Blog

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Julian Scadden, President and CEO of Nexstar Network, shares his incredible journey from humble beginnings to leading one of the most respected organizations in the trades industry. Julian talks about the personal and professional challenges he faced, how he overcame them, and his philosophy on leadership, growth, and community.

Julian also discusses the role of Nexstar Network in helping trades businesses thrive by providing top-tier training, mentorship, and operational support. From his own experiences as a business owner to his current role as a visionary leader, Julian offers actionable insights for anyone looking to grow their business, develop their team, or overcome obstacles with resilience and determination.

Tune in to hear Julian’s thoughts on the power of vision, responsibility, and mentorship in building a thriving business and a fulfilling career.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The importance of mentorship and community in personal and professional growth.
• How Nexstar Network supports tradespeople in transitioning to business leadership.
• Lessons learned from scaling and running a trades business.
• Julian’s thoughts on vision and responsibility as tools for transformation.

Links:

• The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership: https://amzn.to/4gUats2
• Be Useful: https://amzn.to/4ap5XPV
• Discussion with Jeremy Nulik: Find episode 2 or https://unfoldingthought.com/jeremy-nulik-how-vision-shapes-strategy/

Connect with Julian Scadden:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianscadden/
• Nexstar Network: https://www.nexstarnetwork.com

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts about this episode? Share them with us on social media, by leaving a review, emailing Eric at Eric@inboundandagile.com, or visiting the website at https://unfoldingthought.com.

In this episode of The Unfolding Thought Podcast, Kevin Hughes, founder of Walker/Miles, dives into the seismic shifts in athlete branding and sports marketing in the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) era. Drawing on a career that spans professional basketball, HR, and creative leadership—including as the Minnesota Twins’ creative director—Kevin offers a unique perspective on navigating the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and innovation.

Kevin reveals the essential role of authenticity and adaptability in building impactful brands, from young athletes to established professionals. He shares how NIL is disrupting traditional pathways in sports, creating opportunities for athletes to take control of their narratives, and how universities can adapt to this new reality.

Tune in to hear Kevin’s insights on the power of story, the lessons he’s learned from working with world-class athletes, and what it takes to thrive in an industry where the rules are constantly evolving.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The role of branding and storytelling in professional sports and collegiate programs.
• Insights into how the NIL era is reshaping the athlete-brand relationship.
• Lessons from Kevin’s time as creative director for the Minnesota Twins.

Links:

Connect with Kevin Hughes:

• Walker/Miles: http://walker-miles.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinhughesbranding/

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts about this episode? Share them with us on social media, by leaving a review, emailing Eric at Eric@inboundandagile.com, or by visiting the website at https://unfoldingthought.com.

In this seventh business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum guides you through a Root Cause Analysis—a practical framework for identifying and addressing the deeper issues behind your challenges.

Often, quick fixes and surface-level solutions fail to create lasting change. Root Cause Analysis helps you dig deeper, asking “Why?” multiple times to uncover the fundamental problem and develop actionable solutions. Through this guided exercise, you’ll learn to approach challenges with clarity, explore meaningful solutions, and take the first step toward resolving recurring issues.

Whether you’re managing workplace challenges, personal relationships, or systemic problems, this episode will help you break free from cycles of frustration and create lasting impact.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• How Root Cause Analysis helps you move beyond quick fixes.
• Using the “5 Whys” technique to uncover the deeper issues behind a problem.
• Practical steps to identify solutions and commit to action.

Links:

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Learn more about Root Cause Analysis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Root_cause_analysis

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this sixth business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum guides you through Scenario Planning—a strategic tool for exploring possible futures and making better decisions in the face of uncertainty.

Scenario Planning helps you anticipate different ways the future might unfold, so you can prepare for opportunities and mitigate risks. Through this guided exercise, you’ll imagine three distinct scenarios—best-case, realistic, and worst-case—and outline actions to help you navigate each one.

Whether you’re managing a complex challenge, planning for growth, or making a difficult decision, this episode will help you gain clarity, confidence, and control over what lies ahead.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The three key scenarios: best-case, realistic, and worst-case.
• How Scenario Planning improves decision-making in uncertain situations.
• Using insights from your scenarios to take proactive steps today.

Links:

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Learn more about Scenario Planning: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scenario_planning

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this fifth business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum introduces Force Field Analysis, a practical tool for identifying and managing the forces driving or restraining progress toward your goals.

Through this guided exercise, you’ll learn how to identify the positive forces pushing you toward success and the negative forces holding you back. By amplifying the driving forces and reducing the restraining ones, you can focus your energy where it matters most and make meaningful progress.

Whether you’re tackling a work project, personal challenge, or strategic decision, this episode will help you unlock new insights and create balanced strategies to move forward.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• How Force Field Analysis helps clarify the dynamics of a situation.
• Identifying and strengthening the driving forces that support your goals.
• Addressing and reducing the restraining forces holding you back.

Links:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force-field_analysis

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this fourth business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum guides you through a Backcasting exercise—a practical tool for mapping out the steps between your present and your long-term vision.

Backcasting flips traditional planning on its head. Instead of starting with today and moving forward, you begin with your ideal future and work backward to uncover the milestones and actions needed to achieve your goals. Through this guided exercise, you’ll create a clear roadmap for success and learn how to keep your daily actions aligned with your ultimate vision.

Whether you’re planning for professional growth, a major project, or personal aspirations, this episode will help you connect your future goals to meaningful actions you can take today.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• How Backcasting differs from traditional planning methods.
• Identifying key milestones that connect your present to your long-term vision.
• Aligning today’s actions with your desired outcomes to stay on track.

Links:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backcasting

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this third business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum guides you through a Visioning exercise—a powerful tool for clarifying your goals and aligning your actions with your aspirations.

Visioning is more than setting goals. It’s about creating a vivid mental picture of your future and using that clarity to make intentional decisions today. Through this guided exercise, you’ll explore your desired future, identify the milestones needed to achieve it, and uncover the first actionable steps to start your journey.

Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone looking to bring focus and purpose to your work or life, this episode will help you harness the power of a clear vision.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The importance of imagining your future in vivid detail.
• How to identify the milestones that bridge the gap between today and your long-term goals.
• Why aligning your actions with a clear vision can lead to greater success and fulfillment.

Links:

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this second business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum introduces the Immunity to Change X-Ray, a framework developed by Robert Kegan and Lisa Lahey to uncover the hidden barriers preventing meaningful change.

The Immunity to Change framework reveals how unconscious fears and competing commitments hold us back, even when we’re motivated to improve. Through a guided exercise, you’ll explore your own commitments, uncover the big assumptions driving them, and learn how to test these beliefs to unlock progress.

Whether you’re a manager, parent, or someone striving to make lasting changes in your personal or professional life, this episode will help you take meaningful steps forward.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The four steps of the Immunity to Change X-Ray: Commitment to Change, Identifying Competing Commitments, Exploring Big Assumptions, and Testing Assumptions.
• How unconscious fears and competing commitments block progress.
• Practical questions to help you uncover and challenge limiting beliefs.

Links:

• Learn more about the Immunity to Change X-Ray on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immunity_to_Change

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this first business meditation of the Unfolding Thought series, Eric Pratum introduces the GROW framework, a simple yet powerful tool for clarifying challenges and taking actionable steps forward.

GROW—an acronym for Goal, Reality, Options, and Way Forward—is widely used by coaches and managers to empower individuals, foster accountability, and generate meaningful solutions. Through a guided exercise, you’ll have the opportunity to apply GROW to your own challenges, uncover new possibilities, and identify your next steps.

Whether you’re a leader, manager, or simply looking to gain clarity in your personal or professional life, this episode will help you unlock the power of focus and intentionality.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The four phases of GROW: Goal, Reality, Options, and Way Forward.
• How GROW empowers individuals and fosters commitment to solutions.
• Practical questions to uncover challenges, explore options, and commit to action.

Links:

• Learn more about GROW on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GROW_model

Start at the beginning of the series:

• On the website: https://unfoldingthought.com/unfolding-thought/
• YouTube Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-WyDzPVJzUqWSGGIM0lSxqk4T-TBmsrQ
• Or by searching for Episode 4, titled Unfolding Thought, in your podcast platform of choice.

Visit the Unfolding Thought website: https://unfoldingthought.com/

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts or questions about this episode? Reach out to Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com or connect on social media.

In this introductory episode of Unfolding Thought business meditations, Eric Pratum shares what makes this series of episodes different and why it might be just what you need to spark new ideas and gain actionable insights.

Designed for busy professionals, these short, focused meditations offer a unique opportunity to explore new concepts, strategies, and ways of thinking in just 10 minutes a day. Whether you’re commuting, preparing for your day, or taking a quiet moment to reflect, these sessions provide practical tools and thought-provoking exercises that you can adapt and apply immediately.

If you’ve ever started a business book but struggled to finish, or if you’re looking for concise, impactful ways to grow as a leader and thinker, this series is for you.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• The purpose and structure of Unfolding Thought.
• Why short meditations can be more effective than lengthy books or training sessions.
• The focus on exploration, reflection, and actionable insights for busy professionals.

Links:

• Learn more: https://unfoldingthought.com
• Contact Eric: eric@inboundandagile.com

Join the Conversation:

Have thoughts about this episode or ideas for future meditations? Share them with us on social media or email Eric at eric@inboundandagile.com.