21. Zero to Engineer | Terry Kim

Flying Lead for The Air Force Thunderbirds with Michelle Curran

In this conversation, Michelle Mace Curran, a combat veteran and former F-16 fighter pilot, shares her journey from a shy child with diverse aspirations to becoming a lead solo pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds. She discusses the influences that shaped her career, the challenges she faced as a female pilot, and the importance of resilience and performance in overcoming obstacles. Michelle offers valuable advice for young women aspiring to enter male-dominated fields, emphasizing the need to focus on personal excellence and the meritocracy of performance. In this conversation, Ken shares his experiences as an F-16 pilot, including the physical challenges of flying at high G-forces, the nerves of his first solo flight, and the transition from a military career to the business world. He discusses the importance of inspiring the next generation through children's books and the significance of his call sign, MACE, which reflects his journey and experiences in aviation. Takeaways * Michelle's childhood experiences sparked her interest in aviation. * The journey to becoming a fighter pilot was not straightforward for Michelle. * Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for high-achieving individuals. * Being the only woman in her pilot training class highlighted both support and bias. * Michelle emphasizes the importance of focusing on performance over external perceptions. * Young women should prioritize being the best at their jobs to gain respect. * The military environment fosters a unique pressure to perform. * Training for G-forces is a critical part of becoming a fighter pilot. * Michelle's experiences in the Thunderbirds involved high G maneuvers regularly. * Resilience and preparation are key to success in challenging fields. Flying at high G-forces is physically demanding and uncomfortable. * The first solo flight is a nerve-wracking yet surreal experience. * Transitioning from military to business requires a shift in mindset. * Inspiring young girls through relatable children's books is impactful. * The call sign MACE represents a rite of passage in aviation. * Celebrating small wins is essential for personal fulfillment. * Public speaking can be learned through practice and exposure. * Feeling nervous is common, even for accomplished speakers. * Growth comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. * Sharing personal stories can inspire others to pursue their dreams. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Michelle Mace Curran 02:56 Early Influences and Aspirations 05:49 The Journey to Becoming a Fighter Pilot 09:14 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 12:04 Challenges Faced as a Female Pilot 18:13 Advice for Young Women in Aviation 21:04 The Importance of Performance and Meritocracy 23:59 Experiences in Fighter Jet Training 30:47 Experiencing G-Forces in Flight 35:31 The First Solo Flight 38:57 Transitioning from Military to Business 52:19 Writing Children's Books and Inspiring the Next Generation 57:01 The Story Behind the Call Sign MACE

Company Culture - BS or Big Deal?

It's another episode with amazing co-host John Skomski and we're exploring the concept of company culture, discussing its importance, signs of toxicity, and how to create a place where people actually want to show up. Enjoy! Takeaways * Culture is often misunderstood and dismissed by many employees. * A toxic culture is characterized by infighting and blame. * Understanding individual whys is crucial for building a strong culture. * Timed pathways help align personal and organizational goals. * Leaders must actively engage with employees to understand their needs. * A positive culture fosters employee retention and productivity. * Culture should be simple and straightforward, not theoretical. * Listening to employees is key to preventing cultural decay. * Creating a culture of support leads to better business outcomes. * Leadership plays a vital role in shaping and maintaining culture. Chapters 00:00 Defining Organizational Culture 03:02 The Importance of Culture in the Workplace 05:51 Signs of a Toxic Culture 08:55 Understanding Individual and Organizational Whys 11:47 Creating Timed Pathways for Success 14:46 Bridging Individual and Company Goals 17:58 Practical Steps to Improve Culture 20:47 The Role of Leadership in Culture 23:45 Conclusion and Call to Action Follow me on Instagram @ kenruskofficial for daily intrapreneurial motivation Music: By Your Side by Caslow, Bertie Scott & Patfromlastyear (used with written permission) keywords: organizational culture, workplace culture, toxic culture, employee engagement, leadership, company goals, individual goals, culture improvement, team dynamics, business success

I'm Back (...With A Friend)

As faithful listeners know, I'm not afraid to try out new topics and formats. Well, today I pull back the curtain on something that's been in the works for over a year. Maybe you'll love it, maybe you won't. Check it out and let me know! Takeaways * The idea of 'Two Crappy Chairs' is to challenge the elite speaking circuit. * The goal is to provide practical, actionable advice for listeners. * Creating a positive workplace culture is essential for business success. * Employees should feel empowered to voice their ideas and concerns. * A toxic work environment often reflects a culture of zero-sum thinking. * Understanding what employees want is key to improving culture. * Agency in the workplace allows employees to take ownership of their roles. * Culture should be defined and assessed regularly within organizations. * A win for one should not come at the expense of another. * The conversation encourages a cultural revolution in workplaces. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the experiment 06:01 Relentlessly Practical: A Toolbox for Change 11:59 Empowering Employees: The Key to Success 18:13 Culture as a Reflection of Values 23:48 Conclusion and Call to Action Follow me on Instagram @ kenruskofficial Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission) By Your Side by Caslow, Bertie Scott & Patfromlastyear (used with written permission) keywords: experiment, Two Crappy Chairs, workplace culture, employee empowerment, practical advice, business success, toxic environments, agency, culture definition

22. Finding Fulfillment Beyond Traditional Success | with Markus Kaulius

Today, Ken's guest this week is Markus Kaulius Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom! Markus Kaulius is a serial entrepreneur and the founder and CEO of playabiggergame.com. After making his first million in his twenties, Markus took his supplement company from startup to 170 million dollars. Through his upcoming book "Play a Bigger Game: Seven Universal Principles to Find Real Fulfillment and Win at Life" Markus is committed to sharing lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey to help other high achievers break free from imbalance and feelings of discontent so they can find fulfillment beyond career success. Ken and Markus will discuss the drive it takes to be an entrepreneur, the importance of seeing your own future and how helping others can help you find fulfillment. To learn more about Markus and buy his book follow the links below: https://www.playabiggergame.com https://www.instagram.com/markuskaulius Chapters: 01:15 - Intro 1:40 - Entrepreneurship 5:26 - Asking Favors 7:51 - Where Drive Comes From 11:41 - Benefits of Being an Entrepreneur 16:49 - Supply and Demand 19:36 - Ad break 21:17 - Seeing Your Future 26:23 - Why He Wrote His Book 40:11 - Finding Fulfillment 35:06 - Book’s Audience 38:08 - Finding The Book 40:08 - The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question

21. Zero to Engineer | Terry Kim

Today, Ken's guest this week is Terry Kim. How to get into Tech without a college degree Comfort Peace and Freedom Podcast I'm Ken Rusk, and during each episode, I speak with a world-class personality about what made them successful and about their experiences with my three favorite words: Comfort, Peace, and Freedom! Terry Kim, Veteran of the US Air Force and first generation Korean American. He has been in the field of IT for more than two decades after dropping out highschool. After his military service he rose through the ranks of prominent tech giants such as Cisco Systems and Arista Networks. Terry is the cofounder of NGT Academy and has revolutionized IT learning now he's added author to his resume with his book "Zero to Engineer: A Story of the American Dream - How to Land your Dream IT job without a College Degree, Obtain Financial Freedom and Work on the Latest Technologies." Ken and Terry will discuss this book and people can get insider knowledge and tips to fast track their tech career  To learn more about Terry and buy his book follow the links below: https://ngt.academy/ [https://ngt.academy/] https://a.co/d/aAVzR8T [https://a.co/d/aAVzR8T] Chapters: 01:12 - Intro 2:02 - How Terry’s career began 8:12 - Career Path 13:04 - College stats 15:22 - Ad break 16:57 - NGT Academy 23:28 - College isn’t prepping kids properly 25:44 -Proud of NGT Academy 27:00 - Why Terry wrote his book 28:12 - Message to parents 29:57 - How Terry wrote his book 31:33 - Ken’s course 32:58 - How to get involved with NGT Academy 35:52 - You can Learn by Doing 41:20 - The Comfort, Peace and Freedom Question 44:04 - How to get the book! If you enjoyed this show, please consider leaving a review. It takes less than 60-seconds of your time, and really makes a difference when I am trying to land new guests. For more of my content, check out my Instagram (@KenRuskOfficial) or our website. Thank you for your time!