Is it possible to become the man you never had as a role model?

Ryan Michler didn’t grow up with a blueprint for manhood—but that didn’t stop him from building one. He and Sanger talk about why so many men feel aimless and how stepping up—not faking it—is the way out. They talk about the appeal of distractions like sports and alcohol, the discomfort of starting from zero, and the kind of fulfillment that comes from actually doing hard things.

KEY TOPICS

• Why men substitute purpose with stats, screens, and manufactured intimacy.
• What happens when young men admire risk—and older men discourage it.
• How men get mocked both for not knowing—and for trying to learn.
• Why it’s better to take a first step than wait for certainty.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating Bad Decisions in Life & Business

00:50 – Learning by Failing on a Ski Trip

03:18 – Meet Ryan Michler: Founder of Order of Man

04:20 – Growing Up Without a Present Dad

06:48 – Can You Still Learn Manhood as an Adult?

08:27 – Why Men Hide What They Don’t Know

09:14 – The Catch-22 of Men Asking for Help

10:51 – Why Not Knowing Feels Like a Threat

11:38 – How Ego Blocks Growth

13:43 – Finding Mentors & Letting Go of Pride

16:08 – Why Ryan Walked Away from His Firm

18:26 – Taking the Leap Toward Autonomy

20:53 – Rebuilding on Your Own Terms

23:09 – Why Advice Often Reflects Regret

25:33 – Vested Interests & Biased Guidance

27:46 – Seeking Deeper Purpose in Friendships

29:49 – Choosing Relationships Intentionally

31:03 – Escaping Into Sports When Life Lacks Purpose

34:42 – False Meaning in Porn, Alcohol, & Ego

37:02 – What Are You Escaping From?

39:22 – Balance Is a Constant Act

41:45 – Why Fulfillment Beats Happiness

44:09 – You Don’t Find Purpose—You Build It

46:25 – Podcasting & the Birth of Order of Man

48:50 – Try What Interests You (Without Attachments)

51:11 – Ryan’s Battle Plan: 4 Areas of Purpose

53:13 – Decision Tip: Find Someone Who’s Done It

53:21 – Where to Connect with Ryan Michler

54:15 – Key Takeaways

54:50 – Message from the Producer

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s Instagram⁠: @sangersmith 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editingand post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH RYAN MICHLER

Website: https://orderofman.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryanmichler & https://www.instagram.com/orderofman/

Order of Man Podcast: https://orderofman.com/podcast-2/

Sovereignty: The Battle for the Hearts and Minds of Men: https://store.orderofman.com/collections/planners-and-journals/products/sovereignty-signed-copy?_gl=1*of6zq8*_gcl_au*NDMyNjcwMTcuMTc0MjMyNzQ5Ng..*_ga*MTY3ODY4MTk5LjE3Mzg1OTM0NTU.*_ga_MHSG4VQ94E*MTc0MjQxNjk5NC40LjEuMTc0MjQxNzQwMS4wLjAuMA 

Ryan Michler unapologetically harnesses the authentic masculinity modern culture has lost. He challenges men to reject complacency, reclaim clarity, and boldly lead at home, in business, and in their communities through Order of Man.

Some red flags don’t look like red flags until it’s too late.

And when it comes to relationships and money, the costcan be devastating.

Emily Rose—known as Mama Wilder—found herselfin a financially abusive marriage, pregnant and alone, and had to build a safe, stable life from scratch. Now she’s helping other women do the same through her nonprofit work, Instagram advocacy, and real-talk conversations like this one.

We’re talking about the signs of financial abuse, why “traditional” family dynamics can mask toxic control, how secrecy around money creates generational harm, and how to build relationships rooted in trust, transparency, and shared decision-making.

KEY TOPICS

What healthy financial transparency looks like in a relationship.

How early childhood scripts shape beliefs about healthy relationships with people and finances.

How normalizing secrecy around money keeps dangerouscycles in place.

How wealth can be used as a weapon—or a lifeline.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life & Business

00:49 – Sanger Brags on His Wife for Owning Motherhood

03:12 – Meet Emily Rose

06:24 – Subtle Conditioning That Leads to Financial Abuse 

08:36 – Why Her Nonprofit Gives Women Cash with No Strings Attached 

13:19 – Infantilizing Women: A Common Thread Across Systems 

15:46 – The Framework That Set Her Up for an Abusive Marriage 

20:33 – Recognizing the Moment: “This Isn’t Normal” 

22:56 – How Her Family Reacted (and Why Her Mom Funded Her Abuser’s Legal Fees) 

27:43 – Generational Blind Spots Around Abuse and Money 

32:10 – How Culture Shapes What We See as ‘Normal’ in Relationships

34:37 – Why Financial Secrecy in Marriage Is So Dangerous 

37:03 – Raising Kids to Be Financially Literate (and Why That Starts with Honesty) 

41:44 – Breaking Cycles and Teaching Healthy Money Dynamics 

44:07 – The Family Power Plays That Fuel Financial Abuse 

46:31 – What Happens When Inheritance Replaces Financial Empowerment 

48:53 – The Family Member Who Showed Up (and What That Meant for Her Kids) 

51:13 – Dating Again with Boundaries, Standards, and Transparency 

55:58 – The Guy Who Paid for the Babysitter (and Set the Bar) 

58:18 – A Courtroom Bombshell and a Wedding the Next Day 

59:40 – Where to Connect with Emily

59:55 – Key Takeaways

1:00:49 – Message from the Producer

FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

⁠Instagram⁠

Facebook⁠ 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editingand post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH EMILY ROSE

Instagram: @mama_wilder

Mama Wilder Foundation: https://themamawilderfoundation.org/

Website: https://www.mamawilderonline.com/

Emily, the face of "Mama Wilder" on social media, spearheaded the Mama Wilder Foundation in 2021, when she began to utilize her platform to raise money for women in similar crises as her own.

Having survived family and criminal court not totally unscathed, she spends her time homeschooling her three kids, embracing the beauty of Western Colorado, and supporting her husband in his business and legal ventures. 

She uses her BA in Women & Gender Studies educating the masses on coercive control, financial abuse, and the importance of women's autonomy in healthcare. The bulk of the Mama Wilder Foundation’s funding comes from Emily's social media presence and passive income generated through her platforms.

How much of your time is actually yours?

Jamie Hopkins is back, and we’re breaking down what it takes to run a company without letting it run your life. He cuthis travel by 90%, began coaching his kids’ sports teams, and took on a bigger leadership role in business—all by making one critical decision.

We’re also talking about the kind of curiosity that makes or breaks leaders, how most CEOs sabotage themselves, andhow the best ones build teams that don’t fall apart without them.

KEY TOPICS

• What leaving the work phone in another room does for your family.
• What a $1.50 hot dog taught a five-star restaurant about service.
• What happens when leaders delay firing—or promoting—people.
• How vulnerability helps you build real customer relationships.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life & Business
00:49 – How the Zoo Made Me a Better Leader
05:06 – Jamie Hopkins on Balancing Business & Family
06:55 – Leaving a Big Firm to Put Family First
09:15 – Coaching Kids Sports
11:35 – The Two-Phone Strategy for CEOs
13:55 – Avoiding Phone Distractions
16:12 – CEO Work-Life Balance: Does It Exist?
18:32 – How to Delegate More
21:24 – Overworking is a Trap
23:37 – Fitness, Leadership & Avoiding Burnout
25:50 – What Makes a Great Financial Advisor?
28:09 – Building Client Trust
30:27 – Why Clients Stay (or Leave)
32:49 – Standing Out in a Crowded Market
35:08 – Competing on Service
38:25 – How Listening Gains More Clients
40:32 – Small Gestures That Build Loyalty
42:54 – Sales Lessons from an FBI Negotiator
45:20 – Being a Curious Leader
47:42 – 80/20 Rule for Better Conversations
49:25 – Jamie’s Top Decision-Making Tip for Business Owners
53:20 – Where to Connect with Jamie Hopkins
54:15 – Key Takeaways
54:49 – Message from the Producer

Ep.120 I Deciding for What’s Next: Navigating Life’s Biggest Transitions with Jamie Hopkins 

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

⁠Facebook⁠

Sanger’s ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠ 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editingand post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH JAMIE HOPKINS

Bryn Mawr Trust: https://www.bmt.com/

FinServ Foundation: https://finservfoundation.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehopkinsfinancialservices/

Jamie Hopkins is an expert in retirementplanning for business owners. He’s a Wall Street Journal best-selling author and regular contributor for Forbes and InvestmentNews on Retirement Income Planning. He is also the CEO of Bryn Mawr Capital Management and Chief Wealth Officer at Bryn Mawr Trust. 

Building a brand is about more than having a great product—it’s about getting people to believe in it.

Brian Smith, founder of UGG, knows this firsthand. What started as a niche surf product exploded into a globalphenomenon, but the real challenges came with scaling, staying ahead of competitors, and making the tough call to sell.

In this episode, Brian shares the behind-the-scenes realities of growing a brand, navigating financial hurdles, and adapting to industry shifts. He unpacks the unexpected marketing move that changed everything, how he handled rapid expansion, and why the Oprah effect took UGG to an entirely new level.

KEY TOPICS

Why fast-growing companies constantly need more money and how to prepare for it.

How to build customer loyalty so strong that people market your product for you.

The key decision that helped UGG stay ahead of copycats.

How Brian Smith knew it was time to sell UGG.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life & Business

06:15 – Brian Smith Returns: The Founder of UGG07:50 – How UGG Started: From Accountant to Entrepreneur10:12 – The First Sales Strategy That Completely Flopped12:31 – Struggles of Selling a New Product14:50 – The Sales Tactic That Changed Everything17:16 – Building Customer Loyalty19:12 – How Branding Decisions Can Make or Break a Business21:32 – Authentic Marketing: Why It Works23:48 – Expanding Beyond Surf Shops: Finding New Markets26:10 – How UGG Became a Status Symbol28:34 – What Most Business Owners Get Wrong About Growth30:55 – Why Scaling Almost Destroyed UGG33:19 – The Reality of Raising Capital 35:45 – Managing Investors & The Cost of Business Growth38:08 – Learning from Richard Branson: The Endless Need for Capital40:36 – Preparing to Sell UGG: The Decision to Exit42:59 – Negotiating the Sale: Finding the Right Buyer45:18 – Toxic Business Partners 47:45 – Corporate Takeover: What Happens After You Sell50:02 – The New Broom Syndrome: When a Brand Loses Its Identity52:28 – The Oprah Effect: UGG’s Biggest Growth Moment53:27 – Brian’s Top Decision-Making Tip for Business Owners55:59 – Where to Connect with Brian Smith56:13 – Key Takeaways57:53 – Message from the Producer

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @sangersmith 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editingand post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH BRIAN SMITH

Website: https://briansmithspeaker.com/

“The Birth of a Brand” (Brian’s book): https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Brand-Brian-Smith/dp/1582705356/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461080262&sr=8-1&keywords=birth+of+a+brand

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansmithuggfounder/

Instagram: @briansmithugg 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrianSmithUGGFounder/

Graduating in 1978 as a Chartered Accountant in Australia, Brian came to California looking for the next big opportunity to bring back to Australia. 

While studying at the UCLA Graduate School ofManagement he observed that there was no sheepskin footwear in the US. 

With only $500 in capital, he imported bootsamples and built the UGG Australia brand into a multi-million-dollar international enterprise. He sold in 1995, and the brand has continued to grow to exceed a billion dollars in annual sales.

Everyone preaches discipline as the key to getting more done—but what if it’s actually slowing you down?

Craig Ballantyne coaches top entrepreneurs,and he argues that discipline alone won’t make you or your business productive.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why most business owners waste time on the wrong things, and how to structure your day for real progress.

If you’re working all day but still feel behind, this conversation will shift the way you think about productivity and discipline.

KEY TOPICS

• How “I’ll just do it myself” drains people and ruins businesses.
• The cost of ignoring energy management: How sleep, nutrition, and environment impact decision-making.
• Parenting as an entrepreneur: Balancing work, family, and your health without sacrificing what matters.
• The dark side of discipline: When too much structure and routine start working against you.

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life& Business
02:00 – The Car Sales Trick That Sells TwoCars at Once
05:15 – Craig Ballantyne on Building Your Discipline
07:40 – Why New Parents Lose Their Habits (and How to Get Them Back)
10:30 – The #1 Strategy to Reduce Stress as a Parent
12:45 – How High Performers Maximize Time

15:20 – The Secret to “FindingTime”
18:05 – How Smart Entrepreneurs Plan Their Day

21:40 –Why You’re Stuck in aProductivity Trap
24:50 –Why More Hours Won’t Fix Your Business
28:15 – The 80/20 Rule: How to Work Less and Make More
31:05 – Delegating in Your Business
34:30 – Why Sheer Grit Won’t Save You
37:50 – The Biggest Mistake Entrepreneurs Make in Goal-Setting
40:15 – Deadlines: Why You Need to Set a Date for Every Goal
42:40 – How to Make Discipline Effortless with This 3-Step System
45:20 – The Five Words That Are Killing Your Business Growth
48:10 – The Decision-Making Hack That Saves Time
50:15 – Craig’s Top Decision-Making Tip forBusiness Owners
51:26 – Where to Connect with Craig Ballantyne
51:59 – Key Takeaways
53:17 – Message from the Producer

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @sangersmith 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editingand post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH CRAIG BALLANTYNE

Website:  https://www.craigballantyne.com/

Craig’s New Book, The Dark Side of Discipline: Stop Chasing. Suffer Less. Achieve More.: https://darksideofdiscipline.com/

Craig Ballantyne is known as the "World’s Most Disciplined Man" and is a business coach for high performing entrepreneurs who want to go to the next level. His previous books include The Perfect Day Formula, The Perfect Week Formula, and his Wall Street Journal best seller, Unstoppable. He was also the creator of the Turbulence Training fitness system and owns EarlyToRise.com.

Confidence is essential in business, but unchecked overconfidence? That’s where things fall apart.

Don Moore, a leading expert on decision science, breaks down why most people—especially successful ones—tend to be too sure of themselves in areas they know little about. We dig into why business owners struggle to evaluate risk, why past wins can make you blind to future mistakes, and how probabilistic thinking can keep you from making overconfident (and expensive) decisions.

KEY TOPICS

• How the sunk cost fallacy keeps business owners stuck in failing ventures.
• How market predictions based on ‘gut feeling’ often backfire.
• What AI reveals about human overconfidence.
• Why your biggest blind spots exist in areas where you think you’re most knowledgeable.

⁠SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER⁠

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating bad decision-making in life & business

02:00 – Why new parents are overconfident

05:30 – The Dunning-Kruger effect in parenting and beyond

07:40 – What is over-precision, and why does it matter?

12:20 – The dangers of overconfidence in business and investing

16:55 – Why successful people struggle with decision-making

19:20 – The power of having language for decision-making biases

21:45 – How thinking in probabilities leads to better choices

24:05 – Market predictions, uncertainty, and decision paralysis

26:20 – How hobbies and competition keep us humble

28:50 – The behaviors that make people more (or less) overconfident

31:05 – The surprising gift of criticism

33:25 – Parenting, teenage rebellion, and overconfidence

36:50 – Overconfidence in parenting decisions

39:10 – Avoiding regret and learning from imperfect decisions

41:20 – Why most people misinterpret their financial wins

43:45 – Is AI overconfident? The risk of machine-generated certainty

46:00 – The problem with certainty in AI, investing, and life

48:30 – Why demanding 100% certainty keeps you stuck

50:30 – What Sanger has learned from hosting Decidedly

55:10 – The importance of embracing uncertainty in business and life

57:35 – Don’s top decision-making tip for business owners

57:47 – Where to connect with Don Moore

58:16 – Key Takeaways

59:29 – Message from the Producer

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @sangersmith 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK:⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH DON MOORE

Don’s Faculty Website: https://haas.berkeley.edu/faculty/moore-don/ 

Don’s Lab Website: https://learnmoore.org/ 

X: @donandrewmoore 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-moore-01725b/ 

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B083M5M6X4/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=54bc4249-8552-4de4-bbed-b4ac6d41d5ec&ref_=ap_rdr  

Don Moore holds the Lorraine Tyson Mitchell Chair in Leadership at the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. His research interests include overconfidence, including when people think they are better than they actually are, when people think they are better than others, and when they are too sure they know the truth.  He is only occasionally overconfident. 

Expertise and Research Interests 

• Ethical Choice 
• Decision-Making 
• Overconfidence 
• Negotiation

How do you know if you’re being persistent or simply wasting your time?

Dr. Art Markman joins us to break down how our brains process disappointment, why we misjudge sunk costs, and how different personality types handle setbacks. Whether it’s a business decision, a personal goal, or even a high school football career you should’ve walked away from sooner, this conversation will help you fine-tune your ability to know when to keep going—and when to move on.

KEY TOPICS

• Why the “never quit” mindset can backfire—and when it’s smarter to walk away.
• How the sunk cost fallacy traps people in bad jobs, relationships, and investments.
• Why overcommitting to work can be a sign of misplaced priorities.
• How urgency changes decision-making (and what that means for business owners).

CHAPTERS

00:00 – Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life & Business
00:49 – The Wildest Celebrity Family Secret?
05:42 – How Self-Awareness Saves You from Bad Choices
08:06 – Are You Setting Yourself Up for Disappointment?
12:54 – Regret vs. Disappointment: What’s the Difference?
15:17 – The Real Reason People Defend Bad Decisions
17:39 – When to Push Through vs. When to Quit
20:44 – The Sunk Cost Trap: Are You Stuck?
24:23 – How Tragedy Changes Our Beliefs Instantly
29:40 – Why Straight-A Students Struggle in the Real World
32:57 – The Key Skill That Determines Career Success
38:25 – The Most Underrated Advantage in Business
44:41 – What Motivates You? You Might Be Wrong
50:55 – The Secret to Making Better Financial Decisions
56:06 – The One Question to Ask Before Any Big Purchase
01:00:19 – Art’s Top Decision-Making Tip for Business Owners
01:01:30 – Where to Connect with Dr. Art Markman
01:02:10 – Key Takeaways
01:03:41 – Message from the Producer

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @sangersmith 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editingand post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK:⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

CONNECT WITH DR. ART MARKMAN

Two Guys on Your Head Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4WzHJK1SzAryo21JonpZoY

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/art-markman-93aa6a22

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ArtMarkmanPhD/

X: @Abmarkman

Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B005L52EOO/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=4d56c521-f041-409e-9997-f782b942bf8b&ref_=ap_rdr

Blog: https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/ulterior-motives

Art Markman is the Annabel Irion Worsham Centennial Professor of Psychology, Human Dimensions of Organizations, and Marketing and Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. He has written over 150 research papers on topics including reasoning, decision making, and motivation. He brings insights from cognitive science to a broader audience through his blogs at Psychology Today and Fast Company as well as his radio show/podcast Two Guys on Your head. He is the author of several books including Smart Thinking, Smart Change, Brain Briefs, and Bring Your Brain to Work.

Why do we justify bad decisions—even when we know better?

From business to parenting to the worst excuses people use to defend bad habits, this episode breaks down why we rationalize dumb decisions. They get into why work-from-home isn’t always the dream people claim, the myth of “Fed is Best” among new parents, and why bad customer service is usually due to bad leadership.

KEY TOPICS

• Work-from-home reality check: is it better, or have we convinced ourselves?
• Why McDonald’s salads were a terrible idea (and what businesses should learn from it).
• Three ways to compete in business—why you can only pick two.
• How people justify bad decisions: The “Fed is Best” mindset

CHAPTERS

[00:00] Intro: Defeating BadDecision-Making in Life & Business

[00:49] –The Bank Nightmare ThatWouldn’t End
[03:14] –Why Are Big Companies So Bad at Fixing Simple Problems?
[05:42] –The Customer Service Mistake That Creates More Problems
[08:06] – The Work-From-Home Lie No One Wants to Admit
[10:30] –“Fed Is Best” and Other Excuses for Bad Decisions
[12:54] –Why We Defend Choices We Know Are Wrong
[15:17] –The Truth About Trade-Offs (And Why We Ignore Them)
[17:39] –The Business Lesson Hidden in Bad Movie Reviews
[20:05] –The Real Reason Some Movies Get Terrible Ratings
[22:31] –Are Critics Lying? The Secret Behind Audience Scores
[24:56] –How to Tell Instantly If a Movie Is Worth Watching
[27:12] –The “Beautiful vs. Tacky” Test for Business & Life
[29:33] –The Biggest Branding Mistake Companies Make
[31:48] –Why You Should Brag About Your Weaknesses
[32:48] –Message from the Producer

SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on⁠YouTube

Join us on⁠Instagram⁠:@decidedlypodcast

Join us on⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s⁠Instagram⁠:@shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s⁠Instagram⁠: @sangersmith 

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK:⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK:⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making asthe foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families topurposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thrivinglegacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

What makes something worth remembering?

Sanger and Shawn break down why grit and a little discomfort create the most memorable experiences, whether it's backpacking or making even the most boring sports fun. If you’ve ever wondered why some moments stick with you and others fade away, this episode will change how you approach decision-making, adventures, and how you play.

KEY TOPICS

CHAPTERS

[00:00] Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life & Business

[00:49] – Why Having No Agenda Can Be a Good Thing

[01:31] – The Podcast That Almost Was: Our First Concept & Why We Ditched It

[04:08] – Over-Planning vs. Going with the Flow

[05:29] – How Over-Planning Can Backfire in Business & Life

[06:38] – The Enchanted Rock Cave Adventure: How Over-Preparation

[08:15] – How to be Spontaneous

[09:42] – Finding an Abandoned Cabin: Problem-Solving Under Pressure

[14:10] – Why More People Should Adopt a Nonchalant Approach

[18:09] – Winning vs. Participation Trophies

[20:41] – The Death of Baseball? Why America’s Moved On

[22:33] – What Makes or Breaks Entertainment

[25:35] – The Golden Rule of Aesthetics: Be Beautiful or Be Ugly, Never In-Between

[27:25] – 30A Music Festival, Drunk Backflips, & Unexpected Life Lessons

[29:02] – Key Takeaway

[29:32] – Message from the Producer

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @sangersmith

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

What happens when poor training leads to high-stakes mistakes?

Adam Haidary went from patrolling the streets to reshaping law enforcement—training officers to perform at their peak, saving lives with groundbreaking programs, and exposing the raw realities of life on the frontlines.

In this episode, he dives into why poor training in high-stress environments can lead to catastrophic decisions. Whether it's law enforcement or business, the principles of preparation, clear communication, and solid decision-making are universal.

KEY TOPICS

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life & Business

CONNECT WITH US

⁠www.decidedlypodcast.com⁠

Watch this episode on YouTube

Subscribe on ⁠YouTube

Join us on ⁠Instagram⁠: @decidedlypodcast

Join us on ⁠Facebook⁠

Shawn’s ⁠Instagram⁠: @shawn_d_smith

Sanger’s Instagram⁠: @sangersmith

Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing

SANGER’S BOOK: ⁠A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact⁠

SHAWN’S BOOK: ⁠Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want⁠

MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?

At ⁠Decidedly Wealth Management⁠, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. 

LEARN MORE: ⁠www.decidedlywealth.com⁠

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER  

CONNECT WITH ADAM HAIDARY

Websites: efcombatives.com &

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adam.haidary

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EFCombatives

Adam’s Creds…