In this thought-provoking episode, Charles sits down with Jennifer Edwards—executive coach, speaker, and author of Bridge the Gap—to explore how curiosity, connection, and psychological flexibility can transform both leadership and life.

Jennifer unpacks the power of showing up “clean” in every interaction, revealing why most people fail to connect not because of others—but because they haven’t first connected with themselves. She shares practical tools for breaking out of “sleepwalking” routines, disrupting ego-driven patterns, and creating conversations that open doors instead of closing them.

Together, they dive into what it really takes to bridge divides in today’s polarized world: the discipline of asking better questions, the courage to hold space without judgment, and the humility to prioritize impact over looking smart. From tactical daily practices like mindful mornings and walking meditations, to high-level leadership strategies for building trust and community, Jennifer shows how anyone can cultivate connection in a disconnected age.

This isn’t just a conversation about communication. It’s a masterclass in building resilient relationships, leading with curiosity, and creating environments where people—and ideas—can truly thrive.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-Why true connection starts with showing up “clean” and being grounded in your own values and presence
-How to break out of “sleepwalking” through life by practicing curiosity and disrupting automatic patterns
-The difference between reacting from ego vs. responding with humility and awareness
-Practical tools—like mindful mornings, journaling, and walking meditations—that reset perspective and energy

Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
01:18 – Showing up “clean” in conversations:
Jennifer explains how being fully present and grounded changes the way people experience you—while Charles notes how leaders often underestimate this simple shift.
04:42 – Escaping life on autopilot:
Jennifer describes the dangers of “sleepwalking” through routines without awareness—while Charles reflects on how intentional disruption sparks growth.
08:10 – Curiosity as a leadership superpower:
Jennifer shares how asking better questions opens connection and trust—while Charles highlights how curiosity dissolves barriers in polarized environments.
12:35 – Ego vs. impact in decision-making:
Jennifer unpacks why leaders often choose being “right” over being effective—while Charles points out the cost of ego-driven choices.
16:20 – Practical resets for daily clarity:
Jennifer introduces mindful mornings, walking meditations, and journaling as tools to re-center—while Charles ties these practices to sustainable high performance.
20:55 – The power of psychological flexibility:
Jennifer explains why adaptability and openness are essential for modern leaders—while Charles connects it to resilience in business and relationships.
25:30 – Building bridges that last:
Jennifer closes with strategies to foster trust and belonging—while Charles emphasizes that true leadership is measured by the quality of connection you create.

In this high-energy episode, Charles sits down with Kris Dehnert—founder of Dehnert Media Group and the driving force behind Dugout Mugs—to unpack how creativity, resilience, and systems thinking can turn simple ideas into multi-million-dollar brands.

Kris shares the origin story of Dugout Mugs, where a concept sketched in a kitchen grew into $55M in sales, MLB licensing deals, and a brand loved by fans, athletes, and corporations alike. He breaks down the lessons from his entrepreneurial journey—from early wins in print-on-demand apparel to painful setbacks in restaurants, cannabis, and crypto—and why he believes you fail your way to lasting success.

Together, Charles and Kris dive deep into the mechanics of building lean but powerful organizations: how to scale with small teams, empower people through ownership, and leverage AI and systems to multiply output without multiplying overhead. Kris also reveals his personal philosophy—why fun, family, and reflection matter just as much as profit, and why firing yourself from the process is the real key to freedom.

This isn’t just a story about baseball mugs. It’s a masterclass in turning setbacks into systems, ordinary products into extraordinary brands, and entrepreneurship into a life you actually want to live.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-How Kris turned a simple idea—baseball bats turned into mugs—into a $55M brand with MLB licensing deals
-Why failure in industries like restaurants, cannabis, and crypto taught him the resilience to build lasting businesses
-The importance of systems and small, empowered teams to scale without unnecessary overhead
-How “firing yourself” from the process creates freedom and long-term sustainability

Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
01:22 – From idea to $55M brand:
Kris shares how a simple sketch of a baseball bat mug turned into Dugout Mugs with MLB licensing and millions in sales—while Charles highlights the power of turning passion into product.
05:10 – Failing forward through industries:
Kris opens up about losses in restaurants, cannabis, and crypto—and why failure became the tuition that prepared him for future wins.
08:48 – Scaling with small teams:
Kris explains how lean operations and empowered people drive efficiency—while Charles reflects on why bigger isn’t always better.
12:30 – Firing yourself from the process:
Kris discusses the art of stepping back, creating systems, and letting others take ownership—while Charles points out how this unlocks freedom for founders.
16:42 – Building brands with fun and family:
Kris reveals why joy, reflection, and relationships matter as much as revenue—while Charles ties it back to building businesses worth living for.
20:25 – Leveraging AI and automation:
Kris shares how AI and systems amplify impact without ballooning costs—while Charles notes how smart tech creates real leverage for entrepreneurs.
25:55 – Redefining entrepreneurship:
Kris closes with his philosophy: entrepreneurship isn’t just about profit—it’s about lessons, ownership, and creating brands that people love—while Charles emphasizes the legacy of building with purpose.

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In this mind-expanding episode, Charles sits down with Naveen Jain—visionary entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of Viome—to explore how audacious thinking, curiosity, and counterintuitive parenting can transform not just businesses, but entire lives. Naveen shares his journey from building multibillion-dollar companies to tackling humanity’s biggest challenges, from space exploration to revolutionizing healthcare.

He reveals how success isn’t measured by wealth, but by the lives you improve—and why making money is only a byproduct of solving meaningful problems. From raising children who think differently and pursue moonshot ideas, to reimagining healthcare through personalized nutrition and RNA analysis, Naveen unpacks the frameworks that fuel innovation on a massive scale.

Together, they dive into the mindset behind asking “why” until you uncover the root cause, the power of turning curiosity into breakthroughs, and the principles that help people build not just companies—but legacies. This isn’t just a conversation about entrepreneurship or health. It’s a blueprint for thinking bigger, challenging assumptions, and daring to create a future where billions live better lives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:
-Why success isn’t measured by wealth but by the number of lives you improve
-How Naveen Jain raised high-achieving children through counterintuitive parenting and curiosity-driven learning
-The principle of asking “why” until you uncover root causes that unlock breakthrough solutions
-Why work-life “balance” is a myth—and how to create a seamless continuum between family and business

Head over to provenpodcast.com to download your exclusive companion guide, designed to guide you step-by-step in implementing the strategies revealed in this episode.

KEY POINTS:
01:22 – Redefining success beyond money:
Naveen shares why true success is measured by how many lives you improve, not the wealth you accumulate—while Charles reflects on why this mindset redefines entrepreneurship.
03:49 – Counterintuitive parenting that works:
Naveen explains how co-creating stories, fueling curiosity, and showing audacity helped him raise ambitious children—while Charles highlights the lessons parents can apply at home.
05:12 – From dot-com billions to mining the moon:
Naveen recalls how he built a $40B company and then chased space exploration—while Charles points out how modeling boldness inspires the next generation.
10:50 – The myth of work-life balance:
Naveen reveals why balance is impossible and why life and work must exist as a continuum—while Charles underscores the freedom that comes from integration over separation.
17:33 – Why teaching kids “the value of money” backfires:
Naveen argues that making children work menial jobs for money limits them—while Charles unpacks the importance of giving kids platforms to reach higher.
31:24 – The power of asking ‘why’:
Naveen shows how relentless curiosity leads to root causes and world-changing solutions—while Charles reflects on how childlike questioning unlocks breakthroughs.
36:33 – Reinventing healthcare with Viome:
Naveen details how RNA, AI, and personalized nutrition can prevent disease—while Charles emphasizes the radical shift from generic health advice to truly individualized care.

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