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The storm is coming. In this timely edition of Inconvenient Ideas, veteran broadcaster and business performance coach Stan Hustad uses an approaching coastal storm as a living metaphor for the forces already gathering around individuals, leaders, businesses, and institutions. His message is neither an invitation to panic nor a promise of easy escape. It is a call to prepare: to become spiritually grounded, emotionally resilient, technologically capable, and creatively ready for a world in which yesterday's methods may no longer be enough. The episode moves from the Jewish holy days to the shoreline, from world affairs to artificial intelligence, and from the power of naming to the future of streaming digital media. At every turn, Hustad returns to one central conviction: storms reveal what people have built inside themselves. Those who learn to face the waves with wisdom, insight, truth, humility, and courage can do more than survive. They can create the kind of transformation the coming year will require. A

Artificial intelligence may be changing the world, but Stan Hustad believes the most important question is far more personal: What will it change in you, and what will you choose to do with it? In this timely edition from the What It Takes Radio Company, Stan the Radio Man steps into the controversy surrounding artificial intelligence with curiosity, humor, faith, and a broadcaster's instinct for asking the question beneath the headlines. Will AI improve human performance or diminish human purpose? Will it expand creativity or encourage intellectual laziness? Will it help people serve their audiences more effectively, or merely fill the world with more noise? For Stan, the answer will not be determined by the technology alone. It will be determined by the wisdom, character, imagination, and intentions of the people using it. Between Fear and Fascination The program was recorded during the Jewish tradition's Days of Awe, the reflective season between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It is a time associated with e

September 1 was Transformation Day. September 3 may be even more important. Because declaring a day is relatively easy. Living a transformed life is something else entirely. In this special edition of What It Takes Radio, broadcaster, coach and entrepreneur Stan Hustad follows the first annual Transformation Day with a very personal invitation: THIS IS FOR YOU. It is an invitation to enter what Hustad calls The Transformation Zone — a growing community and conversation for people who are no longer satisfied merely making things a little better. They want to become different. And perhaps help make their businesses, organizations, communities and world different as well. From Transformation Day to the Transformation Zone On September 1, Hustad and a colleague informally declared the first Transformation Day — a day intended to become an annual opportunity to stop, think and ask whether this might finally be the time to pursue meaningful transformation. Transformation in a life. Transformation in a business. Tra

What Does Jesus Look Like? Dolly Parton understood something that every entrepreneur, broadcaster, leader, and communicator eventually learns: Image is not everything—but it is the first thing. In this timely and thought-provoking edition of the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective, Stan Hustad—"Stan the Radio Man"—begins with the passing of one of America's most recognizable performers, entrepreneurs, and generous public figures. Dolly Parton died on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. The media response was immediate and enormous. Her passing became one of those major stories that, in broadcasting language, "takes all the oxygen out of the room." That observation becomes Stan's first practical lesson for anyone trying to communicate through modern media: every message enters a crowded marketplace. Even an excellent program, article, podcast, product, or proposal competes with hundreds of other stories for the public's attention. Good communicators therefore must pay attention not only to what they say, but also to

September 1 has a new designation. At least it does if Stan Hustad has anything to say about it. The longtime broadcaster, teacher, business performance coach—and increasingly self-described "Transformation Man"—has decided that September 1 should become Transformation Day. Call it T-Day. Not an official government holiday. No banks will close. The mail will probably still arrive. And nobody is required to buy a greeting card. But perhaps it is a day worth taking seriously. In this special edition of What It Takes Radio and The Transformation Zone, Stan makes the case that September 1 is an unusually appropriate moment to stop, look at our lives, and ask a deceptively difficult question: What needs to be transformed? WHY SEPTEMBER 1? There is something naturally transitional about the beginning of September. Summer vacations are ending. Schools are reopening. Businesses begin moving toward the final stretch of the year. Labor Day reminds us about work and those who do it. Autumn approaches. For many people, S

There was a time when a very young Stan Hustad climbed onto the kitchen counter and peered behind the family radio. His mother asked what he was doing. He was looking for the people in the radio. He could hear their voices. Surely they had to be in there somewhere. Decades later, Hustad became one of them. That childhood story opens this edition of Inconvenient Ideas, but the program is not really about nostalgia. It is about the future - and an inconvenient proposition: In an AI world, perhaps more people need to learn how to be "radio people." Not necessarily professional broadcasters, but people who can tell a story, communicate an idea, speak into a microphone, look into a camera, create an audience and make themselves heard. RADIO'S SECRET WEAPON Hustad's fascination with radio began in childhood, grew through shortwave and amateur radio, and eventually helped change his career. After more than a decade as a teacher, he went to broadcasting school at night and began a journey through international rad

A Jesus Entrepreneur Collective Commentary with Stan Hustad   There is a version of Jesus that almost everybody can live with. Gentle Jesus. Welcoming Jesus. Compassionate Jesus. Jesus with the children gathered around him. Jesus healing the sick, feeding the hungry, forgiving sinners and telling frightened people not to be afraid. That Jesus is real. But he is not the whole Jesus. And in this challenging edition of the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective, Stan Hustad asks his audience to confront another side of Jesus—the strong, courageous, sometimes confrontational Jesus who was willing to say things that made powerful people uncomfortable. This is Jesus, the Man of the Millstone. And his warning concerning the vulnerable—especially children—is difficult to dismiss. Jesus said that whoever causes one of the "little ones" to stumble would be better off having a great millstone hung around his neck and being cast into the sea. Those are not gentle words. They are not politically convenient words. And they certainl

There is a whole lot of worrying, waiting and wondering going on. After taking something he rarely takes—a real vacation—Stan Hustad returned to Inconvenient Ideas with five days away from television, computers and the daily digital noise. The occasion was a significant wedding anniversary, celebrated with his wife, Karen, along the North Carolina coast. It also came after a difficult season marked by loss, uncertainty and reminders that life can change very quickly. Perhaps that is why a few days away produced something more valuable than rest: perspective. Stan returned not pretending that the world had suddenly become easier, but recognizing that, despite difficulties, obstacles and a few genuinely frightening possibilities, he was still living in what he calls a POA—a Place of Opportunity. And then he turned the television and computer back on. Welcome back to the world of worrying. Worrying, Waiting, Wondering—and Wishing Stan noticed four activities consuming an extraordinary amount of human energy: Wor

Why Seeing Jesus Through the Eyes of an Entrepreneur Could Change Your Life, Business, and Calling This expanded feature article is designed for publication, distribution, teaching, and discussion within the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective. It explores one of the central ideas of the episode: many people know Jesus as a religious figure but have never seriously considered Him as an extraordinary communicator, leader, craftsman, entrepreneur, and builder of people. A Remark Worth Remembering During a business presentation, a young businessman approached Stan Hustad and said, 'I didn't know Jesus was that smart.' What sounded awkward became a profound insight. Many people separate faith from the marketplace. This episode invites us to reconnect them. Rediscovering Jesus Throughout the program Stan argues that Jesus understood people, stories, leadership, influence, timing, service, courage, reputation, and purpose. These are not merely religious ideas; they are the foundations of flourishing organizations and mea

Two men about Stan's age died within days of one another. One was a lifelong friend. The other was his own brother. Their passing became more than heartbreaking news—it became a deeply personal reminder that every one of us is living on borrowed time. In this thoughtful and surprisingly hopeful episode of Inconvenient Ideas, Stan reflects on those losses and asks a question that most of us avoid: How do we become fully alive before our lives come to an end? Drawing on the wisdom of philosopher and theologian Howard Thurman, Stan explores the difference between merely paying the bills and discovering the work that truly makes us come alive. Rather than focusing on death itself, this conversation turns toward purpose, calling, relationships, and what may become the most meaningful years of our lives. Along the way he introduces a new idea—the upcoming Encore Zone—designed especially for those entering the later chapters of life who believe their greatest contribution may still lie ahead. Whether you are tw

"You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." — James 4:14 By all public accounts, Senator Graham had returned from Ukraine, was planning to appear on television the next morning, had spoken with President Trump only hours before, and reportedly mentioned only that he was 'tired.' Within hours, he had died from what preliminary reports identify as an aortic dissection. That is what I have called a MOM — Moment of Mortality. The idea reaches far beyond a single event. MOM is a memorable acronym that could become a recurring feature. Almost every week there is some public event that reminds us how fragile life is—not to frighten people, but to awaken them. Farrah Fawcett is another powerful illustration. Millions remember the famous poster that hung on bedroom walls in the 1970s. She represented youth, beauty, fame, and success. Yet she died in 2009 at only sixty-two after a long battle with cancer. Her story reminds us that w

There are certain phrases from sports that stay with us long after the game is over. One of those phrases is "high, hard, and inside." Baseball fans know exactly what it means. It is the pitch that comes fast. It comes close. It gets your attention. It makes you step back. And sometimes it changes everything. In this episode of The Transformation Zone, I share a baseball story that begins with a treasured baseball, moves through memories of growing up as a Chicago Cubs fan, includes an unexpected connection to Hall of Fame pitcher Juan Marichal, and eventually arrives at a powerful lesson about life itself. Because sometimes the things that transform us most are not the things we planned. Sometimes transformation arrives disguised as difficulty. Sometimes it arrives disguised as disappointment. Sometimes it arrives as a pitch that comes high, hard, and inside. A Baseball Story That Became a Life Lesson The program begins with family stories and baseball memories. There is the family legend that

As millions of Americans celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, family gatherings, and patriotic festivities, broadcaster and transformation coach Stan Hustad invites listeners to see the holiday through an entirely different lens. In this warm and engaging episode of The Transformation Zone, a simple story about a frightened rescue dog becomes an unforgettable metaphor for the emotional and spiritual storms that every person eventually faces. The result is an episode that begins with laughter, moves toward reflection, and concludes with genuine hope. A Story Every Pet Owner Understands Stan begins with an observation familiar to almost every dog owner. While people eagerly anticipate fireworks, many dogs experience them as terrifying explosions. His own beloved rescue dog, Jackson, dreaded every Fourth of July until the family discovered a simple solution—a ThunderShirt (or 'thunder jacket'), a comforting wrap that gently calms anxious animals during storms and fireworks. The image is both humorous a

What if one of Jesus' most practical business lessons had nothing to do with profits, marketing, or management—but everything to do with birds and snakes? That unusual question launches one of the newest episodes of the Jesus Entrepreneur Collective, where broadcaster and entrepreneur Stan Hustad returns from a brief broadcasting sabbatical with a fresh challenge for anyone seeking to build a meaningful life and business in today's rapidly changing world. At first glance, "The Birds and Snakes Society" sounds mysterious—even a little unsettling. That is exactly the point. Drawing from one of Jesus' most memorable sayings, Stan explores the surprising command to be "wise as serpents and gentle as doves." Rather than treating those words as simply a religious phrase, he invites listeners to wrestle with what they might mean for entrepreneurs, leaders, creators, business owners, and anyone trying to navigate an increasingly complex world. Along the way, listeners travel with Stan from the deserts of Arizona t

There are moments in life when a single question changes everything. As I prepared for another Fourth of July weekend—and reflected on a wonderful week celebrating another birthday—I found myself asking a question I never imagined I would ask: What do you do when you didn't expect to live this long? For me, that isn't just a philosophical question. It's deeply personal. Several years ago, following a cancer diagnosis and knowing my family's history of relatively short lives, I honestly believed my time might be drawing to a close. I prepared myself emotionally and spiritually for that possibility. I hoped to finish well. More than anything, I hoped to leave behind something that would continue after I was gone. But here I am. Still here. Still healthy. Still working. Still dreaming. Still believing there is more to do. During the past week, Karen and I slipped away to the North Carolina coast for a genuine vacation—no computer, very little work, long walks along the ocean, quiet conversations, bookstores, pra

Busy, but Becoming: Finding Purpose in Everyday Moments and Unlikely Questions In this episode of Inconvenient Ideas Radio, veteran broadcaster Stan Hustad brings together a surprising mix of reflections—ranging from media wisdom to faith, from family stories to modern challenges—into a thoughtful and engaging conversation about what really matters. At the heart of the program is a question many quietly wrestle with: Is being busy the same as being effective? Hustad explores the tension between activity and impact, encouraging listeners to consider how their time, talents, and opportunities can best serve others. With characteristic warmth and storytelling, he moves effortlessly between topics. A simple errand—buying grits for a grandson in New York—becomes a reminder of connection, legacy, and the small acts that brighten lives. A passing song about "having a beer with Jesus" sparks a deeper reflection: how would timeless wisdom show up in today's world, especially in a media-driven age? Hustad also challeng

A reflective essay on the danger, drama, and cultural memory surrounding the Indianapolis 500 A Childhood Memory That Was Real Your memory is not exaggerated at all. The Indianapolis 500 really was considered extraordinarily dangerous for much of its history, and part of the fascination — especially from the 1930s through the 1970s — was precisely that mixture of speed, courage, patriotism, spectacle, and risk. For many Americans, especially in Indiana and throughout the Midwest, "The 500" was almost a sacred ritual of late May and Memorial Day weekend. Families gathered around radios and later televisions. Drivers became folk heroes. Yet underneath the celebration was a very real awareness that somebody might not come home alive. The Danger Was Very Real In the early decades of the Indy 500, fatalities were tragically common. The cars were primitive compared to modern standards. Drivers sat in open cockpits with little protection. Fuel tanks could rupture. Fires were frequent. Helmets and safety systems wer

There are days when everything feels planned, polished, and predictable. And then there are days like this one. This is one of those point-of-the-moment days—what I like to call POM thinking. No script. No delay. No filter. Just real-time reflection from the Coaching Zone, where ideas don't always arrive neatly packaged… but they often arrive useful. Welcome to another adventure in Inconvenient Ideas—because let's be honest: the ideas that help us most are often the ones that disrupt us first. Radio, Real Time, and the Power of Now One of the reasons I've spent a lifetime in radio—and now what we call radio with pictures—is because it allows something rare in today's world: Immediacy. Presence. Truth in motion. I can speak to you right now—in the middle of an unpredictable year, in a world that refuses to sit still. That matters. Because we are living in a time when the pace of change has outstripped the pace of reflection. And that's dangerous. Inconvenient Truth #1: Nothing Works Perfectly No plan works per

Why Every Company Now Needs a Chief Broadcasting Officer (CBO) By Stan "The Radio Man" Hustad The What It Takes Radio Company presents another adventure… another expedition… and this one might just disrupt the way you think about your entire business. Let me start with a simple—but slightly inconvenient—idea: You are probably missing a very important person in your business today. And no… it's not your CFO. Not your CMO. Not even your AI specialist. You need a CBO. A Chief Broadcasting Officer. AI is changing everything. But we're not just entering a digital economy—we're entering a performance economy. It's not enough to know something, build something, or market something. You must communicate it—clearly, powerfully, and consistently. That's broadcasting. There's a difference between someone who does a podcast and someone who is a broadcaster. Broadcasting is not just a skill. It's a state of mind. It's curiosity. Presence. Connection. The best broadcasters are the most curious people in the room. Every per

By Stan Hustad There are times in life when you step away for a bit—whether by design or by necessity—and when you return, you see things differently. That happened to me. After a stretch of what I'll call "downtime, overtime, and out-of-time," I'm back behind the microphone with a fresh installment of Inconvenient Ideas. And it felt only right to begin with a simple—but unsettling—question: What if everything we think we know… might be wrong? Now, that's not a comfortable thought. But then again, the best ideas rarely are. The Power—and Problem—of Inconvenient Ideas I've come to believe something that may surprise you: The most valuable ideas are often the most inconvenient. They interrupt our assumptions. They challenge our comfort zones. They force us to rethink what we thought was settled. And right now, we're living in one of those moments—where everything is shifting. AI: Not a Tool… a Tidal Wave Let me begin with a confession. When I first started talking about artificial intelligence, I s