Brilliant Podcast

The Introvert Olympics: Goldie Chan Outs L.A.’s “Fake Extroverts”

So I sat down with Goldie Chan, yes, the green-haired legend of LinkedIn, to talk about introverts, fake extroverts, and why L.A. somehow demands you be “on” all the time, even when you’re just trying to buy a latte. If you’ve ever had a conversation with someone in L.A. who sounds like they’re auditioning… this episode is for you.
Goldie showed up with her brand-new book, Personal Branding for Introverts, and within five minutes I learned three things:
Goldie is painfully honest in the best way.
She will quietly judge your journaling habits.
She once lectured an A-list actor about car maintenance without knowing he was famous. Beautiful.
We talk about what drains us, what fills us, and why introverts pretend to be “fine” in social settings while mentally locating the nearest exit. We cover cities, too, L.A.’s sparkle, New York’s chaos, Texas’ friendliness, Japan’s calm etiquette, basically a travel guide for people who love people but also love hiding.
You’ll hear us get into journaling, notebooks we absolutely didn’t need to buy, how to present yourself online without feeling like a circus act, and Goldie’s three-keyword method that makes personal branding way less painful.
If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I tired after talking to three people?” or “Why did that party have eight ring lights?” …you’re not alone. Same.
This episode is basically a support group with microphones.
Hit play. Introverts, unite (quietly, in your own corners).
 
#tristanahumada #goldiechan #brilliantpodcast #personalbranding #introverts

The “Be Followable” Formula with Russ Laggan

I sat down with Russ Laggan, yes, rhymes with Dragon, to talk about what it actually means to be followable in business and life. He’s not just the Chief Growth Officer at eXp Realty, he’s also a guy who forges metal, builds guitars, and has a refreshingly honest take on leadership and mindset.
We get into why being followable starts with how you show up, how to stop overcomplicating connection, and why adding value first changes everything. Oh, and we also talk about why sometimes you just need to stop rolling in the mess and move on.
If you’re tired of fake leadership talk and want something real, this one’s for you.
 
#leadership #mindset #realestate #growth #selfdevelopment

How Great Leaders Grow Themselves First: Margaret Andrews on the Art (and Pain) of Self-Understanding

What really makes someone a great leader? Spoiler: it’s not a fancy title or your ability to quote Simon Sinek.
In this episode, I sit down with Margaret Andrews, Harvard educator and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others, to talk about why leadership starts with, you guessed it, you. We get real about emotional awareness, personal stories, and how your inner world quietly dictates your outer leadership.
 
Margaret shares a wild story about a student who realized he was the problem, the “Best Boss” exercise that might haunt you in the best way, and why 85% of great leadership comes down to how you treat people, not how many strategy decks you can make.
 
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m great with systems but people are complicated,” this episode’s for you.
 
Hit play. Prepare to laugh, squirm a little, and maybe rethink what leadership actually means.
 
 
#leadership #selfgrowth #mindset #management #harvard

Hyperbole, Habits & the Inner Voice with Jay Heinrichs

This week, I'm discussing self-persuasion with Jay Heinrichs. We bridge Aristotle's teachings with contemporary challenges such as imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and small actions that really do sum to something big. You'll learn how hyperbole can be harnessed as motivation, how mood → mind → action → habit plays out in real life, and why what you say to yourself matters more than you realize.
 
It's a combination of tales and techniques aimed at assisting you not only to persuade others, but begin persuading yourself.
 
 
#SelfPersuasion #AristotleWisdom #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #HabitsThatStick #Rhetoric #JayHeinrichs

Blindspotting with Martin Dubin: Leading Through Self-Awareness

In this episode of BRILLIANT, I sit down with Martin Dubin, author of Blindspotting: How To See What’s Holding You Back as a Leader. Martin shares how our deepest blindspots, emotional, personal, and generational, often become the very things that shape our leadership if we’re brave enough to face them.
We unpack how storytelling, reflection, and honest conversations can help us lead with purpose and heal what’s unspoken. If you’re building something meaningful, this is one you’ll want to absorb fully.
 
 
#BlindspottingBook #LeadershipBlindspots #TristanAhumada #BRILLIANTPodcast #MartinDubin #EmotionalLeadership #PurposeDrivenLeaders #SeeYourBlindspots #LeadershipGrowth #HealingAndLeadership

How Storytelling Can Transform Your Business and Connections with Matthew Dicks

On this episode of BRILLIANT Podcast, I’m joined by Matthew Dicks, the author of Stories Sell, as we talk about how the power of storytelling can reshape how we connect with others—whether in business, relationships, or daily life. Matthew shares his techniques for transforming data into engaging stories, why vulnerability is crucial in connecting with audiences, and how to create emotional resonance through storytelling.
From his "homework for life" method to lessons on turning moments into impactful narratives, Matthew explains how to take everyday life experiences and use them as a tool for better communication and stronger relationships.
This episode is packed with insights that can help you stand out, build trust, and truly connect with your audience. Whether you're a business owner or someone looking to improve your personal communication, this episode is a must-listen.
 
#Storytelling #BusinessCommunication #MatthewDicks #StoriesSell #EmotionalConnection #AuthenticLeadership #VulnerableLeadership #BuildingTrust #SalesTips #HomeWorkForLife
 

Behind the Scenes with Kass and Michael Lazerow on the Grit of Entrepreneurship

In this episode of BRILLIANT Podcast, I talk with Kass and Michael Lazerow, co-authors of Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success. We dive into the reality of entrepreneurship—how it feels, why it’s worth it, and how to stay sane in the process. From giving Gary Vee his first office space to selling Buddy Media to Salesforce for $754M, they’ve lived it all.
 
We cover how to decide when to pivot, how to lead with radical transparency, how to build cult-like culture, and why great entrepreneurs embrace the mess. If you’re a founder, real estate agent, or anyone fighting to create something meaningful, this conversation will speak to your soul.
 
This is one of the most raw and actionable interviews I’ve done, don’t miss it.
 
Grab their Book! https://amzn.to/4kzkSvj
 
Follow them on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kassandmike/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kasslazerow/ and https://www.instagram.com/lazerow/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kassandmike
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KassandMike
 
Get in touch with them at https://kassandmike.com/

Anne Curzan on Funner, Kinder, and Reclaiming Language with Empathy

In this episode of the BRILLIANT podcast, I sit down with linguist and award-winning author Anne Curzan to explore how language is changing in real time and what that means for how we communicate, connect, and lead.
 
Anne and I dig into everything from grammar correction on social media to the word “funner,” why kids are the real influencers of language, and how we can become more empathetic communicators. We also talk about how AI is reshaping written communication and what it means to talk like a human in a world of text and tech.
 
If you have ever felt nervous hitting send on a message, questioned your grammar, or just want to understand how language shapes our relationships, you will want to listen to this episode.

Say It Well: Speechwriting, Storytelling, and Leading with Your Words with Terry Szuplat

Welcome to the BRILLIANT podcast. In this episode, I sit down with Terry Szuplat, former Special Assistant to the President and senior speechwriter for Barack Obama. He’s the author of Say It Well, a masterclass on writing and speaking with precision, empathy, and impact.
 
Terry opens up about the behind-the-scenes process of presidential speechwriting, including how moments like the Boston Marathon bombing memorial were shaped by personal imagination and universal emotion. We talk about how to communicate like a leader, whether you’re writing a keynote, a social post, or simply trying to be more persuasive in meetings.
You’ll walk away with tools to structure your thoughts, tell better stories, and lead with your voice.
 
You’ll hear about:
What Terry learned from writing for a president
Why authenticity is a communication superpower
The science of rhythm in effective speeches
Mistakes most people make when giving talks
How leaders can own the room with fewer words
 
Grab Terry’s book Say It Well here: https://amzn.to/4kIoqLi
 
Follow Terry on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terryszuplat/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-szuplat-456914137
Explore more of his work: https://www.sayitwell.com
 
This episode is for anyone who wants to stop rambling and start resonating.

A Green Beret's Guide to Resilience, Leadership, and Getting Big Stuff Done

Welcome to the BRILLIANT podcast. In this episode, I talk with LTC Scott Mann, a retired Green Beret and author of Nobody Is Coming to Save You. We dive deep into the emotional and social challenges we’re all facing today, and how to lead through them with intention.
 
Scott shares what it means to fight the real battle happening inside us and around us. We talked about storytelling as a healing tool, why social capital is more valuable than ever, and how to reclaim your energy through intentional daily practices. Whether you're a business leader, a parent or a real estate agent, this episode will shift how you think about leadership and human connection.
 
You’ll hear about:
Why emotional burnout is on the rise
How to build trust before you need it
The science of narrative and why it works
Why your best ideas come during movement
The importance of digital breaks and state management
This is a powerful conversation that will challenge how you see your role as a leader.----------------Lt. Col. (Ret.) Scott Mann is a former U.S. Army Green Beret, leadership expert, and founder of Rooftop Leadership. With combat experience in Colombia, Iraq, and Afghanistan, he now trains leaders to build trust and connection in high-stakes environments. A bestselling author of Operation Pineapple Express and Game Changers, Scott also wrote and starred in Last Out: Elegy of a Green Beret. He founded Operation Pineapple Express Relief and The Heroes Journey, supporting Afghan allies and veteran storytelling. His proudest role is being a husband and father of three sons. Grab a copy of his book, Nobody Is Coming to Save You: A Green Beret's Guide to Getting Big Sh*t Done: https://amzn.to/4kDjqYf Follow Scott Mann on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottMannAuthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottmannauthor/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidscottmann?trk=org-employeesVisit Scott’s work at https://scottmann.com