With every election cycle, the noise grows louder—polls, predictions, and endless opinions from every direction. But how much of it is real, and how much is just noise? How can we think clearly and make decisions that serve us, our families, and our businesses? In this episode, Sanger Smith sits down with Ken Coleman to break down the true impact of elections beyond the headlines. They discuss why polling can be misleading, how the media shapes our perception of political events, and the importance of focusing on what we can control rather than getting swept up in the chaos. Ken offers insight into what strong leadership looks like in a time of deep division. KEY TOPICS How debates have turned into battlegrounds for insults instead of vision.Why identity politics is creating division—and how a lack of true identity is driving it.What it takes to bring integrity back to leadership when chaos becomes the norm.What companies can learn from political missteps when mission and culture stray too far apart. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life and Business 00:44 Election Impact on Markets 02:54 Ken Coleman 05:32 The Truth on “Internal Polls” 07:53 Election Impact on the Markets 10:19 Mudslinging by the Candidates 12:46 Trump’s Influence on Political Culture 15:14 Civil Discourse: Is It a Lost Cause? 17:30 How Political Figures Shape the Nation 19:49 Real Leadership Integrity 22:14 Vision Casting in Political Leadership 24:34 When Businesses and Politics Lose Integrity 26:59 Self-Preservation in Second-Gen Businesses 31:48 Integrity vs. Chaos: Why Stability Matters 34:13 Why Chaos Thrives in Politics (and How Businesses Can Avoid It) 36:38 What Businesses Can Learn from Blockbuster 38:53 How Reagan and Trump Shaped American Leadership 41:17 Rejecting Identity Politics 43:44 The Media is Dividing Americans 46:08 Free Speech vs. Temper Tantrums 48:25 How Americans Can Take a Stand 50:49 Returning to Our Values 53:17 The Key to Avoiding Civil Unrest 55:20 Identity Politics and Business 57:26 Ken Coleman’s Decision-Making Tip for Business Owners 57:48 Key Takeaways 59:47 Message from the Producer OUR FIRST EPISODE WITH KEN Ep.141 I Deciding to Find Fulfillment: Purpose Isn’t Found in a Paycheck w/ Ken Coleman CONNECT WITH US www.decidedlypodcast.com Watch this episode on YouTube Subscribe on YouTube Join us on Instagram: @decidedlypodcast Join us on Facebook Shawn’s Instagram: @shawn_d_smith Sanger’s Instagram: @sangersmith Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast. SANGER’S BOOK: A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact SHAWN’S BOOK: Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION? At Decidedly Wealth Management, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. LEARN MORE: www.decidedlywealth.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER: https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001aeU_pPBHJPNJWJBdVbaci6bjGIuEJurH12xHBWDEVT_NxyCadMd7wLSZjcEZglkSjDjehuIbTHD8nABOIdV69ctfYpSzg24RCIytetBUrlIPPKgaGzjGZ8DkM0Wp1LMjbErcYUur7PbZGjeVo4gyXlz821AoJGZR CONNECT WITH KEN COLEMAN Website: https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ken-coleman The Ken Coleman Show: https://www.youtube.com/@TheKenColemanShowFullEpisodes/videos Instagram: @kencoleman Ken Coleman is a nationally syndicated radio host, best-selling author, and host of The Ken Coleman Show on the Ramsey Network, where he helps listeners find professional passion and purpose. Known for his expertise in leadership and personal development, Ken has authored books like From Paycheck to Purpose and The Proximity Principle.
