This one’s different. No single topic—just trigger words to spark honest conversation. We riff on ladders (and why the corporate kind rarely fits), trade-offs vs fair exchange, absence and being there but not present, and hunger—the kind that fuels meaningful work rather than empty chasing.

Expect quick hits, reframes, and practical takeaways you can apply today.

In this episode:

· Ladders: make sure it’s against the right wall—or ditch the ladder altogether

· Trade-offs vs Fair Exchange: stop “sacrificing”; start designing value on both sides

· Absence: how phones fracture presence—and simple habits to win your attention back

· Hunger: why intention matters (neediness vs purpose) and the 5 Whys that reveal your real driver

Try this (2 prompts):

1. Where am I climbing a ladder I don’t even want?

2. Ask the 5 Whys about a current goal—keep drilling until you hit the core motive.

Chapters
0:00 Cold open & format switch
1:22 Word #1 – Ladders (careers without the climb)
7:05 Word #2 – Trade-offs → Fair exchange
14:10 Word #3 – Absence (present but not present)
22:40 Phone habits that actually work
28:55 Word #4 – Hunger (Les Brown’s “You gotta be hungry”)
36:30 Intention vs chasing; the void you’re trying to fill
43:10 The 5 Whys & Russian-doll test
47:20 Takeaways & your next micro-move

If this resonated:

· Subscribe for straight-talk on business, mindset, and meaning—without the fluff.

· Comment: Which word hit hardest for you—ladders, trade-offs, absence, or hunger? Why?

· Share with someone who’s climbing fast but not sure it’s the right wall.

New episodes drop weekly – so make sure to follow or subscribe to stay up to date.

Got thoughts, questions, or a topic you'd love us to explore? We'd love to hear from you.
Reach out to us at:

[email protected]

Paul Davis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldavisdublin/

Andrew Rhatigan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrhatigan/