Unlocked with Skot Waldron

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What if there was one place to gain short, powerful insights from leaders and influencers worldwide? Join communication strategist Skot Waldron as he interviews people like John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire, Ann Hiatt, who worked directly with Jeff Bezos, Marissa Mayer, and Eric Schmidt, former CIA agent Marc Polymeropoulos, and Matt Doherty, Michael Jordan's former coach, and mines the gold inside each of their heads. Unlock the potential of you and the people you do life with by listening to every episode!

  1. Unlocking the Performance of Athletes, Finance, and Leadership with Sebastien Page

    3D AGO

    Unlocking the Performance of Athletes, Finance, and Leadership with Sebastien Page

    What if winning isn't the point? In this UNLOCKED conversation, Sebastien Page breaks down why the most effective leaders, athletes, and high performers stop obsessing over the scoreboard and start focusing on mastery, resilience, and the long game. From nearly losing his life due to burnout to unpacking the PERMA model of positive psychology, Sebastien shows why health, relationships, and meaning are the real performance multipliers. We talk sports psychology, leadership mistakes driven by fear, goal-induced blindness (Everest makes an appearance), and why knowing when to quit is one of the most underrated leadership skills. If you're tired of chasing short-term wins at the cost of everything else, this episode will recalibrate how you think about success. Timestamps: 00:00 — Cold Open & Intro 03:35 — Nearly Dying from Burnout: The Wake-Up Call 07:10 — Health Is the Baseline for Every Other Goal 08:53 — The PERMA Model: What Actually Drives Long-Term Happiness 12:14 — Why Sports Psychology Obsesses Over Losing 14:39 — Mastery vs Ego: The Shift That Changes Everything 19:35 — Federer's Lesson: Losing Half the Points and Still Winning 23:57 — Goal-Induced Blindness: When Success Becomes Dangerous 27:57 — Fear, Stress, and the Performance Curve Leaders Miss 31:02 — Why Leadership Stops Being About You 34:46 — Strategic Patience and the Skill of Knowing When to Quit 39:10 — Relationships: The One Variable That Predicts Happiness 43:00 — Final Takeaway: Don't Burn Bridges on the Way to Success Instagram: www.instagram.com/sebastienpagebook Substack: substack.com/@sebastienpage LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/sebastien-page

    47 min
  2. Unlocking Trust and Rare Diseases with Wes Michael

    FEB 24

    Unlocking Trust and Rare Diseases with Wes Michael

    If you've ever felt like healthcare "listens" to patients the way a cat listens to a vacuum… this episode is for you. Wes Michael (Rare Patient Voice) breaks down what it really takes to build a community where patients feel safe, respected, and actually heard and how that trust turns into better research, better decisions, and better outcomes in rare disease. Skot and Wes talk about the company's evolution, why patient time should be compensated, how surveys and interviews turn lived experience into usable insight, and the difference between "collecting data" and "earning truth." You'll also hear why caregivers matter, what advocacy looks like in practice, and how meaningful work scales when you protect the human part of the process. Timestamps:  00:00:00 – Intro & Highlights 00:04:34 – Rare Disease Day and Why This Conversation Matters 00:05:04 – The 12-Year Cycle: Why Wes Chose to Make a Big Change 00:07:41 – Working with Pharma: Where Patient Insight Fits 00:08:19 – Paying Patients for Their Time (and Why That's Respect) 00:09:35 – Surveys, Interviews, and Capturing the Real Story 00:13:26 – Turning Lived Experience into Useful Data and Decisions 00:17:22 – Caregivers: The Missing Piece Most People Overlook 00:23:59 – Lightning Round: Trust Killers, Hiring Lessons, Keeping Promises 00:32:20 – Advocacy, What's Next, and Wrap-Up Website: rarepatientvoice.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wesmichael Instagram: www.instagram.com/rarepatientvoice Facebook: www.facebook.com/rarepatientvoice

    36 min
  3. Unlocking Disney-Level Service in an Automated World with Vance Morris

    FEB 17

    Unlocking Disney-Level Service in an Automated World with Vance Morris

    Customer service isn't broken it's just lazy. Vance Morris explains why creating "wow" is easier than ever (because expectations are so low) and how small, intentional moments build massive loyalty. We talk about moment zero, why automation often becomes the service prevention department, and how companies like Disney obsess over details most businesses ignore. Vance also shares why great service can't live in one department, why endings matter more than beginnings, and how leaders can design experiences customers actually remember. This episode is a masterclass in turning ordinary interactions into unforgettable ones without spending more money, just more attention. Timestamps: 00:00 — Cold Open & Intro 04:27 — Why "Wow" Is Easier Than Ever (Because the Bar Is So Low) 06:02 — Moment Zero: How First Impressions Decide Everything 07:26 — The Service Snob Test: What Instantly Wins (or Loses) Trust 07:39 — AI Can't Hear Your Tone (And That's the Problem) 11:18 — When Automation Becomes the Service Prevention Department 14:17 — The Disney of Oil Changes (Yes, That's a Real Thing) 18:24 — Fanatical Attention to Detail: Disney's Real Competitive Edge 22:51 — Why Great Service Is Everyone's Job (Not a Department) 35:25 — The "Kiss Goodnight": Why Endings Matter More Than You Think Websites: www.vancemorris.com, www.deliverservicenow.com 52 Ways To Wow Your Customers Without Breaking The Bank: wow52ways.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/vancemorris YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Deliverservicenow

    47 min
  4. Unlocking Strategic Leadership in a World of Chaos with Dr. Lance Mortlock

    FEB 10

    Unlocking Strategic Leadership in a World of Chaos with Dr. Lance Mortlock

    Leadership in chaos doesn't have to feel impossible. Dr. Lance Mortlock, the chaos whisperer, breaks down why the future of business isn't just about surviving – it's about strategic agility. We unpack how leaders can spot opportunities in disruption, handle massive risk, and make better strategic choices when everything feels uncertain. Dr. Mortlock shares his "Outside In, Inside Out" approach, which helped Fortune 500 companies navigate major crises. From the impact of AI to global elections and climate change, Lance explains how leaders can prioritize and adapt their strategies to keep up with the pace of change. It's not about avoiding chaos – it's about learning how to thrive in it. Timestamps: 00:00 — Cold Open & Intro 04:00 — Surviving Chaos: The Fast-Paced Leadership Shift 04:12 — Speed and Agility in the Chaos of Change 05:00 — The Big Disruptors: AI, Climate Change, and Global Instability 07:23 — Turning Uncertainty into Strategic Advantage 16:39 — The Outside-In, Inside-Out Framework for Success 14:56 — The Pitfall of Focusing Only on the Now (Horizon 1) 22:09 — Learning from the Failures of Kodak, Motorola, and Target 25:10 — The Role of Leadership in Managing Chaos 28:12 — Clarity, Strategy, and the Importance of Prioritization 38:53 — The Importance of Talent Strategy in Leadership Website: www.lancemortlock.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lance-mortlock-01b36b22 Book: Outside In, Inside Out: Unleashing the Power of Business Strategy in Times of Market Uncertainty

    47 min
  5. Thoughts Unlocked - How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome

    FEB 3

    Thoughts Unlocked - How to Deal With Imposter Syndrome

    In this episode Thoughts Unlocked, Skot Waldron delves into the pervasive issue of imposter syndrome, a phenomenon affecting over 70% of professionals. He discusses its roots in perfectionism and comparison, and offers practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt. By collecting evidence of achievements, reframing failure, and borrowing confidence from others, individuals can combat the negative effects of imposter syndrome. Skot emphasizes that while this feeling can be humbling, it should not dictate one's career path. Ultimately, he encourages listeners to recognize their worth and capabilities. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro 01:12 Imposter Syndrome   02:15 What Imposter Syndrome Really Is and Who Experiences It   02:49 The Role of Comparison and Self-Belief   03:20 Recognizing Imposter Thoughts – "I Just Got Lucky" and Other Lies   03:57 Cognitive Distortion – How Your Brain Plays Tricks on You   04:09 Step 1: Collect Evidence – Keep a Brag File or Success Journal   04:37 Step 2: Reframe Failure as Proof You're Growing   05:06 Step 3: Borrow Confidence Until Yours Shows Up   05:36 Turning Imposter Syndrome Into an Advantage   06:05 Handling the Inner Voice – "Hand It a Juice Box"   07:01 Outro Website: skotwaldron.com

    8 min
  6. Unlocking ADHD, Autism, and Other People Who May Not Think Like You With Rita Ramakrishnan

    JAN 27

    Unlocking ADHD, Autism, and Other People Who May Not Think Like You With Rita Ramakrishnan

    Neurodivergence isn't about squeezing people into a chair at the same old table – it's about reshaping the table itself. Rita Ramakrishnan shares her raw journey with ADHD and autism, why late diagnoses are exploding (especially for women), and how traits like context-switching and hyperfocus can be both rocket fuel and roadblocks. She tackles the myths, rethinks performance reviews, and shows why leaders need to move from critique to curiosity. This isn't about lowering the bar – it's about building systems where different brains actually win. Timestamps: 00:00 — Cold Open & Intro 03:42 — Reshaping the Table: Neurodivergence Beyond "Fitting In" 06:39 — Inputs, Processing, Outputs: Every Brain Works Differently 07:38 — ADHD & Autism: Rita's Lived Journey of Late Diagnosis 16:18 — Fuel and Friction: When ADHD Becomes a Superpower 22:44 — Hyperfocus: The Double-Edged Sword 26:44 — Rethinking Performance Reviews: Outcomes Over Outputs 28:00 — Justice Warrior Mode: Fairness as a Trait, Not a Flaw 32:17 — Coaching Kids (and Teams) Without Micromanaging 33:46 — Myth-Busting: "Does Everyone Have ADHD Now?" Website: www.iksana.com

    44 min
  7. Unlocking How KPIs and OKRs Are Hurting Your Company With Radhika Dutt

    JAN 20

    Unlocking How KPIs and OKRs Are Hurting Your Company With Radhika Dutt

    What if your OKRs are actually holding you back? Radhika Dutt flips goal-setting on its head, showing why most leaders chase numbers instead of progress. She unpacks performance illusion when teams look successful but quietly stall and how a puzzle-based approach creates real ownership and innovation. We dive into her Dutt's Law ("metrics are for insight, not evaluation"), why curiosity beats control, and how to run teams that tell the truth instead of gaming the numbers. This episode isn't anti-goals – it's about building smarter ones that actually grow your people and your business. Timestamps: 00:00 — Cold Open & Intro 03:42 — Turning OKRs on Their Head (Where Goals Really Came From) 06:55 — Performance Illusion: When Numbers Lie to Leaders 07:35 — Goals vs Puzzles: A Simple Question That Changes Everything 12:49 — Dutt's Law: Metrics Are for Insight, Not Evaluation 17:28 — The Avid Story: Hitting Targets While Losing the Market 21:19 — The Infinite Game: How to Stay Curious and Keep Growing 23:19 — Fear of Losing Control: Leaders and the Puzzle Mindset 31:02 — The O-H-L-A Method: Objectives, Hypotheses, Learnings, Adaptation 31:23 — Psychological Safety: Getting the Truth from Your Team 38:13 — Why Big, Hairy Goals Are B******t Website: www.radicalproduct.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt

    47 min
  8. Unlocking The Mental Health of Leaders with Melissa Doman

    JAN 13

    Unlocking The Mental Health of Leaders with Melissa Doman

    Being a leader has never been tougher. Melissa Doman dives into the neuroscience and psychology of change, uncertainty, and mental health in leadership. She unpacks why stress isn't the villain, it's information, and how motivational interviewing, "rolling with resistance," and emotional honesty help leaders survive the chaos. You'll hear how good stress fuels growth, why resistance is really fear of the unknown, and why leaders need to stop pretending they're unbreakable. We cover burnout, self-advocacy, and "mental well-being non-negotiables" that keep you from losing your edge. Timestamps: 00:00 – Cold Open & Intro 03:39 – Why Change Isn't the Enemy (It Just Is) 07:32 – Good Stress vs Bad Stress: The Neuroscience Behind It 10:48 – Resistance = Fear of Uncertainty 14:03 – Rolling with Resistance: Motivational Interviewing for Leaders 17:44 – Leaders Are Humans Too (We Just Forget That) 21:12 – The Change Curve & Why Your Team Feels Behind You 25:38 – Leaders Need Support Too – Not Just Pressure 34:52 – The Hidden Mental Health Bias in Leadership Titles 46:48 – Why "Bring Your Whole Self to Work" Should Include Leaders 58:00 – Mental Well-Being Non-Negotiables: How to Stay Sane While Leading   Website: www.melissadoman.com LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/melissadoman1 Melissa's book: www.melissadoman.com/book

    1h 4m
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4.8
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About

What if there was one place to gain short, powerful insights from leaders and influencers worldwide? Join communication strategist Skot Waldron as he interviews people like John Lee Dumas of Entrepreneurs on Fire, Ann Hiatt, who worked directly with Jeff Bezos, Marissa Mayer, and Eric Schmidt, former CIA agent Marc Polymeropoulos, and Matt Doherty, Michael Jordan's former coach, and mines the gold inside each of their heads. Unlock the potential of you and the people you do life with by listening to every episode!

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