The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond. 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.
In this special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst, Southwestern Talent's Martin De Waal guest hosts, sitting down with Jim Siti, CFO of Operation Smile, as he shares how the global healthcare nonprofit is transforming lives by providing cleft lip and palate care to children in underserved countries while building sustainable local healthcare systems through medical training and education. Siti discusses the challenges of scaling a rapidly growing nonprofit in a post-pandemic world, the importance of strategic financial management, and how leveraging offshore accounting talent, process optimization, and AI-powered tools has improved operational efficiency and mission impact. He also offers valuable insights on nonprofit leadership, financial technology, workforce development, and using automation to reduce manual work so organizations can focus more resources on serving communities. This episode is a must-listen for nonprofit leaders, CFOs, finance professionals, and social impact organizations seeking innovative strategies for growth, operational excellence, AI adoption, and mission-driven success.
10/13/26 • 27:20
In this cut-for-time clip from Episode 508 of The Action Catalyst, Ron Johnson, the visionary behind the Apple Store and the iconic Genius Bar, explains the unique strategy he employed to shake up the design offerings during his time at Target, without risking it all.Hear Ron's full interview in Episode 508 of The Action Catalyst.
10/9/26 • 01:33
Rana Gujral, CEO of Behavioral Signals and former exec at Logitech and Cricut, challenges common misconceptions about AI, and argues that the greatest risk is not a dramatic technological takeover but the gradual outsourcing of human judgment and critical thinking. Hear Rana's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
10/8/26 • 04:50
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 508 with Ron Johnson, the visionary behind the Apple Store and the iconic Genius Bar, as well as the former CEO of J.C. Penney, and VP of Merchandising for Target.
10/7/26 • 03:39
Ron Johnson, the visionary behind the Apple Store and the iconic Genius Bar, shares powerful lessons on leadership, customer experience, innovation, and company culture drawn from his leadership roles at Apple, Target, and J.C. Penney. Johnson explains how principles of unconditional support, authentic leadership, and empowering frontline employees helped transform retail by creating meaningful customer relationships rather than transactional experiences. He reveals the thinking behind the creation of the Apple Store and Genius Bar, discusses the importance of pushing decision-making to the lowest levels of an organization, and outlines a simple framework for building customer loyalty through launching, deepening, and restoring relationships.
10/6/26 • 29:04
Joshua Medcalf, founder of Train 2 Be Clutch and author of Burn Your Goals and An Impractical Guide to Becoming a Transformational Leader, shares the "bamboo tree" principle of patience and persistence.Hear Joshua's full interview in Episode 85 of The Action Catalyst.
10/1/26 • 02:29
Rana Gujral, former CEO of Behavioral Signals and former exec at Logitech and Cricut, explores the future of artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, and human decision-making in an AI-driven world. Gujral challenges common misconceptions about AI, arguing that the greatest risk is not a dramatic technological takeover but the gradual outsourcing of human judgment and critical thinking. He introduces the concept of Artificial General Experience (AGE), a framework that extends beyond Artificial General Intelligence by emphasizing memory, context, consequence, and experiential learning. The conversation also examines AI ethics, responsible deployment, cognitive privacy, leadership in the age of intelligent systems, and how organizations can successfully leverage AI without diminishing human agency.
9/29/26 • 24:31
Shamir Duverseau, co-founder of Smart Panda Labs and former marketing leader for brands including Disney, Marriott, Southwest Airlines, and NBC Universal, discusses how organizations can dramatically improve digital marketing performance by focusing on the often-overlooked post-click experience, and why the problem has remained chronically overlooked. Hear Shamir's full interview in his special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
9/24/26 • 03:22
Joshua Medcalf, founder of Train 2 Be Clutch and author of Burn Your Goals and An Impractical Guide to Becoming a Transformational Leader, shares a powerful perspective on heart-first leadership, mental toughness, and personal growth. Medcalf challenges traditional goal-setting philosophies, arguing that long-term success comes from focusing on daily commitments, controllable actions, and character development rather than chasing outcomes. Through lessons on transformational leadership, the bamboo tree principle of patience and persistence, and the importance of putting people before performance, he explains how leaders can build meaningful relationships, develop resilience, and create lasting impact. The conversation also explores purpose, faith, gratitude, and the mindset required to achieve sustainable success.
9/22/26 • 17:29
Chris Dessi explains the role of authenticity in digital marketing, and why vulnerability is a critical leadership skill for entrepreneurs and executives. Hear Chris's full interview in Episode 167 of The Action Catalyst.
9/17/26 • 02:30
Shamir Duverseau, co-founder of Smart Panda Labs and former marketing leader for brands including Disney, Marriott, Southwest Airlines, and NBC Universal, discusses how organizations can dramatically improve digital marketing performance by focusing on the often-overlooked post-click experience. Duverseau explains that while many companies invest heavily in advertising and customer acquisition, conversions are won or lost after consumers arrive on a website, where poor user experience, organizational silos, and misalignment between marketing, IT, product, and data teams create friction that drives potential customers away. He explores the “Bermuda Triangle” challenge of cross-functional collaboration, the growing impact of AI on customer experience, and why achieving an “Amazon-level experience” requires strategic communication, technical integration, and continuous optimization, along with insights on customer journey optimization, conversion rate improvement, digital transformation, marketing technology, and user experience strategy.
9/15/26 • 25:02
Richard Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, innovation educators from Stanford, explain how “innovation hesitation” holds people back, and explain how the tools of creativity are a lot like the ones you use to pilot an airplane.Hear Richard and Tessa's full interview in Episode 507 of The Action Catalyst.
9/10/26 • 04:13
Chris Dessi, CEO of Silverback Social, author of "Remarkable You", TEDx speaker, and Inc. columnist, shares practical strategies for building a powerful personal brand that accelerates career growth, increases professional visibility, and strengthens organizational impact. Drawing from his own journey from sales executive to entrepreneur, Dessi explains how content creation, blogging, social media marketing, and thought leadership can help professionals establish authority in their industry while remaining aligned with their company’s brand. He also discusses the intersection of personal branding and corporate culture, the role of authenticity in digital marketing, and why vulnerability is a critical leadership skill for entrepreneurs and executives.
9/8/26 • 19:21
DeVon Franklin—Hollywood producer, New York Times bestselling author, and leadership expert— explains how the things that make you UNcommon, are the very keys to your success....but getting comfortable with them is the challenge...Hear DeVon's full interview in Episode 214 of The Action Catalyst.
9/3/26 • 02:28
In this episode, Richard Braden and Dr. Tessa Forshaw, co-authors and innovation educators from Stanford, challenge common myths about creativity and reveal why innovation is a skill anyone can develop, not an innate talent reserved for a select few. Drawing on cognitive science, design thinking, and real-world consulting experience, they explain how “innovation hesitation” holds people back and how adopting the right mindset can unlock creative problem-solving, collaboration, and breakthrough thinking. The conversation explores the science behind creativity, divergent and convergent thinking, neuroplasticity, team innovation, and practical strategies for overcoming uncertainty in business and life.
9/1/26 • 27:41
Pay negotiation expert John Gates, explains why Elon Musk can afford to employ a very specific negotiation tactic which the average job seeker should very much NOT utilize...Hear John's full interview in his very special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
8/27/26 • 04:40
DeVon Franklin—Hollywood producer, New York Times bestselling author, and leadership expert—shares powerful lessons on purpose, faith, and high-performance success in business and life. Franklin explores how aligning personal values with professional ambition creates sustainable success, emphasizing discipline, patience, and consistency as critical drivers of long-term growth. He highlights the importance of overcoming fear, maintaining integrity under pressure, and trusting timing in career advancement, while offering practical insights on leadership, decision-making, and resilience.
8/25/26 • 15:54
Preston Smiles, personal development leader, author, and speaker, breaks down the concepts of conditioned tendencies and diminishers, and how each one can lead to an incomplete understanding of our own control, and an incomplete realization of our full potential.Hear Preston's full interview in Episode 179 of The Action Catalyst.
8/20/26 • 03:49
Pay negotiation expert John Gates, author of "Act Your Wage", shares proven salary negotiation strategies to help professionals increase compensation by 10–20% without risk or confrontation. Drawing on decades of experience as a recruiter, Gates explains why most candidates leave money on the table, how to overcome negotiation anxiety, and how to shift the power dynamic by using salary ranges, asking strategic questions, and understanding compensation structures like bonuses and incentives. He also highlights common mistakes that cost job seekers, reveals how high-stakes negotiations evolve at different career levels, and provides actionable advice for both external job offers and internal promotions.
8/18/26 • 25:41
Phil Le-Brun, former McDonald’s VP and International CIO and current AWS leader, shares how companies can avoid common “anti-patterns” like excessive bureaucracy and rigid structures, and defines what "artificial ownership" is, and how it can erode team creativity and cohesion.Hear Phil's full interview in Episode 506 of The Action Catalyst.
8/13/26 • 04:51
Preston Smiles, personal development leader, author, and speaker, shares powerful insights on personal growth, emotional intelligence, and conscious leadership. Smiles explores how self-awareness, radical responsibility, and authentic communication are essential for creating success in both personal and professional life. He emphasizes the importance of healing limiting beliefs, embracing vulnerability, and shifting mindset patterns to unlock greater fulfillment, relationships, and performance. The conversation highlights practical strategies for overcoming adversity, building resilience, and living with intention, while blending spirituality, entrepreneurship, and mindset coaching.
8/11/26 • 16:46
Professional coach Shelly Smith shares one of the most common complaints she hears from her coaching clients, and the simple exercise that she uses to combat it.Hear Shelly's full interview in Episode 175 of The Action Catalyst.
8/6/26 • 02:00
Overtime with Outland is Action Catalyst host Adam Outland's reflections and commentary on discussions with each of his esteemed and accomplished guests.In this segment, Adam dissects Episode 506 with Phil Le-Brun, former McDonald’s VP and International CIO and current AWS leader.
8/5/26 • 02:51
Phil Le-Brun, former McDonald’s VP and International CIO and current AWS leader, shares powerful leadership and organizational strategy insights from his book The Octopus Organization, emphasizing how modern businesses can thrive by balancing centralization and decentralization. Drawing on experience scaling technology across 38,000+ global locations, Le-Brun explains why curiosity, clarity of purpose, and strong leadership are critical for innovation and growth, and how companies can avoid common “anti-patterns” like excessive bureaucracy, rigid structures, and artificial ownership. He highlights the importance of empowering teams with true agency, fostering psychological safety through feedback, and maintaining startup-like agility in large enterprises to drive faster decision-making and customer value.Mentioned in this episode:Learn more at SouthwesternConsulting.com/Coaching/StudentsSouthwestern Student Coaching
8/4/26 • 33:20
Janice Kapner, former communications leader at Microsoft and T‑Mobile, shares the experience of interviewing and working alongside Bill Gates.Hear Janice's full interview in her special bonus episode of The Action Catalyst.
7/30/26 • 03:14
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.
7/28/26 • 19:25
Bestselling author and researcher Tom Rath explains that meaning—not happiness—is the key to fulfillment, emphasizing that focusing on helping others, leveraging strengths, and connecting daily work to a larger purpose leads to higher productivity and better outcomes. Hear Tom's full interview in Episode 185 of The Action Catalyst.
7/23/26 • 02:38
Janice Kapner, former communications leader at Microsoft and T‑Mobile, shares expert insights on navigating high‑stakes corporate transformation, mergers and acquisitions, and leadership without formal authority. Drawing on her experience leading communications during the largest telecom merger in U.S. history, Kapner explains how transparency, strategic storytelling, and consistent stakeholder communication are critical to maintaining trust, credibility, and momentum throughout multi‑year integration processes. She highlights common leadership mistakes—such as underestimating resource needs and post‑merger execution—and emphasizes the importance of understanding business fundamentals, building cross‑functional relationships, and earning credibility over time. The conversation also explores lessons from launching Office 365 at Microsoft, working alongside Bill Gates, and more.
7/21/26 • 22:42
Monica Nassif, founder of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and Caldrea, explains how bravery is like a muscle, and why it's only one of the many essential attributes for a successful entrepreneur.Hear Monica's full interview in Episode 505 of The Action Catalyst.
7/16/26 • 03:57
Bestselling author and researcher Tom Rath shares insights from his book "Are You Fully Charged?" on how to improve performance, well‑being, and engagement at work and in life. Rath explains that meaning—not happiness—is the key to fulfillment, emphasizing that focusing on helping others, leveraging strengths, and connecting daily work to a larger purpose leads to higher productivity and better outcomes. He explores how personal energy, including sleep, movement, and health, directly impacts cognitive performance, leadership effectiveness, and workplace success, while warning against the dangers of distraction, especially from smartphones, which reduce attention and relationship quality. The episode also highlights how emotions and behaviors spread through social networks, influencing teams and organizations, and why leaders must prioritize well‑being and purpose to build stronger cultures.
7/14/26 • 17:22
