Ben Utecht was a top NFL draft prospect until a career-ending injury red-flagged him as "too risky" for every team in the league. He sat by the phone, undrafted and devastated, until 5 seconds into free agency when Tony Dungy kept a promise that changed everything. This is the story of how Ben went from "damaged goods" to a Super Bowl ring, and the servant leadership lessons he now teaches Fortune 500 companies.

IN THIS EPISODE:

In this episode of The Yeah, But Podcast, Marc Wolfe sits down with Ben Utecht, former Indianapolis Colt, Super Bowl Champion, and author of The Champion's Creed.

Ben shares the brutally honest reality of the NFL locker room where "No Excuses" is written on the wall, and how he translated elite sports discipline into a successful career as a Chief Culture Officer. We dive deep into the power of "Bold Grace," the specific moment Ben had to get on his knees to apologize to his daughter, and why he believes culture is a "pebble game," not a boulder game.

If you are a leader trying to build a championship team without losing your humanity, this conversation is the playbook.

WHAT WE COVER:

00:00 Intro: Super Bowl Rings & Estrogen Oceans (Girl Dad Life)

04:40 The "Yeah, But" of the NFL Locker Room

08:49 The Injury: Hearing the Pop & Being Red Flagged

11:36 The Promise: Why Tony Dungy Called 5 Seconds Later

13:34 Ego vs. Humility: The "Forget About Me, I Love You" Rule

18:37 The "Valley" of Life After Football

21:26 Vulnerability: The Moment Ben Apologized on His Knees

27:45 System: Save Yourself Time, Energy, Money

QUOTES:

"I sat in my agent's office... holding back tears... five seconds after the free agent market opened, the phone rings. It was Tony Dungy." — Ben Utecht

"Culture is not a boulder game. Culture is a pebble game. It’s about ripple effect after ripple effect." — Ben Utecht

"I chose to physically lower myself... I’m 6’7”, 260 pounds... I got on my knees below my daughter to apologize." — Ben Utecht

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Ben Utecht is an NFL Super Bowl Champion (Indianapolis Colts), a national speaker, and a Chief Culture Officer. He is the author of The Champion’s Creed and helps organizations build elite cultures through the principles of servant leadership.

Website: https://www.benutecht.com/

Book: The Champion's Creed https://benutechtspeaks.com/buy-his-book/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benutecht/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benutecht/

ABOUT THE HOST:

Marc A. Wolfe brings an unflinching eye to leadership. With a background that ranges from supporting early Apple infrastructure to photographing U.S. Presidents and NFL teams, Marc has spent his career observing high-stakes performance from angles others miss. He doesn't just offer strategy; he holds up a mirror. As Co-President of the Private Directors Association, Nashville Chapter, and author of Yeah, But, he helps leaders dismantle the sophisticated excuses that disguise themselves as logic.

RESOURCES FOR YOU:

Website: https://www.marcawolfe.com/

Get a copy of Yeah, But: https://ybut.short.gy/yb

Read your free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’: https://ybut.short.gy/chapter

Suggest a guest for The Yeah, But Podcast: https://ybut.short.gy/ybguest

CONNECT WITH MARC:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcawolfe/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe

X (Twitter): https://x.com/marcawolfe

CONTACT US:

2000 Mallory Lane, Suite 130.257, Franklin, TN 37067 USA

201 257 3545

[email protected]

Welcome to Season 2 of The Yeah, But Podcast. Expect brutally honest conversations about the excuses that hold leaders back.

Everyone told Matt Outlaw he was crazy. He was a Sergeant with the Arkansas State Police, next in line for Lieutenant, with a guaranteed salary and full benefits. But he was also broke, filing for bankruptcy, and staring at a 'Yeah, But' that wouldn't go away. This is the story of how he walked away from total security to build 731 Woodworks, grew a YouTube channel to over 860,000 subscribers, and why he says discipline, not motivation, is the only reason he survived.

In This Episode:In this episode of the Yeah, But Podcast, Marc Wolfe sits down with Matt Outlaw, the creator behind 731 Woodworks. Matt shares his brutally honest journey from financial ruin and filing for bankruptcy to leaving a 15-year career as an Arkansas State Trooper to become a full-time entrepreneur.

We dive deep into the fear of quitting a "safe" career, the power of "praying circles," and the exact moment Matt knew his mission in law enforcement was over. If you are stuck in a job but know you are meant for more, this conversation exposes the reality of the jump.

What We Cover:

• Intro: From State Trooper to YouTuber

• The Financial Crash: Bankruptcy and The $100 Start

• The First "Side Hustle" (Selling Furniture on Facebook)

• The Viral Moment: "5 Woodworking Projects to Sell"

• The "Yeah, But" of Walking Away from Security

• Faith Over Fear: The "In God We Trust" Shift

• The Resignation: Walking into the Captain's Office

• Discipline vs. Motivation (The Athlete Mindset)

• Dealing with the "Valley of Despair" in Business

• Marc’s Final Thoughts: Intentionality & Pre-Deciding

Quotes:"I was in anguish about leaving the state police... I'm leaving the insurance, I'm leaving a steady paycheck." — Matt Outlaw"If you stay motivated, your motivation's gonna come and go... You have to stay disciplined." — Matt Outlaw"I’ve only heard God talk to me twice... I heard: 'I created the universe, I got this.'" — Matt Outlaw

About the Guest:Matt Outlaw is a former Arkansas State Trooper turned full-time woodworker and content creator. He is the face of 731 Woodworks, a YouTube channel with over 860,000 subscribers dedicated to helping people build furniture and grow their own woodworking businesses.

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/731woodworks

• Website: https://www.731woodworks.com

About the Host:Marc A. Wolfe is an Executive Coach, Strategic Advisor, and President of the Nashville Chapter of the Private Directors Association. He acts as a catalyst for high-performing leaders, helping them navigate complexity and turn conversations into outcomes.

With a unique background that spans supporting early Apple technology at Fortune 500 companies to photographing U.S. Presidents and NFL teams, Marc brings a rare perspective to high-stakes environments. He is the author of Yeah, But, a framework designed to help leaders cut through the noise to accelerate growth and innovation.

Resources for You:

• Website: https://www.marcawolfe.com/

• Get a copy of Yeah, But: https://ybut.short.gy/yb

• Read your free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’: https://ybut.short.gy/chapter

• Suggest a guest for The Yeah, But Podcast: https://ybut.short.gy/ybguest

Connect with Marc:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcawolfe/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe

• X (Twitter): https://x.com/marcawolfe

Contact Us:2000 Mallory Lane, Suite 130.257, Franklin, TN 37067 USA201 257 [email protected]

Futurist Tom Koulopoulos returns, and his biggest concern about AI isn't robots, it's us. He reveals why the choice to ignore AI is like insisting on a manual typewriter in a world that's already gone digital. In this essential follow-up, Tom shares why he now spends 3-4 hours a day working with AI and busts the biggest 'yeah, but' holding people back: the fear of the unknown. Discover the real, seductive danger of AI that no one is talking about, and why he believes there is simply 'no pulling back'.

About Thomas Koulopoulos 

Tom Koulopoulos is Chairman and founder of Delphi Group, a 30-year-old Boston-based think tank named one of the fastest-growing private companies by Inc. Magazine, and the founding partner of Acrovantage Ventures, which invests in early-stage technology startups. He is also the author of 14 books, an inventor with several patents, an Inc.com columnist, the past Executive Director of the Babson College Center for Business Innovation, the past director of the Dell Innovation Lab, and a professor at Boston University.

His insights have received wide praise from luminaries such as the late Peter Drucker, the father of modern management; Dee Hock, founder of Visa International; and Tom Peters, who called his writing, “a brilliant vision of where we must take our enterprises to survive and thrive.” His Inc. column is read by over one million people yearly.

Mr. Koulopoulos’ fourteen books include Reimagining Healthcare, Revealing the Invisible, The Gen Z Effect, The Innovation Zone, and Cloud Surfing. His latest book, Gigatrends, looks at the six tech trends that are shaping the future of how we live, work, and play.

About Marc Wolfe

Marc A. Wolfe, at 9 years old, was removed from public school for being “too smart and disruptive,” a moment that shaped his mission to empower others. Marc is professionally curious; he asks questions, sees potential that others overlook, and loves to help people find a way to get unstuck. At 16, he launched a photography business, capturing U.S. presidents, prominent leaders, and NFL teams. He ran two businesses while earning his marketing degree, including one supporting early Apple products at Fortune 500 companies. With decades as an innovation and strategy consultant, Marc is also an ICF-certified executive coach who's written for Forbes and mentored Inc. 5000 companies.

Timestamps:

• [00:01:15] How AI Is Changing Work Habits Daily

• [00:02:33] The AI Productivity Boom: Outputting More Content Than Ever

• [00:03:00] The Hidden Risks: AI as a New Form of Addiction

• [00:04:13] Why Coding Is the Biggest Strength of AI

• [00:06:12] Asking AI Is Asking Collective Humanity

• [00:08:09] Personalized AI Will Understand Individuals Better Than They Do Themselves

• [00:11:10] No Possibility of Pulling Back From AI

• [00:14:07] The New Era of Conversational AI Is Approaching Rapidly

• [00:15:27] Looking Ahead: Personal Reflections on AI and Storytelling

  
  

 Tom’s contact info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkspeaks/ 

• Website: https://tkspeaks.com/ 

  
  

Marc’s links

• Website: https://www.marcawolfe.com/ 

• Buy Yeah, But: https://ybut.short.gy/yb 

• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’: https://ybut.short.gy/chapter 

• Interested in being on The Yeah, But Podcast?:https://ybut.short.gy/ybguest 

  
  

Follow Marc A. Wolfe on social media for more resources:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/ 

• X: https://x.com/marcawolfe 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe 

  
  

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast & Spotify. 

Marc’s contact details

2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257 Franklin, TN 37067 USA

201 257 3545

[email protected]

Bust Your "Yeah, Buts" on Failure: A 3-Question Test from Futurist and AI Expert Tom Koulopoulos

What does one of the world's leading AI futurists fear? In this candid conversation, Thomas Koulopoulos gets vulnerable about his journey battling failure and the need to please. He shares the powerful tool to stay on course: a simple 3-question 'But Buster' designed to silence the strongest 'yeah, but' and turn ambition into action.

About Thomas Koulopoulos 

Tom Koulopoulos is Chairman and founder of Delphi Group, a 30-year-old Boston-based think tank named one of the fastest-growing private companies by Inc. Magazine, and the founding partner of Acrovantage Ventures, which invests in early-stage technology startups. He is also the author of 14 books, an inventor with several patents, an Inc.com columnist, the past Executive Director of the Babson College Center for Business Innovation, the past director of the Dell Innovation Lab, and a professor at Boston University.

His insights have received wide praise from luminaries such as the late Peter Drucker, the father of modern management; Dee Hock, founder of Visa International; and Tom Peters, who called his writing, “a brilliant vision of where we must take our enterprises to survive and thrive.” His Inc. column is read by over one million people yearly.

Mr. Koulopoulos’ fourteen books include Reimagining Healthcare, Revealing the Invisible, The Gen Z Effect, The Innovation Zone, and Cloud Surfing. His latest book, Gigatrends, looks at the six tech trends that are shaping the future of how we live, work, and play.

About Marc Wolfe

Marc A. Wolfe, at 9 years old, was removed from public school for being “too smart and disruptive” a moment that shaped his mission to empower others. Marc is professionally curious; he asks questions, sees potential that others overlook, and loves to help people find a way to get unstuck.At 16, he launched a photography business, capturing US Presidents, prominent leaders, and NFL teams. He ran two businesses while earning his marketing degree, including one supporting early Apple products at Fortune 500 companies. With decades as an innovation and strategy consultant, Marc is also an ICF-certified executive coach who's written for Forbes and mentored Inc. 5000 companies.

Timestamps:

• 00:04:22 – Prioritization and the ‘I Don’t Have Time’ Mindset

• 00:06:42 – The “Top 3 Regrets” Mind Game for Entrepreneurs

• 00:09:13 – Learning to Say No & Setting Boundaries

• 00:14:22 – Embracing Growth: Starting Before You’re Ready

• 00:19:10 – Reframing Fear as a Tool for Success

• 00:21:09 – Failure’s Value and the 'Not Qualified' Myth

• 00:26:41 – How AI is Changing the Landscape for Entrepreneurs

• 00:31:36 – The Importance of Coaching in Entrepreneurship

• 00:34:13 – Authenticity and Self-Awareness in Leadership

 Tom’s contact info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tkspeaks/ 

• Website: https://tkspeaks.com/ 

  
  

Marc’s links

• Website: https://bit.ly/marcawolfe 

• Buy Yeah, But: https://bit.ly/buyyeahbut 

• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’: https://bit.ly/theyeahbutbook 

• Interested in being on The Yeah, But Podcast?: https://bit.ly/yeahbutpodcast 

Follow Marc A. Wolfe on social media for more resources:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/ 

• X: https://x.com/marcawolfe 

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe 

  
  

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast & Spotify. 

Marc’s contact details

2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257 Franklin, TN 37067 USA

201 257 3545

[email protected]

Yeah, But: How to Overcome "I'm Not Qualified" and Unlock Million-Dollar Opportunities

From small-town Georgia tennis courts to a medical device executive, Woody Bibb reveals how he transformed limiting beliefs into career success. He discusses overcoming "I'm not qualified" thoughts and now mentors others while helping develop breakthrough cortisol monitoring technology.

About Woody Bibb

30+ years of demonstrated success in sales leadership, business development, product-market-fit, and pilot project execution. My foundation in the medical device industry began during the rapid-growth years at Boston Scientific and Guidant/Abbott Vascular prior to working with several start up and early commercialization companies for 15 years. Five of those companies were acquired, three by Boston Scientific. I am passionate about mentoring, strategic coaching and maximizing the collaboration of healthcare, medical devices, and life sciences innovators and entrepreneurs, especially in the Nashville area and the state of Tennessee.

Timestamps

• 02:48 Woody's Journey of Overcoming "Yeah, Buts"
• 05:11 Navigating Life's Challenges and Mentorship
• 09:13 Embracing Growth
• 18:38 The Power
• 20:38 The Journey of Writing
• 21:39 Embracing New Technologies and Overcoming Stagnation
• 23:31 Navigating Corporate Acquisitions and Team Resilience
• 28:16  Innovating in Healthcare: From Personal Struggles to Professional Success

Marc’s links

• Website: https://bit.ly/marcawolfe 

• Buy Yeah, But: https://mybook.to/yeahbut 

Follow Marc A. Wolfe on social media for more resources:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/ 
• X: https://x.com/marcawolfe 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe 
  

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast & Spotify.

Contact

2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257
Franklin, TN 37067 USA
2012573545
[email protected]

Dr. Herman Williams thought his dreams were over when health issues forced him out of surgical residency, but that crisis became the turning point that led him to his real calling. In this raw conversation, he shares how sometimes our greatest failures become the foundation for a life we never imagined.

Herman Williams is currently the President of HW Healthcare Solutions (HWHS), a Nashville-based healthcare consulting firm specializing in key management solutions for hospitals, physician practices, and other healthcare entities. He was formerly the Chief Physician Executive of The Hardenbergh Group and Managing Director for the Nashville Healthcare practice, as well as Chief Physician Executive for all of BDO USA, the fifth largest professional services firm in the United States.

He brings more than 25 years of healthcare leadership and management experience in medical staff consulting, strategic planning, executive coaching, and hospital operations as a senior physician executive. Dr. Williams’ operational roles include oversight of rural, urban, community, academic, for-profit, and non-profit healthcare organizations. He has overseen medical staff operations in over 43 facilities in 30 states throughout his career.

• M.D. – Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA
• M.B.A. – University of Washington, Seattle, WA
• M.P.H. – Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA
• B.A. – Amherst College, Amherst, MA

• 00:03:05 – Yeah, but I don't know what to do next
• 00:05:10 – Writing down goals for accountability in leadership
• 00:06:05 – Yeah, but can I do it?—self-doubt in entrepreneurship
• 00:07:10 – Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people
• 00:11:05 – Refusing to be a victim—career transformation after disability
• 00:13:00 – Surviving cardiac arrest—embracing a second chance at life and leadership
• 00:15:10 – Redefining success after losing your dream career
• 00:17:40 – Lessons learned from starting over in your thirties

• LinkedIn
• Website

• Website
• Buy Yeah, But
• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’
• Interested in being on The Yeah, But Podcast?

• LinkedIn
• X (Twitter)
• Facebook

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast & Spotify.

2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257 Franklin, TN 37067 USA
201 257 3545
[email protected]

Ever feel like your calendar is full but your progress is stalled? Don explains how he changed his mindset to stop hiding behind the “too busy” excuse and start putting his values into practice.

About Don Baham
Don is a business-focused Chief Information Security Officer and Security Technologist with a passion for a healthy company culture. In his current role at Rubicon Founders, Don oversees Information Security and IT Risk & Compliance, focusing on cybersecurity strategy, compliance, and risk reduction.

• [00:00:23] Setting the stage: leadership, growth, and getting unstuck
• [00:01:14] Breaking down common "yeah buts" holding you back
• [00:02:25] Struggling with time management and daily priorities
• [00:04:13] Feeling stuck and not knowing the next right step
• [00:06:01] Lessons pulled directly from the Yeah But book
• [00:13:20] Using BUMPT to evaluate time and priorities wisely
• [00:21:02] Shifting mindset through reframing limiting beliefs
• [00:22:43] Small steps, self-talk, and accountability in action

• Don Baham's LinkedIn

• Marc A. Wolfe's Website
• Buy Yeah, But on Amazon or Apple Books
• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’
• Apply to be a guest on The Yeah, But Podcast

• Marc A. Wolfe's LinkedIn
• Marc A. Wolfe's Facebook
• Marc A. Wolfe's Instagram

• Apple Podcasts
• YouTube Podcast
• Spotify

• 2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257 Franklin, TN 37067 USA
• 201 257 3545
• [email protected]

The Power of Starting Over: Because Safe Wasn’t the Right Fit

What happens when comfort holds you back from real growth? Susie Long reveals how choosing uncertainty over familiarity led to greater meaning, impact, and a career that finally felt right.

This is Part 2 of Susie’s journey through her “yeah, buts”. Missed Part 1? Go back to hear how she reimagines what it truly means to be “ready.”

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PWCyUC0Jh4P8MT2EzmpP3?si=7771758a038d4fcf

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/redefining-ready-rethinking-leadership-confidence-and/id1779330379?i=1000706665716

YouTube Podcasts:
https://youtu.be/VZB6zzLhn2w?si=ZnGJFUjm1_mMN1Ko

Timestamps:

• Panic after the promotion [0:30]
• Reframing fear of failure [4:50]
• Starting over to move forward [8:59]
• Susie’s advice to her younger self [16:18]

Susie’s contact info:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-long-hr/

Marc’s links:

• Website: https://www.marcawolfe.com/
• Buy Yeah, But: https://ybut.short.gy/yb
• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’: https://ybut.short.gy/chapter
• Interested in being on The Yeah, But Podcast?: https://ybut.short.gy/ybguest

Follow Marc A. Wolfe on social media for more resources:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcwolfe/
• X: https://x.com/marcawolfe
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcAwolfe

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast & Spotify.

Marc’s contact details:
2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257 Franklin, TN 37067 USA
201 257 3545
[email protected]

What if “ready enough” was more than enough?

In this episode, Susie Long dives into breaking career molds, overcoming cultural expectations, and reshaping leadership by leading with authenticity, not perfection.

This is Part 1 of Susie’s story of confronting her “yeah, buts.” Part 2 drops next episode.

The “yeah, buts” covered in this episode:

• Yeah, But... You Can’t Where I’m From [4:1]
• Yeah, But... I’m Not Sure I Can Do It [14:35]

Susie’s contact info:

• LinkedIn

Marc’s links

• Website
• Buy Yeah, But
• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’
• Interested in being on The Yeah, But Podcast?

Follow Marc A. Wolfe on social media for more resources:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Facebook

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast, and Spotify.

Marc’s contact details: 2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257 Franklin, TN 37067 USA
201 257 3545
[email protected]

Most teams assume that conflict gets in the way of success. New York Times bestselling author and organizational psychologist Liane Davey reveals how it can be the foundation for better collaboration.

About Liane Davey

Liane Davey is a New York Times Bestselling author of three books, including The Good Fight: Use Productive Conflict to Get Your Team and Your Organization Back on Track and You First: Inspire Your Team to Grow Up, Get Along, and Get Stuff Done. She is a contributor to the Harvard Business Review and is frequently called on by media outlets for her experience in leadership, team effectiveness, and productivity. As the co-founder of 3COze Inc., she advises companies such as Amazon, McDonald's, Walmart, UNICEF, 3M, and SONY. Liane has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology.

About Marc Wolfe

Marc A. Wolfe, at 9 years old, was removed from public school for being “too smart and disruptive” a moment that shaped his mission to empower others. Marc is professionally curious; he asks questions, sees potential that others overlook, and loves to help people find a way to get unstuck.At 16, he launched a photography business, capturing US Presidents, prominent leaders, and NFL teams. He ran two businesses while earning his marketing degree, including one supporting early Apple products at Fortune 500 companies. With decades as an innovation and strategy consultant, Marc is also an ICF-certified executive coach who's written for Forbes and mentored Inc. 5000 companies.

The “yeah, buts” covered in this episode:

• Yeah, But... It's Not Safe [3:15]
• Yeah, But... What Will Others Say Or Think? [9:06]
• Yeah, But... What If I Fail? [15:18]

Liane’s contact info:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Marc’s links

• Website
• Buy Yeah, But
• Get a free chapter of ‘Yeah, But’
• Interested in being on The Yeah, But Podcast?

Follow Marc A. Wolfe on social media for more resources:

• LinkedIn
• X
• Facebook

Please like, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Podcast, and Spotify.

Marc’s contact details

2000 Mallory Ln, Suite 130.257
Franklin, TN 37067 USA
201 257 3545
[email protected]