Tim Stating the Obvious

Thrive Corporate: Success Guide

Thrive Corporate: Success Guide Wise Mind
In this episode of Tim Stating the Obvious, host Tim Staton sits down with Edward Bjurstrom, author of The Success Guide: How to Thrive in the Corporate Environment. Drawing from over 40 years leading in biopharma at companies like Amgen and Gilead Sciences, Edward shares a practical roadmap for how to survive in corporate America and how to thrive in the corporate world—whether you're navigating high-stakes regulated environments or aiming to get promoted faster in a large company.
 
Edward explains how to think and work holistically, balancing the rational mind (logic and facts) with the emotional mind (feelings and intuition) to reach the wise mind—that integrated state where decisions feel clear and effective. He dives into the rational mind vs emotional mind dynamic, why the wise mind rational mind emotional mind balance matters so much in leadership, and how understanding the psychological definition of a flow state can unlock peak individual and team performance.
 
You get actionable insights on avoiding common pitfalls, fostering trust and accountability, and applying concepts like design thinking understanding how designers think and work to solve complex corporate challenges. Whether you're dealing with burnout, mistrust, or just wanting sustained success, Edward's lessons from his book offer a no-nonsense guide to building excellence without sacrificing well-being.
 
Connect with Tim:
Website: timstatingtheobvious.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw
Instagram: @TimStating
TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/
SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b
Enroll in the Leadership Course: https://themanyhatsofleadership.learnworlds.com/course/the-edge-mindset
 
Connect with Edward Bjurstrom
Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4RBL543
Website : www.mountaintopconsul.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/edwardbjurstrom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edward.bjurstrom

Begin with We Kyle McDowell | How to Measure Outcomes

Kyle McDowell explains the Begin With We principles and how leaders can measure outcomes instead of busy work.
In this episode, Tim Staton sits down with Kyle McDowell, author of Begin With We, to explore what modern leadership really looks like and how to measure outcomes that matter. If you’ve ever asked who is Kyle McDowell or why the Begin With We 10 principles are transforming leaders worldwide, this conversation delivers real insight.
Kyle McDowell opens up about hitting rock bottom in his career and feeling unexpected apathy despite professional success. That personal wake-up call sparked his revolutionary Begin With We leadership philosophy and changed how he approaches leadership and accountability.
Hear how Kyle McDowell Begin With We transformed his style—from a fear-driven boss to a leader who inspires trust and commitment. This conversation explores why we should do the right thing, how leaders lead by example, why teams must embrace challenge, and why organizations must measure outcomes instead of activity to drive real performance.
Whether you’re leading a business, managing a team, or preparing for your next leadership role, this episode offers practical insights on how to measure outcomes, build authentic connection, and create a culture where people are committed—not just compliant.
 
Connect with Kyle McDowell:
https://www.instagram.com/kylemcdowellinc/
https://www.tiktok.com/@kylemcdowellinc
https://www.youtube.com/@kylemcdowellinc
https://www.facebook.com/KyleMcDowellInc
https://twitter.com/KyleMcDowellInc
www.linkedin.com/in/kylemcdowellinc
https://www.kylemcdowellinc.com.
 
Connect with Tim
Website: timstatingtheobvious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobviousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdwInstagram: @TimStatingTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@theleadershiphatrackLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b
 
 

How to Fuel Your Brain for Optimal Performance

How do you fuel your brain—not your anxiety—for sustained mental energy, clarity, and confident decision-making?
 
In this episode, Tim Staton launches a powerful new nutrition leadership program series exploring the science-backed connection between gut health, brain fuel, and leadership performance. If you’ve ever wondered what fuel does your brain use, how to fuel your brain, or which food to fuel your brain supports long-term focus, this conversation delivers practical answers.
 
Tim is joined by Nikki Golly, a nutrition and digestive health expert, who shares her personal journey of overcoming 27 years of chronic digestive issues that silently eroded her confidence, clarity, and mental energy. Her transformation—now openly known as “the poop lady”—highlights why digestive health is foundational to personal development, wellness, and leadership effectiveness.
 
Together, they break down how the gut functions as the body’s “second brain,” directly influencing decision-making, emotional regulation, and sustained mental energy. Nikki explains why hydration is one of the most overlooked tools for brain performance, affecting nearly 90–95% of people, and how proper hydration helps you better interpret hunger, stress, and cognitive fatigue.
 
You’ll also learn:
How to fuel your brain through nutrition without relying on stimulants
Why high-protein breakfasts support focus, clarity, and confidence
The difference between macronutrients, micronutrients, and real brain fuel
Why processed foods increase anxiety instead of energy
How stress disrupts digestion—and how to reset your system for better performance
 
This episode is ideal for leaders, professionals, and high performers seeking sustained mental energy, sharper thinking, and a healthier relationship between food, stress, and productivity.
 
If you care about wellness, personal development, digestive health, and leadership clarity, this conversation will change how you think about what’s on your plate—and how it shapes your legacy.
Connect with Nikki:
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/nicole.golly.7
Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/fuelyourbody/
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkigolly/
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@fuelyourbodywithnikkigolly4860?si=A7XIE4fOTk7E0WJc
 
Connect with Tim:
Website: timstatingtheobvious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw
Instagram: @TimStating
TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/
SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b
Enroll in the Leadership Course: https://themanyhatsofleadership.learnworlds.com/course/the-edge-mindset

Align Your Purpose with Your Profession Today

Align Your Purpose with Your Profession Today
Are you dreading your work? Tim Staton introduces Florian Kemmerich, an impact investor, leadership mentor, and author. Tim Staton notes that many talented people dread their work. Florian Kemmerich suggests that aligning purpose with profession can solve this. He shares his journey, including how he left a corporate job to find his calling.
What is your professional purpose?
Florian Kemmerich defines education as preparing for life, but not for understanding oneself. He contrasts this with vocation, which is a calling or a dream of contributing to the world. Florian Kemmerich shares his personal pivot from a corporate career to impact investing. He learned about himself through personal development and now helps others find their vocation.
Florian Kemmerich explains that feeling stressed when you choose your path, even if it’s challenging, differs from stress caused by external pressures. This personal choice leads to motivation and a sense of purpose.
What is an example of purpose at work?
Florian Kemmerich provides an example of a young man who used his financial skills to address climate change adaptation. This shows how a vocation and a skill set can combine to create meaningful work.
Florian Kemmerich emphasizes that one should think about what they care about and translate it into actionable steps. He believes that making a difference in the world is contagious. When you are in your “zone,” life feels different and more meaningful. Florian Kemmerich also shares his experience doing service work in Mexico, which taught him to serve with dignity and fairness.
Some common criticisms Florian Kemmerich faces include people thinking he believes he is better than others or that his approach requires taking financial risks. He clarifies that his method encourages self-reflection to understand one’s contribution, not necessarily a complete career overhaul or financial risk. He also addresses the discomfort of self-reflection and vulnerability, which he overcame through personal development and introspection.
How do you define your purpose at work?
How do I answer what is my purpose?
How to find meaning in my daily work?
Workshops for aligning personal values with career paths can help you navigate the distinction between vocation vs. occupation, understanding vocation and calling, and exploring vocation calling. Are you experiencing vocation frustration? Discover your vocation and mission, explore vocation ideas, or seek vocation discernment. The difference between vocation vs. profession is crucial for finding jobs that align with your calling.
 
Connect with Tim:
Website: timstatingtheobvious.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw
Instagram: @TimStating
TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/
SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b
Enroll in the Leadership Course: https://themanyhatsofleadership.learnworlds.com/course/the-edge-mindset
Connect with Aslak de Silva
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aslakdesilva/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Leadership-Lessons-Boardroom/dp/952880490X
 
Connect with Florian
On Vocation on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Vocation-Align-Your-Purpose-Profession/dp/1041067283Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/floriankemmerichGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/florian_kemmmerichWebsite: https://www.on-vocation.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/floriankemmerichInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/flokemmerichX/Twitter: https://x.com/flokemmerichFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17iBtuWB2w/?mibextid=wwXIfrYouTube: https://youtube.com/@flokemmerich

Transform Disruption Into Success

Shifting Gears at the Crossroads: How to Prepare for Disruption and Navigate Life's Major Transitions
Wondering how can companies prepare for disruption — or to Transform Disruption Into Success? In Shifting Gears at the Crossroads, author DJ Hefflin shares a powerful, faith-based roadmap drawn from his own professional, personal, and ministry shifts. This book answers key questions like what do you mean by disruption, what's a positive word for disruption (think transformation, pivot, or breakthrough), and what's a professional way to say messed up when life throws curveballs.
If you're facing a career crossroad, questioning what is considered a career path, or exploring what does career explorer mean, this guide is for you. The future of work demands preparing for disruption — only about 20% of people are financially ready for even a six-month shift, and far fewer see it coming.
DJ Hefflin, through Crossroads Professional Building, Crossroads Professional Coaching, and Crossroads Professional Counseling insights, built this book on real experiences to help you thrive amid change.
Why “Shifting Gears at the Crossroads” Was Written DJ Hefflin created this book to guide people through life's major transitions with a practical, step-by-step process for managing change and turning setbacks into setups for success.
The Four Foundational “F’s” The core revolves around balancing faith, family, fitness, and finances — like Jenga blocks holding up a stable life. When one wobbles (especially faith during tough times), the others can collapse, requiring intentional rebuilding.
Repositioning: The Strategic Step Back Moving from disruption (point A) to your desired outcome (point B) often means a temporary "backwards" move — a repositioning investment in status or income that's essential for long-term growth, not failure.
Anticipating Disruption Spot early signs by tracking current events, economic trends, industry changes, mergers, and personal signals like relationship quality, fulfillment, and communication patterns.
Vision, Mission, and Core Identity Define your vision (long-term aspiration) and mission (daily actions). Write them down as an anchor during chaos to stay aligned and make better decisions.
Service and Daily Introspection True success comes from serving others (sowing and reaping). Commit to 30 minutes of daily introspection, prayer, or meditation to connect actions to your bigger goals and boost productivity.
What’s Next: A Season of Acceleration DJ Hefflin's upcoming follow-up, Shifting Gears in the Crossroads: A Season of Acceleration, builds on this foundation. After repositioning, rebuilding, and realizing your potential, enter a phase of accelerated impact in your calling, society, and service to others.
Ready to navigate your career crossroad with clarity and faith? Grab Shifting Gears at the Crossroads today and start preparing for whatever transformation comes next.
Subscribe for more on the future of work, preparing for disruption, and career pivots. Comment below: What's your biggest current crossroad?
 

Bonus: Navigating Career Transitions: Insights and Strategies

In this episode, the panel discusses the complexities of career transitions, particularly for military professionals. They explore the four Rs of career switching: responsibility, reality, risk, and resilience, and share personal experiences of navigating their own career changes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, defining success, and understanding one's personal brand and identity during transitions. The panelists also discuss strategies for timing career changes and the significance of networking and support systems in achieving career goals.
Connect with Tim
Website: timstatingtheobvious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobviousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdwInstagram: @TimStatingTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@theleadershiphatrackLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b

Why Most Police Applicants Fail

In Why Most Police Applicants Fail - A veteran tells his story of transitioning from military service to law enforcement—and the leadership lessons that carried him through both worlds. Drawing on six years in the U.S. Navy, including deployments overseas, Frank McGaha explains how discipline, situational awareness, and decision-making under pressure became the foundation for his career in policing and protective services.
In this conversation, Frank breaks down how to be a police officer, the steps of being a police officer, and why many candidates struggle despite strong motivation. He addresses common questions like what are the best police academy training programs near me?, which companies offer police exam preparation courses online?, and how to be a female police officer, offering practical insight grounded in real-world experience.
Frank also explores how to be a good police officer—and more importantly, how to be a better police officer—by identifying gaps in traditional academy and in-service training. He discusses why leadership development often fails to reach junior officers and why the best leadership training programs for law enforcement officers focus on accountability, repetition, and mentorship.
That realization led him to build a results-driven law enforcement program through Armagon Consulting and Training, one of the best law enforcement training programs available online. His work blends exam preparation, academy readiness, and career coaching with a strong emphasis on veteran leadership, making it a standout veteran leadership program for those entering or advancing in public service.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone asking not just how to get hired—but how to lead, perform, and grow in law enforcement long after the academy ends.
Connect with Frank:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-mcgaha-1ab630133/
Website: https://www.armoganct.com/
 
Connect with Tim:
Website: timstatingtheobvious.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobviousYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdwInstagram: @TimStatingTikTok: @timstatingtheobviousLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125bEnroll in the Leadership Course: https://themanyhatsofleadership.learnworlds.com/course/the-edge-mindset

Work-Life Balance Is a Myth? This CEO Explains Why

Work-Life Balance Is a Myth? This CEO Explains Why
Aslak de Silva introduces his “Tetris-ing your life together” concept, challenging the traditional notion of #worklife balance. Rather than striving for perfect daily equilibrium, he emphasizes actively managing one’s calendar to strategically block out time for different life priorities—family, friends, work, training, and personal development. This approach to what is having a work-life balance moves beyond mythical perfection, acknowledging that not everything can happen simultaneously but can be thoughtfully arranged to fit together over time. The goal is achieving fulfillment by ensuring all valued aspects of life receive attention through flexible, adaptive planning as life evolves.
The Power of Presence in Leadership and Life
The discussion shifts to being more present in the moment, drawing from Aslak de Silva’s martial arts background. What does it mean to be more present means fully engaging in the current moment, whether being a more present parent or in professional interactions. Aslak de Silva shares anecdotes—his daughter learning to ride a bike and his wife’s text on a train—illustrating how being present and mindful strengthens connections and significantly impacts others’ feelings. In leadership, being present in a relationship with team members allows genuine support, encouragement, and obstacle removal, creating a strong sense of care. Being present meditation and martial arts training demonstrate that this mindful engagement is a developable skill requiring consistent practice.
Cultivating Daily Discipline and Self-Leadership
Tim Staton and Aslak de Silva explore developing discipline and habits, especially for those without military or martial arts backgrounds. Discipline and good habits are framed not as innate traits but as muscles strengthened through small, consistent actions. Aslak de Silva suggests starting with achievable daily practices—a healthy breakfast or short exercise—and gradually building upon them. The core principle is that “discipline beats motivation,” meaning consistent action, even when unmotivated, yields greater results than waiting for inspiration. This internal journey of self-leadership, managing one’s well-being and habits, directly influences leadership effectiveness and supports #being more present and #being mindful and present in all aspects of life.
The Evolution of Black Belt Leadership
Aslak de Silva explains the genesis of his book, “Black Belt Leadership,” synthesizing his 15-20 years in martial arts with his CEO career. He recognized that the developmental journey in martial arts, marked by different colored belts, paralleled the continuous growth required in leadership, prompting him to document his learnings. The book explores how martial arts principles—resilience, focus, and continuous improvement—apply to leadership. Aslak de Silva also shares how artificial intelligence (AI) assisted him in structuring scattered ideas, maintaining consistent tone, and organizing content into 20 actionable lessons, making the writing process more efficient.
Embracing Imperfection and Developing Leadership Instincts
A key takeaway from both martial arts and leadership is accepting imperfection. Aslak de Silva emphasizes that even the best fighters make mistakes, and leaders will inevitably face challenges and failures. The goal is not perfection but continuous calibration, learning from both successes and missteps. This requires boldness to try new approaches and self-awareness to understand one’s strengths and weaknesses. Aslak de Silva highlights that knowing one’s weaknesses allows for building a complementary team, ensuring all project aspects are handled effectively. The conversation concludes by touching upon leadership instincts and the idea that some people might fear success due to potential sacrifices involved, underscoring the importance of commitment and effort from day one to achieve one’s full potential.
 
Connect with Tim:
Website: timstatingtheobvious.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/timstatingtheobvious
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHfDcITKUdniO8R3RP0lvdw
Instagram: @TimStating
TikTok: @timstatingtheobvious
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-staton-04b41a271/
SKOOL Community: https://www.skool.com/timstatingtheobvious-9537/about?ref=de9c7e65d8ba4eeabc1a8eea413c125b
Enroll in the Leadership Course: https://themanyhatsofleadership.learnworlds.com/course/the-edge-mindset
 
Connect with Aslak de Silva
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aslakdesilva/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Belt-Leadership-Lessons-Boardroom/dp/952880490X