The United States of the mid 19th century is ripe with stories of timeless legends and colorful characters who defined the Great American West. Cowboys, lawmen, and men in black hats clashing at the O.K. Corral or dueling in the dusty streets of Virginia City continue to capture our imagination. When we picture the Wild West, we see a man on horseback—but no cowboy walked those streets without a gun. Most likely, he carried a very distinctive long-barreled revolver called the Colt 45, more widely known as the Colt Peacemaker. No gun in the Old West left such an indelible mark. It was said that “God made man, but Sam Colt made them equal.” Why it was called the Peacemaker and the “Great Equalizer” relates to business and market dominance today just as a cowboy relates to his boots. The Colt 45 leveled the competitive playing field because it equalized the relationship among fighting males—especially in the strong honor culture of the Old West, where discipline was enforced through one-on-one combat deriving from even the faintest slight. The reason people used to be more polite back then wasn’t because they were nicer—it’s because you might get killed otherwise. And that, as co-host Chris Beall would say, was considered to be a great inconvenience.
Tessa Burg and her guest, Troy Snyder, challenge AI engines to stop playing a dangerous game of telephone with brand messages in this essential Leader Generation episode. Drawing from Eastern astrology and hard-won battles with Google’s algorithm changes, they make the case that authenticity is sustainable while manipulation is not—a warning every marketer needs to hear.
Deborah Fell sits down with Chet Czaplicka, the nurse-turned-CEO who built the world’s largest perfusion company—and keeps turning down millions from private equity buyers. Perfusionists are the people who literally become your heart and lungs during surgery, and Chet’s 42-year mission has been to perfect this life-saving science. His reason for not cashing out? “I wasn’t put on this earth to buy a yacht”—he’d rather measure success in fewer strokes, reduced kidney injuries, and patients who make it home. A fascinating look at a profession most of us never knew existed, and a CEO who puts purpose before profit every single time.
Deacon Brett gave us a message about restoration over retribution. John and his disciples in today’s gospel are confused because Jesus comes bringing not retribution, but restoration. Thankfully, God doesn’t think like we do. The world’s retribution may still come for those who reject Jesus, but for those who trust him, there is healing; hope; restoration. God’s intention is that we not walk alone; that we not wander, lost in the darkness. He comes to meet us, making a path for us to restore our well-being and our wholeness. All you have to do is make some room, open your heart to God, and see what He does.
We hope you enjoy this playlist of our favorite episodes of the week.
