The Action Catalyst

By Southwestern Family of Podcasts - Southwestern Family of CompaniesBusiness Entrepreneurship Education Self-Improvement

The Action Catalyst episodes

November 27, 2019 Design, Uplift, Build with Darrah Brustein: Episode 311 of The Action Catalyst Podcast
Darrah is a four-time founder, author, and coach who used to cringe at the word "coaching."

But she was called to do this and was begged by her first clients to work with them. When they saw massive and transformational results in their lives and businesses, she stopped resisting and continued to serve.

After spending 10 years over-working and feeling burnt out while building a credit card processing company into 38 states and a networking events company for over 30,000 people, she learned the wrong way to do it. She then discovered that there was a better way.

A prolific writer and interviewer, she's worked with Shaq, Seth Godin, Bobbi Brown, Jillian Michaels, Adam Grant, Robert Herjavec, Nastia Liukin, Cam Newton, and the list goes on, with well over 1 million views of her work.

Her motto, "Design your life, build a career to fund it, and a network to support it," has inspired thousands to reach higher and dream bigger.

She was even named as #1 to follow by BossBabe Magazine.

Show Highlights:

You should understand your own intrinsic value before you tie it to things outside of yourself that don't define you in the first place. —Darrah BrusteinI borrowed confidence from people who helped me until I could really embody it for myself. —Darrah BrusteinWhen you create a meditation practice, without you even noticing it, it starts to level you out so that when something happens, it no longer feels like it's the end of the world. —Darrah BrusteinIt's important to surround myself with people who get it—who tell me what I need to hear, not necessarily what I want to hear—and people who are on some sort of journey or path that is similar even if it's not identical. —Darrah BrusteinMy real motto is first, design your life, then reverse engineer your business to elevate and uplift that, then build the network to make it more fun and open the doors. —Darrah BrusteinPeople are the ways that the doors open. —Darrah BrusteinBeing in tune with your intuition is the GPS for life. —Darrah BrusteinIf you've hit a brick wall, go back to the people who know you and love you and borrow the confidence. —Darrah BrusteinAction is the kryptonite to any sort of "stuck-ness." —Darrah BrusteinIf someone offers to help you and you're denying it, deep down, you're rejecting love. —Darrah Brustein

Darrah's final thoughts: Movement and momentum is important. When you take one baby step, and then another and another, you've walked a mile. Sometimes you don't realize it, but you have. Just taking those small, simple steps can be all the difference.

The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!
31 min
November 20, 2019 Debt-Free Degree, with Anthony O'Neal (Finances, College, Education, Money)
Since 2003, Anthony has helped hundreds of thousands of students make smart decisions with their money, relationships, and education. He’s a national best-selling author and travels the country spreading his encouraging message to help teens and young adults start their lives off right. His latest book, Debt-Free Degree, launched in October 2019.
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Advantage.
Southwestern Advantage
22 min
November 20, 2019 Debt-Free Degree with Anthony ONeal: Episode 310 of The Action Catalyst Podcast
Since 2003, Anthony has helped hundreds of thousands of students make smart decisions with their money, relationships, and education. He’s a national best-selling author and travels the country spreading his encouraging message to help teens and young adults start their lives off right. His latest book, Debt-Free Degree, launched in October 2019. You can follow Anthony on YouTube and Instagram @AnthonyONeal and online at anthonyoneal.com or facebook.com/aoneal.

Show Highlights:

A huge pivot moment for myself was when I was living in the back of my car. The second biggest pivot moment of my life was joining the amazing Dave Ramsey team in 2015. —Anthony ONealIf you want to have freedom for the future, you need to make debt-free decisions today. —Anthony ONealThe caliber of your future is determined by the choices you make today. —Anthony ONealWhen there's no plan for your life, there's no plan for your money. That's a problem I see with today's generation is just a lack of vision for their life. —Anthony ONealThe number-one thing for graduating college debt-free is to take debt off the table. No student loans, bank loans, etc. Then identify your vision and a career that is profitable. —Anthony ONealSave money, find money, and work. —Anthony ONealYour dream school is an affordable school. That's something you can pay for debt-free. —Anthony ONealFor all parents, as early as you can, have the money conversation. —Anthony ONealOpen up an Educational Savings Account (ESA) early in life for your kids. —Anthony ONeal

Anthony's final thoughts: Be a cheerful giver and don't expect anything in return. Watch what does come back to you because of your giving heart. I'm always teaching give, save, and spend.

The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!
25 min
November 13, 2019 The Southwestern Philosophy (Leadership, Executive, Vision, Business)
Dan Moore leads a discussion centered around the principles and philosophies that have guided Southwestern Family of Companies to success for over 160 years.
Mentioned in this episode:
This episode is brought to you by Southwestern Coaching.
Southwestern Coaching
8 min
November 13, 2019 The Journey to CEO with Dustin Hillis: Episode 309 of The Action Catalyst Podcast
As Chief Executive Officer, Dustin Hillis is leading the vision and strategy to make Southwestern Family of Companies the largest and most impactful privately-owned company worldwide by 2048. Under his leadership, the company has grown from 19 to 30 businesses and is well on its way to reaching the aggressive goal of more than 200 businesses in less than 30 years.

In addition to being CEO of Southwestern Family of Companies, Hillis is a Co-Founder of Southwestern Consulting, a sales and leadership coaching, keynote speaking and personal empowerment firm that helps clients around the world drive sales performance through the use of time-tested principles and proven methodologies. He remains the head of Southwestern Coaching. With more than 100 fully dedicated Southwestern Consulting Certified Coaches operating in seven countries, the business has helped over 10,000 clients grow their incomes by more than 25 percent on average. The coaching business grew at 60 percent per year for the last 8 years before Hillis took on the role of CEO of Southwestern Family of Companies.

As a junior at the University of Tennessee, Hillis broke the more than 160-year-old, all-time sales record for Southwestern Advantage, making a profit of more than $100,000 in 14 weeks. That sales record still stands today. With a degree in psychology and experience knocking on thousands of doors, Hillis is an expert in buying, selling, management behavior and how to adapt to the way people want to be communicated with.

Hillis is the co-author of Navigate 2.0: Selling the Way People Like to Buy, and the co-creator of the sales training curriculum Top Producer’s Edge, Manager’s Edge, and Executive Edge. His latest project, Redefining Possible (co-authored with Ron Alford), is set to release in September 2020.

Dustin Hillis has traveled the world to deliver keynote speeches in multiple countries including Singapore, Scotland, London, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Peru, Columbia, Canada, and all across the United States. He is a regular guest teacher covering the Cycle of the Sale for business students at Vanderbilt University.

In 2019, Hillis was named to Nashville Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list. He’s a frequent guest on podcasts and has been featured in a variety of media outlets such as Entrepreneur magazine, Fortune magazine, The Dave Ramsey Show and Entrepreneurs on Fire podcast to name a few. Hillis is saved by grace and passionate about helping people break down barriers and coaching them to reach their God-given potential.

Show Highlights

One thing that makes Southwestern Family of Companies different is that we put our principles before our personalities. —Dustin HillisBeing coachable and following a process are skill sets. —Dustin HillisA great leader is a great recruiter. —Dustin HillisThe level of problem-solving is much more significant as a CEO. —Dustin HillisIt was a great learning lesson to hear I was being evaluated kind of covertly. As I'm evaluating new leaders I've realized that seeing people in action is the ultimate form of a litmus test. Someone's track record far exceeds talking to them or interviewing them. —Dustin HillisI think the most important thing as a leader is to hone in on your core values and to focus on why you're here. If you don't know why you're doing something, then what are you actually doing? —Dustin HillisMore important than money is your time. What we really believe in at Southwestern is investing time in people. When you invest time in people, those people build great companies. —Dustin HillisIn order to be inspiring, you need to be inspired. We have methodologies that teach people how to be more inspired. —Dustin Hillis

Dustin's final thoughts: The 11 businesses that we've started in the last year are ...
32 min
November 06, 2019 The American Dream, with Joseph Mariano (Direct Sales, Business, America, Opportunity)
Joseph N. Mariano joined the Direct Selling Association (DSA) in 1985 and assumed the role of President in 2011.
Previously, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. DSA is the 109-year-old not-for-profit national trade organization representing approximately 250 direct sales firms, and their 26.2 million independent salespeople. The Association's mission is "To protect, serve, and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers."
Mr. Mariano serves as chief executive officer of the Association with ultimate responsibility for all association programs and activities; he is charged with providing progressive association leadership, development, and implementation of Association policies in the fields of government, consumer, and international affairs. He has been responsible for representing the Association’s interests in all fifty state capitals and on Capitol Hill. He serves as a personal resource to direct selling companies who need overall guidance on general legal and business trends that affect direct sellers both in the US and worldwide.
Mr. Mariano also serves as President of the Direct Selling Education Foundation. Mr. Mariano is admitted to practice law in the state of Maryland, and before the Supreme Court of the United States. He has authored numerous articles and been a contributor to publications on direct selling and government affairs.
33 min
November 06, 2019 The American Dream with Joseph Mariano: Episode 308 of The Action Catalyst Podcast
Joseph N. Mariano joined the Direct Selling Association (DSA) in 1985 and assumed the role of President in 2011.

Previously, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. DSA is the 109-year-old not-for-profit national trade organization representing approximately 250 direct sales firms, and their 26.2 million independent salespeople. The Association's mission is "To protect, serve, and promote the effectiveness of member companies and the independent business people they represent. To ensure that the marketing by member companies of products and/or the direct sales opportunity is conducted with the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers."

Mr. Mariano serves as chief executive officer of the Association with ultimate responsibility for all association programs and activities; he is charged with providing progressive association leadership, development, and implementation of Association policies in the fields of government, consumer, and international affairs. He has been responsible for representing the Association’s interests in all fifty state capitals and on Capitol Hill. He serves as a personal resource to direct selling companies who need overall guidance on general legal and business trends that affect direct sellers both in the US and worldwide.

Mr. Mariano also serves as President of the Direct Selling Education Foundation. Mr. Mariano is admitted to practice law in the state of Maryland, and before the Supreme Court of the United States. He has authored numerous articles and been a contributor to publications on direct selling and government affairs.

Show Highlights:

You have to be able to express your opinion and disagree strongly behind closed doors. —Joseph MarianoThere's no monopoly on wisdom for any of us. —Joseph MarianoAs experienced and knowledgable you think you are in an industry or business, you don't know everything. You have to open yourself up to a variety of thinking and approaches. That's a humbling and empowering experience. —Joseph MarianoYou can't allow yourself to fall into a pattern of thinking. —Joseph MarianoNo matter you're position, you're not indispensable. —Joseph MarianoYou take your personal experiences into the business world and use them for your performance. —Joseph Mariano

Joseph's final thoughts: We're living in a challenging time, and I think it's redefining what the American dream. To me, it's not a mansion or a Mercedes Benz. In my view, the American dream is contributing and doing something that you want to do. It's having an impact on your community and contributing in a way that puts people in a better place. In that sense, I think there's always the opportunity for the American dream.

The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!
34 min
October 30, 2019 The Soulful Art of Persuasion, with Jason Harris (Habits, Character, Business, Branding)
Jason Harris is the co-founder and CEO/President of creative agency Mekanism—his new book The Soulful Art of Persuasion, launched in September on The Wall Street Journal’s bestseller list for business books.
In The Soulful Art of Persuasion, Jason believes that persuasion usually isn't about facts and argument. It's about personal character—for that reason, it’s vital to become the kind of person that others want to agree with and be around. He offers a guide with 11 key character-building habits that are essential to becoming original, generous, empathetic, and soulful (sharing an attached overview as well).
Jason has more than 20 years of expertise building provocative campaigns and engaging audiences for iconic brands like Peloton, Ben & Jerry’s, HBO, MedMen, and the United Nations—he also worked with the Obama White House and Joe Biden on the “It’s On Us” campaign. Through instructive and entertaining stories, Harris pulls from his personal and professional experiences to demonstrate how people can become master influencers in their own lives, build better relationships with others, and achieve sustained personal growth and professional success.
33 min
October 30, 2019 The Soulful Art of Persuasion with Jason Harris: Episode 307 of The Action Catalyst Podcast
Jason Harris is the co-founder and CEO/President of creative agency Mekanism—his new book The Soulful Art of Persuasionlaunched in September on The Wall Street Journal’s bestseller list for business books.

In The Soulful Art of Persuasion, Jason believes that persuasion usually isn't about facts and argument. It's about personal character—for that reason, it’s vital to become the kind of person that others want to agree with and be around. He offers a guide with 11 key character-building habits that are essential to becoming original, generous, empathetic, and soulful (sharing an attached overview as well).

Jason has more than 20 years of expertise building provocative campaigns and engaging audiences for iconic brands like Peloton, Ben & Jerry’s, HBO, MedMen, and the United Nations—he also worked with the Obama White House and Joe Biden on the “It’s On Us” campaign. Through instructive and entertaining stories, Harris pulls from his personal and professional experiences to demonstrate how people can become master influencers in their own lives, build better relationships with others, and achieve sustained personal growth and professional success.

Show Highlights:

I look at pitches and work not as transactional, but thinking of them over time. Every time I hear a no, I hear a no for right now. I try to maintain those relationships —Jason HarrisCollecting stories about yourself and your business is a way to be vulnerable. —Jason HarrisWhen you give things away without expecting something back, sometimes it does come back in strange and interesting ways. —Jason HarrisIt's important to take time and be grateful for what you have and the journey you're on. That comes through when you're working with others in a calming way. —Jason HarrisIf you're in a moment of crisis, you may need to ask for help. —Jason HarrisWrite down on a piece of paper three skills that you have and three things you care about in the world. Soon, they'll morph into an idea of how you can use your skills to do good. When you have that to fall back on, career setbacks aren't as demoralizing because you are helping others. That, to me, can sustain the roller coaster and turmoil that businesses can have. —Jason HarrisWe need to become better persuaders because life is a series of persuasion activities every day. —Jason HarrisPersuasion is about positivity, your character, and your belief systems that we put out there. —Jason Harris

Jason's final thoughts: In your job or career, it's really important to share the stage and bring others along with you. Realize people who have helped you along the way. Those are ways to be more empathetic and look out for other people. That's a learned characteristic that can be practiced and learned over time.

The Action Catalyst is a weekly podcast hosted by Dan Moore, President of Southwestern Advantage, the oldest direct-sales company in America, and Partner with Southwestern Consulting. With more than 45 years in sales leadership and marketing management, Dan has a wealth of knowledge to share on how to make better use of time to achieve life, sales, and other business goals. Each week, he interviews some of the nation’s top thought leaders and experts, sharing meaningful tips and advice. Subscribe on iTunes and please leave a rating and review!
34 min
October 23, 2019 The Science Behind Success, with John Mitchell (Entrepreneurship, Habits, Growth, Self-Improvement)
John Mitchell’s 12-minute a day Think It Be It technique is recognized today as the “Top Practical Application in the World” of the legendary book Think and Grow Rich. When he applied his technique to his own life, he saw his income go to over $5 million a year. Previously, for 20 years as an entrepreneur, he earned low six figures a year. The 20-times difference happen because his daily technique significantly increased his control over himself, by probably double.
It also made him laser-focused every day on only the 2 to 3 things that move the needle in his business. It also allowed him to rapidly evolve his “Strategy for Success.” He was simply operating every day at a higher level than he ever had before, and it showed up in his income. The science behind his technique was profiled in a Time magazine cover story.
John started out as a CPA but became an entrepreneur at the age of 30. He owned companies in a variety of industries: real estate development, a bank, a restaurant, children’s book publishing company, and an automotive company. But upon reaching 50, he wasn’t as successful as he thought he should be. Then he found the top book on success and achievement ever written, Think and Grow Rich, with over 100 million copies sold. And John developed his 12-minute daily technique around the book’s central concept‚—“what you envision in detail on a daily basis is what shows up in your life.” A practical application, this legendary book didn’t exist before John created it. John’s company, Think It Be It, is the top company in the “Success through Science” category of the success and human achievement field.
Visit theunfairedge.com for a free webinar from John.
37 min

About The Action Catalyst

From the publisher's feed

The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond.