Play Your Position

About Play Your Position

Many of us receive the call to leadership at some point in our lives. It can happen when we are young, and it can happen later. Sometimes it happens more than once. Regardless of its timing, saying yes to that call fundamentally changes us and the direction of our lives. The Play Your Position Podcast explores what happens when we answer the call -- and why it matters.

Publisher

Mary Lou Kayser

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Feb 2014

Latest episode

7 Apr 2026

Latest episodes

49 of 559 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   7 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Mandy Morris on Why High Achievers Burn Out on the Inside

   In this episode, MaryLou is joined by therapist and executive psychology coach Mandy Morris for a powerful conversation about nervous system regulation, old programming, and what high achievers often struggle with behind the scenes. Mandy breaks down why mental and physical health can't be separated, how early conditioning shapes our adult lives, and why burnout, anxiety, and self-sabotage are often signs of subconscious patterns, not personal failure. They also explore what healthy striving actually looks like, how to tell when ambition turns into chronic stress, and why you don't need to be in crisis to do meaningful inner work. Conversation Highlights Why "mental health" deserves a reframe through the mind–body connection How subconscious programming from childhood impacts adult performance High-functioning anxiety, burnout, and the hidden cost of achievement Nervous system regulation and why your body knows before your mind EMDR therapy explained in accessible terms The difference between healthy striving and self-eroding ambition Why the past is still shaping the present—and how to move forward without staying stuck Using technology wisely to support (not replace) real human connection About Mandy Mandy Morris is a former trauma therapist with 15 years of clinical experience who now works with high achievers, entrepreneurs, and leaders through executive psychology coaching. She is the creator of The Internal Edge, a six-week program focused on nervous system regulation and subconscious rewiring, and co-creator of the SoFree wellness app. Connect with Mandy Website: https://mandyemorris.com Programs: The Internal Edge App: SoFree (available for both iOS and Android) Get MaryLou's Book and Keep in Touch: It's Not You, It's the Algorithm Book LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ Instagram: @maryloukayser Website: https://maryloukayser.com

2. 

   13 Jan 2026

   Chris Clinard of Books4Guys on Why One Book at the Right Time Can Change a Young Man's Life

   What happens when reading stops being "school" and starts being power? In this upbeat, hopeful conversation, MaryLou sits down with Chris Clinard, founder of Books4Guys—a growing community and mission built to get books into the hands of young men (and grown men) who might not see themselves as readers… yet. Chris shares how he went from "didn't like reading in high school" to becoming the kind of person who can't stop talking about books—in the best way. His turning point wasn't discipline or a sudden personality change. It was relevance. He started reading biographies of athletes he admired, then leadership and personal development books, and realized: I wish I'd found these earlier. That insight became Books4Guys: a place where men can get recommendations, discover authors, and—most importantly—help put books into the hands of students through partnerships with high schools, coaches, and mentorship programs. If you've been worried about attention spans, leadership, or what young people are up against in a screen-saturated world, Chris offers a grounded, non-preachy reminder: one good book at the right time can change someone's trajectory. In this episode, we talk about: -Why Chris didn't enjoy reading as a student—and what changed everything -The cultural gap: why there aren't more "book spaces" for guys (and why that matters) -How Books4Guys partners with high schools (including a Player of the Week chooses a book model) -What kinds of books young men are choosing (yes, sports… and also things like crypto) -Leadership lessons Chris learned the hard way—especially staying true to your own style -Why memoirs and long-form conversations build empathy in a world trained for hot takes -Two books that have shaped Chris: QBQ (Question Behind the Question) and the Tiger Woods biography -A hopeful note heading into 2026: less scrolling, more real conversations, more depth Connect with Chris / Books4Guys: Website: books4guys.com (Links to the Books4Guys podcast, newsletter, and social channels are on the site.) If this episode sparked something for you—consider sharing it with a coach, teacher, parent, or mentor who influences young men. This mission grows one conversation (and one book) at a time. Get MaryLou's Book and Keep in Touch: It's Not You, It's the Algorithm Book LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ Instagram: @maryloukayser Website: https://maryloukayser.com

3. 

   9 Dec 2025TRANSCRIPT

   Wayne Mullins on Authentic Leadership, Human Connection, and Thriving in an AI World

   About today's amazing MVP, Wayne Mullins: Wayne sits down with MaryLou for a third time to talk about what's on so many minds these days --> AI, small business marketing, and getting attention from the right people in a crowded noisy world. It's not every day you get to sit down with someone who's seen—and shaped—so much in the world of marketing and leadership. Over the years, Wayne's insights have stood out not just because of his expertise, but because of his authenticity and willingness to challenge the status quo, especially as the world around us keeps changing at lightning speed. Whether he's sharing hard-won lessons from running his agency, talking about the importance of real human connection in a digital age, or opening up about the times things didn't go as planned, Wayne always brings a refreshing blend of honesty, wisdom, and warmth. There's a lot we can learn from him today! You can find Wayne on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fireyourself/ Grab Wayne's book here:  https://www.amazon.com/Full-Circle-Marketing-Transform-Evangelists/dp/B0BBSR658Q Listen to Wayne's previous conversations on PYP: 270: Wayne Mullins on Why Your Website Doesn't Have to Be Pretty 408: Wayne Mullins on Where Trust Goes, the Money Flows --->>> If this episode resonated, share it with someone who also thinks deeply about where we're headed. And if you'd like more conversations like this, make sure you're subscribed to the show. Get MaryLou's Book and Keep in Touch: It's Not You, It's the Algorithm Book LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ Instagram: @maryloukayser Website: https://maryloukayser.com

Inside a recent episode

Mandy Morris on Why High Achievers Burn Out on the Inside

Published 7 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And it's also what creates a lot of our burnout. It's also what creates a lot of our being exhausted, but also being wired at the same time. And so... When we can understand our patterns and understand what's really going on underneath our behavior, we're going to discover how we can actually reach new levels of success, new levels of freedom and peace that we never knew we had. Because what might look like a hiring issue may actually be your own situation. abandonment issues. What might actually be a, I can't get organized and get focused issue could actually be a procrastination issue because you're having so much anxiety around rejection. […]

Who has been a guest on Play Your Position

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rob Kalwarowski
• Joel Goldberg
• Jason Kruger
• Eric Collett
• John Chisum

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

50 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 75 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

97

Social presence

97

YouTube

0

Engagement

82

Contact Play Your Position

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Play Your Position