Derek Hudson welcomes Christian Hansen back to explore how story drives influence. Christian shows how to make others the hero of their own story and how empathy, curiosity, and clear narrative create connection. Together they link these ideas to Essential Dynamics, where story shapes purpose, people, and flow.

Christian Hansen is at thechristianhansen.com
The Influence Mindset for Sales Acceleration
The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You
Derek is at Unconstrained

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Christian Hansen joins Derek Hudson to explore how influence begins with perception and connection. Drawing from his book, The Influence Mindset for Sales Acceleration, he shows why people “choose or reject their perception of you,” and how competence plus connection earns attention and drives flow. Together they link this to Essential Dynamics where purpose, people, and leadership attention shape system performance.

Christian Hansen is at thechristianhansen.com
The Influence Mindset for Sales Acceleration
The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You
Derek is at Unconstrained

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki

Marketing consultant and leadership coach Allie Jones joins Derek Hudson to explore how the Working Genius framework helps people unlock energy, avoid burnout, and thrive in their work. Through a powerful conversation on self-awareness, flow, and team dynamics, Allie shares her journey—and how leaders can apply these insights at both the personal and system level.

Allie Jones is at alliejonesconsulting.com

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki

Derek and Bryn get practical about writing as a leader’s thinking tool. From brain dumps to mapping UDEs, they show how writing exposes root causes and clears away fluff. Real strategy isn’t buzzwords, it’s written cause-and-effect logic you can test, share, and adapt.

Derek is at Unconstrained.
Bryn is at bryngriffiths.com

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek and Bryn explore how writing shapes leadership and system flow. Writing forces clarity, makes vision shareable, and helps leaders step outside their systems. They contrast lazy and diligent writing and show why investing a leader’s limited time in writing is one of the most effective ways to see, test, and adapt a system.

Derek is at Unconstrained.
Bryn is at bryngriffiths.com

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Tension isn’t the enemy, it’s the spark. This episode uncovers crux moments in business where some leaders turned risk into lasting impact while others avoided the tough choice and paid the price. How will you face the crux?

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Reed McColm is back at the mic, pressing Derek Hudson on a pivotal distinction: crux vs. climax. Through the Essential Dynamics lenses of Purpose, Path, and People, they show why the crux, the unseen decision under tension, always matters more than the climax everyone sees.

From Rocky to The Lord of the Rings and beyond, they trace this pattern in stories, leadership, and life, and invite you to find the crux in your own quest.

Derek is at Unconstrained

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

In this solo follow-up to Episode 115, Derek builds on lessons from a backpacking trip through the Canadian Rockies, this time focusing on People and Flow, important considerations in any quest.

Derek reflects on group dynamics, decision-making without hierarchy, and how flow becomes visible and tangible on the trail. From wrong turns to resource management, Derek shows how backpacking mirrors the real challenges of leading, collaborating, and staying energized in complex systems.

Derek is with Unconstrained.

Full show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.