In this episode, Clint sits down with Shane Snow, award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and best-selling author of “Dream Teams: Working Together Without Falling Apart.” Shane shares his origin story growing up in Idaho with an engineer dad and a teacher mom, and how that foundation of curiosity and problem-solving led him from journalism into the study of breakthrough collaboration.The two explore what makes exceptional teams different, why cognitive diversity trumps comfort, and how trust, tension, and even disagreement can be leveraged to build smarter, more resilient organizations. Shane also shares fascinating insights, from the surprising entrepreneurial spirit of immigrant communities, to the psychology behind why kids playing street soccer helped reduce hate crimes in Buenos Aires. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.Topics Covered:

• Shane’s upbringing in rural Idaho and how it shaped his worldview
• Why “getting along” isn’t the key to great teamwork
• The hidden value of cognitive diversity and “intellectual immigrants”
• How shared play (like street soccer) can reduce tribalism and build trust
• The neuroscience behind in-groups, out-groups, and voting behavior
• The story of the Soviet Russian hockey team and what it teaches us about incentives
• Why brainstorming in groups doesn’t work (and what to do instead)
• How the best leaders foster safety, debate, and divergent thinking
• The power of holding two opposing ideas in your head at once

Links:
Shane’s website - https://www.shanesnow.com/
Shane’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanedsnow/
Shane’s book, “Dream Teams” - https://amzn.to/4qz7M4f

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, they discuss how empathetic leadership can drive culture, performance, and the bottom line. Claude shares how to create trust in flat organizations, why feedback is about connection (not correction), and what it really means to lead with heart. Plus, the pair explore how to scale emotional intelligence in a rapidly changing world. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX, to explore what it means to bring humanity, empathy, and emotional optimism into leadership. Claude shares her remarkable journey from struggling with dyslexia and finding herself through Outward Bound, to working in advertising around the world and becoming a purpose-driven leader. Along the way, she unpacks the power of trust, vulnerability, and authentic connection in the workplace. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Amy Sandler, Principal Coach and Podcast Host at Radical Candor, the discussion moves from theory to practice. Amy shares real-world strategies for delivering feedback that’s clear and kind, how to avoid “feedback sandwiches,” and why emotional intelligence is essential for effective communication. The two also unpack the impact of cultural nuance, how to give feedback to your boss (without losing your job), and why better relationships are just one brave conversation away. This is the second part of a two-part conversation

In this episode, Clint sits down with Amy Sandler, Principal Coach and Podcast Host at Radical Candor, to unpack what it really means to communicate with clarity and care in the workplace. Together, they explore how leaders can challenge directly while still showing genuine compassion, why "ruinous empathy" can cause more harm than good, and how building trust starts with being human. Amy also shares the origin story behind Radical Candor, insights on emotional self-regulation, and how powerful feedback can fuel both performance and connection. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Rich Diviney – retired Navy SEAL commander, inspirational speaker, and best-selling author of “The Attributes” – they explore how fear and focus shape performance under pressure. Rich also shares how leaders can build trust, embrace humility, and stay mentally agile in high-stakes environments. They also dig into the myth of multitasking, the science of task-switching, and why face-to-face communication still matters in today’s virtual world. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Rich Diviney, retired Navy SEAL commander, inspirational speaker, and best-selling author of “The Attributes.” During their chat, Rich explains why skills don’t tell the whole story when it comes to performance and why we need to stop overvaluing resumes and start understanding attributes. Plus, the pair discuss the traits that make teams thrive under pressure, the myths of peak performance, and how leaders can unlock untapped potential by focusing on who people are, not just what they do. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Rob Biesenbach, communication expert, Second City actor, and best-selling author of “Unleash the Power of Storytelling,” Rob expands on the craft – covering how to increase a story’s impact, and why you should build a ready-to-go story bank. Plus, the two discuss why B2B and B2C storytelling aren’t so different, how to lead by example to inspire authentic stories in your team, and why the emotional “big T truth” often matters more than the small details in effective storytelling. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Rob Biesenbach, communication expert, Second City actor, and best-selling author of “Unleash the Power of Storytelling.” Rob shares his journey from corporate communications to the improv stage, and how the lessons he learned in performance can transform the way leaders connect, inspire, and persuade. Plus, the pair discuss why our brains are wired for narrative, the essential elements of a compelling story, and how authenticity is the true key to impact. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Patti Johnson – leadership expert, change advisor, and author of “Make Waves” – the discussion moves from starting change to sustaining it. Patti shares practical tools for balancing honesty with optimism, building trust during uncertainty, and navigating the bumps that come with any transformation. She also talks about why good leaders don’t suppress resistance, how short attention spans are changing communication, and why motivation alone won’t carry your team across the finish line. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Patti Johnson, founder and former CEO of PeopleResults and author of the bestselling book “Make Waves.” She and Clint dive into the power of taking small steps toward big goals, the difference between healthy self-doubt and imposter syndrome, and how to spot what’s in your “backpack” – those beliefs and habits that shape your leadership style. Patti also introduces the concept of a "Wavemaker" and explains how anyone, not just people in charge, can become a catalyst for change. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In the second part of Clint’s conversation with researcher, writer, and educator Indi Young, the focus shifts to empathy and how to better understand the full human experience behind every team member, customer, or stakeholder. Indi also shares why group discussions can’t replace one-on-one listening sessions, how cultural norms shape our willingness to share, and why AI can’t replicate the nuance of real human insight. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Indi Young – researcher, writer, and educator known for her work on deep listening and human cognition – to discuss how leaders and teams can better understand the people they serve. Indi explains the difference between listening for answers and listening for understanding, the power of one-on-one sessions over surveys, and how truly hearing someone can lead to better decisions, deeper trust, and more inclusive solutions. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In Part Two of Clint’s conversation with Joey Havens, leadership expert and author of "Leading with Significance," the discussion turns from culture-building to culture-sustaining. The two discuss the real cost of turnover, the danger of fuzzy agreements, and why middle management can make or break your cultural transformation. Joey also shares powerful, personal stories about the legacy of small acts (like handwritten notes and hallway hellos) and how they shaped the confidence and careers of those around him. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Joey Havens, former CPA firm executive, leadership expert, and author of "Leading with Significance," to discuss what it takes to build a truly magnetic, people-first culture. Joey shares the origin story behind his leadership journey and the three "secrets" that power high-trust, high-energy workplaces. The two also talk about the failures of traditional “good enough” cultures and Joey explains why putting people before clients is the key to sustainable success. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint continues his conversation with Thomas Erikson, behavioral expert and best-selling author of “Surrounded by Idiots.” Drawing from millions of personality assessments and decades of coaching, Thomas reveals why cultural stereotypes are often misleading, what color combinations thrive (or crash) on teams, and why being “self-made” is a myth. He also shares his best advice for handling difficult coworkers, adapting your communication style, and confronting conflict before it gets out of hand. Plus, hear the touching story of how his book helped save a relationship. This is the second part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode, Clint sits down with Thomas Erikson, behavioral expert and international bestselling author of “Surrounded by Idiots,” to explore what really drives human behavior and how better understanding it can make us stronger leaders, communicators, and teammates. Thomas shares his unconventional path to publishing success, the origins of his four-color personality model, and why so many of us feel misunderstood at work and at home. Plus, the two discuss why people clash, how we can connect across differences, and what it truly takes to change. This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

In this episode of The Conversation, Clint sits down with Todd Henry, best-selling author and self-proclaimed "arms dealer for creative leaders," to talk about the power of purposeful creativity. From leading high-performing teams to knowing when to prune old ideas, Todd shares practical wisdom on focus, energy, structure, and building a life that’s both original and impactful. Hear why creativity isn’t just for artists, it’s for anyone solving problems. Whether you’re a slow-twitch or fast-twitch creative, this one’s for you.