The Relentless Few

The Edit. The Ending. The Evolution.

Welcome to this special—and final—episode of the Relentless Few podcast. I take some time to reflect on the journey this podcast has taken—from its origins and growth to why I’m choosing to bring it to a close, at least in its current form. Throughout our time together, I’ve built everything around the E4 rhythm: explore, experiment, evaluate, and edit. Today, I challenge the common belief that ending or pausing something means we’ve failed. In reality, I see this as an essential, conscious edit and an evolution in who I am and the work I want to do next. I invite you to join me as I reckon with the inevitability of drift, share how I’m returning to what matters most, and explain why the process of periodic reflection and editing isn’t just a framework—it’s a way of being. As I step away from this podcast, my hope is that you’ll consider where you might need to explore, experiment, and edit in your own life. Remember: endings aren’t failures. The music continues, even if the arrangement changes. This episode is my closing reflection on becoming, authorship of our lives, and staying relentlessly true to what matters most. Moments 00:00 "Final Podcast Episode Announcement" 05:55 "Embrace Curiosity, Not Self-Judgment" 08:13 "Embrace Change: Experiment, Evaluate, Evolve" 11:31 Podcast Ending Decision Reflections 14:11 Evolving Through Intentional Choices 17:15 Intentional Choices, No Regrets 20:16 Creating the Self: Intentional Growth Perry Maughmer [https://perrymaughmer.com/] believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

If This Is The End - Silence Is Still A Response

> The Power of Sitting with Uncertainty: "Maybe the point isn't to figure it out. Maybe the point is to sit with long enough to know what's real, to see what emerges, what evolves." - Perry Maughmer I'm inviting you to sit with me in that uncomfortable, often-avoided space of uncertainty—the space where not having all the answers can actually be an act of wisdom. This episode is the second part of my three-episode series, “If This Is The End.” Instead of rushing to find clarity or making quick decisions, I'm challenging the cultural “bias to action” and asking what it really means to dwell in tension and let genuine insight emerge in its own time. I'll be sharing my own honest reflections about whether or not to continue this podcast, and I’ll highlight just how hard it can be to say, “I don’t know”—and even harder to embrace ambiguity in work and life. This episode isn’t about finding conclusions or making calls to action; it’s about honoring the discomfort of not knowing, and recognizing that sometimes the bravest response is simply to be present and silent. If you're ready to pause, reflect, and sit with the big questions alongside me, you’re exactly where you need to be. Let's lean into the unknown—together. If you have thoughts, comments, or insights, you can email me at perry@therelentlessfew.com Relentless Moments 00:00 Embracing Uncertainty in Podcast Evaluation 05:51 "Embrace Silence Before Deciding" 09:22 "Ambivalence About Creative Pursuit" 12:19 "Purposeful Creation Over Noise" 16:13 "Assessing Readiness and Silence" 17:42 Upcoming Podcast Episode Details Here are 3 key takeaways for anyone navigating uncertainty or facing pivotal decisions: * Dwelling in the Tension Is Powerful: We often want to escape discomfort as quickly as possible. But sometimes, sitting with the unknown—without forcing a quick solution—leads to deeper wisdom. * Silence Isn’t Indecision; It’s Integrity: Not every answer needs to be rushed. Sitting quietly with a choice can be the most truthful act, rather than performing just to relieve anxiety or meet expectations. * Audit Your Routines and Roles: Regularly ask yourself, Why am I still doing this? Is it still meaningful, or just noise? Sometimes, stopping and reassessing takes more courage than pressing on by default. Perry Maughmer [https://perrymaughmer.com/] believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

If This Is The End - The Point Was Never The Podcast

> When Authenticity Becomes Performance: "The second this podcast becomes performance, it's over. Because I have no interest in playing myself on a loop." - Perry Maughmer I’m inviting you into a deeply personal reckoning about the future of this show. Rather than making decisions about continuing the podcast in silence, I’ve decided to speak my way through these questions, one episode at a time, bringing you along for every honest step. This episode isn’t an announcement, a rebrand, or a refresh. It’s about examining why I started this podcast in the first place—and whether it still serves its original purpose. For me, it was never about chasing attention or algorithm-driven success. The podcast has always been a container: a place where I could speak what couldn’t be said elsewhere, confront myself, provoke thought, and wrestle openly with the questions that matter. It’s not about easy answers or performance; it’s about real friction, reflection, and growth. As I look back on nearly 80 episodes, I’m confronting whether continuing makes sense—not out of obligation, but because I can’t not do it. And I’m asking myself, and you, what are we holding on to that no longer serves us? This series is for anyone willing to sit in the tension between answers and wrestle with what’s next. If you’re still here listening, you’re one of the relentless few willing to be confronted, not comforted. Join me as I navigate this honest evaluation, seeking whether to renew or release the podcast—and inviting you, as always, to stay relentless. If you have thoughts, feelings, opinions, snide remarks, whatever you want to throw at me, you can email me at Perry@therelentlessfew.com. Relentless Moments 00:00 Podcast Reflection and Reassessment 03:45 "Self-Reflection and Connection Journey" 07:51 Podcast Strategy and Download Analysis 10:00 Rethinking Self-Promotion and Purpose 13:52 Podcast's Personal Impact 16:46 "Share Your Thoughts with Perry" 5 Keys You'll Learn in This Episode: 1. Momentum vs. Meaning: How easy it is to confuse forward motion with actual fulfillment (and why Perry refuses to settle for just keeping the wheels turning). 2. Podcast as a Mirror (Not a Mask): The reason I started this show was never to perform, but to speak honestly—confronting himself and bringing listeners along for that ride. 3. The Power & Risk of Consistency: Why showing up just for the sake of it can steal authenticity, and how Perry’s challenging himself (and us!) not to let things go hollow. 4. Deciding What Still Serves You: I open up about evaluating what we build, and whether those commitments are still worth the energy—an invitation for all of us to pause and reflect. 5. The Value of Provocation Over Comfort: This series isn’t about giving easy answers but about stirring the pot for both my audience and me. Growth happens where there’s friction, not comfort. Perry Maughmer [https://perrymaughmer.com/] believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

Evaluation - How To Look Back Without Judgement

"Can you look at that moment without labeling it as a failure? Just look at it and ask yourself what actually happened ?" I’m wrapping up our E3 series by exploring the crucial skill of “Evaluation”—how we can look back at our actions without slipping into judgment. I’ll be digging into why true evaluation isn’t about finding fault or seeking praise, but about honestly uncovering what really happened and using those insights to grow. I’ll share my perspective on why setting a direction matters more than obsessing over specific goals, and how staying open-minded fuels real learning and curiosity. This episode is full of practical prompts for self-reflection, ways to separate intention from outcome, and ideas for moving from performance and self-judgment to authorship and ongoing personal evolution. I’ll even introduce the idea of “Edit” as a fourth E in my framework—highlighting the power we have to continually rewrite our own stories. Whether you’re leading others or focused on your personal growth, my hope is that this conversation helps you see your experiences more clearly, so you can evaluate not to judge, but to learn and move forward with intention. Relentless Moments 00:00 "Judgment-Free Self-Evaluation" 03:38 "Goals Limit Growth and Curiosity" 08:05 Holistic Reflection Over Critique 11:15 Reflective Self-Assessment Prompts 16:09 "Recognize Manipulation Patterns" 16:37 Reflect on Actions and Narratives Here are 3 key takeaways that really resonated with me: * Evaluation isn’t judgment: Judging closes off curiosity and learning. When we simply observe our actions—good and bad—without labeling them, we create space for honest growth. * Focus on direction, not destination: Goals can sometimes create tunnel vision and stifle our curiosity. Instead, aligning with our personal direction and values helps us stay flexible and intentional, adapting and learning as we go. * Normalize reflection and feedback: Most of us only look back when something goes wrong, attaching blame and shame. By routinely reflecting on all our experiences (not just the missteps), we create opportunities for real learning and self-authorship. THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE Pick one moment you’ve labeled as a “failure.” Simply observe and write down what happened—completely factually, without any judgment. Approach it as an unattached observer and notice what you might learn. Then, try this at the end of each day: What did I learn today? How did my choices shape who I am becoming? Let the insights surface naturally. Perry Maughmer [https://perrymaughmer.com/] believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer

Experiment - The Power of Doing Your Own Thing

Why Experimentation Matters for Intentional Living The Paradox of Outcome Thinking: "You are not in charge of the outcome. You are in charge of taking action, which is the experimentation part of what we're talking about. You are in charge of that. You are responsible for that, and you need to do it." - Perry Maughmer Experimentation—not just thinking or planning—is at the heart of an intentional, authentic life. It’s uncomfortable, sometimes messy, but absolutely powerful. Here are 3 key takeaways: * Focus on action over perfection. Your brain’s reward centers activate when you do something, not when you just think about it. Getting started, even if it feels imperfect, is where motivation and growth happen. * Write your own script. True experimentation means letting go of other people’s formulas and bolding creating your own story, even if it feels uncertain or awkward. * Failure is part of the process. Each stumble or messy attempt is just another note in your own improvisation. Success and failure matter less than the fact that you acted and learned. Key Moments 00:00 Embracing Experimentation and Freedom 04:44 Immersion Over Success or Failure 07:05 "Focus on Action, Not Outcome" 10:59 "Embrace Messiness as Progress" 14:16 Embracing Failure as Learning 19:10 "Coach’s Philosophy: Lose My Way" 20:01 "Embrace Experimentation" Perry Maughmer [https://perrymaughmer.com/] believes the world deserves better leadership; that in every human interaction there is the opportunity to either build others up or tear them down; and that leadership is the choice we make in those moments. These beliefs led Perry to create the Potential Leader Lab. He wanted to offer those who share his beliefs the space and safety to explore transformative ideas, experiment with new behaviors, and evolve into the leaders they were meant to be and that the world needs. This is a framework he has used again and again with his Vistage peer advisory groups and companies like Turn-Key Tunneling, Convergint, Haughn &  Associates, I Am Boundless, Ketchum & Walton, LSP Technologies, and Ahlum & Arbor. Perry lives and works on the shores of Buckeye Lake in Ohio, in the mountains of northwest Georgia, and on the beach in Anna Maria, Florida with his amazingly creative wife Lisa. They have 2 rescue dogs and are intermittently visited by their 3 wonderful children throughout the year. Perry & Lisa are living life in crescendo and focused on exploring, experimenting, and evolving their vision of a life they have no desire to retire from. Copyright 2025 Perry Maughmer