Wise Words &amp; Whisky with Wylie McGraw

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Unstoppable Fulfillment: The Value of Having a Mission vs. Running a Business with Communications Expert and #1 Podcast PR Agency CEO, Jeremy Ryan Slate Feb 20, 2024

If you're a high achiever who wants to help others, or you just want to know whether your business is on the right track, this discussion will provide you with valuable insights that can change your viewpoint on why you do the work you do. In today's podcast, I bring you into a world where you can create a powerful platform of connections and success by giving more than you promise, with my guest, CEO and Award-Winning Podcaster, Jeremy Ryan Slate. And I’ll tell you right now it’s informative. Our conversation reveals how Jeremy's athletic upbringing, formal education, and desire to challenge the status quo have contributed to his drive to break down media barriers for visionary founders and leaders so their messages can reach the masses. Join us as we sip RUSSEL'S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL NEAT and dig into the insights that can inspire you to look at your life and business differently, and how a mission-focused mindset makes it even more rewarding.

Wise Words from this episode:

In our culture, money is synonymous with success, and most businesses work solely to achieve that goal. Do you want your business to have world-changing results or are you running it only for financial validation?

Guest Links:

Website 1 - https://commandyourbrand.com

Website 2 - https://jeremyryanslate.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Embrace the Frequency of Sound: Unleash Your Passion & Set Your Soul on Fire, with Billboard Musician and Spanish Guitar Icon, Esteban Jan 22, 2024

For those who want new ways to keep their lives stimulated, look no further than the power of sound. Find out how becoming one with it can transform you from the inside out. Today I’m bringing you insights into the value of quality music, and why listening and playing from the heart can lead to a profound sense of purpose in every area of life with my guest, Billboard Recording Legend & Icon, Esteban. And I’ll tell you right now the vibe is palpable. Our conversation reveals how Esteban naturally tunes himself into his music, why his passion for it never dies, and how that has made him a master at teaching hundreds of thousands of people to know, understand, and play effortlessly, in as little as 30 minutes. Join us as we sip GALVESTON 12YR OLD SPANISH SINGLE MALT NEAT and dig into the insights that will inevitably uplevel your ability to use sound to keep your fire lit, no matter what you set out to do.

Wise Words from this episode:

Music is a vessel that keeps us connected to our heart. It changes us at the cellular level, and influences how we express ourselves. Consider the type of sound you’re exposed to, and how it impacts your mood, attitude, and motivation.

Guest Links:

Website – https://www.estebanmusic.com/

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Why You Need Play to Win: New Business Strategies for a Post-Pandemic World with President & Chief Strategy Officer, Engineered Innovation Group, Karen Mangia Jul 05, 2023

For those of you who feel trapped by the rigid culture of business, who struggle to find ideal solutions to the problems you must navigate as a leader or employee, it’s time to learn what it takes to simplify the complex and why settling for what doesn't serve you is a recipe for burnout. Today, with the help of my guest, Wall St. Journal Best Selling Author, Karen Mangia, I’m bringing you a fun conversation that presents all sorts of standards and values to change your mindset, unleash playfulness/creativity, and give you the momentum needed to achieve your goals. And I’ll tell you now, it will set you on the path for true success. Our conversation explores how Karen uses play in business for tighter, more inclusive team function and how organizations can become more efficient in their operations. Join us as we sip THE BALCONES BIG BABY NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to experience more curiosity, creativity, and positive change in both life and business.

Wise Words from this episode:

Try to not take yourself, or the situation you're in, too seriously. When we do so, we tend to only focus on constraints and that ultimately obscures our ability to make better choices.

Setting an audacious goal and going after it with openness is actually a smart business strategy. It can, in fact, open possibilities and help uncover solutions you didn't know were possible.

Play is a mechanism to shift mindset and make the impossible possible.

We're all drawn to others who are light, fun, and refreshing. So why do we often limit that same energy within ourselves?

Karen defines burnout as living outside your values for an extended period. Take an honest look at your own experience -- have you fallen into this yourself? If so, take a step back and identify ways you can get back on track. Staying burnt out for too long has severe consequences!

Leaders and the lives they lead directly influence their company culture. As goes the leadership, so goes the team -- is yours playful or is it overly rigid?

When you bring playfulness into everything you do, you can easily simplify what's otherwise complex. Try to fail fast, discover fast, and win fast!

Curiosity, creativity, and choice -- Karen sees these as catalysts for cultural change inside every team and organization. Question is, are you embracing these or are you making the wrong choices?

Guest Links:

Website – www.readsuccessfromanywhere.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Victims In Plain Sight: How to be Tactical in Public, Protect Yourself, and Boost Your Situational Awareness with Counterterrorism SWAT Officer, Adam Contos May 31, 2023

If you’re the type of person who tends to wait until bad things happen before finally taking action, it’s crucial for you to slow down and reevaluate what distractions are interfering with your presence of mind. Today, with the help of my guest, former Counterterrorism SWAT Officer, Adam Contos, I’m giving you access to the personal leadership lessons that will stop victimization in its tracks, help prevent the worst from happening, and free up your mind so you can properly respond to any threats in life, business, and beyond. And I’ll tell you now, it’s eye opening. Our conversation unpacks a few real-life scenarios that highlight why intuition and personal awareness are essential attributes plus showcases how preparation leads to a truly successful life. Join us as we sip WIDOW JANE 10YR BOURBON NEAT, and dive into the insights you’ll need to meet any challenge that threatens your peace with poise, purpose, and strength.

Wise Words from this episode:

Prepare yourself to handle problems or find ways to prevent them — either way, don’t just sit around waiting for issues to arise. Choosing to be active and find solutions doesn’t always come cheap or easy but the truth is, it can save your life. Well worth it, yes?

Sometimes, terrible situations will pop up no matter what we do. However, we can help safeguard ourselves/others by being aware, avoiding clear dangers, de-escalating in moments of conflict, and responding rather than merely reacting. Focusing on these four principles can, if nothing else, increase the possibility of a positive resolution for worst-case scenarios.

In the absence of awareness, you become a victim of life and its circumstances. After all, if you don’t understand where you’ve been, where you are, and where you’re going, there’s no way you can identify opportunities or predict potential challenges.

With a flashlight, you can defend against potential threats in the simplest, fastest way. Small flashlights with ample lighting can flood an attacker's view and establish dominance over your personal space. There’s a reason cops use it at night during traffic stops!

Automatically interpreting a situation as a threat doesn’t help matters and will just create unnecessary tension within yourself. Instead, allow yourself a free-flowing thought process despite feeling nervous. It will enable you to evaluate situations better and react more appropriately.

Guest Links:

Website – https://adamcontos.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Amplifying Those In the Spotlight: How Men Can Find Joy & Fulfillment in Supporting Strong Women with Former Google+ Producer, Tyler Stevens (Mother’s Day Special) May 14, 2023

For those of you who find yourselves in competition with your partner because you feel overshadowed or underappreciated by them, know that your value is determined not by your role but by the relationship you have with your desired outcomes. Today, with the help of my guest, Content Creator & Communications Expert Tyler Stevens, I’ll be showcasing the attitude shift that will help you become empowered no matter your position. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s very redeeming. Our conversation unpacks the “secret sauce” behind Tyler’s relentless commitment of service to others, how true leadership is ultimately about uplifting those around you, and why this standard breeds true fulfillment from within. Join us as we sip ANGEL’S ENVY BOURBON NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to find satisfaction whether you’re currently in the shadows or out in the spotlight.

Wise Words from this episode:

Strength comes in many different forms; the more open you are to deciphering which kind is needed in a given moment, the more successful you’ll be. In other words, the deciding mark of an accomplished man is his ability to surrender the need for control and release rigid definitions of personal strength to achieve the goal at hand.

Men are meant to help facilitate goals for their partners, their families, and their businesses. Are you operating in this kind of facilitation mode or are you coming at it from a direction mainly meant to boost your ego?

Men have a habit of considering themselves lesser-than if what they say isn’t listened to or respected; don’t fall for this yourself! It’s a false belief that only serves to break men away from intimacy and connection, leaving them constantly seeking validation while fearing failure. If ever in doubt, ask yourself: are you really being helpful or are you simply trying to be right?

If you think serving is beneath you, then leadership is far beyond you

It can be a hard truth to swallow but you need to know that it’s not always about you. It’s only once a man accepts this that he can truly find freedom with the powerful women and people in his life.

Ambitious people crave an impact so large, they often get lost in the vastness of their goal. But Tyler declares the importance of “shrinking your world and thinking smaller" － meaning, be the best you can be in each small moment and your power/impact will actually greatly benefit.

Guest Links:

Website – https://kinwoven.com/

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

The Power of Humility: How One Man Connected To The World’s Elite Remains Un-Perverted by Fame with A-list Journalist, Larry Berger Apr 28, 2023

If you’re the type of person who’s passionate about their craft and driven to create a sustainably successful career, it’s imperative that you stick to who you are — to maintain your personal standards, core values, integrity, and personality no matter who (or what) surrounds you. In this conversation with my guest, Senior Producer at USA Today Sports Larry Berger, you’ll learn how humility and inner confidence make for robust connections and a more satisfying, rewarding journey through both life and business. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s warm-hearted and encouraging. We discuss how Larry is able to stay so joyful and personally fulfilled in his profession despite being surrounded by power, fame, and ego, and what he believes needs to be the standard mindset for others to stay true to their own selves in any environment. Join us as we sip BRADSHAW’S KENTUCKY STRAIGHT BOURBON ON THE ROCKS and delve into the powers that can help inspire others to have it, too.

Wise Words from this episode:

Likability is a valuable asset that can prove vital for success in life, though this is all too often overlooked in a culture that prizes power, status, and drama above all else. Don’t let yourself fall into this attitude. Rest assured that likability brings its own rewards and can be continually improved regardless of personality.

As the old adage goes, “you have to give respect to get respect”, and for the most part this is intuitively understood. But certain personalities and environments can skew one’s ability to effectively operate from this standard. Question if you’ve been skewed as well and explore ways you can reorient this attitude.

Have you allowed outside forces to taint or change who you are at your core? And if so, what internal self-limiting beliefs or circumstances contributed to you letting this happen?

As Larry shares, the most important attribute in adulthood is being able to confidently present who you really are as a person! Work at this by embracing authenticity, learning self acceptance, and staying genuine.

Misinformation is the enemy of knowledge (and performance); you need to spend time cleaning out your proverbial “operating system” from what doesn’t hold true. All outdated info you’ve consumed, wrongful attitudes, and unhelpful assumptions have to go!

Guest Links:

Website – https://www.usatoday.com/staff/2647125001/larry-berger/

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment, and it helps us bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com.

How to Exercise Your Emotions: Confronting The Weaknesses That Constrict Your Identity And Force You To Cope with Former Baywatch Actress, Activist & Vegan Proponent, Alexandra Paul Apr 14, 2023

If you’re someone who feels that your environment and relationships are hindering your ability to honestly express who you are, learning how to confront them — along with the weaknesses they create — will undoubtedly free you from your constraints. Today with my guest, actress, activist, & health coach Alexandra Paul, we will discuss why most people end up suffering from mental and emotional weaknesses, how simply “coping” is not the answer, and what it takes to truly break free from the pain driven by a lack of authentic expression. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s a raw and vulnerable discussion. Our conversation touches on Alexandra’s own experience of how social constructs forced her to repress herself and why the avoidance of pain causes more of it, driving us into addictive behavior and further weakening our minds/bodies. Join us as we sip MONDAY VEGAN, NON-ALCOHOLIC WHISKEY and delve into the insights that will give you permission to be honest with yourself about where your standards lie and how to use emotional discomfort as an ally for personal performance.

Wise Words from this episode:

Poisons in the environment — whether they be emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual — greatly affect how we express ourselves along with what emotions we carry. What in your own environment could be harming your well-being?

Stop and ask yourself: am I actually learning how to properly express (and eventually resolve) my weaknesses or am I putting more energy into simply hiding them?

Interestingly enough, Alexandra says the reason you become addicted to something often isn’t the same reason you continue to engage in that addiction.

You’re only as sick as your secrets — if you can be honest with yourself and confront this truth, your ability to find help and optimize personal performance will grow exponentially.

Take inventory of what you reach for when you experience feelings of anxiety, discomfort, and/or agitation. Is it something negative or positive? Do you feel stuck in a habitual cycle?

Start savoring things in life. It grounds you and brings you to a place of presence, be it with food, people, even hardships and discomfort. Start catching yourself to see when you’re present in your activities or behaviors and when you’re just mindlessly activated to them.

Guest Links:

Website – https://alexandrapaul.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment, and it helps us bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com.

From Killer to Healer: Lethal Sniper Addresses PTSD and How We Can Stop It For Ourselves with Retired Navy SEAL, William Branum Mar 31, 2023

If you’re the type of person who's constantly grinding, who never slows down to take a break or take care of yourself, actively changing this combative nature into natural motivation will undoubtedly ease your mind and improve your performance. Today with my guest, retired Navy SEAL sniper William Branum, we will discuss the mindset of rigidity and weakness versus that of bravery and vulnerability when it comes to seeking help, and why success heavily depends on which path you take. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s fundamentally truthful. Our conversation touches on William’s experience of PTSD, how it can be sparked by any abrupt life change (rather than just from combat), and why seeking natural, unconventional methods of recovery makes you a better “fighter” in life. Join us as we sip The ARDBEG WEE BEASTIE NEAT and delve into the insights you need to push beyond your limitations for a healthier, happier way of being.

Wise Words from this episode:

For better or worse, everything comes to an end. These transition points can be remarkably difficult to process (especially for high performers) and can contribute to PTSD in varying degrees, so don’t feel “bad” or “weird” if you’re struggling more than usual.

William asks us all a poignant question about stress and recovery: “What internal temperature do you operate at on a daily basis — are you quick to boil over from external stimuli? Or are you slow and steady for what might set you off?” Answer this honestly and be open to the fact that it might be a sign you’re struggling with a form of PTSD. It’s not just a combat warrior’s affliction!

In war, we wear armor to protect ourselves during each operation or mission and take it off when we are done. In life, people put on their armor and ego yet never take it off. How well do you think you can perform when you’re always armored up, bracing for the impact of each moment or experience?

High performers are always on edge, using that intensity to fuel their operation. But without the balance of getting emotionally naked and alleviating that intensity when not necessary, you’ll eventually burn out, merely coping with life in place of living it.

Know your strengths, but never be too good to admit your weaknesses and seek resources that help you face those challenges. Recovery and healing happen even in business growth.

Guest Links:

Website – https://nw-recovery.com/

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment, and it helps us bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com.

Caffeinating Your Relationships: Creating Stimulating Storylines Into Everyday Life with Professional Screenwriter and Award- Winning Publicity Strategist, Melissa Cassera Mar 15, 2023

If you’re the type of person who feels life is not as animated as you want it to be, embracing your passions and obsessions head-on despite societal expectations is key. Not only will it help make your day-to-day life more exciting, it will also ultimately push you towards personal growth, allowing you to unlock the multi-dimensional version of yourself. Today with my guest, professional screenwriter & award-winning publicist Melissa Cassera, we’ll touch on the mindset and character truths that can － and will －“caffeinate” your inner creativity for a more enjoyable personal and professional life. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s quite the story. Our conversation explores how Melissa challenges the one-dimensional notion of separating the personal from the professional and proves that conforming to what others define us to be is one of the biggest mistakes we can ever make. Join us as we sip the classic JAMESON COLD BREW WHISKEY NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to guide yourself towards a life filled with passion and satisfaction.

Wise Words from this episode:

Stop separating the parts of who you are into “the personal” and “the professional.” Keeping your passions completely out of the workspace and only showing up to do what you are “supposed” to is wasting your full potential.

Think of yourself like a movie or television character when it comes to your business. Are you showing up as a flat, one-dimensional version of yourself; are you playing a supporting role in your own life? If so, this is likely the source of your boredom!

Melissa diagnoses burnout as the absence of fun, passion, and obsession with your work. Reflect on your own experience － do you see evidence of this in your own professional life, and if so, what are some ways you can reverse course?

For greater relationships and interpersonal dynamics, listen deeper to others’ opinions; approach them as if they’re a story. Dig into their character and find out where they’re actually coming from, because that’s what we are all to one another － characters with our own unique storylines.

Get to the truth of what you enjoy ending the one-dimensional version of yourself. Don’t wish your life away by wishing for something to come stimulate you; actively choose something that does so and get obsessed with it regardless of outside approval.

Watch out for the “devil’s advocate-type” people you might find yourself around. They’ll more often derail you than help you.

Guest Links:

Website – https://melissacassera.com/

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment, and it helps us bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com.

Purging The Toxic Ego: How Holistic Bodywork Forced Me to ‘Get My Mind Right’ and Surrender To My Real Purpose with International Athletic Performance Coach, Todd Durkin Feb 28, 2023

If you’re a professional facing a life-altering situation and feel it’s steadily draining the passion from your soul, rest assured this is an opportunity not a detriment － a chance to surrender to pain and explore where it’s meant to take you. Today, with my guest international athletic coach & Under Armour training advisor Todd Durkin, I’ll demonstrate just this with a story, one where extreme vomiting during recovery forced him, an injured NFL hopeful, into the unknowns and onto a new path that would shape his wildly successful career all while changing the lives of millions. Our conversation will reveal how Todd’s mindset was transformed from rigid selfishness to the service of others and why it was the holistic healing work he did after nearly becoming paralyzed that finally ‘got his mind right.’ Join us as we sip the KILBRIN 10 IRISH WHISKEY NEAT and delve into a few insights that will assist you with finding a life of selfless purpose and satisfaction with success.

Wise Words from this episode:

If you’re suffering with severe physical pain, you have nothing to lose; don’t be afraid to try out basic treatments, holistic therapies, and natural medicine. Sure, these options may not work for you but it’s worth exploring all your options before signing off on invasive, surgical procedures.

Unilateral dreams tend to be rather limiting, not to mention pretty problematic. You never know when one may suddenly start or end, which is why you should remain flexible and leave yourself open to multiple aspirations. Remember, it’s not necessarily a bad thing when one door closes － it usually just means another is about to open!

It’s undoubtedly cliched but it’s also accurate: true change can only come from within. You have to want it － and be willing to put in the time and emotional labor － to see a real shift in who you are or how you act.

The fear of the unknown is the biggest block to true human progress, and the need to control personal change comes from the fear itself. It’s coping, not thriving. Surrendering to the unknowns is where real progress happens.

Even the most logical, science-based person can still learn to rely on their intuition, that gut feeling deep inside. Stop holding yourself back. Give yourself permission to feel it and fully experience this innate, natural superpower without judgement or shame.

Much of the time, we try to run away from discomfort or numb our pains rather than work to overcome them. Reflect on this a bit. Is there anything you’re ignoring in your own life, and if so, what do you think you could learn if you faced it instead?

Guest Links:

Website – todddurkin.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment, and it helps us bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com.

Murder Made Me a Better Mother: Hope for Those Parenting in Pain, with Gold Star Widow & Best-Selling Author, Barbara Allen Feb 14, 2023

For the parents out there, who struggle under immense stress and feel like you just cannot catch a break, I’ve got a story here that will show you just how strong you are no matter what you face, and why the love you have for your children is the source of this strength. Today we hear about a story where a husband murdered in Iraq radically transformed a woman in fear into a fearless mother, with my guest, Gold Star Widow and Award-Winning Author, Barbara Allen. And I’ll tell you it’s full of intense ups and downs. Our conversation reveals how Barbara was forced to face her deepest fears after losing her husband and why her faith allowed her to find resilience, courage, and success even in her darkest moments. She used this hope to become a beacon for others to build a better life no matter the odds. Join us as we sip The REDBREAST 12 NEAT and dig into the insights that can inspire new ways of facing and overcoming your life’s challenges as a parent.

Wise Words from this episode:

Barbara says, you get what you desire when you start asking for the right thing. Listen to her speak about how that mindset shift serendipitously introduced her to her husband just mere weeks following that request. Manifesting accelerates when you desire what you need more than what you want.

In the grand scheme of things, we are not in total control of how things turn out on the path we walk. Look less towards control and more towards your choices and considerations. Your journey is about the experience.

If you condition yourself to think that you’ll only be okay if X occurs is a recipe for letdown, not success. You will not be prepared for moments of failure, for divergent shifts, all the way to catastrophic events. Don’t place your wellbeing upon staunch outcomes.

When parenting in pain, you must insist on getting the help you need. You cannot let your ego override the insistence of assistance. Pride in the face of possible failure leads to blind spots in problem solving and attention to detail.

Barbra’s faith has naturally taught her how to “embrace the suck”, a more military oriented mindset that says, pain is part of the process, feel it and endure the discomfort to build resilience and win on the other side.

Pull your children close, no matter what you’re going through, and do not let the perspectives and opinions of others be the louder voice that influences your children. Have faith in your abilities and your intentions for your children’s best outcomes.

Guest Links:

Website - Barbara Allen - Speaker, Award Winning Author, And Gold Star Wife (barballenspeaks.com)

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

The Winning End Of A Strikeout: Using Faith To Discover The Futility Of Tying Our Identity To A Dream with Former MLB Pitcher, Josh Kalinowski Feb 01, 2023

To those of you who strive to achieve your dreams at all costs but feel like your life is over the moment you even slightly fail, it’s time to reevaluate what your purpose might actually be. Today, with the support of my guest, CEO of Man-Made Josh Kalinowski, I’m bringing you a story about why tying who you are to what you do might actively cause you to experience more failures and less successes. Our conversation unveils how Josh’s professional baseball career abruptly collapsed and left him feeling lost. It was in those dark moments he discovered his faith, and his calling to help other men discover who they were meant to be as well. Join us as we sip WHISTLE PIG SMALL BATCH RYE NEAT and delve into the insights you need to better get to know yourself and what you’re meant to do during your time on this planet.

Wise Words from this episode:

When life throws you a curve ball, are you leaning on your faith and taking ownership of what it provides you in these pivotal moments? Do you even know what to put your faith in? If not, throw yourself into the discovery process - finding what’s meaningful to you will be life-changing.

Tying your identity to accomplishment and the pursuit of excellence isn’t helpful, it’s harmful. Not only does it put far too much pressure on yourself, but it also limits your sense of freedom and well-being.

People (especially high performers) tend to contemplate their purpose in compartmentalized buckets of either great or average. What do those definitions even mean, though, and are you actually experiencing joy by maintaining this overly critical, black-and-white mentality?

Recognize that we are all at different capacity levels in terms of our performance and stop judging your ability or competence based on what others’ are able to achieve. You’re not them! A challenge that’s beneficial for others can just as easily be a detriment to us, so move your focus onto finding and mastering the right hurdles for you.

Achieving goals does not truly equate to satisfaction and personal freedom. It’s the state of who you are in the pursuit of excellence, on the path of greatness, that gets you there.

Guest Links:

Website – joshkalinowski.com

Work With Josh – man-made.org

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Confined In the Abyss: The Leadership Philosophies Of A Cold War Nuclear Submarine Officer, with Jon Rennie Dec 14, 2022

For those of you who have ever felt constricted by your leadership abilities, this conversation might be just what you need to discover strength where you’ve ever only seen limitations. Today, with the help of my guest, CEO of Peak Demand Inc. Jon Rennie, I’ll bring you into a world where confinement gave birth to tighter team function and optimal leadership. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s pretty enlightening. Our conversation reveals how Jon’s humble beginnings molded his teamwork spirit, turning him into a successful Cold War Naval Officer who thrived in small spaces under immense pressure, and later, a businessman capable of running several successful companies. Join us as we sip The OLD FORESTER ORIGINAL BATCH NEAT and dig into the insights that can help you develop a more successful, sustainable leadership style, regardless of what restrictions you may find yourself encountering.

Wise Words from this episode:

Quality leadership comes from recognizing the intrinsic value of everyone on the team, not from outdated hierarchical mindsets that designate leaders as the value and subordinates as basic labor.

To what degree has your ego infiltrated your leadership and management style? Can you even tell? If you’re struggling to pin this down, objectively look at how you react to feedback from subordinates － it’s a great measuring tool!

Consider the fact that your leadership role is not about having all the answers, but about having really good questions. Shutting up, listening to experienced employees’ ideas, and then implementing them is one of the most meaningful actions you can take in a position of power.

What type of environment are you providing to those you call “your team” and how do you want them to feel about their contributions on a daily basis? Are they in a position where they can tap into their full leadership capabilities, and if not, what are you doing to change that?

Leadership is not just about telling people what to do, it’s extracting their individual potential and finding ways in which it can benefit the business as a whole.

Guest Links:

Podcast

Books

Website - jonsrennie.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Readying for Retirement at 30: Dumping The Gen Z Attitude for Gen X Success with Business Systems Manager, Alex Chrusciel Nov 16, 2022

To those of you who are younger corporate leaders or entrepreneurs that want more freedom within your challenging career, just know it’s going to require altering your mindset, attitude, and priorities to accomplish this goal. Today, with the help of my guest, Business Systems and Analytics Manager Alex Chrusciel, I’ll share the very principles that transform the limiting beliefs of FOMO and YOLO into sustainable, long-term success. Trust me, though, it’s not as hard as you might think － at least, as long as you’re willing to play the long game. Our conversation uncovers how Alex hit a point in his life where he felt stuck going through the motions, remorseful of where he’d ended up, and how that drove him to find the growth he craved. Join us as we sip The BALVENIE CARIBBEAN CASK 14 with a SPLASH of water and dig into the insights you need to know to propel yourself towards even your loftiest, most ambitious of goals and within a shorter period of time than you’d ever expect.

Wise Words from this episode:

Limitless desire, an openness to build upon yourself and learn more about where you can improve － those are fundamental in leapfrogging you to higher levels of success and satisfaction.

Real leadership means considering how your actions impact those you lead, not just how they impact you and your life.

It’s no secret that adulting can suck. But committing to it － prioritizing your personal growth, professional development, work, and play － is the only way to level-up your life in a holistic, balanced way.

Achieving excellence is driven by respecting those you admire and those who depend on you. Consider if you are letting any of these people down and work to change that if the answer’s ‘yes.’

Apply the old military philosophy: “Sweat more in peace, bleed less in war”. Push yourself harder when things are easy, and you’ll be able to thrive when things become difficult.

Connect with Wylie:

First Responder Fountain Valley Fire Department, Fountain Valley, CA

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Street Doctors: Relentless Commitment to Chaos with Firefighter Paramedic, Tylor Gilbert Nov 09, 2022

If you’re the type of high achiever who runs towards life’s most arduous moments, that means your leadership is innate － you’ve been blessed with the ability to thrive in any environment. Today, together with my guest, Paramedic Tylor Gilbert, I’ll be introducing you how his selfless mindset relentlessly focused on service to others has ultimately allowed him to experience a more optimal, fulfilling lifestyle. I’ll tell you right now, it’s respectable and refreshing to see. Our conversation uncovers how Tylor innately knew being fulfilled in life would only be possible through the pursuit of caring for others in their darkest moments, further demonstrating that commitment and care really does make the world a better place. Join us as we sip The GLENDRONACH ORIGINAL 12 with a SPLASH of water and dig into the insights that’ll show you just how relentless altruism can empower the lives of others while completely changing your own.

Wise Words from this episode:

Who are the superheroes you look up to in your life; do you see similar qualities within yourself? Odds are good the answer’s yes, as those we’re drawn to usually carry characteristics we ourselves innately possess.

“If not me, then who?” Sometimes it takes this type of mindset to push you into the situations or environments necessary to break down limiting beliefs and break through personal barriers.

Take a paramedics approach to relationships. Triage which are dead, critical, or capable; always approach each with the standard of care that it requires.

Any decision you make, good or bad, is better than not making one at all. In the words of a certain wise TV show character, “Sometimes the only choices you have are bad ones, but you still have to choose.”

Throw out the concept of motivation because you won’t always be motivated. Motivation is a byproduct of taking action first; taking action is a byproduct of being driven.

Guest Links:

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Successful Failure: Getting Fired From Selling Hair Plugs Made Me A Great Podcaster with Brand Architect, Jason Cercone Nov 02, 2022

To those of you who’ve been suddenly and surprisingly forced to take a different path in life, here’s an opportunity to see this change as the right step towards the life you’re meant to build. Today, with the help of my guest, Evolution of Brand Founder Jason Cercone, I’ll share a story where a successful corporate job abruptly ends only to positively transform a side hustle passion. And I’ll tell you right now; it should resonate with you. Our conversation uncovers how Jason’s mindset, emotions, and attitude allowed him to quickly adapt to the shock of suddenly losing a job he was thriving in, and, in turn, unveil where he was meant to channel his entrepreneurial spirit. Join us as we sip The GLENDRONACH ORIGINAL 12 and dig into the insights you need to know to prepare yourself for the winds of change you’ll undoubtedly face on your quest for ultimate satisfaction and success.

Wise Words from this episode:

When loss occurs at the height of your success, it just means you were fated to go in a different direction. Rather than becoming stuck on the loss itself, go with the flow and embrace change - you might be surprised at how valuable this new phase turns out to be.

If you’re someone who’s comfortable when things are dynamic and constantly in motion rather than stagnant or linear, you have an entrepreneurial spirit within you. Take it, run with it, and see what you can create.

Perpetual learning while on your path is imperative to experience personal satisfaction. If you don’t, you’ll only find yourself trying to buy your way out of pain.

Jason states that we’re born through an intensely uncomfortable experience, yet then we’re immediately swaddled into comfort for the first several years of our life. We have to relearn how to be comfortable with discomfort in order to live a successful life.

We are predisposed to look at the negatives of life before ever acknowledging the positives. To find peace with your success, though, you must purposefully flip this script.

Guest Links:

Website – jasoncercone.com

Podcast - jasoncercone.com/evolutionofbrand/

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Suicide is a Laughing Matter: Why Mental Health Disorders are a Gift with Former The Tonight Show Writer & Comedian, Frank King Oct 28, 2022

To those of you who want a more rewarding life but have been told the way in which you think is “not normal”, it’s time for you to discover there’s another side of mental health -- one that can help you achieve your goals. Today, with the help of former Tonight Show Writer Frank King, I share a story where thoughts of suicide actually ended up being more of a blessing and less of a curse, fueling a fearless desire to show the world how mental health issues can actually be valuable and not just detrimental. Our conversation uncovers how Frank embraced his inherited thoughts of suicide as a gift and used his innate comedic genius to not only create a successful, fulfilling life for himself, but also teach others like him how they can do it for themselves. Join us as we sip The BALVENIE CARIBBEAN CASK 14 NEAT and dig into the insights that might just help alter your mindset enough to take bigger risks and finally live like you’ve got nothing to lose.

Wise Words from this episode:

There are few things more powerful than someone feeling like they have nothing left to lose. What goal would you attempt if you knew for a fact that this was your make-or-break moment?

People become comfortable with the devil they know versus the devil they don’t. However, while it can feel better to deal with known difficulties than new ones, sometimes you just have to take the plunge into the unknown in order to grow, comfort be damned.

Don’t let your life circumstances decide your fate. You are the one who controls your choices, so you -- not destiny, not happenstance, not bad luck -- are also ultimately the one that chooses whether you succeed or fail.

What if a mental illness is not a genetic mutation but an amazing evolutionary adaptation? What if it’s actually mental ableness your peers cannot touch?

Don’t forget: every disability also comes with an ability. Rather than lamenting how your mental health makes certain situations harder, celebrate (and accentuate) the ways it can actually serve as a strength.

Guest Links:

Website – thementalhealthcomedian.com

TEDx Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D4m33DXtsI

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

4-Year-Old Face Plant: A Life-altering Rodeo Experience Determined My Path to Success with “Mr. YouTube,” David Walsh Oct 27, 2022

If you’re the type of high achiever who wants to blow past your own limits, embracing fear is the only way to accomplish this feat. Today, with the help of my guest, YouTube Marketing Expert David Walsh, I’ll be introducing you to an intense challenge and how this type of experience activates deeper potential. And I’ll tell you; it involves blood, sweat, and － not tears － but laughter. Our conversation uncovers how David realized charging toward challenges and opportunities for the experience rather than the result is where the magic lies in shattering personal limits. Join us as we sip the classic JAMESON IRISH WHISKEY NEAT and dig into the insights you need to know to guide yourself through the right unknowns for higher levels of success.

Wise Words from this episode:

Think back to all of the childlike, fearless pursuits you once chased after. What did you step towards without fear or consideration of consequence, and how does that compare to what you’re doing now?

Choosing to go all-in on something is a deliberate state of being that attracts the resources, opportunities, and people you need to be successful. But before you can really reap these benefits and unleash the full range of your creative capabilities, you have to be honest about your level of commitment; either in or out, you have to decide.

Proper sacrifices that align with your goals are what create success.

Developing both your personal and professional life requires you to flex your intuitive side. Are you actually doing this, though, or have you shut it off by overthinking and rationalizing all your experiences?

Meeting your goals doesn’t have to only be achieved by beating out the competition or brute forcing your way to the top. There’s a time and a place where radical vulnerability and honesty will help you more than the best business strategy.

Guest Links:

David’s Rodeo Story - www.facebook.com/thedavidwalsh/posts/10160898013830992

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

How Walking into Flames Kept Me from Burnout: Life Lessons from Former Hotshot Firefighter, Scott Mulvaney Oct 26, 2022

For those of you who want satisfaction with your success, it’s imperative to know who you are, what you stand for, and the type of environment you require to keep your energy consistently elevated. Today I’m exposing the type of standards and values that make this all possible with my guest, LIVETHEFUEL Founder, Scott W. Mulvaney. And I’ll tell you they’re simple, but very demanding. Our conversation uncovers Scott’s secret to an endless fuel source that he channels into his very successful health, business, and lifestyle brand. Join us as we sip The BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 12 ON THE ROCKS and dig into the insights you need to know about so you can tap into your own endless energy source.

Wise Words from this episode:

The commitment to a healthy lifestyle is one of the most important standards you can take on, as it forms a foundation for the rest of your life.

While most people focus on their bank account then simply hope the other areas of their life will fall into place later, this is neither wise nor sustainable. Don’t fall into this trap － focus on optimizing who you are then build from that.

While most people focus on their bank account then simply hope the other areas of their life will fall into place later, this is neither wise nor sustainable. Don’t fall into this trap － focus on optimizing who you are then build from that.

Success is almost wholly determined by how you’ve been conditioned to relate to money. How would you characterize your own relationship with it?

Conveniences are the natural enemy to high performance. Eliminate most of them and you’ll be amazed at how you rise to the occasion.

Situational awareness is a critical tool for life, business, and beyond. Strengthen this skill by observing yourself more then the world around you; trust me, it’ll change whenever you do.

Guest Links:

Website – livethefuel.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

Aging in Reverse: The Secrets of Staying Youthful in Extremely Stressful Situations with Air Force A10 Fighter Pilot, Greg Krino Oct 26, 2022

To those of you in positions of high responsibility, I know you often find yourself stressed out, which can leave you feeling － and even looking － older than you really are. Today, with some help from my guest and former Air Force A10 Fighter Pilot, Greg Krino, I’ll be letting you in on certain “secrets” that can help you reverse this aging process. And I’ll tell you; it’s not what you expect. Our conversation uncovers how Greg is able to look so young for his age despite working not one but three of the most stressful jobs in the world. Join us as we sip The BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 12 NEA and dig into the insights that can spark a little more youthfulness into your own life.

Wise Words from this episode:

For some, good genetics may play a factor in helping them look youthful, but it’s actually about prioritizing these simple 4 physical factors: food, sleep, hydration, and exercise. Regardless of your work/life environment, this will make a huge difference in how you look, feel, and function.

Most professionals operate from a place of excess, which directly correlates to them experiencing higher levels of stress mentally and physically. Are you one of them?

Personal standards are necessary choices. Actively placing limits on yourself through aspects of moderation is essential to experiencing high performance in your personal and professional life alike.

Recognize that having a tendency to want to “win” and “dominate” at all costs means you’re likely covering up some sort of personal inadequacy that’s hampering your personal power. You need to address this head-on.

Staying young and vibrant when in stressful, anxiety-provoking situations is all about leaning into the things that will help you rather than hinder you. And sometimes, this means exerting self-control rather than letting yourself do exactly what you want.

Guest Links:

Podcast – gregkrino.com

Connect with Wylie:

If you’re digging the show, please help others join in our future conversations by leaving a 5-star review and a friendly comment on your podcast app. It only takes a moment and helps me bring on other fantastic guests for your benefit.

If you have an idea or potential guest for the show, please contact me at: wylie@wyliemcgraw.com

A Choice in Death: How Carrying My Mother’s Dead Body Forced Me to Find Purpose with Peak Performance Coach, Jeff Wickersham Oct 26, 2022

If you’re someone who wants to live as your best self, you should know that it requires intense, challenging, often scary experiences to discover what it takes to achieve this state. Today, I share a story that echoes this truth － one where a moment of facing death unleashed a renewed sense of leadership, purpose, and success in my guest, Peak Performance Coach Jeff Wickersham. And I’ll tell you; it’s pretty heavy and revealing. Our conversation uncovers the arduous choice Jeff was forced to make with his mother’s death, ultimately igniting his fire for life and giving him a newfound purpose. Join us as we sip The BALVENIE DOUBLEWOOD 12 with a SPLASH of water and dig into the insights you need to know to spark more purpose and passion in your own life.

Wise Words from this episode:

Consider the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do in your life each time you are faced with a difficult challenge. Remember: you overcame and made it through rough patches before － you can do it again.

Learning something without putting it into practice isn’t personal growth, it’s wasted time.

The real hero inside of us will never be unleashed until we face and embrace our most arduous struggles. What hero-making adversity have you faced that you’ve not given yourself enough credit for?

As humans we innately lie to ourselves in order to feel safe and comfortable, so whatever effort you think is your max, you can likely give another 50%.

Living by core standards is imperative for you to experience a high-performance life. Choose these standards through the identity of who you want to be each day versus doing so based on how you feel.

Guest Links:

Website

Connect with Wylie:

Book - Peak Performance: Mindset Tools for Business (Peak Performance Series)