Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought

Some of us were trained early that when things get hard, apply more force. Hit harder. Push through. Take control. And for a long time that works for me. But now it doesn’t. This episode explores my exploration of the limits of force through three forms of surrender. Surrender two, surrender into, and surrender onto. I take you through the identity. Christ that follows when I stop relying on a strategy that no longer works. From the football field to the golf course to the experience of enduring intense century, evil medical issues, this conversation conversations about what happens when control is no longer an option and who I become when I start surrendering.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

We design most conversations to move things forward. Plans. Problems. Predicaments.. But the relationships that last aren’t held together by better answers. They’re sustained by more intentional questions, often simple ones, asked without an agenda. In this episode, I explore relational questions that create space rather than pressure. Drawing on psychology, sociology, and lived experience, I ask you to consider why open-ended curiosity reduces emotional friction, how small questions reveal culture and meaning, and why presence often matters more than precision. This episode isn’t about providing a framework or a script. It’s an invitation to listen differently by asking more intentionally. First question: Are you ready to dig in?If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

Modern habit, culture, rewards visibility, intensity, and performance. We track streaks. We announced goals. We optimize and share progress. But learning doesn’t actually work that way. In this episode, I want to contrast performance driven habit culture with a developmental model grounded in learning science. I will propose a different sequence, frequency, consistency, intentionality, then intensity, and I’ll interrogate my own bias toward what I tend to call, “quiet work” along the way. Drawing on research from self-determination theory, deliberate, practice, goal, orientation, and Vygotsky‘s zone proximal development, this episode, reframes habits, not as public commitments, but as evolving practices.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this episode, I explore the surprising power of words to shape our lives. From leadership and lifelong learning to aging and thriving alongside AI, the vocabulary we use every day determines how we think, act, and grow. I share practical strategies for turning complex ideas into language anyone can use, explain how small shifts in wording can spark big behavioral changes, and reveal why clear, accessible communication is more critical than ever in a world flooded with information. Whether you’re leading a team, learning something new, or navigating life at any age, this conversation shows how the right words can unlock possibility, resilience, and growth.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

Ever feel that mental leg when you jump for one kind of work to another? Like your brain is still catching up to your calendar? In this episode, I explore how to make those transitions smoother using something as simple as Post-It notes. I exore how our brains respond to color, phrase and environment, and how small physical cues can help us shift gears between strategic, creative, and reflective work. Through a mix of sciencey stuff and practical things, I show how designing a few intentional rituals may help you think more clearly, focus faster, and move through your day with a little more ease and a lot less friction.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this third and final episode of our series on performance and renewal, we turn from diagnosis to design. We move from understanding why we get stuck to learning how to move again.Drawing again on Adam Alter’s research in “Anatomy of a Breakthrough,” we explore the precise strategies that turn stagnation into forward momentum. Through narrative case studies, we see that progress isn’t born of inspiration, but of intelligent design. Breakthroughs don’t arrive as lightning bolts. They’re built friction by friction, choice by choice. Tune in for practical frameworks and reflective questions that help you design movement, meaning, and renewal one small step at a time.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

Burnout isn’t a weakness. It’s the body’s way of demanding realignment. In this episode, we examine Adam Alter's research in his book, "Anatomy of a Breakthrough," which reframes burnout as a forced breakthrough—a system-level reset between your environment and your evolving identity. Drawing from organizational psychology, neuroscience, and real-world case studies, we explore the six-minute match that causes burnout, the friction gap that keeps us stuck, and the science of job crafting as a blueprint for sustainable redesign. This isn’t about recovery; it’s about reinvention. Burnout doesn't end your capacity—it clarifies it.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this episode, we explore the realm of being stuck and examine the three main types. The ideas are primarily inspired by the insightful work of author and NYU Stern School of Business marketing professor Adam Alter: “Anatomy of a Breakthrough.” You might think that if you're stuck—whether professionally, in relationships, or in a personal project—it's a sign of a character flaw or a lack of motivation. You might believe in the Myth of Unbroken Progress—the false idea that successful people move effortlessly from ambition to achievement. We will analyze the practical structure of inertia, giving you the tools to identify your problem accurately. If you’re ready to stop feeling stuck and start creating a clear plan for taking action, stay with me.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this episode, we explore the profound question, “How Will You Measure Your Life?”Drawing on the frameworks of late strategist Clayton M. Christensen, this episode looks beyond traditional business metrics and into personal fulfillment and the art of creating an enduring meaningful life.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

in this episode, I take a deep dive into the word that often gets a bad rap. The word “like”. I’ll explore the word’s linguistic journey, examine the perspective of Noah Webster (the dictionary guy), and share the work of Anne Curzan, author and linguist.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this episode of Catalyst, I dive into the philosophical and practical aspects of personal growth. I explore the idea of “unbecoming” by synthesizing the work of Dr. Peter Attia and author Olga Khazan, offering a powerful, two-part strategy for self-reinvention. In this episode you will learn how to combine an internal shift in perspective with deliberate, outward behavior to become the person you were always meant to be.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this episode, we’re exploring the transformative power of shifting from a mindset of doing to a practice of being. Drawing on insights from Dr. Peter Attia, we discussed how mindfulness and conscious, value driven actions can help us overcome suffering rooted in our own thoughts. We’ll explore the idea that true fulfillment isn’t about what we accomplish, but about shedding what we are not, to reveal who we are meant to be.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.

In this episode, I explore a powerful paradox touted from the ages of Aesop to Attia: true longevity isn’t about explosive effort, but the slow and steady work of building a foundation showing us how going slower can make us stronger.If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.