Interesting ideas with Stan Hustad

Too Real to Be Fake, Too Fake to Be Real: Stan Hustad's Inconvenient Ideas for a New Media World

On the first day of December, while many people are still digesting Thanksgiving leftovers and arguing about when it's "socially acceptable" to play Christmas music, broadcaster and performance coach Stan Hustad steps up to the microphone with something more than seasonal sentiment. In his new Monday series, Inconvenient Ideas with Stan Hustad, he invites listeners into a world where what we see, hear, and even believe may be—quite literally—too real to be fake and too fake to be real. Stan begins with a memory from his days hosting the early morning show "Morning Sound" on a large international station. Every December 1, he opened with a simple declaration—"It's the first of December, welcome to Morning Sound"—and then rolled straight into Joy to the World. It was his line in the sand: Thanksgiving had been honored, and now the Christmas season could begin. That little tradition becomes a metaphor for what he's asking us to do now—mark a moment, take stock, and decide how we're going to move forward in the days ahead. From there, Stan revisits one of his core themes: ideas matter. Interesting ideas, he reminds us, can lead to good ideas, which lead to greater insight. Insight opens the door to greater influence, influence leads to impact, and impact can lead to income. It's a kind of "good life formula" that reflects how we truly grow—personally, professionally, and even financially. But now, he's raising the stakes. It's not enough to chase interesting ideas. We have to face inconvenient ideas—those uncomfortable truths that challenge what we think we know, disturb our assumptions, and refuse to be neatly ignored. One of those inconvenient ideas came to him this weekend while watching a stunning Christmas video. The scenes were beautiful, the people were inspiring, the storytelling was moving. The whole thing, he knew, couldn't possibly be real—and yet, parts of it were so authentic and so well-crafted that it couldn't be entirely fake either. So he names the paradox: "It's too real to be a fake, and it's too fake to be real." In that sentence, Stan captures the strange territory we now live in—a world shaped by AI, deep media, and global storytelling machines. We are moved by images and messages that may be partly fabricated, partly factual, and fully influential. And that's not just an interesting observation; it's an inconvenient idea that demands a response. Stan then turns the spotlight from the screen back to the listener. In a world where so much can be generated, staged, or edited, he insists that you will need to learn new skills just to stay in the game. Like it or not, we are all now in the performance economy. You'll need to learn: - Performance marketing - Performance mentoring - Performance selling And yes, he says, you're going to have to learn how to be comfortable behind a microphone—even if it's not a golden one like the one on his desk. That might be a podcast mic, a Zoom microphone, a smartphone camera, or a stage. Either way, your voice, story, and presence will matter. This, he admits, is more than a little inconvenient—especially coming from a man who once tested as a strong introvert on the Myers-Briggs scale. Stan cheerfully confesses he's still "an off-the-wall introvert." But he also realized long ago that if he wanted to do radio, help people, and make an impact, he would have to learn to speak, perform, and be different. And that's the third inconvenient idea of the day: You will have to keep learning new ways of being different if you want to grow, contribute, and succeed. Stan then connects the dots. In this too-real-to-be-fake, too-fake-to-be-real world, it's no longer optional to think clearly and communicate well. You'll need to: - Think critically - Tell stories that are honest, human, and compelling - Stream those stories into the world - Sell your goods, services, and yourself ethically and confidently. All of that must be part of a purposeful strategy—one that you and your colleagues know, believe in, and practice together. Good is not enough. In many settings, you will need to be great. And that is another inconvenient idea. As the program closes, Stan pushes ahead to the coming year with his own playful motto: "In '26, pick up more sticks." More sticks of opportunity, creativity, service, income, and impact. More ways of making money, having fun, pleasing others—and maybe even pleasing God. And then, as he signs off for this first Monday of December, he leaves listeners with one last, profoundly inconvenient idea: Treat every person you meet as if they were the most important person in the world. Things to Remember - Ideas must move from insight to influence, impact, and implementation. - We live in a world where content can be both real and fake at the same time. - Performance economy skills are now essential. - Even introverts can learn to communicate powerfully. - In many areas today, you will need to be great. Things to Share - "Too real to be fake, too fake to be real." - The question: "What inconvenient ideas am I avoiding?" - The reminder that everyone is now a broadcaster. - The challenge to tell honest stories in an edited world. Things to Take Note Of - Audit your media diet. - Develop your performance skills. - Invest in storytelling. - Build a purposeful communication strategy. - Practice the final inconvenient idea. A Challenging, Hopeful Ending In a world where anything can be faked and everything can be streamed, Stan Hustad's Inconvenient Ideas invites you to do something radical: Think deeply. Speak honestly. Perform boldly. Love people as if they really matter. That might be inconvenient. It might also be the most important idea you'll act on this week.

Leaving Money on the Table: Why It Still Happens—And How to Stop Doing It in 2026

A TWiT Talk with Stan "The Radio Man" Hustad On this post-Thanksgiving "Black Friday," veteran broadcaster and performance economist Stan Hustad explores why so many people still "leave money on the table." With sharp insights and light humor, this 15-minute TWiT Talk explains the real origin of the phrase and how it applies to modern business, media, and the performance economy. Key Ideas: • The poker-table origin of "leaving money on the table" • How entrepreneurs underprice, under-offer, and underperform • The importance of full performance in the modern economy • Why follow-up is the difference between success and missed opportunity • Thanksgiving reflections on living fully alive Things to Remember: • Money is the measurement, not the meaning. • Performance beats presence. • People can't say yes if you never ask. Things to Share: • The true origin of the expression. • Insights about the performance economy. • The reminder to serve fully and offer boldly. Things to Take Note Of and Act On: • Charge appropriately. • Always offer a next step. • Invite, follow up, and perform with purpose. Final Encouragement: Step into 2026 fully alive—creating more value, more fun, and more abundance.

"Give Thanks, Be Useful" — A Thanksgiving Eve Message from the Do It Right Collective

On Thanksgiving Eve—one of the most meaningful, reflective, and even quietly complicated days on the American calendar—veteran broadcaster and business-performance coach Stan Hustad steps into the "How to Be Useful" virtual studio with a simple story and a profound invitation: Let this Thanksgiving Eve be different. Let it be useful, grateful, and transformational. In a warm and deeply human 10-minute reflection, Stan guides listeners through a practice he began years ago—a practice he now teaches in his performance coaching and encourages leaders everywhere to adopt: Spend the Wednesday before Thanksgiving calling people who have been good to you. Not to pitch. Not to ask for anything. Simply to say, "I am thankful for you." A Gentle Story with Real-World Impact In this Thanksgiving message, Stan shares how he spent the morning calling doctors who saved his life, friends who walked with him through adversity, and people who have simply been part of his journey. Their responses ranged from warmth to surprise to heartfelt emotion. Some quietly admitted they hadn't heard anyone say "I'm thankful for you" in a long time. Stan also speaks with honesty about the bittersweet nature of Thanksgiving Eve. Law enforcement officers have shared with him that it can be one of the most dangerous nights of the year—especially for college students who return home and gather with friends. So he offers a compassionate reminder: Pray for young people tonight. Pray for good choices, safe travels, and a Thanksgiving Day unmarred by tragedy. From there, the message turns to gratitude, humility, and the importance of keeping Thanksgiving sacred—a holiday "they can't steal," as Stan says. While Black Friday may try its best to reshape the meaning of the week, Thanksgiving itself remains stubbornly simple, beautifully human, and deeply needed. A Coaching Moment for Leaders and Entrepreneurs Stan makes a compelling case that gratitude is a business strategy—perhaps one of the most undervalued, underused, and underappreciated tools available to leaders today. A grateful leader is rarely a fearful leader. A grateful organization is rarely a toxic one. A grateful business is more human, more productive, and more resilient. His invitation is as practical as it is personal: Make thankfulness part of the business plan. Let your people know they matter more than your metrics. Tell colleagues and customers "I appreciate you" without attaching a sale or an agenda. Make gratitude a cultural habit, not a seasonal gesture. Things to Remember • Gratitude is one of the most powerful performance tools in life and business. • A simple Thanksgiving Eve phone call can touch a life deeply. • College students and young adults need our prayers, protection, and encouragement tonight. • Being useful—truly useful—is at the heart of living well. • Leadership grounded in gratitude is leadership that endures. Things to Share • Share "I appreciate you" freely and sincerely. • Share kindness without an agenda. • Share the story of Thanksgiving Eve calls with your family, team, or organization. • Share gratitude as a cultural value, not a holiday accessory. Things to Take Note Of & Take Action On • Tonight: Consider calling two or three people who have blessed your life. • This weekend: Slow down and reflect on the year—not just the work, but the people. • This season: Make gratitude a strategic part of your leadership and business practice. • This coming year: As Stan says about 2026, "Pick up a few more sticks… make a little more money… have a little more fun… and do a little more blessing." A Final Word of Blessing From the "How to Be Useful" Studio at What It Takes Radio, Stan closes with a message of warmth, gratitude, and purpose: "Best and blessings… and give thanks. Right now and every day." May this Thanksgiving be a turning point toward deeper gratitude, stronger relationships, and a renewed commitment to being useful—in life, in business, and in the lives of others. If you need encouragement, guidance, or a companion for the journey, Stan welcomes you to reach out: Stan@witradio.net [Stan@witradio.net] Happy Thanksgiving from the Do It Right Collective. Blessings on you and all those you love.

"When I Think of You, I Give Thanks: The Hidden Power of Doing It Right" A Stan Hustad Thanksgiving Reflection from What It Takes Radio

As Thanksgiving week arrives, What It Takes Radio brings forward another thoughtful, 10-minute conversation from veteran broadcaster and business performance coach Stan Hustad—a message wrapped in gratitude, wisdom, a touch of humor, and a powerful challenge to do it right in life and business In this Thanksgiving meditation—part encouragement, part coaching moment—Stan reminds listeners that this season isn't just about turkey and tradition. It's about relationships, gratitude, and the courage to live and work with intentional excellence. A Summary That Stands on Its Own In "When I Think of You, I Give Thanks," Stan Hustad gently but firmly calls his listeners into a deeper way of living in the fast-paced performance economy. He speaks candidly as an entrepreneur, missionary, mentor, and world-traveled communicator who has helped build projects, organizations, and creative ventures around the world. But on this holiday week, he narrows the focus to something more intimate and far more important: Don't just do it. Do it right. Do the right thing. Do it in the right way. Do it for the right people. So the right outcomes have a chance to appear. Stan notes that we are now fully immersed in a microphone world—a performance economy where influence, leadership, persuasion, and storytelling travel first through the ear and the screen, long before paper. If you want your business, your cause, your ministry, your mission, or your message to succeed, you must learn to perform, present, and communicate with clarity and heart. But this isn't merely a business message. It's deeply human. Stan calls Thanksgiving his favorite holiday—not because of the food or football, but because a thankful heart is rarely a fearful heart. Gratitude, he says, is the foundation of flourishing. It is the antidote to anxiety, resentment, and weariness. He invites us to approach the close of the year—through Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and even the coming New Year—with a posture of renewal, fresh beginnings, and a commitment to "do it right" in every part of life. And then comes his signature coaching challenge: Clear your calendar the day before Thanksgiving. Pick up the phone. Call the people who matter. Say, "Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I just wanted you to know I'm thankful for you." Simple. Rare. Beautiful. And guaranteed to make a difference. Things to Remember • A grateful heart is seldom a fearful heart. • Doing it right matters more than just doing it. • You live in a performance economy. If you want to succeed, you must learn to present, perform, and communicate. • New beginnings are always available. • Influence flows through the microphone. Your voice and message matter—use them well. Things to Share with Others • A simple phone call of gratitude can strengthen relationships for years. • Everyone—from business partners to family members—needs encouragement more than we realize. • Thanksgiving is not an event; it's a lifelong posture of appreciation. Things to Take Note Of • Are there places in your life where you've been "just doing it" rather than doing it right? • Which relationships have shaped, supported, or inspired you this year? • What message, story, or idea should you be sharing more boldly in your business or personal calling? Things to Act Upon 1. Make five Thanksgiving calls—clients, colleagues, family, friends. 2. Pick one area of your life or work where you will "do it right" starting this week. 3. Recommit to flourishing—not surviving but thriving in faith, hope, love, and purposeful communication. 4. Start your performance journey—podcasting, broadcasting, storytelling, or speaking—because your message matters. 5. Reach out to Stan for coaching, guidance, or media mentorship: stan@whitradio.net A Warm Thanksgiving Call to Action This Thanksgiving, Stan invites all of us to pause, breathe, and remember that gratitude is not seasonal—it's transformational. When we give thanks for the people who enrich our lives, we unlock joy, courage, creativity, and connection. So this year, don't just celebrate the holiday. Live the holiday. Give thanks boldly. Love generously. And as Stan says— Do it, but this time… do it right. Blessings, gratitude, and flourishing to you today and always.

Gary is still in The Transplant Zone and Dick Cheney has left RIP... And they have very similar stories

Living on the Edge — Lessons from a Heart and a Life A Transplant Zone Reflection with Gary Register In this moving short feature from The Transplant Zone, host Stan Hustad sits down once again with Gary Register — a man living day by day in the tension between hope and uncertainty as he awaits a heart transplant. Today's conversation was framed by the news of the passing of former Vice President Richard "Dick" Cheney, who died at 84 after a long and complex journey with heart disease — a journey that, for many years, mirrored the one Gary now walks. A Shared Story of Fragile Courage Cheney's life was one of contrasts — power and vulnerability, public service and private struggle. Long before his decades in Washington, he was struck by a premature heart attack that changed the course of his life. For years he lived with assistive devices, artificial pumps, and eventually a heart transplant that extended his time, allowing him to see grandchildren grow and to continue the work he valued. For Gary, and for many in The Transplant Zone, Cheney's story is a reminder that life on the edge is still life — full of meaning, gratitude, and growth. Each day brings a mix of fear and faith, but also the awareness that every heartbeat — natural or borrowed — is a gift. What We Can Remember and Share This short program does not dwell on politics or legacy debates. Instead, it honors what we can all take away from a life sustained by courage and technology: • Resilience matters. Whether in public life or private waiting, endurance often defines true strength. • Gratitude transforms fear. Those who live on borrowed time understand that every sunrise carries grace. • Legacy isn't perfection — it's perseverance. The will to keep going, even when the heart falters, becomes its own quiet inspiration. Living in the Transplant Zone Gary Register continues to share his reflections from what he calls "the waiting room of grace." His stories bring insight and encouragement to others who face heart failure, chronic illness, or major life transitions. In The Transplant Zone, he reminds us that being "on the edge" is not the end — it's often the place where life becomes most real, most human, and most sacred. Things to Remember, Reflect On, and Share • Every heart — natural, artificial, or transplanted — beats with a purpose beyond survival. • Gratitude and generosity make life richer, even when days are uncertain. • Hope is not naïve; it's the art of living fully with whatever heart you have today. Call to Action To experience this short video and future reflections from Gary Register, visit The Transplant Zone — a place for stories of hope, healing, and the courage to keep living from the heart. Share this episode with someone facing their own waiting season — and remind them that they're not alone.