It's All About the Questions

Hosted by Laura Steward

Business Entrepreneurship Education

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340

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Aug 2026

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About the show

My guests are leaders from varied businesses and perspectives from around the world. They generously share their business, health and life expertise and stories to help my listeners grow their business, improve their health, and shift their perspectives. Did you get that means free coaching just by listening? Yes, this is a business podcast, but listeners say it is more like sitting in my living room listening to a chat with friends. Incredibly accomplished friends but friends! The show is not about perfection but rather how you can embrace all of you to have the business and life you want.

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August 18, 2026Episode 4011 hr 1 min

Why Bed Rest is Ruining Your Recovery (Do This Instead) - Dr. Steve Ryland

Are you struggling to recover from an injury or wondering how to maintain your physical health while running a business? In this episode of It is All About the Questions, host Laura Steward sits down with Dr. Steve Ryland to discuss why movement is the ultimate medicine and how to overcome the mental hurdles of physical pain. Learn how to advocate for your own health and discover the small shifts that can lead to lifelong success and resilience. In this deep dive, Dr. Ryland shares his expert perspective as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a business owner who has navigated his own journey through significant physical and brain injuries. You will learn the difference between muscle pain and bone pain, why your MRI is not a life sentence, and how to build a support system that allows your business to thrive even when you are sidelined. From the importance of proper posture at the kitchen sink to the future of virtual healthcare, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for anyone looking to live a more active, pain-free life. Dr. Ryland also provides insight into the importance of choosing the right medical professional and how to navigate the complexities of the modern healthcare system. Chapters 0:00 Intro and Welcome to the Show 3:15 Meet Dr. Steve Ryland 6:40 The Role of a Doctor of Physical Therapy 9:50 Why Movement is Key to Health 13:20 Overcoming the Fear of Pain 17:45 Choosing the Right Physical Therapist 22:10 Remote Monitoring and Home Exercises 26:35 Evaluating Fitness Advice Online 30:50 Nano Steps for Breaking Through Fear 35:15 Why Squatting Saves Your Back 39:40 Dr. Ryland's Career Pivot Story 44:20 Lessons from Scaling a Business 49:10 Recovery and Business Resilience 53:45 Post-Concussion Syndrome for Entrepreneurs 57:15 The Future of Healthcare and Virtual PT 1:01:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you found these insights helpful, please hit the like button and subscribe to the channel for more conversations on how the right questions can change your life. You can find Dr. Ryland on social media for daily tips and exercises to help you stay mobile and healthy. Get his latest do at home material here https://bit.ly/4x7oYRt

July 23, 2026Episode 4011 hr 1 min

Why Saying NO to the Wrong Clients Leads to Success - Karl Palachuk

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of your career and personal life? In this episode of It's All About the Questions, Laura Steward sits down with author and business strategist Karl Palachuk to explore the life-changing philosophy of Relax, Focus, Succeed. Discover how stepping back and finding balance can be the ultimate catalyst for your professional and personal growth. In this deep dive conversation, Karl explains why relaxation is not a reward for hard work but a fundamental requirement for it. They discuss the critical importance of saying no to the wrong business, how to fire toxic clients to protect your peace, and the science of how your brain processes solutions while you sleep. Whether you are struggling with workaholism or simply feel stuck in a cycle of exhaustion, this episode provides actionable steps to help you reclaim your time and sharpen your focus. Key highlights include understanding Maslow's hierarchy in a modern context, the power of unplugging from digital noise, and how to use micro habits to shift your perception of reality. Karl also shares his insights on why the brain is a terrible place to store information and how a simple pad of paper can save your best ideas. Chapters 0:00 Intro to It's All About the Questions 2:45 Introducing Karl Palachuk and Relax Focus Succeed 6:15 The Difficulty of Saying No to New Business 10:30 Maslow's Hierarchy and the Survival Brain 14:00 Why You Should Fire One Client Every Year 19:15 Redefining Relaxation as a Success Tool 23:45 The Danger of Constant Digital Input 28:00 Creating a Morning Routine with Quiet Time 32:30 How the Brain Solves Problems During Sleep 36:15 Perception vs Reality and Choosing Your Lens 41:00 Moving Past the Point of Exhaustion 45:30 Overcoming the Fear of Failure and Asking for Help 50:45 Breaking the Cycle of Workaholism 55:30 Using Micro Habits for Lasting Change 59:00 Book Giveaway and Closing Thoughts 1:01:55 End of Video If this conversation helped you rethink your work life balance, please leave a comment sharing one small step you are taking today to relax. Be sure to subscribe for more insights on how asking the right questions can change your life.

June 18, 2026Episode 40058 min

Chef Stuart Borton From Insurance to Chef: How One Pivot Changed His Life

Ever wondered what it takes to turn a spontaneous 15,000 dollar investment into a legendary riverfront dining destination? Join host Laura Steward as she sits down with the incredible Chef Stuart Borton, the mastermind behind Florida's famous Yellow Dog Cafe, to discuss a journey that spans continents and decades. In this episode of Its All About the Questions, Stuart shares his fascinating transition from selling insurance in Australia after a stint in the U.S. Army, to becoming an award winning chef and business owner in the United States. We dive deep into the reality of the restaurant industry, covering everything from the importance of understanding your prime costs to the logistics of running a high volume kitchen with a small footprint. Stuart also explains how he successfully pivoted into the world of publishing and urban farming, proving that growth requires constant innovation and a strong foundation. You will learn why communication is the secret ingredient to a calm and efficient workplace, how to treat every customer like family, and why teaching your staff to do your job is actually the best way to move your business forward. Stuart also offers a special discount for listeners on his beautiful cookbooks, filled with the signature recipes that made the Yellow Dog Cafe a staple of the Florida culinary scene. Chapters 0:00 Intro and Welcome 2:45 Introducing Chef Stuart Borton 5:15 Buying a Restaurant at Age 21 8:30 From Insurance to the Kitchen 11:45 Moving Between Australia and America 15:00 The Core of Hospitality 18:15 Building an Urban Farm and Hydroponics 22:30 Scaling the Garden for a Restaurant 25:45 Why You Must Know Your Numbers 29:00 Understanding Prime Costs and Profit 33:15 Pivoting into the Printing Business 37:00 Writing and Publishing Cookbooks 40:30 Maintaining a Calm Kitchen Environment 44:00 The Importance of Clear Communication 47:15 Treating Every Guest with Kindness 50:45 Expanding from 28 to 300 Seats 53:30 The Power of Teaching and Mentorship 56:00 Staying Focused and Closing Thoughts 58:17 End of Video If you enjoyed this conversation, please like this episode and subscribe to the channel for more insights on business and life. To grab your copies of Stuarts cookbooks, visit yellowdogcafe.com and use the code Laura at checkout for a 25 percent discount! #YellowDogCafe #ChefLife #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantBusiness

May 13, 2026Episode 3391 hr 4 min

Navy SEAL Parenting: How to Raise Confident Kids with Brandon Webb

Are you raising kids who avoid life's challenges or kids who dive right in? Former Navy SEAL sniper and best-selling author Brandon Webb joins me, Laura Steward to reveal how the same mental techniques used in elite military training can help you raise confident, joyful, and resilient children. Whether you are a parent, a mentor, or simply looking to improve your own mindset, this conversation offers a powerful guidebook for navigating the landmines of modern life. In this episode, Brandon introduces the core philosophy of his new book, Puddle Jumpers. He explains why we must stop protecting our children from every minor inconvenience and instead allow them to experience the ordinary magic of struggle. By letting kids jump into the metaphorical mud puddles of life, we help them build the strong roots they need to stand tall during adulthood. You will learn about the critical difference between punishment and discipline, the importance of family goal-setting traditions, and how to transition from an authoritarian figure to a mentor as your children grow. Brandon also shares a deeply personal look at his own journey as a father and the lessons he learned from his children about vulnerability and support. 🚀 Key Topics Discussed: The concept of the Puddle Jumper: Raising kids who pursue a joyful life. Why stress is a requirement for growth, illustrated by the Mars Biosphere experiment. The power of ordinary magic in building childhood confidence. Moving away from lazy questions to foster deep connection with your family. A Navy SEAL's checklist for effective, emotion-free discipline. How to support your child's unique path, even when it differs from your own. 🕒 Chapters: 0:00 Intro and Welcome Back 1:25 Introducing Brandon Webb and Puddle Jumpers 4:15 Balancing Business, Travel, and Co-Parenting 7:40 Why a Navy SEAL Wrote a Parenting Book 10:10 Mission Accomplished: A Letter from Brandon's Daughter 13:30 Supporting Your Child's Interests and Dreams 16:45 The Philosophy of the Puddle Jumper 20:15 Building Confidence Through Ordinary Magic 23:50 Why Kids Need Stress to Grow Strong Roots 27:10 The Danger of Helicopter Parenting and Outsourcing 31:00 Family Goal Setting and Annual Traditions 35:20 Teaching Kids to Finish What They Start 39:45 Why Parents Should Share Their Own Failures 44:10 Moving Beyond Lazy Questions to Deep Connection 48:30 Discipline vs Punishment: A New Framework 52:15 Getting to the Why Behind Bad Behavior 56:50 Shifting From Authority to Mentorship 1:01:00 Healing Family Rifts and Final Advice 1:04:22 Closing Remarks Grab your copy of Puddle Jumpers today and visit the official website, PuddleJumpersParenting.com to access exclusive bonuses and conversation starters for your family! Don't forget to like this video, subscribe for more insightful interviews, and leave a comment with the best question you've ever asked your child. Brandon Webb is a father of three happy humans and a tactical toy poodle named Apollo. He's also a combat-decorated Navy SEAL sniper, a multiple New York Times bestselling author, and a Harvard Business School alumnus. #parenting #navyseal #brandonwebb #childdevelopment #mentalstrength

May 9, 2026Episode 3385 min

I'm back! Restarting the show and why I've been absent. Plus a sneak peek of my restart guest next week!

I've been away for a while and in this episode I explain why and tell you what's next. Chronic illness isn't for the faint of heart! I also tease you with the upcomming guest I have for my first full restart episode next week.

February 19, 2024Episode 33759 min

Rachel Hanfling - Becoming a Media Magnet

If you've written a book, have a business, are a speaker, or just have something helpful to share on a larger scale than your friends and neighbors, then getting on TV, radio, podcasts and more can be your path to getting your message out on a larger scale. But how do you do that effectively? If you are uncomfortable speaking in public, as many are, how do you craft and deliver your message so that you are ready when you get the email or phone call? Enter Rachel Hanfling. Former Emmy nominated producer for Oprah and Anderson Cooper, to name drop a few. She is also my go to when I have questions or need some coaching around media and speaking to groups overall. On this episode Rachel shares how you can craft your signature talk and pare it down to its essence for different types of media. She also answers my questions on three things to focus on when you are preparing your talk or pitch. We talk about even more, but you'll have to listen or read the transcript to find out all the questions and answers from this episode! Rachel even has a freebie to help you in just 5 short minutes. Emmy-nominated Rachel Hanfling is your guide to clear, confident, charismatic speech. A former producer for Oprah and Anderson Cooper, she's coached clients to become go-to experts, land deals on Shark Tank, sell out on QVC, dominate worldwide speeches, generate explosive sales, nail workplace politics and more. She's taught at Harvard, internationally, and across the U.S. Rachel is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She is mom to twin boys and a dog in New York City. To learn more about Rachel, visit rachelhanfling.com/5Minutes .

December 1, 2023Episode 33653 min

Annette Taber - Advisory Boards are her business

Ever thought your company needed a board to advise and help you grow but had no clue what was involved? Annette Taber is the Founder of BoardSwap and she answers questions about how anyone can have an advisory board for short or long term and how to manage one. Plus we discuss her advice to anyone starting their own business. Annette Taber brings over 30 years of experience in the Technology Industry. As Founder and CEO of BoardSWAP, she realized an important need in the Technology Industry to formalize Advisory Boards as a Service, and therefore became a Certified Chair TM through the Advisory Board Centre. BoardSWAP provides fully outsourced Advisory Board development, facilitation, governance, and executive consulting. Additionally, the BoardSWAP Advisors Concierge service helps clients identify the right advisors and subject matter experts to fulfill their needs. Helping to educate the industry on the many benefits of formalized Advisory Boards is a key passion of hers. www.BoardSwap.com

November 22, 2023Episode 33553 min

Peter Hoppenfeld - Why you need to remove the word partner from your vocabulary

What happens when you get a master strategist, legal expert and advisor to some of the biggest names in the thought leader/entrepreneur world to come on your show again? Well you get this episode where Peter Hoppenfeld answers my questions ranging from starting a business to growing a business to what word never to use in business to one of the best summaries on Intellectual property I have ever heard. Don't believe me on all we covered? I was getting texts and people were chatting during the livestream with questions and comments. I had many more questions but we ran out of time. Peter Hoppenfeld is widely recognized as the "go to" attorney and advisor in the representation of direct marketers, speakers, authors, information marketers, "thought leaders," entrepreneurs and domestic and international training companies and their founders in all aspects of their legal and business affairs. Peter is a seasoned transactional, commercial attorney with direct marketing, internet marketing, distribution, licensing, marketing, branding and operational expertise. On a daily basis, Peter helps authors, speakers, entrepreneurs, business owners and thought leaders create effective marketing, merchandising and expansion strategies. His mission is to rapidly, smartly and strategically grow people's businesses, reach and revenues. Peter's been described as "a lawyer who understands marketing and a marketer who happens to be a lawyer". www.peterhoppenfeld.com For more episodes and insights, checkout https://www.laurasteward.com Subscribe to my podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-all-about-the-questions/id1008520291 Order my book: https://www.amazon.com/What-Would-Wise-Woman-Questions/dp/1614483442

September 27, 2023Episode 3341 hr 0 min

Vered Neta - Things We Do for Love and An Entrepreneurial Journey

Entrepreneurial journeys rarely go in a straight line. They have detours, divergences and often life outside the work journey impacts thinking, action and final goals. When one journey ends, another might start along the same path or go in a completely different direction. My guest on this episode is Vered Neta. A multi-hyphenate entrepreneur who has done several successful exits from companies she has created, Vered is now on a new journey that she chose because she wanted a new challenge. When that new path threw up a lot of road blocks, she pivoted and created another successful divergence. Take a listen as Vered and I discuss her journey, her favorite questions to ask when she gets stuck and how she hopes to help others who caregive for loved ones with Alzheimers with her latest book, Things We Do for Love, available wherever books are sold. Vered Neta has lived in three different countries for the last six decades, so tracing her origins is a thrilling quest. Nowadays, she lives in Tenerife on an off-the-grid finca, creating a self-sustained life for her and her partner while writing her novels and scripts. Her stories are character-driven dramas, giving voice to the untold stories of women and their triumphs in today's society. Her mission? To illuminate the world with kindness and positivity, one story at a time. Vered's words have touched countless lives through her multiple books on motivation and relationships. Her book "Financial Independence for Women" sold over 50,000 copies. In 2010, Vered was awarded the TIAW World of Difference Award, an award given to women whose efforts have advanced women's economic empowerment locally, regionally or worldwide.

September 21, 2023Episode 3331 hr 3 min

Dan Rockwell - Leadership Freak and The Vagrant

I've followed Dan Rockwell for ages. His Blog, Leadership Freak, combines wisdom and insights with lightness, deep thinking and insidious questions that worm their way into your brain and body until you have a breakthrough of thought and action. Now he and his co-author John David Mann have released a parable novel called, The Vagrant. Expect that book to worm its way inside you too and create breakthroughs of thought and self-reflection. On today's episode Dan and I sit down and discuss his thoughts on leadership, the birth of his book, self-reflection and how doing that alone can lead to some not great outcomes. We also discuss many other topics over the course of the interview. It was hard to stop. Let me know what actions you are taking after you listen and don't forget to take advantage of the opportunity to win a free copy of The Vagrant! DAN ROCKWELL ( leadershipfreak.blog ) gave his first presentation at the age of sixteen and has been delivering presentations and workshops ever since. Dan's fascination with leadership led him to launch his Leadership Freak blog in January 2010. Today Leadership Freak is read in virtually every country on the globe, with nearly 500,000 subscribers to its various social media channels. Dan has been named among the "Top Fifty Leadership and Management Experts" and "Top 100 Great Leadership Speakers" by Inc magazine and "Top 30 Leader in Business of 2014" by the American Management Association. His blog has been hailed as "most socially shared leadership blog on the Internet" by Center for Management and Organization Effectiveness.