Stacking Habits

In this retrospective season finale, the three hosts reflect on their first season of the Stacking Habits podcast. They discuss standout guests and episodes, identifying recurring habits and frameworks discussed across interviews. Some of the most prominent included self-awareness, setting clear goals or roadmaps, and establishing consistent routines or cadences. The hosts also consider the challenges of finding high-quality guests and conducting remote versus in-person interviews. One of the hosts shares his decision to step away from the podcast to focus his efforts elsewhere. 

A key takeaway is the importance of sharing personal growth insights with others. Many guests openly discussed frameworks that transformed their lives, and Caleb believes it's our duty to pass these on so others may benefit. This ties into living intentionally and proactively through purposeful decision-making. As the first season wraps up, we encourage listeners to apply insights from their conversations to cultivate meaningful change through developed habits and routines.

Takeaways:

• Setting clear goals and having a roadmap is an important habit for success.
• Finding high-quality guests takes work but yields great interviews.
• Remote interviews are less engaging than in-person conversations.
• It's our duty to share frameworks and insights that have helped us transform our lives.
• Personality assessments provide a starting point for self-awareness but aren't perfect representations.
• Being proactively intentional and living with purpose is valuable.
• Small actions and changes can make a meaningful difference.
• Kindness is important for positively impacting others.

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

This week's guest Bonnie Watson shares how prioritizing self-care habits formed the foundation for her success as an entrepreneur, business leader, wife and mother. She discusses developing a "pyramid model" where strong personal routines like therapy, sleep and time management are at the base to support everything above.

Bonnie also struggled with balancing technology use and being fully present with her family. She and Matthew Osborn discuss implementing boundaries like limiting phone time to focus on engaging conversations during meals and quality time together.

As a CEO, Bonnie emphasizes the importance of mental health, resilience and compassion. She promotes diverse perspectives and empathy in her organization through the traction model of accountability and regular check-ins.

Takeaways:

• The base of the pyramid of n to self-care habits like sufficient sleep, therapy, and time management is crucial for success in business and personal life. 
• Setting boundaries around technology and phone use can help increase quality time and engagement with family.
• Implementing accountability systems like the traction model can foster communication, diverse perspectives, and a cohesive organizational culture.
• Having empathy for others and listening without judgment can strengthen relationships both at work and home.
• Separating work and personal domains through clear boundaries is important for maintaining balance and a healthy partnership, especially when working with a spouse. 
• Approaching lending with a focus on an entrepreneur's character over traditional credit signals can open doors for underserved small business communities.

Resources:

• Energize Colorado - Nonprofit that provides lending for small businesses in Colorado

‍Connect with Bonnie:

• LinkedIn

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

How will AI transform customer support over the next few years? Tygh Walters from SellerSmile joins us this week to explore this topic. His company provides outsourced eCommerce customer support for clients across a wide range of industries. We dig into the "touchiest" aspects of customer support: money, time, and respect. Lastly, we discuss what it means to bring human elements into the realm of serving customers. Enjoy this futuristic discussion that is grounded in qualities that humans will ALWAYS desire.

Takeaways:

• Customizing customer service approaches like tone and language for different client demographics and businesses is important.
• AI may eventually be able to handle transactional customer interactions, but human empathy and relationships will always be valuable and necessary.
• While focusing on customer service, don't forget to care for your own team by hiring enough people to spread the workload and prevent burnout.
• When creating SOPs for your team, make them detailed enough that a company in another state could read your documentation and get up to speed quickly and accurately.
• In light of AI and new technologies, continue to invest in your human relationships.

Resources:

• The Lean Startup, by Eric Ries
• The E-Myth Revisited, by Michael Gerber

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Connect with Tygh Walters:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter (X)
• sellersmile.com

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

This interview features Wes Piatt and Chris "Switch" Roness discussing their work helping veterans and men through difficult times using community and shared experiences. Wes shares his personal struggles with mental health during the pandemic and how connecting with others through social media led to the creation of WeBus. Chris talks about developing the You M.A.T.R. system drawing from his military background to help veterans reconnect and prepare for crises. Both emphasize the importance of vulnerability, shared stories, and connecting trusted friends through platforms like Marco Polo. They discuss the value of mentorship and how their programs aim to support men for generations.

Takeaways:

• Developing a group of 5 trusted "lifeguard" friends is important for emotional support, with at least one of them local to you.
• Tracking habits and goals, even with simple paper tools, helps with consistency and identifying areas for improvement.
• Serving others and focusing outward even during personal struggles can lead to purpose and an abundant life.
• Social platforms like Marco Polo can effectively connect geographically distant friends for mutual support.
• Practical tips like introducing friends based on a shared relationship can help connect diverse groups.

‍Connect with the guests:

• Wes Piatt
  • Instagram: @wespiatt2013
  • Email: [email protected]
• Chris Roness
  • Website: chrisroness.com
  • Email: [email protected]

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

Coach Aaron Steinberg shares habits and tools for more open, empathetic communication in relationships. He emphasizes the importance of understanding each person's core "themes" or needs, which often stem from childhood experiences. Rather than making assumptions, Steinberg recommends practicing mindfulness, curiosity and the "FAQ Method" of sharing experiences without over-synthesizing. Steinberg also discusses the transformative impact of parenthood on relationships and identities. He suggests habits like self-reflection, emotional regulation and willingness to grow to help couples reharmonize themes and deepen understanding through life's challenges. 

Takeaways:

• Each person has 2-3 core "themes" or needs that drive their behavior in relationships, often stemming from childhood experiences.
• Relationships involve navigating where one person's themes feel opposed to their partner's themes. This creates natural feedback loops.
• Mindfulness, curiosity and the "FAQ Method" can help partners move past assumptions to truly understand each other's perspectives.
• Sweeping issues under the rug is a relationship killer. Address misunderstandings sincerely as soon as possible for long-term satisfaction.
• Understanding relationship themes and communication habits can help couples weather challenges with deeper connection rather than dissolution.

Resources:

• Maharishi School of the Age of Enlightenment - the school Aaron Steinberg attended that taught Transcendental Meditation
• Greetings from Utopia Park by Claire Hoffman
• Gottman Institute - Research organization led by John Gottman studying relationships

‍Connect with Aaron Steinberg:

• www.thegrowtogetherco.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: @thegrowtogetherco

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

In this episode, David and Caleb discuss intentional relationship habits with Megan Allers of Marco Polo. Megan shares how the video messaging app differs from others in fostering more personal connections through video-first messaging. She details her personal use of setting daily "cadences" like responding to Polos on walks to stay close with distant friends.

Megan explains how users form these communication rhythms to maintain relationships despite busy lives. She also started a "dinner club" to facilitate deeper connections when moving cities. The discussion covers identifying "couch friends" and "weak ties" that challenge growth.

Megan shares best practices like vulnerability and questions that spark meaningful conversations. The value of cultivating supportive friend "buckets" is examined. Remote relationship building using Marco Polo mastermind groups is explored, with the ability to turn strangers into close connections.

Takeaways:

• Setting daily communication "cadences" through tools like Marco Polo can help sustain relationships when schedules are busy.
• Activities like responding to video messages during routine tasks builds rhythms of regular connection.
• Intentionally facilitating in-person gatherings like a "dinner club" supports deeper bonding.
• Incorporating vulnerability and thoughtful questions sparks meaningful conversations.
• Cultivating a circle of friends who "fill your bucket" provides valuable support.

Resources:

• The Defining Decade, by Meg Jay - book referenced about weak ties
• Download the app or learn more at MarcoPolo.me

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Connect with Meagan:

• LinkedIn

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

Steve Cockram joins the pod this week to share his vision to help others create "Transformation that Lasts." As the co-founder of GiANT Worldwide, Steve and his business partner Jeremie Kubicek have created a series of powerful frameworks that can be applied at work, at home, and with friends to cultivate more meaningful relationships. We discuss their concept of 5 Voices, which simplifies the MBTI personality test. When applied properly, the 5 Voices can impact lasting change in yourself first of all, and then in the lives of those you lead. Listen in as we learn about the Sherpa's Mindset, Cockram's Principle, and nerd out over business models as GiANT Worldwide is reinventing themselves as a software company to make their frameworks accessible to as many people as possible.

Takeaways:

• Intentional change starts from within - transforming yourself first before trying to impact others.
• Frameworks like the 5 Voices model can help with this self-awareness by providing lenses to see yourself and relate to others.
• The Sherpa's Mindset, or redefining success as helping OTHERS reach their goals, rather than just one's own achievements, is an important perspective for leaders.
• Creating an environment where all personality types feel valued unleashes the full potential of teams.

Resources:

• 5 Voices, by Steve Cockram and Jeremie Kubicek
• GiANT Worldwide - leadership development company
• Harewood Downs Golf Club - Steve Cockram's "spiritual home" in West London

‍Connect with Steve Cockram:

• LinkedIn

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

In this conversation, Jeremie Kubicek introduces the concept of the Communication Code, a framework that helps improve relationships by understanding and meeting communication expectations. He explains the five code words of the Communication Code: celebrate, care, clarify, collaborate, and critique. Jeremie also highlights the importance of consistency and connection in building strong relationships. He concludes by discussing the role of love in fighting for the highest possible good in relationships. 

Takeaways

• Frameworks are powerful tools for teaching and learning.
• The Communication Code framework helps improve relationships by understanding and meeting communication expectations.
• Consistency and connection are crucial in building strong relationships.
• Love involves fighting for the highest possible good in relationships.
• Implementing the Communication Code requires daily habits and self-reflection.

Resources:

• Giant Worldwide - Jeremie and Steve's leadership company
• The Communication Code - Jeremie's recent book on communication
• 5 Gears - how to grow in your relational intelligence
• 5 Voices - learn how to be on the other side of you - how others perceive you
• The Prairie at Post - The intentional community neighborhood built by Jeremie and his wife in Oklahoma

‍Connect with Jeremie:

• LinkedIn

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

This episode gives insight into the world of nonprofit leadership and strategic philanthropy through a conversation with Rich Haddad, who has stewarded over $80 million at the K21 Health Foundation for the past 17 years. Rich discusses the importance of self-awareness and pre-decision making in finding purpose and maintaining discipline. He also shares strategies for effectively understanding community needs, making grants, fundraising, and guiding nonprofit organizations to maximize their impact. Listeners will gain perspective on strengthening communities through financial stewardship, engagement, and the power of pre-decisions.

Takeaways:

• Developing self-awareness of one's strengths, gifts, and motivations is important for finding purpose and fulfillment.
• Pre-deciding aspects of one's life can reduce decision fatigue and help inform habits and discipline.
• Understanding a community's needs requires looking beyond one's own experiences to engage diverse groups.
• Defining goals and parameters in advance helps make grantmaking and decision-making more consistent and objective.
• Building a strong board and engaging the community are important for nonprofit success.
• Financial stewardship, when paired with engagement, can help strengthen communities in meaningful ways over the long term.

Resources:

• Joe's Kids - A children's therapy clinic in Warsaw, Indiana that Rich has supported over 10 years
• K21 Health Foundation - The private foundation that Rich has led for 17 years in Kosciusko County, IN

‍Connect with Rich Haddad:

• LinkedIn
• K21 Health Foundation

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.

In this episode, Nathan Harris, Vice President of Advancement, discusses his role in fundraising and building relationships. He emphasizes the importance of clarity in fundraising and setting expectations for meetings. Nathan shares stories of successful relationships and navigating rejection. He also provides insights into approaching high-profile individuals and resurfacing alumni. Nathan highlights the significance of research and connections in building meaningful relationships. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the world of fundraising and relationship-building in the context of philanthropy. In this conversation, Nathan Harris discusses the value of being a connector and the role of a connector in building relationships. He shares his approach to creating connections and the importance of asking for connections. Nathan also emphasizes the power of small gestures in building relationships and the importance of prospecting and making connections. He discusses the concept of letting people be known and the art of disarming conversations. Finally, he shares insights on balancing productivity and doing the right things.

Takeaways

• Clarity and setting expectations are crucial in fundraising meetings.
• Building long-term relationships is more important than solely focusing on asking for money.
• Navigating rejection requires humility and a focus on maintaining the relationship.
• Researching and utilizing connections can help in approaching high-profile individuals and resurfacing alumni.
• Being a connector is valuable in building relationships and creating connections.
• Small gestures and acts of kindness can have a significant impact on building relationships.
• Prospecting and making connections are essential for building relationships and expanding networks.
• Letting people be known and engaging in disarming conversations can deepen relationships.
• Balancing productivity and doing the right things is crucial for success.

Resources:

• Never Split the Difference, by Chris Voss
• Fanatical Prospecting, by Jeb Blount
• The Power of Small Talk, by Tim Chang
• Deep Work, by Cal Newport
• Slow Productivity, by Cal Newport
• Raving Fans, by Ken Blanchard

‍Connect with Nathan:

• LinkedIn
• Read his new book - Gospel Generosity: Giving as an Act of Grace

Learn more at stackinghabits.com or follow our habit adventures on Instagram.