Welcome to The Charismatic Leader Podcast.
Brett McDermott kicks off this new era with a practical deep dive into the science of influence—because success isn’t just about working harder, it’s about communicating better.
In this episode, Brett reveals three levers you can pull today to transform how people experience you: eye contact, verbal pausing, and listening without interruption. These aren’t abstract theories—they’re tactical skills you can practice in every conversation.
Whether you’re leading a team, pitching an idea, or simply connecting with people in your daily life, this episode shows you how to project presence, build trust, and create the kind of charisma that makes others lean in.
Key Takeaways:
Today we sit down with Scott D. Clary, former C-suite executive turned podcast powerhouse with tens of millions of downloads under his belt to talk about what really separates high performers from highlighters.
We unpack the hidden cost of information overload and how even the smartest minds can get stuck in the cycle of constant consumption. We get into the difference between learning and doing, and how simplifying your day might be the key to scaling your life. From managing your energy like capital to designing your schedule for actual creativity.
We explore the flaws in the self-help space, why personal relationships are your greatest leverage point, and how accountability can shift you from trying to executing. There’s a strategy in here for when resistance shows up and a reminder that it’s often not a mindset issue, but a systems one.
If you’ve been feeling like you’re one insight away from making real moves, this might be the one. Not because it tells you what to do, but because it helps you finally do something with what you already know.
Key Takeaways
Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a deceptively simple but game-changing episode of Persistence Playbook. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just talk productivity—he gives you frameworks that make discipline inevitable.
This time, he breaks down how to turn your to-do list from a pile of vague wishes into a powerful daily playbook.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why three clear priorities, timeboxing, and nightly reflection can transform your focus and momentum.
Key Takeaways
Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a powerful episode of Persistence Playbook on what it really takes to supercharge your influence. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just share ideas—he gives you communication techniques you can practice today.
This time, he reveals three deceptively simple skills that shift how people respond to you and open the door to deeper connection.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why influence isn’t about talking more—it’s about listening better, speaking with conviction, and connecting through presence.
Key Takeaways
Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a tactical episode of Persistence Playbook that flips your daily planning on its head. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just talk productivity—he builds systems that stick.
This time, he breaks down how to stop reacting to your day and start designing it like a pro.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why time-blocking isn’t enough—and how energy-blocking, micro-recovery, and nightly resets can change everything.
Key Takeaways
Today we sit down with Sterling Hawkins, a keynote speaker, bestselling author, investor, and global expert on redefining organizational culture and navigating discomfort to unlock personal missions.
Sterling takes us into the transformative power of discomfort, showing how seeking out challenges and building inner trust can lead us to a deeper purpose.
From practical strategies to insights that push the boundaries of comfort, this conversation explores discomfort as a tool for growth, purpose, and real transformation.
Lean into this one—it just might be the spark you've been waiting for.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Personal Background
03:11 The Concept of Trust and Overcoming Fear
05:47 Building Trust Through Accountability
09:12 Experiencing Rock Bottom and Finding Momentum
12:10 The Power of Community and Shared Discomfort
14:58 Hunting Discomfort: A Path to Freedom
26:41 Embracing Discomfort for Growth
29:15 Finding Your 'No Matter What' Mission
32:55 The Journey Through Fear to Purpose
38:09 Understanding No Matter What: Finite vs Infinite
40:49 Trust-Driven Leadership
47:17 Overcoming Resistance with Trust
Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a myth-busting episode of Persistence Playbook that rewires how you think about affirmations. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t do fluff—he delivers frameworks that actually work.
This time, he breaks down why most affirmations fail—and how to make them stick.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why “I am confident” might be hurting more than helping, and how to speak to yourself in a way your brain actually believes.
Key Takeaways
Today we sit down with Evan Carmichael, the same powerhouse you know from YouTube, to discuss all things mindset, fear, and success.
Evan shares his insights on fighting through fear, believing in yourself, and why that’s the fuel to achieving your biggest goals. We also dive into his unique strategy of theming your days to stay on track and keep your business afloat. You won't want to miss this episode where Evan reveals the simple yet powerful mindset shifts that can transform not only your day-to-day but your entire trajectory.
Wondering how to beat self-doubt, push forward with clarity, and finally take control of your time and success? Tune in and discover what it takes to break through fear and build your way to the life you’ve been chasing.
Books
Your One Word Book - The Powerful Secret to Creating a Business and Life That Matter http://www.evancarmichael.com/oneword/
Top 10 Rules for Success: Rules to Succeed in Business and Life from Titans, Billionaires, & Leaders who Changed the World http://www.evancarmichael.com/top10/
254 Confidence: Your daily guide to building unstoppable confidence in your life, work, and relationships. https://amzn.to/2L2WnqA
3 Point Landing Journal: Your powerful companion to go from just watching another video to actually taking action in your life https://amzn.to/2MHabdR
Today we sit down with Brett McDermott and neuroscience expert Ashleigh Di Lello for a powerful episode of Persistence Playbook. If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett brings more than motivation—he delivers mental rewiring strategies that stick.
This time, Ashleigh breaks down how to override your brain’s craving for comfort and build the willpower to take action—even when you don’t feel like it.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why your brain resists change, and how to train it to work for you—not against you.
Key Takeaways
Today we sit down with Brett McDermott for a masterclass in one of the most underrated leadership tools: silence. In this episode of Persistence Playbook, Brett unpacks how intentional pauses can transform your presence, your message, and your impact.
If you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just drop insights—he delivers strategies you can use by Monday morning.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why the most charismatic communicators aren’t the ones who talk the most—they’re the ones who know when to stop.
Key Takeaways
Today, we sit down with Brett McDermott and the world's top thought leader on workplace confidence, Selena Rezvani, for a transformative new episode on The Persistence Playbook.
Selena redefines confidence not as fixed bravado or manicured perfection, but as a daily practice of curiosity, humor, and a learner’s mindset. Dive into the strategies to defeat the comparison trap, master the power of nonverbal communication, and build the "ego cookie" of self-trust by making and keeping small promises. Selena provides the strategies, tactics, and game plan you need to be your most confident self when you show up for work on Monday morning.
As always, if you’re a regular listener, you know Brett doesn’t just talk theory, he brings structure. If you’re new here, get ready to learn why your confidence is not a fixed trait—it's a habit you can build daily.
Key Takeaways
In this episode of the Persistence Playbook, host Brett McDermott sits down with acclaimed writer and speaker Minda Harts to uncover the secrets to building a thriving workplace culture. Why is trust the most valuable currency for modern leaders? Minda introduces her revolutionary "Seven Trust Languages" framework, giving you the playbook to defeat workplace resistance and empower your team to do their best work.
Whether you're a seasoned executive or a solopreneur aiming to grow, this is a must-listen on how to create a foundation of trust that drives productivity and retention.
Key Takeaways
In this episode of The Persistence Playbook, join Brett McDermott as he sits down with author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur Sam Demma—founder of the High School Assembly Tour, a program that’s inspired thousands of students.Sam Demma shares the powerful concept of "emptying our backpack", a metaphor for shedding the limiting beliefs and negative opinions we've been carrying. He shares his personal origin story and a revelation from a neighbor that inspired him to shift from a strategic mindset to one of passion and authenticity. We also explore the importance of creating "primary evidence" through new experiences that challenge your old stories about yourself.
Key Takeaways
Elite performance isn’t just about grit—it starts when your eyes are closed. In this episode, human performance expert Dr. Greg Wells joins Brett to reveal how mastering sleep can unlock next-level energy and focus. From breaking his neck as a competitive swimmer to becoming a leading physiologist, Dr. Wells shares science-backed habits to help you outsmart the afternoon slump and wake up sharper every day.
If you’re new here, get ready to learn why a 15-minute walk can be more effective than a nap and how getting just 10-20% more deep sleep can give you a significant edge in your daily life.
Key Takeaways
In this episode of the Persistence Playbook, host Brett McDermott sits down with bestselling author, speaker, and coach, Chris Welton. Chris is a resilience expert with a fascinating journey, from a childhood upheaval and limb difference to becoming an impactful leader.
Chris breaks down what it truly means to turn adversity into action and how to have an "Undefeated Morning" by stacking wins before the day even begins. He reveals how to use your personal story as your greatest superpower and why vulnerability is key to captivating an audience of any size. This conversation navigates the importance of powerful communication, the art of the pause, and the discipline of living a life by design.
If your life feels more like chaos than a consistent winning streak, this episode offers a grounded roadmap for taking control of your outcomes by making and keeping promises to yourself.
Takeaways
What if the only thing holding you back isn’t lack of ideas, but lack of focus? In this episode, Brett McDermott unpacks how entrepreneurs can cut through daily resistance and lock in on the work that really moves the needle.
If you're new here, get ready to learn why a long list of tasks can be a bad idea, and how to work in "structured sprints" instead of "endless marathons". From defeating distractions to structuring your time like a pro, this conversation is all about building the focus muscle that separates busy work from meaningful progress.
Key Takeaways:
Today we sit down with Brian Galke; founder of SubtleSkills, keynote speaker, trainer, and self-proclaimed “awesome podcast guest.” With a career built on teaching others how to unlock the power of human connection, Brian has developed an eye for the nuances that often go unnoticed in our daily interactions.
In this conversation, Brian pulls back the curtain on the hidden language of the face. From the way our eyebrows frame connection, to the subtle cues that reveal how someone learns and engages. What begins as a discussion on facial features unfolds into a deeper exploration of presence, trust, and the kind of interpersonal skills that can’t be automated.
Listeners will find themselves rethinking the role of eye contact, noticing what technology is quietly eroding, and questioning whether technical expertise alone can sustain success in a world where soft skills are becoming the true currency.
Takeaways
Today, we sit down with Juan Bendana: A motivational keynote speaker and best-selling author who’s built a career on showing people what’s possible when persistence meets intention. Known for his ability to turn fear into fuel, Juan has inspired audiences across the globe to step past hesitation and into the kind of action that changes everything.
In our conversation, Juan shares the real story behind his journey; the moments that nearly stopped him, the feedback that reshaped him, and the practices that helped him master his craft. He reflects on how self-talk can quietly dictate success, why time management is less about clocks and more about choices, and the unseen role personal branding plays in creating lasting opportunities. His perspective on acting from goals instead of feelings, and on clearing obstacles instead of stacking strategies, offers a way of thinking that lingers long after the conversation ends.
Some of what Juan shares might feel familiar, until it doesn’t. Because the difference isn’t always in knowing what to do, but in finally seeing it in a way that makes you act.
Takeaways
-Persistence is often not measured in short bursts but in long-term commitment.
-Removing obstacles can be more impactful than adding new strategies.
-The smallest decisions can lead to significant life changes.
-Acting based on goals rather than feelings can transform your life.
-Creating a personal brand is vital for success in any field.
-Confidence is built through action and evidence of success.
If you’ve been rocking with Persistence Playbook for a while, you already know Brett doesn’t just love a solid list. He builds with it. But for the newcomers, welcome.
Around here, lists aren’t about ticking boxes they’re tools for transformation and this week, Brett’s taking the mic solo giving you 10 practical ways, to gain clarity on your purpose—not in theory, but in practice.
From creating mental space to revisiting your earliest passions, this episode is a field guide for designing a more meaningful, self-defined life. Expect insights like:
– Reflecting on childhood passions to reconnect with current interests
– Visualizing your own funeral to uncover what truly matters
– Auditing your energy to notice what drains vs. what drives
– Having conversations with people you admire for lived insight
You’re probably thinking some of these sound familiar. That’s because they are. When you’re committed to doing what matters most, sometimes the most powerful answers are the ones you’ve heard before. Only now, you’re ready to use them.
Clarity isn’t always about chasing something new. Sometimes, it’s about recognizing what’s been waiting for you all along. So if your to-do list has started to feel like a performance instead of a path, this one’s for you.
Today we sit down with Alan Stein Jr., keynote speaker, performance coach, and author known for bridging the worlds of elite athletics and high-level entrepreneurship. With decades of experience working with top athletes, Alan shares how the habits that build champions on the court can also build clarity, consistency, and confidence in business.
In this episode, Alan breaks down why discipline, not motivation is the real driver of success, and how mastering the fundamentals is more impactful than chasing the next hack. He explores the dangers of the comparison trap, offers practical productivity tactics, and explains how self-awareness can become your competitive edge. Through honest reflection and actionable insight, Alan shows how personal growth begins with how we talk to ourselves and how we lead ourselves when no one is watching.
If you’ve ever felt like you're doing everything right but still not moving forward, this conversation will help you refocus on what actually matters.
Takeaways
- Avoiding the comparison trap is crucial for success
- Discipline is a decision, not an innate trait
- Self-awareness supports sustainable personal growth
- Emotions should inform, not control, your actions
- Compassionate self-talk fosters long-term accountability
- Productivity stems from systems, not hustle
- Quality of life is the ultimate success metric
- Strong relationships are foundational to fulfillment