The Action Catalyst

John David Mann is a New York Times Bestselling Author, Public Speaker, and Entrepreneur. As an award-winning author, his writings have earned the Axiom Business Book Award (Gold Medal, for The Go-Giver), the Nautilus Award (for A Deadly Misunderstanding), and Taiwan’s Golden Book Award for Innovation (for You Call the Shots). The Go-Giver was also honored with the Living Now Book Awards “Evergreen Medal” in 2017 for its “contributions to positive global change,” and cited on Inc.’s “Most Motivational Books Ever Written” and HubSpot’s “20 Most Highly Rated Sales Books of All Time”; The Go-Giver Leader was listed on Entrepreneur magazine’s “10 Books Every Leader Should Read” and Forbes magazine’s “8 Books Every Young Leaders Should Read.” His 2012 Take the Lead (with Betsy Myers) was named Best Leadership Book of 2011 by Tom Peters and the Washington Post.

His books are published in more than two dozen languages and have sold more than 2 million copies. John coauthored the international bestselling classic The Go-Giver (with Bob Burg), the New York Times bestsellers The Red Circle (with Brandon Webb) and Flash Foresight (with Daniel Burrus), and the national bestsellers The Slight Edge (with Jeff Olson), Among Heroes (with Brandon Webb), and Real Leadership (with John Addison). He also ghost-wrote the New York Timesbestseller The Answer, by John Assaraf and Murray Smith.

 

Show Highlights:

If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. @JohnDavidMann

Rejection is a part of what prepares you. @JohnDavidMann

Rejection helps you polish and mature and take shape. @JohnDavidMann

People applaud you when you reach the finish line, but the world doesn’t see how hard it is just to get to the starting line. @JohnDavidMann

All effective teaching takes place through stories. @JohnDavidMann

All effective stories take place through emotion. @JohnDavidMann

You have to fall in love with your characters.  @JohnDavidMann

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!

Donald Miller is a student of story. He’s the author of New York Times Best Sellers: Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and his most recent book Building a Story Brand. He co-wrote the major motion picture “Blue Like Jazz” which debuted at the SXSW Film Festival and was listed as one of the top four movies to get you through freshman year by USA Today. Currently, he helps people live a better story and helps leaders grow their businesses at www.storybrand.com. Donald lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Betsy, and their chocolate lab, Lucy.

Show Highlights:

If you confuse you lose. @donaldmiller ‏

If your branding is confusing you’re invisible. @donaldmiller ‏

Customers give you zero time to learn about your brand. @donaldmiller ‏

Your customer is the hero, not you. @donaldmiller ‏

A story starts when a character has a problem. @donaldmiller ‏

Communicate in a customer centric message. @donaldmiller ‏

If there are not stakes in the story, there is no story. @donaldmiller ‏

 

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!

Donald Miller is a student of story. He’s the author of New York Times Best Sellers: Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and his most recent book Building a Story Brand. He co-wrote the major motion picture “Blue Like Jazz” which debuted at the SXSW Film Festival and was listed as one of the top four movies to get you through freshman year by USA Today. Currently, he helps people live a better story and helps leaders grow their businesses at www.storybrand.com. Donald lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Betsy, and their chocolate lab, Lucy.

Show Highlights:

If you confuse you lose. - Donald Miller ‏If your branding is confusing you’re invisible. - Donald Miller ‏Customers give you zero time to learn about your brand. - Donald Miller ‏Your customer is the hero, not you. - Donald Miller ‏A story starts when a character has a problem. - Donald Miller ‏Communicate in a customer centric message. - Donald Miller ‏If there are not stakes in the story, there is no story. - Donald Miller

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!

Donald Miller is a student of story. He’s the author of New York Times Best Sellers: Blue Like Jazz, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and his most recent book Building a Story Brand. He co-wrote the major motion picture “Blue Like Jazz” which debuted at the SXSW Film Festival and was listed as one of the top four movies to get you through freshman year by USA Today. Currently, he helps people live a better story and helps leaders grow their businesses at www.storybrand.com. Donald lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Betsy, and their chocolate lab, Lucy.

Show Highlights:

If you confuse you lose. - Donald Miller ‏If your branding is confusing you’re invisible. - Donald Miller ‏Customers give you zero time to learn about your brand. - Donald Miller ‏Your customer is the hero, not you. - Donald Miller ‏A story starts when a character has a problem. - Donald Miller ‏Communicate in a customer centric message. - Donald Miller ‏If there are not stakes in the story, there is no story. - Donald Miller

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!

DeVon Franklin is a New York Times bestselling author, spiritual success coach, and the CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a production company in conjunction with 20th Century Fox. He is the producer of the box office hit Miracles from Heaven and the upcoming animated film, The Star, for Sony Pictures Animation. He’s Dr. Oz’s go-to guy for spiritual success coaching on The Dr. Oz Show and he’s the co-host of the TLC event series, This Is Life Live. Variety named DeVon one of the “10 Producers to Watch” and Beliefnet called him one of the “Most Influential Christians Under 40.” He is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Wait (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and Produced By Faith. Find more at devonfranklin.com.

“In the 20 years I’ve known DeVon, he’s lived his life the same way he makes his movies: with commitment, humility, and a work ethic that demands respect.” – Will Smith

Show Highlights:

Your discipline contributes to your destiny. - DeVon FranklinWhat you do personally shows up professionally. - DeVon FranklinPeople remember how you treated them on the way up. - DeVon FranklinBeing an advocate for yourself is not arrogant. - DeVon FranklinSometimes we use prayer to mask our fear. - DeVon FranklinPeople of Faith are good at the prayer part but often not the preparation part. - DeVon FranklinWe don't expect God to show up and so we squander blessing when it arrived anyways. - DeVon FranklinEmbracing the difference is the hardest part. - DeVon FranklinEvery successful person in Hollywood owned their difference. - DeVon Franklin

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!

DeVon Franklin is a New York Times bestselling author, spiritual success coach, and the CEO of Franklin Entertainment, a production company in conjunction with 20th Century Fox. He is the producer of the box office hit Miracles from Heaven and the upcoming animated film, The Star, for Sony Pictures Animation. He’s Dr. Oz’s go-to guy for spiritual success coaching on The Dr. Oz Show and he’s the co-host of the TLC event series, This Is Life Live. Variety named DeVon one of the “10 Producers to Watch” and Beliefnet called him one of the “Most Influential Christians Under 40.” He is the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Wait (co-written with his wife, award-winning actress Meagan Good) and Produced By Faith. Find more at devonfranklin.com.

“In the 20 years I’ve known DeVon, he’s lived his life the same way he makes his movies: with commitment, humility, and a work ethic that demands respect.” – Will Smith

Show Highlights:

Your discipline contributes to your destiny. @DeVonFranklin

What you do personally shows up professionally. @DeVonFranklin

People remember how you treated them on the way up. @DeVonFranklin

Being an advocate for yourself is not arrogant. @DeVonFranklin

Sometimes we use prayer to mask our fear. @DeVonFranklin

People of Faith are good at the prayer part but often not the preparation part. @DeVonFranklin

We don't expect God to show up and so we squander blessing when it arrived anyways. @DeVonFranklin

Embracing the difference is the hardest part. @DeVonFranklin

Every successful person in Hollywood owned their difference. @DeVonFranklin

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!

Kris Allen was born June 21, 1985, in Jacksonville, Arkansas. He had an early interest in music, which stayed with him through college, church involvement, and missionary work in other countries. In 2009, he became a finalist on the eighth season of American Idol, and triumphed over fellow finalist Adam Lambert in the season finale. He was the first married contestant to win the competition.

Show Highlights:

My dream was so big, I didn’t know how to move towards it. - Kris AllenI was surprised at the results every round. - Kris AllenAll the time I spent playing in my room and in bars prepared me for the show. - Kris AllenI am incredibly lucky and blessed that this happened to me. - Kris AllenI do not take winning American Idol for granted. - Kris AllenMy time on the show felt incredibly surreal. - Kris AllenWhen Ryan announced my name, I knew life was going to change. - Kris AllenI thought I would never play an instrument again. - Kris AllenLearning to play again has been hard, but I am a better now than I was before the accident. - Kris AllenYou will find happiness in going after your dreams, not in settling. - Kris Allen

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!

Kris Allen, singer/songwriter and the winner of American Idol Season 8, shares how every round of the show came as a genuine surprise to him, and the relief of winning, not because of the victory, but because it was finally over.

Hear Kris’s full interview in Episode 213 of The Action Catalyst.

Kris Allen, singer/songwriter and the winner of American Idol Season 8, shares his musical start as a classically trained viola player, how he tried out for American Idol because he was bored on the weekend, the relief of winning (because it was over), the car accident that threatened his career and touring in a cast despite it, becoming a better guitar player, and why he'd love to talk to you if you're not a fan.

Jon Acuff is the New York Times Bestselling author of five books including Do Over: Make today the first day of your new career,and his newest book, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done.

For 20 years he’s helped some of the biggest brands in the world tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, Staples, and the Dave Ramsey Team. Most recently he’s spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges, companies and churches. Featured regularly on national media, Jon has been seen on CNN, Fox News, Good Day LA and several other key outlets.

In addition, Jon is also a big proponent of social media with blogs that have been read by 4 million people and more than 290,000 twitter followers. In 2010 he used his influence with his tribe to build two kindergartens in Vietnam. Jon lives with his wife Jenny and two daughters in Franklin, TN.

Show Highlights:

Which lessons about goals work and which are causing damage? @JonAcuff“Shoot for the moon so you’ll land with the stars” doesn’t actually work. @JonAcuffMost people judge goals on a pass/fail scale. @JonAcuffYou can have a big goal, but you should have steps along the way. @JonAcuffMost goal advice is given as if you are a robot without emotions. @JonAcuffAs a leader, if you consistently set the wrong goal you create a culture of distrust. @JonAcuffThe breakroom tells the truth, the boardroom doesn’t. @JonAcuffWe live in a world with limitless distractions and bottomless opportunities. @JonAcuffMost people tell their goals to their friends the wrong way. @JonAcuffWhen you have a goal, you can choose shame or strategy. @JonAcuffOften, we want complicated solutions, in part, because we don’t have to do them. @JonAcuff

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!