The difference between great leaders and everyone else isn’t talent. It’s how they show up when the pressure is on.

In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with Dr. Amy Athey, performance psychologist, executive coach, former collegiate athlete, and founder of AT Performance, to explore what it really takes to perform at your best in the moments that matter most.

Drawing from more than 20 years of experience working with elite athletes, military special operations teams, executives, and high-performing organizations, Dr. Amy shares the science behind resilience, emotional regulation, leadership presence, and sustainable high performance. Together, Joel and Amy unpack why so many leaders struggle under pressure and how intentional preparation can transform the way we lead, communicate, and connect.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why emotional regulation is a leadership superpower
• How great leaders maintain composure during difficult conversations
• The role of breathing, recovery, and self-awareness in peak performance
• Why business leaders should practice leadership the same way athletes practice their sport
• How to build confidence through preparation instead of relying on talent alone
• The four keys to becoming “moment ready”: composure, clarity, connection, and courageous action
• Why sleep, recovery, and renewal are critical to long-term leadership success

Dr. Amy also shares lessons from her work in crisis psychology, collegiate athletics, military performance programs, and executive coaching, offering practical tools leaders can use immediately to improve decision-making, communication, and resilience.

Because leadership isn’t measured when things are easy.
It’s revealed in the moments that matter most.

When leaders learn to regulate their emotions, connect with purpose, and prepare intentionally, they create trust, inspire confidence, and perform at a higher level.

Lean in — and tell me more.

Connect with Joel:
LinkedIn: Joel Worthington
Instagram: @joelworthington

Connect with Dr. Amy Athey:
Website: ATPerformance.com
LinkedIn: Amy Athey
Instagram: @DrAmyAthey

The best leaders don’t have all the answers — they ask better questions.

In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with franchise industry powerhouse Mary Thompson, CEO of BNI and former COO of Neighborly, for a masterclass on leadership, growth, culture, and influence. Drawing from decades of experience leading franchise organizations, scaling businesses, and developing high-performing teams, Mary shares the leadership lessons that transformed her from a tactical operator into a visionary CEO.

Together, Joel and Mary unpack why leadership is not about titles, authority, or having the quickest answer — it’s about creating clarity, asking compelling questions, listening deeply, and helping people grow into their potential. From “bottom line up front” leadership to building cultures rooted in accountability and trust, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for leaders at every level.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why leadership is about influence, not position
• How asking better questions creates better leaders
• Why “Tell Me More” is one of the most powerful phrases in leadership
• The difference between tactical leadership and visionary leadership
• How great leaders build culture through values, curiosity, and accountability
• Why leaders must allow people to “fail forward” in order to grow
• How to create employee engagement by helping people see where they fit

Mary also shares hard-earned lessons from leading major franchise organizations, scaling teams through rapid growth, and learning how to slow down, listen, and lead with intentionality.

Because leadership isn’t about controlling people.
It’s about equipping them, inspiring them, and helping them become more than they thought possible.

Lean in — and tell me more.

Host:
Joel Worthington

Guest:
Mary Thompson — CEO of BNI, Former COO of Neighborly, Former Chair of the International Franchise Association

Show:
Tell Me More

Connect with Joel:
LinkedIn: Joel Worthington
Instagram: @joelworthington

Connect with Mary Thompson:
BNI: BNI.com

The biggest leadership failures rarely come from bad intentions. They come from leaders who stop asking questions.

In this episode of Tell Me More, Joel Worthington sits down with nationally recognized trial attorney and entrepreneur Parag Amin to unpack the deep connection between leadership, influence, trust, decision-making, and human psychology. After recovering more than $280 million for clients and building a highly successful law practice from scratch, Parag shares the leadership lessons he’s learned from the courtroom — and why they apply directly to business, culture, and organizational success.

From jury selection and persuasion to hiring, accountability, due diligence, and difficult conversations, Joel and Parag explore how great leaders build trust, influence teams, and avoid the blind spots that destroy businesses.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why great leaders ask hard questions — especially of themselves
• How poor due diligence destroys businesses and relationships
• The leadership danger of overconfidence and the Dunning-Kruger Effect
• Why trust, credibility, and integrity are everything in leadership
• How influence works in courtrooms, boardrooms, and team meetings
• Why employees and teams behave like juries
• How leaders lose people when they rely on authority instead of persuasion
• Why successful teams are built through belief, culture, and accountability

Parag also shares powerful lessons from growing his law firm, leading high-performing teams, and helping entrepreneurs avoid legal and leadership mistakes that can cost them everything.

Because leadership isn’t about forcing people to follow you.
It’s about earning trust, building credibility, and winning people over through authenticity and preparation.

Lean in — and tell me more.

Host:
Joel Worthington

Guest:
Parag Amin — Trial Attorney, Entrepreneur & Author of The Entrepreneur’s Legal Playbook

Show:
Tell Me More

Connect with Joel:
LinkedIn: Joel Worthington
Instagram: @joelworthington

Connect with Parag Amin:
Website: ParagAminLaw.com
Book: The Entrepreneur’s Legal Playbook