The Battle Within: How to Silence Self-Doubt and Lead with Courage
Release Date: 09/10/2026
The Battle Within: How to Silence Self-Doubt and Lead with Courage
Super U Podcast
What happens when the biggest battle isn’t happening around you—it’s happening inside your head? On this episode of Super U, Erik Qualman sits down with retired U.S. Navy Captain, engineer, leadership expert, author, and speaker Dr. . During her 27-year military career, Jenn built a bridge across the Euphrates during the Iraq War, commanded an 800-person battalion in Afghanistan, and survived an assassination plot. Yet she reveals that one of her toughest battles wasn’t enemy fire—it was self-doubt. Jenn shares how a toxic boss nearly broke her confidence, why you shouldn’t...
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The Power of Listening: Lessons From Legendary Sports Agent Leigh Steinberg
Super U Podcast
In this episode of the Super U Podcast, Erik Qualman sits down with legendary sports agent, entrepreneur, and best-selling author Leigh Steinberg. Often credited as the real-life inspiration for the Oscar-winning film Jerry Maguire, Leigh has spent decades helping some of the world’s greatest athletes turn talent into enduring brands, careers, and legacies. Leigh shares lessons from representing more than 300 professional athletes and coaches across football, basketball, baseball, hockey, boxing, and golf. With an unprecedented eight number-one overall NFL Draft picks and 62 total...
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How to Tilt the Room: The Art of Negotiation, Influence & Leverage with Ken Sterling
Super U Podcast
What if the key to winning a negotiation isn’t being the loudest person in the room—but knowing when to listen, when to pause, and how to build trust? On this episode of the Super U Podcast, Erik Qualman sits down with attorney, entrepreneur, talent executive, professor, and veteran dealmaker , author of Tilt the Room. Ken shares the strategies he’s developed across law, business, technology, entertainment, and high-stakes dealmaking to help people influence outcomes without becoming aggressive or burning bridges. Ken breaks down his Tilt the...
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Master Your Mindset: Insights into a Competitor's Mind with Dr. Tom Mitchell
Super U Podcast
What does it take to perform at your highest level—not just once, but consistently, when the pressure is on? In this episode of the Super U Podcast, hosted by Erik Qualman, we sit down with , performance coach and former sports psychiatrist for the Golden State Warriors, to explore the mindset behind peak performance. Tom shares insights from his career working with elite athletes, coaches, and leaders, along with lessons from his book co-written with legendary quarterback Joe Montana. Tom also pulls back the curtain on his time working alongside Chris Mullin, his experiences as a college...
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The Future Belongs to the Focused | Erik Qualman Answers Your Questions on Leadership, AI, Keynote Speaking & Success
Super U Podcast
What does it really take to stay focused in a world full of distraction? In this special audience Q&A episode, bestselling author, keynote speaker, and professor Erik Qualman answers questions spanning leadership, AI, keynote speaking, business, personal growth, and the habits that have shaped his career. Topics include: • How Erik prepares backstage before a keynote • Favorite places and audiences he’s spoken to around the world • Where he’d most like to speak next • How focus influences leadership and decision-making • AI, innovation, and the future of work • Lessons...
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Leadership Starts at Home: Lessons from 100 Successful Fathers
Super U Podcast
In this episode of the Super U Podcast, Erik Qualman sits down with Derek Notman and Adam Holt, founders of and co-authors of the new book . Drawing from conversations with more than 100 successful fathers, Derek and Adam share powerful lessons on what it means to lead with intention at home and at work. The discussion explores the realities of modern fatherhood, especially for entrepreneurs and high achievers who are striving to balance career ambitions with family responsibilities. Derek and Adam discuss the inspiration behind the REBL Dads community, their annual gatherings on Necker...
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Turning Adversity into Innovation with Rebel Cheese's Kirsten Maitland
Super U Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Super U Podcast, Kirsten Maitland shares her remarkable journey from a difficult childhood in England to becoming the co-founder and CEO of — one of Time Magazine’s Best Innovations of 2025. Kirsten opens up about growing up in foster care, joining the U.S. Navy at 16, building a successful career in tech consulting, and ultimately leaving it all behind to pursue a mission-driven business with her husband. She takes listeners behind the scenes of their unforgettable Shark Tank experience, including the intense pitch preparation, the emotional rollercoaster...
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The Franchise Formula: How to Grow Faster with Dr. Tom DuFore
Super U Podcast
What if you could grow a business faster without taking on all the risk, time, and cost yourself? In this episode of the Super U Podcast, we sit down with franchising expert , founder and CEO of Big Sky Franchise Team, to break down how franchising helps entrepreneurs scale smarter. With over 20 years of experience and more than 600 brands advised, including household names Tom shares the real mechanics behind turning one successful business into many. We explore the three biggest problems franchising solves—capital, management, and time—and why it’s become one of the most powerful...
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Why No One Knows About You (Yet) — And How to Fix It | KJ Blattenbauer
Super U Podcast
What if the only thing standing between you and major media coverage… is how you tell your story? In this episode, we’re joined by KJ Blattenbauer, founder and CEO of , a powerhouse publicist who helps overlooked experts become headline makers. With nearly 30 years of experience and clients featured in outlets like Forbes, Architectural Digest, Fast Company, and The Today Show, KJ knows exactly what it takes to break through a crowded media landscape. She shares the real strategies behind getting noticed—whether you're an entrepreneur, author, founder, or creative—and why most people...
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Behind the Scenes of Hit TV (and a Viral Game You Can’t Put Down) with Doug Weitzbuch
Super U Podcast
Ever wonder what really happens behind your favorite TV shows? Doug Weitzbuch has been in the room for it all—producing everything from Hell’s Kitchen to Duck Dynasty—and in this episode, he shares the wild, unfiltered reality of the entertainment industry. From getting chewed out by Gordon Ramsay to helping shape a cultural phenomenon, Doug takes us inside the chaos, creativity, and constant hustle of unscripted television. We also dive into his latest venture, —a viral daily game that turns real estate into a surprisingly addictive challenge and how he brought it to life outside of...
info_outlineWhat happens when the biggest battle isn’t happening around you—it’s happening inside your head?
On this episode of Super U, Erik Qualman sits down with retired U.S. Navy Captain, engineer, leadership expert, author, and speaker Dr. Jenn Donahue. During her 27-year military career, Jenn built a bridge across the Euphrates during the Iraq War, commanded an 800-person battalion in Afghanistan, and survived an assassination plot. Yet she reveals that one of her toughest battles wasn’t enemy fire—it was self-doubt.
Jenn shares how a toxic boss nearly broke her confidence, why you shouldn’t let your “head win,” and how to recognize the inner voices that keep us stuck, including her “mean little voice” and “sneaky little bastard.” She also explains why everyone needs a “battle buddy,” how great leaders see the individual rather than just the organization, and why the best leaders focus on making their people better.
This is a powerful conversation about resilience, leadership, self-awareness, trusting your team, and finding the courage to become who you’re meant to be.
Get your copy of Jenn Donahue's quote book here: https://www.daretorise.co/quotes
Five-time #1 Bestselling Author and Motivational Speaker Erik Qualman has performed in over 60 countries and reached over 60 million people this past decade. He was voted the 2nd Most Likable Author in the World behind the Harry Potter series.
Have Erik speak at your conference: eq@equalman.com
Motivational Speaker | Erik Qualman has inspired audiences at FedEx, Chase, ADP, Huawei, Starbucks, Godiva, FBI, Google, and many more on Focus and Digital Leadership.