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Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought

Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought

Written by: Greg Schnagl
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About this listen

 Welcome to Catalyst, a podcast of thought.
I'm Dr G, an executive coach, trained ethnographer, and nonfiction nerd.
I read varied forms of nonfiction, from books to articles to research papers.
I highlight ideas, annotate in the margins, and write index cards in cursive.
It's really that bad. I even have a cute little wooden box to place them all in.
Essentially, I read, think, and write about things of interest to me, and hopefully to you.
Then I talk about them in each episode of Catalyst.
Thank you for your continued and recent engagement.Copyright Greg Schnagl Science Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Words We Choose: How Vocabulary Shapes Learning, Leadership, and Aging

    The Words We Choose: How Vocabulary Shapes Learning, Leadership, and Aging
    Dec 1 2025
    In this episode, I explore the surprising power of words to shape our lives. From leadership and lifelong learning to aging and thriving alongside AI, the vocabulary we use every day determines how we think, act, and grow.

    I share practical strategies for turning complex ideas into language anyone can use, explain how small shifts in wording can spark big behavioral changes, and reveal why clear, accessible communication is more critical than ever in a world flooded with information.

    Whether you’re leading a team, learning something new, or navigating life at any age, this conversation shows how the right words can unlock possibility, resilience, and growth.

    If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.
    You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
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    15 mins
  • The Mental Switchboard: How Post-It May Help You Shift Focus with Ease

    The Mental Switchboard: How Post-It May Help You Shift Focus with Ease
    Nov 3 2025
    Ever feel that mental leg when you jump for one kind of work to another? Like your brain is still catching up to your calendar?

    In this episode, I explore how to make those transitions smoother using something as simple as Post-It notes. I exore how our brains respond to color, phrase and environment, and how small physical cues can help us shift gears between strategic, creative, and reflective work.

    Through a mix of sciencey stuff and practical things, I show how designing a few intentional rituals may help you think more clearly, focus faster, and move through your day with a little more ease and a lot less friction.

    If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.
    You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
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    8 mins
  • 3 of 3 Designing Momentum - Small Moves, Big Shifts

    3 of 3 Designing Momentum - Small Moves, Big Shifts
    Oct 22 2025
    In this third and final episode of our series on performance and renewal, we turn from diagnosis to design. We move from understanding why we get stuck to learning how to move again.

    Drawing again on Adam Alter’s research in “Anatomy of a Breakthrough,” we explore the precise strategies that turn stagnation into forward momentum. Through narrative case studies, we see that progress isn’t born of inspiration, but of intelligent design.

    Breakthroughs don’t arrive as lightning bolts. They’re built friction by friction, choice by choice.

    Tune in for practical frameworks and reflective questions that help you design movement, meaning, and renewal one small step at a time.

    If this conversation helped you think, pause, or grow — share it forward.
    You’re listening to Catalyst: A Podcast of Thought, with Greg Schnagl.
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    11 mins
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