Episodes

  • Transforming Education Through Gaming

    Transforming Education Through Gaming
    Feb 4 2025
    Bridging the Digital Divide with Hal Reynolds

    In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt talks with Hal Reynolds, founder and CEO of the Disinvested Youth Gaming Initiative (D.Y.G.I.). Hal shares his inspiring journey from a 20-year retail career to becoming a leader in digital inclusion and youth empowerment.

    Discover how D.Y.G.I. is working to close the digital divide for underserved and disinvested youth, especially those in “digital deserts” without access to essential technology. Hal also explores why Minnesota is falling behind in computer science education and how his initiative, supported by top sponsors, is helping to change the narrative.

    The conversation dives into how gaming, including esports, can be a game-changer for career readiness. Hal explains how gaming helps teach critical skills like teamwork, strategy, and leadership. He also highlights the opportunities gaming creates for neurodivergent individuals to build confidence, develop life skills, and find a supportive community.

    This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone passionate about the future of digital inclusion and tech careers. Learn tips on how parents can encourage healthy gaming habits while supporting their kids’ interests in a productive way.

    For more information, visit D.Y.G.I.’s website

    Visit https://schmidtconsulting.group for more show info

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    33 mins
  • Optimizing LinkedIn Engagement

    Optimizing LinkedIn Engagement
    Jan 21 2025
    Alex Boyd - Mastering LinkedIn with Enhanced StrategiesIn this insightful episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt welcomes Alex Boyd, co-founder of Aware—an innovative tool designed to revolutionize your LinkedIn experience. Alex shares his remarkable journey, from founding and successfully exiting a thriving agency to creating Aware, a platform that empowers entrepreneurs, LinkedIn agencies, coaches, consultants, and sales professionals to work smarter, not harder, on LinkedIn.Together, Alex and Kurt explore the art and science of LinkedIn engagement, offering practical strategies to maximize your impact on the platform. Alex discusses the lessons learned from an initial product failure and how those setbacks ultimately led to developing a tool that significantly reduces the time spent on LinkedIn tasks while boosting productivity. He highlights the value of authentic relationship-building over spammy sales tactics, providing a roadmap for creating meaningful professional connections.Key Topics Covered:
    • The inspiration and development of Aware
    • Challenges and triumphs in transitioning from agency work to SaaS
    • Proven strategies for LinkedIn engagement and relationship-building
    • The dangers of automation and spam on LinkedIn
    • Approaching LinkedIn if it feels overwhelming or unappealing
    • The role of offline meetings in strengthening professional connections
    • Tips on creating impactful content and engagement strategies that drive results
    Whether you're a LinkedIn veteran or just starting to navigate the platform, this episode is packed with actionable advice and valuable insights to help you elevate your LinkedIn presence. Learn how to turn your activity on the platform into a powerful tool for business growth and professional success.Links and Resources:
    • Connect with Alex Boyd on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/alexcboyd
    • Explore Aware: UseAware.co
    Don’t miss this episode, filled with expert guidance and real-world wisdom on leveraging LinkedIn to its fullest potential!

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-inspiring-leaders--2664825/support.
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    41 mins
  • Managing Imposter Syndrome

    Managing Imposter Syndrome
    Jan 14 2025
    In this thought-provoking episode of The Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt engages in a compelling conversation with Teresa Sande, CEO of Mirror Mirror Strategies, to unpack the complexities of imposter syndrome and the limitations of personality assessments.

    Together, they explore how these tools can inadvertently "box" individuals into rigid categories, ignoring the fluid and unpredictable nature of human behavior. Teresa introduces her robust AIM framework—Awareness, Interruption, and Momentum—a practical approach to recognizing and overcoming imposter syndrome.

    Drawing on the connection between thoughts, actions, and outcomes, the discussion touches on the Dunning-Kruger effect and how inflated self-perceptions can distort reality. Throughout the episode, Teresa emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-care, and cultivating strong, supportive relationships between employees and leaders to foster healthier, more inclusive work environments.

    Teresa also shares her journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship, detailing the inspiration behind founding Mirror Mirror Strategies. Her book, Find Your Fierce, features 40 actionable exercises designed to help high achievers identify and combat imposter syndrome, paving the way for authentic leadership and personal growth.

    Listeners will gain valuable insights into overcoming self-doubt, fostering workplace resilience, and unlocking their full potential. Teresa offers actionable strategies for managing imposter syndrome, empowering individuals to take charge of their narratives and embrace a more confident version of themselves.

    For more information, connect with Teresa at:
    LinkedIn
    Instagram
    Website

    Don't miss this enriching episode—listen and subscribe to The Schmidt List for more expert advice and transformative conversations!

    https://schmidtconsulting.group

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    36 mins
  • Breaking Hourly Billing

    Breaking Hourly Billing
    Jan 2 2025
    Podcast Title: Schmidt List
    Episode Title: Garrick: Mastering Pricing Strategies and Building Client Confidence

    Description:
    In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt welcomes Garrick, a pricing strategy expert specializing in B2B software and professional services. Together, they explore the art and science of pricing and how understanding the "why" behind c"in" decisions can drive agency growth and success.

    Key Topics Covered:

    Shifting the Narrative
    Move beyond selling products. Learn how focusing on solving client business problems can significantly boost profitability.

    Building Confidence
    Understand how uncovering unpriced client value can instill confidence in creatives and founders, empowering better decision-making.

    Unbundling Services
    Discover the advantages of unbundling service offerings to refine both pricing and delivery.

    Transparent Pricing
    Explore the importance of upfront pricing to ensure alignment, build trust, and save valuable time.

    Evolving Billing Practices
    Hear Garrick’s journey to adopting annual retainers and value-based fees for greater efficiency and profit.

    Strategic Service Management
    Gain insights into balancing building new services versus maintaining existing ones to optimize performance and revenue.

    Customer Development
    Discover why strong customer development is crucial before investing further, with real-world examples to illustrate its importance.

    Cultural Challenges in the Industry
    Learn how to tackle the persistence of hourly billing and embrace better project management practices.

    Garrick shares invaluable lessons, with Kurt teasing even more insights in future episodes. Don’t miss this conversation with actionable strategies to enhance your pricing approach and client relationships!

    Connect with Garrick:

    https://forstarters.substack.com
    https://linkedin.com/in/garrickvanburen
    https://cal.com/garrick
    https://throughconsulting.com

    Subscribe, rate, and review the Schmidt List podcast to stay up-to-date on the latest expert advice and industry insights!


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    43 mins
  • Achieving Thought Leadership

    Achieving Thought Leadership
    Dec 17 2024
    In this episode of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with David Ratner, a veteran in the book PR industry with over 30 years of experience. David delves into his extensive background, having run one of the largest book publicity agencies in the country and now focusing on helping nonfiction authors, especially in the business space, leverage their books as powerful tools for brand equity and thought leadership.

    Kurt and David discuss invaluable advice for first-time authors, emphasizing that despite the crowded book market, there's still room for unique voices. They explore the various publishing options available today and stress the importance of utilizing a book as a new-age business card to build credibility and open doors.

    David shares insights on the PR landscape, offering a glimpse into his customized approach based on clients' goals, needs, and budgets. From creating digestible content to leveraging network connections, David uncovers strategies authors can use to maximize the impact of their books, even after the initial launch.

    Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the nuanced world of book promotion, the importance of engaging content, and how to set realistic expectations for ROI from PR efforts. Whether you're a seasoned author or just thinking about writing your first book, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the journey from writing to successfully promoting your book.

    Tune in to learn the secrets of turning your book into a powerful marketing tool and how to make it work for your long-term business success. Don’t miss this engaging conversation with David Ratner on the Schmidt List!

    Visit" https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ratner-81b9367/

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    22 mins
  • Level Up Leadership Skills in Agencies with Brad Farris

    Level Up Leadership Skills in Agencies with Brad Farris
    Dec 10 2024
    In this insightful episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Brad Farris, a seasoned leadership and business growth coach, to explore transitioning from craftsperson to leader. Brad provides invaluable strategies and deep insights for agency founders navigating the challenges of scaling their businesses while stepping into effective leadership roles. Brad discusses the profound identity shift required as leaders move away from hands-on tasks and embrace the responsibilities of guiding a team. He sheds light on managing team dynamics, including bridging generational gaps between "old school" and "new class" employees, while emphasizing the importance of accountability and well-defined roles within an organization. The conversation also delves into the complexities of business partnerships, the importance of intentional leadership, and the lasting impact one's leadership style can have on their legacy and reputation. Brad introduces practical tools and resources, including a growth-phase assessment available on his website, designed to help agency founders identify their current stage and focus on the priorities critical for their continued growth. Whether you're an agency founder facing leadership hurdles, a partner navigating the dynamics of collaboration, or someone passionate about personal and professional development, this episode is packed with actionable advice and meaningful insights to help you elevate your leadership abilities. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Brad's expertise and improve your leadership journey.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Navigating the shift from being a craftsperson to a leader.
    • The role of identity and accountability in business growth.
    • Understanding and managing team dynamics and cultural clashes.
    • The importance of clear roles in partnerships and leadership.
    • Practical tools and assessments for agency growth.
    Tune in to gain insights that could transform your leadership approach and set your agency on the path to sustained success.

    Guest Links:
    • Website :Anchor Advisors
    • Growth Phase Assessment t:Anchor Advisors Growth Phase
    • LinkedIn: Brad Farris
    There is too much Schmidt to List!

    Check out https://www.kurtschmidt.me for more show info.

    Visit Kurt’s coaching site at https://schmidtconsulting.group

    Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter

    New Book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2C61THR

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    29 mins
  • Sports, Leadership, and Employee Happiness.

    Sports, Leadership, and Employee Happiness.
    Dec 3 2024
    In this insightful episode of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Joe Schmit, the renowned sports director from Channel 5 and an accomplished keynote speaker. With over three decades of experience in sports journalism and a thriving career in motivational speaking,

    Joe brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. Joe delves into his "culture first mindset," a philosophy emphasizing prioritizing organizational culture over strategy, especially crucial in the post-pandemic world. He discusses the significant challenges companies face today, from recruiting and retention to maintaining meaningful connections in a remote work environment.

    Together, Kurt and Joe explore the importance of employee engagement, the pitfalls of superficial cultural efforts, and the critical role of leadership in nurturing a positive work environment. Joe shares practical tactics and strategies, including involving employees in defining core values, fostering a sense of belonging, and encouraging professional development.

    The episode also addresses the cost of employee turnover, the toxic influence of disengaged workers, and the benefits of storytelling as a leadership tool. Listeners will gain valuable insights into building trust, fostering compassion, and creating clarity within their teams. Tune in to hear how Joe Schmit's approach to leadership and culture can transform your organization, making it a thriving, happy, and productive workplace.

    Don't miss this engaging conversation filled with actionable advice and personal anecdotes from two experts passionate about people and culture.

    Visit Joe:
    www.joeschmit.com

    joe@joeschmit.com

    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/joe-schmit-speaker

    There is too much Schmidt to List!

    Check out https://www.kurtschmidt.me for more show info.

    Visit Kurt’s coaching site at https://schmidtconsulting.group

    Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter




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    33 mins
  • Unlocking Leadership Potential

    Unlocking Leadership Potential
    Nov 26 2024
    In this engaging episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with leadership expert and author Bill Mills to unpack the intricacies of effective leadership. Drawing from his vast experience with business owners, CEOs, and presidents through masterminds and consulting, Bill reveals why traditional leadership development often falls short and introduces the powerful idea of conscious conversations.

    Throughout their discussion, Bill and Kurt tackle some of the most urgent challenges in leadership today, such as the dangers of promoting high-performing individuals to managerial roles without adequate training and support. They highlight the crucial role of self-awareness, the development of coping skills, and the cultivation of a unified team culture.

    Bill offers insights from his book, Breakthrough, emphasizing the importance of crafting a healthy, collaborative work environment where leaders are committed to building a better future. Understanding organizational design and workflow can dramatically enhance leadership effectiveness and team performance.

    Whether you're an experienced leader or embarking on your leadership journey, this episode is packed with valuable insights and practical advice to help you grow and empower your team. Listen in and transform your approach to leadership!

    Visit Bill at:
    www.mnexecutivegroup.com and www.theleadershipprocess.com

    Check out https://www.kurtschmidt.me for more show info.

    Visit Kurt’s coaching site at https://schmidtconsulting.group

    Subscribe to The Road Map Newsletter and unlock the secrets to achieving a harmonious work-life balance as a leader. https://bit.ly/RoadMapNewsletter

    New Book! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2C61THR

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-inspiring-leaders--2664825/support.
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    28 mins