Problem Solvers 612j43

What holds us back from doing new things? The answer is often learning — there's too much information to absorb, and we get stuck trying to consume it all. Pat Flynn has a different model. He's the creator of Smart ive Income and the YouTube channel Deep Pocket Monster, and has developed a framework he calls Lean Learning. (It's also the name of his new book.) It's a way to learn information faster, and discard what isn't necessary. It's helped him launch new products, reach millions on YouTube, and stay focused while scaling. This episode will help you build a system for learning only what drives results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Need cash to grow? Small businesses often have trouble accessing traditional financing, which is why global marketplace eBay is stepping in to help. On this episode, eBay's VP and GM of Financial Services and Payments, Avritti Khandurie Mittal, explains the financing challenges that many small businesses face, how eBay Seller Capital is making financing accessible to them on transparent , and her advice for founders who are seeking funds. This episode is sponsored by eBay. Learn how the eBay Seller Capital program can fund your business growth. Visit http://ebay.com/sellercapital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lauryn Bosstick turned The Skinny Confidential into more than just a brand. She built a deeply invested community. That connection has fueled product launches, new ventures like Dear Media, and cultivated long-term brand loyalty. In this episode, she breaks down how she tells a brand story, gets her audience excited to buy in, and sets healthy boundaries without losing trust. If you're trying to grow a business around a loyal following, she’s your guide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The smartest companies aren't just using AI — they're building custom AI tools just for them. Just ask Jeff Wharton, CEO of Bloomin’ Blinds. His company faced a common industry-wide problem and turned to AI for a solution. The result? A proprietary tool called BloomScale, which helps employees precisely measure windows, match customers with the right window treatment, and create instant visual mockups. In this episode, Jeff shares how they partnered with an AI firm, built a system tailored to their needs, and made it simple enough for any employee to use. Whether you're in home services or healthcare, this is a playbook for how AI can help you lead your industry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel unmotivated? Or, ever notice that your team is slumping? You (or they) may be missing a something very specific. According to a revolutionary psychological theory, all humans have the same three basic psychological needs — and if you don't find them in your work, your motivation will drag. In this episode, Jason breaks this theory down, and shows you how to apply it in leadership, parenting, and even self-discovery. This includes audio from one of Jason's live keynote talks; you can learn more about him as a speaker here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason bought a really old rock—and it sparked a fascination with the Neolithic era. In this episode, he’s ed by Dr. John Shea, archaeologist and stone tool expert, for a conversation about the original problem-solvers. They explore how communication became humanity’s superpower, why the stone ax was the first handheld all-purpose tool (and how it’s surprisingly similar to a smartphone), and the ancient problem that shelves were designed to solve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every business needs to find product-market fit — and AI can help. How? In this episode, Harvard Business School professor and entrepreneur Jeff Bussgang (author of The Experimental Machine: Finding Product-Market Fit in the Age of AI) walks us through the process. It’s a free consulting session with everything included: step-by-step directions, real examples, and the names of the LLMs you need to know about. If you're ready to use AI in your business but don’t know where to begin—start here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is episode 400 of Problem Solvers, and I've learned a few important things about how to evolve a product! In this episode, I share why you might be WRONG about what makes your product special — and how to keep refining with your audience in mind.

It's a simple philosophy. But what does it take to actually achieve? We talk to Jesse Cole, owner of the baseball team Savannah Bananas, about the idea that transformed his business—and how it can work in any industry.

Here's a strategy for talking people down, and even turning people's anger to your advantage. And I have the emails to prove it!

Donald Miller literally wrote the book on brand storytelling: It's called Building A StoryBrand, and it sold 1 million copies. He's just released an updated version. On this podcast, Don explains how to communicate your brand's value in a simple story. After that, I invite a few entrepreneurs to tell him about their brands — and he comes up with stories for them! It'll change the way you think about telling your story.

Want to pitch yourself with confidence? Want to become better at sales, or just selling yourself? You must learn to be shameless. That's the advice from Jenny Wood, former Google executive and author of the new book Wild Courage: Go After What You Want and Get It. In this episode, she teaches you how and why to embrace shamelessness.

Angie Hicks has been the face of Angie’s List (now called Angi) for decades. It’s not a role she wanted, but she knows how important it is — and how to play it perfectly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Want to get your product onto store shelves? Listen to this. Matt Adelmann used to be a buyer at Target, where he was responsible for placing products on shelves. Here are the three mistakes that founders always get wrong about retail — and how you can set yourself up for success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2006, a debate raged inside of Nintendo: Do they bundle their new Wii console with the game Wii Sports, or sell the game separately? Reggie Fils- Aimé was president of North America at the time, and he argued yes — because even though it meant giving up revenue upfront, it would lead to more Wii sales later. Here, he explains the battle and how he won it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Entrepreneurs love telling stories of perseverance. But that can be misleading. "In order to succeed, you're going to have to quit the things that aren't worth pursuing," says Annie Duke, author of the book "Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away". On this episode, she explains why we should see quitting as a virtue — and how to know when it's time to walk away. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One night, Holden Forrest drew a wild idea on the back of his daughter's math homework: What if he could lower a house into the ground, as a way to escape oncoming wildfires? He couldn't shake this idea, so he started researching whether it's possible — and now, years later, he has a company called HiberTec, multiple patents, groundbreaking technology, and is raising money to build his first prototype. On this episode, Holden explains how to turn a big idea into a real business. Learn more at hibertec.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are three types of skills, Jen Kem says: The ability to visualize, strategize, or mobilize. Everyone has these skills in different combinations — and when you can assemble a team with the right mix of combinations, you've built something unstoppable. On this episode, Kem (author of the new book "Unicorn Team") explains how it works, how to identify which combination of types you are, and how to hire the right people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money isn't the only definition of wealth. So is time. That's one of the central ideas in Sahil Bloom's new book "The 5 Types of Wealth" — and on this episode, he explains how to become wealthy in time. He offers strategic ways to reallocate your time, how to prioritize what matters, and how to stop feeling like you never have enough of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Founders accidentally create a lot of confusion — because we talk too much! We pitch too many products, tell a too-complex story, and don't often get to the point fast enough. Today, business coach Steve Sims teaches you how to be brief and powerful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices