Breaking Average
197 episodes - English - Latest episode: 10 months ago - ★★★★★ - 147 ratingsA fully lived and understood life can only be achieved by those who choose to break average. If you are too careful, too cautious, or even too comfortable, then you will likely fall short of reaching your potential. In other words, choosing average, which is default living, will keep you from being your best.
This podcast explores a different path -- it explores what it means to break average. Each week we share insights and ideas to help propel you forward, curated from our own experiences, plus some of the top thought leaders in industry today. We share resources, practical tips, and helpful stories and science to give you tools to help you grow and make an impact.
The late/great Jim Rohn once said, "we should be something more than average.” Join us each week for the Breaking Average Podcast, and discover why this is so important.
This show is co-hosted by Paul Gustavson, a leader in the tech industry and the author of Leaders Press On, Speech Blueprint, Breaking Average, and the forthcoming book Imagine. Paul's daily focus is on the idea of Full Spectrum Innovation, which is centered on personal, technical, and corporate growth.
Starting in the 2022 fall season, Paul was joined by Barry Smith, and world-class coach, author, and speaker focused on Building What Matters. Other cohosts - who are still guests of the show include Rick Morris, Mike Harbour and Diane Caine.
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Episodes
How To Be Remarkable
April 14, 2022 16:00 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MBRick and Paul continue the How To series as we discuss how to be remarkable. What does it mean to be remarkable? How do you leverage that for your brand or business? How can you differentiate yourselves from others? Check out this episode and Paul and Rick continue to delve in to how to break average! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average f...
How To Have Difficult Conversations
April 07, 2022 16:00 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBPaul and Rick continue the How To series as we discuss how to have difficult conversations. How do you prepare for one of these conversations? What should you do and even better, what should you not do? Find out in this episode plus tips and challenges to assist with difficult conversations. Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the ...
How To Handle Distractions
March 31, 2022 16:00 - 47 minutes - 43 MBRick and Paul continue the How To series as we discuss how to overcome distractions. Distractions, especially in today’s world of devices and notifications, can be a difficult thing to deal with. Rick and Paul talk through their personal experiences on how to handle distractions and give tips and challenges to assist you in overcoming yours! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for th...
How to be Resilient
March 24, 2022 16:00 - 37 minutes - 34 MBRick and Paul continue the How To series as we discuss how to be resilient. Resilience is measured by how much resistance you are willing to overcome to achieve your dreams. Check out tips, advice, and stories on how to grow your resilience muscle. Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that the...
How To Push Past Your Limits and Be Creative
March 17, 2022 16:00 - 34 minutes - 31.8 MBPaul and Rick continue their How To series discussing how to push past your limits and be creative! How do you achieve that 1% better every day? What happens when you don’t feel creative? How can you reboot your mind to clear through certain blocks? Find out by listening to this episode! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the co...
How to Spring Clean Your Finances
March 10, 2022 17:00 - 34 minutes - 31.4 MBIt is time for some Spring Cleaning…..of your finances and subscriptions! Rick and Paul discuss tips and tricks to tighten the buckle a bit and find some extra savings. How do you get a handle on subscriptions? When is it time to let go of some things you have been holding on to? Find out in this episode! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average...
How to Influence Without Power
March 03, 2022 17:01 - 34 minutes - 31.9 MBContinuing the How To series, Paul and Rick discuss how to influence without power. How can you rise up in your organization, influence, or be noticed when you do not have direct authority? Find out in this episode! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that the world that our listeners...
How to Start Speaking!
February 24, 2022 17:00 - 52 minutes - 48.3 MBContinuing the How To series, Rick and Paul discuss how they got into speaking, what you can do to start, and they help answer one of the biggest questions out there: negotiating your rate. Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that the world that our listeners are involved in. If...
How to Write a Book
February 17, 2022 17:00 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBPaul and Rick discuss the ins and outs of writing a book! How do you start? Do you get an agent? What is the difference between fiction and nonfiction proposals? Should you get a traditional publisher or self-publish? Hear these answers and more on this episode! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we s...
How to Rise
February 10, 2022 17:00 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBWelcome to Season 4 of Breaking Average! Rick and Paul discuss how to rise when life knocks you down. We all have had hardships and fall in life. The question is how do we get back up? Paul and Rick share from personal experience how to rise from when you have fallen. Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that w...
S3 Encore - To Sell Is Human
February 03, 2022 17:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBBook 12 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink. From the bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind, and teacher of the popular MasterClass on Sales and Persuasion, comes a surprising--and surprisingly useful--new book that explores the power of selling in our lives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in nine Americans works in sales. Every day more than fifteen million people earn their keep by persuading someone else to m...
S3 Encore - First Break All The Rules
January 27, 2022 17:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBPaul and Rick kickoff an exciting new series on today’s episode. Over the next 16 episodes, we mastermind a leadership book that has stood the test of time. Our first book is First Break All of the Rules by Marcus Buckingham. Gallup presents the remarkable findings of its revolutionary study of more than 80,000 managers in First, Break All the Rules, revealing what the world’s greatest managers do differently. With vital performance and career lessons and ideas for how to apply them, i...
S3 Encore - The Power of Wooden
January 20, 2022 17:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBToday the team discusses the power and legacy of John Wooden and the incredible 7 point creed that he lived his life by. Originally gifted to him by his father, we discuss John's 7 points, our take on them, and the lasting legacy that he has left behind. Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that ...
S3 Encore - The Value of Failure
January 13, 2022 17:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBWelcome to Season 3! We kick off this season with one of our favorite discussions around failure. What does it really mean? Is failure bad? How can you embrace and overcome failure? Find out in this episode! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that the world that our listeners are ...
Season Finale - Team Breakouts
January 06, 2022 17:00 - 44 minutes - 40.8 MBPaul and Rick recap the season and teach a powerful technique to lead breakout sessions in your team meetings. Hear these questions and how Rick and Paul answer them including their words for the coming year! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that the world that our listeners are ...
The Alchemist
December 30, 2021 17:00 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBBook 16 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is The Alchemist by Paolo Cuelho. Combining magic, mysticism, wisdom and wonder into an inspiring tale of self-discovery, The Alchemist has become a modern classic, selling millions of copies around the world and transforming the lives of countless readers across generations. Paulo Coelho's masterpiece tells the mystical story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who yearns to travel in search of a worldly treasure. His quest will le...
Dare to Lead
December 23, 2021 17:00 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MBBook 14 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential. When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it...
4 Disciplines of Execution
December 16, 2021 17:00 - 56 minutes - 52.1 MBBook 13 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Chris McChesney and Sean Covey. 4DX® is not theory. It is a proven set of practices that represents a new way of thinking essential to thriving in today’s competitive climate, making this 2nd Edition a book that no business leader can afford to miss. The 4 Disciplines of Execution are used by more than 100,000 teams around the world in business, government, and education, and are changing how teams a...
Influence
December 09, 2021 17:00 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBBook 12 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Influence by Dr. Robert Cialdini. The foundational and wildly popular go-to resource for influence and persuasion—a renowned international bestseller, with over 5 million copies sold—now revised adding: new research, new insights, new examples, and online applications. In the new edition of this highly acclaimed bestseller, Robert Cialdini—New York Times bestselling author of Pre-Suasion and the seminal expert in the fields of influe...
To Sell is Human
December 02, 2021 17:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBBook 12 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is To Sell is Human by Daniel Pink. From the bestselling author of Drive and A Whole New Mind, and teacher of the popular MasterClass on Sales and Persuasion, comes a surprising--and surprisingly useful--new book that explores the power of selling in our lives. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in nine Americans works in sales. Every day more than fifteen million people earn their keep by persuading someone else to m...
Good to Great
November 25, 2021 17:02 - 47 minutes - 43.5 MBBook 11 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Good to Great by Jim Collins. The Challenge: Built to Last, the defining management study of the nineties, showed how great companies triumph over time and how long-term sustained performance can be engineered into the DNA of an enterprise from the verybeginning. But what about the company that is not born with great DNA? How can good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies achieve enduring greatness? The Study: For year...
The Mentor Leader
November 18, 2021 17:00 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBBook 10 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is The Mentor Leader by Tony Dungy. “Your only job is to help your players be better.” That single idea had a huge impact on Tony Dungy when he heard it from one of his earliest mentors, and it led him to develop the successful leadership style so admired by players and coaches throughout the NFL. Now, a storied career and a Super Bowl victory later, Tony Dungy is sharing his unique leadership philosophy with you. In The Mentor Leader, T...
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell
November 11, 2021 17:00 - 45 minutes - 41.8 MBBook 9 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. In this stunning new book, Malcolm Gladwell takes us on an intellectual journey through the world of "outliers"--the best and the brightest, the most famous and the most successful. He asks the question: what makes high-achievers different? His answer is that we pay too much attention to what successful people are like, and too little attention to where they are from: that is, their culture, their family,...
Leaders Eat Last
November 04, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBBook 8 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek. Too many workplaces are driven by cynicism, paranoia, and self-interest. But the best ones foster trust and cooperation because their leaders build what Sinek calls a "Circle of Safety" that separates the security inside the team from the challenges outside. Sinek illustrates his ideas with fascinating true stories that range from the military to big business, from government to investment banking. Wa...
The Charisma Myth
October 28, 2021 16:00 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MBThe charisma myth is the idea that charisma is a fundamental, inborn quality—you either have it (Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs, Oprah) or you don’t. But that’s simply not true, as Olivia Fox Cabane reveals. Charismatic behaviors can be learned and perfected by anyone. Drawing on techniques she originally developed for Harvard and MIT, Cabane breaks charisma down into its components. Becoming more charismatic doesn’t mean transforming your fundamental personality. It’s about adopting a serie...
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
October 21, 2021 16:00 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBBook 6 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. One of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People has captivated readers for nearly three decades. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEOs, educators and parents—millions of people of all ages and occupations. Now, this 30th anniversary edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 Habits with moder...
The Vision Driven Leader
October 14, 2021 16:00 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBBook 5 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt. In The Vision Driven Leader, New York Times bestselling author Michael Hyatt offers six tools for crafting an irresistible vision for your business, rallying your team around the vision, and distilling it into actionable plans that drive results. Based on Michael's 40 years of experience as an entrepreneur and executive, backed by insights from organizational science and psychology, and illust...
High Performance Habits
October 07, 2021 16:01 - 36 minutes - 33.7 MBBook 4 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is High Performance Habits by Brendon Burchard. After extensive original research and a decade as the world's highest-paid performance coach, Brendon Burchard finally reveals the most effective habits for reaching long-term success. Based on one of the largest surveys ever conducted on high performers, it turns out that just six habits move the needle the most in helping you succeed. Adopt these six habits and you win. Neglect them and li...
Adversaries into Allies
September 30, 2021 16:00 - 35 minutes - 32.6 MBBook 3 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Adversaries into Allies by Bob Burg. Faced with the task of persuading someone to do what we want, most of us expect, and often encounter, resistance. We see the other person as an adversary and often resort to coercion or manipulation in order to get our way. But while this approach might at times bring us short-term results, it leaves people with a bad feeling about themselves and about us. At that point, our relationship with the p...
Boundaries for Leaders
September 23, 2021 16:00 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBBook 2 of the Leadership Book Mastermind series is Boundaries for Leaders by Dr. Henry Cloud. In Boundaries for Leaders, clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr. Henry Cloud leverages his expertise of human behavior, neuroscience, and business leadership to explain how the best leaders set boundaries within their organizations--with their teams and with themselves--to improve performance and increase employee and customer satisfaction. Watch us on the weekly Empowere...
First Break All The Rules
September 16, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBPaul and Rick kickoff an exciting new series on today’s episode. Over the next 16 episodes, we mastermind a leadership book that has stood the test of time. Our first book is First Break All of the Rules by Marcus Buckingham. Gallup presents the remarkable findings of its revolutionary study of more than 80,000 managers in First, Break All the Rules, revealing what the world’s greatest managers do differently. With vital performance and career lessons and ideas for how to apply them, i...
The Power of Wooden
September 09, 2021 16:00 - 43 minutes - 39.5 MBToday the team discusses the power and legacy of John Wooden and the incredible 7 point creed that he lived his life by. Originally gifted to him by his father, we discuss John's 7 points, our take on them, and the lasting legacy that he has left behind. Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that ...
The Value of Failure
September 02, 2021 16:00 - 49 minutes - 45.5 MBWelcome to Season 3! We kick off this season with one of our favorite discussions around failure. What does it really mean? Is failure bad? How can you embrace and overcome failure? Find out in this episode! Watch us on the weekly Empowered Living show at noon on Thursday or on YouTube. We’re always looking for the story of Breaking Average from the communities that we serve that the world that our listeners are ...
Encore - Victory - Season 2 Finale
August 26, 2021 16:43 - 45 minutes - 62.8 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The team discusses Victory. The acrostic that brings together the last 21 episodes in the Season 2 finale. VISION - Assess the Clarity INSIGHT - Assess the Comprehension COLLABORATION - Assess the Chemistry TRUST - Assess the Confidence OWNERSHIP - Assess the Connections RESILIENCE - Assess the Courage YE...
Encore - YES - Believe the Vision with John Mosley
August 19, 2021 16:00 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The Yes Factor elements serve as activators that influence healthy commitment by the team. The essential elements - Invite your team, align their values, believe the vision Hear Part 2 of our special guest, Head Coach of East Los Angeles Community College and Netflix Star John Mosley to discuss Belief. Belief d...
Encore - YES - Align Their Values with John Mosley
August 12, 2021 16:00 - 47 minutes - 64.6 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The Yes Factor elements serve as activators that influence healthy commitment by the team. The essential elements - Invite your team, align their values, believe the vision Join Rick and Paul and special guest, Head Coach of East Los Angeles Community College and Netflix Star John Mosley to discuss Alignment. C...
Encore - Culture with Mark Miller
August 05, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 95.8 MBMark Miller, Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-Fil-A and author of 9 books (and counting) stops by to discuss Culture. Hear fantastic takeaways from the team and Mark in how to infuse a winning corporate culture into your daily routine. Produced by Rick A. Morris with R2 Multimedia, LLC
Encore - Taking Charge with Barb Stegemann
July 29, 2021 16:01 - 53 minutes - 72.8 MBPaul and Mike welcome Diane and Rick to have a lively discussion about taking charge. Rick interviews Barb Stegemann, the founder of The 7 Virtues, a company that sources organic, fair trade essential oils from countries experiencing turmoil. Barb's fearless pitch on Dragon's Den made her the first woman from Atlantic Canada to land a venture capital deal. Hear this phenomenal story and well as relevant tips and tricks on how to take charge. Produced by Rick A. Morris with R2 Multimedi...
Encore - Winning Mentality Part 6 - Championship
July 22, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBComing together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. -Henry Ford It’s the episode you have been waiting for! The Championship Round! And the winner is.... We talk about Why Hope Always Matters. Speaking of hope we featured the crews picks for charities to support - if you are moved to please donate: Paul’s pick - DC Dream Center Rick’s pick - Give Kids the World Diane’s pick - Wounded Warrior Project See us...
Encore - Winning Mentality Part 4 - with Sonja Wieck from Team Iron Cowboy
July 15, 2021 16:04 - 59 minutes - 82.1 MBComing together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. -Henry Ford Winning Mentality is a multi-part series modeled after the March Madness college basketball tournament. Except this tournament is centered around movies that demonstrate the winning mentality, leadership and overall leave us inspired. It is now week 4!. Our guest this week Sonja Weijik from Team Iron Cowboy and Eco Challenge Fiji athlete Follow Sonja on her next adventure! See us...
Encore - Winning Mentality Part 3 - Elite 8 with Mark Batterson & Summer Batterson Dailey
July 08, 2021 16:00 - 1 hour - 89.2 MBComing together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. -Henry Ford Winning Mentality is a multi-part series modeled after the March Madness college basketball tournament. Except this tournament is centered around movies that demonstrate the winning mentality, leadership and overall leave us inspired. It is now week 3 – we take the picks down to the Elite 8. We had some help from our special guests - Mark Batterson and his daughter Summer Batterson ...
Encore - Breaking Average with Paul Martinelli
July 01, 2021 16:02 - 58 minutes - 79.8 MBSeason 2 of Breaking Average (formerly the Transformational Leader Podcast) welcomes Paul Martinelli. The team discusses the new podcast format, what it means to break average, and how to teach and transfer the concept of breaking average. Produced by Rick A. Morris with R2 Multimedia, LLC
Victory - Season 2 Finale
June 24, 2021 16:00 - 45 minutes - 62.8 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The team discusses Victory. The acrostic that brings together the last 21 episodes in the Season 2 finale. VISION - Assess the Clarity INSIGHT - Assess the Comprehension COLLABORATION - Assess the Chemistry TRUST - Assess the Confidence OWNERSHIP - Assess the Connections RESILIENCE - Assess the Courage Y...
YES - Believe the Vision with John Mosley
June 17, 2021 16:02 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The Yes Factor elements serve as activators that influence healthy commitment by the team. The essential elements - Invite your team, align their values, believe the vision Hear Part 2 of our special guest, Head Coach of East Los Angeles Community College and Netflix Star John Mosley to discuss Belief. Belief...
YES - Align Their Values with John Mosley
June 10, 2021 16:00 - 47 minutes - 64.6 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The Yes Factor elements serve as activators that influence healthy commitment by the team. The essential elements - Invite your team, align their values, believe the vision Join Rick and Paul and special guest, Head Coach of East Los Angeles Community College and Netflix Star John Mosley to discuss Alignment. ...
YES - Invite Your Team
June 03, 2021 16:01 - 45 minutes - 62.1 MB“It’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” - Mario Andretti The Yes Factor elements serve as activators that influence healthy commitment by the team. The essential elements - Invite your team, align their values, believe the vision In this episode, the team discusses the Invite activator of the Yes Factor. To begin to achieve any leadership journey, somehow, somewher...
Resilience - Overcome in the End
May 27, 2021 16:00 - 44 minutes - 60.4 MB“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go?” - T.S. Eliot The Resilience Factor elements generate courage for the team and its members. The essential elements - Acknowledge the threats, persevere through the middle, overcome in the end. In this episode, the team discusses overcoming in the end. Everybody loves a comeback story. A story that showed great challenges and a breaking average mentality to overcome them. Watch us on the weekly...
Resilience - Persevere Through the Middle
May 20, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 63.4 MB“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go?” - T.S. Eliot The Resilience Factor elements generate courage for the team and its members. The essential elements - Acknowledge the threats, persevere through the middle, overcome in the end. In this episode, the team discusses Persevere. Nelson Mandela said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” Persevere does not quit. It means pushing through the tough times and never quitting. Watch us o...
Resilience - Acknowledge the Threats
May 13, 2021 16:00 - 42 minutes - 57.7 MB“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go?” - T.S. Eliot The Resilience Factor elements generate courage for the team and its members. The essential elements - Acknowledge the threats, persevere through the middle, overcome in the end. Acknowledging the threats is the first step of resilience. Often the need for courage is sprung upon us when we least expect it. It’s about recognizing the fears we have about those problems. When you acknowled...
Ownership - Implement Solutions
May 06, 2021 16:00 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MB“It’s important to have a sound idea, but the really important thing is the implementation.” - Wilbur Ross The Ownership Factor establishes deep connections for a team and a tribe starting with the leader. The essential elements - Define the opportunities, empower team members and implement solutions. In this episode, the team dives into implementing solutions. Experiences of our own business, trials and tribulations, and lessons learned are shared. Watch us on the weekl...