i3: Recent Episodes
Southwestern Family of Companies
The inside track to the Southwestern Family of Companies and its mission to Invest, Inspire, and Impact, from the individuals within the family, to the world as a whole.
Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.
Forbes 400 member and Southwestern Advantage alum Jon Yarbrough talks about the desire to win, the special person that served as his emotional purpose on the bookfield, and how Southwestern taught him to “fish”.
Here it is! Arguably the most requested keynote speech in the history of Southwestern; Mort Utley and “Remember the Pony.” Starting in 1955, Mort became a beloved fixture at Southwestern Sales School, delivering nearly 1,200 speeches over 35 years that inspired generations of student dealers with stories of optimism, persistence, and goal-driven success... including this one.
Released on 1/4/2017
Mortgage professional Jennifer Bennett and professional coach Shelly Smith share a powerful story of resilience, mindset transformation, and business growth through coaching. Bennett discusses rebuilding her career after a difficult divorce and personal setbacks, revealing how limiting self-talk, stress, and a lack of control were holding her back from regaining top performance in sales. With Smith’s guidance, she learned to reframe negative thoughts, focus on what she could control, and intentionally reshape her mindset to overcome adversity, improve productivity, and rebuild client relationships. The conversation highlights the critical role of coaching in personal development, the impact of mindset on sales success, and how shifting from fear and scarcity to belief, focus, and gratitude can drive both professional achievement and personal fulfillment.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2017/01/04/letting-go-of-sabotaging-self-talk-with-shelly-smith-and-jennifer-bennett-episode-175-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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2-summer Southwestern Advantage alum Nhat Pham reflects on the shift in identity that kept him from giving up on the bookfield, the unorthodox game that led to his most fun sale, the tactic of “selling yourself, selling the house, and selling the product”, and adopting the mindset of the buffalo.
Dr. Ira Wilson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown University School of Public Health, as well as Professor of Medicine at the Alpert Medical School, and a Southwestern alumnus from Harvard, shares how he found his way to Southwestern, the most important skill he's taken from the bookfield into medicine, and how the SWA experience is a lot like Homer's "Odyssey".
Elizabeth Mendoza, a Business Analyst within the corporate SWFC IT department, talks about the essential components of a winning attitude and mindset, exploring critical concepts like self-talk, gratitude, motivation, commitment, accountability and more, and actionable steps you can start taking today to move in the right direction.
Muzo Unluel, VP of GEC, presents the strategies GEC is taking for entering new markets and adopting new approaches, with a focus on investing in individual capability, attitude, and confidence, as well as retaining talent in fast-paced environments.
Dave Causer, President of both Southwestern Advantage and Global Educational Concepts, shares an important lesson in execution and realizing your own potential, taught to him by one of the most important people in his life...his daughter.
Ellen Hoggard, President of High School in the USA, part of GEC, details the origins of the exchange system, and the critical role it plays in the future, not only to the world at large, but to the unique business structure at Southwestern.
Released on 2/3/2016
Speaker, author, and adventurer Rob Lilwall shares hard-earned lessons from decades of outrageous expeditions, including tips on assessing risk, why there's more fear in anticipation than execution, having the attitude of adventure, and the mental importance of forward momentum.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2016/02/03/global-adventures-in-mental-toughness-with-rob-lilwall-episode-127-of-the-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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Amy D’Aprix, President of LifeBridge Strategies, shares an enlightening look at how LifeBridge is leveraging brand and reputation, establishing structure and processes for scaling, and creating clarity around the organization’s vision.
Hans Schlegel, Vice President of Alumni Engagement at Southwestern Family of Companies, breaks down what a "PC" is, how they got started, and why they are an essential tool in the toolkit to all SWFC employees, whether you've been with the company for 5 days, or 5 decades.
Spanning 23 years and 37 countries of experience, some of the great minds at SBR Consulting share how to bridge the gap between strategy and execution to accelerate commercial growth, including building a growth strategy and how to execute it, the 3 growth pillars that drive revenue acceleration in competitive markets, what works and what doesn’t, lessons from 1,000+ sales transformational projects, and how to assess your commercial maturity and build a roadmap for impact.
Released on 1/13/2026
Adam Outland, Action Catalyst host and President of Southwestern Consulting, and David Stuart, President and Founder of Southwestern Insurance Group, break down how they've each re-examined the structure of their long-standing businesses, including a few key decisions on what NOT to do, taking a hard look at where true revenue comes from, reframing and calculating risk, following the data, the push-pull relationship with tradition, improving the client experience, bringing technology into the mix, and the superpower of curiosity.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/?p=4131
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Sara Hodges, Director of Operations for Southwestern Consulting, breaks down her unique path through the Family of Companies, how she became a detective for SWC, the criticism that probably ultimately landed her a job, the importance of picking her battles, and her hopes for the future of her role.
Released on 12/30/2025
Vice President of Information Technology for the Southwestern Family of Companies, Ed Solima, and Training and Development Manager for Southwestern Consulting, Chad Rothermich, examine recent changes in AI and other tech, and offer an in-depth use case as well as some guiding principles for vetting potential tools and vendors, engaging stakeholders in your operation, integrating into existing systems, and even using AI to learn about AI.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2025/12/30/innovation-at-the-edges-an-action-catalyst-panel/
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Released on 10/25/2017
Ron Alford, Senior Partner and a Professional Sales and Leadership Coach at Southwestern Consulting, and Josh Hudson, CEO of Hudson's Furniture, cover the unique relational challenges of operating in a family business, how to establish a rhythm quickly with coaching, identifying patterns in yourself, learning to accept but also to question, and letting others help you help yourself.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2017/10/25/repairing-broken-relationships-with-ron-alford-and-josh-hudson-episode-217-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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Released on 7/13/2016
Angie Moss, Sales and Leadership Coach and Certified Trainer with Southwestern Consulting, and Brad Moore, Senior Vice President with BancorpSouth Wealth Management, talk about the principles of working ON your business not IN your business, moving your on goalpost for success, and becoming a leader even before you have people to lead.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2016/07/13/conquering-complacency-life-story-with-angie-moss-and-brad-moore-episode-150-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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Southwestern Advantage alum and now coach and Partner with Southwestern Consulting, Christina Gradillas, shares the lessons she took from going door-to-door in hot Atlanta summers, the crazy left turn she made into counter-terrorism, how and why she found her way back to Southwestern (after breaking up), and the big misconceptions around coaching.
Nawanya Stroud, SWFC Human Resources Manager, and Rita Streator, Southwestern Advantage’s Contact Center Manager, issue an update on the work of the Employer of Choice Task Force, and what's being done in the top 5 areas of focus critical for attracting and retaining top talent.
Hans Schlegel, Partner and Lead Recruiter in the Sales division of ThinkingAhead, and Christina Reckard, Vice President of Marketing, share the unique funnel that keeps alumni active within the Southwestern ranks, and the assets and the edge that this unique group provides the Family of Companies.
Southwestern CEO Henry Bedford walks listeners through the organization's vision and strategic direction, and how the core ideas and principles that have seen Southwestern through the last century and a half will be largely the same strategies which will see us into the future.
Business leader, top sales performer, executive coach, and President of Southwestern Speakers, Emmie Brown, explains the 2 main kinds of change an organization can undergo, the 5 step process for corporate decision making, and how good leadership is a lot like good parenting.
Southwestern Advantage alum and renowned physician and author Walt Larimore recounts the career-defining and life-altering lessons he learned on the bookfield, the sense of fellowship, and the eye-opening approach to sales he took into his medical practice, and shares a heartfelt "thank you" to the company.
Southwestern Advantage President Dave Causer introduces Bulgarian Ambassador Georgi Panayotov, who explains the strong history and political bonds between Bulgaria and the United States, and how the Southwestern Family of Companies plays a leading role in continuing the two most critical parts of that bond; personal relationships, and education.
Released on 7/30/2024
President of Southwestern Ventures, Priit Martin, shares the mission of creating career and entrepreneurial opportunities for young people in Europe, reflects on the dream job of making money playing computer games, talks about weathering Covid, why simple isn't always easy, and new and different isn't always effective, why success boils down to the basics, and why Ventures’ real product isn’t a product at all.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2024/07/30/venturing-boldly-with-priit-martin-episode-465-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/
Released on 7/2/2024
Ron Alford, Executive Coach, Certified Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Senior Partner with Southwestern Consulting, covers the principles and parables in his newly revised edition of "Redefining Possible", and talks about finding the joy in having his soul crushed, collecting “Ron's Rambles”, the importance of putting on blinders, truths vs. lies, diving into the data, but going with the gut, and why his pals call him “Switzerland”.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2024/07/30/possibility-redefined-with-ron-alford-episode-464-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/
Southwestern Family of Companies Content Strategist Mandy Hudson interviews Chairman and CEO Henry Bedford as he reflects on his 50 years with the company, including his widely diverse career path, what’s changed in the company over that time (and what's remained the same), and his humble request for SWFC employees.
Tim Nowak, SWFC Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Patty Hoppenstedt, SWFC Chief People Officer, and Henry Bedford, CEO of Southwestern Family of Companies, outline the role of the organization's shared services, what those services are, and how the wealth of resources and expertise available can help enhance and grow all companies within the family.
Has fear ever paralyzed you from pursuing your goals? Has your confidence ever been shaken with lackluster results? Have you ever felt like an emotional rollercoaster, up and down with your circumstances? Peak Performance Executive Coach, Steve Reiner, shares engaging stories and proven principles to ultimately master your emotions, be fearless, crush your goals, and have a blast doing it; skills that have made Steve Southwestern Consulting’s all-time record holder for most clients sold, and keep him producing in the top 1%.
Sales Director and Lead Mentor with Southwestern Advantage, Veiko Roos, breaks down the four phases to consider when building your business strategy, what exactly IS "strategy", the six questions to evaluate in your organization, and how Southwestern leadership's clarity of vision is lighting the way.
Mike Johnson, 56th United States Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as a 4-summer Southwestern Advantage alum, talks about how the principles he learned on the book field led him to the Speakership, shares the crazy story of his experience selling in Tucson, Arizona, and explains how everyone has a role at this unique moment in history to keep American democracy afloat.
SWA alum Peep Vain explains the special kind of person that Southwestern attracts and the principles that have served as the foundation of his career, recounts the origins of the Estonian sales organization, and shares why a summer with Southwestern is like being in a dryer.
SWA and GEC President Dave Causer sits down with District Sales Leader Emil Tsvetkov to reflect on Emil's breaking the record for most lifetime units sold, how he stayed motivated to reach the goal, the others within the Southwestern family who helped him along the way, what the future could look like for earning on the bookfield, and Emil's one secret weapon: his wife.
ThinkingAhead President Greg Boucher speaks on the importance of Southwestern becoming an "employer of choice", including the backstory on the efforts being made by the company, and the 5 main components of creating a desirable workplace.
Vice-President of I.T., Ed Solima, outlines Southwestern's new A.I. policies, providing insight on generative A.I., "revenue intelligence", and A.I. "hallucinations", as well as the risks associated with artificial intelligence, and guidelines for safe use.
7 summer alum Joe Ignace shares his Southwestern story, including the blessing of NOT making a semi-pro soccer team, blowing tires, ugly crying on the bookfield, and finding the power of the butterfly effect.
Jack Clark III reflects on flooding his dorm (and how it pointed him to Southwestern), the lessons of knocking on 15,000 doors, finding his core values, never giving up on a day, a person, or a dream, and why Southwestern is the ultimate workout.
Dan Moore personally walks listeners through the inspiration behind his book, "Control, Influence, Accept (For Now), including examples of each key strategy, and takes questions from a wide range of topics including a big life lesson learned from a car accident, the importance of being changed by the journey, hitchhiking hundreds of miles, the weirdest thing he's ever eaten, and the most interesting people he's ever met.
Emil Tsvetkov, Marketing Research Coordinator with Southwestern Advantage Sales Leaders International and former sales record holder, shares the lessons learned over some challenging sales summers, including the importance of staying humble and staying hungry, finishing strong, and sometimes, being prepared to evacuate the area.
JT Olson talks about the lessons learned during his six summers on the book field, how old-fashioned SWFC work ethic led to him founding the nonprofit Both Hands, which has raised millions of dollars over the past 15 years, and his desire to make an impact and leave the world a better place.
Released on 8/1/2023
Elite-level sales and leadership coach and Partner of Southwestern Consulting, Dave Brown, details his new book and guiding principle of “Servant Selling”, as well as the only two ways to earn money in the world (hint: they're both the same thing), why “Green Eggs and Ham” is THE best book on sales ever written, exploiting your uniqueness in service of others, “WYDFLI” motivation, creating credibility deposits, perpetually being valuable, and how asking for someone’s business empowers THEM.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2023/08/01/servant-selling-with-dave-brown-episode-437-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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Southwestern Advantage alumni, college football champion, and orthopedic surgeon Karim Meijer explains the ways that SWA principles have aided him in his medical career and why failure makes you an expert, and shares a few book field stories of going up against angry husbands and hungry roommates.
Released on 7/18/2023
As he exits his role as Action Catalyst host, Dan Moore shares his wisdom from spending half a century with the same company, helping young people grow, bringing a 150+ year old institution into the modern age, some of the most impactful lessons learned from 5 years in the host chair of The Action Catalyst, the value of wearing emotional blinders, and digging for acres of diamonds.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2023/07/18/forward-to-better-with-dan-moore-episode-435-of-the-action-catalyst/
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In this interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with Southwestern Real Estate's Nelly Koebele, who shares her experience coming back from a brain injury, turning her room into a jail cell, running for Miss USA, the work she's doing to honor her daughter, and always asking "why NOT me?"
Released on 5/17/2017
Dave Brown, speaker, author, and Founding Partner of Southwestern Consulting, talks about beating "call reluctance", how one call a month can lead to huge rewards, how your parents may have made you a bad salesman, scarcity vs. abundance, what Michael Jordan can teach us about persistence, and why not to let thinking dictate action; ACT your way into healthy thinking.
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2017/05/17/painless-prospecting-and-conquering-call-reluctance-with-dave-brown-episode-195-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/
Released on 6/6/2023
Andrus Albi, Sales Practitioner, Certified Sales & Leadership Coach, and Partner at Southwestern Consulting provides a masterclass on maintaining focus, including the relief that comes with identifying factors that are not under your control, prioritizing items in your calendar, being responsive versus reactive, creating "should do" and "MUST do" items, how the same advice applies to motocross, marriage, and sales, and why "practice doesn’t make perfect, PERFECT practice makes perfect".
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2023/06/06/the-fundamentals-of-focus-with-andrus-albi-episode-429-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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In this special interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with GEC and Southwestern Advantage President Dave Causer, to learn about his journey through the Southwestern organization, how GEC got started, the recent trend that signals a bright future for Southwestern Advantage, and the 4 mantras that are defining his goals in 2023/2024.
In this interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with Southwestern's Head of Podcasting, Zach Troutman, who gives a rundown on the programs that make up the Southwestern Family of Podcasts (including a yet-to-be-released show), and talks about what sets Southwestern apart as a podcast creator, and getting snubbed (sort of) by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Terri Rickard, Founder and President of Southwestern Travel Group, shares an update on an exciting start to 2023 (and even 2024), and the company's new focus in the post-pandemic travel space.
David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group, shares an update on an exciting year of growth, and the mission ahead.
Southwestern Family of Companies Content Strategist, Mandy Hudson, sits down with Peggy Tomlin, Administrator with GEC, to cover her half a century with SWFC, how things got a little wild in the 70s, and what it is about the family of companies that she loved so much, it got her to come out of retirement.
Trey Campbell, Vice President of Communications and Government Relations for Southwestern Advantage, leads a discussion on self-talk and the absolutely critical role it plays in driving your achievements and success, including how positive self-talk can expand your vision to include new possibilities, how to design empowering affirmations for yourself, and a key lesson from a pig named Porkchop.
Emmie Brown, President of Southwestern Speakers and a Senior Partner and coach with Southwestern Consulting, provides a master class on how to create, anchor, manifest, and map your vision, including the key differences between goals, values, and purpose, some helpful prompts to take your vision from brain to paper, and how focusing your vision is like learning to ride a bike.
Southwestern Family of Companies CEO Henry Bedford provides a brief tour of the companies that make up the "family", as well as a look into Southwestern's past and some of individuals key to it's early success, and the principles that continue to guide the company in it's mission and vision for the future.
Released on 3/21/2023
Stephanie Maas, Executive Search Partner with ThinkingAhead Executive Search, one of the top 10 executive search firms in the country, and a Certified Personnel Consultant, speaks on getting her start selling books door-to-door, knowing your weaknesses and strengthening your aptitudes, following the “Jerry Maguire philosophy”, the definition of “talent”, what one of the nation’s top executive recruitment firms looks for, and address the question of when DOES a business need an executive recruiter, and why the secret to success lies in planning your bathroom breaks?
Episode Page:
https://theactioncatalyst.com/2023/03/21/right-person-right-organization-right-time-with-stephanie-maas-episode-420-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/
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Southwestern Family of Companies Content Strategist, Mandy Hudson, catches up with ThinkingAhead's outgoing Vice President and Senior Managing Partner, Tim Knight, who reflects on 40 years with the family of companies, how the executive recruitment business has weathered the rise of internet job search, and how one of the most rewarding parts of his job came at the very end.
SWFC Content Strategist Mandy Hudson discusses new AI (artificial intelligence) innovation ChatGPT, and the influence writing tools are going to have on the future, including great uses for the tool and what it excels at, as well as things to avoid.
Need help? Contact Mandy at mhudson@southwesternconsulting.com
SWFC Content Strategist Mandy Hudson discusses the basics of SEO and how optimizing your material for search engines can help support a winning content strategy, including free web-based tools, industry-best practices, and explanations of marketing terms that will have YOUR content getting discovered in no time.
Need help? Email Mandy at mhudson@southwesternconsulting.com
In this interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with Southwestern Advantage VP of Communications and Government Relations Trey Campbell, who reflects on navigating decades of changing technology, putting out public relations fires, the 4 "seasons" of Southwestern Advantage, the byproducts of selling, making ground-level impact around the globe, becoming a published author, and the leadership that propelled his company to flourish in a time of uncertainty.
AnnJanette Toth, Director of Marketing for Southwestern Family of Companies, covers some quick tips for utilizing your social media, from goal setting, to free tools, scheduling and strategy, how to boost engagement, and even a surprise cameo by Tim McGraw!
ThinkingAhead Executive Search puts people first; valuing and telling their clients' stories in a way that attracts top talent. But now it's time to hear THEIR story, about who they are and why they do what they do, straight from leaders like ThinkingAhead President Greg Boucher and Managing Partner Rob Mosley, as well as ThinkingAhead success story Libby Marsh.
In this interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with Southwestern Distribution General Manager Vince McMahon, to learn what sets the distribution center apart from other companies, the big move the company made in recent years, and how the center can serve others within the family of companies, from Southwestern Advantage, to Publishing, Speakers, Consulting, and beyond.
Misty Fierro, Army veteran and a 3 year SWFC veteran in the IT department, shares the details of her decorated military career, and how it prepared her for the teams she leads today at Southwestern.
From Southwestern Advantage, to ThinkingAhead, and now Southwestern Consulting, Bob Moses has seen his way around the Southwestern Family of Companies, often from a place at the top. Hear how Bob has turned success into more success, helping others along the way, and how Southwestern enabled him to retire at 35 and live a life that he thanks God first, and Southwestern second for.
Southwestern Advantage alumni and Founder of Inspire Kindness, Mac Anderson, explains how to manage your attitude through exercise, gratitude, learning to laugh, and more, as well as then benefits for yourself and those around you.
Southwestern Advantage alumni and Inspire Kindness Founder Mac Anderson shares his vision behind starting a kindness movement, why belief fuels passion, a lesson from the great Arnold Palmer, how to create memorable experiences for those you serve, the two step process to perfecting the art of listening, and why to start every day by eating a live frog.
Pat Roach, President of Southwestern Real Estate, shares the secrets to retaining top-producing employees by cultivating a healthy company culture, redefining normal, leading by example, establishing shared values, and being an "emotional giant".
In this talk, Tim Knight, Vice President and Senior Managing Partner with ThinkingAhead, covers the best practices for onboarding, and when necessary, offboarding employees, including standardizing systems and materials, defining key performance indicators and quantitative measures, and evaluating when to implement a business improvement plan.
Released on 9/20/2022 David Stuart, Founder and President of Southwestern Insurance Group, shares successful philosophies on expanding your team, why hindsight is the best foresight, how your trials are someone else’s inspiration, and what it means to define “fun” in business, plus covers his adventures in water polo, getting hit in the face, and the similarity between himself and Mark Wahlberg. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2022/09/20/making-insurance-fun-again-with-david-stuart-episode-396-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2022/09/20/making-insurance-fun-again-with-david-stuart-episode-396-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ ) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 9/13/2022 Patty Hoppenstedt, Chief Operations and People Officer for Southwestern Family of Companies, shares her upbringing in Central America and the natural disaster that helped shape her early life, to her beginnings in security in the 9/11 era, stint in city management, and the influences and determination from her unique background that help her create the safest, most inviting work environment for employees of all types. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2022/09/13/patty-hoppenstedt-nicaragua-9-11-and-serving-southwestern/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2022/09/13/patty-hoppenstedt-nicaragua-9-11-and-serving-southwestern/ ) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
In this special interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with retiring Southwestern Advantage President Dan Moore, who has spent nearly half a century with Southwestern Family of Companies. Dan discusses the changes he's seen over those years, recalls some key moments along the way (including meeting his wife in SWA), and takes a look ahead to his next project.
Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group's Gary Michels shares some of his most proven advice for selling final expense coverage, from scheduling, to what to wear, what to bring with you, how to conduct yourself during in-home visits and making calls, and the importance of maintaining a servant mindset.
Released on 6/14/2022 Terri Rickard, Founder and President of Southwestern Travel Group, talks about not being held back by childhood struggles, the paramount importance of controlling your schedule, guiding a travel company through a pandemic that brought the industry to a grinding halt, and always being sure to “do the next right thing”. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2022/06/14/traveling-outside-your-comfort-zone-with-terri-rickard-episode-385-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2022/06/14/traveling-outside-your-comfort-zone-with-terri-rickard-episode-385-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/)
Released on 7/27/2021 President of Southwestern Real Estate, Pat Roach, shares his journey from selling books to selling homes, Southwestern Real Estate's recent expansion into Mexico, the importance of his rigid morning routine, the huge benefits of focusing on gratitude, how to rebuild faith in yourself after a failure, and even some recommendations for top shelf tequila! Don’t miss this fast-paced and wide-ranging conversation! Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2021/07/27/from-southwestern-to-south-of-the-border-real-estate-gratitude-tequila-and-more-with-pat-roach-episode-355-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2021/07/27/from-southwestern-to-south-of-the-border-real-estate-gratitude-tequila-and-more-with-pat-roach-episode-355-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 9/23/2020 Chris Capen, President of Southwestern Publishing House, discusses overcoming adversity, taking ownership and selling 50 million books in the process. Join us for this wide ranging conversation about leadership, books and business. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/23/selling-50-million-books-with-chris-capen-episode-347-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/23/selling-50-million-books-with-chris-capen-episode-347-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 9/16/2020 In a world of many countries, cultures and divisions, Dave Causer believes that building bridges means building people. As President of the foreign exchange program, Global Educational Concepts, Dave has helped to impact the lives of thousands of students across the world. Join us for this wide ranging conversation with Dave Causer about business, leadership, principles and the global impact they can create. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/16/building-bridges-building-people-with-dave-causer-episode-346-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/16/building-bridges-building-people-with-dave-causer-episode-346-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 9/9/2020 Join President of Southwestern Real Estate, Pat Roach, as he takes us on his journey from selling books to selling homes. He goes into detail about his vast experience at Southwestern Family of Companies as well as the value that it has in the career marketplace. Pat also describes what it takes to start and grow a successful real estate business in one of the worst housing market crashes in US history. Don’t miss this wide ranging conversation. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/09/from-selling-books-to-selling-homes-with-pat-roach-episode-345-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/09/from-selling-books-to-selling-homes-with-pat-roach-episode-345-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 9/2/2020 How do you stand out in your career search? Join Greg Boucher, President of executive search firm Thinking Ahead, as he discusses the changing job market and what makes a job candidate great. He also talks about leading one of the largest executive search firms in the state of Tennessee through hard economic times resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/02/stand-out-in-your-career-search-with-greg-boucher-episode-344-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/09/02/stand-out-in-your-career-search-with-greg-boucher-episode-344-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 8/19/2020 Terri Rickard and Irina Tuluca of Southwestern Travel Group go into detail about the challenges they have faced since the start of the pandemic. They touch on everything from rescheduling and moving large events, to maintaining contact with and supporting their clients, to just doing the next right thing. They also talk about what the future of the travel industry may hold. Don’t miss this wide ranging conversation about travel in a global pandemic. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/08/19/travel-in-a-pandemic-with-terri-rickard-and-irina-tuluca-episode-343-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/08/19/travel-in-a-pandemic-with-terri-rickard-and-irina-tuluca-episode-343-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 6/24/2020 How can you continue to perform through disruption, overcome adversity, and focus on the positive? Alan Morton and Stuart Lotherington, of SBR Consulting, focus in on the tools and principles that have helped them live out their core value of finding a way in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/06/24/selling-through-disruption-with-alan-morton-and-stuart-lotherington-episode-339-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2020/06/24/selling-through-disruption-with-alan-morton-and-stuart-lotherington-episode-339-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Released on 1/30/2019 Terri Rickard is the Founder and President of Southwestern Travel. She began her career with the Southwestern Family of Companies in 2012 as the Executive Assistant to the CEO. In her role as Executive Assistant, she took on a major project to create an internally managed travel program for 16 operating divisions, managing over $5 million in annual travel spending. Episode Page: https://theactioncatalyst.com/2019/01/30/do-the-next-right-thing-episode-269-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/ (https://theactioncatalyst.com/2019/01/30/do-the-next-right-thing-episode-269-of-the-action-catalyst-podcast/) Subscribe to The Action Catalyst RSS Feed: https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ (https://feeds.captivate.fm/the-action-catalyst/ )
Muzo Unlu, Vice President of Global Educational Concepts shares the goals and mission of GEC, what the program provides to students as well as to diplomacy and national security, the astounding achievements of J-1 Summer Work Travel and Internship program alumni, and some special words of encouragement from the Secretary of State as well as New Jersey Senator Cory Booker.
Want to make this summer the best one you’ve ever had? As Southwestern Advantage book dealers pound the pavement this summer, the principles learned at Sales School fill the halls of Southwestern. Learn about belief in yourself, how comparison is the thief of joy, and how to trust the process in this 6-min talk.
In this special interview, Southwestern Content Strategist Mandy Hudson catches up with Video Production Manager Mike Duvall, who has just celebrated 40 years with the company. Mandy and Mike discuss how he worked his way up through the family of companies, the changes in Southwestern and video technology over the past 4 decades, one particularly funny blunder on a video shoot, plus an encounter with Paula Deen & Cheech Marin, and more.
Portion #4 of Dustin Hillis’ Sales School keynote, focused on creating and sticking to a vision for oneself, enduring difficulty, and staying committed, including a hair-raising tale about the Missouri backwoods, a flat tire, and a swarm of hungry ticks.
Portion #3 of Dustin Hillis’ Sales School keynote, focused on maintaining belief, building confidence, clarifying focus, and concentration, including managing your “mental calories”, and adopting the way of the Samurai.
Portion #2 of Dustin Hillis’ Sales School keynote, focused on staying the course and trusting the process, including the mind-blowing power of self-talk and importance of remaining coachable.
Portion #1 of Dustin Hillis’ Sales School keynote, focused on redefining what’s possible for your own goals, always giving your level best, and avoiding negative comparison, including some of the unexpected fringe benefits of a summer spend with Southwestern.
Dustin Hillis presents his full, motivational, informative keynote address from summer Sales School.
Frank DeSena, Vice President at Family First Life, moves through 13 fast tips you can start using TODAY to simplify your sales business, build better habits, and get ahead of the curve, whether you're in insurance, or presenting any other product or service.
On this special episode, host Dan Moore is joined by Southwestern Family of Companies' Pavel Aleabov, with a strong personal connection to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. From a poor upbringing in his native Moldova, to successes in athletics and business, to having to flee his home at the outbreak of the current war, he shares his unique experiences, and the determination, and will, of the people of Moldova. https://southwestern.com/newsletter/we-are-with-you-in-spirit-swfc-sends-aid-to-ukraine/ (And for anyone wishing to provide relief for U.S. and international aid foundations supporting the Ukrainian people, visit Southwestern.com for a list of organizations who provide for electronic donations). To the people of Ukraine, Southwestern is with you in spirit.
When Covid-19 hit, the Southwestern Advantage sales team tackled it with grit and determination, now documented in the book "Finding a Way, Even Through a Pandemic." With contributions from Dan Moore, Mark Rau, Matt Ross, Amy and Ryan Groom, Edgar Ibarra, Danny Gamboa, Erin Sakhautdinov, Virgie Sandford, AJ Salinksy, Shane Blick and many others, "Finding a Way" describes how the team used SWA principles to guide their decision making through uncertain times, to finish strong. In this discussion, Dan Moore and Mark Rau talk about that challenging period in the company's history, and what about Southwestern Advantage and the values & skills it teaches, left them uniquely positioned to weather the storm.
Southwestern Advantage alumni, 7-year bookman, and esteemed prosecutor David Caldwell talks about the skills that selling door to door contributed to his career in law, leadership skills, and creating an environment that motivates others for success.
Southwestern Family of Companies CEO Dustin Hillis walks listeners through "The Habits Triangle", a new approach towards mastering recruiting, leadership, and success.
"Balance" can mean a lot of different things to different people, but overall, to be balanced is to be fulfilled equally in all of the important things in your life, and the way you manage your time has a lot to do with that. Occasionally though, life throws you a curveball. Amy Groom, District Sales Leader with Southwestern Advantage, speaks on how to fill your time most effectively, in order to avoid that "unbalanced" feeling.
We're often guilty of getting in our own heads, and in our own way. Gary Michels, Southwestern Advantage alum and founding partner with Southwestern Legacy Insurance Group, walks us through the four things that are truly within our control, to help us become the most productive versions of ourselves.
Nick Ayala, Managing Partner with Integrity Marketing Group, and President of Family First Life, talks about the principles that attracted him to partner with the Southwestern Family of Companies, and how hard work and self-discipline can lead to a huge impact for both yourself and your customers in the life insurance industry.
Through a series of simple and engaging exercises, Southwestern Family of Companies CEO Dustin Hillis details the steps to vision mastery; refining the focus of why you were put on Earth and who you want to be, and generating a real, actionable roadmap for manifesting the fulfilling and impactful future that you want.
In a bonus clip from episodes 350 and 351 of https://theactioncatalyst.com/ (The Action Catalyst podcast), Dustin Hillis and Jamie George hold a wide-ranging conversation on faith, both in ideas and in systems, what it's like to lose it, synchronicity between belief systems, discussing faith with others in the right terms, faith as a crutch for taking ownership, faith versus spirituality, separating the belief from the messenger, examining faith through a scientific lens, and much, much more.
Mr. Gary Pears, Southwestern legal counsel, and a former captain in the United States Marine Corps, offers a tribute to our nation's veterans, the brave men and woman who continue to make our freedom possible, led off with remarks from https://www.southwestern.com/ (Southwestern Family of Companies) CEO Dustin Hillis about the principles that found great countries, as well as great companies.
https://southwestern.com/ (Southwestern Family of Companies) Project Manager, and former https://www.army.mil/ (Army )Staff Sergeant Anthony Cala, shares the story of his 3 deployments to Iraq, his battle with PTSD, and how great organizations like https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ (Wounded Warrior Project), https://k9sforwarriors.org/ (K9s for Warriors), and https://www.buildinghomesforheroes.org/ (Building Homes for Heroes) have helped him, and countless other veterans just like him.
Southwestern Family of Companies CEO Dustin Hillis leads you on a brief tour of the companies that make up the "family", as well as a look into Southwestern's past, and the principles that continue to guide the company in it's mission and vision for the future.
Straight from the stage of SWFC's 2021 Strategic Alignment Day, Dave Brown, Senior Partner at Southwestern Consulting and Vice President of Recruiting for Southwestern Coaching, breaks down the critical components to becoming a true servant leader, building and strengthening relationships with your team and others you work with, and using those relationships to generate influence and create both immediate and lasting impact.
Southwestern employees, some old, some new, share their experience with the family of companies, including how they found their way to Southwestern, lessons they've picked up along the way, and why they'd urge others to become a part of the team.
Southwestern Advantage President Dan Moore moderates a lively discussion between Southwestern Family of Companies CEO Dustin Hillis and Southwestern Consulting's Ron Alford on the many lessons and life tools found in their co-authored book, "Redefining Possible". Learn more about “Redefining Possible” at RedefiningPossible.com.
Established in 1855, Southwestern Family of Companies is one of the largest, oldest private corporations in Tennessee, spanning a broad range of industries, all dedicated to building people and positively impacting communities worldwide.