Podcast
The Thermostat with Jason Barger
Hosted by Jason V Barger · EN
A thermostat is proactive. It sets the temperature in a room. Controls the temperature. Regulates the temperature. But in today's distracted, fast-paced and digital world, it's easy for individuals and organizations to act more like thermometers, slipping into reactionary thinking, becoming scattered and inconsistent. The most compelling leaders, teams, organizations, families or collection of humans of any kind operate in thermostat mode. They calibrate their mind and heart to set the temperature for the vision and culture they want to create. Jason Barger, globally celebrated author, keynote speaker and founder of Step Back Leadership Consulting, guides this journey to discover authentic leadership, create compelling cultures and find clarity of mission, vision and values. Learn more at JasonVBarger.com or on social media @jasonvbarger
41episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
You Are A Catalyst
Jan 1300:20:21Tap to summarizeMany people have been catalysts for you in your life and work. And, you are a catalyst for others. How we lead and the culture we create sends ripples to others. In an era where employee engagement has reached a ten-year low and trust in leadership remains a rare commodity, how do we move beyond simply "surviving" our workplace environments? Most organizations operate like thermometers—merely reacting to the stress, chaos, and temperature of the room. But what if you possessed the power to set the temperature yourself? In the Season 10 episode 2 of The Thermostat Podcast, Jason V Barger explores the transformative concept of the catalyst. A catalyst is more than just a leader; it is a person or an experience that stimulates progress and propels a culture toward its highest potential. Drawing from a powerful story of grace under pressure at a post-9/11 airport security line, Jason illustrates how the ripple effect of our individual thoughts and actions can shift the energy of an entire team. This episode provides a masterclass in: The Power of the Ripple Effect: Understanding how your emotional intelligence (EQ) acts as the "pebble" dropped into your organization's pond. Smart Leadership: The fascinating connection between modern thermostat technology—specifically the "catalyst" add-on—and our own need for "intelligent control" in our personal development. Intentional Culture Shaping: Why the best corporate cultures don't happen by accident, but are co-created by leaders committed to being catalysts for change. Navigating Low Engagement: Practical ways to bring hope, trust, and stability to leadership in teams when the world feels most volatile. Essential Leadership Lessons: As Jason reflects on his journey as an author and speaker, he reminds us that we cannot create the "future version" of ourselves without honoring the catalysts that came before us. Whether you are a CEO, a manager, or an individual contributor, you have the opportunity to calibrate your thermostat and breathe good oxygen back into your environment. Questions to ponder from this episode: Who has been a catalyst for you in your life and your work? In what ways would you like to be a catalyst for others in the year ahead? What catalysts are needed to shape the culture you want on your team right now? Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/you-are-a-catalyst/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Little By Little, A Little Becomes A Lot
Nov 1800:18:57Tap to summarizeEvery great team culture, leader, and organization is created by small, intentional actions and behaviors. Over time, those small actions add up. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/little-by-little/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Highlights from the ThermostatCulturesLIVE.com Event
Nov 1100:29:35Tap to summarizeThis episode provides sound bites and highlights from this year's Thermostat Cultures LIVE, hosted by Jason Barger, that focuses on authentic leadership in the world today and creating compelling cultures. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/tcl2025highlights/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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4 Traits People Need in a Leader
Nov 400:21:28Tap to summarizeGallup research identified 4 traits that followers need and want in a leader. Jason Barger provides his insights on the research based on his work within teams and organizations. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/4-trails-people-need-in-a-leader/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Season 9 Episode 42: I Am The Culture, We Are The Culture
Oct 2800:18:15Tap to summarizeThe best thermostat cultures are led and co-created by all. People within the culture have mindsets of ownership, reciprocal accountability and a commitment to development that sets a different temperature for others. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/we-are-the-culture/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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The Biggest Problem With Communication
Oct 2100:20:05Tap to summarize86% of employees and executives cite Ineffective communication as the biggest problem with workplace failures. Jason Barger shares obstacles that get in the way and what the best leaders and cultures do differently. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/biggest-problem-with-communication/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Articulating Culture with Andrew Whitworth
Oct 1401:05:46Tap to summarizeNFL superstar and Amazon's Thursday Night Football analyst, Andrew "Big Whit" Whitworth, joins Jason Barger in an inspiring conversation about leadership in the world today and articulating culture for the temperature you aim to set in life and work. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/andrew-whitworth/ Follow @andrewwhitworth77 Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Season 9 Episode 39: Engaging Your Employees Is A Cultural Opportunity
Oct 700:23:48Tap to summarizeEmployee engagement is at a 10-year low, and burnout is costing the global economy a staggering $322 billion. But what if this isn't a crisis, but one of the greatest opportunities for leadership today? For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/engaging-employees/ In this episode, Jason V Barger explains why the current state of the workplace is a pivotal moment to intentionally shape a compelling corporate culture. Discover why caring for your people isn't just a "nice" idea—it's a strategic imperative that leads to 22% higher productivity, better retention, and a thriving organization. Listen now to learn five actionable trends and opportunities you can implement immediately to engage the minds and hearts of your team, build trust, and create a culture people are proud to be a part of. It's time to stop reacting and start intentionally setting the temperature. What You'll Learn In This Episode: [03:30] The powerful data connecting employee engagement directly to a 22% increase in performance metrics. [05:45] Understanding the massive $322 billion annual cost of employee burnout and lost productivity. [09:14] The foundational building block of all great cultures: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." [10:30] How culture is actively shaped every moment through the way we think, act, and interact. [13:31] Five powerful opportunities to build a more engaging culture: [13:54] 1. Language Drives Behavior [14:34] 2. Intentional and Strategic Development [15:51] 3. Clarity on Mission and Contribution [17:00] 4. Honoring the Whole Person [18:36] 5. Cultural Fitness Breeds Trust [21:26] Key questions to ponder with your team to begin strengthening your culture today. Register for Thermostat Cultures Live! Join Jason and other global thought leaders for a powerful day of development on Friday, November 7, 2025. This hybrid event is your chance to step back and calibrate your thermostat for the road ahead. Limited in-person VIP seats are available! Reserve your spot today at: https://www.thermostatcultureslive.com Connect with Jason: To learn more about developing leaders and culture, visit: https://jasonvbarger.com/ Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Thermostat Cultures LIVE Event Preview
Sep 3000:17:24Tap to summarizeJason Barger previews his 9th ThermostatCulturesLIVE.com hybrid event he will host on 11/7/25. He is joined by other powerful voices focused on authentic leadership and compelling cultures in the world today. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/tcl-preview-2025/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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Season 9 Episode 38: E.A.T. Leadership for Today's World
Sep 2300:22:27Tap to summarizeIn a fast-changing, often divided and disengaged world, leaders and cultures that practice empathy, reciprocal accountability, and build trust, are experiencing higher satisfaction and performance. Please rate and review the podcast to help amplify these messages to others! For full show notes visit https://jasonvbarger.com/podcast/eat-leadership-for-today/ Jason Barger is a husband, father, speaker, and author who is passionate about business leadership and corporate culture. He believes that corporate culture is the "thermostat" of an organization, and that it can be used to drive performance, innovation, and engagement. The show features interviews with business leaders from a variety of industries, as well as solo episodes where Barger shares his own insights and advice. Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonVBarger Make Your 2025 Effective! Book Jason with your team at https://www.jasonvbarger.com Like or Follow Jason 👍 Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbarger/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonvbarger/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jasonvbarger/ X: https://x.com/JasonvBarger
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