Notes From the Window Seat
Life is full of extraordinary moments hiding inside ordinary days—if we're willing to slow down and notice them.
Join photographer, traveler, author, and storyteller Marty Pearson for conversations that explore travel, photography, pets, and the stories that change the way we see the world. From quiet beaches before sunrise and coffee shops filled with new friends to adventures in Antarctica, Africa, and beyond, every episode is an invitation to look a little closer and discover what's been there all along.
Along the way, you'll uncover unexpected lessons about creativity, relationships, resilience, business, and living a more intentional life—because every journey has something to teach us if we're willing to pay attention.
Some episodes will inspire your next adventure. Others will challenge the way you think. Many will simply remind you that the most meaningful experiences often happen when we slow down, stay curious, and notice what others might miss.
Whether you're a traveler, photographer, pet lover, business owner, or simply someone who believes there's always more to the story, pull up a chair by the window.
Because the best views aren't just outside the window—they're the ones that change the way we see the world.
Episodes
61 episodes
The Best Seat on the Plane
Why is the window seat the best seat on the plane?Most people would say it's because of the view.But what if it's something much deeper?In this episode of Notes from the Window Seat, I explore why I always c...
Why the Window Seat?
Welcome to the first episode of Notes from the Window Seat.In this special episode, Marty shares the story behind the podcast's new name and the journey that inspired it. What began as conversations about business and leadership h...
What Are You Really Measuring?
Most business leaders have a dashboard.Revenue. Profit. Labor costs. Sales. KPIs.Those numbers matter—but what if they're only telling part of the story?In this epi...
The Stories You're Telling Yourself...
Every business owner has stories they tell themselves. "No one wants to pay my prices." "I can't find good employees." "Marketing doesn't work." "I'm too small to compete." But what if those aren't facts? What if the...
"I think it's time to let them go".....
Every leader knows they need to have difficult conversations. The problem isn't knowing what to say. The problem is waiting so long to say it. In this episode, we explore why good leaders often avoid honest performance conv...
The Vacation Test!
Most business owners and executives think taking time off is the challenge. It's not. The real question is whether you've built a business that allows you to step away without everything grinding to a halt. In this...
When You're the One Everyone Leans On
Leadership is often discussed in terms of strategy, accountability, communication, and performance. But there is another side of leadership that rarely gets discussed. The emotional labor. Every day, leaders carry concerns that ...
The Human Side of Leadership
Most leadership books teach us how to manage performance. Few teach us how to lead people through life's difficult seasons. Illness. Family emergencies. Caregiving responsibilities. Burnout. Loss. Major life transitions. Yet those mome...
The Greatest Threat to Your Business Isn't What You Think
Most business owners spend their time worrying about external threats: Competition - Economic uncertainty - Labor shortages - Regulations - Technology changes While those challenges are real, they are rar...
What People Have Stopped Telling You
Most leaders can easily identify defensiveness in employees. Far fewer recognize it in themselves. As leaders rise within an organization, something dangerous begins to happen: they receive less honest feedback. Team members bec...
Three Questions That Quietly Shape Your Life and Leadership
Most leaders spend their lives asking questions about growth, strategy, revenue, and performance. But the people who build meaningful businesses—and meaningful lives—eventually begin asking different questions. In this episode&n...
The Leadership Skill Nobody Teaches: Organized Communication
Most workplace communication problems are not people problems. They’re structure problems. In this episode I break down why smart leaders still confuse their teams — and how great communication is really about creating...
The Real Cost of Indecision in Business
I bet there is a decision sitting on your desk right now. You’ve thought about it. You’ve talked about it. But you haven’t made it. Not because you can’t—but because you’re waiting to be sure. In this episode, we break down one ...
The Problem Isn’t Employees Asking for More Money—It’s Why They Have To
Do you have employees who keep asking for more money? At first, it feels like a compensation issue. Over time, it starts to feel frustrating. But what if the real problem isn’t the asking? In th...
When Being Liked Gets in the Way of Leading Effectively
At some point in your business, you face a decision most leaders don’t even realize they’re making: Do I lead this moment… or protect how I’m perceived in it? In this episode, we explore one of the most common—and costly—leaders...
The WOW Factor Isn’t a Skill—It’s a System
Most businesses think they have a customer service problem. They don’t. They have a service design problem. In this episode, we break down why the WOW factor isn’t about personality, ...
Your Benefits Package Is Outdated (And It’s Costing You Talent)
Most business owners don’t design their benefits package—they inherit it. Health insurance. 401k. Two weeks of vacation. It’s the standard formula… but it’s built for an em...
When You’ve Outgrown the Business You Built
You built the business. You grew it. You made it work. So why does it feel… off? Not broken. Not failing. Just… Boring. Repetitive. Predictable. In this episode, we’re talking about the moment many business owners ...
Are You Rewarding Distraction in Your Business?
You have that employee everyone loves. They’re friendly. They’re engaging. They know everything about everyone. And they might be quietly costing you hours of productivity every week. <...
Not a Team Player… or Just Not Social?
They don’t go to the company picnic. They skip happy hour. They keep to themselves. So, you label them: not a team player. But what if that label is wrong? In...
The Most Frustrating Employee on Your Team Might Be Right
Do you have an employee who challenges how things are done? They’re not rude. They’re not underperforming. In fact—they might be one of your best people. But they don’t follow the script. They ...
The Hidden Leadership Habits That Shape Your Company Culture
Why Founders Create the Culture Problems They Complain About Founders often say: “No one takes ownership.” “Everything falls back on me.” “People are too sensitive.” “Why ...
Sink or Swim Is Not an Onboarding Strategy
Sink or Swim Is Not an Onboarding Strategy This week, I added a new team member. She has four legs, the sweetest face, and she’s scared of her own shadow. Because of her fear, she’s been in the shelter for a wh...
Is Your Business About More than Profits?
If your business disappeared tomorrow… would anyone notice — other than your accountant? In this episode, we explore what it truly means to run a business that stands for more than revenue. Profit mat...
Why Are You Having the Same Performance Conversation Over and Over?
If you’re having the same performance conversation with an employee every few months… and nothing is changing… this episode is for you. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: If you keep repeating yourself, the conversation probably wa...
