Beyond the Gold: Lessons from an Olympic Journey with John Benton

The Sauna Ritual: Health, Recovery, and Human Connection with Justin Juntunen

Health is where getting 1% better starts. In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Craig Thielen sits down with Justin Juntunen, founder of Cedar & Stone Sauna, to explore the ancient practice of sauna and why it continues to matter in modern life. Justin shares the cultural roots of traditional Finnish sauna, the difference between sauna and infrared, and why heat, recovery, ritual, and consistency can support both physical and mental wellbeing. The conversation also goes beyond health benefits and into what makes sauna so meaningful: slowing down, disconnecting from screens, creating space for real conversation, and reconnecting with family, community, and tradition. This episode is a reminder that improvement is not always about pushing harder. Sometimes, getting 1% better starts with recovery, rhythm, and restoring the foundation.

Better Toward What? Finding Your Purpose with Mitch Larson

If we’re trying to get 1% better every day, one question matters most: better toward what? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Craig Thielen sits down with Mitch Larson, author of The Power of Purpose, to explore how purpose gives direction to personal and professional growth. Mitch shares the life experiences, books, mentors, and observations that shaped his own journey — and explains why purpose is often found by paying attention to what energizes us, what we’re naturally drawn to, and where we feel called to contribute. The conversation also explores the role of habits, attitude, association, fear, belief, and self-talk in helping — or preventing — us from living with greater intention. The key takeaway: purpose doesn’t always arrive as one big epiphany. Often, it’s discovered one step at a time.

Why Your Health Isn’t Improving (And What to Do About It) with Sue McKinley

Why aren’t more people getting better, despite more access to health information than ever? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Craig Thielen speaks with Sue McKinley, a certified homeopath who specializes in helping individuals navigate complex and chronic health challenges. Sue introduces the concept of “load” - the cumulative impact of stress, toxins, environment, and life experiences - and how it overwhelms the body’s natural ability to heal. She explains why the nervous system plays a central role in recovery, why root cause matters more than symptom management, and how small, sustainable changes can create meaningful progress over time. The key takeaway: healing isn’t about doing everything - it’s about reducing load, increasing capacity, and supporting the body to do what it’s designed to do.

What Over 400 Athletes Teach Us About Excellence - with author Patrick "Packy" Mader

In the wake of the 2026 Winter Olympics, what can we learn from elite performers beyond the medals? In this episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Craig Thielen speaks with Patrick “Packy” Mader, a retired teacher, author, and interviewer of Olympians and athletes. Packy shares the patterns he’s seen across high performers, including perseverance, humility, discipline, and a strong commitment to giving back. He also reflects on how early life experiences and a love of the game shape long-term success. You don’t have to compete at the highest level to live at one. That’s the core idea behind this conversation and a reminder that these principles apply to leadership, work, and everyday life. #OlympicAthletes #PeakPerformance

AI as a Team Member with Robert Wallace | Fast 15

What does it mean to treat AI as a team member? In this Fast 15 episode of the 1% Better Podcast, Craig Thielen speaks with Trissential’s Robert Wallace about a new mindset for working with artificial intelligence. Rather than viewing AI as a simple question-and-answer tool, Robert explains how organizations can integrate AI into teams by giving it specific roles, personas, and context. From acting as a coach during interviews to challenging assumptions in meetings, AI can help teams think differently and improve decision-making. The conversation also explores how AI learns through feedback, why organizations should “trust but verify” AI outputs, and how leaders can help teams adopt AI more effectively. #AI #FutureOfWork #Teamwork