Clearing Obstacles - Blissful Ambition

Welcome to Clearing Obstacles – The podcast for Leaders, and those that want to be. It can be a lonely journey when you find yourself confronted by challenges in business. Taking the lessons learned along the way, your host Dan is ready to unpack common business challenges, from real-life situations in a way that’s both relatable and actionable for you. In Season One, Dan will introduce you to other professionals like yourself who share in your struggles along that path to a healthy business and a healthy team. But then we’ll also share the way out of those struggles, by clearing the obstacles at their origins, and helping you Get There, From Here. In Season Two, we bring in thought-leaders who are redefining what Leadership must look and feel like in our changing world. Our acclaimed experts will introduce you to core principles, along with actionable steps you can take to evolve into the leader your team is yearning for.

Listen on:

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Episodes

3 days ago


In this episode of the "Clearing Obstacles Podcast," we are thrilled to welcome Mo Bunnell, the founder of the Bunnell Idea Group and a renowned expert in business development. Mo shares invaluable insights from his extensive career, including his groundbreaking methodologies from his book, "The Snowball System," and his upcoming book, "Give to Grow," set to release on August 27, 2024.
Through engaging stories and practical advice, Mo delves into the crucial role of relationships in business success and how data and analytics can enhance these connections. He provides an in-depth look at the five lies we tell ourselves that sabotage our efforts and offers actionable strategies to overcome them. These include maintaining a growth mindset, asking the right questions, and always acting with genuine intent.
The Five Lies:
"I can't do that."
"I don't know what to do."
"I might do it wrong"
"I'm too busy."
"I'm going to look bad."
Listen in for Mo's groundbreaking ways to de-bunk that nonsense.
Mo also shares his approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of collaboration, courage, and trust. He discusses how he empowers his team, the significance of a well-structured business plan, and the benefits of giving away valuable content to build trust and combat obscurity.
Listeners will learn how to balance curiosity and certainty in both business development and leadership, and how to create meaningful, lasting relationships that drive growth and success. Don't miss this episode packed with wisdom and actionable tips from one of the industry's leading minds.
For more insights and to access Mo's free training, visit givetogrow.info.
To pre-order Mo's book, Give to Grow : https://amzn.to/3LD8lHi
To learn more about working with Dan directly: https://bestself.coach/
To get FREE access to the entire Self Managment Module of the Clearing Obstacles Roadmap: https://bestself.coach/free

Wednesday Jul 10, 2024


In this episode, host Dan Kent dives deep into the world of leadership with the exceptional Meredith Bell, President and Co-Founder of Grow Strong Leaders. Meredith shares her extensive experience in leadership development, communication skills, and character-building.
Meredith and Dan discuss the importance of shifting from a victim to an owner mindset and the impact of genuine connections and authentic generosity in leadership. We go on to discuss a whole host of topics, including relationships, character, loneliness in leadership, mindset, "being vs. doing", imperfection, and communication - among many other invaluable insights from Meredith.
Meredith offers stories from her journey, including her transition from a classroom teacher to a leadership coach and product developer. She highlights the significance of relationships, communication, and character skills in effective leadership. The discussion also covers practical tips for leaders, such as the importance of listening, receiving feedback graciously, and fostering a growth mindset.
Listeners will learn about the new GSL Skill Builder program, designed to enhance communication and character skills, and hear about Meredith's approach to creating oneself anew, daily through affirmations and intentionality. The episode wraps up with actionable advice to get 3 quick-wins, for leaders to start improving their leadership skills today.
Don't miss this enlightening conversation that explores the depths of authentic leadership and offers valuable tools to help you and your team thrive.
To experience the Grow Strong Leaders approach & tools: https://growstrongleaders.com/
To work with Dan at Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach/
Books noted in this episode:Mindset by Carol DweckThe Power of Awareness by Nevill GoddardConnect with Your Team by Denny Coates & Meredith BellCrucial Conversations by Patterson, Grenny, McMillan, & SwitzlerGood Authority by Jonathan Raymond

Wednesday Jul 03, 2024


In this episode, Dan is joined by Shawn Blanc, a productivity expert and the founder of The Focus Course. Shawn shares his journey from a marketing director to a successful business owner, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal values with business goals. He discusses the challenges of finding joy in business without sabotaging it; and the necessity of creating a safe space for experimentation.
Shawn has effectively evolved his business to allow for eight-week work cycles, which give him and his team two months of sabbatical every year -- all while seeing unprecedented growth in revenue. 
Key points include the significance of effective delegation, maintaining margin in life and business, and the power of clear communication. He'll introduce the basics of a tool he calls The Productivity Flywheel that's helped him and hundreds of clients over the years. Shawn also touches on the importance of self-awareness for leaders and how to avoid the pitfalls of doing too much. Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned one, this episode offers actionable insights to help you and your team succeed, and live a life of meaning through some powerful leadership insights.
Don't miss Shawn's practical advice on how to start small, celebrate successes, and maintain focus on what truly matters. Tune in to learn how to build a business that fuels your life and the lives of your team.
To see Shawn's incredible menu of tools, visit: https://thefocuscourse.com/
For Business Owners & CEOs specifically, visit: https://thefocuscourse.com/boss
To work with Dan and Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach/
If you're interested in being a guest on the Clearing Obstacles Podcast, email: info@bestself.coach
 

S02 E08 - Neal Foard (Storyfire)

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024

Wednesday Jun 26, 2024


Welcome to Season Two of Clearing Obstacles, the podcast for leaders and those aspiring to be. Hosted by Dan Kent from Best Self Coaching, this season promises to redefine leadership with insights from thought leaders. In this episode, we dive deep into the art of storytelling with the charismatic Neal Foard, a veteran in the advertising world turned storytelling coach.
Neal shares his journey and the profound impact of storytelling in leadership. He recounts a personal story that transformed his outlook and discusses how stories can empower leaders to inspire, align values, and guide their teams. The conversation also explores the significance of recognizing the humanity in others, the role of empathy, and the importance of realistic optimism in leadership.
Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting, this episode is packed with wisdom and practical advice on how to harness the power of storytelling to lead effectively. Tune in to learn how to clear the obstacles in your leadership journey and become the kind of leader your team is waiting for.
To learn more about the Storyfire Course: https://www.storyfire.net/
Great Neal Foard SWAG, insights, Socials, and Rancho Madhammer: https://www.nealfoard.com/
To be a guest on Clearing Obstacles, email Dan at info@bestself.coach
More about Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach/
 

Wednesday Jun 19, 2024


Welcome to Season 2 of Clearing Obstacles, the podcast for leaders and aspiring leaders alike. In this episode, host Dan Kent from Best Self Coaching dives deep into the concept of workplace culture with Gustavo Razzetti, the founder of Fearless Culture and author of the book Remote, Not Distant. Gustavo shares his expertise on building a culture of ownership rather than accountability and discusses practical steps leaders can take to enhance their team's performance and engagement.
Throughout the episode, Gustavo emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, psychological safety, and effective decision-making. He introduces listeners to the Culture Design Canvas, a tool he developed to help organizations intentionally design their workplace culture. Additionally, Gustavo provides actionable tips for leaders to improve team participation and trust, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
Key points addressed are:
Accountability is often imposed top-down by leaders, reactively when results aren't met. It focuses too much on metrics instead of behaviors that drive metrics.
A culture of ownership is better than one of strict accountability - giving people decision-making rights closer to problems, rewarding behaviors that move the needle, allowing freedom which creates accountability.
Leaders must model desired behaviors and set clear expectations for their team's ownership in the culture.
Middle managers are often a bottleneck, focused on their own goals vs cross-collaboration needed today.
To increase voices being heard constructively: Try techniques like "Voice of Employee" ambassadors, and understanding how the individuals on your team prefer to communicate.
Use the Culture Design Canvas tool to assess current culture state, identify areas for evolution, drive experiments in bite-sized changes.
Self-awareness is key for leaders - understanding your blindspots through feedback. Lack of self-awareness is a major pitfall.
Culture signals are visible in behaviors and interactions if you look - it's not something invisible or abstract, contrary to our common perception otherwise.
Tune in to learn how to transform your organization's culture from within and create an environment where everyone can thrive. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting your leadership journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to help you clear the obstacles to help you Get There, From Here.
Fearless Culture: https://www.fearlessculture.design/
Insight: The Surprising Truth About How Others See Us, How We See Ourselves, and Why the Answers Matter More Than We Think, by Tasha Eurich: https://amzn.to/4crslI3
Work with Dan at Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach/
 
 
 

S02 E06 - Marcus Baur (Goalscape)

Wednesday Jun 12, 2024

Wednesday Jun 12, 2024


Welcome to season two of Clearing Obstacles, the podcast for leaders and aspiring leaders, hosted by Dan Kent of Best Self Coaching. In this episode, Dan is joined by Marcus Baur, co-designer and creator of Goalscape, to discuss the evolving paradigms of leadership, goal setting, and the importance of transparency in today's organizational structures.
Marcus shares his journey from Olympic sailing, to architecture, to software development, explaining how his diverse experiences inspired the creation of Goalscape. He delves into the significance of embracing finitude and focusing on what truly matters, a concept he learned through both his sporting and professional endeavors.
The conversation explores how to foster intrinsic motivation within teams, the pitfalls of traditional top-down management, and the need for a more agile, collaborative approach to leadership. Marcus and Dan also touch on the importance of creating a culture where goals are transparent, and team members feel empowered to contribute and innovate.
Listen in to discover how the Goalscape tool can help leaders and teams visualize their objectives, prioritize effectively, and maintain focus amidst the complexities of modern business. This episode is packed with insights on how to reimagine leadership to create more engaged, productive, and inspired teams.
Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting out, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how to clear the obstacles standing in the way of your success.
For more information and to explore Goalscape, visit Goalscape. Stay tuned for more episodes of Clearing Obstacles as we continue to bring you the voices of thought leaders who are redefining leadership in our world today.
If you have a voice to contribute to this season's conversation around reimagining leadership in our world today, please reach out to Dan at info@bestself.coach
If you want to take a look at how your business could better-serve your life, visit http://bestself.coach
 
 

Wednesday Jun 05, 2024


Welcome to Season Two of Clearing Obstacles, the podcast for leaders and those aspiring to be, because no organization can thrive without effective leadership. Join your host and coach, Dan Kent of Best Self Coaching, as he brings the voices of thought leaders who share unique and valuable perspectives on reimagining and redefining leadership in our world today.
In this episode, Dan sits down with Dr. Jeremy Goldberg, the creative force behind Long Distance Love Bombs. Dr. Goldberg shares his inspiring journey from a PhD student to a global thought leader in kindness and compassion. We get a bit metaphysical & mildly quirky in this episode, but don't let that stop you. In fact, lean in. The ride is worth it.
The conversation explores topics such as the importance of vulnerability, self-awareness, and emotional resilience in effective leadership. Dr. Goldberg also shares his unique perspective on imposter syndrome, the power of reframing challenges, and the significance of embodying one's true self.
Listeners will hear about Dr. Goldberg's impactful initiatives, including his six-day camping trip in Banff, Canada, and his annual 200-kilometer walk on the Camino de Santiago. The episode is filled with practical insights, powerful analogies, and heartfelt wisdom that will inspire leaders to cultivate personal development as the foundation for effective leadership.
Don't miss this enriching conversation that promises to help you clear the obstacles on your path to becoming the kind leader your team deserves. For more information and to connect with Dr. Jeremy Goldberg, see the links below.
Subscribe to Clearing Obstacles on your favorite listening platform and join us as we help you get there from here. Your business should serve your life, and nobody should do this on their own.
 
Jeremy's Website: https://www.longdistancelovebombs.com/
Jeremy's TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mklMPHGLjo
Jeremy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistancelovebombs/
Jeremy's Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-distance-love-bombs-podcast/id1438349939
Jeremy's Book, It'll Be Okay, And You Will Be Too: https://amzn.to/3xbfydN
Dan Kent at Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach
 
 

Wednesday May 29, 2024


 
F*ck Some Sh*t Up - With James Victore
Welcome to Season 2 of 'Clearing Obstacles,' a podcast specifically curated for leaders, aspiring leaders, and learners who aim to understand dynamic leadership practices. Hosted by eminent leadership coach Dan Kent, this season introduces a variety of thought leaders sharing the transformative ideas on management, culture, self-awareness, vision, accountability and more. Gear up for an exciting journey of embracing enhanced leadership skills!
In this spicy episode, we are joined by James Victore, an acclaimed art director, designer, and author, renowned for his unique and path-carving approach to creativity. We delve into his inspiring journey about prioritizing authenticity over mainstream trends, transforming an industry by being true to his creative vision, and finding a tribe that resonates with his uniqueness. Gain insights into embarking on a leadership journey rooted in self-awareness and confidence from this new episode.
Immerse in a rich discussion on the potency of creativity in leadership, understanding the role of passion in teaching, recognizing the detrimental role of unnecessary perfection, and tackling fear. James shares his valuable inputs on integrating creativity with leadership, defying conventional formats, cultivating a love for learning, and fostering a playful approach towards teaching. This conversation will provide you with pivotal perspectives to deal with personal and business hurdles.
Further, we navigate through complex issues such as self-criticism in the creative process, the power of audacity in leadership, and confronting fear. Learn how to counter the limitations of brutal self-critique to unlock your creative potential, distinguish between motivating and inspiring teams, perceive leadership without titles, and understand the transformative influence of a self-aware, bold, and empathetic leader.
In this closure, we explore the power of turning intrinsic motivation into a successful creative endeavor, the benefit of doing hard things, acknowledging worth of creative work, and appreciating self-evolution. Get inspired by the conversation, on power of gratitude, authenticity, perseverance, and learn to incorporate love, joy, fun and play in everyday life to unlock your full creative potential as a leader. Follow the links provided to access more compelling content and transform your perspective on life and creativity.
Learn more about James Victore or how to work with him: https://yourworkisagift.com/
Get inspired daily with James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesvictore/
Schedule a Free Coaching Session with Dan: https://best-self-coaching.ck.page/6386945d1d
Learn more about Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach
 

Wednesday May 22, 2024


Join host Dan Kent in Episode 3 of the Clearing Obstacles Podcast for a deep-dive as he explores transformational leadership strategies alongside world-renowned business moguls and thought leaders. In this riveting episode, we feature the inspiring journey of Teddy Tannenbaum, founder of Tannenbaum Consulting, from his vibrant spiritual communities to the cutting edge of corporate training and leadership.
Delve into wisdom that stems from Teddy's diverse experiences, addressing key aspects of leadership, including vision, accountability, and vulnerability. Learn about the essence of building persistence and fostering high-performance teams. Listen as Teddy shares valuable insights on understanding your influence on others, balancing self-acceptance and self-improvement, and harnessing emotional intelligence as a powerful tool for effective decision-making.
This episode not only enhances your understanding of impactful communication and collaboration but also digs deep into misconceptions about self-awareness within the business domain. Leverage the art of leadership development and harness the power of presence to make a lasting impact. Discover the delicate dance between persistence and experimentation, and understand how emotional self-control can act as a guiding compass in your entrepreneurial journey.
Learn from the best in the business and take home transformative insights for effective leadership. Whether you are a CEO, a budding entrepreneur, or just emerging in the corporate world, this episode offers valuable perspectives on the roles that define a successful leader. From maintaining clear visions and aligning strategies, to fostering accountability and seizing growth opportunities, get ready to redefine your leadership style with us.
Finally, equip yourself with a nuanced understanding of professional growth using effective feedback tools like the Harrison Assessment. Learn how understanding your preferences and balancing your strengths can drive your professional success. Also explore the pivotal role of emotional balance and authenticity in leadership through real-life anecdotes and pragmatic approaches.
Come along with us in this enlightening conversation with Teddy as we explore the complex facets of entrepreneurship, decision-making, and transformative leadership. Gain profound insights into managing stress, nurturing high-quality teams, and redefining success through healthy leadership in our modern world.
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To work with Teddy: https://teddycoach.com/
To learn more about the Harrison Assessment tool: https://www.harrisonassessments.com/
To get a free Coaching Session with Dan at Best Self Coaching: https://best-self-coaching.ck.page/6386945d1d
Learn about Best Self Coaching: https://bestself.coach
 

Wednesday May 15, 2024


Welcome to a new episode of our podcast series, "Clearing Obstacles". Our guest for this week is none other than the charismatic and insightful leader, Dave Radparvar, co-founder of Holstee and Reflection.app. Dive into this compelling episode as Dave unravels the intricate relationship between ambition and contentment and how acknowledging one's 'enoughness' can lead to a more fulfilling life and business. 
Harness the power of journaling; a transformative tool for self-awareness, emotional growth, and understanding life's patterns. With a focus on the Reflection.app we delve into the effectiveness of journaling, as shared through personal anecdotes and stories of transformation from our users. From gratitude exercises, to journaling -- get ready to reshape your mindset.
This episode extends beyond this reflection and dives into strategic ways of enhancing personal and professional interactions. Using unique conversation-starting playing cards from Holstee, we explore how meaningful dialogue can bridge the gap between the personal and professional, leading to a more connected and productive team.
Finally, join us as we discuss the nuances of trust-based leadership with Dave. Inspired by "The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership", Dave opens up about his own leadership journey and the evolution of his perception towards a trust-based system. Listen to find out how conscious leadership could lead to a thriving workplace environment and benefit the broader community.
Holstee.com
Reflection.app
The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: A New Paradigm for Sustainable Success 

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If you have any questions about how to identify obstacles and apply solutions in YOUR organization, we would love to have a conversation! Chances are, you're not the only one with those problems. 

Click the link below to get in contact, and we will be in touch!

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