Explore every episode of the podcast The Tyler Dickerhoof Show
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep 277 No Name Bastard: Turning Hidden Shame into Leadership Freedom w/Tori DaCosta | 25 Oct 2026 | 00:42:53 | |
You might be capable, accomplished and well respected, and still carry something you never say out loud. It could be a piece of your past, an old fear, or a feeling that you don’t quite measure up. You’ve gotten good at managing it, and you’ve had a polished answer ready for years. That hidden story still costs you. It shows up when you avoid a hard conversation, when you need people to like you, or when you can’t be fully present with your team or your family. It keeps you from leading, loving and living with your full potential. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof talks with Tori DaCosta. She is a former Fortune 50 leader, the founder of Journey Stone, and the author of No Name Bastard. Tori spent years hiding the fact that her parents weren’t married, quietly ashamed of a story she didn’t choose. Near the end of an executive MBA, she realized “something was missing.” That moment led her to write a book about the stories she’d kept hidden for decades. It also gave her a gift she now uses with leaders: she can see the hidden thing holding someone back, even when they can’t name it yet. If you’re tired of performing and ready to lead as your whole self, this conversation gives you a path forward. In this episode, you’ll learn:
📖 Read the book: No Name Bastard by Tori DaCosta, available on Amazon, Kindle and audiobook | |||
| Ep 276 Saying No Is Kind: How Nice Leaders Set Boundaries Without Losing Their Team w/Kristen Hadeed | 18 Oct 2026 | 00:57:36 | |
You care about the team you lead. You say yes more often than you should. You take on the extra work so your team doesn’t have to. And now you’re running on empty. Kristen Hadeed knows that place well. She started Student Maid at 19 to buy a pair of jeans. Forty-five people quit on her in one day. She wrote a bestseller about it. Then, more than a decade in, she caught her reflection in a window and didn’t recognize the person looking back. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof, and Kristen Hadeed dig into the belief that was causing her to drown in shame: “It’s my job to keep people happy.” Where it started. What it cost her. And how she let it go. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Connect with Kristen: Website: https://www.kristenhadeed.com/ Join The Lead Without Hiding Challenge: https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/lwh-challenge | |||
| Ep 275 Don't Let Success Become Your Excuse for Complacency w/Marty Hofmann | 11 Oct 2026 | 00:37:55 | |
Some of the most complacent leaders are also the hardest working. That sounds backward. But Marty Hofmann learned that drive and complacency can be the same thing. When you're always chasing the next result, you never stop long enough to be present with the people right in front of you. Marty grew up on a farm in Iowa, spent eight years as a youth pastor, and built a $15 million real estate portfolio that started with a single $5,000 duplex. He's the author of Kill Complacency, host of the podcast by the same name, and founder of The Forge, a community that helps people stop drifting and build their lives on purpose. He's also a guy whose wife once told him, "I'm over this." He had been providing for his family without being present with them. In this conversation, Tyler and Marty talk about the hidden cost of being "Rammy," the word Marty's family used for pushing through people to get results. They get into why validation drives so many leaders, what it cost Marty with his older kids, and the simple practice that turned his life around. The answer to complacency isn't working harder. It's being intentional. In this episode:
Resources:
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| Ep 274 Victim, Survivor, or Victor? Leading After A Traumatic Attack w/Erika Rothenberger | 04 Oct 2026 | 00:43:45 | |
Warning: This episode includes a detailed account of a violent assault. It also mentions sexual assault, eating disorders, and growing up with alcoholic parents. On the morning of June 16, 2022, Erika Rothenberger pushed back a meeting by 15 minutes. She texted her kids to have a great day. Then she pulled into the parking lot she had used for over 10 years. A man she had never seen before was waiting. What happened next changed everything. Erika is a civil engineer. She has spent more than 20 years in construction, where only about 11% of the workers are women. She had the hard hat, the corner office, the family. She thought she was living a big, bold life. What happened to her that day in June showed her she had been playing it safe. She had also been packing years of pain into a dark "basement" she never meant to open. In this conversation, Erika sits down with show host and longtime friend Tyler Dickerhoof. She tells the story of what happened to her that day and the three and a half years of trials that came after. She also shares the moment in her backyard, hood up and body bruised, when her children's laughter reminded her she had a choice. She could stay a victim. She could survive. Or she could thrive. She chose to thrive. The thing that carried her through was human connection: her husband, her sister, her friends, and people she barely knew who showed up. Erika and Tyler also talk about:
Everyone gets a wake-up call. Erika's came in a parking lot. Yours may look different, but the choice is the same: what will you do with it? Mentioned in this episode Connect with Erika Connect with Tyler | |||
| Ep 273 “How God Rebuilt Me Through What I Lost" w/Sean Conlon | 27 Sep 2026 | 00:47:57 | |
Sean Conlon raised capital, scaled hard, and exited big. Then COVID shut down all seven of his wedding venues and left him with nothing left to control. What followed wasn't just a business reset. It was a complete reorientation of why he builds companies differently today. In this conversation, Sean and Tyler get honest about the identity trap hiding inside high performance, and what it looks like to trade an empire mindset for a kingdom one. You'll learn:
Connect with Sean on LinkedIn or at SeanConlon.com Something hit a nerve? Reach out to Tyler, he'd love to go deeper. Join the next Lead Without Hiding challenge: LeadWithoutHiding.com | |||
| Ep 272 Finding Your Self Worth After the Title, Mission & Money Are Gone w/Dr. Esther Zeledon | 20 Sep 2026 | 00:48:33 | |
What happens when everything you've built — your contracts, your identity, your network — disappears in a single week? Dr. Esther Zeledon, founder of Be Act Change and author of Creating Your Limitless Life, knows that answer firsthand. In this conversation, Esther takes us back to the wound that started everything: a 10-year-old girl watching her father lose his PhD funding, her family's world unraveling mid-school year, and the obsession with advocacy that grew from that moment. That obsession eventually carried her into humanitarian aid, where she grew a $700K project into a $100M initiative and invented the $40 billion question along the way. Then January 2026 hit. USAID cuts. Half a million dollars in signed contracts gone in a week. Two months in bed. And then — the pivot that only someone who'd already left once could make. In this episode, Tyler and Esther explore:
This is a conversation about what hides beneath titles, credentials, and missions. And what emerges when all of it gets stripped away. Connect with Dr. Esther Zeledon Mentioned in this episode:
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| Ep 271 The Value Gap: They're Not Buying What You Think You're Selling w/ John Ravaris | 13 Sep 2026 | 00:43:51 | |
You know your product. You've got clients, revenue, a team. But growth has gotten harder and you're not sure why. Here's what nobody wants to admit: the disconnect between the value you think you deliver and the value your clients actually feel is probably wider than you know. And that gap is costing you deals, loyalty, and the kind of growth you know you're capable of. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with John Ravaris — founder of UVP Solutions and author of Define Value, Drive Growth — to show you exactly how to close it. John spent 35 years inside family-owned businesses learning that sustainable growth isn't a sales problem or a marketing problem. It's a value problem. And it's fixable. By the end of this conversation, you'll know:
Connect with John: | |||
| Ep 257 The Things We Hide: The Walls You Built to Survive Are Limiting Your Leadership | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:40:40 | |
Most leaders think they're in control of how they lead. They're not. | |||
| Ep 270 Authentic Leadership, Fear, and the Neuroscience of Real Influence w/Caroline Webb | 06 Sep 2026 | 00:48:05 | |
What if the greatest obstacle to your leadership isn't your experience? What if it's the disconnect between how you think you're showing up as a leader and how your team experiences you? Caroline Webb, economist turned McKinsey partner turned executive coach, and author of the brand-new book Leadership Intelligence joins show host, Tyler Dickerhoof to discuss her time at the Bank of England forecasting national economies. And later spending three decades inside the world's most high-stakes boardrooms studying one question: what is the human brain doing when a leader tries to lead? What emerges from this conversation is something rarely discussed: the most important variable in any organization isn't market conditions, competitive pressure, or strategy. It's the interior life of the person at the top. You, the leader of it all. In this episode:
You can connect with Caroline at: https://carolinewebb.co/ And grab a copy of her book Leadership Intelligence: Science Backed Strategies for Mastering 21 Everyday Management Challenges 🔥 Tyler's Lead Without Hiding Challenge: leadwithouthiding.com — offered once a month. | |||
| Ep 269 The Leadership Exit Nobody Prepares You For w/Matt Friedman | 30 Aug 2026 | 00:41:30 | |
There's a version of success nobody warns you about. The one where you've built something meaningful, achieved significance, and then handed it over. Suddenly the thing that defined you for decades is gone, and you're left wondering who you are without it. Matt Friedman built Wing Zone from $500 and a fraternity kitchen into a 140-location franchise across six countries. He spent 27 years pouring himself into that brand. And when he finally sold it, he discovered something uncomfortable: he had no idea what came next, and he'd been hiding that from himself for years. In this conversation, Matt pulls back the curtain on the quiet identity crisis that follows a major exit, the arrogance that crept in during the peak years, and why the things he never examined about himself were exactly the things that held him back as a leader. He also shares what it took to rebuild — not the business, but himself — and why the five years between selling Wing Zone and stepping in as CEO of Epic Wings were the most important of his career. If you're a leader approaching a transition, sitting in one, or quietly dreading the moment your title no longer tells you who you are, this conversation is for you. Matt talks honestly about what to plan for, what most people get wrong about exiting, and why the most important work you'll ever do isn't building the company — it's deciding who you want to be when it's done. Learn more about Matt on LinkedIn Here. Or visit his website and grab a copy of his book The Wing Zone Story at | |||
| Ep 268 Why Leading Change Feels So Hard (And the Science That Makes It Easier) w/ Jeff Wetherhold | 23 Aug 2026 | 00:47:23 | |
88% of organizational changes produce no lasting results. Harvard-trained behavioral scientist Jeff Wetherhold says the reason isn't resistance, it's that we've been teaching leaders the wrong skills for decades. In this conversation, Jeff and host, Tyler Dickerhoof, revel why inner work alone doesn't translate into better leadership, why "buy-in" is a trap, and why directive communication is quietly destroying trust inside organizations. Jeff brings more than 20 years of clinical change science into a surprisingly practical conversation about what it takes to lead people through uncertainty, how to listen for motivation and demotivation, why reflecting beats questioning in hard conversations, and how vulnerability stops being a buzzword and becomes a real skill. Connect with Jeff at jeffwetherhold.com. | |||
| Ep 267 The Growth You're Avoiding Is the Growth Your Business Needs w/Brad Sugars | 16 Aug 2026 | 00:48:52 | |
What hides inside you controls you. What you face transforms you. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Brad Sugars — founder and CEO of ActionCOACH, the world's number one business coaching franchise with over 1,000 locations across 80 countries. Brad built a global empire, yet for years quietly avoided the spotlight. It took Gary Vaynerchuk telling him to "suck it up" in front of a thousand people to shift that. What followed was a deeper question: what are you hiding, and what is it costing you? Brad and Tyler dig into the real reasons business owners refuse to get out of their own way, the three stages of growth from manager to CEO to chairperson, and why the business is always building you whether you're ready or not. Brad shares his formula for goal-setting and action, why "how" is the enemy of every great goal, and what it took to blow up everything he built and rebuild it for a billion-dollar vision. If you're a business owner stuck in your own business, a leader who finds it lonely at the top, or someone who's been playing small because of a wound you haven't named yet, you'll enjoy this conversation. 📲 Find Brad: bradsugars.com | actioncoach.com | Instagram @bradleysugars (DM him the word "playbook" for his success framework) | |||
| Ep 266 Ask, Don't Tell: What It Takes to Lead People Well with Josh Zolin | 09 Aug 2026 | 00:45:24 | |
On this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof, sits down with Josh Zolin, former Hollywood stuntman turned CEO of Windy City Equipment, an eight-figure HVAC company he inherited from his father and built into an Inc. 5000 business. Josh unpacks the leadership shift that changed everything for him: moving from telling people what to do, to asking questions that help them conclude it themselves. He goes deep on authenticity (and why the word itself can breed inauthenticity), the difference between power and force, what it really means to lead with empathy, and how vulnerability in a boardroom — or a termination meeting — can be your greatest asset. Josh is also the author of Blue Is the New White and host of the podcast Everything They Don't Tell You. Learn more at joshzolin.com Connect with Josh on LinkedIn 👉🏻 Save your seat in the next Lead Without Hiding Challenge HERE. | |||
| Ep 265 Maybe It's Me: The Hidden Cost of High Performance with Erika Alessandrini | 02 Aug 2026 | 00:41:42 | |
Host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Erika Alessandrini — executive coach, facilitator, and author of Maybe It's Me — for a raw, honest conversation about what it really costs to be a high performer. Erika spent over two decades in corporate leadership before a brutally honest 360 review cracked open something she couldn't ignore: the results were real, but so was the damage. This conversation takes you down the childhood wounds that drive adult overachievement, the difference between controlling and leading, and why the people who need this work most are often the last ones to see it. Key Talking Points:
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| Ep 264 Redefining Leadership with Championship Basketball Coach Hunter Price | 26 Jul 2026 | 00:47:41 | |
Ten seconds left. Down by one. His teammate is one point away from a milestone most players never reach. He has the shot. He doesn't take it. That single decision is the philosophy behind this episode. Record-setting former Wisconsin high school basketball coach and author Hunter Price joins host, Tyler Dickerhoof, to expose the lie almost every team believes: that everyone in the room "cares." They don't. Not really. And until you can tell the difference, you're coaching, managing, or leading blind. Hunter introduces his framework of four team archetypes: the Sloth (selfless but doesn't work hard), the Vortex (works hard but selfish), the Ally, and the Heartbeat — the rare person whose work ethic and selflessness pull the whole team forward. Tyler and Hunter dig into real world leadership examples including:
Whether you're coaching a team, running a company, or leading a family, this conversation will change how you think about what it means to care. Connect with Hunter: v3content.org | |||
| Ep 263 The 6 Saboteurs Killing Your Leadership Impact w/ Laurie Maddalena | 19 Jul 2026 | 00:48:49 | |
Ever walked out of a meeting agreeing with everything, then immediately started venting about it in the hallway? That's called back-channeling and it's a silent culture killer. On this episode of the Tyler Dickherhoof show, Tyler sits down with Laurie Maddalena, certified speaking professional and author of The Elevated Leader, to unpack the six leadership saboteurs quietly wrecking teams everywhere.
Laurie shares a raw story from her own career — watching a brilliant CEO give his team the silent treatment for three days after a disagreement — and what it taught her about psychological safety, insecurity, and why "toxic boss management" shouldn't be an employee's job. In this episode you'll learn:
Connect with Laurie: lauriemaddalena.com On LinkedIn: @lauriemaddalena | |||
| Ep 262 Generals Don't Dig Foxholes: The Shift That Took One Company from $5M to $18M w/Tom Kubiniec | 12 Jul 2026 | 00:49:35 | |
What does a heavy metal guitarist turned military weapons storage CEO know about leadership? A lot more than you'd expect. Tom Kubiniec built Secure It Gun Storage into the global leader in military armory design — supplying the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and law enforcement agencies worldwide. But for years, he kept hitting the same ceiling: $5 million in sales, three different companies, same problem every time. The culprit? He was managing when he should have been leading. In this episode, Tom shares the mindset shift that took his company from $5M to $18M in four years, and why the hardest part had nothing to do with strategy. You'll hear:
Connect with Tom on LinkedIn Or visit his website at: SecureItTactical YouTube: @SecureItLegacy | |||
| Ep 261 The Leadership Iceberg — What 90% of Managers Never See w/ Mark Miller, Former Chick-fil-A VP | 05 Jul 2026 | 00:44:08 | |
What if everything you've been told about leadership only covers 10% of the picture? Mark Miller, co-author of the international bestseller The Secret, former VP at Chick-fil-A, and co-founder of Lead Every Day, joins show host Tyler Dickerhoof to expose why 82% of managers still can't lead effectively, and why most leadership training is destined to fail before it starts. In this episode, Tyler and Mark dig into:
Connect with Mark Miller: The Secret, 4th Edition is available now. | |||
| Ep 260 A 20-Foot Fall That Revealed 3 Ego Patterns Sabotaging Leaders | 28 Jun 2026 | 00:42:58 | |
She had the apartment, the travel, the income, the friends — everything that should've meant she'd "made it." Then she fell 20 feet and everything stopped. Christie Garcia is a leadership coach, Forbes Coaches Council contributor, founder of the Mindful Choice Leadership Academy, and author of Your Ego Is Showing. In this episode, she and host Tyler Dickerhoof, unpack the three ego types — the Complier, the Protector, and the Controller — and why every single one of them is just insecurity wearing a costume. They get into why "self-awareness" isn't the same as ownership, why high achievers are often the most insecure people in the room, and why your ego thrives in the climb but sabotages you the moment you become a leader, a parent, or a partner. Christie also shares the framework she now uses to help executives — and her own kids — recognize when their ego is driving instead of them. If you've ever wondered why success didn't fix the thing you thought it would, this conversation will hit close to home. Connect with Christie at: mindfulchoiceacademy.com On LinkedIn: @ChristieGarcia If this episode brought value into your life, a rating and review helps more people find conversations like this one. Thank you! | |||
| Ep 259 The Life Everyone Envies vs. The Life You Actually Want w/Christina Lecuyer | 21 Jun 2026 | 00:42:46 | |
What if the life that looks perfect from the outside is the one making you miserable on the inside? Christina Lecuyer spent over a decade playing golf with CEOs and executives — and discovered that the people who'd "made it" were often the least happy people she knew. Now a consultant and host of Decide, It's Your Turn, Christina works with wildly successful people who have the house, the money, the title... and still feel empty. In this episode, host Tyler Dickerhoof and Christina dig into why people are so afraid of gratitude, why the "secret" to success is really just doing small, boring things over and over again, and why indecision is itself a decision (one that quietly costs you the most). Christina also opens up about turning down a $2 million contract because she was crystal clear on what actually mattered to her and why most people never get that clear. If you've ever wondered why having everything doesn't feel like enough, this conversation is for you. Connect with Christina Lecuyer Instagram @BeChristina LinkedIn Christina Lecuyer Website : ChristinaLecuyer.com | |||
| Ep 258 Am I Enough? Self-Sabotage, Affairs & Blowing Up Your Life w/Jeremy Foster | 14 Jun 2026 | 00:45:12 | |
What do you do when you can't bring yourself to confess, so you pray that God will expose you instead? Jeremy Foster built a church from zero to 14,000 people across five campuses in five years. By every external measure, he was winning. Then came an affair, a year of lying about it, and a prayer he'd never said out loud before: if I can't confess this, expose it. God did. In this conversation, Jeremy and show host Tyler Dickerhoof get into the limiting belief underneath the hiding ("I'm not good enough"), the phone call from John Maxwell that changed everything, and why pride often sounds like "I've got it, don't worry about me." They talk about what it actually costs to let someone help you when you can't help yourself and why success without significance is just an empty win. If you're carrying something, hiding something, or pretending you're fine when you're not, this one's for you. You can connect with Jeremy Foster on: Instagram & Facebook @JeremyFoster LinkedIn @CoachJeremyFoster And please don't forget to rate and review the show, it helps more people find conversations like this one. | |||
| Ep 256 How To Build Unbreakable Teams For World-Class Culture w/Chris Hallberg | 31 May 2026 | 00:51:54 | |
Chris Hallberg — Military veteran, EOS implementer, and the Business Sergeant — has built a reputation for walking into broken companies and transforming their cultures. But behind the tough exterior was decades of unhealed trauma that quietly shaped everything. In this episode, Chris and host Tyler Dickerhoof go deep on what it really means to lead authentically — from the structure of military service that channeled Chris's ADHD energy, to the week in Costa Rica that cracked open 40 years of pain and changed the way he leads, coaches, and lives. Together, they explore why the toughest leaders are often the most wounded, what it looks like to build a culture that protects great people by excluding the wrong ones, and why authenticity — not intensity — is the real driver of lasting change. Learn more about Chris at: GoExpand.com Chris Hallberg EOS LinkedIn: Chris Hallberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices | |||
| Ep 255 Breaking Limiting Beliefs and Leading with Authenticity | 25 May 2026 | 00:49:51 | |
In this episode, Tyler sits down with Dr. Sheila Gujrathi, entrepreneur, physician, board director, co-founder of the Biotech CEO Sisterhood, and author of The Mirror Effect.Sheila has built an extraordinary career across medicine, biotech, executive leadership, and board service. But even with the accomplishments, credentials, and success, she realized there were deeper patterns shaping how she showed up.This conversation explores fear, insecurity, doubt, shame, belonging, self-compassion, leadership, and the internal glass ceilings that high performers often carry without realizing it.In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why success does not always make people feel like they belong
How limiting beliefs show up in leadership.
Why fear can quietly drive high achievement
What the “inner glass ceiling” is
How self-compassion helps leaders break old patterns
Why community and psychological safety matter
How to build a personal board of directors
Why leaders need to understand both their inner and outer environment
How to stop internalizing toxic work experiences
What authentic leadership looks like in high-stakes rooms
Tyler and Sheila also discuss loneliness in leadership, the pressure to prove yourself, the role of supportive networks, and why doing inner work helps people lead with greater clarity, confidence, and impact.If you are a leader, executive, entrepreneur, or high performer who has ever felt successful on the outside but uncertain on the inside, this episode will speak directly to you.
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| Ep 254 How to Communicate Better in Relationships with Jason VanRuler | 18 May 2026 | 00:48:45 | |
In this episode, Tyler sits down with Jason VanRuler, psychotherapist, speaker, and author of Discovering Your Communication Type and Get Past Your Past.
Jason has spent years helping people understand relationships, attachment, communication, emotional health, and human connection. In this conversation, he and Tyler talk about why so many people repeat patterns from their past, how communication breaks down, and what it takes to build healthier relationships.
They also explore the difference between empathy and compassion, why self-awareness matters, how leaders and parents can communicate better, and why knowing how you show up changes the way people experience you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why your past affects how you communicate today
How attachment wounds shape relationships
Why empathy is not always what people think it is
The difference between compassion and empathy
How communication styles influence connection
Why avoiding conflict can keep people stuck
How to recognize your communication type
Why leaders need self-awareness to build trust
How to stop repeating unhealthy relationship patterns
Why real connection starts with honesty
Jason also shares his P.A.T.H.S. communication framework, which includes the Peacemaker, Advocate, Thinker, Harbor, and Spark styles.
If you want to communicate more clearly, strengthen your relationships, understand yourself better, and create deeper connection with the people around you, this episode is for you.
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| Ep 253 Why High Performers Burn Out | Biohacking, Leadership & Sustainable Success with Nicole Ward | 10 May 2026 | 00:49:30 | |
Most leaders are trying to solve burnout by pushing harder.
That approach eventually breaks down.
In this episode, Tyler sits down with Nicole Ward, Senior Vice President of Sales at Aon, executive coach, biohacker, podcast host, and author of Biohacking for the Sales Athlete.
Nicole shares how years of high-pressure sales, nonstop travel, stress, brain fog, poor recovery, and unhealthy habits eventually forced her to confront the way she was living and performing.
This conversation explores what happens when high performers prioritize results while ignoring recovery, health, emotional regulation, and self-awareness.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why burnout is so common among leaders and sales professionals
How stress impacts performance, leadership, and decision making
Why sleep is one of the most important performance tools
The connection between recovery and sustainable success
How to improve focus, cognition, and emotional regulation
Why high performers struggle to slow down
Practical biohacking strategies for leaders and entrepreneurs
The difference between external success and internal alignment
Why small habits create long-term transformation
How healthier leaders create healthier organizations
If you are an entrepreneur, executive, manager, sales professional, or high performer trying to succeed without losing yourself in the process, this episode will challenge how you think about leadership, health, and performance.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices | |||
| Ep 252 How to Stop Self-Criticism and Improve Your Life with David Robson | 05 May 2026 | 00:57:13 | |
We’ve been taught that being hard on ourselves is what drives improvement.
But what if that’s the very thing holding you back?
In this episode, Tyler sits down with David Robson to unpack one of the most common patterns in personal growth, leadership, and performance: self-criticism.
It feels productive. It sounds like discipline. But it’s often the reason people stay stuck.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Why self-criticism actually leads to more procrastination and less progress
The difference between self-awareness and self-criticism (and why it matters)
How negative self-talk impacts your performance, relationships, and leadership
Why self-compassion does not lower your standards, but improves results
A better way to respond to failure, mistakes, and setbacks
This episode will challenge how you think about growth and give you a more effective way to move forward.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated with yourself, or like you’re repeating the same patterns, this conversation will shift your perspective.
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| Ep 251 Mentorship, Belonging, and the Relationships That Change Your Life with Blue Stiley | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:52:18 | |
What if the right relationship could change the course of your life?
In this episode, Tyler talks with Blue Stiley, speaker, author of The Sum of Four, and host of the Blue Stiley Podcast, about the power of mentorship, the importance of belonging, and how meaningful relationships shape who we become.
Blue shares how being bullied as a kid led him into martial arts, where one mentor gave him something he had never experienced before: a sense of belonging, purpose, and connection. That experience became the foundation for how he thinks about relationships, trust, leadership, empathy, and the kind of impact one person can have on another.
Together, Tyler and Blue explore why real influence is built through connection, why significance matters more than status, and how curiosity, kindness, and intentionality can transform both leadership and life.
In this episode:
Blue’s story of bullying, belonging, and finding martial arts
How one mentor changed his life
Why trust is the foundation of strong relationships
What empathy actually looks like in practice
The difference between success and significance
How leaders can create deeper connection and impact
Why curiosity and kindness still matter
How to build the kind of relationships that move people forward
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| Ep 250 Authentic Leadership, Ego, and Why So Many Leaders Get Stuck with Matt Paden | 20 Apr 2026 | 00:49:16 | |
What does it actually take to become a strong, authentic leader?
In this episode, Tyler talks with Dr. Matt Paden, president and managing partner of Great Days Leadership and co-author of The Core: Eight Principles for Building Strong Authentic Leadership, about why leadership development often falls short and what leaders need most if they want to keep growing.
Matt explains why so many people confuse leadership with power or position, and why that confusion creates weak leadership models across organizations, teams, and culture. Together, he and Tyler unpack the challenges leaders face when moving from individual contribution to leading others, and why ego, defensiveness, and a lack of coachability often keep leaders from embracing the truth about themselves.
This conversation also explores mentorship, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, purpose, self-awareness, and the importance of learning how to lead from who you are, not just what you do.
In this episode:
Why many leaders are not truly improving
The danger of confusing leadership with power
Why coachability is essential for growth
How ego gets in the way of strong leadership
Why truth and self-awareness matter so much
What sports and mentorship can teach us about leadership
How purpose helps leaders stay grounded
What authentic leadership looks like in practice
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| Ep 248 Listening Without Fixing: The Skill High Performers Never Learn | 15 Apr 2026 | 01:00:11 | |
Relationships are not just valuable. They are everything.
In this episode, Tyler sits down with Mo Lidsky and Bob Gould, co-authors of Konnect Better: Unlocking the Power of Your Relationships, for a conversation about why relationships are the real foundation of success, and why so many people still struggle to build them well.
Drawing on decades of work with high-achieving individuals, entrepreneurs, and affluent families, Mo and Bob explain why many successful people feel misunderstood, disconnected, or unable to create the kind of intimacy and trust they actually want. They talk about what happens when people build lives around results and respect, but never learn how to lead with care in their closest relationships.
This conversation goes deep into the real drivers of connection: commitment, communication, conflict, vulnerability, identity, acceptance, and the ability to listen without trying to fix. Tyler also brings in his own perspective on insecurity, self-worth, and the walls people build to protect themselves.
If you’ve ever felt like success in one area of life hasn’t translated into deeper connection in the relationships that matter most, this episode will give language to what’s happening, and a better way forward.
In this episode:
Why relationships are the most important asset in life
Why high performers often feel misunderstood
How success can create distance instead of connection
The hidden role identity plays in relationships
Why many leaders struggle to receive help
How to listen without trying to solve everything
Why commitment, communication, and conflict matter so much
What it takes to build deeper, healthier relationships
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| Ep 249 Growth That Doesn't Destroy: Colin Hodge on Real Progress | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:47:35 | |
What does startup growth reveal about a founder?
In this episode, Tyler talks with Colin Hodge, startup founder, growth strategist, co-owner of the dating app Down, and author of Outrageous Startup Growth, about the highs and lows of building fast-growing companies and what those experiences teach you about leadership, identity, and resilience.
Colin shares how early viral traction and massive attention created a misleading definition of success, and how that eventually led to burnout, self-doubt, and what Tyler calls a “mirror-shattering moment.” Together, they unpack the emotional side of entrepreneurship, including founder ego, external validation, sustainable growth, authenticity, empathy, and the internal work required to build something meaningful over the long term.
This conversation goes beyond startup tactics. It explores what happens when success becomes part of your identity, why so many founders chase the wrong metrics, and how values, reflection, and user empathy can help leaders grow both healthier companies and healthier lives.
In this episode:
How Colin built and scaled startup products to millions of users
The danger of chasing vanity metrics
What happens when founder identity gets tied to success
Why resilience matters more than hype
How empathy and user psychology drive better growth
The difference between fast growth and sustainable growth
Why significance matters more than external recognition
How founders can keep growing without losing themselves
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| Ep 247 Why Founders Fail and What Great Leaders Do Differently with Rich Hagberg | 29 Mar 2026 | 01:09:29 | |
What actually causes founders to fail?
In this episode, Tyler talks with Rich Hagberg, leadership consultant, CEO advisor, and author of Founders Keepers, about the leadership patterns that separate successful founders from unsuccessful ones.
Drawing on research from 122 founders, Rich explains why adaptability is the single greatest differentiator in founder success. Together, he and Tyler unpack what happens when founders stop listening, become reactive, hold too tightly to control, or fail to adjust as their business grows.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level leadership advice. Tyler and Rich talk about what scaling really demands from a leader, including self-awareness, emotional regulation, reflection, humility, and the willingness to let go of what worked in an earlier season.
They also explore the internal side of founder leadership, including insecurity, fear of failure, bottlenecks, micromanagement, burnout, and why some leaders never make the shift from visionary to healthy, scalable leadership.
If you are building something, leading people, or trying to grow without becoming the thing that holds your organization back, this episode will give you a lot to think about.
The number one reason founders fail
Why adaptability matters more than vision alone
How founder ego and defensiveness create blind spots
The hidden cost of emotional reactivity in leadership
Why self-awareness is essential for scaling a company
What healthy reflection looks like after failure
How leaders can grow through transition instead of repeating old patterns
The number one reason founders fail
Why adaptability matters more than vision alone
How founder ego and defensiveness create blind spots
The hidden cost of emotional reactivity in leadership
Why self-awareness is essential for scaling a company
What healthy reflection looks like after failure
How leaders can grow through transition instead of repeating old patterns
In this episode:
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| Ep 246 What You’re Hiding Is Leading You! The Divided Life Most Leaders Never Admit | 25 Mar 2026 | 01:08:38 | |
What you're hiding is leading you! In this conversation, Tyler sits down with Jackson Lahmeyer to talk about what really drives leadership beneath the surface.
They get into the pressure leaders carry, the patterns we develop to protect ourselves, and how those patterns quietly shape our decisions, relationships, and impact.
Jackson shares his story of becoming a father at 17, the weight of trying to prove himself, and the moment he realized that hiding parts of his life was costing him more than he thought.
They talk about why leaders live divided, how insecurity shows up in ways most people don’t recognize, and what it actually takes to move toward freedom.
This isn’t a conversation about theory. It’s about what happens when you stop managing perception and start dealing with what’s real.
If you’ve ever felt like something is off in how you’re showing up, this will help you understand why.
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| EP 245 - What Billion-Dollar Investors Understand About Stress That You Don’t | 20 Mar 2026 | 01:02:30 | |
In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Tyler sits down with Sebastien Page, Head of Global Multi-Asset and Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price and author of The Psychology of Leadership.
Sebastien oversees hundreds of billions in assets, but his biggest insights aren’t about markets — they’re about how leaders make decisions under pressure.
Together, Tyler and Sebastien explore the psychology behind leadership, decision-making under uncertainty, and the mental traps that often lead even smart leaders astray.
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| EP 244 - This Injury Could’ve Ended His Life… Instead He Won Paralympic Gold | 09 Mar 2026 | 00:58:27 | |
Most champions aren’t born in comfort — they’re built through adversity.
In this episode, I sit down with Joe Delagrave, a Paralympic medalist, elite wheelchair rugby athlete, and coach whose life changed forever after a devastating injury. What followed wasn’t just a comeback story — it was a complete transformation of identity, belief, and purpose.
Joe shares the powerful moment he realized that his injury didn’t define him. Instead, the story he told himself about that moment would determine the rest of his life.
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| EP 243 - He Quit Real Estate, Then He Was Making $11M/Month | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:59:33 | |
Most entrepreneurs are stuck in scarcity — and it’s quietly capping their income. In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Sal Salpietro breaks down the exact mindset shift that helped him go from real estate investor to building an ATM empire generating $11,000,000 per month in surcharge revenue in just three years. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices | |||
| EP 242 - The Future of Leadership Isn’t Authority — It’s This | 23 Feb 2026 | 01:01:58 | |
What if the future of your company depends on people you’re overlooking right now?
In this powerful episode, Bruce Vojak reveals why breakthrough innovation doesn’t come from process, hierarchy, or fancy strategy decks — it comes from rare individuals who naturally see patterns others miss.
These “pattern recognizers” anticipate trends before they’re obvious. They influence without authority. And they quietly shape the future from inside organizations.
Most companies fail to identify and empower them.
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| EP 241 - Stop Working Harder. Do THIS Instead. (Military Leadership Secrets Revealed) | 16 Feb 2026 | 00:51:45 | |
Most leaders are stuck on a hamster wheel—overwhelmed by complexity, buried in meetings, and constantly firefighting. The worst part? Many don’t even realize the real problem isn’t workload… it’s hidden organizational friction.
In this episode of The Tyler Dickerhoof Show, former military general turned leadership strategist Jimmy Burroughes reveals how outdated “command and control” leadership models are silently destroying performance in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
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| EP 240 - AI Is Replacing You — Unless You Do THIS First | 09 Feb 2026 | 00:49:19 | |
In this conversation, Tyler Dickerhoof and Nikki Barua explore the themes of reinvention, the impact of AI on humanity, and the journey of self-discovery. Nikki shares her insights on overcoming imposter syndrome, the importance of authenticity, and the role of vulnerability in building meaningful relationships. They discuss the transformative power of loss and grief, the significance of writing in healing, and the necessity of embracing change and uncertainty. The conversation emphasizes the importance of mastering new skills and adapting to the evolving landscape shaped by technology, ultimately empowering the next generation to navigate their futures with confidence.
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| EP 239 - Are You Leading From Strategy or From Childhood Survival Patterns? | 05 Feb 2026 | 00:48:52 | |
In this conversation, Tyler Dickerhoof and Hugh Massey explore the profound connection between behavior and financial success. Hugh shares insights from his work at DNA Behavior International, emphasizing that leadership behavior significantly influences company culture and financial outcomes. They discuss the importance of balancing results with relationships, the unique advantages of founder-led companies, and the impact of personal identity on financial behavior. The conversation also touches on transformative experiences that lead to personal growth and the necessity of trust in leadership.
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| EP 238 - The Psychology of Storytelling Nobody Talks About | 26 Jan 2026 | 01:09:34 | |
In this conversation, Tyler Dickerhoof and Frank Spring explore the profound impact of storytelling in leadership and politics. They discuss how narratives shape our understanding of identity, trust, and the political landscape. The dialogue delves into the evolution of American identity, the challenges of cognitive dissonance, and the necessity for collaborative storytelling to bridge divides. Frank emphasizes the importance of recognizing the stories we tell ourselves and how they influence our actions and perceptions. The conversation culminates in a call for a new narrative that embraces shared experiences and fosters unity.
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| EP 237 - Are You an Imposter… or Has the Workplace Been Gaslighting You? | 21 Jan 2026 | 00:49:29 | |
In this episode, Barbara Wittmann, a digital transformation strategist and founder of Digital Wisdom Collective, discusses the challenges millennials face in the workplace, the importance of self-development, and her personal journey from feeling like an imposter to becoming a leader. She emphasizes the need for organizations to empower their middle management and foster a culture of innovation and collaboration.
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| EP 236 - Why Are Healthcare Costs Exploding While Outcomes Keep Falling? | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:53:01 | |
In this episode, Tyler Dickerhoof interviews Ryan Dewey Smith, the CEO of Imperium, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the U.S. healthcare system. They explore the rising costs of healthcare, personal experiences with insurance, and the importance of innovative solutions for small businesses. Ryan shares insights on the role of income in accessing healthcare, the geographical disparities in costs, and the need for a holistic approach to patient care. The conversation also delves into leadership, vulnerability, and the importance of heart in driving organizational success.
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| EP 235 - Why Modern Leadership Is Built on EGO | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:57:22 | |
In this conversation, Tyler Dickerhoof interviews Mao Espinosa, a leadership expert and author, discussing the themes of leadership, personal growth, and the impact of adversity. Mao shares his experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of emotional well-being, and the significance of self-recognition in leadership. He emphasizes the need for congruence between thoughts and actions, the role of emotions in sales, and the value of celebrating small wins. The discussion also touches on societal expectations and the journey to finding one's true self.
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| EP 234 - Why Authentic Leadership Outperforms Hustle (A Giftology Perspective) | 31 Dec 2025 | 00:44:31 | |
This episode breaks down leadership, trust, authenticity, digital credibility, and expert authority through real business experience. Tyler Dickerhoof interviews Rod Neuenschwander, co-founder of Giftology, on navigating crisis, building trust-based leadership, and creating authority through relationships.
In this conversation, Rod shares the real story behind Giftology, including the loss of his co-founder John Ruland and how a 20-year partnership rooted in authenticity shaped their vision. Rod explains how high-impact gifting became a relationship-driven growth strategy that helps businesses rebuild trust, credibility, and long-term loyalty—especially during seasons of crisis.
Rod walks through early business challenges, the creation of the “relationship operating system,” and why relationships—not tactics—are the foundation of sustainable leadership. He also reflects on personal loss, community support, humility in leadership, and how technology can enhance human connection without replacing it.
If you care about building real authority, leading with integrity, and creating trust at scale, this episode delivers practical insights and lived experience.
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| EP 233 - Why Most Leaders Are Failing at Authenticity | 24 Dec 2025 | 00:53:50 | |
In this thought-provoking episode of the Tyler Dickerhoof Show, host Tyler Dickerhoof sits down with Brian Beckcom, a renowned attorney and co-founder of VB Attorneys. Known for his expertise in personal injury law, Brian shares his journey from focusing solely on personal injury cases to expanding his practice to include executive counseling and defamation work. The conversation delves into the complexities of trust in the digital age, exploring how online fakery and algorithms have eroded trust and how blockchain technology offers a potential solution. Brian also discusses the importance of authenticity and personal branding in leadership, drawing from his own experiences in the legal field. With insights into the challenges of maintaining trust in today's society, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, law, and the evolving landscape of digital trust. Tune in to discover how Brian's unique perspective and experiences can inspire you to lead with impact.
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| EP 232 - From Farm Kid to CEO: The Journey That Will Shock You | 17 Dec 2025 | 01:20:08 | |
In this engaging episode of the Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Tyler sits down with Michael Stickler, a renowned publisher and author, to explore the intersections of leadership, personal growth, and resilience. The conversation kicks off with a shared nostalgia for their agricultural roots, setting the stage for a deep dive into the values instilled by such a background—independence, perseverance, and a strong work ethic.
Michael shares his journey from a farm kid to a successful entrepreneur, highlighting the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He discusses the challenges of leadership in today's corporate world, emphasizing the importance of merit-based recognition and the role of leaders as facilitators rather than dictators. Michael's insights into the cultural shifts in work ethic and loyalty provide a thought-provoking perspective on modern leadership dynamics.
The discussion takes a personal turn as Michael recounts his experiences with the justice system, including his time in prison, which he describes as unexpectedly transformative. He reflects on the lessons learned during this period, such as the value of true friendships and the importance of standing by one's principles, even in the face of adversity.
Throughout the episode, Tyler and Michael explore the concept of growth through struggle, drawing parallels between personal trials and professional challenges. They advocate for embracing difficulties as opportunities for growth and learning, a theme that resonates deeply with listeners seeking inspiration and guidance in their own leadership journeys.
Michael's candid storytelling and Tyler's insightful questions create a compelling narrative that underscores the power of resilience, integrity, and the pursuit of purpose. The episode concludes with a call to action for leaders to embrace authenticity and foster environments where merit and growth are celebrated.
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| EP 231 - How to Lead Gen Z and Millennials in 2026 — Andrew Oxley’s Surprising Take | 10 Dec 2025 | 00:48:16 | |
In this episode of the Tyler Dickerhoof Show, Tyler welcomes Andrew Oxley, renowned author, speaker, and executive coach, to explore the art and science of leadership and personal development.
Andrew, founder of the Oxley Group and author of The Four Faces of Frustration, dives deep into the misconceptions about leadership, emphasizing that true leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about influence, understanding, and connecting with people.
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| EP 230 - Doctors Said He’d Never Run Again… He Didn’t Listen. | 03 Dec 2025 | 00:53:52 | |
In this episode, Ramsey Bergeron takes us through his unbelievable journey—from not being able to walk at age 19 after a compressed disc to becoming an eight-time Ironman finisher. His story isn’t just about athletic achievement; it’s about rebuilding a life, redefining limits, and choosing growth when the odds are stacked against you.
Ramsey breaks down what it really takes to push through pain, fear, and uncertainty. He shares how perspective can completely shift a challenge, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how slowing down can sometimes move you further than rushing ever will. His insights on leadership and personal resilience make this conversation one you won’t forget.
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| EP 229 - The Success Formula No One Taught You | 26 Nov 2025 | 01:00:30 | |
In this captivating episode of the Tyler Dickerhoof Show, we are joined by Ruchika Malhotra, the visionary founder of Kandor and acclaimed author of 'Uncompete'. Ruchika takes us on a compelling journey from her roots in Singapore to her transformative experiences in the United States. Her story is not just about geographical relocation but a profound shift in mindset regarding competition, collaboration, and self-worth.
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| EP 228 - Billion-Dollar Investor Warns: We’re Not Ready for the AI Era | 19 Nov 2025 | 00:58:54 | |
In this episode, Jeff Burningham dives deep into his journey of personal transformation and the evolving relationship between humanity and AI. From his gubernatorial run to his exploration of psychedelics, Jeff shares candid stories that shaped his inner journey and inspired his book, “The Last Book Written by a Human.”
Jeff discusses why self-awareness matters now more than ever, how AI acts as a mirror to our collective behavior, and why embracing vulnerability is essential for personal and societal evolution. The conversation explores themes of love, unity, and the importance of creating human-centric technology as we face a rapidly changing world.
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