Episodes

What does it really take to thrive in the hyper-competitive world of quick-service restaurants? Erik sits down with Craig Dunaway, President of Penn Station East Coast Subs, to unpack the operational DNA of successful franchises, the post-COVID evolution of the restaurant industry, and what many leaders get wrong when scaling through franchising. With nearly four decades of experience in the franchise world (from Papa John's to Penn Station), Craig drops hard-earned wisdom on leadership, operati...

In this honest and energizing conversation, Erik and Alli dive into one of the most essential (and overlooked) truths of leadership: You don’t have to be the fixer to be effective. Through vulnerable stories and sharp insights, they explore what it takes to step away from performative leadership and into deeper influence—especially when your calendar, culture, and conditioning are telling you to do the opposite. Whether you’re leading a team, managing up, or trying to rewire the habits that got ...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this follow-up to his interview with Eric Collett, Erik shares his personal reflections on the most powerful takeaways—especially the deceptively simple IA/E framework (inflammation over energy). He explores how this model shifted his thinking around brain fog, burnout, and everyday performance, and why brain health isn't about trying more—it's about understanding more. From metaphor-rich science to real-life health pivots, Erik distills a dense interview into a lens that makes ...

In this deep-dive conversation, Erik sits down with brain health expert Eric Collett to expose one of the biggest blindspots in leadership and longevity: your brain is not fixed—and it might be failing you in ways you can’t see. From inflammation and energy production to cognitive performance and misdiagnosis, this episode unpacks a radically empowering view of brain health as a strategic tool—not a static trait. If you’ve ever struggled with focus, burnout, mood swings, or “fog,” this episode d...

As Q4 drags on and burnout hits hard, Erik and guest co-host Alli Murphy explore what it really takes to finish the year with clarity, energy, and intention. From mindset shifts to calendar control to a radical idea called “Minimum Viable December,” this episode offers a refreshingly honest, funny, and practical take on how to navigate the end of the year without losing your momentum—or your mind. Whether you’re sprinting toward deadlines or tempted to tap out early, this is the episode to help ...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this episode, Erik reflects on his recent interview with legendary sales consultant Gene McNoughton, extracting the most meaningful lessons about leadership, process, and growth. Gene’s clarity around sales process and change management not only reinforced Erik’s own experience but also re-anchored his commitment to building systems that scale through truth, repetition, and strategic design. This review pulls back the curtain on the mindset and mechanics of high-impact organizat...

In this powerhouse episode, Erik sits down with renowned sales leader and consultant Gene McNaughton to break down what it really takes to turn around underperforming teams and drive scalable growth. From Gateway to Tony Robbins to 160+ consulting clients, Gene shares the exact frameworks he uses to ignite sales orgs—plus the truth about why most change efforts fail. This is a masterclass on sales leadership, self-investment, and building organizations that actually execute. 👤 About the Guest Ge...

In this refreshingly honest episode, Erik and returning co-host dive headfirst into the unspoken expectations of professionalism—how we dress, how we show up, and who gets to decide what “looking the part” really means. What begins with a t-shirt story becomes a deep, nuanced look at power, performance, self-expression, and cultural bias in the workplace. From tattoos and team meetings to hammocks and sweatpants, they ask the real question: Are we showing up with intention—or just following outd...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this reaction episode, Erik revisits his interview with parenting expert Cassandra Asleson, not just as a host but as a dad who's lived the transformation she helps create. With signature candor and strategic insight, Erik reflects on how Cassie’s approach reframes what’s “normal” in parenting—and how accepting support can radically shift the emotional and logistical weight of raising young children. This episode unpacks why working families feel crushed and what’s actually avai...

In this grounded, friendly and insightful conversation, Erik talks with Cassandra Asleson — a seasoned newborn care specialist and postpartum consultant who helps families move out of chaos and into confidence during one of life’s biggest transitions. They unpack how leadership shows up in home life and work, how guiding others in their most vulnerable moments mirrors leading teams, and why support systems matter just as much as systems. If you’re a leader, parent, or both — this episode gives y...

This episode is a much-needed intervention on the culture of busy . Erik sits down with Alli Murphy, leadership coach, founder of The Elevate Lab, and creator of The Thrive Report , to unpack the toxic myths of productivity, the glorification of hustle, and how to actually define what matters most. Together, they explore what it looks like to lead with intention, how to give yourself permission to rest, and why the high performers we admire (from LeBron to airline pilots) build recovery into the...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this deeply reflective debrief, Erik unpacks the powerful themes that emerged from his conversation with Michael Bostarr—especially the tension between performing and leading. Drawing from his own experience coaching high achievers, Erik dives into how identity, trust, and team dynamics shape the evolution of a leader. This episode gets personal, strategic, and practical as Erik reveals the emotional undercurrents of leadership that often go unspoken. 🎯 Top Insights from the Int...

In this candid and energizing conversation, Erik sits down with Michael Bostarr — a coach, creative, and former sales leader who made a bold pivot from performance-driven achievement to values-based leadership. Together, they explore how to shift from chasing external validation to living and leading with clarity. Michael shares the real story behind walking away from big roles, the surprising weight of “almost” success, and what happens when you build your identity from the inside out. Whether ...

In this episode, Erik unpacks one of the most overused and under-examined words in leadership: trust. But instead of vague advice, he gives a direct, no-fluff framework for how to build trust that actually scales — across teams, organizations, and even families. He breaks it down into three specific behaviors that any leader can start modeling today. This is an episode for leaders ready to stop guessing and start earning trust that lasts. ❓ The Big Question How do you build real trust in a team ...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this solo reaction, Erik distills three powerful insights from his recent interview with culture expert Chris Dyer. As the pace of change continues to accelerate—fueled by AI and organizational upheaval—leaders are being called to step into a very different kind of role. Erik explores what it really means to lead when you don’t have all the answers, how to unburden your team from unnecessary meetings, and how to start building real culture with two simple questions. This is an h...

In this episode of I Have Some Questions... , Erik sits down with culture strategist and bestselling author Chris Dyer to unpack the hardest leadership question of our time: how do you lead through relentless, accelerating change? From the elephant sitting on your chest to the myth of perfect AI adoption, this conversation dives into practical, human-first strategies for thriving in chaos. Chris challenges CEOs to fire themselves from the job they think they have and step into a radically differ...

In this solo episode, Erik maps out the leadership lifecycle — from the moment you step into a new leadership role to the point where you’re building your replacement. It’s a powerful framework for self-awareness and strategic leadership, especially for those stuck in “Chief Problem Solver” mode. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, over-involved, or unsure of your next leadership move, this episode delivers the clarity you need. ❓ The Big Question Why do so many capable leaders get stuck — and how ...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this solo reflection, Erik recaps and wrestles with the high-stakes conversation he had with Dr. Helmut Love — a guest who isn’t afraid to bring politically charged topics to the table. From socialism and wealth inequality to the role of capitalism in solving human problems, Erik walks through his own reactions, questions, and moments of discomfort. This episode isn't about endorsing policies — it’s about staying in the room with hard ideas. Erik unpacks what it felt like to cha...

Erik sits down with Dr. Helmut Love—entrepreneur, spiritual thinker, and former Atlanta mayoral candidate—for a bold conversation about the future of capitalism, personal responsibility, and what it means to lead with love in a fractured political system. From incarceration reform to the failures of socialism, they explore what a “responsible capitalism” might look like in practice—and what’s keeping us from building it. Dr. Love offers provocative insights rooted in faith, data, and lived exper...

In this solo episode of I Have Some Questions... , Erik flips the script on a widely held belief: that being “nice” makes you a better boss. With characteristic fire and clarity, he challenges listeners to stop aiming for short-term emotional safety and start choosing long-term leadership impact. Erik introduces the sharp distinction between niceness and kindness —and why the latter is essential to leading high-performing teams. ❓ The Big Question Is your need to be liked quietly killing your le...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this follow-up to his powerful interview with Sandy Cohan, Erik reflects on how grit, standards, and parental presence intersect across sports and leadership. With stories from the soccer field and frameworks from the professional world, he distills the conversation down into three big insights that matter just as much at home as they do in the office. 🎯 Top Insights from the Interview Grit is built by winning today. It’s not about toughness—it’s about consistent action in the f...

In this powerful conversation, Erik sits down with mindset coach and author Sandy Cohan to dig into what grit really is—and what it definitely isn’t. From youth sports to corporate leadership, Sandy breaks down the habits, standards, and mental frameworks that shape resilient, high-performing individuals. Whether you're raising a gritty kid or trying to become a more disciplined leader yourself, this episode will shift how you think about perseverance, pressure, and personal development. 👤 About...

In this solo episode of Leadership Unplugged , Erik breaks down the myth that great teams are hired—and reveals the truth that they’re built. If you’ve ever felt stuck with an underperforming team or unsure how to level up your people, this is your blueprint. Erik lays out the three types of “team-building work” every leader must master, challenges the traditional approach to feedback, and introduces a deceptively simple tool that can revolutionize how your team thinks, acts, and grows. It’s pra...

🧠 Erik’s Take In this personal reflection on the interview with Alan Bell, Erik unpacks the hidden dynamics behind one of the boldest career moves he’s heard: a 14-person walkout, where nearly 80% of a team left a company at once. But this isn’t just about a big exit—it’s about the leadership patterns that cause them, the people-centered values that prevent them, and the internal compass each of us needs to follow to get where we’re meant to go. This episode is a cautionary tale for leaders and ...