Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1729:

Dr. Jeff Cornwall explores how shifting from a faculty-centered to a customer-centered model in higher education could restore financial sustainability and relevance. He argues that colleges must adapt to student needs and preferences or risk becoming obsolete in an increasingly competitive and dynamic educational landscape.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://drjeffcornwall.com/2018/06/16/customer-higher-education/

Quotes to ponder:

"The financial model for higher education is broken."

"If colleges and universities want to survive, they must begin to treat students and their families as customers."

"A customer-centered business model starts with understanding the needs of the customer, and then designing everything the business does around meeting those needs."

Episode references:

The Innovator’s Dilemma: https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Technologies-Management-Innovation/dp/1633691780

The Lean Startup: https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898

Business Model Generation: https://www.strategyzer.com/books/business-model-generation

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1728:

James Altucher shares unconventional yet powerful strategies to become a world-class public speaker, focusing on authenticity, storytelling, and audience connection over rehearsed perfection. His personal anecdotes and candid insights reveal how embracing vulnerability can turn anxiety into a superpower on stage.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://jamesaltucher.com/blog/how-to-be-the-best-public-speaker-on-the-planet/

Quotes to ponder:

"People will only remember one or two things. So make it your story. Make it something they’ve never heard before."

"Vulnerability is what makes a speaker great. Not ‘confidence.’ Confidence without vulnerability is arrogance."

"The audience wants to be entertained, inspired, and educated. In that order."

Episode references:

Dale Carnegie’s “The Quick and Easy Way to Effective Speaking”: https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Easy-Way-Effective-Speaking/dp/0671724002

The Moth: https://themoth.org/

Chris Anderson’s “TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking”: https://www.amazon.com/TED-Talks-Official-Public-Speaking/dp/1328710289

Toastmasters International: https://www.toastmasters.org/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1727:

Carl Pullein shares six straightforward yet powerful tips to help anyone regain control over their time and boost productivity. With a focus on practicality, his strategies encourage small shifts in daily habits that create long-term impact, making productivity more accessible and less overwhelming.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://www.carlpullein.com/blog/6-common-sense-time-management-and-productivity-tips-anyone-can-use/27/11/2019

Quotes to ponder:

"One of the most effective ways to become better at managing your time is to start planning your day before the day begins."

"You don’t need a new app or the latest gadget to be more productive, you need clarity."

"If everything is urgent, then nothing is."

Episode references:

Todoist: https://todoist.com/

Evernote: https://evernote.com/

Things 3: https://culturedcode.com/things/

Trello: https://trello.com/

Getting Things Done: https://gettingthingsdone.com/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1726:

Cal Newport breaks down what makes an idea or achievement truly stand out, arguing that remarkability stems from a deliberate investment in skill, not just creativity or passion. By understanding how "remarkability" works, listeners gain a clearer path to making their own work and accomplishments stand out in meaningful ways.

Read along with the original article(s) here: http://calnewport.com/blog/2011/09/22/the-calculus-of-remarkability/

Quotes to ponder:

"Remarkability, in other words, is not an accident. It’s something you can engineer."

"People don’t talk about something because it’s good; they talk about it because it’s interesting."

"A good rule of thumb is to focus your energy on becoming so good they can’t ignore you."

Episode references:

So Good They Can’t Ignore You: https://www.amazon.com/Good-They-Cant-Ignore-You/dp/1455509124

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1725:

Mike Lieberman highlights how retirement can open the door to fulfilling, flexible entrepreneurship that aligns with personal passions and decades of experience. He shares actionable advice for launching a business later in life, helping retirees transform idle time into meaningful, income-generating ventures.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://moneyminiblog.com/retirement/starting-a-business-in-retirement/

Quotes to ponder:

"Retirement can be a time to kick back and relax, or it can be a time to pursue your dreams."

"If you’re retired, you have the time to build a business the right way."

"Passion should be a key driver in any business you start during retirement."

Episode references:

IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed

SCORE Mentoring for Entrepreneurs: https://www.score.org

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1724:

Steve Chou reveals five straightforward strategies to quickly increase your online store’s sales without spending a fortune. Learn how simple tweaks like building trust, optimizing pricing, and capturing emails can drive immediate results and set the stage for long-term growth.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://mywifequitherjob.com/5-easy-ways-to-boost-your-online-store-sales-immediately/

Quotes to ponder:

"One of the fastest ways to increase sales is to simply offer a discount to your email list."

"Adding trust signals like security badges, testimonials, and guarantees can significantly increase conversion rates."

"People tend to assign value based on the context in which the product is presented."

Episode references:

Crazy Egg: https://www.crazyegg.com/

Sumo: https://sumo.com/

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion: https://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Robert-Cialdini/dp/006124189X

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1723:

Chris Guillebeau breaks down the art of building a passionate, loyal following by starting with a clear mission and making people feel like insiders. His simple, actionable approach to attracting supporters - without manipulation - reveals how to inspire genuine engagement through purpose, autonomy, and shared vision.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://chrisguillebeau.com/how-to-recruit-a-small-army

Quotes to ponder:

"People want to join something that matters."

"Don’t beg or manipulate people to follow you. Instead, give them a reason to care."

"Invite people into your world. Give them ownership and make them feel like insiders."

Episode references:

Start with Why: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447

Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us: https://www.amazon.com/Tribes-We-Need-You-Lead/dp/1591842336

The Art of Non-Conformity: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Non-Conformity-Unconventional-Living/dp/0399536108

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1722:

Steve Pavlina explores the difference between dabbling and true commitment, revealing how half-hearted efforts keep people stuck in mediocrity. He challenges readers to evaluate whether they're genuinely serious about their goals, and offers a clear path for shifting from indecision to mastery, with profound rewards for those who fully commit.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://stevepavlina.com/blog/2012/12/is-it-time-for-you-to-stop-dabbling-and-get-serious/

Quotes to ponder:

"Dabblers merely dip their toes into the water. They’re not committed. They hold back."

"When you get serious, you stop hoping, wishing, and waiting. You act."

"Commitment means you burn the ships. You don’t keep one foot in and one foot out."

Episode references:

The Dip by Seth Godin: https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Stick/dp/1591841666

Think and Grow Rich: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Grow-Rich-Landmark-Bestseller/dp/1585424331

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1721:

Shankar Ganesh reveals the surprisingly simple strategies behind exceptional customer service experiences that companies can learn, and "steal" from the best in the business. By dissecting memorable service tactics from brands like Nordstrom and Zappos, Patel offers actionable ideas to create loyal customers who market your business for you.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://neilpatel.com/blog/customer-service-worth-stealing/

Quotes to ponder:

"Customer service is one of the most powerful forms of marketing that exists."

"When you give people more than they expect, they remember it."

"Your customers are human beings. Treat them that way."

Episode references:

Zappos Insights: https://www.zapposinsights.com/

Disney Institute - Quality Service: https://www.disneyinstitute.com/courses/quality-service/

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.

Episode 1720:

Leo Babauta shares a powerful approach to achieving goals through short, focused sprints that cut through procrastination and overwhelm. By committing fully for a limited time and eliminating distractions, you create momentum and clarity that longer-term efforts often lack.

Quotes to ponder:

"A sprint is a short burst of intense focus, eliminating distractions and excuses."

"It’s about creating a sacred space of time where you are completely devoted to something meaningful."

"The container of a short sprint gives us permission to let go of everything else, and just be in full devotion."

Episode references:

Deep Work by Cal Newport: https://www.calnewport.com/books/deep-work/

Make Time by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky: https://maketime.blog/

The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Full-Engagement-Management-Performance/dp/0743226755

The Dip by Seth Godin: https://www.amazon.com/Dip-Little-Book-Teaches-Stick/dp/1591841666

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices