The Scott Townsend Show

The Scott Townsend Show

Conversations, perspectives, and insight from some of the brightest minds, facilitated by everyone's friend, Scott Townsend

Episodes

August 24, 2025 6 mins

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Sometimes the most meaningful discoveries come when we venture beyond our usual preferences. Having just finished "Theo of Golden," by Allen Levi. a book far removed from my typical action-packed thrillers, I found myself profoundly moved in unexpected ways.

When Eric Rostad, host of Books of Titans podcast and a friend whose literary judgment I trust implicitly, recommended this book, I took notice...

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We're celebrating a major milestone on the podcast with our 7,500th download after five years and 234 episodes. This achievement represents the longest project I've ever committed to outside of my professional career.

• Most new podcasts don't make it beyond 7 episodes
• The conversations with guests and their stories have been the driving force behind the show's longevity
• Sharin...

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featuring:
Draven Hope
Ben Townsend

Ever caught yourself replaying a meeting or conversation days later, questioning your every word and action? You're not alone in this leadership struggle.

Our latest installment in the Leadership is Influence series tackles the complex relationship between reflection and effective leadership. Through an insightful conversation with Liz Draven Hope from...

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Leadership isn't about pursuing titles but developing others to reach their potential. Our conversation explores how leadership perspectives evolve from seeking positions to focusing on creating meaningful impact and building capable teams.

• Shifting from wanting leadership positions to prioritizing good work and social influence
• How leadership positions naturally attract narcissistic personalitie...

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Leadership is fundamentally about influence and returning more value than the resources invested. Our views on leadership evolve over time, often shifting from purely analytical approaches to recognizing the crucial importance of emotional connections.

• Leadership defined as the ability to influence others toward fulfilling the company's mission
• Effective leaders connect organizational goals to in...

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Leadership is about influence and aligning people to goals while serving them empathetically and helping them develop to reach their full potential.

• Leadership develops through experience, just like learning to walk—you fall down, get up, and improve as long as you're paying attention
• The ability to influence is the essence of leadership, which can be wielded ethically or unethically
• Emotio...

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Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2

Resources and Links
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My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit....

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We explore the emotional and mental challenges of decluttering during life transitions and how our attachment to possessions can hold us back from moving forward.

• Moving reveals the overwhelming accumulation of possessions that often go unused for years
• The emotional challenge of parting with items tied to significant memories and life events
• How digital alternatives can preserve memories while ...

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Scott Townsend welcomes back familiar guest Ben Townsend for a deep dive into why "a well-defined problem is half the solution" and how this principle applies across business and personal scenarios.

• Understanding customer needs beyond their stated requirements is essential for effective problem-solving
• In software development, where engineers cost $130-$250/hour, misunderstanding problems le...

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April 23, 2025 7 mins

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Diving into HG Wells' 1897 classic "The Invisible Man," Scott explores how the novel uses invisibility as a device to illuminate human nature. This short but profound book examines what happens when accountability disappears and reveals who we truly are when no one is watching.

• First-time reading of the 162-page classic "The Invisible Man" by HG Wells
• Brief overview of Wells&a...

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A preview of next week's exploration of the Net Promoter Score (NPS), the single-question metric that helps businesses predict growth through customer loyalty. We'll uncover who created it, why it's widely used, and how different companies implement this powerful tool.

• Net Promoter Score revolves around one question about customers' likelihood to recommend
• Various companies use dif...

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Career setbacks happen to everyone, but how you respond to them determines your professional trajectory and future opportunities. 

• The "tube top" comment highlights the importance of getting honest feedback after a rejection
• One word in an interview (describing a workplace as "hostile") can sink your chances if the interviewer takes issue with it
• Remember interviews are two-w...

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Understanding how to navigate rejection in your career is vital for long-term success and personal growth. Emphasizing resilience, this episode explores effective strategies for responding to disappointment and staying prepared for future opportunities.

• Discusses initial feelings of disappointment after not being promoted 
• Highlights the importance of preparing emotionally for rejection 
• Shares ...

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Video that Ben mentioned  https://x.com/WarPath2pt0/status/1887864859515121904

In today’s rapidly shifting workplace, how do you navigate career advancement while balancing merit-based promotions with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives? In this episode of The Scott Townsend Show, I sit down with Executive Producer Ben Townsend to unpack the evolving dynamics of promotions, hiring decisions, and the broa...

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Picture this: it's Valentine's Day 1997, you've just snagged a speeding ticket, run into your youth group while watching Titanic, and the film's tragic ending is the cherry on top of your misadventure sundae. Join us as Jay Webster, the witty author of "You Don't Have to Read This," brings his comical calamity to life on The Scott Townsend Show. We unravel the societal pressures and ...

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This episode emphasizes the transformational power of intentional outreach and empathy in supporting those facing difficult times. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, we explore ways to foster meaningful connections while dismantling the stigma against asking for help.

• The impact of consistent check-ins on emotional well-being
• Empathy as a driving force in providing support
• Social i...

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Retail theft is costing businesses billions, but locking up merchandise alienates customers and reduces sales. Solutions exist, and finding a balance between security and customer satisfaction is crucial for retailers. 

• Retail theft costs nearly $94.5 billion annually 
• 60% of shoppers encounter locked merchandise regularly 
• 27% of customers abandon purchases due to locked items 
• Locking up...

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Ever had a package disappear from your doorstep? It happened to me, which got me thinking about how we handle neighborly etiquette in today’s tech-driven world. With delivery drivers often skipping the doorbell, it’s easy to miss when a package arrives. I share a story about a mix-up with a package pickup and a simple solution: using the Ring camera’s recording feature to communicate intentions and avoid confusion. Wi...

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The episode explores an unexpected encounter with a stranger asking for fuel on a bitterly cold morning, prompting thoughts on kindness, trust, and decision-making. The story raises questions about empathy and the balance between safety and generosity in our interactions with others.

• A 5:30 AM encounter in a deserted parking lot 
• Meeting a scruffy man with a gas can seeking help 
• Navigating feel...

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Erik Rostad joins us once again for his third annual appearance on the Scott Townsend Show, bringing fresh insights from his impressive reading project. Since 2017, Erik has been on a mission to read 52 books a year, but his journey has grown to encompass nearly 200 authors, exploring timeless works that have shaped literature and thought. He shares his passion for epic texts like those by Homer, Egyptian writings, an...

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