Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence

What you’ll learn in this episode   If you’ve got a team that feels “off”—turnover, tension, miscommunication, or projects that keep slipping—this conversation will hit home. Workplace culture expert Lindsay Barnett breaks down why culture problems usually aren’t a “them” issue… they’re a leadership clarity issue.   In this episode, we unpack how leaders accidentally create chaos (even with good intentions), why “being nice” can kill accountability, and how to build a culture where people feel seen, understood, and motivated—without sacrificing performance.   Key topics we cover Why most team problems start with unclear expectations The leadership trap: managing others the way you want to be managed (and why it backfires) The shift from the Golden Rule to the Platinum Rule (treat people how they want to be treated) How to balance empathy with accountability (so work still gets done) What to do when you have an overbearing boss who keeps piling on tasks How to “negotiate” workload using scope, timeline, quality, or budget tradeoffs Why sustainable performance requires psychological safety + standards A practical team tool: work style assessments to reduce stories, blame, and friction How leaders lose credibility when values are “on the wall” but not modeled   Memorable moments Steve’s hard-earned leadership lesson: “The common denominator wasn’t them—it was me.” Lindsay’s framing: leaders “create the weather” on a team. The boundary-setting example that changes everything: start small, test assumptions, and build courage with reps.   Action steps you can try this week Clarify one expectation you’ve assumed your team “should already know.” Write it down, then say it out loud. Use this phrase in your next tough conversation: “Are you open to negotiating?” Before reacting, replace your story with curiosity: “Help me understand what you’re optimizing for.” If you lead a team, pick one value/behavior you’ll model consistently for 30 days (no exceptions).   About Lindsay Barnett   Over the past two decades, Lindsay Barnett has helped transform workplace cultures, leaders, teams, and individuals across Fortune 500 companies and high-growth startups. After becoming “corporate crispy,” she founded Barnett Coaching, a boutique coaching and consulting firm focused on helping people and organizations thrive. She’s also the author of Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work For You.   If you enjoyed this episode… You can find Lindsay's resources in the links below: Book: Working Hell to Working Well: Making Your Company Work For You — Lindsay Barnett Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn Learn more at Barnett Coaching - www.barnettcoaching.com If you’re building a team (or surviving one), share this with a founder or manager who cares about performance and people. And don’t forget to subscribe to Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence for more conversations that help you scale impact without burning out.

If you feel like your business is invisible online… If you’re struggling with brand clarity… If you’re posting content but not attracting clients…   The problem isn’t your talent.   According to brand visibility expert Kim Speed, the real issue is your messaging.   In this episode of Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence, Kim shares how entrepreneurs can improve brand positioning, increase business visibility, and attract ideal clients—without spending thousands on logos, websites, or rebrands.   After building global brands like Coca-Cola and Ford as a Creative Director, Kim now helps solopreneurs and service providers clarify their brand identity and confidently communicate their value.   What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why being “good at what you do” isn’t enough to grow your business The difference between branding (visual identity) and brand (reputation and positioning) How unclear messaging makes your business invisible Why perfectionism kills visibility and confidence How networking and conversations can grow your brand faster than social media The importance of niching down to attract ideal clients   Kim’s TRUE Brand Framework:   Kim introduces her TRUE Brand Framework to help entrepreneurs clarify and communicate their value:   T – Truthful: Be honest about who you are and what you do R – Relevant: Clearly define who you serve and the problem you solve U – Unique Genius: Identify the strengths that differentiate you E – Expression: Communicate your message consistently and confidently   Key Takeaway   Your business growth does not start with a website redesign.   It starts with clarity.   When you clearly articulate: Who you help What problem you solve Why it matters   You increase visibility, build trust, and attract the right clients.   The biggest risk isn’t being imperfect.   It’s being unseen.   If you found this interesting, you can visit Kim's website and socials here: 👉 https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimspeed/ 👉 https://purplemooncreative.com/ 👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/employeetoentrepreneursociety/

“Freedom” is the word almost every entrepreneur chases.   But what if that chase is the very thing keeping you stuck?   In this episode of Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence, Steve sits down with Mark Dolfini, 4x best-selling author, U.S. Marine veteran, and founder of The Strategic Boardroom, to unpack a hard truth most business owners don’t want to hear:   👉 Unlimited freedom often leads to burnout, confusion, and businesses that quietly take over your life.   Mark shares how he built a multi-million-dollar real estate portfolio—only to nearly work himself to death—and how that breakdown forced him to rethink everything about success, systems, and what business is actually for.   This is a grounded, no-fluff conversation about vision, discipline, and building businesses that serve your family, faith, and future—not just your bank account.   In this episode, you’ll learn: 🔥 Why “freedom” without structure creates chaos (and why entrepreneurs feel trapped by the businesses they built) 🧭 The difference between personal vision and business vision—and why most people skip the first one 🐍 How Mark’s V.I.P.E.R. Framework helps entrepreneurs reclaim time, clarity, and energy ⚙️ Why systems should follow vision—not the other way around ⏱️ How working harder is often a sign you’re working out of alignment 🧠 The hidden psychology behind burnout, shiny object syndrome, and overworking ❤️ Why success that costs your marriage, health, or peace isn’t success at all   If you’ve ever said, “I thought entrepreneurship was supposed to feel more free than this,” this episode will hit home. If you found this interesting, you can visit Mark's website here: 👉 https://strategicboardroom.com/

“You’re not stuck because you’re broken — you’re stuck because something unconscious is still running the show.”   In this powerful episode, Steve sits down with transformational leadership coach and former psychologist Rosalyn Fung to explore why high achievers often hit invisible ceilings — even when they’re doing everything “right.”   Rosalyn shares her personal journey from perfectionism, external validation, and burnout to deep alignment, magnetic presence, and quantum breakthroughs. Together, they unpack how unconscious beliefs, emotional root causes, and misaligned values quietly shape performance, income, leadership, and fulfillment.   You’ll discover: Why effort and discipline alone can’t override unconscious patterns The four core “UN” beliefs that silently drive burnout and self-sabotage How energy leaks form — and how to clear them at the root Why clarity and confidence emerge when values are realigned What actually changes when you rewire the unconscious mind (fast) How leaders create momentum without forcing, hustling, or burnout   If you’re ready to stop pushing harder — and start moving forward with ease, clarity, and power — this episode will shift how you see yourself, your business, and what’s truly possible.   If you found this interesting, you can visit Rosalyn's link tree here 👉 https://zez.am/leadershiprewired

Sex is one of the most powerful—and misunderstood—forces shaping our confidence, relationships, and sense of self.   In this episode, Steve sits down with sexuality educator and Tantric Awakenings creator Emma Galland to explore why so many men feel pressure, shame, and disconnection around sex—and how tantra offers a radically different path forward.   Rather than focusing on performance or technique, Emma explains how presence, stamina, and nervous system regulation are the real foundations of great sex and deep intimacy.   You’ll discover: Why most men stay “in their head” during sex—and how that breaks connection How tantra reframes sex as a practice of self-realization, not performance The role of presence and stamina in creating safety and desire Why self-pleasure can be a powerful tool for healing shame and rebuilding confidence How intimacy becomes transformational when it’s intentional, embodied, and conscious   This episode challenges conventional beliefs about sex and invites a deeper, more integrated relationship with pleasure, connection, and self-trust.   If you're interested in this, you can visit Emma's website here: https://tantric-awakenings.com/ 

“If you feel stuck, overwhelmed, or quietly carrying more than you admit — this episode is for you.”   Scott Maderer’s story isn’t about hustle, hacks, or financial shortcuts. It’s about what happens when pressure, debt, and silence collide — and how one honest conversation can change everything.   In this episode, Steve and Scott unpack:   • The night Scott realized he was heading toward a breaking point • How debt and shame quietly erode marriages and mental health • Why stewardship is about management, not ownership • The mindset shift that turned survival into purpose • How small habits create massive long-term change • Why money problems are rarely just money problems • How aligning time, talent, and treasure unlocks clarity and peace   This is a raw, grounded conversation about responsibility, faith, and building a life that actually works — from the inside out.   👉 Free stewardship resources and next steps: https://inspiredstewardship.com/growimpact

“If you take the owner out… what do you have left?”   That’s the question that stops most founders cold.   Because the hard truth is: a lot of businesses don’t fail… they just can’t be sold. They’re profitable. They’re busy. They’re even “successful.” But the second the owner steps away, everything stalls—sales, delivery, decisions, cash flow.   In this episode of Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence, Steve Werner talks with Steve Feld—who’s built and operated 7 businesses, helped 900+ companies, and sold a company in 18 months—about how to build a business that can run without you and command real value when you’re ready to exit.   Steve and Steve cover:   ☕ The “Vacation Test” that instantly reveals whether you own a business… or the business owns you 📈 Why “great revenue” can still mean a worthless company (if the owner is the system) 🧭 How to create a simple business plan in a weekend—without the corporate fluff 🎯 The real KPI game: how to find the one critical number that drives everything else 🧱 What buyers actually want: systems, processes, SOPs, people, and proof 🧨 The “yellow light = no” rule that eliminates shiny objects and restores momentum ⏱️ Why time-blocking strategy (2 hours/week) can change your company faster than hustle ever will 💰 The underrated skill most entrepreneurs avoid: reading financials (and why it creates instant clarity) 🧩 The unexpected exit option: how selling pieces of a business can beat selling the whole thing 🤝 How joint venture partnerships can help your company keep operating—even when you’re not there   If you’ve ever thought, “One day I’ll sell this business…” this episode will help you build toward that day on purpose—not by accident.   👉 Grab Steve Feld’s book and resources at BizCoachSteve.com and connect with him on LinkedIn.

“Don’t propose marriage on the first date.”   Catharine O’Leary might be talking about email marketing… but if you’ve ever sent a “book a call” link to cold subscribers and heard crickets, you already know exactly what she means.   Catharine spent 25+ years doing market research for major brands—helping them understand what people actually want and how they decide. Then she became an entrepreneur… and ran into the same problem so many founders face:   You know you need a list. But building one (that actually engages) can feel slow, confusing, and painfully techy.   In this episode of Grow Your Impact, Income & Influence, Catharine breaks down what really creates an engaged list—and how to get your first 1,000 subscribers without throwing money at ads or spending years doing it one person at a time.   Steve and Catharine cover:   📩 Why “build your list fast” often builds a list that doesn’t care (and how to avoid the ghost-town list problem)   🧲 What a lead magnet is supposed to do (hint: it’s not a discovery call—and it’s not a “buy my $7 thing” ambush)   🏁 The fastest path to a real quick win that makes subscribers trust you enough to take the next step   🔥 How to write emails people actually read (even if you “aren’t a writer”)   🤖 Where AI helps—and where it hurts when you’re trying to sound like a human, not a brochure   🎯 Why segmentation beats “more content” (and how to find the 3AM problem your audience is actually worried about)   🚫 Why most entrepreneurs shouldn’t run ads yet (and what to do instead so you’re not lighting money on fire)   👥 Thousand Person Tribe: a cold-traffic shortcut to your first 1,000—without tech overwhelm, confusion, or calendar chaos   If you’re building an audience from scratch (or your list is growing but not converting), Catharine will help you stop guessing—and start building a list that actually pays attention.   👉 Want to try Catharine’s system and get your first 100 leads? Check the links in the show notes for TPT Gift / Thousand Person Tribe.

“Most people aren’t failing financially… they’re just flying blind.”   Daniel Rodgers spent 20 years running high-stakes programs at Microsoft and Google—where you don’t get to guess your way to success.   Then he took that same program management mindset and used it to build his own “escape plan” to financial freedom… and retired earlier than he planned.   This episode is for anyone who wants their time back—but doesn’t want to live on ramen, obsess over stock picks, or feel overwhelmed by “money math.”   Steve and Daniel cover:   🧭 The real reason financial freedom feels hard: you don’t have visibility, metrics, or a plan (and that creates anxiety)   🎮 How Daniel “gamified” retirement by treating it like a launch—complete with KPIs, forecasting, and checkpoints   🧠 The Ostrich Effect: why smart people avoid looking at finances (and how to break the cycle fast)   📊 The tool most people are really paying advisors for—and why Daniel gives his version away for free   💳 Debt vs. investing (the blunt truth): why you don’t “out-invest” high-interest debt—and what to do first instead   🧾 Why budgeting feels like punishment (and how to reframe it as an audit that buys you freedom)   🛍️ The 3 categories of spending—and how to cut costs without giving up what you actually love   🚪 The “unlocked prison door” moment: why people stay in jobs they hate—even after they’ve reached their number   🧪 The retirement “dry run” Daniel recommends before you quit (so you don’t panic, backpedal, or get bored)   If you’ve ever thought, “I make good money… why do I still feel trapped?”—this conversation will flip a switch.   👉 Learn more about Daniel’s book, podcast, and free toolkit at EscapeTheClock.com

What happens when the system tells you to be patient… while your health is declining?   In this powerful and unexpected conversation, Steve Werner sits down with Mark Burnett—an entrepreneur who was diagnosed with both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and told the standard solution would take a decade (if it ever arrived at all).   Instead of waiting, Mark went searching.   He breaks down how he uncovered international research, tested a natural approach on himself for six months, and went from Stage 3 Parkinson’s to running a marathon. Along the way, he made a bold decision to turn his personal solution into a company—without cutting corners or hiding behind hype.   In this episode, you’ll hear: Why “wait 10 years” is not a strategy when your health is on the line The difference between symptom management and personal responsibility How Mark approached research like an entrepreneur—not a patient What it took to earn trust in a skeptical supplement industry Why transparency, medical testing, and lived proof matter more than marketing The unexpected business lessons that came from building a mission-driven company   Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a caregiver, or someone navigating uncertainty, this episode challenges how we think about health, innovation, and what’s possible when you refuse to accept the default answer.   👉 Learn more about Mark’s journey and research at MyBrainRestore.com