EYES WIDE | the podcast

Craig Palmer
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A journey through self-reflection, introspection, and tapping into all of the beautiful motivation a goal-seeking life will provide.

  1. May 25

    EP 26 | DOWN 22: What Jalen Brunson Did Before the Comeback

    Tuesday night. Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are down 22 with under eight minutes left. The building is dead quiet. Jalen Brunson calls a timeout, pulls his team into a huddle, and says something nobody outside that circle hears. What follows is a 44-11 run — the largest comeback in Knicks franchise history — and a 115-104 overtime win. The Knicks are now up 2-0 in the series. Craig Palmer isn't here to talk about basketball. He's here to talk about what happened in that huddle. The moment before the moment. The private decision that produces the public comeback. And why most people — leaders, sales professionals, high performers — get the sequence exactly backwards. In this episode: The Moment Before the Moment — why the comeback started in the huddle, not with the first bucket, and what that means for how you lead under pressure. The Big-Box Problem — the real reason Cleveland collapsed in the fourth quarter, and the dangerous mindset it exposes in sales organizations built around protecting leads instead of building them. The Mountain Bike Call — the afternoon a CEO told Craig the board was shopping his replacement, what he did that evening, and how The Simple System was born out of one of the hardest moments of his career. The Brunson Blueprint — three things elite leaders do when they're down 22: shrink the frame, stay in their identity, and create belief before the evidence shows up. The Knicks are up 2-0. Game 3 is tonight in Cleveland. The series is alive. So is this conversation. Real Stories. Brutal Lessons. Zero Fluff. 👉 eyeswidecp.com/podcast

    31 min

  2. Apr 26

    EP 25 | Bieberchella: What Justin Bieber Just Taught the World About Authentic Leadership

    Justin Bieber just delivered the most criticized — and most commercially dominant — performance in Coachella history. In this episode, Craig Palmer breaks down what actually happened in the desert and why it has nothing to do with music and everything to do with authentic brand power, leadership under pressure, and the courage to show up as exactly who you are when the world tells you to be something else. What you'll hear: The full Bieber arc — from a YouTube bedroom to the biggest stage in the worldThe moment that stopped 125,000 people coldWhy the marketplace responded the way it did — and what it means for your brandThe silent, invisible work that nobody sees — and why it's where everything is actually wonWhy the people telling you to be less are not trying to make you betterKeywords: Justin Bieber, Coachella 2026, authentic leadership, personal brand, sales leadership, resilience, brand strategy, comeback, business lessons, Bieberchella, Skylrk, self-belief, leadership podcast, sales podcast, motivational podcast EYES WIDE | the podcast — Real Stories. Brutal Lessons. Zero Fluff.Host: Craig Palmer | Sales Leader, Speaker, Coach🔗 eyeswidecp.com/podcast📧 craig@eyeswidecp.com

    21 min

  3. Apr 13

    EP 24 | RELAUNCH: What Artemis Teaches Us About Getting Back to the Moon

    In April 2024, I got a call I didn't see coming. Twelve years. A hundred and fifty people. Zero to fifty million dollars. A NASDAQ IPO. Thirteen consecutive quarterly earnings beats. And it ended on a Microsoft Teams call. As the new CEO read me a script about restructuring and new directions — I stopped hearing him. My mind went somewhere else entirely. It went to my daughters. Not the highlights. The ones I missed. This episode is about what happened next. The board member who told me I had nine months before my shine wore off. The months of silence and doubt and rebuilding. The moment I realized the relaunch I was planning wasn't the relaunch that would change my life. And what four astronauts pointing themselves at the moon — for the first time in fifty-four years — taught me about all of it. This isn't a career comeback story. It's a story about aiming at the wrong moon. About what we sacrifice on the altar of ambition. About the belief that to be elite at work you have to give up everything at home — and why that belief is not just emotionally wrong, but strategically wrong. And it's about the question I want to leave you with today: What have you been calling a pause — that you secretly fear might be an ending? Eyes Wide. See Everything. KEYWORDS / TAGS Primary: Career relaunchLeadership podcastMedical device salesSales leadershipPersonal developmentCareer setback recoveryHigh performance mindsetSecondary: Getting firedStarting overWork life balanceSales motivationMed tech careersPharmaceutical salesExecutive leadershipCareer transitionFatherhood and careerTrending / Topical: Artemis IINASA moon mission 2026Apollo vs ArtemisCareer pivotBrand: Eyes Wide podcastCraig PalmerThe Simple SystemThe Fire InsideFind Tomorrow in Today

    22 min

  4. Apr 13

    EP 24 | RELAUNCH: What Artemis Teaches Us About Getting Back to the Moon

    In April 2024, I got a call I didn't see coming. Twelve years. A hundred and fifty people. Zero to fifty million dollars. A NASDAQ IPO. Thirteen consecutive quarterly earnings beats. And it ended on a Microsoft Teams call. As the new CEO read me a script about restructuring and new directions — I stopped hearing him. My mind went somewhere else entirely. It went to my daughters. Not the highlights. The ones I missed. This episode is about what happened next. The board member who told me I had nine months before my shine wore off. The months of silence and doubt and rebuilding. The moment I realized the relaunch I was planning wasn't the relaunch that would change my life. And what four astronauts pointing themselves at the moon — for the first time in fifty-four years — taught me about all of it. This isn't a career comeback story. It's a story about aiming at the wrong moon. About what we sacrifice on the altar of ambition. About the belief that to be elite at work you have to give up everything at home — and why that belief is not just emotionally wrong, but strategically wrong. And it's about the question I want to leave you with today: What have you been calling a pause — that you secretly fear might be an ending? Eyes Wide. See Everything. Primary: Career relaunchLeadership podcastMedical device salesSales leadershipPersonal developmentCareer setback recoveryHigh performance mindsetSecondary: Getting firedStarting overWork life balanceSales motivationMed tech careersPharmaceutical salesExecutive leadershipCareer transitionFatherhood and careerTrending / Topical: Artemis IINASA moon mission 2026Apollo vs ArtemisCareer pivotBrand: Eyes Wide podcastCraig PalmerThe Simple SystemThe Fire InsideFind Tomorrow in TodayKEYWORDS / TAGS

    22 min

  5. Mar 25

    EP 23 | THE HUMAN PREMIUM: What AI Can't Touch and Why It's Your Greatest Advantage

    Everyone is talking about AI. The disruption. The displacement. The fear. And the noise is loud right now — 93% of jobs flagged as vulnerable, 45,000 tech positions already cut in Q1 2026 alone, and every boardroom in America having the same conversation. But here's what the panic merchants are missing. This week I was at LSI USA '26 at the Waldorf Astoria in Laguna Niguel — one of the most electrifying gatherings of med-tech innovators, investors, and commercial leaders in the world. And in the middle of billions of dollars chasing the next breakthrough in medicine, I had a moment of absolute clarity. Not about AI. About people. About what we bring to this industry that nothing else can touch. In this episode I break down the Human Premium — the three compounding skills that no model can replicate, why the most valuable reps and leaders in 2026 are MORE valuable because of AI, and why the reps who are scared right now may be scared for the wrong reasons. This is not an anti-AI episode. I used AI at LSI and I'll tell you exactly how. But I'll also tell you exactly where it ended — and what happened next that no algorithm could have scripted. If you are in med-tech, pharma, medical device, or any complex B2B sales role — this episode is for you. Right now. What you'll hear in this episode: The real numbers behind AI disruption — and what they actually mean for sales professionalsWhy "AI vs. Human" is the wrong framing — and what the right framing isThe three pillars of the Human Premium: Situational Intelligence, Trust Under Pressure, and Belief TransferabilityHow I used AI at LSI — and where human execution took overThree questions every rep needs to answer honestly right nowWhat winning looks like in 2026Connect with Craig:🌐 eyeswidecp.com🎙️ eyeswidecp.com/podcast📧 craig@eyeswidecp.com📱 TikTok: @eyeswidecraig📸 Instagram: @eyeswidecp▶️ YouTube: @EyesWide-h4x KEYWORDS / TAGS: medical device sales, med-tech sales, pharma sales, B2B sales, sales leadership, AI and sales, artificial intelligence disruption, human skills, sales career 2026, sales podcast, Eyes Wide podcast, Craig Palmer, human premium, sales motivation, sales training, medtech careers, healthcare sales, sales mindset, future of sales, AI vs human, sales performance, situational intelligence, trust in sales, belief in sales, LSI 2026, sales professionals, career development, sales coaching, medical sales rep, sales strategy, Claude, Chat, GPT, Gemini, Grock

    21 min

  6. Feb 23

    EP 22 | THE HEART OF A CHAMPION: Politics, Patriotism, and the Soul of the 2026 Winter Games

    The 2026 Winter Olympics began with a question that divided a nation and ended with an answer that united it. When freestyle skier Hunter Hess expressed “mixed emotions” about representing the USA, it sparked a firestorm. But as the games unfolded, a more powerful story emerged — one of sacrifice, dedication, and undeniable patriotism. Follow the journey from the controversy that defined the opening days to the emotional triumph that will be remembered for generations. We explore the inspiring story of figure skater Alysa Liu, who honored her family’s flight from tyranny with a gold medal performance. Then, we go inside the US Men’s Hockey team’s incredible run, their emotional tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, and the legendary gold medal final against Canada. From Connor Hellebuyck’s heroic goaltending to Jack Hughes’s bloodied, toothless, game-winning goal in overtime, this is the story of how a team of brothers brought a country together and gave us all a reason to cheer. Show Notes In this episode, we explore the powerful narrative of the 2026 Winter Olympics, from the political controversy that kicked off the games to the unifying, patriotic moments that defined its conclusion. We contrast the media firestorm surrounding freestyle skier Hunter Hess’s comments with the inspiring stories of figure skater Alysa Liu and the US Men’s and Women’s hockey teams. The majority of the episode focuses on the Men’s Hockey team’s incredible undefeated run, their emotional tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau, and the legendary gold medal final against Canada, where Jack Hughes became an American hero. Keywords / Tags Olympics, 2026 Winter Olympics, Milano Cortina 2026, Team USA, USA Hockey, Men’s Hockey, Ice Hockey, Gold Medal, USA vs Canada, Patriotism, Politics, Sports, Hunter Hess, Jack Hughes, Alysa Liu, Johnny Gaudreau, Connor Hellebuyck, Miracle on Ice, Winter Games, Team USA Hockey, Olympic Hockey

    39 min

  7. Feb 11

    EP 21 | The Margin for Error: Standards, judgment, and responsibility when outcomes matter

    Introduction: In the world of high-stakes professions, the difference between success and failure often comes down to one critical factor: responsibility. In this episode of Eyes Wide, host Craig Palmer speaks with Dr. Jonathan Pirnazar, an elite ophthalmologist with NVISION EYE CENTERS, about the importance of preparation, judgment, and accountability in the medical field. Main Content:1. The Weight of ResponsibilityCraig Palmer opens the discussion by emphasizing the stark contrast between those who merely speak of responsibility and those who embody it, especially in fields where the margin for error is minimal. He stresses that in professions like ophthalmology, there is no room for delegation or excuses when patient outcomes are on the line. Dr. Pirnazar echoes this sentiment, highlighting that in his practice, excellence is not just an ideal, but a necessity.2. The Journey into OphthalmologyDr. Pirnazar shares his personal journey into the field of ophthalmology, revealing that his passion was ignited during his medical training in the 1990s. He explains that the allure of being able to diagnose and treat patients efficiently—without the need for extensive testing—was a pivotal factor in his decision. This efficiency allows him to focus on improving patients' lives through corrective procedures, which he finds deeply rewarding.3. The Role of MentorshipReflecting on his early experiences, Dr. Pirnazar discusses the impact of mentorship on his career. He recalls the influence of his childhood ophthalmologist, who not only diagnosed his vision issues but also demonstrated a compassionate approach to patient care. This early exposure played a significant role in shaping his professional philosophy and commitment to patient relationships.4. Balancing Professional and Personal LifeThe conversation also touches on the balance between professional responsibilities and personal life. Dr. Pirnazar emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relationships with family and colleagues, as they are integral to his overall well-being and professional success. He recalls a valuable lesson from his father, who instilled in him the importance of having a good family, education, and a bit of luck, as the foundation for a fulfilling life.5. Facing Challenges and Celebrating SuccessesDespite the challenges that come with being a surgeon, Dr. Pirnazar has never doubted his choice of profession. He believes that the good days in his career far outweigh the bad ones, a perspective he attributes to his dedication and passion for helping others. The satisfaction he derives from successfully performing surgeries and enhancing his patients’ quality of life fuels his commitment to the field.Conclusion: In conclusion, the conversation with Dr. Jonathan Pirnazar reveals the crucial role of responsibility, preparation, and mentorship in high-stakes professions like ophthalmology. His insights serve as a reminder that true success is measured not just by outcomes, but by the dedication and accountability one brings to their work. Key takeaways include the importance of preparation, the impact of mentorship, and the balance between personal and professional responsibilities.Tags: ophthalmology, responsibility, mentorship, patient care, medical profession, high-stakes decision-making, Dr. Jonathan Pirnazar, Eyes Wide podcast, healthcare excellence, personal development.

    59 min

  8. Jan 14

    EP 20 | When the Clock Reveals: Pressure, Preparation, and Performance Under Fire

    Eighteen seconds left. You’re down by three. The season is on the line. What do you do?This isn’t just about football—it’s about your career, your relationships, and every high-stakes moment you’ll ever face. In this episode, Craig explores why the final three minutes don’t build character—they reveal it.Drawing lessons from historic NFL playoff games and high-pressure business scenarios, Craig breaks down the psychology of why some people rise under pressure while others fold. You’ll learn the difference between panic and preparation, why you don’t need more time (you need more focus), and how to execute when everything is on the line.Stop waiting for the perfect moment and start executing with the time you have. This episode will teach you how. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why the final three minutes reveal who you really are (0:26) •The Pressure Paradox: How pressure reveals what's already there (5:07) •The Game Slows Down: How preparation helps you execute under pressure (9:09) •Real-World Examples: Bills, Rams, Bears clutch moments (17:00) •The Execution Framework: What to do when your back is against the wall (23:00) •The Hard Truth About Time: You don't need more time, you need more focus (28:36) #EyesWide #Execution #Pressure #Leadership #Performance #Mindset

    30 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A journey through self-reflection, introspection, and tapping into all of the beautiful motivation a goal-seeking life will provide.

Information

  • Creator
    Craig Palmer
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Craig Palmer
  • Show Website
    EYES WIDE | the podcast