The Daniel Stih Podcast

"Know your values" is one of the most common pieces of advice in self-help and leadership.

Does it actually work?

In this episode, I talk with Brant Menswar—speaker and author known for his work on core values—to examine that idea more closely. We explore:

• What people mean when they say "know your values" • How values are identified—and whether that process holds up • The difference between stated values and actual behavior • Whether values drive success—or if success gets attributed back to them • Where the idea is useful—and where it breaks down

This isn't a typical conversation. I push on the assumptions behind the concept, question the process, and test whether the idea works beyond the surface level. Because before using a framework, it's worth understanding if it actually does what it claims. Do values drive success— or do we explain success using values after the fact?

SHOW NOTES Brant Menswear https://brantmenswar.com

#CoreValues #CriticalThinking #Leadership #DecisionMaking #HumanBehavior #Clarity #Success

Claims about "mind power" are everywhere, from improving performance to overcoming illness.

The real question is: what problem are these ideas actually solving—and what assumptions do they depend on?

In this conversation with Brent Webb, we explore how mindset, belief, and mental framing influence outcomes, and where those claims become harder to evaluate. This isn't about accepting or rejecting the idea of mind power. It's about understanding how to think clearly.

We discuss: • What people mean when they say "mind power" • How belief and perception influence behavior and results • Where these ideas are useful, and where they may be overstated • How to evaluate claims that are compelling but difficult to test

Brent shares his personal experiences and techniques around anxiety, performance, and transformation.

This is a conversation about separating mechanism from story and asking better questions when claims sound convincing.

I'm not answering the question 'Should you quit your job.' I'm showing you how to slow down decisions that are irreversible when clarity is low.

Are you having the thought "Should I quit my job?" Feeling stuck in your current job? Wondering if it's time to make a bold move and quit?

In this episode, we explore critical signs that indicate it might be time to leave and how to approach the decision thoughtfully. From evaluating your emotional well-being and career alignment to assessing financial readiness and future opportunities, go through the steps to determine whether quitting is the right choice for you. Whether you're looking for a career pivot, pursuing your passion, or simply seeking balance, this episode will empower you to make an informed decision about your next step.

Twice a year, we change the clocks. What problem is Daylight Saving Time actually solving?

In this episode, I break down how DST started, what it was originally designed to do, and why that objective no longer maps cleanly to how we live today.

We explore: • The original purpose behind Daylight Saving Time • How energy use, work patterns, and daily life have changed • The difference between intention and outcome • The real trade-offs—sleep, health, productivity, and economics • Why the debate often gets framed as "keep or remove," instead of questioning the objective itself

This isn't just about Daylight Saving Time. It's about what happens when a system continues… after the problem it was designed to solve has changed. Because before choosing a solution, you have to be clear on the problem.

Freemasonry is one of the most discussed—and misunderstood—organizations in the world. My guest is Austin Shifrin, a 33rd-degree Scottish Rite Mason. This conversation focuses on a deeper question:

How do we think clearly about organizations that are private, symbolic, and surrounded by speculation?

In this episode, we explore: • What Freemasonry actually is and isn't • Why secretive or symbolic groups attract strong narratives • The difference between structure, symbolism, and assumed meaning • Claims about power, influence, and hidden agendas—and how to evaluate them • What it means to be a member today

This is not about confirming or debunking. It's about understanding how to separate observation, assumption, and interpretation.

This episode is about knowing when not to act.

"Waiting For You" was written years before it was finished. At the time, something felt off—but not in a way I could fully explain. So I didn't release it.

Years later, I revisited the song with fresh perspective—and with input from Donovan. A few subtle changes shifted the tone completely.

In this episode, I break down: • How timing affects creative outcomes • Why some ideas need distance before they work • The role of external perspective in refining a piece • How small changes can transform the whole

The song is just the example. The real topic is how to recognize when something isn't ready—and what happens when you give it time.

Because not every problem should be solved immediately— sometimes the solution only becomes clear later.

SHOW NOTES: Waiting for Youby Daniel Isle Sky ©2009 When I first met you When I first saw you You told me you would be my tomorrow Then you left me with a silent sorrow I'm waiting for you Waiting for you Your voice like an angel Your smile like a drug Now you're song's singing inside me I'm wait'n for you to be here beside me I'm waiting for you Waiting for you Staring at the faces that go by Afraid to look into an eye Talking to strangers ain't got no choice Listening for the sound of your voice I'm waiting for you Still waiting for you

What does creativity actually change? In this episode, I sit down with Rick DellaRatta, founder of Jazz for Peace, for a live conversation and performance outside Zion National Park.

We explore: • The story of Mozart—and how identity can form through a relationship with a craft • The rise and fall of Badfinger—and what success and failure actually reveal • How creativity shapes behavior, direction, and meaning • The idea of "solutions for peace"—and what role art can realistically play • Cross-domain thinking—connecting music, personal development, and global ideas

Rick also performs live on piano during the conversation, turning the discussion into a real-time example of what we're talking about.

This isn't just about music. It's about what happens when expression, identity, and thinking intersect. Because sometimes the way someone plays…tells you more than what they say.

SHOW NOTES:Paving the Path for Peace through Music: The Amazing story of Rick DellaRatta and Jazz for Peace On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Paving-Path-Pe...

Holistic healing is often misunderstood—either dismissed or accepted without question.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Heather Wisely to explore how to think about acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and holistic health approaches more clearly.

We break down: • What acupuncture is actually doing (and why it shouldn't hurt) • How practices like cupping, moxibustion, and acupressure fit into a larger system • Why treating the "whole person" changes how problems are defined • How to evaluate alternative health approaches without blindly accepting or rejecting them

This isn't about belief. It's about understanding the model behind the method.

Because before you decide if something works, you have to understand what problem it's trying to solve.

Education is designed to prepare people for the future.

The real question is: what is the system actually optimizing for—and where does it fall short?

In this episode, I break down how the education system is structured, including the role of federal oversight, and where it succeeds—and fails—to achieve its intended outcomes.

We explore: • What the system is designed to do • How incentives shape outcomes in education • Where structure and execution diverge • Why many students are unprepared despite years in the system

This isn't about defending or criticizing a single institution. It's about understanding how the system works—and what would need to change for it to work differently.

Because when the problem is framed correctly, the path forward becomes clearer.

#Education #EducationSystem #Policy #Learning #CriticalThinking #SystemsThinking #Reform

Today, we're diving into the practical steps you can take to create an action plan to start doing the things you must do to make a dream come true. Whether your dream is starting a business, writing a book, or traveling the world, an actionable strategy is your key to success.

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