Beyond The Rut Podcast

Brandon and Jerry discuss how to adopt an attitude of gratitude and the power it has to change the world around you.Benefits of Gratitude“Gratitude is one of the most powerful human emotions. Once expressed, it changes attitude, brightens outlook, and broadens our perspective.”   ― Germany KentAn attitude of gratitude can mean the difference between you getting the most out of your day, or trudging through another day in the rut.The Shawn Achor book, The Happiness Advantage, describes how having gratitude can bring you happiness and that it is happiness that attracts successful outcomes.Some of the happiness or gratitude examples include the following from his book: Happy physicians make more accurate diagnoses faster than unhappy ones. Optimistic salespeople outsell those who are not by over 50%! Your perception of someone who annoys you can shift to appreciation with an attitude of gratitude.Gray Matters - Your Brain Changes with Gratitude!We came across an article from the University of California Berkeley

Entrepreneur coach Matt Sandrini shares tips on how to invest your time more wisely.What Does Invest in Yourself Mean?We discussed in Episode 173 of Beyond the Rut how investing in yourself is the best investment. Invest in yourself is about taking the time now doing something that will have a positive impact on your life into the future. The steps you take for your health today will be enjoyed in the future. The time you take to learn a new skill will benefit your customers and your career in the future. The podcast you listen to right now click play will change your life for years to come.It doesn’t even need to be serious all the time. Rest can be a way to invest your time. Matt Sandrini shares with us that it is not the activity that matters as much as whether or not we are being intentional with that time.Reading a book, for example, can either be a good way on how to invest your time or a waste of time. It depends on whether you were intentional about applying value to that reading. What?! That’s righ

Entrepreneur coach Matt Sandrini discusses why you should invest your time instead of spending it.Invest Time in YourselfMatt Sandrini was stuck in a dead-end job. What seemed like a promising career turned out to be a prison-bound to spreadsheets. That was not what he wanted in life. There had to be a better way, so he invested time to learn a better way.By learning to invest your time rather than just spending it, you may see the results Matt experienced. He was finishing the same amount of work as his coworkers on any given day. The amazing thing was he was finished by 1 pm, four or more hours sooner than his coworkers.Investing in yourself is the best investment when it comes to time. What you do today will impact your future. Your present is the result of your past. What skills would you like to gain today that will change the trajectory of your future?Share this post on how to invest your time rather than wasting it.Invest Time in Your RelationshipsThe great thing when you invest time in yourself is tha

Brandon and Jerry continue the discussion with author and pastor, Mike Bullock, on the best explanation of love in a world that has cheapened the word.What is Love - Baby Don’t Hurt Me?You may have heard the 1993 hit song “What is Love?” by Haddaway. The lyrics open like this.What is love?Baby don’t hurt meDon’t hurt meNo moreThe majority of the song repeats combinations of that phrase. It is a dance tune after all. Mike shares how our world seems to have cheapened the word “love.” We use it to describe a food we like, “I love pizza!” We use it to describe our excitement over things like a new car, new computer, jewelry, etc.Focusing on the use of the word love probably has led to the best explanation of love we’ve ever heard.If love can be attached to meaningless, discardable things in our lives, what does that plant in our hearts and minds about discarding our closest relationships? Shouldn’t the definition of love in marriage be a much deeper one? The vows used in marriage often include phrases like the fo

Brandon and Jerry discuss the impact that our unchecked emotional triggers in the world, in our relationships and in the workplace. Emotional Triggers Can Ignite a Furious Mob MentalityJerry’s heart sank on January 19 when his wife shared with him a news story about a group of high school students who taunted a Native American at the Lincoln Memorial. The students were reported wearing that famous red “Make America Great Again” hat.The short clip showed white teens surrounding a smaller group of Native Americans, and everything about that clip was infuriating. An image circulated across social media like wildfire showing a MAGA-hat-wearing young man smirking in the face of chanting and drumming Nathan Phillips. It didn’t take long for the Twitter-verse to become angry, speak its mind, and call for the worst to happen to these students and their families. Outrage became calls to put pressure on the diocese in Kentucky and the superintendent of the school. People were calling for immediate action, and we mean a

Brandon and Jerry discuss with author and pastor, Mike Bullock, how to keep your marriage alive with a certain missing ingredient.How to Improve Marriage IntimacyYou may know someone who is desperately in a marriage without passion and intimacy. That person may be you. In Jerry’s years volunteering in a marriage ministry, plus Brandon’s and Mike’s experiences as pastors, have introduced them to many men who desperately want to know how to keep their marriages alive. If you’re trying to figure out what makes a woman happy in marriage, this may be an episode worth your time. This episode offers up principles that work.Mike discusses the challenges he faced growing up in an abusive home, and how meeting Angie introduced him to a world filled with an ingredient that had been missing in his life.How to Keep Your Marriage Alive - Some Quick TipsIf you’ve read this far, then you’re definitely interested in finding out that recipe for a happy home. Listen to this episode and learn about a 30-day Challenge that will p

Brandon and Jerry talk with podcast producer Jody Maberry as he reflects on how working with Lee Cockerell to produce the podcast Creating Disney Magic changed his life. Meeting Lee CockerellReaching out to Lee Cockerell may have been the biggest leap of faith Jody Maberry had taken early in his podcaster career. At the time, Jody was finding traction and success with the Park Leaders Show influencing park rangers to improve how they led in our nation’s parks. He served as a co-host on the Starve the Doubts podcast for a few episodes, and left shortly after a Nutella incident. That’s when he decided to go for it.The Disney way of doing business and customer service fascinated Jody. Lee Cockerell had just gone into retirement after many years serving as a Walt Disney World executive. Lee is the man who opened Disneyland Paris and implemented many changes we see today in how Walt Disney Resorts are operated.In our episode this week, you’ll hear about how Jody reached out to Lee, and the surprising discussion th

Brandon and Jerry talk with podcast producer and marketing consultant Jody Maberry as he reflects on being a small business owner.Pin this!How to Run a PodcastYou may wonder how to run a podcast. Jody Maberry shares with us insights on how he has eight active podcasts at the time of this recording.The key is having a routine that works. It has to be fluid enough to allow you to live life, and structured enough to so that you’re meeting your deadlines and delivering a quality product to your consumers. Sounds a lot like being a small business owner, right?For Jody Maberry, it’s a passion and a business. On Being a Small Business OwnerWe tend to think that the life of a businessman is all about all work and no play. Many business owners, especially entrepreneurs, will tell you that there are definitely seasons where you need to dig deep and hustle.The past three years have shown Jody the importance of also taking a break. We are not meant to be in “hustle mode” all the time. It is even described in the Bible we

Brandon and Jerry discuss with author and professor Dr. James Kelley his research with executive leaders on how leaders overcoming adversity builds authentic leadership characteristics.Leaders Overcoming Adversity – The Crucible’s GiftThe Crucible’s Gift is Dr. James Kelley’s first book on authentic leadership. His work interviewing C-Suite executives showcased the person behind the title. It is through that work that he discovered a common thread among those he interviewed. They were shaped by facing a defining challenge in their careers or their lives.Leaders overcoming adversity is a process that hones the best, and sometimes the worst, in who we are.Strategies for Building Trust with EmployeesYou may be a leader seeking to learn secrets in how to build trust in a team. This is the episode for you. Listen in as we discuss the relationship between trust and leadership.Leaders who overcame adversity have learned how to align their goals with their core values. It is because they present themselves in a genui

Brandon and Jerry having fun with 73 questions during some downtime. This is why our guests shouldn't stand us up during our recording sessions.Why 73 Vogue-Style Questions?We batch record our show. That means we come together once a month with interviews and topics lined up and spend the day recording all our raw audio. Our guests are great, and we appreciate the time they have committed to be on our show to share their insights with you.There are times when something comes up and a guest needs to postpone. No big deal. The solution is to pull a topic from our growing list and have a discussion on that so we are getting the most out of our time together recording, and it gives us something to do until the next call.Well, what if Brandon doesn't feel like discussing any of the topics on our list? Jerry scoured the Web for ideas and came across a local group that recorded a 73 questions video. Brandon went for it, and here we are.We flipped the script and had Jerry under the spotlight for this session of 73 Qu

Brandon and Jerry having fun with 73 questions during some downtime. This is why our guests shouldn't stand us up during our recording sessions.Why 73 Vogue-Style Questions?We batch record our show. That means we come together once a month with interviews and topics lined up and spend the day recording all our raw audio. Our guests are great, and we appreciate the time they have committed to be on our show to share their insights with you.There are times when something comes up and a guest needs to postpone. No big deal. The solution is to pull a topic from our growing list and have a discussion on that so we are getting the most out of our time together recording, and it gives us something to do until the next call.Well, what if Brandon doesn't feel like discussing any of the topics on our list? Jerry scoured the Web for ideas and came across a local group that recorded a 73 questions video. Brandon went for it, and here we are.The session was recorded and we decided probably against our better judgment to s

Brandon and Jerry share insights from ultralight backpacking on how to develop skills and knowledge in any area of your life.“Don’t get caught up in being the expert. Be caught up in being a student.” – Brandon CunninghamHow Did Jerry Build Up Skills for Ultralight BackpackingBackpacking is not an activity to be taken lightly. People are rescued from the wilderness every year because of poor planning, such as running out of water, not having the right clothing for the weather, and miscalculating the time needed to hike a trail. Some people, unfortunately, die in the process.Becoming one of those statistics was not an option if he wanted to have his wife’s blessing over this newfound hobby and passion. Below is the process he underwent to build his skills and how to develop your skills and knowledge for any area of life.First, Do the ResearchJerry broke down the large category off ultralight backpacking into smaller chunks or subjects. Here is the Big Four. Hiking safety and techniques, especially foot-care Fo

Brandon and Jerry share lessons learned from ultralight backpacking on how to declutter your mind."Tomorrow isn't guaranteed. You only have today. So, what are you going to do with it?" - JerryWhat will you do with today?Lessons from Ultralight Backpacking to Declutter Your MindWhat is Ultralight BackpackingMany long-trail hikers, like those who hike the Appalachian Trail, enjoy going “ultralight.” To be considered an ultralight backpacker, one’s gear “base weight” (food, water, and cooking fuel are not included) is under ten pounds. The idea behind going ultralight is about carrying the lightest load possible to be able to hike as farther and faster than those who don a traditional pack that weighs two to three times more.It is a hiking philosophy that focuses on carrying only what you need and carrying items that perform a variety of functions. Every ounce of gear matters."We tend to pack our fears."Get Rid of Your Stuff Declutter Your LifeJerry loves to travel light in the first place. You will rarely find

Brandon and Jerry discuss the impact that our unchecked emotional triggers in the world, in our relationships and in the workplace. Emotional Triggers Can Ignite a Furious Mob MentalityJerry’s heart sank on January 19 when his wife shared with him a news story about a group of high school students who taunted a Native American at the Lincoln Memorial. The students were reported wearing that famous red “Make America Great Again” hat.The short clip showed white teens surrounding a smaller group of Native Americans, and everything about that clip was infuriating. An image circulated across social media like wildfire showing a MAGA-hat-wearing young man smirking in the face of chanting and drumming Nathan Phillips. It didn’t take long for the Twitter-verse to become angry, speak its mind, and call for the worst to happen to these students and their families. Outrage became calls to put pressure on the diocese in Kentucky and the superintendent of the school. People were calling for immediate action, and we mean a

TEDx Speaker Paresh Shah shares why being a “lifter” is the new way for a new era on how to be a better leader.How to Be a Better LeaderTake a moment to reflect the qualities of a bad manager. The manager may have talked down to you, rarely communicated expectations clearly, and blamed you for everything that went wrong. You may even still have nightmares at night.Now, shift gears and think about the qualities of a good manager. What comes to mind? Is it someone who listens to your ideas? Maybe that leader created an environment where it was okay to provide input, serve customers through problem solving, and made the work experience a rewarding one.Who is a born leader anyway? No one! Leaders are made not born, and any one of us can learn how to be a better leader if we give it continuous effort.Leadership is not About a TitleThis episode is not just about how to be a good leader and manager. Leadership is not just about a title or position. That is a huge misconception we have. Yes, there are those with assi

Jim McNeal from The Arbinger Institute shares how to improve effectiveness at work through the outward mindset. It’s a different approach to how we perceive the people around us, and as a result, accomplish more by serving more.The Outward Mindset Helped JerryJerry discusses how he was able to increase his own personal effectiveness at work. After receiving a copy of The Outward Mindset: Seeing Beyond Ourselves while on a swag hunt at a recent conference, he devoured just about every word on the flight home. That is a rare feat for Jerry. He’s a slow reader.By the time the plane landed, he was asking himself the following questions: I’m worried about getting processes right. What if instead, I focus on my coworkers and what they need to do what they need to accomplish? What if I took a page from my leadership’s playbook, and looked at them as people with challenges and triumphs just like me? What can I do to provide my team what they need to be successful?Servant Leadership on Another LevelServing your staff

Alisa Hope Wagner is making her mark among female Christian authors with her latest Christian fiction for teens, F’lorna of Rodesh. (Affiliate Link)Who is Alisa Hope Wagner?It all began with a 40-day challenge. Years ago, Pastor Bil Cornelius of Church Unlimited challenged churchgoers to focus activities towards a dream or goal for 40 days to see what came of it. That is when Alisa Hope Wagner chose to make her dream of becoming one of the world’s best-selling Christian authors a reality. She wrote for 40 days and it produced the majority of what would become one of her first Christian fiction novels.Alisa Hope Wagner is a 2018 Selah Awards Finalist who made her debut among Christian fiction authors in 2013 with Eve of Awakening. The Onoma Series would elevate her writing into the Christian fiction series arena. She has published 20 books so far in both fiction and non-fiction for Christians.Today, Alisa Hope Wagner’s published works include Christian fiction books, devotionals, and non-fiction works. Her wor

Brother and sister duo, Rudy and Crystal Garcia, share their story about starting Revolve One podcast and the importance of creativity.The Importance of CreativityRudy first reached out to his sister Crystal with the idea of a podcast that talked about marginalized topics. They wanted to discuss the types of things that were important to their inner circles that are often not covered by mainstream media because they don't fit the traditional news cycles.Since starting Revolve One, they have covered areas related to the legalization of marijuana, entrepreneurial startups, dying of cancer, and more!The endeavor turned out to be a great outlet for Rudy. It was the next thing they did with their show during Season 2 that cracked open the importance of creativity. Their audience desperately needed what they had to offer, and they are doing their best to deliver.The Psychology of CreativityOne big element of the Revolve One Podcast story is how creativity led to hope, healing, and understanding for their listeners.

Your dissatisfaction with life right now is your fuel to build a better tomorrow. Tap into it!We often equate dissatisfaction with life as a source of depression, sadness, and hopelessness. What if you turned that dissatisfaction with life into your motivation to create satisfaction in life? How would life be different for you?Dissatisfaction with Life is Not Just About Hopelessness“Living in dissatisfaction today is the price we pay for the obligation to improve things tomorrow.” – Seth GodinSeth Godin’s article titled “Living in Dissatisfaction” is the inspiration for this week’s episode. Brandon and Jerry will discuss how whether you feel body dissatisfaction, dissatisfaction with your career or you want to move your marriage satisfaction scale up a few notches, this is the episode for you.It may seem counterintuitive, but there’s truth to what Seth has to say about dissatisfaction. It may not make sense that we can find satisfaction in life by accepting what creates dissatisfaction for us. The truth is th

Adam Capes is on a mission fundraising for non-profits by creating meaningful vacation experiences. There are many fundraising companies out there trying to make a positive impactfor charities and schools. None have done what Getaway-2-Give aims to do, andthey definitely don’t deliver the kinds of money they do!Fundraising for Non-profits the Adam Capes WayCo-founder and president of Getaway-2-Give Adam Capes is aSocial Entrepreneur, helping people create amazing vacation experiences while fundraising for non-profits.This ambitious undertaking began before Getaway-2-Give, when Adam was presidentof a luxury residence fund called Equity Estates.Now Adam helps Getaway-2-Give meet its mission, helpingcharities raise significant money and the lasting importance and memories madefrom meaningful vacation experiences.Imagine winning at auction experiences like climbingKilamajaro, or sipping drinks on a beach in sunny Punta Cana, or hiking or skiingin Aspen, Colorado. Meanwhile, a good charity has raised thousands of