The QBQ! Podcast

Kristin Lindeen
  • 5.0 (14)
  • Careers

Looking to take your business to the next level, boost sales and productivity, or raise confident, capable kids? You’re in the right place. The secret? It’s the QBQ. If you haven’t yet discovered the bestselling book QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, it’s time to check it out. This powerful concept is transforming how people lead, live, and grow—by focusing on one foundational principle: personal accountability. In every episode, your hosts Kristin and John explore how taking ownership—at work, at home, and in life—can unlock real, lasting success. It’s not about blaming, complaining, or waiting. It’s about asking better questions and choosing responsibility. Personal accountability—it’s really that simple.

  1. 5d ago

    Accountability in the age of AI: Don't Outsource Your Thinking

    Connect with us at QBQ! AI is changing the way we work, learn, and do business—but what does that mean for personal accountability? In this episode, I sit down with entrepreneur, business coach, and my sister-in-law, Jen Hickle, to talk about navigating change in the age of AI. Jen works at the intersection of technology and people, helping business owners adapt, grow, and solve problems, so I knew she'd have valuable insights to share. Together, we explore how to embrace AI as a tool without outsourcing our thinking, our creativity, or our humanity. We talk about the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of knowing your strengths, and why asking better questions matters more than ever when the world around us is changing. Along the way, we discuss everything from business innovation and critical thinking to homeschooling, technology, and the surprising return of "analog" hobbies. If you're feeling excited, overwhelmed, curious, or even a little skeptical about AI, I think you'll enjoy this conversation. In this episode, we discuss:  Using AI as a tool without becoming dependent on it  Why critical thinking matters more than ever  The ups and downs of entrepreneurship  Understanding and leveraging your strengths  Helping kids learn in a technology-filled world  The role personal accountability plays during times of change One of my favorite takeaways from our conversation was this: Don't outsource your thinking. No matter how much technology changes, we're still responsible for the questions we ask, the decisions we make, and the actions we take. Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    29 min

  2. Jun 4

    When Caring Too Much Becomes a Problem

    Connect with us at QBQ! One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter about personal accountability is the belief that it means doing more, working harder, and saying yes to everything. In this solo episode, I share a conversation I recently had with a client leadership team that sparked an important discussion about accountability and boundaries. Someone on the call made an observation that really stuck with me: the people who care the most are often the ones carrying the most. We admire people who serve others, put others first, and go the extra mile. But what happens when those strengths lead to exhaustion, resentment, and burnout? In this episode, I explore why personal accountability isn't just about ownership of our work—it's about ownership of our whole lives. That includes our energy, our health, our schedules, our boundaries, and yes, even self-care. I'll share a few practical QBQs that can help us move away from overwhelm and toward healthier choices. Because taking care of ourselves isn't selfish. It's responsible. Thanks for listening, and as always, remember: The answers are in the questions. Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    8 min

  3. May 19

    From “Why Me?” to “What Can I Do?” | Real-Life QBQ! Application

    Connect with us at QBQ! When life feels unfair, where does your thinking go first? In this episode of The QBQ! Podcast, I sat down with Brad Detchevery, a longtime QBQ! reader and listener who shared how personal accountability transformed the way he handled one of the most frustrating seasons of his life. After a car accident during a food delivery shift led to a two-year insurance battle, Brad found himself trapped in obsessive thinking, victim mentality, and constant frustration. But through QBQ, he slowly learned to shift from asking: “Why is this happening to me?” to: “What can I do to break this cycle?”  Brad and I discuss:  victim thinking vs. personal accountability  why people need to feel heard before they’re ready to change  how the stories we tell ourselves shape our emotions  practical ways to refocus on what we can control  teaching QBQ! to others without sounding preachy  the emotional side of accountability and self-compassion This episode is honest, relatable, and full of practical wisdom for anyone navigating stress, frustration, conflict, or discouragement. If you’ve ever found yourself replaying a situation over and over in your head, this conversation is for you. To support Brad’s Type 1 diabetes fundraiser through Breakthrough T1D, visit: https://breakthrought1d.akaraisin.com/ui/2026BreakthroughT1DWalk/p/bbe5aded09f445f29f4bbd27535b7704 Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    32 min

  4. May 6

    From Trade Show Tent to Industry Leader: The Power of Personal Accountability

    Connect with us at QBQ! I’m re-sharing one of my favorite QBQ! Podcast conversations today with Joe Hamilton, CEO and President of Vortex Optics. Plus a little surprise! Joe shares the incredible story of building Vortex from a small trade show tent into the largest sport optics company in the world—and how personal accountability, consistency, and service shaped that journey along the way. What I love about this conversation is how practical it is. We talk about leadership, culture, customer experience, family life, and the simple QBQ question: “What can I do to make this better?” Joe also shares why he’s given away hundreds of copies of QBQ! over the years and why he believes these principles are timeless. Surprise! I added in a short segment from our original conversation that didn’t make the first release. It's one of my favorite parts of an interview yet, all about repetition, timeless wisdom, and why we all need reminders. I think this episode is worth another listen. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    28 min

  5. Apr 21

    What Our New Puppy Is Teaching Me About Personal Accountability

    Connect with us at QBQ! We just brought home a new puppy, and within hours, I caught myself asking all the wrong questions. “Why is she doing this?” “When is she going to learn?” “Who's going to handle this mess??” Sound familiar? In this episode, I’m sharing what puppy training is teaching me about personal accountability and how quickly we can fall into blame, frustration, and waiting… instead of ownership. Because whether it’s a puppy, a person, or a problem, the principle is the same: I can’t change them. But I can change me. Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    10 min

  6. Apr 8

    From Finger Pointing to Double Digit Growth

    Connect with us at QBQ! What does it take to move a team from finger-pointing to real results? In this episode, I talk with Debbie Slocum, a longtime QBQ user and former HR leader at Husqvarna. She shares what it was like to be the “lone wolf” introducing QBQ to her team, and how things finally started to shift when the first follower stepped in. That’s when it stopped being just one person pushing and started becoming a movement. We talk about what actually makes accountability stick:  why it takes more than a one-time training  how repetition builds a shared language  and what leaders must do to keep it alive Debbie also shares how QBQ changed her beyond work—as a leader, a parent, and someone learning to let go of what she can’t control. A simple reminder:  Better questions → better results. Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    24 min

  7. Mar 25

    Stop Speaking in Code: What Outstanding! Organizations Do Differently

    Connect with us at QBQ! What do outstanding organizations actually do differently? In this episode of The QBQ! Podcast, I’m joined by my dad, John, as we talk about the books beyond QBQ!—including Flipping the Switch, I Own It!, Raising Accountable Kids, and Outstanding! Each one builds on the same core idea: personal accountability is the foundation for better results—at work, at home, and in leadership. In our conversation, we share:  Why great organizations don’t “speak in code”  How simple habits like humility, clarity, and ownership shape culture  A powerful story of a pilot who went the extra mile—and what it teaches us about leadership  Real examples of how teams are applying these ideas today Whether you’re leading a team, raising kids, or simply looking to grow, I hope this episode challenges you to ask better questions—and take ownership of what comes next. 🎧 As always, the question is: What can I do? Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    17 min

  8. Mar 4

    From Micromanaging to Leading: The Power of Better Questions

    Connect with us at QBQ! In this episode of the QBQ! Podcast, I’m joined by Laura Train, founder of Integrity Training Solutions and a longtime QBQ practitioner and distributor. Laura first encountered QBQ! while working at the Social Security Administration, and she shares how those simple principles transformed the way she leads, teaches, and responds under pressure. From leadership lessons in government service to a season caring for her mom, Laura talks about how learning to pause and ask better questions helped her move from reacting to responding. If you’ve ever struggled with stress, control, procrastination, or blame, this conversation is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful change begins with one simple question. Thanks for joining us today!  Find out more about QBQ! training opportunities at www.QBQ.com.  Follow us!  Instagram Facebook LinkedIn X

    29 min
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5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Looking to take your business to the next level, boost sales and productivity, or raise confident, capable kids? You’re in the right place. The secret? It’s the QBQ. If you haven’t yet discovered the bestselling book QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, it’s time to check it out. This powerful concept is transforming how people lead, live, and grow—by focusing on one foundational principle: personal accountability. In every episode, your hosts Kristin and John explore how taking ownership—at work, at home, and in life—can unlock real, lasting success. It’s not about blaming, complaining, or waiting. It’s about asking better questions and choosing responsibility. Personal accountability—it’s really that simple.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristin Lindeen
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The QBQ! Podcast
  • Show Website
    The QBQ! Podcast