Character-Driven Life & Leadership: Training & Coaching Leadership Growth & Development

Episode 033 - The Hidden Health Hazards of Smart LED Bulbs

Welcome to Character-Driven Life & Leadership, the podcast dedicated to training and coaching leadership growth and development.

In this episode, titled "The Hidden Health Hazards of Smart LED Bulbs," we discuss Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and your health to help you understand the technology and guide you to navigate the Risks, Effects, and Protection you need in an ever-increasing wirelessly connected world.  In this episode, we confront an unseen threat and/or challenge impacting our well-being and, consequently, our ability to lead and live fully:  SMART LED Bulbs

In our modern, hyper-connected world, we are constantly immersed in invisible electromagnetic fields (EMFs) emitted by devices like Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, smart meters, and even common LED lights. These pervasive, non-ionizing energies, including extremely low frequency (ELF) and radiofrequency (RF) radiation, can significantly influence our mental clarity, energy, and restorative sleep—all critical pillars of effective leadership and a thriving life.

Join us as we explore the emerging science behind how EMF exposure can be linked to a range of symptoms and risks that undermine personal and professional performance:

• Cognitive and Neurological Impacts: From headaches, fatigue, dizziness and brain fog to difficulties with concentration, memory loss, and even altered brain electrical activity. EMFs can interfere with brain metabolism and affect the blood-brain barrier, essential for clear thinking and optimal function.
• Sleep and Mood Disruption: Discover how RF and blue light exposure, particularly in the evening, can suppress melatonin production, disrupting sleep patterns and contributing to elevated cortisol, anxiety, and irritability.
• Acute Sensitivities: For individuals with Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (EHS), symptoms like tingling or burning sensations, heart palpitations, muscle pain, and dizziness can manifest rapidly upon exposure. EHS highlights the unique biological sensitivities some individuals have to these fields.
• Long-Term Health Concerns: We'll delve into research suggesting potential long-term risks, including oxidative stress and DNA damage, impacts on reproductive health (such as reduced sperm count and increased miscarriage rates), and potential links to serious conditions like cancer (e.g., glioma and leukemia).
• Vulnerable Populations: Understand why children are particularly susceptible to EMF effects due to their developing tissues and smaller body size, underscoring the need for proactive family leadership in managing exposure.

While scientific consensus on all causal links is still evolving, a character-driven leader doesn't wait for absolute certainty when well-being is at stake. This episode empowers you with practical, actionable strategies to understand, reduce, and mitigate your EMF exposure. Learn to:

• Maximize distance from wireless devices and turn them off when not in use.
• Prioritize wired connections over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth where possible.
• Utilize EMF shielding products.
• Make informed choices about lighting, opting for flicker-free incandescent or halogen bulbs instead of smart LEDs that can constantly beacon and contribute to dirty electricity, even when "off".

Taking charge of your electromagnetic environment is a powerful act of self-leadership. Tune in to Character-Driven Life & Leadership and discover how making informed choices about EMFs can enhance your focus, restore your energy, and safeguard your health, enabling you to live and lead with greater vitality and purpose.

Love, Live, Lead and Trike On!

Coach Dane

Episode 032 - Kurt & Dane Podcast 003 Technology, Distractions & Attention Span

Attention, leaders: In this episode, we pull back the curtain on how today’s tech—especially smartphones and rapidly advancing AI—shapes our attention, cognition, and relationships. Think of it as a friendly readiness briefing for the digital battlefield: what’s helpful, what’s harmful, and what to do about it.

We start with the attention economy’s not-so-hidden costs. Since the iPhone’s 2007 debut, most of us check our phones around 80 times a day—roughly 30,000 micro-moments a year. Each ping isn’t just “a quick look.” Interruptions can cost about 25 minutes of focus, plus another 15 to regain momentum—like slamming the brakes and then flooring it… over and over. Even having a phone within eyeshot reduces cognitive horsepower. The antidotes are simple and strong: get the phone out of sight, use Do Not Disturb, and turn off nonessential notifications. Your brain will send a thank-you note.

We also unpack the health side. Late-night screens suppress melatonin and scramble sleep. Kids’ near-constant screen time correlates with rising nearsightedness and less outdoor play—cue the reminder that bodies were designed to move. We touch on concerns around electromagnetic exposure and why daylight, movement, and device-free rhythms restore the human system you’re leading with.

Then we head into AI’s fast-evolving frontier—from search engines to bots to what some call “synthetic intelligence.” Devices can now read faces and respond, and the line between “reading our minds” and influencing them is the new debate. We revisit the manipulative design patterns highlighted in The Social Dilemma and ask the leadership question: how do we protect character, privacy, and agency when algorithms know our tells better than we do?

Boundaries become the hero of the story. Like a playground fence that lets kids roam freely, clear digital guardrails create real freedom at home and at work: no phones at the dinner table, tech-free zones, device bedtimes, and sacred spaces for eye contact and physical presence. These aren’t anti-tech rules; they’re pro-human habits. Because face-to-face interactions, touch, and unfractured attention are the nutrients of healthy relationships and resilient teams.

Finally, we elevate the spiritual and social stakes. Tech that fragments empathy shrinks our capacity to serve. We explore the lure of transhumanism and the risk of losing what makes us distinctly human—then chart a better way: lead with character, protect attention like it’s mission-critical, and use technology as a tool, not a tyrant.

Your next steps: watch The Social Dilemma (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaaC57tcci0&t=2s), implement family and team boundaries, get outside, and keep learning about AI so you’re not led by it. This isn’t about fear; it’s about formation—shaping lives, families, and organizations where technology serves what matters most.

"Love, Live Lead and Trike On!,
Coach Dane"

Episode 031 - Air & Water - Unveiling Hidden Truths for a Healthier, More Purposeful Life

 

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Podcast Episode 002: Air & Water - Unveiling Hidden Truths for a Healthier, More Purposeful Life

Are you truly living your healthiest, most vibrant life? Join Kurt and Dane, two "normal woodsmen" from Northwest Wisconsin, as they challenge common assumptions and dive into the fundamental elements that sustain us: air and water. This eye-opening episode will inspire you to look deeper, act with intention, and embrace a life of wellness guided by wisdom and discernment.

In this revealing discussion, you’ll discover:

• The Gold Standard for Water: Learn why purified bottled water is often "hype" and why Reverse Osmosis is crucial for removing harmful contaminants like fluoride, chlorine, and aluminum, ensuring your family drinks the best water possible.
• Your Heart's Miraculous Power: Prepare to rethink everything you know about the heart! It’s far more than just a pump; it’s a "vortex energy generator" that transforms blood into plasma – the body’s astonishing "fourth state of water". Understand its profound connection to the Earth's electromagnetic energy and its role as an "emotional brain".
• The Invisible Threat of EMFs: Uncover the silent dangers of electromagnetic frequencies (EMFs) from 5G, Wi-Fi, and everyday devices. Learn how these frequencies disrupt your body’s natural balance and what they might be doing to the world around us, even affecting trees.
• The Hidden Hazard in Your Home Air: Follow Dane’s personal journey to uncover a surprising source of health issues – excess carbon dioxide (CO2) in his own home. This segment will motivate you to investigate the air quality in your environment and protect your well-being.

More than just scientific facts, Kurt and Dane weave in powerful spiritual insights, emphasizing the importance of obedience and action following prayer and the profound meaning behind guarding your heart, "for everything you do flows from it". They remind us that our unique bodies and the intricate world around us are not by accident.

Don't wait to gain knowledge that could transform your health and outlook! This episode is a call to personal research, proactive health, and a deeper reliance on the Lord for wisdom.

Download and listen to "Air & Water" now and take the first step towards a healthier, more discerning, and truly inspired life!

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Episode 030 - What's Really In Your Water & Toothpaste?

"Cyber Warriors" offers listeners vital insights into maintaining personal and family health in an increasingly complex world. This inaugural episode, hosted by Dane Deutsch and Kurt Gerkin, serves as a powerful call to personal research and critical thinking, equipping the audience with the tools to navigate potentially harmful information and products.

Listeners will benefit by:

• Uncovering hidden dangers in everyday products: Discover that popular toothpaste brands may contain heavy metals like mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic, prompting a re-evaluation of personal hygiene choices. The hosts also discuss alternatives like wooden toothbrushes with bore hair bristles and gargling with hydrogen peroxide.
• Gaining awareness of critical water quality issues: Understand that tap water often contains various contaminants, and government "legal limits" for water safety "haven't been updated almost 20 years". The discussion highlights concerns about plastics in bottled water and contaminants like chlorine and ammonia in tap water. Listeners will learn that "legal does not necessarily equate to safe" when it comes to water quality.
• Being empowered to conduct their own research: The hosts strongly encourage listeners to "dig in and research on their own" rather than blindly trusting authorities or narratives. This fosters a proactive approach to health and truth, especially when governmental agencies' guidelines may be outdated.
• Developing a mindset of responsible stewardship: The episode emphasizes the importance of being "good stewards" of our health, resources, and environment, reflecting a broader call to action beyond personal consumption. Kurt shares his professional background in the petroleum industry, highlighting efforts to clean and reintroduce water into natural resources, demonstrating practical stewardship.
• Cultivating discernment and character: Listeners will be encouraged to think critically and not be swayed by false narratives or confusion, sticking with facts and truth. The podcast promotes character skills like responsibility and caring as essential for individual action and for helping fellow citizens.
• Finding spiritual encouragement and hope: The discussion is grounded in faith, beginning and ending with prayer and scripture. It offers a perspective that Christ is the "living water" and ultimate source of hope and salvation, providing a spiritual foundation for navigating life's challenges and believing in humanity's value.

This episode aims to help listeners make informed decisions for their well-being, fostering a deeper understanding of both physical and spiritual health in a world where "there is a definite war against humanity right now".

Episode 027 - The Three D's of Lasting Success: Dream, Desire, Do

“The Three D’s of Lasting Success: Dream, Desire, Do”

Step into Coach Dane’s chalk-talk huddle for a punchy, fast-moving episode that drills down on the three catalytic forces behind every championship performance— Dream, Desire, and Do. Drawing vivid parallels between elite gymnastics training and everyday leadership, Dane shows listeners how to:

• Dream with precision – visualize future routines, projects, or life goals so clearly they play like highlight reels in your mind.

• Ignite Desire – fan the “why-fire” that keeps you hungry when practice gets hard, homework piles up, or critics whisper “impossible.”

• Move to Do – translate vision and passion into disciplined action, stacking tiny daily wins that compound into lasting success.

Along the way you’ll hear locker-room anecdotes, on-the-mat examples, and Coach Dane’s trademark encouragement to lead with character first. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or parent, you’ll walk away with:

• A simple three-step framework you can sketch on a napkin.

• Practical cues to re-focus when motivation dips.

• A challenge to live the Tricycle Effect™—balancing character (front wheel) with people and technical skills (back wheels) so your dreams roll straight toward reality.

Hit play, grab a notebook, and get ready to Dream big, Desire deep, and Do the work that turns potential into podiums.

Love, Live, Lead, and Trike On!
Coach Dane

P.S.- Download my pdf of this podcast here:  https://app.napkin.ai/page/CgoiCHByb2Qtb25lEiwKBFBhZ2UaJGRiZDAzNWQ5LTViZWMtNGI2Zi04ODljLWIyYzljY2U1MTllNg?s=1

Episode 026 - Master the 3 D's That Shape Champions in Life Through This Chalk Talk by Coach Dane

Master the 3 D's That Shape Champions in Life Through This Chalk Talk by Coach Dane

 

Believe it or not, some of the most powerful lessons for life and business don't come from corner offices or boardrooms. Sometimes, they come from unexpected places – like a gymnastics gym.

Coach Dane Deutsch recently gave his gymnasts a "Chalk Talk" that, while aimed at young athletes gearing up for trick season, holds profound wisdom for anyone looking to achieve a goal, start a business, or simply move beyond "plotting through life."

He laid out a simple yet potent framework: the 3 D's: Dream, Desire, and Do.

Let's break down how these apply directly to you, the adult, the aspiring entrepreneur, the goal-setter.

The Power of the 3 D's for Adults

1. Dream (Visualize)

Coach Dane emphasizes that "dream" is the same as visualize. It's not just a vague wish; it's about getting a clear picture in your head of what you want to achieve. For his gymnasts, that meant visualizing next year's routines, the tricks they wanted to nail, or the strength they wanted to build.

For you, this means clearly envisioning your business idea, your personal goal, or that next big step in your career. What does it look like when it's successful? How does it feel? You need that sharp mental image, that clear target in the future that you can almost see happening. This is the starting point.

2. Desire (Be Hungry)

The second D is Desire, and Coach Dane describes it vividly. It means to "stoke up the desire," "fan a flame of desire," and "be hungry." He clarifies this doesn't mean literally wanting food, but having a strong drive, a deep internal fire, to get something done.

This is the passion, the hunger for your dream. Without it, even the clearest vision won't lead to action. It's about cultivating an intense internal motivation, a yearning that pushes you forward. For anyone starting a business or pursuing a challenging goal, this desire is your engine, especially when things get tough.

3. Do (Take Action)

The third D is the crucial part: Do. This is the action phase. You can dream all day, but if you don't do, nothing will happen.

Coach Dane highlights how these D's are interconnected. You need to visualize (Dream) to fuel your drive (Desire). You need that drive (Desire) to motivate you to take action (Do). And if you just "do" things without a clear dream or strong desire, you're likely just "running around in circles." Your "doing" becomes aimless effort rather than focused steps towards a purpose. Your desire is the "why," and the "do" is the "how" – and the strength of your "why" directly impacts your willingness to figure out the "how" and actually do it.

A Real-World Example: Building a Business from Scratch

Coach Dane shares how this framework has been his operating principle his entire life. He first dreams or visualizes something, then checks if he has a "hunger" (desire) for it. If not, he tosses it out. If the hunger is there, he takes action and does it.

He provides a powerful example that resonates deeply with adults, especially those interested in entrepreneurship: starting his own gym with his wife, Kathy.

While living in Turkey years ago, they first visualized their big dream of having this gym. When they returned to the United States, they had "no money, no house, [and] nothing." This situation meant they "had to be hungry" (Desire) to make their dream a reality. Despite the potential for failure – recognizing it was an opportunity to succeed, they "actually took action" and "did it."

Fast forward over 35 years, and the gym is a success. But Coach Dane's definition of success goes beyond just making a living. For him, the true success lies in the "significance that we could add value" to the thousands of children and families who have come through the gym.

This story powerfully illustrates how Dream, Desire, and Do are the fundamental building blocks for achieving significant goals and creating something lasting, even starting from nothing.

Are You Just Plotting Through Life?

Coach Dane starkly contrasts this intentional approach with how he sees "most people, even adults, in this world," who are often "just plotting through life." These adults, he notes, often "don't have any real dream" and are simply focused on getting through the day or the week.

It's a challenging image, but one that prompts self-reflection. Are you actively shaping your future with a clear vision, a burning desire, and deliberate action, or are you just going through the motions?

The Challenge for You

Coach Dane's simple framework, born in a gym, is a profound reminder for all of us. To move beyond just plotting, you need:

•A clear Dream: Visualize what you truly want to build or achieve, personally or professionally. Make it a sharp mental image.

•Burning Desire: Cultivate that hunger, that deep drive for your dream. Find what gives it meaning and makes you passionate about it.

•Consistent Doing: Identify the concrete steps, even small ones, and start taking action. Let your desire fuel your efforts.

Think about any dreams you might have dismissed. How might things change if you consciously applied these three elements? Could it change what you believe is possible for you?

What's just one small, concrete step you could take today towards one of those dreams you've been holding on to? Dream it, desire it, and then, most importantly, Do it.  Trike On!

 

Want to get some coaching from Coach Dane?

3 ESSENTIAL KEYS TO BUILD CHARACTER AS YOUR COMPETITIVE LEADERSHIP ADVANTAGE https://coach.lmdc.us/3Keys

Download this asset and learn how to "TRANSFORM YOUR LEADERSHIP WITH CHARACTER AS THE FOUNDATION FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL & CEO-LEVEL SUCCESS"

You can also visit his blog at:  https://theararatconnection.blogspot.com/2025/05/unleash-your-inner-entrepreneur-3-keys.html

Or

You can also watch Coach Dane delivering his Chalk Talk: https://share.descript.com/view/fa8iAklJVha

Episode 025 - Chalk Talk on 3 Ds: Dream, Desire Do

In this “Chalk Talk” Coach Dane shares his simple but powerful 3 D formula—Dream, Desire, Do—for anyone who feels stuck or uncertain about their next level of growth.

Pain Point	How the 3 D’s Help Athletes & Adults
Lack of clear direction “I don’t know what I really want.”	Dream = Visualize. Coach shows how to picture specific routines, skills, careers, or life goals so effort has a target.
Low motivation / going through the motions	Desire = Get hungry. He explains fanning the flame of want—turning vague interest into the energy that pulls you to practice, study, or lead.
Inconsistent follow-through	Do = Act boldly. The talk frames action as the bridge between intention and progress, reminding listeners that courage beats fear of failure every time.

 

Coach illustrates the formula with his own story: returning from Turkey 35 years ago with no money but a vivid dream for a gymnastics gym, the hunger to make it real, and the willingness to act—even at the risk of failure. The result: decades of impact on thousands of young athletes.

Take-away: whether you’re chasing a new trick, a promotion, or a life purpose, combine a clear vision, relentless desire, and decisive action to convert possibility into significance.  Trike On!

Here is the transcript:

Chalk Talk on 3 D's in Gym - Dream:Desire:Do ===

[00:00:00] Okay, so for the Chalk Talk this week, I wanted to emphasize a couple of things, because now we're in trick season, right? Not in routine season. So the pressure's off right now. Now is the time when you need to visualize that means to dream. It's the same as visualize, right? You're gonna dream what you're gonna do. Mm-hmm. What is it you wanna do next year? What kind of routines do you want to do next year? What kind of tricks do you want to do next year? How strong do you want to be? All of those things. But it's also the time to really stoke up the desire. That means you gotta, you got a fan, a flame of desire, and be hungry. Lots of times I've asked you guys in the past, right, are you hungry? Right? You know, that doesn't mean eating food. That means that you have a desire to get something done, right? And the third part of this, and these are three D's, go D, right? You have the do. That's the action part. So you can have dream, but if you don't

 

[00:01:00] visualize, you can't get the other two going. If you don't have desire and you're not hungry, you could have visual all you want, but you're not gonna actually take action. And the third one is if you have a do and you don't have a dream or a desire, you probably running around in circles, right? So this is how Dane has operated all his life. If I first dream or visualize something, then I have a hunger for it. If I don't have a hunger for it, I toss it out. And then I go and I actually do it. Most people, even adults in this world, are just plotting through life. They don't have any real dream. They're just making it every day just so I can get to the end of the day or I can get to Friday, so I have Saturday and Sunday to fish or something. They don't care what's happening in between. For Kathy and I, our big dream we visualized in Turkey before we even came home, and that was to have this gym, and that was 35 years ago. So June 1st, we'll start our 36th year in this gym in this same place.

 

[00:02:00] That's a lot of time, isn't it? We've had thousands of you little critters go through this gym, right? But the bottom line is we dreamt at first, then we came home. We were hungry to do it because we had no money, no house, we had nothing. We had spent whatever we spent to get to move back to the United States from Turkey. And so we had to be hungry and then, but we actually took action. We did it. Even if we, if it was a, maybe an opportunity to fail, it was still an opportunity to also succeed. And after 35 years Yep. It was success more than that. It wasn't just successful 'cause we were able to earn a living here, it was more because of the significance that we could add value to you. Right. And to the thousands of other families and kids that came through this gym. So I want you to remember that you dream, desire, do. In other words, visualize, be hungry, and then go take action. Okay. Alright, let's have a good workout tonight. Thanks a lot. Try on. Alright.

Episode 024 - How to Crush Imposter Syndrome and Lead with Character-Driven Confidence

This podcast is a compelling guide for leaders who want to transform their leadership style by prioritizing character. It begins with a thought-provoking question: Are you ready to become the leader everyone wants to follow? and introduces a powerful story from the Coach-Ability book, illustrating how character-driven leadership can turn a struggling leader into an admired and trusted one.

The post presents The Tricycle Effect, a leadership framework designed to help individuals develop character, competence, and courage—the essential components of lasting leadership success. Readers will discover how leading with integrity, authenticity, and trust attracts success, fosters loyalty, and creates high-performing teams.

Throughout this podcast, engaging concepts: Character, Leadership, and the Tricycle Framework, make it easy to grasp and apply. Actionable steps are provided, including a Return on Character (ROC) assessment, access to The Tricycle Effect resources, and participation in coaching and peer support sessions.

This podcast concludes with a strong call to action, encouraging readers to take the first step toward their leadership transformation by enrolling in LMDC Academy. It’s an invitation to build a leadership legacy through character-first habits, backed by expert guidance and community support.

To get your Free 90-Day Character-driven Leadership Blueprint today!

Trike On!

Episode 023 - The Power Of Authentic Leadership: Dane Deutsch's Exclusive Interview With James R. Elliot

Dane Deutsch Interviews James R. Elliot on the Power and Importance of Authenticity in Leadership.

James R. Elliot is a globally acclaimed best-selling author, speaker, and trainer with over 20 years of experience. He leads several programs at Unleash Your Power, including:

• Advanced NLP Training & Certification
• Life Coaching Training & Certification
• Business Coach Program
• Corporate Training Program

He is also a keynote speaker. James is described as an accomplished leader and trainer in the fields of leadership, communication, confidence, influence, rapport and persuasion. He offers personalized 1-on-1 support and uses exclusive coaching tools.

His programs aim to help people achieve personal and professional growth, become strategic business leaders, and transform corporate environments

His website is: https://unleashyourpower.com/

Episode 022 - Developing The Character of a Winner

In this insightful episode, host Dane dives into John Maxwell’s principles on developing the character of a winner. Tailored for C-Level executives, the podcast explores how values-driven leadership can transform your life and organization. From Truett Cathy’s “better before bigger” philosophy to redefining success on your own terms, this episode is packed with logical insights, emotional depth, and a primal call for meaning. Listen in to discover how to build a legacy of character and resilience.

This podcast was developed using some of the Character-driven Leadership principles, values, and character skills from Developing the Character of a Winner (Maxwell Leadership Podcast).

In addition, Dane adds even more value to you, by weaving in the need for Character to be our Foundation of Leadership by referring to The Tricycle Effect in his book, Coach-Ability and The Tricycle Effect:  Coaching Character as the Foundation of Leadership.

Original John Maxwell Podcast with Mark Cole and Traci Morrow: YouTube
Change Your World Course Offer: John Maxwell Academy

Thanks for tuning in! This is Dane, reminding you to lead with character first.

Trike On!