Episodes

Have you ever suffered from depression or anxiety? Depression is a major problem in the world today. By the year 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that depression will be the number two cause of "lost years of healthy life" worldwide. This time of year feelings of depression are common. Most people suffer in silence. And in this episode I will share my own battle with depression, and give you my recipe for defeating this debilitating and deadly disease. Tip of the Week: Moodt...

We often treat the future as if it's a mystery. As if we don't have a say in it, or any control if it. And while there is some truth in that, there is a deeper truth also. We get to choose how we see the future, and the choice we make has a profound influence over the outcome we experience. This episode shows you 5 powerful ways to see the road ahead. Tip of the Week: I may have finally found an app to replace Cardmunch – the iPhone app I previously used to process business cards I received at...

This is a special episode where I'm taking the time to answer a ton of questions from listeners and readers. I really enjoy these kinds of shows, and this one is no exception. By the way, I am looking for success stories to start sharing on every episode. If you have a success story to share, click here and record it using Speakpipe. Keep your success story short and powerful (2 minutes or less is best). We're looking for ways you've been blessed by this show, whether is was financially, in you...

It's the time of year when we all start to think about making resolutions and setting goals for the new year… and we're either happy about it, or cynical. This week Michael Hyatt is my guest, and he offers a fresh perspective on setting goals. By the way, if you haven't seen the fabulous free video training Michael is giving away on how to make 2015 "your best year ever", click here right now and get access to those videos! Tip of the Week: Blinkist is a great little app that lets you access c...

Some people think "copywriting" – the art and science of writing sales copy – is dead and gone. Killed by social media. The truth is copywriting is alive and well. and more important than ever to you and your business. You must master this. Tip of the Week: For a long time, I stopped taking handwritten notes. I found it tedious, and I found I seldom referred to them again. Plus I was so worried about catching every little detail, just taking t he notes was a stressful experience. Then I discov...

Is it possible there is one "Master Skill" that trumps all others when it comes to business success? I believe it's not only possible, but that it's absolutely the truth. In today's episode, I'll reveal what that "master skill" is, and how you can acquire it for yourself. Tip of the Week: The CoSchedule app for your blog. It's a "content marketing editorial calendar"… and so much more. Spiritual Foundations: It's Not About Your Faith "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who l...

You've probably heard it so much that you may even tune it out: writing and publishing a book is a good thing. But do you know why? In today's episode, I'll give you 7 good reasons why you should write a book, even if you think you're "not a writer". Tip of the Week: Speed up video to save time Speed up video up to 5 times faster with perfect clarity Zip through Flash and HTML5 videos online Save time and enjoy more with no audio distortion or "chipmunking" Works for lectures, seminars, tr...

What if, in 2015, you could give yourself the "Ultimate Advantage" in every area of your life – faith, physical, emotional, and financial? In today's episode, I'll share some foundational elements and practical advice on how to do just that. Announcements Here are a couple of immediate advantages you can give yourself in the area of learning, growing, and connections: In just a few days from now the Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, will be in full swing, starting November 9th. If ther...

I'm still in the mode of preparing my plans for 2015. I have some pretty big ideas about what I want to accomplish next year, and I'm sure you do as well. In today's episode, the theme is "how to own your life". It includes an interview with one of my favorite people, Chris Brogan. It also includes an opportunity to work closely with me in 2015. Keep listening for details. Announcements In a little over a week, I will be gathering with all the other folks who are attending the Platform Confere...

It's not too early to start getting ready for 2015. In fact right now is the perfect time to assess how this year has gone, and what you'd like to see happen in 2015. In my case, 2014 started off a little "bloated" – both physically and mentally. I want 2015 to be lean & mean (in the most fun sense of that word). That's what today's episode is all about: how to set yourself up for a lean, mean 2015. Announcements I am getting excited about the upcoming Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, ...

The tag line in my logo says "Live with Joy, Lead with Passion, and Prosper with Purpose". Occasionally someone asks me, "So how to do you that?" That's what today's episode is all about: answering that question. Announcements I am getting excited about the upcoming Platform Conference in Colorado Springs, starting November 9th. There are still a few seats available, and you can still save $100 when you click here and add the special code RAY to your order. Plus, Cliff Ravenscraft and I are h...

The quality of your life is directly impacted by the quality of your habits. The problem is, most of us did not consciously choose to habits we currently possess. We drifted, stumbled, or otherwise accidentally acquired most of our habits. Not all of those habits support the outcomes we truly want for ourselves or the ones we love. In today's episode, we will examine five common habits that will completely wreck your life and how to get rid of them. Tip of the Week: Maybe you read The Four Hou...

Many people in our modern society are prisoners. Prisoners of a job they hate, of a profession they despise, or even of a business that owns them (instead of the other way around.) It doesn't have to be this way. Today's podcast is devoted to the idea that you can break free of that prison. That you can escape your "day job" and start living in the reality of your "dream job." Feature Presentation: Interview with Author Kary Oberbrunner… Author, life coach, and speaker Kary Oberbrunner shows ...

Have you ever heard the phrase, "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything"? I think this is a stupid thing to say, and in today's episode I will explain why – and what to say instead. And for those who don't have your health, I've got a newsflash: you also don't have a free pass to whine, complain, and make excuses. Tip of the Week: The LoseIt! app makes tracking your nutrition, hydration, and exercise easy and fun. Lumosity offers a great way yo keep your brain sharp – by playi...

This week I have my good friend Cliff Ravenscraft on the show – yes, the Podcast Answer Man himself will join us and we'll discuss the future of podcasting and what it means for those building a platform. I know you were expecting Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life, but this is a good programming change. Trust me. We have a BIG announcement, and I'll get you those Five Destructive Habits That Will Wreck Your Life in a couple of weeks! Feature Presentation: Cliff Ravenscraft, The...

We are busy. Too busy, it seems; if I ask ten friends what their biggest challenge is, five will answer with some variation of, "I'm just too busy." In this episode I will share 10 specific tactics to help un-busy yourself. Tip of the Week: My favorite new meeting tool is Zoom.us. I like it better than Skype or GoToMeeting for the following reasons: Smoother video streaming. Ease of use. Simple screen sharing. Easy recordings. Less expensive than other alternatives. Spiritual Foundations...

For the longest time, when asked how quickly I can turnaround a writing project, my answer has been: "I can write better than anybody who can write faster, and I can write faster than anybody who can write better." I recently discovered the person who originally penned that phrase: American journalist A.J. Liebling, who wrote primarily for The New Yorker. The reason I think this quote rings true for many writers is actually a secret of the trade. Writing faster makes you a better writer. Tip o...

The power of momentum is hard to overestimate. A productive person is likely to remain productive, and the opposite is also true. We can intervene in our own lives. What if there was a way to turn yourself into self-propelled productivity machine? Tip of the Week: This week I;m going to encourage you to "Slack". It just might make you more productive. Try the Slack app now. Spiritual Foundations: Here's a question I get from readers and listeners every now and then: "If God's will is always he...

If you're always plugged in to the Internet, you might just be unplugging from some of the most important relationships in your life. Today I'll discuss 5 reasons why you might not want to take your laptop to bed. Tip of the Week: Simplify your writing with the new downloadable Hemingway app. Spiritual Foundations: "Hey Ray, are you a 'greasy grace' guy?" The question comes to my email inbox every now and then. Here's my answer. There is no such thing as "greasy grace" – there is only the G...

If you give away free content as part of a "Content Marketing" strategy, it's important to know wthat you should not give away everything. If you give away the wrong stuff, you'll never make any money. In today's episode I you get the "5 Fatal Flaws Of Free Content" – and how to avoid them. Tip of the Week: The best way to manage all your passwords: Dashlane. Spiritual Foundations: "Does the Holy Spirit convict us of sin?" My answer may surprise you. And when he comes, he will convict the wo...

Have you ever known anyone who just never seems to get what they want in life? They make lots of plans but things never seen to pan out well? I believe there are 5 requirements for getting successful outcomes in any area. In today's episode I will share the 5 Requirements, and explain how you can put them to work starting today. Announcements: Thanks for the 5-star reviews on iTunes from Brian Knight of SuccessForNurses.com, and Cheri Fields at CreationScience4kids.com, If you enjoy the podcas...

So what books have you read that changed you? This show is about my list of some of the life-changing books I have read. Some of them may surprise you. Announcements: If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this link, and as you check out enter the promo code RAY to save $100 on your ticket. Tip of the Week: I discovered a neat little device that easily let...

I hear this complaint a lot: "People don't respond to emails anymore. It's like they don't read them, or don't have enough courtesy to write back." Usually the person doing the complaining will then expand on how Western society is crumbling around our ears. Rather than spend our time complaining about how inconsiderate people have become, I suggest learning how to write emails that demand a response. Announcements: If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (...

Last week we focused on writing powerful, persuasive copy. This week I'm bringing you an interview with a leader in the direct response marketing world – and the guy who has hired almost all the great living direct response copywriters. This is a rare interview with Brian Kurtz of Boardroom, Inc. Announcements: If you enjoy the podcast, I would consider it a great favor if you subscribe (and leave a review) in iTunes. I'm speaking at the Platform Conference in November. Register using this li...