GRIT GROWTH Podcast

I'm sure you've been hearing tons of buzz about A.I., and if you're anything like me it might seem a little scary... It sounds an awful lot like Skynet is coming for us... However, irrational fears aside, it is a HUGE technological breakthrough and is becoming increasingly accessible to the general public every day. My prediction is that in just a few short years it will be an integral part of doing business just like email on your smartphone. So why not start learning while it's still in its infancy? Here is a quick and oversimplified step-by-step guide to evaluating A.I. for your business. Investing a few hours into it now could save you days later on.

This one will really hit home for some of you! I know it does for me. This episode is all about addressing a problem that plagued me for years, that I struggled to figure out myself, and that I still struggle with today!

Robert is the founder and owner of Perpetual Aim, a consulting firm that specializes in helping executives in construction 3-4x their focus & organization (within 12 weeks) by mastering a non-stressful task management system without adding more to their plate.

He introduces us to his time management framework which consists of three pillars:

1. Clarity
2. Responsibility
3. Support

Contact Robert:

• www.linkedin.com/in/robert-barlow-a55b6a132/

Join the Movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• www.flowcode.com/page/gritgrowth

Our first-ever repeat guest, Andy Farina, returns to the show (although this one was recorded earlier than the one that already aired) to discuss the IMMENSE struggle he has overcome. You are not going to want to miss this one!

www.GritGrowth.org

www.flowcode.com/page/gritgrowth

www.linktr.ee/captaincarsen

Our Story begins with one thing. Heart.

Blood Origins represents the HEART of many. They tell authentic stories focusing on the symbiotic relationship between hunters and nature. A platform that isn't about “self”, but about ensuring future generations enjoy the same beauty, adventure, and wonderment of our wild.

BLOOD ORIGINS IS A GLOBAL NONPROFIT WHOSE MISSION IS TO CONVEY THE TRUTH ABOUT HUNTING AND PROMOTE CONSERVATION EFFORTS.  WE DO THIS BY CREATING CONTENT AND SHARING STORIES THAT CONVEY THE IMPACT THAT HUNTING HAS ON PEOPLE, WILDLIFE, AND COMMUNITIES. Hunting (legally) requires GRIT. It is also an excellent opportunity to teach GRIT to our family and friends. Unfortunately, it is commonly misunderstood, and like with anything/everything, one rotten apple will spoil the whole bunch.

Please join us to learn more about the hunting industry's many positive aspects, including but not limited to building GRIT, conservation, research, tourism, employment opportunities, philanthropy, and more.

Find out more about BLOOD ORIGINS:

• www.bloodorigins.org
• www.youtube.com/@BloodOrigins

Join the Movement

• www.GritGrowth.org
• www.youtube.com/@gritgrowth
• www.flowcode.com/page/gritgrowth
• www.linktr.ee/captaincarsen

What is this movement that's taking the podcast platforms by storm? And more importantly, what can it do for you?

This week we are taking a short break from our interviews to provide an updated explanation of GRIT GROWTH, the origins of the movement, and the research behind it.

Show Highlights:

• Connotations around GRIT
• Connotations around the Millennial Workforce
• The 4 Virtues of GRIT (in-depth explanation)
• Why GRIT matters
• Where GRIT comes from
• The PURPOSE process
• The Dunning-Kruger Effect (human psychology natural phenomenon) and how it relates to building GRIT
• The 6 F's of Fulfillment & the Conquer Quadrants of Life

Join the Movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• www.flow.page/gritgrowth

Have you ever dreamed of packing up and leaving your home to pursue a new life? What's held you back from pursuing your dreams?

Or maybe you've packed up and left but are now homesick, curious about returning, but unsure what to do. Where can you be happier? Do you trust your gut or your head? Your emotions or your thoughts?

Our guest today is no stranger to this turmoil, and you can glean from his experience as he lived it, TWICE! Please welcome Greg Bradley, President of the G. Bradley Insurance Agency, which operates two Allstate agencies in Gainesville, FL. 

Prior to insurance, Greg spent 20+ years in management consulting and finance. He held positions at Hewlett Packard, Deloitte Consulting, The Coca-Cola Company, and North Highland, becoming a Vice President and Global Head of the Transformation consulting practice at North Highland. 
He earned his BS in accounting from Florida A&M University and an MBA from the University of Virginia (Darden). He is an alumnus of both Leadership Gainesville and Leadership Atlanta and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor of Risk Management and as a Foundation Board member at Santa Fe College. 

Greg is also the Founder of Mirror Image Leadership Academy, a leadership development experience for young black males. 
Show Highlights:

• Making tough decisions
• Reaching the top of the ladder and realizing something is missing
• Non-linear career path
• Providing in your prime
• The role of faith in following your gut
• Overcoming African American Challenges, being undeterred
• Learning through emersion
• The value of coaching/mentoring
• The true purpose of a college education
• Purpose and fulfillment
• Sharing your gifts and life experiences with others

Contact Greg:

• https://agents.allstate.com/g-bradley-insurance-agency-gainesville-fl.html?utm_source=GMB&utm_medium=Website
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-bradley-10278/

Join the Movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://www.flow.page/gritgrowth
• https://linktr.ee/captaincarsen

Eric Anderton has over two decades of career and entrepreneurial business experience, alongside 25 years of public speaking, small group facilitation, and one-on-one mentoring.

He is a trusted leadership advisor, executive mentor, and expert meeting facilitator for construction companies ranging in revenue from $10 million to $1 billion.

Since 2004 he has helped his clients increase profitability by clarifying their business purpose, building strategic plans, developing their best people, systematically innovating through obstacles, and executing their most important priorities.

Show Highlights:

• People problems and how to handle them
• Developing people, elevating them to their next level
• The 3 components of successful sales: KTL
• Differentiating between strategic improvements and just getting bored and complacent
• Tactically taking testimonials
• Your duty to your business - eliminate toxicity
• The definition of kindness
• Niching down
• Leveraging your personal brand
• Low overhead - stay humble

Connect with Eric:

• https://www.constructiongenius.com/
• https://www.amazon.com/Construction-Genius-Effective-Hands-Leadership-ebook/dp/B0BGYQBB2C/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/andertoneric/

Join the Movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://www.flowcode.com/page/gritgrowth

Nobody has it all figured out, especially when starting something new or scary. So what makes some people take the leap of faith while others are left wondering what could have been?... Mission? Vision? Passion? Purpose? Piss & vinegar? All these play a different role in every remarkable journey because no 2 journeys are the same. The best thing to do is to glean tactics from other people's journeys to apply to your own, and luckily for you, we have another remarkable journey to share with you today.

Chad Paris is the Co-founder & CEO of Parisleaf, a marketing agency specializing in non-profit fundraising.

"We believe money is mission fuel in the right hands and we aim to be the right hand to the right hands. We’re the brand and digital partner that helps nonprofits fund progress through branding their fundraising campaigns. Because: Money + Mission = Progress."

Show Highlights:

• Graduating college and entering the workforce during the great recession
• Bad employee traits that translate to good employer traits
• Listening to your gut and taking the leap of faith
• The power of good mentoring
• Sacrifice now for your future
• Your spouse as a business partner
• Servant leadership
• Overcoming addiction and the unique perspective it provides
• Defining your success

Contact Chad:

• https://parisleaf.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/parisleaf/
• https://www.instagram.com/parisleaf_team/?hl=en

Join the Movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://www.flow.page/gritgrowth

Greetings GRITTY people, thanks for joining us on another episode, and we have a great one for you today. Introducing Joe Hughes of Contractor Dynamics. He was a speaker at the 2022 ContractorCon event and I got tons of value from his presentation, but I had to pay for that ticket... You are getting it for FREE! Contractor Dynamics is a consulting firm that helps contractors create/build their own marketing efforts. Joe shares his own personal entrepreneurial journey as well as some powerful tactics that Contractor Dynamics teaches contractors all over the country.

Show highlights:

• disobeying the mafia in New York City and living to tell about it
• the most nerve-wracking conversations you'll ever have
• finding the VALOR to pursue your passion
• pivotal age for building a GRIT foundation
• the power of testimonials
• brand building
• the digitization of your reputation
• and more!

Contact Joe:

• https://www.contractordynamics.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephwhughes/

Join the Movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• linktree.com/CaptainCarsen

You are capable of SO MUCH MORE than you think.

Our special guest this week is someone I have personally benefited from knowing, I sincerely admire, and a true paradigm of GRIT. Please welcome Andy Farina of Fearless Health. The former engineer turned personal trainer and life coach knows a thing or two about personal transformation. He showcases MASSIVE GRIT every day with what he has overcome and how he continues to charge ahead. In this episode, we focus on Andy's entrepreneurial history. Still, he has even more to offer and we can't wait to have him back for another episode to dive deeper into the personal aspects.

Show highlights:

• People engineering
• Leadership vs. Management
• Monetizing your passion
• Pivoting for passion without burning bridges
• Life gets better but NOT easier
• Leadership styles (appropriate time and place)
• Focusing on foundational values
• How to finish life well

Contact Andy:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarina/
• https://www.facebook.com/FearlessHealthCoaching/

Join the GRIT GROWTH movement:

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://linktr.ee/captaincarsen

IMPACT > INCOME 

We are proud to introduce our next podcast guest, Joe Walker of Walker Architects. Joe and his team have designed countless buildings and landmarks in Gainesville and around Alachua County. Please join us as he humbly describes his journey and graciously shares the lessons learned along the way. 

Show highlights: 

• personal growth during the passion, purpose, and enlightenment phases
• starting a company from NOTHING and sacrificing to keep it going
• impact on people is the root of what drives the team
• company culture
• client experience
• and much more! 

Contact Joe / Walker Architects: 

• https://walker-arch.com/
• https://www.instagram.com/walker_architects_/

Join the Movement: 

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://linktr.ee/captaincarsen

Everyone wants to succeed and achieve great things, but why do some make it while others fail, and others never even start? 

We are honored to introduce our guest and friend, President/CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce, Eric Godet. 

Show highlights include: 

• The non-linear career path that led him to where he is
• Capitalizing on opportunities 
• The price that must be paid for success 
• Starting and selling companies 
• Introducing our friends at Mirror Image Academy and the incredible impact they are making
• The secret success formula that's not so secret
• And much more

Contact Eric: 

• https://gainesvillechamber.com/

Join The Movement: 

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://linktr.ee/captaincarsen

ANYBODY CAN DO ANYTHING. 

What do you think when you read that? 

"How can that be? Easy for you to say. It's too good to be true. But what about "hurdle A" or "obstacle B"? I don't know how to get started on the right path." 

But what if you could see the proof? What if there were countless examples of people who couldn't believe it either, but ultimately overcame hurdle A and obstacle B? How did they do it, you might ask, and how did they get started? Something or someone set them on the right path. And for a lot of people, our guest Preston Wilson was that someone. 

He has used his experience as a collegiate track and field athlete performing at the highest levels to develop coaching programs and e-books that lay out the path before you. All you have to do is follow it and stay on it to start seeing the results you've been dreaming of, guaranteed. He specializes in athleticism, but he also illustrates how the same principles can be applied in all facets of life. 

Show highlights: 

• Ups and downs of college athletics
• The importance of a great mentor
• Digging yourself out of a rut
• Confidence hack for when trying something new or difficult 
• Lifelong learning 

Contact: 

• https://www.acdafitness.com/ 
• https://www.youtube.com/@acdafitness
• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2044202

Join the movement: 

• https://www.GritGrowth.org
• https://www.youtube.com/@GritGrowth
• https://linktr.ee/captaincarsen

This week's show is packed full of tenacity tactics! I'm honored to introduce James Smith, two-time BCS National Champion, former Cincinnati Bengals player, husband & father, and now insurance aficionado. He was kind enough to take us through his journey, share his successes, and impart some of the lessons he learned along the way. 

Show highlights: 

• Student-athlete "walk-on" mentality
• The positive impact of youth sports 
• Turning nothing into something
• Finding your uniqueness 
• Trial & error 
• Calling an audible - going to plan B (or sometimes plan C and beyond)
• The virtue of being vulnerable 

Find out more or contact James: 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslsmithiii/
• https://mcgriffwilliams.com/

Join the movement: 

• www.GritGrowth.org
• https://linktr.ee/captaincarsen

What is the life that you dream of? Can you envision it? Or, who do you admire and wish you could do what they are doing? Paint that picture in your mind. Lastly, what is holding you back from achieving your dreams? I mean actually make a list. Chances are it will surprise you. You won't need much paper and you may be able to count your list of obstacles on one hand. Many people "make it" even when they start from humble beginnings, as long as they are pursuing their true PURPOSE, which keeps them driving forward. Our interview today is no exception. 

John Eagle Jr. AKA "The Green Ranger" is an all-around complete package when it comes to movie-making. He is an award-winning writer, director, videographer, producer, editor, and agent for feature films, short films, and music videos. 

Links to discover just some of John's work: 

• https://www.facebook.com/dreamscarfilms
• https://www.instagram.com/masonmarvel86/
• https://www.youtube.com/@Eightysixstudios
• https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/undercover-consequences/497dbfd8-77b9-3bd0-890a-1a28c754eea2
• https://tubitv.com/movies/590129/undercover-consequences?start=true

Episode highlights: 

• building a foundation of transferrable skills
• starting from scratch
• being self-taught
• importance of relationships 
• setting yourself apart from your competition (finding what makes you unique and monetizing it)
• continuous improvement and charging ahead

What's the difference between "good" and "GREAT"? Why do some just exist while others DOMINATE? Well I'll tell you, spoiler alert, GRIT is a huge factor. But if you really want to know how it factors in and what other components also contribute to greatness, then you are in luck because our special guest gets into that and more in this action-packed interview. 

In this episode we welcome Beau Beery to the show. Beau is a commercial realtor, realty advisor, author, keynote speaker, and EXPERT in Multi-Family assets. He provides clients and the public with an unrivaled amount of information and resources on the subject, thereby providing tremendous value before a transaction is ever made and even before a client relationship is established. Here are some of those value-adding resources: 

• https://beaubeery.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/beauknowsmultifamily
• https://www.amazon.com/Multifamily-Investors-Who-Dominate-Transact/dp/1735833908 

Show highlights include: 

• shifting from chasing one "dream job" to another
• how to set yourself apart in a saturated market
• sharing GRIT and other core values with your children
• deducing the amount of educational TikTok time and/or other tasks you can complete while using the restroom extrapolated over time

After any interaction do you ever stop and think to yourself "Did I make the most out of that situation"? Or when given a difficult choice, do you choose to filter and control your emotions to make a positive impact, or do you let your emotions take charge? 

If you're like me, you know you could do better. Whether its at work, at home, or a random encounter with a stranger, every encounter is potentially meaningful. And to say that the cumulative effect of the countless encounters throughout your life is profound, would be an understatement. 

When the interactions are less than ideal, do you take the time to review your actions and try to improve? What went wrong? For me, sometimes it can feel like a personal attack, or like I have something to prove, or maybe just the wrath of a bad day on an undeserving victim. Whatever the case may be, it takes great VIGILANCE to look for the root of these actions from within, check the ego, and make amends when necessary. 

Once you gain that self-awareness and understand where your emotions and actions are coming from, then you can lead by example. Not everyone has the VALOR to be vulnerable, but it can be learned with practice, and that vulnerability translates to being relatable, which maximizes positive impact. 

This is just one of the several thought-provoking topics we discuss with good friend and mentor Erik Anderson, Vice President and Visionary, of McLeod General Trades and Division 10 Distributors. 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-anderson-13274344/

https://mcleodgeneraltrades.com/

Show highlights (including but not limited to):

- No neutral encounters

- The meaning and impact of YOUR story

- One word resolutions 

- Company vs. personal core values

Do you consider yourself cautious or confident? Have you considered whether these are a dichotomy or can they actually coexist harmoniously in your headspace? How much caution is too much, therefore holding you back? Where is the line between confidence and ego, and how can you keep yours in check? Kathey Porter offers us insights into how these factors attributed to her dynamic career. Show highlights:  

• non-linear career path 
• transferable skills 
• self-doubt to self-confidence. 

Kathey is an entrepreneur, author, and diversity inclusion consultant with a passion for helping minority small business owners. 

www.porterbrownassociates.com 

50 Billion Dollar Boss

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017J5HBCI?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ts_NTNBYX97W02MAJHXX68H 

Supplier Diversity for Dummies

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZNWCR2Q?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ts_6FQ4C15WVRSSS37MSJQ8 

Implementing Supplier Diversity: Driver of Entrepreneurship 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FZYPXJ1?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ts_5HBS79XG2R5AMS2GXFWW

What if I told you success was just a few small daily habit changes away?  

Rick opens up about his trials and successes in the medical devices industry and reveals the critical elements required of him to triumph. Business or entrepreneurial success can seem complex and out of reach, but as you will hear, it is often the simplest of principles, when duplicated daily, that makes all the difference. Take Rick's advice and you are guaranteed to Build Yourself Better.  How you do anything is how you do everything. 

CEO of The InterMed Group: https://intermed1.com/  

Founder of Tyler's Hope for a Dystonia Cure: http://www.tylershope.org/  

Please subscribe, leave a rating/review, and share with friends and family, as it goes a long way in helping us with our mission to Build GRIT in People.   

Thanks for tuning in. Now gather your GRIT, and let's Get After It!

I am excited to introduce another paradigm of GRIT, Jordan Marlowe. He is a farmer and high school teacher, and as if those 2 aren't GRITTY enough, he is also the Mayor of our "small town, USA". But more than any of those, he is a community leader. He is not afraid to approach touchy subjects, tackle them head-on, and find a way to do it that ultimately unites people instead of dividing them. He embodies GRIT and accountability, and I can't wait to share the conversation with you. Now gather your GRIT and let's Get After It! 

In this episode, Matt and I introduce our approach to the podcast's first season. We touch on the powerful lineup of guests we have been interviewing and offer a few teasers of the stories, insights, and strategies we are so excited to share. There may be a slight delay here before episode 4 is unveiled due to the delay in going live on Apple Podcasts, but then we will be off to the races with a new episode every week. Thanks for joining us. Now gather your GRIT, and let's GET AFTER IT. 

During this pilot episode, Matt interviews me as we dive deep into the origin of the GRIT GROWTH Podcast and the movement. I explain the 4 Virtues of GRIT and the 4 Conquer Quadrants of life. We discuss everything from childhood, marriage, careers, fitness, and my vision which have all culminated into this effort you see before you. I sincerely hope you will join us on this journey to Build GRIT in People and Restore American GRIT to its Former Glory. Now gather your GRIT and let's GET AFTER IT.