In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers, Scott Brandt and George “Big G” Dovolis sit down with Liz Crowley to explore what happens when leaders allow uncomfortable conversations to sit unresolved.

Liz shares how conflict can distract key contributors, fracture relationships, reduce engagement, and eventually become a larger cultural problem. But conflict isn't inherently bad. When leaders approach disagreement constructively, it can create stronger communication and better outcomes.

The conversation explores why humility and vulnerability matter when tension rises, along with the importance of patience, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and active listening.

Liz also explains why silence can sometimes be one of a leader's most powerful tools. Instead of immediately telling everyone what they think, leaders can create room for their teams to speak, disagree, and contribute before a decision is made.

Scott, George, and Liz also tackle tougher leadership questions. What happens when your highest performer is hurting your culture? When does loyalty to a longtime employee begin hurting the organization?

And what happens when a leader responds to criticism with, “That's just how I am”?

Liz's message throughout the conversation is practical: difficult situations require leaders willing to look inward, regulate their emotions, listen to other perspectives, and confront problems before they grow.

Because the conversation you're avoiding today may become the cultural problem you're forced to address tomorrow.

-Connect with Liz-

Website

LinkedIn

-Our Partners-

-ADP
Growing a business takes more than vision. ADP helps business owners simplify payroll, HR, compliance, and employee management so they can spend more time leading and less time managing administrative tasks.

Learn more about ADP through our partner link:
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*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen
Looking to build a business that scales without creating more chaos? Dr. Joey Drolshagen helps entrepreneurs develop systems, increase profitability, and create sustainable growth through practical business coaching.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey at https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-MUSIC-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

Become 1% better each day.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers, Scott Brandt and George “Big G” Dovolis sit down with Rick to explore how patience, curiosity, and better questions can lead to stronger decisions and sustainable success.

Rick shares why leaders need to understand the problem before rushing toward an answer. That includes gathering information, challenging assumptions, and surrounding yourself with people willing to tell you when your thinking may be wrong.

The conversation also explores how AI is changing problem-solving. Rick discusses using AI as a thought partner while maintaining human oversight, verifying information, and understanding the risks emerging within cybersecurity.

They also dive into leadership versus boss mentality, lessons from coaching youth sports, building teams that provide honest feedback, and why diverse perspectives can uncover solutions one person may never see alone.

Throughout the conversation, Rick returns to a simple idea:

Patience is an action.

Progress still requires movement. Strong leadership requires knowing when to gather more information before making the next move.

In This Episode:

• Why patience is an active leadership skill
• How patience can improve decision-making
• Why understanding the problem comes first
• How AI can support better problem-solving
• Why AI-generated answers still need verification
• The growing relationship between AI and cybersecurity
• Why human oversight remains important
• How diverse perspectives strengthen decisions
• The difference between a leader and a boss
• Why strong leaders invite honest feedback
• How patience and action work together
• What Rick hopes to leave as his legacy

Connect With Rick Cobello-
Website: https://cobello.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61585818357818

-Our Partners-

-ADP
Growing a business takes more than vision. ADP helps business owners simplify payroll, HR, compliance, and employee management so they can spend more time leading and less time managing administrative tasks.

Learn more about ADP through our partner link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gIQsTPDTW0i3UIB_9pOAL0GANAw-lhJJqFCVLKRRsGNURTAzVENZUVdGSFQyMUY2VFBISk1SMlc2SS4u

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen
Looking to build a business that scales without creating more chaos? Dr. Joey Drolshagen helps entrepreneurs develop systems, increase profitability, and create sustainable growth through practical business coaching.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey at https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-MUSIC-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

Follow Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers for conversations about leadership, business growth, and becoming 1% better each day.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers, Scott Brandt and George “Big G” Dovolis sit down with Joanna Zhang to explore burnout, delegation, purpose, and the difficult transition from doing the work yourself to trusting others to help carry the vision.

Joanna shares how burnout became a signal that something deeper in her life needed attention. Her journey led to greater clarity around her purpose, a spiritual awakening, and a new understanding of how her internal beliefs were affecting the way she approached business and leadership.

The conversation moves into one of Joanna's biggest leadership lessons: control.

As an entrepreneur, Joanna struggled to delegate without controlling exactly how the work was completed. She eventually realized that her need for certainty was limiting her team and turning her into a bottleneck.

Scott, George, and Joanna discuss how leaders can identify their zone of genius, decide what should stay on their plate, and recognize when their business requires them to evolve into a different role.

Joanna also shares why trust became essential to releasing control. Trusting other people, accepting mistakes, and becoming more comfortable with uncertainty allowed her to move from trying to control outcomes toward creating alongside her team.

Are you still doing everything because the business needs you to, or because you're afraid to let go?

Connect With Joanna Zhang-
https://linktr.ee/joannazhang

-Our Partners-

-ADP
Growing a business takes more than vision. ADP helps business owners simplify payroll, HR, compliance, and employee management so they can spend more time leading and less time managing administrative tasks.

Learn more about ADP through our partner link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gIQsTPDTW0i3UIB_9pOAL0GANAw-lhJJqFCVLKRRsGNURTAzVENZUVdGSFQyMUY2VFBISk1SMlc2SS4u

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen
Looking to build a business that scales without creating more chaos? Dr. Joey Drolshagen helps entrepreneurs develop systems, increase profitability, and create sustainable growth through practical business coaching.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey at https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-MUSIC-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

If this conversation made you question how much you're still carrying yourself, share your biggest takeaway in the comments.

Subscribe to Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers for conversations around leadership, business growth, and becoming 1% better each day.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt sits down with David Lengyel to explore why curiosity remains one of the most valuable qualities a leader can develop.

Drawing from more than four decades of working with leaders and teams, David shares why successful leadership still comes down to people.

They discuss communication, active listening, employee engagement, calculated risk, innovation, and why experienced leaders can become trapped by the same expertise that helped them succeed.

David also explores how AI is changing the workplace, why efficiency still requires human effectiveness, and what separates thriving teams from teams that struggle.

The conversation challenges leaders to examine how they communicate, remain open to ideas from unexpected sources, and continue questioning the way things have always been done.

Growth doesn't end when you gain experience. Staying curious helps determine what you do with it.

Connect with David:
Venture Up: https://www.ventureup.com/

-Our Partners-

*ADP
Growing a business takes more than vision. ADP helps business owners simplify payroll, HR, compliance, and employee management so they can spend more time leading and less time managing administrative tasks.

Learn more about ADP through our partner link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gIQsTPDTW0i3UIB_9pOAL0GANAw-lhJJqFCVLKRRsGNURTAzVENZUVdGSFQyMUY2VFBISk1SMlc2SS4u

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

*Dr. Joey Drolshagen
Looking to build a business that scales without creating more chaos? Dr. Joey Drolshagen helps entrepreneurs develop systems, increase profitability, and create sustainable growth through practical business coaching.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey at https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-MUSIC-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

Follow Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers for more conversations designed to help you become a stronger leader one step at a time.

Attorney and business strategist Scherrie L. Prince joins Scott Brandt and George Dovolis to discuss how entrepreneurs can build businesses designed to survive transitions, unexpected events, and eventually the founder.

Scherrie explains why leaders should begin with the end in mind and connect their business strategy with their estate plan. She breaks down different types of exits, partnership alignment, business structures, operating agreements, succession planning, and the legal protections entrepreneurs frequently overlook.

The conversation also explores what Scherrie calls the four stages of protecting a business: control, continuity, protection, and legacy.

You'll hear why an LLC by itself doesn't guarantee personal protection, how improperly maintained business structures can expose personal assets, and why buy-sell agreements, key-person planning, and spousal consent agreements deserve attention long before they're needed.

Scherrie also shares the concept of creating a money team by bringing together your attorney, insurance professionals, financial advisor, banker, and other specialists so important business decisions aren't being made in separate silos.

The goal is bigger than protecting today's business. It's building something capable of continuing without you.

Connect with Scherrie:
ScherriePrince.com
Play Big Faster Podcast
LinkedIn: Scherrie L. Prince

-Our Partners-

*ADP
Growing a business takes more than vision. ADP helps business owners simplify payroll, HR, compliance, and employee management so they can spend more time leading and less time managing administrative tasks.

Learn more about ADP through our partner link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gIQsTPDTW0i3UIB_9pOAL0GANAw-lhJJqFCVLKRRsGNURTAzVENZUVdGSFQyMUY2VFBISk1SMlc2SS4u

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

*Dr. Joey Drolshagen
Looking to build a business that scales without creating more chaos? Dr. Joey Drolshagen helps entrepreneurs develop systems, increase profitability, and create sustainable growth through practical business coaching.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey at https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-MUSIC-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

Follow Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chasers for more conversations about leadership, business growth, and creating a lasting impact.

In this episode, Scott Brandt and George "Big G" Dovolis welcome Colin Casillas for an honest conversation about retiring from alcohol and discovering a new level of clarity. Colin shares how his sobriety journey transformed his leadership, relationships, health, and overall outlook on life while introducing the framework that helped make lasting change possible.

The discussion explores the hidden influence of everyday habits, the science behind alcohol's impact on the brain, overcoming social pressure, and why vulnerability often becomes the foundation for stronger leadership. Whether you're considering an alcohol-free lifestyle or simply looking to lead with greater intention, this episode offers practical insights that extend well beyond sobriety.

-Connect with Colin Casillas-

🔗 LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-casillas/
📱 Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/preparedsobriety/

-Resources Mentioned-

*Prepared Sobriety
https://preparedsobriety.com/
*Andrew Huberman – The Science of Alcohol
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkS1pkKpILY

-Our Partners-

*ADP
Growing a business takes more than vision. ADP helps business owners simplify payroll, HR, compliance, and employee management so they can spend more time leading and less time managing administrative tasks.

Learn more about ADP through our partner link:
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gIQsTPDTW0i3UIB_9pOAL0GANAw-lhJJqFCVLKRRsGNURTAzVENZUVdGSFQyMUY2VFBISk1SMlc2SS4u

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

*Dr. Joey Drolshagen
Looking to build a business that scales without creating more chaos? Dr. Joey Drolshagen helps entrepreneurs develop systems, increase profitability, and create sustainable growth through practical business coaching.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey at https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

*With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-MUSIC-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who is committed to becoming a stronger leader through greater clarity and intentional living.

In this episode, Scott Brandt and George "Big G" Dovolis welcome Amy Lenius for a conversation about self-belief, self-worth, and the mindset required to create meaningful, lasting growth. Amy shares how asking better questions, honoring the season you're in, and aligning your daily actions with your core values can transform both your leadership and your life.

Together, they discuss practical ways to build confidence through action instead of waiting to feel ready, why self-awareness is a leadership superpower, and how embracing your unique journey creates greater fulfillment.

Whether you're leading a business, serving a team, or simply working toward becoming your best self, this episode offers practical wisdom to help you lead with greater confidence and clarity.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's ready to build confidence from the inside out.

Connect with Amy Lenius

📱 Instagram

📘 Facebook

Resources Mentioned

📖 Next Level University
https://nextleveluniversity.com/

📖 Brené Brown Core Values List
https://brenebrown.com/resources/values/

-Our Partners-

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Music Credit-

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

In this episode, Scott Brandt and George "Big G" Dovolis explore why many leaders have been taught to fear failure instead of learning from it.

They discuss how the phrase "failure isn't an option" can unintentionally create fear, reduce creativity, and keep people from taking the risks necessary for meaningful growth.

Together, they examine the difference between failing and quitting, why resilience is built through experience, and how every setback offers an opportunity to become a stronger leader. Whether you're leading a business, a team, or your own personal development, this conversation will encourage you to embrace failure as one of your greatest teachers.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who's learning to lead through challenges instead of avoiding them.

-Music Credit-
"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

In this episode, Scott Brandt and George "Big G" Dovolis discuss why visibility is essential for leadership, entrepreneurship, and creating lasting impact. They explore the fear of judgment, the trap of waiting for perfection, and why obscurity prevents more people from succeeding than failure ever does.

Through personal stories and practical examples, they challenge leaders to stop hiding, embrace authenticity, and commit to the long game of serving others.

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or simply trying to make a greater impact, this conversation will encourage you to stop waiting for permission and start showing up with confidence.

-Music Credit-
"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast and share it with someone who needs the reminder that their story matters.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt and Big G discuss why patience is one of the most overlooked leadership skills. They explore how impatience creates frustration, clouds decision-making, and causes many leaders to quit just before meaningful progress begins.

Through personal experiences and practical leadership lessons, they explain why growth takes time, why adversity is part of the process, and how clarity, action, and resilience work together to create long-term success.

In This Episode

• Why patience strengthens leadership
• Taking action while waiting for results
• Learning through adversity
• Building momentum through consistency
• Developing clarity during uncertainty
• Creating stronger relationships over time
• Avoiding the trap of instant gratification
• Staying committed to long-term growth

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt and Big G are joined by firefighter Mark Andrew to discuss what it takes to build trust, develop future leaders, and create teams that perform under pressure.

Drawing from decades in the fire service, Mark explains why leadership isn't about control. It's about preparation, accountability, and empowering others to succeed.

From handling burnout and developing confidence to leading by example, this conversation offers practical lessons for anyone responsible for leading people.

In This Episode

• Building trust before it's needed
• Developing leaders instead of followers
• Why delegation strengthens teams
• Recognizing and preventing burnout
• Leading through humility and service
• Creating a culture of accountability
• Preparing your team for high-pressure situations
• Leaving a legacy through the people you develop

Connect with Mark Andrew

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/markandreon/

Book: Leading Through the Heat

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Leading+Through+the+Heat+Mark+Andreon

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt and Big G sit down with Arky Jones to explore why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership. Together, they unpack how external validation shapes our decisions, why personality tests only tell part of the story, and what it means to truly take ownership of your life.

Leadership doesn't begin when people start following you. It begins when you understand yourself.

In This Episode

• Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership
• How external validation quietly influences your decisions
• The strengths and limitations of personality assessments
• Why mindfulness helps leaders make better decisions
• How to recognize the patterns keeping you stuck
• The importance of taking ownership at life's crossroads
• Why your words shape your future more than you realize
• Building a legacy through intentional leadership

Memorable Moments

"Personality is what we shine a light on."

"Shine a light on your dark matter."

"Actively take ownership of your actions."

Connect with Arky Jones

Website:
https://personalitypeak.com

LinkedIn:
https://linkedin.com/in/arky-jones

X:
https://twitter.com/arkyjones

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt, Big G, and innovation strategist Noel Sobelman explore why smart leaders often find themselves chasing the wrong opportunities, spreading resources too thin, and mistaking activity for progress.

Noel shares lessons from years of helping organizations connect strategy to execution, manage competing priorities, and build systems that support innovation without sacrificing focus.

The conversation dives into decision fatigue, customer-driven innovation, leadership discipline, and why growth often comes from doing fewer things better.

In This Episode

• Why strategy often breaks down between leadership and execution

• The difference between activity and meaningful impact

• How to prioritize opportunities without losing momentum

• Why testing and learning are critical for innovation

• The role AI can play in accelerating decision-making

• How customer insights reveal what truly matters

• Warning signs that your organization is chasing too many things

• Why discipline and accountability drive long-term growth

Sound Bites

"Strategy must cascade down to decision makers."

"We are terrible at picking winners."

"Measure impact, not activity."

Chapters

00:00 - Navigating Decision Fatigue and Prioritization

03:12 - The Disconnect Between Ambition and Execution

05:53 - The Role of AI in Business Innovation

08:53 - Understanding Customer Needs and Testing Solutions

11:58 - Balancing Core Business and Exploratory Innovation

15:10 - Recognizing Warning Signs in Innovation Management

23:05 - Resource Management and Flexibility

24:54 - Discipline vs. Innovation

28:10 - Benchmarking and Performance

30:03 - Employee Involvement and Adoption

32:29 - Mindset and Culture Change

34:30 - Learning by Doing

37:09 - Measuring Impact and Learning Velocity

39:08 - Legacy and Future Impact

-Connect With Noel-

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelsobelman/

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

About Together We Are Stronger

Leadership Straight. No Chaser.

Real conversations about leadership, business growth, personal development, resilience, and the lessons learned through experience.

Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt and Big G explore the powerful role mentorship, accountability, and community play in business success. From overcoming isolation and burnout to navigating blind spots and difficult decisions, they discuss why trying to build everything alone often creates unnecessary obstacles.

Through personal stories and leadership lessons, Scott and Big G examine the impact of ego, the importance of clarity, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can dramatically change your trajectory.

In This Episode

• Why mentorship increases the likelihood of long-term success

• How isolation creates burnout and limits growth

• The dangers of ego in leadership and entrepreneurship

• Why accountability accelerates progress

• How clarity creates confidence and momentum

• The importance of finding the right tribe

• Lessons learned from failure, coaching, and business ownership

One of the biggest lessons from this conversation is simple:

Without support, you're surviving.

With support, you're thriving.

Whether you're building a business, leading a team, or navigating a difficult season, this episode will challenge you to stop carrying everything alone and start building the relationships that help you grow.

Connect With Us

Subscribe for new episodes of Leadership Straight. No Chaser.

Together We Are Stronger is a podcast focused on leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience, and personal growth through real-world experience.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

In this episode, Anna shares how self-awareness, delegation, and operating within her zone of genius transformed her business and personal life. From reclaiming 10-15 hours every week to doubling revenue, she explains how leaders can create more impact by focusing on what they do best and trusting others to support the mission.

You'll learn why accountability starts with looking in the mirror, how control can become a growth limitation, and why purpose-driven leadership creates a ripple effect far beyond business.

Key Takeaways

• How to identify personal bottlenecks

• The power of self-awareness in leadership

• Why delegation is essential for growth

• Understanding and operating in your zone of genius

• Overcoming control issues and perfectionism

• The role of mindset in creating business success

• How purpose-driven leadership creates lasting impact

-Connect With Anna Brambilla-

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/annabrambila

Virtually Aligned Podcast: https://virtuallyaligned.com/podcast

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

Many struggle because leadership stops growing.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser, Scott Brandt and Big G sit down with Ryan Drumheller to discuss the hidden costs of poor leadership, the importance of accountability, and why investing in people creates stronger organizations.

After navigating a major career transition, Ryan gained a new perspective on leadership, personal growth, and what separates leaders who create lasting impact from those who simply hold a title.

Together, they explore:

• The true cost of poor leadership decisions
• Why accountability matters at every level
• Leadership mistakes that damage teams and culture
• Investing in people and future leaders
• Why continuous learning is essential for growth
• The difference between holding a title and being a leader
• Creating leadership pipelines inside organizations
• The role AI plays in modern business transformation
• Why humanity and relationships still matter in a technology-driven world
• Building teams that thrive through trust, growth, and development

Ryan also shares lessons from his own leadership journey, insights from working in technology and business, and why tomorrow's leaders must be better equipped than today's.

Because leadership isn't measured by position.

It's measured by impact.

Resources

-Ryan Drumheller-

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandrumheller/

Website: https://stellerhorn.com

Podcast: Decline Invite

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound

The problem is that perfect rarely arrives.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser, Scott Brandt and Big G discuss the hidden cost of overthinking, how perfectionism creates paralysis, and why action is often the fastest path to clarity.

They share personal experiences, leadership lessons, and practical tools that can help anyone break free from hesitation and start moving forward.

Inside this episode:

• Why overthinking stalls progress
• The danger of perfectionism
• How to make decisions with confidence
• The value of supportive people in your corner
• Why action creates momentum
• Learning through experience instead of waiting
• Practical strategies for reducing mental clutter
• The importance of celebrating growth along the way

Because clarity doesn't come from thinking more.

It comes from moving forward.

MUSIC CREDIT

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound

-More books.

-More podcasts.

-More time.

The truth?

Many people stay stuck because they overthink decisions and delay action.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser, Scott Brandt and Big G sit down with Kylee Ingram to unpack why so many business owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs struggle with decision-making and what science reveals about making stronger decisions faster.

Kylee brings a unique background spanning television, technology, storytelling, and decision science to challenge outdated thinking around leadership, teams, and growth.

This conversation dives into:

• Why overthinking keeps people stuck
• Decision paralysis and fear of moving forward
• Why waiting until you're "100% ready" slows growth
• The hidden danger of echo chambers
• How better decisions happen through the right people in the room
• Cognitive diversity and why leaders miss critical blind spots
• Why some teams innovate while others stall
• The role psychology plays in leadership decisions
• Why clarity speeds up action
• The connection between better decisions and stronger businesses

Kylee also shares insights into decision science research, leadership blind spots, team dynamics, and why challenging your own thinking creates stronger outcomes.

Because growth rarely happens while waiting.

Growth happens when you decide.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

-Kylee Ingram | Decision Profile Tools-

Better decisions start with understanding how you make them.

Explore Kylee's decision profile tools:

Wizer Decision Profiles

-ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend.

If you need assistance with payroll, HR, and compliance, ADP helps business owners stay focused inside their zone of genius.

ADP Resource Link

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

-Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and know there is another level of impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.

Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

MUSIC CREDIT

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound

#Leadership #DecisionMaking #Overthinking #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #Mindset #PersonalGrowth #TogetherWeAreStronger

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser, Big G and Scott break down the hidden cost of people pleasing, losing yourself trying to fit in, and why so many individuals end up emotionally exhausted chasing validation from others.

The conversation dives into the reality that many people slowly abandon who they really are in order to avoid rejection, criticism, or conflict. Over time, that creates frustration, burnout, anxiety, and a loss of peace.

This episode covers:

• Why people pleasing destroys confidence
• The exhaustion that comes from wearing masks
• How fake energy pushes people away
• Why authenticity matters in leadership and life
• Understanding psychology and human behavior
• The danger of inherited beliefs and expectations
• Why honesty creates trust
• Finding peace instead of validation
• How personal growth requires uncomfortable reflection

Big G and Scott also discuss:

• leadership and authenticity
• human psychology
• self-awareness
• mental health
• personal development
• honesty in business and relationships
• reading and learning for growth
• why trying to fit in keeps people stuck

If you’ve been feeling emotionally drained, disconnected from yourself, or stuck trying to make everybody happy, this episode will challenge the way you think about approval, identity, and peace.

SOUND BITES

"You end up pleasing nobody."

"Live for purpose instead of pleasing."

"You start losing yourself trying to fit in."

"People can feel fake energy."

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Dangers of People Pleasing
02:51 Losing Yourself Trying to Fit In
07:34 Understanding Human Psychology
12:34 Why Honesty Builds Trust
17:06 Breaking Free From Validation
22:07 Finding Peace Instead of Approval
27:09 The Hidden Cost of Pleasing Everyone
31:46 Final Thoughts

MUSIC CREDIT

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound

They feel empty because the version of themselves that created their success no longer fits who they are becoming.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser, Martin joins Big G and Scott for a raw conversation around identity, success, emotional collapse, and what happens when achievement stops feeling fulfilling.

Many leaders spend years chasing goals, building businesses, growing careers, and proving themselves to everyone around them. Then one day they look up and realize something feels off. The money may be there. The success may be there. The title may be there. Yet internally, something feels disconnected.

This episode digs into:

• Why successful people still feel empty
• The danger of living as an outdated version of yourself
• How pain forces transformation
• Why identity matters more than achievement
• The emotional weight many leaders hide
• What happens when success no longer aligns with who you are
• How self-awareness creates freedom and growth

Martin shares lessons from his own journey while Big G and Scott unpack the pressure many leaders carry in silence. This is not surface-level motivation. This is a direct conversation about identity, leadership, fulfillment, and rebuilding from the inside out.

If you've ever felt disconnected from the life you built, this episode will hit differently.

#leadership #personaldevelopment #selfgrowth #mindset #success

RESOURCES

Martin Ruof-https://martinruof.com

ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend. If you need assistance with your payroll, HR, and/or compliance, ADP is here to allow you to stay within your zone of genius.
ADP Resource Link

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Dr. Joey Drolshagen-

If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and you're ready to go next level as you know there is more impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.
Schedule Your Call with Dr. Joey

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound

In this conversation, Wes Towers joins the show to unpack the real issue most business owners face: lack of visibility, not lack of skill. From building a construction business from the ground up to navigating the rise of AI in marketing, Wes shares what actually drives growth:

-Trust

-Clarity

-Real human connection.

You’ll learn why many businesses stay invisible online, how to stand out in a crowded market, and how to use tools like AI without losing authenticity. If you’ve been posting, networking, and still not seeing results, this episode will challenge how you approach marketing and visibility.

🔑 KEY TOPICS

• Why your business isn’t getting clients
• Small business marketing mistakes
• How to increase visibility and online presence
• The role of reviews and social proof
• Using AI in marketing without losing authenticity
• Standing out in a competitive local market

🎙️ ABOUT THE GUEST

Wes Towers is a business owner and entrepreneur who built a construction focused marketing company from scratch and now helps others grow through better marketing, stronger messaging, and authentic connection.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS

Uplift360-

https://uplift360.com.au

ADP-

You didn't get into business to run the backend. If you need assistance with your payroll, HR, and/or compliance, ADP is here to allow you to stay within your zone of genius.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=gIQsTPDTW0i3UIB_9pOAL0GANAw-lhJJqFCVLKRRsGNURTAzVENZUVdGSFQyMUY2VFBISk1SMlc2SS4u

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Dr. Joey Drolshagen-
If you're stuck between $500,000-$3,000,000 in revenue and you're ready to go next level as you know there is more impact to create, schedule your call with Dr. Joey.
https://twrsmedia.smtmethod.com/reg

With this affiliate link we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound
https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

Employment lawyer, author, and career strategist Natalie Holder joins Big G and Scott to name what most leaders won't face: broken workplace culture starts at the top, and most leaders are lying to themselves about it. Natalie left her dream job as Chief Diversity Officer at a Stanford University national laboratory to be present for her family, and that decision shapes everything she brings to this conversation.

Drawing from her book Exclusion, Natalie unpacks the 10 indicators of a broken workplace culture: from ego masquerading as leadership, to surveys collecting dust on shelves, to the informal mentoring that only reaches people who look like the leader in charge. She also makes the case for building your personal brand inside someone else's logo, and knowing when you've outgrown the space you're in.

Because the culture you build, or refuse to examine, determines who stays, who thrives, and who walks out with your best ideas.

Watch the full podcast on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Together We Are Stronger. Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Big G and Scott sit down with Kurt Bush of Brimstone Coaching Group to tackle imposter syndrome, the crumpling effect of leadership behind closed doors, and why "fake it till you make it" is one of the most damaging myths in business.

They dig into what authentic alignment actually looks like, why burnout is an alignment problem more than a workload problem, and how five minutes of daily reflection can cut through the noise.

Togetherness isn't soft. It's a weapon. No leader thrives alone.

Watch the full podcast on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Music: Swiggity Swooty by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

Brand clarity expert Julie Stroud joins Big G and Scott to deliver a truth most leaders avoid: your message is probably confusing the exact people you are trying to serve. Julie rebuilt her expertise after losing her husband, reading more than a book a week for two years, narrowing her focus, and discovering that the most powerful thing a business owner can do is make their message impossible to misunderstand.

In this episode: why jargon is the number one sign your brand is broken, how to simplify without watering down, the one-word brand principle, using AI as a thought partner without losing your human edge, and the values-based approach that repels the wrong clients and draws in exactly who you are meant to serve.

Your tribe can only find you if your message is clear. No one builds alone.

Watch the podcast on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Together We Are Stronger — Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, George "Big G" Dovolis and Scott Brandt sit down with Walter Dusseldorp, The Dutch Mentor, to break down the real gap between high-performing doers and effective leaders. Walter calls it the Valley of Despair, and he's helped hundreds of professionals climb out of it.

You'll hear the Four P's self-awareness framework, the E+R=O leadership equation, and why mentorship, done right, is the single fastest path to high performance. Walter also shares how 15 minutes of daily intentional action, consistently measured, changes everything.

If you're talented but stuck, or leading without a real system, this conversation is your next step.

Watch the full episode on YouTube.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Leadership Straight, No Chaser. Together We Are Stronger.

Alan Lazaros lost his father to a car accident before he could walk. Lost his stepfather and 90% of his family's income at 14. And at 26, survived a near-fatal crash that forced a question he'd been avoiding: was he actually doing all he could with all he had?

After 12,000 hours of coaching and nearly 7,000 one-on-one sessions, Alan has it boiled down: most people fall short because they think inaccurately about self, others, or the world. He calls them the Three 4K TVs—and one of yours has static.

This episode covers how to find your blind spots, why productivity is the root cause of all success, and what character traits actually predict whether someone belongs on your team.

Leadership Straight, No Chaser. Together We Are Stronger.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

Subscribe to our channel.

You can rebuild after betrayal. You can rebuild after financial loss. But if the programming that shaped you, the beliefs installed before you were old enough to question them, stays untouched, the same patterns follow you into the next chapter.

In this episode, Big G and Scott sit down with Dr. Joey Drolshagen, 28+ years in corporate America, now a coach whose SMT Method has taken business owners from $2,500 a month to $70,000 a week. His approach is built entirely around one principle: your uniqueness is not an obstacle to someone else's system. It is the strategy.

They bust the myths, massive effort, copy what the top earner did, find a new strategy, and get honest about why so many driven leaders sabotage success right when it opens up. The answer lives in the subconscious. And it can be shifted.

No one grows alone. But first, you have to clear the road inside. Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Watch the podcast on Youtube.

Join our channel: TWRS-Leadership Straight, No Chaser Podcast

What David did next wasn't complicated. He read 21 financial books, listened to 13 financial podcasts, and distilled every lesson into a single page, his One-Page Wealth Compass. Set it. Forget it. Trust the plan.

Six years later, his portfolio had doubled three times. First double: 30 months. The Rule of 72 says it should take 86.

This is a conversation about simplicity on the other side of adversity. About scars that become lessons. About the truth every leader eventually faces: if you don't have your own plan, you're living inside someone else's.

Get David's free One-Page Wealth Compass PDF at OnePageWealthCompass.com

Watch the current PodCast on YouTube.

Subscribe to our Channel:

Together We Are Stronger. Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Lou Green (founder of Arbet Capital Partners) grew up homeless in downtown San Diego, moved through 11 foster homes in two years, and lost his mother. What came out of that crucible wasn't bitterness—it was an almost supernatural ability to connect with people at the soul level. Because when every foster home was an audition, you learned fast what genuine care actually looks like.

In this episode, Lou sits down with Big G and Scott to unpack the "Time Equity" principle—the idea that you have to earn the right to go deep with someone before you can ask anything real of them. He breaks down why A-type leaders avoid vulnerability (and what it's costing them), what authentic connection actually sounds like versus what it just performs like, and the hard truth about faith, money, and the leaders who hide behind one to avoid building the other.

Lou's 10-year-old son Kaden joins the conversation live. And Lou closes with a story about a blacksmith, a king, and a bracelet engraved with four words that will stay with you long after this episode ends.

Build real relationships. Build real capital. Together We Are Stronger.

Watch the episode on YouTube.

Watch our YouTube channel-TWRS-Leadership Straight, No Chaser Podcast

This episode equips you to stop measuring your growth against the wrong scoreboard. Learn the critical difference between toxic comparison and strategic reverse engineering, why celebrating small wins is non-negotiable for long-term momentum, and how clarity filters the noise so you stop chasing everyone else's path.

Your growth is not measured by how fast you reach success, but how faithfully you stay on your path.

Watch the podcast on YouTube.

Subscribe to our channel.

In this episode, Big G and Scott sit down with Chip to unpack the leadership patterns that quietly destroy even successful people—hubris, confirmation bias, the drift from doing to being. Chip also shares why small decisions matter more than big ones, why the best leaders ask more than they tell, and what woodturning taught him about forcing the cut.

Flexibility isn't weakness. It's how you stay in the fight. Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

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Watch the YouTube Video.

Subscribe to Together We Are Stronger—Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Subscribe for weekly episodes.

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Michael Jordan was cut from his high school team. Big G lost everything and graduated alone. The difference? They understood failure isn't a period—it's a comma in your story.

Episode 20 taught you alignment (Randy Bishop: "You're not broken, you're becoming"). Episode 21 transforms every setback into character-building fuel. Because the leaders who win aren't the ones who never fail—they're the ones who get back up every single time.

Watch the podcast on YouTube.

Subscribe to Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

In this episode, Randy introduces The RE Method—a simple framework to reflect on beliefs that don't serve you anymore, reframe limiting perspectives, and restore alignment with who you actually are. We discuss forgiving parents who were "kids raising kids," the danger of self-improvement overwhelm, and why living authentically will cost you some relationships (and why that's not a bug, it's a feature).

You're not broken, you're becoming. But you can't become yourself while living everyone else's life.

Together We Are Stronger—Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Watch the Podcast on Youtube:

Subscribe to our channel TWRS-Leadership Straight, No Chaser Podcast

Learn: Worry window practice | Worthy opponent mindset | Calming instinctive brain | Faith when you have none

Connect: brandonandmichellebarber.com/podcastvip

Watch the podcast.

Subscribe to our channel.

#Leadership #Resilience #TWRS

James shares how slowing down unlocked a $90 million deal that was on the edge of being lost—not through more strategy, but through presence. His framework "presence over pressure" reveals why the best leaders don't think harder, they listen deeper.

Big G connects James's journey to his own $2 million loss—when titles disappear, what's left is the truth of who you are. Your presence, your peace, the quality of your mind—that's what makes you a leader worth following.

Together We Are Stronger. Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Music: Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv | https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

Connect with James Brett:

Website: https://www.oasis-within.com.au/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-brett-42a27351/

Watch the Podcast on YouTube.

Watch & Subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, Scott Brandt and Big G explore the difference between being interested and being committed. From business and leadership to relationships, faith, fitness, and personal growth, they discuss why so many people start strong but fail to follow through when challenges arise.

Through personal stories and real-world examples, they break down the role of commitment, accountability, action, and mental tenacity in achieving meaningful results. The conversation highlights why clarity creates confidence, why action builds self-belief, and why great things are rarely built overnight.

In This Episode

• Why commitment is the foundation of success

• The difference between interest and true commitment

• How action builds confidence and self-worth

• The role clarity plays in staying focused

• Why people quit when challenges appear

• The connection between habits and long-term results

• How accountability strengthens commitment

• Why consistency matters more than motivation

Sound Bites

"Commitment is the foundation of great things."

"Action is the proof."

"Interest fades when obstacles appear. Commitment finds a way."

Key Lesson

Anyone can stay committed when things are easy.

The real test comes when obstacles show up, progress slows down, and quitting becomes the easier option.

That's where commitment separates itself from interest.

Music Credit

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound.

About Together We Are Stronger

Leadership Straight. No Chaser.

Real conversations about leadership, personal growth, resilience, business, and the lessons learned through experience.

Subscribe for new episodes every Thursday.

Episode 1 taught you that no one survives crisis alone. Episodes 2-15 showed you how to build clarity and filter your tribe. Episode 16 reveals the three pillars that hold everything together: mentorship, community, and accountability.

Big G shares the hard truth about his Superman syndrome after losing $2M: "I could have listened to someone and went around the brick wall instead of trying to go through it." He reveals why it took years to find the right mentor and how being closed off nearly cost him everything.

Scott introduces a critical reality: your tribe changes as you level up. The people who got you to one level may not go with you to the next—and that's okay.

In this episode:

• Why "Superman syndrome" destroys business owners
• The mentorship myth keeping leaders stuck
• When accountability becomes the glue holding it all together
• How to take action when you feel stuck

Because here's the truth: you can be brilliant, driven, and talented—but without mentorship, community, and accountability, you're building on sand.

Music: Swiggity Swooty by Guustavv

https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

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Watch on YouTube.

But this isn't about the fall. It's about what grew from the dirt.

You'll hear about Holly's 34 years of faithful prayer, even when Big G carried massive anger and wouldn't let the Lord in. About ignoring mentors and paying catastrophic prices. About the moment "friends" vanished while his family packed boxes together. About his daughter Aubree declaring "Together, We Are Stronger" in 2013—words she tattooed over her heart that became TWRS's foundation.

Your worst moments aren't wasted. The dirt isn't your enemy. It's where gardens grow, where strength is built, where real community is forged. This episode reveals WHY TWRS exists—so no leader ever packs boxes alone.

Together We Are Stronger. Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Music: Swiggity Swooty by Guustavv:

https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

Watch on YouTube.

Watch our channel.

Most people think strength comes from titles, money, authority, or physical power. Real strength is something entirely different.

It's the ability to admit you were wrong.

It's the willingness to learn from someone younger than you.

It's the courage to leave a comfortable environment when you know you've outgrown it.

And it's the resilience to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan.

In this episode, Big G reflects on losing nearly $2 million, rebuilding through adversity, and the lessons learned when comfort, pride, and certainty disappear. Together, Scott and Big G explore why vulnerability, accountability, and continuous growth are some of the most overlooked leadership strengths.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why vulnerability is often a leader's greatest advantage
• What Sam Darnold's journey teaches about humility and growth
• How ego silently limits progress
• Why your tribe may need to evolve as you grow
• The connection between accountability and resilience
• How comfort zones create complacency
• Why learning never stops, regardless of age or experience
• The mindset shift that helps you keep moving forward during difficult seasons

One of the most powerful lessons from this conversation is simple:

The people who continue growing are willing to stay teachable.

Whether you're leading a business, a team, a family, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode will challenge you to examine where comfort, pride, and fear may be holding you back.

MUSIC CREDIT:
Sourced music is Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv
https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

In this episode, you'll learn why marketing promises create dangerous expectations, the real cost of misaligned expectations in business, how to manage the input-output cycle effectively, and why acceptance is your superpower in leadership.

Big G shares spending $19,000 on marketing that delivered only one client. Scott explains why reading books without taking action is just entertainment, not growth.

Key insights: Clear communication prevents resentment. Emotional attachment to outcomes kills flexibility. Building community creates resilience when expectations aren't met.

Watch the podcast on YouTube.

Watch our YouTube Channel.

New episodes weekly. Together we are stronger.

When Big G lost $2M and watched his family pack boxes, he discovered his real why—not "for my kids" or "to make money." Those collapse under pressure. His anchor became: "To strengthen families, communities, and individuals so they never feel alone on their journey."

This episode covers:

• Why "for my kids" is a trap if it's not deeper
• How your why must connect to your values and clarity
• Peter Voogd's vulnerability tool for discovering your why
• The difference between skin-level answers and soul-level purpose
• How your tribe helps you discover and refine your why

Your why isn't what you tell people at networking events. It's what wakes you up at 3 AM when everything's falling apart.

Together We Are Stronger—Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Music: Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv

Watch the YouTube Podcast.

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After discovering that people watch you in silence (Episode 10), Big G confronts why most ideas die: leaders wait for permission, perfect timing, or approval before taking action.

Here's the brutal truth: The richest land in the world isn't Dubai or Silicon Valley—it's the cemetery. Millions of ideas for curing diseases, changing industries, and launching movements died there because people feared judgment and never took action.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why fear of judgment stops you before anyone else can
• How your internal judge becomes your biggest enemy
• The "tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow" trap that ends opportunity
• Big G's story of starting his upholstery business at 19 with only $500

When Big G lost $2M decades later, he learned: the only thing worse than failure is never trying. Failure teaches. Inaction buries your gifts.

Together We Are Stronger delivers "Leadership Straight, No Chaser"—real wisdom from someone who's rebuilt from devastating loss.

Sourced music is Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv

Click to watch our Podcast channel.

A stranger approached Big G in a restaurant, staring him down. Turns out, the guy had been watching Big G's "Coffee and Content" videos for months—never liked, never commented, never said a word. Until that day.

That's when Big G realized: You're building your legacy in front of an invisible audience. The people who need what you have aren't always the ones engaging with your posts. They're watching in silence, waiting to see if you're the real deal.

In this episode, Big G and Scott tackle the "working in silence" philosophy with completely different perspectives.

Big G argues legacies are built in the dark without seeking external applause. Scott counters that hiding can be selfish, who are you missing by not sharing?

The truth? Your silent audience is real. Don't quit before they're ready to speak up.

Music: Swiggity Swooty by Guustavv

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I'm not saying it will help with any specific health concerns, but if you're interested in learning more about how it might support your wellness journey, I'd be happy to share some information with you. No pressure at all, just thought you might find it interesting.After discovering that staying teachable keeps great leaders ahead, Big G confronts why most entrepreneurs quit: they see failure as the enemy instead of the teacher .

Success and failure aren't opposites—they're two sides of the same coin. Your perspective decides which side you're on. Big G has failed multiple times—partnerships gone wrong, lost money, trust betrayed. But he never hesitated to move forward because average people quit one click before winning.

KEY INSIGHTS:

·         1% doubt guarantees failure

·         Hesitation kills dreams (the squirrel metaphor)

·         Failure is the lesson that leads to success

·         Risk without reward teaches more than comfort

·         Bet on yourself or someone else controls your outcomes

Big G lost $2M and watched his family pack boxes while friends disappeared. His perspective shift—seeing failure as a teacher, not a tombstone—separated him from those who quit.

Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser.

Music: Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv

Click here to subscribe to our channel.

You finally gain clarity about where your business, leadership, and life are headed. Then the noise starts.

Friends give opinions. Social media pulls your focus. Everybody suddenly has advice about what you should do next.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger: Leadership Straight, No Chaser, Big G and Scott break down the real cost of letting outside voices control your direction.

After losing $2M and rebuilding from the ground up, Big G learned a painful truth: without clarity, you drift instead of move with direction. The wrong voices create confusion, overthinking, distraction, and emotional exhaustion.

This episode dives into:

• Why too much advice keeps people stuck
• The danger of saying yes to everything
• How clarity protects your focus
• Why your inner circle matters
• The power of silence and intentional thinking
• How to filter outside opinions
• Why constant hustle destroys perspective
• Building a tribe that helps you move forward

If you feel overwhelmed, distracted, or pulled in too many directions, this conversation will help reset your focus.

SOUND BITES

"Without clarity, you drift instead of direction."

"You can’t say yes to everything."

"Clarity becomes a filtering system."

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
00:53 The Noise That Destroys Clarity
02:56 Losing Direction After Major Setbacks
03:40 Why Clarity Keeps You Moving Forward
05:07 The Power of Accountability and Tribe
06:29 Why Most People Lack Clarity
08:12 Too Many Opinions Create Confusion
09:37 The Danger of Saying Yes to Everything
11:05 Cutting Out Toxic Voices
13:37 Building Quiet Time Into Your Day
14:42 Why Silence Feels Uncomfortable
15:42 Busy Does Not Mean Productive
18:09 Using Quiet Time to Grow
21:42 The Power of Intention and Reflection
24:35 Protecting Your Boundaries
26:37 Finding the Right Tribe
28:06 Clarity Attracts the Right People

MUSIC CREDIT

"Swiggity Swooty" by Guustavv via Epidemic Sound

#leadership #clarity #mindset #entrepreneur #businessowner #selfdevelopment #podcast

Here's the brutal reality, Big G spent 43 years as an entrepreneur, built the largest upholstery shop in the desert, lost $2M in a Ponzi scheme, rebuilt everything, and admits he wasn't truly teachable until now. At 62, he's reading more, learning more, and doing more than when he opened his first company at 19.

Why? Because he finally activated student mode.

THE BRUTAL TRUTH:

• When you stop being teachable, you stop being coachable, and you limit every opportunity ahead
• Big G sat with multi-million dollar construction leaders, but didn't ask questions because he thought he was "on their level," he wasn't
• The difference between Hall of Famers and everyone else? Tony Gonzalez stayed 3 hours after practice catching balls while others went to clubs
• Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, Gary Vee, John Maxwell—every top leader has a coach and stays in student mode
• Your tongue is the most harmful muscle in your body, the words you speak shape your reality
• Failures aren't losses, they're learning opportunities (you're either winning or learning)
• Consistency beats intensity every single time
• Knowledge without application is just Pokemon collecting
• A .300 batting average makes you a Hall of Famer; that's 70% failure and 30% success

THE REALITY CHECK:

Big G sat at construction lunches with GCs running multi-million dollar companies. They poured knowledge into everyone at the table. But Big G admits, "I didn't ask questions when I was around people smarter than me. I thought I was on the same level as them, I wasn't."

Now at 62, he's in student mode more than ever. Why?

Because he realized that staying teachable isn't optional, it's survival for leaders who refuse to stagnate.

When the $2M loss hit, Big G learned the leaders who survived weren't the ones who knew it all. They were the ones humble enough to keep learning, to ask questions, to admit "I don't know, teach me."

After hoarding knowledge destroys your impact, the only antidote is activating permanent student mode. Not for a season. For life.

Together We Are Stronger isn't just our name, it's the strategy. Strength comes from staying teachable, asking questions from those ahead of you, and applying what you learn consistently.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro: "One word can change your world"

1:26 - Big G's confession: "I thought I knew everything, I didn't"

5:17 - Why top leaders all have coaches

8:31 - Consistency is massive

12:07 - Knowledge collecting vs. application

17:40 - Surrounding yourself with mentors

23:34 - The .300 batting average principle

MUSIC CREDIT:

Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv (Epidemic Sound)

📚 RESOURCES:

• Pat Flynn - "Lean Learning"
• Vince Lombardi's "This is a football" story
• Tony Robbins' Mindset Framework

⚠️ Some links are affiliates. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Lean Learning by Pat Flynn:

https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Learning-Achieve-More-Less/dp/166802764X?tag=twrs09-20

New episodes weekly.

What's the one thing you need to become a student of right now? Drop it in the comments—Big G will reply. 🔥

In this episode, Big G and Scott break down why knowledge hoarding destroys leadership, weakens culture, and keeps businesses trapped in fear. The leaders who grow the fastest aren’t protecting information, they’re teaching, sharing, and building people around them.

This conversation challenges one of the biggest problems in leadership and business growth: the belief that keeping knowledge to yourself creates security. In reality, it creates stagnation.

If you’ve ever struggled with:

• leadership growth
• building strong teams
• training employees
• company culture
• business stagnation
• fear of competition

…this episode will hit hard.

🔥 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why most people stay stuck for years.
• How knowledge hoarding destroys leadership.
• Why great leaders teach everything they know.
• The hidden cost of fear-based leadership.
• How competition actually makes you better.
• Why employees leave companies that don’t develop them.

🎙️ THE BIG IDEA

The leaders who share knowledge build legacy.
The leaders who hoard it die with it.

Together We Are Stronger isn’t just a name.
It’s the strategy.

🎵 MUSIC CREDIT

“Swiggity Swooty” by Guustavv
https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

When Big G's family packed boxes after losing $2M, when the "friends" who broke bread and drank his whiskey vanished, when the Ponzi scheme partner walked away with a slap on the wrist, one thing kept him from drowning: his values.

Not motivational posters. Not business tactics. Values. The non-negotiables that don't shift when your bank account does.

Here's what nobody tells you: Values aren't what you say in networking rooms. They're what you do when you're watching your daughters pack their rooms. They're what Holly (Big G's wife of 34 years) demonstrated through faithful prayer. They're the North Star that keeps you moving when clarity gets foggy and your tribe feels far away.

THE BRUTAL TRUTH:

• Why your values must be YOUR centerpiece (not business owner, not parent—YOU)
• The "spoke vs. center" framework: How to protect your identity when one area of life breaks
• Why Big G's values never changed even after losing everything—and how that saved him
• The difference between external motivation (dies quickly) and values-driven action (lasts forever)
• How to use values as your filtering system alongside clarity
• Why differentiating personal vs. business values can make you fake (Scott's controversial take)
• The rebuild formula: Values + Tribe = Faster recovery from devastation
• What happens when you lose your value in toxic work environments (Big G's corporate reality check)
• How to know if your tribe is lifting you up or beating the value out of you

THE REALITY CHECK:

Big G stood in front of Holly at a busy restaurant, confessing he'd lost $2 million. The only two things she said: "I told you so" (she never trusted the partner) and "What are we going to do about it?" Her values didn't shift with the bank account. That's the power of anchored values—they don't abandon ship when the storm hits.

Together We Are Stronger isn't just our name—it's the strategy. But strength comes from values you refuse to compromise, even when everyone else is telling you to adapt, adjust, or give up.

MUSIC CREDIT:

Sourced music is Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv

https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

⚠️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE:

Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. This helps support the TWRS mission and allows us to keep bringing you Leadership Straight, No Chaser. We only recommend resources we genuinely believe in and use ourselves.

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

The Buddha and the Badass by Vishen Lakhiani: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593236149?tag=twrs09-20

Watch on YouTube!

Watch on YouTube!

Subscribe and watch weekly episodes plus bonus clips at: youtube.com/@TWRS-LeadershipStraightNoChase

24 networking events in one month. Same recycled pitch. Same surface-level conversations. Same empty feeling driving home at 10 PM wondering why nobody texted back. Sound familiar?

Here's what nobody tells you about networking: Trying to serve everyone equally is a lie. You can't be Pokémon—"gotta catch 'em all" doesn't build a tribe, it builds a contact list full of strangers. Big G learned this the hard way, and in this episode, he and Scott Brandt break down why saying yes to everyone is actually saying no to your own value.

THE BRUTAL TRUTH:

• One short-form video reached 800 people—12X more than any networking room
• Texting 19 people after an event and getting zero responses
• Losing your uniqueness by repeating the same pitch over and over
• Relationship capital beats contact lists every single time
• When you spread yourself thin, you dilute what makes you valuable

Because here's what Big G learned the hard way: After the $2M loss, when the "friends" who broke bread and drank his whiskey disappeared, the people who stayed weren't the ones from the biggest networking rooms. They were the few who valued deep relationship capital over surface-level connections.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Intro: "Saying yes to everyone is no to your own value"

0:35 - The trap: Why leaders think they need to serve everyone

2:40 - Big G's confession: 24 networking events in 30 days

4:15 - Meeting the same person 5 times in one day

5:28 - The math that changes everything: 800 views vs 60 people

7:12 - Surface level vs deep relationships: What actually moves the needle

9:45 - Losing yourself in the pitch: When "George does insurance" becomes your identity

11:55 - The 19-text experiment that crushed Big G's soul

14:05 - Clarity as protection: Your time, energy, and resources

16:22 - The empty cup syndrome: Why burnout is inevitable without boundaries

18:35 - How to know if you're spreading yourself too thin

20:15 - Finding people who are actually looking for YOU

22:05 - Wrap-up: The power of serving the right people with focus

THE REALITY CHECK:

Do you know that exhaustion you feel after attending networking events? That emptiness? That's not impostor syndrome—that's you trying to be for everyone instead of being everything to the right people. Big G tried it. He lost himself in the process. His personality that "walks in the room before he does" got watered down to "George does insurance." Don't make the same mistake.

Together We Are Stronger isn't just our name—it's the strategy. But strength comes from depth, not breadth. From tribe, not contact list. From relationship capital, you can actually count on.

Watch on YouTube!

Subscribe and watch weekly episodes plus bonus clips at: youtube.com/@TWRS-LeadershipStraightNoChase

MUSIC CREDIT:

Sourced music is Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv

https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

Most people think networking is about collecting contacts. Wrong. Your tribe isn't your contact list, it's the four people who make you number five. In this episode, Scott Brandt and George "Big G" Dovolis reveal why surrounding yourself with people smarter than you isn't just sound advice, it's a survival strategy for leaders who refuse to walk alone.

The TWRS Framework: Episode 1 showed you why you need people. Episode 2 taught you clarity filters who those people should be. Episode 3 equips you to build and protect the tribe that will carry you through the next crisis.

Because here's the truth, Big G learned the hard way: When the Ponzi scheme collapsed and "friends" vanished, the people who stayed defined everything. Your tribe isn't who shows up when you're winning—it's who packs boxes with you when you lose $2M.

Together We Are Stronger isn't just our name, it's the strategy. No one builds alone. No one survives alone. And no one thrives alone.

Timestamps:

00:00 - The Importance of Your Tribe

06:21 - Understanding Values and Alignment

11:59 - Choosing the Right Tribe

17:54 - Protecting Your Tribe

23:38 - Resources for Building Your Tribe

29:20 - Final Thoughts

Sourced music is Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

⚠️ AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Some links in this description are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. This helps support the TWRS mission and allows us to keep bringing you Leadership Straight, No Chaser. We only recommend resources we genuinely believe in and use ourselves.

The Buddha and the Badass by Vishen Lakhiani: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593236149?tag=twrs09-20

Tribe of Millionaires by David Osborn (Author), Pat Hiban (Author), Mike McCarthy (Author), Tim Rhode (Author), Hal Elrod (Foreword): https://www.amazon.com/Tribe-Millionaires-choice-change-everything/dp/0998288225?tag=twrs09

Scott Brandt and George "Big G" Dovolis break down why most leaders fail without clarity, featuring the story of a 16-year-old running a multi-million-dollar business and the hard lessons about building the right tribe.

Key Topics:

• Why clarity is your ultimate business filtering system • How a teenager built a million-dollar company with older employees • What happens when your inner circle abandons you • "If you hang out with 4 dummies, guess who's #5?"

Timestamps:

00:00 - Acting without clarity = running blindfolded

08:00 - Clarity as your filtering system

18:38 - When your tribe abandons you

22:25 - You become who you surround yourself with Sourced music is Swiggity Swooty By Guustavv https://www.epidemicsound.com/music/tracks/0ff510b6-0c2e-49a2-8158-8bcdf29e9178/

Subscribe for weekly "Leadership Straight, No Chaser."

What's your biggest challenge staying focused? Comment below.

In this episode of Together We Are Stronger, we break down a real story of losing $2,000,000 in business, watching everything collapse, and facing the harsh truth about who’s really in your corner.

This isn’t just about money.
It’s about identity, relationships, and what gets exposed when things fall apart.

We talk about:

• What business failure actually teaches you
• How to rebuild after losing everything
• The truth about fake friends and support systems
• Why most entrepreneurs struggle in silence
• How adversity shapes real leadership

If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying everything alone… this conversation will hit.

This is not surface-level motivation.
This is the reality most people avoid.

Watch on YouTube!

• Subscribe and watch weekly episodes plus bonus clips at: youtube.com/@TWRS-LeadershipStraightNoChase

business failure, losing everything, entrepreneur struggles, fake friends, rebuilding after loss, leadership adversity, personal growth, business setbacks, support system, mindset during failure