The Optimistic American - Audio Edition
Apr 30, 2022
From One Truck to the Biggest American Fleet - Jerry Moyes
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Successful American entrepreneur Jerry Moyes, past CEO and founder of Swift Transportation, paints the pathways for others to build successful American companies. He faced his darkest days but emerged to the joys of business creation. And all as the adopted Dad of 11 children! Don’t miss this one!
To watch the show, visit The Optimistic American on YouTube!
More episodes from The Optimistic American - Audio Edition
3 days ago
The Truth About American Racism and Police Brutality with Brandon Tatum
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Brandon Tatum to discuss race and police relations in America.
They cover some very controversial issues ranging from race relations, the reality of White privilege, police shootings, and the 1619 Project.
* Paul and Brandon start the conversation by discussing Brandon's early life, his relationship with God, and playing competitive sports.
* Brandon explains what it means to be uncoachable and why you should stop taking things personally.
* Brandon shares why he believes too many Black people have a victim mindset that enslaves them in a "mental plantation."
* According to Paul, the answer to a victim mindset is purpose, and chasing happiness is not sustainable. People should focus on finding meaning. Only then can they find true happiness.
* Paul highlights how the victim triangle is keeping you stuck.
* Brandon shares how he discovered a passion for policing after going on a life-changing ride along.
* Paul and Brandon discuss the disconnect between the police and the general public.
* Both Paul and Brandon discuss their involvement with police, Brandon as a police officer and Paul as Mayor of the 5th largest city in the US.
* Brandon reveals what the data says about police killings and racial bias - and why it's rarely about race when a cop pulls you over.
* Brandon points out that many people raise their children to hate the police and that does damage to the child and to society.
* Brandon and Paul agree that the case of Tyre Nichols was not about race, or even systemic racism, but there are groups of people who want it to be about race because it drives their agenda.
* According to Paul, people are so focused on racism especially as it comes to police departments that it actually harms their ability to fix the real issues. He points to the bigger issue of creating relationships between police and neighbors but that requires resources.
* Brandon explains why we need community policing and how defunding the police will only lead to low-quality policing.
* Brandon goes through the best way to interact with the police and how to act when a cop pulls you over.
* When it comes to police brutality, Paul believes the worst thing you can do is trust the media on the right or left because they rarely have facts on what actually happened, and they profit from sensationalized reporting.
* The police kill about 2 to 4000 people a year. Medical malpractice kills more than 300,000 people annually - but the police are the enemy.
* Brandon reveals that white people are shot twice as much as Black people - but you will never see it in the news.
* Brandon and Paul discuss opposition to The 1619 project because it has bad history. It’s designed to divide people, and most importantly, abandon the foundation of our country based upon the Declaration of Independence. We were also abandoning the importance of believing that all people are created equal.
* For Brandon, it's disgusting that some people profit from us living in fear and hating each other.
* Paul describes the link between agency and finding truth.
Mentioned in This Episode:
optamerican.com
Brandon Tatum's LinkedIn
Subscribe to Brandon Tatum's YouTube Channel
Beaten Black and Blue: Being a Black Cop in an America Under Siege by Brandon Tatum
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Mar 22, 2023
The Art of Emotional Intelligence: How to Improve Your Life Through Emotional Mastery
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss how to master your emotions.
They cover ways to improve your life through emotional mastery, the role of cognitive dissonance in our lives, and how being too analytical can rob you of simple life pleasures.
* Paul starts the conversation by defining emotions and how to differentiate them from feelings and thoughts.
* Emily and Paul discuss the best way to start your journey to emotional mastery.
* Our actions determine who we are, not our beliefs.
* Paul explores how diet and exercise can influence a person's emotions.
* According to Emily, taking the easier route does not necessarily mean you'll feel better; you might feel even worse.
* Emily is convinced you cannot master your emotions when your thoughts and feelings are inconsistent with your behavior.
* Paul shares the discrimination he faced growing up and how you can use rejection to achieve success.
* Emily uncovers the link between self-agency and identity.
* Paul talks about his overly analytical nature and how being too analytical can rob you of simple pleasures.
* Emily and Paul agree that you have to identify an emotion before trying to manage it.
* Emily explains the easiest way to get out of a power struggle - a strategy that works well for both toddlers and adults.
* For Paul, the single biggest inhibitor to real change is fear.
* Paul explains how the labels we put on ourselves influence how we think - if you see yourself as a victim, you'll never escape victimhood.
* Emily and Paul agree that the opposite of being a victim is recognizing that you have choices - and sometimes, your only choice is to view things differently.
* Paul goes through reasons why people need to be aware of their self-fulfilling prophecies - good or bad, these expectations can influence how people see you and how you see them.
* According to Paul, becoming emotionally resilient is ultimately achieved when you build a strong mental fortitude.
* Start by writing down how you feel and look for evidence for and against that belief.
* Paul and Emily discuss the benefits of seeking help from a psychiatrist to help you master your emotions.
Mentioned in This Episode:
optamerican.com
Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson
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Mar 15, 2023
Informed Trauma Care: Recognizing and Overcoming PTSD & Trauma
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss trauma and the effects it can have on a person's life.
They cover the different stages of trauma, ways psychologists treat it, and effective practices you can use to work on trauma yourself.
* Emily starts the conversation by defining trauma from a clinical perspective.
* Paul and Emily agree that you cannot treat PTSD if the person is still in a traumatic environment.
* Emily describes the physical changes in a person's brain after experiencing a traumatic event.
* According to Paul, no two traumas are the same - never compare a person's trauma to someone else's. Trauma often comes down to its impact on the individual.
* Paul explains that it's possible for people to hang on to their trauma, especially if it's meshed into their identity.
* Paul and Emily talk about the effects of failure on a person's self-worth.
* According to Emily, a person's brain that was rewired by trauma can be rewired again through healing and therapeutic experiences.
* Paul goes through the three basic elements of motivation:
* You have to challenge yourself.
* You need someone who will encourage you.
* You must see growth and be able to measure it.
* According to Emily, not all trauma is bad or needs to be fixed - you can lead a happy and fulfilling life without needing therapy.
* Paul shares ways to help someone who grew up in a traumatic environment.
* Talking to people about their trauma starts with trust, and you cannot build trust without giving people the truth.
* Paul and Emily go through the seven ideals of healing trauma.
* Emily describes the power of changing your story in trauma healing - you are the story you tell yourself. You are either a victim or a victor of life.
* Paul and Emily share their opposing thoughts on trauma and discuss whether forgiveness is the correct response to trauma.
Mentioned in This Episode:
optamerican.com
Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson
Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart―Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley et al
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