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In this episode, co-hosts Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff sit down with Tom Blomquist, an award-winning screenwriter, producer, director, and author whose work has shaped some of television’s most iconic shows. From Walker Texas Ranger and The A-Team to Hunter, Farscape, Swamp Thing, and Christy, Tom has had a hand in creating stories that millions of viewers know and love.

Beyond television, Tom has directed music videos, produced documentaries, and written four books, including his novels Poster Boys, Silent Partners, and Devious Thinking, as well as the acclaimed textbook Eye of the Storm: Directing for Film, Television & Emerging Media. His directing textbook is even recommended in the Disney/ABC Directors Guild Directing Program.

Tom is also a dedicated educator. He has taught screenwriting at the American Film Institute Conservatory, USC, Chapman University, and UCLA, and served as Professor of Film and Television Production at California State University, Long Beach, where he earned the title of Professor Emeritus. His passion for storytelling and mentorship extends internationally, having twice been a Visiting Artist in Hamburg, Germany.

In this conversation, Tom takes us behind the curtain of Hollywood and television leadership—sharing what it’s like to manage creative teams, navigate the pressures of network television, and balance artistry with deadlines and budgets. He also dives into his writing journey, the crossover between leadership in entertainment and other industries, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience, collaboration, and creativity.

You’ll learn:

• What it takes to become an executive producer in Hollywood
• How leadership challenges in entertainment mirror those in business and government
• Why storytelling is central to influence and impact
• How to lead creative teams under immense pressure
• The role of teaching and mentorship in building future leaders

Whether you’re a leader in business, education, or the arts, this episode will inspire you to think differently about leadership and the power of story.

Tune in as Tom Blomquist brings his incredible journey from Hollywood soundstages to classrooms—and now to The Dirty Side of Leadership

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this eye-opening episode, Ron and Kristin dive deep into the dirty side of self-sabotage by taking the Saboteur Assessment from Positive Intelligence. Get ready for a raw, honest conversation about the inner voices that derail leaders—even the high performers.

From Hyper-Achiever to Avoider, Stickler to Pleaser, these hidden saboteurs shape how we lead, connect, and even how we fail. Kristin and Ron reveal their personal assessment results and talk about the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways these mindsets have shown up in their careers and decisions.

They also explore:
How saboteurs show up in business and leadership
The connection between pressure and sabotage
Tools and strategies to shift from self-sabotage to self-command
The power of vulnerability and self-awareness as leadership strengths

Whether you’re running a team, launching a business, or trying to get out of your own head, this episode offers insights you won’t hear in most leadership podcasts.

Dirty Truth of the Day:

“The most dangerous enemy in leadership isn’t the loud one—it’s the quiet one inside your own mind.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Saboteur Assessment – PositiveIntelligence.com
• The Sage Mindset and how to grow it
• Coaching strategies to silence the inner critic
• 4Ward Operations, Inc

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this gripping episode of The Dirty Side of Leadership, co-hosts Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff sit down with Discovery Channel’s ultimate survivalist, Jeff Zausch. With more survival days under his belt than any contestant in "Naked and Afraid" history, Jeff shares what it takes to thrive in the world’s harshest environments - and how those same traits apply to real-world leadership, mindset, creativity, and overcoming personal and professional adversity.

From battling the elements to navigating group dynamics under pressure, Jeff brings raw insight into what true endurance, grit, and adaptability look like. Whether you lead a team or are just trying to survive your next meeting - this episode is for you.

Guest Bio: Jeff Zausch is a renowned American survivalist best known for his record-setting appearances on Discovery Channel’s "Naked and Afraid" and "Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing". A native of Idaho, Jeff has become a global face of extreme survival, pushing physical and mental limits in the most brutal terrains on Earth. His passion for the outdoors and unshakable willpower have made him a fan favorite and an icon in the survival community.

Featured On:

Naked and Afraid

Naked and Afraid XL

Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing (Seasons 1 & 2)

Sources: Discovery Channel, Jeff Zausch

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this throwback episode, we're going back to the third episode where Ron and Kristin discuss different types of narcissistic bosses!

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com 

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this episode, Ron and Kristin don’t just explore leadership—they dive headfirst into the world of power, influence, and how a few mic’d-up men with cigars and bourbon reshaped American politics.

Known as the Pod Bros, these influential podcasters became a powerful force during the last presidential election cycle. They interviewed nearly every major conservative candidate, including Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and several individuals now rumored to be in the future Trump cabinet.

Their massive audiences took notice when most major Democratic candidates declined to appear—except for Bernie Sanders. The absence was loud, and the impact undeniable.

This episode wraps up with key leadership takeaways from this modern media phenomenon. Don’t miss this compelling and timely conversation.

Sources: 4Ward Operations; https://www.ft.com/content/9f2be125-ba1b-4062-ab2d-4b2977db20b0 presentation: https://www.reddit.com/r/FriendsofthePod/comments/1jlez1p/article_about_the_pod_bros/

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this episode, Ron and Kristin define toxic positivity and the fallout of fake morale.  They provide information and solutions to combat this issue and they promote authenticity when dealing with issues at work.  Of course, there will be humor and relevant stories to enhance the conversation. Don't miss this important discussion.

Sources: ChatGpt; https://www.shrm.org/executive-network/insights/preventing-toxic-positivity-in-workplace

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this landmark episode, The Dirty Side of Leadership welcomes its very first guest—and we came out swinging. January Donovan, founder and CEO of The Woman School, joins Ron and Kristin to unpack why today’s women are emotionally burned out, mentally depleted, and spiritually disoriented.

We’re talking about the high cost of removing skill-based training from womanhood, how feminism reshaped our schools and families, and why “empowerment” without practical skills is leaving women emptier than ever.

January brings two decades of experience training women across the globe and delivers a clear message: The solution isn’t more hustle—it’s wholeness.

If you’ve ever asked:

• Why do women feel so overwhelmed?
• Are we raising beta males by accident?
• What’s missing in modern womanhood?
  …this episode is for you.

Learn More & Connect with January:

Website: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fnewwomanmasterclass.com%2Fksok&e=AT2o8NVD6WsI63DIViFYIyhK-Vm8QVJyjdR8lxFXOGHfhlg7iMbODjeHzH55zIOTt-STGnxSEKEXo7nh1ZECgLruP4T8_vdFde4A3PREND2_yTMQujvTv5bJHfgp

Follow January on Instagram: @thewomanschool

Book your free strategy call and start your 14-day trial of The New Woman Masterclass today.

Help Us Reclaim Real Leadership:

Like what you heard? Share this episode. Subscribe and leave a review. Follow us on social @dirtysideofleadership

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com 

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this episode, Ron and Kristin explore the intricate workings of our brain and the chemicals that can enhance leadership skills. They discuss dopamine, oxytocin, endorphins, testosterone and other aspects of the brain. This episode not only provides information on how to access these chemicals, it provides you with tools to administer these chemicals to build and strengthen rapport among family, friends and co-workers/staff. Don't miss this "game-changing" episode!

Sources: 4Ward Operations presentation: Master Class in Communication; Neurotransmitters - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22513-neurotransmitters; Dopamine - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22581-dopamine

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com 

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this episode, Ron and Kristin discuss the downfall of integrity in American culture. They discuss the "psychology of a sellout" and provide some reasons why people do it, such as self-preservation instincts and moral licensing. They cover some recent integrity and cultural collapses; and finally, they discuss the "9 Hidden Powers of Integrity". If you're into psychology and brain functionality coupled with human behavior, don't miss this important episode!

Sources: Sources: chatGpt; https://markjosephministries.com/2020/09/09/whats-happened-to-integrity-in-our-society/; https://www.quora.com/Is-it-just-me-or-is-there-a-serious-decline-in-integrity-and-honesty-among-people-these-days

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com 

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com

Send us a text

In this throwback episode, we're going back to the very first episode where Ron and Kristin discuss different types of horrible bosses and the lessons you can learn on how NOT to lead.

Co-hosts: Ron Ward and Kristin Sokoloff
Sponsor: 4Ward Operations
Producer: Stephen Ridley
Facebook Group Administrator: Cassy Roop

Where leadership meets entertainment! This weekly podcast takes both a humorous and intense look at leadership through impactful stories, answers to listener questions, and breakdowns of dirty lessons from Ron's best selling book, "The Dirty Side of Leadership".

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com 

Connect with us at 4wardoperations.com