The Action Catalyst

David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group, describes the current state of the insurance industry, and what sets his company apart from others in the ever-more-competitive insurance landscape. Hear David’s full interview in Episode 396 of The Action Catalyst.

Ariel Garten, neuroscientist, former psychotherapist, and the co-founder and visionary of tech startup Muse, explains the mission behind her company’s revolutionary technology, the way inspiration can translate from art to science, hitting the research lab at the age of 17, the power of naivety, her responsibility to society, calming the nervous system and relying on yourself, and how if you don’t know what to do for yourself, do something for someone else. *Listeners, use code POD10 at checkout at ChooseMuse.com for special savings!

Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies, shares the story of the tragic natural disaster that nearly changed the course of her family’s history, and how the kindness demonstrated by strangers helped shape who she is today. Hear Patty’s full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.

David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group, shares successful philosophies on expanding your team, why hindsight is the best foresight, how your trials are someone else’s inspiration, and what it means to define “fun” in business, plus covers his adventures in water polo, getting hit in the face, and the similarity between himself and Mark Wahlberg.

Gary Garfield, speaker, author, and former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, shares a few times when he empowered his workforce to speak truth to power, drive innovative ideas from within, and speak up for themselves, resulting in one of Bridgestone's most well-received initiatives. Hear Gary's full interview in Episode 395 of The Action Catalyst. Also be sure to check out Gary's first appearance on the podcast, in Episode 243 of the Action Catalyst.

Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies, shares her upbringing in Central America and the natural disaster that helped shape her early life, to her beginnings in security in the 9/11 era, stint in city management, and the influences and determination from her unique background that help her create the safest, most inviting work environment for employees of all types.

Author and mental scientist Dr. Hank Seitz shares the unbelievable story of his time as a double agent for the Korean mafia and the CIA and explains how the conscious and the subconscious minds shape our beliefs. Hear Dr. Hank’s full interview in Episode 394 of The Action Catalyst.

Gary Garfield, speaker, author, and former CEO of Bridgestone Americas, shares the "rules of the road" from his new book, "Driving Results", including why humility is freedom from arrogance, the advice from the best boss that HE ever had, the equation to creating a productive and trusting company culture, the discrepancy between professional auto testing and consumer driving, creating innovation & how one of Bridgestone's best ideas came from an employee submission, and answering the question of "who's REALLY the boss?" Also be sure to check out Gary's first appearance on the podcast, in Episode 243 of the Action Catalyst.

Bill Ottman, CEO and co-founder of blockchain based, open source social network Minds, discusses the next frontier of social media, addressing matters of privacy, new capabilities brought by Web 3.0, and the Metaverse. Hear Bill’s full interview in Episode 393 of The Action Catalyst.

Author and mental scientist Dr. Hank Seitz explains how he overcame what he was told was a permanent disability, talks quantum science and molecular biology, the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, the 3 steps that create experience, answers of the question of “What ARE beliefs?”, and shares the unbelievable story of his time as a double agent for the Korean mafia and the CIA.

Dr. Julia DiGangi, a neuropsychologist, author, and expert in the brain’s relationship with stress, resilience and relationships, explains the 2 drivers of the brain that create nearly all interpersonal problems, including how new studies suggest your co-workers really can have a lasting impact on your neurological makeup. Hear Dr. DiGangi’s full interview in Episode 392 of The Action Catalyst.

Bill Ottman, CEO and co-founder of blockchain based, open source social network Minds, talks to host Dan Moore about systems theory, web 3.0 and the decentralized internet, Facebook and the dawn of the Metaverse, cryptocurrency, hanging out on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and more, in this wide-ranging, forward-looking interview.

Greg Patterson, CEO of The Advisory Group of San Francisco, covers the parallels between triathlon training and preparing for the business world, and how something known as the “gas pedal risk” can create premature burnout. Hear Greg’s full interview in Episode 391 of The Action Catalyst.

Dr. Julia DiGangi, a neuropsychologist, author, and expert in the brain’s relationship with stress, resilience and relationships, covers the growing study of mental health, “emotional shake”, how 99% of the world has good intentions, the way co-workers can LITERALLY alter your physiology, behavioral math and emotional physics, and the 2 drivers of the brain that create nearly all interpersonal problems.

We catch back up with Michael F. Schein, writer, speaker, and Founder & President of Microfame Media, who recounts the success of his book “The Hype Handbook”, explains why forming your own secret networking society might yield big results, and spills the beans on the secrets of the Freemasons. Uh-oh! Hear more from Michael in his original appearance on Episode 382 of The Action Catalyst.