Podcast Summary

Leading Organizations That Matter

Host: Rey Spadoni
Episode 96: "What Are You Chasing?"
Date: December 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this brief but insightful solo episode, host Rey Spadoni explores the theme of "chasing"—what we pursue in our lives and work, why we do it, and the profound effects it can have on both individuals and organizations. Through personal reflection and wider cultural observations, Rey encourages leaders and listeners to reconsider what they’re working toward, especially in the context of mission-driven, nonprofit, and social sector organizations.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Nature of Chasing (00:14)

• We all chase something:
  Rey opens by observing that everyone, from an early age, learns the importance of chasing things—be it acceptance, achievement, or progress in school and life.
• Evolving motivations:
  As people grow, what they chase shifts based on experiences, values, hurts, and desires.

2. What’s Worth Chasing? (01:05)

• Positive vs. negative pursuits:
  • Wealth, recognition, love, comfort, power, control—common pursuits, not all universally positive.
  • Chasing meaning, purpose, impact, wisdom—these add genuine fulfillment.
• Warning against unexamined accumulation:
  Rey warns of "accumulat[ing] a lot of something that ultimately doesn't do us much good at all." (02:01)

3. Modern Challenges: Chasing in a Digital Age (02:15)

• Online validation and social platforms:
  • "We live in times when it’s easy to chase connection with each other via online platforms." (02:22)
  • The dopamine rush from likes, impressions, thumbs up, and how platforms capitalize on this.
• Manipulation by marketers:
  Ongoing tactics such as discount codes, loyalty programs, and subscription models keep people in a state of chasing relentless rewards and offers.
• The weaponization of outrage:
  • "News outlets remain relevant by making us mad. Mad at something and more likely at somebody. This drives us further and further apart. Outrage sells, engages, and ultimately manipulates." (03:07)
  • The culture of alternating between media "realities" to find comfort and belonging.

4. The Rise of AI and Its Impact (04:07)

• AI evolving from tool to impersonator:
  • Once a supercharged search engine, now AI is "pretending to be us and actually getting quite good at it."
  • Rey’s personal anecdote: "I was interviewed recently by an AI bot and it did a good job. I'm getting emails from AI bots and they are identifying themselves by human names. They are pretending—this is dishonest and I don't love it." (04:39)
• Chasing technological relevance:
  Many feel pressured to pursue the latest advancements to avoid being left behind.

5. A Personal Reflection on Authenticity (05:12)

• A memorable, grounding quote from a friend:
  • “You seem to value authenticity. Authenticity in a world where it’s very easy to be inauthentic.” (05:20)
  • This challenged Rey to question, “What exactly is it that I've been chasing?”
• Time for reevaluation:
  • Urges both himself and the audience to “make sure [we’re] accumulating something that matters...not to those who benefit from my chasing whatever it is that they're selling.” (05:46)

6. Organizational Applications & Final Message (06:06)

• Professional parallels:
  Rey describes his process with clients:
  • For healthcare clients: Prioritizing strategic goals
  • For coaching clients: Prioritizing objectives and clarifying what’s truly being chased
• Call to personal action:
  It’s high time to personally pause and reflect on what truly matters—both for ourselves and those we care about.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On chasing in the digital world:
  “We get a chemical rush whenever these arrive and so we chase them.” (02:35)
• On media manipulation:
  “Outrage sells, engages, and ultimately manipulates.” (03:10)
• On the authenticity gap:
  “You seem to value authenticity. Authenticity in a world where it’s very easy to be inauthentic.” (05:20, from Rey’s friend)
• Personal resolve:
  “It’s time to reevaluate, to make sure I’m accumulating something that matters to me and the people I care about, not to those who benefit from my chasing whatever it is that they’re selling.” (05:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:14 – The universality of chasing
• 01:05 – When chasing goes awry; positive/negative aspirations
• 02:22 – Chasing digital connection and its impact
• 03:07 – Media manipulation and outrage
• 04:07 – The evolution of AI and the chase for relevance
• 05:12 – Personal reflection on authenticity
• 06:06 – Parallels to client work & call to action

Tone and Style

Rey’s tone is thoughtful, practical, and gently provocative, using personal anecdotes and insights to challenge listeners to step back and reflect on both personal and professional motivations. The brevity and candor are in keeping with his goal of informing and elevating “those who lead organizations that matter.”

This summary captures the main insights of this episode for those who lead or care about mission-driven organizations, and offers reflection points for anyone questioning the real value behind their pursuits.