🎙️ Episode Title: Disrupt Yourself, Stay Rooted – A Conversation with Dr. William “Bill” Putsis

In this episode of The Greatness Garage, we sit down with Dr. William “Bill” Putsis — economist, author, executive, and professor — for a powerhouse conversation on risk, reinvention, and resilience. Bill pulls back the curtain on his unique journey from academia to industry, from traditional business books to a bold fiction release (Scarlet’s Revenge), and how embracing disruption has led to some of his greatest personal and professional growth.

We explore:

• The “What If” of a near-career in professional baseball

• Why fear of failure can sometimes override passion — and what to do about it

• How to lead with values when the stakes are high

• Lessons from writing a fiction business book… and accidentally getting lost in the romance section

• The importance of defining your “tree trunk” — the unshakable core of your values and purpose

Plus, Bill shares the mindset that helped his firm launch over $15 billion in development projects and how he’s redefining strategy, joy, and balance in the second act of his career.

🔑 Key Quote: “Have fun with it. And be a tree trunk. Your leaves may sway, but your roots shouldn’t move.”

This episode is a must-listen for anyone standing at a crossroads — whether you’re thinking about a pivot, facing burnout, or just wondering what’s next.

📕 Check out Scarlet’s Revenge — available now on Amazon, Walmart, and Barnes & Noble. (Spoiler: It's not a romance novel!)

Greatness Garage | Episode: Doug Thorpe — Choosing Wisely, Leading Intentionally

In this raw and powerful episode of The Greatness Garage, we're pulling back the curtain with leadership coach and podcast host Doug Thorpe for a conversation that hits deep and delivers wisdom every step of the way.

Doug opens up about a pivotal “I Wish I Would Have” moment that shook the foundation of his personal and professional life—his second marriage—and how that decision forced him to rebuild from scratch at 45. We talk about what happens when the wrong partner—whether in life or business—derails the dream, and how the right partner can become your greatest asset.

Then… buckle up. In the “You’re Not Gonna Believe This” segment, Doug shares a jaw-dropping story from his time cleaning up failed banks for the FDIC—including a murder, mob-style warnings, and some Texas billionaire drama that sounds like it came out of an HBO series.

And finally, we land on solid ground with a truth every business owner needs to hear: intentionality. Doug breaks down why so many entrepreneurs know what to do, but still don’t do it—and how to finally push past that reptile brain resistance that holds us back.

This episode is full of gold—life lessons, leadership insights, and a whole lot of real talk. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to lead yourself a little better today, you’re going to walk away stronger.

🎧 Listen now and get to work—not just in your business, but on it.