Motivation feels powerful, until it disappears.

In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh breaks down why motivation is actually the reason most people quit their goals by mid January and what works instead. Using real life examples, behavioral science, and a simple momentum framework, Brian explains how identity driven habits and tiny consistent actions beat intensity every time.

You’ll learn why external motivation cracks on bad days, how to build systems that don’t depend on how you feel, and how small wins compound into real momentum you can be proud of.

If you’ve ever started strong and quit quietly, this episode is for you.

Join the Momentum Makers Club:

You’ve been lied to your whole life about success.

In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh breaks down the three biggest lies that quietly keep people stuck, overthinking, and waiting for a moment that never comes.

You’ll learn why “I’ll start when I’m ready” is a trap, how “I need more information” disguises fear as productivity, and why believing that successful people don’t fail is one of the most damaging myths we’ve ever accepted.

This episode is part reflection, part reality check, and part challenge. If you’ve felt stalled, overwhelmed, or unsure of your next step, this one is for you.

At the end, Brian challenges you to identify the lie that hit you hardest and take one small step forward today.

Momentum is built, not discovered.

If you're done falling prey to the lies and want to grow with like minded people, check out the Momentum Makers Club.

In this milestone 50th episode of "Bad Day Excellence," Brian Walsh guides you through the "unstuck blueprint," a powerful tool designed to help you navigate life's transition windows. Drawing from the Momentum Makers Club and backed by psychology and neuroscience, Brian explains how to break free from feeling stuck and start moving forward with confidence. Discover how small, intentional actions can transform your mindset and propel you toward your future self. Tune in to learn how to align your actions with your evolving identity and embrace the journey of personal growth.

In this episode of "Bad Day Excellence," host Brian Walsh guides you through the art of reflection, turning the often-overlooked wins, losses, and lessons of the past year into powerful tools for growth. Discover how small victories can be the real proof of change, and learn to identify the patterns in your losses to make intentional adjustments. Brian introduces simple micro-systems like the 3x3 audit and the Energy Scorecard to help you capture the essence of your year in just five minutes. Join us as we explore how to build momentum into 2026, ensuring every day counts towards your personal growth journey.
Want to crush next year and master your own habits? Grab a copy of Habit Craft 101!Not a "book person" and want to join a community that supports you? Join the Momentum Makers Club!

Most people treat performance reviews like a dentist appointment they forgot to cancel. Stress, avoidance, and a lot of box-checking.

In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh sits down with leadership creator and Army National Guard officer candidate school instructor, Cassie Underwood, to break that cycle.

You will learn:

• Why review season feels heavier than it should for both leaders and high achievers

• How avoiding small hard conversations all year wrecks trust, morale, and retention

• What a human centered review actually looks and feels like

• Systems you can use all year long, like kudos folders, weekly reflection, and AARs

• How to support high performers who still feel like they are failing

If you are a leader who keeps procrastinating reviews, or a high achiever who secretly dreads them, this episode will help you turn reviews into connection, clarity, and identity building moments.

Connect with Cassie:

• TikTok: @leadershipunscripted

• LinkedIn: Cassie Underwood

Join the Momentum Makers Club and more resources at Bad Day Excellence.

This Thanksgiving episode dives into a surprisingly powerful idea, all sparked by two little words that changed how I show up in every conversation. It starts with a rough childhood lesson about life being a “shit sandwich,” but quickly flips into something better, something more grounded, and something that can pull you out of the chaos on your hardest days.

I share the story of how a hiring manager’s simple reply, “Never Better,” became my secret weapon for practicing gratitude, even when I’m at forty percent. We explore why gratitude matters most when everything feels heavy, how it anchors you when your day tries to knock you down, and why tiny moments of awareness can shift your whole direction.

If you need a steady place to grab onto during busy, emotional, or overwhelming days, this one’s for you. And if you want a new way to answer, “How are you?” that builds connection, presence, and momentum, I’ll give it to you.

Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for being part of Bad Day Excellence.

In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, I sit down with Jon Hord, founder of The Engaged Father Project, to talk about something a lot of dads quietly wrestle with:

You are crushing it at work, but feel like you are losing at home.

Jon shares the story of waking up in a hotel after an amazing family day at an amusement park, with his son tucked in beside him, and realizing that his brain sprinted straight to a software upgrade at work instead of staying in that moment.

That was his red flag. His “your priorities need to be re-evaluated” moment.

We dig into:

• How “provider first” programming pulls dads away from what actually matters

• Why your kids need a calm dad more than a perfect one

• How to run a “post mortem” on hard moments at home using Jon’s “Don’t Waste The Moment” tool

• Why a simple fatherhood mission statement can completely change how you show up

• The painful phrase Jon regrets saying to his son, and how he repaired it through vulnerability

Jon also shares details on The Engaged Father Project, his 8 week program, and his free 5 call Engaged Father Jumpstart for dads who feel stuck or ashamed but ready to change.

Connect with Jon:

• Free 5-Day Engaged Father Jumpstart
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram
• YouTube
• LinkedIn

Ever feel emotionally broke? In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh shares the story of writing his own promotion only to watch someone else get it, and how that moment birthed the idea of the Fail Bank. Learn how to turn mistakes into deposits of wisdom, rebuild confidence after setbacks, and grow Failnantial Wealth. Because failure isn’t a cost, it’s capital. Tune in, take notes, and start banking your lessons today.

Ever feel torn between chasing your dream and doing what’s practical? In this episode of Bad Day Excellence, Brian Walsh opens up about his journey toward becoming a full-time speaker and the tough choices that come with it, from investing in coaching to balancing ambition with family.

If you’ve ever wondered whether to spend money on a coach, a course, or just keep building brick by brick, this one’s for you. You’ll learn how habits can act as your built-in accountability coach and how to make real progress without sacrificing what matters most.

In This Episode:

• When to invest in yourself and when to wait

• How habits create structure, clarity, and growth

• Practical steps to build momentum before spending money

• How to stay aligned with your family while chasing big goals

🎯 Turn your chaos into clarity. Build your habits. Bet on yourself.

🎧 Listen now and explore Brian’s book Habit Craft 101 and reach out for information about the Momentum Reboot course at baddayexcellence.com.

In this compelling episode of "Bad Day Excellence," host Brian Walsh delves into the heart of what it means to live with purpose in a world increasingly driven by automation and efficiency. As we navigate the age of replacement, Brian challenges the notion that progress must come at the cost of humanity. Join us as we explore the power of compassion, creativity, and connection in the workplace, and discover how small acts of rebellion can lead to profound change. Tune in to learn how to reclaim your attention, reignite your creativity, and rebuild meaningful connections in a system that often forgets the human element. #HumanRebellion #PurposeDriven #Leadership