Learning To Bet On Yourself: Recent Episodes
Nick Jenkins
Here we go my friends! I’m finally taking my shot in the podcast world, and I am so excited for the opportunity to have some time with you all as I talk about what the concept of “Learning To Bet On Yourself” means to me. I can’t wait to share stories from both my personal and my professional experiences that helped me take control of the comfortable, but unfulfilled life I was living in my mid-20s to become smarter, sharper, and stronger, and become the human that I always envisioned myself being. I didn’t arrive here on my own, and there are folks from all around the country and all walks of life whose shoulders I stand on, and you’ll get to hear their stories, too. I wish for this platform to be a resource for reminding you to reflect on YOUR unique talent and capabilities that set YOU apart from the other 7.7 billion people on the planet. I hope that these stories and anecdotes empower you to tap into what YOU know you can produce and make happen for yourself and your people, even despite the noise and the negativity we know are out there. Nothing in my life has come without hard work and the support of my people. I hope to pay that back through this podcast and continue to champion the idea that the life and dreams you envision can be within your reach. Once you learn to bet on yourself, anything is possible.
Friends, 29 episodes and >1,600 downloads later, I present to you for your listening pleasure, the last episode of “The Conversation Network”, at least for a little while. Life is happening for all of us, and the time has come to take a break for a bit. We still have some fun this week, as there’s a few “Ask Me Anything” questions in there to keep you entertained (i.e., famous people dinner guests, books on an island, REGRETS), followed by my final thoughts of love and gratitude.
This project, this journey, this validation could not have been possible without all of you, and I will never be able to say “Thank You” enough. I hope to come back soon, maybe with a fresher format or new concept, but until then “It’s not goodbye, it’s see ya later!”
It’s “Ask Me Anything” week on “The Conversation Network”! Thank you to everyone who submitted their questions on social media and via text, trust I got way more than I bargained for! These are always so much fun and interesting to read from other people way cooler and more interesting than me. I’m hoping that by jumping on the bandwagon and dipping my toes in the water here, I can get the 73 Questions guy from Vogue to make a pitstop in the Midwest and help me become YouTube famous, at the minimum.
Here's a sneak peek of what you’ll hear: What’s my skincare routine? Who are my favorite workout partners at the gym? What motivates me? What’s the best date I’ve ever been on? Backstreet or *NSYNC? And most importantly, HOW DID I GET SUCH BIG CALVES? I hope you enjoy this episode and thank you for allowing me to share! Another opportunity will be coming again if you missed this one.
This week on “The Conversation Network”, I caught up with two very special friends of mine, Wyatt and Julie Williams. Wyatt and Julie share with us their story about how they built Auburn Acres Farm, an agricultural business right in their backyard from the ground up since their separation from the military almost seven years ago. We talk about chickens, turkeys, and an elderly goat named Homer who we have plans to make Insta-famous, and Mentor Bob who continues to help them navigate the ever-changing industry of farming and agriculture.
It truly was such a heartwarming conversation about how Wyatt and Julie are building their own legacy and brand to pass to their children, and how their children are already on their own paths to entrepreneurship. BONUS: Julie and I have been in the Shonda Thursday fan club as evidenced by our years of endless text threads about Meredith Grey, Olivia Pope, and the upcoming Bridgerton spin-off, Queen Charlotte (much to Wyatt’s annoyance). Hear our ideas for how we think Grey’s Anatomy could and probably should end!
This week on “The Conversation Network”, it’s “The One Where I Pay Tribute To Friends!” Despite being late to the party with the show as I usually am, I’m excited to pay homage and share why this show is so important to my family and me and talk about some of my “favorites” of the series.
I’ll share what my favorite episodes of the series are, who my favorite guest stars are, who my favorite Friend is, and my fantasy casting selections if I was in charge of rebooting the show, since ya know, that’s the thing to do these days. So, grab your coffee, your bedtime penguin pal Hugsy, throw on your leather pants if you own a pair, and let’s have some fun!
This week on “The Conversation Network”, I caught up with someone who I’ve been so excited to bring on the pod, the fabulous and talented Auntie Traci. We both served together when I was stationed at Travis, and she’s been serving big Auntie energy from the moment that I met her. Auntie shares with us her own experiences navigating the post-military life following her retirement in the midst of Covid back in 2020, and how that led her to some really exciting opportunities to build new relationships using her talents and skills (can we say Stage Boss???). It wouldn’t be a convo with Auntie without dish on some reality TV, so you’ll hear us debrief on season 3 of Love Is Blind and some other pop culture happenings!
SIDEBAR: Zoom was NOT kind to us this session, and unfortunately, we lost some audio of our conversation due to connectivity and tech issues. Nevertheless, what I was able to save is still a very special conversation, so please tune in!
My friends, it’s the season 3 premiere week of one of my favorite shows, Ted Lasso, and we are celebrating its return this week on “The Conversation Network”! I have been waiting very anxiously since binge watching both seasons over Christmas break in 2021 for this show to return, and TODAY it finally has! This show is known for its witty one-liners, and in celebration of the hilarious dialogue compliments of Coach Lasso and the AFC Richmond football club, that drives our theme for this week. I take some of my favorite quotes from the show and integrate stories from my own life about my difficult journey with finances and learning how to be better about making snap judgements. Friends, this show is very special, and I found great comfort in re-watching it to help write this episode this week. I hope I scored a goal with this one, and that you enjoy!
71 “Ted Lasso” Lines That Might Make You Laugh, Cry, or Do Both Simultaneously: https://www.buzzfeed.com/evelinamedina/ted-lasso-best-quotes-jokes
Hello to all the wonderful listeners out there, and welcome back to “The Conversation Network”. On this week’s episode, I chat with my beautiful friend from Colorado, Angela Keith. Angela has been a licensed attorney since 2016 after passing the Uniform Bar Exam on her first try, and is now working as a Corporate Lawyer for an eCommerce software company. Even though she and I have been close friends for years now, I realized I don’t know much about her journey to becoming a lawyer, and wanted to take this unique opportunity to learn more about that part of her life.
We have a fantastic conversation about her experiences in law school and her journey to where she is now, and of course I couldn’t let her go without asking about the realities of Hollywood’s depiction of the legal industry in shows like Legally Blonde and Suits. We have an honest conversation about some sensitive topics, particularly what she would change about the legal system if she could, and who her legal heroes are. You even get to hear our delightful, backhanded banter which is a big part of our friendship!
This week on “The Conversation Network”, in my continuing excitement of my favorite movie from 2022, Top Gun: Maverick, I do a deep dive into an article I found written by Simon Lovell called “Want To Be Leader Like Tom Cruise? 4 Supersonic Leadership Lessons from Top Gun: Maverick”. The article listed four themes from the film that encompassed ideas and thoughts about how to lead teams towards success while finding a balance between work and play, letting go of the past, and discovering the impossible when you in the words of Mav himself “Don’t think, just do!”
I step out of the box a bit and give my perspectives on the article not from a leadership angle, but more from a navigating life in general viewpoint. This one’s kind of deep folks, but I’m excited for you to hear it. I share some raw and honest thoughts about my time in the military (particularly my separation) and how I’m still on the journey of finding out what’s possible in my life through learning new skills and trusting what my capabilities are. This conversation was somewhat therapeutic for me, and I’m glad to continue having this platform to share my thoughts with you.
Article Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/want-to-be-a-leader-like-tom-cruise-4-supersonic/429134
Yo wonderful people, it’s a party on the podcast this week, because we’ve got not one, not two, but THREE fantastic guests for you on this week’s episode of “The Conversation Network”. I’m so excited to introduce you to some of the folks who have been helping me get back into shape since my move back to Missouri, the coaching staff from F45 South Springfield!
Chloe, Ben, and Lori are such a diverse group of trainers with extensive education and backgrounds in fitness, from personal training to collegiate athletics to physical therapy. These folks have all been fantastic motivators for me and encouraging me to challenge myself and helped me rediscover parts of fitness that I had given up on altogether. It was really a great opportunity to chat with them when they’re not kickin’ my butt with burpees and pull-ups!
Y’all, this was such a fun conversation, and I had a great time recording with these folks. I’m excited for them to share their goodness, and I hope they can inspire you the same way they have inspired me.
This week on “The Conversation Network”, I’m joined by an old buddy of mine from my active-duty days, Adam Overbay. The last time I saw this fella was at my farewell ceremony when I left California in 2017. He’s such a great conversationalist that we pick right back up where we left off when we were just a couple of young Staff Sergeants. We share an appreciation for the opportunity the military gave us to hear all the unique stories and journeys of others, and how that helps up break down our biases and preconceptions. Best part: you’ll hear what our AOL screennames were from the early 2000s (mine is cringy).! A true honor to have a bonus brother from back in the day on the pod with me, and I hope you enjoy this episode!
My friends, Happy 2023, and thank you for joining me again on “The Conversation Network”. It’s just me this week to kick off the New Year, and I’m very excited for a fresh 365 in front of us and all the new experiences this year will surely bring. This week, I talk about why I’m not a fan of the word “resolutions”, and how I approach the things that I want to work on or achieve not only in January, but throughout the whole year, and what those things for 2023 are. You’ll hear about some of the things I’m looking forward to next year (Hint: they both revolve around musical icons), and about a new venture I’m taking that I’m hoping will make the podcast better! I even bring back the sharing of quotes I like, and have not just one, but two! As always, thank you for listening!
Y’all, my face is still hurting from laughing so much during this week’s episode of “The Conversation Network”, where I am rejoined by my good friend John Gales as we do a wrap up of 2022. Naturally, we discuss the moments of the year that stand out for us in our personal and professional lives and what we hope to achieve in 2023. We also talk about our “favorites” of the year in entertainment, food, and books, and we have a HILARIOUS recap of a few memories from when we served together in California. Friends, I can confirm a good 8% of this episode is us laughing hysterically at each other as we recount “the old days”. I can’t think of a better way to end my first “season”, and I’m so thankful to all of you who have listened in and helped me bring this podcast to life. I have some great ideas for next year, and I hope you’ll stay with me on this crazy, fun, hilarious ride. I hope this episode makes you laugh and smile as much as it did me, and I’ll be with you all again soon!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Uw21K9JqNuwx1eNeRlu9c
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1640786470
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e57364a6-70ee-4263-b6b8-fc6e410233f0/learning-to-bet-on-yourself
Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMDM3MTY2LnJzcw==
Friends, the guests I have had on both formats of the podcast this year have been outstanding and are really giving it the heartbeat that I had envisioned. Every guest brings something new and exciting, and I will never be able to thank them enough for braving these waters with me and sharing their stories. This week on “The Conversation Network”, I am joined by my friend and former colleague, Olivia Keeler, and the discussion we have this week also really embodies the spirit of what I wanted this new conversational format to be.
We cut loose and put a lot on the table this week, as we usually do whenever we catch up with each other. While I do love structure, I also love the “freestyle” convos where a guest and I can just talk with each other, not worry about the time, and share stories that I hope the listeners can find something through, much like I have done with Olivia over the years. You’ll hear her perspective about the fun and challenges of raising children, a workhorse nature we both share, enlisting at age 25, and how our careers in contracts were almost designed for us (MY FAVORITE PART) and leaving jobs with a great ladder for success to create a more balanced life. The gamut is definitely run on this episode, and I hope that our candor in this conversation has some take away for you!
Happy Holidays my friends! This week on “The Conversation Network”, I am joined by my friend, Alexis Hupe, another fellow USAF veteran whom I met at the start of my military journey 10 years ago in technical training for contracts and acquisitions. One of the core values for all Airmen is “Service Before Self”, and y’all, if there was ever a demonstration of that value, it’s through Alexis’ story that she was kind enough to share with us. We’ve both been able to make pivots in our careers, and I was truly touched by her story of returning to her family’s business following tragedy during an already difficult time.
She is now a certified Loan Officer with X2 Mortgage and is authorized in multiple states, including her home state of Arizona, California, Texas, and Florida, so if you’re in any of those areas and looking to purchase a home, holler at my girl! She shares some insight on the current market as well as some foundational knowledge about down payments, interest rates, and credit scores that I wish I had taken the time to understand when purchasing my own homes. Moral of the story: DO YOUR RESEARCH! Thank you to Alexis for this very candid discussion, and I hope you are as touched by it as I was.
Get in touch with Alexis at this link: http://x2mortgage.com/alexis-hupe
This week on “The Conversation Network”, I welcome my fellow Bridgerton/T-Swizzle enthusiast/CycleBar lead instructor/Chemical Engineer/Kindred Spirit/fellow Missourian Becky Pugliese Sims to the podcast. To quote a direct text from Becky the day after we recorded, “We were honestly kidding ourselves if we thought one hour was going to be enough time”. As a result, we deliver DOUBLE the fun this week, with a 2-hour episode! As a former podcast host herself, Becky was a big inspiration to me in finding the confidence to launch my own, so it’s a great honor to chat with an OG (who was also the first instructor to make me cry mid-class). We waste no time dishing on celebrity everything, her journey into being an instructor, and her experience as a rising professional in the world of Chemical Engineering R&D. Sidebar: Shonda Rhimes, if you need extras for any future season of Bridgerton, Becky and I are fully prepared to join you in the Ton and spread the Whistledown gospel.
Hey everyone, and welcome back to “The Conversation Network”. This week, we’re goin’ across the pond y’all to catch up with my dear friend and Beyonce enthusiast, Alex Weaver. Y’all, I spent so much of this episode in stitches because I was laughing so hard at Alex’s one-liners, she drops them when I’m least expecting. She shares with us her experiences as both a new mother and a military mother, and the challenges that she faced when pregnant with her son, Max, during the pandemic while her husband was deployed. Now that her little man is getting older and is developing his own social schedule, she talks about the importance of finding the balance between being a mother, a military member, and rediscovering her own identity and taking time for herself. And of course, no conversation with my Queen Alex is complete without a full Beyonce breakdown, and we talk about our favorite songs and what they mean to us. I had so much fun catching up with her, and I hope you enjoy this episode.
Hello my friends, and welcome back to “The Conversation Network”. This week, I catch up with my good friend Matt Merkel, whom I met ten years ago when we were both assigned to flight 633 at the 331st Training Squadron during basic military training. During our time in boot camp, Matt was very quickly thrust into a leadership role within our flight, a hat that he has continued to wear throughout his very impressive military career as both an Air Traffic Controller and now a B-52 Pilot. We take a very brief walk down memory lane when we share the parts about basic training we disliked the most, aside from, well, all of it. He shares with us his stories about what pushed him to enlist at age 26, his pathway from an enlisted member to a commissioned Officer in the Air Force, and what characteristics he feels are key to being a good leader.
Shoutout to his lovely wife Nicky for the fantastic Christmas cards she creates each year, and for helping me stay up on my celebrity gossip during boot camp. You the bomb girl! It was great to catch up with him, and I hope you enjoy this episode.
Hello my friends, and welcome to the very first episode of “The Conversation Network”. This week, I catch up with two of my friends from Nashville, newlyweds Nick and Melina Nicoletta. I just met Nick and Melina this spring, but I feel like I have known them for years, and I can’t think of two better people to kick off this new conversation-based show with. We pick up right where we left off after I said goodbye to them after my final ride at CycleBar this June. I had so much fun catching up with them, that I forgot to press record when we first kicked off our conversation talking about this season of Dancing with the Stars, and we continue to run the gamut as chat about their beautiful destination wedding in Belize this past summer, our favorite sports teams, and a topic that is near and dear to all of us, 90’s pop culture. Nick and Melina also share some very insightful thoughts into how their relationship was built out of friendship, and what is in store for them as they embark on their beautiful future together. I’m truly honored that I was able to bring them onto the podcast with me, and I hope you enjoy our conversation!
This week on “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I share some insight on the area of my life in which I have always bet on myself the most up to this point, and that is through my professional life and working career. I share a few different stories with you all this week about the many roads my working life has taken me since I started my first job at 16 years old working for $5.15 an hour at the McDonald’s. I’ll be talking about how some of the early experiences of my 20s impacted my motivation for working hard, my best advice on handling job interviews and how many I’ve been on (hint: it’s A LOT), and give some additional insight into a method called the GROW Model and how it can be used to map out the next steps towards the pursuit of a new pathway in your career. Stay tuned to the end of the episode for some news about the future of the podcast!
This week on “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I welcome all Christian Corona-Cliffton to the podcast all the way from Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Christian shares some very vulnerable and insightful anecdotes about how he has renavigated his path in life despite a very rough and chaotic upbringing, allowing him to defy the expectations of where he and others around him thought he was headed. He began his military career as a Fuels Specialist and is now a Professional Military Education instructor, where he facilitates cohorts of rising military members like himself in principles of leadership, camaraderie, and mentorship. He also shares with us his thoughts on overcoming Impostor Syndrome, and how he no longer buys into the opinions of others and allows them to affect his reach for opportunities to expand his growth and development.
This week on “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I welcome my former troop and good friend to the podcast, Mr. Adam Taylor. We both share a common thread that we entered the military at an “older” age and discuss about the advantages and disadvantages of doing so. Adam shares with us his experiences with the DoD SkillBridge program, and how it’s a true test of “betting on yourself” with networking and introducing others to your talents and abilities in hopes of seeking a full-time job opportunity. He also talks about his “Watch Me!” moments and how he rises above when someone may doubt his abilities, and the importance of bringing others up with him as he continues navigating the aspects of life in his career, education, and fatherhood.
This week on “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I catch up with my favorite Italian lady and skin care partner in crime, Miss Nixie Mistri. Nixie coins her own catch phrase “That sounds good!” and correlates it back to how she’s been taking charge of her own destiny and seeking out career opportunities that allow her to reach beyond the potentially linear path as a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force. From a humble beginning as an ROTC scholarship awardee at the University of Florida, to leading procurement teams at a high visibility military to installation, to being one of the few selected for a competitive civilian education program, Nixie emphasizes the importance of taking chances on yourself to get the experiences you want in your career and your personal life. An added bonus, Nixie shares some insight about one of my favorite things to discuss with her: skin care! Links for her suggestions in the show notes.
Honey Skin Care Studio: https://honeyskincarestudio.business.site/
Skinceuticals: https://www.skinceuticals.com/
iSClinical: https://isclinical.com/
This week on “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I catch up with one of my favorite people from the Air Force, my former colleague Johnathan Gales. Johnathan and I arrived at Travis Air Force Base in 2013 within a few months of each other and were both brand new to the world of government contracting, something we both had our share of successes and MANY challenges with as we learned the ropes. You’ll hear him share how he’s navigated a very fascinating military career with the opportunity to have multiple occupations while serving and his interest in the space industry and his role as a NASA Ambassador. He’ll also discuss the importance of exploring ALL of your options when making difficult decisions about your career and how early preparation and kindness are keys for success. And just for fun, we share some stories that gave us a few laughs from back in the day, particularly about how he “ruined my life” and got me into Fantasy Football.
This week on “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I am so excited to welcome my very first guest, my Air Force brother, Shane Frey. Shane and I entered the Air Force within two weeks of each other back in 2012 and served together at Travis Air Force Base. You’ll hear him talk about his experience when he competed for Officer Training School, his decision to separate from the Air Force, exiting a job without another one lined up despite having a family to support, and how those experiences encouraged him to bet on himself and help him find the balance between career, academics, and family life he has today. You’ll also hear our thoughts on Pumpkin Spice Lattes, our big four of fruits, and his thoughts on the upcoming NFL season.
Hey y’all, if you’ve been listening so far to “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, you’ve heard me mention my “network” and how they are just as much a part of my personal and professional success as I am. This week, I’m diving deeper into the background of some of these great people and talking about how what they’ve taught me and how their friendship has impacted the man sitting behind the microphone. We kick off the conversation with some life lessons from my former roommates and round out with some inspiration to “do hard things” from my amazing spin instructor fam from CycleBar. This story is important to me, because I’ve learned that no matter how hard I may work or what achievement I get under my belt, it is NOTHING without the support of these and so many other great people.
EveryDollar Online (also available in an app): https://www.ramseysolutions.com/ramseyplus/everydollar
Check out some of the playlists I created for my girls at CycleBar below!
Becky’s Audacity in Retrograde Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/443o1qv0tkh8V9ydUyTx7s
Celeste’s Explicit Brunch Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7K2tjGNXEJZqme9Gtctxa4
Kate’s Hip Hop Auntie Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/50UH5uKU1Es1k6evefCpmt
Kellyn’s Maverick Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/22TsZ4IUzFfuTRv1s80VBe
Kellyn’s Music Therapy Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7EDnFQBnolF3AvoOre49Ss
Melina’s Blair Waldorf Energy Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4ZTobJ13kHsCz4zOlQC5J9
Morgan’s Heartbeat In My Chest Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/20gN4It5RT0DTyRMz4u1RB
Hey friends, this week’s episode of “Learning To Bet On Yourself” is all about authenticity and the importance of staying true to the best version of yourself. I do get rather vulnerable in this episode, and I discuss how I’ve let the perceptions of others about who I am based on my appearance, my interests, or my social nuances affect my confidence and my self-esteem. I share a few follow-on stories of what I consider to be breakthroughs for how I finally learned to cut out that noise and be fully embracive of what makes me unique and how that helps me live a full and rich life.
Hey friends, on this week’s episode of “Learning To Bet On Yourself”, I talk about the challenges I faced following my separation from the Air Force in 2017 after my relocation to Colorado. You’ll hear me share stories about how I was struggling to detach from military life and start a new chapter now that I was on my own for the first time at 30 years old.
I’ll also talk about how facing what I call “hard truths” about what my life looked like in mid-2019 and where I wanted it to be shaped my decision to pick myself up and restart my path toward something new. I give mention to The Restart Roadmap by Jason Tartick, which was a great resource for me this year given all the moves I’ve made in 2022. You can order a copy on Amazon at this link:
https://www.amazon.com/The-Restart-Roadmap/dp/B09885LJWZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R5LRRPG70NZN&keywords=the+restart+roadmap+jason+tartick&qid=1661477308&sprefix=The+restart+roa%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-1
Thank you for listening my friends!
On this week’s episode of the podcast, I’ll be taking my listeners on a flashback to 2012, where my journey of learning to bet on myself began when I enlisted in the United States Air Force. You’ll hear me discuss how the Air Force was a transformative stepping stone in helping me discover who I could be and I what I wanted to accomplish in life. I hope to inspire you with stories about how I rebounded from a very early failure, earned an early promotion, and caught the bug for writing. I even hope to make you chuckle with a story of me vs. a kickball! Thank you for listening!
Welcome to the first episode of the Learning to Bet on Yourself Podcast, with your host Nick Jenkins. Nick hopes to share the stories from his transformative journey that started 10 years ago when he enlisted in the United States Air Force, and how and how the concept of learning to bet on yourself evolved in his life and shaped him into who he is today. The idea behind this podcast is to become a resource or tool to empower people to take the steps to build the life they want amidst the challenges they face. Tune in to hear from Nick about what ignited the spark to get his podcast started and to begin telling his stories.
Key Points From This Episode:
- What sparked Nick to get his foot in the podcasting world.
- The heart behind “Learning to Bet on Yourself.”
- How his journey began, almost 10 years ago.
- The impact of enlisting in the army and how the shaped his journey.
- Building his own side-hustle: free-lance resumé writer.
- Nick shares the importance of having a network and the support role it plays in your journey.
- Negativity, doubt, and self-confidence; how sometimes it starts within.
- Nick shares the main focus of the podcast: a resource for others to find the strength to bet on themselves.
- We end with a quote from Pete Wentz, a member of Fallout Boy, the band.
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Fallout Boy