Episodes

I’ve had Golden Retrievers my entire adult life, and I still absolutely adore the breed. We’ve always been a Golden family.

Then I met a Newfie.

In Episode 77, I sit down with Lisa and Kerry Sersha, the heart and soul behind Black Wolf Kennels—and the people who brought my Newfoundland, Dickens, into my life.

We talk about Lisa’s 30-year journey with Newfoundlands, what makes these gentle giants so unique, raising and training them, and the extraordinary bond that develops between dogs and th...

Two sons. Two weddings. Three weeks apart. And one dad learning that his job is mostly to smile, show up, write a check here and there—and stay out of the way.

For Episode 75, Kassandra Cisneros turns the tables on Brian for a funny and heartfelt conversation about weddings in 2026, the changing role of a father, memories of Sue, watching his sons become men and friends, and a summer filled with family, golf, basketball and gratitude.

Because life moves quickly—and sometimes the most important...

Episode 74 | Steve Jensen | Great Leaders Build Great People
What makes someone a leader people genuinely want to follow?

In Episode 74 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian Dunn sits down with longtime colleague and accomplished executive Steve Jensen for a conversation filled with practical leadership wisdom earned over a lifetime of building teams, developing people, and leading organizations through growth and change.

From growing up on an Iowa hog farm and serving in the military to l...

How do you choose life again after losing the person you love?

In this deeply moving episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian Dunn sits down with author Rachel Kerr-Schneider to explore one of life's most difficult journeys—finding hope after profound loss.

Rachel shares the remarkable story behind her memoir, The Widow Chose Red, reflecting on her husband John's courageous battle with ALS, the challenges of caregiving, and the long, often unpredictable path through grief.

Having bot...

What if good manners aren't about knowing which fork to use—but about making others feel welcome, respected, and valued?

In Episode 71 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian Dunn welcomes former colleague Diane Field, better known as "Lady Di," for a conversation that goes far beyond etiquette.

A respected etiquette expert, former advice columnist, and media professional, Diane shares how a lifelong fascination with communication and social grace has evolved into a mission to help children ...

After 69 episodes spent listening to remarkable people from every walk of life, Brian answers the question listeners have been asking: "What have you learned?"
In this deeply personal conversation with producer Shawn Dusing, Brian reflects on 66 years of life, visiting all 50 states, leading a Fortune 50 company, experiencing profound love and heartbreaking loss, and having thousands of conversations that ultimately inspired his upcoming manuscript, The Most Important Things.

He shares the ten ...

What makes a great leader?

This week on The Most Important Podcast Ever, I'm joined by leadership advisor, executive coach, retail veteran, and musician Alan Meyer for a wide-ranging conversation about leadership, change, and the lessons that shape us over a lifetime.

Alan shares his journey from recording engineer to a 26-year career in retail leadership, where he discovered that the best leaders are forged on the front lines—meeting people where they are, embracing change, and helping others...

In Part 2 of Brian Dunn's conversation with author, attorney, and business strategist David Grau Sr., the discussion turns to one of the most important questions every business owner must eventually answer:

How does your story end?
David explains why most entrepreneurs wait too long to think about succession planning, how founders become trapped on "The Founder's Treadmill," and what it takes to build a business that can thrive without its creator.

Along the way, David shares lessons on stewar...

What happens when an entrepreneur decides that growth isn't the ultimate goal?

In Episode 66, Brian Dunn sits down with Kate Asaraf, founder and CEO of DIP Hair Care, to discuss entrepreneurship, sustainability, motherhood, business failure, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.

After nearly two decades in the beauty industry, Kate launched DIP with a simple mission: create a plastic-free product people genuinely love to use. What followed was a journey shaped by hard lessons, relentless produ...

Episode 63 of The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD features the return of leadership coach and former Best Buy, Under Armour, and Tesla executive Angie Bruhn.

What begins as a conversation about layoffs, AI, and disruption quickly becomes something deeper: a discussion about identity, grief, reinvention, and learning who we are when life changes underneath us.

Brian and Angie reflect on:

navigating uncertainty

the emotional impact of job loss

why “who you are” is different from “what yo...

In Episode 62 of The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD, Brian sits down with and — two young women whose friendship began before they can even remember and has grown stronger through every season of life.

This episode is a follow-up to Episode 33 featuring their mothers, Tammy Nipper and Tara Larson, lifelong best friends whose bond became the foundation for the next generation. Lindsay and Hanna reflect on what it was like growing up side by side, sharing milestones, family memories, laught...

What happens when we take our best performers… and turn them into leaders with little to no training?

In this powerful and thought-provoking episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian sits down with leadership coach and performance expert Ian Watts to explore a reality most organizations don’t talk about enough:

Two-thirds of new leaders receive no formal training.
And the cost?
It’s not just performance.
It’s culture.
It’s engagement.
It’s people.

Ian brings a global perspective and a...

Military Intelligence.
Executive leadership.
MBA. Law degree.

And then… a return home to become a tulip farmer.

In this episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD, I sit down with Andrew Miller to explore a journey that challenges the very definition of success.

On paper, Andrew’s path followed a traditional trajectory—military service, corporate leadership, advanced degrees. But what makes his story powerful isn’t where he started… it’s what he chose to leave behind—and why.

We tal...

In this special episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD, Brian answers questions submitted by listeners—drawn from DMs, texts, and emails.

The conversation spans leadership, life decisions, personal growth, and reflections from the journey so far. From lessons learned through past guests to navigating uncertainty and staying grounded, this episode is unscripted, honest, and driven by the audience.

You’ll hear thoughts on leadership and humility, moving forward through life’s challe...

Episode 57: Michael Much (Part 2) — A Life Fully Lived
In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, Michael Much continues to share the story of a life shaped by curiosity, courage, and deep love for family.

From his experiences in Vietnam to a lifetime of entrepreneurship, Michael reflects on the moments that defined him—not just professionally, but personally. This episode goes deeper into the heart behind the journey: the lessons learned, the passions pursued, and the people who matter most.

We...

What does it mean to step up for someone—and how can one decision change two lives forever?

In this episode, I reconnect with Steve (Episode 19) and Brad (Episode 20) to reflect on a journey that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Their story didn’t begin with a lifelong friendship. They were former colleagues—connected, but not deeply involved in each other’s daily lives.

And then everything changed.

When Brad found himself in urgent need of a kidney, Steve made a decision that would alter ...

The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD — Anniversary Special

In this special anniversary episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD, Brian reflects on an incredible year of conversations, stories, and moments that remind us why people—and their stories—matter so much.

When this podcast began, the mission was simple:

to shine a light on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Over the past year, guests have shared powerful stories of resilience, leadership, loss, perseverance, ...

What does leadership require in 2026?

Dr. Guy Beaudin returns to launch the first of three conversations in this year’s Leadership Series — focused on the inner work that shapes external results.

Drawing from their respective vantage points — Guy advising CEOs and executive teams around the world, and Brian having led from the sales floor to CEO — they share a candid, unscripted dialogue about the real journey of leadership.

Not the highlight reel.

The pressure.
The decisions.
The mistakes.
...

Episode 50 is a milestone — and Robby Incmikoski returns for a conversation about something listeners rarely get to hear discussed honestly: the business of being a broadcaster.

Behind every voice you hear on game day is preparation, pressure, timing, and a deep commitment to storytelling. Robby pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a career behind the microphone — from the craft of live broadcasting to the changing world of sports media.

We talk about baseball, broadcasting,...

Almost everybody has a memory of a baseball game—walking into a stadium and feeling a rush of memories come flooding back.

In this episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJD, Brian sits down with Robby Incmikoski for a conversation that uses baseball as the backdrop—but life as the main story.

Robby shares what it was like growing up in South Philly, where sports weren’t just something you watched—they were part of who you were. Together, they explore why every stadium is different, h...

Ten years ago, I lost my wife Susie.

In Episode 48 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, I reflect on a decade of life after loss through a Top Ten list shaped by grief, love, faith, leadership, and gratitude.

This is not a story about cancer.
It’s a story about living after loss — and what it means to lead a family through the aftermath of grief, one day at a time.

I share lessons from caregiving, from the quiet weight of responsibility, and from the unexpected ways love continues to show up l...

Dana Peterson is a true entrepreneur and TikTok Shop creator, balancing stay-at-home mom life while building a business rooted in trust.

In Episode 46 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Dana shares her origin story—starting her TikTok Shop journey in June 2024—and breaks down the art and science behind creator-led commerce.

We talk about:
• How to start a TikTok Shop
• What “going viral” really means (100,000+ views)
• Why you have to have a good hook
• Her go-to Look for Less category
• How ...

Work is changing—but dignity, purpose, and people still matter.

In this episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever with Brian J. Dunn, Brian sits down with Joe Kalkman, a seasoned HR professional, to explore how work has evolved across generations—and what leaders must understand to navigate the future of work with humanity and trust.

This conversation dives into:

Generational shifts in how people view work, purpose, and loyalty

Why there is still dignity in work—and why people’s work matter...

In first episode of 2026, Karen is back after completing her marathon in Australia—an achievement that completed all of the world’s major marathons. Fewer than 50 women in the United States have ever reached that milestone. Butthis conversation goes beyond medals and finish lines. Karentalks about the unique community that forms around regular marathoners—thefriendships built in early mornings, the quiet encouragement shared on longruns, and the bonds created by showing up again and again. It’s ...