Episodios

  • Thrive Beyond Referrals

    Thrive Beyond Referrals
    Oct 14 2025
    In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Chris Dubois, coach and founder of Dynamic Agency OS, for an engaging conversation about the evolving world of marketing agencies and service-based businesses. Chris shares the unexpected journey from Army infantry officer to agency CEO and consultant, discussing the surprising parallels between military leadership and agency operations.

    Together, Kurt and Chris explore the unique challenges faced by agencies today, including the reliance on referrals, the fear of niching down, and the importance of clear positioning and culture in setting businesses apart in a saturated market. Chris breaks down how agency founders can move beyond scarcity mindsets, define their niche, and start building sustainable, purpose-driven companies.

    The conversation also delves into practical advice for agency owners struggling with leadership transitions, delegation, and creating alignment between personal values and business direction. Whether you’re a veteran agency leader, an entrepreneur, or just agency-curious, this episode is packed with actionable insights on building strong teams, sharpening your market position for 2026, and cultivating a winning culture. Tune in for stories, strategies, and a behind-the-scenes look at what really makes agencies thrive.

    Learn more about Chris and connect with his community at dynamicagencyos.com and on LinkedIn.

    DynamicAgencyOS.com
    LinkedIn.com/in/christopherrdubois

    Visit Schmidt Consulting Group for more show info!

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    35 m
  • Mastering Creative Leadership

    Mastering Creative Leadership
    Sep 24 2025
    On this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Kevin Frank—creative leader, former Apple and LinkedIn director, and author of the new book Raising Creative Teams. Kevin shares his journey from hands-on creative to creative director, revealing the tough lessons, steep learning curves, and mindset shifts that shaped his approach to leadership.

    Kurt and Kevin delve into the challenges of managing creative individuals: how to provide meaningful feedback, set teams up for success, and foster a safe, supportive environment that empowers innovation. Kevin explains why regular one-on-ones are key (and how to make them more valuable), discusses the power of storytelling for both leaders and teams, and unpacks why a culture of honest, objective feedback helps creative work thrive.

    They also delve into remote work, maintaining intentionality as a manager, and striking a balance between structure and freedom in creative processes. Whether you’re leading a team of designers, engineers, or any innovative professionals, you’ll find actionable insights and real-world anecdotes in this engaging conversation.

    Grab Kevin’s book, connect with him on LinkedIn, and take away practical tips for building happier, higher-performing creative teams!

    Visit https://schmidtconsulting.group for more podcasts!



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    42 m
  • Change Minds - Inspire Teams

    Change Minds - Inspire Teams
    Aug 29 2025

    https://sethrigoletti.com/In this engaging episode of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt interviews executive communication coach Seth Rigoletti to explore the art and science of leadership communication.

    Seth discusses his experience working with leaders from diverse industries—ranging from Fortune 500 firms to startups and breweries—addressing challenges like implementing change, inspiring teams, and presenting ideas effectively.

    The talk delves into why many business issues are essentially communication problems, emphasizing that leaders' presence and authenticity hold more weight than words alone. It also highlights the difference between merely delivering a message and genuinely connecting with your audience. Seth shares compelling historical stories, such as the “Semmelweis effect” and the influence of persuasion over authority. Listeners will gain practical tips on building trust, managing change, leading remote teams, and cultivating a culture where everyone feels valued. Whether you’re a new manager or an experienced executive, this episode offers valuable insights into collaborative leadership and effective communication.

    https://sethrigoletti.com

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    33 m
  • Building Trust in Technology

    Building Trust in Technology
    Jun 24 2025
    In this episode of The Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt talks with BJ and Justin from Fennec Engineering about their journey in developing advanced safety systems for cutting-edge technology. From their work with Amazon to their open-market solutions, this conversation dives into the intersection of innovation, safety, and entrepreneurship.BJ and Justin share how they built the "Advanced Safety Acceleration Platform" (ASAP), a scalable tool leveraging generative AI to ensure risk quantification and safety validation. Designed for startups and global enterprises alike, ASAP prioritizes safety from the start, covering everything from robotics to AI systems. Discover how their approach combines systems thinking, advanced engineering, and user-friendly tools to drive innovation while prioritizing safety.This episode is packed with valuable insights on robotics safety, AI development, and leadership within large enterprises. Whether you're interested in safety engineering, AI tools, or turning internal innovations into global solutions, this is a must-listen. Discover how Fennec Engineering is shaping the future of safe technology with scalable platforms and innovative solutions. Tune in now to learn more about their groundbreaking work!https://fennec-engineering.com

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    47 m
  • Leadership That Inspires

    Leadership That Inspires
    May 20 2025
    In this compelling episode of the Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Peter Bailey, President of the Prouty Project, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving nature of leadership.

    Together, they explore what it truly takes to build high-performing teams and cultivate healthy organizational cultures in today’s complex hybrid work environment, economic challenges, and shifting employee expectations.

    Drawing on decades of experience advising nonprofits and private companies, Peter shares invaluable insights into executive coaching, emotional intelligence, and why surface-level solutions—like personality tests—fail to address the deeper nuances of leadership development. Instead, he emphasizes the transformative power of vulnerability, empathy, and a dedication to personal growth, which are increasingly replacing outdated, top-down management styles.

    The discussion dives into real-world examples, from leading through the uncertainty of COVID-19 and remote work to guiding professionals as they transition from skilled practitioners to successful leaders.

    Peter and Kurt highlight common leadership pitfalls and share practical strategies to help leaders at every stage of their journey. Whether you're an aspiring manager, a seasoned executive, or simply passionate about empowering others to thrive, this episode provides actionable advice, thought-provoking stories, and fresh perspectives to elevate your leadership approach. Links Mentioned:
    • Learn more about the Prouty Project: [Prouty Project Website]
    • Connect with Peter Bailey on LinkedIn
    • Watch Peter’s TED Talk: Heroic Journey Mindset
    • Check out Kurt Schmidt’s book Solopreneur Connection on Amazon
    Don’t miss this conversation packed with wisdom, personal anecdotes, and leadership tools you can apply right away!

    Peter Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJiTZyvrcAA

    Peter’s favorite quote https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7290530520499687428

    Prouty L3 promo video (leading self, leading others, leading the business) https://proutyproject.com/prouty-l3-2025/

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    31 m
  • Episode 300 - What's Next?

    Episode 300 - What's Next?
    May 12 2025
    Episode 300: Reflections, Growth, and What’s Next for Schmidt List Welcome to Episode 300 of Schmidt List! In this special milestone, host Kurt Schmidt reflects on the seven-year journey of the podcast, sparked by a desire to share inspiring conversations. Starting with interviews at home, Schmidt List became a platform featuring leaders from Fortune 50 companies, founders, and nonprofit changemakers.Kurt shares key lessons learned from hundreds of guests—many of them experts whose time is invaluable—and how the podcast has shaped his personal and professional growth. From early challenges of pursuing his vision to navigating the ups and downs of building his own software product, Kurt explains how stepping into exciting, sometimes scary opportunities has shaped his career.He also updates listeners on recent projects, including business coaching, content marketing, and his UX/UI firm partnership. The episode offers insights on marketing, messaging, and the reality that even thriving businesses constantly adapt and learn.Kurt reveals plans for the show’s future, with fewer but more impactful episodes, while exploring new content mediums like YouTube and app development. Whether you’ve been here since the beginning or are new to Schmidt List, this heartfelt episode is full of gratitude, inspiration, and actionable wisdom.Thank you for being part of the Schmidt List community—here’s to what’s next!Highlights:
    • The evolution and growth of Schmidt List
    • Lessons from high-profile and everyday guests
    • Choosing excitement over comfort
    • Updates on Kurt’s coaching and new ventures
    • What’s next for the podcast
    Have ideas or guest suggestions? Kurt wants to hear from you!

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.
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    12 m
  • Make Change Your Superpower

    Make Change Your Superpower
    Apr 1 2025
    In this episode of "Schmidt List," host Kurt Schmidt engages with Sarah and Ashleigh from Messhill to discuss the art of strategic decision-making and organizational development. As seasoned professionals, Sarah and Ashleigh specialize in guiding leaders and teams through complex challenges, equipping them with the skills to tackle future decisions independently.

    They share valuable insights from their experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding both internal and external dynamics while addressing organizational fatigue. The discussion also explores the impact of remote work on change management and the necessity of a flexible, supportive strategy to navigate ever-changing environments. Ashleigh introduces the fascinating concept of regeneration, drawing on ecological principles to improve organizational systems over time.

    This episode is a must-listen for those curious about how strategic decisions can embrace complexity while driving growth.

    Check out: https://www.messhill.com

    Visit https://schmidtconsulting.group for more from Kurt!

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    42 m
  • Marketing with Authenticity

    Marketing with Authenticity
    Mar 18 2025
    In this episode of Schmidt List, host Kurt Schmidt sits down with Trygve Olson, the Director of Business Development at BusyWeb, a Minneapolis-based HubSpot agency, for an insightful and entertaining conversation about the future of marketing.

    Trygve shares his journey from recruitment to becoming a digital marketing pro, specializing in HubSpot optimization.

    Known for his unique—and often humorous—approach to business development, Trygve reveals how authenticity and storytelling are at the heart of successful marketing. The conversation dives into the evolution of tools like HubSpot and tackles misconceptions about cost and functionality. Trygve also sheds light on how AI reshapes marketing, exposes inefficiencies, and transforms sales processes.

    His key advice? Build a transparent sales process, understand your data, and keep authenticity front and center. Listeners will be inspired by Trygve’s creative strategies for client engagement—proving that personal connections still matter in a noisy digital world. As AI continues to drive change, this episode offers practical tips for balancing cutting-edge technology with the human touch essential for building strong, lasting relationships.

    Tune in to discover how a mix of humor, authenticity, and strategic tech can elevate your marketing!

    www.bizzyweb.com

    Connect with Trygve!

    https://schmidtconsulting.group

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/schmidt-list-business-insights--2664825/support.
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    33 m