Episode Title: From Garage to Hollywood: Master Weaponsmith Tony Swatton's Journey

In this captivating episode of Making Business Personal, I sit down with Tony Swatton, the legendary weaponsmith behind some of Hollywood's most iconic movie weapons. From his shop "The Sword and the Stone," Tony has created weapons and armor for over 300 feature films since 1988, including the memorable hook from "Hook," Jack Sparrow's sword from "Pirates of the Caribbean," and weapons for "The Last Samurai," "Zorro," and recent Star Wars productions.

Tony shares his unconventional path from immigrant child fascinated by rocks to Hollywood's go-to armorer, starting his business at age 15 in his mother's garage. He reveals the real craft behind movie weaponsmithing—why casting molten metal into molds (as shown in films) would never work for actual film production, and how he hand-forges each piece using traditional blacksmithing techniques combined with modern equipment.

Key Topics We Explored:

• The difference between movie magic and real metalworking
• How Tony built relationships with major studios and prop houses
• Working under impossible deadlines (like creating a full suit of armor for a 5-year-old in 96 hours)
• The business lessons of understanding client value vs. personal pricing
• Dealing with imposter syndrome despite being recognized as a master craftsman
• His upcoming YouTube show "Dream Smith" where celebrities create their dream projects

Tony also discusses his philosophy of seeing potential in discarded materials—from rusted wire to old bandsaw blades—and how this "gem in the stone" mindset has shaped both his craft and business approach. Our conversation reveals how a billion people have watched his work without knowing his name, the challenges of working with Hollywood egos, and why he's never driven a car in Los Angeles.

A must-listen for entrepreneurs, craftspeople, and anyone interested in the intersection of traditional skills and modern entertainment industry demands.

My Guest: Tony Swatton, Master Weaponsmith and Owner of The Sword and the Stone

Notable Works:Hook, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Last Samurai, Zorro, Star Wars productions, and 300+ other films

Check out Tony's work here: https://tonyswatton.com

Your team doesn’t follow your mission statement—and your kids don’t follow your advice.
They follow your actions.

In Episode 46 of Making Business Personal, Jason Weiss shares the hidden truth about leadership and life: people copy what you do, not what you say. At work, one sigh can shut down ideas. At home, one frustrated tone can teach impatience. Your unconscious habits—big or small—are being mirrored every day.

The Problem: Whether at home or in the office, we accidentally program others with our worst habits. Stress, distraction, sarcasm, impatience—these spread faster than our best qualities.

The Outcome: Learn how to replace accidental influence with intentional modeling. You’ll discover three practical tools to make sure your team (and your family) copy the behaviors you’re proud of.

Why It Matters: This may be the single most important key to personal growth and leadership excellence. Because when people mirror your best—not your baggage—you don’t just change culture. You change lives.

🎧 Listen now to Episode 46 of Making Business Personal.

#LeadershipAndLife #MakingBusinessPersonal #LeadershipExcellence #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #CultureChange #LeadershipPodcast #EmotionalIntelligence #ParentingAndLeadership #GrowthMindset #HumanConnection

Jason breaks down why “tell it like it is” often backfires and replaces it with a practical system leaders can use today.

In this episode

• 3 leadership myths that quietly kill innovation and morale

• 3 practices that make feedback land: Partnership, Precision, Silence

• A real EVP turnaround story (from attrition and client complaints to a record quarter)

Perfect for: founders, executives, people managers, HR/L&D, team leads.
Topics: leadership communication, psychological safety, feedback skills, culture change, executive coaching, conflict resolution, high-performance teams.

Work with Jason → www.jasonweissconsulting.com

From the bustling streets of Edinburgh during the world’s largest arts festival, Jason Weiss shares powerful, real-world lessons on creativity, courage, and community. Drawing inspiration from the chaos and brilliance of the Fringe, he reveals three principles that can transform how you share your work: build your support system, take the risk of being misunderstood, and let your “why” guide every move. Whether you’re leading a team, launching a business, or chasing a bold idea, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, act bolder, and never go it alone.

#LeadershipLessons #BusinessSuccess #InnovationMindset #CreativeLeadership #EntrepreneurMindset #PersonalGrowth #RiskTaking #FindYourWhy #CareerDevelopment #WorkLifeHarmony #AuthenticLeadership #InspirationDaily #MindsetMatters #BreakTheMold#EdinburghFringe #MakingBusinessPersonal #JWC

🎙️ Making Business Personal with Jason Weiss

From Palm Pilot to Powerhouse – How Caitlin Sarian Hacked the Algorithm of Influence

What happens when you mix cybersecurity, social impact, and unapologetic authenticity? You get Caitlin Sarian—engineer, content creator, and the founder of Cybersecurity Girl, a platform with millions of followers and one very clear mission: make cybersecurity human.

In this episode, Caitlin and I talk about:

• The accidental viral moment that launched her media empire

• Why she kept her identity secret for over a year

• How she went from “I’m not a man or a mechanic” to a master’s in engineering

• Why most diversity initiatives are broken—and how to actually level the playing field

• The underrated power of being uncomfortable (on purpose)

We also go deep on generational parenting, emotional attachments to robots, and what it really means to take ownership in a digital age.

🔥 Real talk: Caitlin didn’t set out to be famous. She set out to help—and that’s exactly why she’s crushing it.

Her superpower? Relentless follow-through. Zero fluff. All heart.

🎧 Whether you’re a leader in tech, a parent navigating uncertainty, or a creative waiting to press "post," this one’s for you.

🌐 Learn more about Caitlin: https://www.cybersecuritygirl.com

#Cybersecurity #WomenInSTEM #PersonalBranding #DigitalEthics #Leadership #MakingBusinessPersonal #SocialImpact #CreatorEconomy #AuthenticityMatters #GenZ #Engineering #InfluencerMarketing

That feeling of not belonging? The fear of being "found out"? What if it's not holding you back—but propelling you forward?

Join me as I share why imposter syndrome might be the most misunderstood signal in professional development. Through real client stories and practical frameworks, discover how to transform self-doubt into your competitive advantage.

Key Takeaways:

• Why growth always feels uncomfortable (and that's the point)
• The three-step framework to reframe imposter syndrome
• How to shift from self-focus to service-focus when doubt creeps in
• Why embracing "beginner's mind" is a leadership superpower

Quote to Remember: "This feeling isn't a sign that I'm a fake. This feeling is a signal that I'm growing."

Coming Thursday: Cybersecurity expert Caitlin Sarian on why humans are the weakest link in digital security.

"Stay in Your Lane" - The 4 Words Killing Innovation in Every Company

What if the most dangerous phrase in business isn't about competition or market disruption—but something we say to our own people every single day?

After 20 years of organizational consulting, I've discovered that "stay in your lane" might be the single biggest innovation killer in modern business. And the companies that eliminate this phrase? They're the ones building empires.

In this episode, I reveal:

• How a Fortune 500 company lost millions because they silenced their best idea
• Why Hollywood actress Hedy Lamarr invented the technology powering your smartphone
• The Stanford research proving outsiders predict the future 8x better than experts
• How 3M went from mining rocks to Post-it Notes (and why lane-switching built their empire)

But here's the uncomfortable truth: When we tell people to "stay in their lane," we're not protecting expertise—we're protecting our own egos.

The Real Question: What brilliant ideas are dying in your organization because someone's business card doesn't match their insight?

This isn't about abandoning expertise—it's about recognizing that your unique combination of experiences isn't a limitation, it's your competitive advantage.

Ready to break down artificial boundaries in your organization? Contact me at www.jasonweissconsulting.com

🚀 Challenge: Stop asking permission to contribute outside your official role. Your next breakthrough might be hiding in someone else's "lane."

#Innovation #BusinessStrategy #Leadership #CrossFunctionalTeams #CreativeThinking #OrganizationalChange #BreakthroughIdeas #WorkplaceCulture #BusinessInnovation #EntrepreneurMindset #MakingBusinessPersonal

What if everything we've been taught about leadership is wrong?

After 15 years as a leadership consultant, I discovered a shocking truth: We're spending $370 billion annually trying to turn everyone into leaders—and we're systematically destroying the very talents that make people extraordinary.

In this episode, I reveal:

• Why most people DON'T want to lead (and that's perfectly fine)
• The real reason 75% of leadership programs fail
• How one "non-leader" saved his company $2 million by staying true to his gifts
• The future of work in an AI-driven world where authentic contribution beats forced leadership

This isn't just about fixing corporate training—it's about unleashing human potential on a scale we've never imagined. From a warehouse supervisor who revolutionized supply chain management to an engineer who built three billion-dollar companies, discover why the future belongs to organizations that honor what makes each person irreplaceable.

If you'd like me to share these insights with your team, visit www.jasonweissconsulting.com

🎯 Key Takeaway: Skills are replaceable. Individuals are not. When we stop trying to make everyone the same kind of leader, we finally discover what each person was born to contribute.

#LeadershipDevelopment #HumanPotential #WorkplaceCulture #BusinessStrategy #TalentManagement #OrganizationalDevelopment #FutureOfWork #CorporateTraining #ExecutiveCoaching #PersonalBranding