The Braintrust "Driving Change" Podcast

• How Soldiers, CEOs, and Athletes Stay Calm Under Fire with Brittany Loney

  Podcast Summary What does it really take to perform under pressure—when everything is on the line? In this episode, Dr. Brittany Loney shares her powerful journey from Division I basketball player to brain injury survivor to cognitive performance expert. She and Jeff Bloomfield explore the neuroscience of deliberate practice, flow states, and how elite performers—from soldiers to CEOs—build mental and emotional resilience that holds up when stakes are high. If you’ve ever wondered why some people thrive under pressure while others crumble, this conversation will show you the science—and the habits—behind high-performance consistency. You’ll learn how to reverse-engineer your best mental state, train your brain to operate with intention instead of intuition, and apply “elite cognition” frameworks to your daily work, leadership, or personal growth. Deliberate Practice Builds Capacity — True excellence comes from structured, effortful, deliberate practice, not motivation alone. Flow Requires Preparation — You can’t access flow without first training your brain for automaticity. Inner Excellence Drives Outer Excellence — Character and mindset shape all high performance, regardless of domain. The Four Attributes of High Performers: Radical humility, relentless fortitude, adaptability, and extreme ownership. Habits Define Character — Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion; you fall to the level of your habits. Optimal State is Task-Specific — The right neurochemical mix depends on the demands of the moment; calm clarity and peak focus require balance. Reverse Engineer Your Performance — Identify your physiological “sweet spot” (1–10 scale) and emotional ingredients for consistent results. Train Intention Over Intuition — Make what works repeatable; transform “good sometimes” into “great consistently.” Resilience is Built Through Adversity — Early life challenges often forge grit; parents and leaders must allow measured struggle. Compassion and Grit Coexist — True resilience blends empathy with accountability. 00:00 – Introduction: The science of performing under pressure 03:30 – Brittany’s story: From D1 athlete to brain injury survivor 10:30 – Discovering performance psychology and neuroscience 14:00 – The Four Attributes of High Performers 18:00 – Habits, flow, and the fallacy of “rising to the occasion” 26:00 – The brain on flow vs. unconscious competence 27:00 – Neurochemistry: What helps and what hurts under stress 30:00 – Reverse-engineering optimal states for sales, sport, or leadership 38:00 – Emotional intelligence and self-mastery under pressure 42:00 – Training elite performance when practice isn’t possible 43:00 – The psychology of discipline vs. motivation 47:00 – Resilience, parenting, and building grit 50:00 – Where to find Dr. Loney and Elite Cognition Website: https://elite-cognition.com (include the dash) LinkedIn: Dr. Brittany Loney  Why You Should ListenTop 10 TakeawaysChapter Markers🔗 Links Mentioned

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• The A.I. Rebel Protecting Humanity with Christopher Brock

  Christopher Brock, founder of Primary Hosting and Quantum Proof, joins Jeff Bloomfield for a mind-bending conversation on the rise of sovereign AI, post-quantum encryption, and how generative AI is reshaping both business and personal life. As Chief Information Security Officer for the Piqua Shawnee Tribe of Alabama and creator of the 300,000+ member Facebook group AI for Business and Life, Brock bridges ancient wisdom, advanced math, and cutting-edge tech to explore how AI can protect—not exploit—human identity, culture, and data. AI isn’t just changing business—it’s redefining the boundaries of human intelligence, creativity, and security. Christopher Brock shows us the future where AI meets quantum computing, tribal sovereignty meets technology, and cybersecurity meets consciousness. Whether you’re a CEO, creator, or just curious about the next tech revolution, this episode will change how you see data, privacy, and possibility itself. Sovereign AI is about protection—of identity, culture, and innovation, not just efficiency. Quantum computing could crack modern encryption in seconds, forcing an urgent rethinking of cybersecurity. Quantum Proof aims to make data “unhackable” using a new mathematical model that predicts prime numbers. AI and quantum together are “steroids on steroids”—powerful but potentially perilous if not ethically guided. Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) has become an organized dark-web industry with customer support desks. Data harvesting is happening now—hackers store encrypted data today, waiting for quantum tools to unlock it later. The AI learning curve starts with usage—use the tools yourself before delegating to a tech team. LLMs (like ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Gemini) are modern-day PhDs in your pocket—only valuable if you engage them daily. SEO is dead—AI ranking is here. Businesses must adapt to “AI discoverability” instead of traditional Google search. If you ignore AI, you’ll be left behind. Brock says plainly: “Use it—or miss where the world’s going.” Time Topic 00:00 Opening banter: building AI platforms and UX importance 03:36 Introduction: Christopher Brock and his work 07:41 Speaking at MIT, launching Quantum Proof 09:21 The rise of AI for Business and Life community (300k+ members) 17:09 Brock’s background: from student government to tech startups 23:50 COVID pivot, tribal leadership, and founding Primary Hosting 25:47 The birth of Quantum Proof and post-quantum encryption 28:06 Quantum computing explained (for humans!) 34:58 The math and philosophy behind Brock’s new algorithms 35:53 Why today’s encryption—and even blockchain—isn’t safe 41:19 Ransomware-as-a-Service: the digital mob economy 45:51 How everyday people should start using AI 49:03 Building personalized AI agents and data ecosystems 52:24 The death of SEO and the rise of AI discoverability 54:31 Where to find Chris and what’s next in AI & Quantum tech 🌐 Primary Hosting 🌐 QuantumProofAI 💬 Facebook Group: AI for Business and Life 🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: Christopher Brock

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• The Manager Tax- Stop Paying it! With Jack Skeels

  CEO/author Jack Skeels flips conventional management on its head. He explains the hidden “manager tax,” why meetings crush output, and how to replace control-heavy habits with lightweight leadership using two practical frameworks: ACE (Authority–Control–Empowerment) and Why → What → Go → Grow. You’ll hear how five-person teams can self-manage, why communication pace matters (“the speed of knowing is faster than the speed of understanding”), and how small AI pods are beating top-down AI rollouts. In this episode, Jack reveals how to cut that hidden “manager tax,” empower teams to self-manage, and even make AI work where most companies fail. If you lead people—or want to escape being led badly—you’ll walk away with a playbook to boost performance, reduce burnout, and unlock growth. The Manager Tax is real: More managerial intensity → lower intrinsic productivity (especially via meetings). Meetings are expensive: A single manager’s calendar can quietly remove dozens of productive hours from the org each week. Lead, don’t over-manage: Replace “control” with framing + empowerment. ACE model: Leaders provide Authority (facts, constraints) and Empowerment (resources). Teams own Control (how work gets done). Why/What before Go: Nail shared context (Why) and clarity of outcomes (What) to minimize management during Go. Grow is ongoing: Managers coach skills and opportunities; they don’t micromanage tasks. Socratic unfolding: Let teams pull information via questions to build true, shared understanding. Communication velocity trap: You can explain faster than others can understand; slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Promote generalists to manage: “Best specialists” often over-control; strong generalists tend to under-manage (good!). AI works in pods: Small, empowered cross-functional teams adopting AI beat big top-down programs (faster cycle time, less labor). 00:00 – Setup & intention of the show 03:25 – Jack’s origin story: from robotics to reluctant manager 12:58 – The Manager Tax: why more management = less output 17:24 – Leadership vs management; where to draw the line 20:14 – ACE (Authority–Control–Empowerment) explained 29:35 – Why → What → Go → Grow and real span-of-control numbers 34:34 – Generations, role design, and promoting the right people 38:28 – Communication as the #1 success factor 40:29 – “Speed of knowing vs speed of understanding” 42:27 – AI Pods: structure-first AI (time & labor cuts) 46:54 – Where to find Jack + closing Book: Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations — available on Amazon Website: bettercompany.co (rebrand; also reachable via agencyagile.com) Why You Should ListenTop 10 TakeawaysChapter Markings (topic-based)Links Mentioned by the GuestLinkedIn: Jack Skeels (connect & follow his posts)

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• Observe, Engage, Adapt, Persevere - Life’s Recipe with Matt Garretson

  From BMX tracks to the Iditarod trail, and from Yale Law to global justice reform, Matt Garretson’s life is a masterclass in resilience, curiosity, and purpose-driven innovation. In this episode, Jeff Bloomfield sits down with Matt to explore how his unique blend of risk-taking, compassion, and intellectual rigor led him to reshape the legal services sector, build businesses that impact thousands, and embark on extreme adventures that test the limits of human endurance. Whether it’s resolving billion-dollar settlements, pioneering AI in the legal industry, or pedaling 1,000 miles across frozen Alaska, Matt’s story is proof that the best results come from observing, engaging, adapting, and persevering. His daily formula:  “My guiding mantra each day was that I must be methodical about observing (all data re terrain, weather, gear, etc.), engaging (with the underlying assumptions derived from those observations), adapting (because everything changes constantly when executing in an unpredictable/uncontrolled environment), persevering (having faith/confidence that i have the body, mind and spirit to accomplish the daily goals if i stay methodical about this loop). I broke each day into hour segments meaning for instance i didnt plan for 60 miles or 15 hours each day….i just needed to make it for instance from 9 AM to 10AM…then i can make it to 11 and if I made it to 11 then certainly 12 was possible etc. 18 days later I was in Nome!!!” This isn’t just a story about legal innovation or adventure sports — it’s a blueprint for high-stakes decision-making in life and business. Matt’s “Observe, Engage, Adapt, Persevere” framework, forged in the crucible of both courtroom battles and Arctic winds, is a practical leadership model for anyone navigating uncertainty. Leaders, entrepreneurs, and high-performers will walk away with actionable insights on risk management, building trust in complex negotiations, integrating AI into human-centered processes, and maintaining clarity when the stakes are high and the variables keep changing. Origin shapes destiny — The combination of his father’s risk-taking spirit and his mother’s intellectual curiosity formed the foundation of Matt’s worldview. Unconventional paths have power — Yale undergrad + night law school created a rare blend of elite theory and gritty pragmatism. Faith in action — Matt’s theology degree grew out of reconciling the good and harm he saw in organized religion. Neutrality is a business model — Creating fair, transparent systems for complex legal settlements can transform entire industries. AI accelerates trust — Tools like Pattern Data and Jane are reshaping how the legal profession processes and shares information. Adventure as a leadership lab — Extreme endurance events sharpen decision-making and adaptability. Observe, Engage, Adapt, Persevere — A simple yet powerful framework for survival and success. Moisture management matters — Small, counterintuitive habits can make or break long-term success in any high-stakes environment. Find the middle ground — In negotiations, you’ve likely reached fairness when both sides are slightly unhappy but see the logic. Impact over income — Matt’s latest venture in Guatemala proves that business growth and social good can be inseparable. 00:00 – Intro & guest setup 05:35 – Matt’s origin story: risk-taking father, intellectual mother 09:00 – Discovering law as a second-phase career 11:55 – Theological studies: reconciling faith and harm 17:28 – The birth of a neutral legal administrator 21:11 – World Trade Center, BP Oil Spill, and mass tort work 27:39 – Truth, accountability, and finding reliable sources 31:44 – AI’s role in transforming the legal industry 39:23 – Epic adventures: Great Divide, Baja Divide, Iditarod 45:58 – The Observe–Engage–Adapt–Persevere model 53:48 – Burnbright: blending business, social impact, and job creation

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• Are You Coachable Enough To Win? With Tony Shipley

  Tony Shipley, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Queen City Angels, joins Jeff Bloomfield to share his journey from a Tennessee farm to building one of America’s fastest-growing tech companies and mentoring over 125 startups. Tony reveals the timeless lessons from his upbringing, the importance of intellectual curiosity and critical thinking in entrepreneurship, and why being coachable is the most underrated trait for founders. This episode is a roadmap for anyone seeking to build a meaningful business while leaving a lasting legacy. This isn’t just a conversation about startups—it’s a masterclass on building something that matters. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or aspiring leader, Tony’s wisdom will challenge how you think about success, decision-making, and leadership. If you’ve ever wondered how to turn ideas into impact—or how to avoid the mistakes that sink early-stage companies—this episode is a must-hear. Entrepreneurship is simple, not easy: Businesses succeed when they focus on customer problems, not just clever ideas. Coachability trumps confidence: Founders who “know it all” rarely get funded or scale successfully. Fail fast, learn faster: Quick iteration saves time, money, and credibility. Every founder is first selling themselves, not just their product. Networking is a superpower: Mentors and advisors are everywhere if you’re willing to ask. Intellectual curiosity and critical thinking are the twin engines of progress. Predictive programming drives unconscious decision-making—be aware of yours. Fractional expertise beats lone hero syndrome—hire where you lack skills. Legacy is built on people and memories, not exits or net worth. Ideas aren’t fragile—if you’re afraid to share them, they’re not strong enough. 00:00 – Opening & Tony’s $1B startup impact 03:45 – Growing up on a Tennessee farm: lessons for life and business 12:30 – The stages of entrepreneurship (idea → MVP → scale) 20:30 – Networking and the power of asking the right questions 23:30 – Fear, pride, and the failure coin in entrepreneurship 28:40 – Intellectual curiosity and critical thinking as superpowers 31:00 – Predictive programming and founder patterns 35:30 – Building a lasting personal and professional legacy Why You Should Listen Top 10 Takeaways Chapter Markings 39:35 – Resources and how to get started in entrepreneurship

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