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The Braintrust "Driving Change" Podcast

The Braintrust "Driving Change" Podcast

By: Evergreen Podcasts
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 This podcast is dedicated to help you better understand the biology, psychology and physiology of human decision making in order to help you become a more impactful communicator and a driving force for change. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/driving-change-podcast/supportAll Rights Reserved 2023 Economics
Episodes
  • Why Most Founders Flame Out with Dr. Mohamed F. Ahmed

    Why Most Founders Flame Out with Dr. Mohamed F. Ahmed
    Jul 14 2025
    In this compelling episode, Jeff Bloomfield sits down with tech executive, entrepreneur, and resilience coach Mohamed F. Ahmed. From the moment a curious mistake with a floppy disk nearly wrecked his dad’s $10,000 PC—and unexpectedly ignited a lifelong passion for computers—to launching and selling a successful startup, Mo shares the deeper, human story behind innovation and leadership. You’ll hear how emotional intelligence, mindset, and adaptability outweigh strategy in both startups and big corporations, and why conditioning your inner world may be the most important skill for the future of work and AI. This isn’t your typical tech talk. Mo opens up about the moments that nearly broke him—and how emotional conditioning, not strategy, got him through. Whether you're launching a startup, innovating inside a big company, or just trying to stay sane in the chaos, this episode is a masterclass in mindset, resilience, and the real inner game of success. Entrepreneurship starts inside: Your mindset and emotional conditioning matter more than your business model. Corporate vs. startup = Pool vs. ocean: Corporate feels like a swim lane; startups are like the Atlantic Ocean at night—no map, no guardrails. Emotional regulation is a learned skill: Mo went from 4 weeks of emotional paralysis to 2 hours of recovery by learning to process feelings fast. Identity ≠ job title: Don’t let your business define your worth. Purpose fuels resilience: Your “why” is your survival kit when things go wrong. AI is a collaborator, not a competitor: The winners will be those who use AI to think, plan, and act faster—not those who fear it. Use AI to reflect: Mo journals daily and uses Claude or ChatGPT to analyze his week and optimize decisions. Sales is psychology, not just pitching: Reframe rejection as feedback and stay emotionally neutral. Curiosity trumps control: Mo’s career began when his dad turned a moment of anger into a shared learning journey. The next wave is “AI-native entrepreneurs”: Founders using AI as a creative partner are building faster, smarter companies. 00:00 – Intro and Seattle weather joke 02:45 – Jeff explains show format and target audience 05:00 – Corporate innovation vs. entrepreneurship 08:00 – Mo’s origin story: From floppy disks to a PhD 13:00 – Lessons from Mo’s dad: 10X thinking and 20,000 books 17:00 – First emotional crash in startup life 20:45 – Resilience in action: From panic to pitch in 2 hours 23:30 – The Entrepreneurial Conditioning Framework 26:00 – Identity, mindset, and daily mental practices 30:50 – Making time for thinking in the chaos of leadership 34:00 – Sales psychology and rejection reframing 35:15 – Startups vs. big corporations: Speed and chaos 41:00 – The future of AI: From compression to companion 46:00 – Mo’s son + AI = 2-month project done in 1 week 49:00 – Will AI steal jobs or create new ones? 52:00 – Boundless Founder and The Inside Out Entrepreneur Boundless Founder Community: https://boundlessfounder.co Why You Should ListenTop 10 TakeawaysChapter MarkingsLinks MentionedBook – The Inside Out Entrepreneur: Available now on Amazon
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    50 mins
  • Emotional Resilience with Dr. Robin Hills

    Emotional Resilience with Dr. Robin Hills
    Jun 30 2025
    In this episode, Jeff Bloomfield sits down with Dr. Robin Hills, founder of EI4Change and a global thought leader in emotional intelligence. From his early career in pharmaceuticals to building a digital platform with over 500,000 students across 200+ countries, Robin shares how emotional intelligence—once a mystery to him—became his life’s work. The conversation covers everything from emotional regulation and workplace behavior to the neuroscience behind EQ and practical ways to build it. If you’ve ever wondered why intelligent people struggle with relationships or leadership—or how to better manage your own emotions under stress—this episode offers clear, science-backed answers. Robin’s insights are not just theoretical; they’re rooted in real-world application and made accessible to anyone. Whether you’re a leader, coach, or just someone who wants to stop reacting and start responding, this conversation is for you. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is Trainable – Unlike IQ, EQ can grow with effort, even into your 70s. Anger is Often a Signal of Violated Values – Recognizing this can turn outbursts into constructive conversations. Mobile Devices Are Killing Situational Awareness – EQ begins with being present. Motivation Is the Missing Middle in the EQ Model – Without it, self-awareness and social skills fall flat. Smart People Can Lack EQ – And often unknowingly sabotage their influence. High EQ Leaders Inspire Loyalty – People follow emotionally intelligent leaders, not just intelligent ones. Use “I Feel” Statements – Emotions can’t be argued with; judgments can. Self-Awareness Starts with Daily Habits – Like avoiding your phone until after breakfast. The Best Leaders Coach, Not Command – Questions build connection; instructions don’t. EQ in the Age of AI Is More Important Than Ever – Human skills like empathy and emotional regulation will differentiate us. 00:00–07:00 | Intro & Robin’s Background 07:00–13:00 | Early Career & Discovery of Emotional Intelligence 13:00–17:00 | Starting EI4Change & The Power of Niche Focus 17:00–21:00 | IQ vs. EQ—Why One is Fixed and the Other is Fluid 21:00–26:00 | Can Low-EQ Leaders Still Succeed? 26:00–31:00 | Smart People & the Phone Addiction Problem 31:00–37:00 | Technology, Dopamine, and Relationship Erosion 37:00–42:00 | The Emotion That Causes the Most Trouble at Work 42:00–47:00 | How to Regulate Anger and Build Healthier Relationships 47:00–52:00 | The EQ Spectrum & Unconscious Competence 52:00–54:00 | Practical EQ Habits & Where to Learn More EI4Change Website Robin’s Courses Free Course: Insights into Emotional Intelligence (via link above) Monthly Coaching Bundle (mentioned: June 2025 focus is on coaching) 🔍 Why You Should Listen:🧠 Top 10 Takeaways:⏱️ Chapter Markings:🔗 Links Mentioned:
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    51 mins
  • Anxious? Angry? Your Brain’s Just Trying to Tell You This… with Angus Fletcher

    Anxious? Angry? Your Brain’s Just Trying to Tell You This… with Angus Fletcher
    Jun 17 2025
    In this episode of Driving Change, neuroscientist and storytelling expert Dr. Angus Fletcher returns to share insights from his latest book, Primal Intelligence. Drawing from his research with the U.S. Army Special Operations, Fortune 50 companies, and education systems, Fletcher unpacks how the brain’s ancient systems—emotion, imagination, intuition, and common sense—shape the way we think, lead, and connect. This isn’t just theory; it’s actionable neuroscience that rewires how we respond to stress, how we plan, and how we grow. Jeff and Angus explore everything from battlefield psychology to parenting to sales conversations, all through the lens of primal brain power. This episode will change how you view intelligence. If you’ve ever struggled with anxiety, leadership under pressure, communication breakdowns, or helping others grow, this conversation delivers practical tools rooted in science—not self-help fluff. Learn how elite military units build confidence, how to tap into your brain’s imagination for clearer decision-making, and why the stories you tell yourself matter more than any strategy. Whether you're a parent, leader, coach, or entrepreneur, this episode offers real techniques to become more grounded, resilient, and effective in how you show up. Emotion is the First Intelligence – Fear and anger aren’t enemies—they’re signals telling us how many plans we have. Four Primal Brain Powers – Imagination (planning), Intuition (opportunity spotting), Emotion (threat signaling), and Common Sense (choosing the best plan). Plan-Making Beats Panic – People freeze not from danger, but from having no plan. Teaching people how to plan reduces fear and anger. Storytelling is Neural – The brain organizes information through action-based narratives. It’s not once-upon-a-time—it’s how we think. Teach Planning, Not Just Plans – The goal of leadership is to develop planners, not just manage plans. Practice Under Low Stress – Communication habits formed in calm moments will show up under pressure. Authenticity Over Evasion – People can’t always detect truth, but they immediately sense evasiveness. Share what you fear. Counterfactual Thinking Builds Vision – Asking "what if" about small changes with big outcomes activates the brain’s default mode network. Kids (and Adults) Need Imperfect Practice – Tolerating messy planning helps grow initiative, resilience, and brain power. Sales = Story Anticipation – Great salespeople help others discover their own story faster and with more clarity than they could alone. 00:00 – Welcome + Book Launch Tease 01:45 – Ohio's Hidden Intelligence + Emotional Evolution 10:00 – Primal Intelligence Framework 13:00 – Special Ops and the Power of Plans 19:00 – Childhood Programming and Brain Plasticity 24:30 – Imagination as Thinking Tool 29:30 – Youth, Screens & Neural Pathways 33:00 – Leadership, Weird Ideas & Innovation 38:45 – Storytelling as Internal Narrative 43:00 – Relationships & Communication Needs 46:00 – Communicating Under Pressure 50:00 – Neurocentric Questions & Sales 54:30 – Authenticity, Fear, and Trust 58:00 – What Led to Primal Intelligence 1:00:00 – How to Learn More (Book, Quiz, Site) Primal Intelligence book page (Penguin Random House) – Available August 19 Free Quiz & Diagnostic: OperationHuman.com Why You Should ListenTop 10 Takeaways⏱️ Chapter Markings (by topic)How to find more from Dr. FletcherDr. Angus Fletcher on LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
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    57 mins

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