Episode 153 - Make Business Simple Again with Wes Towers

Episode 153 - Make Business Simple Again with Wes Towers

Is complexity really the price of success, or have we simply forgotten the power of simplicity? For Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, the answer is clear. A 20-year veteran of the digital marketing industry, Wes built his career through trial and error, learning the hard way what works and what doesn't. From losing a lead developer mid-project to nearly burning out on a job that wasn't the right fit, Wes has collected hard-won lessons that every business owner needs to hear. In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Wes Towers to discuss his book, The Simple Manifesto: Marketing Principles to Save You Time, Increase Profits, and Create Your Dream Business in a Snap. Together, they explore why simplifying your business systems is harder than it looks, how to keep high performers engaged, and why your unique stance as a founder is your most powerful marketing asset. Wes opens up about the painful moments that shaped his approach like the time a brilliant developer quit two weeks into a massive project, leaving Wes to deliver on a promise that nearly destroyed his business. He shares why delegation, health, and energy management are the real productivity tools that matter, and how leaning on his team to build systems together transformed his company. The conversation also dives into the role of AI in modern marketing, the importance of bringing your authentic voice to content, and why the best marketing messages come from understanding what truly drives you as a founder. Wes offers practical advice for tradespeople and small business owners looking to stand out in crowded markets, and reminds us that while tools and technology will always change, your values and convictions remain constant. If you're a business owner, entrepreneur, or marketing professional feeling overwhelmed by complexity, this episode will inspire you to strip away the noise and focus on what really matters. Ready to simplify your path to success? Listen now and discover how clarity, conviction, and a little simplicity can transform your business and your life. What We Discuss * [00:01] Introduction * [02:01] Guest introduction: Wes Towers * [02:38] Wes's musical tastes * [03:21] The journey into digital marketing * [06:11] The impact of AI on content creation * [07:30] The philosophy of "The Simple Manifesto" * [09:53] Simplifying complex systems * [12:53] A painful lesson in managing talent * [15:43] Retaining high performers * [18:55] Balancing deep work and client demands * [20:07] Habits for avoiding burnout * [24:25] The importance of your unique stance * [27:46] Where to find Wes and his book * [28:20] Outro Notable Quotes * [07:03] "If you just rely upon the tool, it's just collating a bunch of other people's thoughts into something perceived to be new, but it's not really new." – Wes Towers * [08:18] "It takes a lot of work to get things so simple." – Wes Towers * [16:28] "Your worst team members are probably prepared to stay with you forever. Your very best ones are probably going to leave at some point." – Wes Towers * [19:22] "Get the right people to support the tasks you either don't want to do or are just repetitive — so you can focus on what only you can do." – Wes Towers * [22:53] "It's not about time management anymore. You're focused on priority management and energy management." – Gerald J. Leonard * [25:02] "Get really, really clear on your own unique position — that should be the driver for all your marketing messages." – Wes Towers * [25:46] "Your values and convictions of why you do business, they will remain throughout the journey of your whole business life." – Wes Towers \Resource and Links Wes Towers * Website: https://uplift360.com.au/author/admin_psfch7yj/ [https://uplift360.com.au/author/admin_psfch7yj/] * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/westowers?originalSubdomain=au] * Book: The Simple Manifesto [https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Manifesto-Marketing-principles-increase/dp/0994367600] Productivity Smarts Podcast * Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com [http://productivitysmartspodcast.com] Gerald J. Leonard * Website - geraldjleonard.com [http://geraldjleonard.com] * Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com [http://turnberrypremiere.com] * Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard [http://vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard] Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds [https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds]

Episode 152 - Have a Love Affair with Travel With Evelyn Kelly and Natalie Kelly

What if one of the most powerful productivity tools wasn't an app, a planner, or a morning routine, but a passport? For Evelyn Kelly and her daughter Natalie Kelly, travel has been far more than a hobby. Over three decades, it has shaped their resilience, adaptability, negotiation skills, and personal growth. What began as a three-week trip to Europe after a disappointing election loss grew into a lifelong adventure spanning seven continents, 88 countries, and all 50 U.S. states. In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with the world-traveling mother-daughter duo behind Have a Love Affair with Travel: Your Ticket to an Exhilarating Life and Have a Love Affair with the USA. Together, they share how travel transformed their outlook on life, strengthened their relationship, and taught them lessons that extend far beyond airports and tourist attractions. Evelyn and Natalie reveal why getting out of your comfort zone is essential for growth, how negotiating with street vendors sharpened professional leadership skills, and why flexibility may be one of the most underrated productivity habits. They discuss navigating unexpected challenges, from finding themselves in Tunisia during the Arab Spring to adapting to less-than-luxurious accommodations in remote corners of the world. The conversation also explores practical ways anyone can begin traveling, even with limited time, money, or experience. Whether it's exploring destinations close to home, traveling solo, or learning how to maximize rewards programs, the Kellys show that meaningful travel is accessible to more people than they think. If you've ever dreamed of seeing more of the world, breaking free from routine, or finding fresh inspiration in your personal or professional life, this episode will encourage you to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start your next adventure today. Ready to trade comfort for curiosity? Listen now and discover how travel can transform your mindset, your relationships, and your productivity. What We Discuss * [00:00] Introduction * [02:01] Meet Evelyn and Natalie Kelly * [05:02] How a failed election campaign sparked a lifetime of travel * [06:09] Getting bitten by the travel bug * [07:14] Productivity lessons from planning international adventures * [08:27] Why using travel experts can save time and stress * [10:00] Travel safety and lessons from the Arab Spring * [11:31] Travel as transformation, not recreation * [12:27] The importance of leaving your comfort zone * [13:20] What decades of travel teach about humanity * [14:45] Flexibility as a productivity skill * [15:55] Learning from uncomfortable travel experiences * [17:11] Why travel helps you truly live life * [19:03] Managing routines and habits while traveling * [20:31] The rise of solo travel * [21:10] How to travel despite time and budget constraints * [22:00] Smart strategies for affordable travel * [24:04] Negotiation lessons learned around the world * [25:48] Building patience and resilience through travel * [26:46] How to start small and overcome travel fears * [28:30] Traveling with disabilities and accessibility considerations * [29:23] The lasting impact of seeing the world * [31:00] Why everyone should make time for adventure * [32:00] Final thoughts and wrap-up Notable Quotes * [06:16] "We got bit by the travel bug, and we were never the same." – Evelyn Kelly * [12:42] "Get out of the comfort zone because that is what is very, very important. Unless you begin something, you're not going to get into it." – Evelyn Kelly * [13:32] "No matter what country you go to, we're all the same. We want a roof over our heads, food, freedom, and our families." – Natalie Kelly * [15:10] "You have to learn to be flexible, and I think that's part of being a productive person." – Evelyn Kelly * [16:55] "Everybody around me had to deal with it. That is flexibility." – Natalie Kelly * [24:28] "One thing travel has helped me with is negotiations." – Natalie Kelly * [25:48] "I have learned patience, resiliency, and how to pivot. Those are skills I use every day as a professional." – Natalie Kelly * [27:00] "Start small. Look around your local area and discover what you've been missing." – Natalie Kelly Resource and Links Natalie Kelly * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deputy-7a560952 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deputy-7a560952] * Book: The Spring Grove Mill House [https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Grove-Mill-House-American/dp/B0FPSN45DX] Evelyn Kelly * LinkedIn Productivity Smarts Podcast * Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com [http://productivitysmartspodcast.com] Gerald J. Leonard * Website - geraldjleonard.com [http://geraldjleonard.com] * Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com [http://turnberrypremiere.com] * Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard [http://vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard] Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds [https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds]

Episode 151 - The Home with the Most Ties to American History With David Deputy

What if the home you lived in was a secret portal to 250 years of American history, connected to the Revolutionary War, the Kennedy assassination, and the Apollo 11 moon launch? For David Deputy, a retired brigadier general, historian, and former state trooper, that's exactly what he discovered when he moved into a 19th-century mill house in Delaware. In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with David Deputy, author of The Spring Grove Mill House, to explore how an eight-year investigative journey into the history of his home uncovered astonishing links to America's most defining moments. David shares how his childhood instincts, career as a major crimes detective, and intuitive leadership style all converged into a unique research process he calls "investigative history." Gerald and David dig into the neuroscience of gut instinct and intuition, what it means to be a quiet, observational leader, the discipline of working a 250-year-old cold case, and how patience and organization are the hidden engines of any long-term creative project. David also reveals why he structured his book to make readers flip to the last chapter first, a bold and brilliant storytelling device that puts the reader on a personal journey before the history even begins. Whether you're a history buff, a writer, a researcher, or simply someone curious about the story hidden beneath your feet, this episode will inspire you to start asking the questions beneath the questions. Ready to dig deeper? Listen now and discover how one ordinary home connects centuries of extraordinary American history. What We Discuss * [00:00] Introduction * [02:01] Introduction to David Deputy * [04:15] The power of the mind * [04:33] Keys to a successful career * [06:36] The essence of true leadership * [08:07] The Spring Grove Mill House * [10:16] Historical connections uncovered * [10:51] War of 1812 connection * [11:50] Kennedy assassination connection * [13:27] Apollo 11 connection * [14:03] The research and investigation process * [17:14] The investigator's mindset * [19:44] The gut-brain connection * [21:40] A moment of discovery * [24:50] Balancing storytelling and investigation * [27:38] A unique reading suggestion * [31:07] Start your own home history * [32:39] Where to get the book * [33:29] Final wrap Notable Quotes * [05:13] "Growing up with a lot of emotional situations in the family, trying to read people and feel their feelings — that's been a very powerful source for me throughout my career." – David Deputy * [06:08] "I'm actually solving problems before they even happen. The problem never happens because you were able to lead the group through it before it materialized." – David Deputy * [15:11] "I could feel the stuff, and then I started digging and digging. It was eight years of investigating, because new things just kept popping up." – David Deputy * [15:50] "To me, it was like a 250-year-old cold case. And this was the ultimate cold case." – David Deputy * [17:22] "I have layer switches. I can turn my ego switch off and analyze everything. I have a logic switch and a skeptic switch — I can run through what I'm thinking and come to conclusions." – David Deputy * [21:30] "Unfortunately, it took me 45 years to get to that point. I wish I'd figured it out in my 20s — but once you understand how your gut is tied to your heart and your brain, you can use it even better." – David Deputy * [23:18] "It's human nature — we see things that are strange, but when we see them every day, they're not strange anymore. We stop asking why." – David Deputy * [25:46] "I call it the Jimi Hendrix approach. He wasn't formally trained — he created a whole new way of doing it that was unique and ended up being very special." – David Deputy * [30:48] "You can't rush it. You have to be organized in what you're doing so that you don't get stagnant. It wouldn't have been nearly as special if I had tried to rush through it." – David Deputy Resource and Links David Deputy * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deputy-7a560952 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deputy-7a560952] * Book: The Spring Grove Mill House [https://www.amazon.com/Spring-Grove-Mill-House-American/dp/B0FPSN45DX] Productivity Smarts Podcast * Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com [http://productivitysmartspodcast.com] Gerald J. Leonard * Website - geraldjleonard.com [http://geraldjleonard.com] * Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com [http://turnberrypremiere.com] * Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard [http://vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard] Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds [https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds]

Episode 150 - The Real Map of Life with Dr. James Smith

What if the secret to productivity isn't another to-do list or time‑hack, but a universal map of what it means to be human? In this episode, host Gerald J. Leonard welcomes Dr. James Smith, systems thinker, author of The Real Map of Life, and a man who has lived every corner of his own framework. From delivering newspapers and working on a farm to becoming a hospice chaplain, a banker, and finally earning a PhD, Dr. James discovered four dimensions that underpin every decision, every goal, and every moment of fulfillment. Gerald and Dr. James explore these four universal categories: Energy & Emotions, Human Relationships, Physical Things, and Money. They dive into why energy is the most overlooked pillar of productivity, how a broken rudder sank a battleship (and what that means for your goals), and why focusing only on money makes you lose your soul. Dr. James also shares how leaders can use a simple matrix to transform team dynamics without manipulation or fear – and why creativity and imagination are the true drivers of human development. Additionally, Gerald opens up about his own recovery from severe vertigo and how shifting his focus to energy and relationships attracted unexpected success, including a book deal and a new home. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure which part of your life needs attention first, this episode offers a science‑backed, deeply human compass. Ready to stop drifting and start steering? Listen now and discover your own Real Map of Life. What We Discuss * [00:00] Introduction * [02:01] Meet Dr. James Smith and The Real Map of Life * [04:30] The four universal dimensions of human life * [06:04] What "energy & emotions" really mean * [08:34] Why physical things are separate from energy * [10:20] How Dr. James became "the map of life" * [12:52] Using the four dimensions to prioritize what you need most * [14:34] Advice for overwhelmed professionals * [17:11] Gerald shares his vertigo recovery story * [22:32] Goals as your rudder * [23:56] "Creativity takes a system and manipulates it" – the Rubik's Cube analogy * [28:45] Money as a human system * [31:04] Gerald's lesson to his kids * [33:11] How leaders can use the Real Map matrix * [38:06] Where to find Dr. James and his book * [40:44] Outro Notable Quotes * [05:04] "These are the universal categories in the universe and they're real. They're not fanciful. They give us a sense of: I can do something with this." – Dr. James Smith * [06:04] "There's bioelectric energy in our body, the same as sunlight, the same as a photon and it activates hormones, gives us emotions, and connects synapses for everything that makes our body work." – Dr. James Smith * [16:05] "When we focus only on money, that's when we lose our soul. Your soul is your relationships and your feelings — and your money and your things will follow those." – Dr. James Smith * [21:56] " I didn't call what I had a disability. I called it a constraint because words creates our world." – Gerald J. Leonard * [23:46] "The most important goal is to keep our creativity and imagination alive — because that is the driver of human development." – Dr. James Smith * [25:13] "Create and imagine upon what you want until you have the skills to get what you want. Then there'll be less fear, less uncertainty, less doubt." – Dr. James Smith * [29:19] "Understanding that 99% of people only receive money from other people is the key. We must serve one another — all money comes from other people." – Dr. James Smith * [31:09] "The size of your paycheck is based on the value that you deliver. If you invest in yourself and become more valuable, people will figure out how to keep you around." – Gerald J. Leonard Resource and Links Dr. James Smith * Website: https://foundation-of-unity.org/ [https://foundation-of-unity.org/] * Non‑profit: Foundation of Unity (book purchases may be tax‑deductible) * LLC: I4 Advantage * Book: The Real Map of Life (available via foundation) Productivity Smarts Podcast * Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com [http://productivitysmartspodcast.com] Gerald J. Leonard * Website - geraldjleonard.com [http://geraldjleonard.com] * Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com [http://turnberrypremiere.com] * Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard [http://vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard] Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds [https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds]

Episode 149 - Hold My Beer, I'm Going to Change My Life with Brian Dixon

What happens when you wake up one day and realize you've been asleep for 20 years successful on paper, but dead inside? For Brian "Dixon" Dixon, that realization came after a near fatal pulmonary embolism. But it didn't have to. In this powerful episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Brian Dixon, Colorado based adventurer, speaker, and author of the upcoming book Hold My Beer, I'm Going to Change My Life. Dixon shares his raw, personal journey from decades of misalignment, chasing the wrong career, surrendering his dreams, and becoming a "man zombie," to a life changing breakthrough at age 52, when he finally launched a paraglider off Lookout Mountain, a dream he had buried for 25 years. Gerald and Dixon explore the "provider trap" that causes so many men to lose themselves, the small signals of misalignment we ignore until a crisis hits, and the antidote: Hold My Beer energy, a non negotiable, committed launch toward the one thing that still lights you up. Dixon offers a simple "man zombie test" to check in with yourself, explains why most people never recover their fire, and proves that it's never too late to stop talking about the old days and start living the new ones. Whether you're feeling stuck, burned out, or just vaguely numb, this episode will give you the permission and the push to say, "Hold my beer, I've got something I need to do." Ready to wake up? Listen now and learn how one committed launch can start a positive flywheel that changes everything. What We Discuss * [00:00] Introduction * [02:01] Meet Brian "Dixon" and his upcoming book * [04:39] The "hold my beer" moment that changed everything * [05:35] Living 20 years in misalignment and autopilot * [06:46] Financial collapse and personal reset after 2008 * [07:42] The life-threatening health scare that sparked change * [09:12] Rediscovering a lost dream: paragliding off Lookout Mountain * [10:56] Turning one decision into a life transformation * [13:55] Defining "hold my beer energy" * [14:27] The hidden danger of the provider trap * [17:55] Losing yourself in responsibility and routine * [19:00] Why making time for yourself is essential * [20:52] How to realign your life before a crisis hits * [22:09] The "man zombie test" and self-check questions * [24:05] Tackling misalignment one decision at a time * [25:11] Why commitment, not interest, drives transformation * [26:19] Building a positive momentum flywheel * [27:08] Reigniting passion at any stage of life * [30:13] Signs you're losing your fire and how to reverse it * [31:56] It's never too late: overcoming the "I'm stuck" mindset * [34:35] Where to find Dixon and what's next Notable Quotes * [05:56] "My passion and my fire for life went to sleep, and I call it a man zombie stage. I basically went into autopilot for 20 years." – Brian Dixon * [08:35] "After the pulmonary embolism, I said: I am halfway through my life. I am 44 years old and I have been asleep this whole time." – Brian Dixon * [15:21] "I feel like men can lose themselves inside of that provider ship piece – they don't have any guardrails for their own dreams." – Brian Dixon * [21:56] "The big thing is, it's tough for men to actually know they're asleep. If you're taking a nap in the middle of the night, you don't know you're asleep." – Brian Dixon * [22:23] "When is the last time you did something just for you? Not for your boss, not for your spouse, not for your kids? These check-in questions can help you avoid the hospital." – Brian Dixon * [24:20] "Eat the elephant one step at a time. Find the one thing that's most misaligned. Then hold my beer – non-negotiable. Nothing's going to stop me." – Brian Dixon * [24:44] "When you launch a paraglider, we call it a committed launch. Life or death. That's how you should treat Hold My Beer." – Brian Dixon * [30:56] "If you ever find yourself where most of your conversation is about how things used to be, that's a trigger signal. Your fire is going out. You should be talking about what you're planning on doing right now." – Brian Dixon * [31:35] "You don't quit snowboarding when you get old. You get old because you quit snowboarding." – Brian Dixon * [33:59] "It's never too late if you can kindle that fire again." – Brian Dixon Resource and Links Brian "Dixon" Dixon * Website: www.gowithdixon.com [http://www.gowithdixon.com] * Book: Hold My Beer, I'm Going to Change My Life (coming Fall) Productivity Smarts Podcast * Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com [http://productivitysmartspodcast.com] Gerald J. Leonard * Website - geraldjleonard.com [http://geraldjleonard.com] * Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com [http://turnberrypremiere.com] * Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard [http://vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard] Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds [https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds]