The Story in Your Head

Hosted by MacklinConnection

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151

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to "The Story in Your Head" podcast with Co-Hosts Ron Macklin and Deb Dendy. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. Website: Visit www.macklinconnection.com

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60 recent

October 7, 202623 min

Is AI Thinking for You? The Hidden Danger of Cognitive Surrender

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore cognitive surrender: what happens when we accept an AI-generated answer without questioning it. They consider why handing over our thinking is not a new problem, and how AI makes it especially tempting to trust a convincing response. From invented sources to the comfort of letting someone else be responsible, Ron and Deb discuss critical thinking, personal choice, and using AI as a challenge partner rather than an authority. The conversation offers a timely question for leadership development and company culture: who is really making the choice? Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories, we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to http://www.macklinconnection.com/

September 23, 202627 min

AI Theater vs. Real AI Strategy: What Leaders Need to Know Before They Waste Money

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb welcome Jason Tanaka for a conversation about AI, leadership, and the difference between real strategy and what Jason calls “AI theater.” Jason brings a background in software, technology, financial services, and AI advisory work, helping leaders make consequential technology decisions and turn them into reality. Together, they explore a question many leaders are facing right now: how do you know whether an AI solution is actually useful, or just impressive to watch? For leaders trying to build better company culture and make smart technology decisions, the challenge is not chasing every impressive tool. It is knowing which AI “plays” actually fit your organization. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories, we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to http://www.macklinconnection.com/

September 9, 202618 min

The Real Reason You Don’t Talk to the People Who Could Change Your Life

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the idea of social agency: the story that you can choose to talk to anyone. From the person sitting next to you on an airplane to the speaker at a conference to the leader in your organization, every interaction carries the possibility of learning, connection, and transformation. But most people give up their social agency before the conversation ever begins. They decide someone is too busy, too important, too different, or not interested. They make up stories about themselves, about the other person, and about what might happen. Ron and Deb ask a powerful question: Who are you not talking to because of a story in your head? Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

August 26, 202622 min

What Is Personal Agency? Why Leaders Give It Away Without Realizing

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the idea of philosophical agency: the ability to notice, choose, and change the stand we take in life. Agency is not just about making decisions. It is about recognizing that many of the beliefs, assumptions, and “truths” we live by are stories we picked up along the way. Some came from family. Some came from culture. Some came from painful experiences. Some came from communities, workplaces, schools, religions, politics, or social networks. But once those stories become fixed, they begin shaping how we lead, relate, work, and build company culture. Ron and Deb ask a powerful question: Do you actually choose your philosophy? Or are you living inside a story you forgot you made up? Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

August 12, 202625 min

AI Can Outthink You – But It Can't Do One Thing 5-Year-Olds Do Every Day

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb continue their conversation on the difference between thinking and imagination – and why that distinction matters more than ever in the age of artificial intelligence. In the previous episode, Ron and Deb explored how children naturally begin life with imagination, curiosity, and creativity, only to enter systems that often reward right answers over new possibilities. Now, they take that conversation one step further. If AI can outthink humans by accessing massive amounts of information, processing it quickly, and producing answers faster than any person can, what is left for humans to do? Their answer is simple and powerful: Humans must imagine. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

July 29, 202623 min

Why the Right Answer Is Killing Your Company’s Creativity

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore the difference between imagination and thinking – and why that distinction matters more than ever for leaders, teams, and organizations. Beginning with a simple observation: young children are naturally imaginative. But somewhere along the way, that imagination begins to fade. Ron and Deb ask a powerful question for anyone invested in leadership development, company culture, and the future of work: What happens when people spend years being trained to find the right answer – only to enter a world that increasingly needs them to imagine answers that don’t exist yet? Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

July 15, 202629 min

AI Won’t Replace You – But People Who Know How to Use It Might

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb sit down with Joey Cardella, a police officer who discovered AI while exploring what could come next beyond law enforcement. Joey describes AI as a tool that amplifies the user, sharing how he has used it to research career transitions, support real estate investing, improve business operations, build training systems, and solve everyday problems. Together, the conversation reveals a lesson every business leader needs to hear: successful AI adoption is not about technology first. It is about curiosity, experimentation, and the willingness to learn. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

July 1, 202627 min

The Leadership Skill No One Taught You – But Everyone Needs

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore “agency” as a person’s capacity to act independently and make free choices, contrasting living as the author of your life versus being acted on by outside forces. They discuss how people throughout history have been led to believe they have no agency, and connect agency to everyday situations like feeling trapped in a job, unemployment, marriage, or illness, while warning against commiseration and confirmation bias. Instead, they suggest creating new stories by asking “What do you want?” Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

June 17, 202627 min

Students Booed AI at Graduation. Here's the Speech They Needed to Hear.

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb ask, “What would you tell a room full of graduates entering the workforce at a time when AI seems to be changing everything?” Inspired by recent graduation ceremonies where mentions of AI were met with boos from students concerned about their futures, Ron and Deb imagine the advice they would give to graduates stepping into an uncertain world. The result is a thoughtful conversation about fear, opportunity, career development, and why the future may belong to those willing to embrace curiosity rather than resistance. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com

June 3, 202626 min

Why Most Companies Are Struggling with AI Adoption

In this episode of “The Story in Your Head,” Ron and Deb explore one of the biggest conversations happening in business today: why are so many organizations investing heavily in AI – and still struggling to see results? The conversation moves beyond technology into the heart of leadership development, company culture, and the communication problems organizations face when transformation collides with uncertainty. Embark on a transformative journey with 'The Story in Your Head' podcast, where we delve into the power of narratives in shaping our lives and the cultures within organizations. Our expert hosts, alongside a diverse array of guests, explore the realms of self-talk and collective storytelling, uncovering insights that foster authentic connections, personal growth, and thriving workplace environments. Each episode is a masterclass in understanding and reshaping the narratives that influence our personal interactions and professional dynamics. Discover strategies to enhance self-awareness, build stronger relationships, inspire leadership, and cultivate inclusive, innovative company cultures. Whether you're seeking to enrich your personal life, elevate your professional relationships, or transform your company's culture, 'The Story in Your Head' is your guide to harnessing the power of story for a more fulfilling and productive future. Tune in and take the first step towards rewriting the stories that define us, individually and collectively. Because when we change the stories we tell ourselves and each other, we can change the world. To learn more about the Imaginal Community: https://imaginalcommunity.mn.co/ To learn more about creating a better corporate culture in the workplace, head over to www.macklinconnection.com