Podcasts about tough things first

The victim mentality is a psychological pattern where someone perceives themselves as a victim of circumstances, other people, or systems, often avoiding personal responsibility. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explains in detail why most people have victim mentality and how to escape the pattern. Ray Zinn: Hi Rob. Good to be with you today. Rob Artigo: Page […]

We all know change is inevitable, but layoffs can be devastating when you find your once secure job has vanished. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says don't panic, just be prepared. Rob Artigo: Here with me again is Ray Zinn, the longest serving CEO in Silicon Valley history. Hi Ray. Ray Zinn: Hello Rob. Rob Artigo: You […]

What you need to know now. In this Tough Things First podcast Ray Zinn demystifies the troubled waters so we can all get it and look forward. Call it Part 1. Rob Artigo: Good to be back, Ray. Nice to see you. Thriving amid uncertainty and handling adversity. That's what we're talking about here in this podcast. 2025 has been […]

Do we live in a culture that promotes comparisons to others? Is it jealously, envy? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says keeping up with trends may be healthy, but keeping up with the Jones's may be a problem.     Rob Artigo: I recently read a quote where the writer said he had not met a person […]

The question often heard is who will pick our produce under tighter immigration enforcement? Maybe the question that aught to be asked is when will humanoid robots be doing that job? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn tells us the one constant is change. Ray Zinn: Hi, Rob. Rob Artigo: Well, I've heard this repeated frequently, and maybe […]

Competition is a wonderful and important aspect of success, but some people recoil in horror over how it forces them to be proactive. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the reasons why we need to embrace our competitive nature. (Video Podcast)   Rob Artigo: Good to be back. This is a special edition of the podcast. It's […]

Success is often muted or even missed entirely over the fear of failure. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about the key factors involved in the Fear of Failure.   Rob Artigo: Ray, another one of those nasty little things that get in the way of success is fear of failure. In your opinion, is the fear […]

Would be entrepreneurs often fret over, “is this the right time to start my business?” Maybe the real question gets ignore in the process. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explains the bigger question you must ask yourself and why “when” is hardly what matters most. Rob Artigo: Would-be entrepreneurs can often find themselves stuck before they even […]

In business self-assessment, few components are more important than identifying your customer. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the elements of identifying your target customer and the obstacles to obtaining and retaining them. Rob Artigo: I caught a piece on a website called entrepreneur.com. It caught my attention for a couple of reasons, but I picked one […]

Sometimes we need to check with ourselves to see if we are positioned well for unforeseen troubles. In this Tough Things First podcast with Ray Zinn, has the keys to self-reliance.   Rob Artigo: Good to be back. And I've got a copy of Zen of Zinn Two, one of your books here in front of me, and I flipped […]

The reemerging American semiconductor industry is a little nervous about what President Trump will do regarding the CHIPS and Science Act, but CNBC reports Trump is unlikely to roll it back. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says only a robust American chip sector can thwart Chinese power grab through chip dominance.   Rob Artigo:…you ran Micrel as […]

A cognitive bias that occurs when someone overestimates their knowledge or abilities in a particular area can wreak havoc. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores ways to avoid it. Rob Artigo: I had been looking around for different subject ideas and I came across a term called the Dunning-Kruger Effect. It's about cognitive bias that occurs when […]

The opposite of paralysis by analysis is making a resolute decision in moments while others stew. But how do you get there? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses how famous business minds get right to it without hesitating. Rob Artigo: Well Ray, let's talk if we could, a little bit about leadership and leaders in business at […]

It is called the Department of Government Efficiency and it doesn't even exist yet. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray discusses the hope of D.O.G.E. and why it will require some very heavy lifting to see real change. Rob Artigo: A lot of changes have come up in the last month or so, and we're going to have a […]

The long and the short of the 2024 Presidential Election cycle and what it tells us about where we are as a country. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn gives his take.   Rob Artigo: It's been another long and exhaust… It's weird, it's been an election cycle that was both very long as it tends to be, […]

It's possible to be honest only sometimes, which makes integrity a full time job. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discussing how honesty and integrity are different and how they may impact your reputation as a leader and coworker when applied disproportionately. Rob Artigo: Well, you have talked a lot about honesty on this show, also integrity, but […]

Getting ahead at work is not complicated, but it does require effort. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the concept of hiring from within a company, and how to be the person who moves up. Rob Artigo: Good to be back. So let's talk about promoting from within a company instead of seeking talent from elsewhere. Micrel, […]

Entrepreneurs accomplish a lot by themselves. Fierce independence is a common trait, but why not work smarter, not harder? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn details why going it alone isn't all it's cracked up to be. Rob Artigo: Well, Ray, you write so much it's hard to keep up, but one thing that you did right recently […]

The benefit of self-awareness becomes evident when you put that knowledge into action and then evaluate if these actions are working. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn uses his extensive experience as a leader in business to explain why the habit of self assessment and reassessment is worth developing. Rob Artigo: In the Zen of Zinn one, we […]

In business, we want to see the bottom line grow! But in the last few years wading into politics and the latest social trend is having the opposite effect on sales. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explains the basic problem with divisiveness. Rob Artigo: Well, I noticed that some companies have recently come out and said they're […]

They are the errors that can do you in and you will have nobody to blame but yourself. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn defines what an unforced error is in the business word and what you can do to save yourself before they happen. Rob Artigo: Ray, I was reading Zen of Zinn 3, in fact, right […]

Even if you have decided to shun social media, virtually every type of communication you use is a form of content creation. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about ways we overlook our status as influences just because we don't post videos of ourselves all the time. (Ironically, Watch Here…) Ray Zinn: Hi, Rob. Good to be […]

Asked for an opinion or not, it seems most people jump at the chance to say what's on their minds. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the ways opinions can go wrong, and how to make them go the right way. Rob Artigo: Often flipping through Zen of Zinn one, two, or three and things appeal to […]

No matter the size of the investment or the investor group, cash infusions to boost your company will come with strings. In this Tough Things First podcast, offers some thoughts on how it works and what to expect. Rob Artigo: I recently read that Applied Digital, it's a data center operator, their shares recently had soared like 65%. They said […]

Money is not everything, but if you want it, are creative, and a bit delusional, you have a shot and being more than lucky. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn points out the difference between a healthy delusion and being downright crazy. Rob Artigo: You've probably heard of tennis star, Coco Gauff. [inaudible 00:00:17] she's a major champion […]

The Democrat's national convention kicked off in 2024 under the constant threat of violence over war in the middle east, but it's not hard to figure out the motivations. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses why violence can irrupt in politics and what to do about it. Rob Artigo: There's something in the news business, when I […]

“Loud quitting” is just foolish, but smart career moves can be a ladder to job satisfaction and success. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about how changing jobs is a skill in itself, and future employers will follow the trail. Will it send a good or bad message? (Watch Video Podcast Here…) Rob Artigo: Well Ray, when […]

Did you know stealing a pen from your employer is embezzlement? It might not seem like a big deal, but what it says about you IS a big deal. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses ethics and how little things become big things that create a negative workplace culture. Rob Artigo: Ray, interpersonal communications, which obviously we're […]

Depending on who you listen too, a recession is either already here or just around the corner. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn, who led a major tech company through good times and bad, discusses options for making your personal finances just as resilient. Rob Artigo: Ray, I don't think it's a stretch, I really don't, that far […]

The question is what has more value, the price of an education or work experience? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn says one has an edge over the other. He'll explain why smart choices will help you navigate these life decisions. Rob Artigo: I'm Rob Artigo, your guest host for this edition of the Tough Thanks First podcast. […]

Running in circles pushing a cart full of goals will lead to two things. Exhaustion and a cart full of unfulfilled goals. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores the difference between action for action's sake and action with purpose. (Watch the Video Podcast here.) Rob Artigo: Rob Artigo here, once again your host for this edition of […]

Good or bad, a rise in wages results in reaction. The earner may first have more money, but prices follow and can wipe-out the gains. In this Tough Things First reality check, Ray Zinn explores a game that is less than zero sum when it's forced.   Rob Artigo: We once talked about kiosks. What we were talking about was […]

Effective leadership is about being a people person, not about people pleasing. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn wonders if a better understanding of your own leadership style can help you communicate better with different personalities. Ray Zinn: Hello there, Rob. Rob Artigo: Your idea was, what kind of leader are you? And I bet the listeners are […]

Diversity is a natural course of business. Not just in gender and race, but in thought. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the key differences between the proverbial left and right brains on the job. Rob Artigo: Now you're someone who has run a diverse workplace at Micrel. You've ran it for decades, all walks of life […]

The enemy of innovation comes in many different forms, but usually the goal is the same. To throw you off your game. As Ray Zinn tells us in this Tough Things First podcast, stifling innovation can take a whole company out. Rob Artigo: Let's talk about this, ways in which innovation can be stifled in our businesses, in our organizations, […]

Some train wrecks are easily seen coming down the tracks while others go off the rails because of bad drivers. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the faulty CEO who goes off the rails because their priorities get out of whack. Rob Artigo: Well, a company called Stability AI was sold to investors as a, quote, “Herculean […]

Many entrepreneur's know when their mojo is working, but some people just do not know how to tap into it. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn offers a surefire way to find your mojo. Rob Artigo: Entrepreneurs at their heart are creative, ambitious people. Am I generally right when I say that? Ray Zinn: Absolutely. You have to […]

Loyalty in the mafia means something different than loyalty in its most productive and meaningful ways, or does it? Is blind obedience really loyalty? Ray Zinn explores the finer points and graces or loyalty. Rob Artigo: Rob Artigo here once again, your host for this edition of the “Tough Things First” podcast. I'm an entrepreneur in California, wonderful to be… […]

Entrepreneurs rarely get what they “deserve”, but most everyone gets what they focus on, good or bad. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn takes a deep dive into our focus and how it drives the results. Rob Artigo: You wrote recently, we generally get what we expect, and you say the reason is our focus is on what […]

YouTube and TikTok users know this all too well. Fact: We live in a more isolated work environment, often at home, in our own little space, with what seems like a lot more to accomplish. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses “creator burnout”, why it happens, and how to deal with it. (Watch the video podcast here…) […]

Diversity, equity, and inclusion has supplanted merit as an important decision tool in hiring for many companies, but has it helped or hurt businesses and employees? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores fundamental truths about fairness, that DEI has set aside.   Rob Artigo: Well, because of all this talk about DEI, that's the diversity, equity and […]

Clashes in the streets are never pretty, and Ray Zinn says they never really do much other than cause more division and anger. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray lays out why protests are negative by nature, but are they evil? Rob Artigo: It seems like we've spent the better part of the last seven years in some state […]

In life and business decisions must be made, but they do not always have to be hard decisions if you are prepared. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn explores a list of lessons learned that can help you be ahead of the game. Rob Artigo: Well, I was reading a Forbes piece. It had some experts, and these […]

Ai continues to make headlines and alter the way we think about art and plagiarism, and even the law. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the diverging lines between what is your creative endeavor and what has no copyright at all. (What we discuss here is anecdotal, based on news reports, and should not be construed as […]

Covid is still affecting the work place and what other trends might we see in 2024. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn Discusses when he expects most people will be back in the office. (Click here for the video.) Rob Artigo: Welcome to the Tough Things First podcast, your indispensable source for business, leadership and life advice with […]

“Divide and conquer,” is a frequently used term and almost as frequently misused when unity is what you're really after. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn talks about how a winning team in business or on the playing field is one that focuses on what unites, not what divides. Rob Artigo: I'm Rob Artigo, your guest host for […]

They may seem harmless, but in business and personal lives a white lie can take on a life of its own. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn looks at what qualifies as a white lie, and, if done by accident, what to do about.   Rob Artigo: I'm Rob Artigo, your guest host for this edition of the […]

For the entrepreneur who wants to scale, hiring is going to happen. Can there be good interviewers and bad interviewers in this process? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn uses  a lifetime of hiring knowledge to help interviewers and interviewees, get it right.   Rob Artigo: I'm Rob Artigo here once again, your host for this edition of […]

Is there a difference between hope and optimism? In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn gets to the heart of the matter and warns there is a danger of letting your hope and optimism overrule your logic. Rob Artigo: I'm Rob Artigo, your guest host for this edition of The Tough Things First podcast with Ray Zinn, the longest-serving […]

It seems everywhere we turn these days, lawmakers are opting to demolish basic rules of society. In this Tough Things First podcast, Ray Zinn discusses the troubling trend of a world without consequences and why it can only get worse unless we address the problem. (Click Here to Watch Video Podcast)     Rob Artigo: Welcome to the Tough Things […]