Jacquelyn: “It honestly looked like a high school or college team was playing a professional team.”

Constantine: “Passion. Commitment. Tenacity. These guys live and breathe this shit.”

The crew recaps Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs, confessing their inaccurate picks and celebrating Constantine's 50% accuracy. With deep hockey insight and hilarious banter, they preview the East and West Conference Finals, reveal their personal favorites, and emphasize the emotional, strategic, and human side of playoff hockey.

1. Finding a Catalyst in Failure

• Jacquelyn admits picking the Leafs was a mistake—owning failure leads to better choices.

• The group learns from incorrect picks to sharpen predictions for the next round.

• Recognition of poor team performance (like the Caps) becomes a call to realign and refocus.

2. Performance Under Pressure

• Constantine praises players like Ottinger and Bobrovsky for stepping up in high-stakes moments.

• The playoffs reveal which players rise when it counts most.

• Success is tied not just to talent but to composure under fire.

3. Respect and Resilience in Sport

• The team highlights the powerful sportsmanship seen in handshakes and honoring personal struggles (e.g., Scheifele’s loss).

• Emotional intelligence and empathy make great athletes greater.

• Team support and unity often become the catalyst for comeback performances.

4. The Power of Passion

• “Live and breathe this shit”—Constantine’s line underscores the deep love for hockey.

• The community’s passion, including fans and commentators, fuels the game's momentum.

• Passion is infectious; it inspires action and elevates purpose.

5. Bold Predictions Drive Engagement

• All three make distinct, thoughtful predictions, showing conviction despite past mistakes.

• Debating outcomes encourages critical thinking and creative confidence.

• Even incorrect calls create opportunities to reflect, learn, and improve—hallmarks of catalyst-driven thinking.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
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This lively roundtable features hockey fans Mike, Constantine, and Jacqueline as they break down the 2025 NHL Conference Finals. From unexpected losses to bold predictions and favorite hockey movies, their passionate insights and friendly banter bring energy to every play and player discussed.

1. "Sales is a thinking process. Business is a thinking process. Life is a thinking process. How are you thinking different about your process?" – Mike

2. "It honestly looked like a high school team was playing a professional team." – Jacqueline on the Capitals' performance.

3. "Connor McDavid deserves the chance to earn a Stanley Cup." – Constantine

In this episode, the crew dives into the NHL Conference Finals with unfiltered opinions, emotional takes, and hilarious side commentary. They revisit missed predictions, analyze key players and coaches, and share their picks for who moves on. It's all about hockey, heart, and how perspective can be your catalyst.

1. Bold Predictions & Upsets

• No one saw the Jets getting dominated by Dallas.

• Edmonton’s strong playoff showing surprised the group.

• Everyone chose the Panthers to win, even if they secretly rooted for the Hurricanes.

2. Mental Game is the Real Game

• The Leafs' emotional collapse highlighted playoff pressure.

• The Caps looked lost on the ice—poor positioning and ineffective power plays.

• Focus and mental resilience were discussed as crucial catalysts.

3. Respect Runs Deep in Hockey

• The handshake line after Game 7 was praised for its emotional weight.

• Mark Scheifele’s emotional performance reminded listeners of hockey’s human side.

• Respect and tradition were spotlighted as hidden catalysts for unity and growth.

4. Coaching as a Catalyst

• Brind’Amour and Paul Maurice received high praise for leadership.

• Coaching decisions and team mentality are game-changers in playoffs.

• Great coaching bridges talent and execution under pressure.

5. Pop Culture Meets Passion

• Favorite hockey movies? “Miracle” and “Mighty Ducks” win hearts.

• Lundqvist’s Netflix doc and commentary team banter added depth to the fandom.

• Loving the game—on and off the ice—is a reminder that passion is the true catalyst.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday. Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
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This episode features a lively, hockey-fueled roundtable with Jacquelyn Nicholson, Constantine Johns, and host Mike Simmons. The trio dives into the second round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, sharing personal stories, team loyalties, spirited banter, and insightful predictions—all through the lens of sports as a catalyst for connection, memory, and emotion.

“Playoff hockey, hands down, is the best entertainment I’ve ever seen.” – Constantine Johns

In this high-energy episode, Jacquelyn, Constantine, and Mike dissect round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and make bold predictions for round two. With deep personal ties to the sport, they explore how hockey has shaped their memories and identity, proving sports can be a powerful catalyst in life.

1. Sports Create Catalytic Memories

• Constantine recalls growing up watching Patrick Roy and the Avalanche lift the Cup.

• Jacquelyn shares childhood memories of fuzzy-TV Blackhawks games and tabletop hockey.

• Mike remembers frozen pond skating and the thrill of playoff intensity.

2. Shared Passion Builds Community

• The team has fun tracking predictions, brackets, and emotional team support.

• Friendly rivalries and shared experiences form strong bonds.

• Their family traditions (like mailing a plastic Stanley Cup) reinforce connection.

3. Resilience as a Game Changer

• Mike highlights how goalie Connor Hellebuyck overcame adversity in Game 7 as a catalyst moment.

• Constantine expresses heartbreak over the Avalanche loss, linking emotion to team loyalty.

• They emphasize how players grow stronger under playoff pressure.

4. Bias, Loyalty, and Fun Drive Engagement

• The crew openly admits their emotional (not always logical) picks.

• Teams like the Leafs, Oilers, and Panthers stir heated opinions.

• The playful tension among the group reveals how personal investment drives deep passion.

5. Change and Transition Spark Strong Reactions

• The Arizona Coyotes' move to Utah triggered strong emotional reactions.

• Nostalgia for local teams and childhood connections fueled frustration and loss.

• These changes highlight how teams often serve as emotional anchors.

Learn. Think. and Act. with us every Sunday.
Our Sunday email is filled with sections dedicated to helping leaders Learn. Think. and Act. These short weekly emails will help you make a difference and accelerate speed to impact at work, with self, and within your family.
Subscribe here: https://www.findmycatalyst.com/learn-think-act-opt-in