All It Takes Is A Goal

ATG 231: Turning Complicated into Collaborative with Ryan Leak May 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Leak to talk about his new book, How to Work with Complicated People. Ryan shares insights from coaching everyone from CEOs to NBA stars, explaining why talented people are often mislabeled as difficult, and how to maintain boundaries when success accelerates. We explore the warning signs of leaders going off the rails, Ryan's Mount Rushmore of books, and even his predictions for the NBA Finals. Whether you're dealing with complicated people or trying to avoid becoming one yourself, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom from someone who's constantly in the arena.
Ryan's Book List
Didn’t See It Coming by Carey Nieuwhof
The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication by John Maxwell
Author Sarah Knight
EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey
In This Episode:
Learn more about Ryan's coaching, his new book, and more on his website!
Get a copy of his new book, How to Work with Complicated People, wherever books are sold.
Check out Ryan's podcast!
You can follow Ryan on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!

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ATG 230: Leaders Who Can't Be Questioned End Up Doing Questionable Things May 19, 2025

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Want to know the simplest leadership principle that makes people elbow each other when I share it on stage? "Leaders who can't be questioned end up doing questionable things." In this episode, I'll share how the gap between the boardroom and the break room creates problems, why your team might be editing their feedback by 15%, and my embarrassing story about a CEO with terrible Zoom lighting (spoiler: everyone lied and said it looked great). Whether you're leading a company, a family, or just yourself, I'll show you how to create an environment where honest feedback thrives instead of dies. Because the higher you climb on the success ladder, the more opportunities you'll have to behave poorly, and the more you need people brave enough to tell you the truth.
In This Episode:
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!
Episode Artwork Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

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ATG 229: The Commencement Speech No One Has the Guts to Give May 12, 2025

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In this episode, I'm delivering the graduation speech I've never been asked to give. I've packed it with seven brutally honest pieces of advice for Gen Z graduates that you won't hear from those boring traditional speakers droning on about "wings" and "moxie." Whether you're 18 or 48, you'll find something in this graduation manifesto that might just change your life. And no, I didn't bring merch to sell afterward (though I definitely would if they'd let me).
In This Episode:
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

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ATG 228: The 11-Minute Rule May 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I share my revelation about accepting who you are instead of constantly trying to transform into someone else. I'll also tell you about my Phoenix epiphany, where I discovered that pushing through just 11 minutes of resistance unlocks flow in the work you're meant to do. Life gets easier when you stop swimming against your current.
In This Episode:
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Episode Artwork Photo by Malvestida on Unsplash
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!

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ATG 227: Fear Comes Free, Hope Takes Work Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I'm sharing six powerful words that completely changed my perspective on fear and hope. I'll tell you some embarrassing stories about my brain's automatic negativity (including how I ruined a surprise party and why I'd be terrible at running a popsicle stand), plus give you the practical hope-building strategies I use every single day. Because remember—fear shows up uninvited, but hope is worth working for!
In This Episode:
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

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ATG 226: No Elevator at Everest: A Candid Conversation with my brother, Will Acuff Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with my younger brother Will—founder of Corner to Corner and author of No Elevator at Everest—for a raw, hilarious, and deeply meaningful conversation about goals, grit, and joy in the midst of real-life challenges. We talk about family dynamics, stolen cars, late-night wake ups, and the kind of leadership that gets built when nobody's watching. If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to lead with purpose when life doesn’t slow down, this episode is for you.
Will's Book List
The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
The Fifteen Commitments of Conscious Leadership by Jim Dethmer, Diana Chapman, and Kaley Klemp
The Soul of Money by Lynne Twist
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
In This Episode:
Find out more about Corner to Corner on their website!
Get a copy of his new book, No Elevator at Everest, wherever books are sold.
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.
Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!

Episode Links:

ATG 225: Success or a Story: The Mindset That Helped Me Survive an Empty Room Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m sharing one of my favorite soundtracks: It will be a success or a story. It’s the mindset I use every time I try something new—like hosting a live event or leading a book club that nobody shows up to (yep, that actually happened… to a brave 9-year-old and to me). Whether your next goal works out exactly like you hoped or turns into a story you’ll tell for years, this episode will remind you that both outcomes are worth it.
In This Episode:
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

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ATG 224: Fuel vs. Water: How to Protect Your Dreams Apr 07, 2025

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Not every friend deserves front-row seats to your dreams. In this episode, I’m unpacking one question that completely changed how I think about relationships—and why some quietly discourage your growth. If you’ve ever wondered why a big idea fizzled or who to trust with your next bold goal, this one's for you. Let's talk about finding fuel friends and avoiding the sneaky word that can sink your progress: still.

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ATG 223: The Power of Encouragement: A Gift for Two Mar 31, 2025

Show notes

Encouragement isn’t just something you give—it’s something you get. When you take the time to lift someone else up, you walk away stronger too. In this episode, I’m sharing why encouragement matters and how it shows up in unexpected ways (including a recent story about my experience at my favorite Wendy’s restaurant). I’ll also share why I’m so excited about my Remarkable You live event coming up in less than two weeks!
Let’s talk about how to encourage others and refresh ourselves in the process.
In This Episode:
Make sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!
Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!
Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!
Book me to speak at your event or to your team!

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