Rivr Conversations is a podcast inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes—a newsletter that sparks reflection and offers practical insight. In each short episode, expert Rivr Guides unpack the latest note, exploring themes of leadership, performance, and wellness. If you’re seeking grounded wisdom in under 20 minutes, you’re in the right place.
Inspired by Brent’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode explores one of the most powerful yet underrated traits in leadership: gratitude. Too often, leaders fall into the trap of self-promotion, making success about “I” instead of “we.” But the leaders who stand out—the ones who build strong teams and thriving organizations—share credit, give praise, and recognize the people who make progress possible.
In this conversation, we look at why gratitude isn’t soft leadership, how it transforms culture, and what happens when it’s missing. It’s a reflection on humility, accountability, and the kind of leadership people actually want to follow.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/giving-thanks/ (https://onrivr.com/giving-thanks/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
26 Aug 2025
Crossing the Finish Line
Inspired by Brent’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode dives into what it really takes to reach big goals—the kind that don’t happen overnight, but over years. It’s the story of how a seed planted more than a decade ago finally grew into a finish line moment, and what nearly derailed it along the way.
We’ll explore why determination isn’t about everything going smoothly, but about choosing to keep moving when it doesn’t. From late-night ER visits to flight delays and flat tires, this conversation is about grit, laughter, and the small choices that carry us through ordinary chaos to extraordinary outcomes.
It’s a reminder that hard things take time—but crossing the finish line is always worth it.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/crossing-the-finish-line/ (https://onrivr.com/crossing-the-finish-line/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
19 Aug 2025
Where’s Your Office?
Inspired by Brent’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode explores the power of choosing your environment—and the impact it has on how we work, live, and thrive. It all started with two guides: one on a flats boat in the Bahamas, the other deep in a Costa Rican rainforest. Both welcomed Brent with the same phrase: “Welcome to my office.”
In this conversation, we reflect on what it means to take ownership of where—and how—we work. Whether your office is a cubicle, a kitchen table, or a trail through the trees, the question is the same: Is it helping you thrive? It’s a conversation about intention, presence, and the small choices that shape our everyday experience.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/wheres-your-office/ (https://onrivr.com/wheres-your-office/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
12 Aug 2025
Learning From Your Past
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode explores what it really means to learn from your past. We dive into the story behind a tough decision—why Brent chose to sunset a company he cared about, and how the weight of past experience shaped that choice. It’s a conversation about recognizing familiar patterns, setting boundaries, and making decisions that align with your values today—not just your ambitions from yesterday. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin or unsure where to focus, this episode is for you.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/learning-from-your-past/ (https://onrivr.com/learning-from-your-past/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
5 Aug 2025
Where Decisions Are Made
Inspired by Brent’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode is all about the space we choose when it’s time to make meaningful decisions. We’ll reflect on a recent board retreat held at a remote ranch built for clarity and connection—and why the environment around a decision can shape the outcome just as much as the conversation itself. It’s a conversation about slowing down, stepping away from the noise, and finding the places that help us think more clearly and lead more intentionally.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/where-decisions-are-made/ (https://onrivr.com/where-decisions-are-made/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
29 Jul 2025
Own Your Inner Energy
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode explores what it really means to manage your energy—not your time. We talk through the Four Energy Zones, why productivity isn’t just about hours on the clock, and how aligning your energy with your priorities can change how you move through the day. It’s a conversation about presence, rhythm, and showing up when it counts most.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/own-your-inner-energy/ (https://onrivr.com/own-your-inner-energy/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
22 Jul 2025
Your 8,760 Hours
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode takes a closer look at one of the most universal — and limited — resources we have: time. We’ll break down where most of our hours actually go, what’s truly left, and how small choices can make a big difference in how we feel, lead, and live. It’s a conversation about presence, priorities, and spending your time in ways that matter.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/your-8760-hours/ (https://onrivr.com/your-8760-hours/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
15 Jul 2025
The Consequences of Yes
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, The Consequences of Yes, this episode explores how the simple act of overcommitting can quietly reshape our lives. We dig into the connection between workaholism and perfectionism—the constant pressure to do more, be more, and never let anything drop. It’s a conversation about how the drive to say “yes” can lead to burnout, strained relationships, and even serious health scares. But it’s also about the power of boundaries, the importance of letting go, and the freedom that comes from finally learning to say “no.”
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/the-consequences-of-yes/ (https://onrivr.com/the-consequences-of-yes/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
15 Jul 2025
I Have To vs. I Get To
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode explores the subtle but powerful shift from “I have to” to “I get to.” It’s a small change in language—but one that can completely reframe how we approach challenges, routines, and responsibilities. Our Rivr Guides unpack how this mindset shift opens the door to gratitude, presence, and even joy in the everyday. It’s a conversation about perspective, personal growth, and finding meaning in the moments we often overlook.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/i-have-to-vs-i-get-to/ (https://onrivr.com/i-have-to-vs-i-get-to/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
15 Jul 2025
Navigating the Unexpected
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode of Rivr Conversations explores what happens in the wake of the truly unexpected—a skiing accident, a broken neck, and a sudden shift from independence to vulnerability. It’s a conversation about resilience, yes—but more importantly, it’s about community. We’ll dive into how people show up when it matters most, what it means to lean in without being asked, and why allowing others to help might be one of the strongest things we can do. From crisis to connection, this episode is a reminder that even when the road ahead is uncertain, we don’t have to walk it alone.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/navigating-the-unexpected/
(https://onrivr.com/navigating-the-unexpected/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
If you’d like to hear more about my story, I encourage you to check out my TEDx talk, Everyone has a story to tell, what’s yours? | Brent Drever | TEDxVail (https://youtu.be/2draXqXZmdM?si=ZUxfw85zOd9tN6Xc) (~7 minute video), where I dive deeper into the power of community and friendship. It’s a reminder that even in our most vulnerable moments, we are never truly alone.
15 Jul 2025
My Worst Best Investment
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, this episode explores the humbling story behind “My Worst Best Investment.” It’s a tale of high hopes, fast decisions, and a startup that was supposed to be the next big thing—but wasn’t. We’ll talk about what happens when you chase shortcuts, the costly lessons that come from getting it wrong, and why those missteps might just be the best investments in disguise. It’s a conversation about patience, persistence, and the power of playing the long game.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/my-worst-best-investment/
(https://onrivr.com/my-worst-best-investment/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
15 Jul 2025
Reconciling Dreams
Inspired by Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes newsletter, Reconciling Dreams, this episode explores what happens when the dream you’ve been chasing for decades no longer fits the life you’re living. We’ll dive into the tension between personal ambition and evolving values, the courage it takes to let go of a long-held goal, and why changing direction isn’t a failure—it’s growth. It’s a conversation about clarity, identity, and making space for dreams that reflect who you are now, not just who you were then.
View the Rivr Notes for this Episode > https://onrivr.com/reconciling-dreams/ (https://onrivr.com/reconciling-dreams/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
9 Jul 2025
Rivr Conversations Trailer
Rivr Conversations is a short weekly podcast that brings Brent Drever’s Rivr Notes to life—offering fresh perspective and honest dialogue on leadership, performance, and wellness. Each episode is a companion to that week’s note, as our Rivr Guides dive deeper into the questions, insights, and real-world moments behind the writing.
- If you're looking for clarity in a world that rarely slows down, this is your space. It’s thoughtful. It’s grounded. And it’s under 20 minutes.
- Explore more at onrivr.com (https://onrivr.com/)
Subscribe now—and join us on the Rivr.
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