The Cluttered Path

The Cluttered Path

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The Cluttered Path episodes

  • #11 The Lottery is NOT a Retirement Strategy!

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    Winning BIG in the lottery often ends in tragedy. In this episode, we take a look at the story of Jack Whittaker and how his family was destroyed after winning a $313M PowerBall jackpot. Along the way, we discuss why lottery winners go bankrupt, what you should do if you win big, and the political wranglings surrounding State Lotteries where we're often told, "Buy lottery tickets! It's for the children!!!"

    Episode Resources

    1. Tragic Story of PowerBall Jackpot Winner
    2. Why Lottery Winners Go Bankrupt
    3. NC Education Lottery Spending Data
    4. The Cons of Georgia's Hope Scholarships
    5. The Lottery: Poor People Play, the Rich Win

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    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    30 min
  • #10 The Secondary, Yet Still Vital Goal of Leadership

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    When considering leadership, we have a tendency to focus on the workplace and how leaders operate in that sphere of influence. The reality is EVERYONE needs leadership skills to create a fulfilling life. Specifically, we need the ability to look out for our own personal welfare and that of others. 

    If you're an individual responsible only for yourself, these skills will enrich your life tremendously. If you're a leader of an organization, these skills will have a very positive impact on your team and the bottom line of your business.   

    For this episode, we discuss the vital leadership goal of Human Welfare, touching on these areas:

    1. Physical welfare
    2. Mental/Emotional Wellbeing
    3. Personal Development & Growth
    4. Financial Health

    Chapters:
    00:00 - Welcome
    00:15 - Introduction
    03:17 - Vital Objective #2
    04:51 - Mission Accomplishment vs Human Welfare
    09:05 - Physical Welfare
    20:16 - Mental/Emotional Welfare
    34:38 - Development & Growth
    40:55 - Financial Security
    50:18 - How to Measure Impact
    62:50 - Closing Thoughts

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    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    1 hr 5 min
  • #9 The Primary and Most Vital Goal of Leadership

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    What is the Most important Goal of Leadership? This episode digs into that one simple question. When you say the goal out loud, it sounds so basic and obvious that it's almost TOO simple. The fact is, we humans struggle in this area of leading ourselves and others. The chaos of life often steers us away from our objectives. Distractions, In-fighting, Drama, and Friction conspire to take us in the wrong direction. 

    This episode starts by identifying the #1 Goal of Leadership and then we break it down into a Simple, 4-Step Action Plan to help deal with chaos and stay on the path. 

    00:00 - Welcome
    00:13 - Introduction
    03:16 - Vital Objective #1
    04:37 - Define the Mission
    17:03 - Plan the Mission
    35:31 - Execute the Mission
    40:48 - Measure Results
    48:54 - Closing Thoughts


    Resources for this Episode:

    1. The Ultimate Guide to S.M.A.R.T Goals
    2. 30 Events that Shaped Cisco Systems in 2011
    3. Why "Visionary Leadership" Fails
    4. 13 Notorious Examples of Strategic Planning Failure
    5. CEO Shares Top 3 Red Flags She Sees in Employees

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    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    51 min
  • #8 The Impact of Leadership (Good and Bad)

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    This episode digs into the impact of leadership, both good and bad. Chances are you've had a number of "First Day on the Job" experiences. Some were GOOD and some were notoriously BAD. What was the difference in these "First Day" experiences? The answer is LEADERSHIP!

    Everybody can benefit from learning leadership skills. It doesn't matter if you're a young person just getting started in life, a regular employee working a job, or if you are leading a team. At a minimum, you need to understand how to take responsibility for your own life to influence positive outcomes. If you're a parent, you are responsible for the lives of little people and leadership skills are a must. If you have an official title that puts you in charge of a team, it's important to study your craft and gain skills to help your team succeed. 

    In previous episodes, we discussed the life of Genghis Khan and the tremendous influence he's had over the lives of millions. Many of the ideas he introduced in the 12th Century resonate in today's society. The character of his leadership took him from a local clan leader to nation builder with influence that transcends time and place. 

    00:00 - Welcome
    00:13 - Introduction
    05:09 - Ripple Effect of Leadership
    23:18 - Negative Impact of Bad Leadership
    36:06 - Positive Impacts of Good Leadership
    47:42 - Character of Genghis Khan’s Leadership
    59:32 - Closing Thoughts


    Reference Material for this Episode:

    1. Interview: Colonel David Hackworth's 1971 Interview on the Vietnam War   
    2. Article: Trickle Down Effect of Good (and Bad) Leadership
    3. Article: The Butterfly Effect of YOU: Your Actions Matter More than you Think

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    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    1 hr 1 min
  • #7 Final Military Campaigns and the Demise of Genghis Khan

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    This is part 7, the last in our Series on the Life of Genghis Khan. 

    After the military campaign in China, Genghis Khan struggled to keep his family and, by extension, the empire from tearing itself apart. Desiring to find a purpose and mission for his people, he seeks a trade agreement with the Empire of Khwarizm, but their Sultan unwisely chooses war with the Mongols. Genghis Khan would lead military campaigns up until his death at the age of 65. Along the way, we get insight into the very human grief Genghis Khan experienced due to his failure as a father. After his death, Genghis Khan's legacy would continue on for over 100 years before the plague brings about the Fall of the Mongolian Empire. 

    Chapters:
    00:00 - Welcome
    00:10 - Introduction
    04:01 - Problems After the China Campaign
    13:07 - Sultan of Khwarizm Chooses Violence
    23:28 - Genghis Khan Plans for a Successor
    35:31 - The Fall of the Mongolian Empire
    39:33 - Closing Thoughts

    Resource for this Episode:
    Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford https://amzn.to/4o0Xho3

    As an Amazon Partner, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.

    ________________________________________________________________

    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    42 min
  • #6 A Primer on Great Leadership: The Mongolian Expedition into China

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    This is part 6 in our Series on the Life of Genghis Khan. 

    After establishing the institutions that form the foundation of "The Great Mongol Nation", Genghis Khan and the people enjoy 4 years of peace. The Jurched in China make a political play to subjugate the Mongols but the Clans respond by declaring war. 

    This story gives us an excellent primer on great leadership, with insight into the deliberative process the Mongols followed to plan for war.  When the Mongols march South into China, the Jurched mocked them, thinking there was no way the impoverished nation of Mongolia could beat them. They soon learned a hard lesson. 

    The Mongols engage in a masterful campaign that involves psychological warfare followed by simultaneous military strikes across the region to create the most confusion and chaos. New tools and fighting tactics are developed by the Mongols with a mindset of Total Victory.  This was a fun episode to research!   

    Resource for this Episode:
    Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford https://amzn.to/4o0Xho3

    As an Amazon Partner, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.

    ________________________________________________________________

    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    55 min
  • #5 Clash of the Khans - The Final Battle for Supremacy

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    This is part 5 in our Series on the Life of Genghis Khan. After 20 years of warfare, Temujin's father figure, Ong Khan, is getting old and a successor is needed. Temujin makes a political play to gain an advantage over his rival, Jamuka, but he soon finds himself fleeing for his life with a small band of men. This sets the stage for the final battle for control of all the Mongol Clans.

    Resource for this Episode:
    Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford https://amzn.to/4o0Xho3

    As an Amazon Partner, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.

    ________________________________________________________________

    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
    _________________________________________________________________

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    46 min
  • #4 Genghis Khan - Pioneering Governance: A Revolutionary Era in History!

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    This is part 4 in our Series on the Life of Genghis Khan. In this episode we talk about the bitter conflict that springboards Temujin to the position of Khan of his own clan. Upon taking that leadership role, he institutes ingenious governing policies that, up to this point, were a first in human history. We dig into topics of Meritocracy, Rights of Citizenship, Treatment of Conquered Leaders, Distribution of Wealth, and the organization of the Mongol Army.  Along the way, the bitter conflict with Temujin's blood-brother continues with some pretty egregious atrocities committed by Jamuka.  

    Resource for this Episode:
    Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford https://amzn.to/4o0Xho3

    As an Amazon Partner, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.

    ________________________________________________________________

    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    49 min
  • #3 Genghis Khan - A Love Story Worthy of a Hallmark Movie... but with Violence!!!

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    This is part 3 in our Series on the Life of Genghis Khan. In this episode, we cover Temujin's "Coming of Age" where, as a teen, he is reluctantly dragged into a life of warfare.  He is a young man whose wife is captured by the Merkid clan. At this point, Temujin is faced with a monumental life decision: Should he accept his situation and build a new life, or should he fight the Merkid with hopes of rescuing his bride?  We get some insight into the religious beliefs of Temujin that was the foundation of all that he did. We're also treated to a love story that has potential to be a Hallmark Movie, albeit with much violence! 

    Resource for this Episode:
    Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford https://amzn.to/4o0Xho3

    As an Amazon Partner, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.

    ________________________________________________________________

    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
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    38 min
  • #2 Genghis Khan - A Tragic Childhood

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    This is part 2 in our Series on the Life of Genghis Khan. In this episode, we focus on his childhood from birth to around age 16. The question we’re going to answer today is this: What was the path that took Temujin from a timid, scared child to the warrior Khan who created the largest empire in human history?

    Resource for this Episode:

    Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World, by Jack Weatherford https://amzn.to/4o0Xho3

    As an Amazon Partner, this podcast earns from qualifying purchases.

    ________________________________________________________________

    📫  Where to Find Us:

    Web: https://clutteredpath.com/
    Patreon: https://patreon.com/clutteredpath
    Questions/Comments:  [email protected] 
    _________________________________________________________________

    🔥 Follow us on Social Media:

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    47 min

About The Cluttered Path

From the publisher's feed

I planned my whole life out when I was 18 and NONE of it happened the way I drew it up. I'm 54 now: Former Marine Sergeant, engineer, tech sales guy, husband, dad, still in therapy, still working a…