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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 definition of success has changed over the years. He also shares one lesson he believes more strongly than ever: Your job can’t love you. Work matters. The people you work with matter enormously. But faith, family, friendships, health, relationships and the people we love deserve a different place in our lives. Brian and Cassandra also look back on more than 80 episodes of the podcast and what those conversations have taught him — why everyone has a story, why asking the right question matters, and why vulnerability is often far more interesting than achievement. It’s a conversation about slowing down, being present, appreciating ordinary moments and remembering what matters most.

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 work—can create opportunities. CT also shares his journey into professional basketball, the mentors who gave him opportunities when they didn’t have to, and the culture he works to create for players, coaches, trainers, and staff. Then the conversation turns personal. CT talks about the Blue Devil Fund, the nonprofit he founded to give back to his hometown in Maine, and about the profound influence of his father, who lived for more than eight years after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer. It’s a moving discussion about grief, empathy, gratitude, perseverance, family, friendship, and how our definition of success changes over time. Basketball may be CT’s profession, but this episode is ultimately about something deeper: using the opportunities we’ve been given to help other people—and appreciating the people who walk through life with us. Learn more about the Blue Devil Fund:The Blue Devil Fund | From assists on the court, to assists in the communityThe Blue Devil Fund | Calais ME | FacebookThe Blue Devil Fund (@bluedevilfund) • Instagram photos and videos The Most Important Podcast Ever with Brian J. Dunn.

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 from IQ and emotional intelligence to layoffs, accountability, stakeholder pressure, adversity, self-worth, relationships, and the challenge of staying true to yourself when the pressure is on. Yosi also shares his own remarkable journey from MIT, Harvard, entrepreneurship, and leading a public company to a deeply personal transformation that eventually led him to psychology, executive coaching, and the study of spiritual intelligence. Along the way, Brian and Yosi discuss why compassion doesn’t mean being soft, why inspiring others starts with becoming inspired yourself, and one simple practice anyone can begin today: gratitude. A thoughtful conversation about leadership, purpose, authenticity, and becoming the person you want to be.

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 difference between simply being competent at something and being uniquely wired for it. He also shares a practical exercise built around three questions: • What am I really good at?• What do people naturally come to me for advice about?• What would I do even if nobody paid me? Brian and Casey also explore the “gilded cage” of success, how fear can disguise itself as responsibility, when burnout may actually be a sign of misalignment, and why entrepreneurship does not automatically create freedom. The conversation ultimately comes down to one word: Alignment. Are you doing work that fits who you are? Are you building a life around what matters most to you? And if the answer is no — what are you going to do about it? Learn more about Casey at LeaveLawBehind.com. New episodes of The Most Important Podcast Ever every Tuesday.

Episode 79: Kim Godfrey — Leadership, Friendship & Finding What Matters Kim Godfrey and I worked together through some of the busiest and most memorable years of my career at Best Buy. In this episode, we look back on those years—the pressure, the growth, the disagreements, the laughs, and the leadership lessons that stayed with us. Kim shares what she learned about building teams, listening to the people closest to the work, telling leaders the truth, and navigating a retail industry where she was often one of the only women in the room. We also talk about her life after Best Buy, the burnout that led her to step away, and how she eventually found a new chapter through her longtime passion for interior design. And as old friends tend to do, we go well beyond business—talking about family, memories with Susie, faith, friendship, getting older, and learning to stay present instead of borrowing worries from tomorrow. Kim started as a colleague, became a trusted confidant, and became a dear friend to me and my family. This one is warm, candid, funny, and very personal.

Brian sits down with executive producer Kassie to look back on Joe and Abby’s wedding weekend — the joy, the faith, the family, the laughter, and the moments when Susie felt especially close. He reflects on watching his youngest son become a husband, welcoming Abby as a daughter, seeing her wear a necklace that once belonged to Susie, celebrating a wedding Mass in a church deeply woven into the Dunn family’s history, and what it felt like to simply stop and be present for all of it. There are some laughs along the way — including Brian’s dancing, basketball strategy at the reception, and a late-night gathering that stretched well past midnight. But at its heart, this episode is about love, legacy and a family growing again. As Brian puts it: our best days are ahead.

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 their people. But this conversation is about much more than Newfoundlands. It’s about family, love, loss, legacy, and the lessons dogs can teach us about how to live. Kerry calls the bond between a dog and its person the “super connection.” I know exactly what he means. I asked them what human beings could learn from dogs. Kerry’s answer: Forgiveness. Mine: Unconditional love. Dogs give us some of the greatest days of our lives. The terrible bargain is that we don’t get nearly enough of them. Can a man love two breeds? Absolutely.

A few days before my son Joe marries Abby, I wanted to capture a moment in their lives that will never come again. Not the wedding planning. Not the flowers, seating charts or schedules. Just the two of them — on the edge of becoming husband and wife. In this very special episode of The Most Important Podcast Ever, I sit down with Joe and Abby to talk about their nearly 10-year journey together: how they met, what they’ve learned about each other, what they admire most in one another, and the marriage and life they hope to build. We talk about communication, family, making each other a priority, their love of travel and adventure, and what they hope they’ll remember about one another when life gets difficult. And, as you might expect, Dad gets a little emotional. Joe and Abby will say “I do” on August 22, 2026. Years from now, I hope they can listen back to this conversation and remember exactly who they were, what they believed, and what they dreamed about in the days before they became husband and wife. This one is personal. This one is about family. And this one is about love. The Most Important Podcast Ever with BJDOrdinary people doing extraordinary things.

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 thing is recognizing how lucky you are to be standing in the moment.

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 leading businesses across retail, manufacturing, customer experience, supply chain, and international operations, Steve shares the lessons that shaped his leadership philosophy. Together, Brian and Steve discuss: The difference between managing work and leading people.Why great culture and great results belong together.Leadership lessons learned through failure and second chances.The importance of listening, decisive action, and accountability.How mentors shaped their careers.Why the best leaders never stop learning.Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or simply looking to grow as a leader, this episode offers practical insights that can be applied in every industry. Because leadership isn't about titles—it's about helping people become better than they thought they could be. I actually think "Great Leaders Build Great People" is one of the strongest episode titles you've used. It aligns perfectly with your podcast's mission of highlighting ordinary people doing extraordinary things while giving listeners a clear reason to click.

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 both lost a spouse, Brian and Rachel connect through shared experience as they discuss love, faith, resilience, raising children after loss, and why healing is never a straight line. Together, they explore what it means to move forward—not by leaving someone behind, but by carrying their love into the next chapter of life. In this conversation, you'll discover: The realities of living with ALS and caregiving.How grief evolves over time.The balance between hope and acceptance.Finding purpose, joy, and even love again.Why resilience is a strength we can all develop.Whether you're navigating loss, supporting someone who is grieving, or simply seeking a conversation about what matters most, Rachel's story is a powerful reminder that while grief changes us, it doesn't have to define us. Because ordinary people often teach us life's most extraordinary lessons.

In Episode 72 of The Most Important Podcast Ever, Brian sits down with professional football player Luke Glenna, who is currently playing for the Nordic Storm in Copenhagen. Brian has known Luke since his grade-school and AAU basketball days with Brian’s son Joe. Even then, Luke stood out for his toughness, intelligence, intensity, and relentless work ethic. Luke shares how he went from seventh on the depth chart at the University of St. Thomas to becoming an All-American and building a professional football career in Europe. They discuss adapting to life thousands of miles from home, playing and learning in different languages, embracing unfamiliar cultures, overcoming homesickness, finding your role on a team, and the difference between talent and character. Luke also reflects on what Europe has taught him about work-life balance, leadership, adversity, and what it truly means to pursue a dream. His advice is simple and powerful: work for it, research it, and then go for it. This is a conversation about football, but even more, it is about courage, character, curiosity, and becoming the kind of person who brings others together. The Most Important Podcast Ever is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and YouTube. Special thanks to the team at Street Side Studio 7 and our hosts at Deja Bleu House of Coffee.

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 and adults build confidence through kindness, respect, and genuine human connection.  Together, Brian and Diane explore why manners still matter in today's world, how simple acts of courtesy shape relationships, and why listening may be one of the most powerful life skills we can teach the next generation. In this episode, you'll hear about: Why etiquette is really about respect—not perfectionBuilding confidence through communication and presenceThe importance of introductions, eye contact, and listeningDiane's popular etiquette classes for childrenDining etiquette and modern social expectationsGratitude, thank-you notes, and meaningful hospitalityPractical lessons that benefit children, parents, professionals, and leaders alike  Whether you're raising children, leading a team, or simply trying to become a more thoughtful person, this episode offers timeless wisdom that can improve every relationship in your life. Thank you for listening to The Most Important Podcast Ever with Brian Dunn, where we celebrate ordinary people doing extraordinary things. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with someone who would appreciate the conversation. Special thanks to the outstanding crew at Street Side Studio 7 and our hosts at Deja Bleu House of Coffee for making these conversations possible.

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 life lessons he believes matter most—including curiosity, gratitude, mentors, character, resilience, faith, family, and why every day is the most important day. If you've ever wondered what truly matters in a life well lived, this episode is for you.

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 grow. In this episode, we discuss: Why retail is one of the greatest leadership training grounds in the worldLeading people through organizational changeHow leaders should think about AI—and why they shouldn't fear itThe enduring importance of cultureThe lessons Alan learned from mentors who shaped his careerHow music, family, and personal loss influenced his leadership philosophyWhy lifelong learning is the key to staying relevant in a changing worldWhether you're leading a business, a team, or simply leading yourself, this conversation is packed with practical insights and timeless leadership wisdom. If you enjoy the show, please follow The Most Important Podcast Ever on Spotify and share this episode with someone who will find it meaningful. I also have one suggestion after seeing all 69 episodes. Consider ending every Spotify description with a consistent signature: The Most Important Podcast Ever is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Every story reminds us that the greatest lessons in life often come from people whose names you'll never see in a history book—but whose impact will never be forgotten.