Curiosity is not a soft skill. It is one of the strongest predictors of leadership performance and team success. In this episode, John Jantsch talks with leadership strategist and researcher Debra Clary about why curious leaders build stronger, smarter teams and how asking better questions drives engagement, trust, and results. They explore how curiosity can be learned, measured, and practiced, especially in high pressure leadership environments. You will learn how bold questions can reshape culture, unlock performance, and help leaders move from giving answers to developing people.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Start

01:51 Improv, Stand-Up, and the Book Journey

03:18 Curiosity as a Superpower and Its Decline

04:40 Data Linking Curiosity to Performance

06:09 From Having Answers to Coaching Teams

09:28 Curiosity Myths and Key Traits

10:57 Measuring and Training Curiosity

12:00 Bold Questions and Team Engagement

13:18 Case Study: Defining the Real Problem

16:26 When Curiosity Is Missing at Work

18:55 Curiosity Habits Leaders Can Use

20:28 Where to Connect

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Content is about to become unlimited, cheap, and automated and that changes everything about marketing strategy. John Jantsch sits down with Peter Benei of AI Ready CMO to explore how AI is reshaping marketing teams, why production is no longer the advantage it once was, and what skills marketers must develop to stay relevant. They discuss the evolving role of the CMO, the limits of AI tools, and why judgment, taste, and strategic thinking remain human responsibilities. This episode offers a clear, practical look at what AI really means for the future of marketing.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Introduction

01:33 AI vs. Past Tools

03:58 Content Hype Reality

07:17 Automation & Quality

10:38 Human Judgment Matters

12:41 Jobs & Skills Outlook

17:31 Future of the CMO Role

19:29 Tool Landscape Predictions

24:36 Take Action

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You can't self-care your way out of a toxic workplace, and leadership consultant Amy Leneker explains why. In this episode, we unpack how workplace stress, toxic positivity, and broken trust quietly undermine teams, culture, and performance. Amy shares a practical framework leaders can use to identify stress, rebuild trust, and create healthier work environments without superficial fixes. If you lead a team and want real change, this conversation challenges everything you think you know about stress and joy at work.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Start

01:10 Meet Amy Leneker

01:56 Recovering Workaholic

03:45 Three-Step Stress Method

05:54 Team Stress Framework

08:42 Joy Strategy and Evolving Culture

13:04 HR's Role

14:25 Work-Life Harmony Part 1

16:40 Generational Differences

18:45 Work-Life Harmony Part 2

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John sits down with communication expert Carmine Gallo to break down how to capture attention without clickbait by using proven persuasion and storytelling principles. They explore the neuroscience of attention, why timeless story structure still works across platforms like TED Talks and TikTok, and how ethical hooks build trust instead of hype. The conversation also dives into using AI without losing authenticity, explaining why human meaning always outperforms optimized grammar. If you want to create content that stands out, earns trust, and keeps audiences listening, this episode delivers practical, science-backed insights.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Start

01:10 Meet Carmine Gallo

02:18 Audio Original Format

04:09 Contrast Power: JFK Quote vs AI Replacement Phrase

05:56 Evolution of Storytelling

08:31 Three-Act Structure

13:20 The Hook Explained

17:20 AI & Human Voice

20:43 Storytelling Insights

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What should businesses focus on as marketing evolves in 2026? In this solo episode, John Jantsch breaks down 6 marketing trends that will shape 2026, from the growing importance of local SEO and customer retention to the rise of trust-based micro-influencers and authentic content. You'll learn why "real" is replacing viral, how mischief can become a marketing strategy, and why being genuinely helpful is the future of search. This episode offers practical guidance for small businesses and marketers looking to stay relevant, visible, and trusted in a rapidly changing landscape.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Start

01:09 Intro

01:58 Local Advantage

04:45 Real is the New Viral

07:26 Mischief Marketing

08:43 Retention is the New Acquisition

10:30 Trust Brokers and Micro-Influencers

12:11 Be the Answer – Helpful Search Content

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John is joined by Lauren Esposito to explore why AI delivers the most value when treated as a digital teammate rather than just another tool. They unpack how businesses can build a true hybrid workforce by integrating digital workers alongside humans, reshaping roles, accountability, and leadership in the age of AI. You'll learn how managing AI like an employee unlocks better outcomes, trust, and long-term ROI, and why AI adoption can't live solely in IT. This conversation offers practical insight into the future of work, digital labor strategy, and what it takes to orchestrate AI for real business impact.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Start

01:10 Meet Lauren Esposito

02:19 The Hybrid Workforce

06:36 Organizational Shifts

10:21 Redefining Roles with AI

14:26 Trust in Digital Workers

17:20 Breaking Down Silos

20:49 Future Workforce Leadership

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*This is a rerun of a previously released episode

Geoff Woods is the #1 international bestselling author of The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster Decisions and the founder of AI Leadership and the AI Driven Leadership Collective. As a former Chief Growth Officer of a global company, Geoff brings real-world expertise in using AI to transform how leaders think and make decisions. In this episode, he reveals how AI can serve as a powerful thought partner—enhancing strategic focus, overcoming operational overwhelm, and unlocking breakthrough solutions using his CRIT framework. Tune in to learn how the most effective leaders are leveraging AI to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving business landscape. Today we discussed:

00:00 Start

01:10 Introducing Geoff Woods

01:23 How AI Enhances Leaders Strategic Thinking

03:13 AI as a Thought Partner

04:50 How AI Can Help with Operation Tasks

06:20 Focusing on the 20%

07:56 The C.R.I.T. Framework

13:10 Addressing the AI Culture Shift

16:20 How is AI Changing Decision Making

17:39 What's AI's Role in Leadership

19:26 How to Start Integrating AI Into Your Leadership Practices

This episode is brought to you by Duct Tape Marketing.

Free Resource for Business Owners: If you're feeling overwhelmed by marketing, don't miss our CEO Sara Nay's new 30-minute workshop: The Clarity Engine. You'll learn a smarter, more strategic approach and get a worksheet to map out your next steps for 2026.

Join the workshop & grab your free worksheet - https://dtm.world/clarity

Give yourself the gift of clarity in 2026!

In The Science of Mindset and Sustainable Success, mindset coach and author Diana Pagano breaks down how neuroscience and neuroplasticity shape our beliefs, habits, and long-term success. She explains why sustainable success isn't about doing more, but about rewiring limiting beliefs, interrupting fear-driven patterns, and aligning your mindset with intentional action. This conversation explores how mindset shifts help entrepreneurs and leaders overcome self-doubt, burnout, and plateaus while creating lasting growth. If you're looking to understand the science behind mindset change and build success without sacrificing fulfillment, this episode offers practical insight and clarity.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Introduction

00:59 Meet Diana Pagano

01:32 Defining 'More' in Mindset

02:31 Rewiring Your Mind

04:45 Privilege & Reality Check

08:14 Fear & Belief Systems

13:11 Success Mindset Coaching

16:29 Client Success Stories

21:03 Universal Strategies

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This episode is brought to you by Duct Tape Marketing.

Free Resource for Business Owners: If you're feeling overwhelmed by marketing, don't miss our CEO Sara Nay's new 30-minute workshop: The Clarity Engine. You'll learn a smarter, more strategic approach and get a worksheet to map out your next steps for 2026.

Join the workshop & grab your free worksheet - https://dtm.world/clarity

Give yourself the gift of clarity in 2026!

Sara breaks down the 10 essential questions every small business should ask before hiring a marketing agency, consultant, or fractional CMO. From who owns your marketing assets to how results are measured, Sara shares hard-won lessons from 16+ years helping businesses avoid costly mistakes. Learn how to spot red flags, demand transparency, and build a partnership based on strategy—not secrecy. Perfect for anyone ready to own their marketing and stop getting trapped in bad contracts.

Today we discussed:

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:50 Why Marketing Is Hard

00:04:26 10 Questions Overview

00:05:14 Question 1: Asset Ownership

00:07:20 Question 2: Measuring Success

00:09:11 Question 3: Strategy Alignment

00:11:09 Question 4: Contract Terms

00:12:11 Question 6: Reporting Standards

00:12:23 Question 5: Team Interaction

00:13:04 Question 7: AI Integration

00:15:12 Question 8: Keep Your Team Involved

00:17:48 Question 10: What You'll Learn

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This episode is brought to you by Duct Tape Marketing.

Struggling with marketing chaos? Our CEO, Sara Nay, has created a free 30-minute workshop, The Clarity Engine, along with a practical worksheet to help you build a marketing system that actually scales.

Ready to finish the year with a clear plan? Start the workshop & grab your free worksheet - https://dtm.world/clarity

Want a second set of eyes on your strategy? Sara's offering a few free, year-end review sessions (limited capacity)

Book your strategy call - https://dtm.world/yearend

John breaks down the 7 stages of a complete marketing operating system and why most businesses struggle without one. He explains how the marketing pyramid, business strategy, brand development, and customer experience all work together to create a repeatable, scalable system. You'll learn how to eliminate random tactics, integrate AI into your workflows, and build a structured approach that finally drives consistent results. If you've ever wondered how to build a marketing operating system for your business, this episode gives you the roadmap.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Introduction

01:09 The Marketing Operating System

02:00 Business Chaos and the Marketing Pyramid

04:30 Designing the Marketing Operating System

08:00 The Seven Stages

10:43 Implementation Phases and Next Steps

Rate, Review, & Follow

This episode is brought to you by Duct Tape Marketing.

Struggling with marketing chaos? Our CEO, Sara Nay, has created a free 30-minute workshop, The Clarity Engine, along with a practical worksheet to help you build a marketing system that actually scales.

Ready to finish the year with a clear plan? Start the workshop & grab your free worksheet - https://dtm.world/clarity

Want a second set of eyes on your strategy? Sara's offering a few free, year-end review sessions (limited capacity)

Book your strategy call - https://dtm.world/yearend

*This episode originally aired in August 2025

Michael Aaron Flicker, founder of XenoPsi Ventures and co-founder of the Consumer Behavior Lab with behavioral scientist Richard Shotton, joins John Jantsch to explore how psychology shapes the world's most successful brands. Drawing from their book Hacking the Human Mind, Michael shares insights into the hidden science behind consumer decisions and brand loyalty. Listeners will learn how to apply behavioral science to create more effective campaigns, craft memorable messages, and drive real business growth.

Today we discussed:

00:00 Start 01:03 Meet Michael Aaron Flicker 01:46 Hacking the Human Mind 02:47 Do Brands Know Psychology? 04:05 Challenging Marketing Myths 05:57 Behavioral Science Lab Work 07:43 Apple's iPod Memory Trick 10:41 Why 17 is Magic 12:09 Surprising Brand Psychology 13:37 The Peak-End Rule 16:23 Ethics of Mind Hacking 18:19 Getting Started Guide

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