A focused conversation on young people and why Essential Dynamics matters early in life. Drawing on years of working with youth and the story of The Boys in the Boat, Derek and Bryn explore opposition, flow, and the clarity that comes from working through complexity. Essential Dynamics is presented as a way for young adults to see the system of their own lives, navigate purpose tension, and move forward without becoming overwhelmed or cynical.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek and Bryn continue their AI conversation by shifting from “How do I use AI?” to “How do I use AI to understand my system?” The highest and best use of AI is to use it to see the simplicity on the other side of complexity.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek and Bryn look past the excitement around AI and argue that the real question is not how to use AI, but whether leaders are working on the right things. Using the rise of spreadsheets as a historical parallel, Derek shows how powerful tools often create local optimization instead of improving system flow. They explore why AI feels intelligent, why it is deceptive, and how leaders can apply Essential Dynamics to clarify purpose, understand constraints, and decide where AI actually helps.

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Derek Hudson welcomes Christian Hansen back to explore how story drives influence. Christian shows how to make others the hero of their own story and how empathy, curiosity, and clear narrative create connection. Together they link these ideas to Essential Dynamics, where story shapes purpose, people, and flow.

Christian Hansen is at thechristianhansen.com
The Influence Mindset for Sales Acceleration
The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You
Derek is at Unconstrained

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.

Christian Hansen joins Derek Hudson to explore how influence begins with perception and connection. Drawing from his book, The Influence Mindset for Sales Acceleration, he shows why people “choose or reject their perception of you,” and how competence plus connection earns attention and drives flow. Together they link this to Essential Dynamics where purpose, people, and leadership attention shape system performance.

Christian Hansen is at thechristianhansen.com
The Influence Mindset for Sales Acceleration
The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You
Derek is at Unconstrained

Show notes are on the Essential Dynamics Wiki

Allie Jones returns to show how Working Genius helps teams find joy and energy by aligning people’s natural strengths with the work that needs to be done. She and Derek Hudson connect it to Essential Dynamics, showing how awareness, purpose, and tension create flow. Allie explains that no one can avoid their areas of frustration, but with humility and teamwork, every type of genius can contribute to something larger. Together they show that people thrive when their gifts serve a shared quest.

Allie is at Allie Jones Consulting
Derek is at Unconstrained
Full Show Notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki

Marketing consultant and leadership coach Allie Jones joins Derek Hudson to explore how the Working Genius framework helps people unlock energy, avoid burnout, and thrive in their work. Through a powerful conversation on self-awareness, flow, and team dynamics, Allie shares her journey—and how leaders can apply these insights at both the personal and system level.

Allie Jones is at alliejonesconsulting.com

Derek is at Unconstrained.

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki

Derek and Bryn get practical about writing as a leader’s thinking tool. From brain dumps to mapping UDEs, they show how writing exposes root causes and clears away fluff. Real strategy isn’t buzzwords, it’s written cause-and-effect logic you can test, share, and adapt.

Derek is at Unconstrained.
Bryn is at bryngriffiths.com

Full show notes on the Essential Dynamics Wiki.