What if the questions you’re asking are actually holding people back instead of moving them forward?

I sat down with my friend Dan Nicholas, one of the most quietly influential humans I know, and what unfolded wasn’t just a podcast… it was a masterclass in leadership, listening, faith, and real transformation.

Dan is the kind of guy who can walk into a room, whether it’s a boardroom, a restaurant, or a recovery meeting, and make every single person feel seen. I’ve watched him lift people who were at their lowest and speak life into CEOs, business owners, and world-class leaders with the exact same heart. And in this conversation, you get to experience why.

We unpack a frustrating (and honestly eye-opening) call Dan had right before recording, one of those conversations where someone talks at you, not with you, and use it as a springboard to talk about something every leader, salesperson, coach, and human needs to hear:

The difference between asking “why” and asking better questions.

In this episode, we get into:

Why “why” questions often create defensiveness instead of growth
How tone and curiosity can instantly change the direction of a conversation
The shift from motivation to true transformation (and why it matters)
How great leaders build trust without power plays or posturing
Journaling, gratitude, and the power of “I am” statements
Leading with the fruit of the Spirit, not pressure, ego, or fear
How faith, discipline, and obedience unlock purpose in business and life
The idea of “dream vampires” and how to stop letting them steal your calling
Why listening, really listening, is the most underrated leadership skill there is

This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience.

We talk sales, leadership, recovery, faith, failure, purpose, and what it actually looks like to help people move forward without shaming them for where they’ve been. If you’re tired of surface-level motivation and ready for conversations that actually change how you show up, with your team, your clients, your family, and yourself, this one’s for you.

Enjoying the show? Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast players!

Subscribe on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/keep-the-change/id1622521488
Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2xcQk7kNGNOnWuZ14aDkWC

Connect with Bart Nollenberger:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-nollenberger-4949405a/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BartNollenbergerCoaching