Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with longtime friend and ultra-endurance athlete Brian Recore. With more than a hundred ultra marathons under his belt, including 50+ 100-milers and the infamous Badwater, Brian has learned lessons that apply far beyond running.

We explore:

Brian’s story is about more than running, it’s about the mindset of preparation and resilience. Just like an ultramarathon, life demands that you keep moving forward when it’s hardest, and that you already know how you’ll respond before the questions come. Because isn’t life just the ultramarathon we all are running?

Brian Recore - LInkedIn

Most people think prepping is about bunkers and canned beans. But the truth is, being a prepper isn’t paranoia, it’s preparation.

And that’s exactly what Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) is all about.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I connect the dots between personal prepping and enterprise resilience. Because whether it’s your pantry or your data center, the same mindset applies: preparation always beats panic.

You’ll hear:

--> At home, preparedness isn’t paranoia. It’s love.

--> At work, preparedness isn’t compliance. It’s leadership.

Because when disruption hits, the only bad plan is no plan.

From the eposide: Prepper Starter Kit (MVP List):

Prices shown are as of the recording of this episode.

Stealth Angel Survival – 72 Hour Family Emergency Kit (2 Person) – $119.29
Perfect starting place to build from.

Candle Lantern – $29.99
Holds 1–3 candles and can heat a can or cup on top.

20 Pack Candle Refills – $24.99
Fits the lantern above.

ReadyWise Emergency Food Supply – 120 Servings – $87.53
For 2 people: ~1,800 calories/day for 6 days.

LifeStraw Personal Water Filter – $17.49
Great for drinking directly from a stream.

Aquatabs Water Purification Tablets (100 Pack) – $32.99
One tablet treats 4 gallons of water in 30 minutes.

GOODaaa Power Bank (45800mAh) w/ Hand Crank, Solar, Flashlight – $38.24
Big capacity + multiple charging methods (direct, solar, hand crank).

These are simple, reliable items to get your household to a minimum viable preparedness level without overcomplicating things.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Pretty much all proceeds go to buying coffee and doing cool stuff.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with James Pham — entrepreneur, risk-taker, and co-founder / CEO of Opisin.

James’s story is one of bold leaps: leaving med school in Vietnam, moving across countries on faith alone, and turning down safe jobs to chase uncertain opportunities. At the core of his journey is radical transparency: a leadership style built on honesty, trust, and clarity instead of politics or hidden agendas.

But what really defines James isn’t just risk or entrepreneurship. It’s how he uses both as a path to something greater: purpose.

We explore:

💡 Reflection for Leaders: Where are you spending your time currency — and is it aligned with your true purpose?

👉 If last week was about why silence is surrender, this week is about how risk, transparency, and purpose combine to create leadership that lasts.

James Pham - LInkedIn

This episode is different. It’s not about strategy or technology, it’s about conviction. When the murder of Charlie Kirk shook the nation, it was more than another act of violence. It was an assault on freedom itself, on the foundation of America, on free speech and expression, and on the courage to stand against evil. In this solo episode, Jason Elrod shares why silence in the face of darkness is not neutrality, it’s surrender. He calls for dangerous men and women of virtue: leaders grounded in ethics, anchored in integrity, and disciplined in action. You’ll hear why: Free speech is the bedrock of all freedom Passivity only strengthens the adversary Leadership requires dangerous courage, tempered with discipline Psalm 23:4 isn’t just comfort - it’s a call to defend and protect This is not a call to chaos. This is a call to courage. Because life is a leadership test and this test is here. Now. Show up ready. 👉 Watch on YouTube: limitlesscyber.com/YT-subscribe

In this solo episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I share the story of my first leadership role—and how I almost walked away from management before I even got started. What turned it around was a lesson I’ll never forget: leadership isn’t about taking power, it’s about brokering it. We’ll unpack what it really means to be a Power Broker in today’s organizations, why influence is multiplied by giving it away, and the practical steps you can take to stop being a bottleneck and start creating growth through others. 👉 If you want to move from power taker to power broker, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with Noel Grover, entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of EnQuanta.

Noel’s journey is extraordinary. At 38, his heart stopped, and coming back gave him a fearless perspective on risk, purpose, and innovation. He shares how failure became his best teacher, why persistence and common sense are underrated superpowers, and the lessons he learned building early voice recognition technology before sound cards even existed.

We also dive into today’s big horizon: the convergence of quantum computing and AI. Noel explains why the current playbook for post quantum cryptography is broken and why crypto agility may be the only real path to future proofing security.

👉 If you have ever wondered how to turn failure into fuel or how to prepare for the quantum AI era, this conversation will spark both urgency and inspiration.

Noel Grover LinkedIn

EnQanta

In this episode of Drink Coffee. Do Cool Stuff., I sit down with Corey Elinburg — a seasoned CISO and field security leader — to talk about why emotional intelligence, identity, and outcomes matter more than tools or titles. We explore the realities of healthcare cybersecurity, the lessons of servant leadership done right, and why the best leaders don’t shade out growth around them.

👉 Subscribe for weekly conversations on leadership, purpose, and cybersecurity.

Corey's LinkedIn

In this episode, I sit down with Steve Tout—strategist, author, endurance runner, and advocate for digital equity. We explore the deep connections between running ultramarathons and leading through chaos in cybersecurity. Steve opens up about the discipline behind transformation, his book The CISO Edge, and why purpose isn’t a buzzword—it’s a survival strategy. If you’ve ever faced imposter syndrome, career reinvention, or wondered what keeps someone running 50 miles (literally), this one’s for you.

Steve's LinkedIn

Steve's Website

In this episode, I talk with Steve Shelton—performance psychologist, published author, and founder of Green Shoe Consulting. After two decades in cybersecurity software, Steve shifted his mission to alleviate suffering where it hits hardest: among CISOs and cyber leaders under pressure.

We unpack burnout, the “curse of competence,” and what it really means to lead in an infinite game. From stoicism to performance psychology to identity and fear, this one runs deep.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of the role or wondered how to lead with purpose when the pressure builds, then this one’s for you.

👉 If this inspired you, share it with someone who needs a little courage today.

Steve's LinkedIn

Steve's Website

In this episode, I talk with Skip Sorrels about what rodeo horses and cybersecurity leadership have in common – and why both teach you resilience in unexpected ways. Skip shares stories from his journey as an ICU nurse to becoming a cybersecurity director, and how getting bucked off a bareback horse taught him a powerful lesson about ego, peer pressure, and humility.

We explore how his diverse career – from healthcare to IT to cybersecurity – shaped his definition of success, why mistakes have been his greatest teachers, and what it really means to lead with clarity and care. Skip also talks about learning to say “no” as a leadership superpower, redefining purpose beyond titles, and why relationships matter more than anything else in life and leadership.

If you want to become a leader who shows up with calm confidence, builds strong teams, and makes an impact without even trying, this conversation is for you.

👉 Enjoying the podcast? Leave a quick rating. It helps us reach more people who want to drink coffee and do cool stuff too.

Skip's LinkedIn