ChoinqueCast

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Rachel Franco, Founder & Principal of Fail Smarter LLC, about how leaders and teams can learn from failure without letting fear or blame block innovation. The conversation covers risk aversion, short-term performance pressure, psychological safety, types of failure, and practical ways leaders can create conditions where people speak up, test ideas, and turn setbacks into better outcomes.

Rachel brings experience across marketing communications, content, organizational change, and innovation enablement, including work at Deloitte, Change Healthcare, Optum (UnitedHealth Group), and Grey Advertising. Her graduate work at Northwestern focused on the barriers leaders face when learning from failure, and that background shapes her perspective on helping organizations distinguish avoidable mistakes from intelligent experimentation.

Expect to Learn

• How to distinguish basic, complex, and intelligent failure so teams respond with the right level of accountability and learning.
• Why psychological safety helps teams surface concerns, mistakes, and failures while problems are still small enough to address.
• How short-term performance pressure and risk aversion can prevent innovation programs from turning ideas into action.
• The leadership behaviors that encourage people to share vulnerabilities, feedback, bad news, and unconventional ideas.
• Why leaders must examine their own role in team problems before expecting meaningful culture change from others.
• How measuring psychological safety and creating a process for failure review can help teams learn from and leverage setbacks.

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:09] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Rachel Franco
• [04:51] – The Innovator's Dilemma and Risk Aversion
• [09:03] – Short-Term Focus vs. Innovation: The Quarterly Results Trap
• [15:31] – Intelligent Failure: The Edison and SpaceX Model
• [21:03] – The Key to Success: Look Within and Be Willing to Change
• [25:46] – Why Even "Failure-Friendly" Companies Struggle to Cascade Culture
• [30:23] – Free Resources: The FIQ Quiz
• [32:33] – Closing Remarks and How to Connect

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Rachel Franco:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelfranco/

👉 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fail-smarter/

👉 Company Website: https://www.fail-smarter.com/

👉 Jan’s Book: https://jansbooks.com/

👉Book Link: https://turningsmalltalkintobigtalk.com/

🔗 To Discover your Team's FIQ (Failure Intelligence Quotient): How well they Learn from and Leverage Failure:

👉 Take the Quiz at: https://www.fail-smarter.com/quiz

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Carlo D'Amore, an actor and the Founder of Live in Theater, about using participatory storytelling to build engagement at work. The conversation covers immersive murder mysteries, authentic performance, corporate team building, play, emotional connection, and how shared stories can help colleagues interact beyond normal workplace roles.

Carlo brings the perspective of a lifelong storyteller whose path moved from Lima, Peru, to California, San Francisco theatre, New York stages, teaching artistry, and historical walking-tour performance. His experience creating The Ryan Case and adapting Live in Theater for virtual corporate groups shapes his view that teams engage more deeply when they co-create, laugh together, and participate in a story that feels real.

Expect to Learn:

• How immersive mystery theatre can turn passive employees into active participants by asking them to question characters, solve puzzles, and co-create the story.
• Why authenticity drives engagement more effectively than farce, forced activities, or surface-level team building.
• The role of play in helping adults reconnect with curiosity, imagination, experimentation, and a willingness to try new behaviors.
• How shared laughter and emotional reactions create stronger bonds than routine workplace compliance alone.
• Why storytelling gives teams a practical way to interact as people first, not only as job titles or hierarchy levels.
• The importance of creating a safe, structured environment where skeptical participants can gradually choose to engage.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:14] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Carlo D'Amore
• [06:23] – Discovering Theatre: The Teacher Who Saw a Storyteller
• [11:38] – The Entrepreneurial Spark: Why Acting Wasn't Enough
• [16:05] – Thomas F. Burns and "Criminals in America"
• [23:38] – The New York Times Review and a Surreal Homeless Man Encounter
• [30:09] – The Secret Sauce: Playing the Reality, Not Farce
• [37:06] – The Power of Play: Engaging the Disengaged
• [43:38] – Authenticity as the Driver of Engagement
• [48:08] – Rekindling Curiosity and the Childlike Sense of Play
• [50:08] – A Google Story: The First Time a Whole Department Laughed Together
• [54:08] – Why Stories and Mysteries Work Better Than Compliance
• [58:08] – Closing Remarks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Carlo D'Amore:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlodamore-creator/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.liveintheater.com/

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with guests Brad Newbury, President & CEO of the National Medical Education & Training Center, fire captain, paramedic, and first responder, and Kiera Newbury, about CPR readiness, EMS education, and the ripple effect created when a life is saved. The conversation covers Brad’s path into fire and EMS, Kiera’s early immersion in emergency medicine, the stories behind The Saved Effect, and what listeners can learn about being trained, ready, and willing to act in an emergency.

Brad brings decades of fire service, paramedic, and EMS education experience, including building a hybrid paramedic program and opening a paramedic school. Kiera adds the perspective of someone raised inside that education environment, CPR-certified at eight, later becoming an EMT, working in a Boston level one trauma center emergency room, studying psychology and writing, and helping shape the message of The Saved Effect around practical action and human impact.

Expect to Learn:

• How CPR and choking training can bridge the critical minutes before EMS arrives and help protect life during emergencies.
• Why understanding physiology at the cellular level changes how paramedics evaluate drugs, procedures, and resuscitation.
• How Brad used hybrid online education to widen access for people who could not attend traditional paramedic programs.
• The ripple effect a saved life can have on families, communities, and future actions long after the emergency ends.
• Why curiosity and persistence helped Kiera turn early EMS exposure into CPR certification, EMT training, and coauthoring The Saved Effect.
• How first responder decision-making can inform business continuity, crisis leadership, and recovery after disasters.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:07] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Team Newbury (Brad & Kiera)
• [03:46] – The Gap in EMS Education: Pathophysiology and Cellular-Level Understanding
• [07:32] – Going All In: Liquidating Assets and Taking a Big Swing
• [12:32] – The Last Chapter: The First Time Doing CPR on a Human
• [18:32] – Madeline's Story: The Eight-Year-Old Who Choked and Was Saved
• [26:32] – The Unlikely Reunion: Saving "Uncle Frank" and Meeting at the Firehouse
• [33:02] – The Metaphor: Throwing a Pebble in the Pond (The Ripple Effect)
• [40:02] – From Selling the Business to Getting It Back: A 2014 Private Equity Story
• [42:02] – Crisis Leadership: The Fireground, the Basement, and Business Continuity
• [47:32] – Kiera's Future: Spreading the Message Beyond the Book
• [49:32] – Call to Action: Pre-Order "The Saved Effect" and Get Free Gifts
• [51:56] – Closing Remarks: Be Inspired, Get Trained, and Be Willing to Act

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Brad Newbury:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-newbury/

👉 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brad.newbury

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradnewbury/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-medical-education-and-training-center/

👉 Company’s Website: https://linktr.ee/nmetc

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Kiera Newbury:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiera-newbury/

🔗 Book The Saved Effect

👉 Website: https://thesavedeffect.com/

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesavedeffect?_r=1&_t=ZS-98C3NhKhpQr

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Jan Janura, Founder of The Wild Adventure and an entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of immersive leadership and reflection experiences in a Montana-based fly fishing and self-discovery retreat. The discussion focuses on leadership, meaning, personal transformation, and how structured experiences can help people reflect on life’s biggest questions.

Jan is an entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of immersive leadership and reflection experiences in Montana. He previously co-founded the fashion company Cabi, which grew into a major direct sales brand. Earlier in life, he worked in youth ministry with Young Life and studied psychology and theology. He is also the author of Turning Small Talk into Big Talk, a book focused on deeper conversations and meaningful dialogue.

Expect to Learn

• How Jan built multiple businesses including Carol Anderson and Cabi, which grew to hundreds of millions in revenue
• The origin and purpose of The Wild Adventure and how it supports self-reflection and personal clarity
• Why asking deeper questions is central to meaningful conversations and leadership growth
• How structured experiences can help people explore identity, values, and life direction
• The role of vulnerability, storytelling, and shared experience in personal transformation

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:29] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Jan Janura
• [05:53] – Fly Fishing and The Wild Adventure: A 50-Year Journey in Parallel
• [09:23] – What Happens When You Arrive: Beer, Cigars, and Casting Hoops
• [13:23] – The Top Takeaway: Answering Life's Biggest Questions
• [19:45] – Table Questions: The Art of Meaningful Conversation
• [25:23] – TWA Programs: The Wild Adventure, Young Guns, Beyond Wild, and Wild Women's Week
• [29:23] – How to Connect: TWA Website and Book Links
• [29:56] – Closing Remarks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Jan Janura:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-janura/

👉 Company Website: https://twa.us/

👉 Jan’s Book: https://jansbooks.com/

👉Book Link: https://turningsmalltalkintobigtalk.com/

🔗 Book Review | Turning Small Talk Into Big Talk:

👉 Book Review link: https://www.choinque.com/turning-small-talk-into-big-talk

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Jeff Forrest, Sr., Chief Executive Officer at WPC, a leading construction company with more than five decades of history. Jeff shares his journey from working as a carpenter's helper at 15 to leading the family business through economic downturns, succession planning, and major business challenges. They discuss leadership, company culture, mental health, lifelong learning, and how putting people first has shaped WPC's success.

Jeff has spent more than 47 years with the company, working in nearly every role from labourer to CEO. Jeff is passionate about leadership, building strong company culture, supporting mental health, and helping the next generation of leaders grow while preserving the values that have guided the business for decades.

Expect to Learn:

• How Jeff built a career from the job site to becoming CEO of the family business.
• Why company culture begins with serving people before focusing on business results.
• The lessons learned from leading through economic downturns, business succession, and cyberattacks.
• How lifelong learning, empathy, and mental health shape better leadership.
• Why preparing the next generation of leaders requires trust, patience, and stepping aside.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00:00] – Teaser
• [00:02:08] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Jeff Forrest, Sr.
• [00:06:49] – WPC's Origins: From Winter Park Construction to a Three-Letter URL
• [00:12:53] – Nine-Year Life Cycles: From Dyslexic Kid to CEO
• [00:17:00] – The 2008 Crash: Surviving the Downturn and Letting People Go
• [00:23:23] – Buddhism and Leadership: Empathy, Suffering, and Detachment
• [00:29:24] – Continuous Learning: Books, Podcasts, and AI
• [00:31:03] – The Hardest Decision: Letting 100 People Go
• [00:35:48] – The Cyberattack: A Trial by Fire for His Son
• [00:43:33] – Culture and Serving Each Other: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds
• [00:50:03] – Hiring for Attitude: Energy, Patience, and a Desire to Learn
• [00:57:03] – Closing Thoughts: Jeff's Son's Story
• [00:59:24] – How to Connect: LinkedIn, WPC

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Jeff Forrest, Sr:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff4est/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/winter-park-construction/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.wpc.com/

🔗 Book Review | From Strength to Strength:

👉 Book Review link: https://www.choinque.com/from-strength-to-strength

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Connie Kwan, Author of STORYHabits and Product - MVP Builder at Product Maestro. Connie shares her journey from Hong Kong to Canada and Silicon Valley, her passion for building products, and why she believes the key to lasting habit change starts with identity and personal stories instead of willpower. The conversation also explores remote work, family travel, leadership, and how AI is changing product development.

Connie Kwan is a product management expert, entrepreneur, and the author of the upcoming book STORYHabits. She has helped build products at Microsoft, Atlassian, startups, and healthcare companies. Today, she helps founders turn ideas into working products through Product Maestro while teaching people how to create lasting habits by connecting them to meaningful personal stories.

Expect to Learn:

• How Connie's journey from Hong Kong shaped her career and approach to change.
• Why identity and personal stories matter more than willpower when building lasting habits.
• How AI is helping entrepreneurs build products faster than ever before.
• The lessons Connie learned from working at Microsoft, Atlassian, and startups.
• Why understanding your deeper motivation can make habit change easier and more successful.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:17] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Connie Kwan
• [03:27] – From Hong Kong to Canada: A Formative Journey
• [09:42] – Atlassian: Culture, Collaboration, and the Best Workplace
• [12:02] – Solo as a Team: Product Engineering Design in One with AI
• [17:42] – The Village Dream: Traveling with Multiple Families
• [19:45] – Story Habits: Why the "How" Isn't Enough Without the "Why"
• [22:12] – The Smoking Story: Identity and the Power of Narrative
• [26:08] – Saying No to Vaping: Values Over a Paycheck
• [29:47] – Story Habits Book: Rewriting Your Narrative for Lasting Change
• [31:12] – The Manipulation Fries Story: Anchoring Habits in Core Values
• [34:42] – Imposter Syndrome and the Power of Story
• [38:12] – Closing Remarks and How to Connect

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Connie Kwan:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniekwan/

👉 STORYHabits LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storyhabits/

👉 STORYHabits Website: https://storyhabitsbook.com/

👉 Product Maestro LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/product-maestro/

👉 Product Maestro Website: https://productmaestro.com/

👉 Link to Blog: conniekwan.substack.com

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Jessica Brittain, Captain of the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. With nearly two decades in law enforcement, Jessica shares her journey from working in a county jail to leading one of the largest training operations in North Texas. The conversation explores leadership in law enforcement, the realities of human trafficking investigations, building future leaders, and the importance of relationships, humility, and service in public safety.

Captain Jessica Brittain serves as the Training Administrator for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office, where she oversees the training academy, recruiting division, and background investigations. She began her law enforcement career in 2007 and has served in corrections, patrol, crime scene investigations, major crimes, and human trafficking investigations. Jessica holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Leadership and is passionate about developing the next generation of law enforcement professionals.

Expect to Learn:

• How Jessica's career evolved from corrections officer to captain overseeing training, recruiting, and leadership development.
• The realities of human trafficking investigations and the challenges of helping victims and protecting children.
• Why leadership training is often overlooked in law enforcement and how agencies can better prepare future supervisors.
• The role humility, relationships, and mentorship play in becoming an effective leader.
• How law enforcement agencies are adapting to recruiting challenges and changing workforce expectations.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:13] – Welcome & Introduction of Captain Jessica Brittain
• [06:27] – Victims often don't know they're victims; average 7 contacts before asking for help
• [11:08] – Promoted to lieutenant, became training coordinator at academy
• [15:28] – Profiles of people joining law enforcement: curious, strong‑headed, retired military
• [22:38] – Finished a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with leadership emphasis (2023)
• [28:21] – Importance of knowing what’s happening in team members’ lives; setting reminders
• [35:42] – Impact of COVID on recruiting; numbers are now recovering
• [42:17] – Closing remarks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Jessica Brittain:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicabrittain74383/

👉 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tarrantcountyso/

👉 Company Website: https://tarrantcountytx.gov/sojobs

👉 Tarrant County Sheriff's Office: https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/sheriff.html

👉 Jessica Brittain Email: [email protected]

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Brandon Lark, Group Vice President at MYR Group and President of Great Southwestern Construction, Inc. Brandon shares his journey from growing up on a ranch in northern New Mexico to leading one of the largest electrical infrastructure organizations in North America. The conversation explores leadership development, safety culture, workforce growth, and the future demand for power infrastructure driven by AI, manufacturing expansion, and grid modernization.

He began his career in construction working on electrical distribution projects before joining Great Southwestern Construction in 2000. Over the years, he advanced through operations, project management, executive leadership, and company presidency. Brandon is also a contributor to the book Empathetic Leadership and is recognized for his focus on people-first leadership, safety, and organizational growth.

Expect to Learn:

• How Brandon Lark built his career from laborer to Group Vice President at MYR Group.
• Why leadership development became a key priority during periods of rapid company growth.
• How Great Southwestern Construction transformed its safety culture through open communication and learning.
• The major forces driving demand for power infrastructure include AI, manufacturing growth, and grid upgrades.
• Why skilled trades offer strong career opportunities, growth potential, and meaningful work.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:10] – Welcome & Introduction of Brandon Lark (Group VP, MYR Group)
• [05:30] – Rapid growth from labourer to superintendent
• [09:37] – Safety culture: moving from avoiding incidents to proactive hazard reporting
• [16:04] – Four operational groups: Western US, Texas/Midwest, East of Mississippi, Large Project EPC
• [22:45] – Alvarado training facility: hands‑on apprenticeship, live‑line training (up to 345 kV)
• [27:36] – Storm response: pre‑staging and mutual assistance across utilities
• [33:45] – Evolution of leadership language: empathy and work‑life balance becoming central
• [35:15] – Personal leadership journey: family support, wife’s bodybuilding career, children’s achievements
• [39:36] – Closing remarks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Brandon Lark:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-lark-b903238/

👉 Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/myr-group/

👉 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blark78/

👉 Link to Book Empathetic Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Empathetic-Leadership-Successbooks-Publishing/dp/B0CXBPQJNB

👉 Link to Academy Leadership Case Study: https://www2.academyleadership.com/Case-Study-Great-Southwestern-Construction

👉 Link to Lion’s Lair Pro Gym: https://www.lionslairprogym.com/

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode, host Jim Emerick sits down with Brooke Brittain, Athletic Coordinator & Head Basketball Coach at Mansfield High School. Brooke shares her remarkable journey from serving as a military police officer during the Iraq War at just 20 years old to becoming a successful head basketball coach and athletic coordinator in Texas. The conversation explores leadership, resilience, optimism, grief, personal growth, and the lessons Brooke learned from both military service and coaching. Join us as we discuss the hidden costs of leadership, the power of relentless optimism, and why great leaders must learn what weight to carry and what weight to set down.

Brooke Brittain is a retired Army Reserve leader, combat veteran, and author of Between Grief and Grit. Alongside a 20-year military career that included multiple deployments to the Middle East, she built a successful career in education and coaching. Today, she serves as the Head Girls Basketball Coach and Athletic Coordinator at Mansfield High School in Texas. Brooke is also pursuing her doctorate and is passionate about leadership development, resilience, and helping others navigate adversity with purpose and optimism.

Expect to Learn:

• Why Brooke believes relentless optimism is a leadership and combat skill, not a soft skill.
• How military service shaped her approach to leadership, resilience, and personal growth.
• The hidden emotional costs leaders carry and how to recognize when it's time to let go.
• The Four Ss framework for maintaining physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
• Why coaching should be viewed as a gift for growth rather than a form of criticism.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:21] – Welcome & Introduction of Brooke Brittain
• [05:45] – The power of optimism and “relentless optimism”
• [11:27] – Dr. Martin Seligman and Army’s Master Resilience Training – optimism as combat skill
• [15:59] – Combat example: losing a soldier in 2009 and picking up false responsibility
• [20:52] – Transition to coaching while serving in the military; deployments as a coach
• [26:47] – Coaching vs. evaluation – coaching as a gift, not criticism
• [31:52] – Balancing multiple pursuits: General John Heffley. “teeter‑totter” not balance
• [34:00] – Closing and book promotion

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Brooke Brittain :

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brooke-brittain-943a131a7/

👉 Between Grief and Grit Book: https://betweengriefandgrit.com/

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick speaks with Krista Phillips, President at PMI Pikes Peak Regional, Colorado Chapter. Krista shares her journey from criminal justice and SAP programming into project management leadership and explains how the Project Management Institute helps professionals grow through certifications, leadership development, networking, and volunteer opportunities. The conversation explores the value of project management offices, the importance of community building for remote workers, and how local PMI chapters create meaningful impact through mentorship and service projects.

Krista Phillips is the President of the PMI Pikes Peak Regional Chapter and a longtime volunteer leader with a background in IT consulting and SAP programming. After earning her PMP certification, she became deeply involved with PMI and helped grow the chapter to more than 1,000 members. Krista is passionate about leadership development, mentorship, and creating inclusive spaces where project managers can connect, learn, and give back to their communities.

Expect to Learn:

• How Krista transitioned from criminal justice into IT and project management leadership
• What PMI is and why PMP certification is considered a leading industry standard
• How local PMI chapters help professionals build community, mentorship, and leadership skills
• Why strong PMOs help organizations scale projects and improve efficiency
• How PMI chapters create social impact through volunteer and nonprofit work

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:10] – Welcome & Introduction of Krista Phillips
• [05:07] – Serendipitous connection with Jim
• [09:10] – The “Unconference”: four members speak for 15 minutes each in November
• [15:34] – Member appreciation: family‑friendly, inclusive
• [21:34] – Leadership Institute Meetings
• [27:32] – Common terminology across PMI‑trained professionals
• [34:34] – Providing presentations on PMI certifications to local county
• [37:19] – You don’t have to be a member to participate in chapter events
• [38:06] – Closing remarks and thanks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Krista Philips :

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/krista-phillips-pmp-cos/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pmi-pikes-peak-regional-colorado-chapter/

👉 Company’s Website: https://pmipprc.org/

🔗 Connect with the Host, Jim Emerick:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimemerick/

🔗 More from Choinque:

👉 Website: https://www.choinque.com/blog

👉 Facebook: https://facebook.com/918903204639744

👉 Instagram: https://instagram.com/choinquecast

👉 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@choinque

👉 X: https://x.com/choinque

👉 Email: [email protected]

🔗 More about Leadership Courses:

👉 Schedule: https://www.academyleadership.com/Emerick/

🔗 Follow the Podcasts:

👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/choinquecast/id1290927745

👉 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/56oY3glVaoTXmmcWWGQGry?si=69f1cd525a5d4be5

👉 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAA4czS4aI7V5g3i2Sd4bUQ