It has been a long-time goal of ours to feature some of our amazing clients on this podcast and hear their stories of going from surviving to thriving in any number of ways...and now that day has arrived!

In this episode, Amanda sits down with Russ Vering – managing partner and owner of Central Plains Milling – to talk about creating strong company culture and why that depends on leaders investing in their own growth. Russ and Amanda dig into:

• What it's like to grow a family business and be in a constant state of evolution
• How CPM uses core values to guide employee and company actions
• The importance of empowering people to use their talents and strengths
• The connection between leaders who invest in their own development and company cultures that thrive

Plus much more!

Episode Resources:

• Central Plains Milling
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

When was the last time you played a game? Maybe it was a board game with your kids, cards with friends, or a good old fashion round of tag in the yard. Either way, though, I'll bet you had fun, right!? So here's a question for you: wouldn't it be cool if you could make work more fun with games, too?

In this episode, Mark and Amanda talk about the idea of gamification – aka using games to make work and learning more engaging – including how it's used to incentivize customer loyalty, drive sales action, and create behavior change among employees. They talk about:

• The difference between finite and infinite games, and why you might use one over the other
• Gamification lessons from a multi-level marketing company that Mark has put to use in more traditional corporate settings
• The critical components of an effective game
• Ideas for different games you can put to use in your organization
• How MJST is using the idea of games to make personal and professional growth more fun and engaging

And more!

Episode Resources:

• Tag (the movie Mark mentions!)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

Our lives are very much analogous to stories – adventures, challenges, friendships. But unlike many of our favorite books or movies, we don't often feel like the hero of our stories. We feel like life, instead, is taking us for a ride or that we're out of control of the situations that surround us. However, if we imagine ourselves to not only be the main character but the author as well, we might realize that writing a different ending is within our reach.

In this episode, Amanda digs into one of MJST's cornerstone concepts – The Story Framework – and bounces it up against concepts from Brene Brown's book, Rising Strong. As she breaks it down, Amanda looks at:

• How our "hardwiring" impacts the thoughts and feelings that drive the lens through which we see the world
• Why rumbling with our stories is a critical component to changing them
• Questions to ask yourself when you trying to figure out the next step in your story

And more! We are big Brene Brown fans around here and love layering concepts together for a richer, fuller understanding of how we each operate. We hope you'll find a nugget of wisdom in this episode and see how you, too, can create the story you want your life to tell.

Episode Resources:

• Rising Strong by Brene Brown
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

In this mini episode, Mark challenges you to think about where your focus is at – and question if it's serving you. This includes:

• Are you focused on what you don't like or what you do like?
• How your story impacts how you view the people and situations around you
• Tips for shifting your focus to get better results

Check it out!

Episode Resources:

• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

Football is back! That means tailgates, autumn weather, and donning the gear of your favorite team! It also means...potential disappointment.

The last week hasn't been great for either of Amanda's teams (the Michigan State Spartans and the Detroit Lions...ouch), but even in the worst defeats there are lessons to be learned. On this week's episode of The Survivor's Guide to Thriving podcast, Amanda is sharing the biggest lessons she takes away from her sports fandom – and how we can all apply these teachings in our own lives. This includes:

• The importance of good coaching
• What it means to "stay focused on the next play"
• Surrounding yourself with a supportive team

And more!

In sports – as in life – we can't all be winners. But there is value in defeat...and we're going to uncover what that is!

Episode Resources:

• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

In this mini episode, Mark challenges you to question what else is possible for yourself and your organization. This includes:

• The power of clarity and purpose
• How to leverage team accountability to achieve more
• And the difference between doing more and doing more of the right things

Check it out!

Episode Resources:

• The National FFA Organization
• Blue Jackets, Bright Futures (Give the Gift of Blue)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

In this mini episode, Wade is answering listener questions about creating routines – how to use them to your advantage, the components of a good routine, where you can improve your routine and more. Check it out!

Episode Resources:

• Adm. McRaven Urges Graduates to Find Courage to Change the World
• Wade Johannes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat (user: wadejohannes)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

In this mini episode, Mark is talking about the power of repetition – whether it's building a new skill, learning new information or reinforcing a certain behavior. Check it out!

Episode Resources:

• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

Wherever we go, we talk to people that are stressed, burnt out and overwhelmed by everything life is throwing their way. It can be easy to find yourself struggling to stay positive or making time to take care of ourselves in the ways we most need it.

In this episode, Amanda and Wade sit down to talk about the importance of investing in your mental and emotional health – what works for us and the lessons we can learn from people who have dealt with stress and mental illness in the spotlight. Our conversation includes:

• Why putting on a smiling face and pretending everything's okay isn't always the best strategy
• What a football coach and two basketball players can teach us about stress, anxiety, and asking for help
• Our list of go-to strategies when it all seems to be too much

And more!

As someone once said, "Everybody's going through something." The key is, you don't have to go through it alone. Hopefully you'll find at least one or two tips in here to make the struggles a little easier.

Episode Resources:

• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 1-800-273-8255
• Daring Greatly by Brene Brown
• Rising Strong by Brene Brown
• I Thought it was Just Me (But it Isn't) by Brene Brown
• I'm Not the Lone Wolf – Bleacher Report
• Everyone is Going Through Something – The Players' Tribune
• Why It's Time to Redefine the Comeback Story | Jay Williams on Impact Theory
• Life is Not an Accident by Jay Williams
• Loving What Is by Byron Katie
• Wade Johannes on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Snapchat (user: wadejohannes)
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)

We have a real treat for you with this episode! Mark recently had the opportunity to sit down with Ryan Stewman (aka The Hardcore Closer) to talk about all things sales. Ryan is the CEO and Founder of Hardcore Closer and Break Free Academy, is a 4x best-selling author, motivational speaker, sales coach, podcast host, blogger and all-around entrepreneur. He’s also a regular contributor to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Addicted2Success, Good Men Project, Lighter Side of Real Estate, Huffington Post, and more.

In this episode, Mark and Ryan dig into:

• Why it's critical to meet your customers where they are
• How to build certainty through experience – regardless of where you are in your career
• The importance of data
• The power of simplicity in your sales approach

And more!

Especially if you're in sales or marketing, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Episode Resources:

• PhoneSites.com
• SocialMediaMillionsBook.com
• HardcoreCloser.com
• Hardcore Closer Facebook Page
• Sales Talk with Sales Pros Facebook Group
• Ryan Stewman on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube
• Mark Jewell Speaking & Training on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram
• Mark Jewell on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: markjamesjewell)
• Amanda Sollman on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Snapchat (user: sollmana)