Brilliant Podcast
From 2021 to 2023, Tristan Ahumada captured the podcasting world’s attention with the Brilliant Thoughts podcast through SUCCESS Magazine, amassing a dedicated following. With over 100 episodes and glowing five-star reviews, it averaged more than 100,000 downloads per episode, becoming an essential listen for those eager to grow their life and business.
Now, we’re narrowing the focus even further — Introducing Brilliant, a podcast dedicated to the books you should be reading, but aren’t.
Join Tristan as he interviews some of the smartest minds on the planet—authors who have poured their genius into carefully crafted books that you should be reading. These thought leaders are shaping the future, and they’re sharing ideas that will help you think more critically, enhance your knowledge, and elevate your life and business. Each episode will take you through the key lessons from their work, offering insights that can inspire breakthroughs and drive real change. These aren’t just books—they’re transformative ideas that propel humanity forward, and Tristan will guide you through them.
Subscribe now and discover the books and ideas that will change the way you think, transforming both your life and business. Brilliant is your new go-to for the stories and insights you didn’t know you needed.
Listen on:
Episodes
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
Tuesday Jun 10, 2025
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.
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
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