Episodes
029: “Can You Learn to Be Relentless?” ft. Chris Jones
What does it really take to become relentless—and why is fun an essential part of the formula? In this candid, high-energy conversation, Erik sits down with best-selling author and EOS coach Chris Jones , a leader who’s navig...
028: What If the Rock Star Team You Want… Isn’t the One You Hired?
In this episode, Erik drops the hammer on one of leadership’s biggest illusions: that great teams are discovered, not developed. He challenges listeners to let go of the fantasy of “perfect hires” and instead master the craft...
027: “What If Great Leadership Starts with Being Wrong First?” (lesso…
In this recap, Erik distills the key leadership insights from his conversation with Dr. Ian Beaty, highlighting the gap between technical skill and leadership ability. He reflects on the all-too-common failure point: we promo...
026: “Why Is It So Damn Easy to Be a Bad Leader?” ft. Dr. Ian Beaty
Erik sits down with Dr. Ian Beaty—Major in the Oregon Army National Guard, military recruiter-turned-educational liaison, and founder of Maven Speaks. With 24 years of service and a doctorate in education, Ian’s insight cuts ...
024: “Can You Charge More, And Sell More?” (lessons from Amanda Bedel…
In this reflective follow-up to his interview with Amanda Bedell, Erik gets honest about the uncomfortable truths business owners face when it comes to profit. Most of us think we’re “doing okay” because revenue is coming in—...
023: “What does it take to build a profitable business?” ft. Amanda B…
In this episode, Erik sits down with Amanda Bedell, a no-BS profit strategist with a story that flips the script on what most entrepreneurs think running a “successful” business looks like. Amanda unpacks the painful lessons ...
022: What If Reviews Could Actually Make You a Better Leader?
In this mid-year solo riff, Erik dismantles the anxiety and avoidance that plague performance reviews. Instead of dreading the annual ritual, Erik lays out a practical, human-first framework that transforms reviews into accou...
021: “Will You Adapt Before You’re Forced To?” (lessons from Justin C…
Coming off the conversation with Justin Coats, Erik reflects on what stood out most — not just in what was said, but in the tone of how it was said. Justin’s outlook on AI is refreshingly optimistic, and not in a techno-utopi...
020: “Can You Build a Culture Around Systems?” ft. Justin Coats
🎙️ Episode Snapshot Erik sits down with AI implementer, systems thinker, and neesh.ai founder Justin Coats for a future-forward conversation that spans war zones to workflow. From wrenching helicopters in the Marines to desig...
018: “Can You Lead Without Knowing Where You’re Going?” (lessons from…
🧠 Erik’s Take This solo debrief is as much a mirror as it is a microphone. Erik reflects on his conversation with Brendan Burns—coach, hedge fund founder, and a pivotal influence in his own journey—and uses it to explore the ...
017: “Is There a Difference Between Success and Satisfaction?” ft. Br…
🎙️ Episode Snapshot Erik welcomes coach, podcaster, and hedge fund founder Brendan Burns —his former coach and the catalyst behind the creation of Language of Leadership . This isn’t just a reunion; it’s a deep dive into Bren...
015: “What Happens When You Finally Ask the Real Questions?” (lessons…
🧠 Erik’s Take This reaction is more than a recap—it’s a confession. Erik shares his very real fear of solitude, of discovering he’s off course, and of what clarity might demand of him if he dares to seek it. It’s a vulnerable...
014: “What Does It Take to Realign Your Life and Business?” ft. Kyle …
🎙️ Episode Snapshot Erik sits down with long-time friends and co-founders Kyle Nelson and Eli Libby , the creators of ResetOS , a clarity operating system designed to help high performers realign their internal compass before...
013: What If Motivation Isn’t the Problem?
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this solo episode, Erik takes a sledgehammer to one of the most overused and misunderstood leadership questions: “How do I motivate my people?” He breaks down why motivation isn’t your job, and how alig...
012: “Are You Settling for ‘Good Enough’ on Your Team?” (lessons from…
🧠 Erik’s Take In this reflection, Erik breaks down his conversation with Alex Kudelka and extends the dialogue into a deeper meditation on one of the hardest (and most human) aspects of business: adding the right people. Whether it's a co-founder or a hire, getting the “who” right is make-or-break—…
011: “Can You Scale a Business Without Diluting Your Magic?” ft. Alex…
🎙️ Episode Snapshot Erik sits down with startup builder and Outdo Growth founder Alex Kudelka for a deeply honest and tactical conversation on what it really takes to build early-stage ventures. From co-founder dynamics to hiring pitfalls, from founder-led sales to the myths of scaling too early—th…
010: Are You Ready to Lead an AI-Empowered Team?
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this solo episode, Erik unpacks the deeper leadership challenge that AI is creating—not just how to use the tools, but how to lead people who are using them. From data aggregation to automation to creation (and now even talent development), Erik lays out the evolving landscap…
009: “Are You Committed to the Process or Just the Result?” (lessons …
🧠 Erik’s Take Coming off a powerful interview with Alex Boyd, Erik takes a moment to unpack the core themes that resonated most. This reflection is a masterclass in translating deep conversation into leadership action. What stood out was Alex’s but his clarity, vulnerability, and the fearless quest…
008: “What’s the Secret to Sales That Don’t Suck?” ft. Alex Boyd
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this layered and laugh-filled conversation, Erik sits down with multi-time founder and investor Alex Boyd to talk about the collision of AI, leadership, and personal transformation. What begins as a conversation about technology and team-building morphs into a masterclass on …
007: Are You Leading the Person or Fighting the Generation?
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this unfiltered, freewheeling solo riff, Erik tackles a controversial leadership question: How do you lead Millennials and Gen Z? Not from a place of judgment, but of lived experience. As a millennial himself, Erik offers a deep and human-centered take on why these generation…
006: What The F Is Accountability?
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this no-BS episode, Erik breaks down a word that everyone uses but few truly understand: accountability. Born from a career-defining moment when he couldn’t answer the question in a final interview, Erik shares the story that sparked his obsession with this misunderstood lead…
005: "What If You’re One Swing Away from Breakthrough?” ft. Brian Lof…
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this energizing and deeply reflective conversation, Erik sits down with serial entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker Brian Lofrumento, whose 17-year journey has taken him from a soccer blog started in college to over 1100 podcast episodes and a newly launched nonprofit. They u…
004: How Do People Get Better at Things?
🎙️ Episode Snapshot In this solo episode, Erik Berglund takes on one of the most critical and misunderstood leadership questions: How do people get better at things? With bold clarity, he dismantles the myths we cling to about time, motivation, and talent, and offers a precise, actionable framework…
003: “Are You Asking Too Much of Your Team… Without Realizing It?” (l…
🧠 Erik’s Take In this reaction episode, Erik unpacks the deeply resonant conversation he just had with Tim Whitmire, co-founder of F3 Nation. What starts as a personal reflection on F3's impact morphs into a vulnerable and strategic look at leadership, sustainability, and what it really means to se…