Episodes

  • The Birds and Snakes Society What Jesus Taught Every Entrepreneur About Wisdom, Courage, and Character

    The Birds and Snakes Society What Jesus Taught Every Entrepreneur About Wisdom, Courage, and Character
    Jul 1 2026

    What if one of Jesus' most practical business lessons had nothing to do with profits, marketing, or management—but everything to do with birds and snakes?

    That unusual question launches one of the newest episodes of the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective, where broadcaster and entrepreneur Stan Hustad returns from a brief broadcasting sabbatical with a fresh challenge for anyone seeking to build a meaningful life and business in today's rapidly changing world.

    At first glance, "The Birds and Snakes Society" sounds mysterious—even a little unsettling. That is exactly the point.

    Drawing from one of Jesus' most memorable sayings, Stan explores the surprising command to be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves." Rather than treating those words as simply a religious phrase, he invites listeners to wrestle with what they might mean for entrepreneurs, leaders, creators, business owners, and anyone trying to navigate an increasingly complex world.

    Along the way, listeners travel with Stan from the deserts of Arizona to the walking trails of North Carolina, where encounters with birds and the ever-present warnings about rattlesnakes and copperheads become vivid illustrations of the tension every entrepreneur must learn to manage.

    Gentleness without wisdom can become naïve. Wisdom without gentleness can become manipulative. Jesus calls His followers to something far more difficult—and infinitely more powerful.

    Throughout the conversation, Stan reminds listeners that the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective is not simply another organization asking for support. Instead, it is an invitation to build businesses that create genuine value, solve real problems, provide for families, and become living demonstrations of faith expressed through excellence in the marketplace.

    The program also places this challenge within today's extraordinary historical moment. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary while artificial intelligence, technological innovation, and global economic transformation reshape nearly every profession, Stan argues that entrepreneurs need more than better business techniques. They need transformed character.

    The discussion also highlights the remarkable example of Lydia—the prosperous merchant described in the New Testament as the first European Christian. Her story

    reminds listeners that entrepreneurship, leadership, and faithful discipleship have always belonged together, and that women as well as men have shaped the history of Christian enterprise from the very beginning.

    Perhaps the most memorable image in the program is Stan's invitation to imagine Jesus Himself as an entrepreneur in today's marketplace—not changing His character, but expressing it through wisdom, excellence, integrity, creativity, confidence, and servant leadership.

    It is a refreshing reminder that following Jesus was never intended to separate faith from work. Instead, faith should transform the way we work.

    The Birds and Snakes Society may sound like an unusual title. But behind it lies a timeless challenge: Can we become people who are both compassionate and courageous...both peaceful and perceptive...both kind and remarkably wise?

    In a world that often rewards extremes, Jesus offers something better. He calls us to live in the creative tension between grace and wisdom.

    Things to Remember:
    • Combine gentleness with wisdom.
    • Character matters as much as competence.
    • Spiritual discernment belongs in the marketplace.
    • Lydia reminds us entrepreneurship has always had a place in God's story. • Trust is a lasting competitive advantage.

    Things to Share:
    • Discuss what Jesus meant by being wise as serpents and gentle as doves. • Share the idea that faith and business strengthen one another.
    • Encourage entrepreneurs to see their work as a calling.
    • Help others grow both character and competence.

    Things to Think About and Act Upon:
    • Which side comes more naturally—grace or wisdom?
    • What practical step can you take this week?
    • Read The Jesus Entrepreneur and apply its principles.
    • Consider becoming a Founding Friend of the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective.

    A Final Word:
    The future belongs to those who can reflect God's heart while navigating today's marketplace with wisdom. The world needs more Jesus entrepreneurs—wise as serpents, gentle as doves, and determined to make a lasting difference wherever God has placed them.

    If you would like to see the entire program on video you can try this link

    https://youtu.be/dJwb_aJcNt4
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    18 mins
  • It's going to be a bad weekend for our doggies so Freedom from Fear: Why Everybody Needs a Thunder Jacket

    It's going to be a bad weekend for our doggies so Freedom from Fear: Why Everybody Needs a Thunder Jacket
    Jul 3 2026
    As millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, family gatherings, and patriotic festivities, broadcaster and transformation coach Stan Hustad invites listeners to see the holiday through an entirely different lens. In this warm and engaging episode of The Transformation Zone, a simple story about a frightened rescue dog becomes an unforgettable metaphor for the emotional and spiritual storms that every person eventually faces. The result is an episode that begins with laughter, moves toward reflection, and concludes with genuine hope. A Story Every Pet Owner Understands Stan begins with an observation familiar to almost every dog owner. While people eagerly anticipate fireworks, many dogs experience them as terrifying explosions. His own beloved rescue dog, Jackson, dreaded every Fourth of July until the family discovered a simple solution—a ThunderShirt (or 'thunder jacket'), a comforting wrap that gently calms anxious animals during storms and fireworks. The image is both humorous and touching. Listeners can almost picture Jackson waiting by the hallway where his thunder jacket hung, knowing comfort was only moments away. It is an entertaining story, but it is also preparing listeners for something much more significant. The Thunder Jacket We All Need The conversation then turns inward. Stan asks a wonderfully simple question: What is your thunder jacket? When life becomes frightening... When relationships become uncertain... When careers are shaken... When health changes unexpectedly... Where do you go for comfort? Who wraps around your life with reassurance? What beliefs, relationships, habits, or faith keep you steady when everything around you feels like fireworks? Rather than offering easy answers, Stan encourages listeners to identify those sources of genuine security before life's storms arrive. A Different Kind of Freedom Because the program airs during Independence Day weekend, the discussion naturally expands beyond fireworks. Freedom, Stan suggests, is much more than political liberty. Real freedom includes freedom from fear. Freedom to love. Freedom to serve. Freedom to live fully alive rather than constantly reacting to anxiety and uncertainty. It is a refreshing reminder that external celebrations are at their best when they awaken something deeper inside us. Lighting Up Our Senses One of the program's most memorable moments comes when Stan recalls a lyric from John Denver: "You light up my senses like a storm in the desert." Instead of simply admiring the lyric, he transforms it into a personal prayer. As we grow older, we often lose some of our physical senses. Perhaps, however, we can gain something even greater. Greater sensitivity. Greater awareness. Greater compassion. Greater attentiveness to people rather than projects. Greater appreciation for relationships instead of simply pursuing performance. It becomes a beautiful prayer that God would 'light up our senses' so we notice the people around us more deeply than ever before. Transformation Begins with Awareness Like many episodes of The Transformation Zone, this one reminds us that transformation rarely begins with dramatic events. It begins by noticing. Noticing our fears. Noticing our need for comfort. Noticing the people who may be quietly struggling beside us. Noticing opportunities to become someone else's 'thunder jacket.' That may be the greatest transformation of all. Things to Remember • Every person eventually experiences emotional and spiritual storms. • Comfort is not weakness—it is one of life's deepest necessities. • Freedom includes freedom from fear as well as freedom to serve. • Sensitivity is a strength that often grows with wisdom and experience. • Sometimes the smallest stories carry the biggest lessons. Things to Share • Share this episode with every pet owner preparing for fireworks weekend. • Talk with family members about what has become their own 'thunder jacket' during difficult seasons. • Encourage someone who may be quietly carrying anxiety or uncertainty. • Remember that simple illustrations often open the door to profound conversations. Things to Take Action On • Identify the people, practices, and beliefs that steady your life when storms come. • Become a source of calm for someone facing uncertainty this week. • Spend a few quiet moments asking God to 'light up your senses' so you become more aware of the needs around you. • As you celebrate freedom, consider how you can help someone else experience greater peace. A Closing Thought Fireworks are designed to light up the sky. This episode reminds us that perhaps our greatest calling is to light up someone's life. Whether through encouragement, compassion, wisdom, or simply being present, we all have the opportunity to become a kind of thunder jacket for another person—a reassuring presence in the middle of life's unexpected storms. As Stan Hustad often reminds us, ...
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    18 mins
  • I Didn't Expect to Live This Long... Now What? When Life Gives You an Encore, What Will You Do With It?

    I Didn't Expect to Live This Long... Now What? When Life Gives You an Encore, What Will You Do With It?
    Jun 30 2026
    There are moments in life when a single question changes everything. As I prepared for another Fourth of July weekend—and reflected on a wonderful week celebrating another birthday—I found myself asking a question I never imagined I would ask: What do you do when you didn't expect to live this long? For me, that isn't just a philosophical question. It's deeply personal. Several years ago, following a cancer diagnosis and knowing my family's history of relatively short lives, I honestly believed my time might be drawing to a close. I prepared myself emotionally and spiritually for that possibility. I hoped to finish well. More than anything, I hoped to leave behind something that would continue after I was gone. But here I am. Still here. Still healthy. Still working. Still dreaming. Still believing there is more to do. During the past week, Karen and I slipped away to the North Carolina coast for a genuine vacation—no computer, very little work, long walks along the ocean, quiet conversations, bookstores, prayer, reflection, and the simple gift of slowing down. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves isn't another achievement. It's simply enough quiet to hear our own hearts again. As I walked those beaches, I realized something. When you've been given years you never expected to have, your priorities begin to change. You stop worrying quite so much about many of the things that once consumed your attention. You begin thinking more about legacy than success. More about people than projects. More about significance than recognition. You begin asking different questions. How do I want to be remembered? Who can I still help? What unfinished work is worth completing? What kind of difference can I still make? Years ago someone told me something I've never forgotten: "If your calling can be completed in one lifetime, perhaps your vision isn't large enough." That thought has stayed with me ever since. Our greatest work may not be simply what we accomplish ourselves. It may be what we leave behind for others to carry forward. That's legacy. That's stewardship. That's hope. Another thought returned to me during this past week. Years ago I read The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker. One of its enduring ideas is that much of human behavior is shaped by our fear of death. But something interesting happens when that fear begins to lose its grip. Other fears begin to lose their power too. When you realize every day is a gift, you also realize every day is an opportunity. You become freer. Bolder. More generous. Less concerned about protecting yourself. More concerned about investing yourself. That may be one of the hidden blessings of living longer than you expected. As we celebrate Independence Day, we naturally think about freedom. Freedom as a nation. Freedom as individuals. But perhaps there is another kind of freedom worth celebrating. The freedom to become the person God intended us to be. The freedom to forgive. The freedom to serve. The freedom to encourage. The freedom to live courageously rather than cautiously. The freedom to leave this world a little better than we found it. I'm increasingly convinced that our "encore years" are not meant to be years of simply slowing down. They can become years of mentoring. Teaching. Creating. Encouraging. Building. Passing the baton. Helping others discover their own calling. Perhaps that is one of the greatest privileges of growing older. You finally understand that life was never only about you. It was always about those whose lives you touch. So if, like me, you've lived longer than you once imagined, perhaps this isn't the end of your story. Perhaps it's the beginning of your encore. And perhaps the most important contribution you will ever make still lies ahead. I certainly hope so. Because I still have people I'd like to encourage. Businesses I'd like to help. Young broadcasters I'd like to mentor. Entrepreneurs I'd like to inspire. Friends I'd like to serve. And transformations I'd like to witness. If God gives me another day, I'll try to use it well. If He gives me another year, I'll be grateful. If He gives me many more, I hope to spend them helping others become fully alive and fully free. That's becoming my definition of success. Maybe it could become yours as well. Things to Remember Every unexpected year is a gift, not an entitlement. Legacy is often more important than achievement. Some of your most meaningful work may happen during your 'encore' years. Living with purpose is one of life's greatest freedoms. Things to Share Ask someone you love, "How do you want to be remembered?" Encourage someone entering retirement to think about their next mission rather than their last career. Share hope with someone who thinks their best years are behind them. Things to Give Some Thought To If you were given ten more years, how would you use them? What unfinished work deserves your attention? Who could benefit most from your experience and wisdom? ...
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    15 mins
  • A Beer with Jesus & Grits from Grandma: Inconvenient Ideas for a Busy World

    A Beer with Jesus & Grits from Grandma: Inconvenient Ideas for a Busy World
    Jun 3 2026

    Busy, but Becoming: Finding Purpose in Everyday Moments and Unlikely Questions

    In this episode of Inconvenient Ideas Radio, veteran broadcaster Stan Hustad brings together a surprising mix of reflections—ranging from media wisdom to faith, from family stories to modern challenges—into a thoughtful and engaging conversation about what really matters.

    At the heart of the program is a question many quietly wrestle with:

    Is being busy the same as being effective?

    Hustad explores the tension between activity and impact, encouraging listeners to consider how their time, talents, and opportunities can best serve others.

    With characteristic warmth and storytelling, he moves effortlessly between topics. A simple errand—buying grits for a grandson in New York—becomes a reminder of connection, legacy, and the small acts that brighten lives. A passing song about "having a beer with Jesus" sparks a deeper reflection: how would timeless wisdom show up in today's world, especially in a media-driven age?

    Hustad also challenges listeners to embrace an unavoidable reality: communication has changed. Whether plumber, philosopher, or entrepreneur, everyone is now called to step "behind the golden microphone" and into the world of audio, video, and digital storytelling. In his view, learning to communicate authentically in modern media is no longer optional—it is essential.

    With references to faith, culture, and current events, including reflections on public figures and personal loss, the program invites listeners to slow down, think deeply, and engage courageously with both opportunity and uncertainty in today's rapidly evolving world.

    Ultimately, this episode is less about answers and more about perspective—an invitation to live thoughtfully, communicate effectively, and make a meaningful mark in a noisy, busy age.

    Key Takeaways

    - Being busy is not the same as being purposeful

    - Small, human moments (like "grits from grandma") carry deep meaning

    - Communication is the new currency—everyone must learn it

    - Faith and modern life are not separate—they intersect daily

    - Curiosity ("What would Jesus do today?") can open powerful insights

    - The world is changing quickly—especially with AI—and requires thoughtful navigation

    Things to Remember

    - You are already a communicator—refining that skill changes everything

    - Tradition (like tipping a hat) still teaches respect and awareness

    - Relationships often matter more than achievements

    - Your voice—literally and figuratively—has value

    Things to Learn

    - Basic video and audio communication skills

    - How to tell your story in a clear, helpful way

    - How to adapt timeless principles to modern tools (including AI)

    - How to balance productivity with purpose

    Things to Share

    - Encourage others to develop their voice and message

    - Pass along meaningful small acts—like the grits story

    - Start conversations about purpose, not just performance

    - Share insights about faith expressed in everyday life

    Possible Actions

    - Record a short video sharing something useful from your field

    - Reach out to someone across generations (family or community)

    - Evaluate your weekly schedule: What truly matters?

    - Begin learning one new communication tool (audio, video, or AI-assisted)

    Closing Challenge

    This week, ask yourself one honest question:

    Am I just busy… or am I becoming someone who makes a difference?

    Then take one small, visible step to align your actions with your answer.

    Reflection / Meditation

    Take a quiet moment and consider:

    - If wisdom walked into your world today, would you recognize it?

    - Would it speak through a microphone… or through a simple act of kindness?

    - Where is your "grits from grandma" moment waiting to happen?

    Pause. Listen. Then act.
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    16 mins
  • The Indianapolis 500: Speed, Danger, Memory, and American Mythology

    The Indianapolis 500: Speed, Danger, Memory, and American Mythology
    May 26 2026
    A reflective essay on the danger, drama, and cultural memory surrounding the Indianapolis 500 A Childhood Memory That Was Real Your memory is not exaggerated at all. The Indianapolis 500 really was considered extraordinarily dangerous for much of its history, and part of the fascination — especially from the 1930s through the 1970s — was precisely that mixture of speed, courage, patriotism, spectacle, and risk. For many Americans, especially in Indiana and throughout the Midwest, "The 500" was almost a sacred ritual of late May and Memorial Day weekend. Families gathered around radios and later televisions. Drivers became folk heroes. Yet underneath the celebration was a very real awareness that somebody might not come home alive. The Danger Was Very Real In the early decades of the Indy 500, fatalities were tragically common. The cars were primitive compared to modern standards. Drivers sat in open cockpits with little protection. Fuel tanks could rupture. Fires were frequent. Helmets and safety systems were minimal. The speeds were astonishing for the technology of the time. Drivers were viewed almost like test pilots or gladiators. Newspapers often described them as fearless men willing to risk everything for glory and victory. Over the history of the race, dozens of drivers, mechanics, and others connected to the event lost their lives either during the race itself, in practice sessions, or during qualifying. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway earned a reputation as both legendary and unforgiving. The Famous Driver Many People Remember One of the most famous tragedies involved Bill Vukovich, one of the greatest drivers in Indianapolis history. Vukovich was killed during the 1955 Indianapolis 500 while leading the race. His death shocked the racing world because many believed he was virtually unbeatable at the Speedway. For fans of that generation, Vukovich's death became symbolic of the terrible cost of speed. Other legendary names connected with the dangerous years of Indy racing included Jimmy Bryan, Swede Savage, Tony Bettenhausen, Eddie Sachs, and Dave MacDonald. The 1964 crash involving Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald was especially horrifying and helped force major changes in racing safety. Part of the Appeal Was the Risk Modern audiences sometimes forget how much danger shaped the mythology of automobile racing. People did not generally watch hoping someone would die. But the awareness that disaster could happen at any moment created enormous drama. Drivers were admired because they knowingly faced danger. The tension between triumph and tragedy became part of the emotional power of the event. That same atmosphere surrounded early aviation, boxing, mountain climbing, and many frontier-style pursuits. America admired daring. Decoration Day and Memorial Day Your recollection of "Decoration Day" is historically important. Before Memorial Day became more commercialized, it carried a deeper spirit of remembrance, sacrifice, courage, and national identity. The Indianapolis 500 became closely linked with that atmosphere. In many ways, the drivers themselves symbolized a particular American ideal: boldness, innovation, toughness, and the willingness to risk everything. For boys growing up in Indiana, hearing the roar of the engines and the dramatic radio broadcasts made the race feel larger than life. Safety Changed the Sport Modern IndyCar racing is dramatically safer than it once was. Improvements include energy-absorbing walls, fire-resistant suits, advanced helmets, enclosed survival cells, safer fuel systems, and highly trained emergency medical teams. Fatalities are now far rarer than in earlier generations, although racing still involves real danger. Ironically, some longtime fans believe that as safety improved, part of the old mystique disappeared. The sport became more technical and less mythic. A Story Worth Sharing Your memory touches something bigger than racing itself. The Indianapolis 500 represented a period in American culture when courage and danger were publicly intertwined. Heroes were often people who accepted enormous personal risk in pursuit of excellence. The deaths were not celebrated, but the willingness to face danger was deeply respected. For many young people growing up in Indiana and across America, the Indianapolis 500 became part sport, part mythology, and part national memory — a dramatic yearly reminder of speed, ambition, courage, and the unpredictable nature of life itself. "Back home again in Indiana…" became more than a song. For generations, it was part of the emotional soundtrack of courage, memory, and American storytelling.
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    19 mins
  • Random Thoughts. Real Time. Radical Truth. Why the Most Inconvenient Ideas Might Be the Ones That Change Your Life By Stan Hustad

    Random Thoughts. Real Time. Radical Truth. Why the Most Inconvenient Ideas Might Be the Ones That Change Your Life By Stan Hustad
    Apr 21 2026

    There are days when everything feels planned, polished, and predictable.

    And then there are days like this one.

    This is one of those point-of-the-moment days—what I like to call POM thinking. No script. No delay. No filter. Just real-time reflection from the Coaching Zone, where ideas don't always arrive neatly packaged… but they often arrive useful.

    Welcome to another adventure in Inconvenient Ideas—because let's be honest:

    the ideas that help us most are often the ones that disrupt us first.

    Radio, Real Time, and the Power of Now

    One of the reasons I've spent a lifetime in radio—and now what we call radio with pictures—is because it allows something rare in today's world:

    Immediacy. Presence. Truth in motion.

    I can speak to you right now—in the middle of an unpredictable year, in a world that refuses to sit still.

    That matters.

    Because we are living in a time when the pace of change has outstripped the pace of reflection.

    And that's dangerous.

    Inconvenient Truth #1: Nothing Works Perfectly

    No plan works perfectly.

    No leader has perfect clarity.

    No system runs without friction.

    If you're waiting for perfect certainty before you act…

    you may be waiting forever.

    Inconvenient Truth #2: The World Has Already Changed

    We are now living in the performance economy—and what some call the transformation economy.

    And layered on top of that? Artificial Intelligence.

    This is a right now reality.

    Inconvenient Truth #3: We Don't Teach People How to Handle Money

    Everybody wants money.

    Because money helps you get the good stuff.

    But most people don't know how to manage it, multiply it, or use it well.

    Financial intelligence matters.

    Inconvenient Truth #4: Generosity Is Not Optional

    Without generosity, civilization collapses.

    At some point, we must choose to share what we have.

    Inconvenient Truth #5: Everyone Should Learn to Be an Entrepreneur

    What if we prepared people not just for jobs—but to build something?

    Even if you work for someone else, think like an entrepreneur.

    So What Does This Mean for You?

    2026 will be challenging.

    But you can become the kind of person who turns obstacles into opportunities.

    Things to Remember

    - The best ideas are often inconvenient before they are helpful

    - No plan works perfectly

    - Adaptation is essential

    - Financial intelligence matters

    - Generosity sustains society

    - Entrepreneurial thinking is a life skill

    Things to Share

    - Share POM thinking

    - Talk about financial intelligence

    - Encourage entrepreneurial thinking

    - Promote generosity

    Things to Take Action On

    - Review your financial habits

    - Act on one entrepreneurial idea

    - Practice generosity this week

    - Adapt to AI and change

    - Treat your work as a project you are building

    The Challenge

    Think like an entrepreneur.

    Act with generosity.

    Move forward without waiting for perfect clarity.

    Stay present.

    A Motivational Wish & Benediction

    May you not fear inconvenient ideas.

    May you think clearly, act boldly, and give generously.

    May you find your place as a builder in this changing world.

    And may it go well with you—as you learn to survive, thrive, and serve.

    Until next time,

    Stan
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    18 mins
  • You're Missing the Most Important Hire in Your Business… And It's Not Who You Think

    You're Missing the Most Important Hire in Your Business… And It's Not Who You Think
    Apr 15 2026

    Why Every Company Now Needs a Chief Broadcasting Officer (CBO)

    By Stan "The Radio Man" Hustad

    The What It Takes Radio Company presents another adventure… another expedition… and this one might just disrupt the way you think about your entire business.

    Let me start with a simple—but slightly inconvenient—idea:

    You are probably missing a very important person in your business today.

    And no… it's not your CFO. Not your CMO. Not even your AI specialist.

    You need a CBO. A Chief Broadcasting Officer.

    AI is changing everything. But we're not just entering a digital economy—we're entering a performance economy.

    It's not enough to know something, build something, or market something. You must communicate it—clearly, powerfully, and consistently.

    That's broadcasting.

    There's a difference between someone who does a podcast and someone who is a broadcaster.

    Broadcasting is not just a skill. It's a state of mind. It's curiosity. Presence. Connection.

    The best broadcasters are the most curious people in the room.

    Every person has a story. The question is—are you curious enough to discover it?

    Every person you meet is wearing an invisible sign that says:

    "Please tell me I'm important."

    Read the sign.

    In today's world, your communication determines your success.

    Your Zoom calls matter. Your videos matter. Your voice matters.

    If you want to succeed today, you must learn how to perform across media.

    This is the new degree: Master of Self-Expression.

    THINGS TO REMEMBER

    We are living in a performance economy.

    Communication is core strategy.

    Curiosity drives connection.

    THINGS TO SHARE

    Every business needs a CBO.

    Curiosity is power.

    Broadcasting is identity.

    THINGS TO ACT UPON

    Improve your communication skills.

    Invest in your presence.

    Develop or hire a CBO.

    A PERSONAL CHALLENGE

    If you can't communicate it, you can't scale it.

    A CLOSING BENEDICTION

    May you find your voice in a noisy world.

    May your curiosity open doors.

    May your message reach those who need it most.

    You are not just building a business. You are broadcasting a story.

    Make it worth hearing.
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    16 mins
  • Big Sticks, Bigger Questions, and Your Superpower:
An Inconvenient Return to Realit

    Big Sticks, Bigger Questions, and Your Superpower:
An Inconvenient Return to Realit
    Apr 14 2026

    By Stan Hustad


    There are times in life when you step away for a bit—whether by design or by necessity—and when you return, you see things differently.

    That happened to me.

    After a stretch of what I'll call "downtime, overtime, and out-of-time," I'm back behind the microphone with a fresh installment of Inconvenient Ideas. And it felt only right to begin with a simple—but unsettling—question:

    What if everything we think we know… might be wrong?

    Now, that's not a comfortable thought. But then again, the best ideas rarely are.

    The Power—and Problem—of Inconvenient Ideas

    I've come to believe something that may surprise you:

    The most valuable ideas are often the most inconvenient.

    They interrupt our assumptions.
    They challenge our comfort zones.
    They force us to rethink what we thought was settled.

    And right now, we're living in one of those moments—where everything is shifting.

    AI: Not a Tool… a Tidal Wave

    Let me begin with a confession.

    When I first started talking about artificial intelligence, I said, "Not much will change… but some things will."

    Well…

    I was wrong.

    A lot is going to change.

    In fact, it already is.

    I recently faced a complex business problem with my team—one that might have taken us an entire day (or more) to solve. Instead, I turned to my AI assistant.

    Within minutes, we had:
    - Research
    - Contacts
    - A workable solution

    Problem solved in five minutes.

    That's not evolution.

    That's disruption.

    The Four A's of AI

    Here's how I now understand AI—through what I call the Four A's:

    Aggregation – It gathers knowledge from everywhere
    Amplification – It expands and clarifies ideas
    Acceleration – It moves faster than any human workflow
    Artistry – It creates visuals, language, and expression with remarkable skill

    That combination is powerful—and potentially dangerous if ignored.

    Those who learn to use AI will surge ahead.
    Those who don't… may fall behind quickly.

    The Rise of the Creator Capitalist

    You must learn to create value in a way that also creates income.

    Creativity is no longer optional.
    Expression is now economic.
    And everyone is in the marketplace.

    So Here's the Big Question: What's Your Superpower?

    What is your superpower?

    What do you do exceptionally well?
    What could you become known for?
    What category could you own?

    Noise vs. Signal: Why Expression Matters More Than Ever

    A lot of traditional communication is losing its power.

    Blogs without emotion are ignored.
    Words without energy are forgotten.
    Ideas without expression are invisible.

    You don't just need to say something.

    You need to move something.

    A World of Big Sticks and Bigger Decisions

    Power matters.

    Not just words.
    Not just intentions.

    But the ability to act—and create outcomes.

    A Personal Reflection: What Does It Mean to Be Useful?

    Be useful.

    Ask yourself—what can I do that is useful to others?

    That's where real value begins.

    The Cowboy Spirit and the Future of Storytelling

    We're building something new:
    A broadcasting collective
    A publishing platform
    A performing network

    All rooted in one idea:

    Help people live well… and flourish.

    If your business does not help people flourish—it's probably a wreck.

    Things to Remember

    - The most valuable ideas are often inconvenient
    - AI is transformational
    - Your superpower is your leverage
    - Expression matters
    - Power creates outcomes

    Things to Share

    - The Four A's of AI
    - Discovering your superpower
    - Thinking like an entrepreneur
    - Being useful

    Things to Take Note Of (and Act Upon)

    - Identify your superpower
    - Use AI daily
    - Upgrade communication
    - Be useful every day

    A Final Thought—and an Invitation

    Inconvenient times create uncommon people.

    Don't just survive—step into it.

    Be useful. Be powerful. Be world class.
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    20 mins