ChoinqueCast

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick speaks with Dr. Maria Bell, CEO and Founder of Digital Twin Imaging. Dr. Maria Bell shares her journey from growing up in rural South Dakota to becoming a leading cancer surgeon, robotics pioneer, and tech entrepreneur. The conversation explores how her experience in medicine and robotic surgery led her to launch a company focused on digital twin technology for public safety, emergency response, and building intelligence. Dr. Maria Bell explains how 3D imaging and digital models can help first responders, schools, and government agencies improve safety, planning, and communication.

Dr. Maria Bell is a gynecologic oncologist, researcher, entrepreneur, and Founder of Digital Twin Imaging. She has over 70 peer-review publications and was among the early adopters of robotic surgery in cancer care. Alongside her medical career, she built a technology company focused on creating digital twin models for schools, public safety agencies, and infrastructure projects. Her work combines healthcare, robotics, AI, and spatial technology to improve emergency response and operational decision making.

Expect to Learn:

• How Dr. Maria Bell’s early passion for science led her into medicine and cancer care.
• Why robotic surgery became a major breakthrough for both surgeons and patients.
• How Digital Twin Imaging was inspired during the pandemic and evolved into a public safety company.
• The role 3D digital models can play in helping first responders and schools improve emergency response.
• What it is like leading a modern tech startup while balancing a long medical career.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:06] – Welcome & Introduction of Dr. Maria Bell
• [04:52] – Returning to South Dakota in 2000, embracing robotic surgery
• [08:29] – Shorter hospital stays, lower costs, faster return to work for patients
• [13:01] – Noticing no medical services in the metaverse – idea for adolescent psychology clinic
• [18:01] – Uvalde shooting prompts pivot to public safety for K‑12 schools
• [25:32] – Leadership differences: surgeon vs. Gen Z tech employees
• [31:34] – Listening to first responders to drive product development
• [34:05] – FCC mandate for Z‑axis accuracy – DT Imaging’s advantage
• [36:12] – Closing remarks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Dr. Maria Bell:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-bell-md/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-twin-imaging/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.dtisim.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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick speaks with Roggen Frick, the young CEO of Bear Iron Works, about building a manufacturing business from the ground up while balancing college, construction work, and entrepreneurship. Roggen shares how a small side project making rock screens during high school grew into a nationwide company serving contractors, mining companies, farmers, and even organizations like the Air Force and SpaceX. The conversation explores business systems, remote leadership, customer service, company values, and how young entrepreneurs can turn unexpected opportunities into long-term success.

Roggen Frick is the CEO of Bear Iron Works, a Colorado-based manufacturing company that produces excavation and site support equipment for the construction industry. Starting the business while still in high school, Roggen combined hands-on construction experience with business and operational systems to scale the company across all 50 states. His work focuses on operational efficiency, customer relationships, remote management, and building a company culture based on safety, honesty, reliability, improvement, and quality.

Expect to Learn:

• How Roggen Frick started Bear Iron works while still in high school
• Why operational systems and ERP software helped scale the company
• How strong customer service can create long-term repeat business
• The lessons Roggen learned balancing college, construction, and entrepreneurship
• How remote management and technology tools can improve modern businesses

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [00:59] – Welcome & Introduction of Roggen Frick (CEO of Bear Iron Works)
• [05:24] – Working in construction for three years after graduation
• [10:06] – Bear Iron Works now sells to all 50 states and Guam
• [14:01] – Core values: safety, honesty, reliability, improvement, quality
• [21:47] – Aha moments about remote management (using proper tools, screen recording example from college)
• [27:25] – Advice to young people: don’t cheat through your degree – understand the material
• [30:02] – Follow opportunities even if unexpected; life events can push you to make the leap
• [32:32] – How to find Bear Iron Works (https://beariron.com/)
• [32:56] – Closing remarks – story of how the podcast connection happened via international marketing team

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Roggen Frick:

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

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bearironworks/

👉 Company’s Website: https://beariron.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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode, host Jim Emerick sits down with Kristen Lowers, Chief Information Officer at Saddle Creek Logistics Services. The conversation explores her unique career journey from marketing and sales into technology leadership, and how she built credibility in IT by starting over and learning from the ground up. The episode also dives into the evolving role of technology in logistics, the importance of leadership and people skills in technical roles, and how companies can use innovation, data, and AI to drive growth and efficiency in supply chain operations.

Kristen Lowers is the Chief Information Officer at Saddle Creek Logistics Services, a leading third-party logistics company. With over 14 years at the company, she has played a key role in scaling the business and advancing its technology capabilities. Kristen began her career in marketing and sales before transitioning into IT, bringing a unique perspective that blends business strategy with technical expertise. She is also a strong advocate for leadership development, known for applying tools like Energize to Lead and personal leadership philosophies to build high-performing teams.

Expect to Learn:

• How Kristen transitioned from marketing into a successful technology leadership career
• Why stepping back in your career can help you grow into a stronger leader
• How technology enables efficiency and growth in logistics and supply chain operations
• The importance of soft skills, leadership tools, and critical thinking in the age of AI
• How diverse team backgrounds can drive better innovation and business outcomes

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:02] – Welcome & Introduction of Kristen Lowers
• [03:28] – First job in flavour/fragrance industry, international sales, product management
• [08:25] – Joining Saddle Creek (2013) and taking Jim’s leadership class
• [13:19] – Saddle Creek’s 60‑year history and “Voyager Warranty” motto
• [18:28] – Building a diverse IT team with backgrounds in operations, retail, accounting, audit
• [23:39] – The power of a Personal Leadership Philosophy (PLP)
• [29:56] – Critical thinking as the most important soft skill in the age of AI
• [34:28] – Who benefits from Saddle Creek’s services (startups to established companies)
• [39:23] – Closing remarks and thanks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Kristen Lowers:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-lowers-439b377/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/saddle-creek-logistics-services/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.sclogistics.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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode, host Jim Emerick speaks with Murphy John, Chief Growth Officer at StorX, about the early days of the internet in India, the rise of decentralized cloud storage, and the future of work in the AI era. Murphy shares his journey from helping businesses adopt internet infrastructure in the late 1990s to building secure decentralized storage solutions today. The conversation also explores why human skills like communication, patience, and empathy are becoming more important alongside technical expertise.

Murphy John is the Chief Growth Officer at StorX, a decentralized cloud storage platform focused on secure and distributed data storage solutions. With more than two decades of experience in internet infrastructure, cloud technology, and cybersecurity, Murphy has worked with large enterprises and global teams across multiple regions. His work today focuses on helping businesses protect their data while also guiding young professionals on how to grow both technical and people skills in an AI-driven world.

Expect to Learn:

• How the internet industry evolved in India during the late 1990s and early 2000s
• Why decentralized cloud storage is becoming important for data security
• The biggest risks businesses face with traditional cloud storage systems
• Why young engineers need both technical and communication skills to succeed
• How remote and distributed teams can work together across different countries

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [00:52] – Welcome & Introduction of Murphy John (Chief Growth Officer at StorX)
• [01:21] – Murphy’s background: two decades in internet infrastructure, starting in 1998 in Mumbai
• [05:40] – Joining StorX as Chief Growth Officer
• [11:52] – Historical parallel with ARPANET and TCP/IP architecture
• [16:45] – Geographic spread of StorX (Dubai, India, Pakistan, Europe, US)
• [19:11] – Advice to young engineers: network and develop people skills early
• [21:44] – Need both technical and human skills – contrasting stories of developers
• [26:17] – StorX’s value proposition for CIOs: decentralized cloud storage
• [29:24] – Most needed people skills: patience and empathy
• [30:08] – Closing remarks and thanks

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Murphy John:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/m-john-storx/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storxnetwork/

👉 Company’s Website: https://storx.tech/

🔗 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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode, host Jim Emerick sits down with Melissa Moore, Director of Training and Development at Central Florida Health Care, Inc. She shares her unique journey from psychology and education to health care leadership. She discusses the importance of emotional intelligence, leadership development, and how she’s shaping the future of health care with her team. Join us as we explore how leadership in health care is evolving and the vital role soft skills play in patient care and organizational success.

Expect to Learn:

• Melissa's background in psychology, education, and healthcare leadership.
• The impact of emotional intelligence and self-awareness on leadership effectiveness.
• The development of leadership programs and the challenges of creating them in health care.
• The importance of building soft skills for better patient care and employee engagement.
• How Melissa’s team collaborates across multiple locations to improve care and leadership.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:14] – Welcome & Introduction of Melissa Moore (Missy)
• [04:51] – Joining WellDyne before COVID and meeting Jim
• [09:19] – Role description and team of specialist trainers
• [15:43] – Emotional intelligence as a greater indicator of success than IQ
• [22:00] – Visiting all 17 clinic sites across Polk, Hardy, Highlands counties
• [25:59] – How to find Central Florida Health care (cfhc.org)
• [26:33] – Closing: soft skills are the new hard skills

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Melissa Moore:

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

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/centralfloridahealthcare/

👉 Company’s Website: https://cfhc.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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Jim Harter, Chief Scientist of Workplace Management and Wellbeing at Gallup, to discuss the evolving landscape of workplace engagement, leadership, and well-being. With over 40 years of research experience, Jim Harter shares insights from Gallup’s groundbreaking work on engagement, performance, and the impact of AI on organizations.

Jim Harter has played a pivotal role in Gallup's development of the Q12 survey and the global workplace studies. His work focuses on helping organizations understand what drives employee engagement and how to create work environments where employees thrive. In this conversation, he discusses how managers can foster a meaningful connection with their teams, the importance of purpose-driven leadership, and how companies can harness the potential of AI to enhance management practices.

Expect to Learn:

• The evolution of Gallup’s Q12 survey and how it identifies key drivers of workplace engagement.
• The growing trend of hybrid and remote work and the challenges it brings to employee engagement.
• How leadership needs to shift from being administrative to coaching, focusing on meaningful conversations and support.
• The relationship between employee well-being and engagement, and why both must be prioritized in the workplace.
• How AI can support managers in creating more effective and insightful conversations with their teams.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:01] – Welcome & Introduction of Jim Harter
• [02:07] – Jim’s 40+ years at Gallup and background in psychometrics
• [07:06] – The “best friend at work” question and the hierarchy of needs
• [13:09] – Engagement trends: peak at 36% (US) and 23% (global), post‑pandemic drop
• [18:41] – The three‑book triad: It’s the Manager, Wellbeing at Work, Culture Shock
• [23:20] – It’s the Manager as a playbook for leaders
• [28:01] – Engagement vs. wellbeing: getting the basics right first
• [34:20] – Executive leadership: four responsibilities (teams, decisions, purpose, performance)
• [37:42] – Leaders report more negative emotions (stress, anger, loneliness) than their teams
• [43:35] – AI adoption: manager support is the biggest driver
• [47:54] – Closing thanks and recognition for putting research to use

🔗 Connect with the Guest, Jim Harter:

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

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gallup/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.gallup.com/home.aspx

🔗 Gallup's State of the Global Workplace report:

👉 https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=p_social&utm_term=tl&utm_campaign=li-wk_sogw26-tl_jh

🔗 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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Amy Coppola to explore her journey from corporate leadership to building her own company, Alfa Zula Professionals Inc. The conversation focuses on leadership growth, navigating large-scale government projects, and the realities of starting a small business in the defense and federal space. Amy shares how her mindset shifted from task management to people-centered leadership, and how purpose, resilience, and mentorship shaped her career path.

Amy Coppola is a seasoned leader with deep experience in federal systems integration, program management, and government contracting. She spent many years at Motorola Solutions supporting law enforcement and Homeland Security projects before rising to director level. Amy is now the founder of Alfa Zula Professionals, a small business focused on program management, technical services, and helping other companies navigate government contracting. Her work blends leadership, operational expertise, and a strong commitment to supporting people and teams.

• How Amy transitioned from project manager to a people focused leader
• What it takes to manage and recover large government projects
• The realities and challenges of starting a small business
• Why mentorship and perspective are critical for long term growth
• How small businesses can partner and succeed in federal contracting

• [00:00] – Teaser
• [01:04] – Welcome & Introduction of Amy Coppola
• [05:11] – The “draw the U.S.” exercise that changed her perspective
• [10:55] – Overview of Motorola’s federal systems integration work
• [16:30] – Being the first woman director and facing DEI assumptions
• [22:02] – Alfa Zula’s services: helping small businesses with SBA certifications
• [27:47] – The meaning behind “Alfa Zula” (phonetic alphabet, woman-owned)
• [29:01] – Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: “do it scared”
• [30:17] – Challenges as a woman-owned small business in defense
• [35:40] – Closing remarks and gratitude

Connect with the Guest, Amy Coppola:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-coppola-mba-pmp/

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/alfa-zula-professionals-inc/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.alfa-zula.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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode of The ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Jessica Gronert, Senior Business Development Manager at Leidos, about her unique career journey across the Air Force, intelligence, education, and business development. The conversation focuses on her leadership role as President of Women in Defence Greater Tampa Bay and how the organization supports professional growth, community engagement, and STEM education. Jessica shares how purpose, service, and adaptability have shaped her career and how Women in Defence is evolving to support the broader defence community.

Jessica Gronert is a Director, AFSOC ISR Operations in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. With a background in intelligence and Middle Eastern studies, she has served in multiple roles within Air Force Special Operations Command. Jessica is also the President of Women in Defence Greater Tampa Bay, where she leads efforts to support professional development, strengthen industry connections, and expand STEM opportunities for youth.

Expect to Learn:

1. How Jessica transitioned from aspiring fighter pilot to intelligence and leadership roles
2. The mission and evolution of Women in Defence and its impact today
3. Why community, networking, and service are critical in the defence industry
4. The challenges nonprofits face with funding and public perception
5. How STEM programmes and early education shape the future workforce

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

1. [00:00] – Teaser
2. [01:13] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Jessica Gronert
3. [07:12] – The Most Rewarding Job: Teaching CENTCOM at the Schoolhouse
4. [14:02] – What is Women In Defence? Mission, Evolution, and Professional Development
5. [20:01] – The Tampa Reach: Three Florida Chapters and a Sprawling Membership
6. [28:58] – A Message to Sponsors: "We Are More Than Just Our Name"
7. [34:27] – 2025 Impact: The STEM Lending Library and Every Middle School in Hillsborough
8. [40:28] – Closing Remarks and How to Connect

🔗 Connect with the Guest Jessica Gronert:

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

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leidos/

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

👉 U.S. Air Force Reserve LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airforcereserverecruiting/

👉 U.S. Air Force Reserve Website: https://www.airforce.com/ways-to-serve/air-force-reserve

🔗 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 Podcast:

👉 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

In this episode of ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Jed Dairy, the Director of Open Autonomy at Wenco International Mining Systems. With a background in both the construction and mining industries, Jed shares his journey from project management to leading innovative autonomous systems in mining. They discuss the transformative role of autonomy in mining, the importance of an abundance mindset, and how the younger generation can better build self-confidence in today's technology-driven world.

Jed Dairy is a seasoned professional in the mining industry, with over 20 years of experience spanning construction, fleet management, and autonomous systems. Currently, he leads the Open Autonomy at Wenco International Mining Systems, a software company focused on integrating fleet management systems with autonomous technologies. Jed has been instrumental in deploying cutting-edge systems that optimize mine operations globally.

Key Takeaways:

1. Autonomous Systems in Mining: How autonomous haulage is reshaping the way large-scale mining operations are managed, providing more efficiency and less human intervention.
2. The Abundance Mindset: Jed discusses how shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset is key to building confidence and overcoming challenges.
3. Developing the Younger Generation: Addressing the challenges faced by the younger workforce, particularly in building self-esteem and confidence in a world filled with constant comparisons.
4. Innovation in Mining: A look at how Wenco is integrating innovative solutions, such as autonomous fleet management, to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Episode Breakdown with Timestamps:

1. [00:00] – Teaser
2. [01:11] – Welcome & Introduction to the ChoinqueCast with Jed Dairy
3. [05:36] – Open Autonomy Explained: The API for Mining's Future
4. [10:02] – The PMI Five-Star Moment: From Manager to Leader
5. [18:00] – Executive Presence Across Cultures: Perception, Adaptability, and the Platinum Rule
6. [24:54] – Coaching Gen Z: Imposter Syndrome and Building Confidence
7. [28:15] – Closing Remarks and How to Connect

🔗 Connect with the Guest Jed Dairy:

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

👉 Company’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wenco-international-mining-systems/

👉 Company’s Website: https://www.wencomine.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 Podcast:

👉 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

Disclaimer: All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the US Government. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying US Government authentication of information or endorsement of the author’s views.

In this relaunch of the ChoinqueCast, host Jim Emerick sits down with Juliane Gallina, currently a partner at Lavrock Ventures and a veteran leader with over two decades of government service. They explore her unique career trajectory - from the US Navy to the CIA and IBM - while discussing the core principles of leadership, the power of data, and the personal motivations behind major professional pivots.

Key Takeaways

1. Human-Centric Leadership: True leadership is defined by the ability to navigate complex situations that are not captured in a manual or checklist.
2. Mission over Mechanics: Success in any environment comes from a leader's ability to connect their team to a purpose larger than themselves.
3. Family-Driven Pivots: Every major career shift in Juliane's life was influenced by family needs, emphasizing the importance of balancing personal and professional worlds.
4. Decisive Data Analytics: At a 30-person startup, Juliane used quantitative analysis to prove the value of UAV data, which directly influenced multi-billion dollar Pentagon budgets.
5. AI for Intelligence: Leading the deployment of IBM Watson at the CIA provided advanced "question and answer" capabilities to help manage the agency's massive data holdings.
6. Bridging the Sector Gap: Despite structural communication barriers ("caste systems"), leadership challenges remain fundamentally similar across the military, government, and commercial sectors.

Episode Timestamps

[00:00] – Intro: Why the human brain is irreplaceable by machines and checklists.

[02:47] – Military Roots: Specializing in cryptology and secure communications in the US Navy.

[04:15] – NRO & CIA: Transitioning from the National Reconnaissance Office to the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology.

[06:12] – The Personal Pivot: Leaving government service after 20 years to prioritize family needs.

[07:56] – Big Data Impact: Demonstrating the quantitative value of UAV sensor data in war zones.

[11:56] – Corporate Scaling: The experience of moving from a 30-person firm to IBM's global workforce.

[16:05] – The Industry-Gov Barrier: Navigating communication gaps when returning to work with old colleagues.

[18:04] – Return to Service: Being appointed as the CIA's Chief Information Officer in 2019.

[21:08] – Leadership Mechanics: Comparing the discipline of a spacecraft launch to everyday team management.

[35:28] – Closing Thoughts: Reconnecting for national security and looking ahead to the future.

🔗 Connect with the Guest Juliane Gallina:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliane-gallina-b736244/

🔗 Follow Lavrock Ventures:

👉 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lavrock-ventures/

👉 Website: https://lavrockvc.com/

👉 X: https://x.com/lavrockvc

🔗 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 Podcast:

👉 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