What if your greatest source of leadership and personal growth came not from your successes, but from the mentors and challenges that shaped your journey? In this episode, host Greg Inglin sits down with Eric Johnson, a well-known Seattle broadcaster and writer, to explore how resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to personal development have fueled his remarkable career - from the high-pressure world of television to a creative new chapter filled with writing novels, speaking engagements, and TV appearances. Eric shares candid stories about his transition out of daily news, the profound impact of business mentors and tough lessons learned at Washington State University, and how leadership skills are honed through perseverance, the influence of great sports journalism, and a lifelong passion for writing and reading.

What you can expect from this episode:

- Resilience and Career Transition: Eric Johnson shares how embracing resilience helped him navigate major career changes - leaving the fast-paced world of broadcasting for creative projects, proving that leadership and personal growth often come from reinvention.

- Mentorship and Personal Development: Discover how pivotal mentors, both in broadcasting and at Washington State University, shaped Eric’s work ethic and leadership skills, and why business mentors are essential for ongoing personal development as a leader.

- Leadership Skills Through Storytelling: Learn how Eric’s lifelong passion for writing and storytelling, combined with the influence of sports journalism, has made him a stronger leader and communicator - offering practical insights for anyone seeking to grow personally and professionally

Guest Resources:

Eric Johnson: Facebook

Guest idea? Feedback? Connect with Greg on LinkedIn.

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Want to skip to the good part? Here’s this episode’s segments:

00:00 Introduction and Current Projects

05:53 Early Influences and Career Path

11:52 First Broadcasting Job and Challenges and the Value of Hard Work in Career Building

17:59 Bravery and Fear of Failure, and the Drive for Excellence

22:53 Career Progression in Broadcasting and Competition and Friendships in the Industry

27:30 Joining KOMO and Learning from Legends

28:52 Creating Eric's Little Heroes and Memorable Moments in Eric's Little Heroes

32:42 Teamwork in Broadcasting

35:55 Covering Iconic Sports Moments

39:08 Transitioning to News

43:46 The Impact of Eric's Heroes

45:21 The Power of Positive Storytelling and Humanity

48:40 Navigating the Impact of Negative News

49:58 Seattle's Social Issues, Addiction, and Controversy

56:04 Facing Backlash from Seattle is Dying

01:00 Interviewing Influential Figures and Caring in Journalism

01:04:22 Common Threads Among People, Embracing Life and Human Connection