Episode 100 isn't just a milestone, it's a reflection on what actually works when you commit to growth over time. And before anything else, I want to Thank you, the listeners, and all the people behind the scenes at Quest for Success. I want to thank Mandy, Hannah, Sarah, Mason, my Mom, Traci, Jose, Michael, Luis, Jacob, Jayden, Leo, Scott, and Stewart-Allen Clark for the good work, friendship, support, and help you have given me. I cannot do this without all of you. I have probably forgotten someone, but know I do appreciate, I am just having some good emotions right now and not thinking clearly.

In this special episode of the Quest for Success Podcast, I share the behind-the-scenes lessons learned from showing up consistently, setting goals that felt unrealistic at first, and building simple systems that eventually produced big results. You'll hear what changed when momentum finally kicked in, why early progress can feel painfully slow, and how adapting along the way made all the difference.

This episode is for you if you've ever started something meaningful and wondered if the effort was paying off… or if you're standing at the edge of a goal and questioning whether it's worth pushing forward. You'll walk away encouraged, clearer, and reminded that progress often shows up quietly before it shows up publicly.

If you're building something such a business, a habit, a calling, or a better version of yourself, this conversation is meant to help you stay the course.

Takeaways

• Consistency is the backbone of success.
• Proper planning and time management are crucial.
• Batching work can save time and reduce stress.
• Editing techniques have evolved significantly.
• Interviews will be a focus in future episodes.
• Growth in downloads reflects listener engagement.
• Promotion is essential for podcast visibility.
• Success requires repeated effort and resilience.
• Gratitude towards listeners fuels motivation.
• The journey is just beginning, with more to come.

Learn more and explore additional resources at www.Quest-Success.com.

Press play and celebrate the journey with me.

• Atomic Habits – Why small, consistent actions create massive results

• Deep Work – Focus, batching, and working smarter

• Mindset – The power of long-term growth thinking

• Start with Why – Purpose-driven success and leadership

What if curiosity is the missing ingredient holding back your success?

In this episode of the Quest for Success Podcast, we explore why staying curious isn't just a personality trait, it's a leadership skill, a mindset, and a catalyst for growth. From how curiosity rewires your brain, to why the most successful leaders, innovators, and people of faith never stop asking questions, this episode challenges the idea that "you should already know this by now."

You'll discover how curiosity fuels better decisions, deeper relationships, stronger faith, and more meaningful success and why losing curiosity often leads to stagnation, burnout, and going through the motions of life. This isn't about having all the answers; it's about learning how to ask better questions.

If you've ever felt stuck, uninspired, or like life has slipped into autopilot, this episode will help you see curiosity as a powerful advantage.

Takeaways

• Genuine curiosity leads to deeper understanding and growth.
• Successful individuals share a common trait of endless curiosity.
• Asking questions is crucial for personal evolution.
• Curiosity is a key driver of leadership.
• Breakthroughs often begin with simple 'what if' questions.
• Mindless searching is not true curiosity.
• Curiosity can lead to innovation and new ideas.
• The importance of quiet moments for reflection and creativity.
• Curiosity fuels the desire to learn and explore.
• Endless curiosity can lead to significant achievements.

👉 Learn more about the Quest for Success and explore additional resources at www.Quest-Success.com.

Press play and rediscover the mindset that moves people forward.

1. Todd Kashdan – Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life

2. Harvard Business Review – Articles on curiosity and leadership performance

3. Albert Einstein – Essays and quotes on curiosity and learning

4. John Gottman Institute – Research on curiosity and relationship health

5. Biblical Reference – Luke 2:46–47 (Jesus engaging teachers with questions)

Your attention is being bought, sold, and traded every single day and most people never realize it's happening. In this episode of the Quest for Success Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the attention economy and show you why your focus has become one of the most valuable currencies in the modern world.

You'll discover how distractions are intentionally engineered, why multitasking is quietly sabotaging your success, and how reclaiming your attention can immediately improve your leadership, productivity, relationships, and peace of mind. This isn't about ditching technology or living off the grid, It's about learning how to use your focus on purpose instead of letting the world spend it for you.

If you've ever felt busy but not fulfilled, productive but not progressing, or constantly pulled in a dozen directions, this episode will help you reset. You'll walk away with a new way of thinking about focus and practical insights you can start applying today.

Learn more about the Quest for Success and explore additional resources at www.Quest-Success.com.

Press play and take back control of what matters most.

Takeaways

• The average person spends over seven hours a day looking at screens.
• Your attention is a product being bought and sold in the attention economy.
• Every notification is designed to capture your focus and keep you engaged.
• Successful people learn to own their attention and use it wisely.
• Multitasking reduces mental energy and productivity significantly.
• Great leaders manage their attention and focus on what truly matters.
• Designing your environment can enhance your ability to concentrate.
• Building real connections is more valuable than online interactions.
• Your attention is a precious resource that should be protected.
• Focus on what truly matters to achieve success and fulfillment.

Recommended Resources & Further Reading:

• Herbert A. Simon – Designing Organizations for an Information-Rich World

• Daniel Kahneman – Thinking, Fast and Slow

• Cal Newport – Deep Work

• Harvard Business Review – Articles on attention, focus, and leadership

• Stanford University research on multitasking and cognitive performance

A new year doesn't magically change your life, but the way you start it absolutely can.

In this New Year's Day episode of the Quest for Success Podcast, we pick up right where we left off in our end-of-year wrap-up last year, i mean yesterday and talk about how to build real momentum instead of relying on hype that fades by February. You'll discover why most resolutions fail, how goals differ from wishful thinking, and how small, consistent systems can reshape your mental, physical, spiritual, moral, and financial life.

We explore the psychology behind fresh starts, motivation, and habit formation, break down why writing goals down actually rewires your brain, and show how the same process you use for New Year goals can apply to new projects, new seasons, and even Mondays. Along the way, you'll hear relatable stories, movie references, and practical examples you can apply immediately without burning out.

If you want to start the year with clarity, purpose, and a plan that actually sticks, this episode is your launch point.

Takeaways

• The new year is a continuation of our life story.
• 80% of New Year's resolutions fail by February.
• Learning from past mistakes is crucial for growth.
• Your missed goals are just data, not failures.
• Dopamine plays a key role in motivation and goal achievement.
• Tiny wins can trigger the brain's reward system.
• Consistency in habits is more important than intensity.
• Setting measurable goals within specific pillars leads to success.
• Reflection on the past fuels our direction for the future.
• Starting smarter this year means building systems, not just resolutions.

Learn more and explore additional resources at www.Quest-Success.com.

• Katy Milkman – How to Change: The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

• BJ Fogg – Tiny Habits

• Charles Duhigg – The Power of Habit

• Daniel Kahneman – Thinking, Fast and Slow

• James Clear – Atomic Habits

Before you rush into the new year, there's something every successful leader does first they pause. This special end-of-year wrap-up episode of the Quest for Success Podcast is your chance to step back, take a breath, and reflect on the year you just lived.

In this episode, you'll learn how strong leaders close out a year with clarity instead of regret, confidence instead of guilt, and intention instead of chaos. We'll talk about how to celebrate real wins without arrogance, how to evaluate missed goals without shame, and how to mentally "close the tabs" that drain your energy heading into the new year. This isn't about New Year's resolutions that's coming next. Today is about awareness, reflection, and momentum.

If you've ever ended a year feeling rushed, disappointed, or unsure where the time went, this episode will help you process the past so you're ready for what's next. You'll walk away with perspective, encouragement, and a stronger foundation for the new beginning ahead.

Takeaways

• Nearly 60% of people forget their goals by February.
• Reflecting on the past year can lead to greater growth.
• Celebrating wins boosts motivation and reinforces positive behavior.
• Self-compassion is crucial for personal growth and leadership.
• Tying up loose ends helps clear mental clutter for the new year.
• Leaders should evaluate their past without shame.
• Awareness of personal patterns can prevent future issues.
• Community support plays a vital role in individual success.
• Setting realistic goals aligned with values is essential.
• The end of one year is the beginning of another opportunity.

Join the conversation and learn more at www.Quest-Success.com — and don't miss tomorrow's New Year's Day special episode.

Recommended Resources & References

1. Harvard Business Review — Why Reflection Is Critical for Learning

2. Kristin Neff, PhD — Research on Self-Compassion and Leadership

3. Daniel Kahneman — Thinking, Fast and Slow

4. James Clear — Atomic Habits (reflection and behavior reinforcement)

5. American Psychological Association — Articles on self-evaluation and motivation

Why do some goals light a fire under you… while others quietly die in your Notes app next to an old grocery list? In this episode of the Quest for Success Podcast, we break down Goal Attainment Theory in a way that actually makes sense and more importantly, actually works.

This isn't a lecture. It's a real, relatable conversation about why motivation fades, why "just wanting it more" doesn't work, and how small daily actions beat big emotional promises every time. You'll hear honest stories, practical psychology, and a few laughs along the way including what really happens when good intentions meet pizza and a missed workout.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Why outcome goals sound good but often fail

• The hidden power of process goals (and how to use them today)

• How your brain rewards progress — even small wins

• A simple framework to finally follow through on what matters

If you've ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or frustrated with your goals, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a plan you can actually live out.

Takeaways

• Goal Attainment Theory emphasizes clear and specific goals.
• Setting process goals is crucial for achieving outcome goals.
• Your brain needs a clear direction, like a GPS.
• Small, consistent actions lead to significant results.
• Writing down goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by 42%.
• Simplifying your goals can enhance focus and effectiveness.
• Creating micro-goals helps in managing larger ambitions.
• Feedback loops are essential for tracking progress and making adjustments.
• Sharing goals with others can boost motivation and accountability.
• Success is a process, not a destination.

Learn more about the Quest for Success journey at www.Quest-Success.com — then press play and start moving forward.

1. Edwin Locke & Gary Latham – A Theory of Goal Setting & Task Performance

2. American Psychological Association – Research on motivation, goal-setting, and behavior change

3. Harvard Business Review – Articles on goal clarity, feedback, and performance

4. James Clear – Atomic Habits (process-based habit building and goal alignment)

Listen in, then share your top 3 goals and tag #QuestForSuccess — I'll be looking for you.

In this Christmas special episode of the Quest for Success podcast, host Jerry L. Cunningham interviews Pastor Stewart Allen Clark about the significance of Christmas, the nativity scene, and the humility of Jesus. They discuss the roles of Mary and Joseph, the importance of the shepherds and kings, and how the spirit of Christmas can be carried throughout the year. The conversation also touches on the role of hospitality in the church and concludes with a heartfelt prayer.

Takeaways

• Christmas is a time for celebration and hope.
• Mary and Joseph were ordinary people chosen for an extraordinary purpose.
• God often uses those who seem insignificant to accomplish great things.
• Jesus' humble beginnings make Him relatable to everyone.
• The shepherds represent the marginalized and lowly in society.
• The visit of the kings affirms Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
• Living the spirit of Christmas year-round can positively impact our lives.
• Hospitality in the church is essential for making people feel valued.
• Jesus treated everyone equally, regardless of their status.
• The story of Scrooge illustrates the power of redemption and change.

You've heard 'Twas the Night Before Christmas your entire life, but you may not know the story behind the story. In this special Legacy Behind the Legend episode, you'll uncover the quiet professor, the family moment, and the unexpected controversy behind one of the most influential poems in history. More than a Christmas tale, this episode reveals powerful lessons about creativity, legacy, and the courage to share what you never planned to be known for. Press play and discover how imagination, psychology, and purpose collide in a way that can change how you approach your own Quest for Success.

Takeaways

• The story began with children's curiosity and wonder.
• Creativity often emerges when intellect is set aside.
• Clark's unexpected choice to write a Christmas story was significant.
• The narrative of Santa Claus transcends traditional themes.
• Imagination plays a crucial role in storytelling.
• The act of storytelling can be a profound experience.
• Clark's background in philosophy influenced his writing.
• The simplicity of the story contrasts with complex themes.
• The joy of Christmas is rooted in storytelling.
• Stories can connect generations through shared experiences.

Learn more at www.Quest-Success.com.

References & Further Reading

• Moore, C. C. Poems (1844)

• The New-York Historical Society – Clement Clarke Moore archives

• Dalzell, T. "Who Wrote 'The Night Before Christmas?'" Smithsonian Magazine

• Nissenbaum, S. The Battle for Christmas

• Library of Congress – History of A Visit from St. Nicholas