Leadership Unlocked: Delegate Better, Build Accountability, Lead Your Team
by Dusty Holcomb, Leadership Systems & Delegation Expert
Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Est. Listeners
Based on iTunes & Spotify (publisher stats).
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
10,001 - 25,000 - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
25,001 - 75,000 - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
5,001 - 15,000
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
—
* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
The Most Selfish Thing Great Leaders Never Do (But Should) - E58
Apr 29, 2026
16m 38s
Why Slowing Down Might Be the Most Productive Thing You Do | Jacob Karnes - E57
Apr 22, 2026
46m 29s
Work-Life Balance Is a Myth—Ask Yourself These 3 Questions Instead - E56
Apr 15, 2026
18m 36s
Are You Tired of Being Tired as a Leader? | Eric Collett - E55
Apr 8, 2026
1h 10m 27s
Tired of Your Team Always Guessing What You Want? Build This | AMA #2 - E54
Apr 1, 2026
30m 24s
Social Links & Contact
Official channels & resources
Official Website
Login
RSS Feed
Login
| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/29/26 | The Most Selfish Thing Great Leaders Never Do (But Should) - E58 | Dusty goes solo to confront a subtle but damaging misconception at the heart of servant leadership—the belief that focusing on yourself somehow takes away from serving others—and argues the opposite: failing to lead yourself is the most selfish thing you can do. Drawing from personal experience and a powerful leadership session with a high-performing team, he exposes how neglecting self-leadership quietly erodes clarity, decision-making, and ultimately the impact you have on everyone you lead. Through a set of three diagnostic questions—what must change, what patterns keep repeating, and where you’re saying yes instead of no—he shows how the same rigor leaders apply to their organizations must be turned inward. Dusty then introduces a practical three-step activation system—assess, clarify, align—guiding leaders to audit their own execution gaps, define an intentional work state, and bring others into their growth process to expose blind spots. Anchored by the insight that leadership impact multiplies downstream, he reframes self-investment as a force multiplier rather than a distraction, challenging leaders to stop defaulting to reactive patterns and start leading themselves with the same discipline they expect from others. The result is a more intentional, aligned, and effective leader—one whose growth compounds across every person and outcome they influence.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – The Most Selfish Thing Great Leaders Never Do (But Should)(01:32) – The Consequences of Not Leading Yourself(03:08) – Leadership Is Not About You(04:29) – 3 Questions You MUST Ask(08:24) – Three Activation Steps for Great Self-Leadership(08:50) – Step 1: Assess the Execution Gap(09:49) – Step 2: Clarify Your Intentional Work State(11:00) – Step 3: Build Alignment with Others(11:46) – Practical ExampleKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Tools Of Titans: A Comprehensive Guide To High-Performance Tools And Tactics For Success by Tim FerrissMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - 58 - The Most Selfish Thing Great Leaders Never Do (01:32) - The Consequences of Not Leading Yourself (03:08) - Leadership Is Not About You (04:29) - 3 Questions You MUST Ask (08:44) - Three Activation Steps for Great Self-Leadership (09:10) - Step 1: Assess the Execution Gap (10:09) - Step 2: Clarify Your Intentional Work State (11:20) - Step 3: Build Alignment with Others (12:06) - Practical Example (14:12) - Conclusion | 16m 38s | ||||||
| 4/22/26 |  Why Slowing Down Might Be the Most Productive Thing You Do | Jacob Karnes - E57 | Dusty sits down with Jacob Karnes—leadership coach, author of Master Your First Job, and former Chick-fil-A leadership development professional—for a conversation about turning early career opportunities into the foundation for long-term leadership impact. Drawing from his journey from a reluctant teenage Chick-fil-A employee to corporate learning and development and ultimately entrepreneurship, Jacob shares how a few pivotal mentors and a people-first philosophy reshaped his understanding of leadership. He and Dusty explore why great leaders focus on caring for people rather than manhandling results, how slowing down creates space for real relationships at work, and why surrounding yourself with complementary thinkers is essential for sustainable growth. Jacob reflects on the mentors who believed in him before he fully believed in himself, the power of investing in talent even when you know they will eventually leave, and the cultural flywheel that forms when leaders treat people as missionaries rather than mercenaries. Through stories of rejection, career reinvention, and building his own coaching practice, Jacob makes a compelling case that success in leadership begins far earlier than most people realize—and that mastering your very first job with humility, curiosity, and discipline can shape the trajectory of an entire career.Key Timestamps:(04:36) – Slow Down to Lead(14:25) – Keystone Moment at Chick-fil-A(21:29) – Creating Your Dream Role(29:58) – Leaders Who Invest in People Win(37:56) – Rapid-Fire Leadership Habits(44:27) – Where to Get Master Your First JobKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://masteryourfirstjob.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobkarnes/ Mentions: Free Book: https://masteryourfirstjob.com/free https://northpoint.org/be-rich https://serviceleague.net/ Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker PhDAtomic Habits by James ClearThe Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark ComerMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 46m 29s | ||||||
| 4/15/26 | Work-Life Balance Is a Myth—Ask Yourself These 3 Questions Instead - E56 | Dusty goes solo to dismantle one of leadership’s most persistent myths—that work-life balance is something you can achieve and maintain—and replaces it with a more honest and actionable model: balancing as a daily discipline. Sparked by a question about staying present amid competing demands at work and home, he introduces a practical operating system built on three decision “gates” and two critical permissions. Through the lens of burnout research and a deeply personal story reflecting on the lasting impact of a colleague named Sarah, Dusty reframes urgency, showing that most of what feels pressing won’t matter over time—while how we show up always does. He walks through the Time Gate (will this matter in a year?), the Importance Gate (what truly matters right now?), and the Leverage Gate (who can help?), explaining the neuroscience of attention residue and the leadership cost of holding too much alone. Paired with the permissions to ask for help and to operate at 80% when needed, this framework helps leaders reduce guilt, reclaim presence, and focus energy where it compounds. Rather than chasing an impossible equilibrium, Dusty challenges listeners to run this loop consistently—shifting from doing more to mattering more, and leading with clarity, intention, and sustainable impact.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Work-Life Balance Is a Myth(00:49) – Leaders Are Burning Out(02:28) – The Leadership That Really Matters(05:47) – The Time Gate(07:35) – The Importance Gate(09:03) – The Leverage Gate(11:23) – Give Yourself Permission(13:23) – What to Do About BurnoutKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:https://www.ddi.com/blog/prevent-burnout https://www.ccl.org/categories/work-life-balance/ https://www.uwb.edu/business/faculty/sophie-leroy/attention-residue https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/leadership/employee-wellness-in-the-corporate-workplace.html More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - Work Life Balance is a Myth (00:49) - Leaders Are Burning Out (02:28) - The Leadership that Really Matters (05:47) - The Time Gate (07:35) - The Importance Gate (09:03) - The Leverage Gate (11:23) - Give Yourself Permission (13:23) - What to Do About Burnout (15:11) - Conclusion | 18m 36s | ||||||
| 4/8/26 |  Are You Tired of Being Tired as a Leader? | Eric Collett - E55 | Dusty sits down with Eric Collette, CEO of A Mind for All Seasons, for a wide-ranging and deeply practical conversation on how leaders can optimize brain health to sustain performance, extend longevity, and lead more effectively. Grounded in both research and real-world case studies, Eric challenges the fatalistic belief that cognitive decline is inevitable, instead outlining a “system of systems” approach that addresses root causes—metabolic health, sleep, stress, nutrition, movement, and even dental hygiene—to improve brain function today while reducing long-term risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s. Through compelling stories, including measurable cognitive recovery in dementia patients, he demonstrates how targeted interventions can drive meaningful change, while also emphasizing that leaders often misdiagnose problems by treating symptoms rather than underlying systems. Together, he and Dusty connect these principles back to leadership, exploring how clarity, alignment, and self-leadership mirror the same diagnostic rigor required in health. Eric reinforces that sustainable performance is built through daily disciplines—intentional movement, nutritional awareness, stress reframing, and reflective practices like prayer and prioritization—and ultimately defines success not by scale, but by impact, challenging leaders to measure their days by whether they meaningfully helped “the one.”Key Timestamps:(00:57) – Can Your Brain Improve?(11:07) – Dementia Turnaround(16:30) – Hardware Upgrade Analogy(22:00) - The Difference Between Common and Normal(26:40) – Brain Training(34:15) - Diet and Insulin Resistance(45:30) – Dental Health Surprise(50:02) – Sleep and Brain Cleanup(54:56) – Stress and Hormesis(1:00:08) – Reframing in Fight-or-Flight(01:02:29) – Rapid-Fire LeadershipKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://amindforallseasons.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdcollett/ Mentions: The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael EasterLeadership and Self Deception by Arbinger InstituteMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 10m 27s | ||||||
| 4/1/26 | Tired of Your Team Always Guessing What You Want? Build This | AMA #2 - E54 | Dusty goes solo in an AMA-style episode to break down how leaders can actually implement the Rules of Engagement framework introduced in episode 27, turning a powerful concept into a practical operating system for clarity and alignment. Drawing on years of leadership experience and real client stories, he frames the guide as a “leadership decoder ring”—a living document that makes implicit expectations explicit, eliminating guesswork around communication, decision-making, feedback, and standards. Through answering common fears—overwhelm, sounding too prescriptive, changing the rules midstream, or expecting too much—Dusty emphasizes progress over perfection, encouraging leaders to build and share a 70% complete version and refine it through dialogue. He introduces a rapid “forcing function” workshop method to create the guide in under 30 minutes and highlights the deeper psychology at play: clarity creates psychological safety, alignment closes execution gaps, and explicit commitments outperform assumed responsibility. Anchored by the Apple Watch story—where a COO confidently called him out for violating his own standards—Dusty demonstrates how codified expectations unlock two-way accountability and trust. The result is a scalable leadership system that reduces friction, accelerates performance, and gives teams the clarity they’ve been waiting for—challenging leaders to stop expecting mind-reading and start providing the playbook.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – The Rules of Engagement(03:03) – Q1: Where to Start When It Feels Overwhelming?(04:42) – Q2: How Does This Guide Differ from a Job Description and Company Values?(06:16) – Q3: Won't This Feel Like I'm Changing the Rules on My Team?(08:06) – Q4: Should I Be Aspirational or Brutally Honest?(09:49) – Q5: How Do I Make Sure I'm Not Being Overly Prescriptive?(11:56) – Q6: How Do I Set Expectations Without Expecting Everyone to Be a Mini Me?(16:20) – Q7: Can You Give Me Some Examples of What Others Have Said?(19:30) – Q8: How Do I Make Decisions?(21:30) – Q9: What's the Forcing Function Workshop Method?(23:40) – Q10: What Changes Are Seen When a Leader Implements This?(26:37) – Q11: What's One Story of This Process in Action?(28:17) – Free GiftKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:https://arcqusgroup.com/podcast/the-7-rules-of-engagement-that-eliminate-80-of-leadership-frustrations-e27/ More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - 54 - The Rules of Engagement (03:03) - Q1: Where to start when it feels overwhelming? (04:42) - Q2: How does this guide differ from a job description and company values? (06:16) - Q3: Won't this feel like I'm changing the rules on my team? (08:06) - Q4: Should I be aspirational or brutally honest? (09:49) - Q5: How do I make sure I'm not being overly prescriptive? (11:53) - Q6: How do I set expectations without expecting everyone to be a mini me? (16:16) - Q7: Can you give me some examples of what others have said? (19:26) - Q8: How do I make decisions? (21:26) - Q9: What's the forcing function workshop method? (23:37) - Q10: What changes are seen when a leader implements this? (26:34) - Q11: What's one story of this process in action? (28:13) - Free Gift | 30m 24s | ||||||
| 3/25/26 |  The Seven Issues Behind 95% of Leadership Pain | Dorothy & Garland Vance - E53 | Dusty sits down with Garland and Dorothy Vance—co-founders of Unleashed Leadership—for a candid and insightful conversation about the difference between being remembered as a hero or a villain in the lives of those you lead. Drawing from decades spent researching, testing, and refining leadership development—from running a 15-year “leadership laboratory” inside a nonprofit to building their own firm—the Vances unpack the core philosophies that shape their work: humility, character, courage, and the responsibility leaders carry at the dinner tables of the people they influence. Garland introduces the provocative lens that every leader will be talked about in heroic or villainous terms, while Dorothy emphasizes honoring every person with dignity and respect, regardless of role. Together, they explore the tension between being liked and being needed, the courage required to have hard conversations, the shift from leading teams to leading leaders, and the seven root issues—character, competence, capacity, clarity, community, culture, and consistency—that drive 95% of organizational pain. Through personal stories of toxic environments, transformative mentors, entrepreneurial risk, and the discipline of daily reflection, they challenge leaders to stop hiding behind busyness, stop pretending to have all the answers, and instead build communities where clarity, accountability, and authentic care create lasting impact.Key Timestamps:(02:32) – Leadership Laboratory: Hero or Villain(11:07) – Hard Truths and Courage(17:42) – Mentors Who Shaped Them(25:34) – Starting Their Own Firm(29:06) – Turning Pain Into Purpose(35:48) – Delegation and Trust Hurdles(39:49) – Seven Root Leadership Issues(46:54) – Books and Biographies(49:01) – Rapid Fire Reflections(53:05) – Superpowers and Where to Start(56:00) – Free Book Key Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://unleashedleadership.com/ Garland’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garland-vance/ Free Audiobook for Listeners: https://www.advanceleadership.live/freebookMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 59m 20s | ||||||
| 3/18/26 | Why Leaders Feel Busy but Not Effective: Attention Residue, Unspoken Expectations, and the Fix - E52 | Dusty goes solo to unpack the invisible forces silently sabotaging even the most capable leaders—overwhelm, reactive schedules, and misaligned priorities. Anchoring his discussion in the stark warning from Levi Lusko—“if nothing changes, future you will be an exaggerated version of present”—he reveals how constant busyness without clarity only amplifies stress, burnout, and lost impact. Through the story of Robert, a senior leader trapped in reaction mode, Dusty illustrates the transformative power of a three-layered sequence: first, establishing foundational clarity on purpose and long-term vision; second, building alignment by making expectations explicit and securing genuine commitment; and third, creating consistent execution rhythms that reduce cognitive load and attention residue. Rather than piling on effort or discipline, Robert regained focus, performance, and personal time by following this structured sequence, showing that momentum flows from clarity, alignment, and rhythm—not harder work. Dusty leaves listeners with actionable steps to start this week, reframing leadership as a system of deliberate choices instead of endless reaction, and challenging every leader to ask: if nothing changes, what does your future leadership look like?Key Timestamps:(01:22) – 52% of Executives Say Their Time Allocation Doesn’t Match Their Priorities(03:34) – Case Study: Robert’s Story(05:40) – Building Clarity with Robert(08:48) – Clarity, Then Alignment, Then Execution(14:52) – 3 Things You Can Start This Week(16:55) – Clarity Precedes MomentumKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/making-time-management-the-organizations-priority#/ https://www.ddi.com/blog/leadership-trends-2024 https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/leadership/employee-wellness-in-the-corporate-workplace.html https://www.uwb.edu/business/faculty/sophie-leroy/attention-residue More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - 52 - Why Future You is Already Decided and What You Can Do About It (01:22) - 52% of executives say their time allocation doesn't match their priorities (03:34) - Case study: Robert's story (05:40) - Building clarity with Robert (08:48) - Clarity, then alignment, then execution (14:52) - 3 things you can start this week (16:55) - Clarity precedes momentum | 20m 23s | ||||||
| 3/11/26 |  If You Want Loyalty From Your Team, Start Here | Dawn Grooters - E51 | Dusty sits down with Dawn Grooters—founder of Broken Vessel Sales Solutions—for a deeply personal and practical conversation about servant leadership, resilience, and the power of authentic connection in sales. After building a successful career as a field sales rep in the gift and home industry, Dawn’s life was forever altered when her 11-month-old son, Kale, passed away while she was on the road, forcing her to reimagine both her priorities and her profession. Choosing family, faith, and presence, she pioneered an inside sales model from home—one rooted not in transactions, but in meaningful human connection—discovering along the way that phone calls could drive both revenue and real impact. Through stories of grief, grit, and God-ordained moments, Dawn explains how tragedy refined her leadership philosophy of servant leadership, consistency, and connection, and how that evolution ultimately became Broken Vessel Sales Solutions—a firm that helps sales teams implement inside and hybrid sales systems, leverage CRM tools, and build sustainable growth without burnout. Her journey reframes success as influence, faithfulness, and helping others win—proving that even broken vessels can become powerful instruments for impact.Key Timestamps:(01:42) – Servant Leadership Basics(07:17) – Loss That Changed Everything(16:17) – Human Connection Over Metrics(20:37) – COVID Pivot to Hybrid Sales and CRM Discipline(26:11) – Building the Business(31:19) – Three Client Services(39:25) – Rapid Fire Leadership Qs(43:24) – Cause and Adoption Story(45:12) – Where to ConnectKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://www.brokenvesselsales.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-grooters-a8b480105/ Mentions: Profit First: Transform Your Business From A Cash-eating Monster To A Money-making Machine by Mike Michalowiczhttps://www.jonathanshouse.org/ More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 48m 44s | ||||||
| 3/4/26 | 10 Questions That Change How You Lead | AMA #1 - E50 | In this milestone 50th episode, Dusty flips the mic toward the community and tackles the most persistent questions leaders have been sending his way—ranging from work-life balance and delegation to AI strategy, ownership culture, and CEO fundamentals. Rather than offering abstract theory, he delivers practical frameworks drawn from personal experience and real client work: why “balancing” beats the myth of balance, how refusing to ask for help actually robs your team of growth, and the three decision-making gates he uses to cut through daily noise. He unpacks how to build teams that think like owners by codifying purpose and standards, explains how to treat AI like a team member instead of a search engine, and clarifies why vision is the CEO’s most leveraged priority when everything feels urgent. From breaking firefighting patterns to installing a simple weekly reflection system that creates disproportionate clarity, this episode serves as a compact leadership operating manual—reminding listeners that sustainable growth isn’t built on intensity alone, but on intentional systems, disciplined focus, and the courage to choose leverage over comfort.Key Timestamps:(03:21) – The Balance Myth(07:22) – Permission to Ask for Help(10:24) – Real-Time Decision Making(15:36) – Building Ownership from Scratch(19:20) – Connecting a Personal Why to the Mission(21:56) – AI as a Team Member(25:08) – The AI Filter and Focus(26:42) – The CEO’s Rule of Three(28:06) – Breaking Firefighting Patterns(31:03) – Systems That Create LeverageKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com (00:00) - 50 - AMA #1 (03:21) - Q1: The Balance Myth (07:21) - Q2: Permission to Ask for Help (10:24) - Q3: Real Time Decision Making (15:35) - Q4: Building Ownership from Scratch (19:19) - Q5: Connecting a Personal Why to the Mission (21:55) - Q6: AI as a Team Member (25:07) - Q7: The AI Filter and Focus (26:40) - Q8: The CEO's Rule of Three (28:04) - Q9: Breaking Firefighting Patterns (31:02) - Q10: Systems that Create Leverage (33:57) - Conclusion | 36m 01s | ||||||
| 2/25/26 |  How Should Leaders Communicate the Kind Truth With Their Team | Mo Fathelbab - E49 | Dusty sits down with Mo Fathelbab—former CEO, executive coach, and author of Forum—for a candid conversation about the transformative power of vulnerability in leadership. Drawing on his experience leading YPO forums and coaching high-level executives, Mo challenges the traditional command-and-control model, arguing that real influence is built not on authority, but on authenticity. Together, he and Dusty unpack why high-performing leaders often feel isolated at the top, how structured peer forums create rare spaces for honesty and growth, and why emotional transparency—when paired with accountability—drives both personal and organizational performance. Mo reflects on the pivotal moments that reshaped his leadership philosophy, the discipline required to create psychologically safe environments, and the difference between performative openness and true vulnerability. Through practical insights and hard-earned wisdom, he makes a compelling case that sustainable leadership isn’t about projecting strength—it’s about cultivating trust, connection, and the courage to be seen.Key Timestamps:(03:40) – Mo’s Origin Story(08:45) – “It’s Lonely at the Top” — Myth, Reality, and Modern Leadership(17:06) – Repairing Relationships & Finding Courage(26:07) – Opt-In, Co-Create, and Set Safety Rules(29:42) – The ‘Judo Move’: Vulnerability, Kind Truth, and Leading by Example(38:01) – Breaking the ‘Too Busy to Work Out’ Doom Loop(43:37) – Rapid-Fire Wisdom: Books, Courage, Myths, and What Makes a Good DayKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://www.mofathelbab.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mofathelbab/ Mentions: The Friendship Advantage: 7 Keys to Building Relationships that Transform Corporate Culture and Drive Productivity by Mo FathelbabForum: The Secret Advantage of Successful Leaders by Mo FathelbabThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick M. LencioniMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 50m 19s | ||||||
Want analysis for the episodes below?Free for Pro Submit a request, we'll have your selected episodes analyzed within an hour. Free, at no cost to you, for Pro users. | |||||||||
| 2/18/26 |  Build Better Decisions Using Self-Awareness Others Ignore | Liesl Chang - E48 | Dusty sits down with Liesl Chang—entrepreneur, systems thinker, and founder of Comeback Goods—for a wide-ranging conversation that explores how self-awareness, curiosity, and disciplined systems thinking shape meaningful leadership. Tracing her path from studying Russian history to building logistics infrastructure at high-growth startups like Zimments and Casper, Liesl reflects on the formative moments that redirected her career, including the loss of her father and a growing refusal to settle for work that lacked purpose. Together, she and Dusty unpack the hidden operational realities of e-commerce—especially the costly, overlooked problem of returns—and how that insight led Liesl to found Comeback Goods, a marketplace built around reclaiming “almost perfect” home goods with minor imperfections. Along the way, Liesl shares why differentiation and financial discipline are non-negotiables, how narrative and systems intersect, and why leadership rooted in presence, follow-through, and genuine human connection ultimately creates the most durable impact.Key Timestamps:(01:31) – The Importance of Self-Awareness in Leadership(05:59) – Early Influences and Entrepreneurial Spirit(09:03) – Academic Journey: From Russian History to Entrepreneurship(22:13) – Venturing into E-commerce and Logistics(25:14) – The Challenges of E-commerce Returns(30:05) – Embracing Imperfections, Sustainability, and Returns(37:28) – Building a Network(42:27) – Rapid Fire QuestionsKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://comebackgoods.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lieslchang/ Mentions: Upworthy - GOOD PEOPLE: Stories From the Best of Humanity by Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knellhttps://www.habitat.org/ https://www.doe.org/programs/ready-willing-able/ More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 54m 32s | ||||||
| 2/11/26 | The Three Building Blocks of Trust Most Leaders Miss - E47 | Dusty goes solo to reframe one of leadership’s most misunderstood concepts—trust—arguing that leaders get stuck because they treat trust as something to earn or demand rather than something to build deliberately. Drawing from real coaching conversations, including a revealing case study of a newly promoted CEO who was burning out by staying too involved, Dusty shows how leaders often focus on whether others trust them while failing to demonstrate trust themselves. He introduces a practical three-part trust framework—relational trust, competency-based trust, and integrity-based trust—and explains how each requires a different leadership action: investing in people as humans, assessing real capability before stepping back, and modeling reliability through follow-through. By breaking trust into these distinct components, Dusty gives leaders a clear diagnostic for why trust breaks down and what to do next, whether they’re struggling to delegate, being micromanaged, or sensing hesitation from their team. Rather than waiting for trust to magically appear, this episode challenges leaders to ask a better question—not “Do they trust me?” but “Am I being trustworthy?”—and offers concrete, actionable steps to begin building trust systematically, one relationship and one behavior at a time.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Common Trust Issues Among Leaders(03:06) – Case Study: Bob's Leadership Challenge(06:35) – The Three Components of Trust(14:38) – Applying the Trust Framework(19:56) – Conclusion: Building Trust SystematicallyKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 22m 47s | ||||||
| 2/4/26 |  The Lie Ambitious Leaders Believe About Identity & Success | Maricella Herrera - E46 | She built her dream career, but then walked away. Dusty Holcomb sits down with Maricella Herrera—former COO and CEO of Elevate Network and host of the podcast Oh Shit, I Just Quit My Job—for an honest, deeply human conversation about identity, integrity, and the courage required to walk away from a life that no longer fits. From her early career in finance in Mexico to business school at Columbia and more than a decade helping build the world’s largest professional community for women, Maricella reflects on the mentors who shaped her, the leadership philosophy rooted in transparency and modeling behavior, and the quiet burnout that followed years of purpose-driven work. She unpacks the tension between loyalty and self-leadership, the moment of clarity that led her to step away without a plan, and why alignment—not prestige or performance—became her north star. Together, she and Dusty explore redefining success on your own terms, the power of community and reflection, and why giving yourself space to listen is often the bravest leadership move you can make. Maricella shares how quitting became a catalyst for reinvention—through teaching, storytelling, and building a portfolio career grounded in mission, curiosity, and working with smart people who lead with care—reminding listeners that you are not what you do, but why you do it.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Marella Herrera's Bold Career Moves(08:15) – The Power of Mentorship(15:46) – Journey to Elevate Network(24:25) – The Decision to Leave Elevate(34:28) – The Breaking Point: Realizing the Need for Change(37:04) – Advice for Those Wrestling with Identity and Alignment(43:53) – Teaching and Defining Non-Negotiables(52:18) – Rapid Fire Questions: Books, Advice, and Daily Practices(58:57) – Defining Success and Supporting CausesKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://maricellaherrera.substack.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maricellaherreraa/ Mentions: The Alchemist by Paulo CoelhoThe Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-ExupéryMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 03m 36s | ||||||
| 1/28/26 |  Why Willpower Fails—Create Sustainable Success With the ACT Framework | Lani Jones - E45 | Dusty sits down once again with Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist and executive coach—for a practical, no-nonsense conversation about turning good intentions into systems that actually produce lasting change. Building on their prior discussion about vision and planning, Lani introduces a clinically informed framework that begins with acknowledging your design: understanding your humanness, neurological wiring, and behavioral patterns rather than relying on sheer willpower or grit. Together, they explore why most goals fail at the execution layer, how blind spots and perfectionism quietly sabotage momentum, and why leaders must design environments, cues, and accountability structures that make success the path of least resistance. Lani shares concrete examples—from dopamine-driven habit stacking to simplifying systems around one critical block of the day—to show how sustainable progress is built through consistency, not perfection. Throughout the conversation, she challenges listeners to abandon one-size-fits-all productivity models, embrace self-awareness without self-judgment, and continually refine systems as seasons of life change. The episode ultimately reframes success as a repeatable process—one rooted in clarity, grace, and intentional system design—where extraordinary outcomes emerge from disciplined attention to the ordinary.Key Timestamps:(01:12) – ACT Framework: Acknowledge Your Design(05:00) – Real-Life Examples and Practical Applications(10:14) – Identifying Blind Spots and Seeking Feedback(16:02) – Creating Sustainable Systems for Success(34:36) – 3 Questions for Actionable AdviceKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://drlanijones.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlanijones/ Mentions: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James ClearMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 38m 59s | ||||||
| 1/21/26 |  Most Goals Fail—But Not With This One Shift in Planning | Lani Jones - E44 | Dusty welcomes back Dr. Lani Jones—clinical psychologist, executive coach, and expert in behavior change—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation on how leaders can intentionally design success rather than defaulting to familiar but ineffective goal-setting habits. Moving beyond the fleeting appeal of New Year’s resolutions, Lani reframes planning as an exercise in clarity, alignment, and self-leadership, emphasizing that most people fail not from lack of discipline but from skipping the deeper work of understanding what truly matters. Together, they unpack a clinically informed framework centered on the where, why, and what—arguing that sustainable progress requires slowing down, interrogating internal belief systems, and reconnecting with values before ever jumping to tactics. Lani explores how distraction quietly erodes ambition, why leaders often honor commitments to others more than to themselves, and how guilt and shame sabotage long-term change. Through practical examples and candid reflections, she challenges listeners to envision December 31, 2026, as if it has already happened, and to design the ordinary daily behaviors that make extraordinary outcomes possible. The episode ultimately calls leaders to create intentional space for reflection, enlist accountability beyond themselves, and approach goal-setting not as a checklist, but as a process of becoming—because enduring success is built from clarity first, not hustle.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – A Better Approach to Goal Setting(07:06) – The Role of Values and Distractions(12:40) – Reflecting on Personal and Professional Goals(16:10) – Creating a Vision for 2026(23:16) – The Importance of Accountability(33:03) – The Extraordinary Lies Within the OrdinaryKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://drlanijones.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlanijones/ More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 36m 26s | ||||||
| 1/14/26 |  Stop Accepting Pain as the Price of Success as a Leader | Scott Hogan - E43 | Dusty sits down with Scott Hogan—former collegiate baseball player, injury-prone athlete turned founder, author, and recovery-focused entrepreneur—for a conversation that reframes leadership through the lens of physical resilience, self-awareness, and long-term sustainability. After a career derailed by chronic injuries, Scott traces how his obsession with understanding pain, recovery, and human performance led him to build Salt Wrap into a seven-figure company and author Built from Broken: A Science-Based Guide to Healing Painful Joints, Preventing Injuries, and Rebuilding Your Body. Together, Scott and Dusty explore how formative adversity shapes leadership philosophy, why most business and life constraints are physical and neurological before they are strategic, and how founders often stall by clinging too long to independence instead of building teams. Scott reflects on pivotal moments—being laid off days before his son’s birth, scaling a company alone past $1M, moving his family to Costa Rica during the pandemic—that clarified his mission and forced him to confront the limits of grind culture. Throughout the conversation, he draws sharp parallels between fitness and leadership, arguing that posture, movement, and nervous system regulation underpin clarity, decision-making, and sustainable performance. With humility and precision, Scott challenges leaders to stop normalizing pain—physical or organizational—and instead address root causes, counterbalance strengths, and build systems that allow both bodies and businesses to perform well for the long haul.Key Timestamps:(04:34) – Formative Experiences and Entrepreneurial Insights(12:08) – The Costa Rica Transformation(17:35) – Writing Built From Broken: The Journey and Challenges(26:47) – Principles for a Longevity-Based Lifestyle(31:53) – The Compound Effect of Small Changes(35:16) – The Significance of Posture and Ergonomics(38:22) – The Benefits of Walking(41:50) – Balancing Life Domains for Optimal Performance(48:33) – Re-releasing the Book: Built From Broken(52:48) – Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership InsightsKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: scotthogan.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scotthhogan/ Mentions: The Gap and The Gain: The High Achievers' Guide to Happiness, Confidence, and Success by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin HardyMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 02m 30s | ||||||
| 1/7/26 | Being Nice Is Killing Your Team—Here’s What to Do Instead - E42 | Dusty goes solo to challenge one of leadership’s most damaging habits—the belief that being “nice” is the same as being effective—and makes the case that niceness is quietly starving teams of the truth they need to perform. Drawing from a powerful real-world example of a brilliant but overly restrained leader, personal leadership failures, and research spanning neuroscience, McKinsey, Gallup, and HBR, he exposes why most leaders aren’t actually giving feedback at all—they’re managing their own discomfort. Dusty unpacks the critical distinction between nice and kind, showing how nice protects the speaker while kind serves the team, and explains why poorly delivered feedback triggers threat responses in the brain rather than growth. He then introduces the “Because of you, we” framework—a simple, research-backed structure that reframes feedback as a collective benefit instead of a personal attack—along with a practical four-step conversation model leaders can use immediately. Through concrete examples on both ends of the spectrum, Dusty demonstrates how clarity, specificity, and shared ownership unlock contribution, accountability, and trust. This episode is a call for leaders to stop hoping people “get it,” start saying what needs to be said with genuine care, and build cultures where truth—delivered kindly—is the engine of performance.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – The Difference Between Nice and Kind(07:01) – The Neuroscience of Feedback(15:40) – The 'Because of You, We' Framework(16:27) – Practical Application and Examples(25:04) – Preparing for Difficult ConversationsKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 29m 02s | ||||||
| 12/31/25 |  The Leadership Skill Horses Have Mastered That Most Humans Ignore | Amanda Dunklin - E41 | Dusty sits down with Amanda Dunklin—equestrian coach, entrepreneur, and operational strategist—for a conversation that redefines what it means to lead with clarity, empathy, and resilience. After decades spent training horses, coaching competitive riders, building a school from the ground up, and later advising high-growth organizations, Amanda shares the insight that reshaped her entire approach to leadership: systems matter, but people matter more. Together, she and Dusty explore why emotional intelligence is learned, how consistency becomes a superpower, and why leaders must create environments where trust, safety, and communication come before timelines and tactics. Amanda traces her unlikely journey from barns to boardrooms, revealing how the same principles that calm a nervous horse—presence, patience, and genuine attention—also elevate teams and transform organizations. She unpacks the pitfalls of tech-first thinking, the necessity of clean data and thoughtful workflows, and the human side of AI adoption that most companies overlook. Through candid reflections on entrepreneurship, single motherhood, reinvention, and hard-won humility, Amanda challenges leaders to slow down, listen deeply, and build operational foundations that empower people to do their best work—because sustainable growth starts with how you show up.Key Timestamps:(00:32) – Meet Amanda Dunklin: From Horse Barns to High Growth Tech(07:49) – Building Better Humans Through Equestrian Training(17:09) – Pivoting from Equestrian to Financial Services(24:03) – Navigating Corporate Life and Embracing Change(30:49) – Joining Switchboard: Embracing Digital Transformation(36:16) – The Importance of Clarity in Business(40:35) – The Role of AI in Modern Business(44:35) – Lessons from Horses on Leadership(55:49) – Rapid Fire Questions and Leadership Insights(01:01:48) – Supporting Therapeutic Riding ProgramsKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://www.withswitchboard.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-dunklin-7b78a8195/ Mentions: Dare To Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. By Brené BrownMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 06m 24s | ||||||
| 12/24/25 |  Why More Success Won’t Fix the Emptiness High Performing Leaders Don’t Talk About | Sean Keller - E40 | Dusty sits down with Sean Keller—a filmmaker-turned-leadership coach who helps high-capacity entrepreneurs realize that their real wilderness isn’t around them, it’s within them. Sean shares his unlikely journey from early creative acclaim and big-name clients to the moment everything collapsed in 2020, forcing him to confront the gap between the successful life he was building and the surrendered life he actually wanted. Together, they unpack why achievement can mask emptiness, how pruning becomes a gift, and why leaders can’t outrun the inner stories that shape their decisions. With depth, candor, and a surprising amount of hope, Sean reveals how his own wilderness season reshaped his faith, his identity, and his calling—and how he now walks alongside leaders to help them slow down, listen for God’s voice, and build lives defined not by striving, but by alignment, clarity, and purpose.Key Takeaways:• Pruning is essential for growth—letting go of good things is often required to make room for the right things.• Surrender is not weakness—it’s how leaders move from striving to purposeful, grounded living.• Growth requires discomfort; leaders who avoid tension miss their greatest opportunities for transformation.Key Timestamps:(00:53) – Meet Sean Keller: From Dream Career to Turning Point(02:16) – The Journey to Success: Competitions and Big Breaks(13:28) – Leadership Principles: Pruning and Wilderness(27:27) – Navigating Leadership: Vulnerability and Calling(33:32) – The Impact of COVID-19 on Business(36:41) – A Period of Surrender and Reflection(39:11) – Transition to Guiding Leaders Through the Wilderness(42:29) – The Power of Vulnerability and Self-Reflection(50:54) – Rapid Fire QuestionsKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Self-Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Leadership Clarity, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-keller-coach-creativedirector-founder/ Mentions: https://wilderstory.com/ Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklThe Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael EasterLiving Fearless: Exchanging the Lies of the World for the Liberating Truth of God by Jamie WinshipIt Is Not Your Business to Succeed: Your Role in Leadership When You Can't Control Your Outcomes by Brandon Michael WestA Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin Friedmanhttps://www.thenetfw.com/ https://www.hopestreetministry.org/ More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 00m 49s | ||||||
| 12/23/25 | This Is How Top-Performing CEOs Manage Their Time & Calendar - E39 | Dusty goes solo to dismantle one of leadership’s most pervasive myths—the idea that an overloaded, reactive calendar is simply the price of effectiveness. Drawing on personal lessons, client stories, and striking CEO time-use data, he reveals the deeper truth: when a leader’s schedule is chaotic, the culture follows. In this episode, Dusty introduces his three-level intentional leadership system—anchoring your year with non-negotiables, theming your days to eliminate context switching, and protecting transitions so commitments actually get done—and shows how each layer silently teaches your team what truly matters. Through a vivid case study of a CEO spending nearly 80% of his time reacting to others, he demonstrates how a few disciplined shifts rebuilt execution and restored clarity. Rather than squeezing more into already packed days, Dusty invites leaders to rethink their role entirely: to plan before they react, design their rhythms deliberately, and lead with intention instead of urgency. For anyone drowning in meetings or frustrated that strategic work never happens, this episode reframes time as a leadership tool—and offers a clear, practical blueprint for using it well.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – The CEO's Time Management Crisis(03:41) – Personal Struggles with Time Management(05:11) – Building a System for Effective Time Management(07:28) – The Three-Level Time Management System(12:51) – Implementing Themed Days(20:08) – Question 1: Handling Emergencies(21:26) – Question 2: Setting Boundaries(22:51) – Question 3: When to Start YOUR Day(24:02) – Question 4: Using Technology to Guard Your TimeKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Ideal Week Template: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VWFxkOGm05mb9DhAxCw84ERKN4pHVKYWlN6v6cvRapo/edit?gid=800587178#gid=800587178More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 27m 27s | ||||||
| 12/17/25 |  How Great Leaders Reimagine Pressure to Excel in High-Stakes Environments | Dr. Brian Hite - E38 | Dusty is joined by Dr. Brian Hite—stunt performer, performance psychologist, and creator of the FACT Framework—for a conversation that reframes what it really means to thrive under pressure. With three decades spent being lit on fire, thrown from vehicles, training elite military units, and coaching high-stakes performers, Brian shares the pivotal realization that changed everything: pressure doesn’t live in the moment—it lives in the mind. Together, he and Dusty explore why failure is often the most valuable teacher, how our assumptions quietly shape our performance, and why the best leaders learn to separate the situation from the story they’re telling themselves about it. Brian introduces his FACT Framework—Focus, Arousal, Confidence, and Tenacity—revealing how these four elements help anyone stay calm, sharp, and fully present whether they’re stepping into a boardroom or a burning stunt rig. Through candid stories of circuitous career paths, hard resets, divorce, grit, and growth, Brian challenges leaders to rethink stress, redefine pressure, and cultivate the inner stability that makes them unshakeable when the stakes truly matter.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – Brian's Leadership Philosophy(04:01) – The Value of Failure(10:32) – Brian's Career Journey(12:11) – Understanding High-Stakes Environments(20:17) – The FACT Framework(24:57) – Stress, Pressure, and Burnout(39:34) – The Difference Between Stress and Pressure(42:44) – Recognizing Indicators and Managing Arousal(50:04) – The Role of Confidence and Tenacity(01:03:09) – Exploring Burnout and Its ComponentsKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMentions:Website: https://brianhiteglobal.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianchite/ Mentions: The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn AchorMeditations by Marcus AureliusThink Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam GrantMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 17m 21s | ||||||
| 12/10/25 |  What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Scaling Their Business | Dustin Riechmann - E37 | Dusty Holcomb sits down with entrepreneur and former engineer Dustin Riechmann, whose story is a masterclass in courage, clarity, and reinvention. From watching his business collapse in 2020 to building a seven-figure enterprise through the power of podcast guesting, Dustin reveals how simplicity, not complexity, drives sustainable success. He shares the pivotal moments that reshaped his identity, the leadership lessons born from adversity, and the mindset shifts that turned setbacks into systems. This is a powerful conversation for anyone seeking to lead with authenticity, scale with purpose, and transform failure into momentum.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Simplifying to Succeed(04:00) - From Engineer to Entrepreneur(10:00) - Lessons in Leadership Failure(20:00) - Finding Identity Beyond Career(32:00) - The Leadership Triangle(35:00) - Why Simplicity Scales(39:00) - Solving the Right Problems(43:00) - Power of Community and Purpose(49:00) - Faith, Service, and LegacyKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership, Entrepreneurship Transformation, Leadership Simplicity, Podcast Guesting Strategy, Mindset And Resilience, Authentic Leadership GrowthMentions:Website: https://7figureleap.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinriechmann Mentions: 7-Figure Leap PodcastMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 51m 48s | ||||||
| 12/9/25 | Why Doesn’t Your Team Just Do Their Damn Job? - E36 | Dusty goes solo to expose one of the most misunderstood frustrations in leadership—the belief that execution problems stem from lazy teams, when in reality they almost always originate upstream with the leader. Drawing from hard-earned lessons and a striking real-world example from his time at AAA, he reveals the hidden truth behind stalled initiatives: when your team isn’t delivering what you envisioned, it’s rarely an execution failure—it’s a clarity or alignment gap. In this episode, Dusty introduces his Exceptional Leadership Framework, a deceptively simple but transformative model showing that clarity plus alignment naturally produce the execution leaders crave. He illustrates the subtle signs leaders miss—misaligned priorities, inconsistent standards, or constant escalation back to the boss—and shows how these symptoms point to gaps in vision, standards, purpose, and connection. Rather than pushing harder or micromanaging, Dusty invites listeners to rethink their role: to articulate success more clearly, connect the work to meaning, build systems that reinforce alignment, and empower people closest to the problems to make better decisions. For leaders who feel stuck repeating themselves, solving every issue, or watching projects drift off course, this episode offers a powerful reframing—and a clear roadmap—for turning frustration into executable momentum by upgrading how you lead, not how hard you push.Key Timestamps:(00:00) – The Exceptional Leadership Equation(03:41) – Common Symptoms of Execution Gaps(06:48) – A Real-World Example: AAA Case Study(12:10) – Diagnostic Framework for Clarity and Alignment(19:27) – Applying the Leadership EquationKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational LeadershipMore of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 23m 42s | ||||||
| 12/3/25 |  The Rule of 3 And 10 That Breaks Every Growing Business and Leader | Nolan Bradbury - E35 | Dusty sits down with Nolan Bradbury, a former CPA turned financial strategist who helps leaders realize that their biggest challenge isn’t money, it’s clarity. Nolan opens up about his journey from Big Four accounting to finding purpose in helping entrepreneurs define what freedom truly means. Together, they explore how clarity transforms decision-making, why “more” doesn’t always equal success, and how simplicity, not complexity, creates lasting growth. With honesty, humor, and heart, Nolan shares powerful lessons on leadership, accountability, and the courage to listen to what really matters.Key Timestamps: (00:00) - From CPA To Clarity (04:30) - Discovering The Real Problem (07:15) - Lessons From The Audit (10:40) - Leadership And Integrity (13:20) - Empowering Accountability Framework (18:00) - Redefining Freedom And Success (26:40) - The Rule Of Three And TenKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership, Financial Clarity, Entrepreneur Freedom, Leadership Mindset, Accountability And Trust, Business Growth StrategiesMentions:Website: https://go.bradfieldco.com/freedom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-bradbury More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 57m 06s | ||||||
| 11/26/25 |  Build A Brand That Multiplies Your Vision Even When You’re Not In The Room | Alan McLaren - E34 | Dusty Holcomb sits down with Alan McLaren, CEO, entrepreneur, marketer, and self-proclaimed “Chief Squirrel Tamer.” Alan shares his 35-year leadership journey, from selling photocopiers door-to-door to leading global organizations and shaping modern leadership branding. Together, they unpack the real meaning of heart-centered leadership, how authenticity fuels influence, and why kindness and accountability are not opposites but essential partners in high performance. This conversation is a masterclass in leading with integrity, clarity, and impact, both in business and in life.Key Timestamps:(00:00) - Lessons From Sales Leadership(07:00) - Leading Yourself First(11:00) - Balancing Heart And Authority(15:00) - Integrity And Workplace Culture(20:00) - Lessons From Great Leaders(27:00) - Redefining Accountability(33:00) - Leadership Branding Explained(39:00) - Building Trust Through Authenticity(45:00) - Unlocking Your Leadership Voice(51:00) - The Loneliness Of Leadership(57:00) - Kindness Is Not WeaknessKey Topics Discussed:Leadership Unlocked, Leadership Insights, Dusty Holcomb, Servant Leadership Principles, Self-Leadership Strategies, Growth Mindset in Leadership, Integrity and Leadership, Leadership Development Resources, Effective Leadership Habits, Empowering Leadership Techniques, Senior Executive Insights, Leadership Quotes and Reflections, Leadership Podcast, Executive Coaching, CEO Podcast, Business Leadership, Leadership Growth, Leadership Journey, Stories From Leaders, Leadership Tools, High-Performing Teams, Leadership Mindset, Decision Making, Personal Growth, Leadership Coaching, Organizational Leadership, Leadership Branding, Authentic Leadership, Heart-Centered Leadership, CEO Coaching, Building Trust At ScaleMentions:Website: https://strataoriginals.com/ LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/alanmclaren More of Leadership Unlocked:Check out our leadership development resources at https://arcqusgroup.com/Contact me at dusty@arcqusgroup.com | 1h 00m 06s | ||||||
Showing 25 of 59
Sponsor Intelligence
Sign in to see which brands sponsor this podcast, their ad offers, and promo codes.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.
Chart Positions
2 placements across 2 markets.