The ProFiles Podcast

Designing the Future: Chris Flink on Creativity, Curiosity, and Innovation

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Chris Flink is an interdisciplinary creative leader who is a founding faculty member of the esteemed "d.school" at Stanford University where he currently serves as an adjunct professor. He spent 6 years as the Executive Director and CEO of the Exploratorium, San Francisco's premier museum and a global leader in STEM education. Under his guidance, the Exploratorium pioneered inquiry-based learning experiences, earning recognition as one of the "Top 10 Coolest Museums in the World." He’s also spent time in the corporate sphere with IDEO, the renowned design firm. Chris's journey is characterized by a relentless commitment to driving positive change through design and education. He is an incredible person with so many fascinating insights surrounding creativity and the role it plays in all of our futures. Regardless of who you are, this interview is a must listen. I hope you enjoy!

Quantum Leaps, AI Dreams, and Tomorrow's World: The Legendary WHURLEY

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William Hurley, AKA Whurley—pretty sweet nickname by the way—is an investor and tech entrepreneur who founded Chaotic Moon Studios, Ecliptic Capital, Honest Dollar, and Strangeworks. On top of his successful entrepreneurial ventures, Whurley is a renowned thought-leader in the tech space and a leading advocate for the convergence of AI and quantum computing. Just a short story to illustrate his commitment to innovation: During his widely attended South by Southwest speech on quantum and AI in 2023 he went through an entire speech and then shocked the audience by revealing that the entire thing was fully generated by AI. I had a phenomenal time interviewing WHURLEY. He is a truly remarkable character whose intelligence shines through right from the get go. He has had a phenomenal career and continues to be a trailblazer motivated to change the world for generations to come. I hope you enjoy this wonderful interview!

The Art of Building a Nine-Figure Business: Brice Englert, Founder and CEO at Trade Pending

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Today I’m so lucky to introduce a decent golfer and an incredible human, Brice Englert. He is the Founder and CEO of Trade Pending—a company that simplifies the automotive buying process—that boasts an employee count of >150 and that generates an estimated annual revenue of $40 Million. Brice went to Vanderbilt University for his undergrad, served in the US Air Force, then moved into various positions in the business world before founding his company in 2015. You may notice Brice’s voice is strikingly similar to Ted Lasso, and I can assure you that he looks the part as well! Anyways I really hope you enjoy this conversation with the super knowledgable Brice Englert!

The Winning Edge: Dr. Christopher Winter on Sleep, Sports, and Success

Dr. Christopher Winter, a prominent figure in sleep medicine based in Charlottesville, has led the field since 1993. Renowned for best-selling books like "The Sleep Solution," he hosts popular podcasts and pioneers groundbreaking research on sleep and athletic performance. Dr. Winter's expertise extends to consulting with major sports teams, including MLB and NBA, and serving as the sleep specialist for the U.S. Women's soccer team. Beyond sports, he is a sought-after speaker for companies, stressing the significance of sleep. With board certifications in sleep medicine and neurology, Dr. Winter is a distinguished scholar dedicated to advancing our understanding of how sleep impacts health and performance.

Creating a Culture of Innovation, Building the Best You, and Fighting for Change: Joseph Kopser

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Joseph Kopser is a serial entrepreneur, innovation consultant & strategist on the Future of Work, and a military veteran. Joseph went to West Point, graciously served in the Army, and then earned his Masters of Public Administration at Harvard. He also co-founded RideScout, which was acquired by Mercedes Benz in 2014, and now sits on the boards at some of the most powerful companies in the country. His campaign for Congress also managed to receive more votes than any Democrat running for Congress in a midterm election in the history of Texas politics. He’s an incredible man with an incredible story, and I hope you enjoy.
Here’s a brief overview about what we touch on:
What makes large companies fail
Defining leadership
Setting the example
Top takeaways from his time in the Army
The importance of Learning
And much, much more

The Legendary Ricky Williams: Heisman Heights to Entrepreneurial Insights

Today, I welcome the legendary Ricky Williams, former NFL running back, and Heisman Trophy winner, to the ProFiles Podcast. Ricky's remarkable career not only showcased his exceptional talent on the football field but also highlighted his unique journey both within and beyond the game. Drafted 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints, Ricky spent 11 years in the NFL while leading the league in rushing in 2002, earning him first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection. From his standout college years at the University of Texas to making waves in the NFL, Ricky's story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and a passion for breaking barriers. Tune in as we delve into the life and experiences of this iconic athlete, gaining insights into his multifaceted journey and the lessons learned along the way.
Wisdom from Ricky’s time playing football.
Navigating life after the Heisman Trophy.
Valuable advice to his former self.
Exploring life as an entrepreneur post-NFL.
The pivotal role of cannabis in Ricky's life.
Life's journey after the NFL spotlight dims.

From SEAL Platoon to Boardroom: Insights from Logan Gonzales’ Incredible Journey

In today's episode, we have the privilege of introducing an extraordinary individual, Logan Gonzales. Logan started his career at the University of Texas at Austin running for the Track and Field, becoming an All-American and 8-time All-Big 12 Conference selection. Following his collegiate achievements, Logan embarked on a remarkable journey as a Navy SEAL, serving in three platoons and dedicating eight years to defending, protecting, and instructing. Towards the end of his service he pursued higher education, earning an MBA from the USC’s Marshall School of Business. Since then, Logan has transitioned into the tech industry, bringing his leadership and problem-solving skills to Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Senior Customer Solutions Manager.

Wisdom Wrap-Up: An Anti-Highlight Reel Mindset

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Hello and welcome back to The Profiles Podcast. Today on the Wisdom Wrap-Up series we will be discussing my article "An Anti-Highlight-Reel Mindset," in which I make a strong argument for the necessity of the fundamentals. The Wisdom Wrap-Up Series is part of my effort to produce short, easily accessible, and engaging content to help empower the next generation in our rapidly changing world. I hope you enjoy!

Shedding 100 Pounds and Building a $419 Million Health Foods Empire: Mike Fata

Mike Fata is a seasoned entrepreneur and health advocate whose journey began with a pivotal decision to prioritize his well-being. Facing the challenges of weighing 300 pounds and lacking the energy for a fulfilling future, he lost 100 pounds and co-founded Manitoba Harvest Hemp Foods in 1998. Over the next 25 years, Mike dedicated his life to studying natural health and entrepreneurship, going on to build a $100M business and sell it for $419M. Currently he wears the hats of best-selling author, keynote speaker, and host of the Founder to Mentor podcast. His influence extends further as an investor and advisor to a diverse portfolio of companies, showcasing his commitment to fostering positive change in the business world.

Wisdom Wrap Up: The Active Pursuit of Doing Nothing

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Thank you for joining another episode of The ProFiles Podcast! Today's edition takes a unique turn from the usual format. 
In a world dominated by the attention economy, where external pressures and social media dictate our actions, we often believe that packing our lives with constant activity is the key to fulfillment. However, I challenge this assumption. In this episode, I share my reflections on this prevalent mindset, drawing from academic literature that supports my perspective.
Tune in as I explore the concept of the active pursuit of doing nothing and its implications for our lives. I've crafted a short piece that I hope sparks contemplation about where you direct your attention and, ultimately, how you live your life. Let's embark on this journey of introspection together!
Works Cited
Roberts, J. (n.d.). The Power of Patience - Harvard University. Harvard Magazine. https://projects.iq.harvard.edu/files/whenartmakesmusic/files/2_roberts_harvard_art_historian_jennifer_roberts_teaches_the_value_of_immersive_attention_harvard_magazine.pdf
Samarrai, F. (2021, June 16). Doing something is better than doing nothing for most people, study shows. UVA Today. https://news.virginia.edu/content/doing-something-better-doing-nothing-most-people-study-shows
Schiller, J. (2022, December 7). Average human attention span by age: 31 statistics. The Treetop ABA Therapy. https://www.thetreetop.com/statistics/average-human-attention-span