Career and Job transition – The Mentors Radio

In today’s episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Ron Friedman, PhD, award-winning social psychologist, keynote speaker, human motivation expert, and best-selling author, about what the Top 8% of elite teams do that others don’t, from ER rooms, to NFL teams to Wall Street firms. Every executive board in the country talks about culture, collaboration, and high performance. Yet the average knowledge worker spends nearly thirty (30) hours a week drowning in meetings and messages, leaving barely one day to do actual work. We’ve been told the answer is more connectivity, trendy perks, and constant togetherness. But what if almost everything corporate America preaches about teamwork is statistically dead wrong? Dr. Ron Friedman analyzed more than 100,000 data points across elite organizations—from emergency rooms and NFL locker rooms to Wall Street firms—to uncover what the top 8% of teams do that the other 92% miss. Ron Friedman earned a PhD and MA in Social and Personality Psychology from the University of Rochester. His academic and leadership roles including serving on the faculties of the University of Rochester, Nazareth College, and Hobart andWilliam Smith Colleges. He is the founder of Superteams, Inc. and ignite80, and a frequent contributor to Harvard Business Review and has been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company and Forbes. Dr. Ron Friedman is also the best-selling author of The Best Place to Work, and his landmark new book is Super Teams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams. Listen to THE MENTORS RADIO broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

RON FRIEDMAN, PhD:

Superteams: The Science and Secrets of High-Performing Teams

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, host Dan Hesse talks with General Stanley McChrystal, U.S. Army General (Ret.), Commander of U.S. and International Forces in Afghanistan, Leader of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), co-founder and CEO of McChrystal Group, and noted, best-selling author of several books. A one-of-a-kind leader with a new perspective on collaboration and teamwork, General Stan McChrystal is known for helping organizations tap into the potential of their people to better compete in a complex and interconnected world. Following thirty-four years of service in the U.S. Army—including as commander of U.S. and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Afghanistan and commander of the nation’s premier counter-terrorism force— General McChrystal delivers his unique blend of on-the- ground experience with decades of leadership to provide practical insight and wisdom to help organizations transform and succeed in challenging, dynamic environments. General McChrystal now leads the McChrystal Group as its founder and CEO, which helps organizations of all types transform how their people, processes, and technology work together to unlock greater speed and adaptability. As the author of several best-selling books, General McChrystal latest examines the character of leaders and what makes someone who they are and, importantly, how they will be remembered. Listen to THE MENTORS RADIO broadcast on Salem Radio in San Francisco, via live-streaming on iHeart Radio worldwide or anytime, on ANY podcast platform, including Apple Podcast, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIN, Stitcher, Google Play and all the others. Sign up for the podcast here.

GENERAL STANLEY “STAN” McCHRYSTAL, General Ret., U.S. Army:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Dr. Rick Eigenbrod, noted executive psychologist, Vistage International Chair and best-selling author, about what happens when achievement becomes an obsessive trap. They examine the illusion of “happily ever after,” the disorientation that strikes when you reach the top, and what comes next when you finally get what you want. From our earliest childhood, every fairy tale feeds us the same seductively simple script: Conquer the obstacle, rescue the prize, slay the dragon, and you will live “happily ever after.” In our adult lives—especially in corporate America—that myth gets rebranded into the grand narrative of success: sacrifice everything, hit your numbers, achieve status, sell your business or reach the top of the ladder, and all your problems will vanish. Yet, countless leaders arrive at that finish line only to discover the fairy tale is a delusion. When the goal is finally achieved, the celebration fades, and what follows is often an unexpected, terrifying void: an abrupt loss of structure, meaning, and identity. Dr. Rick Eigenbrod brings a rare and powerful perspective to this dilemma: He holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and began his career teaching abnormal psychology and directing student mental health at University of California Davis. He went on to spend more than twenty (20) years as a Vistage International Chair, leading CEO peer groups and addressing more than 500 Vistage groups nationwide as a premier resource speaker. In addition, Rick has guided enterprise leadership development and cultural change inside global titans such as Google, AT&T, United Healthcare, and the Hewlett Foundation. Dr. Eigenbrod co-authored the influential Yale School of Management case study, “What’s Next? The Entrepreneur’s Epilogue and the Paradox of Success“, and is the author of the definitive book on this exact transition: “What Happens When You Get What You Want?” LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

DR. RICK EIGENBROD:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with former U.S. Senator William W. “Bill” Bradley and how he navigated major life transitions, why he shares very personal stories; you’ll even hear Bill sing a Van Morrison song to demonstrate his latest passion. Senator Bradley represents a rare convergence of elite performance across athletics, academics and public service. He served in the U.S. Senate from 1979 – 1997 representing the state of New Jersey. In 2000, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President. Prior to serving in the Senate, he was an Olympic gold medalist and a professional basketball player with the New York Knicks during which time they won two (2) NBA championships. In 1982, he was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Senator Bradley holds a bachelor’s degree in American History from Princeton and a master’s degree from Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. Senator Bradley is a Managing Director of Allen & Company and hosts American Voices, a weekly show on Sirius XM Satellite Radio that highlights the remarkable accomplishments of Americans, both famous and unknown. He has authored seven books on American politics, culture, and the economy, and his performative autobiography, Rolling Along, has been viewed more than 20 million times. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

BILL BRADLEY:

In this episode of The Mentors Radio Show, Host Tom Loarie talks with distinguished psychoanalyst Dr. James Hollis to discuss why a person might achieve what he or she wants in this life and still feel miserable? Hollis is the author of 19 books including Living Between Worlds, What Matters Most, and his top-selling Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life. He is well known for translating the profound teachings of Carl Jung into practical wisdom for our everyday lives. He has a gift for challenging us each to think more deeply and purposefully about our own lives, our own purpose and how we fit into this journey of life. He really understands people at a profound level, how we can become unconsciously “stuck” in ways we feel but don’t know what to do about it. You don’t want to miss this invaluable learning and mentoring opportunity…it literally can be a catalyst to change you and your life for the good, in ways you didn’t recognize on the surface. It can literally change your life, your trajectory, your happiness!

Listen to episode below, or on ANY PODCAST PLATFORM here. BE SURE TO LEAVE US A GREAT REVIEW on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share with friends and colleagues!

The Personal Myth in Turbulent Times – James Hollis, PhD. EXCELLENT! The longer you listen, the more absolutely excellent it is. Very enlightening. – The Mentors Radio

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with veteran sportscaster Matt Morrison, author of “Touched: The Marin Morrison Story,” about the difficult, unvarnished truths so many families face in silence. When Matt’s 14-year-old daughter, Marin—a record-breaking competitive swimmer—was diagnosed with a rare, aggressive brain tumor, their family’s world changed forever. Through multiple brain surgeries, a stroke, and partial paralysis, Marin’s unyielding spirit and faith propelled her all the way to competing for Team USA at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. They discuss the Crucible of Crisis (how extreme medical trauma placed immense strain on his 23-year marriage), Reinventing Identity (losing his broadcasting career at the height of the crisis and swallowing his pride to wash windows just to keep his family afloat), “Mystic Fortitude” (what Marin’s unshakeable grit, humor and connection with God can teach all of us about facing life’s impossible hurdles), and The Shared Death Experience (the spiritually profound moment at his daughter’s passing that gave Matt permanent peace and an unwavering perspective on life and loss). If you are currently navigating a career transition, dealing with family hardship or seeking a deeper sense of perspective and hope, this episode is a must-listen! LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

MATT MORRISON:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Tom Hardin, dubbed the FBI’s “Tipper X.” An undergraduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s prestigious Wharton School of Business, Hardin’s promising career as a young financial analyst and junior partner at a small hedge fund in Manhattan, segued into Hardin becoming the youngest trader to be caught in a massive insider training FBI sting. Hardin agreed to cooperate with the FBI—agreeing to wear a hidden wire on more than 40 occasions—and ultimately becoming one of the most prolific informants in securities fraud history. His cooperation helped to build more than 20 of the 80+ individual criminal cases in “Operation Perfect Hedge,” the largest insider trading investigation of a generation. This episode delivers a riveting, raw, unvarnished conversation with Hardin on self-deception, the high price of “fitting in”, and how to survive life’s absolute worst moments. He wasn’t publicly dubbed “Tipper x” until early 2010. At the time, he had less than 12 hours to prepare his relatives before his name was made public. As you’ll hear, Tom Hardin doesn’t hide behind the word “mistake.” He openly admits: “I did this intentionally.” That radical accountability is what allowed him to rebuild his life, find his faith, and serve as a warning sign to keep other leaders from sliding down the same slippery slope. Of course he cannot work in the financial field with a felony conviction, but in 2016 the FBI invited him to speak to agents about his side of the story, which proved to be quite eye-opening for some of the younger agents. A few of the agents told Harding they felt others in the financial, hedge fund industry would benefit from his story. He has now shared his first-hand cautionary tale to more than 150 audiences, including 90 hedge fund firms.

In broader context, we tend to think that massive personal and professional failures happen overnight. But they don’t. In reality, these failures happen through quiet, everyday compromises in two critical areas: (1) The Trap of “Fitting In” — There is a dangerous difference between finding a place where you belong and twisting yourself to “fit in.” Fitting in is an active sacrifice. To fit in with an elite crowd, we silence our voice, compromise our values, and erase our true self. When young Wharton graduate Tom Hardin entered the high-stakes world of Wall Street, his desperate desire to fit in clouded his moral judgment. Because Hardin lacked grounded mentors early in his career to model real ethics, he slipped into self-deception. Once you deceive yourself, you can deceive anyone – and lose your soul in the process. (2) The Danger of “Turning Against” Your Spouse — Statistics show that only 15% of marriages survive a federal felony conviction. Yet, Tom’s wife, Sue, stood fiercely by his side. When asked how she survived the trauma of his arrest, her answer was simple: “He never turned on me.” He made terrible, illegal choices, but he never demeaned her, hid from her, or directed his failures at her. Ultimately, too many relationships dissolve – sometimes invisibly – because one partner slowly begins to turn against the other, chip away at their dignity, or demean them. In a crisis, if you turn on each other, destruction is guaranteed.

LISTEN TO this radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or go to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

In this episode of The Mentors Radio, Host Tom Loarie talks with Raj Sisodia, PhD, co-founder of the global Conscious Capitalism movement, respected global business scholar, and author of 11 influential books. Today’s broadcast was originally intended to be a conversation with visionary business leader Bob Chapman, the founder of Barry-Wehmiller. Tragically, Bob recently passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. So we decided to anchor this show as a tribute to Bob Chapman’s remarkable life and monumental legacy by talking with his close friend and co-author, Raj Sisodia, and the results far exceeded all expectations! Earning his PhD from Columbia University, Dr. Sisodia’s distinguished 42-year academic career includes teaching at institutions such as Boston University, George Mason, and serving as the FW Olin Distinguished Professor of Global Business and Scholar at Babson College. Over the past five years, he has served as a distinguished professor at Tecnológico de Monterrey—the MIT of Mexico—where he helped establish a Conscious Enterprise Center that has scaled these leadership principles to hundreds of professors and thousands of students across Latin America. Driven by a profound life purpose to open hearts and elevate human consciousness, he partnered with Bob to write the groundbreaking, national bestseller Everybody Matters: The Extraordinary Power of Caring for Your People Like Family. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

In thios episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Dan Hesse talks with Greg LeMond, widely considered the King of American Cycling, to share his story of coming back to win the world’s greatest and most demanding race, the Tour de France, after he barely survived a horrific and life-altering accident. You’ll learn how hard work changed LeMond’s psyche from one of despair to pure joy. In yet another battle, this three-time Tour de France champion describes his decade-long fight against the cycling industry’s powers as he fought to clean up his beloved sport from scandal by those who engaged in doping. Reading LeMond’s bio, linked below, reads like a can’t-put-it-down novel showcasing principled leadership, deep-rooted ethical principles, fierce yet respectful competition, willing self-discipline and self-leadership… In this episode, you’ll find an abundance of inspiring take-away learnings. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

Greg LeMond:

In this episode of THE MENTORS RADIO, Host Tom Loarie talks with Major General David Smith, USAF, deputy to the Chief of Air Force Reserve at the Pentagon. You’ll learn about a realm most people never get to see: the intersection of high-stakes national defense, cutting-edge technology and extreme physical endurance. General Smith is a combat-proven command pilot with over 4,000 flying hours—including 700 in combat across operations like Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. On his last appearance, as an F-16 Squadron Commander, he discussed what it takes to get your goals and dreams airborne. Since then, his leadership journey has scaled significantly. In this episode, we aren’t just talking about flying fighter jets. We are tracking a lifetime journey of constant re-invention—from the cockpit of an F-16, to operationalizing the advanced F-35 platform, to studying Artificial Intelligence at MIT and Harvard. We also dive deep into General Smith’s core thesis: why physical fitness is a non-negotiable leadership responsibility, and how that legacy of grit is carrying forward to the next generation of American leaders. General David Smith has flown in combat and conquered the Ironman World Championship, and shares insights about why physical grit, constant re-invention and data-driven innovation are the ultimate keys to sustaining your life’s goals. You will not only learn about leadership, but also about teamwork, humility, trust, and translating cockpit “wingman” reliance into selflessness and service in corporate culture. General Smith’s own 30+ year career spans commanding fighter squadrons, operationalizing the cutting-edge F-35, and studying Artificial Intelligence at MIT, Harvard and John Hopkins. He knows exactly what skills the next generation will need to navigate a rapidly evolving future. You’ll learn about the Ironman Mindset, breaking down the mental “wall” of an endurance race to conquer massive organizational barriers. And you’ll learn about the Future of Talent; Why tomorrow’s leaders must anchor themselves in STEM and AI while maintaining core human values. General Smith also talks about family legacy, and he and his wife Stacy raised two incredible, service-driven daughters: Sidney (Virgnia Military Institute graduate) and Ella (a standout collegiate athlete at the U.S. Naval Academy). Whether you are an aspiring young professional or a C-suite executive, this discussion is packed with actionable wisdom. LISTEN TO the radio broadcast live on iHeart Radio, or to “THE MENTORS RADIO” podcast any time, anywhere, on any podcast platform – subscribe here and don’t miss an episode!

MAJOR GENERAL DAVID SMITH, USAF: