Lead Bigger: The Power of Human Connection with Anne Chow

Lead Bigger: The Power of Human Connection with Anne Chow

The most powerful force in leadership, and in life, isn't strategy, intelligence, authority, or reps. It's human connection. In this episode of Quick Before You Forget, I sit down with my friend Anne Chow, transformational leader, former CEO of AT&T Business, bestselling author of Lead Bigger, and founder of The Rewired CEO. Anne was the first woman of color CEO in AT&T's 140+ year history, but what makes her extraordinary isn't her title. It's her belief that leadership is a choice available to every single one of us. Together, we explore what it means to lead bigger, why relationships are the foundation of meaningful impact, the (not-so) surprising lessons leaders can learn from orchestra conductors, and how curiosity, kindness, and courage can transform both our careers and our lives. We also talk about music, mixtapes, friendship, purpose, and the conversations that change us forever. Because sometimes the biggest leadership lesson is remembering that people matter. And that includes you.  Memorable Moments 00:00 — Cold Open: What does it mean to "Lead Bigger"? Anne's powerful definition of inclusive leadership. 01:00 — Meet Anne Chow: Former CEO of AT&T Business and author of Lead Bigger 02:00 — The leadership lessons Anne learned from her father and immigrant upbringing 04:00 — How Anne's definition of leadership evolved from age 15 to today 05:00 — "Leadership is a choice": Anne's philosophy on influence, impact, and purpose 08:00 — Why leadership is both an art and a science 09:00 — The hidden power of communication: the what, why, how, and when 12:00 — What orchestra conductors can teach us about great leadership 14:00 — The conductor analogy that completely changed Anne's view of leadership 19:00 — Mixtapes, Spotify Wrapped, and the soundtrack of Anne Chow's life 22:00 — Anne's "songs of survival" and the music that lifts her up 24:00 — The Most Powerful Force in the World (Hint: It's Not Technology) 25:00 — Building trust, relationships, and meaningful connection at work 27:00 — Helping people see their potential before they see it themselves 29:00 — Motivation vs. Inspiration: Why One Creates Lasting Change 32:00 — Curiosity, humility, and why leaders must learn how to ask better questions 36:00 — The biggest leadership myth holding people back today 37:00 — Why Kindness and High Performance Are Not Opposites 38:00 — Widening your perspective for greater performance and impact 40:00 — The one question every leader should ask themselves every day 41:00 — What Anne had to unlearn to become a bigger leader 43:00 — From retirement to "rewirement": designing a life with intention 45:00 — Friendship February, slowing down, and making time for what matters most 47:00 — What Anne would tell her 22-year-old self 48:00 — "There's no such thing as failure, only success and learning." 49:00 — Chow-isms: Anne's favorite life and leadership mantra 50:00 — Helping people discover their gifts and calling 51:00 — One Conversation Can Change a Life 53:00 — The Story Anne Didn't Know She Was Part Of 55:00 — Anne's response, the power of technology, and words that endure for generations 55:45 — Where to find Anne Chow and connect with her work Connect with Anne Website: https://www.theannechow.com/  LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annehchow/?skipRedirect=true Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theannechow/

Make It Count: How to Turn Disruption into Purpose

What happens when life disrupts everything you thought you wanted? In this powerful conversation, leadership expert, former Army officer, professor, and bestselling author Patrick Leddin, PhD, shares what it really means to turn disruption into growth, purpose, and positive change. Together, we explore leadership, resilience, relationships, identity, and the moments that redefine us from the inside out. If you’ve ever felt lost, uncertain, overwhelmed, or like the life you planned no longer fits the person you’re becoming, this conversation is for you. Because your time here is finite. Make it count. 💛 Meaningful Moments 00:00 — Why disruption can become your greatest opportunity 01:00 — Patrick’s childhood mentor and lessons on excellence 03:00 — The relationship disruption that changed his marriage and life 08:00 — Building a business from the ground up 10:00 — Fear vs. excitement when selling a company 11:00 — What separates people who stabilize from those who spiral 14:00 — The 16 strengths of positive disruptors 16:00 — Why disruption starts from the inside out 17:00 — Staying calm under pressure and leading through uncertainty 21:00 — How to practice resilience before disruption happens 23:00 — Patrick’s purpose: helping others live their great purpose 24:00 — From community college dropout to Vanderbilt professor 26:00 — Knowing when it’s time to change direction 29:00 — “Your time here is finite. Make it count.” 31:00 — Why people underestimate themselves 33:00 — Walking, nature, and staying grounded 36:00 — The legacy Patrick hopes to leave behind 39:00 — The people who “got back on the bus” for him 42:00 — Music, memory, and emotional connection 44:00 — The message Patrick would share with the world 46:00 — Disrupting his relationship with his parents for good 49:00 — Why people just want someone who will listen 51:00 — What James Patterson taught him about living a good life 54:00 — How resilience is actually built over time Connect with Patrick 📘 Book: Disrupt Everything and Win 🌐 Website: https://patrickleddin.com/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickleddin 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickleddin/

Born with One Hand, Built for Purpose: Tony Memmel on Resilience, Faith, and Mindset

In weakness there is purpose and in purpose there is strength. In this deeply moving and highly conversational episode of Quick Before You Forget, I am joined by singer-songwriter Tony Memmel, a keynote speaker and musician born with one hand who taught himself to play guitar professionally using a custom cast made from Gorilla Tape. Together, we explore resilience, faith, mindset, music as healing, and what it means to keep showing up even when life feels uncertain. Tony shares: the single conversation that changed his mother’s perspective (and Tony's life) forever how music became both therapy and mission why what we consume shapes who we become the importance of protecting your peace how faith carried Tony through difficult seasons what resilience actually looks like in everyday life the story behind performing alongside Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake This episode is for anyone feeling discouraged, lost, uncertain, or in need of a reminder that your story still, and forever and always, matters. Because sometimes the very thing you thought would hold you back becomes the thing that helps set other people free. Meaningful Moments 00:00 — The powerful question that shaped Tony’s life 01:00 — Being born with one hand and his parents’ fears 04:00 — The mindset shift that changed everything 05:30 — Discovering music and learning guitar 08:45 — Saving up for his first guitar 11:00 — Music as healing and emotional transformation 13:00 — Turning pain into purpose 14:30 — Protecting your peace and intentional consumption 18:00 — Self-limiting beliefs and the “yellow brick road” 22:00 — Why connection changes everything 24:00 — Gratitude, family, and mission-driven living 26:30 — Fatherhood and resilience 29:00 — Advice to his younger self 33:00 — Stories that remind us why encouragement matters 36:00 — Ty shares her healing journey and health struggles 40:00 — What people misunderstand about inspiration 42:00 — Tony’s “song of survival” during the pandemic 45:00 — What Tony would tell the world right now 48:00 — Singing with Jelly Roll and Brandon Lake 51:00 — Legacy, family, and what matters most 54:00 — Final reflections and encouragement Connect with Tony Memmel on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonymemmel/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonymemmel/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/tonymemmel TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@UC5QcaLeJOiloN-f7qimiv1A Book Tony to speak: https://www.tonymemmel.com/speaking Coach Doc and Ty discuss complimenting strangers in Episode one of Quick Before You Forget: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLtCdC9oQ8g&t=10s

Believe in Yourself: How to Overcome Self-Doubt and Find Purpose in Life with Brant Johnson

What happens when a near-fatal crash forces you to confront how little time is truly guaranteed? In this deeply emotional episode of Quick Before You Forget, Ty sits down with marketing strategist and community builder Brant Johnson for a conversation about resilience, grief, self-belief, loneliness, purpose, and the courage to chase your dreams before it’s too late. Brant shares the life-changing lessons he learned after surviving a devastating car accident on black ice, losing his father at a young age, navigating identity and mental health struggles, and building a $100,000 “Resilience Arch” at just 17 years old. Together, Ty and Brant explore the power of connection, overcoming doubt, and why statistically, luck finds the people who keep trying. If you’ve ever felt behind, uncertain, burned out, isolated, or afraid to begin, this conversation is your reminder that your story still matters and your dreams are still worth pursuing. Meaningful Moments 00:00 — “If you keep trying, luck will find you” 01:00 — Losing his father at age 10 04:30 — The Easter egg story that shaped his life 07:15 — Why connection changes everything 08:15 — Mental health, loneliness, and learning to face himself 10:00 — Realizing he was gay inside a conservative religious environment 12:00 — The friend who helped save his life 13:00 — The treehouse story 15:00 — Surviving a near-fatal crash on black ice 18:00 — “Life is not a guaranteed gift” 19:00 — The Broadway musical that transformed his perspective 23:00 — “The dog you really gotta dread is the one that’s in your head” 25:00 — How to keep moving forward even when doubt wins 27:00 — Loneliness, technology, and the connection crisis 29:00 — The story behind the “Resilience Arch” 37:00 — A conversation with a struggling student that changed him forever 41:00 — What resilience actually means 42:00 — “You just have to keep going until you meet luck” 44:00 — It’s never too late to start over 46:00 — Quick Before You Forget: What matters most right now? 47:00 — Final reminder: Believe in yourself

You Matter: A Courageous Conversation About Mental Health, Motherhood, and Healing

I started this Quick Before You Forget journey after getting laid off in January 2026 from what I believed and hoped was my dream job. There was no master plan, aside from intentionally embracing the chaos of building the rocket ship in the air. There is just me on my yellow brick road making a conscious decision to keep showing up, keep creating, and trust who I’d meet along the way. In this special Mother's Day episode of Quick Before You Forget, I sat down with Sharon Johnson, who I’ve been connected with mostly through TikTok for four years. And honestly, it showed through in our vulnerability, honesty, and very real friendship despite having never spoken before this moment. We talked about leaving a belief system that no longer aligned. About motherhood without perfectionism. About suicidal ideation, TMS, therapy, and the slow rebuilding of hope. About body image, shame, boundaries, and learning to trust yourself again. She said a lot that resonated with me deeply, including: What if life isn’t something you have to get right…what if it’s an experiment you’re allowed to live inside of? We talked about managing mental health like a chronic illness without shame. About letting your kids see you care for yourself. About the sacredness of ordinary moments. If you’ve ever outgrown the story you were handed… If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re allowed to change or to have more fun or to create the life you’ve always dreamed of… You are. This one felt brave. And honest. And full of hope. I can’t wait for you to listen to it and tell me what you think. Meaningful Moments 00:00 — “One Breath at a Time” (When You’re Just Trying to Survive) 00:01 — Meet Sharon Johnson: Motherhood, Mental Health & Real Life 00:02 — The Grandfather Who Shaped Her Perspective on Life & Loss 00:04 — Leaving the Mormon Church: What Finally Broke Her Shelf 00:07 — What to Do When Your Beliefs No Longer Fit Your Life 00:08 — Learning to Sit With Uncertainty (Instead of Fear) 00:10 — Postpartum Depression & the Fear of Being a “Bad Mom” 00:11 — What Kids Actually Remember About Their Childhood 00:13 — If You’re in a Hard Season: What You Need to Hear Right Now 00:14 — The Impossible Standard of the “Perfect Mom” 00:16 — Why Rest, Fun, and “Doing Nothing” Actually Matter 00:18 — Doing What You Want Without Caring What People Think 00:19 — Why Adults Forget How to Have Fun (and How to Get It Back) 00:21 — What Her Kids Taught Her That Therapy Couldn’t 00:24 — Living With Depression: The Reality No One Talks About 00:26 — Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding a Way Through 00:28 — “One Breath at a Time” — Managing Mental Health Daily 00:29 — Choosing Yourself Without Feeling Like a Bad Mom 00:31 — Why Self-Love Starts With Letting Go of Shame 00:33 — Handling Criticism, Trolls & Letting Go of Judgment 00:34 — You Don’t Have to Be “Better” to Be Worthy 00:38 — You Don’t Have to Love Your Body to Live Your Life 00:40 — “Do It Anyway” — Living Fully Without Waiting 00:41 — Doing Hard Things & Rewiring Your Brain 00:42 — Life as an Experiment (Instead of Something to Perfect) 00:44 — Vulnerability, Boundaries & Sharing Your Story Online 00:45 — If Everyone Could Hear One Thing: “You Matter” 00:47 — Why Your Joy Matters (Even If It’s Just for You) 00:48 — What She’d Tell Her 22-Year-Old Self 00:50 — Teaching Kids About Mental Health Without Shame  00:52 — Feeling Lost in Motherhood (and Finding Your Way Back) 00:54 — Losing Yourself Isn’t Forever — You Come Back 00:55 — Rediscovering Yourself Through Your Kids 00:56 — Music That Helped Her Survive (Noah Kahan, Stick Season) 00:57 — Why Feeling Seen Matters More Than Being “Fixed” 00:59 — The Power of Community & Not Feeling Alone 01:00 — Holding Onto the Moments That Matter Most 01:02 — You Didn’t Miss It — There Will Be More Moments 01:03 — “Choose the Fun One” (A Simple Life Rule) 01:03 — Learning to Trust Yourself Again 01:04 — The Sacred Power of Ordinary Family Moments 01:05 — Your Joy Is Not a Waste 01:06 — Final Thoughts: Life Is Messy… and It All Matters Sharon Johnson's Song of Survival: Call Your Mom, Noah Kahan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XowR7Yupdg Alex Warren, First Time on Earth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aammt9Mvbwk