by Gene Crawford | Aug 11, 2025 | Podcast
Aaron and I explore Elon Musk’s controversial productivity methods, cutting meetings, ditching jargon, and challenging workplace hierarchies, alongside the importance of structure and respect. Shifting to martial arts, we unpack the controversy of Moneyberg’s rapid black belt and contrast it with Helena Crevar’s inspiring rise under John Danaher. Featuring insights from Secret Service veteran Scott Bryson, we share self-defense strategies, mindset tools, and training frameworks that build real-world awareness. This episode delivers hard-hitting lessons on leadership, integrity, and personal growth, on and off the mat.
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by Gene Crawford | Feb 3, 2025 | Podcast
Unlock the secrets of mastering your mindset in this episode, where ancient wisdom meets modern challenges. We explore how traditional martial arts and stoic philosophy, with insights from masters like Masakai Ikemiyagi and Ryan Holiday, foster resilience and growth. Reflecting on Seneca’s teachings, we highlight the value of time, relationships, and intentional communication while sharing strategies to overcome fear and procrastination. Through personal anecdotes and listener stories, we discuss overcoming addiction, embracing spirituality, and building meaningful connections. With a critical look at online life advice, this episode offers reflection, practical tips, and inspiration to fuel your journey toward fulfillment.
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by Gene Crawford | Jan 13, 2025 | Podcast
Join Greg and I as we discuss the intertwined journey of life, business, and personal growth. We share lessons learned about taking responsibility for our choices, focusing on what we can control, and maintaining emotional balance—especially in challenging client interactions. Reflecting on early setbacks, we discuss the value of time as a finite resource, the importance of aligning work with personal values, and setting boundaries around less fulfilling commitments. Through stories of resilience, consistency, and integrity, we highlight the parallels between martial arts, entrepreneurship, and life, encouraging growth through presence, reflection, and intentional action.
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by Gene Crawford | Oct 7, 2024 | Podcast
Join us as we explore micromanagement in leadership, examining its causes, effects, and how to handle it. We question whether micromanaging stems from a need for control, sharing personal stories that show how anxiety over performance and pressure from higher management can contribute. We discuss its negative impact on creativity and respect, with examples from project management where excessive oversight hurt productivity. Through relatable scenarios like home remodeling,
we reflect on leadership, trust, and lessons from Jocko Willink’s Echelon Front, debating if trust must be earned from micromanaging leaders. We also consider the practicality of decentralized leadership and the responsibility to not enable micromanagement, challenging the idea of overcompensating for a controlling boss. The episode highlights the importance of communication, accountability, and trust, with personal stories emphasizing the benefits of autonomy and a trusting boss. We end with a humorous call for micromanagers to trust their teams—maybe even try a karate class to let go of control—and offer insights on improving leadership to create more respectful, effective work environments.
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by Gene Crawford | May 6, 2024 | Podcast
Are you ready to transform your days into a springboard for success all year long? Our latest podcast episode uncovers morning rituals that can boost productivity and self-improvement. We discuss a daily framework that begins with asking, “What good shall I do today?” and delve into a structured schedule that balances work, planning, and personal growth. Our conversation explores timeless wisdom, focusing on the importance of intentionality and how it can set the tone for a fulfilling day. We also examine a set of guiding virtues that promote continuous self-improvement and reflection.
To bridge the gap between traditional and modern approaches, we turn to contemporary thinkers like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Ryan Holiday, who offer insights into building a growth mindset and the power of community support. Our podcast discusses the role of positivity and ethical decision-making, emphasizing the importance of seeing the positive in challenges and maintaining a moral compass. We conclude with practical takeaways, encouraging listeners to begin each day with purpose and to structure their routines for success. Tune in to learn how to apply these practices to create mornings that lead to a life of excellence.
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