Advertise on podcast: Stacks & Strategies: Business Growth Through the Pages

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Stop guessing what to read and start applying what works. As a small- or medium-sized business owner, your time is your most valuable asset, making it difficult to know exactly what to read and when. Welcome to Stacks & Strategies, the podcast where we go through stacks of business books to pull out the high-quality strategies you can actually apply to your life and business. Our mission is to help local businesses improve by accelerating their learning. We cut through the uncertainty of the "business book" world, highlighting the best content so you can decide whether to dive into a book yourself, apply the strategies we share immediately, or move on to a topic that better fits your current needs. Why Listen? Curated Learning: We filter the "stacks" to find the most impactful content for your growth.Actionable Strategies: We don't just review books; we pull out the "how-to" for business owners.Time Savings: Reduce the effort of vetting books and get straight to the insights that improve your business and your life.Meet Your Hosts This podcast is hosted by three experienced business owners who bring different perspectives—but a shared passion for growth, learning, and practical application. John Davis is a Business Coach with ActionCOACH, specializing in helping business owners gain clarity on their destination and identify the specific skills, systems, and learning required to reach their goals. His approach focuses on strategy, accountability, and turning ideas into executable plans. Wendy Pace is the Owner of Pace Setting Media, where she helps businesses strengthen their brand, improve visibility, and connect more effectively with their audiences. With a strong background in marketing and messaging, Wendy brings real-world insight into how business principles translate into client engagement and measurable results. Jess Villegas is the Founder of Acuity Business Consulting, working closely with business owners to improve operations, financial clarity, and long-term sustainability. Jess provides a grounded, analytical perspective, helping businesses make informed decisions that support scalable and profitable growth. Whether you want to grow your team, increase your profits, or find more clarity in your operations, Stacks & Strategies provides the roadmap through the best business literature available.

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Check latest episodes from Stacks & Strategies: Business Growth Through the Pages podcast

Episode 11 - Beyond Strategy: The Mindset That Drives Success

2026/08/04

In this episode, we explore Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy—a performance-driven guide that goes beyond business tactics and dives into the mindset required to succeed at the highest level. Designed for high achievers, this book challenges entrepreneurs to master their inner world so they can perform consistently under pressure. We unpack key ideas like mental discipline, emotional control, and purpose-driven focus—along with how these principles apply directly to leadership, decision-making, and scaling a business. You’ll hear practical insights on staying grounded during uncertainty, overcoming fear and self-doubt, and building the kind of inner resilience that fuels long-term success. If you’re an entrepreneur striving for peak performance without burnout, this episode will give you a fresh perspective on what it really takes to win—from the inside out.

Episode 10 - Speak Up, Stay Calm, Get Results: Crucial Conversations Explained

2026/08/04

In this episode, we dive into Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler—a powerful guide to handling high-stakes conversations with confidence and clarity. Whether you're navigating tough workplace discussions, managing team dynamics, or improving communication in your personal life, this book offers practical tools to stay calm, speak honestly, and achieve better outcomes. We break down the core concepts, including how to recognize when a conversation turns “crucial,” how to create a safe environment for dialogue, and how to express your thoughts without triggering defensiveness. You’ll also hear key takeaways, real-world applications, and our honest take on what works—and what doesn’t. If you’ve ever avoided a difficult conversation or wished you handled one better, this episode will give you actionable strategies to communicate more effectively and strengthen your relationships both in business and beyond.

Episode 9 - Why Your Greatest Strength Could Become Your Greatest Trap

2026/06/30

What if everything you've worked for — the career wins, the recognition, the expertise — is quietly setting you up for a fall? In this episode, we dive deep into Strength to Strength by Harvard professor and social scientist Arthur C. Brooks, a book that challenges everything we think we know about success, ambition, and fulfillment in the second half of life.

Episode 8 - The Hot Dog That Changed Fine Dining: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

2026/05/12

What if the difference between a good business and an unforgettable one comes down to one thing: how you make people feel? In this episode of Stacks and Strategies, we dive into Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara, the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park, the restaurant he helped transform into the #1 restaurant in the world. Guidara's bestselling book reveals how obsessive attention to the guest experience—what he calls "unreasonable hospitality"—can become the ultimate competitive edge in any industry. From the famous hot dog story to systematizing surprise and delight, this book is a masterclass in turning ordinary transactions into extraordinary moments that build fierce customer loyalty. In this episode, we cover: What "unreasonable hospitality" really means and why it's not just for restaurantsThe difference between service and hospitality—and why it matters for every businessHow to empower your team to create memorable customer momentsThe art of being "present, attentive, and intentional" in client relationshipsPractical ways to systematize delight without losing authenticityHow small, thoughtful gestures drive word-of-mouth marketing and brand loyaltyLessons for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone in a client-facing roleWhether you run a small business, lead a service team, or want to elevate the way you serve clients, this conversation will reshape how you think about customer experience and competitive differentiation.

Episode 7 - Annie Duke's Thinking in Bets: Why Good Decisions Don't Always Lead to Good Outcomes

2026/05/07

What if the secret to better decision-making isn't being right more often, but knowing how uncertain you really are? In this episode of Stacks and Strategies, we break down Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don't Have All the Facts by former World Series of Poker champion Annie Duke. Duke's bestselling book challenges the way we evaluate success and failure, introducing the concept of "resulting"—the trap of judging decisions based solely on outcomes rather than the quality of the decision itself. Drawing on her background in cognitive psychology and professional poker, Duke offers a practical framework for navigating uncertainty in business, finance, and everyday life.

Episode 6 - Good to Great by Jim Collins

2026/03/18

Episode 6 of Stacks and Strategies takes on a true heavyweight in the world of business thinking—Good to Great by Jim Collins. This isn’t just a book about success; it’s a deep, research-driven breakdown of what separates companies that merely survive from those that consistently outperform over time. In this episode, we dig into the core concepts that have made Good to Great a staple for leaders and entrepreneurs alike—Level 5 Leadership, the Hedgehog Concept, the Flywheel Effect, and the discipline required to build something that lasts. More importantly, we challenge how these ideas hold up in today’s fast-moving, AI-driven, attention-fragmented business environment. If you're building a business, scaling a team, or trying to move from “doing well” to truly standing out, this conversation is about what it actually takes—and what most people get wrong along the way. Let’s get into what it really means to go from good… to great.

Episode 5 - Mind Gym by Gary Mack

2026/03/18

In this episode, we dive into Mind Gym by Gary Mack—a classic in the world of mental performance that’s just as relevant for entrepreneurs and business leaders as it is for elite athletes. Mack’s core premise is simple but powerful: your mindset is the ultimate competitive advantage. Talent and skill can only take you so far—how you think, how you handle pressure, and how you respond to setbacks are what truly separate top performers from everyone else. We break down the key lessons from the book, including how to build mental toughness, stay focused in high-stakes situations, and reframe challenges into opportunities. More importantly, we explore how these principles apply outside of sports—into business, leadership, and everyday decision-making. If you’ve ever felt stuck, second-guessed yourself, or struggled to stay consistent when things get tough, this conversation will give you practical ways to strengthen your mental game and perform at a higher level.

Episode 3 - Leadership and Self Deception - Book by Arbinger Institute

2026/03/02

In Episode 3 of Stacks & Strategies, we continue breaking down the systems, decisions, and strategic thinking that separate sustainable growth from stalled momentum. This podcast is built for entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, and growth-focused professionals who want practical insight into scaling a business, improving operational efficiency, strengthening leadership, and building long-term wealth. Each episode focuses on real-world strategy—no fluff, no theory without application. In this conversation, we dig into the frameworks and mindset shifts that drive better decision-making, stronger performance, and smarter growth. Whether you’re leading a team, building multiple revenue streams, or refining your personal leadership strategy, you’ll walk away with clear, actionable takeaways you can implement immediately. If you’re serious about business strategy, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and financial growth, subscribe to Stacks & Strategies and join us each week as we build smarter.

Episode 4 - The Traveler's Gift by Andy Andrews

2026/02/16

In Episode 4 of Stacks & Strategies, we break down The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews and examine the seven decisions that shape success in business, leadership, and life. This episode explores the core principles behind personal responsibility, decision-making, persistence, and mindset—and why these fundamentals matter for entrepreneurs, executives, and growth-focused professionals. We discuss how accountability drives performance, how clarity impacts strategy, and how disciplined thinking compounds over time in both business and wealth-building. If you’re building a company, leading a team, or navigating a challenging season of growth, this conversation will challenge you to evaluate the decisions you’re making daily—and the long-term impact of those choices. Stacks & Strategies is for those serious about business strategy, leadership development, operational excellence, and financial growth. Subscribe and follow for weekly insights designed to help you scale smarter and lead stronger.

Episode 2 - Master Your Focus — Cutting Through Distraction in Business and Life

2026/01/14

In this episode, we review Master Your Focus by Thibaut Meurisse, a book that feels especially relevant in a world full of constant notifications, competing priorities, and mental overload. As three business owners, focus isn’t just a productivity tool—it’s a competitive advantage. We break down Meurisse’s core ideas around attention control, mental clarity, and intentional work, and discuss how these principles show up in our daily businesses, leadership decisions, and client interactions. We also talk candidly about what strategies felt practical, which ones required a mindset shift, and how realistic it is to apply this book in the middle of a busy workday. As always, we wrap up with our 1–5 rating system: 1 = bottom of the bedside stack, unlikely to be read5 = top of the stack, the book you should read nextDoes Master Your Focus truly help you reclaim your attention, or is it easier said than done? Tune in to hear our honest take, real-world applications, and where this book lands on our stack.

Episode 1 - Richest Man in Babylon

2026/01/14