Have you wondered why military teams have crystal clear expectations while business teams often operate in a "fricking void" of clarity? In this episode (complete with surprise appearances from Matt's son), Cam and Otis dive deep with Matt Granados, founder of Life Pulse Inc., on the missing link between expectations and performance.

"You have to articulate what the expectations are," Matt explains, "but then the key is you have to properly equip your people to be able to live up to them." It's this combination that's often missing in business leadership.

From the fascinating distinction between high performance (unsustainable pace) and optimal performance (sustainable excellence) to the provocative question of whether we're forcing growth on people who don't need it, this conversation challenges conventional wisdom about team development. Matt even shares the four levels of performance that transform how leaders view their teams: lazy, unaware, high potential, and the elusive optimal performance.

Whether you're leading a team that's struggling with clarity or you're wondering if your own "high performance" might be burning you out, Matt's practical insights offer a refreshing alternative to the "microwave theory" of leadership development.

Special Link for 10x Your Team Listeners: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/co

More About Matt:
Matt Granados is the founder and CEO of Life Pulse Inc., where he teaches organizations how to stop treating symptoms and finally fix their people problems—for good. A two-time #1 international bestselling author and in-demand speaker, Matt’s work is grounded in real-world results, not theories. His proprietary Life Pulse Methodology fuses structure with mindset to create “Perpetual Development”—a practical, scalable system that builds high-performing individuals and teams from the inside out. Matt first proved his power by turning a Craigslist-hired crew into a $40 million sales force. Today, clients like Google, Twitter, and the U.S. Air Force use his system to improve performance, reduce burnout, and transform culture at every level. Whether he’s working with executives or entry-level employees, Matt helps people take ownership of their growth and leaders build teams that run on purpose—not pressure.


#10xYourTeam #TeamClarity #LeadershipDevelopment #HighPerformanceTeams #OptimalPerformance #TeamGrowth #BusinessLeadership #EmployeeDevelopment #PerformanceCulture #SustainableExcellence #LeadershipInsights #TeamEquipping #PurposeDrivenLeadership #LifePulseMethod #TeamTransformation #NextLevelLeadership

Chapter Times and Titles:

Setting Clear Expectations [00:00 - 18:52]
Introduction to Matt Granados
The importance of articulating standards
Properly equipping people to meet expectations

The Military-Business Disconnect [18:53 - 25:00]
"Why is it a fricking void in the business world?"
Otis's experience with written expectations in the Army
The transition challenges for military leaders entering business

The "All Boats Rise" Philosophy [25:01 - 42:00]
Creating a culture where everyone improves
The "microwave theory" of leadership
Building sustainable growth systems

A Family Interruption (and Proud Grandpa Moment) [42:01 - 43:05]
Matt's son makes a surprise appearance
"It's a family show!"
The human side of leadership conversations

The Four Levels of Performance [43:06 - 46:09]
Lazy, unaware, high potential, high performance
The critical fifth level: optimal performance
Why do we force unnecessary growth on people

High Performance vs. Optimal Performance [46:10 - 50:38]
"High performers: high output, unsustainable pace"
The subtle but drastic differences
Finding the sustainable sweet spot

Elevating the Whole Team [50:39 - End]
The Salesforce example of valuing BDRs and SDRs
Treating entry-l

Ever wondered why most press releases disappear into the void? In this episode, Cam and Otis sit down with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases and a 25-year veteran of the PR industry.

"It's like a bank account," Mickie explains, revealing how successful PR professionals build relationships with journalists that pay dividends over time. From neighborhood papers to radio opportunities, he breaks down exactly where businesses should focus their PR efforts based on their specific needs and audience.

Mickie pulls back the curtain on the "duopoly of news wires" that makes it nearly impossible for smaller businesses to get noticed, while offering practical alternatives that don't require the budget of a Fortune 500 company. He also addresses the elephant in the room: those suspicious "earned media" placements that may not be as earned as they seem.

Whether you're a small business owner seeking your first media coverage or a marketing professional looking to enhance your PR strategy, this episode provides actionable insights from someone who has identified the patterns behind the tiny 3% of press releases that get picked up. Plus, Mickie shares details about his free masterclass that could save you thousands in wasted PR efforts.

More About Mickie:
Mickie Kennedy is the founder of eReleases, a leading press release distribution service that helps small businesses, startups, and authors gain national media exposure. With over 25 years in the industry, Mickie built eReleases to bridge the gap between businesses and journalists, providing an affordable way to secure real press coverage. His expertise in crafting compelling press releases and navigating the PR landscape has helped thousands
of businesses establish credibility and grow. A recognized leader in small business PR, Mickie is passionate about making media access easy, effective, and results-driven for entrepreneurs looking to stand out.


#10xYourTeam #PRStrategy #SmallBusinessGrowth #MediaRelations #EarnedMedia #MarketingTips #PressReleaseSuccess #EntrepreneurInsights #BusinessExposure


Chapter Times and Titles:

The PR Landscape Today [00:00 - 05:41]
Introduction to Mickie Kennedy
How PR has evolved over 25 years
The challenge of standing out in a journalist's chaotic inbox

Finding Your Media Sweet Spot [05:42 - 15:00]
Neighborhood papers vs. national outlets
Radio opportunities for local businesses
Matching your business type to the right media

The Visual Element of PR [15:01 - 25:00]
Including visuals that enhance your story
How do different media use images differently
Making your pitch stand out visually

Earned vs. Paid Media [25:01 - 31:17]
The truth about "paid features"
When paid placements work (and when they don't)
Maintaining authenticity in media coverage

Building a Journalist Bank Account [31:18 - 41:36]
Creating relationships that pay dividends
How PR professionals become valuable connectors
The ethics of media relationships

Strategic Press Release Campaigns [41:37 - 50:46]
Identifying patterns in successful releases
Creating a campaign of 6-8 releases
Why you only need 2-3 "winners" to make an impact

The 3% Solution: Mickie's Free Masterclass [50:47 - End]
How to access the free training at eReleases.com/plan
Final thoughts and takeaways
Connecting with Mickie and eReleases


Mickie Kennedy
Website: https://www.ereleases.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/publicity/
X: https://x.com/ereleases
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ereleases.press.release.distribution

Ever wondered why traditional recruiters seem more interested in their commission than in finding you the right person? Ryan Hogan did too—and it bugged him enough to build an entirely different model.

In this conversation with Cam and Otis, the Navy Reservist and serial entrepreneur shares how scaling Hunt A Killer to a $205M phenomenon exposed him to the broken incentives plaguing the recruiting industry. "I'm an anti-recruiter recruiter all day long," Ryan admits with a laugh, explaining why the commission-based headhunter approach just doesn't work for growing businesses.

From the controversial reality that "your next best hire is probably already employed" to the magic of turning recruiting into a true sales and marketing process, Ryan breaks down why finding great talent is actually a lot like hunting. He shares the exact process his team uses to create marketing materials for jobs that actually attract the right people—not just the available ones.

Whether you're struggling to find talent for your growing business or just curious about a better approach to building teams, Ryan's flat-fee, embedded recruiting model offers a refreshing alternative to the status quo. Plus, he explains why understanding a candidate's drivers is the key to convincing them to even consider your opportunity.

More About Ryan:
Ryan Hogan is a Navy Reservist, serial entrepreneur, and the co-founder and CEO of Talent Harbor, a recruiting-as-a-service company helping growth businesses find world-class talent—without the broken incentives of traditional headhunters. After scaling Hunt A Killer from an idea to a $205M global phenomenon, Ryan experienced firsthand how ridiculous the recruiting industry was. That challenge became his next mission. With a deep belief that recruiting needs to be a core competency for all businesses—not an afterthought – Ryan built Talent Harbor to serve growing B2B businesses, especially those running on EOS. His team replaces antiquated commission-driven models with a flat-fee, embedded recruiting service focused on fit, process, and long-term results. Ryan is on a mission to change how business leaders think about hiring—and to challenge the outdated models that no longer
serve today’s workforce or workplace.


#10xYourTeam #RyanHogan #TalentHarbor #RecruitingReimagined #AntiRecruiter #FlatFeeRecruiting #HiringForFit #EOSBusiness #GrowthFocusedHiring #SmartTeamsGrow #EmbeddedRecruiting #BuildBetterTeams

Chapter Times and Titles:

The Anti-Recruiter Recruiter [00:00 - 05:00]
Introduction to Ryan Hogan
"I just poo poo all over recruiters."
The pain point that led to Talent Harbor

From Hunt A Killer to Talent Hunter [05:01 - 12:00]
Ryan's journey with Hunt A Killer
The transition to solving recruiting problems
Why traditional recruiting models are broken

"Your Next Best Hire Is Already Employed" [12:01 - 20:00]
The controversial LinkedIn post
Why are employed people make better candidates
The challenge of finding people who aren't looking

Recruiting Is Hunting (Then Sales) [20:01 - 30:00]
"Expert recruiting is hunting."
The 90-minute kickoff process
Creating marketing materials for jobs

The Moral Question of Poaching [30:01 - 45:00]
Is it wrong to recruit from other companies?
Understanding candidates' drivers
Building a process that respects everyone involved

The Flat-Fee Revolution [45:01 - 55:00]
Why commission models create bad incentives
How Talent Harbor's approach differs
Results from the embedded recruiting model

Connect with Ryan [55:01 - End]
"It's talentHarbor.com/Ryan"
Final thoughts and takeaways
Standard outro with Camden


Ryan Hogan
https://www.linkedin.com/company/talentharbor/
https://talentharbor.com/