The Professionals Playbook

Latest Episodes:

The Co-Founder of Siri and Change.org on working with Steve Jobs, Time Management Techniques, and Keys to Success--Adam Cheyer Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is a genius that is changing the paradigm of the world we live in. I don't use those words lightly. He is the Co-Founder of Siri, the digital assistant that's in every Apple device. He is a founding member of Change.org, a community of over 200 million members who fight for what's right by shining a spotlight on important issues around the world. He is also a founding member of Sentient, the worlds most well funded artificial intelligence company. He is currently working as the Co-Founder of Viv Labs, developing Bixby, Samsung's digital assistant. He has authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, and holds 26 patents.

Talking with Adam was an incredible experience. He is one of the few people who has changed the world in a measurable way. His story about Steve Jobs calling him up and offering to buy his company is amazing. He talks about how he managed his time while starting 3 companies simultaneously, how to develop a mental model to predict the future, and his current digital assistant, which the rest of us won't have access to for several years. If you listen to one part, listen to the last 10 minutes, where he talks about the key to his success--verbally stated goals. Below are the topics we discussed along with timestamps:

Origin of Siri (min. 02:45)
How to know when you can commercialize a passion (min. 06:15)
Developing a mental model of the future (min. 10:30)
How social media has helped us (min. 15:00)
Working with Steve Jobs (min. 17:00)
The Apple culture (min. 24:00)
Seeing Siri everywhere now (min 27:00)
Future of digital assistants (min 30:30)
Developing Bixby for billions of devices (min. 34:00)
Balancing security with function (min. 37:15)
His personal super-assistant (min. 38:30)
Founding Sentient, the worlds most well funded AI company (min. 41:45)
Using Sentient computing to find the perfect shoe (min. 46:15)
Amazing time management skills (min. 48:30)
His key to success--verbally stated goals (min. 53:15)

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Brig. General on Human Performance, Fostering Innovation, and Leadership Lessons--Pete Palmer Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Brig. General (retired) Pete Palmer. He served for 32 years in the Army in various infantry assignments, both stateside and abroad. His joint and coalition experience include four tours in NATO as well as Kosovo and Iraq. During the latter part of his career Pete was assigned to serve as the Director of Accelerated Capabilities Development, where he helped champion the Army’s push into improving the relationship between the soldier and technology. He most recently served as the Director of General Dynamics's EDGE innovation Network, which develops and nurtures emerging technology.

Pete has served as somewhat of a mentor to me. He is truly world-class in connecting people with an idea or team so that they will succeed. He has also worked with nearly every major government organization that is researching human performance. In our conversation we talk about mapping the human mind, the top ways to increase a soldiers performance, being able to "smell" the battlefield, leadership lessons learned, and more.

Below are the topics we talk about, in order with timestamps:

Background (min. 02:30)
Why we don't focus on the brain of the warfighter (min. 06:00)
Cognitive shoe size (min. 09:00)
How close are we to mapping the mind (min. 14:00)
Should we train people up or have them do a different job (min. 18:30)
Once we have a map of the mind, how do we assign jobs (min. 22:00)
Biggest ways to increase a soldiers performance (min. 25:30)
Playing the "bad guy" and running new commanders through the paces (min. 30:30)
Being able to "smell" the battlefield (min. 34:00)
Training EVERY senior leader that fought in the last gulf war (min. 36:30)
Leadership lessons learned (min. 38:30).
Deciding between firing someone and training them up (min. 41:00)
Giving people feedback (min. 43:15)
Projects working on now (min. 50:00)

Reno Air Race Champion on Optimizing Human and Machine Performance--Andy Findlay Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

My guest today is Andy Findlay, the 2018 Reno Air Race Champion. The race, officially known as the National Air Race Championships, is a multi-day event that takes place every September. It is billed as "the worlds fastest motor sport." The highly modified aircraft often reach speeds in excess of 400 mph, often just feet from each other.

Andy has raced competitively for most of his life--downhill skiing, snowmobiles, motorcycles, and now airplanes. He has flow over 20 different types of aircraft and has a background in engine development. He was the 2013 "rookie of the year" and is now the reigning sport-class champion.

Two things stood out to me about Andy--his engineering expertise and his passion for understanding the mental side of peak performance. His engineering background is evident as he discusses how he gains an incremental advantage with each modification to the plane. It was also fascinating to hear how he trains mentally to perform his best on race day. In this episode we talk about, in order:

What is sport-class racing (min. 2:45)
How he got involved in racing (min. 4:00)
Why it's so difficult for a prop plane to go 400mph (min. 6:15)
What happens if a prop goes supersonic (min. 8:45)
Engine development (min. 9:15)
Engine blowing up (min. 14:00)
What a Reno race is like (min. 17:30)
Race strategies (min. 19:30)
Losing a friend while flying (min. 21:00)
Training required (min. 23:30)
Reno Race debrief (min. 25:30)
What it's like to be the champion (min. 29:15)
Breaking the 400mph barrier (min. 35:30)
Strengths of the plane, team, and him (min. 38:00)
Getting into a flow state (min. 40:30)
Performing at peak performance (min. 42:00)
How much faster he can go (min. 49:30)

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Check out all the interviews at https://www.professionalsplaybook.com
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CEO and Co-Founder of Veo Robotics on superhuman robots and manufacturing--Patrick Sobalvarro Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Patrick Sobalvarro is the Co-Founder and CEO of Veo Robotics, a company that creates the brains for superhuman industrial robots.

Patrick has more than twenty-five years of experience in computer vision, robotics, and industrial automation. Prior to founding Veo Robotics, he was the first Entrepreneur in Residence at Siemens Venture Capital.

Patrick was also President of Rethink Robotics, creators of collaborative manufacturing robots, and founded and led the computer vision startup IntelliVid to its acquisition by Tyco International.

Originally trained as a computer scientist, Patrick holds a Ph.D., M.S., and B.S. in Computer Science from MIT.

I was impressed with how Patrick was able to explain the nuances of what he does to someone outside the industry like myself. He is humble and knowledgeable which makes him a great teacher. In this episode we talk about how robots are similar to the plow-horse from the early 20th century, how Tesla automated their factory too much leading to disastrous results, computer vision, A.I., what he looks for in new-hires, and his No-Jerks policy.
In this episode, we talk about in order:

Insights from computer vision in stores (min. 5:30)
What defines a robot? (min. 9:30)
Industrial robotics overview (min. 14:15)
Tesla overreaching (min. 19:30)
Handoff between robots and humans (min. 24:30)
Removing robots from their cages (min. 33:00)
The "Moses Vest" (min. 37:45)
Computer vision (min. 39:00)
Computing power required (min. 40:30)
AI/machine learning (min. 42:00)
Future of industry (min. 47:15)
As CEO what qualities he looks for in new-hires (min. 49:45)
No-Jerks Policy (min 51:30)

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Check out all the interviews at https://www.professionalsplaybook.com
Instagram-- @justinfighterpilot
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The CIA agent behind the movie 'Fair Game' starring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn--Valerie Plame Jun 11, 2019

Show notes

Valerie Plame is one of America's most famous CIA officers. Her life was the subject of the 2010 movie Fair Game staring Naomi Watts and Sean Penn. During her time in the CIA she served several tours as a NOC, which stands for non-official cover. NOC's are the most covert of the Agency's operatives, working with no connection to the U.S. government and without diplomatic immunity. While much of the work she did still remains classified, Valerie spent time in the CIA's nuclear counter-proliferation division preventing rouge nations from acquiring weapons of mass destruction.

I had a good time talking with Valerie. I was impressed with how open and candid she was about her time in the CIA. I think a lot of her insights are applicable to more normal jobs, especially about how she overcame a gender bias and her tips on networking. In the episode we talk about her time at the CIA's training center, known as "The Farm," what being a NOC was like, leadership tips, the types of people who thrive in the CIA, and more. Below are the show notes with the topics we discussed along with the times.

CIA selection 2:15
Initial CIA training 10:30
Follow-on training 12:10
Favorite part of the job 13:30
Org chart of CIA 16:30
Types of cover 18:30
Role of human intelligence 21:00
Being a NOC 22:30
Types of people who thrive 22:45
Is it lonely 24:15
Handling pressure 25:45
Good Stories 26:30
Leadership undercover 28:00
Mentorship vs sponsorship 32:10
How the role of women changed 34:09
Playbook on networking 37:00
Life made into major movie 38:30
Spies lies and nukes conference 39:30

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode
I've also started a monthly newsletter where I send out a few useful or insightful things that have helped me over the last month. You can sign up by clicking here or going to:
https://www.professionalsplaybook.com/newsletter
Instagram-- @justinfighterpilot
LinkedIn-- Justin Lee
Facebook--@justinfighterpilot
This episode was edited by Trevor Cabler
If you got value from this episode, please give the show a review by tapping here and scrolling to the bottom where it says: "Write a Review." Thanks for the support 👊

USAF Thunderbird #1: The Air Force's top ambassador and warrior on life, loss, combat and more--John "Brick" Caldwell May 28, 2019

Show notes

Lt. Col. John "Brick" Caldwell is the Commander and Leader of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. I had never met Brick before this interview, but several pilots I've flown with have a tremendous amount of respect for him. After our conversation, I do as well. He is an accomplished warrior with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He has over 660 combat flight hours, a Distinguished Flying Cross, and is a graduate of the USAF weapons school. He served for several years in the Air Force's Test and Evaluation Squadron, overseeing the latest fighter aircraft technology. He now leads the 130-person Thunderbird organization and flies the number 1 jet.
Brick is a world-class professional who is also a great communicator. He talks about some emotionally difficult topics as well lessons he's learned along the way. I think everyone can take away something from this interview. Feel free to share this episode with someone who you think would benefit most.
In this episode, we talk about, in order:

His first passion for aviation (minute 0:00)
Turning a dream into reality (minute 5:00)
Lessons learned (minute 6:00)
Deployment to Iraq (minute 07:00)
Losing a friend in combat (minute 10:10)
Taking enemy life (minute 19:15)
Deployment to Afghanistan (minute 21:15)
The mission he received a Distinguished Flying Cross (minute 24:00)
Combat Lessons learned (minute 28:15)
Test and evaluation experience (minute 31:00)
F-16 Viper evolution (minute 37:15)
Decision to join Thunderbirds (minute 41:45)
Being Thunderbird #1 (minute 50:15)
His crazy schedule (minute 53:00)
Thunderbird debriefs (minute 57:00)
Looking forward to most this season (minute 58:30)

Memorial Day Speech on combat, service, sacrifice, and remembering the fallen May 27, 2019

Show notes

This is not a typical episode, but I felt it was worth sharing. It's a speech I gave for Memorial Day. The audio quality isn't great, but it's meaningful to me. If I can use this podcast and platform to help keep the memory of the fallen alive, then it will have all been worth it.
---------------------------------------
Freedom isn’t free. I had the chance to take a history class with the man who coined that phrase, Col. Walter Hitchcock. His point was that living in a free democracy costs money, effort, and more than anything young men and women willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Though I didn’t quite understand it at the time, I do now. These young people traded in their lives and dreams so that we can live ours. Honoring their memory and sacrifice, along with their family’s sacrifice, is a small way we can begin to repay our tremendous debt to them.

Host of the "Airline Pilot Guy" podcast and one of the most senior airline pilots flying--Captain Jeff May 07, 2019

Show notes

Jeff Nielsen, also known as “Capt. Jeff” is the host of the very successful "Airline Pilot Guy" Podcast. After seven years in the U.S. Air Force as a C-141B and T-37 Instructor Pilot, he was hired by a very large, international “legacy” airline (we refer to it as “Acme Air”). His 30 year airline career has included flight time in the B-727 (all seats), L-1011 (First Officer), and the “Mad Dog” MD-88/90 (Captain).
I had a great time talking with Capt. Jeff. He has the calm demeanor and soothing voice you'd expect from a senior airline pilot. He has a wide breath of aviation knowledge and is the subject matter expert on being an airline pilot. In order, we talk about:

Day in the life (minute 8:30)
Difference between Air Force and civilian flying (minute 12:30)
Routines-traveling (minute 18:45)
Routines-flying: (minute 20:30)
How flying in the airlines changed over the years (minute 24:45)
The function of a flight engineer (minute 29:00)
Future of the industry including automation (minute 41:30).
Advice for people getting into the airlines (minute 49:00)
Common issues new airline pilots have (minute 51:00)
His podcast--Airline Pilot Guy (minute 52:30)

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Check out all the interviews at https://www.professionalsplaybook.com
Instagram-- @justinfighterpilot
Facebook--@justinfighterpilot

The first woman to solo across Antarctica: polar explorer Felicity Aston Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

Felicity Aston is a British Polar Explorer living in Reykjavik, Iceland. In 2012 she became the first person in the world to ski alone across Antarctica. The journey of 1744 km (1080 miles) took her 59 days and gave her a place in the book of Guinness World Records.
More than a decade before, her first journey to Antarctica was as a meteorologist with the British Antarctic Survey to monitor climate and ozone activity. She went on to complete numerous journeys in Antarctica and other polar regions of the world including Greenland and Siberia.

Felicity regularly speaks to audiences around the world about her expedition experiences as well as polar science, Antarctica and meteorology. She has written three books which have now been translated into several languages.
In this episode she talks about (in order):

Her career
How she puts together expeditions
What type of people she selects
Her leadership philosophy
Why Antartica is so amazing
Why it's so difficult to navigate during polar trips
Being utterly alone on the fringe of the world
Her mental training
Her physical training
Projects she's working on now

Check out all the interviews at https://www.professionalsplaybook.com
Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Check out all the interviews at https://www.professionalsplaybook.com
Instagram-- @justinfighterpilot
Facebook--@justinfighterpilot

3-time NFL Super Bowl Champion and Fighter pilot--Chad Hennings Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

Chad Hennings is is a three time NFL Super Bowl Champion with the Dallas Cowboys, a former A-10 fighter pilot, an author, a speaker and an entrepreneur.
Chad attended the United States Air Force Academy. There he was honored academically as well as on the gridiron. Named most valuable athlete at the Academy, he also earned: defensive player of the year honors from the Western Athletic Conference, a spot on the WAC’s All-Decade Team, the 1987 Outland Trophy, MVP of the 1988 Freedom Bowl, two-time Academic All-American, Academic All-American Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, and several other accolades. These achievements earned him a spot on the Dallas Cowboys’ roster.
However, he postponed his entry into the NFL to fulfill his commitment to the U.S. Air Force. Chad entered the Euro-NATO training program and went on to fly 45 missions in operation “Provide Comfort” behind the controls of an A-10 Thunderbolt II. The operation provided support to the Kurdish refugees in northern Iraq. He received two aerial achievement medals, a humanitarian award and an outstanding unit award for his actions. Chad then joined the Dallas Cowboys, earning a starting position as a defensive lineman. He spent his entire 9-year professional football career with the Cowboys, retiring with three Super Bowl rings.
He is active in several veterans’ initiatives and speaks to both businesses and non-profits on the topic of commitment. He is the author of the books, “It Takes Commitment”, “Rules of Engagement”, and “Forces of Character”.
In this episode we talk about (in order):

Where Chad got his passion for aviation and football
Who his mentors were growing up
What he does to surround himself with the best people
Why true strength is vulnerability
What his process is for setting large goals
His techniques for performing at a high level
Reframing failure
What is was like being a 25 year old rookie for the Cowboys
Balancing large goals with having a family
The power of relationships
Character
Projects he's working on now

Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode! Check out all the interviews at https://www.professionalsplaybook.com
Instagram-- @justinfighterpilot
Facebook--@justinfighterpilot

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