As a pastor and bestselling author, he knows how to craft a message that sticks. Listen to learn the 5 questions he asks himself as he prepares a talk. They’ll help a ton the next time you need to win over a crowd. http://buildingastorybrand.com/122

How on earth does a summer league baseball team in Savannah, Georgia sell out every game? Well, it has nothing to do with the baseball -- and everything to do with the team’s philosophy of putting fans first. In this episode, we sit down with Savannah Bananas GM Jesse Cole. He shares the unique and fun philosophy that’s fueled their success and how we can apply it to delight our customers and grow our businesses. http://buildingastorybrand.com/121

We’re gearing up for a strong economy this holiday season. Is your marketing ready? If you’re not sure, listen to this episode. Don and JJ talk through the four simple tasks you need to create in order to have a great fourth quarter (and beyond!). They don’t cost much -- just a little time. But execute them well and you’ll be crushing your revenue goals for Q4. http://buildingastorybrand.com/120

Leadership, character, performance, and competition. All part of our lives as business leaders -- and also the driving forces for sports teams. So this week, as the NFL season heats up, we’re honored to have Ben Malcolmson, the assistant to Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, with us on the podcast. He and Donald Miller talk about Coach Carroll’s leadership, the surprising role persistence plays in our success, and the “x-factor” quality they look for in every player. Give this episode a listen so you can be a better leader, no matter what your playing field looks like. http://buildingastorybrand.com/119

It’s not a question of whether or not we’ll face adversity. It’s a question of how we’ll respond when we do. So today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we’re featuring interviews with two incredibly resilient people. First, Donald Miller sits down with Bonnie St. John, who despite having her right leg amputated as a child, became the first African-American to medal in Winter Olympic competition. Second, Allison Trowbridge talks with Jason Russell, who experienced worldwide acclaim with Invisible Children followed by a public mental breakdown. They help us understand what resilience looks like and why it matters. So if you’re facing a setback, listen to this episode for the inspiration you need to get back up. http://buildingastorybrand.com/118

If you manage a team, it’s way too easy to just give advice and demand action. But if you want to get the best from your team so your business can grow, you’ve got to coach your people, not manage them. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Michael Bungay Stanier. He talks us through seven questions we can ask our team members if we want to have better conversations. http://buildingastorybrand.com/117

Sales minus expenses equals profit, right? Not exactly, according to Mike Michalowicz, our guest on today’s episode. A lot of business leaders aren’t maximizing their profits because they’re thinking about them as what’s “left over.” He shares his system for structuring your business’ finances so you put the priority on profit. It’s remarkably simple and will help you reshape your entire mindset around how you look at profit and expenses. http://buildingastorybrand.com/116

If you lead a business, you’ve got a huge opportunity to add value to your product or service. Trouble is, most everybody overlooks it. On today’s episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks with Gina Bianchini. She’s the founder and CEO of Mighty Networks and a pioneer in online community building. She’s helped countless businesses offer value in the form of a niche community where customers can share ideas and experiences. She’ll show you how, too -- and why it’s important as the Facebook backlash grows. If the customers you serve have a motivation to help each other, don’t miss this episode! http://buildingastorybrand.com/115

If you’re a business owner, then you know how to pay your taxes. But do you understand the basic economic principles of how those taxes work? Or how economic policy affects your business’s growth? Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller talks with Dr. Arthur Laffer, a prominent American economist whose ideas have shaped policy from the Reagan administration through today. He gives us an accessible primer on how taxes work -- plus, we dive into other economic policy like trade, debt, and more. It’s straightforward, easy-to-understand, and frankly, a whole lot more fun than your Econ 101 class ever was. http://buildingastorybrand.com/114

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of York is on the podcast! Sarah Ferguson sat down with our correspondent, Allison Trowbridge, for an inspiring conversation about how we can all bring an entrepreneurial spirit to improve the lives of those around us. She’s winsome and full of wisdom -- and, having married the son of the Queen of England, she has found a way to use her considerable influence to be a voice for those in need. Don’t miss this uplifting episode! http://buildingastorybrand.com/113

In this episode, we’re taking a closer look at how music artists and managers develop their brands in a rapidly changing landscape. In part one, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge interviews Russell Redeaux, the manager for Snoop Dogg and many other fantastic artists. Then, in part two, Donald Miller sits down with musician Ben Rector. From balancing commercial success with artistry, to cultural diversity in our entertainment, to the way streaming works, to the backstory of global marketing campaigns, you’ll find this insider look at the music business fascinating.  http://buildingastorybrand.com/112

Ever wondered how songs get written, pitched, and cut? How songwriters and publishers work together? How the creative process unfolds? The role publishers play in getting a song out there? To answer all these questions, we sat down with legendary Nashville songwriter Tom Douglas and the president and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Troy Tomlinson. It’s a fascinating look at both the art and business of songwriting. If you’re in a creative field, you’ll find plenty of takeaways for your own business. http://buildingastorybrand.com/111

Your customers are leaving in droves. Today’s guest, Joey Coleman, has the research to back it up. So if you want to keep your customers and grow your business, don’t miss this episode. In it, Joey highlights the 8 phases of customer experience so you never lose another customer again. http://buildingastorybrand.com/110

We talk a lot about “trust” in our businesses. But a lot of us are getting it wrong. On this episode, Oxford lecturer and bestselling author Rachel Botsman joins us for a fascinating look at how trust works in the business world, how it’s changing, and what we need to do to keep up. http://buildingastorybrand.com/109

A vibrant company culture is a silver bullet for success. But how does culture work? What makes it gel? On this episode, we talk with NYT bestselling author Daniel Coyle, who unpacks 3 traits of great cultures and how we can develop them in our businesses. http://buildingastorybrand.com/108

What is the “ideal” entrepreneur like? The answer may surprise you. Why? Because our assumptions about what it takes to run a business don’t really line up with what successful leaders actually do. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge talks to esteemed Oxford economic sociologist Marc Ventresca. He debunks 3 myths about entrepreneurship. Listen for an inspiring new outlook on how to lead your business well. http://buildingastorybrand.com/107

There’s more to business than just making money. We want to make the world better, both for our customers and our employees. To do that, we need to create a company culture that’s built around happiness. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Jenn Lim, one of the pioneers of culture at Zappos. Listen and discover three key ways we as leaders can build a positive, thriving culture for our employees. http://buildingastorybrand.com/106

Art helps us see the world in a new way. But the art world itself can feel pretty intimidating. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we talk with three art world insiders -- an artist, a curator, and a patron -- so we can understand how it works and why it makes life better. If you want to appreciate art at a finer level but don’t know where to start, this episode will inspire you. https://buildingastorybrand.com/105

Hiring the right person can transform your business. Bring on the wrong person, and you can substantially set it back. So if you’re growing your team, don’t miss this episode with Armando Lopez, the Executive Director of HR for Dave Ramsey’s company. Follow the six steps he outlines, and make sure everyone who joins your team helps to make it amazing. https://buildingastorybrand.com/104

Do you really need a physical office space? Remote collaboration is easier than ever, and digital workplaces are on the rise. But how does each setup impact how we work? Which kind of office will help your team members achieve their best? Today on the podcast, we have two guests with differing opinions. Bryan Miles of BELAY joins us to discuss the merits of the virtual remote office. And Jacob Morgan, a leading expert on how we work, shares the benefits of a thoughtfully designed physical space. In these two conversations, you’ll be able to compare and contrast the benefits and determine which style works for you, or how to blend them to get the best of both worlds. https://buildingastorybrand.com/103

If you read the headlines, you know our mental health is precious. But you also know it’s in jeopardy. As business leaders, what can we do? Plenty. Today on the podcast, we welcome Dr. Lee Norton, a clinical social worker and trauma expert. She helps us understand the role mental health plays at work. What is trauma and how does it show up in our employees? What do you do if you work for someone who lacks empathy? How can you protect your own mental health and look out for the people around you, too? It’s a timely conversation with loads of insight for business leaders who want to create a safe and nurturing work environment. http://buildingastorybrand.com/102

We hear words like “cryptocurrency” and “blockchain” and “Bitcoin” and we know they’re supposedly the Next Big Thing. But what do they really mean? How are they relevant to us as business leaders? Today’s guest, Peter Smith, the CEO and Founder of Blockchain, Inc., walks us through this brave new world of digital finance in a way we can actually understand. Listen to this episode and you’ll have a practical understanding of digital currency and what next steps you can take if you’re ready to dig in more. http://buildingastorybrand.com/101

Why are we always mentally worn out? As business leaders, we ask a lot of our brains every day. Decisions, creativity, strategy, and more. And if we don’t protect our mental energy, it will show up in our bottom line. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Olympic medalist and leadership consultant Bonnie St. John. She shares small but mighty “micro-resilience” techniques that can help us keep our mental sharpness so we can be at our best for the people who count on us. http://buildingastorybrand.com/100

Ever wonder what it’s like in the film industry? What it’s really like? Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we’re taking an insider tour of the movie business. Our guest correspondent Allison Trowbridge sat down with actor Kellan Lutz (of 'Hercules' and 'Twilight' fame) and top manager/producer Ryan Daly. Together, they give us a fascinating look at what it takes to succeed with integrity in a cutthroat industry. There are some surprising takeaways for other industries too, particularly if partnerships, clients, negotiation, or first impressions are a part of your job. http://buildingastory

If you want to build a strong social media following without resorting to negativity, you’ll love today’s episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Branden Harvey of Good, Good, Good joins Donald Miller for a conversation about how we can create dynamic and positive social media that draws our customers in. You’ll learn what to post about, how to separate your personal brand from your business, and so much more. Your social media can be a huge asset to your brand and your bottom line. This episode will help you make it happen. http://buildingastorybrand.com/98

Growing a business is tough and risky. And as pressures rise and competition emerges, we’re tempted to make compromises with our brand in order to win the day. But if you want to be successful in the long run, you’ve got to know what your brand authentically stands for and stick to it. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we hear from Too Faced founders Jerrod Blandino and Jeremy Johnson. With their winsome blend of authenticity and creativity, they’ve built one of the biggest and most beloved cosmetics brands in the world. Their story -- and their unique approach to business -- will encourage you to stay true to your brand as your grow your company. http://buildingastorybrand.com/97

The awkward stops here, folks. If you want to be more memorable and captivating when you talk to other people, then you need to listen to this episode. Donald Miller talks with Vanessa Van Edwards, a human behavioral expert, about the art and science of how we interact with each other. Discover the small signals you don’t even know you’re sending out -- and how to authentically manage them so people easily connect with you. You’ll feel more confident and and in control the next time you walk into a room of strangers or sit down to talk with your team. Listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/96

Making a smart hiring decision can make you a ton of money. But the wrong choice can set your business back dramatically. So how can you make sure you’re hiring the right person for the role? Today, we’re going to hear from three big brands who’ve developed their own strategies to find and keep amazing talent: Chick-fil-A, POPsocial, and Ramsey Solutions. If you’re hiring or if you want to better nurture your current employees, then you want to listen to this episode. It’ll help you tap into (and keep!) amazing talent that will grow your business. http://buildingastorybrand.com/94

On the podcast today, we welcome Daymond John. He founded the iconic fashion brand FUBU. He kills it every week on Shark Tank. He is, without a doubt, successful. But the story behind his success -- and how he pursues it now -- is what truly makes Daymond inspiring. In this conversation with Donald Miller, Daymond shares the habits and qualities you need as a leader if you want to truly prosper in both life and business. He also tells some amazing stories about the early days of FUBU that will encourage you if you’re in the beginning stages of your startup. Don’t miss this one -- listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/94

If you want to build a team where everyone feels supported, heard, and ready to tackle big challenges, then you want to listen to this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast. In it, we welcome our correspondent Allison Trowbridge as she talks with GiANT co-founder Steve Cockram. As a expert in both leadership and personality types, Steve walks us through the five different personalities (or “Voices”) you’ll find on every team and how to nurture each one. In Steve’s words, “You can’t outsource culture.” Build a better one by making sure everyone feels safe and supported to contribute their best. This episode will show you how. Give it a listen! http://buildingastorybrand.com/93

Hustle and grind. Plan out everything. Protect your availability. That’s the typical advice business leaders get to “maximize our efficiency.” But there’s more to life than efficiency. And no one models this better than Bob Goff, the bestselling author of Love Does. He joins Donald Miller on the podcast for an inspiring conversation about leading well by loving others. It’s a different kind of mindset that puts people before efficiency and meaning ahead of success. If you struggle with a fear of failure, if you’re looking for permission to start that next big thing, or if something about your current way of life just isn’t working, THIS is the wisdom you need to hear today. http://buildingastorybrand.com/92

You’re driven to lead your business well. But you want quality time with your family, too. It’s a constant balancing act, and for women especially, it can seem like you have to choose one or the other. But Shannon Miles, today’s guest on the StoryBrand podcast, believes it doesn’t have to be that way. She shares nine creative and practical ideas that will help you succeed both at home and at work instead of feeling like you have to choose between them. If you want to design a life where both work and family can thrive, don’t miss this episode! http://buildingastorybrand.com/91

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a productivity junkie. You love getting stuff done and being successful. You write down stuff you’ve already done just so you can check it off! But when constantly being in “beast mode” leaves us feeling depleted and unhealthy, is that really success at all? What if we’re doing productivity all wrong? Today on the StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Michael Hyatt to talk about a better approach to productivity. Michael believes that to truly be productive, we need freedom to focus on the things that matter most. That way, your life can be full of significance and meaning, not just tasks and goals. In this episode, he teaches us the surprisingly simple systems and rituals we can implement to help us do just that.

If building a positive team at your organization feels like a uphill battle, this week’s podcast is for you. Ron Clark joins Donald Miller to share ten practical habits that will help both leaders and employees contribute to their teams in extraordinary ways. Ron developed these ideas after years of serving educators and schools, but they work for businesses and nonprofits, too. Why? Because at the end of the day, ANY organization needs great people in order to thrive. Ron will show you how to be the kind of leader who draws the best out of your team. Don’t miss this inspiring (and incredibly practical) episode. Listen now! http://buildingastorybrand.com/89

The world around us is pretty bonkers. Fortunately, that’s good for us as business leaders. Behind every headline, there are so many lessons that can make our business stronger. Today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we hear the crazy story behind one of those headlines. Ryan Holiday is the author of Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue, which tells the story of how Peter Thiel strategically launched a behind-the-scenes conspiracy to take down media giant Gawker. The story itself is wild, but when Ryan tells it, it becomes a study in how to use narrative, patience, and strategy if you find yourself in a battle of sorts. Maybe you’re battling a

Why do organizations fail? For countless reasons, of course, but at the root of every business failure you’ll find a leader who never gave their team a clear vision. It sounds so simple, but in practice, only the boldest leaders have the courage to craft a vision and the tenacity to keep their staff focused on it. So when it comes to bold leadership, you don’t need to look much farther than today’s podcast guest, Carey Lohrenz. She was the first female pilot of an F-14 Tomcat, and she knows what it takes to lead well when the pressure’s on and the stakes are immense. In today’s episode, she shares the three characteristics you need to be a bold leader, with practical ways you can develop them. Listen now, and give yourself a

90 days from now. It’s not that far away, is it? That’s all the time you need to accomplish a major goal, according to Todd Herman, a performance coach for athletes and business owners. He’s our guest today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. He shares his four-part blueprint for tackling big projects in 90 days instead of letting them languish and stall for an entire year or longer. He’ll show you how to make reaching your goals “inevitable” by using smarter strategy and a more efficient process -- all in 90 days. If you want to scale your business as efficiently as possible, don’t miss this interview! http://buildingastorybrand.com/86 

Left or right. Justice or mercy. Traditional or innovative. Logic or gut instinct. We tend to be binary thinkers. We assume things have to be one way or the other. But this is dangerous, according to Tim Arnold, today’s guest on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. To be a better leader -- both at work and at home -- we need to embrace healthy tension. We need to learn to see life’s decisions not as “either/or” but as “both/and.” When we do, we give ourselves a massive competitive advantage. We unlock a new level of leadership and creativity. Our businesses (and our lives) can breathe and be healthy. <span style="font-weigh

It’s easy to spot weak company culture, isn’t it? We’ve all witnessed the politics, egos, and backstabbing. That kind of toxic environment makes it hard to do good work and retain good people. But it’s not so easy to pinpoint what makes a thriving company culture. What steps can we take to cultivate it with our current employees? How can we recruit and hire people who “get it?” To answer those questions, Donald Miller sits down with renowned business consultant Patrick Lencioni this week on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Patrick shares the three characteristics of a great team member, plus practical ways you can help your team develop those traits. Your business can’t reach its potential if your people don’t reach theirs. What Patrick shares here will help you create a positive, authentic company culture that dr

So, at this point, you know you need a strong social media strategy to grow your business. But it seems like the best practices are always changing. It takes a ton of time. You’re constantly updating all the things. And at the end of the day, you have no idea if it’s even working. Here’s the good news. With the right strategies, you can measurably grow your business with social media -- even if you don’t have a lot of time or a huge staff. That’s why we’re thrilled to have Rachel Hollis on the podcast today. She’s the force behind The Chic Site, where she’s built a massive community by serving them with valuable content. She sits down with Donald Miller to talk through the five key s

When the Winter Olympics start this week, we’re going to be captivated by winners. We’ll get inspired by seeing years of hard work all come down to one moment of glory. You may not be fine-tuning your luge run. But as business leaders, we still want to win. We want to surpass last month’s goals. We want to beat the competition. We want to lead the industry. That’s why we have Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton back on the Building a StoryBrand podcast this week. He and Donald Miller talk about how to live more like a champion. Scott has an amazing way of taking what he’s learned about competing and winning at the highest level and turning it into wisdom we can use in everyday life. When you know what champions do differently, you’ll start accumulating little wins  -- and those will turn into big victories for your

These days, our economy shifts and evolves at light speed. It can be overwhelming and intimidating just to follow along with the news. But if you lead a business, you need to understand how these big-level marketplace changes affect your company. When you do, you’ll feel empowered to make smarter decisions about how you hire and invest. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller talks with economist and investment expert Ron Carson about the many economic issues that impact a business leader. You’ll discover what the new tax plan means for you, how to spot a strong financial opportunity, specific investment ideas for today’s market, what to watch out for when you hire a financial advisor, what’s really happening with blockchain technology -- plus a whole lot more. <span style="

For your business to truly thrive, you’ve got to be good at delegation. You know this. But it’s so hard to relinquish control of your email, your calendar, and your travel. You’ve bought into the myth that only you can do it all, and it’s sucking the life out of you. A personal assistant can help -- but only if you set up the relationship in a healthy way. To help us, Donald Miller sits down with Bryan Miles. His company, Belay Solutions, helps high-performing executives achieve more by pairing them with top-notch virtual assistants. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, they discuss the 5 key ways you can create a positive and productive relationship with your assistant, even if you’ve been reluctant to delegate in the past. Stop trying to do it all. Listen to this episode, and you’ll unlock new lev

Have you ever felt like something is missing from your customers’ experience? Or that you and your team are just “going through the motions?”   Sure, you’re delivering a great product, but it’s just a business transaction. Worse, you and your team have lost the excitement you used to have about serving your customers. That’s why I’m thrilled to sit down with Dan Heath on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. As the  co-author of The Power of Moments, he’s going to show you what’s missing in your customer and team interactions. You’re going to learn 4 ways to create powerful moments they’ll always remember. As a leader, you don’t need a ton of money or resources to create defining moments for the

Do you always feel like you’re short on time? Most days, it seems like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that matters to us. But what if the problem isn’t how many hours we have — but how we’re using them? That’s the big idea from Daniel Pink, our guest today on the StoryBrand podcast. Daniel has done the research and studied the science, and it turns out that certain times are better than others for doing different types of work. Donald Miller sits down with Daniel to help you finally understand the smart way to structure your time. He points out the common time management mistakes he sees and how to fix them. And he shows you a simple way to pay attention to your natural rhythms, so you can maximize your productivity and creativity every day. The quest for the ideal schedule ends here! Listen to this episode to stop the constant stress of the time crunch. Then watch your days (and your life!) transform. htt

We may hide it well, but the truth is most of us business leaders and executives suffer from the same fears that plagued us in middle school — appearing incompetent, vulnerable, and foolish. These fears get in the way of our goals and mess up our relationships. But not this year. As we move into 2018, we’re going to start with how to face your underlying fears in a healthy way. This week, Miles Adcox joins Donald Miller for this week’s episode of Building a StoryBrand podcast. As the CEO of the therapeutic retreat center Onsite, he’s been helping leaders like you and me understand how we need to embrace our fears rather than give in to the typical fight, flight or freeze responses.   This is an inspiring conversation, and the wisdom Miles shares has the potential to launch our new year in a way that will forever change the way we lead. Don’t miss it!

Since it’s Christmas, we decided to wrap up all the practical advice from 2017 and give it to you in a single episode. Tune in to Blake Mycoskie, Chief Shoe-Giver and founder of TOMS, for the first three hires you should make as you scale up your business. Charles Duhigg, author of Smarter Faster Better reveals how to build mental models to help you avoid wasting time on unimportant tasks. Professional storyteller Tricia Rose Burt gives you the story structure that will help you resonate with your audience. And Robert Sutton, author of The A-hole Survival Guide, will tell you how to avoid jerks at the office. We’ll finish with advice on how to close deals from Molly Fletcher, author of A Winn

Get our most helpful advice from some of our favorite interviews in a single episode! As we close out the year, we’ve selected five big ideas from our conversations that zero in on building your business. You get to hear from Seth Godin, marketing genius, about speed versus perfection when it comes to launching your product. You’ll learn how to reverse engineer your goals from Fizzle director, Chase Reeves, and how to get your team to focus on and execute your most important goal from 4DX co-author Chris McChesney. Nancy Duarte will teach you how to structure your upcoming presentation. Finally, copywriting extraordinaire Ray Edwards will reveal the magic words you need to use with your customers to make you money. If you’re traveling over the holidays, this is a great way

You don’t get to meet an astronaut everyday. They’re really special people who beat terrific odds (less than 1%) to get where they are. So what an honor it is to have Astronaut Jerry Linenger on the podcast. He was sent on some of the most dangerous and historical space missions of all time. Jerry has faced mechanical malfunctions, fires and system failures all while in space. While you might not have to put out a space fire this week, we all have faced extreme pressures before. The principles Jerry used to accomplish his missions won’t only work for him. They’ll help you bring a stronger sense of purpose to your business, too — no matter what the odds are. http://buildingastorybrand.com/74

As consumers, we admire disruptors like Netflix, Uber, and Apple. But as a business leader, disruption can cause you to lose sleep at night. You’ve got to stay ahead of the competition or you might get left behind. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Whitney Johnson to talk about how to prepare your team to manage change in an age of disruption. She’s an expert on this topic and gives you some strategies to help you feel competent and confident in the dynamic business realm you work in. http://buildingastorybrand.com/73

How much can poor customer service cost you? The answer is more than you think. Donald Miller sits down with Todd Duncan, author of The $6,000 Egg. A best-selling author and thought-leader in the sales industry, Todd outlines five scenarios that illustrate the five rules of spectacular customer service. When you apply them, you’ll bring in loyal customers and create trust in your company.   Customer service is the bedrock of your brand. If your team takes ownership of your company’s values and delivers wonderful service to your customers, you’ll see exponential growth in your business. You’ll also discover that almost every aspect of your company runs smoother. http://buildingastorybrand.com/72

How can a professional storyteller help you grow your business? Simple. Business is about persuading people to buy your products or services. And, psychologists tell us that storytelling is the most effective method of persuasion. So, you’re going to need effective storytelling to grow your business.   In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with professional storyteller Tricia Rose Burt to talk about 3 super powerful principles you need to tell a great story. You can apply these to almost any communication you use in your business. When you understand these principles of story, your marketing will become much more persuasive and your sales will grow. http://buildingastorybrand.com/71

If you’ve ever seriously thought about starting a business of your own, you’ve probably discovered how difficult it is to get good advice on how to do it. What you need is a map, a blueprint, of how to get from your cubicle to doing what you love. And you need to know how to make money at it. Because, let’s face it, making a good living is an important part of your security and happiness. This week, Donald Miller sits down with Dorie Clark, author of Entrepreneurial You, on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Dorie’s interviewed over 50 highly successful entrepreneurs about how they’ve monetized doing something they care about, and she’s going to share with us all their secrets. You’re going to learn the 3 key phases to develop y

You’re going to retire someday. And we’re not talking about just a few years of your life. People are living longer. More people will live to 100 than ever. So you might be in financial stress for a good 20 to 25 years of your life if you don’t make some changes. Worse, you could end up becoming a burden to the people you love the most. That’s not a pretty picture, but there’s some good news. Donald Miller sits down with Chris Hogan, the author of Retire Inspired, on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. He calls his book “America’s wake-up call” and his goal is to motivate you to think about retirement now and think about it differently. http://buildingastorybrand.com/69

Do you feel like no matter how hard you work, you’re always behind? The worst part is you know of highly productive people who have time for everything important — family, health, friends and business. Nothing has to be sacrificed upon the altar of success. So, what are their secrets? Today’s podcast guest will reveal them. Charles Duhigg, the author of Smarter Faster Better, used to be sitting in the same place you are now. He had achieved an incredibly successful career, but was still miserable. His daily life whizzed by in frantic activity that left him feeling empty. Charles began investigati

Does running your business feel like you’re caught in a whirlwind? That ringing phone, the unexpected appointment, the stuff piling up from last week? Urgent matters keep popping up. All the while, more important things like growing your company gets pushed aside. You know the answer lies in getting help from your team, but trying to get your team to do something new in the midst of the whirlwind is extremely difficult. Today, you’ll discover the solution to that problem. Donald Miller sits down with Chris McChesney, co-author of The 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX). Trying to change the behaviors of the people around you is one of the biggest challenges you’ll ever face. With the 4 Disciplines of

If you have an important, high-stakes presentation that needs to move people en masse in a given direction, Nancy Duarte is the person you’d call. She’s written, visualized, and helped people deliver some of the world’s greatest talks. Her Guide to Persuasive Presentations is the best-selling Harvard Business Review guide ever. And if you haven’t seen Nancy’s TED talk — where she lays Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech over Steve Jobs’ Apple iPhone release and shows you how they’re essentially the same talk — then I don’t know where you’ve been in the last six years. So I can’t tell you enough how honored I am to have Nancy as our guest on this week’s episode of Building a StoryBrand podcast. Nancy gives you the tools you need to make your presentation resonate. She’s going to show you how to carefully examine and craft seven different sections of your presentation before stepping up on stage. http://buildingastorybrand.com/66

This week my new book Building a StoryBrand is out! If you’ve been wanting to clarify your message pick it up today at Amazon or Barnes and Noble! That said, if you don’t want to order it because reading hurts your brain, there’s a distant, distant second option I recommend. And that’s to listen to this week’s podcast because this week, J.J. and I shamelessly plug the book by going through it point by point. It’s like the audiobook but with a laugh track! The main reason I wrote the book is because I wanted to make marketing easy and I believe it accomplishes that task. To get the best points, though, you’ll have to buy the book to get. I’m no dummy. Anyway, I hope you read these ideas, apply them and make loads of money. And I hope they make you want to buy the book to make even more. <span s

Being successful isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. I mean, look at the headlines. We can all name a few celebrities who crumbled under the pressure of fame and fortune. While well-known artists may deal with the problems of success on an amplified level, most successful leaders have similar struggles and are in danger of the same downfalls. That’s why I’m so excited about this week’s episode on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. I sit down with Al Andrews, the founder and executive director of Porter’s Call, a service that counsels and supports recording artists. Al has a client list with names you’d certainly recognize so he’s very familiar with the problems fortune brings. As he shares his wisdom about how he helps his clients stay healthy and grounded, you’ll find help as a leader too. <span

If you’ve ever tried to write sales copy for your product, then you’ve probably felt the intimidation of the blank page. Worse, when you’ve finally beat the blank page blues, your copy doesn’t deliver the results you wanted. Your words fail to persuade your customers. That’s why I’m thrilled to sit down with Ray Edwards on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. As the author of How to Write Copy That Sells, Ray’s going to reveal some magic phrases that will help you write great copy. After listening to this podcast, you’ll no longer be intimidated by the blank page and you’ll find your sales copy is finally doing its job — reaching the people who need your product and making you money. http://buildingastorybrand.com/63

Ever thought about quitting your job to start a business of your own? Not everyone is ready to risk a secure job to launch a new enterprise. Some people really like their day job. And for many, a regular paycheck is a blessing. That’s why I’m honored to have Chris Guillebeau joining us on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. He’s the author of Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days and he’s going to show us how to quickly and easily create an additional stream of income without giving up the security of a full-time job. Whatever your reason for starting a side hustle, listen to this podcast to learn the simple process it takes to make it happen. Chris blazes a clear path to help you earn extra income fast.

If you had a chance to sit down with a world-renowned businessman, what would you ask? As an entrepreneur, you’d likely want him to go back to the point where you are and find out what crucial decisions he made to help his business go big. Blake Mycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS, is one of the top young businessmen in the world and perhaps the most visionary entrepreneur in forming social-minded businesses and consumers. On the podcast this week, I sit down with Blake to talk about his entrepreneurial journey. Blake shares a fascinating story of how he became a fashion mogul by giving shoes away through his One for One model, and he gives some powerful advice regarding you as an entrepreneur. During the interview, I hone in on the three critical hires he made to sc

Do you feel like your job isn’t what you should be doing? Perhaps you have a side hustle that you wish could be your main hustle? Or you have an entrepreneurial itch that just won’t go away? If so, you’d probably like some help in making your business dreams a reality. Someone who can guide your through the journey from beginning to end. That’s why I’m happy to have Chase Reeves joining us on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. He’s a co-founder of Fizzle and their mission is to help you earn a living independently doing something you care about. In this episode, he outlines four steps to start you down the right path. <span style="font-we

Many of our favorite movies and TV shows portray jerks at work. From droning Lumbergh in Office Space, clueless Michael in The Office, to sleazy Mr. Hart in 9 to 5, we find these characters so funny because they’re true. It isn’t funny, however, actually working with these jerks. According to a recent study, 75% of workers deal with bullies in the workplace. This has a huge effect on the economy, your workplace, and your health. So, what can you do? Robert Sutton sets out to answer that question in his new book, The A--hole Survival Guide (his book just says the word). His strategies will provide relief to anyone who feels pushed around by a jerk. You can avoid them, outwit them, disarm them, send them packing, and develop protective psychological armor. Finally, at the end of this post, you can see if you might be adding to the jerk population. Nobody wants to lose life hours to a bully. Listen to this episode of the B

Do you and your team members suffer from DSD — Distracted, Stressed, and Disconnected?  Sure, you believe in what your team is doing. And you believe in the people on your team. But it feels like no matter how hard you all work, the results keep eluding you. Worse, you go home exhausted and give your family the only thing you’ve got … leftovers. You’d love to find a way to turn your team around, but how? On the podcast this week, Donald Miller interviews Craig Ross, one of the authors of Do Big Things: The Simple Steps Teams Can Take to Mobilize Hearts and Minds, and Make an Epic Impact.   Craig is wanting teams to get big results without losing their souls. He’ll take you through 7 essential steps teams must execute to do extraordinary things while making DSD a thing of the past. When your team has heart, you’ll not only get the job done, you’ll become legendary within your company and your family. http://buildingastorybrand.com/58

Are you in a sales slump? What if I told you the reason for your lagging sales isn’t the fluctuating market. Neither is it your product or company. It’s not even the competition. Top sellers across various industries and companies prove that sales performance isn’t situational. The key to sales success is you. This is good news because you can start making money right away with some key adjustments to how you sell. By learning the behaviors, attitudes and a few vital skills of the aces in the industry, your revenue stream will skyrocket. Sales expert Anthony Iannarino joins Donald Miller this week on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. As author of The Only Sales Guide You’ll Ever Need, Anthony is going to reveal the secrets of star salespeople who consistently outperform their peers. If you’re tired of wasting time at the office and are ready to become a true sales pro, listen to this episode and take your sales abilities to the next lev

Running a company can sometimes feel like a treacherous journey. A bad financial decision will cost you a ton of money. If you don’t give enough attention to your relationships, you might lose your family. And a lack of focus sucks away precious time. It’d be so much simpler if you had a map to guide you through it. Some sort of blueprint to show you where you might fall so you can avoid the hassle of trying to dig your way out. That’s why I’m thrilled about this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast with David Covey and Stephan Mardyks, co-authors of Trap Tales: Outsmarting the 7 Hidden Obstacles to Success. In this episode, they highlight the major traps business leaders slip into and show you how to steer clear of them. Listen now so you can avoid these common pitfalls and save time, money and your relationships. http://buildingastorybrand.com/56

This week, we’re honored to welcome Seth Godin to the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Unless you’ve been living in a cave for the last fifteen years, you recognize Seth Godin as a preeminent influencer in the marketing world. And in an industry that can be so noisy, cheesy, and in-your-face, Seth’s thinking stands out. It’s deep and it’s well-reasoned. And it’s humanistic, affirming at its core that marketing is ultimately about people and the relationships we build with them. In this conversation, Donald Miller and Seth Godin cover a lot of ground, including: *How to ship your projects quickly without sacrificing quality *Why the old models of marketing are failing and what it takes to succeed today *The psychology behind why people buy (most of us miss it) *The perils of not understanding the world we’re marketing in *Why now is an ideal time to be a creative person At every point in the conversation, Seth challenges us to think d

If you want to grow your business, of course you’ve got to get the everyday stuff right: product quality, customer satisfaction, marketing, personnel, logistics, etc. But there’s more to success than those elements. To see the right kind of growth in our business, we also need to focus on our personal growth. That’s why this week’s episode is designed to give you a moment of reflection this summer. In our second of two podcasts featuring The Best of 2017 (So Far), we’ve compiled the most powerful advice from our podcast guests for staying balanced and healthy while your business grows. This week, listen to Part 2 of The Best of 2017 (So Far) as we highlight 5 key ways you can move forward professionally while staying balanced personally. http://buildingastorybrand.com/54

For these next two episodes, we’ve selected several excellent clips for you to revisit or catch up on what you may have missed. Summer is a time for recreation, rest and reflection. Because we’ve covered so much great content, we wanted to take some time to think back on what we’ve learned. Whether you’re on a vacation or staycation, mull over the highlights of what we’ve covered in 2017 and evaluate whether you’ve incorporated them into your business and your life. Some principles are so essential, they need repetition and time to sink in. This is our way of making space for that to happen. Listen to this week’s episode as we recap the most important ideas from 5 of our most popular interviews. http://buildingastorybrand.com/53

Why does trust matter so much in business? In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we’re going to show you how to build trust in your company. Donald Miller interviews David Horsager, leadership speaker and author of The Trust Edge. David tells us that loss of trust costs us a lot, bringing skepticism, frustration, low productivity, lost sales, and turnover into our business. Trust affects a leader’s impact and the company’s bottom line more than any other single thing. The good news is you can earn trust over time by building and maintaining these eight key pillars. Listen to this episode, learn how to form a trusting relationship with your team and your customers, and watch your bottom line increase. http://buildingastorybrand.com/52

What do elite athletes have that business leaders need? A fearless mindset. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Molly Fletcher, a former sports agent who has taken what she’s learned from leaders in the world of sports to leaders in the workplace. Representing elite athletes during their sports careers has given Molly an insider view of what drives them to surpass the rest. She reveals that the best-of-the-best athletes have a fearless mindset. Listen to this episode and put some of these same fundamental habits to work for you in your business so you can achieve your maximum potential. http://buildingastorybrand.com

How did you get to where you are now in your business? I’m sure you could list a lot of factors. But every successful business leader will always point to specific people in their lives who mentored them along the way. Books and classes are powerful, but nothing can replace actual people stepping into your life to guide you. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Ken Blanchard and Claire Diaz-Ortiz join Donald Miller to talk about mentorship. They share a process for mentoring that will help you begin a strong mentoring relationship, whether you need a mentor or want to become one. The six elements they outline in their process (forming the acronym MENTOR) will show you how to begin a mentoring relationship that could make all the difference in another person’s life -- and in your own. http://buildingastorybrand.com/50  

If you haven’t gotten serious about email marketing, it’s time. In this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, we’re going to take away the confusion behind getting started with email marketing. Donald Miller sits down with Francis Jones of Infusionsoft. Francis shares eight common email mistakes he sees beginners make when they start email marketing -- plus what to do instead. Listen to this episode and schedule an hour of time to implement even one of these ideas, and you’ll make a dramatic impact on your business. http://buildingastorybrand.com/49

Imagine you see a homeless couple on the side of the road holding a sign that says “Ugly, Broke, and Hungry.” You stop to hear their story and take them out to dinner. And before the last course is served, you’ve invited them to be your business partners. That’s the story of Caitlin Crosby, the founder and creative visionary behind the company The Giving Keys and this week’s guest on the Building a StoryBrand podcast. The Giving Keys employs people who are trying to transition out of homelessness to engrave keys with different inspiring words. You buy a key and wear it for awhile, and then you look for a chance to pass it on and pay it forward to somebody you feel needs the message on that key more than you do. Caitlin’s stor

Go on, admit it. If you’re a business leader, you’ve stayed up late binge-watching -- no, not Game of Thrones -- but TED talks. And it’s totally understandable. TED talks take complex topics and present them in a way that everybody understands. There’s something about making things clear, regardless of what you're talking about, that the human mind engages. That’s the magic of TED. This week on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Chris Anderson, the CEO of TED. Chris shares six principles that make a TED talk successful. If you need to communicate any big idea to a large group of people, whether it’s in a speech or a board meeting or a lecture, you’re going to find his advice invaluable.

Can you be both a disciplined, focused business leader and a deeply creative person? For us here at StoryBrand, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, the worlds of creatives and business leaders overlap more than we might assume. If you’re leading a business, you need to embrace your creativity. When you do, you’ll unlock levels of innovation and inspiration in your work that will give you a competitive advantage. And anyone who does creative work needs to focus and master their industry so their work gets the attention it deserves. To help us as business leaders understand the creative process better, Donald Miller invited Luke Laird to join this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast. He’s a Grammy-award-winning producer and songwriter who’s penned 23 number-one hits for major country artists like Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Eric Church, and Tim McGraw. Whether you’re a business leader trying to embrace your creativity or an aspiring artis

If you’ve ever smelled that warm and buttery smell in the mall, and minutes later, had an Auntie Anne’s pretzel in your hand, you’re not alone. Auntie Anne’s has 2,000 locations in 26 countries. They’ve made 1.8 billion pretzels -- enough to go around the Earth 50 times. And their success is about a lot more than just that amazing smell. Auntie Anne’s founder, Anne Beiler, is an incredible leader with a unique backstory. She joins Donald Miller on this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast to share the lessons she’s learned growing this company. Her story will inspire you in so many ways, especially if you’re passionate about personal growth and building a company with a greater purpose. For a blog post summary of the episode with practical takeaways, visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/45

Is it possible to live a life of service and sacrifice even while pursuing a career that matters deeply? When you look at the life of sportscasting legend Ernie Johnson, Jr., you can’t help but say yes. On this episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Ernie Johnson. They share a heartfelt conversation about leading a life of significance and making room to help others, even while we pursue our careers. Don’t miss this inspiring episode. The life lessons here are rich and hard and absolutely worth your time. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/44 to help you apply what you learned in the interview to your life and business.

What if there were a roadmap that showed you all the major milestones your business was going to hit as it grows? Wouldn’t it be great to know what’s coming next and how to navigate well? That framework exists, and we’re going to explore it in depth on this week’s episode of the Building a StoryBrand podcast. Donald Miller sits down with David McKeown of PredictableSuccess.com. He and his father Les have developed this framework over decades, and they’ve seen it prove out in countless companies, regardless of their size or industry. When you understand these seven stages, you’ll understand how to strike a perfect balance between innovation and processes. And when that happens, the success of your business becomes a lot more predictable. Listen now and take the guesswork out of growing your small business. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/43 to help you apply what you learned in the interview to your bus

The better we understand people, the better leaders we’ll be. And one of the best tools for understanding yourself and those around you is the Enneagram. If you haven’t encountered it before, the Enneagram is simply an ancient personality framework. There are nine core types, and we tend to gravitate toward one of them in our youth as a way of coping with the world. This week on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller talks with Enneagram expert Ian Cron about how to use this powerful framework to make both yourself and your business healthier. They unpack each of nine personality types and then discuss how understanding the Enneagram can help you become a stronger, more empathetic leader. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/42 to help you apply what you learned in the interview to your business.

What’s the most powerful tool in the world for captivating the human brain? It’s storytelling. As business leaders, sometimes we struggle to keep our audience’s attention for a few seconds. But storytellers have figured out how to keep an audience’s attention for hours. If we want to captivate our customers, we need to understand the art of storytelling. So today on the Building a StoryBrand podcast, Donald Miller talks with Allan Heinberg, one of the world’s most accomplished storytellers. He’s written for Grey’s Anatomy and Sex and the City and is currently the showrunner for Shonda Rhimes’ show The Catch. In this episode, you’ll find a wealth of wisdom for how to captivate your audience of prospective customers. (There’s also a fair amount of geeking out about character development and the creative process!) PLUS! Don’t miss the BONUS SEGMENT with musician Drew Holcomb. Drew stopped by our office to ta

Most of us business leaders are glued to our phones. Work can feel all-consuming. We end each day fatigued and overloaded, and everything suffers as a result. But life isn't supposed to look like this. We need what Juliet Funt calls “white space” -- strategic rests and pauses between our busy-ness. This week, Juliet joins Donald Miller on the Building a Story Brand podcast, and she helps us understand the importance of these pauses for our work, the four big reasons we struggle with it, and what we can do to reclaim our rest and thoughtfulness. This is an inspiring conversation, and the wisdom Juliet shares has the potential to give us better quality of work at the office and better presence with our loved ones at home. Don’t miss it! Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/40 to help you apply what you learned in the interview to your business.

Why do some companies stay young, agile, and competitive, while others get bogged down and decline? That’s the big question that this week's guest, Chris Zook, set out to answer. After years of research, he and his team at Bain Insights found three key elements that showed up in successful companies, and they called them “The Founder’s Mentality.” On this episode, Donald Miller sits down with Chris to understand how these three elements make a company healthy on the inside and create more profit and more impact on the world. Listen now! Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/39 to help you apply what you learned in the interview to your business.

Why do leaders fail? It’s not because they don’t know what they’re doing. It’s usually because they’ve failed to listen to and develop their staff. They’ve failed to respect and communicate well with them. Basically, they’ve failed at people skills. To help us master the fine art of people skills, Lee Cockerell, the former Executive VP of Operations for Disney, joins Donald Miller on this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast. Lee built his sterling career by focusing on people, and in this conversation, he shares five major takeaways we can all use to help our teams grow -- and see our businesses grow as a result. ***PLUS! A BONUS SEGMENT*** Just in time for the Masters tournament this week, Donald talks with professional golfer Ryan Moore about what it’s like to play the Masters and what makes its unique brand of tradition and excellence so special. Don’t miss it! Get the worksheet that goes along with this

Motivation is overrated. If you want to accomplish the things that will grow your life and your business, you can’t rely on it. And today’s guest on the Building a Story Brand podcast, Mel Robbins, is with me on this notion that motivation isn’t the key to success. More than that, she’s discovered a simple mental strategy we can use to bypass motivation in order to make wise decisions that grow our businesses, make healthful decisions, and strengthen our relationships. It’s incredibly simple and intuitive, as you’ll see, and it has the power to dramatically impact your life. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/37

Why are most meetings so awful? A lot of us leave every meeting feeling like we’ve wasted our time and gotten nowhere on a problem -- only to get back to our desks farther behind on our “real jobs.” But with a little intention, we can make meetings not just productive, but also energizing and fun. On this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Daniel Tardy the SVP of EntreLeadership, Dave Ramsey’s business coaching division. They walk through nine strategies we can use that will make our meetings more productive and more fun. With this advice, you can lead dynamic meetings that bring out the best in your team and actually move the needle for your business. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/36

There’s nobody like Elon Musk. As the founder and CEO of both SpaceX and Tesla (among other ventures), he is arguably the world’s most visionary entrepreneur. And on the podcast this week, Donald Miller interviews Ashlee Vance, the man who wrote Musk’s definitive (and bestselling) biography. As entrepreneurs ourselves, what can we learn from a pioneering leader like Elon Musk? Listen to this interview for an inside look at Musk’s life and discover the big takeaways we can use to build our businesses, even if we’re NOT building rockets. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/35

Why do leaders crash and burn, taking their companies and families down with them? Is it the inevitable result of pressure or a character flaw? Or can it all be prevented? In this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with leadership expert Stephen Mansfield to talk about the 10 warning signs of a leadership crash -- and how to fix them. The list will surprise you. Listen today and discover how to protect yourself from a leadership crash. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/34

If you’re trying to start and grow a business, you know it’s not an easy road. Rewarding, yes. Eventful, yes. But easy? Not at all. But like any journey, you’re better off if you’ve equipped yourself properly for it. And that’s why I am so honored to have Carrie Green joining us on the Building a Story Brand podcast. She’s the founder of the wildly successful Female Entrepreneur Association, and in this episode she shares six steps entrepreneurs can follow to grow their businesses. Wherever you are in your entrepreneurial journey, listen now so you can take the next right step for your company. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/33

According to Greg McKeown, the author of Essentialism, most of us have been living under the assumption that we can have it all -- we just have to cram it all into our lives. As a result, we end up busy (not necessarily productive) and stretched too thin at work and at home. We’re chained to our smartphones, hopping from disjointed task to disjointed task, not really focused on (or even clear about) what we want. Essentialism changes all that. It helps us tune out all the unimportant things vying for our attention so we can discover and pursue a very small number of things of lasting value. Nobody wants to fritter away their lives on their smart phones. Listen to this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast with Donald Miller and special guest Greg McKeown, and you’ll be inspired to live a life rich with clarity and meaning. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/32

For business leaders, public speaking skills are critical. Whether you’re delivering a major keynote or simply leading a staff meeting, you’ve got to be able to engage your audience and communicate powerfully. That’s why public speaking expert Mike Pacchione is joining Donald Miller this week on the Building a Story Brand podcast. As a part of the communications consulting firm Duarte, Mike gives 70 speeches a year -- all on the topic of public speaking. He is the talker about talking. And he’s going to teach us to talk. Mike shares the expert tactics that separate casual public speakers who just get by from pros who stand out. Whether you’re a dread-filled newbie or a seasoned pro, give this a listen and take your public speaking skills to the next level. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/31

As business leaders, we often get so focused on the details of our company that we forget to step back and understand things from our customers’ perspective. As a result, we talk over our potential customers’ heads in our communication and marketing. Feeling confused, they take their business to another company -- not necessarily a better one, but one they understand. But when we learn how to communicate clearly, we stop confusing our customers and start connecting with them. On this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Lee LeFever, the master of the explainer video, to share four practical strategies we can use to speak clearly, engage our customers, and grow our businesses. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/30

We’re passionate about growing our businesses, aren’t we? But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, the path of scaling a company is lined with landmines and pitfalls, both personal and professional. This week on the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller talks with massively successful entrepreneur Chalene Johnson about the five things we can do this year to dramatically scale our businesses without losing our minds. If you want to grow your business the right way, without compromising your personal life or values, don’t miss this episode! Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/29

As a business leader, you’d never start a year without a working budget or a sense of your profit margin, would you? But most of us don’t have the same kind of awareness and discipline when it comes to our personal finances. That’s why we’ve got Rachel Cruze joining Donald Miller for this week’s episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast. She is a personal finance expert and bestselling author. And as the daughter of Dave and Sharon Ramsey, her heart for the topic runs deep. Listen now to discover the seven habits you can develop in your personal finances to build wealth, give back, and have peace of mind about your money. Download the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/28

If you’re good at marketing, you know how to make people understand what you offer. But if you’re good at branding, you know how to make people feel a certain way about it. When you master this, you can create exponential value for your business. (For example, branding is what allowed Starbucks to sell a 50-cent cup of coffee for $4.) This week on the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller talks with advertising legend Don Schneider about the art of branding. He’s the creative force behind ads for marquee brands like Pepsi, GE, and HBO. But as you’ll see in this episode, what he’s discovered about branding and human behavior applies no matter your budget. Listen now and discover the secrets of branding that can have an exponential impact on your bottom line. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/27

A lot of us believe that killer negotiators are born, not made. But that’s not true. When you know a few key strategies, you can become a great negotiator and land great outcomes for your business. Best of all, you can do it while treating others with respect. In this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with negotiation coach and expert John Lowry. John walks us through five techniques to improve our negotiation skills so we can strike better deals, increase our revenue, and grow our companies. Get the worksheet that goes along with this episode at http://buildingastorybrand.com/26

Welcome to 2017! If you’re wondering how to make this year more productive and meaningful, try the 30-day process we walk you through in this week's episode. This system won’t take you more than a few minutes each day, but it will unlock new levels of energy and focus you didn’t know you had. Listen now and discover how to develop new habits, become more productive, overcome procrastination, and complete the major projects that will move the needle for your business this year. http://buildingastorybrand.com/25

Get our best wisdom from 2016, compressed into a single episode! As we close out the year, we’ve selected clips from 10 conversations we’ve had on the podcast and highlighted our biggest takeaways from them. If you’re traveling over the holidays, this is a great way to find helpful episodes you may have missed or revisit your favorites for fresh insights. Thanks to everyone for listening this year. We’ve learned a ton from our guests, and we hope we’ve helped you clarify your messaging and grow your business! http://buildingastorybrand.com/24

As good as your gut may be about your customers, there are some aspects of your business that are too important to guess at. That’s why I’m thrilled to have David Kinnaman joining us on this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast. He’s the owner of The Barna Group, a market research firm that’s helped thousands of companies better understand their customers through survey data. He’s got 10 excellent tips for sending surveys to our customers. These will help you listen better, pinpoint opportunities for growth, and make better products and services. Listen to this episode, send a survey in the coming weeks, and I know you’ll have a stronger, more successful business to show for it. http://buildingastorybrand.com

2017 is right around the corner. How can you set yourself up for a great year in your job? What if I said you should fire yourself? It sounds crazy, but it’s exactly what our CEO, Nigel Green, does every year. It gives him the perspective and energy he needs to embrace whatever challenges the new year brings. In this week's episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, we share exactly how you can do this process yourself and why it works. It sounds super critical at first, but it’s actually a positive way to ensure you’re growing in your job and serving your company well. Listen now and I know you’ll be inspired to close out your year well and start 2017 with a healthy perspective. (We’ve even got a free downloadable PDF that will walk you through the process!) http://buildingastorybrand.com

If you’re trying to run and grow a business, you know you’re going to need smart marketing tactics to get you to the next level of success. The trouble is, there is SO MUCH information out there. And not all of it can be trusted to actually work for you. So I’m thrilled to have Amy Porterfield joining me on the Building a Story Brand podcast this week. She’s an actual expert on all things digital marketing, and she has four ways you can dramatically improve your online marketing strategy, no matter what level you’re at today. Give it a listen! http://buildingastorybrand.com

Can we be real with each other? Leading a business packs a big emotional punch. The stress of the day-to-day. The immense pressure to succeed. The isolation at the top. The strangeness of managing an image. It’s a heavy burden to carry around -- and it takes a toll on us. That’s why it’s critical to care for your inner life and develop your emotional intelligence. If you do, you can forge a great home life and company culture. If you don’t, you can destroy it all. I’m thrilled to have Miles Adcox joining me for this week's episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast. He’s the CEO of the therapeutic retreat center Onsite, and he’s been helping leaders with this unique burden for over a decade. Miles has a six-part guiding framework that can help you create and sustain emotional fitness as a leader. It will change your company culture -- but more importantly, it will change people’s lives, including your own.

Entrepreneurs, listen up. If you want to bust through that revenue plateau, you’ve got to get good at selling -- even if you don’t think of yourself as a salesperson. We’re pleased to have Nicole Walters of The Monetized Life joining us on this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast. She quit her job as a top-selling corporate exec and built a million-dollar lifestyle business in a year. (Whoa.) Listen and discover four surprising strategies that we as entrepreneurs can use to dramatically improve the way we approach selling. If you’re ready to take a more disciplined, intentional approach to sales and finally move the needle for your business, don’t miss this episode! http://buildingastorybrand.com

As business leaders, we throw the word “grit” around a lot. It’s hard work, resilience, and toughness all rolled into one. But where does grit come from? And how can we tap into it to improve our companies and our lives? In this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, I sat down with Jon Gordon to talk about it. He shared four principles with me to help us develop more grit. And this guy knows his stuff. His principles of motivation and success have been tested and proven by pro sports teams and Fortune 500 companies. I really want him to go help out my Seahawks, but I digress. Give this episode a listen today. I know you’re going to discover something about yourself that’ll make you and your business more successful. http://buildingastorybrand.com

What do you offer your customers? Sure, you’ve got a product or service. But really, you offer your customers some kind of transformation. And when you fully understand this “before” and “after” journey of your customers, you can reach them on a whole new level. In this episode of the Building a Story Brand podcast, we learn exactly how to map out our customers’ transformation. Donald Miller talks with Ryan Deiss, the mastermind behind Digital Marketer, to talk about a simple four-part process you can do in an afternoon to make your marketing exponentially more persuasive. http://buildingastorybrand.com

Did you wake up this morning and ask, “What am I going to get done today?” Or did you say, "How can I use my time today in a way that makes tomorrow better?" If we really want to accomplish our big goals while keeping our priorities straight, we need to be asking the second question -- and working toward it every day. This week on the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller sits down with Rory Vaden, the NYT bestselling author and cofounder of Southwestern Consulting, to talk about the five strategies we can use to make smarter decisions with our time. Spoiler alert: these aren’t technology tools and hacks. These are revolutionary ways of thinking that will help you transform your productivity from the inside out. http://buildingastorybrand.com

Starting a business comes with plenty of challenges. And women face a unique set of them as they become entrepreneurs. To help, Donald Miller sat down with Christy Wright, founder of Business Boutique. And we’re kicking off the third season of the Building a Story Brand podcast by discussing 5 game-changing insights for entrepreneurial women. Christy sees the most common struggles women face in business. And she’s helped guide the success of thousands of female entrepreneurs through her wildly popular seminars. In this podcast, she shares five powerful insights women can use to develop as entrepreneurs. If you’re dreaming about starting a business, trying to get one off the ground, or building an empire, don’t miss this episode. http://buildingastorybrand.com

You can launch a product online with hope. Or you can launch it with a plan. In the Season 2 finale of the Building a Story Brand podcast, Donald Miller talks with Jeff Walker, digital marketing pioneer and creator of the wildly successful Product Launch Formula. Jeff shows us how to make our marketing more successful by treating it like a can't-miss event. Listen in and discover the strategies that have earned Jeff's students an estimated 400 million dollars and counting. If you're starting a business or struggling to make sales online, don't miss this episode! http://buildingastorybrand.com

Would you propose on a first date?   Of course not, but that's how many businesses approach marketing. You get a lead and immediately start asking for the sale.   In this episode of Building a Story Brand, Donald Miller talks with Brian Clark of Copyblogger about a better way to approach sales — with a strong content marketing strategy.   He'll show you exactly how to understand your customer, forge a relationship, and build trust — all by sharing your expertise for free.   Best of all? We get into the specifics of how to transform that trust into sales over time.   If you know it's time to start or improve your content marketing, but you're not sure what to do next, this episode will take all the mystery out of it so you can build a stronger business with content marketing.   http://buildingastorybrand.com

If we approached our jobs the way professional golfers approach theirs, we'd all be millionaires.   Meet Ben Crane, a PGA Tour golf pro consistently ranked among the world's best. Behind every stroke, he's packed countless hours of discipline, planning, intention, and sheer grit. When the pressure is on, he knows how to deliver.   Thing is, the five habits Ben employs to excel at golf don't only work for golfers. They'll help you win big in any area of your life. Listen and discover how to hit your loftiest goals, whether they're for your business, your health, or your personal life.   http://buildingastorybrand.com

We have mantra at StoryBrand: ​if you confuse, you'll lose.​   We say it in reference to customers, but it's also true for your team. Businesses don't just falter because they lack a vision. They falter because the employees don't truly understand what that vision is.   As a leader, your job is to make sure everyone on your staff knows where your company is going and how they can help it get there.   In this episode of Building a Story Brand, Donald Miller sits down with Ken Blanchard, the legendary leadership expert and author of ​The One Minute Manager, to talk about how to lead so people listen.   He shares a three-part approach to crafting, sharing, and maintaining a powerful vision for your entire company. He'll inspire you to start communicating differently with your team, and you'll have a more mobilized, effective, and unified staff to show for it.   <

Like it or not, we all judge each other by our appearances. What you wear makes an instant impression on your customers. It's up to you to define what that impression is.   In this episode of Building a Story Brand, Donald Miller sits down with Toi Sweeney, an award-winning image and style consultant. She shares the must-have pieces men and women need in their wardrobes to communicate success. You'll discover how to use color, fit, and style — on any budget — so your clothes always work for you, not against you.   With her advice, you can makeover your professional wardrobe in a few hours, feel more confident, and stand out for all the right reasons.   http://buildingastorybrand.com

Ever struggled to keep your customers coming back? Donald Miller talks with Chick-fil-A's VP of Brand Activation, David Salyers, to discuss how the beloved fast-food chain has built a multi-billion-dollar business by dazzling its customers.   In this episode of Building a Story Brand, you'll discover how to put Chick-fil-A's powerful customer-centric principles to work in your own business. And when you do, you'll have more repeat business, better word of mouth, and lower advertising costs. If you're serious about customer service, don't miss this episode!   http://buildingastorybrand.com

Customer service matters more than ever in our super-connected world. One customer experience for your business — good or bad — may end up influencing thousands of people.   In the Season 2 opener of Building a Story Brand, Donald Miller sits down with Mark and Brian Canlis of the world-famous Canlis restaurant in Seattle, WA. These brothers deliver unforgettable customer experiences night after night, year after year. They share exactly how they put their customers first — through radically unique approaches to hiring, team morale, profit, and more. Listen and get inspired to take your business' customer service to the next level.   http://buildingastorybrand.com/

What really drives true success — whether it's on the ice or in the office? In this episode, Donald Miller talks with Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medal-winning figure skater and humanitarian. They dig into what it takes to accomplish your biggest goals and beat the competition, plus what will derail you along the way. Apply Scott's hard-won wisdom, and you can achieve whatever crazy-big dreams you have for your life or business. Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/7 to get an unedited version of the interview with Scott Hamilton, along with a video of Don's website critique.

Feel like your sales copy falls flat? Join Donald Miller for a conversation with world-renowned copywriting and marketing pro Ray Edwards. You'll discover Ray's six-part formula for writing persuasive sales copy, including one critical element most people overlook. Skip it, and watch your sales tank. If you want to dramatically improve your sales letters, email campaigns, pitches, and landing pages, don't miss this episode! Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/6 to get an unedited version of the interview with Ray Edwards, along with a video of Don's website critique.

As anyone who's ever bought a set of kitchen knives at 2 a.m. will tell you, infomercials are selling machines. And in this podcast, you'll discover exactly how and why they work so well. Donald Miller talks with infomercial producer Jonathan Davis to uncover the secrets of getting people to take action and respond. Apply these proven strategies to your own marketing, and you'll get more people saying YES when you ask them to buy, inquire, or get involved. Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/5 to get an unedited version of the interview with Jonathan Davis, along with a video of Don's website critique.  

Feel overwhelmed and overworked? Don't miss this game-changing conversation with Donald Miller and Twitter pioneer Claire Diaz-Ortiz. In this episode, you'll discover six steps you can take to achieve more by doing less — starting today. This practical advice will help you simplify your to-do list, recharge, boost your creativity, and grow your business the right way. Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/4 to get an unedited version of the interview with Claire Diaz-Ortiz, along with a video of Don's website critique.

Donald Miller talks with personal finance legend Dave Ramsey about how to position your business as a guide and focus on your customers' successes. Dave intuitively understands this marketing strategy, and it's a huge reason why his products and content have impacted millions of people. In this episode, you'll discover exactly how to make this powerful shift in your communications and tap into your customers' most powerful motivations. Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/3 to get an unedited version of the interview with Dave Ramsey, along with a video of Don's website critique.

Donald Miller sits down with Mike McHargue, aka "Science Mike," to discuss what's really going on in your customers' brains when they come to your website. It's a fun and accessible look at the neuroscience of sales and marketing. When you understand how the human brain is wired, you can create irresistible marketing that taps into your customers' most powerful, predictable instincts. Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/2 to get an unedited version of the interview with Science Mike, along with a video of Don's website critique.

Donald Miller talks with special guest Michael Hyatt, the seven-figure leadership blogger and New York Times best-selling author. Hyatt shares his process for understanding his readers at a high level and serving them well. In this conversation, you'll discover how to get inside the heads of your prospects and customers and craft a message that always hits home.    Visit http://buildingastorybrand.com/1 to get an unedited version of the interview with Michael Hyatt, along with a video of Don's website critique.     <div class="message_gutter"