Wise Words & Whisky with Wylie McGraw

If you’re the type of person who seeks ways to command a better life but find that you’re lacking in consistent happiness when faced with hostile environments or other obstacles, then this conversation is an opportunity to learn how personal leadership and sheer will make everything more harmonious. Today, with my guest, 2x Emmy Award Winning Choreographer Kathryn “Kat” Burns, I’m bringing you into a world where focus, choice, and discipline—coupled with an altruistic connection to the dynamic movement of life itself—paves the way for a more joy-filled life. And I’ll tell you right now, the conversation is light and boisterous. Our conversation reveals why Kathryn is uniquely able to naturally and effortlessly navigate the myriad of life’s challenges and responsibilities with grace and confidence, and how that plays into her professional ambitions and success. Join us as we sip THE DANCING DAUGHTERS WHISKEY NEAT and flow with the insights that will inevitably change how you view and take charge of your life, and why being more fluid helps you manage every experience with grace, no matter which chapter of life you’re in.

Before you go…

The whiskey in this episode was donated by the Founders of Dancing Daughters, Kelly Nolan & Jessica Steelberg.

Please support their business and order your own here: https://www.dancing-daughters.com/buy

Wise Words from this episode:

• How do you command your life and those you’re responsible for? Is your leadership rigid and from a place of raw emotion, or do you fluidly lead from confidence, clarity, and understanding?? Consider how your approach might be affecting your relationships and experiences, then shift from there.

Guest Links:

Website 1 - https://www.thekathrynburns.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katmburns/

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you're a high achiever who wants to help others, or you just want to know whether your business is on the right track, this discussion will provide you with valuable insights that can change your viewpoint on why you do the work you do. In today's podcast, I bring you into a world where you can create a powerful platform of connections and success by giving more than you promise, with my guest, CEO and Award-Winning Podcaster, Jeremy Ryan Slate. And I’ll tell you right now it’s informative. Our conversation reveals how Jeremy's athletic upbringing, formal education, and desire to challenge the status quo have contributed to his drive to break down media barriers for visionary founders and leaders so their messages can reach the masses. Join us as we sip RUSSEL'S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL NEAT and dig into the insights that can inspire you to look at your life and business differently, and how a mission-focused mindset makes it even more rewarding.

Wise Words from this episode:

• In our culture, money is synonymous with success, and most businesses work solely to achieve that goal. Do you want your business to have world-changing results or are you running it only for financial validation?

Guest Links:

Website 1 - https://commandyourbrand.com

Website 2 - https://jeremyryanslate.com

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

For those who want new ways to keep their lives stimulated, look no further than the power of sound. Find out how becoming one with it can transform you from the inside out. Today I’m bringing you insights into the value of quality music, and why listening and playing from the heart can lead to a profound sense of purpose in every area of life with my guest, Billboard Recording Legend & Icon, Esteban. And I’ll tell you right now the vibe is palpable. Our conversation reveals how Esteban naturally tunes himself into his music, why his passion for it never dies, and how that has made him a master at teaching hundreds of thousands of people to know, understand, and play effortlessly, in as little as 30 minutes. Join us as we sip GALVESTON 12YR OLD SPANISH SINGLE MALT NEAT and dig into the insights that will inevitably uplevel your ability to use sound to keep your fire lit, no matter what you set out to do.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Music is a vessel that keeps us connected to our heart. It changes us at the cellular level, and influences how we express ourselves. Consider the type of sound you’re exposed to, and how it impacts your mood, attitude, and motivation.

Guest Links:

• Website – https://www.estebanmusic.com/

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

For those of you who feel trapped by the rigid culture of business, who struggle to find ideal solutions to the problems you must navigate as a leader or employee, it’s time to learn what it takes to simplify the complex and why settling for what doesn't serve you is a recipe for burnout. Today, with the help of my guest, Wall St. Journal Best Selling Author, Karen Mangia, I’m bringing you a fun conversation that presents all sorts of standards and values to change your mindset, unleash playfulness/creativity, and give you the momentum needed to achieve your goals. And I’ll tell you now, it will set you on the path for true success. Our conversation explores how Karen uses play in business for tighter, more inclusive team function and how organizations can become more efficient in their operations. Join us as we sip THE BALCONES BIG BABY NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to experience more curiosity, creativity, and positive change in both life and business.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Try to not take yourself, or the situation you're in, too seriously. When we do so, we tend to only focus on constraints and that ultimately obscures our ability to make better choices.

• Setting an audacious goal and going after it with openness is actually a smart business strategy. It can, in fact, open possibilities and help uncover solutions you didn't know were possible.

• Play is a mechanism to shift mindset and make the impossible possible.

• We're all drawn to others who are light, fun, and refreshing. So why do we often limit that same energy within ourselves?

• Karen defines burnout as living outside your values for an extended period. Take an honest look at your own experience -- have you fallen into this yourself? If so, take a step back and identify ways you can get back on track. Staying burnt out for too long has severe consequences!

• Leaders and the lives they lead directly influence their company culture. As goes the leadership, so goes the team -- is yours playful or is it overly rigid?

• When you bring playfulness into everything you do, you can easily simplify what's otherwise complex. Try to fail fast, discover fast, and win fast!

• Curiosity, creativity, and choice -- Karen sees these as catalysts for cultural change inside every team and organization. Question is, are you embracing these or are you making the wrong choices?

Guest Links:

• Website – www.readsuccessfromanywhere.com

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you’re the type of person who tends to wait until bad things happen before finally taking action, it’s crucial for you to slow down and reevaluate what distractions are interfering with your presence of mind. Today, with the help of my guest, former Counterterrorism SWAT Officer, Adam Contos, I’m giving you access to the personal leadership lessons that will stop victimization in its tracks, help prevent the worst from happening, and free up your mind so you can properly respond to any threats in life, business, and beyond. And I’ll tell you now, it’s eye opening. Our conversation unpacks a few real-life scenarios that highlight why intuition and personal awareness are essential attributes plus showcases how preparation leads to a truly successful life. Join us as we sip WIDOW JANE 10YR BOURBON NEAT, and dive into the insights you’ll need to meet any challenge that threatens your peace with poise, purpose, and strength.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Prepare yourself to handle problems or find ways to prevent them — either way, don’t just sit around waiting for issues to arise. Choosing to be active and find solutions doesn’t always come cheap or easy but the truth is, it can save your life. Well worth it, yes?

• Sometimes, terrible situations will pop up no matter what we do. However, we can help safeguard ourselves/others by being aware, avoiding clear dangers, de-escalating in moments of conflict, and responding rather than merely reacting. Focusing on these four principles can, if nothing else, increase the possibility of a positive resolution for worst-case scenarios.

• In the absence of awareness, you become a victim of life and its circumstances. After all, if you don’t understand where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going, there’s no way you can identify opportunities or predict potential challenges.

• With a flashlight, you can defend against potential threats in the simplest, fastest way. Small flashlights with ample lighting can flood an attacker's view and establish dominance over your personal space. There’s a reason cops use it at night during traffic stops!

• Automatically interpreting a situation as a threat doesn’t help matters and will just create unnecessary tension within yourself. Instead, allow yourself a free-flowing thought process despite feeling nervous. It will enable you to evaluate situations better and react more appropriately.

Guest Links:

Website – https://adamcontos.com

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

For those of you who find yourselves in competition with your partner because you feel overshadowed or underappreciated by them, know that your value is determined not by your role but by the relationship you have with your desired outcomes. Today, with the help of my guest, Content Creator & Communications Expert Tyler Stevens, I’ll be showcasing the attitude shift that will help you become empowered no matter your position. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s very redeeming. Our conversation unpacks the “secret sauce” behind Tyler’s relentless commitment of service to others, how true leadership is ultimately about uplifting those around you, and why this standard breeds true fulfillment from within. Join us as we sip ANGEL’S ENVY BOURBON NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to find satisfaction whether you’re currently in the shadows or out in the spotlight.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Strength comes in many different forms; the more open you are to deciphering which kind is needed in a given moment, the more successful you’ll be. In other words, the deciding mark of an accomplished man is his ability to surrender the need for control and release rigid definitions of personal strength to achieve the goal at hand.

• Men are meant to help facilitate goals for their partners, their families, and their businesses. Are you operating in this kind of facilitation mode or are you coming at it from a direction mainly meant to boost your ego?

• Men have a habit of considering themselves lesser-than if what they say isn’t listened to or respected; don’t fall for this yourself! It’s a false belief that only serves to break men away from intimacy and connection, leaving them constantly seeking validation while fearing failure. If ever in doubt, ask yourself: are you really being helpful or are you simply trying to be right?

• If you think serving is beneath you, then leadership is far beyond you

• It can be a hard truth to swallow but you need to know that it’s not always about you. It’s only once a man accepts this that he can truly find freedom with the powerful women and people in his life.

• Ambitious people crave an impact so large, they often get lost in the vastness of their goal. But Tyler declares the importance of “shrinking your world and thinking smaller" － meaning, be the best you can be in each small moment and your power/impact will actually greatly benefit.

Guest Links:

Website – https://kinwoven.com/

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you’re the type of person who’s passionate about their craft and driven to create a sustainably successful career, it’s imperative that you stick to who you are — to maintain your personal standards, core values, integrity, and personality no matter who (or what) surrounds you. In this conversation with my guest, Senior Producer at USA Today Sports Larry Berger, you’ll learn how humility and inner confidence make for robust connections and a more satisfying, rewarding journey through both life and business. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s warm-hearted and encouraging. We discuss how Larry is able to stay so joyful and personally fulfilled in his profession despite being surrounded by power, fame, and ego, and what he believes needs to be the standard mindset for others to stay true to their own selves in any environment. Join us as we sip BRADSHAW’S KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON ON THE ROCKS and delve into the powers that can help inspire others to have it, too.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Likability is a valuable asset that can prove vital for success in life, though this is all too often overlooked in a culture that prizes power, status, and drama above all else. Don’t let yourself fall into this attitude. Rest assured that likability brings its own rewards and can be continually improved regardless of personality.

• As the old adage goes, “you have to give respect to get respect”, and for the most part this is intuitively understood. But certain personalities and environments can skew one’s ability to effectively operate from this standard. Question if you’ve been skewed as well and explore ways you can reorient this attitude.

• Have you allowed outside forces to taint or change who you are at your core? And if so, what internal self-limiting beliefs or circumstances contributed to you letting this happen?

• As Larry shares, the most important attribute in adulthood is being able to confidently present who you really are as a person! Work at this by embracing authenticity, learning self acceptance, and staying genuine.

• Misinformation is the enemy of knowledge (and performance); you need to spend time cleaning out your proverbial “operating system” from what doesn’t hold true. All outdated info you’ve consumed, wrongful attitudes, and unhelpful assumptions have to go!

Guest Links:

Website – https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2647125001/larry-berger/

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star...

If you’re someone who feels that your environment and relationships are hindering your ability to honestly express who you are, learning how to confront them — along with the weaknesses they create — will undoubtedly free you from your constraints. Today with my guest, actress, activist, & health coach Alexandra Paul, we will discuss why most people end up suffering from mental and emotional weaknesses, how simply “coping” is not the answer, and what it takes to truly break free from the pain driven by a lack of authentic expression. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s a raw and vulnerable discussion. Our conversation touches on Alexandra’s own experience of how social constructs forced her to repress herself and why the avoidance of pain causes more of it, driving us into addictive behavior and further weakening our minds/bodies. Join us as we sip MONDAY VEGAN, NON-ALCOHOLIC WHISKEY and delve into the insights that will give you permission to be honest with yourself about where your standards lie and how to use emotional discomfort as an ally for personal performance.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Poisons in the environment — whether they be emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual — greatly affect how we express ourselves along with what emotions we carry. What in your own environment could be harming your well-being?

• Stop and ask yourself: am I actually learning how to properly express (and eventually resolve) my weaknesses or am I putting more energy into simply hiding them?

• Interestingly enough, Alexandra says the reason you become addicted to something often isn’t the same reason you continue to engage in that addiction.

• You’re only as sick as your secrets — if you can be honest with yourself and confront this truth, your ability to find help and optimize personal performance will grow exponentially.

• Take inventory of what you reach for when you experience feelings of anxiety, discomfort, and/or agitation. Is it something negative or positive? Do you feel stuck in a habitual cycle?

• Start savoring things in life. It grounds you and brings you to a place of presence, be it with food, people, even hardships and discomfort. Start catching yourself to see when you’re present in your activities or behaviors and when you’re just mindlessly activated to them.

Guest Links:

Website – https://alexandrapaul.com

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and...

If you’re the type of person who's constantly grinding, who never slows down to take a break or take care of yourself, actively changing this combative nature into natural motivation will undoubtedly ease your mind and improve your performance. Today with my guest, retired Navy SEAL sniper William Branum, we will discuss the mindset of rigidity and weakness versus that of bravery and vulnerability when it comes to seeking help, and why success heavily depends on which path you take. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s fundamentally truthful. Our conversation touches on William’s experience of PTSD, how it can be sparked by any abrupt life change (rather than just from combat), and why seeking natural, unconventional methods of recovery makes you a better “fighter” in life. Join us as we sip The ARDBEG WEE BEASTIE NEAT and delve into the insights you need to push beyond your limitations for a healthier, happier way of being.

Wise Words from this episode:

• For better or worse, everything comes to an end. These transition points can be remarkably difficult to process (especially for high performers) and can contribute to PTSD in varying degrees, so don’t feel “bad” or “weird” if you’re struggling more than usual.

• William asks us all a poignant question about stress and recovery: “What internal temperature do you operate at on a daily basis — are you quick to boil over from external stimuli? Or are you slow and steady for what might set you off?” Answer this honestly and be open to the fact that it might be a sign you’re struggling with a form of PTSD. It’s not just a combat warrior’s affliction!

• In war, we wear armor to protect ourselves during each operation or mission and take it off when we are done. In life, people put on their armor and ego yet never take it off. How well do you think you can perform when you’re always armored up, bracing for the impact of each moment or experience?

• High performers are always on edge, using that intensity to fuel their operation. But without the balance of getting emotionally naked and alleviating that intensity when not necessary, you’ll eventually burn out, merely coping with life in place of living it.

• Know your strengths, but never be too good to admit your weaknesses and seek resources that help you face those challenges. Recovery and healing happen even in business growth.

Guest Links:

Website – https://nw-recovery.com/

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and...

If you’re the type of person who feels life is not as animated as you want it to be, embracing your passions and obsessions head-on despite societal expectations is key. Not only will it help make your day-to-day life more exciting, it will also ultimately push you towards personal growth, allowing you to unlock the multi-dimensional version of yourself. Today with my guest, professional screenwriter & award-winning publicist Melissa Cassera, we’ll touch on the mindset and character truths that can － and will －“caffeinate” your inner creativity for a more enjoyable personal and professional life. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s quite the story. Our conversation explores how Melissa challenges the one-dimensional notion of separating the personal from the professional and proves that conforming to what others define us to be is one of the biggest mistakes we can ever make. Join us as we sip the classic JAMESON COLD BREW WHISKEY NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to guide yourself towards a life filled with passion and satisfaction.

Wise Words from this episode:

• Stop separating the parts of who you are into “the personal” and “the professional.” Keeping your passions completely out of the workspace and only showing up to do what you are “supposed” to is wasting your full potential.

• Think of yourself like a movie or television character when it comes to your business. Are you showing up as a flat, one-dimensional version of yourself; are you playing a supporting role in your own life? If so, this is likely the source of your boredom!

• Melissa diagnoses burnout as the absence of fun, passion, and obsession with your work. Reflect on your own experience － do you see evidence of this in your own professional life, and if so, what are some ways you can reverse course?

• For greater relationships and interpersonal dynamics, listen deeper to others’ opinions; approach them as if they’re a story. Dig into their character and find out where they’re actually coming from, because that’s what we are all to one another － characters with our own unique storylines.

• Get to the truth of what you enjoy ending the one-dimensional version of yourself. Don’t wish your life away by wishing for something to come stimulate you; actively choose something that does so and get obsessed with it regardless of outside approval.

• Watch out for the “devil’s advocate-type” people you might find yourself around. They’ll more often derail you than help you.

Guest Links:

Website – https://melissacassera.com/

Connect with Wylie:

Whisky Giveaway

Website - https://wyliemcgraw.com/

YouTube

Instagram

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit. 

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: [email protected] 

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by...