In this episode, we’re closing out the year with a look back at the insights, stories, and moments that stayed with us long after the mic turned off.Clint revisits standout clips from the guests who brought fresh perspective, practical wisdom, and honest reflection to the table in 2025. From leadership and innovation to trust, communication, and purpose, this episode is a highlight reel of the year’s most memorable lessons.In this Best Of The Conversation, 2025, you’ll hear from:

• Thomas Erikson, behavioral expert and bestselling author, about communicating effectively with people who are very different from you.
• Eric Stone, a leadership expert and author, discusses building workplace culture as a long-term, repeatable journey.
• Patti Johnson, change leadership expert and author, about habits, adaptability, and leading through constant change.
• David Burkus, bestselling author and leadership researcher, about drawing out quieter voices and improving team participation.
• Urs Koenig, a leadership strategist and author of Radical Humility, discusses confidence, humility, and tough leadership conversations.
• Amy Sandler, an executive coach and Radical Candor principal, discusses building trust and candor in virtual and hybrid teams.
• Joey Havens, a leadership expert and author, discusses “magnetic energy” and how to create people-first workplace cultures.
• Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL officer and author, about performance attributes and why they matter more than skills.
• Indi Young, listening expert and author, about bias, deep listening, and removing assumptions from conversations.
• Rob Biesenbach, communication expert and author, about storytelling as a practical leadership and influence tool.
• Todd Henry, author and creativity advisor, talks about why structure and boundaries fuel creative work.
• Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, about emotional optimism, humanity, and leading with heart at work.
• Chris Fenning, communication coach and author, about structuring the first minute of conversations for clarity and results.
• Shane Snow, journalist and author, talks about cognitive friction and how productive conflict drives innovation.
• Juliet Funt, a productivity expert and CEO of Juliet Funt Group, discusses “white space” and the power of strategic pauses.
• Simon Mainwaring, brand futurist and author, about “leading with we” to create purpose-driven, high-impact organizations.

Clint Padgett revisits the most memorable clips from guests in 2025 on the Conversation, showcasing their fresh perspectives, wisdom, and reflections. Covering topics such as leadership, innovation, trust, communication, and purpose, this episode highlights the key lessons learned throughout the year.

In Part Two of Clint's Conversation with Simon Mainwaring – Founder & CEO of We First, bestselling author, and global authority on purpose-driven branding – the discussion shifts from strategy to soul: how storytelling, culture, and connection can elevate your organization from the inside out.

Simon shares hard-earned lessons from his work with Fortune 100 giants, startups, and global NGOs alike, explaining why today’s most effective leaders aren’t just driven by profit, but by shared purpose. Simon breaks down how every employee can embrace a “lead with we” mindset, regardless of title, industry, or org chart. From building emotionally resonant brand stories to operationalizing culture, this episode explores how to lead with meaning in every corner of your company. This is the second part of a two-part conversation. 

Topics Covered:

• Why storytelling is the key to building trust and brand value
• How to move purpose from PowerPoint to point-of-sale
• Building culture like a brand: what Patagonia, LEGO, and Airbnb get right
• The Four Co’s: Co-ownership, Co-authorship, Co-creation, and Collaboration
• Daily rituals that reinforce a "We" culture
• Why recognition beats burnout and makes business sense
• The last mile of storytelling: celebrating shared wins
• How payroll teams and sales reps alike can lead with purpose
• Startups vs. Fortune 50s: different paths, same challenges
• What it means to be a B Corp and why it matters
• The single most important takeaway from Lead With We

Links & Resources:

• Simon’s website - https://simonmainwaring.com/
• Simon’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmainwaring/ 
• Simon’s company, We First Inc. - https://wefirstbranding.com/ 
• Simon’s email - simon@wefirstbranding.com 
• Simon’s book, “We First” - https://amzn.to/3Mhx4V0 
• Simon’s book, “Lead With We” - https://amzn.to/3Me1HL7 
• Clint’s website - www.clintpadgett.com 
• Clint’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintpadgett/ 
• Clint’s book - https://amzn.to/3JWD2Ka

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Chris Fenning – communication coach, corporate trainer, and award-winning author of “The First Minute” – they shift from personal communication habits to team and organizational dynamics.

Chris shares common red flags that signal a team’s communication is broken (think: camera-off meetings, “FYI” email chains, and vague subject lines) and offers practical strategies to fix them. The two dig into the business cost of unclear messaging, how email templates and meeting invites can be made more effective, and why the best communicators are often the most promotable.

Chris also explains how his GPS method (Goal, Problem, Solution) can make your messages sharper, your meetings shorter, and your updates more impactful. From interview prep to project briefings, these tools are designed to save time and build credibility. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

Topics Covered:

• The subtle signs your team’s communication is broken
• The hidden cost of processing information inefficiently
• How to avoid “backward conversations” that derail progress
• Why succinct updates make better impressions (and careers)
• What NOT to say when delivering bad news
• How to guide others to be clearer—without being rude
• Using GPS to help direct reports (or managers) frame their message
  Links:Chris’s website - www.chrisfenning.com 

Chris’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fenning/ 
Chris’s book, “TITLE” - https://amzn.to/3JwPNer 
Clint’s website - www.clintpadgett.com Clint’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clintpadgett/ 
Clint’s book - https://amzn.to/3JWD2Ka

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Shane Snow – award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of “Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart” – the focus turns from what makes a great team to what makes a team truly high-performing. Shane explores the concept of “cognitive friction” and how constructive conflict, when handled with humility, is a catalyst for innovation rather than a barrier to it.The two also talk about the dangers of groupthink, the myth of culture fit, and why benevolence, not brilliance, is the real foundation of trust. With stories ranging from Steve Jobs’ bathroom placement to Malcolm X’s intellectual transformation, Shane explains how great teams cultivate shared thinking, mutual growth, and meaningful disagreement.. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.Topics Covered:

• What cognitive friction is and why teams need it to innovate
• How leaders can separate disagreement from personal conflict
• Why “culture fit” is overrated but “culture add” is essential
• The unexpected power of benevolence in building trust
• Malcolm X’s reinvention and the courage to change your mind
• How to proactively guard against groupthink
• The challenges of building high-performing teams in hybrid and remote work
• What the phrase “let’s explore that” can do for your team culture

Links:
Shane’s website - https://www.shanesnow.com/
Shane’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanedsnow/
Shane’s book, “Dream Teams” - https://amzn.to/4qz7M4f

In this episode, Clint sits down with Shane Snow, award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of “Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart.” Shane shares his origin story growing up in Idaho with an engineer dad and a teacher mom, and how that foundation of curiosity and problem-solving led him from journalism into the study of breakthrough collaboration.The two explore what makes exceptional teams different, why cognitive diversity trumps comfort, and how trust, tension, and even disagreement can be leveraged to build smarter, more resilient organizations. Shane also shares fascinating insights, from the surprising entrepreneurial spirit of immigrant communities, to the psychology behind why kids playing street soccer helped reduce hate crimes in Buenos Aires. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.Topics Covered:

• Shane’s upbringing in rural Idaho and how it shaped his worldview
• Why “getting along” isn’t the key to great teamwork
• The hidden value of cognitive diversity and “intellectual immigrants”
• How shared play (like street soccer) can reduce tribalism and build trust
• The neuroscience behind in-groups, out-groups, and voting behavior
• The story of the Soviet Russian hockey team and what it teaches us about incentives
• Why brainstorming in groups doesn’t work (and what to do instead)
• How the best leaders foster safety, debate, and divergent thinking
• The power of holding two opposing ideas in your head at once

Links:
Shane’s website - https://www.shanesnow.com/
Shane’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanedsnow/
Shane’s book, “Dream Teams” - https://amzn.to/4qz7M4f

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, they discuss how empathetic leadership can drive culture, performance, and the bottom line. Claude shares how to create trust in flat organizations, why feedback is about connection (not correction), and what it really means to lead with heart. Plus, the pair explore how to scale emotional intelligence in a rapidly changing world. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, to explore what it means to bring humanity, empathy, and emotional optimism into leadership. Claude shares her remarkable journey from struggling with dyslexia and finding herself through Outward Bound, to working in advertising around the world and becoming a purpose-driven leader. Along the way, she unpacks the power of trust, vulnerability, and authentic connection in the workplace. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Amy Sandler, Principal Coach and Podcast Host at Radical Candor, the discussion moves from theory to practice. Amy shares real-world strategies for delivering feedback that’s clear and kind, how to avoid “feedback sandwiches,” and why emotional intelligence is essential for effective communication. The two also unpack the impact of cultural nuance, how to give feedback to your boss (without losing your job), and why better relationships are just one brave conversation away. This is the second part of a two-part conversation

In this episode, Clint sits down with Amy Sandler, Principal Coach and Podcast Host at Radical Candor, to unpack what it really means to communicate with clarity and care in the workplace. Together, they explore how leaders can challenge directly while still showing genuine compassion, why "ruinous empathy" can cause more harm than good, and how building trust starts with being human. Amy also shares the origin story behind Radical Candor, insights on emotional self-regulation, and how powerful feedback can fuel both performance and connection. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Rich Diviney – retired Navy SEAL commander, inspirational speaker, and best-selling author of “The Attributes” – they explore how fear and focus shape performance under pressure. Rich also shares how leaders can build trust, embrace humility, and stay mentally agile in high-stakes environments. They also dig into the myth of multitasking, the science of task-switching, and why face-to-face communication still matters in today’s virtual world. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL commander, inspirational speaker, and best-selling author of “The Attributes.” During their chat, Rich explains why skills don’t tell the whole story when it comes to performance and why we need to stop overvaluing resumes and start understanding attributes. Plus, the pair discuss the traits that make teams thrive under pressure, the myths of peak performance, and how leaders can unlock untapped potential by focusing on who people are, not just what they do. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Rob Biesenbach, communication expert, Second City actor, and best-selling author of “Unleash the Power of Storytelling,” Rob expands on the craft – covering how to increase a story’s impact, and why you should build a ready-to-go story bank. Plus, the two discuss why B2B and B2C storytelling aren’t so different, how to lead by example to inspire authentic stories in your team, and why the emotional “big T truth” often matters more than the small details in effective storytelling. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Rob Biesenbach, communication expert, Second City actor, and best-selling author of “Unleash the Power of Storytelling.” Rob shares his journey from corporate communications to the improv stage, and how the lessons he learned in performance can transform the way leaders connect, inspire, and persuade. Plus, the pair discuss why our brains are wired for narrative, the essential elements of a compelling story, and how authenticity is the true key to impact. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Patti Johnson – leadership expert, change advisor, and author of “Make Waves” – the discussion moves from starting change to sustaining it. Patti shares practical tools for balancing honesty with optimism, building trust during uncertainty, and navigating the bumps that come with any transformation. She also talks about why good leaders don’t suppress resistance, how short attention spans are changing communication, and why motivation alone won’t carry your team across the finish line. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Patti Johnson, founder and former CEO of PeopleResults and author of the bestselling book “Make Waves.” She and Clint dive into the power of taking small steps toward big goals, the difference between healthy self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and how to spot what’s in your “backpack” – those beliefs and habits that shape your leadership style. Patti also introduces the concept of a "Wavemaker" and explains how anyone, not just people in charge, can become a catalyst for change. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In the second part of Clint’s conversation with researcher, writer, and educator Indi Young, the focus shifts to empathy and how to better understand the full human experience behind every team member, customer, or stakeholder. Indi also shares why group discussions can’t replace one-on-one listening sessions, how cultural norms shape our willingness to share, and why AI can’t replicate the nuance of real human insight. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.