May 19, 2026
What if reigniting your imagination could unlock possibilities for your life and leadership you never thought were possible?
In this episode of Leaders of Transformation, Nicole Jansen welcomes back leadership expert, executive coach, and author Greg Cagle to discuss his powerful new book, Reality Benders.
Greg shares how our beliefs shape our behaviors, how emotions fuel outcomes, and why most people unknowingly live in reactive cycles instead of intentionally creating the future they truly want. Together, Nicole and Greg explore how to reignite imagination, challenge limiting beliefs, and unlock new possibilities in leadership, business, and life.
They also unpack the neuroscience behind transformation, the power of curiosity, and how leaders can become “external catalysts” who help others see beyond current limitations and step into their highest potential.
What We Discuss in this Episode
- Why reality is something we create — not simply something that happens to us
- The “Reality Cycle” and how thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes reinforce one another
- Why behavior modification alone rarely creates lasting transformation
- How beliefs drive behaviors and shape long-term results
- The hidden role emotion plays in achieving meaningful goals
- Why imagination is essential for transformation and innovation
- How curiosity reignites imagination and unlocks possibility
- Why most people unconsciously limit what they believe is possible
- How to move beyond survival thinking and create an intentional future
- The connection between imagination, emotion, and extraordinary outcomes
- How leaders unintentionally reinforce limiting realities in their teams
- The difference between focusing on performance gaps vs. reinforcing progress
- A powerful military case study on belief, performance, and transformation
- How to become an “external catalyst” for others
Highlights and YouTube Chapter Titles
00:00 – Introduction to Reality Bending
02:00 – Why Greg Wrote Reality Benders
04:00 – What “Reality” Actually Means
06:00 – Why Behavior Modification Doesn’t Work Long-Term
11:00 – Understanding the Reality Cycle
14:00 – Emotion as Fuel for Transformation
16:00 – Why Most Goals Fail
18:00 – The Military Performance Experiment That Changed
Everything
22:00 – Future-Back Leadership vs. Past-Forward Leadership
24:00 – Seeing Yourself Differently First
26:00 – Becoming an External Catalyst for Others
29:00 – How to Reignite Your Imagination
31:00 – Why Most People Settle for Predictable Outcomes
34:00 – Unlocking Infinite Possibilities
37:00 – Final Encouragement for Leaders and Visionaries
Episode Show Notes: https://leadersoftransformation.com/podcast/leadership/552-reality-benders-how-to-reignite-your-imagination-and-unlock-infinite-possibilities-with-greg-cagle
Check out our complete library of episodes and other leadership resources here: https://leadersoftransformation.com
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