What if your greatest pain became your greatest catalyst? In this episode of 1% Better, Craig Thielen talks with Brian Bogert, speaker, coach, and host of Flipping the Lid podcast, about his incredible journey from losing his arm at age seven to building a life of impact and freedom.

Brian shares:

✅ How vulnerability and authenticity unlock true human connection
✅ Why emotional pain often hides behind physical pain✅ The difference between knowledge and wisdom—and why surrender matters✅ How choice creates freedom and new possibilities

🎧 Listen now to learn how Brian turned trauma into a mission to impact a billion lives.

#Leadership #Resilience #PersonalGrowth #MindsetMatters #FlippingTheLid

In this Fast 15 episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Craig Thielen sits down with technology veteran Brian Zielinski to unpack the real meaning of Digital Engineering and why it’s more than just writing code. In under 15 minutes (well with this episode 18 minutes), you’ll learn how Human Centered AI, Intelligent Automation, and modern delivery practices can help organizations move faster, reduce tech debt, and deliver continuous value.

Brian shares insights on:

• The difference between software engineering and digital engineering
• Why speed of value delivery is now a competitive advantage
• How AI and automation accelerate (not replace) human creativity
• Practical steps to start improving today

If you want to make your team and organization 1% better every day, this episode is your quick guide to smarter, faster, and more efficient digital transformation.

Learn more about Human Centered AI
Check out the Digital Engineering Healthcheck
Read Brian's blog, Designing for Humans - The Future of Digital Engineering in an AI World
Connect with Brian Zielinski on LinkedIn
Connect with Craig Thielen on LinkedIn

🎧 Listen now and start your improvement journey!

In this powerful episode of the 1% Better Podcast, host Craig Thielen sits down with Mick White - Founder of Purpose Fueled and The 100 Year Manifesto - to explore how personal loss, reflection, and one small daily action became the catalyst for a purpose-driven life.

👉 Learn how Mick:

• Transformed grief into growth after losing his mother
• Created a one-page manifesto to guide intentional living
• Helps others break surface-level conversation through Purpose Fueled gatherings
• Brings real purpose into companies and culture
• Believes baby steps are the biggest steps we take

Whether you're feeling stuck, seeking clarity, or ready to make more meaningful connections—this episode will challenge and inspire you to take action today.

👇 Timestamps

00:00 Intro

01:00 Mick's background & early influences

06:00 The conversation that changed everything

11:00 Losing his mom & redefining net worth

17:00 Creating the 100 Year Manifesto

25:00 Purpose Fueled and building safe spaces

33:00 Purpose at work and in leadership

45:00 Final thoughts + 1% Better advice

🔔 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more inspiring stories each week.

#PurposeDriven #100YearManifesto #MickWhite #1PercentBetterPodcast #PersonalGrowth #Legacy #IntentionalLiving #Leadership #PodcastInterview #LifeLessons #PurposeFueled

1% Improvement Podcast host Craig Thielen chats with our 50th guest, Darin Lynch - Founder & CEO of Irish Titan. Darin shares his story behind Irish Titan’s growth, guiding philosophies, and vision for the future of digital commerce.

They explore:

✅ How AI is fueling the "commerce anywhere" movement

✅ Why SEO is fading and AEO (AI Engine Optimization) is emerging

✅ The power of purpose, personalization, and the courage to go rogue

✅ Building culture, legacy, and a values-driven business

✅ Why 'Business First, Online Second' isn’t just a tagline, it’s a blueprint

Learn more about Irish Titan
Check out Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Read The Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki
Connect with Darin Lynch on LinkedIn

#1PercentBetter #EcommerceLeadership #DigitalCommerce #AIinBusiness #GoRogue #IrishTitan #DarinLynch #BusinessFirstOnlineSecond #CraigThielen #AI #AEO

What if the secret to becoming better… is realizing you already are enough?

In this powerful conversation, host Craig Thielen sits down with JC Lippold - coach, storyteller, and “professional homemaker” - to talk identity, enoughness, and how slowing down might just be the ultimate productivity hack.

💡 Real talk on wellness, leadership, language & growth.

Learn more about JC Lippold's services
Subscribe to JC's mailing list
Connect with JC Lippold on LinkedIn

#1PercentBetter #Enoughness #PersonalGrowth #Leadership #Podcast #JCLippold #Coaching #Wellness #ProfessionalDevelopment

Ever thought about writing a book? You're not alone. Over 4 million books are published each year, and behind many of them is someone like Kevin Johnson.

In this inspiring episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Kevin shares what he’s learned after authoring or coaching over 200 books. From working with 500 middle schoolers to consulting Hollywood on movie tie-ins, his journey is anything but ordinary.

We dive into:

• Why everyone has a story worth telling

• How to finally start writing (even if you only have 2 minutes a day)

• The power of random acts of kindness

• What Kevin has learned from walking with people through the best and worst chapters of life
• Why great coaching is more about listening than leading

Whether you’re dreaming of writing a book, seeking purpose in your work, or just want to hear from someone who’s helped others find their voice, this episode is for you.

Check out the long list of Kevin Johnson's books
Learn more about Kevin's book coaching services
Connect with Kevin Johnson on LinkedIn

#1PercentBetter #WritingJourney #Legacy #BookCoach #PodcastEpisode #PersonalGrowth #KindnessMatters #Storytelling #Leadership #Empathy #Creativity #StartWriting

AI isn’t about magic tricks, it’s about empowering people, and measurable improvement. In this eye-opening conversation, 1% Better host, Craig Thielen reconnects with Arijit Sengupta, Founder & CEO of Aible. They challenge the mainstream AI hype and dive deep into agentic AI, human centered design, and why explainability matters more than ever.

They dig into what’s working, what’s failing, and how organizations can take small, scalable steps to get 1% better every day with AI as a partner, not a replacement.

Key takeaways include:

✅ Human centered AI is non-negotiable

✅ Small, specialized models are greater than giant black boxes

✅ Most AI projects still fail - Arijit discusses why

✅ Agentic AI enables scalable innovation

✅ Explainability is the new differentiator

Learn more about Aible
Get Arijit's book, AI is a Waste of Money
Connect with Arijit Sengupta on LinkedInConnect with Craig Thielen on LinkedIn
Check out host Craig Thielen's full bio page

What if the only thing standing between you and your next chapter… is a single bold decision?

Craig reconnects with Krishna Kumar, author, master coach, and founder of the Intrad School of Executive Coaching. They discuss his new book Crossing the Rubicon and explore the masks we wear, the power of reflection, and how small moments of wisdom can lead to big transformations.

Key takeaways:

• Crossing the Rubicon represents the moment we commit to personal transformation, even if it’s risky, uncomfortable, or uncertain
• Wisdom often begins with awareness, whether it’s recognizing the masks we wear or questioning the path we're on
• Self-reflection is more powerful than advice, great coaching and mentorship invite questions, not just answers
• The virtues of balance and compassion are desperately needed in today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world
• Small steps, done consistently, can lead to profound change, capture that 1% moment of insight when it shows up

Check out Krishna's new book, Crossing the Rubicon
Learn about the Intrad School of Executive Coaching (ISEC)
Connect with Krishna Kumar on LinkedIn

#crossingtherubicon #krishnakumar #reinvention #wisdom #oldmonk #virtuouslife #selfreflection #leadership #trissential #authenticity #craigthielen #virtuouslife

Meet Chris Nikic - the first person with Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman... and who's also ran all six World Marathon Majors, and won two ESPYs.🏅 Alongside him is his father, Nik, who transformed a simple idea of getting 1% better each day into a powerful mindset that’s helping people around the world realize their true potential.

Chris and Nik share how a system built on daily progress, belief, and consistency defied every expectation and sparked a global movement of inclusion, grit, and growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Start small, stay consistent
• Measure against yourself, not others
• Simplicity drives execution
• Every day is a win
• Everyone has hidden superpowers

Get a signed copy of Chris & Nik's book, 1% Better
Snag yourself Chris's1% Better t-shirt and other fun items
Watch Chris's speech at the ESPYs
Donate to the 1% Better Chris Nikic Foundation
Follow Chris Nikic on Instagram

#1PercentBetter #ChrisNikic #Ironman #InclusionMatters #MindsetMatters #DailyDiscipline #DownSyndromeAwareness #ESPY #MarathonMajors #Inspiration #KeepGoing

What happens when you leave a 32-year career behind? Pat Brickson opens up about the unexpected emotions of change, facing imposter syndrome, and ultimately finding new purpose through reinvention, data consulting, and his passion project: a radio show called The Mixtape.

From burnout to creative breakthrough, this episode is a reminder that it’s never too late to start fresh.

We talk about:

• Reinvention is possible at any stage
• Imposter syndrome is common, especially in leadership 
• Change brings loss and growth 
• Passions fuel resilience 
• Support systems matter

Check out The Mixtape with Pat Brickson
Connect with Pat Brickson on LinkedIn

#improvementpodcat #incrementalchange #careerchange #personalgrowth #impostersyndrome #reinvention #themixtape #growthmindset #patbrickson #passionproject