Jason's Conversations

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Welcome to Jason’s Conversations—where I get deep with fascinating people from around the world to explore unexpected career pivots, unique life experiences, and the trade-offs that come with forging your own path. From lawyers who left the courtroom for adventure to authors, entrepreneurs, and world travelers, each episode dives into the real stories of those who’ve stepped off the beaten path. My guests range from a renowned author to an international businesswoman to a newly retired professional golfer.

  1. Jason's Conversations #12 - Engineer, Clergyman, Lawyer & Author of Better Capitalism | Paul Knowlton

    May 5

    Jason's Conversations #12 - Engineer, Clergyman, Lawyer & Author of Better Capitalism | Paul Knowlton

    Jason's Conversations #12 - Engineer, Clergyman, Lawyer & Author of Better Capitalism | Paul Knowlton Paul Knowlton is a veteran a practicing attorney in Atlanta with an undergraduate degree in engineering. He helped build and operates an 18-attorney law firm in Atlanta, the Stanton Firm. Over the course of his career, he completed Seminary, while holding down full-time work as an attorney. Importantly, Paul is the author of Better Capitalism https://www.bettercapitalism.org/.That stack (engineer, lawyer, clergyman) is rare for a reason. Most people don't think in that many ways. Paul does, and you can hear it in how he frames the problems other people stay stuck on: how to run a firm, how to treat people, how to know when you have enough, and what business is actually for. This conversation is less about pitching a book and more about the way one unusually-credentialed man has put his life and his work together — and what the rest of us can take from it. What we get into:- The career path: civil engineer → trial attorney → law firm owner → clergyman, and why each step happened- How seminary training quietly reshaped the way he practices law- Running an 18-attorney firm on the principle of "work to live," not "live to work"- His take on Mars Inc., a $117B family-owned company that bakes "mutuality" into its contracts and still outperforms Coca-Cola- The Gravity Payments story: a CEO who capped his salary at $1M, raised everyone to $70–90K, and grew the business- How CEO-to-worker pay ratios went from 20:1 to as high as 3,000:1- Why the "invisible hand" is misunderstood — and the dishwasher story that proves it- How to define "enough" with real numbers, not vibes- Why faith and ethics belong in business conversations — and why CSR and ESG keep missing the mark- Courage as a skill you can buildWhether you run a company, work inside one, or just buy things from them, you'll come away thinking differently about what business is for — and about the kind of person who's willing to look hard at it.Chapters00:00 — Preview00:30 — Intro04:24 — What Better Capitalism actually is05:00 — Paul's seminary + engineering origin story15:00 — How seminary training shaped his law practice18:00 — The Milton Friedman problem21:45 — Defining "enough" with real metrics23:50 — Mutuality and Adam Smith's Theory of Moral Sentiments26:28 — Inside Mars Inc.27:00 — Running an 18-attorney firm on these principles40:45 — The Gravity Payments case study46:30 — The CEO-to-worker pay ratio problem49:00 — Why this isn't CSR or ESG51:50 — Mindset, collaboration, and the golden rule54:30 — Capitalism as engineered software56:00 — Why the market doesn't self-correct57:30 — The invisible hand, properly understood58:40 — The dishwasher story01:00:42 — "The worst system except for all the others"01:13:00 — Handling the "that's socialism" pushback01:16:14 — Why Better Capitalism needs support to grow01:22:20 — The success stories he wants to tell next01:25:00 — Courage as a practiceGet the book: Better Capitalism — https://www.amazon.com/Better-Capital...Learn more / support the work: https://www.bettercapitalism.org/   • Engineer, Attorney, Seminarian | The Origi...  Engineer. Attorney. Seminarian. | The Original Mind of Paul Knowlton, Author of Better Capitalism.mp4

    1h 23m

  2. 04/06/2025

    Jason's Conversations #11 - Ayahuasca's Healing Power: A Veteran's Journey Home | Nate Brown

    Jason's Conversations #11 - Ayahuasca's Healing Power: A Veteran's Journey Home | Nate Brown Ayahuasca's Healing Power: A Veteran's Journey Home | Nate BrownIn this heart wrenching and heartwarming episode of Jason's Conversations, I sit down with a former Navy SEAL and the founder of ComingHomeProject.org — a nonprofit offering plant medicine retreats for veterans dealing with PTSD, anxiety, and the aftershocks of war. They serve civilians as well.We talk candidly about:The shift from warrior to healerHow ayahuasca and sacred plant medicine are changing livesWhy veterans often feel lost after deploymentWhat true healing looks like for men who’ve seen the worstWhat it means to be a man in 2024, in our estimationHow masculinity includes the protect or, as well as the nurturerWhat it means to face yourselfWhether you're a veteran, someone exploring ayahuasca, or simply interested in overcoming patterns and habit that could be holding you back — this is a conversation that might change how you think about mental health and reintegration.The Coming Home Project (Nate's Mission) - https://www.thecominghomeproject.org/🔗 Learn more: https://cominghomeproject.org🎙 Subscribe to Jason's Conversations for more: 💬 Share your thoughts belowDISCLAIMER: The content of this video is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It does not promote, encourage, or advocate for the use or distribution of any legal or illegal drugs.Nothing discussed in this conversation should be interpreted as an endorsement or recommendation of ayahuasca or any plant medicine. These substances are not a cure-all, magic pill, or guaranteed solution, and shouldn't necessarily replace professional medical or psychological treatment. Individuals should make their own informed, responsible decisions based on personal research, professional advice, and applicable laws.Ayahuasca has had a profound and positive impact on the lives of the two men speaking in this video, but it is not for everyone.There is a legal route and basis for the administration of ayahuasca ceremonies within the United States, and where we originally connected — Costa Rica — such ceremonies may also take place within the bounds of the law. Nothing shared in this video constitutes a confession or admission of any activity in contravention of those legal frameworks.https://youtu.be/P5XnSjCGzDgMy Movie 28.mp4

    1h 29m
  3. Jason's Conversations #10 - From Public Defender to Outdoor Explorer: Reinventing Career & Life | Maxie "Don" Johnson

    02/18/2025

    Jason's Conversations #10 - From Public Defender to Outdoor Explorer: Reinventing Career & Life | Maxie "Don" Johnson

    From Public Defender to Outdoor Explorer: Reinventing Career & Life | Maxie "Don" Johnson From Public Defender to Outdoor Explorer: Reinventing Career & Life | Maxie "Don" JohnsonIn this episode of Jason’s Conversations, I sit down with a law school friend who, like me, started as a public defender. But his path took a wild turn—leaving the courtroom for Thailand to teach English, picking up legal work where he could, and ultimately finding his true passion as an outdoor guide. Now, he's carving out a meaningful career leading people through the wilderness.💡 We dive into: ✔️ Leaving the legal field for something unconventional ✔️ Finding work that aligns with passion and purpose ✔️ The unexpected benefits of reinvention and adventure 🚀 If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career or wondered if there’s another path waiting for you, this conversation will inspire you to take the leap. 🔔 Subscribe & Hit the Bell to catch more deep, real conversations on work, purpose, and fulfillment! 👉 Drop a comment: Would you ever trade a legal career for the great outdoors?https://youtu.be/qZTQVX0khJEMy Movie 28.mp4

    1h 2m
  4. Jason's Conversations | #9

    11/29/2022

    Jason's Conversations | #9

    Adaptive Golf | Conversation and a few Golf Swings with Marcus Williams   Check out this conversation with Adaptive Golf's Best Ambassador, Marcus Williams at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta. He goes through his start in Adaptive Golf, his mindset and his philosophy on how to best approach life.    Learn more about Marcus here - youtube.com/watch?v=-dZZqAwRXSc  Marcus's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lydolife/?hl=en  Marcus's Twitter - https://twitter.com/lydolife https://youtu.be/YGn-1HF2v6o  My Movie 8 - SD 480p.mov

    19 min
  5. Jason's Conversations #8 - ATLANTA HOMELESS WOMAN

    11/15/2022

    Jason's Conversations #8 - ATLANTA HOMELESS WOMAN

    Jason's Conversations #8 - ATLANTA HOMELESS WOMAN Homeless Atlanta | Woman Tells her Story on the Streets   Homeless Atlanta woman talks about her mindset, how she keeps it positive and tells us a little bit about her career. She had a job for 12 years! Very noticeable is the lack of bitterness in her voice.   While I can’t affirm or deny the truth of what Wendy says here, you can glean something from her perspective on her situation and life.   https://youtu.be/zRge9u22hkY My Movie 7 - SD 480p.mov   Please feel free to share how you'd help Wendy. I'm brainstorming about how to make her Thanksgiving and Christmas a little better and could use some input.   Also, book a coaching call with me if so moved (coachjason.me).

    14 min
  6. Jason's Conversations #7 - NICK SABAN, REGGIE JACKSON & KIRK GIBSON | Fascinating Sports Stories

    11/06/2022

    Jason's Conversations #7 - NICK SABAN, REGGIE JACKSON & KIRK GIBSON | Fascinating Sports Stories

    NICK SABAN, REGGIE JACKSON  & KIRK GIBSON | Fascinating Sports Stories.   Lynn Henning, a longtime, Detroit sportswriter and good friend goes back through some of this favorite athletes and stories, which involve Nick Saban, Reggie Jackson, Kirk Gibson and more.  Watch and learn lesser known facts about the best multi-sport athlete not named Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson, Nick Saban before he was the GOAT and Reggie Jackson's moonshot home run.   TIMESTAMPS  00:00 - INTRODUCTION  00:08 - Lynn’s sportswriting resume  03:17 - Covering Kirk Gibson  14:29 - Kirk Gibson - 1 of the 1988 World Series  19:32 - Covering Reggie Jackson, 1971 All-Star Game and more  24:30 - Other Notable Detroit Athletes  25:30 - Nick Saban   26:17 - Nick Saban before and during tenure at Michigan State  32:00 - How Modern Baseball and Football have changed  37:14 - Spring TrainingNICK SABAN, REGGIE JACKSON, KIRK GIBSON Stories | Sportswriter Lynn Henning Recounts a 45-YR Career  h ttps://youtu.be/sSxBWg8GcPg

    38 min

  7. 06/15/2022

    Making it in China - Part 3 | Development of Golf in China During the Economic Miracle

    Making it in China - Part 3 | Development of Golf in China During the Economic Miracle Part 3 of 3 of a fascinating conversation with two accomplished, American businessmen who created their careers alongside and within The Economic Miracle that was China's growth from approximately 2000 - 2018.    Part 3 of 3 of a fascinating conversation with two accomplished, American businessmen who created their careers alongside and within The Economic Miracle that was China's growth from approximately 2000 - 2018. 0:00 - Intro  2:00 - How Golf Developed and Undeveloped in China  3:30 - Caddies in China  7:15 - Who Plays Golf in China  7:50 - China's Government's Intervention in Golf  11:50 - Golf as a Status Symbol in China  13:10 - How Public Golf Could Work in China  16:48 - What they Got to Do from Being in China from the Late 1990s to 2019   https://youtu.be/2XiLRHmivRc  Note: This video shows a continuation of two prior conversations, which are on my channel and you can watch using this link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nG4j... and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f87dQ...  @ldavidkruse

    25 min

  8. 06/07/2022

    Jason's Conversations #6 - Building Businesses in China During the Economic Miracle in China

    Building Businesses in China During the Economic Miracle in China | Part Two of a Conversation   Part 2 of 3 of a fascinating conversation with two accomplished, American businessmen who created their careers alongside and within The Economic Miracle that was China's growth from approximately 2000 - 2018.    In this segment, we go over how their first few business ventures together, echoes of the Maoist Era and Cultural Revolution my attempt at a China related side-hustle, stories about extortion and avoiding extortion and hospital stays in China.   You don't want to miss this or the next part of this conversation about China.   TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Where we left off 0:09 - How they started working together 3:05 - What they learned from their first ventures in China 5:30 - Snowboard Factory 10:35 - Perspective from the Cultural Revolution 13:01 - Echoes of the Mao Era 16:20 - My Attempt at a China related side hustle 17:30 - Dave's English Teaching Propositions 19:17 - Stories about Extortion 24:55 - Hospital Stays in China   https://youtu.be/f87dQE5c094  Note: This video shows a continuation of the prior conversation, which is on my channel and you can watch using this link -   https://youtu.be/6nG4j70l0N0  China Talk 2 - SD 480p.mov    Here's a link to the snowboard factory, which they reference in this episode - https://gp87.net/ @ldavidkruse ​

    28 min
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About

Welcome to Jason’s Conversations—where I get deep with fascinating people from around the world to explore unexpected career pivots, unique life experiences, and the trade-offs that come with forging your own path. From lawyers who left the courtroom for adventure to authors, entrepreneurs, and world travelers, each episode dives into the real stories of those who’ve stepped off the beaten path. My guests range from a renowned author to an international businesswoman to a newly retired professional golfer.

Information

  • Creator
    Jason
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jason
  • Show Website
    Jason's Conversations