The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

Dwayne Kerrigan
  • 4.9 (35)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Welcome to The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast. Dwayne has navigated the business world for over 35 years, owning close to 30 businesses in 12 distinct industries. Today, entrepreneurship often seems more about glitz, glamour, and a celebrity venture. On this podcast, Dwayne collaborates with overlooked but accomplished entrepreneurs, delving into their journeys of forging exceptional enterprises. Join them as they share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and strategies that keep them moving forward. Let’s celebrate the true essence of entrepreneurship and inspire the next wave of business trailblazers.

  1. 127: Skillset vs Mindset: The Real Performance Equation with Emma Murray

    1D AGO

    127: Skillset vs Mindset: The Real Performance Equation with Emma Murray

    Performance mindset coach Emma Murray returns to The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast to break down why even highly capable people struggle under pressure - and how to fix it. Emma explains that humans are not wired to perform at their best in business, sport, or life - we’re wired for survival. When pressure hits, our attention naturally drifts to fear, loss, and outcomes we can’t control, pulling us out of the present moment. Through powerful examples from Formula One, golf, sales, leadership, parenting, and elite sport, Emma shows how performance collapses the moment attention leaves the task. Together, Dwayne and Emma unpack the difference between skillset and mindset, why elite performers win through attention regulation, and how “chunking down” - narrowing focus to something small, controllable, and strength-based - restores clarity, confidence, and execution. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Emma opens by explaining why humans are wired for survival, not greatness. 01:00 – Dwayne introduces Emma and frames the conversation around skillset, mindset, and attention. 03:30 – Emma explains why attention patterns are universal across sport, business, and life. 06:00 – Golf example: how attention drifts under pressure and breaks execution. 08:30 – Skillset vs mindset explained using the “boxes within boxes” analogy. 11:00 – Scott McLaughlin story and consistency through mindset regulation. 13:30 – Expectations, execution, and why lowering outcomes is the wrong solution. 16:00 – Survival wiring: fear of loss vs fear of missing gain. 18:30 – Sales leadership example and why people avoid known next steps. 21:00 – Horse riding comeback story and gratitude removing danger thinking. 23:30 – Freeze response explained and attention leaving the arena. 26:00 – Why leaders can’t fix fear with cheerleading or pressure. 28:30 – Catching attention drift and recognizing A-game vs B-game signals. 31:30 – Small focus strategies for golf, sales, and presentations. 34:30 – Breath as the fastest way to regulate attention and mindset. 38:30 – Process focus vs outcome focus and competitive advantage. 41:30 – Post-execution review introduced: critique over criticism. 44:30 – Bonus segment setup: “Chunking Down” as a performance tool. 47:30 – Chunking down explained with leadership, sales, and riding examples. Key Takeaways: Humans are wired for survival, not peak performancePressure pulls attention away from the present momentSkillset lives inside mindset — mindset determines deliveryOutcomes and comparison destabilize performanceSmall, controllable focus creates safety and clarityBreath is the fastest way to regulate attentionElite performers anchor attention on process, not resultsPerformance improves when danger is removed from the mind Quotes: “We are not wired to be great in competition or to be great in sales or business, or even a great friend for that matter, or a great parent. We are just wired for survival.” - Emma Murray Big stuff, big goals, big expectations, small focus.” - Emma Murray “If you are stepping into that moment with your attention on the process, you've already got a massive competitive advantage.” - Emma Murray “Control is an...

    56 min
  2. Bonus Episode - Love Is A Daily Practice

    5D AGO

    Bonus Episode - Love Is A Daily Practice

    In this special bonus episode recorded ahead of their full mindset conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan and Emma Murray reflect on a deeply personal topic: relationships. As Valentine’s Day approaches, they explore how intimate relationships often absorb the stress, pressure, and emotional buildup from the outside world. Dwayne shares candidly about his own growth — recognizing how habitual reactions, unmet needs, and old internal stories can surface at home if they’re not processed throughout the day. Emma adds insight into how unconscious patterns, primary questions, and survival wiring shape the way we show up with those we love most. Together, they discuss raising standards inside the relationship, practicing conscious awareness, meeting your partner’s needs without expectation, and replacing self-judgment with grace. This short but powerful conversation reframes love not as grand gestures, but as attention, awareness, and intentional daily behavior. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction: Valentine's Day as a renewal for relationships 0:27 - Viewing Valentine's Day as a time for awareness and meeting needs 1:23 - Why we release stress on loved ones instead of during the day 2:41 - Holding different standards for work vs. intimate relationships 3:43 - The importance of awareness in meeting your partner's needs 4:34 - Breaking habitual negative response patterns in relationships 5:11 - How relationship quality affects every area of life 5:38 - "Chains of habit are too light to be felt until too heavy to be broken" 6:06 - Treating your partner with conscious awareness 7:14 - Focusing on relationship growth: reading, podcasts, and learning 7:53 - Enjoying the process instead of fixating on an end state 8:30 - Getting addicted to lighting up your partner 9:10 - Managing anger and identifying emotional triggers 9:52 - Using Byron Katie's four questions to examine stories we tell ourselves 10:12 - Taking responsibility instead of projecting onto your partner 10:30 - We're all learning - giving yourself and your partner grace 11:54 - Appreciating yourself for being imperfect Key Takeaways: We often release built-up stress on the people we love mostAwareness creates choice inside intimate momentsLove grows when we actively meet one another’s needsSelf-reflection prevents projectionGrace and ownership dissolve conflict faster than blameRelationships are built through process, not perfectionConscious love is practiced — not automatic Quotes: “There’s nothing better in this world and nothing makes life feel greater than having an amazing relationship that is just full of love and abundance when it is going and operating at its peak level.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“ I didn't hold myself to the same standard inside the intimate relationship as I did in my professional life.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“If things are not good in your relationship, they’re not good anywhere you go.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“I think our relationships are very based on just habitual...

    12 min
  3. 126: The Real Work Behind AI Implementation with Sarah Jeanneault

    FEB 11

    126: The Real Work Behind AI Implementation with Sarah Jeanneault

    In Part 2 of this in-depth conversation, Sarah Jeanneault and Dwayne Kerrigan tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in modern business: AI implementation without foundational process. Drawing from Sarah’s background in education, finance, trading psychology, and her current role at ProcedureFlow, the discussion reframes AI not as a silver bullet—but as an amplifier of whatever already exists inside an organization. Together, they explore why many companies are failing to see ROI from AI investments, how skipping SOPs and governance creates chaos, and why leaders must slow down before they scale up. Using powerful metaphors—from sourdough baking to mountain biking—Sarah explains why meaningful AI adoption requires patience, critical thinking, and uncomfortable conversations. The episode also expands into leadership, parenting, culture-building, and the human elements AI will never replace: empathy, judgment, and connection. This is a grounded, honest conversation for leaders who want to use AI responsibly—without gambling their business on hype. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Sarah introduces AI implementation using a sourdough recipe analogy 01:00 – Dwayne welcomes listeners and frames Part 2 02:00 – Imposter syndrome, fear, and language we use to protect ourselves 05:00 – Growth mindset and the “10 more steps” principle 08:00 – Parenting, resilience, and building long-term capability 12:00 – Leadership, culture, and why hard conversations matter 16:00 – Why AI investments often fail to produce ROI 20:00 – SOPs, governance, and backing the bus up 25:00 – Customer experience, AI chatbots, and human frustration 30:00 – Agentic AI, avatars, and future customer service models 35:00 – Why AI is already here and cannot be undone 40:00 – Doom scrolling, humanity, and preserving curiosity 46:00 – Data collection as preparation—not prediction 53:00 – Visual flows and simplifying complex knowledge 59:00 – AI timelines, human choice, and optionality 01:05:00 – Where AI helps—and where it shouldn’t replace humans 01:10:00 – Final reflections and resources Key Takeaways: AI amplifies broken systems, it doesn’t fix themSOPs, processes, and governance must come before automationROI fails when AI is implemented for optics instead of outcomesProcess clarity enables both humans and AI to perform betterNot every industry, or company, is ready for AI at the same paceData collection today enables smarter AI decisions tomorrowAI should augment human judgment, not replace itThe future still belongs to human connection, empathy, and choice Resources Mentioned: ProcedureFlow – Enterprise knowledge management platform - https://procedureflow.com/ Notable Quotes: span class="ql-ui"...

    1h 12m
  4. 125: Financial Literacy, Education Gaps, and Reinventing Yourself with Sarah Jeanneault

    FEB 4

    125: Financial Literacy, Education Gaps, and Reinventing Yourself with Sarah Jeanneault

    In this wide-ranging conversation, Sarah Jeanneault shares her unconventional journey from struggling with math in school to becoming a respected leader in fintech, trading education, and enterprise knowledge management. She and Dwayne Kerrigan explore the deep gaps in financial literacy, why traditional education often fails to prepare people for real-world decision-making, and how learning truly begins after formal schooling ends. Sarah explains how she applied adult learning theory to teach herself trading, why psychology matters more than numbers in the markets, and how curiosity, pattern recognition, and humility shaped her success. The discussion expands into the future of education, AI’s role in learning, entrepreneurship, identity shifts after business exits, and the emotional reality of leadership transitions. This episode is a thoughtful examination of growth, risk, and why continuous learning is the most valuable skill anyone can develop. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Sarah opens by naming the gap in real-world financial literacy. 02:00 – Dwayne introduces Sarah and frames the episode around learning and reinvention. 05:00 – Sarah shares struggling with math and early assumptions about intelligence. 09:00 – Losing her best friend and questioning the direction of her life. 14:00 – Discovering trading and applying adult learning theory to self-education. 18:00 – Why financial literacy is rarely taught despite its life-long impact. 23:00 – Breaking down trading basics and removing unnecessary complexity. 28:00 – Psychology, emotion, and why ego derails good financial decisions. 33:00 – Risk, uncertainty, and learning to sit with discomfort. 38:00 – Podcasts, curiosity, and self-directed learning as modern education. 44:00 – Continuous learning as the foundation of entrepreneurship and leadership. 49:00 – Gamifying learning to build confidence and consistency over time. 54:00 – Building community through transparency and shared learning. 59:00 – Scaling education-driven businesses and teaching at scale. 64:00 – Identity shifts after acquisitions and redefining success. 69:00 – Leadership, disagreement, and creating psychologically safe teams. 74:00 – AI, critical thinking, and the future of learning. 79:00 – Personal growth, reinvention, and staying curious long-term. 84:00 – Reflections on learning, humility, and what truly creates confidence. 88:00 – Closing thoughts, gratitude, and setting up Part 2. Key Takeaways: Financial literacy is rarely taught, yet deeply shapes life decisions.Learning accelerates when curiosity replaces fear of being “bad at math.”Real education often begins after formal schooling ends.Trading and business are driven as much by psychology as by data.Growth comes from pattern recognition, experimentation, and reflection.Entrepreneurship requires comfort with uncertainty and identity shifts.AI will amplify learning — but only if critical thinking is prioritized.Strong leaders create environments where disagreement is encouraged.Sustainable success comes from continuous learning and reinvention. Resources...

    1h 26m
  5. 124: Commitment When It’s Not Fun with Robyn Benincasa

    JAN 28

    124: Commitment When It’s Not Fun with Robyn Benincasa

    In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Robyn Benincasa returns to go deeper on one of the most misunderstood elements of leadership: commitment when motivation fades. Drawing from decades of adventure racing, firefighting, and nonprofit leadership, Robyn explains why elite teams don’t wait to feel ready — they move forward anyway. Together with Dwayne Kerrigan, Robyn unpacks the difference between confidence and ego, why standing still is often more dangerous than moving imperfectly, and how innovation only emerges when teams focus on how to win, not how to avoid losing. Through unforgettable stories involving Steve Gurney, creative rule-bending, and suffering with grace, she illustrates how forward momentum unlocks answers that planning alone never will. The conversation culminates with a deep dive into Project Athena, the nonprofit Robyn founded to help survivors of medical and traumatic setbacks reclaim identity, confidence, and purpose through team-based endurance adventures. This episode is a masterclass in leadership under pressure, culture design, and why the ability to suffer well — together — is a competitive advantage in business and in life. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Robyn explains commitment through action, not emotion. 02:00 – Dwayne connects mentorship, influence, and leadership responsibility. 05:00 – Why being willing to be a beginner fuels innovation. 07:30 – Failure, repetition, and learning through action. 10:30 – Why preparation paralysis keeps people stuck. 13:30 – Emotions, discipline, and not letting feelings run your life. 16:00 – “Winning is that way” and the mindset shift that sparks innovation. 18:30 – Steve Gurney stories and thinking inside the rules vs. white space. 22:00 – Team selection, culture fit, and suffering equally. 26:00 – Ego vs. confidence and rotating leadership by strength. 30:00 – Why top-down leadership fails in complex environments. 34:00 – Relinquishing ego to avoid slowing the entire team down. 38:00 – Project Athena’s mission and creating comeback identities. 43:00 – How shared suffering builds lifelong trust and leadership. 48:00 – “Excellent suffering” and using adversity as an advantage. 52:00 – Robyn’s six hip surgeries and redefining resilience. 54:00 – Where to find Robyn, Project Athena, and closing reflections. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Commitment is demonstrated by action, not emotion. Feelings can inform decisions, but they should never rule them. Forward momentum creates clarity; standing still creates fear. Innovation comes from operating in the white space. Helping others is the healthiest outlet for ego. Identity is shaped by comeback stories, not setbacks. NOTABLE QUOTES: “ I show my commitment to my goals by what I do, regardless of how I feel.” - Robyn Benincasa “ Commitment starts when the fun stops, right? I mean, you're not actually showing your commitment until shit's not fun anymore.” - Robyn Benincasa “There’s a difference between...

    55 min
  6. 123: Teamwork, Purpose, and Leaving Ego at the Start Line with Robyn Benincasa

    JAN 21

    123: Teamwork, Purpose, and Leaving Ego at the Start Line with Robyn Benincasa

    Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with world-class endurance athlete, firefighter, nonprofit founder, and keynote speaker Robyn Benincasa to unpack what truly separates great teams from the rest. Drawing from decades of extreme adventure racing, Robyn shares how elite teams win not by being the most talented, but by being the most committed to each other. She introduces her powerful TEAMWORK framework, revealing why total commitment, empathy, adversity management, mutual respect, and relinquishing ego are the real competitive advantages—whether you’re racing through jungles or leading a modern organization. Through unforgettable stories—including hallucinations after days without sleep, tying boats together to beat world champions, and redefining leadership mid-race—Robyn shows how purpose, preparation, creativity, and shared ownership create cultures that don’t just survive pressure… they win because of it. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and building teams that operate as one heart, one mind, especially when the stakes are high and the path forward is uncertain. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 – Robyn opens with the defining trait of elite teammates: leaving ego at the start line. 01:00 – Dwayne formally introduces Robyn and outlines her extraordinary background. 03:00 – Robyn shares discovering kayaking after hip surgery and focusing on what she could do. 06:30 – Why progress toward a meaningful goal is what makes humans feel alive. 10:30 – Competing to explore personal limits rather than seeking validation or approval. 14:00 – Why great teams care more about each other than themselves. 18:00 – How Robyn accidentally became a speaker after Fast Company’s “Extreme Teamwork” 21:30 – The importance of leaving ego behind and accepting help to win as a team. 25:30 – The “Steve Gurney Missile” story and choosing to race to win instead of not lose. 30:00 – Creativity, calculated risk, and living in your strengths under pressure. 34:30 – Relinquishing ego, rotating leadership, and leading based on strengths—not titles. 39:00 – Hallucinations, extreme fatigue, and supporting teammates through suffering. 42:00 – Kinetic leadership and adapting leadership styles to what the team needs. 45:30 – Purpose, coaching influence, and how early mentors shaped Robyn’s drive. 50:30 – Innovation, self-awareness, and evolving by leaning into strengths. 56:00 – Finding a greater purpose in business. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Winning teams prioritize commitment to each other, not individual performance. Progress toward a meaningful goal is what makes humans feel alive. Creativity and innovation emerge when teams operate from trust and purpose. Leadership should rotate based on strengths, not titles or tenure. Accepting help is not a weakness, it’s how teams move faster and farther. Great leaders show people how amazing they are, not how amazing the leader is. NOTABLE QUOTES: “ I feel weird when I don't have a goal. I get my juju, I get my energy from...

    1 hr
  7. 122: Forgiving Yourself and Rebuilding After Failure with Michael Grandjean

    JAN 14

    122: Forgiving Yourself and Rebuilding After Failure with Michael Grandjean

    In Part 2 of this conversation, Michael Grandjean shares the emotional and psychological turning point that allowed him to rebuild his life and career after profound loss. From a raw moment of self-forgiveness in the mountains of Morocco to the daily discipline of “kicking the can,” Michael walks through the mindset shifts, rituals, and relentless patience required to climb out of depression, debt, and despair. Together with Dwayne Kerrigan, this episode explores the role of brotherhood, leverage, honest self-reflection, and creating a compelling new story when the old one no longer serves you. This is a masterclass in resilience, identity rebuilding, and what it truly takes to come back stronger — with wisdom, humility, and purpose. Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Michael opens with the realization that self-forgiveness was required to move forward. 01:00 – Episode introduction and framing this as Part 2 of Michael’s comeback story. 02:00 – The Morocco mastermind trip and being forced to confront the truth. 05:00 – Emotional breakthrough on the mountain and the decision to rebuild. 07:30 – Creating the Three Ps: plan, persistence, and patience. 09:00 – “Kick the can” explained and committing to daily forward movement. 12:00 – Brotherhood, accountability, and why we’re not meant to do life alone. 16:00 – Letting go of guilt, disappointment, and the need for self-forgiveness. 20:00 – Depression, isolation, and breaking life down to “just get through today.” 24:00 – Writing the plan on a whiteboard and becoming resourceful again. 30:00 – Changing the internal story to create a compelling future. 36:00 – Writing goals again, paying off debt, and getting back to zero. 42:00 – Daily mantras, rituals, and retraining the mind. 48:00 – Shifting from hourly work to profit-based consulting and rebuilding cash flow. 01:01:00 – Final reflections, where to find Michael, and the podcast disclaimer. Key Takeaways: Self-forgiveness is a prerequisite for real forward movement.Progress is built daily through patience, persistence, and simple actions.You cannot rebuild alone - community and accountability matter.Changing your internal story changes your future trajectory.Rituals, mantras, and physiology are tools for rewiring the mind. Resources Mentioned: Checkmate: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1365025640684229 Tony Robbins – Date With DestinyMastermindPersonal goal-setting and written planning practicesDaily mantras and meditation ritualsWhiteboard strategic planning Notable Quotes: “The past is the past. The past doesn't equal the future.” - Michael Grandjean“You have to change your story … If you’re living in a s****y story, you’re going to stay in a s****y story.” - Michael...

    1h 2m
  8. 121: Collapse, Courage, and Comeback with Michael Grandjean

    JAN 7

    121: Collapse, Courage, and Comeback with Michael Grandjean

    In this candid and powerful conversation, Michael Grandjean joins Dwayne Kerrigan to share the real story behind his rise, collapse, and rebuilding as an entrepreneur who led with heart—and paid a steep price for it. From early service as a volunteer firefighter and Navy corpsman to building a $25M remediation company, Michael reflects on the leadership blind spots that quietly dismantled his business: avoiding confrontation, ignoring early warning signs, and letting emotion override structure and accountability. He opens up about losing everything, the humility required to face hard truths, and the moment that changed his trajectory—the realization that even at checkmate, the king still has one more move. This episode is a raw masterclass in leadership self-awareness, responsibility, and what it truly takes to rebuild when everything falls apart. Episode Highlights: 01:15 — Dwayne introduces Michael and some of his background 03:00 — Framing the conversation: collapse, comeback, and leadership through adversity 05:00 — Early life experiences that shaped Michael’s instinct to serve and protect others 08:00 — How learning-by-doing in the military built confidence, skill, and leadership 12:00 — The missed Naval Academy opportunity and how a single point changed his life path 16:00 — Discovering the root of his need to “fix everything” through early childhood memory 20:00 — How that identity became both a leadership strength and a business liability 24:00 — From couch-surfing to starting his first company with borrowed money 28:00 — Explosive growth: scaling from zero to $25M and building teams that drove success 35:00 — Hiring high-accountability leaders and why standards matter more than likability 42:00 — The beginning of complacency and losing focus after reaching the “top” 48:00 — Major projects fail, millions lost, and the cost of avoiding confrontation 55:00 — Hard truths: personal blind spots, delayed decisions, and leadership responsibility 01:05:00 — The emotional bottom, rebuilding identity, and the realization that “the king still has one more move” 01:20:00 — Final reflections on honesty, courage, accountability, and choosing to move forward Key Takeaways: Leading with heart is powerful, but without boundaries it becomes expensive.Relationships, not brands, carry small and mid-sized businesses.SOPs, structure, and accountability protect leaders from their blind spots.Complacency quietly erodes even successful companies.Leaders must be honest with themselves before they can fix anything else.Even at your lowest point, you still have one more move. Resources Mentioned: Checkmate: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1365025640684229 Tony Robbins – Date With DestinyAwaken the Giant Within (Tony Robbins)Mastermind Notable Quotes: “The king still has one more move” - Michael Grandjeanli...

    1h 25m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Welcome to The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast. Dwayne has navigated the business world for over 35 years, owning close to 30 businesses in 12 distinct industries. Today, entrepreneurship often seems more about glitz, glamour, and a celebrity venture. On this podcast, Dwayne collaborates with overlooked but accomplished entrepreneurs, delving into their journeys of forging exceptional enterprises. Join them as they share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and strategies that keep them moving forward. Let’s celebrate the true essence of entrepreneurship and inspire the next wave of business trailblazers.

Information

  • Creator
    Dwayne Kerrigan
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    130
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Dwayne Kerrigan
  • Show Website
    The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

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