In this episode, Chuck Blakeman welcomes back business strategist and wellness educator Vanessa Emerson, founder of The Evolving Expert. Together, they explore why most business plans fail—and how a simple, dynamic two-page strategic plan can transform the way you run your business.

Vanessa and Chuck share how this living document keeps you focused on what truly moves your business forward—helping you move past the tyranny of the urgent and toward long-term significance.

🎧 You’ll discover: ✅ The difference between a static business plan and a rolling strategic plan ✅ Why the best strategic plan impacts what you do today ✅ How to separate tasks that change your business forever from those that just keep it running ✅ The importance of revisiting your plan daily or weekly ✅ Real-life stories of entrepreneurs who used this process to double revenue and reclaim their time

💡 “If your strategic plan doesn’t impact your daily actions, it’s just shelf help.”

----more----

📍 Connect with Vanessa Emerson: Website: theevolvingexpert.com Email: info@vanessaemerson.com

👉 Missed Vanessa’s first guest episode about life vision and the big why? Listen here → Episode 16

In this special solo episode, Chuck Blakeman explores why moments of tension, discomfort, and even chaos are not something to run from—but the very moments that spark our deepest growth.

Drawing from music, Chuck illustrates how rhythm, melody, harmony, dissonance, and discord mirror our personal and business lives—and why leaning into what feels uncomfortable can lead us to new breakthroughs and richer, more meaningful experiences.

🎧 You’ll hear:

✅ Why we don’t grow in our flow—we produce there ✅ How dissonance and discord act as invitations to transformation ✅ The difference between reacting to life vs. responding with intention ✅ What it means to find freedom within your circumstances—not from them ✅ How music teaches us to embrace life’s off-notes as part of a bigger harmony

💡 “Circumstances don’t make me who I am. How I respond to them does.”

In this energizing roundtable, Chuck Blakeman, John Heenan, and Henry McCrory explore the powerful link between daily routines and long-term success—not just in business, but in life.

From morning habits and mindset shifts to setting your priorities with intention, this episode offers practical takeaways for entrepreneurs who want more than just productivity… they want significance.

🎯 You’ll discover:

✅ The simple principles behind building a meaningful daily routine ✅ Why your inputs—books, people, and environment—shape your future ✅ How to lead yourself first before leading your business ✅ Why getting grounded daily helps overcome the tyranny of the urgent ✅ Tools like vision boards, gratitude, and breathing that actually work

💡 “What you do daily reflects what you truly value—whether you admit it or not.”

—

Recorded on the road in Spain. Chuck shares fresh insights while traveling to a live event—proof that business (and breakthroughs) don’t wait for perfect timing.

Is “work-life balance” even real—or just a leftover idea from the factory era?

In this candid and energizing conversation, Chuck Blakeman, John Heenan, and Henry McCrory unpack what it really means to live an integrated life—where work and personal priorities aren’t constantly at war, but intentionally woven together.

Together, they challenge the outdated notion of balance and offer a refreshing perspective on how to build a business and life around purpose, not pressure.

🎧 You’ll hear:

✅ Why traditional “balance” creates rigidity, not freedom ✅ How integration gives you more control over your time and energy ✅ The one question that helps you focus on what truly matters ✅ Why managing tasks isn’t the same as leading your life ✅ How to schedule your days around values—not just obligations

💡 “What will I be glad I did today—10 years from now?”

—

Recorded on the road in Spain. Chuck shares fresh insights while traveling to a live event—proof that business (and breakthroughs) don’t wait for ideal conditions.

What if your company’s culture is running on an outdated operating system—and no one even realizes it?

In this insightful conversation, Chuck Blakeman welcomes back Josh Allan Dykstra, CEO of The Work Revolution and one of today’s most respected thought leaders on the future of work and human energy. Together, they explore the idea that company culture functions like an operating system—often invisible, but massively influential.

Josh challenges us to move beyond default behaviors and start designing intentional, energizing systems that empower people to thrive—while freeing business owners from the daily grind.

🎧 You’ll discover:

✅ Why most company cultures happen by accident (and how to fix that) ✅ How to spot outdated “factory system” beliefs running in the background ✅ The power of creating a shared “Culture Book” to make values tangible ✅ How input equals ownership—and leads to lasting buy-in ✅ Why working on your system frees you from working in the chaos

“People only support what they help create. If you want your team to own the culture, they need a voice in building it.” — Josh Allan Dykstra

If you’re ready to stop running on autopilot and build a more intentional, human, and high-energy workplace—this episode is your blueprint.

Missed Josh's first appearance on the show? Check it out here: Episode 14: Human Energy in the Workplace

🔗 Connect with Josh and request a copy of his Culture Book: joshallan.com

📺 Watch Josh’s TED Talk for more on energy-based leadership systems

Are you spending more and getting less from your marketing? It might be time to ditch the noise and go where the gold is.

In this solo episode, Chuck Blakeman breaks down the Four Quadrants of Marketing—from high-cost advertising to the underused strategy that consistently delivers results for small business owners: Relationship Marketing.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by ad budgets, tired of cold outreach, or just want to build a more human business, this episode gives you the clarity to choose the right marketing strategy for your size, stage, and values.

🎯 You’ll discover:

✅ Why small businesses struggle with Quadrant 1 (and why that’s okay) ✅ The difference between shotgun marketing and laser-focused direct outreach ✅ Real-world examples of how PR can drive big results with small budgets ✅ Why Relationship Marketing is the #1 growth strategy for small businesses ✅ Chuck’s personal favorite metric: “The closer you are to a hug, the more likely you are to sell something.”

💡 “In a small business, you don’t ‘have to’ build relationships—you ‘get to.’”

If you want more leads, less pressure, and better long-term ROI, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode of Get Off the Treadmill, Chuck Blakeman sits down with Lynn Whitbeck, the queen of joyful sales, to explore how shifting your mindset from “selling” to “serving” can transform your business—and your happiness. Lynn shares how worthy intent, authenticity, and a simple sales plan can make sales not only effective, but fulfilling.

If you’ve ever said “I hate selling,” this episode is for you.

🎙️ You’ll discover:

✅ Why “worthy intent” creates genuine client connection ✅ The power of showing up authentically (no scripts, no sleaze) ✅ How to build a sales strategy that feels natural—and scalable ✅ What to do when a prospect isn’t a good fit (hint: it’s still a win) ✅ How joy in the process leads to better clients and longer relationships

💡 “When you lead with service, joy follows—and so do your ideal clients.”

----more----

👤 About Lynn Whitbeck: Lynn Whitbeck is the Queen of Joyful Sales. Business owners and entrepreneurs hire Lynn to ignite winning sales—because most fail to connect, capture, and close their ideal clients. She is the Founder and CEO of Petite2Queen, and host of Claim Your Career Crown and the Get More Clients Show streaming on Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Lynn loves visiting national parks, cooking, and playing Pokémon Go.

📌 Connect with Lynn & Explore More: 🔹 Website: https://petite2queen.com 🔹 Facebook: @petite2queen 🔹 Instagram: @petite2queen 🔹 YouTube: Petite2Queen Channel 🔹 Get More Clients TV Show: Watch Here 🔹 LinkedIn: Lynn Whitbeck 🔹 Grow Your Business Masterclass 🔹 Fortune 500 Sales Secrets eBook 🔹 Get More Clients Checklist

In this solo episode, Chuck Blakeman tackles a question most business owners never stop to ask: Why are we still selling to strangers—and what if we didn’t have to?

Drawing from his decades of entrepreneurial experience, Chuck breaks down the outdated, industrial-age mindset that still drives most sales strategies today—and introduces a far better alternative. The episode explores how building trust and connection before the sale can eliminate the awkwardness, pressure, and inefficiency of chasing cold leads.

🎙️ You’ll discover:

✅ Why “the closer you are to a hug, the more likely you are to sell” ✅ How to build a steady stream of warm prospects (without cold calls) ✅ The second and third degree of separation strategy to unlock your network ✅ Why relationship-based selling beats transactions—every time ✅ A mindset shift that makes business more human (and more fun)

💬 “It’s not about selling harder. It’s about connecting deeper.”

If you’re tired of chasing cold leads, awkward closes, and old-school sales tactics—this episode will show you how to grow through trust, not transactions.