EPISODE
40
Season 2, Episode 1: Leadership, Ambition, and the Road Ahead
EPISODE LINKS.
SHOW NOTES.
Attitude, Fear, and Blind Ambition: A Deep Dive into Leadership and Business Success | McFarland Minutes
In this inaugural episode of 2026, Natalie McFarland reflects on nearly two decades of experience in business and creative industries. She discusses the key traits for success: attitude, fear, and blind ambition; while sharing invaluable lessons on leadership, mentorship, and navigating the complexities of business growth. Natalie also honors a departing team member and emphasizes the importance of investing in people. Tune in weekly for insights into marketing, project highlights, and more from McFarland Productions and Off Your Rocker Films.
00:00 Introduction to McFarland Minutes
00:33 Kicking Off Season Two
02:38 Reflecting on Business and Leadership
04:33 The Importance of Taking Action
06:43 Celebrating Team Members
08:52 Lessons from a Mentor
14:35 Transitioning from Employment to Entrepreneurship
21:55 Setting Goals and Moving Forward
26:50 Closing Thoughts and Future Episodes
ABOUT THIS EPISODE.
Navigating the New Year: Leadership, Ambition, and the Road Ahead
Welcome to the McFarland Minutes, where we explore the intricate world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and business. As Natalie McFarland, founder and president of McFarland Productions and Off Your Rocker Films, embarks on another year, 2026, she shares invaluable insights into leadership, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of success.
A New Year, A New Beginning
As we usher in 2026, it feels like another New Year’s moment for our podcast universe. However, the reality for us is different: We don’t wait until January 1st to set resolutions or make changes. At McFarland Productions, changes happen when they’re needed, driven by necessity rather than a calendar date. This is a pivotal mindset shift for anyone looking to lead effectively, be it aspiring entrepreneurs, executives aiming for CEO roles, or anyone venturing into leadership.
The Core of Success: Movement and Action
Natalie emphasizes the essence of willingness to move; taking action regardless of readiness. In business, success often hinges on taking “massive imperfect action,” embracing the unknown, and moving even when it feels uncomfortable. This proactive approach is a testament to the persistence that has driven McFarland Productions through 18 years, evolving from freelance roots into a thriving agency.
Adapting to Change
Change is inevitable, whether it’s staff transitions, client dynamics, or economic shifts. Just as Scout, an integral partner, moves on to new opportunities, Natalie underscores the importance of adaptability. Leaders must take time to reflect, yet swiftly plan and forge ahead, continuously hiring, mentoring, and learning.
Lessons from a Mentor: Attitude, Fear, and Ambition
Reflecting on her journey, Natalie recounts lessons from a pivotal mentor, Mark Sheldon, who recognized key characteristics essential to success:
– Attitude: When faced with a ‘no’, channel the energy to prove possibility.
– Fear of Failure: Use it as a motivator. A healthy fear propels drive; without it, motivation dwindles.
– Blind Ambition: Focus relentlessly on the big picture and immerse yourself in mastering your domain.
Investing in People
A crucial element in any business’s success is its people. Investing time, energy, and resources into your team is non-negotiable. Empowering them, imparting wisdom, and knowing when to let them grow beyond your company are all part of nurturing a thriving organizational culture.
Embrace the Journey
As we navigate 2026, the focus remains on cultivating these core principles within ourselves and our teams. There’s no magic wand for overnight success; it’s about setting big goals, taking calculated risks, and moving consistently. Each leader must think of themselves as an active contributor to their enterprise, relentlessly seeking improvement and impact.
Forward Into 2026
To all the leaders, founders, and visionaries out there, here’s to a year of ambitious goal-setting, inspired teamwork, and the determination to exceed the limits. Reflect on your practices, push for more, and take action. Let 2026 be marked not just by aspirations but by significant achievements guided by attitude, ambition, and a healthy dose of fear of failure.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through McFarland Minutes. Share your thoughts, and suggest topics you’d like explored further. As we anticipate more insightful conversations and guest features, we remain committed to providing a platform that inspires and empowers.
Here’s to a productive and transformational 2026!
ABOUT YOUR HOSTS.
NATALIE MCFARLAND
PRESIDENT, FOUNDER
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
After freelancing her way through college, Natalie established McFarland Productions in 2014, which has continued to grow rapidly over the last few years. Her passion and focus have always remained the same; capturing, understanding, preserving and promoting Ranching, Farming, Western Lifestyle and AgriBusiness. She has always had a love for the western culture and even at a young age it was unmistakably clear she would someday find a career serving the industry.
Natalie grew up on a small ranch, rodeoed, showed horses in a variety of disciplines, showed livestock, and participated in 4H and Oregon High School Equestrian Teams. She has trained herding dogs and started colts, worked with sheep and cattle and has had the experience of racing to finish up a hayfield before a rainstorm hit. She understands the joys, sorrows, wins, losses and hard work of ranchers and farmers. That’s why McFarland Productions can produce authentic marketing campaigns for the businesses, organizations, events, and brands of the western and agriculture industry – it’s who she is.
With a passion for building community surrounding brands, Natalie focuses on building real connections between companies/brands and the people that make up their community. Telling the stories of your customers and making them apart of the brand’s story is her main focus. Creating real, human, meaningful connections and strengthening community within the western and agriculture industry through strategic marketing services.
SCOUT FOSTER
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC STORYTELLING
MCFARLAND PRODUCTIONS
Scout’s faithfulness to the agriculture and western sports industry is rooted in tradition. Growing up in Central Florida, she stood by her family as they supported different sectors of the industry, including raising beef cattle, bucking bulls for local rodeos, and spending weekends with her grandparents who lived on Disney’s Wilderness Preserve.
Moving away from The Mouse, Scout graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Nation’s top agricultural communications college at Texas Tech University in 2022.
Now residing in Crockett, she and her husband, Lane, keep busy raising beef cattle and bucking bulls with her family. Scout also loves gardening, raising chickens, reading, and her two dogs: Rue and Dill.
