In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Rory O’Neill—emergency physician, coach, and creator of the Coach Rory Soccer YouTube channel (with more than 50,000 subscribers). Rory blends the discipline of medicine with the craft of player development, offering a rare dual perspective on learning, leadership, and what’s broken in U.S. youth soccer.

They discuss how early habits from baseball shaped Rory’s approach to medicine and coaching, why building from the back isn’t just a tactic but a philosophy of learning, and how systemic incentives—money, structure, and culture—are distorting development in the U.S. game.

From the economics of clubs to the myths of burnout and multi-sport participation, Rory unpacks what he calls “the matrix” of American soccer and why true progress may depend less on talent than on how—and why—we teach.

Topics Explored

 * How baseball and discipline shaped Rory’s medical and coaching philosophies
 * Why player development in the U.S. is structurally misaligned
 * The hidden incentives driving youth clubs and closed-league systems
 * What “promotion and relegation” actually mean for development
 * Objective vs. subjective measures of progress in coaching
 * The myth of burnout and the debate over single-sport specialization
 * How cultural context (Argentina, Iceland, England) changes the meaning of “fun” and “work” in youth sports
 * What it really means to “wake up and see the matrix” of American soccer

Links

 * Rory O’Neill’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@CoachRorySoccer
 * Rory’s club Keystone FC: https://www.keystonefc.com [https://www.keystonefc.com/]
 * Rory’s corners video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EWg8v6PUp8
 * Rory’s 3Four3 podcast appearances: https://343coaching.com/podcast/soccer-by-3four3/ep-344-rory-oneill-how-to-discern-well-coached-teams-from-the-rest/ & https://343coaching.com/podcast/soccer-by-3four3/ep-367-us-coaching-licenses-another-credentialism-scam-or-education/
 * How UEFA is funded: https://www.uefa.com/running-competitions/financial-distribution/our-business-model/
 * Rory’s video “The Do’s and Don’ts of Soccer Parenting”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLRkOW-v-ck

For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

Rory O’Neill: Inside the Matrix of American Youth Soccer

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Jeff Meredith, Associate Creative Director at RKD Group and longtime writer for rescue missions across the U.S. Over the past two decades, Jeff has interviewed more than a thousand people who’ve experienced homelessness, addiction, and recovery—gaining rare insight into what drives collapse and what makes renewal possible.

Jeff shares what he’s learned from the front lines of homelessness: how family breakdown, trauma, and addiction often intersect; why accountability and forgiveness are essential to recovery; and what the most successful rescue missions do differently. This is a grounded, compassionate look at the human stories behind one of America’s most complex social challenges.

Topics Explored

 * The changing face of homelessness—and why women are now the fastest-growing group
 * What drives addiction and how recovery really works
 * How childhood trauma and family breakdown shape adult outcomes
 * The interplay of mental illness, accountability, and hope
 * Why recovery requires both compassion and structure
 * How faith-based missions rebuild lives physically, emotionally, and spiritually

Links

 * Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-meredith-ab97b34/
 * Episode with Andy Bales: https://unfoldingthought.com/20-andy-bales-from-poverty-to-purpose/
 * The Biology of Desire: Why Addiction Is Not a Disease: https://amzn.to/4nl7MTa
 * $2.00 a Day: Living on Almost Nothing in America: https://amzn.to/46yZPEk

For more episodes: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

Jeff Meredith: The Stories Behind Homelessness

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Bob Hoffman — author of Adscam and The Ad Contrarian — about the uncomfortable truths at the heart of digital advertising.

Bob explains how adtech evolved into one of the largest surveillance systems ever built, why marketers mistake data quantity for quality, and how political deregulation is quietly eroding online privacy.

They unpack the illusion of precision in behavioral targeting, the billions lost to fraud and waste, and why empathy and ethics—not algorithms—may be the only path to rebuilding trust between brands and the public.

Topics Explored

 * How real-time bidding turns personal data into a global broadcast
 * Why the online ad economy rewards fraud more than performance
 * The quiet rollback of digital-privacy protections in the U.S.
 * How measurement and “attribution” distort both marketing and democracy
 * What Arielle Garcia’s revelations say about Google’s control of ad trade groups
 * Why marketers keep believing in bad numbers
 * What honest advertising might look like in a post-surveillance world

Links

 * Bob’s website – https://www.bobhoffmanswebsite.com [https://www.bobhoffmanswebsite.com/]
 * Irish Council for Civil Liberties report on real-time bidding – https://www.iccl.ie/news/iccl-report-on-the-scale-of-real-time-bidding-data-broadcasts-in-the-u-s-and-europe/
 * Arielle Garcia article – https://www.mi-3.com.au/18-06-2024/ex-um-privacy-chief-lifts-lid-google-has-captured-trade-associations-and-holdcos
 * Pentagon Pizza Twitter story – https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/16/pentagon-pizza-account-israel-iran-attack/84229144007/
 * Don McMillan video, How Marketers Twist Statistics – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbOpD2b55s4

For more episodes, visit unfoldingthought.com [http://unfoldingthought.com/]

Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

The Ad Contrarian, Bob Hoffman: How Marketing Lost Its Mind

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Martin Bihl — writer, strategist, podcaster, and self-described “recovering ad man.” Known for his sharp wit and reflective takes on marketing, media, and the human condition, Martin challenges conventional thinking about creativity, capitalism, and the culture of business.

The conversation explores how advertising both reflects and shapes our shared values — from branded playgrounds to the myth of the “creative genius.” Martin shares his experience navigating agency life, why he created The Agency Review to critique the industry from within, and how his contrarian curiosity fuels his writing and podcast You’re On Mute.

Together, they discuss the interplay between thinking and doing, why “strategy” has become theater, and what we might learn by viewing business less as a machine and more as a story — one that tells us who we are and what we believe.

Topics Explored

 * Why marketing isn’t just persuasion — it’s identity construction
 * How capitalism commodifies attention, meaning, and play
 * The myth of the “creative” and the illusion of originality
 * Why the line between art, commerce, and morality keeps blurring
 * The difference between thinking strategically and theatrically
 * How irony and sincerity coexist in modern branding
 * The role of critique — and why we need more of it inside the industry

Links

 * Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbihl/
 * Visit Martin’s website: https://www.martinbihl.com [https://www.martinbihl.com/]
 * The Agency Review: https://the-agency-review.com [https://the-agency-review.com/]
 * Martin’s article on thinking and doing: https://www.martinbihl.com/business-thinking/i-think-i-can-alternative-business-strategy
 * McDonald’s milkshake story by Clayton Christensen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXYm-CVzPQ0
 * You’re On Mute podcast: https://www.martinbihl.com/youreonmutethepodcast

For More Episodes

Visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

Martin Bihl: This Playground Brought to You by Miller Brewing Company

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Neen James—leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and author of Attention Pays and the soon-to-be-released Exceptional Experiences. Known for her “sassy Aussie energy” and straight-talk frameworks, Neen challenges traditional ideas of luxury, arguing that it’s not about money or things but about moments of human connection.

She explains the research behind the four luxury mindsets, why empathy and conscientiousness matter for leadership, and how small, repeatable acts of attention can create what she calls “champagne moments.” From systemizing thoughtfulness in everyday life to thinking like a concierge instead of a bellhop, Neen reveals practical ways to elevate both client experiences and team culture.

Topics Explored:

 * Why luxury is less about expense and more about experience
 * The four luxury mindsets and how they shape behavior
 * How empathy and attention underpin exceptional experiences
 * The role of conscientiousness and systemized thoughtfulness
 * Scaling luxury: making exceptional experiences profitable and practical
 * Creating “champagne moments” in daily leadership and life

Links:

 * Pre-order Neen’s book Exceptional Experiences: https://neenjames.com/books/
 * Get Neen’s first book Folding Time for free: https://neenjames.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Book-Folding-Time-NeenJames.pdf
 * Find all of Neen’s research and resources about luxury mindsets: https://luxuryisamindset.com [https://luxuryisamindset.com/]
 * The Business Meditations Neen mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
 * The discussion with Alan Fine: https://unfoldingthought.com/28-alan-fine-exploring-the-inner-game-to-grow/

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

Neen James: Creating #ChampagneMoments and Redefining Luxury

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Tara Hamberger, founder and CEO of RootedCare+, about her mission to provide 24/7, text-based support to unpaid family caregivers.

Tara shares the personal caregiving experiences that led her to launch RootedCare+, why she chose SMS over apps, and how Roo, their compassionate AI assistant, delivers emotional support, resource guidance, and even microgrants. She explains the challenges of designing AI for empathy, the importance of accessibility in tech for caregivers, and how RootedCare+’s funding model directly fuels aid for those who need it most.

Topics Explored:

 * How personal caregiving challenges shaped the creation of RootedCare+
 * Designing emotionally intelligent AI that can respond in real time
 * Why SMS can be the most accessible tech for overstretched caregivers
 * The role of microgrants in preventing burnout and sustaining care
 * Building a social enterprise that reinvests in the community it serves

Links:

 * Connect with Tara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taraliana/
 * Learn more about RootedCare+: https://rootedcare.plus [https://rootedcare.plus/]
 * Study on poverty impeding cognitive function: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1238041
 * Check out the discussion with Juli Rush about grief and the death of the future: https://unfoldingthought.com/21-juli-rush-foresight-grief-and-the-courage-to-let-futures-end/

Have a recommendation? A question? Contact Eric: eric@inboundandagile.com

Tara Hamberger: Building AI-Powered Support for Family Caregivers

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Rob Gallaher about the profit sharing system he built after starting and scaling multiple businesses. Rob walks through his early missteps with quarterly bonuses, why behavior did not change, and the simple changes that did move the needle: monthly payouts, a meaningful minimum threshold, and consistent communication that teaches people how daily decisions affect profit. He explains how to align owners and teams, what to show the team, and how profit sharing can free an owner to step back without the business slipping.

Topics Explored:

 * Why traditional bonuses fail to change behavior
 * The three pillars that make profit sharing work: a regular cadence, a real-dollar threshold, and strategic communication
 * Showing the team job profit percentages and using that data to learn and improve together
 * Turning “clock punchers” into profit-minded decision makers
 * Implementing in months instead of years and avoiding common mistakes
 * How the right system lets owners step away without chaos

Links:

 * Rob Gallaher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertgallaher/
 * Rob Gallaher on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertgallaher/
 * Rob’s website: https://profitx.co [https://profitx.co/]
 * Gallaher Company: http://gallaherco.com [http://gallaherco.com/]
 * Rob’s book: Profit Sharing: The Power of Shared Success https://amzn.to/47wVbHL
 * Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell: https://amzn.to/3IoQlCj
 * Study on ready fiction influencing empathy: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3559433/

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Questions or guest ideas: eric@inboundandagile.com

Rob Gallaher: Profit Sharing That Helps Employees Think Like Owners

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Colman Swisher, former CIO of an international healthcare logistics company, about his unexpected journey from being the first technology hire to leading a fight against private equity–driven decisions.

Colman shares how he built critical systems from the ground up—transforming operations that once ran on little more than email into a fully integrated, data-driven logistics network. He explains what it’s like to navigate the high-stakes world of medical supply chain, why private equity ownership can create systemic risk, and how values-based leadership can hold the line against purely financial motives.

Topics Explored:

 * Building tech infrastructure in a mission-critical industry from scratch
 * The unique pressures of transporting life-saving medical products
 * How private equity can undermine operational stability
 * Strategies for resisting short-termism while protecting customers and teams
 * Lessons in leadership from scaling a high-stakes logistics business

Links:

 * Connect with Colman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colman-swisher/
 * Check out Colman’s business Boldr Futures: https://boldrfutures.com [https://boldrfutures.com/]
 * Listen to the conversation with Colman’s business partner Jeremy Nulik: https://unfoldingthought.com/jeremy-nulik-how-vision-shapes-strategy/
 * Check out Value Builder: https://valuebuilder.com [https://valuebuilder.com/]

Have a recommendation? A question? Contact Eric: eric@inboundandagile.com

Colman Swisher: From CIO to Fighting Private Equity

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Shawn Kemp, a product leader, startup advisor, and artist whose journey spans the worlds of technology, entrepreneurship, and creative expression. From his early days at Microsoft working on Xbox and Silverlight, to co-founding mission-driven companies and engaging deeply with food systems and transparency, Shawn brings a rare blend of systems thinking and emotional insight.

Shawn opens up about the impact of early trauma, the pursuit of success, and the ways he’s learned to prioritize meaning and presence over prestige. He shares his current focus on creativity—not as a career pivot, but as an honest way to process and express the messiness of life.

Topics Explored:

 * Reconciling Past and Present: How early experiences shape identity
 * Creativity as Meaning-Making: Art as a tool, not just an output
 * Food Systems and Transparency
 * Letting Go of Performative Success and Pursuing Fulfillment

Links:

 * Connect with Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnkemp/
 * Shawn’s art: https://shawnkemp.art [https://shawnkemp.art/]
 * The Non-GMO Project: https://www.nongmoproject.org [https://www.nongmoproject.org/]
 * The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls: https://amzn.to/45XbkW8
 * Educated by Tara Westover: https://amzn.to/4e9aOqj
 * J Allard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jallard529/
 * Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakshmigopalkrishnan/
 * Bext360: https://www.bext360.com/
 * Clarence Birdseye: https://amzn.to/3TsCg8O
 * No More Gold Stars: https://amzn.to/3TsNJ8k

For more episodes, visit: https://unfoldingthought.com [https://unfoldingthought.com/]

Join the conversation by emailing Eric at: eric@inboundandagile.com

Shawn Kemp: From Xbox to Facebook to Blockchain to Art to Non-GMO

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Eric Pratum speaks with Bob Knorpp, consultant, speaker, and longtime host of The Beancast, one of the earliest and longest-running marketing podcasts. Bob brings a sharp perspective on how podcasting, advertising, and marketing have evolved over the last two decades—and what hasn’t changed.

Bob shares his journey from agency life to running a consultancy and hosting a podcast that has endured since 2008. He explains why format and consistency matter more than chasing trends, why authenticity always beats adtech gimmicks, and why we should think differently about metrics—shifting from scale to influence, from quick wins to long-term impact.

We also explore mental models behind podcasting and marketing: why executives misunderstand podcasts as a “numbers game,” how creators can navigate between art and business, and what it really means to build an audience today.

Topics Explored:

 * Bob’s journey from agency CEO to podcast host and consultant
 * Why The Beancast has endured with minimal format changes since 2008
 * The tension between scale, influence, and long-term success in podcasting
 * Why authentic host-read ads outperform pixel-driven dynamic ads
 * The trap of executives demanding short-term ROI from long-form mediums
 * How audience commitment differs between podcasts and social media
 * Mental models: how marketers and business leaders frame (and often misframe) the value of podcasts

Links:

 * Visit Bob’s website: https://www.thebeancast.com [https://www.thebeancast.com/]
 * Connect with Bob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/knorpp/

Bob Knorpp: What 17 Years of Podcasting Teaches You

The Unfolding Thought Podcast asks a provocative question: Why do we—and the groups we form—think and act the way we do? Although we may feel we understand ourselves and others, much of what drives our thoughts, choices, and behaviors remains hidden or overlooked. Through candid discussions and multi-disciplinary explorations, we reveal those unseen forces—biases, contexts, and patterns—and show how they influence individual and collective dynamics.

If you’re a leader or an intellectually curious mind looking for deep, high-value conversations, join us. We’ll challenge common assumptions, illuminate new perspectives, and spark meaningful change—helping you navigate relationships with greater clarity, innovate with confidence, and connect more authentically with those around you.

Eric Pratum

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