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045: Master Your Mental Edge with Nerd and Navy SEAL Josiah Kauffman

045: Master Your Mental Edge with Nerd and Navy SEAL Josiah Kauffman

What’s been the toughest test of your life? Did it involve being underwater, with your instructor shutting off your oxygen, pushing your body to its physical limits, feeling immense fear, all while being graded on perfect procedures?

Did I mention most people fail, and you only get four attempts to pass?

In this episode, meet former Navy SEAL operator, Josiah Kauffman. He is a self-proclaimed complete nerd in high school, who felt a calling to serve after the tragic events of 9/11 and trained his way to the top of the top for elite warriors. He understands better than anyone the importance of having a mental edge.

After serving in combat, Josiah instructed 400+ men in Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL (BUD/S) training. Arguably the toughest training program on earth.

Now he brings his elite performance training and tactical leadership experience to the civilian sector, and is the founder of The Warrior Calling.

The nerd didn’t leave him while on tour, as Josiah also holds a Masters Degree in Cybersecurity. How many humans can teach you elite self-defense, and protect you on the internet?

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time for Basic Engineer Mental Edge training!

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044: Meet Your Host of The Happy Engineer Podcast – a Reverse Interview with Zach White

044: Meet Your Host of The Happy Engineer Podcast – a Reverse Interview with Zach White

Who is this guy, Zach White? Umm… that’s me. Have you ever wondered why The Happy Engineer Podcast was started, and what convinced me to become a CEO and Lifestyle Engineering Coach?

Now is your chance to get the inside story, and ask the questions!

In this episode, the tables are turned and I’m on the other side of the microphone as your guest! I did not know where this conversation would go, because it’s not a solo show.

I’m being interviewed by behind-the-scenes man of the hour, Daniel Powell.

We dig into my own rock bottom moments with burnout and divorce.

We go back to my engineering origins and what I’ve learned that changed my life forever.

And we answer one of the most common questions I get from engineering leaders every week, “Why did you quit a super successful career to start OACO?”

PLUS, we introduce our new Q&A opportunity where you can participate in The Happy Engineer Podcast, by submitting your questions for me to answer in future episodes.

So press play and let’s chat… because now it’s your turn to ask the questions!

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043: Become Your Own Superhero with Laban Ditchburn

043: Become Your Own Superhero with Laban Ditchburn

What are you the best in the world at? Most engineering leaders give a blank stare when asked that question. Full confession, so did I.

How do you become your own superhero in life?

In this episode, meet the man affectionately known as the World’s Best Courage Coach, Laban Ditchburn. He teaches people to bet on themselves.

A child badly affected by divorce, poverty and dysfunction, Laban sought validation and escapism in all the wrong places.

But through self-discovery and a ton of hard work, he conquered the full gamut of addiction—alcohol, sex, gambling, drugs, and negative self-talk.

By understanding and then reverse-engineering the root cause, giving up his addictions was almost effortless.

Now he revels in unabashedly sharing what he’s learned: How to conquer the demons you don’t know you have, and how to be unstoppable in getting to where you want to be.

So press play and let’s chat… because it’s time to bet on you!

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042 BONUS: Create Your Dream Lifestyle with Charles Webb [Part 2]

042 BONUS: Create Your Dream Lifestyle with Charles Webb [Part 2]

Life is about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy a BONUS part 2 episode with Chef Charles Webb, who has gone through 92 jobs and dozens of countries in search of the lifestyle he loves.

In this episode, enjoy a freestyle conversation world-renowned #chefontour and Chicago’s #1 Private Chef, Charles Webb.

This is not our normal engineering career conversation at The Happy Engineer Podcast, and that’s on purpose. You may love the vibe of this lifestyle chat, or you may not. Either way, it’s important that we continuously expand our mindsets and ask new questions.

What is truly possible for your lifestyle?

What is your biggest, boldest dream?

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

So press play and let’s chat… because food, travel, and leisure are about to open your mind (and mouth)!

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041: Why Passion Must Persist with #chefontour Charles Webb [Part 1]

041: Why Passion Must Persist with #chefontour Charles Webb [Part 1]

Can you imagine having had 92 jobs, traveling to dozens of countries, experiencing yet another setback, and still showing up with passion to keep building your vision?

Would you consider passion a key ingredient of success leaders?

In this episode, meet world-renowned #chefontour Charles Webb. Chicago’s #1 Private Chef, he has been trained through his adventurous spirit.

Chef Charles’ career has taken him to Brazil, France, Denmark, Italy, Spain, New York City and beyond. He has rubbed elbows with grand consulates and bartered for spices in markets unknown to the world. He has seared fish in a fire built by hand in the Cayman Islands, roasted duck in Rio, and learned to speak six languages in between.

Chef Charles Webb holds a philosophy that every meal is a journey and should be shared, experienced and savored.

What does all this have to do with building an engineering career?

You’re about to find out.

So press play and let’s chat… it’s time to ignite your passion for LIFE!

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040: Storytelling is Dead! Build Your Strategic Narrative with Guillaume Wiatr

040: Storytelling is Dead! Build Your Strategic Narrative with Guillaume Wiatr

Let me tell you a story about the day storytelling died. Once upon a time…

Wait, WHAT? Isn’t storytelling timeless?

In this episode, global strategist and leadership coach, Guillaume Wiatr, will show you the importance of building strategic narratives. He is the Founder of MetaHelm, a consulting firm which guides CEOs and Founders to align people and accelerate innovation adoption.

For Guillaume, traditional business storytelling is dead. Innovation happens when you build a new narrative instead. As he says, “people will pay for a story, but they will die for a narrative”.

We explore his custom 4-dimensions framework leveraged by senior executives of companies like Alaska Airlines, The Gates Foundation, AIG, L’Oréal, Google, Microsoft, and the US and French governments (to name a few).

And you can apply it to building your career.

So press play and let’s chat… How do you like that story?

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