Episodes

One more analysis. One more conversation. One more piece of information. When does careful decision-making become a reason to stay stuck?

Dr. Guy Beaudin returns to The Most Important Podcast Ever for another conversation in our leadership series. Brian and Guy explore the “cave of certainty”—and why waiting to feel comfortable with a difficult decision can keep us from moving forward.

They discuss reversible and irreversible decisions, the value of people who challenge our thinking, the cost ...

How do you love someone living with serious mental illness without losing yourself along the way?

Brian J. Dunn welcomes longtime friends Diane Field and her daughter, Katie Durheim, for an extraordinarily personal conversation about family, mental illness, stigma, resilience, and hope.

For nearly two decades, Diane and Katie have navigated the challenges of supporting Diane's son and Katie's brother through serious mental illness. Their experiences have changed their lives, tested their stren...

What changes when you stop racing toward what’s next — and start paying closer attention to what’s already here?

In Episode 83 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Executive Producer Cassandra Cisneros sits down with Brian Dunn for a personal conversation about change, family, getting older, success, gratitude and learning to enjoy life while it’s actually happening.

Brian reflects on watching his family grow through two weddings, what he appreciates more at this stage of life, and how his defi...

What separates people who make it from others with just as much talent?

Brian sits down with Chris “CT” Taylor, a longtime basketball executive and G League general manager, for a conversation that starts with professional basketball and becomes something much bigger.

CT explains why talent alone isn’t enough, why the best players learn to “be a star in your role,” and how doing the little things—embracing the grind, making winning plays, helping others succeed, and caring deeply about the wor...

What does it really mean to lead with purpose?

In Episode 81 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian J. Dunn sits down with Yosi Amram, Ph.D., author of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired, to explore a different kind of intelligence—spiritual intelligence.

Yosi explains how qualities like purpose, compassion, integrity, gratitude, humility, presence, and trust can make leaders more effective, especially when the decisions get hard.

The conversation moves fr...

In Episode 80 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian sits down with Casey Berman, entrepreneur, career coach, and founder of Leave Law Behind, to talk about fear, career change, entrepreneurship, family, and finding your unique genius.

Casey was a successful attorney working in the technology world when he realized he was on a path that looked right from the outside — but didn’t feel right on the inside.

That realization changed everything.

In this conversation, Casey explains the differen...

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.
...