In this conversation, Michelle Mace Curran, a combat veteran and former F-16 fighter pilot, shares her journey from a shy child with diverse aspirations to becoming a lead solo pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. She discusses the influences that shaped her career, the challenges she faced as a female pilot, and the importance of resilience and performance in overcoming obstacles. Michelle offers valuable advice for young women aspiring to enter male-dominated fields, emphasizing the need to focus on personal excellence and the meritocracy of performance. In this conversation, Ken shares his experiences as an F-16 pilot, including the physical challenges of flying at high G-forces, the nerves of his first solo flight, and the transition from a military career to the business world. He discusses the importance of inspiring the next generation through children's books and the significance of his call sign, MACE, which reflects his journey and experiences in aviation.

Takeaways

• Michelle's childhood experiences sparked her interest in aviation.

• The journey to becoming a fighter pilot was not straightforward for Michelle.

• Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for high-achieving individuals.

• Being the only woman in her pilot training class highlighted both support and bias.

• Michelle emphasizes the importance of focusing on performance over external perceptions.

• Young women should prioritize being the best at their jobs to gain respect.

• The military environment fosters a unique pressure to perform.

• Training for G-forces is a critical part of becoming a fighter pilot.

• Michelle's experiences in the Thunderbirds involved high G maneuvers regularly.

• Resilience and preparation are key to success in challenging fields. Flying at high G-forces is physically demanding and uncomfortable.

• The first solo flight is a nerve-wracking yet surreal experience.

• Transitioning from military to business requires a shift in mindset.

• Inspiring young girls through relatable children's books is impactful.

• The call sign MACE represents a rite of passage in aviation.

• Celebrating small wins is essential for personal fulfillment.

• Public speaking can be learned through practice and exposure.

• Feeling nervous is common, even for accomplished speakers.

• Growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone.

• Sharing personal stories can inspire others to pursue their dreams.

  
  

  Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michelle Mace Curran

02:56 Early Influences and Aspirations

05:49 The Journey to Becoming a Fighter Pilot

09:14 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

12:04 Challenges Faced as a Female Pilot

18:13 Advice for Young Women in Aviation

21:04 The Importance of Performance and Meritocracy

23:59 Experiences in Fighter Jet Training

30:47 Experiencing G-Forces in Flight

35:31 The First Solo Flight

38:57 Transitioning from Military to Business

52:19 Writing Children's Books and Inspiring the Next Generation

57:01 The Story Behind the Call Sign MACE

It's another episode with amazing co-host John Skomski and we're exploring the concept of company culture, discussing its importance, signs of toxicity, and how to create a place where people actually want to show up. Enjoy!

Takeaways

• Culture is often misunderstood and dismissed by many employees.
• A toxic culture is characterized by infighting and blame.
• Understanding individual whys is crucial for building a strong culture.
• Timed pathways help align personal and organizational goals.
• Leaders must actively engage with employees to understand their needs.
• A positive culture fosters employee retention and productivity.
• Culture should be simple and straightforward, not theoretical.
• Listening to employees is key to preventing cultural decay.
• Creating a culture of support leads to better business outcomes.
• Leadership plays a vital role in shaping and maintaining culture.

Chapters

00:00
Defining Organizational Culture

03:02
The Importance of Culture in the Workplace

05:51
Signs of a Toxic Culture

08:55
Understanding Individual and Organizational Whys

11:47
Creating Timed Pathways for Success

14:46
Bridging Individual and Company Goals

17:58
Practical Steps to Improve Culture

20:47
The Role of Leadership in Culture

23:45
Conclusion and Call to Action
Follow me on Instagram @ kenruskofficial for daily intrapreneurial motivation

Music:

By Your Side by Caslow, Bertie Scott & Patfromlastyear (used with written permission)
keywords: organizational culture, workplace culture, toxic culture, employee engagement, leadership, company goals, individual goals, culture improvement, team dynamics, business success

As faithful listeners know, I'm not afraid to try out new topics and formats. Well, today I pull back the curtain on something that's been in the works for over a year. Maybe you'll love it, maybe you won't. Check it out and let me know!

Takeaways

• The idea of 'Two Crappy Chairs' is to challenge the elite speaking circuit.
• The goal is to provide practical, actionable advice for listeners.
• Creating a positive workplace culture is essential for business success.
• Employees should feel empowered to voice their ideas and concerns.
• A toxic work environment often reflects a culture of zero-sum thinking.
• Understanding what employees want is key to improving culture.
• Agency in the workplace allows employees to take ownership of their roles.
• Culture should be defined and assessed regularly within organizations.
• A win for one should not come at the expense of another.
• The conversation encourages a cultural revolution in workplaces.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to the experiment

06:01
Relentlessly Practical: A Toolbox for Change

11:59
Empowering Employees: The Key to Success

18:13
Culture as a Reflection of Values

23:48
Conclusion and Call to Action

Follow me on Instagram @ kenruskofficial

Music:
Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)
By Your Side by Caslow, Bertie Scott & Patfromlastyear (used with written permission)
keywords: experiment, Two Crappy Chairs, workplace culture, employee empowerment, practical advice, business success, toxic environments, agency, culture definition

Today, Ken's guest this week is Markus Kaulius

Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast

I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom!

Markus Kaulius is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of playabiggergame.com.

After making his first million in his twenties, Markus took his supplement company from startup to 170 million dollars.

Through his upcoming book "Play a Bigger Game: Seven Universal Principles to Find Real Fulfillment and Win at Life"

Markus is committed to sharing lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey to help other high achievers break free from imbalance and feelings of discontent so they can find fulfillment beyond career success.

Ken and Markus will discuss the drive it takes to be an entrepreneur, the importance of seeing your own future and how helping others can help you find fulfillment.

To learn more about Markus and buy his book follow the links below:

https://www.playabiggergame.com

https://www.instagram.com/markuskaulius

Chapters:

01:15 - Intro

1:40 - Entrepreneurship

5:26 - Asking Favors

7:51 - Where Drive Comes From

11:41 - Benefits of Being an Entrepreneur

16:49 - Supply and Demand

19:36 - Ad break

21:17 - Seeing Your Future

26:23 - Why He Wrote His Book

40:11 - Finding Fulfillment

35:06 - Book’s Audience

38:08 - Finding The Book

40:08 - The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question

Today, Ken's guest this week is Terry Kim.

How to get into Tech without a college degree

Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast

I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom!

Terry Kim, Veteran of the US Air Force and first generation Korean American. He has been in the field of IT for more than two decades after dropping out highschool. After his military service he rose through the ranks of prominent tech giants such as Cisco Systems and Arista Networks.

Terry is the cofounder of NGT Academy and has revolutionized IT learning now he's added author to his resume with his book "Zero to Engineer: A Story of the American Dream - How to Land your Dream IT job without a College Degree, Obtain Financial Freedom and Work on the Latest Technologies."

Ken and Terry will discuss this book and people can get insider knowledge and tips to fast track their tech career 

To learn more about Terry and buy his book follow the links below:

https://ngt.academy/

https://a.co/d/aAVzR8T

Chapters:

01:12 - Intro

2:02 - How Terry’s career began

8:12 - Career Path

13:04 - College stats

15:22 - Ad break

16:57 - NGT Academy

23:28 - College isn’t prepping kids properly

25:44 -Proud of NGT Academy

27:00 - Why Terry wrote his book

28:12 - Message to parents

29:57 - How Terry wrote his book

31:33 - Ken’s course

32:58 - How to get involved with NGT Academy

35:52 - You can Learn by Doing

41:20 - The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question

44:04 - How to get the book!

If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more of my content, check out my Instagram (@KenRuskOfficial) or our website. Thank you for your time!

Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast

I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom!

Today, Ken's guest this week is Phil Riehm.

Phil is a farmer and owner of Riehm Family Farms. His family has been growing produce in Ohio for 5 generations. Phil and his family provide organically raised fruits and vegetables through their road side stand, farmers markets, and CSA program.

Ken and Phil will talk about all that goes into running a family farm and how they stay competitive in a busy food marketplace.

If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more of my content, check out my Instagram (@KenRuskOfficial) or our website. Thank you for your time!

1:14 - Intro

2:46 - Farm Share

5:30 - why CSAs Started

9:03 - Are local farms growing?

10:53 - How ‘big’ is a small farm?

11:38 - Advice for kids interested in farming

12:24 - Blue Collar Stigma

14:41 - Building wealth through farming?

16:26 - Ad break

18:03 - Best Things About Farming

19:18 - What people don’t know about farming

20:10 - Farming Technology

24:02 - Seasons of Farming

30:00 - Greenhouse vs Fields

31:20 - Paul Harvey Intro

32:49 - Paul Harvey - So God Made a Farmer

33:31 - Paul Harvey reaction

35:36 - The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question

Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast

I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom!

Today, Ken interviews Efren Delgado. Efren is a former FBI special agent with 25 years of national security, law enforcement, and private protection experience, and has now added author and speaker to his threat assessment and consultation profession. Ken and Efren will discuss his career at the FBI, as well as his new book, The Opposite is True. Discover your unexpected enemies, allies, and purpose through the eyes of counterintuitive psychology. Efron will talk about the importance of humility in your life and how to gain wisdom from humility.

If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more of my content, check out my Instagram (@KenRuskOfficial) or our website. Thank you for your time!

Chapters:

01:02-Intro

01:10-Book

01:34-FBI Career

03:58-Silence is Golden

04:58-Counter Intelligence

08:39-Counter Terrorism

13:16-Robert Hanssen Case

14:45-Consulting

15:44-Threat Assessment

17:07-Emotion and Logic

18:58-Crime

26:12-Ad break

27:50-FBI as a Career

32:10-The Opposite Is True

34:56-The Someday-ers and the Today-ers

36:29-Humility is the Path to Wisdom

37:43-Higher Power

42:02-Gratitude

44:54-Service

47:60-Emotion

52:45-Discovering Humility

57:49-Trust Your Instincts

59:43-The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question

Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast

I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom!

Today Ken interviews football coach and broadcaster Urban Meyer.

Coach Meyer is one of 4 men to win national championships with two different programs. Winning twice while coaching the Florida Gators and he got a win for his home state coaching Ohio State to the national championship.

Since retiring from coaching Urban has written a New York Times Best-Seller "Above the Line: Lessons in Leadership and Life from a Championship Program" and he's a commentator for Fox's college football coverage.

Ken and Urban will discuss growing up in Ohio, what it takes to be a great leader, and the importance of faith and family.

If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more of my content, check out my Instagram (@KenRuskOfficial) or our website. Thank you for your time!

Chapters:

01:05 - Intro

1:46 - Background

2:25 - Interest in coaching

4:07 - What lessons he brought to Ohio State

5:40 - taking over at Ohio State

7:35 - How he changed things at Ohio State

8:58 - When did he notice the changes taking effect?

10:57 - Ad break

12:32 - Urban’s book

14:34 - Father’s advice

16:04 - Is the book helpful for families

18:12 - Father figures

21:06 - How to motivate the work force

22:49 - Folds of Honor

24:34 - F16 flight advice

25:34 - advise for a redshirt freshman

26:31 - The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question