The TrustBuilder Podcast

In this episode of the TrustBuilder Podcast, Scott is joined by Brad Williams and guest Jonathan Schwab, a criminal defense attorney from Spokane, WA, to explore one of the most complex questions in relational trust: can you trust someone you compete with?
They discuss how trust functions in high-stakes, adversarial environments, where competition and cooperation must coexist. The conversation highlights the importance of building trust within clear boundaries, introduces the concept of predictive trust, and examines how consistent behavior shapes decision-making. They also unpack the difference between trust and leverage, emphasizing how overusing trust for short-term gain can lead to long-term breakdowns in relationships.

In this episode of the TrustBuilder Podcast, host Scott Linklater and Morgan Hartanov welcome guest Kyle Day, General Manager of the Spokane Indians. They discuss how hospitality and intentional service culture build deep trust within a professional sports organization. They examine the unique role of minor league operations as an entertainment and hospitality business, explaining how prioritizing the needs of both players and fans creates a premier environment. The conversation highlights the concept of "aggressive friendliness" and proactive training, encouraging leaders to empower their frontline staff to anticipate needs and turn potential service hurdles into lasting loyalty.

In this episode of the TrustBuilder podcast, host Scott Linklater and Morgan Hartanov sit down with Leigh Veidman, head coach of the Spokane Velocity, to discuss the high-stakes world of professional soccer. Coach Veidman shares how his journey from the academies of Liverpool to the Inland Northwest shaped his "character over competence" leadership philosophy. The conversation moves beyond the pitch to explore how leaders can foster genuine trust by being "curious, not judgmental" and understanding the person behind the performance.

In this episode of the TrustBuilder Podcast, host Scott Linklater and guests Kari Grambo and Brad Williams discuss how constant criticism can undermine the very trust and performance it is meant to improve. They examine the emotional toll of nitpicking, explaining how it can diminish a person’s sense of value and drain the meaning from their work. The conversation highlights the importance of timing and self-awareness, encouraging leaders to prioritize growth and self-discovery rather than pointing out every flaw.

In this episode of the TrustBuilder Podcast, host Scott Linklater sits down with Brad Williams to explore the surprising role of humor in building and sometimes breaking professional trust. They discuss the thin line between using laughter to diffuse tension and crossing into disrespect, sharing personal stories on how humor leads to the authenticity required for real connection. Tune in to learn why reading the room is just as important as the punchline itself.

In this episode of the Trust Builder Podcast, the hosts discuss how culture fundamentally influences human trust instincts. They define trust as both a universal survival mechanism and a socially constructed concept that changes based on geographical location and historical era. The conversation highlights how professional success often depends on aligning personal trust values with an organization's specific cultural norms, such as transparency or arrogance. Ultimately, the hosts conclude that while AI can automate many tasks, the ability to navigate cultural nuances and build trust remains a uniquely human skill that leaders must cultivate to maintain healthy teams.

In this episode of the Trust Builder Podcast, hosts Scott Linklater, Morgan Hartanov, and Brad Williams engage in a philosophical and practical debate regarding the dual nature of trust. They begin by tackling the tension between vulnerability and strength, with Brad Williams asserting that while trust requires a risky relinquishment of control, it ultimately develops character and builds the foundation for true community. 
The conversation then shifts to the balance between healthy skepticism and high-trust cultures. The hosts explore the Prisoner's Dilemma and game theory, noting that the most successful strategy for long-term cooperation is initial optimism. They warn that while verification is necessary to avoid the pitfalls of "automatic trust" in long-term relationships, skepticism must not be allowed to sour into cynicism, which can stifle growth and poison a team's environment. From the banks of the St. Joe River in Idaho to the boardroom, this episode provides a compelling look at why choosing trust is the ultimate lead-indicator for success.

Welcome back to the TrustBuilder podcast! In this episode, we investigate whether trust and accountability are friends or foes. Our hosts share data from individual assessments showing that accountability is a top three builder for earning and keeping trust because people want those around them to take ownership of their actions. We discuss how accountability can increase trust in healthy environments but may decrease it in toxic cultures where it is used as a weapon rather than a tool for growth.
The conversation highlights the Standards, Training, Inspection, and Response model as a framework for fair leadership. We explore the necessity of consequences and why self accountability is the foundation for any high performing team. By the end of this session, you will understand why clear communication and consistent follow through are not just management tasks but essential acts of respect that bridge the trust gap.

Welcome back to the TrustBuilder podcast! This episode, "The Trust Gap Between Leaders and Teams" addresses the critical disconnect in trust that often exists between organizational leadership and the employees they lead. We analyze how this gap, frequently caused by poor transparency, inconsistent communication, and a lack of psychological safety, directly impacts performance, morale, and turnover. Listen as we provide leaders with practical, actionable strategies for bridging this divide, emphasizing radical transparency, empathetic listening, and consistent accountability. Discover why successfully closing this trust gap is the single most powerful way to accelerate business performance and ensure organizational resilience.

Welcome back to the TrustBuilder Podcast, where we wrestle with the critical intersection of trust and modern organizational life. In this episode, hosts Brad Williams, Scott Linklater, and Morgan Hartanov dive deep into a hot-button issue: Can technology help or hurt building trust?
The discussion tackles the burning question: Does remote work make it harder to trust each other? We explore how limited interactions in remote settings can lead to suspicion and the erosion of trust, offering a cautionary tale and discussing the power of intentional on-sites. We also explore whether leaders are outsourcing trust to systems (like CRM, AI, and apps) and the critical difference between the convenience of technology and the vital, human need for authentic connection.
If you’re a leader, a remote worker, or just curious about how trust functions in the digital age, this raw, unscripted conversation is for you.