Skip to content
Sign in
Artwork for The Expert Method
BusinessEntrepreneurshipEducation

The Expert Method

Ian Gatzke

The Expert Method is a podcast for people who turn knowledge into transformation. Hosted by Ian Gatzke, the show features thoughtful conversations with experts, authors, coaches, consultants, and thought leaders about how they think, teach, build, and create results.

Each episode goes beneath surface-level advice to uncover the methods, beliefs, hard-earned lessons, and execution realities behind work that actually helps people change, grow, and follow through. The show is designed for experts and knowledge-based founders who care about building offers, programs, and ideas that create real outcomes — not just more information.

Play
Open in
  • 38 episodes
  • a few times a week
  • Avg 45 min
  • English

Episodes 38

NewestOldestLongest
All20Unplayed20In progress0Played0
Counted on this page — what you have heard stays on this device, so it is not something the list can be paged by.
  • Today · 41 min

    Why a Narrower Life Can Make You More Free

    Freedom is often framed as having more options, fewer constraints, and the ability to do whatever you want. Daryl Dittmer sees it differently: sometimes the road has to get narrower before your life becomes more free. In this conversation, Daryl and Ian explore what happens when you deliberately narrow your focus around the habits, behaviors, relationships, and work that actually move your life forward. They talk about why discipline creates freedom, why recurring obstacles often contain lessons we have been avoiding, and why progress sometimes comes less from adding something new and more from removing the things that are holding you back. They also dig into the value of simply putting your head down and doing the work in front of you, the role humility plays in becoming more teachable, how experience changes your relationship with adversity, and why a strong enough “why” can keep you moving when things inevitably get difficult. Daryl also shares his perspective on mentors, self-accountability, toxic relationships, learning through mistakes, and the responsibility each of us has to make something of the potential already inside us. =============== Daryl’s Links: - Website: https://www.daryldittmer.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daryl-dittmer-734205294 - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Daryl-Dittmer-Coach/100095169161814 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daryl_dittmer - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daryldittmercoach - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SHOWUPPodcast-DD Daryl’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CKJ2YBX2/allbooks =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 1:45 Narrow the Road to Freedom 4:40 Discipline Creates Freedom 6:42 Let Your Why Carry You 12:16 Stop Avoiding the Lesson 14:47 Do What’s in Front of You 17:51 Remove the Toxins 20:41 Set Better Boundaries 25:12 Learn Through Experience 28:09 Stop Beating Yourself Up 32:49 Humility Makes You Teachable 35:56 Use What You’ve Learned to Serve 38:51 You’re Standing on a Whale 40:04 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • Thursday · 33 min

    What 100-Year-Olds Know That Kids Already Understand

    What do people who live past 100 understand about life that children seem to know instinctively? In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with longevity expert and author Judy Gaman to explore what she learned from interviewing centenarians—and what surprised her when she asked elementary school children many of the same questions. The conversation goes beyond diet and exercise. Judy shares why relationships, purpose, faith, reflection, and the choices we make today can shape the person we become years from now. She also explains a “future self” exercise that changed how she thinks about her health, friendships, attention, and priorities. Ian and Judy also explore why knowing what to do is rarely the real problem, how modern distractions can pull us away from what matters, and why creating a longer life may have as much to do with how we think and live as it does with traditional health advice. As Judy puts it: if you still have breath in you, you still have a purpose. =============== Judy’s Links: - Website: https://www.judygaman.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judygaman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jgamanspeaker - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judygaman - X: https://x.com/judygaman Judy’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00H9ODKDY/allbooks =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 1:13 What Centenarians Know 4:07 Why We Lose the Basics 6:06 Your Choices Shape Future You 9:41 Write to Your Future Self 13:46 Protect Your Attention 15:02 Your Words Affect Your Body 18:11 The Body Remembers 22:01 Why Belief Matters 24:58 You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone 29:19 Let Yourself Be Supported 31:17 You Still Have a Purpose 32:07 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • Tuesday · 44 min

    Why Talent Isn’t Enough to Build a Creative Career

    Talent matters. But talent alone rarely builds a lasting creative career. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with songwriter, publisher, and creative industry veteran Greig Watts to unpack what actually separates talented creatives from the people who turn their ability into a real career. Greig shares lessons from decades in the music business, including why creatives need to think like business owners, why relationships and momentum matter so much early on, and how saying yes to unexpected opportunities can open doors you could never plan for. They also explore the deeper side of creative work: why persistence matters, how the wrong people can drain your momentum, what happens when money starts replacing passion, and why some of the best ideas feel less like something you create and more like something you receive. The conversation ultimately comes back to one simple principle: start the journey even if you do not feel ready. =============== Greig’s Links: - Website: www.dwbmusicgroup.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greigwatts - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greig.watts - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greigwatts - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@greigwatts Keeping the Dream Alive: A Songwriter's Guide to Overcoming Rejection, Finding Success and Enjoying the Journey Along the Way: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keeping-Dream-Alive-Songwriters-Overcoming/dp/195725551X =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 1:50 Talent Isn’t Enough 3:54 Treat Creativity Like a Business 6:43 Stay in Motion 10:50 Find People Who Fan the Flame 13:32 Take the Risk 18:20 Success Is Built in Small Moments 21:56 When Money Pulls You Off Course 25:38 Celebrate the Wins 28:32 Reconnect With the Dream 30:24 Where Great Ideas Come From 34:31 Turn Inspiration Into Action 39:39 Start Before You’re Ready 43:15 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 26 · 44 min

    You’re Using AI Like Google. That’s the Problem.

    Ask a question. Get an answer. Repeat. That’s the search-engine habit Andrew Brummer wants you to break. His alternative: start with the outcome you want, then work with AI to figure out how to get there—without dictating every step. Andrew joins Ian Gatzke on The Expert Method to explore why working effectively with AI is less about learning 50 different tools and more about changing how you approach a problem. They unpack how your assumptions can become a “thought bottleneck,” the difference between useful constraints and micromanaging the solution, and why a confident answer still deserves to be challenged. From designing a saltwater aquarium to building My Story Told, Andrew shares examples of putting outcome-based thinking into practice. He also explains how he uses AI to help people turn their lived experiences into books while keeping their stories—not invented material—at the center. The conversation also explores Andrew’s reusable “operator profile”: a document he carries between AI tools to capture preferences and lessons from previous interactions. For entrepreneurs, consultants, and experts, the central question is practical: how do you use AI to expand your thinking without giving up your own judgment—or creating an echo chamber? =============== Andrew’s Links: - Website: https://ardunan.com - Website: https://www.mystorytold.ai - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewbrummer You Decide: Supercharge your Networking – Starting with LinkedIn: https://www.amazon.com/You-Decide-Supercharge-Networking-Starting-ebook/dp/B0DT676DVY =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 1:06 Stop Using AI Like Google 4:01 Start With the Outcome 5:55 Let AI Design the Path 9:52 Building My Story Told With AI 15:55 Learn Alongside the AI 18:58 AI Democratizes Expertise 21:41 Why Younger Minds Adapt Faster 25:20 Failure Is Getting Cheaper 30:40 Challenge AI’s Assumptions 35:11 Don’t Accept the First Answer 38:50 Train AI to Work With You 42:50 Plant Seeds for the Future 43:23 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 24 · 42 min

    Why You Keep Falling Back Into Old Patterns (and How to Make Change Stick)

    You can know exactly what pattern is holding you back and still keep repeating it. People pleasing. Overthinking. Second-guessing yourself. Imposter syndrome. Reactive habits you recognize in the moment—or immediately afterward—but somehow keep falling back into anyway. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with Carlene Marie to explore why awareness is only the beginning of change, and what it actually takes to repattern the beliefs and reactions that no longer serve you. Carlene explains how many of our automatic responses were formed earlier in life as ways to feel safe, accepted, or connected. The problem is that a pattern that once protected you can continue running long after it stops serving you. They unpack why lasting change requires more than positive thinking, how the body often reacts before the conscious mind catches up, why self-forgiveness can be part of changing an old pattern, and how shifting your interpretation of the past can create room for a different response in the future. Carlene also walks through her four-part Compass Method for interrupting old reactions and choosing differently: • Connect — recognize the thought or reaction without blame or shame • Calm — regulate the body so clear thinking can come back online • Curious — question the old story and widen the range of possibilities • Claim — consciously choose how you want to respond and reinforce the new pattern The goal isn’t to never get triggered again. It’s to stop being at the mercy of reactions that no longer reflect who you want to be—and practice a different response until it becomes more natural. =============== Carlene’s Links: - Website: https://carlenemarie.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlene-marie-545ab6124 - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarleneCoaches - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarlenemarie Enough Already: https://carlenemarie.com/enough-already =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:17 What Is Your Life For? 1:54 Admit When You’re Lost 4:20 Find the Right Roadmap 6:46 Life as Stewardship 10:12 You’re Responsible for What You’re Given 14:23 Purpose Starts With Responsibility 17:03 Stop Playing a Role 21:37 The Freedom to Fail 23:59 Treat Supporters Like Partners 29:40 The Five Principles of Stewardship 33:15 Follow the Law of the Harvest 39:39 Contentment Is Learned 41:40 Put Your Intentions in Writing 46:45 Start by Admitting You’re Lost 50:08 Become an Authorized Wealth Distributor 55:03 God Loves You, Give Yourself Away 55:25 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 22 · 56 min

    How to Live With Purpose in a Confusing World

    In a world filled with competing ideas about success, meaning, identity, and what we should do with our lives, it’s easy to feel like you’re moving without actually knowing where you’re going. In this episode, Ian sits down with Larry O’Nan to explore a more fundamental question: What is your life actually for? Larry shares how his own search for meaning led him from theater and identity confusion into a life shaped by faith, stewardship, intentionality, and service. The conversation explores what it means to see yourself as a steward rather than an owner, why purpose begins with admitting when you’re lost, how the “law of the harvest” applies to life and entrepreneurship, and why intentional living requires more than good ideas. They also unpack Larry’s five principles of becoming an “authorized wealth distributor,” the importance of learning to give, ask, wait, and manage what has been entrusted to you, and why abundance is about far more than money. If you’ve ever felt like something is missing, like you’re drifting, or like you’re trying to build a meaningful life without a clear map, this conversation offers a different way to think about purpose, responsibility, faith, and the choices that shape a life. =============== Larry’s Links: - Website: https://larryonan.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-o-nan-90760410 Larry’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001KMHTUG/allbooks =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:17 What Is Your Life For? 1:54 Admit When You’re Lost 4:20 Find the Right Roadmap 6:46 Life as Stewardship 10:12 You’re Responsible for What You’re Given 14:23 Purpose Starts With Responsibility 17:03 Stop Playing a Role 21:37 The Freedom to Fail 23:59 Treat Supporters Like Partners 29:40 The Five Principles of Stewardship 33:15 Follow the Law of the Harvest 39:39 Contentment Is Learned 41:40 Put Your Intentions in Writing 46:45 Start by Admitting You’re Lost 50:08 Become an Authorized Wealth Distributor 55:03 God Loves You, Give Yourself Away 55:25 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 19 · 46 min

    Why Success Feels So Hard

    Why does success so often feel like a constant fight? In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with Roberta Ravella to challenge one of the most deeply ingrained beliefs in entrepreneurship: that meaningful success has to come through struggle, long hours, sacrifice, and pushing past yourself. Roberta shares how building businesses through force and self-abandonment eventually led her to question the way she was working altogether. They explore what it actually means to listen to yourself, how to tell the difference between temporary resistance and something you genuinely do not want, and why the way you build your life and business matters just as much as what you achieve. They also unpack how intuition, curiosity, habits, energy, and deeply held beliefs shape the decisions we make—and why learning to trust yourself may be one of the most important skills you can build. =============== Roberta’s Links: - Website: https://thejoyexperiment.live - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertaravella - TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@robertagravella - YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheJoyExperimentLIVE Roberta’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0G3YND1LK/allbooks =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:22 Why Success Feels So Hard 3:13 You Don’t Arrive Happy Through Misery 4:58 Stop Abandoning Yourself 8:03 Choose What You Actually Want 11:40 Make the Process Easier to Sustain 16:19 Ask What’s Getting in the Way 19:38 Know When the Work Is Draining You 23:41 Build Around What Gives You Energy 25:34 Give Yourself Permission to Experiment 27:09 Follow Your Intuition 30:14 Create Space to Hear Yourself 35:27 Release the Resistance 38:49 Question the Beliefs Holding You Back 44:23 Trust Yourself 44:42 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 17 · 56 min

    Why You Know What to Do and Still Don’t Do It

    You know what you need to do. You’ve set the goal. You understand the strategy. You may even have a clear plan for getting there. So why do you still struggle to take action? In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with licensed therapist, coach, author, and host of Unblocked, Jessica Smarro, to unpack what actually happens between knowing what to do and following through. Jessica explains why inaction is often less about discipline or information and more about what’s happening underneath the behavior. They explore the idea of “underfeeling,” why the goals we chase are not always connected to what we truly want, and how our thoughts shape the emotions, actions, and results we create. They also break down Jessica’s STEER model — Situation, Thought, Emotion, Action, Result — and how it can be used to identify the beliefs driving your behavior, challenge limiting thought patterns, and intentionally create new ones that better support the person you want to become. If you’ve ever wondered why you can have the strategy, the ambition, and the information — and still feel stuck — this conversation offers a different place to look. =============== Jessica’s Links: - Website: https://jessicasmarro.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicasmarro - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicasmarro - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jessicasmarro - YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaSmarro In Pursuit: Go After What You Want – Alive, Aligned, and Fully You: https://www.amazon.com/Pursuit-After-Alive-Aligned-Fully-ebook/dp/B0FR2QK8XP =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:19 Why Knowing Isn’t Enough 1:32 Find What You Actually Want 3:31 Get Clear on Your Real Why 6:12 Focus on Who Before How 10:13 Build Beliefs You Can Actually Believe 15:03 Become Aware of Your Thoughts 17:25 The STEER Model 20:29 Trace Results Back to Thoughts 23:09 Practice Better Thoughts 26:46 Find the Beliefs Blocking You 32:08 Your Thoughts Drive Your Results 35:51 Reframe Imposter Syndrome 37:56 Choose Thoughts That Serve You 44:18 Why We Fear Our Own Potential 48:55 Bring the Who Into the Goal 53:03 You Matter 54:30 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 15 · 42 min

    How to Become a Leader People Actually Want to Follow

    A title can put you in charge. It can’t make people trust you — and it definitely can’t make them want to follow you. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with Mark Andrew, author of Leading Through the Heat, to break down what leadership looks like when the stakes are real. Drawing on his experience in the fire service, Mark explains why the best leaders earn trust long before they receive the title — through competence, ownership, consistency, and the way they treat the people around them. They explore why micromanagement kills morale, how great leaders provide clear direction without controlling every decision, why taking responsibility when things go wrong builds trust, and what separates someone who manages people from someone people genuinely want to follow. They also discuss the responsibility leaders have to set the standard themselves, develop the people beneath them, have difficult conversations when necessary, and create an environment where people feel trusted enough to contribute their own ideas. If you’re building a team, stepping into leadership for the first time, or trying to become the kind of leader people actually want to work with, this conversation offers a practical look at what earning that trust requires. =============== Mark’s Links: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-andrew-a4351a184 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markdbnfire Leading Through the Heat: https://www.amazon.com/Leading-Through-Heat-Mark-Andrew/dp/196982610X =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:22 Trust Is Built Before the Title 2:20 Earn Leadership Before Promotion 4:25 Trust Your Team’s Expertise 6:10 Take Responsibility When Things Go Wrong 8:41 Give Clear Direction 10:55 Set the Strategy, Let Them Choose Tactics 12:48 Micromanagement Kills Ownership 14:23 People Want to Feel Valued 16:09 Why Leaders Micromanage 18:49 Accountability Builds Trust 23:06 Leadership Is More Than Management 31:44 Promotion Shouldn’t Change Who You Are 34:24 Lead From the Front 40:34 Care About Your Team

    • Transcript
  • September 12 · 34 min

    Why Full Restaurants Still Lose Money

    A full dining room doesn’t necessarily mean a profitable restaurant. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian Gatzke sits down with Jim Taylor of Benchmark Sixty to unpack the economics behind restaurant profitability—and why some operators can be busy every night and still struggle to make the model work. Jim explains why restaurant owners have to think of themselves as running a business that happens to serve food, rather than a passion project that happens to be a business. They explore how labor, operating hours, pricing, menu complexity, customer behavior, and increasingly thin margins can turn what looks like a successful restaurant into an unprofitable one. They also get into why opening fewer hours can sometimes produce more profit, why “industry standard” benchmarks can mislead independent operators, and how restaurants can use their own data to make better decisions. The conversation also moves beyond the numbers into hospitality: how matching the service model to the profit model matters, why customer loyalty compounds over time, and how simple gestures—like strategically using a restaurant’s promo budget—can simultaneously create memorable experiences and drive more revenue. If you run a restaurant, work in hospitality, or simply enjoy understanding the business mechanics behind the places you eat, this conversation offers a different way to think about what actually makes a restaurant sustainable. =============== Jim’s Links: - Website: https://benchmarksixty.com - LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/jimtaylor60 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jtaylor250/ =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:25 Why Restaurants Fail 2:54 Build a Business, Not Just a Restaurant 5:35 The Margin for Error Is Shrinking 7:33 Use Data to Make Better Decisions 10:42 Stop Chasing Industry Averages 13:15 Why Being Open Less Can Make More 14:46 How a Full Restaurant Loses Money 16:49 Match Hospitality to the Business Model 19:33 The Middle Market Is Getting Squeezed 22:58 Loyalty Is Built Through Hospitality 26:43 Use Promotions to Create More Revenue 29:48 Small Gestures Create Big Returns 32:44 Think Differently About the Business 33:26 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 10 · 40 min

    How to Get Your Business Recommended by AI

    AI is becoming a new layer of discovery. People are no longer just searching Google for businesses to hire — they’re asking tools like ChatGPT who they should work with. So what makes AI recommend one business over another? In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian Gatzke sits down with Wes Towers of Uplift 360 to explore what businesses can do to become more visible, trustworthy, and recommendable in an AI-driven world. Wes breaks down why specificity matters, how consistent messaging helps both people and AI understand what your business actually does, and why real-world proof like case studies, reviews, client outcomes, and third-party mentions is becoming increasingly valuable. They also explore why generic AI-generated content is unlikely to build real authority, why traditional lead magnets are losing value, how publishing useful content can help train large language models about your business, and the story of a consultant who landed a $140,000 project after being recommended through ChatGPT. If you’re trying to understand how search, content marketing, trust, and AI recommendations are starting to converge, this conversation offers a practical look at what may matter most: clarity, specificity, proof, and a reputation that exists beyond your own marketing. =============== Wes’ Links: - Website: https://uplift360.com.au - LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/westowers The Simple Manifesto: https://www.amazon.com.au/Simple-Manifesto-Marketing-Principl/dp/0994367600 =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 1:33 Why Trust Is Eroding Online 4:24 Build Trust Through Authenticity 8:42 Make the Founder the Brand 11:38 Turn Customers Into Marketing 14:03 Why the Lead Funnel Is Breaking 16:27 Train AI About Your Business 20:59 What Replaces the Lead Magnet 24:41 Everything Starts With the Customer 25:53 Why Niching Down Matters 30:49 How AI Chooses Who to Recommend 33:15 Brand Mentions Build Authority 36:25 Answer the Questions People Ask 38:36 Just Be Clear 38:59 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 8 · 49 min

    How to Start When You Don’t Know What to Do

    What do you do when you know you need to move forward—but you have no idea what the right next step is? In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian Gatzke sits down with Mitesh Jani to explore what Mitesh calls the power of reckless beginnings: the idea that clarity rarely comes before action. More often, the first step simply needs to create enough momentum for the second one to become visible. They unpack why we put so much pressure on making the “right” first decision, how overplanning can keep us stuck, and why intuition, curiosity, and experimentation can be more useful than a perfect plan when you’re at the beginning of something new. The conversation also explores how to become more attuned to intuition, why silence and presence can create space for better ideas, how self-doubt and imposter syndrome connect to self-image, and why recurring obstacles may be signals pointing toward the work you need to do next. If you’ve been waiting for certainty before taking action, this conversation is a reminder that you may not need more clarity first. You may just need to start. =============== Mitesh’s Links: - Website: https://www.selfworth.ca - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selfworth.ca The Process: Six Mechanics of Achievement: https://www.amazon.com/Process-Six-Mechanics-Achievement-ebook/dp/B0GTWWLJ5W =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:22 How to Start Without a Plan 1:17 The Power of Reckless Beginnings 3:41 The First Step Only Needs a Second 5:56 Why We Overthink the Beginning 8:46 Let Intuition Take the Wheel 11:54 Logic Comes After Momentum 15:22 Act on the Hunch 19:44 Trust the Dots to Connect 24:38 Where Intuition Comes From 29:26 Create More Space for Insight 33:48 Imposter Syndrome Is Self-Image 38:19 Let Obstacles Show You the Way 41:32 Build a Practice of Intuition 44:00 Make Space for Silence 47:23 Start Small, Start Now 47:46 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • September 5 · 41 min

    Why Great Books Fail to Find Readers

    A great book can still fail if it never reaches the right reader. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with author, ghostwriter, and publisher Lana McAra to unpack why quality alone is not enough to make a book successful. Lana has written and ghostwritten more than 50 books with over one million copies sold, and her experience has shown her that one of the biggest factors in a book’s success is clarity around exactly who it is for. They explore why authors should start thinking about their audience before the book is finished, how “priming the pump” can create demand before launch, and why getting more specific with your niche often makes a book—and a business—stronger rather than smaller. The conversation also covers how writing can expose gaps in your own thinking, how to identify the clients or readers you are best suited to serve, why authors should focus on delivering what the reader needs instead of protecting information, and the idea of giving away the knowledge while selling access and implementation. If you are an author, coach, consultant, or expert building a business around what you know, this conversation is a practical look at how clearer positioning, deeper audience understanding, and stronger execution can help your ideas reach the people they are actually meant to serve. =============== Lana’s Links: - Website: https://lanamcara.com - Website: https://www.vendelapublishing.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanamcara - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lanamcarapage Lana’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BL8SKS9T/allbooks =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:37 Why Good Books Don’t Sell 1:58 Know Your Target Reader 3:30 Start With the Outcome 5:46 Market the Book Before It’s Done 7:57 Make the Reader Say “This Is for Me” 12:08 Write for the Reader’s Level 14:34 Let the Book Clarify the Business 17:00 Give Readers What They Need 22:03 Why Niching Down Works 29:10 Find the Clients You Serve Best 33:34 Ask Better Discovery Questions 35:03 Put the Reader First 37:29 Give Away the Information 39:50 Just Get Started

    • Transcript
  • September 3 · 45 min

    Learning More Won’t Make You Better

    Most people don’t have an information problem. They have an execution problem. You can read more books, listen to more podcasts, buy another course, or use AI to generate another plan—but none of it matters if you never put what you learn into practice. In this episode, Ian sits down with Damon Lembi, author of The Learn It All Leader, to explore what actually turns learning into growth. They unpack why confidence comes after the reps, how to move through imposter syndrome, why failure is often just feedback, and what it takes to keep learning without using learning as a form of procrastination. They also discuss how AI is changing the future of work, why judgment and curiosity matter more as technology improves, and what employees and entrepreneurs can do to stay valuable instead of waiting for the world to happen to them. =============== Damon’s Links: - Website: https://www.thelearnitallleader.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi - YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheLearnItAllPodcast The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits and Tools: https://www.amazon.com/Learn-All-Leader-Mindset-Traits-ebook/dp/B0BZXKR784 =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:46 Learning Without Doing Is Treason 2:43 Stop Learning and Start Doing 4:31 Confidence Comes From Reps 6:30 Use Nerves as a Signal 8:29 Turn Learning Into Action 11:44 How to Handle Imposter Syndrome 14:12 Practice What Feels Difficult 17:06 Failure Only Exists If You Quit 21:14 Find Problems Worth Solving 24:09 Do Work You Care About 26:45 Use AI to Get Better Feedback 29:27 Build Skills AI Can’t Replace 31:47 Make Yourself More Valuable 35:27 Leadership Requires Learning Agility 38:39 Test the Market Before You Build 42:55 Leaders Are Always in the Making

    • Transcript
  • September 1 · 51 min

    What Keeps You From Changing?

    Most of us know at least one thing we want to change. The harder part is actually changing it. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with Karin Velická to explore why understanding what needs to change often isn’t enough—and how our nervous system, emotions, and attachment to what feels familiar can keep us stuck in patterns we consciously want to leave behind. Karin breaks down why lasting change often starts with smaller steps than we expect, how building consistency can create trust in ourselves, and what nervous system regulation actually looks like in practice. They also explore self-compassion during difficult periods, the difference between external success and internal fulfillment, and why becoming more authentic may require questioning the expectations we’ve inherited from family, culture, and society. If you know what you want to change but keep finding yourself pulled back toward the familiar, this conversation offers a different way to understand what might be happening underneath the surface. =============== Karin’s Links: - Website: https://www.velickakarin.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/velicka-karin - Instagram: http://instagram.com/velicka.karin Dear Me Letters: https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Me-Letters-Karin-Velick%C3%A1/dp/B0GKPCW6PY =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:27 Why Change Feels So Hard 3:53 Familiar Hell Feels Safer 5:56 Build Trust Through Small Steps 7:28 Understand Your Nervous System 12:51 Regulate Before You React 16:41 Ground Yourself in the Present 18:50 Practice Self-Compassion 22:12 Reward Progress, Not Perfection 25:19 What to Do in a Downward Spiral 29:36 What Low Moments Can Teach You 31:46 Success Without Fulfillment 37:45 Authenticity Starts With Honesty 42:15 Remember Your Purpose 45:38 What Creates Fulfillment 49:19 Regulate Your Nervous System

    • Transcript
  • August 29 · 34 min

    Why Experts Should Still Write Books in the Age of AI

    AI can answer almost any question in seconds. So why should an expert still spend months writing a book? In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian Gatzke sits down with ghostwriter and editor Danielle Hutchinson to explore what makes a business book worth reading—and why the human element may matter more, not less, in the age of AI. They break down how experts can choose the right idea for a book, why the strongest business books are built around real questions and stories, and how lived experience creates a level of trust and relevance that generic information cannot replicate. Ian and Danielle also dig into the resistance that comes with writing, the trap of perfectionism, how to know when a manuscript is actually finished, and what “success” should mean for an author beyond simply selling copies. The conversation ultimately comes back to one idea: AI can give people answers, but it cannot replace the perspective, experiences, stories, and hard-earned lessons that make an expert’s work uniquely theirs. =============== Danielle’s Links: - Website: https://authorityondemand.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hutchinsonbooks - YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@authorityondemand =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:36 Why People Read Business Books 3:18 Start With the Reader 5:02 Stories Keep People Reading 10:40 Choose the Right Book Idea 12:16 Passion Makes the Writing Better 14:40 Push Through Writing Resistance 18:00 Stop Chasing the Perfect Draft 23:58 Pull Better Stories From Yourself 25:04 Why Books Still Matter in AI 27:31 Your Human Story Is the Edge 30:04 Why Experts Should Write Books 32:42 Don’t Stop Growing 33:20 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • August 27 · 39 min

    The Founder Trap: Why Your Business Depends Too Much on You

    Most founders start out as the person doing everything. That may be necessary in the beginning. But eventually, the same involvement that helped build the business can become the thing holding it back. In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian Gatzke sits down with Ari Meisel to explore what it actually means to become a replaceable founder—and why building a real business requires learning to separate your identity from being the person every decision, task, and process depends on. Ari breaks down why founders often become bottlenecks, why delegation fails when you only hand off tasks instead of outcomes, and how ownership changes when people—or AI agents—are given clear expectations, resources, and decision-making authority. They also explore how AI is changing the role of the founder. As agents take on more execution, Ari argues that founders increasingly need to become better managers: defining outcomes, setting guardrails, creating accountability, and continuously improving the systems around the work. Ari also shares his “ultimate KPI” for measuring a founder’s progress toward replaceability—and a simple idea that captures the philosophy behind his work: Yes, it has to get done. No, it doesn’t have to be done by you. =============== Ari’s Links: - Website: https://lessdoing.com - Website: https://lessdoing.ai - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/productivity-coach-entrepreneur Ari’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B003BWZ3QA/allbooks =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 1:29 The Founder’s Real Job 3:44 Build a Business, Not a Job 8:30 Why Delegation Fails 11:37 Delegate the Outcome 13:47 Build Processes That Improve 17:39 Manage AI Like a Team 20:04 Create Real Ownership 24:22 Constraints Drive Innovation 27:18 What Should You Stop Doing? 31:07 Teach What You’re Great At 35:29 Perfection Is the Enemy of Done 38:29 It Doesn’t Have to Be You 38:41 Episode Takeaway

    • Transcript
  • August 25 · 47 min

    Stop Presenting. Start Transforming Your Audience.

    Most experts assume the hardest part of public speaking is knowing what to say. Peter George argues that’s exactly where many presentations go wrong. Peter is a public speaking coach, author of The Captivating Public Speaker, and host of a podcast focused on helping professionals become more effective communicators. In this episode of The Expert Method, we break down what separates a presentation that simply delivers information from one that actually transforms an audience. Peter explains why great speaking starts with understanding who is in the room, how to research what an audience actually wants and needs, and why your expertise matters far less if you cannot connect it to the people listening. We also get into how to choose stories that resonate, create one clear takeaway for a presentation, open in a way that earns attention, rehearse without memorizing every word, manage speaking nerves, and close with a call to action that gets people to do something with what they learned. If you use speaking, presentations, workshops, webinars, or conversations to communicate your expertise, this episode is a practical look at how to stop making the presentation about you—and start designing it around the people you want to help. =============== Peter’s Links: - Website: https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petergeorgepublicspeaking The Captivating Public Speaker: https://amzn.to/3SSpJJ6 The AMP'D Prep Sheet: https://petergeorgepublicspeaking.com/ampd-prep-sheet/ =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:35 Expertise Isn’t Enough 1:42 Make It About the Audience 3:15 Know Who’s in the Room 5:43 Transform, Don’t Just Inform 7:29 Take the Pressure Off Yourself 10:14 Reframe Nerves as Excitement 15:15 Customize Without Starting Over 18:17 Learn to Connect Minds 19:39 Use Stories to Create Connection 22:10 Research What Your Audience Needs 27:34 Build Around One Core Message 33:05 Earn Attention From the Start 36:15 Don’t Memorize the Talk 41:21 Close With a Clear Action 44:07 Human Transformation Beats AI 44:43 Better Speaking Changes Your Life

    • Transcript
  • August 22 · 39 min

    How To Lead People Effectively: Understand Them First

    In this episode of The Expert Method, Ian sits down with Jay Jacobson to explore what effective leadership actually looks like when pressure rises, emotions escalate, and there is no clear playbook to follow. Drawing on 45 years in funeral service, Jay shares lessons from moments of real crisis—including his experience responding after the United Flight 232 disaster in Sioux City—and explains why strong leadership begins long before the crisis itself. At the center of his approach is a simple idea: you cannot lead people effectively if you do not first understand them. Ian and Jay discuss the importance of presence, how great leaders slow a room down, why interpersonal skills may become more valuable in an AI-driven world, and how personal values help leaders make better decisions under pressure. They also explore crucial conversations, emotional regulation, mentorship, purpose, and the role families and communities play in developing the next generation of leaders. Jay is the author of Lead by Legendary Example, a leadership book built around six pillars: presence, integrity, vision, servant leadership, adaptability, and mentorship. =============== Jay’s Links: - Website: https://www.jacobsonprostaff.com - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayscookies Lead by Legendary Example: https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Legendary-Example-Jay-Jacobson/dp/1970368004 =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:46 Leadership Is Built Before Crisis 1:49 Calm the Room First 3:33 Presence Before Leadership 5:40 Leadership Starts With Understanding 7:43 Learn Leadership Through Practice 9:54 Turning Chaos Into a System 13:10 The Pillars of Leadership 14:54 Know Your Personal Mission 17:08 Values Come Before the Job 18:13 How to Handle Crucial Conversations 19:27 Slow Down Before You React 22:09 Model the Behavior You Want 24:42 The Anxious Generation 28:30 Leadership Starts at Home 31:27 Discover What Lights You Up 34:49 The Great Pivot 37:54 Let Yourself Be Mentored 38:28 Make Tomorrow Better

    • Transcript
  • August 20 · 1 hr

    Choose Your Emotions to Shape Your Life

    Doug Earl Johnston joins The Expert Method to explore a deceptively simple idea: emotions are not just things that happen to us. They are part of the system we use to navigate life — and with greater awareness, we can become more intentional about which emotions shape our actions. Doug is the author of Choosing Emotions, a book built from years of research into 272 emotions and thousands of quotes from thinkers across history. In this conversation, we unpack why emotions are foundational to reason, how naming an emotion can help create distance from it, and what it actually means to “choose” your emotional response instead of simply reacting. We also explore the role emotions play in leadership, decision-making, self-talk, and personal growth — including why fear can be a reaction while courage is a decision, how different emotions act like different “gears” for different moments in life, and why learning to work with your emotions may be one of the most useful meta-skills you can develop. =============== Doug’s Links: - Website: https://choosingemotions.com Choosing Emotions: Thinking with Your Head and Acting with Your Heart: https://a.co/d/0RfeFnn =============== Download the Program Execution System Toolkit: https://implementgpts.com/pestoolkit =============== - My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-gatzke/ - Schedule Free Blueprinting Call: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/implement-ai-blueprinting =============== Highlights: 0:00 Episode Highlight 0:33 What Emotions Really Do 1:42 The Three Myths About Emotion 6:32 Emotions Help Us Navigate Life 8:22 Emotion Comes Before Reason 14:14 Fear Reacts, Courage Chooses 18:22 How to Choose Your Emotions 20:48 Name It to Tame It 24:08 Put Your Feelings Into Words 29:20 Build Emotional Awareness 34:10 Expand Your Emotional Vocabulary 38:59 Choose Inspiration Over Anger 41:30 Wisdom Is Seeing Emotions Clearly 48:41 Emotions Are Energy in Motion 58:03 Be Your Own Best Friend

    • Transcript
Showing 1–20 of 38 episodes