Smashing the Plateau
The Podcast
Conversations That Help Independent Leaders Make Better Decisions
Recent episodes:
Independent leadership can be rewarding.
It can also be challenging.
When you leave corporate, you gain freedom.
You also lose something important.
The colleagues who challenged your thinking.
The built-in support system that helped you evaluate decisions.
The perspectives that helped you see what you couldn't see on your own.
Smashing the Plateau features conversations with experienced professionals who have chosen an independent path.
Some are consultants, advisors, coaches, fractional executives, and service business owners.
Others are authors, thought leaders, and experts who help independent professionals succeed.
Together, these conversations explore the challenges of independent leadership:
• Making decisions without institutional support
• Navigating uncertainty
• Maintaining momentum
• Building a business that supports the life you want
• Learning from experience
• Benefiting from the perspectives of others
Every episode offers practical ideas, shared experience, and thoughtful perspectives from people who have walked this path themselves.
You’ll find conversations covering business development, positioning, marketing, leadership, decision-making, mindset, and the role trusted relationships play in long-term success.
Whether you're just beginning your independent journey or have been building your business for years, you'll discover ideas that help you think more clearly and move forward with greater confidence.
What Listeners Gain →
✔ New perspectives on independent leadership
✔ Lessons from people who have successfully navigated major transitions
✔ Practical approaches to making better decisions
✔ Insights for maintaining focus and momentum
✔ Stories that remind you you're not navigating this journey alone
✔ Real-world examples of what works—and what doesn't
More Than 1,000 Podcast Episodes
Smashing the Plateau has published more than 1,000 podcast episodes across two podcast series:
Smashing the Plateau
Our active podcast featuring ongoing conversations with independent leaders and the experts who support them.
Going Solo (2019–2022)
A special podcast series exploring the opportunities and challenges of building an independent business.
Together, these conversations create a library of insights, stories, and practical ideas for experienced professionals navigating independent leadership.
Looking for More Than a Podcast?
Many listeners begin with the podcast.
Then they take the next step toward greater clarity.
The free SMASH System™ Self-Assessment helps you evaluate the strength of your current approach and identify opportunities to improve your results.
One Final Thought
Most independent professionals don't need more information.
They need better perspective.
Better decisions begin with better conversations.
That's what Smashing the Plateau has been providing for more than a decade.
Because better decisions lead to better outcomes.
Continue the Conversation
The newsletter explores many of the same themes featured on the podcast, including:
• Better decision-making
• Clarity and focus
• Momentum and consistency
• Lessons from independent leaders
• The value of trusted thinking partners