Rephonic
Artwork for The Action Catalyst
Leadership
Entrepreneurship
Personal Development
Artificial Intelligence
Personal Growth
Public Speaking
Coaching
Curiosity
Communication
Innovation
Christmas
Vocal Variety
Negotiation
Risk
Social Media
7-Eleven
Parenting
Self-Improvement
Business Growth
Purpose

The Action Catalyst interviews top leaders and achievers, sharing hard-earned tips and advice to help you uncover your inspiration and gain valuable insights to overcome setbacks, defeat mediocrity, and reach your goals in life, business, and beyond. Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes500Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EntrepreneurshipEducationSelf-ImprovementBusiness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Action Catalyst

Latest Episodes

Entrepreneur Julie Wainwright, founder and former CEO of unicorn company TheRealReal, shares the importance of relying on data and balancing passion with objectivity as you both start, and scale, your business.

Hear Julie's full interview in Episode... more

John Livesay, funding strategist and author, reveals expert insights into how entrepreneurs and startup founders can craft compelling investor pitches that win funding, including a shift from feature‑based presentations to emotionally driven storytel... more

John Ruhlin, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of "Giftology", offers guidance on when to give, how much to spend, and how to calculate ROI on gifting to clients or prospects.

Hear John's full interview in Episode 173 of The Action Catalyst.

Entrepreneur Julie Wainwright, founder and former CEO of unicorn company TheRealReal, shares the candid story behind building a billion-dollar luxury resale company after being told at age 52 that she was “unemployable", discusses overcoming public f... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Recent Guests

Julie Wainwright
Entrepreneur and e-commerce pioneer; former founder/CEO of The RealReal; author of Time To Get Real
The RealReal, AHARA, Precision Nutrition
Episode: Time To Get Real, with Julie Wainwright | (Fashion, Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, E-Commerce)
John Ruhlin
Author of Giftology, entrepreneur, speaker
Giftology (authorix)
Episode: REMASTERED: Giftology and Strategic Generosity, with John Ruhlin | (Strategy, Gratitude, Relationship Development, Sales)
Lifang He
Brand strategist and author of Brand Power Built In
Consultancy on brand strategy, product innovation
Episode: Brand Power Built In, with Lifang He | (Branding, Tech, Growth, Strategy)
Gary Chapman
Author of The Five Love Languages and senior associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church
Calvary Baptist Church
Episode: REMASTERED: The 5 Love Languages® for Leaders, with Dr. Gary Chapman | (Relationships, Faith, Marriage, Leadership)
Ken Coleman
Nationally syndicated radio host, America's Career Coach; author
Ramsey Solutions
Episode: Wired for Progress, with Ken Coleman | (Career, Education, Mindset, AI)
Rob Lilwall
Adventurer and endurance cyclist
Episode: REMASTERED: Global Adventures in Mental Toughness, with Rob Lilwall | (Mindset, Risk, Self-Discipline, Motivation)
Carlotta Thompson
Tax strategist, founder and CEO of Tax Strategists of America
Tax Strategists of America
Episode: Tax Strategy, with Carlotta Thompson | (Business, Finance, AI, Money)
Dianna Booher
Author of What More Can I Say?
Author and communication expert
Episode: REMASTERED: What More Can I Say, with Dianna Booher | (Communication, Trust, Storytelling, Sales)
Jason Wild
Founder and principal at Wild Innovation; former leader at IBM, Salesforce, and Microsoft; co-author of Genius at Scale
Wild Innovation
Episode: Genius at Scale, with Jason Wild | (Innovation, Leadership, Culture, Strategy)

Host

Rory Vaden
Host of The Action Catalyst, Southwestern Family of Companies

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 300 ratings
  • Essential listening for anyone serious about defeating mediocrity and achieving excellence

    Adam absolutely crushed it with the Klaus Kleinfeld episode on "Leading to Thrive" - as someone building AI sales tools, that conversation about energy management and performance zones hit me right where it counts. Klaus's insights from leading two Fortune 500 companies on different continents combined with Adam's thoughtful follow-up questions in the "Overtime with Outland" segment shows exactly the kind of high-caliber content this show delivers.

    What I love about The Action Catalyst is how ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CHSAaron
    United Statesa year ago
  • Jordan Harbinger's Masterclass on Charisma and Perception

    The Action Catalyst’s episode with Jordan Harbinger is a must-listen for anyone interested in personal development and networking. Jordan delves into the nuances of charisma, showing it’s not just an innate trait but a skill that can be honed to boost confidence and build deeper relationships. His take on how men evolve without role models and how perception varies across groups offers a fresh perspective on social dynamics. This episode is packed with practical advice and profound insights, mak... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    I value the unique angle
    Austria2 years ago
  • Such a wealth of knowledge! 🧠

    It’s obvious that the Action Catalyst team puts extraordinary effort into every single episode, but what makes this show a true standout is the quality of the guests, the stories they tell, and tactics they share. Every speaker truly cares about being a positive force in the world, and shares insights that leave you feeling empowered and inspired. Don't miss it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ASobering
    United States3 years ago
  • Exceptional!

    I listened to the latest episode (with Randall Kaplan) and, wow, I’m hooked. Absolutely fantastic chemistry between the hosts and his guests - perfect for my commute each morning. Would highly recommend giving it a listen.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DylanTM24
    United States4 years ago
  • Inspiration stories with actionable insights on productivity, strategy and growth

    Podchaser
    5
    Dominic Zijlstra
    4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Episodes often surface meaningful takeaways that listeners can apply immediately.
The chemistry between hosts and guests is frequently praised as engaging and motivating.
Listeners value the practical, hard-won wisdom and high-caliber guests.
Shows consistent, actionable insights from leaders across industries.

Top Entrepreneurship Podcasts

Young and Profiting with Hala Taha
Young and Profiting with Hala TahaHala Taha | Entrepreneurship, Sales, Marketing | YAP Media Network
Proven Podcast
Proven PodcastCharles Schwartz
Creating Confidence with Heather Monahan
Creating Confidence with Heather MonahanHeather Monahan | YAP Media
The Money Mondays
The Money MondaysDan Fleyshman

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Time To Get Real, with Julie Wainwright | (Fashion, Entrepreneurship, Fundraising, E-Commerce)
Q: Okay. So a couple of things. For most aspiring entrepreneurs, what's the first thing you'd tell them about starting a business?
Focus on fast, high-quality execution of a real problem; validate with real-world testing, even small bets, and be prepared to iterate aggressively while staying true to clear priorities.
Brand Power Built In, with Lifang He | (Branding, Tech, Growth, Strategy)
Q: What are the key metrics that actually matter for brand strength, and how should companies approach measurement?
Companies should pursue a holistic set of metrics from awareness to perception, adoption, engagement, and retention, and connect these brand metrics to actual business outcomes so leadership can see the full impact of brand initiatives.
Brand Power Built In, with Lifang He | (Branding, Tech, Growth, Strategy)
Q: Why is branding often misunderstood in tech, and how should branding differ for tech products versus traditional campaigns?
Brand should be seen as the integrated experience where product and brand are inseparable; branding is not just campaigns but the daily execution that communicates the larger vision, especially for tech where customers interact across multiple touchpoints.
REMASTERED: The 5 Love Languages® for Leaders, with Dr. Gary Chapman | (Relationships, Faith, Marriage, Leadership)
Q: Can your love language change over time, and what causes that?
Chapman explains that while the core love language tends to stay with a person, life stages and circumstances can elevate another language temporarily; for example, difficult parenting moments may shift the emphasis toward acts of service, or a comforting touch during loss may become more meaningful.
Wired for Progress, with Ken Coleman | (Career, Education, Mindset, AI)
Q: What habits or practices do you recommend for developing curiosity and question-asking in kids and adults?
Encourage reading, asking questions at bedtime and dinner, and modeling wonder; reduce homework and emphasize learning how to learn and how to ask the right questions.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Action Catalyst

What is The Action Catalyst about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on high-achievers and leaders from diverse fields, offering practical strategies, mindset shifts, and hard-earned lessons for overcoming obstacles, driving growth, and building resilient organizations. Episodes frequently explore leadership partnerships, trust, cadence of action, and how to translate big ideas into sustainable performance, often featuring founders, athletes turned entrepreneurs, authors, and tech/branding pioneers. A notable strength is the breadth of guest backgrounds combined with actionable takeaways—ranging from high-stakes business leadership to personal development and team dynamics—making it useful for listeners seeking motivation, real-world tactics, and inspiration from compelling narratives.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Action Catalyst?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Action Catalyst. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Action Catalyst and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Action Catalyst get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Action Catalyst, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Action Catalyst?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Action Catalyst, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Action Catalyst have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Action Catalyst has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Action Catalyst?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Action Catalyst:

1. The School of Greatness
2. How I Built This with Guy Raz
3. Masters of Scale
4. On Purpose with Jay Shetty
5. The Ben Shapiro Show

How many episodes of The Action Catalyst are there?

The Action Catalyst launched 13 years ago and published 500 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Action Catalyst?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Action Catalyst?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Action Catalyst from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Action Catalyst?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Action Catalyst. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Action Catalyst?

Recent guests on The Action Catalyst include:

1. Julie Wainwright
2. John Ruhlin
3. Lifang He
4. Gary Chapman
5. Ken Coleman
6. Rob Lilwall
7. Carlotta Thompson
8. Dianna Booher

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days