The Best Leadership Development and Business Culture Podcast

The Story in Your Head

The Story in Your Head explores how the narratives you hold – about yourself, others, and your company – shape every relationship and result. Hosts Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy, along with inspiring guests, unpack the self-talk and collective stories that drive connection, leadership, and culture.

Each episode offers practical ways to shift your mindset, strengthen trust, and lead teams that thrive. If you’re ready to transform your leadership and build a culture where people choose to follow, start listening today.

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Podcast

Episode 120Is Remote Work Destroying Your Business Culture?

Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy unpack the evolving reality of hybrid work and remote work culture.

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Episode 119Why Most Leadership Training Fails – And What Top Leaders Do Instead

Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy demystify the adverse effects of mandatory two-day leadership courses.

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Episode 118Why Most Leaders Fail to Scale – And How to Build a Company Culture That Does

Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy talk with Fred Neil, Founder and CEO of Magellan Venture Partners, about what it takes to grow your business – and yourself.

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Episode 117Why Great Leaders Surround Themselves with Disagreement

Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy explore the surprising leadership strategy that top performers use to grow: surrounding themselves with disagreement.

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Episode 116Why My Promotion Made Me Want to Quit

Ron and Deb take a closer look at a practice that undermines both leadership credibility and workplace morale: dry promotions.

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Episode 115Hidden Leadership Secrets That Transform Workplaces with Lori Grubs

Lori Grubs joins Ron and Deb to share her mission to make workplaces better across the globe.

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Episode 114Stop Being Busy: The Secret to Real Productivity

Ron and Deb explore the essential difference between being busy and being productive.

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Episode 113Return to the Office: The Real Reason Your Boss Wants You Back in the Office

Ron and Deb delve into the current debate surrounding the return to the office—a hot topic as businesses are reassessing work from home post COVID.

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Episode 112Big Brother at Work: Can Companies Spy on Their Employees?

Ron and Deb delve into the controversial topic of company surveillance.

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Episode 111The Power of Radical Candor in Building Trust and Connection

Ron and Deb delve into how radical candor can build trust, while showing care for others by challenging them directly.

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Episode 110Rewrite Your Reality: The Impact of Changing Your Fundamental Stories

Ron and Deb explore changing your fundamental stories and how deeply ingrained beliefs—formed early in life—can shape our reality.

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Episode 109Navigating Leadership in Uncertain Times

Ron and Deb navigate the complexities of leading through uncertain times.

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Episode 108Why Hope and Fear Are Your Business's Real Boss

Ron and Deb dive deep into two major forces that shape our lives, cultures, and businesses: fear and hope.

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Episode 107How Choosing People Over Profits Transforms Companies

Ron and Deb explore the dynamic relationship between shareholders and employees in business.

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Episode 106Concussion Crisis: What Doctors Aren't Telling You

Ron and Deb sat down with returning guest Dr. Mladenoff, a leading expert in concussion care, to understand this serious health issue.

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Episode 105What No One Tells You About the Art of Forgiveness

Ron and Deb explore how holding onto past traumas and grudges can stifle your creative potential.

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Episode 104How to Lose the Weight This Year by Apologizing

Ron and Deb dive deep into the true meaning and power of apologies.

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Episode 103Why the F*** Do I Have to Celebrate With Family?

Ron and Deb explore how altering the stories in our heads and setting authentic stands can transform how we experience the holidays.

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Episode 102The Scary Truth Behind DEI Hires 😱

Ron and Deb dive into the complex world of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

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Episode 101Your Career is Cooked if You're NOT Doing This

Ron and Deb explore the concept of continuous learning, its necessity to adapt to change, and the impact of continuous learning on career development.

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Episode 100Election Aftermath: Secrets to Maintaining Inner Peace

Ron and Deb delve into chaos—both internal and external—and discuss strategies for creating peace.

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Episode 99The Secret to Building Teams

Ron and Deb delve into the timely topic of collaboration amidst personal differences.

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Episode 98The True Cost of Leadership Development Programs

Ron dives into leadership development and the costs associated with leadership training.

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Episode 97The Real Impact of Ghosting: Personal and Professional Repercussions

Ron and Deb dive deep into the topic of ghosting, focusing on both personal relationships and professional settings.

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Episode 96The Biggest Problem in the Workplace

Ron and Deb dive into common challenges faced in workplaces such as lack of communication, misaligned goals, and personal conflicts.

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Episode 95The Problem with Team Building Exercises

Ron and Deb share their experiences with traditional team-building methods, highlighting common issues and their limited long-term impact.

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Episode 94The Importance of Listening in Communication

Together we explore how actively listening can transform your relationships both at work, and in your personal life.

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Episode 93Transform Your Hiring Process: Secrets to Dignified Recruitment Strategies

Ron and Deb discuss dignified hiring: defining the role, understanding company culture, and engaging in meaningful conversations in the interview.

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Episode 92The Hidden Costs of Bad Work Relationships and How to Address Them

Ron and Deb dive into an often overlooked but critical issue in workplace dynamics: the cost of bad relationships at work.

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Episode 91How to Fire Someone Nicely: Ensuring Dignity and Respect

Ron and Deb discuss the delicate process of firing someone with dignity.

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Episode 90Building the Best Corporate Culture with Eric Stiller and RJ Radobenko

Ron and Deb, and guests Eric Stiller and RJ Radobenko, explore a roadmap for integrating distinct groups into a cohesive, high-performing units.

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Episode 89Lead the Culture Transformation by Embracing Change

Explore what it means when a company's culture changes, how it can affect employees' experiences, and employee reactions.

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Episode 88Cultivating Leadership Through HR with Nicole Edwards

Nicole shares her strategies for leadership development, team management, and the crucial differences between managers and leaders.

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Episode 87Unlocking the Secrets to Getting Promoted

Ron and Deb delve into the complexities of getting promoted, challenging conventional wisdom and debunking tips as not necessarily paths to advancement

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Episode 86Creating a Culture of Empathic Leadership with Justin Steinbach

Ron, Deb, and guest Justin Steinbach dive deep into creating a positive workplace culture through empathetic leadership.

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Episode 85Transforming Organizational Culture with Eric McDermott

Ron, Deb, and guest Eric McDermott delve into the complex and often misunderstood concept of organizational culture.

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Episode 84Unveiling the Truth About Promotions

Ron and Deb delve into the intricacies of promotions in the workplace.

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Episode 83Fostering a People-Centric Culture with Luigi Resta

Ron, Deb, and Luigi Resta, CEO of R Plus Energies, discuss fostering a people-centric work culture, and overcoming challenges in the energy sector.

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Episode 82Building a Strong Team: San Pedro Fish Market CEO Mike Ungaro

Ron, Deb, and guest Mike Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market, discuss practices for organizational changes and employee management.

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Episode 81Shaping Company Culture: San Pedro Fish Market CEO Mike Ungaro

Ron, Deb, and guest Mike Ungaro, CEO of San Pedro Fish Market, discuss the transformation of his family-owned business and organizational culture.

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Episode 79Switching Roles: Navigating the Challenges of Leadership Transitions

Ron and Deb dive into the topic of switching roles and explore the dynamics involved in becoming a boss in a new position.

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Episode 78Insights on Leading in the Corporate World

Ron and Deb deep dive into the topic of 'Leading Leaders', emphasizing the importance of creating a safe space for mistakes, learning, and growth.

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Episode 77Evaluating Your Stress: Five Simple Stress Tests You Can Do at Home with Dr. Mladenoff

Ron and guest Dr. Mladenoff provide essential wellness information by detailing five simple health-related tests to do at home.

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Episode 76The Power of Taking Charge: Learning to Learn in a Rapidly Evolving World

Ron and Deb reflect on the last year, particularly the critical importance of maintaining relevance in a rapidly evolving world.

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Episode 75Choosing Your Path: The Power of Decision with Dr. Bowen White (part 2)

Ron, Deb and guest Dr. Bowen White continue their discussion further exploring individual perspective, choice, and purpose.

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Episode 74Exploring Fear and Vulnerability in Leadership with Dr. Bowen White (Part One)

Ron, Deb and guest Dr. Bowen White discuss the acceptance of personal frailties, the need to take risks, and embrace failure.

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Episode 73Everyone Is Afraid: A Fable of Fear, Friendship, and Flourishing

Ron and Deb discuss Ron’s first book that was recently released: Everyone Is Afraid.

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Episode 72The Profound Impact of AI on Business, Law, and Society

Ron and Deb explore the intriguing and insightful future of human relationships in an increasingly AI-driven world.

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Episode 71Leading Remote Teams to Cultivate a Collaborative Business Culture with Elon Hasson

Ron, Deb, and guest Elon Hasson explore how to lead a remote team, while cultivating a collaborative business culture.

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Episode 70The Power of AI: Redefining Relationships and Reality

Ron and Deb explore the intriguing and insightful future of human relationships in an increasingly AI-driven world.

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Episode 68Fun in Life and Work

Ron and Deb discover a new perspective on “fun”, not just a source of amusement, but a fully immersive, creative process where you lose track of time

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Episode 66Unveiling Trauma's Hidden Impact with Sunitha Sandeep

Ron, Deb, and guest Sunitha Sandeep discuss how traumas shape us, how we build shields to protect us, and how to break free from those narratives.

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Episode 65Mastering Your Destiny Through Self-Leadership and Conscious Decision Making with Bobbi Kahler

Ron, Deb, and guest Bobbi Kahler discuss the importance of self-leadership in both personal and professional life.

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Episode 64Reclaiming Joy and Connection in a High-Performance World

Ron, Deb, and guest Krisstina Wise discuss her journey through a health crisis that led her to confront her priorities.

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Episode 63Breaking Free from Toxic Workplaces and Empowering Authentic Leadership with Anish Majumdar

Ron, Deb, and guest Anish Majumdar discuss navigating through toxic workplaces and how to create authentic leaders that empower people in the workplace

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Episode 62Exploring What’s Missing with John Wise

Ron and guest John Wise discuss the power and the importance of discovering what is missing in our own stories and the stories of others.

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Episode 61Failing Your Way To Success with Beate Chelette

Ron, Deb, and guest Beate Chelette discuss how to fail your way to success by utilizing a flexible strategy.

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Episode 60How to Become Resilient with Gemma Bailey

Dive into ways to determine your resiliency level, and how to raise it by asking questions differently to change the stories in your head.

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Episode 59The Placebo Effect

In this episode, Ron and Deb discuss the placebo effect and how it is powerful enough to change the stories in your head.

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Episode 58How to Accept Apologies with Kimberly Bell

In this episode Ron, Deb, and guest Kimberly Bell discuss how to accept an apology.

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Episode 57Resenteeism

In this episode Ron and Deb discuss “resenteeism” and how it relates back to the stories in your head that you tell yourself.

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Episode 56Being Vulnerable as a Man with Dai Manuel

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Dai Manuel discuss the stories men must overcome to be vulnerable.

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Episode 55Speaking Confidently About Your Fears with Becky Paroz

In this episode Ron, Deb, and guest Becky Paroz discuss how to overcome the feeling of not belonging, and speaking confidently about your fears.

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Episode 54Taking Ownership of Our Stories with Marsha Vanwynsberghe

In this episode Ron, Deb, and guest Marsha Vanwynsberghe discuss dropping their shield and sharing vulnerable stories.

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Episode 53Descending the Corporate Ladder with Kathy Robinson

In this episode Ron, Deb, and guest Kathy Robinson from Athena Wellness, discuss how to ascend and descend the corporate ladder.

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Episode 51How to Live Your Stand with Matthew Ames

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and guest Matthew Ames discuss what it means to be your stand.

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Episode 50Positive Intelligence with Dr. Kevin Gazzara

In this episode Ron, Michelle, and guest Kevin Gazzara discuss how to use the concepts behind positive intelligence to change the story in your head.

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Episode 49How to Resolve Blame, Shame, and Guilt with Molly Mandelberg

In this episode of Ron, Deb, and guest Molly Mandelberg discuss how to change the story in your head and Molly share her personal journey.

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Episode 48The Two Hour Cocktail Party with Nick Gray

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and guest Nick Gray discuss hosting a two hour cocktail party.

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Episode 47Dropping Your Shield

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and Melissa discuss dropping their shields and becoming vulnerable.

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Episode 46Connecting the Physical and Philosophical Realms

In this episode of Ron, Deb, and guest Peter Worth discuss the connections between the physical, metaphysical, and philosophical realms.

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Episode 45Burnout

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Deb, and Melissa discuss burnout.

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Episode 44Recovering Workaholic with Megan Hunt

In this episode Ron, Deb, and guest Megan Hunt discuss burnout, work life balance, and what it means to be a recovering workaholic.

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Episode 43Remote Work

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss remote work.

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Episode 42Building Authentic Connections with Priscilla Shelp

In this episode, Ron, Michelle, and guest Priscilla Schelp discuss the importance of building authentic connections with others.

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Episode 41Resilience

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss resilience and resistance.

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Episode 40Releasing Things That Don’t Belong with Shana Francesca

In this episode, Ron, Michelle, and guest Shana Francesca discuss how to release stories and things that don’t belong in your head.

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Episode 39Noticing Noticings

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss the word “noticing.”

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Episode 38Self-Talk Your Stories into a Better Place with Steve Norris

Ron, Michelle, and guest Steve Norris discuss how understanding self-talk and implementing healthy practices has drastically improved their lives.

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Episode 37Vulnerability

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss what it means to be vulnerable.

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Episode 36The Story You’re Afraid to Say with Tyler Foley

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Michelle and guest Tyler Foley discuss the power of stories and the role they play in our lives.

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Episode 35Tossing Lines

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss ‘Tossing Lines.’ They dig into what that phrase means, and where it originated.

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Episode 34Stand

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss the word “Stand,” and what that means for them.

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Episode 33Changing Your Story with Lindsay Hanson

Ron, Michelle, and guest Lindsay Hanson discuss the stories in their own heads.

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Episode 32Purpose

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss what the word “purpose” means for each of them

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Episode 31Discovering Your Purpose with Catherine McCourt

In this episode, Ron, Michelle, and guest Catherine McCourt, discuss how fear can keep you from discovering your true purpose.

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Episode 30Shields

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss the different aspects of shields.

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Episode 29The Power of Changing Stories with Dr. Robin Buckley

In this episode, Ron, Michelle, and guest Dr. Robin Buckley discuss the power of changing stories.

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Episode 28How Our Stories Influence the Stories of Others

Ron and Michelle discuss how the stories we each tell ourselves in our own head can influence the stories of others.

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Episode 27Being Human with Susan Ruth

Ron, Michelle, and guest Susan Ruth discuss different strategies around listening.

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Episode 26Lifework

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss different practices for learning.

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Episode 25Should-ing with Joanne Rusch

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Michelle, and Joanne discuss the concept of “should-ing”.

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Episode 24What is Learning?

Welcome to "The Story in Your Head" podcast with Ron Macklin and Michelle Mosolgo.

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Episode 23Brian of Holacracy

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron, Michelle, guest host Joanne Rusch, and guest Brian Robertson discuss holacracy.

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Episode 22The Importance of Breathing

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Michelle discuss how important breathing is to notice your own space and how you affect others.

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Episode 21The Fifth Industrial Revolution

Ron and Michelle, with John Peragine, discuss the Fifth Industrial Revolution in this episode of “The Story in Your Head.”

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Episode 20Being Busy

Ron and Michelle discuss what it means to be busy, slowing down to speed up, and tossing lines in this episode of “The Story in Your Head.”

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Episode 19Dr. Paul Marciano

Dr. Paul Marciano joins Ron and Michelle to discuss difficult conversations and respect in this episode of “The Story in Your Head.”

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Episode 18Forgiveness with Eric Stiller

Ron and Michelle, along with guest Eric Stiller, discuss the concepts of forgiveness and forgiving in this episode of “The Story in Your Head.”

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Episode 17Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Ron, Michelle, Joanne Rusch, and Deb Dendy, talk about holiday gatherings and running experiments in this episode of “The Story in Your Head.”

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