The Courage to Create: From Success to Significance with Dan Carroll

I Love Learning Podcast, S4 EP12: Dan Carroll

Have you ever achieved something you worked really hard for, only to find yourself wondering, “Is this it? Is there something more?” We spend so much of our lives chasing success, whether it’s a promotion, a financial goal, or reaching the next milestone. But what if success isn’t the ultimate goal? What if it’s what we do with that success that really matters?

In this episode of I Love Learning, I had the opportunity to sit down with Dan Carroll, Regional President of Performance Food Service and author of The Significance Code. I first heard Dan speak at a safety event, and his passion for people and leadership immediately caught my attention. After reading his book, I knew I wanted to have this conversation. Dan challenges us to think beyond what we accomplish and consider the impact we have on others along the way. One thing I especially appreciated was his perspective that success is something we should celebrate, but significance is about becoming more of who we are capable of being, both personally and professionally.

What I loved about Dan’s story is that writing his book required courage. He’s naturally a private person, and sharing his personal experiences and leadership journey wasn’t easy. But he recognized that being vulnerable and honest about what he’d learned could help others. As a learning scientist, I love this connection between courage, vulnerability, and growth. We don’t grow by pretending we have everything figured out. We grow by being willing to learn, reflect, take risks, and sometimes share the lessons that came from our hardest experiences.

One of my favorite moments in our conversation was when Dan talked about the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people. He encouraged listeners to find four people who can support, challenge, and help them grow, not just in their careers, but in the different areas of their lives. I loved this reminder because we aren’t meant to figure everything out alone. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, raising a family, or navigating a difficult season, having people in your corner matters. And just as importantly, we have an opportunity to be that person for someone else.

Dan’s message fits so beautifully with this season, The Courage to Create, because creating isn’t always about inventing a product or starting a company. Sometimes it’s about having the courage to create a different kind of life, a stronger relationship, a more meaningful career, or a legacy that extends beyond your own accomplishments. We all have something valuable to contribute, and we all have the ability to make a difference in someone else’s life.

Check out this week’s episode:

Never miss an episode! Be sure to subscribe to the I Love Learning Podcast with Dr. Gina Anderson on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.