Is MAGA just another political brand—or something closer to a cult?

In this solo episode of Built to Grow, we unpack the MAGA movement through classic cult dynamics: the charismatic leader at the center, the us‑vs‑them story, the alternative media universe, loyalty tests, moral inversion, and the sense of belonging that keeps people locked in. We keep nuance front and center: not every Trump voter is in a cult, but the core of the movement operates with strikingly cult‑like patterns.

You’ll learn how these dynamics pull in people who feel angry, left behind, or threatened; why they’re so dangerous for democracy and relationships; and what you can actually do if someone you love is deep in MAGA. We’ll talk about how to set boundaries, where not to waste your energy arguing, and small, concrete ways to strengthen pro‑democracy culture in your own life.

When the people at the top seem larger than life, it’s easy to mistake charisma for character. In this episode of Built to Grow, we use the dark triad of personality—narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy—as a lens to understand Donald Trump’s public leadership style and what it reveals about power, followers, and fragile institutions.

Drawing on psychological research and public commentary (not clinical diagnosis), we break down how traits like grandiosity, manipulation, and callousness can help a leader rise to power while quietly corroding trust, norms, and shared reality underneath. We also look at the systems around these leaders: why so many people are drawn to strongman figures in times of uncertainty, how institutions bend or break in response, and what healthier leadership looks like by contrast.

By the end, you’ll have a sharper toolkit for spotting dark‑triad patterns in politics, business, and your own organizations—so you can make better choices about who you follow, what you tolerate, and which guardrails really matter.

You’ll learn:

• What psychologists mean by the “dark triad” and how it shows up in real‑world leaders
• How Donald Trump’s public behavior illustrates dark‑triad dynamics without resorting to armchair diagnosis
• Why so many people find strongman leaders psychologically appealing
• How dark‑triad leadership reshapes institutions, culture, and everyday political life
• What healthier leadership and stronger guardrails look like in practice

Check out my blog to learn more!

https://www.valdetselimaj.com/the-psychology-of-leadership-the-dark-triad-and-donald-trump/

Smart, educated people really do tend to lean left on a lot of issues—but the story behind that pattern is way more interesting than "one side is smarter." In this episode of Built to Grow, Valdet digs into what the research actually says about intelligence, education, and political beliefs, and why different kinds of minds get pulled toward different worldviews.

You’ll learn how core personality traits—things like openness, need for order, and sensitivity to threat—quietly nudge people toward more liberal or conservative positions, and how both sides can drift into their own versions of authoritarianism. Along the way, we’ll explore how fear, identity, and group loyalty can hijack good intentions and turn any movement rigid, intolerant, or extreme.

Most importantly, this episode is about personal growth. You’ll walk away with practical ways to:

• Understand your own psychological wiring and political instincts.
• Spot where you might be vulnerable to authoritarian pulls, no matter your views.
• Build habits of critical thinking, emotional regulation, and intellectual humility so you can stay grounded, curious, and hard to manipulate.

Whether you’d call yourself liberal, conservative, or politically exhausted, this conversation will give you a clearer map of what’s shaping your beliefs—and how to keep growing beyond the labels.

If ICE shows up at your door, your job, or on the street, what are your rights — and how do you actually use them without making things worse?

In this episode, we walk through what undocumented immigrants and U.S. citizens need to know before, during, and after an ICE raid so you can stay calmer, protect yourself, and have a plan for your family.

This is not individualized legal advice. Immigration law changes often and every case is different. Always speak with a qualified immigration lawyer or trusted legal aid organization about your specific situation.

What we do cover here is a practical, plain‑language guide based on commonly shared know‑your‑rights materials from immigrant rights groups across the U.S. You’ll learn:

• The difference between ICE and local police — and why that matters in a raid.
• What a real warrant looks like vs. papers that do not give ICE the right to enter your home.
• What to do if ICE comes to your door — including why you should usually talk through the door, not open it.
• Your rights at work and in public — including when you have to identify yourself and when you can ask, “Am I free to leave?”
• How to use your right to remain silent in a calm, clear way.
• Why you should not sign documents you don’t understand or agree with.
• How U.S. citizens and bystanders can safely support friends, coworkers, and neighbors during enforcement actions.
• A simple family preparedness plan so kids, partners, and loved ones know what to do if someone is detained.

Check out my blog for additional info: https://www.valdetselimaj.com/know-your-rights-what-to-do-if-you-encounter-ice-for-undocumented-immigrants-and-american-citizens/

Radicalization doesn’t start with hate — it starts with pain.

In this episode of Built to Grow, Valdet Selimaj breaks down the psychology of radicalization and how ordinary people get pulled toward extreme beliefs without realizing it’s happening. This isn’t a political episode. It’s a human one.

We explore why intelligence doesn’t protect us, how unmet needs like belonging and certainty are weaponized, how algorithms accelerate extremism, and why shame only pushes people deeper into rigid thinking.

If you’ve ever wondered how people you once knew became unrecognizable — or how any of us could drift toward extremes — this episode offers clarity, nuance, and uncomfortable truth.

Check out the blog post here: https://www.valdetselimaj.com/the-psychology-of-radicalization-how-ordinary-people-get-pulled-to-extremes/

🎙️ Built to Grow with Valdet Selimaj
Development that delivers.

In this episode, Valdet challenges the common belief that all workplace gossip is toxic. Drawing from research and real-world consulting experience, he breaks down the difference between harmful gossip and positive information sharing—and explains how the latter can strengthen relationships, reduce turnover, improve mental health, and create natural accountability on teams.

You’ll learn:

• Why positive gossip acts as “social glue” in organizations

• How informal conversations reduce burnout and turnover

• The clear line between healthy and harmful gossip

• What leaders can do to shape a healthier communication culture

This episode is a must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone who wants to build healthier, more human workplaces.

🎧 Listen. Reflect. And rethink everything you thought you knew about gossip.

When you clock in each day, you don’t stop being human — but too many workplaces act like you do.

In this episode of Built to Grow, host Valdet Selimaj breaks down the human rights every employee is entitled to at work — and why understanding them is essential for protecting your dignity, safety, and wellbeing.

We explore what workplace human rights actually look like in real life, including:

• Freedom from discrimination and harassment

• Fair and equitable compensation

• Psychological and physical safety

• Privacy in the digital workplace

• Freedom of expression, belief, and identity

• What to do when your rights are violated

This isn’t a legal lecture. It’s a real, human conversation about power, culture, and the systems that shape our daily work lives.

Whether you’re early in your career, a seasoned professional, or a leader responsible for shaping culture, this episode will help you recognize red flags, advocate for yourself and others, and contribute to workplaces where people can truly thrive.

Because no one should have to choose between their livelihood and their humanity.

🎙️ Built to Grow — honest conversations about leadership, culture, and growth.
DevCore Consulting — Development that delivers.

Managing up isn’t manipulation — it’s leadership.

In this episode, Valdet Selimaj breaks down practical strategies to communicate effectively with your manager, advocate for what you need, set boundaries, build trust, and step into your influence from any seat in the organization.

If you want to grow, advance, and stop playing small at work, this episode is your roadmap.

Read the full article on DevCore Consulting:
https://devcoreconsulting.com/managing-up-strategies-for-employees-to-advocate-for-themselves/

#Leadership #ManagingUp #EmployeeExperience #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #BuiltToGrow

Bullying doesn’t end after high school—it just gets quieter, more strategic, and far more damaging. In today’s Built to Grow episode, we break down what workplace bullying really looks like, how it harms people and organizations, and what to do if you’re being targeted or witnessing it happen.If you’ve ever felt intimidated, isolated, humiliated, or retaliated against at work… this episode is for you.🔥 Take the Next Step: Learn How to Protect Yourself at WorkIf you're dealing with bullying—or want to prevent it—my Workplace Bullying course gives you the exact tools, scripts, documentation templates, and strategies to stay safe and take action.👉 https://devcoreconsulting.com/product/workplace-bullying/📘 Dive Deeper with the Blog PostWant more insight into the signs and patterns of workplace bullying? Read my full breakdown here:👉 https://devcoreconsulting.com/breaking-the-silence-addressing-workplace-bullying/💼 Work With DevCore ConsultingIf your team is struggling with low morale, poor leadership, or toxic behaviors, DevCore can help you rebuild your culture from the inside out.Visit DevCoreConsulting.com for leadership training, culture development, and organizational support.👍 Like, Comment & SubscribeIf this episode helped you—or you know someone who needs it—share it.Your support helps us bring more leadership, culture, and growth conversations to the people who need them.Built to GrowHosted by Valdet SelimajDevelopment that delivers.

Is your workplace building a culture…
or conditioning a cult?

In this episode of Built to Grow, we break down the fine line between healthy organizational culture and the subtle, sometimes dangerous ways culture can be weaponized. You’ll learn:

• What organizational culture really is

• Why culture exists (and who it actually benefits)

• How culture becomes a tool of pressure, control, or manipulation

• What leaders unintentionally do that pushes culture into cult territory

• How culture shapes followership, loyalty, morale, and true leadership

• And how to design a culture that grows people — not obedience

If you’ve ever felt the tension between “fitting in” and “staying authentic,” this episode is going to hit hard.

🔥 BROUGHT TO YOU BY DEVCORE CONSULTING
Real leadership development. Real cultural change. Real results.
If you want to build a culture rooted in accountability, clarity, and trust — not fear — visit DevCoreConsulting.com.
Development that delivers.

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#BuiltToGrow #OrganizationalCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #DevCoreConsulting #CultOrCulture