The Action Catalyst

In this episode, Richard Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, co-authors and innovation educators from Stanford, challenge common myths about creativity and reveal why innovation is a skill anyone can develop, not an innate talent reserved for a select few. Drawing on cognitive science, design thinking, and real-world consulting experience, they explain how “innovation hesitation” holds people back and how adopting the right mindset can unlock creative problem-solving, collaboration, and breakthrough thinking. The conversation explores the science behind creativity, divergent and convergent thinking, neuroplasticity, team innovation, and practical strategies for overcoming uncertainty in business and life.

Pay negotiation expert John Gates, explains why Elon Musk can afford to employ a very specific negotiation tactic which the average job seeker should very much NOT utilize...

Hear John's full interview in his very special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.

DeVon Franklin—Hollywood producer, New York Times bestselling author, and leadership expert—shares powerful lessons on purpose, faith, and high-performance success in business and life. Franklin explores how aligning personal values with professional ambition creates sustainable success, emphasizing discipline, patience, and consistency as critical drivers of long-term growth. He highlights the importance of overcoming fear, maintaining integrity under pressure, and trusting timing in career advancement, while offering practical insights on leadership, decision-making, and resilience.

Preston Smiles, personal development leader, author, and speaker, breaks down the concepts of conditioned tendencies and diminishers, and how each one can lead to an incomplete understanding of our own control, and an incomplete realization of our full potential.

Hear Preston's full interview in Episode 179 of The Action Catalyst.

Pay negotiation expert John Gates, author of "Act Your Wage", shares proven salary negotiation strategies to help professionals increase compensation by 10–20% without risk or confrontation. Drawing on decades of experience as a recruiter, Gates explains why most candidates leave money on the table, how to overcome negotiation anxiety, and how to shift the power dynamic by using salary ranges, asking strategic questions, and understanding compensation structures like bonuses and incentives. He also highlights common mistakes that cost job seekers, reveals how high-stakes negotiations evolve at different career levels, and provides actionable advice for both external job offers and internal promotions.

Phil Le-Brun, former McDonald’s VP and International CIO and current AWS leader, shares how companies can avoid common “anti-patterns” like excessive bureaucracy and rigid structures, and defines what "artificial ownership" is, and how it can erode team creativity and cohesion.

Hear Phil's full interview in Episode 506 of The Action Catalyst.

Preston Smiles, personal development leader, author, and speaker, shares powerful insights on personal growth, emotional intelligence, and conscious leadership. Smiles explores how self-awareness, radical responsibility, and authentic communication are essential for creating success in both personal and professional life. He emphasizes the importance of healing limiting beliefs, embracing vulnerability, and shifting mindset patterns to unlock greater fulfillment, relationships, and performance. The conversation highlights practical strategies for overcoming adversity, building resilience, and living with intention, while blending spirituality, entrepreneurship, and mindset coaching.

Professional coach Shelly Smith shares one of the most common complaints she hears from her coaching clients, and the simple exercise that she uses to combat it.

Hear Shelly's full interview in Episode 175 of The Action Catalyst.

Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.

In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 506 with Phil Le-Brun, former McDonald’s VP and International CIO and current AWS leader.

Phil Le-Brun, former McDonald’s VP and International CIO and current AWS leader, shares powerful leadership and organizational strategy insights from his book The Octopus Organization, emphasizing how modern businesses can thrive by balancing centralization and decentralization. Drawing on experience scaling technology across 38,000+ global locations, Le-Brun explains why curiosity, clarity of purpose, and strong leadership are critical for innovation and growth, and how companies can avoid common “anti-patterns” like excessive bureaucracy, rigid structures, and artificial ownership. He highlights the importance of empowering teams with true agency, fostering psychological safety through feedback, and maintaining startup-like agility in large enterprises to drive faster decision-making and customer value.

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