Fishing for Answers

Fishing for Answers Podcast
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Come fishing with your rod and reel. Let's self reflect on our emotional intelligence, build our leadership skills, grow and become who God created us to be. Join Marlin and Jaerica on Mondays for some one-on-one time, motivation and encouragement. #F4A #leadership #encouragement #motivation

  1. 1d ago

    Mediocrity

    Fishing for Answers: Breaking Free from Mediocrity (Raise the Bar, Avoid Busywork, Build Accountability) In this virtual episode of Fishing for Answers, the hosts explore what it means to be “okay with mediocrity” and how it differs from failure, describing mediocrity as staying in the same state and letting your brain accept the status quo. They discuss how comfort zones, “just enough” effort, and mistaking activity for achievement (endless meetings/emails) can keep people stuck, stalling skill growth like muscular atrophy. Key strategies include choosing better “measuring sticks,” surrounding yourself with people who push you, pruning habits to create new growth, being intentional, writing goals down, and using accountability partners to protect self-trust. They warn about compounding regret over time and encourage listeners to pick one area, raise the bar, and “stay awesome.” 00:00 Welcome Back 00:55 Defining Mediocrity 02:30 Choose Your Measuring Stick 05:20 Pruning For Growth0 6:54 Busy Versus Productive 09:32 Just Enough Trap 12:26 Discomfort Drives Growth 15:10 Skills Atrophy Warning 17:42 Promises And Accountability 19:03 Regret And Raising Standards 21:48 Practical Tools That Work 24:05 Final Challenge And Sendoff

  2. Sep 28

    Rest/Recharge

    Fall Break Reset: Why Vacation Time Makes You a Better Worker | Fishing for Answers In this episode of Fishing for Answers, we talk about fall break as a timely reminder to reset, recharge, and actually use vacation days, arguing that time off benefits both employees and companies by reducing burnout and anxiety. They discuss how some workplaces track time off, require employees to take a day if they haven’t in months, or cap carryover so unused days are lost, pushing back on the “badge of honor” mentality of never taking vacation. They share personal stories about family trips— including a memorable stay near Lake Wapapello, Missouri, that turned a rundown rental into a great outdoor-focused vacation—plus the realities of unplugging as a small business owner. They offer practical tips like being intentional with short breaks, slowing down to reduce stress, disconnecting from email, and planning time away now. #reset #recharge #fallbreak #emotionalwellbeing #F4A 00:00 Welcome Back 00:41 Why Breaks Matter 02:04 Vacation Badge Myth 03:57 Family Trip Storytime 05:55 Take The Day 07:48 Small Business Balance 09:51 Micro Recharge Habits 12:25 Unplug For Real 14:04 Plan Your Next Break 14:29 Wrap Up And Thanks

  3. Sep 21

    Confidence

    Confidence vs. Arrogance: Build Real Confidence with the Competence-Confidence Loop | Fishing for AnswersOn location for another episode of Fishing for Answers, Marlin and Jaerica explore the importance of confidence and how it differs from arrogance. They discuss how confidence is often built through practice, competence, and support from others, highlighting Dr. Chris Fuzie’s competence-confidence loop and the role of attunement in growing alongside a team. They use examples like an NFL kicking coach with legs that don't work, Michael Jordan’s belief in making every shot, and everyday stories of learning new skills to show how belief and preparation shape outcomes, tying in Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory. The conversation also covers the imposter phenomenon (Clance and Imes), especially among high-achieving women, and ends with actionable takeaways: micro-commitments, keeping a win journal for behavioral proof, and Amy Cuddy’s power-posing “Wonder Woman” stance. #confidence #arrogance #powerpose #f4a #competence 00:00 Welcome Back and Topic Setup01:02 Why Confidence Matters03:02 Competence Confidence Loop04:56 Confidence Rooted in Competence07:43 Confidence Versus Arrogance12:26 Self Efficacy Mindset14:01 Real Life Confidence Examples16:30 Imposter Phenomenon Explained19:21 Gender and Imposter Syndrome21:23 Action Items to Build Confidence23:01 Power Posing and Closing Wonder Woman Pose:https://www.amycuddy.com/topics/power-posing Imposter:https://paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf NFL Coach: https://archive.org/details/sports-illustrated-2004-10-11-c Loop: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/confidencecompetence-loop-most-people-miss-fuzie-ed-d-m-a-ol-vl2-cusac? Self Efficacy:utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_viahttps://www.apa.org/research-practice/conduct-research/self-efficacy-human-agency

  4. Sep 14

    What is People Pleasing

    What is People Pleasing?On-location, Marlin and Jaerica discuss “people pleasing,” clarifying the difference between kindness/generosity and fear-driven overcommitment. They explore common patterns like automatically saying yes when already overloaded, chronic apologizing, and mirroring opinions to fit in, tying some behavior to the trauma-related “fawn response” (agreeableness to avoid conflict and disapproval). They emphasize building healthy boundaries, valuing yourself, and recognizing that “no is a full sentence,” while also offering a practical “24-hour buffer” to avoid answering urgent requests on the spot and encouraging reliable follow-up. From a faith perspective, they read Galatians 1:10 and Proverbs 29:25, contrasting fear of man with trusting and serving the Lord. #PeoplePleasing #Boundaries #Leadership #Faith #Service #ChristianLeadership #F4A #FishingforAnswersPodcast00:00 Welcome and On Location01:05 Why People Pleasing Matters02:13 Overcommitting and Fear of Rejection04:24 Apologizing and Faith Lens05:39 Fawn Response Explained09:20 Kindness Versus People Pleasing11:58 Nice Versus Friendly13:36 Boundaries and Self Worth14:21 Apologies and Honesty Debate16:04 Mirroring the Room17:05 Loving People Well18:42 Boundaries and Saying No21:08 Warm No vs Overexplaining23:38 Fear of Man vs God27:15 24 Hour Buffer Rule29:27 Let Others Say Yes30:23 Final Thoughts and Challenge https://psychcentral.com/health/fawn-response

  5. Sep 8

    Can Need Will

    I Can. I Need. I Will. I Must. Jaerica and Marlin welcome listeners back to Fishing for Answers by sharing motivation sparked during Marlin’s return to the gym, where four phrases kept coming to mind: “I can,” “I need,” “I will,” and “I must.” They connect these words to starting new things like the podcast, building momentum over perfection, and taking small steps even when fear or excuses feel overwhelming. The conversation highlights commitment, self-awareness, and finding your personal “must” or drive—whether for yourself, your family, leadership, health, faith, or service to others. They encourage listeners to begin anytime (not just January), stop blaming others for stalled progress, forgive, learn to love yourself, and share their own motivating word and why with the show, while reminding everyone not to give up.00:00 Welcome Back Friends00:37 Gym Reset Inspiration01:17 Four Words Framework01:44 I Can Just Start03:13 I Need What Fills You04:54 I Will Commitment05:39 I Must Find Drive07:44 Start Messy Momentum08:14 Fear Small Steps10:29 Start Anytime Now11:34 Love Yourself Forgive12:25 Share Your Word13:11 Wrap Up Season Three

  6. Aug 31

    The Best Medicine

    Laughter Is the Best Medicine| Fishing for AnswersIn this episode, the Marlin and Jaerica discuss the power of laughter as “free medicine,” sharing personal stories of on-air/podcast mishaps, family moments, and uncontrollable giggle fits while emphasizing laughter’s role in relieving stress and boosting mood. They reference Mayo Clinic points about laughter stimulating organs, activating and cooling the stress response, soothing tension through circulation and muscle relaxation, supporting the immune system, and even helping with pain. They explore how people can learn to own their laughter, why it matters to surround yourself with humor, and how leaders and coworkers who can laugh are often remembered most fondly. The episode closes with a couple of dad jokes and encouragement to seek joy, take time for life, and keep the conversation going with the show.00:00 Welcome Back and Laughing Starts00:41 Mishaps and Rolling With It01:53 Laughter as Stress Relief02:39 Holiday Game Belly Laughs04:13 Mayo Clinic Benefits Breakdown05:37 Owning Your Laugh07:52 Funny Friends and Bird Story09:15 Humor Mindset and Life Balance11:33 Immune Boost and Pain Relief12:58 What Laughter Means to Us15:53 Laughter in Leadership16:51 Surround Yourself With Humor17:35 Dad Jokes and Wrap Up

  7. Aug 24

    Welcome Back

    Welcome Back! Season three of Fishing for Answers begins with gratitude for listeners and supporters, including MLT Communication, and a reminder that research shows 90% of podcasts don’t make it past the third episode—making their third-season return significant. The hosts clarify they stayed in touch during the hiatus and share personal summer updates: Marlin’s twin daughters’ internships and camps, ongoing work and travel with MLT and TVPPA, attending summer camp at 57, home construction, and a plug for Walker Abel’s thriller Heart and Bone. Jaerica discusses a busy season with her daughter’s volleyball, and attending church revival services. They also highlight VPPLA cohort five, adding a leadership book component, Jaerica’s part-time coaching at Iron Tribe, encouragement to find meaningful outlets.00:00 Season Three Returns00:43 Podcast Milestone Thanks02:13 Summer Hiatus Update02:53 Marlin Summer Recap04:30 Beach And Home Projects05:03 Summer Reading Plug06:41 Jocelyn Revival And Service09:10 Leadership Academy Updates10:22 Gym Coaching And Encouragement12:05 Grow The Show Next Steps12:59 Guests And Closing

  8. Jun 15

    Season 2 Wrap Up

    Fishing for Answers Season 2 Wrap-Up: Listener Stats, Milestones & What’s Next for Season 3 Jaerica and Marlin wrap up season two of Fishing for Answers, explaining they’re taking a short summer break to focus on family, and share plans to return refreshed for season three. They review listener demographics (73.5% ages 45–59, 21% ages 35–44, just over 5% younger; 74% female, 26% male) and note most listeners watch on YouTube. They highlight key milestones: 1,251 total streams/downloads, 40 episodes after this release, and discuss podcast survival stats showingthey’ve surpassed common drop-off points. They mention season one had the highest streams overall, and season two’s top episode was with Brittany Davis (“Continuous Growth and Learning”). They invite audience engagement throughcomments, topic suggestions, guest recommendations, and book ideas, teasing future book tours and emphasizing encouragement, growth, and practical habits. #F4A#fishingforanswers #encouragement #growth #motivation 00:00 Welcome Back 00:48 Summer Break Plans 01:34 Listener Age Stats 02:53 Gender Breakdown 04:18 YouTube And Memories 04:57 Top Episodes Recap 06:23 Podcast Milestones 08:06 Engage And Suggest Guests 09:04 Book Club And Reads 10:27 Favorite Season Two Moments 12:10 Season Three Tease 12:31 Final Thanks Goodbye

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5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Come fishing with your rod and reel. Let's self reflect on our emotional intelligence, build our leadership skills, grow and become who God created us to be. Join Marlin and Jaerica on Mondays for some one-on-one time, motivation and encouragement. #F4A #leadership #encouragement #motivation

Information

  • Creator
    Fishing for Answers Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Fishing for Answers Podcast
  • Show Website
    Fishing for Answers