Business Made Simple Podcast

I’ve enjoyed Business Made Simple for its practical business advice, but I’ve had some reservations. The podcast leans noticeably to the right, and I’ve found the frequent religious content a bit overbearing. While I appreciate when successful individuals share how their faith guided them, some episodes felt excessive. And it’s almost always Christian perspectives, with little representation from non-Christian business leaders. Curious to see if others felt the same, I checked the comments—and wow. The reaction from some listeners was surprising. For a group that often calls liberals “sensitive,” the defensiveness from Trump supporters over any slight criticism was hard to miss. Were we even listening to the same podcast? Don’s political stance is clear—he’s openly stated that social issues don’t influence his vote, which typically aligns with a more conservative, profit-driven mindset. I personally disagree with this approach, but I stuck with the podcast for the value it provides. So, here I am, giving a 5-star review on principle. I don’t align with Don’s politics (it’s puzzling that he can have a gay cohost and a daughter yet remain unmoved by social issues), and I wish there was more religious diversity in the content. But at the end of the day, the podcast delivers on its promise: solid advice, great storytelling, and it's free. They’ve earned the right to throw in as many ads as needed to keep producing this valuable content week after week.

I love listening to this podcast, I learn something new each time. Thank you for your insights and wisdom.

….made me ill. More than once it was strongly suggested that you treat your employees “as if” they’re family in order to trigger loyalty and dedication in them to strengthen their dedication to the “mission” of making money. This episode sounded like a tent revival of a cult where the leader’s biggest brownnosers regurgitate the lessons (and and the leader’s name repeatedly to his face) to garner praise and…mashed potatoes. I have purchased courses from major online businesspeople who are Donald Miller customers and proponents who have had to apologize publicly to their students and followers for using this cringingly fake “family” language in business. When it comes down to it, your employees and coworkers are not your family (unless they happen to also be your family). You’re not emotionally, financially, psychologically, and in every other way connected to AND INVESTED IN them in the same way and to pretend that you are selflessly interested in their dreams and goals and that as someone’s manager you are a source of no-strings-attached unconditional support is to be dishonest and frankly emotionally and psychologically abusive.

I just listened to your episode How to Tell Your Story Without Playing the Hero. And I love the insight that if you talk “empathy and authority”, “empathy and authority”, you can tell your story AS THE GUIDE all day long! And second, how you helped Edie with his “story” on the fly...It was awesome and inspirational on all accounts.