Podcasts about continuous learning

Alex Freytag's "Stretch Not Snap" is a business fable that addresses a common challenge faced by entrepreneurial companies: how to transform the employee mindset into one of ownership, engagement, and shared vision, particularly through the strategic implementation of incentive plans.The book builds upon the foundation laid in another  business fable book by Gino Wickman and Mike Paton's "Get A Grip”. Freytag revisits the characters of Vic and Eileen, the leaders of Swan Services, as they navigate the next phase of their entrepreneurial journey.The story opens with Vic and Eileen facing a growing frustration. While their company, Swan Services, has successfully implemented the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) – gaining traction, clarity on priorities, and leadership team alignment – they observe a fundamental disconnect among their employees. Despite the company's progress and the leaders' dedication, a prevailing "me-first" or "entitlement" mentality has taken root. Employees seem to expect bonuses and rewards merely for showing up, rather than genuinely connecting their daily efforts to the company's overarching vision and financial health. This disengagement is stifling Swan Services' potential and preventing the full realization of its culture.The core of "Stretch Not Snap" is the unfolding of the ProfitWorks Solution, a methodology designed to create a self-funded incentive plan that genuinely drives employee engagement and financial results. The fable illustrates this solution through the practical challenges and successes faced by Vic, Eileen, and their team. The essence of the ProfitWorks Solution revolves around six key principles:1. Financial Literacy and Transparency2. Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Leading Measures3. The Self-Funded Incentive Plan4. Ending the Entitlement Mentality5. Sharing the Vision and Building Ownership6. Continuous Learning and Adaptation------------**Real Estate Espresso Podcast:** Spotify: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/show/3GvtwRmTq4r3es8cbw8jW0?si=c75ea506a6694ef1)   iTunes: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-real-estate-espresso-podcast/id1340482613)   Website: [www.victorjm.com](http://www.victorjm.com)   LinkedIn: [Victor Menasce](http://www.linkedin.com/in/vmenasce)   YouTube: [The Real Estate Espresso Podcast](http://www.youtube.com/@victorjmenasce6734)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/realestateespresso](http://www.facebook.com/realestateespresso)   Email: [podcast@victorjm.com](mailto:podcast@victorjm.com)  **Y Street Capital:** Website: [www.ystreetcapital.com](http://www.ystreetcapital.com)   Facebook: [www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital](https://www.facebook.com/YStreetCapital)   Instagram: [@ystreetcapital](http://www.instagram.com/ystreetcapital)  

#567 Allie Siarto is a wedding and lifestyle photographer based in East Lansing, Michigan, and host of the Photo Field Notes podcast. The episode is a deep dive into the importance of creating a world-class experience for portrait clients, a factor Allie emphasizes as crucial for building client loyalty and generating referrals in the photography business. Through engaging stories and clear advice, Allie illustrates how exceptional service, thoughtful preparation, and emotional connections often outweigh technical perfection in client satisfaction.KEY TOPICS COVEREDThe Power of Client Experience Over Technical Perfection - Allie explains that while technical skill is important, the client's emotional experience during the shoot has a greater impact on their satisfaction. Providing guidance, being prepared, and making clients comfortable often leads to higher perceived value and greater word-of-mouth referrals.Practical Steps for Improving Client Experience - Major points include communicating proactively (e.g., style guides, prep emails), planning for logistics (like family lists and timeline management), dressing professionally, and using prompts to create genuine moments. Real-world examples such as helping clients find venues or ensuring parents feel included underscore how small efforts make a big difference.Continuous Learning and Reflection - Allie shares her own learning curve, including mistakes (like not asking parents if they wanted more photos), and details how she implements those lessons to continually improve. The importance of treating early years in business as an extension of education is highlighted, encouraging listeners to seek feedback and view setbacks as opportunities.IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS & CONCEPTSClient Experience: The cumulative impressions and feelings that clients have throughout their interactions with a photographer, from initial inquiry to final image delivery. Ensuring a positive client experience can be a greater predictor of success and referrals than technical image quality alone.Unposed Posing: A posing style that uses prompts and interactive questions to evoke natural expressions and genuine emotion, rather than traditional, static posing. This approach helps even uncomfortable clients relax, leading to more authentic and memorable images.DISCUSSION & REFLECTION QUESTIONSHow do you currently manage the experience of your clients before, during, and after a shoot? What areas can you improve based on Allie's advice?Think about a time you had a remarkable or disappointing service experience (outside of photography). What specific factors made the difference, and how can you apply those lessons to your photography business?RESOURCES:Visit Allie Siarto's Website - http://alliesiarto.com/Follow Allie Siarto on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/alliesiarto/Grab your free 52 Lightroom Presets athttp://freephotographypresets.com/ Sign up for your free CloudSpot Account today at www.DeliverPhotos.comConnect with Raymond! Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group Get your Photo Questions Answered on the show - https://beginnerphotopod.com/qa Grab your free camera setting cheatsheet - https://perfectcamerasettings.com/ Thanks for listening & keep shooting!

Welcome back to another episode of "It's the Bottom Line That Matters," the podcast dedicated to your growth and success in business. In today's discussion, hosts Jennifer Glass, Daniel McCraine, and Patricia Reszetylo are shining a spotlight on the power and necessity of continuous learning.As technology evolves and business landscapes shift faster than ever, our hosts share their own approaches and challenges to staying informed and ahead. You'll hear how Patricia relies on tools like ChatGPT and Google to quickly satisfy her curiosity, while Daniel reflects on balancing the sheer volume of new information with the need to filter out distractions and focus on what truly matters for his business. Together, they explore critical questions every entrepreneur faces: When should you push yourself to learn something new for a client? When is it better to delegate or partner with an expert? And how do you keep your knowledge current without getting overwhelmed?Packed with practical tips—like building lists of credible resources, maintaining relationships with experts, and recognizing your own limits—this episode is a must-listen for anyone committed to long-term business success. Tune in for an honest conversation about why embracing lifelong learning isn't just an advantage, but a necessity for thriving in today's world—and how, at the end of the day, staying open to new ideas keeps you and your business moving forward.Keywords: continuous learning, soft skills, staying on top, business landscape, ChatGPT, Google, internet learning, information overload, filtering information, technology changes, learning new skills, project scope, core services, referral partners, outsourcing, expertise, lifelong learning, marketing trends, data analytics, cookies, evolving technology, adaptation, trusted sources, knowledge acquisition, mentorship, education, running list, experts, professional development, curiosity

Sam Wakefield discusses the importance of continuous learning in sales, particularly in the HVAC industry. He emphasizes building strong relationships with clients, understanding their needs, and the emotional aspects of selling. Sam shares his journey in creating Close It Now, a sales training company, and highlights the need for a shift in the home service industry towards better pricing strategies and valuing quality over cost. He also addresses common pitfalls in sales processes and the importance of starting with sales training early in business development. Ultimately, Sam advocates for a service-oriented approach that prioritizes the customer's experience and satisfaction.   Don't forget to register for Tommy's event, Freedom 2025! This is the event where Tommy's billion-dollar network will break down exactly how to accelerate your business and dominate your market in 2025.   For more details visit freedomevent.com   00:00 Sharpening the Ax: The Importance of Continuous Learning   02:14 The HVAC Industry: A Foundation for Sales Mastery   04:00 Building Relationships: The Key to Sales Success   09:57 The Birth of Close It Now: A New Approach to Sales Training   13:54 Upleveling the Home Service Industry: A Call to Action   19:04 Pricing Strategies: The Value of Quality Over Cost   27:03 Common Pitfalls in Sales Processes: Building from the Ground Up   32:50 The Value of Service and Pricing Integrity   35:01 Essential Sales Advice for New Professionals   38:06 Understanding Customer Needs vs. Wants   40:01 Restoring Trust in Sales and Home Services   42:00 The Importance of Consistent Training   47:05 NLP and Its Impact on Sales   51:36 The Art of Follow-Up in Sales   58:11 Recognizing Buying Signals in Sales Conversations  

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros podcast, host Michael Stansbury interviews Edin Bojic, a seasoned property manager in New York City. They discuss Bo's journey into property management, the importance of communication, the impact of technology, and the unique challenges of managing properties in New York. Bo shares insights on building relationships with residents, understanding management fees, and adapting to changes brought on by COVID-19. The conversation highlights the continuous learning aspect of property management and the value of networking with other professionals in the field. Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true ‘white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a “mini-mastermind” with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming “Retreat”, either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas “Big H Ranch”? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

This episode of RNT Fitness Radio is taken from one of our weekly coaching calls where our Head of Performance, Ed Pilkington, brings one of the coaches on to discuss a popular topic with our members. This week I joined Ed to talk about the 5 year anniversary of the book, how the five phases were built, what's coming up for members, the reason why most people gain weight and our new metabolic health offer.   Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:56 Injury Challenges and Mental Resilience 07:04 RNT's Evolution and Member Perspectives 12:41 The Importance of Physical Appearance 15:16 The Impact of the Book and Five Phases 19:09 Understanding the Five Phases 22:29 Timeframes for Transformation 25:10 Identifying Emotional Baggage 30:21 Perceived Knowledge vs. True Wisdom 33:57 The Journey of Continuous Learning 35:27 Engagement and Accountability in Transformation 39:02 Metabolic Health: Understanding Your Body's Signals 45:54 Upcoming Innovations and Community Engagement 54:06 Quickfire Questions: Insights Beyond Fitness   Next steps:  1) Apply for 1-1 coaching: https://www.rntfitness.co.uk/pro/   2) Take our quiz to see if you're ready for a transformation: http://www.rntfitness.co.uk/transform   3) Get our free book shipped to your door: https://bit.ly/tybtylform   4) Try our free 28 day fat loss accelerator: https://www.rntfitness.co.uk/transformation-accelerator  5) Optimum Nutrition: RNT20 for 20% off Connect with RNT Fitness:  Website  Facebook  Instagram  YouTube  Email  Connect with Akash:  Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn 

Welcome to the CanadianSME Small Business Podcast, hosted by Maheen, where we explore the strategies and technologies that empower businesses to achieve sustainable growth. In today's episode, we focus on key areas such as scaling operations, continuous learning, and leveraging customer experience as a driver of success.Recent trends emphasize the importance of adaptability, a commitment to ongoing development, and customer-centric strategies in today's competitive market. This episode will provide valuable insights for businesses of all sizes looking to thrive and expand.Our guest today is Keith Murray, CEO of boostCX, a seasoned leader with extensive expertise in customer experience management and driving business growth. Keith shares his experience and strategies on how businesses can achieve lasting success.Key Highlights:1. Growth and Scaling: Key strategies for sustainable business growth and effective scaling, plus common pitfalls to avoid.2. Continuous Learning as a Competitive Advantage: How to foster a culture of continuous learning and why ongoing employee development is crucial in today's rapidly changing market.3. Customer Experience as a Growth Lever: Key strategies for improving customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention to drive business growth.4. Digital Risk Inc.: Insights into Keith's side venture, Digital Risk Inc., and how it connects to customer experience and business strategy.5. AI-Powered Insights Module: How the new AI-powered Insights module from boostCX helps businesses uncover actionable insights from verbatim feedback data.Special Thanks to Our Partners:RBC: https://www.rbcroyalbank.com/dms/business/accounts/beyond-banking/index.htmlUPS: https://solutions.ups.com/ca-beunstoppable.html?WT.mc_id=BUSMEWAGoogle: https://www.google.ca/For more expert insights, visit www.canadiansme.ca and subscribe to the CanadianSME Small Business Magazine. Stay innovative, stay informed, and thrive in the digital age!Disclaimer: The information shared in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as direct financial or business advice. Always consult with a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.

My guest today is Gustav Söderström. Gustav is the Co-President, Chief Product Officer & Chief Technology Officer at Spotify. Gustav lets us behind the scenes on how Spotify thinks about the future of audio and video, and what leadership lessons he's learned from making mistakes and taking risks in a rapidly changing technological landscape. He shares fascinating insights on their synchronized team structure and how they have positioned themselves as "the R&D department" for the entire music industry. We discuss their integration of AI, their unique "bets board" process for allocating resources, and how they've evolved from a music service into a multimedia platform with over 650 million users. Please enjoy my conversation with Gustav Söderström. For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page⁠ here.⁠ ----- This episode is brought to you by⁠ Ramp⁠. Ramp's mission is to help companies manage their spend in a way that reduces expenses and frees up time for teams to work on more valuable projects. Go to⁠ Ramp.com/invest⁠ to sign up for free and get a $250 welcome bonus. –  This episode is brought to you by⁠ AlphaSense⁠. AlphaSense has completely transformed the research process with cutting-edge AI technology and a vast collection of top-tier, reliable business content. Invest Like the Best listeners can get a free trial now at⁠ Alpha-Sense.com/Invest⁠ and experience firsthand how AlphaSense and Tegus help you make smarter decisions faster. – This episode is brought to you by⁠ Ridgeline⁠. Ridgeline has built a complete, real-time, modern operating system for investment managers. It handles trading, portfolio management, compliance, customer reporting, and much more through an all-in-one real-time cloud platform. Head to⁠ ridgelineapps.com⁠ to learn more about the platform. ----- Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (⁠https://thepodcastconsultant.com⁠). Show Notes: (00:00:00) Welcome to Invest Like the Best (00:05:27) Spotify's Journey Through Technological Shifts (00:06:28) The Impact of Generative AI on Consumer Products (00:09:36) AI in Coding and Productivity (00:11:11) Consumer Engagement and AI Playlisting (00:14:43) Strategic Frameworks and Decision-Making at Spotify (00:19:39) The Bets Process: Structured Innovation (00:31:11) The Future of AI and Business Models (00:44:31) The Future of AI and Inference Costs (00:46:21) The Concept of Computronium and Infinite Computing (00:47:02) David Deutsch and the Beginning of Infinity (00:48:55) The Power of Explanations and Human Understanding (00:54:03) Spotify's Free Tier and Consumer Needs (00:56:45) Spotify's Relationship with the Music Industry (01:03:03) The Rise of Podcasting and Audiobooks (01:15:45) Personal Interests and Continuous Learning (01:20:32) The Kindest Thing Anyone Has Ever Done For Gustav

In this engaging conversation, intimacy expert Susan Bratton discusses the profound connection between mastering intimacy and achieving high performance in various aspects of life. She emphasizes that sexual skills are learned and that pleasure is essential for overall health and happiness. The discussion also explores the impact of technology on sexual experiences, the importance of oxytocin in relationships, and the evolving dynamics of gender and sexuality in contemporary society. Bratton encourages continuous learning and exploration in intimacy to enhance personal and relational well-being.Chapters00:00 Mastering Intimacy for High Performance03:01 The Connection Between Health and Sexuality05:52 Learning and Skills in Sexuality08:58 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Intimacy11:58 Exploring New Techniques and Tools14:52 Regenerative Medicine and Longevity17:51 Oxytocin and Its Role in Connection28:59 Overcoming Health Challenges33:13 Strength, Fitness, and Aging Gracefully34:12 Gaining Wisdom Through Experience37:09 The Intersection of Sexuality and Health39:09 Repression and Control in Sexuality40:10 Shifting Paradigms in Relationships46:17 The Future of Sex and Technology

About the Guest(s):Trevor Houston is a dynamic career strategist and host of the "Who Ya Know Show," where he focuses on connecting professionals with job opportunities by leveraging the right networks. Driven by his passion for solving complex job market issues like ageism, Trevor combines his expertise with practical strategies to help job seekers level up and get noticed. His approach is underscored by a deep understanding of modern job search techniques and valuable insights into personal branding and adaptability.Mark Elder is a seasoned professional with a strong background in career coaching and human resources. As a co-host of the "Who Ya Know Show," Mark delves into the nuanced challenges facing today's job seekers. He brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic advice, particularly around combating ageism and modernizing personal and professional profiles to suit current job market demands.Episode Summary:In this enlightening episode of the "Who Ya Know Show," hosts Trevor Houston and Mark Elder confront the issue of ageism in the modern job market. They delve into how experienced professionals can transform their perceived age-related liabilities into significant assets by modernizing their public profiles, enhancing their adaptability, and leveraging their wisdom as a strategic advantage. Through this episode, the show provides crucial insights for job seekers looking to overcome barriers associated with age, emphasizing the importance of experience as a superpower rather than a drawback.Trevor and Mark tackle misconceptions around ageism, outlining strategies that older workers can employ to remain competitive. From modernizing LinkedIn profiles to using strategic language in resumes, they share actionable tips, emphasizing adaptability and the importance of a multi-generational network. Highlighting the crucial role of continuous learning, they encourage older professionals to embrace new technologies and education opportunities. Key themes revolve around personal branding, adaptability, and collaboration, with a strong focus on turning wisdom into a marketable asset.Resources:Career Transition Summit: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/67/04404igv LinkedIn e-book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://online.flippingbook.com/view/714118097/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/who-ya-know-show ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Trevor Houston is a licensed financial professional offering insurance/financial products through various carriers. For more info visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://cpwstrategies.com Chapters:(0:00) Overcoming Ageism by Showcasing Experience as a Superpower(7:10) The Value of Expertise in Problem Solving(7:58) Addressing Ageism and Modernizing Older Workers in the Workplace(10:40) Generational Differences in Problem-Solving and Information Seeking(17:44) Modernizing LinkedIn Profiles with AI Headshots(19:31) Modernizing Resumes and Highlighting Adaptability Over Tenure(26:16) Embracing Adaptability and Continuous Learning in a Rapidly Changing World(35:47) Building Multi-Generational Networks for Career Advancement(42:05) Strategies for Overcoming Ageism and Enhancing Digital Presence

2025 is your year to level up your Brazilian Portuguese—agora é a hora!

In this episode of Remodelers On The Rise, Kyle hits the floor at JobTread Connect in Dallas, TX for quick, candid conversations with some of the brightest minds in the remodeling industry. Hear fresh takes on marketing, leadership, job costing, team culture, and more — all in a fast-paced, behind-the-scenes format. Featuring voices from industry leaders, you won't want to miss this! ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit RemodelersOnTheRise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! ----- Takeaways Understanding your numbers is crucial for success. Hard conversations are necessary for growth. Identify what makes your business unique. Core values can differentiate your business. Pre-construction efforts save time and resources. A strong company culture attracts and retains talent. Content marketing is vital for visibility. Continuous learning is essential for growth. Adapt to industry changes to stay relevant. Invest in your business to achieve long-term success. ----- Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Importance of Numbers 03:43 Creative Marketing Strategies 06:38 Core Values and Company Culture 09:47 The Role of Content in Business 12:55 Continuous Learning and Improvement 15:49 Evolving with Customer Needs

After five years of building a coaching business dedicated to helping product managers advance their careers, I'm passing the mic to someone who deeply understands the mission and is ready to take it even further.In this special episode of productmanagHER, I sat down with Jess Sherlock, the current owner of the SPRINT and SCALE Product Management Coaching Programs, and the force behind the fresh podcast, AFTER THE CERT: Helping Product Managers Get Unstuck. Together, we reflected on the journey that led us here and explore what the next generation of Product Management Career Coaching looks like.This isn't just a conversation about transition. It's a powerful exploration of growth, mentorship, and what everyday product managers really need to thrive in today's fast-moving world.Whether you're navigating a plateau, stepping into leadership, looking for a new job, or seeking support beyond certifications, this episode will leave you feeling seen and reminded that the best kind of growth often happens beneath the surface.Learn more about the new AFTER THE CERT: Helping Product Managers Get Unstuck podcast at afterthecert.com/podcast. If, deep down in your gut, you know you can benefit from a career coach who intimately understands the Product space to help grow your career, touch base with Jess. Learn more here at https://www.jesssherlock.com. Everything you need to know about getting support to land your Product job faster via SPRINT, nail the first 90 days in the new Product job via SCALE, or get support with the rut you're in to get the promotion via SHINE is all there. At the very least, connect with Jess on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-sherlock.While you're there, connect with me, too: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairpresley. Are you curious to learn more about Product coaching? Visit blairpresley.com to get started.

Register for my FREE debt class for entrepreneurs: https://ginaknox.co/masterclass-ad Join Small Business Money School: https://ginaknox.co/school Join the waitlist for the 7 Figure Wealth Mastermind: https://ginaknox.co/mastermind Episode Synopsis: In this engaging conversation, Chaitra Radhakrishna shares her journey from being a software engineer to becoming a successful entrepreneur and the owner of Pink Pot Studio. She discusses her rebranding efforts, the influence of her father's financial wisdom, and how motherhood reshaped her perspective on business and financial independence. Chaitra reflects on the challenges she faced during her maternity leave, her determination to hit a $100K revenue goal, and the importance of value-based pricing. The conversation also touches on unexpected life changes and the resilience of women entrepreneurs. In this conversation, Gina Knox shares her journey of confronting limiting beliefs about money, the shift to financial responsibility as an entrepreneur, and the importance of continuous learning in wealth building. She discusses how her mindset evolved from viewing wealth as merely saving money to understanding the significance of investing. Gina emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to build wealth alongside their businesses to reduce financial pressure and enable risk-taking in their ventures. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Chaitra Radhakrishna03:07 - The Journey from Software Engineer to Entrepreneur05:53 - First Memories of Money and Family Influence09:00 - Motherhood and Its Impact on Financial Independence12:09 - Navigating Business Challenges During Pregnancy14:55 - The Shift in Mindset After Motherhood18:13 - Pricing Strategies and Overcoming Money Mindset Blocks21:00 - Unexpected Life Changes and Financial Decisions24:20 - Confronting Limiting Beliefs About Money30:19 - The Shift to Financial Responsibility38:38 - Redefining Wealth Building46:12 - The Importance of Continuous Learning in Wealth Building About Chaitra Radhakrishna: Chaitra is the founder of The High-End Web Designer (HEWD), a coaching program that helps web designers scale to $10K+ projects while working less than 20 hours a week. After growing her own Shopify design studio, Pinkpot Studio, to six figures with high-end clients, she now teaches other designers how to raise their rates, attract premium clients, and build businesses rooted in sustainable ambition—profitable, balanced, and designed to fit their life, not the other way around. Where to find Chaitra: Website: https://chaitraradhakrishna.com/ Category: Wealth Keywords: Entrepreneurship, financial independence, motherhood, money mindset, business journey, rebranding, pricing strategies, personal growth, family influence, challenges, money mindset, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, wealth building, limiting beliefs, investing, cash flow, assets, financial responsibility, continuous learning

#211: Eric Musselman is the head coach of the University of Southern California (USC) men's basketball team, having taken the helm in April 2024. Prior to joining USC, he spent five seasons at the University of Arkansas, compiling a 111–59 record and leading the Razorbacks to three NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Elite Eight runs. Musselman also served as head coach at Nevada from 2016 to 2019, where he guided the Wolf Pack to three Mountain West Conference titles and three NCAA Tournament berths. His coaching career spans over 30 years and includes stints in both the NBA and international basketball.Coach Musselman played college basketball at the University of San Diego, where he earned All-Academic honors and helped the Toreros reach two NCAA Tournaments. He is the son of Bill Musselman, a former NBA head coach, making them the first father-son duo to both serve as NBA head coaches. Eric Musselman's coaching journey began in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), where he became the youngest head coach in league history at age 24. He later transitioned to the NBA, coaching the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings, and also served as an assistant with several NBA teams. His international experience includes coaching the national teams of the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and the United States.On the show he shares his story, thoughts on leadership, continues learning, resilience, energy, adapting, consistency, building excellence, and much more. For more info on Coach Muss check out his social media @ericpmusselman, as well as the USC men's basketball program at usctrojans.com Enjoy the show!

Mark and marketing expert Justin Tucker discuss the evolution of personalization in marketing, particularly in the context of AI's role in enhancing productivity and human connection within the real estate industry. They emphasize the importance of using AI to empower employees rather than replace them, and the potential for personal branding to intersect with AI to create meaningful interactions. The discussion also covers various tools that can enhance communication and sales, the necessity of continuous learning in the age of AI, and innovations in consumer collaboration that leverage technology to improve user experience. In this conversation, the speakers explore the importance of continuous learning, taking action, and iterating in the face of challenges, particularly in the context of AI and personal branding. They discuss the significance of authenticity and originality, the necessity of embracing failure, and the value of self-discovery. The conversation also touches on the role of passion projects, like the Pizza Illuminati, in fostering creativity and relevance in a fast-paced world. Finally, they emphasize the importance of consuming knowledge and connecting with others to enhance personal and professional growth. Connect with Justin on Facebook! Takeaways AI is not a replacement for humans but a tool to enhance productivity. The future of marketing lies in personal brands and AI. Automation allows employees to focus on human connections. Curiosity and continuous learning are essential in adapting to AI. Scaling personalization is now possible with AI technology. Companies should empower employees to create memorable experiences. AI can analyze large data sets for actionable insights. Personalization can be achieved at scale through AI. Tools like Crystal Knows and Fathom enhance communication. The intersection of human intelligence and AI is the future of business. The learn-do-iterate model emphasizes the importance of action. Authenticity in creativity is crucial, especially in AI. Iteration is key to overcoming challenges and improving skills. Self-discovery is essential for effective personal branding. Passion projects can enhance creativity and learning. Chapters 00:00 The Evolution of Personalization in Marketing 02:52 AI's Role in Real Estate and Productivity 05:48 Human Connection in an AI-Driven World 08:50 Empowering Employees Through Automation 12:05 The Future of Personal Branding and AI 14:46 Scaling Personalization with AI 17:51 Tools for Enhancing Communication and Sales 20:58 The Importance of Continuous Learning in AI 24:01 Innovations in Consumer Collaboration 27:03 The Intersection of Human and Artificial Intelligence 30:46 The Learn-Do-Iterate Model 32:41 The Authenticity of Originality in AI 33:49 The Importance of Iteration and Taking Action 36:53 Navigating Failure and Embracing Growth 39:24 Self-Discovery and Personal Branding 41:02 Pizza Illuminati: A Passion Project 43:31 Staying Relevant in a Fast-Paced World 44:18 Consumption of Knowledge and Continuous Learning 48:39 The Role of Music in Creativity 51:22 Connecting and Collaborating with Others Affiliate Links: Unleashing the Power of Respect: The I-M Approach by Joseph Shrand, MD This episode is brought to you in part by SecuriTitle, a fractional paralegal service assisting with all things real estate in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Learn more about how Core7 can generate referrals, add value to your partners, and make a difference in the lives of your clients at mycore7.com

In Episode 53, Tamara Kocharova welcomes Viktor Lindblom, Vice President of Global Learning & Development, whose strategies have transformed businesses from New York to Amsterdam.Dive into a masterclass on bridging the gap between L&D and business impact. Viktor reveals how he shifted from fixing internet connections in the early 2000s to designing learning ecosystems that drive revenue—and why traditional metrics like NPS scores often miss the mark.You'll Discover, why problem-solving beats “check-the-box” training— and how to align L&D with real business KPIs (like sales ramp-up time). You'll get culture hacks: How his “Radical Candor” training sparked a feedback revolution across continents.Whether you're an L&D leader, a people strategist, or a future-focused executive, this episode will challenge you to rethink how learning drives growth.If you believe L&D should solve puzzles — not just deliver courses — hit play now!Follow Tamara Kocharova, the podcast host and CEO at Lanes AI, on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tkocharova Book a meeting to learn more about Lanes AI: lanes.ai/demo?utm_campaign=podcast-53-episode Listen all Episodes of LPTP podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lptl-love-people-technology-learning/id1736176315 Follow Tamara Kocharova, the podcast host and CEO at Lanes AI on LinkedIn to stay tuned for future episodes: linkedin.com/in/tkocharovaBook a meeting to learn more about Lanes AI: lanes.ai/demo

Here’s the hard truth: most entrepreneurs fail. But that doesn’t have to be your story. In this powerful episode of Brave Bold Brilliant, Jeannette breaks down the most common reasons entrepreneurs struggle - and gives you the mindset shifts, strategies, and tools you need to rise above the statistics. From lack of focus to poor financial habits, from ignoring customer needs to neglecting growth - this episode lays it all out. More importantly, you’ll learn how to develop the resilience, clarity, and consistency required to build a thriving business that lasts. Whether you're just starting out or scaling to new levels, this episode is your wake-up call and playbook in one. Tune in, take notes, and take action. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why most entrepreneurs don’t make it past the early stages The silent killers of business success: distraction, ego, and financial neglect How successful founders think differently Resilience, growth mindset, and strategic risk-taking as superpowers The real reason consistency matters more than talent or timing Practical strategies to build a business that thrives long-term This episode is living proof that no matter where you’re starting from — or what life throws at you — it’s never too late to be brave, bold, and unlock your inner brilliant. Visit https://brave-bold-brilliant.com/ for free tools, guides and resources to help you take action now

As a K-12 math coordinator, coach, leader are you constantly collecting resources, leading PD, and chasing the next big idea—only to wonder if any of it is actually changing classroom practice?If you're a math coach, coordinator, or administrator who feels stuck in a loop of sharing best practices without seeing those practices transferred consistently into the classroom, this episode dives into the heart of that struggle. Kyle Pearce, Yvette Lehman, and Jon Orr confront a challenge many leaders face: how to balance continuous learning with focused implementation. When every new initiative feels urgent, how do you know when it's time to stop gathering and start doing?In this episode, you'll discover:Why more math PD doesn't always equal more impact—and how to recognize the tipping point.A smarter approach to setting math goals that actually result in classroom change.How to build coordinated support systems in mathematics that turn professional learning into real-world results.If you're ready to move from overwhelmed to intentional leadership, press play and let's reimagine how math professional learning should really work.Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/ Math coordinators and leaders – Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Learn how to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & UnitsShow NotesLove the show? Text us your big takeaway!Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you'll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.Take the assessmentAre you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don't want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.

In this engaging conversation, Dave McGlynn and I explore the multifaceted world of the fire service, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, mental health awareness, and the innovations in training. They discuss the significance of networking at events like FDIC, the challenges leaders face in supporting their teams, and the necessity of self-care for those in leadership positions. The dialogue is rich with personal anecdotes and insights, making it a valuable resource for anyone in the fire service. In this conversation, Dave and I discuss the need for improved training in the fire service, particularly at the National Fire Academy. They emphasize the importance of leadership development, proactive training, and the challenges posed by budget constraints. The discussion also touches on their upcoming book project focused on training and leadership in the fire service, highlighting the need for collaboration and innovative training methods.

“Every day, you get to make a choice about what you are opting into. You can always make a different choice tomorrow. You can always make a different choice today.” —Melissa FranksEver feel like your business is a puzzle with missing pieces? What if you had a secret weapon who could help you connect those dots and turn your entrepreneurial vision into a thriving reality? The magic happens when strategic insight meets practical execution—and that's where a game-changing operational expert becomes your business's best friend.Melissa Franks is a seasoned Chief Operating Officer with over 25 years of corporate experience, specializing in scaling businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs. As the founder of On Call COO and host of the "Opt In" podcast, she brings a wealth of strategic insights and operational expertise to growing businesses.Tune in as Heather and Melissa reveal insider strategies for business growth, overcoming professional obstacles, mastering networking, pricing your expertise, building a consulting business, and leveraging the transformative power of fractional executive support to supercharge your business potential.Connect with Heather: WebsiteFacebook InstagramLinkedInEpisode Highlights:01:29 Meet Melissa: Balancing Multiple Roles03:32 Hitting a Career Ceiling and Starting a New Business 10:08 The Value of Curiosity and Continuous Learning 13:03  Building a Clientele and Solid Business Model20:48 Challenges and Strategies in Business Consulting 26:24 Networking and Building Connections 29:27 “Opt In”: Creating Content for Busy Professionals Connect with Melissa: Melissa Franks is a seasoned Chief Operating Officer (COO) and business strategist with over 25 years of corporate experience. As the founder of On Call CEO, she provides fractional executive support to growing businesses, specializing in helping female entrepreneurs scale and optimize their operations. With a background in technology and financial services, Melissa has guided businesses from $50 million to $350 million in revenue. Her expertise lies in strategic planning, team development, and creating scalable business structures. A single mother based in Northern California, Melissa is also the host of the "Opt In" podcast, where she shares actionable business insights and strategies for entrepreneurs. Her mission is to empower business leaders by providing expert guidance, operational excellence, and strategic support tailored to each organization's unique needs.WebsiteLinkedInInstagramYouTubeSupport the show

On this episode, Jason shares how to find your voice as a yoga teacher, how it evolves through different life phases, and how to sustain it over the long haul. You'll learn why finding your voice is an ongoing process, how to stay confident as a yoga teacher, and how to overcome burnout, self-doubt, and comparison.You'll learn: • How to find your voice as a yoga teacher (and why it's always evolving) • The role of passions, practice, and personal growth in shaping your teaching style • Common obstacles yoga teachers face—and how to move through them with resilience • Tips to stay inspired, prevent yoga teacher burnout, and build confidence for the long term • How specialized yoga teacher training can help you refine your authentic teaching voiceChapters:03:00 Finding Your Voice as a Yoga Teacher05:55 The Evolution of Teaching Styles09:36 Adopting and Evolving from Your Teacher's Voice12:54 Personal Journey and Influences17:00 Incorporating New Interests and Passions20:29 The Importance of Lifelong Learning23:03 The Importance of Continuous Learning in Yoga24:16 Embracing Authenticity as a Yoga Teacher26:24 Overcoming People Pleasing in Teaching28:31 The Illusion of Pleasing Everyone33:09 Adapting and Evolving as a Teacher36:04 The Need for Ongoing Training41:34 Managing Burnout and Teaching Strategies44:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In episode 52, Tamara Kocharova sits down with Tiffany Odutoye, founder of Virtual Partner LLC & a powerhouse leader on a mission to empower 1 million women by 2028.Discover the transformative journey of a lady who is reshaping women's leadership development. Tiffany shares her deeply personal story of overcoming dyslexia, her passion for mentorship, and her groundbreaking "She Leads" program that addresses critical challenges facing women in the workplace.Dive into a candid conversation about emotional intelligence, breaking through toxic work cultures, and the importance of preparing the next generation of women leaders. This episode is more than just a discussion — it's a rallying cry for connection, courage, and collective growth. Learn how one woman's vision is creating ripple effects of change, one leader at a time. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and empowered!Follow Tamara Kocharova, the podcast host and CEO at Lanes AI, on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tkocharova Book a meeting to learn more about Lanes AI: lanes.ai/demo?utm_campaign=podcast-52-episode Listen all Episodes of LPTP podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lptl-love-people-technology-learning/id1736176315 Follow Tamara Kocharova, the podcast host and CEO at Lanes AI on LinkedIn to stay tuned for future episodes: linkedin.com/in/tkocharovaBook a meeting to learn more about Lanes AI: lanes.ai/demo

In this episode of Remodelers on the Rise, Kyle shares 9 things rolling around his head—from marketing tips to mindset resets. You'll hear practical reminders on leading your team, boosting your sales process, creating better social content (yes, Reels matter!), improving your design and development workflow, and even keeping your stress in check as your remodeling business grows. Whether you're feeling scattered or just looking for one solid takeaway to help you lead better and build smarter, this episode's got a little something for everyone. ----- Today's episode is sponsored by Builder Funnel! Click here to learn more about how Builder Funnel helps remodelers and home builders grow through strategic digital marketing. ----- Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights! ----- Takeaways Builder Funnel helps remodelers generate leads. Proactive communication can lead to project success. Social media reels increase engagement and followers. Recognizing team efforts boosts morale. Mindset affects daily productivity and well-being. Revisiting impactful books can enhance skills. Trade partners can alleviate workload stress. Capacity management is crucial during rapid growth. Frequent communication keeps clients informed and satisfied. Preparation is key to preventing poor performance. ----- Chapters 02:13 Proactive Client Engagement 04:31 Leveraging Social Media for Marketing 06:56 Positive Leadership and Team Management 08:21 Mindset and Personal Well-being 13:14 Continuous Learning and Book Recommendations 15:37 Hiring Strategies: In-house vs. Trade Partners 19:53 Managing Rapid Growth and Client Expectations 26:56 Productivity Tips and Conclusion

In this week's episode, Casey sits down with Grant Young to dive into the bold risks, relentless work ethic, and calculated bets that shaped his entrepreneurial journey. From knocking doors in the early days of the solar industry to moving his family across the country, two times, without a safety net. Grant's story is one of grit, vision, and unwavering commitment.Grant shares how he and his business partner, Benson, navigated the complexities of the solar industry, why they chose New York as the proving ground for their company, and how they built a customer-first model that disrupted the status quo. He opens up about the sacrifices, the near-failures, and the mindset required to turn challenges into stepping stones for success.Beyond business, Grant discusses his approach to investing, personal growth, and the role of faith in his life. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a leader, or simply someone looking to level up, this episode is packed with insights on taking calculated risks, staying adaptable, and betting on yourself when it matters most.Chapters:00:00 – 01:39 | Meet Grant YoungHow Grant and Casey first connected through business and shared passionsIntroduction to Grant's entrepreneurial journey in solar energy01:39 – 05:27 | Early Days in Solar SalesGrant's mission experience and transition into solar door-to-door salesThe challenges of dealer models and the vision for a customer-first company05:27 – 08:19 | The Leap to New YorkWhy Grant and Benson chose New York as their proving groundMoving with no safety net: starting from scratch with a pregnant wife08:19 – 13:03 | Risk, Commitment & GrowthBurning the ships: why full commitment was the key to successThe mindset shift from fear to growth and taking risks early13:03 – 17:32 | Building a Better Solar CompanyCreating a fully integrated sales and installation modelThe hard lessons from their first year and why New York's red tape became an advantage17:32 – 22:19 | Money, Investing & Personal PhilosophyGrant's minimalist approach to money and focus on self-masteryLearning from mentors, self-help, and betting on skills over quick wealth22:19 – 28:11 | Partnership, Expansion & LeadershipThe dynamics of Grant's partnership with BensonGrowing from a local business to a national home services company28:11 – 30:12 | Continuous Learning & Self-EducationGrant's approach to lifelong learning beyond formal educationHow curiosity fuels personal and professional growth30:12 – 32:37 | Defining Moments & GritA story of resilience during a high-stakes game with business leadersHow grit and confidence shaped Grant's leadership style32:37 – 38:37 | Faith, Service & Giving BackThe role of faith and mission service in Grant's lifeMentoring and uplifting youth from underprivileged communities38:37 – 44:34 | What Fires Grant Up TodayLiving with intention: doing the right thing and trusting the processCreating world-class customer experiences inspired by “Unreasonable Hospitality”44:34 – 47:09 | Vision for the FutureScaling Addix and building a culture of excellenceWhat's next for Grant, Benson, and their mission-driven company Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 51, Tamara Kocharova explores the transformative world of learning with Clain Udy, VP of L&D at Fortidia. Dive into a conversation that goes beyond traditional training approaches. Clain shares his innovative strategies for franchise-based learning, revealing how AI and technology are revolutionizing employee development. From global training consistency to personalized learning experiences, we uncover the secrets of creating impactful, adaptive learning environments. But this episode is more than a professional journey - it's a deeply personal story. Clain opens up about his mission to reframe autism through a strengths-based perspective. Reimagine what learning can be! Tune in!  Follow Tamara Kocharova, the podcast host and CEO at Lanes AI, on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tkocharovaBook a meeting to learn more about Lanes AI: lanes.ai/demo?utm_campaign=podcast-51-episodeListen all Episodes of LPTP podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lptl-love-people-technology-learning/id1736176315 Follow Tamara Kocharova, the podcast host and CEO at Lanes AI on LinkedIn to stay tuned for future episodes: linkedin.com/in/tkocharovaBook a meeting to learn more about Lanes AI: lanes.ai/demo

In this episode I discuss my recent trip to Mike Boyle's Strength & Conditioning facility in Woburn, MA. I attended their Spring seminar with my wife Lela, and we learned from some of the best minds in the fitness industry. I took several things away from this event; one being the importance of training an often overlooked muscle group, otherwise known as the "second heart." I have adjusted my own training program to prioritize this part of the body in an effort to give it the attention it deserves. Maintaining excellent cardiovascular health is severely underrated. I also discuss the importance of taking the leap into new ventures, and the importance of being a life-long student by focusing on your continued education. Thank you for listening! Email me here: https://figarellesfitness.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/figarellesfitness

In this episode, host Jim Love conducts a captivating interview with Licenia Rojas, Senior Vice President and Chief Architect at TD Bank. Licenia shares her journey from high school to becoming a leader in technology and architecture, highlighting the importance of mentorship, authenticity, and continuous learning. They discuss the evolving role of architecture, the transformative impact of technologies like AI, and the need for human-centric innovation. Licenia also offers practical advice for career growth and the significance of cultivating an inclusive and productive work culture. The conversation provides valuable insights for both early-career individuals and seasoned professionals. 00:00 Introduction to the Interview Series 01:24 Meet Licenia Rojas: Career Journey and Early Influences 02:22 Discovering a Passion for Technology 04:29 The Importance of Continuous Learning and Mentorship 05:31 Navigating Career Transitions and Embracing New Roles 07:53 The Role of Curiosity and Asking Questions 10:17 Creating an Inclusive Culture and Encouraging Voices 13:08 The Significance of Workplace Culture 14:56 Current Role and Responsibilities at TD Bank 16:30 The Evolution and Importance of Architecture in Technology 21:11 Understanding the Risk Framework 21:54 Linking Outcomes with Technology 22:35 Defining and Achieving 'Good' 24:20 Customer-Centric Innovation 26:27 Employee Engagement and Idea Implementation 28:19 Overcoming Cynicism in Tech 31:22 Exciting Technologies Beyond AI 32:46 Balancing Security and Innovation 38:37 Advice for Aspiring Technologists 41:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In the dynamic world of leadership, fostering a robust organizational culture is paramount. Leaders are increasingly recognizing the importance of creating environments where employees feel valued, supported, and inspired. This episode explores the foundational elements of a "friction-free culture," a concept rooted in nurturing a workplace that prioritizes care, candor, accountability, and responsibility. These pillars are essential for leaders aiming to enhance team performance, engagement, and satisfaction. By implementing these concepts, leaders can cultivate a culture that not only drives success but also contributes to a happier, more fulfilled workforce. This episode provides actionable insights into building and sustaining such an empowering culture, essential for any leader committed to peak performance. Timestamped Overview [00:06:17] Garry's Journey to Leadership: Garry shares his path from Australia to leading a global company, and the experiences that shaped his leadership style.[00:08:29] The Importance of Culture in Organizational Success: How creating a sense of belonging and mattering contributes to a successful business.[00:10:13] The Four Pillars of a Friction-Free Organization: Garry introduces care, candor, accountability, and responsibility as central to corporate culture.[00:14:45] Practical Implementation of Cultural Pillars: Strategies for leaders to implement care and candor within their teams.[00:18:46] Overcoming Communication Barriers: Ensuring clarity and reducing miscommunications in leadership roles.[00:21:58] Shifting Mindsets in Leadership: How redefining expectations can lead to improved team performance.[00:28:12] The Concept of Coaching vs. Managing: Transitioning to a coaching mindset for empowered leadership.[00:31:09] Responsibility and Ownership: Encouraging team members to take initiative and lead with accountability.[00:32:56] Refilling Your Energy as a Leader: Ensuring leaders bring their best selves to every interaction.[00:34:47] Continuous Learning and Personal Growth: The necessity of lifelong learning in maintaining leadership relevance. For the complete show notes be sure to check out our website: https://leaddontboss.com/341

In this episode, Donna Peterson focuses on a key area of B2B marketing—strategies for promoting executive and professional education programs. Inspired by Albert Einstein's belief in lifelong learning, the episode explores how today's busy decision-makers often need more than one touchpoint before they commit.Donna shares practical insights into building trust and driving registrations through a thoughtful combination of targeted email campaigns and banner placements in respected industry environments. She emphasizes the importance of choosing quality lists over broad distribution, aligning messaging across channels, and ensuring your marketing efforts are compliant with GDPR and CAN-SPAM.The conversation also touches on how to create a cohesive, nurturing journey that supports prospective learners from the first impression to the final registration.If you're working to grow your professional education program, this episode offers grounded, actionable advice to help you reach the right audience and improve results without wasting budget.Episode Breakdown:• 00:00 Introduction – The Importance of Continuous Learning• 00:35 The Challenge of Enrolling in Courses• 01:27 Today's Focus: Executive Education Programs• 03:25 Email Strategy for Course Promotion• 06:49 The Power of Banner Ads• 08:45 Building Trust and Closing the Loop• 10:03 Conclusion and Recap• 10:30 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this week's episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, hosts Sean V. Bradley and LA Williams, get the secrets to success from special guest Hayden Hicks, President of Jerry Hunt Supercenter.  "I remember walking outside and clenching my knuckles... my kids will never know this life." - Hayden Hicks Hayden shares insights into the remarkable success of his dealership group and the specific strategies for achieving high sales volumes! Hayden discusses his team's approach to vehicle acquisition, customer service, and fostering a strong dealership culture; and emphasizes the importance of a value-driven, community-focused mindset in transforming Jerry Hunt Supercenter into a top destination for car buyers in North Carolina. "I want to out serve, out care, my competition. If you are ignoring AI, you will be left behind" - Hayden Hicks The conversation covers a wide range of topics essential for dealership leadership, including effective desking techniques, the role of lifelong learning, and the use of technology. Hayden articulates the necessity of viewing the dealership's BDC as the new digital showroom, advocating for innovative customer engagement approaches. Emphasizing the power of digital marketing and social media presence, Hayden illustrates how developing robust content strategies can drive customer interest and loyalty, positioning Jerry Hunt Supercenter as a market leader in used car sales!   Key Takeaways: ✅ Vehicle Acquisition Expertise: Hayden Hicks reveals strategies for obtaining inventory, including utilizing a specialized Vehicle Buying Center and leveraging team efforts to secure the best deals. ✅ Servant Leadership: Hayden underscores serving customers and the community, ensuring that all dealership interactions reflect the values of respect and appreciation. ✅ Digital Showroom Approach: The importance of leveraging technology and maintaining a strong BDC presence to meet the evolving needs of modern car buyers. ✅ Content and Social Media Strategy: Developing engaging and informative content to build an audience and drive dealership recognition at local and broader levels. ✅ Continuous Learning and Adaptation: Hayden Hicks prides himself on being a lifelong learner, consistently seeking opportunities to enhance dealership operations and team performance.     About Hayden Hicks Hayden Hicks is the President of Jerry Hunt Supercenter, a top-performing independent dealership group in North Carolina. With a background deeply rooted in the automotive industry, Hayden Hicks advanced through various roles, from sales manager to desk manager, finance director, and general manager, before stepping into his current leadership position. Known for his expertise in desking and strategy in vehicle acquisition, Hayden drives the organization's success with a focus on service excellence and community engagement.       Accelerating Success in Automotive Sales: Insights from the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast Key Takeaways Servant leadership and a focus on community impact can transform the traditional car sales experience, particularly in independent dealerships. Robust CRM and data management are vital to leveraging existing customer relationships and optimizing dealership operations. Harnessing AI and innovative technologies can significantly enhance customer engagement and streamline dealership processes.     A New Approach to Car Sales: The Value of Servant Leadership In the latest episode of the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast, Hayden Hicks, President of Jerry Hunt Supercenter, discusses shifting paradigms in independent car dealerships by embracing servant leadership. This approach, which prioritizes the well-being of employees and customers, aims to dismantle the stigma often associated with independent dealerships. Reflecting on his upbringing in the automotive industry, Hayden emphasizes the importance of gratitude and service. "I understand as an independent car dealership that we are already starting from behind in a customer's perspective," he notes. This perspective has led him to inculcate a culture that goes beyond mere transactions. Jerry Hunt Supercenter strives to offer a remarkable customer experience, asserting that purchasing a car is one of the most significant financial undertakings for many. The broader implications of this servant leadership approach are profound. By fostering an environment where employees are motivated to serve and innovate, independent dealerships can dramatically improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. This model not only challenges traditional views but sets a new standard for client-focused service in the automotive industry. CRM and Data Management: Mining Gold in Customer Relations A critical game changer for Jerry Hunt Supercenter has been their strategic use of CRM tools, notably Promax, to enhance customer relations and dealership operations. As Hayden mentions, "We have around 150,000 people in our database… it's like a gold mine." This vast reservoir of data enables the dealership to tap into existing customer relationships effectively and drive repeat business. Hayden acknowledges the importance of a CRM specialist: "We have a person on site that used to work for Promax, now works for us to ensure that we are following in that footsteps of using the CRM 100% correctly." This dedicated focus ensures that the CRM is leveraged to its full potential, optimizing both sales strategies and customer engagement. For dealerships looking to innovate, the lesson here is clear: efficient data management can be the key to unlocking substantial business growth. By understanding and anticipating customer needs through detailed data analysis, dealerships can craft personalized experiences that create lasting loyalty and drive sales. Embracing AI and Technology: Revolutionizing Engagement and Operations The podcast underscores a forward-looking approach to integrating AI and technology into dealership operations. Hayden articulates how Jerry Hunt Supercenter plans to incorporate AI solutions like Podium, emphasizing the critical role of engagement: "We are going to initiate it in the beginning to help our agents interact… until engagement happens." In today's competitive market, AI tools can significantly improve engagement rates, which have traditionally hovered at a mere 6-8% for phone calls. AI's ability to provide instant responses and streamline after-hours interactions can bridge the gap between dealerships and potential buyers, making customer engagement more efficient and impactful. The transformative potential of AI in automotive sales is immense. By embracing these technologies, dealerships can not only improve their responsiveness and customer satisfaction but also gain a competitive edge in an increasingly digital landscape. Jerry Hunt Supercenter: A Vision for the Future Hayden Hicks' leadership philosophy at Jerry Hunt Supercenter offers a detailed blueprint for any dealership aiming for substantial growth and innovation. By nurturing a culture of service, strategically utilizing CRM data, and integrating cutting-edge AI technology, the dealership has carved out a leadership position within the industry. The dealership's commitment to a holistic and forward-thinking business model reflects a dedication to progress and customer-centricity. As Hayden ambitiously states, "Our goal is to have a thousand cars every single month… to continue to serve our customers at a high level." Jerry Hunt Supercenter is not just competing in a challenging market; it's paving the way with innovative practices that emphasize empathy, efficiency, and excellence. For industry leaders and dealerships everywhere, Hayden Hicks' insights offer not just practical strategies but a compelling vision of what the future of car sales can and should look like.       Resources: Podium: Discover how Podium's innovative AI technology can unlock unparalleled efficiency and drive your dealership's sales to new heights. Visit www.podium.com/mcs to learn more!   NCC: Credit-Driven Retailing - NCC delivers industry-best credit-driven retailing for auto dealerships, combining a powerful credit and compliance engine and fully integrated CRM/Desking platform for maximum profitability. Visit www.nccdirect.com/dealer-synergy to learn more!   Complete CRM: Complete CRM is a streamlined, all-in-one system that simplifies your dealership software and processes so you can manage every aspect of your operation with ease; from tracking and following up on leads, desking deals, managing inventory, marketing to your customers, and more. Visit www.nccdirect.com/dealer-synergy to learn more!   Dealer Synergy & Bradley On Demand: The automotive industry's #1 training, tracking, testing, and certification platform and consulting & accountability firm.   The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group: Join the #1 Mastermind Group in the Automotive Industry! With over 28,000 members, gain access to successful automotive mentors & managers, the best industry practices, & collaborate with automotive professionals from around the WORLD! Join The Millionaire Car Salesman Facebook Group today!   Win the Game of Googleopoly: Unlocking the secret strategy of search engines.     The Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast is Proudly Sponsored By: Podium: Elevating Dealership Excellence with Intelligent Customer Engagement Solutions. Unlock unparalleled efficiency and drive sales with Podium's innovative AI technology, featured proudly on the Millionaire Car Salesman Podcast. Visit www.podium.com/mcs to learn more!   NCC: Powered by proprietary solutions such as Intelligent Credit Engine™ and LenderSelect™, NCC transforms the car-buying experience for dealers and their customers. From compliance and lender selection to CRM and desking, to marketing and data mining—NCC integrates them all in a single, seamless platform to deliver better customer experiences, maximum efficiency and maximum profit. Visit www.nccdirect.com/dealer-synergy to learn more!   Complete CRM: As an innovative leader in the industry for the last 30 years, Complete CRM is designed to give your dealership the competitive edge in a demanding marketplace. Powered by Complete Credit™ and award-winning desking, Complete CRM™ is the industry's only credit and compliance-enabled CRM that lets dealers achieve maximum profitability on every deal. Built on modern technology, Complete CRM seamlessly integrates credit, compliance, inventory, data mining, lead generation, enterprise functionality, and customized reporting in one tool with a single login. Visit www.nccdirect.com/dealer-synergy to learn more!   Dealer Synergy: The #1 Automotive Sales Training, Consulting, and Accountability Firm in the industry! With over two decades of experience in building Internet Departments and BDCs, we have developed the most effective automotive Internet Sales, BDC, and CRM solutions. Our expertise in creating phone scripts, rebuttals, CRM action plans, strategies, and templates ensures that your dealership's tools and personnel reach their full potential.   Bradley On Demand: The automotive sales industry's top Interactive Training, Tracking, Testing, and Certification Platform. Featuring LIVE Classes and over 9,000 training modules, our platform equips your dealership with everything needed to sell more cars, more often, and more profitably!

All Aboard the Innovation Express: RSAC 2025 On Track for Cybersecurity's FutureLet's face it—RSAC isn't just a conference anymore. It's a movement. A ritual. A block party for cybersecurity. And this year, it's pulling into the station with more tracks than ever before—figuratively and literally.In this On Location episode, we reconnect with Cecilia Murtagh Marinier, Vice President of Innovation and Scholars at RSAC, to dive into what makes the 2025 edition a can't-miss experience. And as always, Sean and Marco kick things off with a bit of improvisation, some travel jokes, and a whole lot of heart.From the 20th Anniversary of the Innovation Sandbox (with a massive $50M investment boost from Crosspoint Capital) to the growing Early Stage Expo, LaunchPad's Shark-Tank-style sessions, and the new Investor & Entrepreneur track, RSAC continues to set the stage for cybersecurity's next big thing.And this year, they're going bigger—literally. The expansion into the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts brings with it a mind-blowing immersive experience: DARPA's AI Cyber City, a physically interactive train ride through smart city scenarios, designed to show how cybersecurity touches everything—from water plants to hospitals, satellites to firmware.Add in eight hands-on villages, security scholars programs, coffee-fueled networking zones, and a renewed focus on inclusion, mentorship, and accessibility, and you've got something that feels less like an event and more like a living, breathing community.Cecilia also reminds us that RSAC is a place for everyone—from first-timers unsure where to begin to seasoned veterans ready to innovate and invest. It's about showing up, making a plan (or not), and being open to the unexpected conversations that happen in hallways, lounges, or over espresso in the sandbox village.And if you can't make it in person? RSAC has made sure that everything is accessible online—600 speakers, 600 vendors, and endless ways to engage, reflect, and be part of the global cybersecurity story.So whether you're hopping in the car, boarding a flight, or—who knows—riding a miniature DARPA train through Northridge City, one thing's for sure: RSAC 2025 is going full speed ahead—and we're bringing you along for the ride.⸻ 

Lorri Rowlandson, head of strategy and innovation at BGIS, outlines a three-layer approach to AI integration: individual level desktop AI for job reengineering, operational level AI for enhancing internal efficiencies and client value-driven AI for service improvement. She emphasizes the importance of practical innovation, responsible AI use, employee engagement and continuous learning. This episode is sponsored by Envoy. Connect with Us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ifmaFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFacilityManagementAssociation/Twitter: https://twitter.com/IFMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ifma_hq/YouTube: https://youtube.com/ifmaglobalVisit us at https://ifma.org

What if the key to unlocking your potential lies not in certainty, but in deliberately seeking the unknown?I sat down with Alex Hutchinson, author of 'The Explorer's Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map,' to really dig into the science behind our innate drive to explore.We explore why our brains actually crave novelty (even when it feels uncomfortable) and how navigating that constant "explore-exploit" tension impacts decisions big and small.You'll discover why developing a tolerance for uncertainty and discomfort isn't just for extreme adventurers – it's a trainable skill crucial for growth.Learn how predictive processing helps explain our complex relationship with the unknown and why finding that sweet spot of challenge feels so good.We also discuss how embracing uncertainty often leads to a more meaningful life and Alex shares a simple, powerful habit he uses to keep that exploratory muscle strong, reminding us that small steps into the unfamiliar can yield significant rewards for brain health and personal growth./ / / Are you ready to take the next step on your brain optimization journey? / / /Choose your own adventure. Below are the best places to start:>>> Join Kwik Success Live Group Coaching & Book Club>>> Discover Your Unique KWIK BRAIN C.O.D.E To Activate Your Genius>>> Explore My Top Brain Health Supplements for Focus, Memory, and EnergyTake your first step by choosing one of the options above, and you will find everything you need to ignite your brilliant brain and unlock your exceptional life, allowing you to achieve and surpass all of your personal and professional goals.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Jake LeGrand to talk about everything from Fabtech networking to the realities of running a custom sign-making business. Jake shares his unique journey from structural testing and engineering into the world of metal art, highlighting the challenges of freight shipping, material sourcing, and the creative process behind his work. They dive into marketing strategies, shop setup, and the importance of staying connected with the maker community. Whether you're into fabrication, design, or building a business around your craft, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Follow Jake on Instagram Here   Arc Junkies Podcast: Instagram: @Arcjunkiespodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arcjunkiespodcast9253 Email: Show@arcjunkies.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-becker-45407b72?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3BKipEwR3uQXCmCjaEfNzo6w%3D%3D Arc Junkies Website: https://arcjunkies.com Arc junkies Merch: https://shop.threadmob.com/arcjunkie/shop/home Underground Metal Works: https://www.underground-metalworks.com/   Friends of the Show: American Welding Society Conferences Weld Summit https://www.aws.org/community-and-events/conferences-and-events/welding-summit/registration#regform Use ARCJUNKIES at Checkout and get a free gift at the event. Outlaw Leather LLC Outlawleather.com Instagram: @outlawleatherusa Use ARCJUNKIES for 15% off all in-stock leather goods   International Welding Bureau Internationalweldingbureau.com   Everlast Welders Instagram: @everlastwelders  YouTube: Everlast Welders         Online: https://bit.ly/37xJstI Use Codeword ARCJUNKIES at checkout to get upgraded to a free Nova Foot Pedal and TIG Torch with the purchase of any machine that comes with a stock foot pedal and TIG Torch. Walter Surface Technologies https://hubs.ly/Q034MdgX0 ISOTUNES: Instagram: @isotunesaudio Online: https://shop.isotunes.com/arcjunkies10.  Use ARCJUNKIES10 at checkout and save $10 on your purchase    

In this captivating interview, host Jim Love sits down with Licenia Rojas, Senior Vice President and Chief Architect at TD Bank. They discuss Licenia's journey in the technology sector, the importance of mentorship, and the role of continuous learning in career development. The conversation also delves into evolving topics such as cybersecurity, AI innovation, and the increasingly pivotal role of architecture in modernizing financial institutions. Whether you're early in your career or a seasoned professional, this episode offers authentic and practical advice on navigating the tech industry. 00:00 Introduction to the Interview Series 01:25 Meet Licenia Rojas: Career Journey and Early Influences 02:35 Discovering a Passion for Technology 04:43 The Importance of Continuous Learning and Mentorship 05:44 Navigating Career Transitions and Embracing New Roles 08:06 The Role of Curiosity and Asking Questions 13:24 The Value of Company Culture 15:09 Current Role and Responsibilities at TD Bank 17:08 The Evolution and Importance of Architecture in Technology 21:23 Understanding the Technology Life Cycle 22:48 Defining and Achieving Good Outcomes 24:34 Customer-Centric Innovation 26:40 Encouraging Employee Ideas and Feedback 28:34 Overcoming Cynicism in Tech Teams 31:35 Exciting Emerging Technologies 35:57 The Role of AI in Enhancing Productivity 38:50 Advice for Aspiring Technologists 41:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Summary In this episode, Andy interviews Dr. Christie Smith, a visionary leader and author, about her new book Essential: How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership. They discuss the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence and automation on various industries and how leaders can prepare for these changes. Christie shares insights on the unique challenges of modern leadership, as well as the importance of human-powered approaches. She emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptability, especially in a world increasingly reliant on technology. The conversation also touches on the concept of the Power Paradox, safeguarding connection in distributed work environments, and practical advice for parents on preparing their children for future work challenges. Wondering how to lead and deliver in this time of significant disruption? This episode is for you! Sound Bites “Leadership isn't always comfortable. In fact, it can be really hard… it does mean speaking out.” “What's unique about this time is the confluence of many things that leaders are having to face. It's led to a war for skills instead of a war for talent.” “This isn't soft work... we're going to be in an economic crisis because leaders are not in tune to the humans that are in their organizations.” “100% of them said they knew they needed to do something... yet only 25% were even thinking of doing something about it.” “The issue isn't that AI is taking over. The issue is AI must, as a regulator, have human intelligence.” “We need to move from emotional intelligence to emotional maturity.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:51 Start Of Interview 02:00 Christie's Background And Early Influences 04:45 The Unique Challenges Of Modern Leadership 06:27 The Concept Of The Unicorn Job 07:53 Defining Human Powered Leadership 11:05 The Role Of AI In The Future Of Work 15:50 The Importance Of Connection In The Workplace 19:44 Adversity And Innovation: Lessons From History 23:19 Strategies For Building Team Connection 26:02 Building Engagement Through Simple Actions 26:53 The Importance Of Personal Check-Ins 27:12 Adapting Leadership Styles For Better Connection 29:12 Understanding The Power Paradox 31:44 Cultivating Insatiable Curiosity 34:08 Preparing Kids For The Future Workplace 37:17 End Of Interview 37:39 Andy Comments After The Interview 41:21 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Christie and her work at ChristieSmith.phd/. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 437 with Nada Sanders about her book The Humachine. Episode 382 with Hal Hershfield about balancing the now and the future. Episode 329 with Deborah Westphal about preparing your career and your team for the future. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: AI, Automation, Technology, Leadership, Organizational Culture, Engagement, Remote Teams, Future Of Work, Emotional Intelligence, Workplace Culture, Team Connection, Continuous Learning The following music was used for this episode: Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

As the cybersecurity world gears up for RSAC 2025 in San Francisco, we hit the road again—this time with Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, for a pre-event chat packed with insight, community spirit, and some big news.Chris is no stranger to the RSA stage—this year marks his 21st year presenting—and he's bringing his energy to two powerful sessions. The first, titled “Protecting What Matters: Your Family and Home,” kicks off bright and early on Monday, April 28. It's not about blinky lights or enterprise networks—it's about us. The cybersecurity community often talks about protecting organizations, but what about protecting ourselves and our families? Chris will explore how security pros can apply their skills at home, covering identity theft, scams, and home network safety. It's a refreshing and much-needed call to action that connects the personal and professional.On Wednesday, Chris returns with co-presenter James Shreve for a two-hour Learning Lab, “When Things Go Boom: Supply Chain Risk.” This Chatham House Rule session dives deep into one of today's most complex challenges: managing third-party risk without stopping the business in its tracks. Participants will step into different roles—board members, CISOs, legal, finance—to engage in a live, collaborative scenario that pushes them to think beyond checklists. Real talk. Real collaboration. And practical takeaways.But that's not all. BlackCloak is also unveiling its new Digital Executive Protection Framework, designed to help organizations assess and strengthen protections for executives and their families. Chris teases that this framework includes 14 essential tenets that blend physical, digital, and organizational awareness—and he'll be sitting down with us again at the event to go deeper.With 15–20 BlackCloak team members on site, a full schedule of meetings, events, and community conversations, this year is shaping up to be a milestone for BlackCloak at RSAC. If you're attending, keep an eye on their LinkedIn page for updates, booking links, and suite details.As Chris says, it's about lifting our heads, scanning the horizon, and showing up for our community—and our families.Keywords: RSAC2025, Chris Pierson, BlackCloak, cybersecurity, RSA Conference, digital protection, executive protection, supply chain risk, identity theft, privacy, home network security, third-party risk, CISOs, cybersecurity community, digital executive protection framework, GRC, threat intelligence, infosec, personal security, cybersecurity awareness______________________Guest: Chris Pierson, Founder & CEO of BLACKCLOAK | Digital Executive Protection | Concierge Cybersecurity & Privacy Protection . . . in their Personal Lives | On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherpierson/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber] | On ITSPmagazine:  https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martinMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast | On ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli____________________________This Episode's SponsorsBLACKCLOAK:https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb____________________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsa-conference-usa-2025-rsac-san-francisco-usa-cybersecurity-event-infosec-conference-coverageChris SessionsProtecting What Matters—Your Family & Home https://path.rsaconference.com/flow/rsac/us25/FullAgenda/page/catalog/session/1739369849404001eWtUWhen Things Go Boom! Your Supply Chain Riskhttps://path.rsaconference.com/flow/rsac/us25/FullAgenda/page/catalog/session/1727434586212001yGwMBLACKCLOAK WEBSITE:https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb____________________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageTo see and hear more Redefining CyberSecurity content on ITSPmagazine, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-cybersecurity-podcastTo see and hear more Redefining Society stories on ITSPmagazine, visit:https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-society-podcastWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More

Join Marco and Sean in their annual pre-RSAC conversation with Linda Gray Martin and Britta Glade. Discover what's new and exciting at RSAC 2025—expanded campuses, innovative programming, and compelling guest speakers like Magic Johnson and Ron Howard. Dive into special events, immersive experiences, and the launch of a vibrant community platform aimed at fostering continuous learning and connection among cybersecurity professionals. Get ready for another unforgettable year celebrating many voices within one united community.Full Intro/Blog:RSA Conference 2025 is here, and Marco and Sean continue their beloved tradition with a vibrant preview conversation featuring Linda Gray Martin, Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President at RSAC, and Britta Glade, Senior Vice President, Content & Communities. This year's conference theme, "Many Voices, One Community," highlights the collaborative and inclusive spirit driving the cybersecurity world forward.In this engaging discussion, Marco and Sean explore the exciting expansions and innovations attendees can anticipate. RSAC is expanding its campus, taking over San Francisco's stunning Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, enhancing the attendee experience with a new keynote auditorium and the DARPA AI Cyber Challenge. The Sandbox area promises captivating interactive experiences, including a fictional town simulation designed to showcase AI's role in safeguarding critical infrastructure.Keynotes remain a conference highlight, with influential voices like NBA legend Magic Johnson sharing insights on teamwork, and filmmaker Ron Howard discussing storytelling and human connections in a unique father-daughter interview format. Closing celebrations feature an exciting conversation with Jamie Foxx, alongside vibrant performances from DJ Irie and local sensation Jazz Mafia.New educational tracks addressing essential topics such as Protecting Home and Family and Security Foundations ensure that content remains both relevant and accessible. The introduction of a new community membership platform is set to revolutionize ongoing engagement, offering secure messaging, tailored cybersecurity content, and collaborative opportunities long after the conference ends.Embrace the spirit of innovation, unity, and continuous growth at RSAC 2025, where the cybersecurity community comes together to drive meaningful change.Keywords:RSAC 2025, RSA Conference, cybersecurity, community, innovation, Magic Johnson, Ron Howard, Jamie Foxx, DARPA AI Cyber Challenge, Sandbox, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, keynote speakers, networking, continuous learning, community membership platform, protecting home and family, security foundations, technology, inclusive community, immersive experience.__________________________________Guest: Linda Gray Martin | Chief of Staff, RSAC and Senior Vice President, RSA Conferencehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-gray-martin-223708/Britta Glade | Senior Vice President, Content & Communities, RSA Conferencehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/britta-glade-5251003/Hosts:Sean Martin, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast [@RedefiningCyber] | On ITSPmagazine:  https://www.itspmagazine.com/sean-martinMarco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast | On ITSPmagazine: https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli____________________________This Episode's SponsorsThreatLocker: https://itspm.ag/threatlocker-r974Akamai: https://itspm.ag/akamailbwcBlackCloak: https://itspm.ag/itspbcwebSandboxAQ: https://itspm.ag/sandboxaq-j2enArcher: https://itspm.ag/rsaarchwebDropzone AI: https://itspm.ag/dropzoneai-641____________________________ResourcesLearn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsa-conference-usa-2025-rsac-san-francisco-usa-cybersecurity-event-infosec-conference-coverage____________________________Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverageTo see and hear more Redefining CyberSecurity content on ITSPmagazine, visit: https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-cybersecurity-podcastTo see and hear more Redefining Society & Technology stories on ITSPmagazine, visit:https://www.itspmagazine.com/redefining-society-and-technology-podcastWant to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More

Damon Lembi has navigated an impressive career, transitioning from professional baseball to leading Learn It, a live learning platform that has upskilled over two million people. As a two-time bestselling author and host of the Learn It All podcast, he champions growth, adaptability, and lifelong learning for both individuals and teams. His journey—marked by pivotal moments and reinvention—reflects his commitment to embracing challenges and staying relevant in an ever-changing world.LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE TO LEARN ABOUT...> > [7:00] What Damon calls the “Learn It All” mindset > > [15:53] What makes Gen Z a true asset to the modern business landscape> > [26:30] Finding the possibilities through adversity Originally set on a baseball career, Damon excelled as a high school All-American and standout at Arizona State before an injury forced him to pivot. This led him to his father's company, Learn It, where he started as a receptionist and worked his way up, applying the discipline and teamwork he had honed as an athlete. He now promotes the "learn-it-all" mindset, which prioritizes curiosity and continuous growth over a rigid know-it-all approach. Through Learn It, he equips individuals and organizations with the skills to adapt, emphasizing that learning isn't just about knowledge—it's about execution.This week, you'll learn about finding new possibilities through adversity, what makes Gen Z a true asset to the modern business landscape, and what Damon calls the “Learn It All” mindset.LEARN MORE:> > Check out Damon's website (https://www.thelearnitallleader.com)NSLS MEMBERS ONLY:> > Listen to the bonus episode to learn about Damon's most important habits and traits for successful leaders (https://members.nsls.org/audio/damon-lembi)Mentioned in this episode:Get 20% Off at the NSLS ShopUse code MONDAYS for 20% your entire purchase at shop.nsls.orgNSLS Shop

Send us a textHave you ever been stressed out about making the right decision? Have you ever made a decision and wished you had picked the other one? Yeah, me too. Let me put your mind at ease: There is no way to absolutely know what the right decision is beforehand, so instead of stressing out about making the decision right, choose, and make the decision right. Today's episode comes from the inspiration of Dr. Ellen Langer's book, "The Mindful Body." In this episode, I will help you be more decisive in making a decision and decide what to do if it doesn't turn out as you were hoping. Let's get it!  Support the show

Introducing David Blaine: I Nearly Died Doing This (How to Conquer Fear and Push Your Limits) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyWhat’s a fear you want to overcome? How do you stay calm under pressure? What if the only limits you had were the ones you refused to break? Today, in this spellbinding episode, world-renowned illusionist, endurance artist, and master of the impossible, David Blaine, sits down for a deep and insightful conversation that goes far beyond magic. Known for his jaw-dropping stunts, being buried alive, standing encased in ice for days, and holding his breath underwater for over 17 minutes, David has captivated audiences worldwide. But behind the spectacle lies a profound philosophy of discipline, resilience, and the boundless potential of the human mind. Jay and David explore what drives someone to willingly push themselves to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally. David opens up about his mindset, revealing how he prepares for extreme feats that defy human expectations. He explains the power of visualization, breathwork, and sheer willpower in overcoming pain, fear, and doubt. But this conversation isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s about the mental and emotional strength required to navigate life’s greatest challenges. David shares personal stories of setbacks and perseverance, showing that even in moments of failure, there is wisdom to be gained. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Train Your Mind to Overcome Fear How to Build Unbreakable Mental Resilience How to Use Breathwork to Enhance Endurance How to Stay Calm Under Extreme Pressure How to Push Past Your Physical Limits How to Cultivate Childlike Curiosity for Creativity How to Reframe Failure as a Stepping Stone No matter what obstacles stand in your way, remember: you are stronger than you think, and capable of more than you realize. Believe in yourself, stay curious, and never stop challenging what’s possible. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there! What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:41 The Subway Trick that Started It All 04:39 Lessons from the Above the Below 09:10 What Happens When You Don’t Feel Hunger 11:34 Pushing the Body Beyond Its Limit 17:25 The Capabilities of the Human Body 22:52 The Knife Stunt 26:25 The Bullet-Catch Trick 30:12 Break Free from Your Comfort Zone 32:27 Push the Boundaries of Your Growth 34:41 Some Stunts are Just Too Dangerous 41:46 Pushing Yourself Without Risking Your Life 45:04 Failure Leads to Continuous Learning 47:26 The Riskiest Illusion 49:29 Processing the Pain of Grief 53:32 Everything is About Perspective 57:14 Open Up Your Mind with Books 01:01:24 Every Person is Unique 01:03:06 The Bridge Jump, Anything is Possible 01:09:13 David on Final Five Episode Resources: David Blaine | Website David Blaine | YouTube David Blaine | Instagram David Blaine | Facebook David Blaine | X David Blaine Do Not AttemptSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

Introducing David Blaine: I Nearly Died Doing This (How to Conquer Fear and Push Your Limits) from On Purpose with Jay Shetty.Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay ShettyWhat’s a fear you want to overcome? How do you stay calm under pressure? What if the only limits you had were the ones you refused to break? Today, in this spellbinding episode, world-renowned illusionist, endurance artist, and master of the impossible, David Blaine, sits down for a deep and insightful conversation that goes far beyond magic. Known for his jaw-dropping stunts, being buried alive, standing encased in ice for days, and holding his breath underwater for over 17 minutes, David has captivated audiences worldwide. But behind the spectacle lies a profound philosophy of discipline, resilience, and the boundless potential of the human mind. Jay and David explore what drives someone to willingly push themselves to their absolute limits, both physically and mentally. David opens up about his mindset, revealing how he prepares for extreme feats that defy human expectations. He explains the power of visualization, breathwork, and sheer willpower in overcoming pain, fear, and doubt. But this conversation isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s about the mental and emotional strength required to navigate life’s greatest challenges. David shares personal stories of setbacks and perseverance, showing that even in moments of failure, there is wisdom to be gained. In this interview, you'll learn: How to Train Your Mind to Overcome Fear How to Build Unbreakable Mental Resilience How to Use Breathwork to Enhance Endurance How to Stay Calm Under Extreme Pressure How to Push Past Your Physical Limits How to Cultivate Childlike Curiosity for Creativity How to Reframe Failure as a Stepping Stone No matter what obstacles stand in your way, remember: you are stronger than you think, and capable of more than you realize. Believe in yourself, stay curious, and never stop challenging what’s possible. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Join over 750,000 people to receive my most transformative wisdom directly in your inbox every single week with my free newsletter. Subscribe here. Join Jay for his first ever, On Purpose Live Tour! Tickets are on sale now. Hope to see you there! What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:41 The Subway Trick that Started It All 04:39 Lessons from the Above the Below 09:10 What Happens When You Don’t Feel Hunger 11:34 Pushing the Body Beyond Its Limit 17:25 The Capabilities of the Human Body 22:52 The Knife Stunt 26:25 The Bullet-Catch Trick 30:12 Break Free from Your Comfort Zone 32:27 Push the Boundaries of Your Growth 34:41 Some Stunts are Just Too Dangerous 41:46 Pushing Yourself Without Risking Your Life 45:04 Failure Leads to Continuous Learning 47:26 The Riskiest Illusion 49:29 Processing the Pain of Grief 53:32 Everything is About Perspective 57:14 Open Up Your Mind with Books 01:01:24 Every Person is Unique 01:03:06 The Bridge Jump, Anything is Possible 01:09:13 David on Final Five Episode Resources: David Blaine | Website David Blaine | YouTube David Blaine | Instagram David Blaine | Facebook David Blaine | X David Blaine Do Not AttemptSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

In this encore episode from 2022, Gloria Everett, President and CEO of The Mutual, shares her forward-thinking approach to making hybrid work effective and sustainable. She challenges traditional workplace models by focusing on what truly works for employees and organizations rather than forcing a return to outdated norms. Gloria emphasizes the importance of listening, experimenting, and co-creating solutions with employees to build a model that balances flexibility, collaboration, and business success. She highlights how trust, open communication, and a commitment to continuous learning help create a culture where teams thrive in both remote and in-office settings.HighlightsCo-Creation Over Mandates – Discover why collaborating with employees leads to more effective and adaptable hybrid work policies.Redefining Productivity – Explore how shifting the focus from hours worked to meaningful contributions creates a more engaged workforce.Making Office Time Valuable – Learn how structured in-office collaboration strengthens culture and teamwork without unnecessary time on-site.Trust as a Leadership Foundation – Understand why empowering employees with flexibility and autonomy leads to higher performance and satisfaction.Continuous Learning and Adaptation – See how staying open to new insights and industry trends helps leaders refine hybrid work strategies for long-term success. Resources MentionedThe Inspire Your Team to Greatness assessment (the Courage Assessment)How can you inspire our team to be more proactive, take ownership and get more done?You demonstrate and empower The Courage of a Leader. In my nearly 3 decades of work with leaders, I've discovered the 11 things that leaders do – even very well-intentioned leaders do – that kill productivity.In less than 10 minutes, find out where you're empowering and inadvertently kills productivity, and get a custom report that will tell you step by step what you need to have your team get more done.https://courageofaleader.com/inspireyourteam/About the Guest:Gloria H. Everett President & Chief Executive OfficerGloria has more than 35 years of experience in insurance risk management, sales, marketing and management, including over 20 years of experience in medical professional liability insurance with The Mutual. Before joining The Mutual, Gloria held key leadership roles at TIG/Fairfax, Fireman's Fund, NORCAL Mutual Insurance Company and Kaiser Permanente. Gloria has served on multiple Boards including Pacific University, National Risk Retention Association (NRRA), the UC Berkeley, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Board and Medical Professional Liability Association (MPLA) formerly the Physician Insurers' Association of America (PIAA), where she served as Chair of the Board from 2014 – 2016. Gloria was the recipient of the 2019 MPL Association Award of Excellence in Honor of Peter Sweetland.Gloria holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Mary's College in Health Services Administration.https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloria-everett-b247924/https://www.tmrrg.com/About/management.aspx About the Host:Amy L. Riley is an internationally renowned speaker, author and consultant. She has over 2 decades of experience developing leaders at all levels. Her clients include Cisco Systems, Deloitte and...

Are you a grandparent unexpectedly raising your grandchildren, facing a myriad of challenges and emotions? Do you find yourself seeking guidance and strength amidst the daily trials, longing to connect with others who understand your journey?I'm Laura Brazan, host of 'Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity,' and today you are in for an inspirational treat. Join us in this special episode, "Meet Mr. Whiskey—U.S. Navy Veteran, Author, Podcaster, Preacher, and More!"Mr. Whiskey, who has traversed a path riddled with trauma, will share his unique journey from a troubled childhood to commanding submarines and beyond. He'll discuss the importance of education, the power of music, and creative expression in personal growth. Gain insights on coping mechanisms and resilience, the significance of humor and faith, and learn about his transformative mentorship and the profound lessons drawn from his past.Tune in to hear authentic stories of perseverance and connect with experts who understand the complexities you're facing as a grandparent raising grandchildren. Together, we'll discover paths to thriving amidst adversity and build a supportive community where you are never alone. Join us on this enlightening episode as we navigate the challenges and embrace the triumphs Send us a textOwner, Broker, and Realtor at Team Eureka with National Parks Realty Forbes Global Properties—Sandi Hall is a beacon of trust and insight for both local and international clients. With a Graduate REALTOR® Institute designation and a feature in Forbes, underscore her commitment to excellence.Visit WelcomeHomeMontana.com today or call (406) 471-0749 and experience the difference an expert like Sandi can bring to your journey home. Big Heart Family Dentistry, led by Dr. Seth Hinckley. Their dedication goes beyond treating teeth; they empower healthier, happier lives through prevention and education. They use state-of-the-art technology and are deeply connected to the community, addressing every dental need with expertise and heart. Kids on the specturm have the most imaginative minds. They can say the silliest things. My world can get way too serious. Sometimes the best thing to do is "get on the train" with them! Here's another fun Self-care tip with Jeanette Yates!Thank you for tuning into today's episode. It's been a journey of shared stories, insights, and invaluable advice from the heart of a community that knows the beauty and challenges of raising grandchildren. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us and to grandparents everywhere stepping up in ways they never imagined. Remember, you're not alone on this journey. For more resources, support, and stories, visit our website and follow us on our social media channels. If today's episode moved you, consider sharing it with someone who might find comfort and connection in our shared experiences. We look forward to bringing more stories and expert advice your way next week. Until then, take care of yourselves and each other.Want to be a guest on Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: Nurturing Through Adversity? Send Laura Brazan a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/grgLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Facebook @GrandparentsRaisingGrandchilden Love the show? Leave a review and let us know! CONNECT WITH US: Website | Facebook

Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation. ----more---- SUMMARY Initially aspiring to be a pilot, Jake faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network, and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement.   SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK   JAKE'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS  - Always be willing to adapt and stay resilient when unexpected challenges arise, like Jake did when he couldn't become a pilot and had to quickly choose a new career path.  - Build and maintain a strong network of connections, as these relationships can help you navigate career transitions and provide support.  - Focus on developing the people around you, not just your own career advancement. A great leader lifts up their team and helps others grow.  - Stay proactive in reaching out to people, checking in, and genuinely listening to their stories and experiences.  - Be willing to take risks on talented individuals, especially those from similar backgrounds or networks, like how Jake was given an opportunity by fellow graduates.  - Maintain a competitive spirit and drive, but channel it into continuous self-improvement and supporting others.  - Give back to your community, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or leading local chapters and organizations.  - Be prepared to put in consistent daily effort, understanding that success comes from habits and persistent hard work.  - Stay open to unexpected opportunities and be willing to pivot when your initial career path doesn't work out.  - Prioritize relationships and connections over individual achievements, recognizing that your success is often measured by the people you've helped develop.   JAKE'S TOP 5 LEADERSHIP LESSONS Here are the 5 best leadership lessons from Jake DeRuyter's interview:   Build Others Up, Not Just Yourself Jake emphasized that true leadership is about developing the people around you. As he said, "Don't just worry about your own career and life" - great leaders are judged by the success of those they mentor and support.   Stay Adaptable and Resilient When Jake's pilot career was unexpectedly derailed, he demonstrated the critical leadership skill of staying calm under pressure and quickly pivoting. He chose to focus on what he could control rather than getting stuck on what he couldn't change.   Maintain Genuine Connections Jake consistently stressed the importance of reaching out, checking in with people, and truly listening. He makes time to connect with classmates, colleagues, and fellow graduates, understanding that relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.   Take Calculated Risks and Support Others Jake's career trajectory shows the importance of being willing to take risks - both for yourself and for others. He was given a chance by fellow graduates and now pays it forward by helping other transitioning military members.   Give Back Consistently Leadership isn't just about personal achievement, but about contributing to your community. Jake exemplifies this through his role as chapter president, mentoring cadets, and always being available to help fellow Air Force Academy graduates.   EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00  Introduction to Leadership Journeys 05:31  Navigating Life's Crossroads 12:01  The Role of Mentorship and Family 17:31  Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 20:48  Motivation and Personal Drive 22:02  The Daily Grind: A Shift in Focus 24:31  Building Community: Chapter Leadership 27:29 Challenges of Leadership and Engagement 29:00 Giving Back: The Importance of Community 31:12  Leadership Lessons: Daily Practices 32:53  Advice for Aspiring Leaders 34:25  Reflections on Involvement and Connection 36:40  Final Thoughts and Gratitude   ABOUT JAKE BIO As a 2015 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Jake spent six years on active duty serving as an Intel Officer and ROTC Instructor. Having left the service, he now am an Account Executive on the Air Force team at IMPRES Technology Solutions providing active duty units with the tech they need to accomplish the mission. - Copy courtesy of Jake DeRuyter and LinkedIn   CONNECT WITH JAKE LINKEDIN  |  ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES - CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER     ALL PAST LBL EPISODES  |  ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS     FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS GUEST, JAKE DERUYTER '15  |  HOST, LT. COL. (RET.) NAVIERE WALKEWICZ '99   Naviere Walkewicz  00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership through the lives and experiences of Air Force Academy graduates. I'm Naviere Walkewicz, Class of '99. My guest today is Jake DeRuyter, Class of '15, currently an account executive with Impress Technology and the president of the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Graduates, quite possibly our youngest graduate to do so. He is second-generation Air Force following his father, a graduate from the Class of '85, and uncle, Class of '87 from our Air Force Academy, the only school that he applied to after high school. We'll talk about those things, Jake's leadership journey and a particular crossroad he arrived at when he had one hour to decide his entire life. Jake, welcome to Long Blue Leadership, and I'd like to dive right in: One hour to decide your entire life. What's that about?   Jake DeRuyter  01:22 Yeah, so my second semester, first year, I was dealing with some pretty significant back issues, and didn't realize how just how severe it was. So I'm in the flight dock. It was either the Monday the week before or the week of graduation, and the doctor's like, “Hey, you're gonna need back surgery to remove the bulging disc in your back.” I'm like, “OK, great. I can barely walk, so sign me up. Whatever you can do make me feel better.” And they're like, “Well, you're not gonna be able to keep your pilot slot if you proceed with the surgery.” And I'm not gonna lie and say it was my end all dream to be a pilot, but you go through all four years thinking you're gonna fly, you're pretty fired up for it, we're a week away from graduation, and then it's like, hey, the rug is just pulled. But I had to make a decision right there where it's like, “Hey, I'd rather be able to walk and be pain free than fly.” And so that was a pretty easy decision at that point. And then the next part is, what you alluded to, is where things got a little tricky. So being just a couple days before walking across the stage and saluting the secretary of the Air Force, I'm like, “So what's my job going to be?” I don't even know what else is available in the Air Force. I didn't have to focus on this.” And they're like, “Well, I'm just the flight doc. Go talk to the personnel office over in Vandy, and they'll get you taken care of.” So, I walk — or hobble — on over there, And I'm like, “Hey, Jake DeRuyter, I told the flight doc to give y'all a call, you know, to get me a new job. What's my life look like? What are we doing next?” And she just goes, “Well, there was a big missileer crisis, and we're really desperate for missileers. So, you're gonna be missiles now.” And I'm just, like — my jaw dropped.   Naviere Walkewicz Not what you expected to hear.   Jake DeRuyter  Not what I wanted and like, not to downplay missiles, just not what I wanted to join the Air Force to do, right? That's... I'm just like, standing there in shock. And she's like, “Are you OK?” And I'm like, “I kind of want to jump off my room on top of Vandy, but you know, it's gonna be fine. Do I get some preferences? Do I have any say in this?” Just assigning that to kind of seems aggressive. She goes, “Well, I guess I can take your preferences down.” And I'm just like, “Why didn't you lead with that? That would have been great.” And so she's like, “Well, I need to submit these right now. So, what do you want to do?” I'm like, “Well, what are my options? I don't even know what other AFSC's there are.” So, that becomes a very frantic hour of me calling all my teachers. I was a management major — I highly recommend that. One of the best decisions of my life was going through the management department. And I call my teachers and they're like, “Hey, stick with something business related, like contracting, acquisitions, finance. If you put one of those three down, you're guaranteed to do it.” I'm like, “OK, sweet. Sounds like it sure bets on me. Like, that, sounds easy enough.” but they made you put down five. And, you know, you always hear the horror stories where if you don't put down something, it defaults to the needs of the Air Force, right? So I think I put down like PA, just because I was like, “There's no way they'll pick me for that. There's barely any PA officers.” And I, for the life of me, couldn't tell you what I put in the fifth spot. And so, I walk out of there kind of dejected. I'm like, “Man, my whole life just changed in the span of an hour. No idea what the next— I don't know where I'm gonna be living. I don't know what my job's gonna be like. What in the world's going on?” So, the next day we're all sitting in one of those final briefings, you know, “Hey, here's how you PCS. Here's how you do XYZ.” Right? As the meeting's about to kick off, that same tech sergeant — God, I'd give her a big hug now — she walks up to me with some paperwork and says, “Congratulations, sir.” And I'm looking at her like the person just told me my life was over the day before, so I'm not exactly happy to see this person. And then I look at the paper, and it just says, “Goodfellow Air Force Base.” I had no idea where in the world that was, what job that was or anything. I just knew it wasn't Vandenberg for missileer training. So I just look at her and go, “I'm not missiles?” She's like, “You're not missiles.” I stand up, give her a big old hug. You know, they're trying to start a briefing. They're like, “Sir, please sit down for...” “Sorry, I'm too happy right now.” So yeah, that started me off on my journey to San Angelo, Texas, which I didn't really know what I was getting into there, but, yeah, going intel kind of led me to where I am now in life. And looking back on it now, all the crazy things that happened, it put me where I am now, and so, I'm very thankful for the things and how they all ended up and put me in a position where I can give back to the community now and really serve the Air Force and fellow grads in a much better capacity than I ever could have while on active duty.   Naviere Walkewicz  05:30 Well, it's so interesting because, you know, you think about the Air Force Academy as a place where they teach you to be able to make decisions on the fly, or to make the best calculated decision you can at the time.What leadership lessons do you think you called upon in that frantic moment of well, not only can you not be a pilot now because we're going to have this surgery, but now you have to pick an AFSC. What do you think you drew upon to guide you through that in a kind of a leadership manner?   Jake DeRuyter  06:02 Yeah, the biggest thing was just staying calm and realizing,  OK, whatever happens, happens, I can't change the past. I can only deal with the information given, and push forward. I could sit there and get upset with myself or upset at the world, but that doesn't do anything. It's like, “All right, how do we take action?? How we take that next step to get over this?” Because you want to be in control of your life as much as possible, going forward, right? And choosing your AFSC, arguably, is probably one of the biggest things you could possibly choose in life, next to your spouse and things like that. And that determines, however, what your entire Air Force career is going to be. So yeah, doing that in the hour was definitely very frantic. But, one of the biggest things I really pride myself on, and really want to encourage others is the connections you make throughout your Academy experience, through active duty, in your life — those are the people that are going to help you in those dark times, those tough times. And lean on those people. And the only way you can lean on them is if you prove to them that they can lean on you when they need help, right? As that's one of the things I make a pillar in my life is, when those friends are in a dark time, I want to be the one that, “Hey, I'll be there for you.” That's always one thing I'm passionate about, and what I centered my leadership philosophy around.   Naviere Walkewicz  07:15 I love that. I think you just kind of hit on it, right? You have this network, and I imagine your family is part of that — your dad being a graduate. What role did he play in this moment in your life, and how did you navigate that with him?   Jake DeRuyter  07:30 Yeah, he was awesome, and he was a big reason why I went to the Academy. He always did a really good job of putting that as an option but not forcing it or not shoving it down my throat. And I was really thankful to him for the life me and my sister had growing up, and all the crazy places we moved to and everything. And I didn't really know what I wanted to do, as you hinted in the preview. I didn't apply anywhere else because I didn't really know what I wanted to do when I grew up. And he was like, “Hey, the Academy was always a great place, and worst case, they tell you what to do.” And he's like, “Hey, if you want a similar life to where you grew up, I attribute everything to that, and that's kind of what led me there.” So yeah, you better believe after calling my teachers to figure out what AFSC I should do, he was my next call to be like, “Hey, I knew you always wanted me to fly, but that's not working anymore. So what do you think?” So, he's been a tremendous help my entire life. I mean, I talk to him at least every week. So, yeah, huge help there.   Naviere Walkewicz  08:27 That's amazing. So you went on to be an intel officer, and what was that like? And then how did you decide that it was going to be time to move on to transitioning out of the military.   Jake DeRuyter  08:42 Yeah, so intel wasn't exactly a great fit for me, and what I was like trying to do. You know, when you're told your intel, I imagine— I knew nothing. So I'm like, “Oh, I'll be a spy. I'll be James Bond. I'll be the CIA. None of those were remotely true. So, I got stationed in San Antonio, Texas, for my first job, which was great. I love San Antonio. I worked with some amazing people. Our mission was a little funky. We were doing defensive cyber ops as it was kind of standing up. So, doing intel support for a mission that doesn't really know what they're doing is a little difficult at the time. Now, knock on wood, hopefully things have gotten a lot better since I was there, but building the plane as you're flying was our moniker that we would use. And so it was definitely challenging. And then a lot of it just felt like doing homework and giving briefings over and over again. So, you have a lot of hours in the SCIF doing researching on different cyber threats and then going and briefing the commanders. It was a cool job; I learned a ton. But it wasn't very fulfilling for me. I wanted to get out, be more helpful to other people and have more of a direct impact. And so that led me to teaching ROTC at Texas State, which was a great three years, and really kind of re-blued me. I loved that job. Can't recommend it enough for people that are looking to take a break from their career field. But then when they said, “Hey, you got to go back to intel,” that was my big decision, or my the point where I was like, “All right, I don't think an active-duty career is left in the cards for me. I'm gonna take my next step, moving on.”   Naviere Walkewicz  10:09 So, you even talked about before you decided to transition out of the Air Force, you had pivoted within your career field and took a temporary job outside of your career field as an ROTC instructor, and you said it re-blued. You talk about that and how did it grow you as a leader? I mean, what did you learn about yourself in that?   Jake DeRuyter  10:29 I learned that I really cared about the people more than the operational mission, and so, building up the people, building out the future lieutenants. Like, “Hey, that's how I can better serve the Air Force.” And the whole reason I got the job was because they had to give a waiver for me, because I was technically still a lieutenant, which was not allowed. But I was really upfront with my leadership and my intel job, and they knew I didn't love the career field and I wasn't really a good fit for that world. But they're like, “Hey, Jake's out, great at recruiting. He's good at getting people to go out and do things and help others. He'd be a natural fit there.” So they called all the ROTC leadership to vouch for me to get that job. And then one of the biggest things I took away is that when you go to the Academy, if you're in the Academy, you're in. You have a spot in the Air Force, assuming you pass all your classes, you don't get kicked out for X, Y, Z reasons, and then you'll have a job. ROTC is completely different. You could have 4.0, max your PT scores, be the perfect cadet. And then the Air Force decides, “Hey, we're only taking 40% this year,” which happened my second year in the job and we just had to lose half of our class. So, learning to deal with that rejection when there's nothing that you personally could have done was really challenging. And we had a ton of mentorship sessions with the cadets. “Hey, what are second, tertiary options?” Things like that. Kind of like what I did where it's like, “You're going to be— the doors will get slammed in your face over and over again in life. How do you respond to that, that resiliency and then that flexibility to adapt and overcome?” I mean, those are stuff I'll take with me for the rest of my life.   Naviere Walkewicz  12:01 Wow. And so you got to be a mentor in a way for those Air Force ROTC cadets, if they didn't get a slot, and kind of navigating. And then you found yourself in that seat when you decided to transition yourself, right?   Jake DeRuyter  12:14 Yeah. So, they were gonna send me to another intel role, and I had just met my wife at the time. We were gonna get married soon. I'm like, “Man, the time to deploy and kind of live the Air Force life isn't my main goal anymore, and so I tried to push out my separation date as long as possible, so I had time to do the job search and really see what else is out there. And I didn't really know what I wanted to be once again. But I was like, “Hey, I love living here in Austin, Texas. I figure I can get something tech related or sales related,” I'm kind of naturally inclined to both of those things. And one of my classmates, Keith Link,  he reached out to me because I host a big March Madness pool every year for a ton of grads. And he's like, “Hey, man, just started this role here. I think you'd be a great fit for the company. We're trying to build out our Air Force team. Our boss is a Navy grad. Would you be interested in interviewing us?” And then I was like, “Yeah, man, that sounds great.” You know, I'd still be working with the Air Force in a tech- slash sales-type role. I'm like, “Yeah, this is everything that I wanted. Sounds awesome…” having, once again, no idea I was getting into. But I go through the interview process and I'm trying to sell myself on SkillBridge, trying to get that free internship saying,  “Hey, I could be a free worker for y'all for a couple of months here.” I'm trying to sell myself. And at the end of the interview process, John Podolak, '88 Navy grad, I believe. He's like, “Jake, you've had a bunch of people vouch for you. I really believe in the grad network; it doesn't matter which Academy you went to.” He said, “Hey, if you're gonna come and do SkillBridge with us, I want you to know you have a job offer at the end of it.” And he handed me my job offer right there. I think we were four months out, so I was in shock. To this day I can't believe it. He took the risk on me that coming fresh in a completely separate career field, no background besides being able to speak Air Force. And it all goes back to our Long Blue Line. I don't know what Navy calls it, but it's a “Hey, we all have similar backgrounds.”   Naviere Walkewicz  14:17 Long Blue Navy Line, maybe? I'm not sure.   Jake DeRuyter  14:21 Yeah. He's like, “Hey, I know I could put trust in you because of your background, what you're all about.” and that's something that I really internalized and leading to my role now. It's like, “Hey, we'll give you the benefit of the doubt if you're a fellow grad,” right? Doesn't matter which Academy, you know? In particular, we're gonna favor the Air Force. But yeah, that's like, one thing I just really want to make a pillar of my life. Like I said earlier, it's like, hey, I want to help out fellow grads. Because if it wasn't for Keith and John taking a risk on me out of the blue, I wouldn't be where I am today.   Naviere Walkewicz  14:53 It seems like that's been a thread in your life. You know, finding a network and supporting and taking care of people, and then seeing that reciprocated to help continue to fuel what is important to you. Talk a little bit about what that transition was like, though, because it almost sounds too easy. I mean, has it been just rainbows since you kind of took that leap.   Jake DeRuyter  15:17 Oh, God, no. Year 1, any career field, especially, you know, a sales driven one, it's a challenge. You don't know what you're doing. You're fish out of water. I was going to a million different Air Force bases, walking on base, trying to meet people, not even knowing what I was doing, let alone convincing other people what we do. And so that was a challenge. I think I went to 19 different bases my first year; I was on a plane every chance I could get, just trying to make a name for myself and say, “Hey, I'm Jake DeRuyter, we can do anything help you. What do you need?” And people were always like, “Well, we don't need anything. Like, we want one specific thing. Can you do this?” And so you really kind of have to find yourself, because the Air Force, especially as an officer, you're leading a team, right? Or you're part of some overarching team. But in this role, when I started, it was me, myself and I. So that was just a huge lifestyle change. It was a little refreshing. That's like, “Hey, I don't have to worry about my cadets or my airmen outside of the job.” And this was a nice refresh. But like everything else, it's like, “Hey, I am the only one providing for my family, to pay the bills,” everything like that. Like, how hard am I going to work? And how am I going to put in the effort to grind day in and day out. Just getting good at any job, you can't just have one great day, just like working out. You can't just have one great day and expect to bench 500 pounds, right? It's the things that you do day in and day out and building up the right habits and having the right communication with people, and then just being relatable. One of the other biggest things: Say you're gonna do something and follow up and do it. We always joke that it's a weird that it's a skill to follow up with people and respond to them in a meaningful time. It shouldn't be, but that's just one of those things where people need help. We want to be the ones that are there. And it's just doing that over and over again. Because, man, that Year 1 was like, “Why did I pick this job? Why did I pick this career choice? I should have gone into consulting. I should have gotten started in literally anything else.” Thank God I stuck with it. It's, again, been one of the greatest decisions I've made, and we have an awesome team, but we've brought in a few other Academy grads with us as well, and it's been a lot of fun since.   Naviere Walkewicz  17:31 May I ask why you stuck with it when it and everything against in your core was, “Why did I do this? I could have picked anything else?” Why did you stay?   Jake DeRuyter  17:41 I really wanted to prove it to myself and really prove it to Keith and John. You know, they took the risk on me, so I didn't want to let them down. And I think that was the biggest thing, where it's like, “Hey, you guys took the risk on me out of the blue.” And I'm like— you know, Keith and I were classmates, you know, we were never close, right? Like, you know, we barely kept in touch over the years. And it's just like, “Hey, you stuck your name out.” Like, this is the real world, right? In the Air Force, if you want to do the full 20 years you can do 20 years, right? In the real world, it's “Hey, if you're not have a nice day.” You gotta find new employment. And so I was like, “I'm not gonna let you guys down. I'm gonna fight for this.” Being a small company, we're not a big name brand, right? No one knows who we are. So, it's a little bit that underdog mentality, and just like, “Hey, how am I gonna outhustle the next guy? How am I gonna outhustle XYZ company that's a competitor?” And it's just that competitive drive that I've just always had. I'm not playing sports every day anymore, but how do you still stay competitive and still stay active and still have that drive to be the best you can be, and go on and go forth?   Naviere Walkewicz  18:52 Well, it sounds like this competitive drive is something you said, it was something you've always had. Can you share a story from when you recall, when, gosh, even something, you know, back in early-Jake days that this is a moment I realized, “I'm a competitive person. I'm driven by this desire to prove myself.” Is there something that pops to mind? Because I can only just imagine if it was already part of your core when you kind of knew this about yourself?   Jake DeRuyter  19:18 Oh, yeah, I've got a good one. So, my dad was coaching with the Academy going into my junior year of high school, and his goal was always to get me all three years at one school, which we had at the time, we had never lived anywhere longer than three years in a row. So, that was a tough task. And I just finished up my junior year of playing football, and things were going good, and then he gets a job offer down in Texas, and he comes to me. He's like, “Hey, what do you think? I don't want to move you going into your senior year, but I want to talk to you first before, yeah, I make any decisions.” And I'm like, “Wait, I get the chance to play Texas high school football. Are you kidding me? Let's do this. I get one year for it. That's awesome.” So, yeah, that's the No. 1 story that comes to my mind where it's like, “Hey, I want to take the risk on myself and be competitive and go play the best of the best.”   Naviere Walkewicz  20:18 Play with the best of the best. And that does seem to be a theme, right? Air Force Academy, putting yourself out there, jumping in full feet into this new role. You know, what have you learned about yourself? You talked about motivating. It's different when you have people that you have to take care of, and I guess maybe your translation is your family you have to take care of. But how do you motivate yourself when it's a you, yourself and you — you said “me, myself, and I” and I couldn't think of the other way to say it. But when it's just you, what keeps you motivated?   Jake DeRuyter  20:52 Yeah, I'm definitely very externally motivated. So it's my team. When you want to talk about the Monday-through-Friday grind, and then my wife and, the overarching family, growing up, family has always been really close and a huge motivator for me. And, you know, I've just always wanted to be able to provide for others and provide for myself, and you never want to have to worry about that next meal, or the job, employment — things like that. And just saying, “Hey, you know, these opportunities you get there — don't take it for granted.” And it's like you've got to fight and earn everything. You're not just going to be handed out anything. And that's just something always back in my mind, where it's like, if I'm not doing it like somebody else is going to, I'm going to lose that opportunity, or someone's going to step in, right? And so it's just one thing where it's just being like the Academy grad, like you don't, we'll move up to the name brand. That's another huge thing I always have in my head. It's like, I want to represent the brand. Well, I'm like, “How do you do that?” Is because, like, we've all met those people. It's like, hey man, like, you know, like, shoot. Like, “I really like you, but like, I don't think you represent us. Well, I never want to be that type of person, right? And so that's one of those things I just really like the kitchen, going day in and day out.   Naviere Walkewicz  22:01 So the daily grind… You said, in the first year you think you visited like 19 bases just to try and figure it out. What does the daily grind look like now?   Jake DeRuyter  22:10 Completely changed, thankfully, I really only focus on three, which still has me plenty busy, but at least I'm not in all these crazy places, which is nice. Now it's weird because I set my own schedule. No one's ever asking, “Hey, you got to be here at 7:30 and clock out at 4:30.” It's a complete polar oppositie of the Air Force. Like, if I want to go golf every Friday at noon, no one's stopping me from doing that, except for, that'd probably be a detriment to my team and our success, right? And so it's this complete mindset change where it's like, “Hey, I'm going to still put in a full day's work and get everything I can out of the day.” But I'm not sitting down at my desk. So when I'm home, I'm following up with teams making sure everything is good internally at the company, and then a lot of the time I'm on the road. So, I go to Eglin Air Force Base a lot, Hill Air Force Base and Edwards. Those are my three where I'm constantly rotating through. So, if anyone's at those bases, please let me know. Love to reach out to you guys, grab a beer, dinner or anything. You know, it's a lot of lonely nights in the hotel. So, every chance I get to meet up with fellow grads, see what else is going on — I love taking advantage of that opportunity. I've done that numerous times, and that's one of my favorite things and one of my favorite parts of the job. So, I don't know what a standard day looks like for me. That's one thing I love about this job. And kind of why I stuck with it, so I'm never bored. No day is the same. You're always finding a new opportunity, someone new to talk to, some new base, a new program, that there's infinite possibilities. It's such a big Air Force and it gives me a chance to stay involved with our community, give back, and just, hey, if there's another grad out there that's looking to separate and needs a job, any grad — I've offered this plenty of times and stepped through it — any grad that's trying to separate, you have an instant interview at a minimum, with us right away. Please reach out anytime.   Naviere Walkewicz  24:03 That's amazing. I think you know you talk about there is no standard, but maybe you actually... the standard is that you hold yourself to a standard so that you're seeking opportunities when they're there, you're prepared, and you're trying to connect with other grads and make ways for them as well, or at least a potential opportunity. Let's talk about that, because I find— you know, you're a 2015 graduate, you're in your career trajectory, and you've made time to become the chapter president for the Central Texas chapter. And, you know, chapter services, that's when you bring grads together. I don't know how you manage that, as well as build a business. Let's talk about that. How did that even happen?   Jake DeRuyter  24:43 Yeah, so Mike Lambert started our chapter. He's a '70 grad, one of the coolest, most informative, just unique individuals. He is the greatest guy. Now, I wish I could live half the life that he has when I get to be his age. I reached out to him a couple years ago now saying, “Hey, the baseball team's in town playing UT, we have plans to all go to it, like, what's going on? Because I, this is bad on me... I didn't know that the chapter existed at the time. And he's like, “Oh shoot. I didn't know about it. Yeah, that sounds great. I'll send out a message, let's start rallying people to go as a big group.” I think we got maybe 20 to 30 people. It's a decent showing. And then after he's like, “Hey, I'm looking to pass this on to somebody. Would you be interested in it?” And I'm like, “Yeah, of course. I don't really know what it entails.” And then without me kind of having a say in it, everyone there is like, “Oh, hey, let's all have a vote right now. Raise your hand if you want Jake s the next president,” and Neil Wendt, Harry Keyes, a bunch of other grads were there all raising hands, like, “Hey, here's our new president.” So, yeah, I mean, I definitely wanted it, not like I didn't have a say in it, but yeah, it was nice having that little motivational push from everybody else. And then Neil Wendt, he's been my VP, and almost had a year going just now, so we still got a lot of work to do. We're still building a lot of things, but we're pretty proud of the steps that we've taken to kind of build this community. But yeah, it's definitely tough. You got work and then home life, and then family, and then you're just like, “Oh shoot, I still got to do this.” So, I mean, we all got a million things on a plate, so just like the Academy teaches you, how do you put 25 hours into a 24-hour day?   Naviere Walkewicz  26:18 Right? So I found that curious, what you'd mentioned. You said, “I didn't even know we had a chapter,” but you reached out to Mike Lambert. So did you already have a mentor-mentee relationship with him, or how did you know him?   Jake DeRuyter  26:29 No, I heard about it a little bit before that, because I kind of, in the back of my head, knew it existed. I just didn't know what all entailed. And it didn't say Austin. It just said to Central Texas. So, I didn't really know what all it meant. And then meeting with him and getting involved with him, and all in the whole group that he's started and been a part of for a long time. Yeah, it's really cool hearing their stories. And we do a monthly lunch every Friday or every first Friday of the month, and we get to hear all the cool war stories and everything. It's honestly one of the things I look forward to most every month is listening in to those guys. There's just so many funny connections all over the place. And, yeah, it's awesome. If anyone's listening in Austin, we'll be doing it again next week, or the first Friday this upcoming month of April.   Naviere Walkewicz  27:13 That's wonderful. So talk a little bit about what it's been like being the chapter president. You know, I think when we think about times at the Academy, you're leading a group of your peers, and obviously these peers are various years. But what has that been like, and what have you seen to be challenging so far?   Jake DeRuyter  27:29 Yeah, so it's completely different than on active duty, because you have positional power, right? And your airmen, the younger officers, they've got to listen to you, right? The chapter president sounds cool. Like, what authority do I have? Right? Absolutely nothing. It's just more of I'm the one coordinating and leading the charge, right? So you got to be the one to say what you're going to do and actually follow through and do it. And that's tough when you've got a million other competing priorities, and you're always trying to schedule your time and so I've been thankful I've had a great team. There's been times I can't make that monthly lunch and your others fill in. So we've had a pretty good core group there. But trying to find ways to motivate people to participate is extremely difficult unless they have like a direct buy in or impact or return on their investment. I think I saw in our last AOG election, we had like a 22% voting rate. And so we see that at the local chapters too, where it's tough finding people, so I'll go on LinkedIn, just trolling, just looking for anyone that says Air Force Academy grad, outside of any major city in Texas besides Austin. So, trying to get that direct touch. But it definitely takes time and effort and you've got to be willing to show that you're willing to go forth and put it in. Otherwise everyone's gonna be like, “Hey, I'm just getting another spam email. Why would I listen to this?”   Naviere Walkewicz  28:43 Right? And I just find it even more just impressive. What compelled you to reach out in the first place and say, “Hey, I'd like to get more involved?” Because you were already doing all these things through your job. So why the additional responsibility?   Jake DeRuyter  29:00 I think that's a great question. I think it's just because… You said: I was already doing it, and so I was like, “Hey, this is a natural fit for what I enjoy doing and what I could truly care about.” And as we've mentioned, all those grads in the past have helped me out and made me who I am today. You know from my dad and  my teachers, the officers that are ahead of me. It's like, “Hey, how do I give back?” Because I know I wouldn't be standing where I am without our fellow grads and then the whole overarching community. So it's like, “What little can I do to make one person's life that 1% better?” I'll take that chance any day of the week.   Naviere Walkewicz  29:33 Well, we talked about some of the challenges you've experienced and your deep desire to give back. So, share a success that you've had since being chapter president, and what's really kind of filled your bucket in this giving back piece.   Jake DeRuyter  29:44 Oh, so we did a watch party for the Air Force/Army game; that's pretty standard chapter president stuff like, “Oh, hey, you threw a watch party.” That's not the big thing. But the really cool part was the people that showed up. And I feel horrible. I forget his name right now, but the oldest living graduate, he had his daughter drive him because, “Hey, I'm not going to miss this.” And so I was like, whoa. Like, that was like...   Naviere Walkewicz  30:13 I'm going to look that up myself. That's amazing.   Jake DeRuyter  30:16 Having that moment like, “Wow, that's really cool.” Where it's like, “Hey, that wouldn't have happened without the work of my team  putting this together. And, yeah, putting together watch parties is nothing crazy. But it's still— hearing those stories and meeting those people that were there when this first started. Like, we were joking earlier: They don't even know what Founders Day is because they were there for it. That wasn't really a thing for them. Now it's like our annual celebration, but to them it's just like, “Oh yeah. We just started it.” Like, that's just how...   Naviere Walkewicz  30:48 ...on the shoulders of giants, right?   Jake DeRuyter  Yes.   Naviere Walkewicz  Jake, it just sounds like you had such an incredible ride so far. And I know you're you know your journey is in the midst of it, and I can't wait to hear how you'll continue to do so as a graduate, as we support you. But right now, I'd like to ask you some specific leadership lessons, the first one really pertaining to you: What do you do every day to be a better leader?   Jake DeRuyter  31:12 That reach out. Like, always that checking in. I don't necesarilly schedule it, but if I ever have 20 or 30, minutes, nothing's on my calendar for work, or things are slow, it's like, “Hey, who haven't I talked to in a while?” Whether it's one of my classmates, one of my freshmen, one of the people that served with me… And then I spend a lot of time on the road, so, I'm driving. I always try to reach out and call and reconnect with people that you haven't talked to in X amount of months. Because I always know that I really appreciate when I always hear from people like that. And so that's like one thing I always want to do is like, “Hey, what's going on in life? Where are you at now?” That's what's so cool about the Air Force community as a whole: People are moving, doing cool new jobs all over the place. So, I love getting to hear those stories and truly listening in. The leadership question: Actually listen. Take interest and don't just be waiting to say what you want to say next. Like, actually, like, “Oh, hey, there's some pretty cool stories out there. And people are doing some amazing, unique things.” Shoot, look at Wyatt Hendrickson this weekend. One of the greatest college sports upsets of all time.   Naviere Walkewicz  32:19 Of all time — 100%. I think that's a really great way— just even like rallying together and talking about that. I mean, what a great way to… “Hey, I haven't talked to you in a while. Did you see Wyatt? What he did? You know, it's just amazing.   Jake DeRuyter  32:32 Yep, exactly. Wyatt, if you're ever in Austin, drinks are on me, man, congrats.   Naviere Walkewicz  32:38 That's outstanding. All right, so tell me, then, Jake, what would you share as something that an aspiring leader can do every day? So, that's something you do personally. What might you share with an aspiring leader that they can do today that will reap benefits down the road?   Jake DeRuyter  32:53 Yeah, don't just worry about your own career and your own life, because whether you look at officers, coaches— a lot of people can be judged based on the people that they've built up rather than their own career. We see that all the time in coaching, and it's like, if you're truly worried about the development of the guys around you, you're going to build up yourself and your whole team and everybody and so make that the primary goal. Not just, “Hey, how do I get that next job? How do I get that next rank?” Because people are going to spot that as being phony really quick. So, be genuine, and pump up the other ones around you. Because a rising tide lifts all ships.   Naviere Walkewicz  33:27 Gosh. And like I said, you're kind of in this rise in your career and in your life. You know, if you were to look back and talk to your younger self, Jake, whether your cadet self or even your child self, is there any advice you would give yourself, knowing what you know today?   Jake DeRuyter  33:44 Yeah, the biggest thing is be more involved. I think especially as a cadet and in early officer life, I was just like, “How do I get through the day? What do I do to get through class, or to get through the SCIF life?” Or something like that. “How do I get to the part of life where I'm spending time with my friends, or having fun?” I definitely wish I was much more involved at the Academy and as a young lieutenant, like, I definitely took things for granted back then, and that's probably the biggest thing I changed, is like, “Hey, I definitely had the extra time.” I could have given back more at that time, and maybe I'm trying to make up for a little bit for that now.   Naviere Walkewicz  34:19 Well, I think it's never too late to start. And what are you doing now that fills your bucket in that way?   Jake DeRuyter  34:25 Oh, yeah, the biggest things, the AOG chapter presidency and helping other grads transition. I can't tell you how many fellow grads I've talked to as they're looking for SkillBridge, trying to figure out what that next step looks like. It doesn't stop. Everyone's hitting their five years coming up. It happens every year, right? So there's always that influx, especially those that aren't flying. It's tough making that jump. You know, it's a scary world out there. And I said, it's just you, yourself and I. Whatever the opposite of that is. It's like, “Hey, I know I didn't feel like I had the resources when I was initially getting out through traditional means of the Air Force.” So I want to be that person that's like, “Hey, I'll offer that olive branch anytime.” So yeah, love to help out wherever I can.   Naviere Walkewicz  35:13 Well, those connections are so important, and I think one of the things I really appreciate about you, Jake, is really recognizing that connection. I think you even shared with me a story, and maybe you can share it here, about how you still are in touch with your sponsor family?   Jake DeRuyter  35:26 Yeah. I went to high school in the Springs for a little bit, and the best man in my wedding, his family was the one that sponsored me. So, they had sponsored cadets for years, sponsoring the basketball team through the 2000s. Then in high school, he made me a bet. He's like, “Hey, you idiot, if there's any way that you get in, I'll sponsor.” He's like, “I'm done sponsoring cadets, but if you make it in, you'll be my last one.”   Naviere Walkewicz  And so you were the exception for him.   Jake DeRuyter  Yeah, I was the exception to the rule. So yeah, we still get together every year to go to the opening round of March Madness. So we just did Lexington, Kentucky, for those games, and then next year we'll be doing Tampa. So yeah, college sports and that competition that you talked about that's a huge center piece of my life, and I center all my travel and my fun around it. So yeah, they've been awesome, and a huge part of why I am or where I am today as well.   Naviere Walkewicz  36:11 I love that. Well, we're going to ask for Jake's final thoughts next, but before we do, I'd like to take a moment and thank you for listening to Long Blue Leadership. The podcast publishes Tuesdays in both video and audio and is available on all your favorite podcast platforms. Be sure to stay in touch. Watch, subscribe and listen to all episodes of Long Blue Leadership at longblueleadership.org. All right, Jake, we're ready to hear your final thoughts. It's been incredible spending time with you today.   Jake DeRuyter  36:39 I appreciate it Naviere. Very humbled to be here. You just had Secretary Wilson. I'm sure you've had some astronauts and generals on here, so the fact that you picked me: I was just like, “Man, that really means a lot.” So I just want to say thank you. Yeah, I don't want to repeat myself too much, but yeah, any fellow grads, if you're ever in the Austin area, love to meet up, grab a beer, whatever we can do to help each other out. Just whatever we can do to give back to the Long Blue Line.   Naviere Walkewicz  37:03 Well, thank you for never being too busy for our graduates. I think that was one of the things that really stood out to me throughout everything you've shared, is you know, you care about people, and it's really translated to how you care about our fellow graduates, and I can't wait to see all the amazing things you'll continue to do. So thanks for being a leader in our Long Blue Line.   Jake DeRuyter  37:22 Yeah, I appreciate that, Naviere. Thank you so much.   Naviere Walkewicz  37:25 Well, Jake, one more time, thank you again, and I'm Naviere Walkewicz, thank you for joining us on Long Blue Leadership until next time.   KEWORDS Resilience, Adaptability, Mentorship, Network, Long Blue Line, Leadership, Development, Career Transition, Service, Community Support, Grit, Connections, Risk-Taking, Personal Growth, Military to Civilian Transition, Air Force Academy, Leadership Philosophy, Professional Networking, Continuous Learning, Relationship Building, Giving Back   The Long Blue Line Podcast Network is presented by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association and Foundation    

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