It's All About The Questions

Are you struggling to recover from an injury or wondering how to maintain your physical health while running a business? In this episode of It is All About the Questions, host Laura Steward sits down with Dr. Steve Ryland to discuss why movement is the ultimate medicine and how to overcome the mental hurdles of physical pain. Learn how to advocate for your own health and discover the small shifts that can lead to lifelong success and resilience. In this deep dive, Dr. Ryland shares his expert perspective as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a business owner who has navigated his own journey through significant physical and brain injuries. You will learn the difference between muscle pain and bone pain, why your MRI is not a life sentence, and how to build a support system that allows your business to thrive even when you are sidelined. From the importance of proper posture at the kitchen sink to the future of virtual healthcare, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to live a mo

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of your career and personal life? In this episode of It's All About the Questions, Laura Steward sits down with author and business strategist Karl Palachuk to explore the life-changing philosophy of Relax, Focus, Succeed. Discover how stepping back and finding balance can be the ultimate catalyst for your professional and personal growth. In this deep dive conversation, Karl explains why relaxation is not a reward for hard work but a fundamental requirement for it. They discuss the critical importance of saying no to the wrong business, how to fire toxic clients to protect your peace, and the science of how your brain processes solutions while you sleep. Whether you are struggling with workaholism or simply feel stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, this episode provides actionable steps to help you reclaim your time and sharpen your focus. Key highlights include understanding Maslow's hierarchy in a modern context, the power of unplugging from digital noise, and

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a spontaneous 15,000 dollar investment into a legendary riverfront dining destination? Join host Laura Steward as she sits down with the incredible Chef Stuart Borton, the mastermind behind Florida's famous Yellow Dog Cafe, to discuss a journey that spans continents and decades. In this episode of Its All About the Questions, Stuart shares his fascinating transition from selling insurance in Australia after a stint in the U.S. Army, to becoming an award winning chef and business owner in the United States. We dive deep into the reality of the restaurant industry, covering everything from the importance of understanding your prime costs to the logistics of running a high volume kitchen with a small footprint. Stuart also explains how he successfully pivoted into the world of publishing and urban farming, proving that growth requires constant innovation and a strong foundation. You will learn why communication is the secret ingredient to a calm and efficient workplace, how to

Are you raising kids who avoid life's challenges or kids who dive right in? Former Navy SEAL sniper and best-selling author Brandon Webb joins me, Laura Steward to reveal how the same mental techniques used in elite military training can help you raise confident, joyful, and resilient children. Whether you are a parent, a mentor, or simply looking to improve your own mindset, this conversation offers a powerful guidebook for navigating the landmines of modern life. In this episode, Brandon introduces the core philosophy of his new book, Puddle Jumpers. He explains why we must stop protecting our children from every minor inconvenience and instead allow them to experience the ordinary magic of struggle. By letting kids jump into the metaphorical mud puddles of life, we help them build the strong roots they need to stand tall during adulthood. You will learn about the critical difference between punishment and discipline, the importance of family goal-setting traditions, and how to transition from an authoritar

I've been away for a while and in this episode I explain why and tell you what's next. Chronic illness isn't for the faint of heart! I also tease you with the upcomming guest I have for my first full restart episode next week.

If you've written a book, have a business, are a speaker, or just have something helpful to share on a larger scale than your friends and neighbors, then getting on TV, radio, podcasts and more can be your path to getting your message out on a larger scale. But how do you do that effectively? If you are uncomfortable speaking in public, as many are, how do you craft and deliver your message so that you are ready when you get the email or phone call? Enter Rachel Hanfling. Former Emmy nominated producer for Oprah and Anderson Cooper, to name drop a few. She is also my go to when I have questions or need some coaching around media and speaking to groups overall. On this episode Rachel shares how you can craft your signature talk and pare it down to its essence for different types of media. She also answers my questions on three things to focus on when you are preparing your talk or pitch. We talk about even more, but you'll have to listen or read the transcript to find out all the questions and answers from thi

Ever thought your company needed a board to advise and help you grow but had no clue what was involved? Annette Taber is the Founder of BoardSwap and she answers questions about how anyone can have an advisory board for short or long term and how to manage one. Plus we discuss her advice to anyone starting their own business.   Annette Taber brings over 30 years of experience in the Technology Industry.  As Founder and CEO of BoardSWAP, she realized an important need in the Technology Industry to formalize Advisory Boards as a Service, and therefore became a Certified ChairTM through the Advisory Board Centre.   BoardSWAP provides fully outsourced Advisory Board development, facilitation, governance, and executive consulting.  Additionally, the BoardSWAP Advisors Concierge service helps clients identify the right advisors and subject matter experts to fulfill their needs.  Helping to educate the industry on the many benefits of formalized Advisory Boards is a key passion of hers.  www.BoardSwap.com

What happens when you get a master strategist, legal expert and advisor to some of the biggest names in the thought leader/entrepreneur world to come on your show again? Well you get this episode where Peter Hoppenfeld answers my questions ranging from starting a business to growing a business to what word never to use in business to one of the best summaries on Intellectual property I have ever heard. Don't believe me on all we covered? I was getting texts and people were chatting during the livestream with questions and comments. I had many more questions but we ran out of time. Peter Hoppenfeld is widely recognized as the "go to" attorney and advisor in the representation of direct marketers, speakers, authors, information marketers, "thought leaders," entrepreneurs and domestic and international training companies and their founders in all aspects of their legal and business affairs. Peter is a seasoned transactional, commercial attorney with direct marketing, internet marketing, distribution, licensing,

Entrepreneurial journeys rarely go in a straight line. They have detours, divergences and often life outside the work journey impacts thinking, action and final goals. When one journey ends, another might start along the same path or go in a completely different direction. My guest on this episode is Vered Neta. A multi-hyphenate entrepreneur who has done several successful exits from companies she has created, Vered is now on a new journey that she chose because she wanted a new challenge. When that new path threw up a lot of road blocks, she pivoted and created another successful divergence. Take a listen as Vered and I discuss her journey, her favorite questions to ask when she gets stuck and how she hopes to help others who caregive for loved ones with Alzheimers with her latest book, Things We Do for Love, available wherever books are sold. Vered Neta has lived in three different countries for the last six decades, so tracing her origins is a thrilling quest. Nowadays, she lives in Tenerife on an off-the

I've followed Dan Rockwell for ages. His Blog, Leadership Freak, combines wisdom and insights with lightness, deep thinking and insidious questions that worm their way into your brain and body until you have a breakthrough of thought and action. Now he and his co-author John David Mann have released a parable novel called, The Vagrant. Expect that book to worm its way inside you too and create breakthroughs of thought and self-reflection. On today's episode Dan and I sit down and discuss his thoughts on leadership, the birth of his book, self-reflection and how doing that alone can lead to some not great outcomes. We also discuss many other topics over the course of the interview. It was hard to stop. Let me know what actions you are taking after you listen and don't forget to take advantage of the opportunity to win a free copy of The Vagrant! DAN ROCKWELL (leadershipfreak.blog) gave his first presentation at the age of sixteen and has been delivering presentations and workshops ever since. Dan's fascination

A bit of an different episode for the show. Just me talking about how a recent photo shoot for a new headshot had me spiraling and the questions I started asking myself.

Research shows that people are searching for happiness.  They want to find ways to be happier, live life more fully and be present to their lives and figure out what makes them happy. My guest, Marian Edvardsen, has been on that search herself and has written a book, or perhaps it can be considered a primer and reference guide, to helping you find and live your own happiness. Step In To Happy: Simple Steps from A to Z for Loving Your Life opened my eyes up to a few areas that can help me find more happiness in my life and let go some thoughts that aren't helping that search. On this episode of It's All About the Questions, Marian's shares some questions she has asked herself and how the new questions put her on a path to help others through EFT and more. Based on a question from a Listener on LinkedIn Live, I got Marian to lead my listeners through a tapping session on releasing doubt. Take a listen and share your happiness journey and let me know if you share any of the four steps I struggle with that I

What can one say about John David Mann? He has mastered, well he wouldn't say that, but I would, writing non-fiction, parable and fiction writing. He has also shown us how a marriage can be lived fully and be written about, how to start your own school, and how to run a business with over 100,000 people. And those are just a few of his achievements to date. My favorite is that he has launched almost every book he has written or co-authored on my show since 2015. Yup, that one is special to me because his words lift my spirits, awaken my brain and bring me joy. Well not just to me but to over 3 million people in 38 languages. Blind Fear is John's latest novel with Brandon Webb and it does not disappoint. Today we talked about what his latest novel means, how he manages to take a more 'Hitchcockian" approach to writing than many others (my choice of words as you will hear), and how crime writing taught him to fall in love with the world.  These aren't the usual questions John gets asked, and his answers may sur

What does it take to write multiple books with the same characters? Is it different than writing just one? Take a listen as I interview Edgar Award nominated author, former journalist and all-around good human Thomas Kies about his latest Geneva Chase novel. He will share what his agent, publisher and editor each said when he was thinking about starting a different series and his own thoughts on it. Then we talk about life as a writer while still working full-time, branching out into other forms of writing like becoming a playwright and so much more. In January of 2022, Thomas Kies, author of the critically acclaimed Geneva Chase Mystery Series, was Edgar nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the Sue Grafton Memorial Award.   He has a long history of working for newspapers and magazines, primarily in New England and New York and currently lives and writes on a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina. His newest novel, WHISPER ROOM is being released on Tuesday, August 2nd.  Motherly.com named W

He's baaack! John David Mann, one of my all-time favorite guests, is back to talk about how he gets inspiration, the differences between writing non-fiction and fiction, what he credits for his ability to write what I call "books that suck you in and make you forget to go to the bathroom" and so much more. If you've never listened to John talk about writing, life, passion and having a writing partner then dive in on this episode. And forgive me for fan-geeking a bit. I love his writing and get joy out of even holding one of his books in my hand. Why you ask? Because once you start reading them they do not disappoint. John David Mann is coauthor of more than thirty books, including four New York Times bestsellers and five national bestsellers; his classic 2008 parable The Go-Giver (coauthored with Bob Burg) earned the 2017 Living Now Book Award's "Evergreen Medal" given for its "contribution to positive global change."

Marlene Chism is recognized as one of the top experts on reducing or eliminating workplace drama and helping leaders become better leaders. She has been on the show before discussing her previous books and on this episode, we discussed her latest book, From Conflict to Courage: How to Stop Avoiding and Start Leading. Conflict, and avoiding conflict, happen everyday either at work, at home or somewhere on the way to one of those. I've observed conflicts on roads, in restaurants, at concerts, on lines and personally have avoided a few at work or at home until it felt like I was going to explode. On this episode, Marlene discusses how avoiding conflict can make you angry with yourself, how your goal when dealing with conflict is not about winning but breaking through to a solution and she also shares the words you can use to defuse a conflict and get to the other side. Be prepared to take notes as this episode is filled with tips, strategies and tactics to help you stop avoiding conflict and move into leadership

Just me updating you on the show, myself and others things

Just me giving you an update on the show, myself and a few other things.

Return guest Alan Shapiro continues our discussion on creativity, getting rid of numbness, finding and expressing your story and how routine helps him unleash his creative spark. In Alan's own words: Passionate, award-winning photographer. Advertising Chief Creative Officer, too I grew up on the creative side of the advertising world, working with clients around the world; telling their unique stories in very unique ways. Along the way, I've had the pleasure of working with many, many talented photographers, directors and content creators. I became envious of their art and craft. At first, I saw it as a means of reducing my stress-filled life. As a Chief Creative Officer at the world's largest Advertising Agency Network, I needed a distraction. A friend gave me a camera. Then I bought another. And then another. My new hobby and daily "creative exercise regimen" quickly turned into a joy-filled and all consuming passion. Then my first photo client called. Then another. And then, many more. Lockheed Martin, GM,

Going to the doctor nowadays doesn't always mean leaving there with a good diagnosis or a feeling of being heard. Many doctors are overworked and have become highly specialized preventing them from looking at their patient as a whole rather than a particular set of symptoms. Insurance reimbursement can also impact the doctor/patient relationship. What can you do to change that and feel well again? Enter Dr. Dan Witkowski. Board certified OB/GYN and Lifestyle medicine as well as being a certified nutritionist. Dr. Dan recently changed his practice to one where he takes fewer patients while giving them more time and a full patient level of care. I am not talking about overpriced concierge models but something different. Take a listen as Dr. Dan and I talk about what he has learned from his patients, what steps and tactics can start you on a road to feeling better and why your lifestyle should matter to your doctor. It might not be what you think. And no, this is not a conversation about just going plant-based f