In this episode, Eric talks with Axel Burlin, author of Beyond Brain Rot, about internet addiction, algorithmic feeds, and why so many well-intentioned attempts to "use your phone less" quietly fail. Axel shares his own experience growing up online, from video games and forums to endless scrolling, and how a breaking point during college led him to rethink not just his habits but the assumptions behind them. Rather than relying on willpower, blockers, or dopamine detoxes, Axel outlines a mindset-level shift that reframes algorithmic feeds as something fundamentally misaligned with how we want to live. The conversation explores how modern platforms quietly replace boredom, reflection, and community with hyper-stimulating content that feels productive in the moment and hollow afterward. Eric and Axel also discuss responsibility versus system-level blame, how brain rot differs from ordinary distraction, and what it looks like to keep the useful parts of the internet while removing the rest. They cover: * What "brain rot" actually refers to, both the content and the outcome * Why algorithmic feeds are different from intentional internet use * How gaming, social media, and short-form video hook attention differently * Why most screen-time fixes fail after a few days * The hidden opportunity cost of scrolling * How feeds contribute to loneliness and the erosion of community * Practical ways to remove algorithmic entertainment without going offline * What a healthier relationship with technology looks like day to day This episode is a grounded conversation for anyone who senses they're spending too much time online but hasn't found an approach that actually sticks. Episode Links * Axel Burlin: https://www.beyondbrainrot.com [https://www.beyondbrainrot.com/] * Follow Axel on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/axel.burlin/ * Beyond Brain Rot (Axel's book): https://www.beyondbrainrot.com [https://www.beyondbrainrot.com/] * The Anxious Generation (Jonathan Haidt): https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/B0C9N2L56X * Bowling Alone (Robert D. Putnam): https://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Alone-Robert-D-Putnam-audiobook/dp/B01N94FW0P * Alienated America (Timothy P. Carney): https://www.amazon.com/Alienated-America-audiobook/dp/B07MDLH6WB For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode, Eric talks with Ken Boynton—storyteller, communication consultant, former actor and voiceover artist, and co-founder of Message Glue. Ken has spent decades helping leaders, teams, and organizations communicate more clearly and more humanly across stages, screens, meetings, and moments that matter. The conversation explores what "storytelling" actually means in real organizational life, why most communication fails before it ever reaches the slide deck or script, and how performance anxiety, rigid frameworks, and over-engineered systems often get in the way of genuine connection. Ken shares stories from his career in theater, voice acting, corporate events, and executive coaching, including how near-death illness reshaped his sense of meaning and led to the creation of Message Glue. Together, he and Eric unpack why being thoughtful matters more than being polished, why listening is harder than speaking, and how effective communication starts with allowing people to be themselves. They cover: * Why storytelling is less about structure and more about perspective * The difference between performing and communicating * How over-reliance on slides, scripts, and systems breaks human connection * Why "being yourself" is not vague advice but a practical discipline * What theater, improv, and acting teach us about leadership communication * How virtual and live events have changed attention and expectations * Why good communication often means removing friction, not adding tools * How fear, self-consciousness, and power dynamics distort messages * What it means to swing the camera and see from another point of view This is a thoughtful, grounded conversation for leaders, communicators, marketers, facilitators, and anyone who spends time trying to help ideas land with other humans. Episode Links * Connect with Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenboyntonmessageglue/ * Message Glue: https://www.messageglue.com [https://www.messageglue.com/] * Message Glue storytelling video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml03wwZ1LFA * Ken's book Blip: https://amzn.to/4oMO3wv * Jerry Seinfeld's stand-up special I'm Telling You for the Last Time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Telling_You_for_the_Last_Time For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode, Eric talks with Peter Greer—President & CEO of HOPE International, longtime practitioner in global poverty alleviation, and author/co-author of eighteen books including Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, and How Leaders Lose Their Way. The conversation goes deep into what poverty really is, why traditional aid often fails to produce lasting change, and how dignity-centered development can transform individuals and communities. Peter shares how HOPE International focuses on long-term job creation, savings groups, and microenterprise rather than handouts, and why understanding the full "four domains of poverty"—material, social, spiritual, and internal—shapes more effective solutions. He and Eric also talk about how people change, what most donors misunderstand about impact, and why genuine transformation has to be built with communities rather than for them. They cover: * The pitfalls of short-term aid and why jobs are essential to lasting change * Why poverty is about far more than lack of money * How dignity, agency, and community alter long-term outcomes * The tension between simple fundraising messages and complex development models * Why "external engineering" fails without local ownership * How to stay hopeful while working in places of deep need * Practical ways individuals can engage without becoming overwhelmed * What it means to match compassion with critical thinking This is a grounded, clear-eyed discussion for anyone interested in meaningful impact—leaders, donors, nonprofit professionals, and anyone thinking about how change really happens. Episode Links * Peter Greer: https://www.peterkgreer.com [https://www.peterkgreer.com/] * HOPE International: https://www.hopeinternational.org [https://www.hopeinternational.org/] * Follow Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterkgreer/ * The conversation with Coach Rory O'Neill: https://unfoldingthought.com/rory-oneill-inside-the-matrix-of-american-youth-soccer/ * The White Man's Burden (William Easterly): https://amzn.to/4nlBmr9 * Jeffrey Sachs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Sachs * The conversation with fundraising copywriter Jeff Meredith: https://unfoldingthought.com/jeff-meredith-the-stories-behind-homelessness/ * The conversation with nonprofit executive director Andy Bales: https://unfoldingthought.com/20-andy-bales-from-poverty-to-purpose/ * Timothy P. Carney's Alienated America: https://amzn.to/4rqSfnA For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode, Eric talks with Tamsen Webster—message designer, strategist, speaker, and author of Find Your Red Thread and Say What They Can't Unhear. The conversation explores how ideas spread, why so many messages fail at the point of first explanation, and what it takes to create understanding and lasting change without coercion. Tamsen explains her work as an "English-to-English translator," helping leaders, founders, and thinkers transform complex or technical ideas into something others can understand, believe, and act on. She and Eric dig into dual-process thinking, accelerated perspective shifts, how adults actually learn, and why messaging must speak to both the analytic and automatic parts of the mind. They cover: * Why most ideas break at the moment they're first explained * The role of intuition, felt experience, and the "automatic brain" in making meaning * Why storytelling works, and why it's not enough without a clear underlying argument * How foundational principles (axioms, first principles, endoxa) create common ground * Why leaders and founders need a reasoning model (ITBA) and a narrative model (Red Thread) * What Tamsen is learning from her doctoral research in adult learning and accelerated perspective change * How to avoid triggering resistance while preserving agency, transparency, and consent * Why some changes happen instantly while others require long processes—and what makes the difference This episode is a deep look at how people understand new ideas, how belief shifts happen, and how to communicate change in a way that sticks. Episode Links * Tamsen Webster: https://tamsenwebster.com [https://tamsenwebster.com/] * Message Design Institute: https://messagedesigninstitute.com [https://messagedesigninstitute.com/] * Find Your Red Thread: https://amzn.to/3Kn9yVW * Say What They Can't Unhear: https://amzn.to/49MFWf3 * Follow Tamsen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsenwebster/ * Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://amzn.to/48FMHif * Owen Fitzpatrick: https://owenfitzpatrick.com [https://owenfitzpatrick.com/] * How Minds Change by David McRaney: https://amzn.to/49bMMKD * The Ancient Art of Thinking for Yourself by Robin Reames: https://amzn.to/3IUtBur For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode, Eric talks with Jason Keath—founder of Social Fresh, longtime creative strategist, and author of The Case for More Bad Ideas. The conversation explores why creativity is misunderstood, why most organizations limit their own creative potential, and why truly inventive work comes from consistent practice rather than inspiration. Jason explains how he approaches idea generation, why "bad ideas" matter, and what people get wrong about brainstorming. Eric and Jason also dig into discipline vs. inspiration, the value of keeping an organized idea archive, how constraints unlock better work, and how AI fits into the creative process. They cover: * The counterintuitive nature of creativity * Why variety, environment, and "brushing up against life" matter * How Jason uses lists, patterns, and saved ideas * Why most corporate brainstorms underperform * How to bring more creative permission into your team * The difference between creative insight and creative execution * How AI can help and why it falls short without human direction Whether you're a marketer, writer, strategist, or just someone trying to think more creatively, this conversation gives you a grounded, practical way to strengthen your creative practice. Episode Links * Jason Keath: https://jasonkeath.com [https://jasonkeath.com/] * Social Fresh: https://socialfresh.com [https://socialfresh.com/] * More Bad Ideas newsletter: https://www.morebadideas.com [https://www.morebadideas.com/] * The Case for More Bad Ideas (Jason's book): https://amzn.to/3XFah82 * Jason's article "How To Be More Creative": https://jasonkeath.com/more-creative/ * Seinfeld on the Pop-Tart joke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itWxXyCfW5s For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum talks with strategist and thinker Steve Kozel about the tension between our craving for certainty and the messy reality of complex systems. Steve—Director of Strategy and Marketing Technology at Osborne Barr Paramore—shares what he's learned from years helping organizations make better decisions in conditions that can never be fully predicted. They explore what strategy actually means (and why the word itself often obscures more than it clarifies), how fear and risk aversion shape corporate culture, and why "best practices" often kill the very innovation they promise to protect. The conversation moves from agency life to complexity science, Plato's Allegory of the Cave, Ken Wilber's idea of "transcend and include," and the cultural fragmentation of modern life. Together, they examine how individuals and organizations can think—and act—more clearly when faced with uncertainty. Topics Explored: * The many "altitudes" of strategy — and why most strategists never reach the highest one * Why true strategy demands choice and risk * How fear of failure and craving for certainty distort business decisions * The contradiction of wanting scientific proof while avoiding experimentation * Lessons from complexity science and why interdependence can lead to stagnation * The shift from geographic to affinity-based communities and what that means for culture * Identity, ideology, and the loss of foundational "pace layers" in modern life * What Plato, Roger Martin, and Ken Wilber can teach us about thinking in systems Links: * Steve Kozel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevekozel/ * Richard Rummelt – Good Strategy Bad Strategy: https://amzn.to/3JckbKJ * Roger Martin – Playing to Win: https://rogerlmartin.com [https://rogerlmartin.com/] * Robert Wright – Non-Zero: The Logic of Human Destiny: https://amzn.to/4nOuLXt For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum talks with Greg Bergdorf—founding guitarist of the Grammy-nominated, gold-record band Zebrahead—about creativity, reinvention, and the mindset behind mastering more than one craft. Greg reflects on his journey from garage rehearsals and backyard keggers to international tours, and what it was like to walk away from fame to build a new life in real estate. He shares how lessons from music—persistence, collaboration, and curiosity—translate into success in any field, and why hard work still beats talent when the two meet on stage or in business. From building one of the first fan email lists in the mid-'90s to producing independent films and mentoring new musicians, Greg shows how reinvention isn't about starting over—it's about carrying your mindset forward. Topics Explored: * Learning persistence and adaptability through music * How early marketing instincts (fan mailing lists, DIY promo) shaped later business success * Transitioning from global touring to local business life * The balance between art, family, and self-identity * Lessons from producing music and coaching creativity * Teaching the next generation: work ethic, passion, and patience Links: * Greg's website: https://www.gregbergdorf.com [https://www.gregbergdorf.com/] * The Bourbon Brothers Band: https://bourbonbrothersband.com [https://bourbonbrothersband.com/] * Connect with Greg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greg_bergdorf * Zebrahead official site: https://www.zebrahead.com [https://www.zebrahead.com/] * Episode with Ryan Hogan: https://unfoldingthought.com/36-ryan-hogan-the-recruiting-industry-is-broken/ For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum talks with Dr. Lance Mortlock—Managing Partner for Industrials & Energy at EY Canada, adjunct professor, and author of Outside In, Inside Out and Disaster Proof. Together they explore how leaders can create clarity and resilience in a world defined by uncertainty, disruption, and accelerating change. Lance shares what decades of advising executives have taught him about why most strategies fail—not because they're wrong, but because they're poorly executed—and how his "diamond framework" helps organizations balance external insight with internal capability. The conversation ranges from the evolution of AI and scenario planning to why balance, adaptability, and courage define the best leaders and companies. Topics Covered * How Lance's work as a strategist and adjunct professor shaped his writing * The continuing impact of AI on organizational design and decision-making * Why humans remain essential for understanding—beyond data and knowledge * The "Outside-In / Inside-Out" diamond framework for strategy and execution * The role of balance: vertical (external vs. internal) and horizontal (strategy vs. execution) * Why 90% of strategies fail and what great companies do differently * How resilience and adaptability separate good organizations from great ones * Lessons from Hari Budha Magar's Everest climb on leadership and perseverance Resources Mentioned * Visit Lance Mortlock's website: https://www.lancemortlock.com [https://www.lancemortlock.com/] * Follow Lance on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lance-mortlock-01b36b22/ * Lance's first book Disaster Proof: https://amzn.to/4qDroV0 * Lance's most recent book Outside In, Inside Out: https://amzn.to/47rsXOm * James Barrat's Our Final Invention: https://amzn.to/43UqMk0 * Nick Bostrom's Superintelligence: https://amzn.to/4osxsOA * Max Tegmark's Life 3.0: https://amzn.to/3WIThNJ * Double amputee Hari Magar: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Budha_Magar For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Mitch Joel — entrepreneur, author of Six Pixels of Separation and CTRL ALT Delete, and host of the podcasts Thinking with Mitch Joel and Groove: The No Treble Podcast. Mitch shares his perspective on entrepreneurship, creativity, and why "success is the anomaly." They explore how Thinkers One is democratizing access to thought leadership, why change—not stasis—is the natural state of business and culture, and how our relationship with technology and media shapes what it means to be "social." Mitch also reflects on his decades-long journey across marketing, music, and digital innovation — and how curiosity, humility, and a willingness to "show your work" are essential to staying relevant in a world that never stops shifting. Topics Explored: * The myth of the "entrepreneurial mindset" and why success can't be replicated * Why Thinkers One exists and how it redefines access to expert thinking * Escaping stasis: how to stay curious and open to change * The balance between longform depth and shortform accessibility * The philosophy behind Thinking with Mitch Joel and the art of asking better questions * What creativity and bass playing have in common * How to rethink "social" in an age of constant screens Links: * Mitch Joel's website: https://www.mitchjoel.com [https://www.mitchjoel.com/] * Thinking with Mitch Joel podcast: https://thinkersone.com/blogs/six-pixels-of-separation-podcast * Groove: The No Treble Podcast: https://www.notreble.com/podcast/ * Thinkers One: https://thinkersone.com [https://thinkersone.com/] * Mitch's Six Pixels of Separation: https://amzn.to/4qDUJyx * Mitch's Ctrl Alt Delete: https://amzn.to/436zVWC * Susan Orlean on writing: https://www.susanorlean.com [https://www.susanorlean.com/] * Empathy and fiction study: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3559433/ * Patrick Tanguay: https://pkty.ca [https://pkty.ca/] * Tom Webster's The Audience Listening: https://amzn.to/4qvmJ7w * Colman Swisher's appearance on From There to Here: https://boldrfutures.com/from-there-to-here-podcast-featuring-colman-swisher/ * Jess Villegas' The Leader's Commute: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leaders-commute-podcast/id1712720351 For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Rory O'Neill—emergency physician, coach, and creator of the Coach Rory Soccer YouTube channel (with more than 50,000 subscribers). Rory blends the discipline of medicine with the craft of player development, offering a rare dual perspective on learning, leadership, and what's broken in U.S. youth soccer. They discuss how early habits from baseball shaped Rory's approach to medicine and coaching, why building from the back isn't just a tactic but a philosophy of learning, and how systemic incentives—money, structure, and culture—are distorting development in the U.S. game. From the economics of clubs to the myths of burnout and multi-sport participation, Rory unpacks what he calls "the matrix" of American soccer and why true progress may depend less on talent than on how—and why—we teach. Topics Explored * How baseball and discipline shaped Rory's medical and coaching philosophies * Why player development in the U.S. is structurally misaligned * The hidden incentives driving youth clubs and closed-league systems * What "promotion and relegation" actually mean for development * Objective vs. subjective measures of progress in coaching * The myth of burnout and the debate over single-sport specialization * How cultural context (Argentina, Iceland, England) changes the meaning of "fun" and "work" in youth sports * What it really means to "wake up and see the matrix" of American soccer Links * Rory O'Neill's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachRorySoccer * Rory's club Keystone FC: https://www.keystonefc.com [https://www.keystonefc.com/] * Rory's corners video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EWg8v6PUp8 * Rory's 3Four3 podcast appearances: https://343coaching.com/podcast/soccer-by-3four3/ep-344-rory-oneill-how-to-discern-well-coached-teams-from-the-rest/ & https://343coaching.com/podcast/soccer-by-3four3/ep-367-us-coaching-licenses-another-credentialism-scam-or-education/ * How UEFA is funded: https://www.uefa.com/running-competitions/financial-distribution/our-business-model/ * Rory's video "The Do's and Don'ts of Soccer Parenting": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLRkOW-v-ck For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Jeff Meredith, Associate Creative Director at RKD Group and longtime writer for rescue missions across the U.S. Over the past two decades, Jeff has interviewed more than a thousand people who've experienced homelessness, addiction, and recovery—gaining rare insight into what drives collapse and what makes renewal possible. Jeff shares what he's learned from the front lines of homelessness: how family breakdown, trauma, and addiction often intersect; why accountability and forgiveness are essential to recovery; and what the most successful rescue missions do differently. This is a grounded, compassionate look at the human stories behind one of America's most complex social challenges. Topics Explored * The changing face of homelessness—and why women are now the fastest-growing group * What drives addiction and how recovery really works * How childhood trauma and family breakdown shape adult outcomes * The interplay of mental illness, accountability, and hope * Why recovery requires both compassion and structure * How faith-based missions rebuild lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually Links * Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-meredith-ab97b34/ * Episode with Andy Bales: https://unfoldingthought.com/20-andy-bales-from-poverty-to-purpose/ * The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease: https://amzn.to/4nl7MTa * $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America: https://amzn.to/46yZPEk For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Bob Hoffman — author of Adscam and The Ad Contrarian — about the uncomfortable truths at the heart of digital advertising. Bob explains how adtech evolved into one of the largest surveillance systems ever built, why marketers mistake data quantity for quality, and how political deregulation is quietly eroding online privacy. They unpack the illusion of precision in behavioral targeting, the billions lost to fraud and waste, and why empathy and ethics—not algorithms—may be the only path to rebuilding trust between brands and the public. Topics Explored * How real-time bidding turns personal data into a global broadcast * Why the online ad economy rewards fraud more than performance * The quiet rollback of digital-privacy protections in the U.S. * How measurement and "attribution" distort both marketing and democracy * What Arielle Garcia's revelations say about Google's control of ad trade groups * Why marketers keep believing in bad numbers * What honest advertising might look like in a post-surveillance world Links * Bob's website – https://www.bobhoffmanswebsite.com [https://www.bobhoffmanswebsite.com/] * Irish Council for Civil Liberties report on real-time bidding – https://www.iccl.ie/news/iccl-report-on-the-scale-of-real-time-bidding-data-broadcasts-in-the-u-s-and-europe/ * Arielle Garcia article – https://www.mi-3.com.au/18-06-2024/ex-um-privacy-chief-lifts-lid-google-has-captured-trade-associations-and-holdcos * Pentagon Pizza Twitter story – https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/16/pentagon-pizza-account-israel-iran-attack/84229144007/ * Don McMillan video, How Marketers Twist Statistics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbOpD2b55s4 For more episodes, visit unfoldingthought.com [http://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Martin Bihl — writer, strategist, podcaster, and self-described "recovering ad man." Known for his sharp wit and reflective takes on marketing, media, and the human condition, Martin challenges conventional thinking about creativity, capitalism, and the culture of business. The conversation explores how advertising both reflects and shapes our shared values — from branded playgrounds to the myth of the "creative genius." Martin shares his experience navigating agency life, why he created The Agency Review to critique the industry from within, and how his contrarian curiosity fuels his writing and podcast You're On Mute. Together, they discuss the interplay between thinking and doing, why "strategy" has become theater, and what we might learn by viewing business less as a machine and more as a story — one that tells us who we are and what we believe. Topics Explored * Why marketing isn't just persuasion — it's identity construction * How capitalism commodifies attention, meaning, and play * The myth of the "creative" and the illusion of originality * Why the line between art, commerce, and morality keeps blurring * The difference between thinking strategically and theatrically * How irony and sincerity coexist in modern branding * The role of critique — and why we need more of it inside the industry Links * Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbihl/ * Visit Martin's website: https://www.martinbihl.com [https://www.martinbihl.com/] * The Agency Review: https://the-agency-review.com [https://the-agency-review.com/] * Martin's article on thinking and doing: https://www.martinbihl.com/business-thinking/i-think-i-can-alternative-business-strategy * McDonald's milkshake story by Clayton Christensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXYm-CVzPQ0 * You're On Mute podcast: https://www.martinbihl.com/youreonmutethepodcast For More Episodes Visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Neen James—leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Attention Pays and the soon-to-be-released Exceptional Experiences. Known for her "sassy Aussie energy" and straight-talk frameworks, Neen challenges traditional ideas of luxury, arguing that it's not about money or things but about moments of human connection. She explains the research behind the four luxury mindsets, why empathy and conscientiousness matter for leadership, and how small, repeatable acts of attention can create what she calls "champagne moments." From systemizing thoughtfulness in everyday life to thinking like a concierge instead of a bellhop, Neen reveals practical ways to elevate both client experiences and team culture. Topics Explored: * Why luxury is less about expense and more about experience * The four luxury mindsets and how they shape behavior * How empathy and attention underpin exceptional experiences * The role of conscientiousness and systemized thoughtfulness * Scaling luxury: making exceptional experiences profitable and practical * Creating "champagne moments" in daily leadership and life Links: * Pre-order Neen's book Exceptional Experiences: https://neenjames.com/books/ * Get Neen's first book Folding Time for free: https://neenjames.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Book-Folding-Time-NeenJames.pdf * Find all of Neen's research and resources about luxury mindsets: https://luxuryisamindset.com [https://luxuryisamindset.com/] * The Business Meditations Neen mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ * The discussion with Alan Fine: https://unfoldingthought.com/28-alan-fine-exploring-the-inner-game-to-grow/ For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Tara Hamberger, founder and CEO of RootedCare+, about her mission to provide 24/7, text-based support to unpaid family caregivers. Tara shares the personal caregiving experiences that led her to launch RootedCare+, why she chose SMS over apps, and how Roo, their compassionate AI assistant, delivers emotional support, resource guidance, and even microgrants. She explains the challenges of designing AI for empathy, the importance of accessibility in tech for caregivers, and how RootedCare+'s funding model directly fuels aid for those who need it most. Topics Explored: * How personal caregiving challenges shaped the creation of RootedCare+ * Designing emotionally intelligent AI that can respond in real time * Why SMS can be the most accessible tech for overstretched caregivers * The role of microgrants in preventing burnout and sustaining care * Building a social enterprise that reinvests in the community it serves Links: * Connect with Tara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraliana/ * Learn more about RootedCare+: https://rootedcare.plus [https://rootedcare.plus/] * Study on poverty impeding cognitive function: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1238041 * Check out the discussion with Juli Rush about grief and the death of the future: https://unfoldingthought.com/21-juli-rush-foresight-grief-and-the-courage-to-let-futures-end/ Have a recommendation? A question? Contact Eric: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Rob Gallaher about the profit sharing system he built after starting and scaling multiple businesses. Rob walks through his early missteps with quarterly bonuses, why behavior did not change, and the simple changes that did move the needle: monthly payouts, a meaningful minimum threshold, and consistent communication that teaches people how daily decisions affect profit. He explains how to align owners and teams, what to show the team, and how profit sharing can free an owner to step back without the business slipping. Topics Explored: * Why traditional bonuses fail to change behavior * The three pillars that make profit sharing work: a regular cadence, a real-dollar threshold, and strategic communication * Showing the team job profit percentages and using that data to learn and improve together * Turning "clock punchers" into profit-minded decision makers * Implementing in months instead of years and avoiding common mistakes * How the right system lets owners step away without chaos Links: * Rob Gallaher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgallaher/ * Rob Gallaher on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertgallaher/ * Rob's website: https://profitx.co [https://profitx.co/] * Gallaher Company: http://gallaherco.com [http://gallaherco.com/] * Rob's book: Profit Sharing: The Power of Shared Success https://amzn.to/47wVbHL * Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://amzn.to/3IoQlCj * Study on ready fiction influencing empathy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3559433/ For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Colman Swisher, former CIO of an international healthcare logistics company, about his unexpected journey from being the first technology hire to leading a fight against private equity–driven decisions. Colman shares how he built critical systems from the ground up—transforming operations that once ran on little more than email into a fully integrated, data-driven logistics network. He explains what it's like to navigate the high-stakes world of medical supply chain, why private equity ownership can create systemic risk, and how values-based leadership can hold the line against purely financial motives. Topics Explored: * Building tech infrastructure in a mission-critical industry from scratch * The unique pressures of transporting life-saving medical products * How private equity can undermine operational stability * Strategies for resisting short-termism while protecting customers and teams * Lessons in leadership from scaling a high-stakes logistics business Links: * Connect with Colman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colman-swisher/ * Check out Colman's business Boldr Futures: https://boldrfutures.com [https://boldrfutures.com/] * Listen to the conversation with Colman's business partner Jeremy Nulik: https://unfoldingthought.com/jeremy-nulik-how-vision-shapes-strategy/ * Check out Value Builder: https://valuebuilder.com [https://valuebuilder.com/] Have a recommendation? A question? Contact Eric: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Shawn Kemp, a product leader, startup advisor, and artist whose journey spans the worlds of technology, entrepreneurship, and creative expression. From his early days at Microsoft working on Xbox and Silverlight, to co-founding mission-driven companies and engaging deeply with food systems and transparency, Shawn brings a rare blend of systems thinking and emotional insight. Shawn opens up about the impact of early trauma, the pursuit of success, and the ways he's learned to prioritize meaning and presence over prestige. He shares his current focus on creativity—not as a career pivot, but as an honest way to process and express the messiness of life. Topics Explored: * Reconciling Past and Present: How early experiences shape identity * Creativity as Meaning-Making: Art as a tool, not just an output * Food Systems and Transparency * Letting Go of Performative Success and Pursuing Fulfillment Links: * Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnkemp/ * Shawn's art: https://shawnkemp.art [https://shawnkemp.art/] * The Non-GMO Project: https://www.nongmoproject.org [https://www.nongmoproject.org/] * The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls: https://amzn.to/45XbkW8 * Educated by Tara Westover: https://amzn.to/4e9aOqj * J Allard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jallard529/ * Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmigopalkrishnan/ * Bext360: https://www.bext360.com/ * Clarence Birdseye: https://amzn.to/3TsCg8O * No More Gold Stars: https://amzn.to/3TsNJ8k For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Bob Knorpp, consultant, speaker, and longtime host of The Beancast, one of the earliest and longest-running marketing podcasts. Bob brings a sharp perspective on how podcasting, advertising, and marketing have evolved over the last two decades—and what hasn't changed. Bob shares his journey from agency life to running a consultancy and hosting a podcast that has endured since 2008. He explains why format and consistency matter more than chasing trends, why authenticity always beats adtech gimmicks, and why we should think differently about metrics—shifting from scale to influence, from quick wins to long-term impact. We also explore mental models behind podcasting and marketing: why executives misunderstand podcasts as a "numbers game," how creators can navigate between art and business, and what it really means to build an audience today. Topics Explored: * Bob's journey from agency CEO to podcast host and consultant * Why The Beancast has endured with minimal format changes since 2008 * The tension between scale, influence, and long-term success in podcasting * Why authentic host-read ads outperform pixel-driven dynamic ads * The trap of executives demanding short-term ROI from long-form mediums * How audience commitment differs between podcasts and social media * Mental models: how marketers and business leaders frame (and often misframe) the value of podcasts Links: * Visit Bob's website: https://www.thebeancast.com [https://www.thebeancast.com/] * Connect with Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knorpp/

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum is joined by Courtney McAra, founder of Mustang MarTech, to explore the art and science of marketing operations. Courtney shares her journey from a startup generalist to a highly specialized marketing ops consultant who's helped teams at places like SurveyMonkey and Marketo bring order to chaos. She breaks down the critical components of a functioning marketing operations infrastructure—from clean folder structures and naming conventions to lifecycle management, compliance, and campaign execution. Courtney also discusses the real-world challenges teams face when scaling their MarTech stacks and offers practical advice for avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're deep in the weeds of a Marketo instance or trying to align marketing with sales and product, this episode is full of useful, actionable insights. Topics Explored: * Courtney's Journey: From lean startup teams to SurveyMonkey and Mustang MarTech * What Marketing Ops Really Is—and Why It Matters * Taming Wild Databases: Clean architecture, folder structure, and segmentation * Lifecycle Strategy: Lead scoring, prioritization, and CRM integration * The Mustang Methodology: Cloneable, scalable, and measurable frameworks * Why Good Ops is Invisible but Critical * The Human Side of MOps: Communication, trust, and long-term collaboration * MarTech in 2025: Trends, AI tools, and the expanding MOps ecosystem Links: * Courtney's Company – https://www.mustangmartech.com [https://www.mustangmartech.com/] * Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneymcara/ * Scott Brinker's MarTech Landscape – https://chiefmartec.com/2025/05/2025-marketing-technology-landscape-supergraphic-100x-growth-since-2011-but-now-with-ai/ * MOps-Apalooza – https://mopsapalooza.com [https://mopsapalooza.com/] For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/] Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com