Category Archives: Personal Development

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Episode #176: How to Find a Mentor and Why You’ll Benefit from Being One

With One Minute Mentoring author Claire Diaz-Ortiz

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Today’s guest was first to appear on the show around three years ago. But then, she abruptly canceled.

More on the details surrounding that story inside today’s episode. The woman I’m referring to is Claire Diaz-Ortiz, probably best known as one of the earliest employees at Twitter, as evidenced by her first-name-only Twitter handle (@claire).

Her new book is one written with bestselling author Ken Blanchard (of One Minute Manager fame) and is called One Minute Mentoring: How to Find and Work with a Mentor – and While You’ll Benefit from Being One.

claire diaz-ortiz

While most people agree that having a mentor is a good thing, they don’t know how best to go about finding the right person. And even though there’s universal approval of the idea of being a mentor, most don’t think they have the time or the skills to be one.

This is a business parable with the book’s concepts interwoven throughout the story.

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Episode #175: The 4 Best Interviews from the First 4 Years

Including Margie Warrell, Ray Edwards, Seth Godin and Simon Sinek

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After 175 episodes, it’s safe to say I have a few favorites that stand out. That said, it’s tough narrowing down such a list to just four interviews.

Why four? Well, this weekend marks the 4th Anniversary of the Read to Lead Podcast. I’ve decided, therefore, to celebrate by picking my four favorite interviews during that time, one from each year.

4th Anniversary

I hope you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane.

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Episode #174: How to Energize People Every Day

With Kristi Hedges, author of The Inspiration Code

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Today’s guest first came on the scene with the release of her first book back in 2011.

Her name is Kristi Hedges, and that book was The Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others. The book experienced a bit of an inflection point in 2014 and Kristi’s career has been a whirlwind ever since.

kristi hedges

Kristi’s new book is titled The Inspiration Code: How the Best Leaders Energize People Every Day. In it, Kristi reveals the surprising, everyday actions that any leader can take to be an inspiring and motivating force.

I’m loving it and I think you will too. To dig in, just click the “play” button below.

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Episode #173: Busting Through the Starving Artist Myth

With Jeff Goins, author of Real Artists Don't Starve

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Today we’re joined by the guest who now holds the distinction of appearing on Read to Lead more than anyone else. 

That nod goes to one of my favorite authors, Jeff Goins. His latest book is also probably my favorite of the five he’s written to date.   

jeff goins

(photo of the author by Ashley Goins)

That new book is titled Real Artists Don’t Starve: Timeless Strategies for Thriving in the New Creative Age.

In this book, and our conversation on it, Jeff dismantles the myth that being creative is a hindrance to success by revealing how an artistic temperament is in fact a competitive advantage in today’s marketplace.

To dig in, just click the “play” button below.

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Episode #172: Achieve Focused Success in a Distracted World

Feat. Deep Work by Cal Newport

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I read, like, a lot. And though many of the books I read (and the authors who write them) wind up being featured on the podcast, there are plenty that don’t (and not because they’re not worthy). 

Sometimes it just comes down to scheduling or any other number of issues. Suffice it to say there are plenty of authors I’d love to interview that haven’t yet made it on. But that shouldn’t mean we can’t dive into and discuss their latest book, right? 

deep work by cal newport

Deep Work by Cal Newport is just such a book. It was released in 2016. I finally got around to reading in March of this year. And, I loved it. It has revolutionized how I work. I think it can do the same for you.

In today’s episode, I share some of the key insights and main ideas from the book, as well as a couple of others that compliment Deep Work quite nicely (more on those in a moment).

To dig in to today’s episode, just click the “play” button below.

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