Short Life Advice: Recent Episodes
Ronald Gibson
This podcast aims to save you days, weeks, and more likely years of sifting through oceans of information. Consider it a general direction towards the truth, knowing that we will make mistakes along the way. By learning broadly across ordinary people, books, podcasts, scientific literature, and some of the world’s greatest thinkers, we hope to create an inspirational experience instead of a polarized one.
Marcus Aurelius once said in his diary to himself, "You have power of your mind -- not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Randy and I discuss what this quote means to us, how to practice it as a philosophy, and some concerning signals in society that practice the polar opposite of this approach.
Episode #47 we changed it up a bit. Randy Gibson, Ryan Bartlett, and I discuss all the ins and outs of fertility. We've all spent many years learning about this topic, and we hope to share some light into improving fertility and what's causing 1 in 6 couples to experience infertility.
If hear anything you don't agree with or have ideas to share then we'd love to hear from you by emailing shortlifeadvice@gmail.com or if you prefer to submit anonymously please go here.
At least 1 in 6 couples have infertility issues (which means a couple goes over 1 year of being unable to conceive). The fertility rate is how many children a woman or couple has and it has been dropping significantly.
When the fertility rate is at 2.1, then we say we are at replacement rate.
The whole world is at 2.4 but it was at 5 in 1960.
Right now, the US is at 1.7. It was at 3.5 in 1958. -source
Dr. Shanna Swan on How Plastics in Food are Affecting Our Hormone and fertility AfterSkool video
Environmental Toxins and Infertility (nih.gov) -source
Dog canine fertility study
Books mentioned:
The Invisible Rainbow by Arthur Firstenberg
You Are The Placebo & Becoming Supernatural by Joe Dispenza
The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care by Sally Fallon Morell, Thomas S. Cowan
Ronnie's Fasting Speech More info on fasting here.
Ryan's Regenerative Speech: Eating Organic Is Not Enough
Toxins that the liver and kidneys cannot properly detox can sometimes be expelled through sweating. There is evidence of heavy metals, BPA, and flame retardants found in sweat. -source
The researchers discovered a link between the composition of the microbiome and people with depression. Persons who ate 30 or more different plant types a week, had microbiomes that were more diverse than those of people who ate only 10 plant types or less per week.
Coffee Enema information
Studies have linked low-level electromagnetic radiation exposure from cellphones to an 8 percent reduction in sperm motility and a 9 percent reduction in sperm viability. -source
The researchers stated that the penetration of EMR(electromagnetic radiation) is relative to head size, with smaller sizes absorbing more EMR. -source
Ryan Danley shares his incredible story how he overcame a brutal snow mobile accident that left him paralyzed in 2019, he tells us how we should always carry the mentality "Why not me?", and how a book(s) literally saved his life.
Books Shared:
As a Man Thinketh-James Allen
Man's Search For Meaning-Viktor Frankl
You Are Here & The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
Thinking and growing rich by Napoleon Hill
Bhagavad Gita
The magic of believing Claude Bristol
The Power of Your Subconscious Mind- Joseph Murphy
Host of the podcast Danley and Friends
https://open.spotify.com/show/5ivyP2vxLDxJrjcdm9HW9G?si=7FuCV6CyQ3emBQx9VADjwA&dl_branch=1
Covid Stats mentioned:
-Israel shows vaccinated are 13x as likely to be infected and 27x to have symptomatic infections compared to those previously infected -study --
-After recovery from COVID-19, 95% of the previously infected have lasting immunity after infection.” -study
-Israeli study shows those who were vaccinated were 6.72X more likely to get infected after the shot than after natural infection-link
-17 years after being infected with SARS, natural immunity protects from COVID-19 -study
-J&J's COVID-19 vaccine data demonstrated that naturally immune persons are protected at nearly 5X greater than from the vaccine.
This one is JAM PACKED with more inspiration and sales advice than his first episode on #36.
Jack discusses how powerful book reading has been in his life, his best strategies for making a cold call, and his advice for managing a BOB w/o a lot of free time for new business.
In this conversation Gerald tells us why he decided to join the Marines after two years into a promising career, living by the motto of leave it how you found it, and how powerful the book Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl was for us.
Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances—Viktor Frankl
Books:
Man's Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Tribes by Sebastian Junger
Sara Byrd(formerly Holder) and I discuss her picking up a career in modeling in her 30's while overcoming objections that it's "a waste of her time", how you don't need to be perfect to start new expeditions in life, and how finding God led her out of an abusive relationship and guided her to look inward to be her true and best self.
Books mentioned:
Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
The Bible
Article Referenced:
https://randallgibson.medium.com/a-journey-from-religion-to-atheism-to-spirituality-3dee7089ce9a
76% of those with unmedicated depression recovered without relapse, relative to 50% of those treated.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10771465/
The never-medicated group experienced a 62% improvement by six months, whereas the drug-treated patients experienced only a 33% reduction in symptoms.
https://www.madinamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Outcome%20of%20anxiety%20and%20depressive%20disorders%20in%20primary%20care.PDF
John Kratz, former Sales Program Director at University of MN Duluth and I discuss his interesting story on how got into sales and professorship, we went in depth on what makes a great salesperson, he shared an amazing story of what he caught a sales student doing in class, and why the shortest path between two people is a story.
Books mentioned:
Solution Selling by Michael Bosworth
What Great Salespeople Do by Michael Bosworth
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
Mike Bosworth Podcast referenced:
https://entrepreneursexposed.libsyn.com/25-what-great-salespeople-do-w-sales-guru-mike-bosworth
Old college peers Michael Mertens and I, discuss his 10+ years of transportation experience that led him to a managing partner of Echelon Transportation LLC, why you should get yourself a prescription of Nature, and how fear can prevent progress and to not be afraid to ask questions.
https://echelonamerica.com/
Books mentioned:
Range by David Epstein
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Daniel Carnegie
Ego Is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday
The Invisible Rainbow by Arthur Firstenberg
**If you're looking for a podcast filled with a TON of sales tips and inspiration, then this is the podcast episode for you. Austin gave us an inside look of his unconscionable start to sales(8 months in with $36K, 4 relationships, Top Caller at his company), why he treats his time as a currency, bringing his GRIT from being a starting College Football RB into his life, and how positive energy correlates with positive results!
Book suggestions: Big Money Energy: How to Rule at Work, Dominate at Life, and Make Millions by Ryan Serhant
Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins(if you haven't read this yet, what are you doing with your life?..hah)
Article mentioned by Randall Gibson, I co-wrote with about our spiritual journey:** https://randallgibson.medium.com/a-journey-from-religion-to-atheism-to-spirituality-3dee7089ce9a
Quote and Motivational video mentioned:
“It’s so easy to be great nowadays, because everyone else is weak. If you have ANY mental toughness, if you have any fraction of self-discipline; The ability to not want to do it, but still do it; If you can get through to doing things that you hate to do: on the other side is GREATNESS ” – David Goggins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SowPld32Aw8 1min 31 sec.
La'Shea and I discuss the lack of confidence in most women, grinding through low paying jobs early in her career to build career capital, and shared some of the things we have done to build a stronger relationship. She also broke out some exciting news about halfway through...
Books suggested- Atomic Habits by James Clear, Can't Hurt Me by David Goggins, Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday, Happiness by Matthiew Ricard, Be Here Now by Ram Dass
LifeBook - https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/podcast/lifestyle-podcasts/lifebook/
Marriage meeting- https://tim.blog/2019/05/23/the-tim-ferriss-show-transcripts-ramit-sethi-automating-finances-negotiating-prenups-disagreeing-with-tim-and-more-371/
Corey and I discuss why he believes seeking discomfort is so important, he then explains how to catch an alligator, and tells a story of how he turned denial of a masters program into that same one being fully paid!
Books Suggested:
Jeb Blount- Objections: The Ultimate Guide for Mastering The Art and Science of Getting Past No
Carey Patterson- Crucial Conversations
Jocko Willink- Extreme Ownership
Tyler and I talk about his journey going from an Account Rep at Coca Cola to owning multiple businesses, why he has read "How To Win Friends & Influence People" by Daniel Carnegie over 20 times, and showing us the true embodiment of the quote "What you lack in talent can be made up by giving 110% ALL THE TIME."
Todd and I discuss his early days at Schneider in the Chicago,IL STM office, the silver lining of this WFH situation, and some powerful knowledge he learned and has been able to apply to his life from a fortune cookie.
Kyle and I discussed him being a member of the Chicago Board of Trade since 2006 with 17 years as a trader, why he got into freight futures and why started a company like K-Ratio, the importance of questioning our thoughts and behaviors, and the story behind why he started his weekly freight episodes.
Book recommendation- Learning Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
Dave and I discussed his early career at Schneider starting in 1986, what he learned from the late Don Schneider, went in depth about a great MLK quote, and gave advice on why it's important to be purposeful in all avenues of your life.
Book suggested: Leadership Pipeline & Good to Great
Veen and I go in depth about where we think creative ideas and thoughts come from, importance of not getting married to our opinions/ideas, and why you should ask yourself "What do you want your story to be?".
Where do our best ideas come from? by Randy Gibson & John Vanderveen
https://medium.com/@rand4711/where-do-our-best-ideas-come-from-ca765918fc3
Books suggested: Bill Bryson-A Short History of Nearly Everything Don Norman-The Design of Everyday things
Song suggestion from Veen-> Jens Lekman - How We Met, The Long Version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9huLGwbpoiA
Article suggested about icicles: https://www.insulators.info/articles/ppl.htm
Lauren and I go into depth about active listening and applying it to sales, she talked about how being irreplaceable isn't what you should aspire to be, and how vital it is to not over think things and TAKE ACTION.
If you're looking for a motivational podcast with a TON of sales tips, then this is the podcast episode for you. Danny gave us an inside look on what drives him and how he's able to sustain high work ethic, day in and day out.
Brian and I had a great conversation on how important tempering your ego is in life and business, why to strive for humility, tips on how to resit the urge to consume social media, and gave us several podcasts and books to check out!
Lanyai and I discussed her unique journey from Sales support to Sales Operations Manager, the experience of going on vacation solo, benefits of therapy, and a TON of great book recommendations!(be ready to take notes)
24th episode I sat down with Michael Oakleaf, Senior Manager at IBM. Oakleaf, an old college friend and groomsmen at my wedding, discussed how he was able to advance early in his career very quickly, importance of finding a mentor & how to find one, and how essential it is to prioritize some downtime in your life away from work especially during this COVID lock down we are still in.
Scott Raddatz(5X Orange Jacket Winner & 8yr top seller in STM Chicago) and I discussed some of his best advice on how to navigate life as a sales associate, valuable lessons learned from his Gpa, and his favorite day at Schneider.
Bob’s first episode(#13) was one of the top 3 most played so we decided to double back! Episode #22 Bob and I discuss the difficult journey of self-development, how powerful being present with other human beings is, sales tips, how great art can influence us, and a book(You Are the Placebo by Joe Dispenza) review on the significance of being cognizant of every thought we have.
Bob's podcast- The Analysis: A Movie and TV Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-analysis-a-movie-and-tv-podcast/id1241708685
Marina Abramovic- The Art of Present Moment
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhbiVceuR0o
Awesome video of Jay-Z emulates Marina's art and will put a big smile on your face.
https://www.universal-music.de/jayz/videos/picasso-baby-a-performance-art-film-326307
Bob's first go at it on #13 Episode
https://anchor.fm/ronald-gibson/episodes/13-Episode-Bob-Pantalone-Chicago-IL--Talent-and-Development-Manager-e9mdvs
21st episode wasn't with a Schneider associate but he says he feels like one. My identical twin brother Randall Gibson and I discuss how everything is your Guru(your teacher), the importance of taking initiative, his first CD 2pac Greatest hits and his favorite song from it, and a couple of odd habits he has by consuming raw milk and "grounding" by walking barefoot.
"No need to find a Guru, everything is your Guru"
https://medium.com/@rand4711/no-need-to-find-a-guru-everything-is-your-guru-d57cc8e90ac7
"Harness your inner immigrant if you want sustained success"
https://medium.com/@rand4711/harness-your-inner-immigrant-if-you-want-sustained-success-ebf5ba48f578
5-hour Rule
https://medium.com/accelerated-intelligence/the-5-hour-rule-if-youre-not-spending-5-hours-per-week-learning-you-re-being-irresponsible-791c3f18f5e6
Raw Milk and Grass Fed Meat
https://www.allgrassfarms.com/
20th episode was a double interview with 5 year Senior Sales Associate, Ryan Bartlett, and I. We had a fantastic conversation on how we are making the most of our new life with this current COVID-19 pandemic, some great sales and prospecting tips, and the surprising health benefits of water fasting.
19th episode of the podcast I sat down with the Regional Vice President of Dallas,TX, Adrian Barbera. We talked about his days as a football coach(includes his favorite play), the importance of thinking about our mortality on a daily basis, and not letting our phones or other distractions deter us away from the present moment. Listen all the way through, because Adrian flips the script and asks me a question at the end as well.
The 18th guest of the podcast was Tyler Stacy, Regional Carrier Sales & Operations Director in Dallas,TX. We discussed his start at Schneider 7 ½+ years ago in Dallas, how the job he landed right out of college didn’t work out so he worked construction for a year instead, and how we should all learn to be comfortable with failure.
Erin Vanzeeland, Senior Vice President of Logistics, discussed her time growing up in Pennsylvania selling her Mom's artwork with her 6 siblings, starting at Schneider as a Driver Business Leader straight out of college(Penn St), her passion for always being in the learning zone and why it's such a valuable habit to incorporate into your life.
Rodney Cromwell, VP of Sales & Marketing, discussed his time growing up in Southern California, starting at Schneider in the Reno,NV office, The Cromwell 5, and his love for John Wooden's leadership philosophies.
Dave Moseley, 10 year Schneider veteran and Orange Jacket winner, sat down with me to discuss his early days in Schneider as an E2E(new associates) operations manager, the importance of consistency and not being worried about what others think, and his early concert goings at the Metro in Chicago.
The 14th guest on the podcast was Mr. Sean Howery, a Schneider veteran with almost 14 years of experience. We discussed Sean changing careers in a dynamic part of his life, early Schneider stories when STM started in Evanston,IL, and one of the best singers of all-time as his first concert!
The 13th guest on the podcast was none other than Mr. Bob Pants! We talk about his time in improv at Chicago's Second City, meeting Bryan Cranston(Actor from Breaking Bad), and how important it is to putting in hard work early and often.
The 12th guest of the podcast was Adam Magill, Regional Sales Director in Dallas,TX. We discussed his start at Schneider as the first sales class ever, his passion for reading(he gives several book suggestions), and the importance of mastering your mind to overcome fear.
7 year Senior Sales Associate & Million Dollar Seller, Josh Breit was the 10th guest of the podcast. We discussed his acting career, his fear of heights, and the importance of affirmations!
7 year Senior Sales Associate & Million Dollar Seller, Brian Begley was my 10th guest of the podcast. We discussed his jobs before Schneider selling slot machines to bars, importance of going through adversity in life, and some wisdom he got from Erin Vanzeeland!
Mike Franchetti, 11 year Senior Carrier Sales Associate, and I discuss how he developed his work ethic from his Italian roots, what it was like going through his previous employer shutting the doors unexpectedly, and how important communication and relationships are in all aspects of life.
Ted Nowak, 7 year Senior Sales(Million Dollar Club) Associate, and I discuss some of his best sales advice, what it's like to live in a family with 5 other brothers, and his continued love for legos into his adulthood.
Wayne Thackston, Senior Operations Manager & 10 year Sales Expert, and I discuss his fondness for mosh pits, slowing down in life and truly enjoying it before it passes you up, and a lot of valuable sales experience and advice.
Mark Burja, VP of Sales, and I discuss his early Schneider days, enjoying the present moment, and how battling adversity in life is the best way to inducing personal growth.
Matt Swehla, VP of Sales, and I discuss his struggles in college, early life jobs like doing dishes, and what a typical morning looks like when it comes to exercise and diet.
Ben Schuchart, VP of Operations, and I discuss the beginnings of his career starting back in August 2000. He then takes us on a journey of the beginnings of STM and how it became the enterprise it is today. Ben also discusses his first concert he ever went to, his rat tail haircut, and his love for podcasts and audible books.
Mike Berglind(Director of New Business Development) and I talk about what led him to Schneider, how he developed his daily habits, and some early adversity in college and what he learned from it.
Ronnie and Nikki discuss a handful of topics such as what small habits she developed to exercising more consistently, when she had her "ah ha" moment to getting on the path to become her best self, and some insights on parenthood.
Ronald Gibson and Jacob(JK) discuss topics ranging from his first music concert, what drives him to be his best self, and advice for other human beings out there trying to do the same!