Welcome to Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, or products become massive successes while others fade away? That’s exactly what this podcast explores. Hosted by Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand Framework, and co-hosted by Kyle Reed, each episode dives into the strategies behind the world’s biggest wins, breaking them down into clear, actionable insights you can use to create your own success. Discover how to craft clear and ef ...
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Steve Brown believes you, the entrepreneur, are the invisible hero of today’s economy. You fight hard to create value for your customers and provide jobs for over half of the American workforce. As an entrepreneur himself, Steve knows what you face today as you fight to grow your business. That’s why, on The ROI Online Podcast, he introduces you to forward-thinking business leaders you can enjoy meeting. As you listen to these fun conversations, you’ll realize you’re not alone. Many of your ...
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Coffee & Conversion is the weekly show for business leaders who want real, practical insights into growing a brand that stands out—and consistently converts. Hosted by Clay and Luke of Good Agency (a StoryBrand Certified Agency that’s generated hundreds of millions in revenue for clients), each bite-sized episode tackles your pressing marketing challenges, from unifying your brand story and building a seamless sales funnel, to mastering RevOps and deploying effective ad strategies. Fueled by ...
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#12: Nostalgia—The Hidden Force That Makes Brands Feel Iconic
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40:20Nostalgia is a powerful force. You hear an old song or catch a familiar scent, and instantly, you’re transported back in time. But our brains don’t just remember the past, they rewrite it. We filter out the stress, the boredom, the everyday struggles, and what we’re left with is a version of the past that feels safer, simpler, and better than it re…
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Will AI Kill SEO? Not So Fast—Here’s How to Adapt
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10:33You’ve heard the rumors: “AI is coming for search—SEO is doomed!” In this Coffee & Conversion episode, Clay and Luke debunk the hype, explaining how AI won’t kill SEO but will absolutely reshape it. Learn why AI still needs quality content, how to pivot away from keyword stuffing, and why you should use tools like ChatGPT not just to generate posts…
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#11: Starbucks—The Brand that Changed How the World Drinks Coffee
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33:38If someone told you in the ’90s that people would happily pay $5 for a cup of coffee, you probably would’ve laughed. Before Starbucks, coffee was just… coffee. It wasn’t an experience, a ritual, or a “third place” between home and work. So how did one company transform a simple commodity into a global phenomenon? The rise of Starbucks wasn’t just a…
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Paid vs. Organic: Which One Actually Grows Your Business Faster?
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16:08Turns out organic coffee can last 100 years—and saves the planet a little while it’s at it. But does organic marketing (like SEO) or paid advertising have the same staying power for your brand? In this episode of Coffee & Conversion, Clay and Luke compare these two approaches, showing why simply “renting” traffic with paid ads can’t beat the long-t…
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#10: Reality TV—Why We're Obsessed with Chaos (And What It's Actually Doing to Our Brains!)
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28:52Reality TV is everywhere, and whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny it’s addictive. Millions of people tune in daily to binge-watch strangers argue, compete, or fall in love on camera. But reality TV isn’t “real” at all—it’s carefully crafted chaos, designed to keep you hooked. Producers manipulate stories, stir up conflict, and edit scene…
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Why “Advertising Alone” Can Kill Your Growth
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17:19Did you know drinking coffee the second you wake up can wreck your productivity? In the same way, pouring all your resources into one single channel—like ads—can sabotage your ROI. This week on Coffee & Conversion, Clay and Luke dive into why “advertising alone” (Instagram, Google, LinkedIn—doesn’t matter) never solves your marketing woes if your m…
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#9: Michelin Star—How a Tire Company Created the Most Prestigious Award in Food
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38:50The Michelin Star is a restaurant rating system so powerful that a single star can launch careers, change cities, and even break chefs. So what makes one restaurant just “good” and another Michelin-worthy? The path to earning a Michelin Star isn’t just about making great food—it’s about precision, consistency, and a relentless pursuit of excellence…
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RevOps 101: How to Streamline Your Pipeline & Boost Revenue
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14:06Did you know it can take up to four years for a coffee plant to produce its first bean—yet those plants can live for a century? Likewise, good revenue operations (RevOps) may take some time to set up, but the payoff can last for years. In this episode of Coffee & Conversion, Clay and Luke dive into the fundamentals of RevOps—why it’s more than just…
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#8: Amazon—The Crazy Business Strategies that Rewired Our Brains and Changed Shopping Forever
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41:10Amazon didn’t just change how the world shops—it rewired our brains. Suddenly, driving to a store for light bulbs feels like a huge chore. Need cat food? Click. New coffee maker? Click. A hat with antlers for your Halloween costume? It’ll be at your door by 5 p.m. Love it or hate it, Amazon’s success lies in its relentless focus on the customer. It…
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How to Fix the #1 Marketing Mistake Confusing Your Customers
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13:06Coffee is the world’s most traded commodity (next to oil and gas)—but does your brand message carry the same “weight”? In this very first Coffee & Conversion episode, Clay and Luke serve up a quick coffee fact before diving into the biggest reason so many businesses lose deals: inconsistent messaging. From Clay’s awkward Chamber of Commerce pitch t…
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#7: Comedians—The Science and Strategy Behind the Funniest People on Earth
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38:14Making people laugh looks effortless, but behind every joke is an incredible amount of work and strategy. Great comedians deliver far more than entertainment—they offer a masterclass in human connection. They say the things we’re afraid to say, challenge cultural norms, and turn life’s absurdities into something we can laugh at. The best comedians …
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#6: Valentine’s Day—The Surprising Economics and Evolution of Love’s Biggest Day
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33:39Every February 14th, millions of people rush out to buy heart-shaped chocolates, overpriced roses, and mass-produced cards, turning Valentine’s Day into a global cash grab. But how did a once obscure tradition become a billion-dollar industry? Whether you adore the holiday or roll your eyes at its commercialism, one thing is certain—it works. So, w…
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#5: Stories—The Survival Tool Hardwired into Every Human
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38:58Every day, we’re surrounded by stories—on social media, in conversations, and even in our own heads. But have you ever stopped to wonder why stories are so powerful? They connect us, help us make sense of the world, and have been humanity’s most effective tool for survival. But how do they work their magic, and what happens when they’re used to man…
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#4: Football—Why It Became America’s Favorite Ritual
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34:21Football has a powerful grip on its fans, but have you ever stopped to think about why it works so well? Football has a remarkable history of uniting friends and families across generations. From the build-up to game day and the epic rivalries to the emotional highs-and-lows of every play, football delivers both the thrill of competition and the co…
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#3: Thought Leaders—How Innovative Thinkers Build a Following and Shape Modern Culture
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24:36Thought leaders influence the way we see the world, solve problems, and make decisions. But what makes someone a true thought leader? Are they original thinkers with unique worldviews, or can they be curators sharing their opinions and amplifying others’ ideas? With the rise of social media, it’s harder than ever to tell the difference. So how can …
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#2: Top Gun Maverick—The Strategy Behind Its Billion-Dollar Success
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30:31Some movies capture lightning in a bottle, but few soar as high as Top Gun: Maverick. With $1.4 billion in global earnings and record-breaking attendance post-pandemic, this film didn’t just work—it dominated. But why? Was it the nostalgia, the perfectly executed hero’s journey, or the relentless determination of its star, Tom Cruise? At a time whe…
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#1: Frameworks—The Invisible Structure Behind Every Great Idea
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24:56Whether you realize it or not, frameworks structure the world around us. They help us make decisions faster, simplify complex processes, and are the reason so many bestselling books and billion-dollar businesses succeed. Without clear frameworks, progress can feel chaotic and goals seem unattainable. So, why are frameworks so effective, and how can…
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Why That Worked PREVIEW—A New Podcast You Can’t Miss
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6:12Starting January 6, 2025, the Business Made Simple Podcast feed will become home to an exciting new show: Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai, hosted by Donald Miller, creator of the StoryBrand framework. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, or products become massive successes while others fade into obscurity? That’s exactly wh…
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#207: Geoff Woods—How to Use AI as a Strategic Partner to Grow Your Business
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42:15AI is revolutionizing the way businesses operate—but how do you harness it effectively without getting lost in the noise? In this final episode of the Business Made Simple Podcast, Bobby Richards and James Sweeting sit down with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader, to unpack the practical ways small business owners can leverage AI as a stra…
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#206: Hal Elrod—Simple Morning Habits That Can Change Your Life Before Breakfast
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41:26Life’s curveballs can leave you feeling out of control, burned out, and off your game. And when your mornings feel chaotic, the rest of your day never seems to recover. Most people start their day hitting snooze, reacting to problems, and dragging themselves to work. But what if you could take back your mornings and start every day with clarity, pu…
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#205: Dan Martell—How to Buy Back Your Time So You Can Earn More While Working Way Less
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24:18Countless business owners unknowingly build a “prison” around themselves — a business that only works if they’re doing all the work. Every problem is their problem. Every fire is their fire. They’re working 60, 70, 80 hours a week — and for what? This is the hidden trap that swallows countless business owners whole. Here’s the truth: if you don’t b…
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#204: David Kessler—Why ADHD Minds Are Exceptionally Wired for Entrepreneurial Success
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25:50Running a business is hard enough without feeling like your own brain is working against you. If ADHD has you stuck in cycles of procrastination, perfectionism, or overwhelm, you might wonder if you’ll ever get a handle on your own productivity. Many entrepreneurs struggle to balance their creative bursts with the structure and discipline needed fo…
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Introducing Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI | Coming January 6th
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2:18Get ready for an all-new podcast experience! Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI launches January 6th. Have you ever wondered why some brands, trends, and campaigns succeed while others fall flat? Host Donald Miller dives deep into the strategies behind today’s biggest successes, breaking them down into actionable insights you can use. Whe…
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#203: Cathy Heller—How to Reimagine Success and Create Abundance in Your Life
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33:17What if the secret to abundance isn’t found in chasing external success but in reframing how you see and approach your life and business? For so many of us, achieving more doesn’t always equate to feeling fulfilled. How can you shift your mindset and embrace the abundance already around you? In this week’s episode, Cathy Heller, author of Abundant …
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#202: Sean Cannell—YouTube Strategies That Actually Work for Coaches
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27:17
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27:17BIG NEWS! After three amazing years, the Business Made Simple Podcast will be ending, and starting January 6, 2025, this feed will become home to an exciting new show: Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, hosted by Donald Miller. It’s been an honor providing you with the tools and frameworks to help you become a better business owner, and …
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#201: The One Thing You Might Be Overlooking That Fuels Customer Loyalty
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29:26Delivering exceptional customer service can feel taxing, especially when you’re juggling multiple roles in your business. It’s easy to think that “good enough” is sufficient, but the truth is, it’s the small, thoughtful actions that leave the biggest impact on your customers. If you’ve ever struggled with handling tough customer interactions or won…
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#200: The 4-Part Health Check Your Business Needs to Stay Strong (Even During Explosive Growth)
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32:18When your business starts to scale, growth brings new opportunities—and new complexities. As they say, “New level, new devil.” While rapid growth is exciting, it can also lead to misalignment, confusion, and burnout without the right checks in place. To keep your team focused, your mission clear, and your growth sustainable, you need a proactive ap…
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#199: Michael Hyatt & Will Guidara—How Top Coaches Are Scaling Fast with These New Frameworks
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48:19If you’re in the coaching business, you know it’s not enough to just find clients. You’ve got to help them get real results that make a difference. But without a proven system, that’s easier said than done. A lot of coaches end up frustrated, watching their clients stall out. So, what if you could skip the trial and error and go straight to what wo…
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#198: Donald Miller Returns—The Simple Framework that Will Revolutionize the Way You Coach Small Businesses
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23:20As a business coach, you might have all the passion and wisdom in the world, but if you don’t have a clear, step-by-step framework, things can get messy—fast. Without a reliable system, helping your clients get consistent, meaningful results is essentially a gamble. You end up reinventing the wheel for each client which creates an exhausting grind …
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#197: Seth Godin—How to Craft a Business Strategy that Future-Proofs Your Brand
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42:01Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download The Small Business Owner’s Quickstart Checklist for free at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you. -- If you think more followers or a bigger ad budget will fix your business, think again. Too ofte…
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#196: Donald Miller—How to Stop Giving Free Advice and Start Charging for Your Expertise
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36:53How do you start charging for your advice without feeling weird about it? A lot of business owners have the expertise to coach others, but turning that knowledge into a successful coaching business can feel daunting and awkward. How do you know if what you’re offering is worth the price? The real challenge isn’t what you know—it’s learning how to p…
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#195: How to Get Over Your Camera Fears and Be Yourself on Video
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24:47Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Download The Small Business Owner’s Quickstart Checklist for free at BusinessMadeSimple.com/Quickstart and start streamlining your operations, clarifying your message, and building a business that works for you. -- Video marketing can do wonders for your business—if you're comfortable getting on camera. For m…
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#194: Why Your Business Desperately Needs a Project Manager
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26:51
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26:51You’ve got the vision and the drive to grow your business, but there’s a massive obstacle holding you back: chaos. Tasks pile up, deadlines blur, and you find yourself juggling too many things at once. How many times have you wished you had more time to focus on the bigger picture? Without someone to manage the daily grind, it can feel like you’re …
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#193: Nicole Burke—How to Get Out of the Weeds and Start Delegating So You Can Scale Your Business
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32:42You’ve built a business you're proud of, but are you spending too much time in the weeds? When small tasks pile up, you might feel like you’re doing everything except what actually grows your business. With every email and customer support issue you handle, you're losing time that should be dedicated to sales and marketing—the lifeblood of your rev…
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#192: Kim Scott—The Hidden Cost of Being Too Nice in Leadership
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49:24What’s the real cost of being too nice? It’s more than you might think. Many leaders, especially small business owners, fall into the trap of “ruinous empathy”, which is the failure to provide essential feedback due to the fear of hurting someone's feelings. Avoiding difficult confrontations might feel like the right thing to do—but it’s actually a…
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#191: Tiffany Aliche—Why Financial Freedom Isn’t as Important as You Think (And What to Aim for Instead)
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36:10Many people believe that financial freedom—accumulating enough money to never work again—is the ultimate goal. But for most entrepreneurs, this dream feels out of reach, which leads to frustration and financial stress. The constant pressure to build wealth and achieve financial freedom can leave you feeling like a failure if you don’t hit that big …
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#190: Amy Porterfield—Is It Time to Add a Digital Course to Your Existing Business?
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27:32Are you leaving money on the table by not offering an online course? A lot of business owners feel overwhelmed by the idea of turning their knowledge into a digital product, worried it might be too complex or could cannibalize their bread-and-butter services. The doubts—about your teaching ability or the sheer effort involved—can make you question …
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#189: Donald Miller—Cash Crisis? How to Generate Quick Revenue When Times Get Tough
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31:25Cash flow is the heartbeat of any business. But what do you do when revenue takes a sudden hit and the money isn't coming in as expected? Whether it's a seasonal dip, unexpected expenses, or a major disruption like a pandemic, every entrepreneur feels the pressure when cash flow slows down. These times can be stressful and can even threaten the sur…
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#188: Bill Allen—Make Your Business a Force for Good in the World (Even If You're Starting Small
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32:32So you've built a thriving business. You've got the airplane humming along, maybe even hitting 7 figures. But there's a nagging question in the back of your mind: "What's it all for?" Deep down, you want to make a difference, leave a legacy, maybe even inspire the next generation. But how? And do you really have to choose between profit and purpose…
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#187: Why Your Sales Team Isn't Selling (And How to Fix It)
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26:02As a business owner, you might be a sales superstar, but teaching your team to replicate your conversations with potential clients can feel next to impossible. After all, you know the company’s origin story and the ins-and-outs of the product like the back of your hand. But in order to scale your business, you need to transition from being the prim…
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#186: Marcus Sheridan—The Simple Formula for Becoming the Most Trusted Voice in Your Industry
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32:49You've probably heard the phrase "content is king" more times than you can count. But creating content that truly drives sales is easier said than done. Many biz owners struggle to produce content that hits on all levels: it feels authentic, builds trust, and makes an impact on their bottom line. You might be wondering: How can I create content tha…
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#185: Erin Meyer—The Feedback Mindset That Sets High-Performing Teams Apart
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32:45As a business owner, you know that a high-performing team is essential to success. But what if your team isn't performing at its best? If communication is breaking down, productivity is low, and your goals are slipping out of reach, it might be time to look at a surprising factor many leaders miss. The secret to a high-performing team isn't a compl…
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#184: Megan Hyatt Miller—How to Win at Work Without Losing Your Soul (aka The Double Win)
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34:24Let's talk about the elephant in the room for a second: the relentless hustle and grind of building a business. The entrepreneurial world can be a demanding beast, often forcing us to sacrifice our personal lives in the pursuit of success. Yes, you love your business, but you didn't sign up to be married to it. The truth is, chasing success doesn't…
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#183: Balancing Work & Life—How to Actually Enjoy What You Do and Love How You Live
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30:44Here’s a stark warning: heart disease is America’s #1 killer, and stress is heart disease’s #1 predictor. When your work/life balance is out of whack, stress only grows. How business owners manage this delicate highwire act is quite literally a matter of life and death. Thankfully, today we recognize the link between work/life balance and overall h…
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#182: Don Yaeger—Inside the Daily Routines of the World’s Greatest Achievers (And What You Can Learn)
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30:31What does it take to be truly great? It's easy to think greatness is only for a lucky few. But that belief will leave you powerless—feeling that without certain natural traits, high levels of success just aren't in the cards for you. But what if the real difference between average and great lies in simple, doable habits and mindsets that anyone can…
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#181: Organizing Your Digital World to Banish Chaos and Make Life Easier
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30:32The enemy of clarity is chaos and confusion. Not only is that true in your marketing and messaging, it’s true in your everyday work. But how many times have you or your team misplaced an important file, been locked out of a vital platform, or even discovered a digital asset you thought you owned was actually never yours to begin with? That kind of …
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#180: This Genius Hack Ensures You Never Run Out of Content Ideas Again
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35:10Frustrated your marketing isn't working? Stuck wondering why customers aren't clicking "buy now"? Imagine turning that around in just five minutes. Get the help you need to clarify your message and grow your business with our free 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series. Get immediate access to the 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series at 5Minu…
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#179: Crafting a One-Liner that Aligns Your Team and Elevates Your Brand
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23:58Frustrated your marketing isn't working? Stuck wondering why customers aren't clicking "buy now"? Imagine turning that around in just five minutes. Get the help you need to clarify your message and grow your business with our free 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series. Get immediate access to the 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series at 5Minu…
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#178: How to Turn Your Website into a Sales Machine
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29:42Frustrated your marketing isn't working? Stuck wondering why customers aren't clicking "buy now"? Imagine turning that around in just five minutes. Get the help you need to clarify your message and grow your business with our free 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series. Get immediate access to the 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series at 5Minu…
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#177: The Secret to Winning Over Customers and Outshining Your Competition
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29:31Frustrated your marketing isn't working? Stuck wondering why customers aren't clicking "buy now"? Imagine turning that around in just five minutes. Get the help you need to clarify your message and grow your business with our free 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series. Get immediate access to the 5 Minute Marketing Makeover video series at 5Minu…
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