The TRUST Show

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. April Minatrea, a clinical psychologist specializing in leadership dynamics, to explore the concept of "leadership injuries"—the psychological and emotional damage caused by bad leadership. Together, they discuss how poor leadership erodes employee trustfulness, diminishes engagement, and harms organizational performance. Tune in to learn how these injuries manifest, the consequences for employees and companies alike, and what leaders can do to heal and prevent them, fostering a healthier, more trusting workplace culture.

In this episode of The Trust Show, I dive into how having a hobby can actually make you more trustworthy. I share personal stories about rediscovering my love for radio-controlled airplanes and how hobbies, even intense ones, help you relax, make you more relatable, and build stronger connections with others. Whether you’re trying to unwind or build trust in your personal and professional relationships, this episode explores the surprising benefits of making time for your passions. Tune in to learn why your hobbies are more valuable than you think!

In this episode of The Trust Show, I’m joined once again by Dr. Nanette Miner, leadership expert and founder of The Training Doctor. After our last conversation, I just had to bring Nanette back to dive deeper into a topic I’ve touched on before: our obsession with leadership. Together, we explore the question—is leadership a profession or a promotion? We talk about why we often promote the best performers without proper training and why leadership development should start on day one. Get ready for another insightful and messy conversation!

In this episode of The Trust Show, I step into some vulnerable territory by sharing anonymous reviews from my Rate My Professors page. As an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at SMU, I’ve received overwhelmingly positive feedback, but today, I’m focusing on three harsh one-star reviews. I’m not here to complain, but rather to extract insights from these critiques. I explore eight key lessons about trust, anonymity, feedback, and even empathy. Join me as I unpack what we can all learn from criticism—both how it’s given and how we respond to it. Get ready for some raw honesty!

In this episode, we explore whether trust is based more on the effort someone puts in, the outcome of their actions, or their underlying motivation. We discuss insights from a recent survey that revealed surprising results, and dive into the complexities of trust in both personal and professional relationships. Joined by guest Dr. Nanette Miner, we introduce a fourth element—how the effort is made—and examine the ethical implications behind trust-building actions.

In this episode of The Trust Show, we explore how nonverbal communication—like tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language—affects our perceptions of trust. Often, we're influenced by our interpretation of these cues in other people, which can lead to misguided assumptions about the person in front of us. We'll discuss how first impressions, time, and intimacy shape trust and offer practical tips to avoid misjudgments based on nonverbal signals.

Ethics and Trust are often intertwined, one affecting the other. In May of this year, McCuistion TV aired a program about Corporate ethics. I was honored to be the host of that show. In fact, it was the first time hosting a “Perspectives Matters” program. With two guest experts, we addressed some very critical questions about corporate ethics. We contrasted ethics with the law, discussed Enron and Citigroup, and talked about the code of ethics versus ethical culture. We also discussed whether some companies develop a code of ethics just for show, and if so, how can you tell? It was a very interesting program, in my opinion, and with permission from McCuistion TV, I included the program's soundtrack here for you to enjoy.

In this episode, we explore the role of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation in building trust. Discover how these motivations drive behavior and influence trustworthiness. We discuss why intrinsic motivation alone might not be enough, the power of extrinsic motivators in habit formation, and how to ensure you're motivated for the right reasons. Whether you're looking to build better habits or deepen trust in relationships, understanding motivation is key. Tune in to learn how to align your motivations with trust.

In this episode, I am joined by Suzanne Smith, the founder and CEO of Social Impact Architects, to discuss the critical role of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in building trust. We delve into how companies can genuinely integrate these principles to enhance their societal and environmental impact. Suzanne shares insights on the importance of authenticity, transparency, and local engagement, offering practical examples and strategies for companies to balance profit with purpose in a trust-driven economy.

In this episode, we’ll dive into the critical question: "Can We Trust Technology?" Join me and my guest, Beth Ziesenis, "Your Nerdy Best Friend," as we dissect recent high-profile tech incidents, including the $54 billion CrowdStrike bug, the AT&T cyber attack affecting 107 million subscribers, and the cyber attack that crippled Dallas' emergency services. Explore the complexities of modern software, the rise of AI-driven cybercrime, and why bugs and cyber attacks have become the new normal. Discover why your trust in technology hinges on the companies behind it and how you are now the front line of defense.