The Failure Guy podcast

Cornell D. Green
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Success comes not to the first out off the line, or the fastest start, but to those who keep running. FAILURE = First Attempts In Learning Using Real Experience. Each week, we interview people from all walks of life about their most significant failure: what they learned, how they overcame it and how that has informed their success to this day. Maybe you can’t learn from the mistakes of others, but you CAN learn from their failure…

  1. Aug 4

    Jody Webb interview

    "World-Class Problem... SOLVED" My conversation with Jody has got to be at once the most inspiring, insightful, uplifting and heart-breaking - all at once. Never has an episode of TFG left me so humbled, so shaken, so moved to my core as this one. Jody describes himself as a "world-class problem solver". His life has been full of ironies: in what he describes as a "Freaky Friday experience", he was working for the Arkansas state auditor and fully intended to pursue a career in politics. He was in the state capitol the day Bill Clinton boarded Air Force One for the White House. His best friend was working through his student teaching obligations in preparation for a career as an education, and invited Jody to appear as a guest speaker. In that moment, he said he felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. Jody went on to a career  coaching at YMCA, junior-high, and high-school levels, nearly winning a city championship in his third volunteer year and helping Westside High School produce its first college athlete in twenty years. His friend went on to be a director in the Arkansas state government on the education side. Jody also went on to face overwhelming failure - personally and professionally. Like many Americans, the events of Sept. 11th 2001 shook him to his core... and likely also triggered childhood traumas, which he spoke of candidly with stark honesty at the very end of our conversation. As too many men do - and as I have shared I myself had done - he hid his inner turmoil, wore the "public mask" as he put it - and it wore him down inside. To career failure, and homelessness. Down to fifty bucks in his pocket, living in his car. At wits end, he called his mother, seeking help from the one person he knew he could trust. With her help, he found faith. He found community. He found the support of other men who themselves had gone all the way to hell... and back again. Jody went on to become "Coach Webb" to student athletes and parents alike. Leader, confidante and trusted advisor, who has inspired thousands not only to athletic achievments, but successfully becoming upstanding adults and productive citizens. His closing message - specifically to the men in the TFG audience - moved us both to tears. The theme of "safe spaces for men" appears to be the throughline of this season. In Jody Webb, I think we've found our coach.

  2. Jul 21

    Shawna Lynne interview

    "Frequency Matching" Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Certified fitness instructor. Health strategist. Psychotherapist. Posessor of a Masters Degree who is currently pursuing a PhD in sexology. Folks - Shawna Lynne has got to be the most intriguing guest of all the amazing guests we've had here on "The Failure Guy". Like Jaymie Pottinger last season, Shawna was such a striking, vibrant presence, I had to immediately to approach her and ask her to join me on the podcast. In addition, Shawna is such vivacious and intriguing personality that... let's just say, there were other incentives which compelled me to approach her. Believe me, dear TFG listeners: you will find yourselves just as captivated as I am. Her unique view of personal connections and interactions from a "frequency" perspective, beautiful, her view of herself as living in "a rich world of experiences where my life is a series of failures and successes", her regard of dancing as "somatic healing", where music and movement serve to release negativity and pain and restore one's energy -- I could go on, but you should really just listen to this fascinating, engaging, insightful conversation. And I haven't even mentioned her most recent project: Delulu Today. Perhaps the most unique approach to the human experience. Not so much "online therapy" as an inquiry, a community between seekers and healer, wanderers seeking fellow travelers, fellow souls in the journey through this world of rich experiences. The site is in its early development stage, but do check out the link below, and explore the next phase of helping and healing - join those seeking to use technology as a bridge of connect, and not a conduit of isolation. I'm sure you'll be just as enthralled as I am to encounter the amazing, dynamic, vivacious Shawn Lynne... there most definitely has to be a "part two" very soon. Contact Shawna Email: hello@shawnalynne.com Website: https://getcurious.delulutoday.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shawna.akerman/ Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/therapists/shawna-lynne-karma-cares-toronto-on/704006

  3. Jul 14

    Ralph Watkins interview – part 02

    "...And Back Again" Once again, I have an amazing conversation with my first guest to discover TFG "in the wild", Ralph Watkins. We pick up where we left off last episode, getting "up the creek" if you will: discussing the collapse of Ralph's mortgage business during the subprime mortgage crisis, his initial resistance to applying for unemployment. Ralph goes deep, revealing how his stigma to even consider applying for government assistance was the result of internalized negative self‑talk - trauma-triggered flinching as he put it, due to "old tapes" in his mind. The leads to the central metaphor of replacing outdated mental programming, and Ralph's tactical steps for "Shit Creek Survivors": stop digging, find the bottom, orient which way is up, and identify needs such as rest or nourishment. He explains how he learned that self-encouragement and external help are both required to climb out of despair. If you've ever found yourself - or find yourself - "up Shit Creek", this conversation will help you find your north star, and maybe even give you the tools you need to carve a discarded hunk of driftwood into that elusive paddle... Contact Ralph Email: ralph@nascs.org Website: https://nascs.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iralphie/ Book: 10 Habits of Shit Creek Survivors: Lessons from Hell to Hope - https://www.amazon.com/10-Habits-Shit-Creek-Survivors-ebook/dp/B0GSC6YGTX

  4. Jul 7

    Ralph Watkins interview – part 01

    "Up the Creek" This is a milestone episode: Ralph is the first guest on The Failure Guy podcast to encounter us "in the wild". Prior to his reaching out to me via my LinkedIn profile, we had no contact on- or offline, and he was not referred by any personal or professional friend or colleague. In many ways, that makes our little TFG a "real podcast", like Pinnochio becomes a real boy in the end of the story. And what a story Ralph has to share with us. So deep, so rich, that before this part of the conversation was done I knew we'd have to have a part two. What intrigued me when I reviewed Ralph's entries in the onboarding form guests use to book a TFG conversation was the name of his organization "National Association of Shit Creek Survivors"! That certainly got my attention... and if you've ever found yourself up that creek without a paddle or a compass (and who hasn't) you'll want to pay attention to this episode. And part two, coming up next week... Contact Ralph Email: ralph@nascs.org Website: https://nascs.org/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iralphie/ Book: 10 Habits of Shit Creek Survivors: Lessons from Hell to Hope - https://www.amazon.com/10-Habits-Shit-Creek-Survivors-ebook/dp/B0GSC6YGTX

  5. Feb 17

    Hal Eisenberg Interview – part 02

    "The 3 E's of Excellent Education Experience" Welcome to Season Four! In which I finally succeed in delivering an episode about our first guest - last season's final guest, Hal Eisenberg... Our season's first conversation focuses on Hal's experiences and insights as a social worker in the New York City school system, emphasizing the need for a transformative approach to education. Hal shares his vision of social work as a means to empower individuals by helping them recognize their inner strength and potential, rather than conforming to traditional stereotypes. His model prioritizes genuine support and personal growth over mere compliance with institutional requirements. Hal's three-phase approach to social work is as illuminating as it is alliterative: Exploration, Empowerment, and Elevation. He emphasizes active listening and clarifying questions during the exploration phase, which helps individuals process their experiences. The empowerment phase guides individuals to see their potential and possibilities, fostering a sense of respect and authenticity. Elevation occurs when they seek to share their knowledge and experiences with others, creating a collective uplift. Hal is a published author, world-traveller and public speaker who empowers both learners and educators with his cutting-edge transformational approach, which aims not just to teach people - but to transform their very existence, within themselves, their classes and communities, and - we hope - globally. Prepare for a most amazing conversation - and check out Hal's publications in the links below. Books by Hal Eisenberg: Whispers in the Rain - Amazon #1 Best Seller: https://a.co/d/0fEzmraT Beautiful Souls - 4 part book series: Part 1. The Becoming: https://a.co/d/09Bej4IK Part 2. The Reckoning: https://a.co/d/04TPwARJ Part 3. The Rebirth: https://a.co/d/0bTDzcmC Part 4. The Awakening: https://a.co/d/0fB4CDcZ

  6. 11/05/2025

    Hal Eisenberg Interview

    "I Refuse to Sink" In this episode, I totally lived up to my brand - "The Failure Guy". First, I failed to check my schedule and was late for my conversation with Hal. Second, I totally screwed things up the soundcheck I always do before we get started recording. But believe me: it was all worth it. Also, most unusually, half of our conversation is basically Hal interviewing me. We share a love of music and a "past life" of musicianship. It's also quite synergistic that I am a bass player, and Hal's a drummer: the "rhythm section" of any decent rock band. Hal and I spend the second half of this conversation discussing the Jersey shore, our influences and favorite band, the importance of music in our former and present lives... but don't be fooled. We DO discuss - at least, initially - Hal's amazing life and career. So amazing, that I WILL have another conversation with Hal as soon as possible. I can't wait to actually dive deep into his story... and I'm sure you'll be eager to hear all the rest as well.

  7. 07/22/2025

    Jaymie Pottinger Interview

    "Coercion Produces Results: Collaboration Produces Leadership" I met Jaymie at a book signing event in Orlando, Florida. Someone in the audience asked him his view on failure - his response made me realize then and there that he had to be a guest on the podcast. In our conversation, Jaymie shares his perspective on failure as a vital component of leadership, illustrating how personal experiences, such as a significant loss in soccer, shaped his understanding of preparation and teamwork. He emphasizes that failure should be viewed as a learning opportunity that can motivate individuals to improve and adapt, ultimately leading to greater success. This fascinating mindset shift is crucial for leaders and their teams to navigate challenges effectively. Our conversation also touches on the broader implications of leadership and representation, particularly for marginalized communities. Jaymie shares insights from his book, "The Face of Leadership," emphasizing that effective leadership is rooted in principles that guide actions rather than individual accolades. Of all the conversations I've had on this podcast, this one is the most... serendipitous of them all. You must check this one out. Contact Jaymie: Email: jpottinger@pottingerandassociates.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaymie-pottinger-8b5a18109/ Book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/F-C-Leadership-Jaymie-Pottinger/dp/1956630090

  8. 05/21/2025

    Marcus Lee Interview

    "There's Power in the Pivot" Marcus Lee is a rare breed in the world of techies: a software engineer who sees the world as series of processes AND a humanistic individual with a compassionate view of every encounter from the perspective of how well the people involved are having a delightful experience. A former multi-linguist and musician and successful producer, in one life-shattering moment he had all of this literally erased from his conscious existence. Waking up on the hospital gurney broken in mind and body, rather than devolve into despair and depression, he basically "hard reset", and reinvented himself as a VP of digital product development and AI strategist, a software engineer who developed apps to help farmers them make better decisions in the field to have better crop yields. And now, he's bringing the sum and substance of his life's experience conducting corporate leadership training to help create leaders who aren't bosses, but who inspire people to follow them and become leaders themselves. "Who you are isn't what you achieve. It's how you respond when things fall apart." This is Marcus' worldview. And it's an amazing world in which he lives. Join us in one of the most amazing, insightful conversations yet...   Contact Marcus at: Email: marcuslee.tech@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/marcustech

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About

Success comes not to the first out off the line, or the fastest start, but to those who keep running. FAILURE = First Attempts In Learning Using Real Experience. Each week, we interview people from all walks of life about their most significant failure: what they learned, how they overcame it and how that has informed their success to this day. Maybe you can’t learn from the mistakes of others, but you CAN learn from their failure…

Information

  • Creator
    Cornell D. Green
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 21st Century CommunIT Solutions, LLC
  • Show Website
    The Failure Guy podcast