The Improver Network Podcast

Are you uncertain about the differences between a coach and a counselor? Who could provide guidance on such an important decision? Knowing the distinctions can be immensely helpful in knowing what to look for when seeking such aid. At this juncture, it's crucial to both ask yourself and your support group which option is right for you and to understand what each type of service can do.

To explore this further, I invite you to take a deeper look at this topic with me via our brief video. After gaining full insight into the ins and outs, I hope that it arms you with more motivation than ever before in determining the path that suits your individual needs best.

*Podcast audio pulled from our Improver coaching videos on YouTube.  Subscribe and learn more here https://www.youtube.com/@improvercoach

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/8cvM2nxyNW4?si=vP_QMkEmMq7kcUyB

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In today's episode, Justin & Cooper discuss how reading and understanding history helps the Improver learn and grow exponentially. 

Topics discussed include: 

• How and why to incorporate a "thematic reading" plan into your reading routine
• The "spillover effect" 
• Using history as a data point from which to draw information and application
• Incredible stories in history of vision, risk, and overcoming incredible odds 

Resources referenced:
Book: March of Folly by Barbara Tuchman
Book: The Hard Thing About Hard Things and What You Do Is Who You are by Ben Horowitz

Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Group

Bonus notes from the guest:

This involves what author Shosanna Zuboff terms “surveillance capitalism”.  Cookies on websites, microphones on smart devices, geolocation history, etc.  Companies such as supermarket chains and car insurance providers are now beginning to see themselves as data aggregators due to the lucrative financial results that await entities who can harness and deploy actionable insights that bring in more profit and customers.  But there is a tremendous source that often goes overlooked - the collective sum of human experience and wisdom  over the course of recorded history.

It’s an idea that I’m still fleshing out but a few examples that come to mind:

1. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur seeking encouragement, look at the story of Toussiant L’Overture.  He was born and raised a slave in modern-day Haiti and led a successful revolt against the most powerful nation in Europe - Napoleon’s France but instilling a vision, focus, discipline and application amongst his followers.  You probably aren’t starting from the point that he did, so take heart in his example and get moving!
2. If you are a parent of a teenager who is hanging out with the wrong crowd or spending too much in a relationship of questionable caliber, look at what happened with the French in Algeria or the Dutch in Indonesia.  The bottom line is that the fundamental conditions were not conducive to a mutually beneficial arrangement and no matter how much one party gives, it won’t work if the other party is not accepting of the arrangement.
3. If you are a business leader seeking to instill vision in your team, talk about the example of Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire.  By the late Middle Ages the old Eastern Roman Empire had shrunk to  shadow of its former self but was still lulled into a false sense of security by the famous Walls of Constantinople, who had brought many would-be conquerors to ruin.  Mehemed amassed a massive army that was both disciplined and well-organized and able to make use of recent technological advancements in cannons.  He was as able to breach the city walls, overrun their meager defenses, established his capital at Constantinople.  The Ottoman Empire sent shivers up the collective spines of Christian Europe for the next several hundred years and to this very day the city, now called Istanbul, is the largest in Europe.

Obviously many more examples exist - David and Goliath, the Battle at Thermopylae with the famous 300 Spartans facing off against tens of thousands of enemy fighters, the Battle at Bannockburn made famous in Mel Gibson’s “Braveheart”.  

In today's episode, Justin & Darin discuss the incredible importance of building a culture of trust.

Topics discussed include: 

• Why teams struggle to win without trust
• Causes of distrust and mistrust 
• Positive steps to helping team members create dependability 
• The foundation of the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team
• 3 key areas you can overcome to increase your own trustworthiness 

Resources referenced:
Person: Jocko Willink 
Books: Patrick Lencioni's "5 Dysfunctions of a Team" and "6 Types of Working Genius"
Book: The Energy Bus by Jon Gordon
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Group, Improver Network

In today's episode, we interview Dr. Zoe Shaw on the topic of shame.  In addition to being an author and speaker, Dr. Zoe Shaw is a licensed psychotherapist and relationship expert, a mother of 5, and a wife of 25 Years.

Topics discussed include: 

• Shame - what is it...really?
• Difference between shame and guilt
• Complex shame theory 
• Understanding simple and toxic shame
• Connection between Imposter Syndrome and shame
• Power of radical acceptance (internally and externally)

Special guest: Melissa McCasland

Resources referenced:
Person: Brené Brown
Podcast: Stronger in the Difficult Places 
Person: Dr. Zoe Shaw
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Group, Improver Network

In today's episode, we interview Heather Oynes on the topic of managing money.  Heather is a pharmacist and financial coach in addition to being a wife and mom.  Topics discuss include: 

• Importance of parent/child conversations on money
• "Give save spend" 
• Combating the idea that entrepreneurship is not financially safe 
• Spender vs Saver Mindsets 
• A budget is a spending plan
• Justin & Heather's Dave Ramsey journeys
• Marriage and money - the importance of values and communication around money
• Difference between Financial Advisor and Coach 

Resources referenced:
Podcast: Destress Your Money Using Biblical Principles
Book:  Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey
Tool: Smart Kids, Smart Money
Book: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Group: Created for More Community
Person: Heather Oynes LinkedIn, Heather Oynes Facebook
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Group, Improver Network

In today's episode, we interview Darin Hollingsworth on the topic of soul care.  Darin, a former pastor, shares the importance of soul care and the impact it has on leaders. 

• Personal stories and background from Darin
• Experiences from his time in ministry, including trying to lead from an empty tank
• Routines & rythms of soul care 
• Practical ways to recharge 

Resources referenced:
Podcast: That Sounds Fun podcast: Episode 388 John Eldridge + Resilient
Source: Barna Research on pastors - https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/28/opinion/pastor-burnout-pandemic.html
Source: CNBC poll: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/20/40percent-of-workers-are-considering-quitting-their-jobs-soon.html

Book: At Your Best by Cary Nieuwhof
Tool: 1st step resources for developing a soul care rhythm and mindset:  One Minute Pause App & Lectio 365 App
Book: Soul Keeping book John Ortberg/Dallas Willard
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Network

In today's episode, we interview Lacey MacLeod and discuss several topics including how to respond when your worldview is challenged.

• Personal stories and background from Lacey
• Experiences from years in HR
• Helping people thrive through transition
• Her perspective on personality assessments
• Why focusing on attitude can be more helpful than focusing on personality 

Resources referenced:
Person: Lacey MacLeod
Company/Organization: Talent Uplifted
Book: What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Network

In today's episode, we interview Joseph Backholm (Senior Fellow for Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement at Family Research Council) and discuss several topics including how to respond when your worldview is challenged.

• Personal stories and background from Joseph
• What components inform your decision-making process
• The reasons he chooses a Christian/Biblically-based worldview
• Why some martyrs are actually just jerks
• How to tune out the critics 

Resources referenced:
Person: Joseph Backholm (FRC),  Joseph's Facebook & Twitter
Company/Organization: Family Research Council
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Network

In today's episode we cover:

• The "Forrest Gump" life path of Chris Graebe
• Common misconceptions about meekness and weakness
• 5 powerful rhythms of a thriving marriage

Notable quotes:

"Not feeling the need to prove yourself to others offers a great deal of strength." ― Chris Graebe

"Ask your spouse what they are dreaming about or hoping for." ― Chris Graebe
 
Resources referenced:
Book: The Rhythm of Us: Create the Thriving Marriage You Long For
Person/Book: Wild at Heart, John Eldredge
Resource: Marriage Quiz/Assessment  
Book: 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni    
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Network

In today's episode we cover:

• How making a simple choice to do what is right for his employees thrust Sean into the national spotlight
• The pervasive struggle of wellness and peace with our military veterans and what we can do about it
• Discovering how wellness is a direction rather than a destination
• The results of not prioritizing the things that make you whole and "OK"

Notable quotes:

"Wellness is a direction, not a destination." ― Dr. John Delony

"Our lifestyle can affect your life span." ― Tom Ziglar

"Don't drink the salt water." ― Justin Winstead
 
Resources referenced:
Book: The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Book: 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni    
Book: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Company/Organization: BambooHR
Person: Thomas Sowell
Book: Ready Player 1
Person: Sean Turner
Company/Organization:  Buffer Insurance
Person: Justin Winstead, The Improver Coach
Company: Improver Network