Always in Pursuit

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Kim Scott is best selling and critical acclaimed author of Radical Candor: Be a Kick Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity and Just Work: How to Root out Bias, Prejudice and Bullying to Build a Kick-Ass Culture of Inclusivity. Both of these books are must read for any leader or person to understand bias that exists and how we create environments that are free of B.S.! 

It this episode Kim talks about how she got started on this path of identifying bias and actions that detract from effective work environments. Why as leaders we must prevent the preventable behaviors that detract from effective workplace environments. 

We also have another special guest, Colonel Jonathan Chung   dials into this episode to ask a question about feedback. Kim talks about how we need to prepare ourselves to receive feedback and ensure it’s beneficial to all involved in the conversation. 

Kim also talks about handling difficult situations, failure, and successes of being an upstander. How to make CYA training more effective and help solve the problems it aims to resolve. 

In the closes minutes of this episode Kim puts Mike on the spot about her books and what he disagrees with. 

Hopefully this episode will help you make a concerted effort to make a difference. We all have bias; with deliberate thought and effort we can make the changes we need to as leaders.  

Find Kim Scott and her companies at: 

Kim Scott on LinkedIn 

Radical Candor Company Site 

Just Work Company Site 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

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Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

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This is our first episode with Mike Lavigne at the helm. He’s serving as our new co-host and has been a longtime fan and supporter of AIP.

In this episode - in the 100 years of its existence and the dozens of years it’s been under 24 hour guard, there have only been five women to serve as “Sentinels” of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. No female noncommissioned officer had ever served as the Sergeant of the Guard - that is, until 2020 and the arrival of Sergeant First Class Chelsea Porterfield.

A career military police Soldier, Chelsea’s road to senior leadership at the Tomb was marked by exceeding standards and setting incredibly high expectations for herself - as a Soldier, as a wife, and as a mother. Those high expectations, combined with an “always on” mentality and coping mechanism that caused her to work even harder, ultimately took a hard toll.

Chelsea tells us about her journey - her time in the Army, her trip to rock bottom, and the lessons that shaped her along the way to becoming a groundbreaking woman leader with her eye on life’s next chapter.   

Trigger warning: this episode discusses suicide, suicidal ideations, an inpatient behavioral health care.

Meet Chelsea on LinkedIn 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

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Major General Mick Ryan is a general officer in the Australian Army. He has held positions from Troop to Brigade level as an Officer and as a General where his positions have spanned the globe. He holds a Master’s Degree from John Hopkins University in International Public Policy. His works have been featured in many blogs and he also wrote the foreword for the book,  To Boldly Go and will publish his first sole work, War Transformed: The Future of Twenty-First-Century Great Power Competition and Conflict  later this month. 

In this episode MG Ryan and Mike discuss what it means to be a professional while serving in the military and how our obligation is full devotion of mind, body, and spirit. Part of treating the military as a profession is your study habits and reading list, both of which are central to MG Ryan’s success in the military. Also, how writing can be a great form of therapy and a great way to  capture stories and lessons learned. 

MG Ryan shares his expertise on the future of war, what he believes it will look like, and some of the important aspects that will define it. How technology will play a role in how it will be waged, how the lines will be blurred, and how it will affect society as a whole. This will lead to therenot having “fronts” which will instead exist less in the physical space and more in the virtual world. 

MG Ryan is an incredibly talented leader and writer who is sought out by many for his ability to make the complex seem simple. This episode covers a lot in 55 minutes and has applications for any one in the military or society as a leader! 

Find MG Mick Ryan: 

MG Mick Ryan on LinkedIn

MG Mick Ryan on Twitter 

Other works by MG Mick Ryan:

 MG Mick Ryan 2021 Reading List on Modern War Institute 

Articles on Muck Ruck 

MG Mick Ryan 2020 Reading List on Modern War Institute 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

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Mike Lavigne has served across the Army as a Public Affairs specialist, with time in Eighth Army, TRADOC and most recently leading the Sergeant Major of the Army’s “This is My Squad” initiative. Throughout his career, he has helped to make sure that soldiers' stories are told and promoted across the world. 

In this episode sits down to talk about a life of service, how his time has humbled him and also gives him a purpose he never imagined. It hasn’t always been easy and there have been some tough days. Mike is extremely transparent in this episode as he unpacks the story of his life. 

This is just one chapter of Mike’s life though, as he starts the new path in being a civilian he is finding new ways to use his talent and passions to add values to others. One of those passions in the Always in Pursuit team, which Mike has helped produce, edit and promote. 

We will be seeing more of Mike in the future, you’ll just have to stay tuned to find out how! 

Find Mike 

Mike Lavigne on Facebook 

Mike Lavigne on LinkedIn 

Mike Lavigne on Instagram 

Mike Lavigne on Twitter 

This is also the Season 1 finale, truly amazing guests this season. We can’t thank them and the audience enough for all the feedback they have shown over the last year. Don’t worry though, we will still have new content in the Blog and social media during the break. Season 2 is going to be amazing and we are already hard at work interviewing guests! We will also be sharing some our most popular episodes during the break with some notes that unpack why this episode was so important to the AIP Journey!! 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

Hannah Wagstaff is a 14-year-old MMA Fighter with a professional record of 3-1. She is also a white belt in Jiu-Jitsu and a balanced fighter with a great ground game, while still holding her own when she is standing. 

In this episode Hannah and her father, Chris, talk about how she got started in MMA, what the process has been like, and how it turned into a passion that her entire family supports and has a role in. They also talk about an opportunity she had to travel to Bulgaria to compete in the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation where she took the Gold Medal.

They also talk about what it is like to compete and training as  a professional fighter while balancing life. A rising star in the MMA community that has been recognized by many. She is humble and focused on representing her family and the United States! 

Find Chris and Hannah: 

Hannah Instagram 

Hannah Facebook 

Chris Wagstaff on Facebook 

Hannah on linktr.ee

Hannah Fight Stats on SmoothComp 

Hannah Wagstaff interview on Wombat Sports 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

Mike Erwin is the founder of Team Red, White and Blue which has the mission of enriching veteran’s lives by connecting them with communities through fitness and social activities. This community has over 190 locations across the country, 200,000 members and close to 250,000 check-ins for 2020. 

Find out more about Team RWB here: 

Team Red, White and Blue 

Mike is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves, his current assignment is as an Assistant Professor at United States Military Academy, West Point. He is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board at the Positivity Project, which has the mission of teaching Pre-K through 12 students about character strengths and building positive relationships. 

Learn more about the Positivity Project here: 

The Positivity Project 

Mike has Co-authored two books, which dive into leadership principles such as solitude and why we need to put people first in the age of technology. Find both of the books here: 

Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude By  Mike S. Erwin and Raymond Kethledge

Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in the Digital World by Mike S Erwin and Willys Devoll

Find Mike Erwin here: 

Mike Erwin on LinkedIn

Mike Erwin on Facebook 

Mike Erwin on Instagram 

Mike Erwin on Twitter 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

Tyr Symank is Green Beret, author, contractor and currently the Program Manager at Black Rifle Coffee Company. He is a man of many talents and even more stories. In this episode we got a chance to sit down with Tyr (after 5-6 reschedules) to talk about relationships, Afghanistan, struggling in life and his crazy career. 

Tyr and Mike have known each other since 2011 when they met at the University of Washington’s ROTC program where they served as Military Science Instructors. They share stories about this time, some of the struggles they’ve had professionally and personally. Also how it holds some of the fondest memories of their amazing careers. 

Tyr also shares an insane story about amputating a leg of a local national in Afghanistan and how determination, pride and a little bit of humor helped him through that. This episode is over an hour, but there are tons of amazing stories from one of the greats in Special Forces who has seen and done it all!! 

Find Tyr: 

Tyr on LinkedIn 

Tyr on Instagram

Tyr on Facebook 

Learn more about Black Rifle Coffee Company: 

https://www.blackriflecoffee.com/

Use Tyr’s one time discount Code 

SMADGE15 Discount code for Black Rifle Coffee 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

David Fivecoat is a retired Colonel, author, executive coach and loves to help people become better leaders. In this episode David and Mike talk about leadership, relationships, growing grit and core principles to effective habits. How these are important aspects of success in and out of uniform. 

David recently wrote a book about growing grit as a leader and within an organization. David talks about the idea and process of writing his book. One of the key aspects is setting goals, ones that are achievable and building in nature. 

In the closing minutes of the episode David offers some great insights into transitions. One of the most important things you can do is realize that you are the lynchpin to your success and hard work will pay off if you stay the course. 

Find David Fivecoat: 

David Fivecoat on Instagram 

David Fivecoat LinkedIn

David Fivecoat on Facebook 

Grow Your Grit By David Fivecoat on Amazon 

The Fivecoat Consulting Group Website 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

Jeramiah Solven is a former Army Ranger Officer with time in the 75th Ranger Regiment. After his time in the Army, he made a change and dove into entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Conquer Academy which helps leaders win through personal and group coaching, podcast, newsletter, and books. Unlike a lot of high-performance coaches, Jeremiah continues to set the example through his own personal ventures. He also has been active in the MMA community and regularly competes in fights with a 2-0 amateur record.

In this episode he talks about his humble beginnings, failures, and self-doubt that he has had to overcome in his life. Physical challenges have been a key part of his journey and allowed him to prove to himself that there is nothing he can’t persevere through. Mike and Jeremiah talk about mindset, overcoming difficulties and starting a business. Also how their time in uniform has been an important aspect of their success.

Find Conquer Academy:

Conquer Academy Website

Find Jeremiah:

Jeramiah Solven on Facebook

Jeramiah Solven on LinkedIn

Jeramiah Solven on Instragram

Jeramiah Solven Featured Article in Entrepreneur Magazine

Jeramiah Solven record on Tapology 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense! 

Send a text

In this episode Mike talks with Jon Macaskill (Former Navy Seal, Mindful Coach) and Will Schnieder (Mindfulness, Yoga and Meditation instructor) about the mindfulness movement. They started a Podcast called Men Talking Mindfulness, the hope is to bring awareness to the power of the mindfulness. Additionally, they are innovative in their approach to podcasts. Doing live sessions where they call up listeners to ask questions and contribute to the episodes. 

Every episode is an adventure and even they will tell you that they don’t know what will happen. Jon and Will didn’t even know each other over a year ago, but they instantly recognized the had shared passion for mindfulness, the rest is history!

In this episode they talk about the benefit of the practice of mindfulness, what it means and how each has used it to improve their own lives. Of course, there are a couple jokes and jabs, to be expected when you get a Navy Seal and Ranger on a podcast! A fun, yet informative episode!! 

Find Men Talking Mindfulness: 

Men Talking Mindfulness Podcast 

Men Talking Mindfulness Website 

On Facebook 

Will Schneider: 

Will on LinkedIn

Will on Facebook 

Will on Instragram 

Jon Macaskill:

Jon on Facebook 

Jon on LinkedIn 

Jon on Instagram 

If you enjoyed this episode of Always in Pursuit, please share with a couple of your friends and leave us a review on whatever platform you use. Also find out more about AIP and the team at www.alwaysinpursuit.org. 

Thank you for tuning in to the show!

Check out our amazing Sponsors Adyton PBC and Learn more about MUSTR app which is streamlining systems for leaders across the Department of Defense!