BONUS: Why We're Fascinated by Con Artists and What They Teach Us About Influence

The Top Five Podcast: A-Z - Songs About Space

Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt mark the Top Five podcast's return after a busy stretch, with Annie sharing recent turbulence at work and Kris mentioning her husband has broken his foot. Continuing their A-to-Z song series, they tackle the letter S with a theme of space-themed songs, trading picks ranging from classic space-adjacent staples to deeper cuts and soundtrack favorites, along with brief side notes on Madonna buzz, Bowie's influence, and personal music memories. They wrap up by recapping their lists and teasing that only three letters—X, Y, and Z—remain for upcoming episodes. OH - and that EPIC playlist? RIGHT HERE. [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-top-5-podcast-a-to-z-songs-about-space/pl.u-55D6x97F2lAxz] Enjoy!

BONUS: Why We're Fascinated by Con Artists and What They Teach Us About Influence

Why We're Fascinated by Con Artists: What They Teach Us About Influence In this bonus solo episode, host Kris McPeak revisits the podcast's "professionals" series and reframes the con-artist installment through a CliftonStrengths lens to explore why con artists fascinate us and what they reveal about influence. Using five characters as examples—Bokky (Traveler) on connection, Frank Abagnale Jr. (Catch Me If You Can) on perception, Jonas Nightingale (Leap of Faith) on charismatic influence, Henry Gondorff (The Sting) on strategy, Roy and Lily Dillon (The Grifters) on manipulation through relationship, and Mike Mancuso (House of Games) on psychological control—Kris breaks down how perception, connection, confidence, and intention shape influence. She argues the difference between a great leader and a con artist isn't talent but intention, and that understanding influence helps listeners become more intentional and harder to manipulate. Get the FREE "Starting With Strengths" Guide HERE. [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/672077/sites/162199695245968816/startwithstrengths] 00:00 Welcome and Setup 00:50 Why Con Artists Fascinate 01:29 Four Influence Lenses 02:14 Honorable Mention Traveler 03:26 Frank Abagnale Catch Me 05:02 Jonas Nightingale Leap 06:25 Henry Gondor The Sting 07:48 The Grifters Family Con 08:55 House of Games Mastermind 10:44 Leaders Versus Con Men 12:11 Coaching Offer and Wrap-Up [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/672077/sites/162199695245968816/startwithstrengths]

The Top Five Podcast: A-Z - Songs about Weddings

Songs A to Z: W Is for Wedding Songs | Top Five Podcast Kris McPeak and co-host Annie Pruitt continue their Songs A to Z series with the letter W, counting down their top five picks for songs about weddings (or wedding-themed moments). They discuss how they each approached the theme—pulling from tracks that reference weddings or marriage directly, feel like vows set to music, or are strongly associated with proposals, first dances, and wedding scenes in movies. The list leans heavily into country and pop, with a few curveballs, and includes an honorable mention from each host. Along the way, they chat about Kansas weather, favorite artists and albums, memorable film moments tied to certain songs, and wrap by noting they're nearing the end of the alphabet and encouraging listeners to share, rate, and review the show. Oh, and that playlist? RIGHT HERE. [https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/the-top-five-podcast-a2z-songs-about-weddings/pl.u-EdAV7dWFepkGL] Enjoy! 00:00 Welcome Back and Banter 01:06 A to Z Series and Wedding Theme 02:41 No 5 Picks Taylor and Shania 04:51 No 4 Picks Chuck Berry and Prince 07:21 No 3 Picks Bruno and Dixie Chicks 09:41 No 2 Picks Wedding Singer and Brad Paisley 12:14 Honorable Mentions First Dance Classics 14:50 No 1 Picks ABBA vs Johnny and June 17:10 Recap Playlist and Wrap Up

BONUS: Your Bad-Day-Song-Coping-Style (and What is Says About You at Work)

Your Bad-Day-Song-Coping-Style (and What It Says About You at Work) Kris McPeak returns with a short solo Top Five follow-up connecting a past episode on "bad day" songs to Gallup strengths coaching and real-world coping patterns. She outlines four coping styles—Externalizer, Validator, Escaper, and Resetter—using songs from his list to illustrate how people manage stress: escaping by numbing or avoiding feelings, deflecting with humor, resetting by reconnecting to positive comfort, externalizing through outward release, validating by normalizing the struggle, and acknowledging the moment without spiraling. Kris explains that no style is inherently wrong, but each has risks if overused, and your default coping style often mirrors how you handle pressure, conflict, and stress at work. She shares a desire to lean on music instead of stress-eating, offers a free "Starting with Strengths" workbook [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/672077/sites/162199695245968816/startwithstrengths], and invites listeners to email their own bad day song. 00:00 Solo Show Setup 00:29 Bad Day Song Patterns 01:09 Escaper Coping Style 01:44 Deflector Humor Mode 02:16 Resetter Feel Good Reset 03:20 Externalizer Let It Out 03:53 Validator Feel Seen 04:40 Acknowledger Move Forward 05:23 Real Life Takeaways 06:21 Coaching and Wrap Up

The Top Five Podcast: A to Z - Songs From the Television Show GLEE

Kris McPeak and Annie Pruitt return to the Top Five podcast, inspired by High Fidelity, and continue their nearly five-year A-to-Z series of favorite songs, circling back to the letter G after previously skipping it. They settle on the top five favorite songs from the TV show Glee, discussing what they loved about the series, how it popularized mashups, and where it started to lose them. Each shares an honorable mention and counts down personal picks, highlighting memorable performances, a standout mashup, guest appearances, and emotional character moments, while also noting songs they avoided because they've appeared on past lists. They wrap by recapping their lists, noting only five letters remain in the series, and thanking listeners for supporting the show. 00:00 Welcome Back to Top Five 00:39 A to Z Series and Glee Pick 02:38 Chris Number Five Somebody to Love 04:10 Annie Number Five Dont Rain 05:49 Chris Number Four White Rap 07:21 Annie Number Four Thriller Mashup 08:51 Chris Number Three Safety Dance 11:17 Annie Number Three Bad Romance 13:12 Chris Number Two Glee Originals 14:39 Annie Number Two Gwyneth Guest 15:10 Crazy Substitute Takes Over 16:11 Honorable Mention River Deep 17:24 Honorable Mention Journey Songs 19:24 Top Pick Mashup Battle 21:28 Emotional Kurt Beatles Cover 23:35 Wrap Up Recap Farewell