Shows
Catalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtHow Might Questions Create Space for Connection, Rather Than Create It?We design most conversations to move things forward. Plans. Problems. Predicaments.. But the relationships that last aren’t held together by better answers. They’re sustained by more intentional questions, often simple ones, asked without an agenda. In this episode, I explore relational questions that create space rather than pressure. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and lived experience, I ask you to consider why open-ended curiosity reduces emotional friction, how small questions reveal culture and meaning, and why presence often matters more than precision. This episode isn’t about providing a framework or a scri...
2026-02-1115 min
Cellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionThe Power of the Unsaid: A Sneak Peek into Global Career Identity with Paige McDonoughWe are often defined by our "doing", the titles on our LinkedIn profiles, and the tasks on our to-do lists. But what if the most important parts of our identity are found in the silences? In this episode, I sit down with global career counselor Paige McDonough to discuss her transition from the fashion industry to international education, and the profound realization that we are human beings, not human doings. Drawing on a decade of experience as an expat in Australia and Qatar, Paige shares a "sneak peek" into her current research on how collectivist versus...
2026-02-0551 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionWalking Toward Tension: Human Behavior in the Age of AI with Jon JudahHow do we remain human in a world dominated by automation and speed? In this episode, I sit down with Jon Judah, a marketing transformation, leader and professor at Georgetown University, to explore the brackish space between emerging technology and human intuition. Jon shares his deep personal insights from watching his father teach firearms to nervous students to learning from toy designers in Austin. These experiences have shaped his philosophy of servant leadership. We discussed the fast and slow dichotomy of business, why human behavioral observation is the next frontier for leaders, and the tactical steps...
2026-01-281h 04Catalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtSequence Matters: A Developmental Alternative to Performance Habit CultureModern habit, culture, rewards visibility, intensity, and performance. We track streaks. We announced goals. We optimize and share progress. But learning doesn’t actually work that way. In this episode, I want to contrast performance driven habit culture with a developmental model grounded in learning science. I will propose a different sequence, frequency, consistency, intentionality, then intensity, and I’ll interrogate my own bias toward what I tend to call, “quiet work” along the way. Drawing on research from self-determination theory, deliberate, practice, goal, orientation, and Vygotsky‘s zone proximal development, this episode, reframes habits, no...
2026-01-0816 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionDoing the Beautiful Thing: Diego Nicolau on Identity, Creativity, and CraftDesigner and creative leader Diego Nicolau joins me for a conversation about creativity that isn’t glued to a medium, a platform, or an algorithm. We dig into the shift from chasing outcomes to honoring the process, why identity matters more than titles, how social media warps our creative instincts, and why slowing down with a manual camera can reset your entire way of seeing. If you’ve ever wondered, whether you’re allowed to call yourself a photographer, musician, designer, whatever your craft is, this conversation will hit home. Diego brings a grounded, honest, take on what it mea...
2026-01-0552 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionHeart, Humility, and Hustle: Matt Weiss on Building a Soul-Driven Practice in an AI AgeIn this episode, I sit down with Matt Weiss, founder of Soul Purpose Advisory and longtime leader in the advertising world, to unpack how heart, humility, and hustle shaped his shift from running major agencies to building a soul-driven advisory practice.Matt opens up about rediscovering a singular focus after decades in corporate structures, why AI feels less like “artificial intelligence” and more like “intelligence amplified,” and the deeper work of helping founders define what “better” actually means. We get into the tension between growth and meaning, the traps leaders fall into when they chase scale for the wrong reasons, and...
2025-12-0956 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionHeart, Humility, and Hustle: Matt Weiss on Building a Soul-Driven Practice in an AI AgeIn this episode, I sit down with Matt Weiss, founder of Sole Purpose Advisory and longtime leader in the advertising world, to unpack how heart, humility, and hustle shaped his shift from running major agencies to building a soul-driven advisory practice. Matt opens up about rediscovering a singular focus after decades in corporate structures, why AI feels less like “artificial intelligence” and more like “intelligence amplified,” and the deeper work of helping founders define what “better” actually means. We get into the tension between growth and meaning, the traps leaders fall into when they chase scale for the wrong reasons, and...
2025-12-0924 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionThe Adaptable Athlete: Finding Brilliance with Coach Matt WilliamsonIn this episode of Cellophane, I peal back the layers of tennis professional Matt Williamson. Beyond the court, Matt reveals the core philosophies that drive him, from his unexpected transition to tennis during a global pandemic, to his deep-seated curiosity about human relationships, and the art of adaptation. Discover how he tailors his coaching style to individual personalities, whether they seek a killer workout or instruction on detailed mechanics, and why he views his athletic pursuits as a continuous, holistic process. Learn about the power of intention, why he values awareness over perfect perfection...
2025-12-081h 01Catalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtThe Words We Choose: How Vocabulary Shapes Learning, Leadership, and AgingIn this episode, I explore the surprising power of words to shape our lives. From leadership and lifelong learning to aging and thriving alongside AI, the vocabulary we use every day determines how we think, act, and grow. I share practical strategies for turning complex ideas into language anyone can use, explain how small shifts in wording can spark big behavioral changes, and reveal why clear, accessible communication is more critical than ever in a world flooded with information. Whether you’re leading a team, learning something new, or navigating life at any age, this conversation sh...
2025-12-0114 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionUnpacking Potential: Navigating Change While Finding Joy with Digital Leader Amanda MurawskiIn this episode, I have a candid, insightful conversation with Amanda Murawski, Executive Director of Digital Strategy and Experience at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Amanda shares her powerful journey of self-discovery, from navigating significant personal life changes, like moving across the country as a teen and her parents’ divorce, to seeking out action-oriented opportunities, including a life-changing role in the Obama administration. This episode explores how adversity reveals our true selves, the power of embracing the unknown, and why focusing on possibility, rather than risk, is key to success. Amanda dives into her leadership philosophy of living at...
2025-12-011h 03Cellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionThe Adaptable Athlete: Finding Brilliance with Coach Matt WilliamsonIn this episode of cellophane, I peel back the layers of tennis professional Matt Williamson. Beyond the court, Matt reveals the core philosophies that drive him, from his unexpected transition to tennis during a global pandemic to his deep seated curiosity about human relationships, and the art of adaptation. Discover how he taylors his coaching to individual personalities, whether they seek a killer work out or detailed mechanics, and why he views his athletic pursuits as a continuous, holistic process. Learn about the power of intention, why he values awareness over perfection, and his daily choice...
2025-12-0111 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionQuiet Fire, Bold Action: Laurie Hauge on Resilience, People, and PurposeIn this conversation, Dr. G sits down with Laurie Hauge, a leader who blends data acumen, emotional intelligence, and a “quiet fire” that has guided her through layoffs, career pivots, entrepreneurship, and leadership at a boutique marketing agency. Laurie shares how early experiences and data analytics, actuarial work, and a well-timed golf course conversation shaped her path. She opens up about navigating a layoff as a young professional, discovering the qualitative side of her strengths, the influence of her parents’ business, and the inward-to-outward shift that now fuels her work with people and teams. Laurie reflects on failure as a l...
2025-11-2042 minCatalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtThe Mental Switchboard: How Post-It May Help You Shift Focus with EaseEver feel that mental leg when you jump for one kind of work to another? Like your brain is still catching up to your calendar? In this episode, I explore how to make those transitions smoother using something as simple as Post-It notes. I exore how our brains respond to color, phrase and environment, and how small physical cues can help us shift gears between strategic, creative, and reflective work. Through a mix of sciencey stuff and practical things, I show how designing a few intentional rituals may help you think more clearly, focus faster, and...
2025-11-0308 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionMolly Schnagl: Ambition Through Action - How Movement Creates MeaningIn this episode, I sit down with my wife, Molly Schnagl — a self-described “actionator” who has spent her career turning complex ideas into executable systems. From opening gas stations in Guam and bringing Dairy Queen into convenience stores to leading digital transformation projects and developing a new SaaS product, Molly’s story is one of courage through action. Together we unpack what it means to move first and figure it out later, how longevity requires reinvention, and why trust and small, high-performing teams can outperform size and speed. It’s an honest look at building a career, a...
2025-10-2634 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionDr. Kim Oppelt: “You Can Really Only Be What You Can See” - Rethinking Career PathwaysIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kim Oppelt, VP of Career Readiness and Development at Kudor, and Executive Director of the Institute for Career Advising and Development. We explore how vision, empathy, and opportunity intersect in the world of career development. From her roots in rural, Minnesota to her leadership positions, Kim shares how her journey shaped a mission to level the plane field for learners and professionals alike. She challenges the binary of college or career, reframes readiness as lifelong, and uncovers, how asking better questions and saying yes, more often can ignite purpose at...
2025-10-2328 minCatalyst: A Podcast of Thought3 of 3 Designing Momentum - Small Moves, Big ShiftsIn this third and final episode of our series on performance and renewal, we turn from diagnosis to design. We move from understanding why we get stuck to learning how to move again.Drawing again on Adam Alter’s research in “Anatomy of a Breakthrough,” we explore the precise strategies that turn stagnation into forward momentum. Through narrative case studies, we see that progress isn’t born of inspiration, but of intelligent design. Breakthroughs don’t arrive as lightning bolts. They’re built friction by friction, choice by choice. Tune in for practical frameworks and reflectiv...
2025-10-2210 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionMike Pettijohn: Zero Fear, People-Centric AI AdoptionIn this episode of Cellophane, AI Strategist Mike Pettijohn shares a human-centered approach to the AI revolution. Mike contrasts the regressive, forced adoption that leads to a "race to zero" with his vision of "Zero Fear" through people-focused AI adoption. Discover the practical steps individuals and leaders can take to go from cautious exposure to confident competence, ensuring technology empowers rather than threatens. Tune in to learn about the strategic brilliance behind Mike's mission: making sure technology serves people, not the other way around.Cellophane is produced by me, Dr. G, using the Spreaker App.
2025-10-2131 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionDr. Jason Weber: Finding Your Flame Through Curiosity, Grace, and LeadershipIn this episode, I speak with my friend, Dr. Jason Weber, Vice Chancellor at Texas Tech University. Jason shares his journey from professional burnout to a career built on developing others. We explore how curiosity, intentional reflection, and grace served as his guide posts for meaningful work. Together we unpack the pivotal moments that sparked his career transformation, the practices he developed to stay curious, and how he applies the principles of servant leadership to empower our teams in organizations. Whether you are navigating a career crossroad, looking to enhance your leadership presence, or seeking a practical framework for self...
2025-10-1939 minCatalyst: A Podcast of Thought2 of 3 Burnout - The Brilliant Collapse That Saves YouBurnout isn’t a weakness. It’s the body’s way of demanding realignment. In this episode, we examine Adam Alter's research in his book, "Anatomy of a Breakthrough," which reframes burnout as a forced breakthrough—a system-level reset between your environment and your evolving identity. Drawing from organizational psychology, neuroscience, and real-world case studies, we explore the six-minute match that causes burnout, the friction gap that keeps us stuck, and the science of job crafting as a blueprint for sustainable redesign. This isn’t about recovery; it’s about reinvention. Burnout doesn't e...
2025-10-1914 minCatalyst: A Podcast of Thought1 of 3 The Unspoken Architecture of Being UnstuckIn this episode, we explore the realm of being stuck and examine the three main types. The ideas are primarily inspired by the insightful work of author and NYU Stern School of Business marketing professor Adam Alter: “Anatomy of a Breakthrough.” You might think that if you're stuck—whether professionally, in relationships, or in a personal project—it's a sign of a character flaw or a lack of motivation. You might believe in the Myth of Unbroken Progress—the false idea that successful people move effortlessly from ambition to achievement. We will analyze the practical structure of inertia, giving you the tools...
2025-10-1610 minCellophane: Revealing the Brilliance Behind the VisionMitch Munson: God’s Kid Finding Identity & Purpose Through MinistryJoin host, Dr. G, as he sits down with Mitch Munson, a former corporate employee who made a life-altering transition into ministry. Mitch, now the KLIFE Ministry Director in Fairplay, Missouri, opens up about his personal journey of overcoming self-doubt, anxiety, and an “almost quarter-life crisis” after college. Mitch shares how his relationship with God galvanized and allowed him to find his true identity outside of sports and societal expectations. He discusses his move away from Christian jargon (or Christianese) toward a more personal, foundational connection. He describes himself simply as being “God‘s Kid.”Listen in as Mitch...
2025-10-1548 minCatalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtThe Architect of a Meaningful LifeIn this episode, we explore the profound question, “How Will You Measure Your Life?”Drawing on the frameworks of late strategist Clayton M. Christensen, this episode looks beyond traditional business metrics and into personal fulfillment and the art of creating an enduring meaningful life.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
2025-09-3007 minCatalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtLike, OMG! The Secret Life of a Misunderstood Wordin this episode, I take a deep dive into the word that often gets a bad rap. The word “like”. I’ll explore the word’s linguistic journey, examine the perspective of Noah Webster (the dictionary guy), and share the work of Anne Curzan, author and linguist.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
2025-09-2509 minCatalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtReinvention Mindset - A Guide from Attia and KhazanIn this episode of Catalyst, I dive into the philosophical and practical aspects of personal growth. I explore the idea of “unbecoming” by synthesizing the work of Dr. Peter Attia and author Olga Khazan, offering a powerful, two-part strategy for self-reinvention. In this episode you will learn how to combine an internal shift in perspective with deliberate, outward behavior to become the person you were always meant to be.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
2025-09-2311 minCatalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtBeing Versus DoingIn this episode, we’re exploring the transformative power of shifting from a mindset of doing to a practice of being. Drawing on insights from Dr. Peter Attia, we discussed how mindfulness and conscious, value driven actions can help us overcome suffering rooted in our own thoughts. We’ll explore the idea that true fulfillment isn’t about what we accomplish, but about shedding what we are not, to reveal who we are meant to be.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg
2025-09-2207 minCatalyst: A Podcast of ThoughtAesop to Attia - Building a Foundation for LongevityIn this episode, I explore a powerful paradox touted from the ages of Aesop to Attia: true longevity isn’t about explosive effort, but the slow and steady work of building a foundation showing us how going slower can make us stronger.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
2025-09-1707 min