Podcast
The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast
Hosted by Dwayne Kerrigan · EN
Welcome to The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast. Dwayne has navigated the business world for over 35 years, owning close to 30 businesses in 12 distinct industries.
Today, entrepreneurship often seems more about glitz, glamour, and a celebrity venture. On this podcast, Dwayne collaborates with overlooked but accomplished entrepreneurs, delving into their journeys of forging exceptional enterprises.
Join them as they share their personal journeys, lessons learned, and strategies that keep them moving forward. Let’s celebrate the true essence of entrepreneurship and inspire the next wave of business trailblazers.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
140: Why Every Person Is Creative with Kyle Scheele
6d ago00:59:39Tap to summarizeMost people think creativity is something you either have or you don't — a gift, a gene, a mysterious lightning bolt that strikes a chosen few. Kyle Scheele has spent his career dismantling that belief, and in this conversation he makes the case that creativity isn't magic at all. It's problem-solving. And everyone already does it, every single day.In Part 1 of this episode: Why your brain is not a truth-seeking machine — it's a belief justification machine: give it the belief "I'm not creative" and it will spend the rest of your life finding evidence to prove you rightKyle's spontaneous ideation theory — the creativity myth he compares to the 17th century scientific belief that dirty rags and wheat kernels spontaneously generated mice, and why most people's understanding of where ideas come from is just as wrongThe coffee shop moment that defined Kyle's career: his friend Isaac told him, "most people come in here, talk about an idea, and the next time you hear about it, it's just an idea again — you come in two days later editing the footage"How Kyle went from broke high schooler selling "Osteoporosis is bad to the bone" T-shirts out of the school lunch room to getting a line into Urban Outfitters in his first year of college — and what that early experience installed in him about figuring things outWhy 70% of the time, when companies give their teams the bandwidth to explore a challenge internally, the answer is already there — it's just inside the head of someone who hasn't been asked yet (Harvard Business Review, cited on stage)Content Warning: This episode includes a brief discussion of childhood suicidal ideation. Kyle shares openly about his experience as a child feeling isolated in school and experiencing dark thoughts, before a friendship changed his perspective. The conversation is handled with care and context, but we want our listeners to be prepared.If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 — the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline — available 24/7 in both the US and Canada.Episode Highlights:00:00 - Creativity as Problem Solving00:36 - Podcast Welcome and Guest Intro03:24 - Turning Ideas Into Action06:33 - Early Hustle T Shirt Business11:40 - Belief Systems Block Creativity15:27 - Ambition Versus Contentment20:59 - No Right or Wrong in Ideas25:06 - AI Limits and Skin in Game26:46 - School Struggles and Finding Belonging28:44 - It Only Takes One Person To Make An Impact29:36 - Creative Kid Origins30:12 - Student Council Confidence31:45 - Baby Steps Momentum32:15 - Window Of Possibility33:45 - Vision Into Action35:08 - Fuel Creativity Thrives Within Constraints36:49 - Recovering Curiosity39:34 - Questioning Limiting Beliefs44:15 - Everyone Is Creative45:41 - Claiming Artist Identity48:29 - Business Needs Crystal Clear Goals51:12 - Creativity As Problem Solving52:39 - Unlocking Team Innovation57:27 - Closing Remarks and Stay Tuned For Part 2Resources mentioned:Several books (for adults and childen) referenced written by Kyle, can be found here: https://kylescheele.com/BooksHarvard Business Review study on internal innovationHeather Moyse — Olympic athlete referenced by Dwayne re: chunking goalsSpontaneous generation theory / Francesco Redi experiments — referenced in context of the creativity mythOrbis Medicinae — Jan Baptist van Helmont, referenced in context of spontaneous generationSteve Jobs interview — paraphrased by Kyle re: everything in the world being made by people no smarter than youLeanScaper Operations Intensive — conference where Dwayne first saw Kyle speakQuotes:“ What you might consider might be right or wrong is really based on what's the possibility of it happening, and then it'll only be judged when you look back on it in history.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“ If you don't get clear on that goal, it's hard to know where to go.” - Kyle Scheele“ Creativity is just problem-solving. Every idea is the solution to some problem.” - Kyle Scheele"If it never gets any better than this, what a life. But I think it can get better than this." - Kyle ScheeleAbout Kyle Scheele: Kyle Scheele is an author, speaker, and creativity expert known for turning bold ideas into unforgettable results — from hosting a Viking funeral for the regrets of 21,000 people to launching the world's first fake marathon. With more than 750 keynotes delivered in all 50 states, Kyle combines humor, sharp insights, and real-world experimentation to help organizations unlock creativity and innovation at scale. He has worked with teams at Walmart, Deloitte, Fidelity, and Chick-fil-A, and his work has been featured in WIRED, The Washington Post, Fast Company, and Yahoo!. His books include We Put a Man on the Moon, How to Host a Viking Funeral, A Pizza With Everything On It, and A Sunday With Everything On It.Connect with Kyle Scheele: https://kylescheele.com/Connect with Dwayne KerriganFacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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139: Passion, Purpose, and the Next Step with Kyle & Brent Pease
2w ago00:57:24Tap to summarizeIn Part 2, Kyle and Brent Pease go beyond the race course and into the harder terrain — the screaming match in a New York City taxi after a broken wheelchair nearly ended their marathon, the board member who called every morning during school drop-off, and what it actually takes to build an organization that can run without you. This is where the mission meets the mechanics, and where two brothers figure out how to grow up together in public. In this episode: How Kyle and Brent built the Kyle Pease Foundation from scratch — including the nine months it took to help their very first family, the decision to race at least once a month to create visibility, and how they've grown from six events in 2013 to 64 events across 14 states last year The New York City Marathon story: the wheelchair broke mid-race, Brent spent an hour trying to fix it with help from the NYPD, and eventually told Kyle he was done — and what Kyle said back that got them across the finish line Brent's framework for hiring in a nonprofit: passion for the mission matters more than fit for the role, and for every non-disabled hire, he wants to add another employee with a disability doing real work — not stuffing envelopes The Dick Hoyt lesson — the father behind the famous push-assist duo called Brent before the 2018 IRONMAN World Championship and gave him these words of advice: "just keep pushing the pedals" How Kyle became the athlete-coach he is today: years of sitting on the sidelines, listening to adults talk, and watching his brother compete gave him an observer's precision that most coaches never develop Support the Kyle Pease Foundation Dwayne is matching donations — up to $5,000 total. Every dollar counts twice right now: 👉 Donate here: https://kyle-pease-foundation-inc.networkforgood.com/events/99987-the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Purpose Meets Passion 00:22 - Podcast Intro And Setup 01:25 - Priorities And Time Juggling 03:13 - Scaling A Mission Nonprofit 05:52 - Mentors And Running It Like Business 08:51 - Spreading The Mission Through Racing 12:42 - Measuring Impact And Growth 14:25 - Adaptive Equipment And Inclusion 19:00 - Speaking And Education Programs 21:58 - Kona Gear Innovation 24:46 - When Things Break And Tempers Flare 28:26 - Brotherhood Evolved 29:00 - Humanity in Relationships 30:44 - Keep Pushing Pedals 33:47 - Fiercely Experience It 34:12 - Hawaii Cutoff Heartbreak 35:51 - Still Growing Forward 37:33 - Family Balance and Kids 39:17 - Twin Brother Dynamics 41:16 - Parenting and Inclusion 44:43 - Kyle as Coach 49:20 - Scaling Beyond Racing 53:06 - Volunteer and Donation Match 55:51 - Closing Thanks and Disclaimers Resources mentioned: Beyond the Finish — Kyle and Brent Pease’s book The Kyle Pease Foundation — kylepeasefoundation.org TED Talk: The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong — Dan Pallotta The Hoyt family — Dick and Rick Hoyt, pioneer push-assist racing duo Field of Dreams — film referenced by Kyle and Brent Tony Robbins — referenced by Dwayne: "emotion is motion" Alvin Law — thalidomide survivor and speaker referenced by Dwayne IRONMAN World Championship, Kona, Hawaii Quotes: “ It does not have to be something that we fiercely protect. You know, it's something that we can all fiercely experience.” - Brent Pease “ I think that we're still growing. We're still evolving. When you stop growing, that's when you need to walk away from whatever you’re doing.” - Kyle Pease “It got the point where I basically just looked at him. I was like, dude, I'm done. I'm out. This isn't us. I dunno what we're doing. And Kyle said, well, you can quit, but I'm gonna finish.” - Brent Pease "These small lessons inside of our relationships that teach us about humanity — a lot of times what's missing in the world, and you guys are sharing it through stories like that, which I think is supremely powerful.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Because finding people who love what the mission is, like, that's more critical to me than finding the person who fits the exact role. Because if you have somebody who loves what you do and believes in it - a true believer if you will - then they're gonna be able to lean into whatever the task is and grow because they're willing to do it for the people that we serve.” - Brent Pease About Kyle and Brent Pease: Kyle Pease is a six-time IRONMAN finisher and co-founder of The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), born with cerebral palsy and widely regarded as one of the most compelling voices on disability inclusion in the country. Brent Pease is an endurance athlete, coach, and Executive Director of KPF, who has raced alongside Kyle in over 100 events including six IRONMAN triathlons.Together they made history as the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in 2018, and have since helped raise well over $10 million in support of athletes with disabilities. Connect with the Kyle Pease Foundation: https://kylepeasefoundation.org/Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:FacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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138: Brotherhood, Resilience & the Ironman with Kyle & Brent Pease
3w ago00:46:02Tap to summarizeKyle and Brent Pease have completed more than 100 races together — including two IRONMAN World Championships in Kona, Hawaii — and in 2024 they broke the push-assist course record with a finish time of 14 hours, 8 minutes, and 3 seconds. Kyle, born with cerebral palsy, is the coach, the motivator, and the athlete who has to be the most positive force in the world for 15 hours straight while his brother, Brent, pushes him across 140.6 miles. What looks like a sports story from the outside is something much harder to categorize: a 15-year study in resilience, gratitude, and what it actually means to show up when both of you want to quit. In Part 1 of their conversation: How Brent and Kyle broke the push-assist course record at the 2024 IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii — and what 15 years of racing together has taught themWhy Brent says true balance is an illusion — and how he and Kyle define "all in" as the real unit of energy management, shifting fully between Ironman training, family, and the foundation depending on the season Kyle's framework for getting out of dark moments: prayer, music, visualization, and the discipline of reducing the time between a hard moment and a shift in perspective What the foundation's inclusive employment program looks like on the ground How racing together has taught both brothers to say "I'm not okay" — and why that vulnerability has become one of their greatest competitive and leadership advantages Support the Kyle Pease Foundation Dwayne is matching donations — up to $5,000 total. Every dollar counts twice right now - Donate here 👉 https://kyle-pease-foundation-inc.networkforgood.com/events/99987-the-dwayne-kerrigan-podcast Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Get Out Your Own Way 00:39 - Podcast Welcome 02:29 - Meet Kyle and Brent 04:00 - Ironman Explained 05:50 - Why They Race - Mindset 08:45 - Kyle Positivity Tools 10:12 - Show Up Anyway 13:29 - Dark Days Tools 17:34 - Brent One Step Focus 21:25 - Gratitude in the Body 24:36 - Process Over Outcome 27:44 - Kyle Coaching Brent 31:32 - Brotherhood and Empathy 34:02 - Vulnerability and Faith 41:13 - Business vs Ironman 44:26 - Closing and Subscribe Resources mentioned: Beyond the Finish — Kyle and Brent Pease's book The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF) — kylepeasefoundation.org IRONMAN World Championship Kennesaw State University — Kyle's alma mater Florida State University — Brent's alma mater Tony Robbins — referenced by Dwayne in context of emotional states and the "figure eight" Quotes: “ Although you don't know what I go through on a daily basis, it is a struggle, right? I choose to look at my life as I get to do this, I don’t have to do this.” - Kyle Pease “ I would say the hardest thing is that real balance is an illusion. You know, people talk about balance all the time. True balance is knowing when to be all in and what to be all in on.” - Brent Pease “Ironman isn't for everybody. I mean, less than 1% of triathletes set foot on the Ironman in Hawaii. Kyle's done it twice.” - Brent Pease "I look at it as an opportunity to showcase my ability rather than my disability." - Kyle Pease “ I’ve gotten better and better over the years to say, I'm not okay. This doesn't feel good. You know, this is hard.” - Brent Pease “The mind leaves the relationship before, you know, the physical body leaves the relationship.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ Can you get in the water and just start swimming? Can you do that much? Because you might feel better if you start.” - Brent Pease About Kyle and Brent Pease: Kyle Pease is a six-time IRONMAN finisher and co-founder of The Kyle Pease Foundation (KPF), born with cerebral palsy and widely regarded as one of the most compelling voices on disability inclusion in the country. Brent Pease is an endurance athlete, coach, and Executive Director of KPF, who has raced alongside Kyle in over 100 events including six IRONMAN triathlons. Together they made history as the first push-assist brother team to complete the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona in 2018, and have since helped raise well over $10 million in support of athletes with disabilities. Connect with the Kyle Pease Foundation: https://kylepeasefoundation.org/ Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: 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.
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137: Building High Performance Teams with Dwayne Kerrigan
4w ago01:25:25Tap to summarizeWhat separates average teams from truly high-performing ones?In this episode, Dwayne Kerrigan breaks down the real mechanics of building high performance teams — from hiring A-players to creating a culture of accountability, coaching, and continuous improvement.Backed by real-world experience across decades in business, Dwayne walks through the systems, frameworks, and leadership mindset shifts required to build teams that don’t just function but thrive.You’ll learn why most hiring processes fail, how to identify true A-players, and why the behavior you tolerate ultimately becomes your company’s standard. Dwayne also dives deep into onboarding, coaching, culture, and the hidden psychological patterns that impact performance — including ego, storytelling, and leadership blind spots.This is not theory, this is a practical blueprint for leaders who want better results through better people.Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Ego And Needs00:39 - Podcast Introduction01:11 - Why Teams Matter03:03 - AI And Future Workforce04:32 - Role Clarity First06:17 - Interview Intensity08:58 - Hiring Process Steps13:58 - Scorecards And Evaluation16:08 - Compensation And Bonuses19:19 - Onboarding With Outcomes22:46 - Episodic Engagement Coaching26:12 - Culture Standards28:53 - Measure And Document SOPs31:19 - My Style Document35:32 - Hunting For A Players36:52 - Traits Of High Performers41:52 - Culture Skill Matrix43:19 - Developing B Players44:52 - Coaching Low Culture Talent46:18 - Managing C Players Fast48:14 - Story Meaning Behavior Model52:17 - Standards Above the Line54:42 - Four Culture Principles57:06 - Team Dysfunctions Breakdown01:00:44 - Q&A Backbenching and Ego01:09:18 - Accountability Without Morale Loss01:14:16 - Moving Players Up the Chart01:18:00 - Leadership Growth and Triggers01:20:57 - Recognizing Base Hits01:24:06 - Closing and DisclaimersKey Takeaways:The Behavior You Tolerate Becomes the StandardHiring A-Players Starts With ClarityAlways Be RecruitingOnboarding Is a Competitive AdvantageCoaching Is Not OptionalMeasure EverythingMost Team Problems Are PsychologicalA, B, and C Players Require Different StrategiesResources Mentioned:Phil Jones – Exactly What to SayRich Divinney – The AttributesPatrick Lencioni – The Five Dysfunctions of a TeamTony Robbins – Human Needs & Triad FrameworkByron Katie – Loving What IsKeith Cunningham – Business MentorshipReferenced Episodes (The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast):Phil Jones episode (sales, communication, and training insights) https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/27-exactly-what-to-say-with-phil-m-jones/Rich Divinney episode (attributes + performance under pressure) https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/16-transition-tactics-and-building-high-performance-teams-with-former-navy-seal-rich-diviney/Emma Murray episode (performance mindset + A/B game thinking) https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/61-breaking-the-b-game-loop-how-top-performers-master-their-mindset-with-emma-murray/ Also these Emma Murray episodes:https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/the-mindset-secret-to-crushing-your-b-game-with-emma-murray/ https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/127-skillset-vs-mindset-the-real-performance-equation-with-emma-murray/ https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/128-critique-over-criticism-emma-murray-on-learning-faster-under-pressure/Quotes:“Everything we do, we do to meet our needs.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“The behavior that you allow in your presence becomes the standards.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“ Keep it simple. Stupid complexity is the enemy of execution.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they’re too heavy to be broken.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“Anything you monitor will get better.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“Progress equals fulfillment.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“Don’t adjust your standards to meet someone’s mediocrity.” - Dwayne KerriganConnect with Dwayne KerriganFacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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136: Stop Solving Your Team's Problems with Paul Akers
Apr 2201:01:04Tap to summarizeMost business owners think AI and new technology will fix what's broken in their company. Paul Akers disagrees — and he's been inside factories with 10,000 employees on every continent to back it up.In Part 2 of this conversation, Paul and Dwayne go deeper into the mechanics of Lean culture, and why the secret to happiness and business success might be the same thing.In this episode:Paul's three-word formula for rolling out Lean in any organization without blowing up the culture: slow, consistent, and self-selectionThe 30-minute challenge: instead of solving an employee's problem on the spot, Paul gives them 30 minutes to come up with three solutions on their own — and why that single shift changes everything about how a team operatesWhy Lean is not a burden — it's pure joy: when every tool is where it belongs, every process flows, and people aren't waiting on you to fix things, the business stops grinding and starts movingPaul's take on AI and technology: they are accelerants to a well-run company, not a substitute for oneEpisode Highlights:00:00 - Technology Not The Answer00:17 - Podcast Intro And Setup01:20 - Change Only When Ready01:58 - Burn The Ships Commitment03:05 - Slow Consistent Self Selection04:11 - The Bob Conversation06:17 - Labor Laws And Firing Customers07:14 - Communicate With Video09:11 - Lean Should Feel Fun10:28 - Tools And Process Thinking13:00 - Progress Equals Happiness13:33 - Gemba Walkthrough Basics15:22 - Teach People To Solve Problems17:30 - Meetings Are Mostly Waste20:19 - No Departments Just Lean21:25 - What Gemba Really Means22:56 - Job Sites And Lean Visits25:21 - Action This Day - Winston Churchill28:43 - Capture Lists And Proximity31:04 - Text Expanders For Flow32:23 - Instant App Sharing32:54 - Flow With Text Expanders34:10 - Avoiding Overproduction34:32 - What Slow Really Means36:02 - Lean Health Basics38:47 Lean Life Happiness Map40:36 - Filling Knowledge Gaps42:34 - One Improvement Daily44:34 - AI As An Accelerant46:31 - Simple Finance Systems49:07 - Lean Culture At Home52:43 - Japan Mission Requirements54:25 - Hiring For Humility56:24 - Lean Is Fun Closing58:23 - Where To Find Paul59:59 - Podcast Wrap UpResources mentioned:2 Second Lean — Paul AkersLean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness — Paul AkersToyota Production System (TPS)Kaizen foam — referenced tool for visual process organization5 Whys — Japanese problem-solving method referencedTraining Within Industry (TWI) — referenced frameworkGetting Things Done — book by David AllenFastCap YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/user/fastcaptvQuotes:“ The answer to having a great company is not to focus on technology or focus on AI. Those are tools that are accelerants to a well run company. You still have to have a well run, well organized company with well-trained people.” - Paul Akers“ I almost don't know what's going on in my company anymore. It's, it's so, they're, they're so far ahead.” - Paul Akers“ I met a lot of my needs of significance and certainty by solving people's problems for them.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“ Slow, consistent and self-select. Self-select. The people that don't wanna do this will self-select out.” - Paul Akers“ People are depressed, because nothing's changing. And matter of fact, they're in decline. This Lean thing, this idea of continuous improvement is like the secret to life.” - Paul AkersAbout Paul Akers: Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for professional builders, started in his garage in 1997. FastCap now has thousands of distributors in over 40 countries and launches 20–30 innovative products per year. Paul is the author of 2 Second Lean — now available in 15 languages and a Shingo Institute award winner — along with many additional books. He has won Seattle Business Magazine's Business Executive of the Year and spoken in over 34 countries.Connect with Paul Akers: https://paulakers.net/Connect with Dwayne KerriganFacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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135: The Lean Maniac: Paul Akers on Eliminating Waste
Apr 1501:09:59Tap to summarizePaul Akers started FastCap in his garage with no MBA, no funding, and one simple conviction: fix what bugs you. Today FastCap ships over 2,000 products to more than 40 countries, and runs on a philosophy so simple it fits in two words — eliminate waste.In Part 1 of this conversation, Dwayne Kerrigan sits down with Paul to unpack the Lean methodology that made it all possible, and why it has nothing to do with manufacturing.In this episode:Paul breaks down the eight wastes of Lean thinking — overproduction, transportation, inventory, defects, over-processing, wasted motion, customer waiting, and wasting human potential — using a Costco toilet paper run as the most memorable example you'll ever hearWhy Paul calls himself a "Lean maniac", not a lean practitioner: "How do I improve this? And how do I make it easier for everyone around me?" — the two questions that drive every decision at FastCapThe communication standard Paul holds his entire organization to: no one should ever have to ask you a question twice, and why every back-and-forth email chain is a symptom of a deeper waste problemHow FastCap documents every single process — from cleaning a toilet to setting up a $250,000 injection molding machine — using eight-step visual SOPs, QR codes, and unlisted YouTube videos that any employee can access instantlyWhy Paul starts every Lean implementation the same way, regardless of company size: the bathroom. And why every visitor to FastCap — including presidents of major corporations — cleans the bathroom before they're allowed a tourThe mindset Paul refuses to argue with: if you're not ready to change, he's not interested in convincing you — and why that boundary is itself a Lean principleEpisode Highlights: 00:00 - No Questions Twice00:22 - Podcast Welcome00:54 - Meet Paul Akers04:37 - FastCap Origin Story08:31 - Lean Gospel Mindset10:34 - Lean Maniac Defined13:42 - Eight Wastes Explained17:03 - Small Daily Improvements20:10 - Hunger and Underdogs28:31 - Lean History Lesson31:36 - Toyota Just In Time34:15 - Skeptic to Believer35:25 - Lean Is People First36:33 - Stop The Line Mindset38:00 - Three Habits Of Toyota40:46 - Morning Meetings42:45 - Dialogue Not Monologue43:26 - Keynote Agenda And Culture48:03 - Defects And Kanban Flow51:56 - One Hour Before Work Pays53:59 - Ego And Leadership Growth57:08 - How To Start01:03:16 - Standard Work And QR Training01:07:30 - Who Actually Changes01:08:22 - Wrap Up And DisclaimersResources mentioned:2 Second Lean — Paul AkersLean Health, Lean Travel, Lean Life, Banish Sloppiness — Paul AkersThe Amezawa Legacy — Paul AkersLean the Gospel Dressed Up in a Business Suit — Paul Akers (in progress at time of recording)Out of the Crisis — Dr. W. Edwards DemingToyota Production System (TPS)FastCap — Paul Akers' companyBob Taylor / Taylor Guitars — referenced as Paul's early mentorTraining Within Industry (TWI) — referenced frameworkFastCap YouTube channel — https://www.youtube.com/user/fastcaptvQuotes:"I have no time whatsoever to convince you of common sense. Zero." - Paul Akers“ I read Dick and Jane like 10 times when I had to read it in front of the class. I had to read it over and over and over again and memorize it so I didn't screw it up when I read in front of the class.” - Paul Akers“ But there's one thing that I've kind of realized in life is that the reason why we don't have something in our life is because of the story that we're telling ourselves.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“Everything I look at, I'm always thinking, how do I improve? How do I increase the quality and reduce the burden on me and the people around me? So I want everything to be. Easy for everyone. No struggle in flow.” - Paul Akers“ No one should ever ask you a question twice. If you communicate to someone, your communication should be so clear that when you say it and the words come out of your mouth, they go, I understand exactly what you want.” - Paul AkersAbout Paul Akers: Paul Akers is the founder and president of FastCap, a product development company specializing in woodworking tools and hardware for professional builders, started in his garage in 1997. FastCap now has thousands of distributors in over 40 countries and launches 20–30 innovative products per year. Paul is the author of 2 Second Lean — now available in 15 languages and a Shingo Institute award winner — along with many additional books including Lean Health, Lean Travel, and Lean Life. He has won Seattle Business Magazine's Business Executive of the Year and spoken in over 34 countries.Connect with Paul Akers: https://paulakers.net/Connect with Dwayne KerriganFacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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134: Leadership Without Heroics: Part 2 with Dwayne Kerrigan
Apr 800:42:08Tap to summarizeMost entrepreneurs think the next stage of their business requires a better strategy. Dwayne Kerrigan disagrees. In Part 2 of his live keynote at the LeanScaper Operations Intensive in Cape Coral, Florida, he makes the case that what's actually required is a different identity — and that without that shift, no system, tool, or team will get you where you're trying to go. In this episode: Dwayne walks through his personal identity chart — from the "warrior" and "general" identities that ran his life for years, to the consciously designed identities he operates from today, including the Chairman, the Profit Seeker, and the Peak Performance Coach Why the Serenity Prayer became one of the most powerful business tools Dwayne ever learned — and how distinguishing what you can and can't control transformed his leadership at 32 years old, running an $18M business with 300 employees A live identity creation exercise: how to write your own eulogy for a specific business role, and why that process is the starting point for becoming who your business needs you to be The eight stages of the entrepreneur and the business lifecycle — and why understanding exactly where you are in both is critical to knowing which identity needs to show up The four economic seasons (spring, summer, fall, winter) and why Dwayne believes the landscaping industry is currently sitting somewhere between late fall and early winter 40 years of lessons learned — distilled into the principles that have shaped how Dwayne builds, leads, and recovers Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Tsunami Of Change 00:27 - Podcast Mission 00:59 - Internal Vs External 02:07 - Serenity Prayer Lesson 03:42 - Identity Chart Origins 04:32 - From Warrior To General 06:10 - Purpose And Marriage 07:47 - Building New Identities 08:48 - Chairman Identity Script 09:50 - Language And Questions 12:38 - Borrowing Role Models 13:41 - Post Fight Debrief 14:40 - Create Your Identity 16:48 - Write Your Eulogy 17:46 - Visualization And Realism 19:01 - Do The Work 19:48 - Physiology Guidelines 20:15 - Physiology and Rituals 20:57 - Energy and Emotions 22:00 - Identity Agent Tool 23:53 - Daily Identity Editing 24:56 - Future Shock and Adaptation 26:22 - Economic Seasons Framework 27:58 - Entrepreneur Stages 29:13 - Business Lifecycle Reality 31:33 - Shift Identity in 3D 31:56 - Courage and Deep Thinking 34:57 - Lessons Learned Log 37:19 - Hard Won Business Rules 40:19 - Final Fear and Farewell Resources Mentioned: Think and Grow Rich — Napoleon Hill Stephen Covey — The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Covey Institute Keith Cunningham — referenced as the "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad Tony Robbins — Date With Destiny, UPW seminars Identity framework AI agent — available at The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast: https://www.dwaynekerrigan.com/identity-framework/Quotes: “You can either be right or you can be rich, but you can't be both.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “I did this for my wife through a lot of pain and self suffering, I had to get to the point where the general just couldn't run the show anymore because it was just not sustainable.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “You don't experience the life that you live. You're experiencing the life that you focus on.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “ My greatest fear in life is on my final day to meet the man that I could have been.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: 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.
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133: Leadership Without Heroics: Part 1 with Dwayne Kerrigan
Apr 100:49:22Tap to summarizeMost entrepreneurs don't burn out because the business gets too hard — they burn out because they never stopped being the operator. In this keynote, recorded live at the LeanScaper Operations Intensive in Cape Coral, Florida, Dwayne Kerrigan makes the case that the real battle isn't strategic, it's psychological. Until you understand the most powerful force in the human condition, no framework, system, or tool will save you. In this episode: Dwayne breaks down the operator's mindset vs. the owner's mindset — and why operators get tired while owners get rich Why your purpose has to be large enough to keep you out of "the tyranny of how" — the trap that pulls owners back into the weeds The identity principle Dwayne calls the single most important lesson from 10+ years at Tony Robbins' side: the most powerful force in the human condition is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves The event–meaning–emotion–behavior chain, and how changing the meaning you attach to an event changes your results How physiology, language, and focus (the triad) function as your meaning-making filter — and how to use them to access empowering states more consistently Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Purpose Over How 00:27 - Podcast Welcome 00:59 - Event Introduction 02:53 - Dwayne Takes Stage 04:12 - Finding The Why 05:40 - Mentors And Lessons 08:58 - Business Root Causes 11:55 - Operator Vs Owner 14:48 - Core Values And Purpose 19:37 - Identity Drives Action 21:20 - Bus Fight Identity Shift 24:14 - Reframing a Past Bully 25:17 - Identity and No Negotiation 25:51 - Procrastination Becomes Identity 27:47 - Event Meaning Emotion Loop 31:34 - The Triad Explained 32:45 - Physiology Power Positions 36:31 - Energy Thermostat and Mirroring 40:47 - Language Questions Shape Reality 45:21 - Focus Habits and Meaning 47:49 - Closing Thanks and Disclaimer Resources Mentioned: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People — Stephen Covey Keith Cunningham — referenced as the "Rich Dad" in Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad Tony Robbins — Platinum Partners immersion program Simon Sinek — referenced in the context of finding your why John Grinder — creator of NLP, mirroring and matching technique LMN (Landscape Management Network) — referenced by Dwayne and Mark Bradley Quotes: “Taking your passion and turning it into a business is usually not a good wealth strategy.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “If you stand like this for 10 minutes a day, it will increase your testosterone 20%. You can look this up. This is true 20%. It'll increase your testosterone. If you stand like this, it will reduce your cortisol from anywhere from 23 to 25% and it will increase the odds of you being able to make a decision by 33%.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “I'm in the ground and I'm down there and I'm like, and I remember thinking, and through the course of this whole thing, this whole event, is that I am never, ever going to get beaten up again. "From that day forward, I started working out…” - Dwayne Kerrigan “The most powerful force in the human condition is to remain congruent with how we identify ourselves.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Change the meaning, change the emotion, change your life.” - Dwayne Kerrigan “Operators get tired and owners get rich.” - Dwayne Kerrigan Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan Facebook Instagram Linked In Website Disclaimer: 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.
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132: Forgiveness, Betrayal, and the Cost of Success with Adel Sayegh
Mar 2501:31:19Tap to summarizeIn Part 2 of this powerful conversation on The Dwayne Kerrigan Podcast, Adel Sayegh shares the deeper chapters of his entrepreneurial journey — including betrayal in business, a life-threatening health crisis, and the resilience required to rebuild both physically and professionally.After helping grow a company from the ground up to more than 1,200 employees, Adel watched it eventually go public for billions of dollars without receiving anything himself. For many people, an experience like that could lead to lasting bitterness. Instead, Adel chose a different path — one rooted in forgiveness and perspective.But the challenges didn’t stop there.Adel also opens up about facing a serious illness that forced him to confront his own mortality and rethink what success truly means. Through that experience, he rebuilt his health, refocused his priorities, and ultimately emerged stronger than before.Today, Adel reflects on how adversity — whether in business, health, or life — can become the foundation for growth. His story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about wealth or status, but about resilience, forgiveness, and the ability to keep moving forward even after life’s most difficult setbacks.Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Opening quote on forgiveness and harboring hatred00:25 - Show intro and welcome back to Part 201:28 - Building a global security empire and the China partnership betrayal03:58 - How RFID technology revolutionized retail loss prevention06:10 - Facial recognition's secret use in catching shoplifters09:08 - GPS chips in pharmaceutical bottles to track stolen opioids10:45 - The Ring camera Super Bowl commercial backlash14:22 - Microchip technology debate - child safety vs. privacy20:15 - Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at 49 while at the peak of success42:38 - Surviving the night when doctors said he wouldn't - and his wife's unconditional love46:50 - Discovering the company was embezzled while fighting for his life1:06:18 - Choosing forgiveness over prosecution and finding peace1:12:10 - From discipline-driven to commitment-driven; a philosophical shift on purpose1:17:00 - The Unbroken Foundation mission to end child trafficking1:29:15 - Closing prayer and final words of encouragementKey Takeaways:True peace is impossible while holding onto hatred or resentment.Forgiveness is often more about healing yourself than the other person.Building a global company requires persistence, trust, and innovation.Financial success alone does not guarantee fulfillment or peace.Perspective and resilience help transform betrayal into growth.Quotes:“You can't have a hundred percent peace if you are harboring hatred on anyone.” - Adel Sayegh“I don't approve what they do.” - Adel Sayegh“I don't have them in my life, but I've forgave them because that was also medicine for me.” - Adel Sayegh“ I never even dreamed of, you know, growing up a little kid immigrant from Jordan that I would have, the lifestyle that I would have.” - Adel Sayegh“On a marketing level that’s about as bad as the Bud Light commercial.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“Your story is unbelievable. You are an example of evolution and grace and commitment to the values and beliefs and faith that you have.” - Dwayne KerriganAdel Sayegh’s story is one of grit, grace, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in his garage, he built a company that reached a $1 billion valuation. A Marine Corps veteran and pancreatic cancer survivor, Adel has overcome tremendous adversity, shaping his mission to use every challenge as a platform to serve others. His unwavering faith in God has been the cornerstone of his journey, grounding him through both triumphs and storms. Today, Adel speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers, challenging them to rise above adversity, pursue excellence, and live with purpose. His message of resilience, faith, and hope leaves a lasting imprint on audiences, calling them to embrace challenges as opportunities and build a legacy that outlives them.Connect with Adel Sayegh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adel-sayegh-06109a9/Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:FacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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131: Lose Everything, Build Again: Adel Sayegh on Resilience, Faith & Reinvention
Mar 1801:13:22Tap to summarizeIn this deeply personal conversation, Adel Sayegh joins Dwayne Kerrigan to share Part 1 of his story of losing everything — financially, professionally, and emotionally — and the lessons that followed.Adel opens up about the moment when the life he had built suddenly collapsed. The house, the car, the career, and the identity that came with success were all gone. What followed was one of the most defining moments of his life: facing fear, uncertainty, and the realization that everything he once believed about stability and success could disappear overnight.But this story is not about loss — it’s about resilience.Adel reflects on how faith, humility, and the support of his wife helped him rebuild from the ground up. He explains how identity often becomes tied to status and material success, and why losing those things forced him to rediscover who he really was.This episode is a powerful reminder that adversity is not the end of the story. Often, it’s the beginning of the one that matters most.Episode Highlights: 00:00 - Opening: Finding meaning and purpose in life's challenges00:31 - Introduction to Adel Sayegh's remarkable journey of resilience01:27 - Growing up in poverty in Jordan during the 1967 war5:14 - Starting with childhood: The foundation of character9:37 - The watermelon truck story: Early entrepreneurial lessons12:06 - Life in a one-room house with 11 family members16:23 - Zimbabwe lesson: True happiness vs material wealth22:44 - Hit by a car at age 5: Experiencing hatred and survival26:22 - Joining the Marines: Brotherhood and pushing beyond limits33:20 - MetLife success: Youngest manager making $250K at 2857:30 - The OJ Simpson moment: Vision for surveillance technology1:05:52 - Rock bottom: Losing the house and filing bankruptcy1:07:30 - Wife's ultimate sacrifice: Offering her jewelry to save the dream1:09:02 - The turnaround: Business takes off and light at end of tunnelKey Takeaways:Success can become dangerously tied to identity and statusLosing everything can reveal who you truly areSupport from loved ones can anchor you during crisisResilience is built through hardship, not comfortFaith and perspective can reshape how we view failureStarting over requires humility and courageTrue strength comes from facing adversity head-onQuotes:“I was vulnerable because for the first time in my life I just, I thought I had it all figured out and now I don’t.” - Adel Sayegh“I just lost everything. I lost my house, I lost my job, I lost my car, I lost my identity.” - Adel Sayegh“Now fear said, what? What if this doesn’t work out? What if this isn’t going anywhere?” - Adel Sayegh“Businesses is a series of relationships and one of the biggest relationships that we have is with ourself.” - Dwayne Kerrigan“Your story is unbelievable. It’s an unshakeable journey of overcoming obstacles.” - Dwayne KerriganAdel Sayegh’s story is one of grit, grace, and perseverance. From humble beginnings in his garage, he built a company that reached a $1 billion valuation. A Marine Corps veteran and pancreatic cancer survivor, Adel has overcome tremendous adversity, shaping his mission to use every challenge as a platform to serve others. His unwavering faith in God has been the cornerstone of his journey, grounding him through both triumphs and storms. Today, Adel speaks to entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers, challenging them to rise above adversity, pursue excellence, and live with purpose. His message of resilience, faith, and hope leaves a lasting imprint on audiences, calling them to embrace challenges as opportunities and build a legacy that outlives them.Connect with Adel Sayegh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adel-sayegh-06109a9/Connect with Dwayne Kerrigan:FacebookInstagramLinked InWebsiteDisclaimer: 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.
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