by Gene Crawford | Dec 1, 2025 | Podcast
This episode dives deep into the hidden link between anxiety and status obsession, drawing from martial arts culture, personal stories, and a revealing Men’s Health article. We explore how fear, aggression, and substance abuse often mask insecurity, especially in sparring environments. Through the lens of martial arts training, stoic philosophy, and 25 years of gym leadership, we offer strategies for facing anxiety with purpose, not ego. From bullying scars to business stress, we show how energy, preparation, and authenticity can transform fear into strength. This is your guide to embracing discomfort, fostering accountability, and rejecting performative masculinity.
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by Gene Crawford | Nov 24, 2025 | Podcast
What if heaven wasn’t a peaceful escape, but a battleground for warriors? In this episode, we explore the myth of the Einherjar, Norse warriors who trained for Ragnarok in eternal preparation. But this isn’t just myth, it’s a mindset. We connect their legendary grit to modern challenges like discipline, failure, growth, and inner strength. Through repetition, not perfection, you’ll learn to train, fall, rise, and repeat. We fuse Norse myth with samurai philosophy to help you reframe struggle as sacred. Whether in fitness, business, or daily life, this episode gives you the tools to meet your personal Ragnarok with purpose.
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by Gene Crawford | Nov 17, 2025 | Podcast
Can we use AI to enhance human connection rather than replace it? In this Part 2 of our AI series episodes, Shekeese and I explore how humanist technology, rooted in ethics, education, and responsible use, can transform our relationship with AI. From the dangers of “AI slop” to the potential for real, inquiry-based interaction, we highlight why teaching students to treat AI like a tool, not a replacement, is crucial. We dig into tech company accountability, regulation, social media’s societal role, and even the environmental toll of data centers. This isn’t a tech utopia, it’s a call for wiser integration, grounded in understanding, purpose, and human values.
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by Gene Crawford | Nov 10, 2025 | Podcast
Discover the power of Ichigeki Hisatsu—“one strike, certain death”, and how this Kyokushin Karate philosophy can transform the way you live, train, and lead. Inspired by Masutatsu Oyama’s legendary discipline, from his mountain training to the 100-man kumite, this episode explores how acting with full intent and focus creates mastery in all areas of life. We unpack how practices like Tameshiwari (test breaking) build both physical power and mental resilience, offering tools to face fear, distractions, and doubt head-on. Whether in the Dojo, boardroom, or daily life, learn how to strike once, with purpose, and live with unwavering intent.
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by Gene Crawford | Nov 3, 2025 | Podcast
Technology is evolving faster than our understanding of it. In this episode, Shekeese and I dive into the creative and ethical tensions shaping today’s digital world. We examine how nonprofits, designers, and educators wrestle with AI-generated art versus original creativity, revealing why comprehension matters more than speed. Drawing parallels between AI mastery and martial-arts discipline, we argue that foundational knowledge must precede innovation. We contrast hustle-culture pressures, echoed by voices like Gary V., with the virtue of deliberate practice and media literacy. From rebranding challenges to copyright debates around music, NFTs, and AI, we explore ownership, authenticity, and regulation in a world where creativity and technology collide. This is a deep look at mastery, understanding, and responsible progress in the digital age.
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