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“World-Class Problem… SOLVED”

My conversation with Jody has got to be at once the most inspiring, insightful, uplifting and heart-breaking – all at once. Never has an episode of TFG left me so humbled, so shaken, so moved to my core as this one.

Jody describes himself as a “world-class problem solver”. His life has been full of ironies: in what he describes as a “Freaky Friday experience”, he was working for the Arkansas state auditor and fully intended to pursue a career in politics. He was in the state capitol the day Bill Clinton boarded Air Force One for the White House. His best friend was working through his student teaching obligations in preparation for a career as an education, and invited Jody to appear as a guest speaker. In that moment, he said he felt as if he’d been struck by lightning.

Jody went on to a career  coaching at YMCA, junior-high, and high-school levels, nearly winning a city championship in his third volunteer year and helping Westside High School produce its first college athlete in twenty years. His friend went on to be a director in the Arkansas state government on the education side.

Jody also went on to face overwhelming failure – personally and professionally. Like many Americans, the events of Sept. 11th 2001 shook him to his core… and likely also triggered childhood traumas, which he spoke of candidly with stark honesty at the very end of our conversation. As too many men do – and as I have shared I myself had done – he hid his inner turmoil, wore the “public mask” as he put it – and it wore him down inside.

To career failure, and homelessness. Down to fifty bucks in his pocket, living in his car. At wits end, he called his mother, seeking help from the one person he knew he could trust. With her help, he found faith. He found community. He found the support of other men who themselves had gone all the way to hell… and back again.

Jody went on to become “Coach Webb” to student athletes and parents alike. Leader, confidante and trusted advisor, who has inspired thousands not only to athletic achievments, but successfully becoming upstanding adults and productive citizens.

His closing message – specifically to the men in the TFG audience – moved us both to tears. The theme of “safe spaces for men” appears to be the throughline of this season. In Jody Webb, I think we’ve found our coach.

 

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“…And Back Again”

Once again, I have an amazing conversation with my first guest to discover TFG “in the wild”, Ralph Watkins.

We pick up where we left off last episode, getting “up the creek” if you will: discussing the collapse of Ralph’s mortgage business during the subprime mortgage crisis, his initial resistance to applying for unemployment. Ralph goes deep, revealing how his stigma to even consider applying for government assistance was the result of internalized negative self‑talk – trauma-triggered flinching as he put it, due to “old tapes” in his mind.

The leads to the central metaphor of replacing outdated mental programming, and Ralph’s tactical steps for “Shit Creek Survivors”: stop digging, find the bottom, orient which way is up, and identify needs such as rest or nourishment. He explains how he learned that self-encouragement and external help are both required to climb out of despair.

If you’ve ever found yourself – or find yourself – “up Shit Creek”, this conversation will help you find your north star, and maybe even give you the tools you need to carve a discarded hunk of driftwood into that elusive paddle…

Contact Ralph

Email: ralph@nascs.org
Website: https://nascs.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iralphie/
Book: 10 Habits of Shit Creek Survivors: Lessons from Hell to Hope – https://www.amazon.com/10-Habits-Shit-Creek-Survivors-ebook/dp/B0GSC6YGTX

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“The 3 E’s of Excellent Education Experience”

Welcome to Season Four! In which I finally succeed in delivering an episode about our first guest – last season’s final guest, Hal Eisenberg…

Our season’s first conversation focuses on Hal’s experiences and insights as a social worker in the New York City school system, emphasizing the need for a transformative approach to education. Hal shares his vision of social work as a means to empower individuals by helping them recognize their inner strength and potential, rather than conforming to traditional stereotypes. His model prioritizes genuine support and personal growth over mere compliance with institutional requirements.

Hal’s three-phase approach to social work is as illuminating as it is alliterative: Exploration, Empowerment, and Elevation. He emphasizes active listening and clarifying questions during the exploration phase, which helps individuals process their experiences. The empowerment phase guides individuals to see their potential and possibilities, fostering a sense of respect and authenticity. Elevation occurs when they seek to share their knowledge and experiences with others, creating a collective uplift.

Hal is a published author, world-traveller and public speaker who empowers both learners and educators with his cutting-edge transformational approach, which aims not just to teach people – but to transform their very existence, within themselves, their classes and communities, and – we hope – globally. Prepare for a most amazing conversation – and check out Hal’s publications in the links below.

Books by Hal Eisenberg:

Whispers in the Rain – Amazon #1 Best Seller: https://a.co/d/0fEzmraT

Beautiful Souls – 4 part book series:
Part 1. The Becoming: https://a.co/d/09Bej4IK
Part 2. The Reckoning: https://a.co/d/04TPwARJ
Part 3. The Rebirth: https://a.co/d/0bTDzcmC
Part 4. The Awakening: https://a.co/d/0fB4CDcZ

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“Coercion Produces Results: Collaboration Produces Leadership”

I met Jaymie at a book signing event in Orlando, Florida. Someone in the audience asked him his view on failure – his response made me realize then and there that he had to be a guest on the podcast.

In our conversation, Jaymie shares his perspective on failure as a vital component of leadership, illustrating how personal experiences, such as a significant loss in soccer, shaped his understanding of preparation and teamwork. He emphasizes that failure should be viewed as a learning opportunity that can motivate individuals to improve and adapt, ultimately leading to greater success. This fascinating mindset shift is crucial for leaders and their teams to navigate challenges effectively.

Our conversation also touches on the broader implications of leadership and representation, particularly for marginalized communities. Jaymie shares insights from his book, “The Face of Leadership,” emphasizing that effective leadership is rooted in principles that guide actions rather than individual accolades.

Of all the conversations I’ve had on this podcast, this one is the most… serendipitous of them all. You must check this one out.

Contact Jaymie:

Email: jpottinger@pottingerandassociates.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymie-pottinger-8b5a18109/
Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/F-C-Leadership-Jaymie-Pottinger/dp/1956630090

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“Financial Literacy, Lifestyle and Legacy”

Glenn Jones of Ensure Financial Group joins us once again for a discussion centered on financial literacy, particularly focusing on insurance investments and their implications for long-term financial security. Glenn makes the distinction that insurance policies are not investments but, as he puts it, “savings accounts on steroids with a death benefit.”

In this episode’s conversation, he provides actionable insights to enhance understanding of financial tools, especially in the context of life insurance policies and the role they can play in wealth accumulation. Don’t be spooked by the fact that we speak frankly about preparing for our collective ultimate deaths: proactive financial planning, especially regarding death and burial arrangements, is a significant aspect of creating wealth and ensuring continuing prosperity for future generations. As our converstion reveals, the lack of preparedness many families face often end up leaving behind debts instead of inheritance.

Glenn is unique in the guests we’ve spoken with on the subject of wealth and prosperity, especially in integrating financial education with spiritual teachings. He stresses that without a solid understanding of financial principles, we cannot contribute effectively to our communities. whether our efforts are culturally or spiritually based.

His is a rather unique perspective – one I’m sure you won’t want to miss, whatever your beliefs may be.

Contact Glenn: glenn@ensurefinancialgroup.com
Ensure Financial Group web page: https://www.ensurefinancialgroup.com

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“The Failure Gal – Failing Forward Toward Compassion”

Imagine achieving success – buying your dream home, owning investment and rental properties, establishing expertise as a wealth coach, all in the height of an economic boom and a bull market. Now… imagine losing it all – ALL: properties, home, savings, credit rating, reputation – reduced in the collapse of the subprime mortgage meltdown.

In this insightful and joyously exuberant episode, Kate Phillips – a Money Mindset Coach and Women’s Wealth Coach, shares her experiences and insights on financial failures. She highlights the stigma surrounding discussions about money, particularly for women, who often feel uncomfortable discussing financial matters due to fear of judgment.

In rebuilding herself and reclaiming her crown, she learned through group exercises she created that many individuals share similar financial fears, eagerly seeking the open conversations, understanding and support that her “failures” uniquely qualified her to provide. In her unique fashion, at once poignant, jovial and engaging, Kate reveals insights such as the fact that while women are statistically better at managing finances, they tend to be more risk-averse, contributing to a significant gender wealth gap.

As with most of the conversations I have with people I know “in real life”, I learned so much about Kate’s domain of expertise – and about Kate herself – that I hadn’t known or even suspected. You will come away from this hour entertained, enlightened, moved and inspired.

 

Contact Kate: Kate@TotalWealthCoaching.com
Kate’s special offer: https://katesgift.gr8.com/

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“Risen from the Ashes”

Stan Morse has been many things in his life, so far – prodigy student, gifted basketball player with NBA potential, husband, father, successful real estate investor… and adulterer, target of federal investigations and crack addict for over a decade.

In many ways, Stan is the model guest of “The Failure Guy” podcast: from the soaring highs and crashing lows, he has risen like a phoenix from the flames of disaster to become a community leader, an advocate for under-served communities and a champion of the oppressed and exploited. Co-founder of 1NYCHA Advocates and a former candidate for Queens borough president, Stan is the author of the recently published book “God’s Grace: One Man’s Remarkable Path to Find His Purpose“.

Fasten your seatbelts and strap in for one of the most amazing journeys yet here on the podcast – you won’t want to miss a minute…

God’s Grace on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3KWwat6
1NYCHA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1NYCHA/

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“Being Unconsciously Competent”

This episode is a fascinating exploration of the intersection of creativity and social justice. Liz shares her insights and experience with adaptive leadership and systems thinking, as well as her artistic pursuits and how they relate to her work in DEI.

From her decades of experience, Liz shares how most DEI trainings tend to focus on shaming individuals rather than promoting genuine inclusivity. In our conversation she reveals how the combination of her experiences and expertise connect an artistic mindset, adaptive leadership training and systems thinking, helping to move beyond quotas and “window dressing” to create just organizations, which ultimately lead to a more just society.

It’s a heady ride, but one you’ll be glad to be part of. Get ready to challenge your own status quo, and be left viewing things in a brand new light…

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“The Key to Self-Discovery”

Ivan Castro has faced many challenges in his life, many of them hidden and internal. Struggling in his early years with undiagnosed ADHD, like many he was considered substandard and incapable of learning “like the others”.

Emigrating to the United States, he encountered therapy and discovered that the issue was not that he couldn’t learn, but simply that he learned differently. This inspired him to delve deeper into himself and the way the mind works in general and, perhaps more importantly, gave him a deep compassion for the neurodivergent and differently abled among us who are not broken or infereior, but merely marginalized and misunderstood.

Now he is a deeply motivated paraprofessional, podcaster and community builder, with a focus on providing guidance and assistance to newly arrived immigrants from Spanish-speaking countries, and particularly devoted to bringing the message of transformation and self-acceptance to men seeking to move beyond the restrictive roles of outmoded toxic masculinity.

Join Ivan and I on a most powerfully enlightening conversation, and follow him on his podcast at https://anchor.fm/s/c0b26b8/podcast/rss

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“A to Eff to B – From Wounds to Wisdom”

Kahshanna Evans is an athlete, a branding and marketing expert, a public relations consultant, and has a background in wellness, having just completed a year of working with an organization that focuses on trauma-informed awareness.

This last element is a recurring theme throughout our conversation: acknowledging trauma in its various forms, and managing the effects of trauma – and the failure to recognize it – in our personal and professional lives. Unique to our conversations on “The Failure Guy” podcast, she introduces the concept of “creating space” for ourselves, and having a “joy process” in all we do – especially in our professional activities.

Join us for a stimulating conversation in which we discuss everything from how athletic performance in our youth can affect our confidence and accomplishments to the biochemical impact of repressed stress due to our not confronting and processing failure. And in the midst of it all, she has such a great lightness of spirit and sense of humor, you’d think this was a comedy podcast.

Learn how to put trauma in its place, the importance of connecting our catchphrases with conscious processes and focusing not on the blows to our egos that failure delivers, but the benefits of the lessons learned on our journeys toward greater success.

 

The Acosta Institute: https://www.acostainstitute.com/

Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson – https://www.amazon.com/Caste-Origins-Discontents-Isabel-Wilkerson/dp/0593230256

Joyfully Just: Black Wisdom and Buddhist Insights for Liberated Living – https://www.kamilahmajied.com/joyfully-just

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“There is No Failure; There’s Only Feedback” – BONUS: Lost episode from Season One!

What do professional training and development, comic book superheroes and ancient myths have in common? The story of the Hero’s Journey.

From Samson to Hercules, from Thor in Norse mythology to Thor the comic book character, we’re all on a Hero’s Journey. An integral part of all Hero’s Journeys is, surprisingly, FAILURE. As we will discover in this amazing conversation – the last interview I recorded before the pandemic shutdown – it’s also about the story we tell ourselves *about* ourselves.

No better way to tie the two seasons of the podcast together so far, this recording was thought lost, and the backup version was of poor audio quality on my part – but we’ve done our best to clear it up, and wouldn’t want to fail to share with you this amazing exploration of finding the superhero inside yourself…

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“Sometimes, it IS Rocket Science”

From NASA employee and member of the Space Shuttle launch team to Reiki master and energy healer, it may seem like Dawn Meyer’s life is a study in contrasts. Yet as you listen to our conversations, prepare to be intrigued and amazed at how her perspective on life merges the two distinct phases of her life as aspects of one continuous reality.

“Possibility Professional” is how Dawn describes herself. A visionary ray of sunshine and warmth is what we have to say about her. Join us for the most laughter-filled conversation of Season 2 so far… to infinity, and beyond…

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“Growing Together – Filling the Empty Nest with Butterflies”

In this episode, Stephanie and Jeff Gaudette explore the challenges and joys of being a blended family, avoiding the perils of the empty nest leading to “grey divorce”. We discuss the effects of COVID on those who find themselves “stuck” at home, and how Steff found her once solitary domain invaded and the newly adopted quiet rhythms disturbed by a houseful of people bustling in isolation.

Learn how they intentionally kept the flame of their relationship fully lit and well-stoked, how insisting the family ate dinner together at least once a week blossomed into fun and exciting trivia/movie nights, and how the steps they took to avoid growing apart as the youngsters left the nest grew into a mission to enlightened other “empty nester” couples on how to keep their marriages alive and vital, and an ongoing effort to “Make Community Great Again”…

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The Franne-tastic Franne McNeal

 

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Franne’s LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frannemcneal/

 

Significant Business Results: https://frannemcneal.com/

 

Franne’s radio show:

 

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Keith Bardsley’s College Success Recommendations

Keith Bardsley is a “student advocate” – he puts a great deal of energy and effort into working with kids to make sure they have the best possible chance of succeeding in their college career, and beyond.

In other words, he sees to it that they “avoid failure“. During our interview Keith offered a number of excellent insights and suggestions to parents of college-age students, or the students themselves. As I promised during the interview, I’ve collected those recommendations in a PDF document that you can read online below, or download and read at your convenience.

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