The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast

This Best Of episode of The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast brings together some of the most powerful, human, and perspective-shifting moments from recent conversations—highlighting the inner work that fuels resilience, fulfillment, and sustainable success.Across these standout clips, Dwayne and his guests explore the quiet transformations that happen beneath the surface: reframing everyday frustrations into gratitude, redefining identity after loss or transition, and understanding how meaning—not circumstances—shapes our experience of life and leadership.Listeners will hear deeply personal reflections on illness, sobriety, scarcity and abundance, self-belief, and the courage required to evolve beyond old identities. From learning to “get from” experiences instead of merely getting through them, to recognizing that progress creates happiness and balance—not extremes—creates longevity, this episode weaves together the wisdom that resonates long after the moment passes.This Best Of collection serves as both a reminder and a reset: fulfillment isn’t waiting at a destination. It’s found in the journey, in presence, perspective, and the daily choices that shape who we become.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 0:00:32 - Introduction03:22 - Jessica Janzen05:52 - Master Co09:34 - Molly Bloom12:02 - Tod Melnyk15:10 - Emily Williams16:56 - Mara Dorne19:33 - Alvin Brown22:55 - Jaime McKenna25:52 - Rich Diviney29:09 - John Karpov31:16 - Alan Stein Jr.34:04 - Heather MoyseKEY TAKEAWAYS:Perspective can transform frustration into gratitude.Identity drives behavior; what you place after “I am” shapes your choices.You are not your thoughts, emotions, or circumstances — you are the observer of them.Growth comes from introspection and learning from experiences, not just getting through them.Failure becomes lighter when reframed as information, not identity.Sustainable high performance requires balance, not extremes.The journey itself—not the destination—is where fulfillment lives.NOTABLE QUOTES:“We find certainty in some of the smallest things, and that certainty is what gives us purpose.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“You’re not the emotion. It was created by you.” - Master Co“If you don’t get from an experience, you’re bound to repeat it over and over again.” - Alvin Brown“Let go of things and trust the process” - Emily Brown“When you feel good on the inside, you look good on the outside, you perform better” - Mara DorneConnect with Dwayne KerriganFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedwaynekerriganpodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dwaynekerriganpodcast/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-kerrigan-998113281/Website: http://www.dwaynekerrigan.comDisclaimer The views, information, or opinions expressed by guests during The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Dwayne Kerrigan and his affiliates. Dwayne Kerrigan or The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast is not responsible for and does not verify the accuracy of any of the information contained in the podcast series. The primary purpose of this podcast is to educate and inform. Listeners are advised to consult with a qualified professional or specialist before making any decisions based on the content of this podcast.

In this special Q&A leadership session, Dwayne Kerrigan brings forward one of his most personal and powerful teachings yet—an unfiltered look at problem-solving, decision-making, emotional mastery, strategic planning, and the rituals that shape high-performance leaders.Responding to 51 listener questions, Dwayne breaks down the “three pillars of progress,” the psychological layers of every problem, why decision-making is a muscle, and how fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm quietly sabotage performance.He shares the exact rituals he has used for decades—from weekly solitude planning to identity-based scheduling—and the transformative practice he credits with changing his life: think time.This episode is a masterclass in intentional living and high-performance leadership, blending mindset, structure, neuroscience, and real-world business wisdom. If you’re navigating fast-moving environments, leading teams, or trying to build a more purposeful life, this conversation gives you a proven roadmap forward.Key Takeaways:Decision-making is a muscle—if you don’t practice small decisions with process and ritual, big decisions will always overwhelm you.Your focus determines your emotional life—the meaning you attach to events shapes long-term joy or suffering.Rituals create identity and outcomes—weekly solitude planning, think time, and identity-based scheduling produce clarity and momentum.Strategic thinking requires cadence—yearly visioning, quarterly reviews, weekly planning, and daily recalibration.AI will disrupt faster than expected—leaders must systemize processes now to survive the shift.Self-love, vulnerability, and forgiveness are essential ingredients for emotional mastery and better decision-making.Quotes:“Decision making is a muscle .. and it's a skill set. And often times where we struggle is this area of making the tough and difficult decisions.”“What you ritualized in practice in private is rewarded in public.”“The business side of things should be a game. I mean, it should be fun most of the time.”"What is going to make you a happier and more joyful person, is attaching a different meaning to the events that happen in your life.”Resources Mentioned:Tony Robbins – “Three Pillars of Progress,” Date With Destiny program, life-planning philosophyStephen Covey – prioritization framework (A/B/C method)Waking Up App (Sam Harris) – meditation and mindfulnessChatGPT (Teams) – referenced as part of Dwayne’s business infrastructureSOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) – foundational to AI-based workflow agentsIdentity-based scheduling – Dwayne’s personal system (Chairman, Husband, Father, Student, etc.)Audio Timestamps:00:00 – How meaning, not outcomes, determines happiness and fulfillment.01:00 – Welcome, context for the live Q&A format, and session overview.02:00 – Framing the biggest listener questions around decisions, problems, and leadership.03:00 – The three pillars of progress and why focusing on problems makes them grow.05:00 – The three levels of a problem: external, internal, and psychological.07:00 – Why fear, uncertainty, and overwhelm stop people from making decisions.09:00 – Decision-making as a muscle and the importance of rituals for small decisions.12:00 – Managing overwhelm through physiology, breathing, and better questions.16:00 – Focus, meaning, and how emotional patterns shape leadership behavior.23:00 – Strategic thinking rituals: yearly visioning, quarterly...

In Part Two of this high-impact conversation, Dwayne continues his deep dive with global business strategist and Success Story Podcast host Scott Clary, who breaks down exactly why attention is the foundational currency of modern business — and why companies that fail to adapt will be overtaken by those who move quickly with media, content, and AI.Scott unpacks the psychology of why leaders resist content, the identity fear behind “not wanting to suck,” and how legacy businesses risk losing everything because they’re still marketing for 2005 while technology is sprinting into 2025.Dwayne and Scott explore real-world examples—from lawn-care companies to B2B manufacturers to billion-dollar firms—and show how even the most “unsexy” industries can dominate simply by capturing attention and building trust at scale.The conversation expands into AI disruption, the collapse of traditional SEO, the rise of generative search, modern buyer behavior, shortening sales cycles through content, and the undeniable compounding power of personal brand.This episode is a wake-up call to business owners everywhere: adapt now, or be replaced by those who do.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS00:00 – Media equals attention and attention drives every business outcome. 02:00 – The real starting point for content: sucking at first and learning through repetition.04:30 – Scott unpacks why universal business principles apply to content creation. 06:00 – Identity, fear, and why business owners avoid content creation.07:00 – The widening gap between tech adopters and those still resisting digital change. 09:00 – Legacy vs. legitimacy: content won’t damage your reputation, but irrelevance will. 11:00 – Content isn't just video - newsletters, audio, and niche education all count. 13:00 – Niche creators winning with “unsexy” businesses. 17:00 – Example content strategies.20:00 – Why Scott studies fast-growing creators - not the biggest creators. 23:00 – The explosive business outcomes possible when you master content (“not a 1x or 2x”). 27:00 – Why even billion-dollar CEOs must build trust through media. 33:00 – How content accelerates B2B sales cycles and increases closing ratios. 37:00 – Generative search is replacing Google.43:00 – Scott breaks down the KPI stack: retention, shares, watch time, and qualified leads. 48:00 – Essential tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Opus Pro, CapCut, etc., and what they’re best for. 50:00 – Hiring global talent.56:00 – The coming AI household-assistant revolution.01:02:00 – SEO collapse and the rise of creator-driven education and media networks. 01:08:00 – Entrepreneurs have already done hard things - this is simply the next one. 01:10:00 – Passion is the outcome of mastery, not the prerequisite. 01:11:00 – How older leaders can partner with younger digital natives.KEY TAKEAWAYSAttention is the gateway to trust, and trust drives every buying decision.Content doesn’t mean dancing online; it means choosing a medium you can stick with.AI and generative search are rewriting SEO overnight.Content massively increases sales velocity and close rates.Small businesses have the most to gain from adopting a media strategy.Entrepreneurship is staying alive long enough for your strategy to work. QUOTES:"Media is attention. From the beginning of time, attention and...

In this conversation, Dwayne sits down with entrepreneur and creator Scott Clary, host of the Success Story Podcast with 30M+ downloads. Scott opens up about his unlikely path from a government-family upbringing to becoming a media-first entrepreneur, the early exposure that ignited his drive, and why curiosity and tenacity can outperform almost anything. Scott walks through how small companies create the best “entrepreneurial classrooms,” why every creator should think like a founder, and how success hinges on defining your personal North Star before you start sprinting. The episode dives deep into AI disruption, content strategy, internal vs. external locus of control, personal branding, and how businesses of every size can prepare for the next wave of transformation. Scott offers tactical clarity on building a media-first business, testing content efficiently, disrupting yourself before the market does, and why attention—sustained over time—is the most valuable commercial asset any entrepreneur can build. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS03:53 - Scott's telecom background 08:22 - How working at a small company provides exposure to all aspects of business 14:27 - The importance of curiosity as a foundational entrepreneurial skill 17:25 - Warning: Be careful what you pursue - success requires understanding your true goals 23:25 - Finding your North Star: Be rigid in goals but flexible in execution 28:10 - Identifying what energizes you through trial and error 32:33 - Building a business while working full-time: The side hustle strategy 38:15 - How AI is disrupting businesses and the need for constant self-disruption 43:15 - The four types of leverage: Capital, technology, people, and media 51:00 - The power of AI to make individuals 10-100x more productive 01:06:30 - Internal vs external locus of control and taking ownership 01:13:30 - Content creation strategy: Testing ideas at scale on forgiving platforms 01:27:26 - How media and AI are already transforming traditional industries like restaurants KEY TAKEAWAYS Define your North Star before you start running Many people pursue success without clarity on what they actually want — a lifestyle business, a scalable company, privacy, or fame. If you have tenacity and skill, you’ll eventually succeed… so make sure you're climbing the right mountain. Curiosity is the foundation of career acceleration Scott attributes almost everything in his career to relentless curiosity — the willingness to ask questions, learn widely, and self-educate. AI won’t replace people but people who use AI will replace people who don’t The companies thriving in this era are disrupting themselves before someone else does. Every role can be up-leveled 10x–100x with the right tools and mindset. Media is the ultimate leverage Capital, technology, people… and media. If you don’t build a personal or company brand, someone in your industry eventually will — and they will take market share. Content is business R&D Social content is the best testing ground for messaging. Use it to refine your voice, validate ideas, influence sales scripts, and improve marketing before spending ad dollars. Attention over time creates trust The companies, creators, and leaders who show up consistently earn trust — which compounds into opportunity. Internal locus of control is a...

In Part 2 of this conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan and France Margaret Bélanger, President of Sports & Entertainment for the Montreal Canadiens, go deep into the personal side of leadership, discussing courage, conviction, and composure.France Margaret shares how calm strength and self-awareness guide her through high-stakes decisions, what she’s learned about emotional control in negotiation, and why courage means making the right choice even when it’s unpopular. Together, she and Dwayne explore what it truly means to lead with heart, to face criticism with elegance, and to never let labels define who you are.Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or your own personal evolution, authenticity, self-mastery, and grace under pressure are key.Episode Highlights00:00 – Making the right decision even when it’s unpopular.03:00 – Balancing intensity with standards.05:00 – Lessons from France’s father.07:00 – The power of calm, and why letting anger take over gives control to others.09:00 – France on staying poised as a woman in leadership without labeling herself.11:00 – When to walk away from conflict and preserve professionalism.12:00 – The balance between courage, compassion, and tolerance for “the gray.”15:00 – Political parallels, and why real leadership requires vision and unity.17:00 – Inside the Canadiens rebuild.25:00 – Leadership lessons from rebuilding a legacy brand under scrutiny.33:00 – How Jeff Molson’s bold decisions shaped new success.41:00 – France recounts how she stepped into leadership unexpectedly.47:00 – Dwayne connects France’s story to business owners everywhere.49:00 – Navigating gender in business. 57:00 – “No excuses.” Dwayne and France on identity, congruence, and living your values.01:05:00 – Closing reflections on family, legacy, and leading with heart.Notable Quotes"The minute that you, France, is getting mad or angry or whatever, you lost. Might as well give up right now because this other person that managed to get you in that position, won." - France Margaret Bélanger" Hopefully we do things elegantly, right. Firmly, with determination, but elegantly." - France Margaret Bélanger "You show up as who you are, and that's what people will know about you, and that's what people will talk about you. You gotta be authentic and honest to who you are" - France Margaret Bélanger" It's the ultimate control. If somebody can influence your emotion into, especially into anger, you're done. They are now in control of you." - Dwayne Kerrigan “The most powerful force in the human psyche is to remain congruent with how you identify yourself.” - Dwayne KerriganKey TakeawaysControl Your Emotions: The moment you react in anger, you lose your influence.Elegance Wins: Deliver hard messages with composure and respect.Authenticity Over Labels: Show up as yourself; skill and preparation speak louder than gender.Rebuilding Takes Vision and Grit:True progress comes from honest assessment and bold change.Stay Grounded in Values: Your identity and integrity are your anchors under pressure.Resources MentionedThe Rebuild – Behind-the-scenes documentary series on the Montreal CanadiensJeff Molson, Jeff Gorton, Kent Hughes, and Martin St. Louis – leadership and culture case studyNHL Board of Governors and Executive Inclusion CouncilFrance Margaret Bélanger is President, Sports and Entertainment at Groupe CH since 2020, which includes the Montreal Canadiens, the Laval Rocket, evenko and L’Équipe Spectra. She joined the organization in 2013 as Senior Vice-President and Chief Legal Officer, and has held several executive positions over the years.France Margaret is the first woman to sit on the...