Blayne Smith and Brandon Young Explain Why Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance
Release Date: 04/16/2025
Harry Smith on Life Lessons and His Career in Journalism
Blue Sky
Over the course of his remarkable career, Harry Smith interviewed six US presidents and numerous celebrities including Julia Roberts, Cher, and Madonna. But on this Blue Sky episode Harry shares that his favorite people to cover were the ones we’ve likely never heard of, the everyday heroes that he describes as the glue of our society. Harry shares some of the wisdom he’s earned and now share bestows on students in the college class he’s teaching at his alma mater. Chapters: 02:16 Meet Harry Smith: A Journalism Legend Bill welcomes Harry Smith, a respected...
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Some Reasons Why Today Is the Greatest Time to Be Alive
Blue Sky
Blue Sky host Bill Burke, along with several past guests, have described today as the best time to be alive in all of human history. On this episode, Bill explains some data-backed reasons why and provides hope that even better days lie ahead.
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Mary McManus on Surviving and Thriving After Recovering from Trauma and Polio
Blue Sky
Mary McManus has never had it easy. As a kindergartener, she was a victim of polio just a short time before the vaccine was introduced. She also faced trauma in her home life but somehow managed to persevere and overcome these and still more obstacles throughout her life. Today, Mary is an inspiring author, poet, motivational speaker, and finisher of the Boston Marathon. Chapters: 01:05 Meet Mary McManus Mary McManus is introduced as a remarkable individual with a story of resilience and triumph over adversity. 02:14 Mary’s Early...
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Political Scientist and Author Lindsey Cormack Discusses Her Book, "How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It)"
Blue Sky
Political division in the United States is an issue often cited as contributing to the pessimistic outlook so many of us have. Blue Sky guest Lindsey Cormack believes that our government will only improve if we begin to understand it better and get involved ourselves. As a college professor, when she found that many of her students were remarkably ignorant about how our government works, she decided to do something about it. The result is her latest book, which challenges parents to fill the void left by elementary and high schools that no longer teach these subjects in the...
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Sam Pressler on His Passion for Building Community and Connection
Blue Sky
Sam Pressler has a strong track record of bringing people together and working to rebuild the civic infrastructure of the United States. In addition to being a researcher and writer, he is also the founder of the , a collection of projects designed to help people understand how they might go about creating connections in their own towns and civic organizations. Chapters: 02:20 Making Grandmothers Proud Sam shares the inspiration behind his mantra of making his grandmothers proud, discussing the significant influence they had on his life and values, particularly in...
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Reflections on the Role of Mentors and Teachers in a Life of Optimism
Blue Sky
On the heels of the “Arts Educators Save the World” feed swap episode with Jonathan Groff and his elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, Bill Burke reflects on the role of teachers and mentors in helping us all be optimistic. He shares his own influences and those of many Blue Sky guests, while encouraging us to think of our own and consider being mentors ourselves.
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A Special Blue Sky Presentation of the “Arts Educators Save the World” Podcast with Erica Halverson, Featuring Jonathan Groff
Blue Sky
In this very special “feed swap” edition, Blue Sky Alum Erica Halverson interviews award-winning Jonathan Groff and his inspirational elementary school music teacher, Linda Tough, on the “Arts Educators Save the World” podcast. Learn more about Erica's podcast here: Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to the Feed Swap In this special edition of the Blue Sky podcast, the host introduces the concept of a Feed Swap with Erica Halverson and highlights the upcoming conversation with Jonathan Groff, a celebrated actor known for his roles in Broadway and film. ...
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Historian and Author Martin Gutmann Discusses Optimism, History, and His Appreciation for “Unseen Leaders”
Blue Sky
Martin Gutmann is an expert on the history of business and has written extensively about styles of past leaders. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on everything from today’s political climate, to whether he thinks Ernest Shackleton is overrated (spoiler alert – he does), to the underrated excellence of less well-known figures in history. Chapters: 02:27 Meet Martin Gutmann Bill welcomes Martin Gutmann to the podcast, exploring his diverse background and extensive experience in various countries. Martin shares how his journey has shaped his...
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Blayne Smith and Brandon Young Explain Why Perseverance Is Greater Than Endurance
Blue Sky
Blayne Smith and Brandon Young are two US Army combat veterans who came together in civilian life to start their own company. They’ve now published a new book, co-authors of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together., in which they describe invaluable le
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Cheryl Dorsey Describes the Remarkable Work of Echoing Green
Blue Sky
This episode explores the work of Echoing Green, an international non-profit that invests in social entrepreneurs and their dreams and ideas. An accomplished leader and executive herself, Cheryl Dorsey explains how she first came to the organization and the great work they continue to do under her leadership.
Chapters:
02:22 Meet Cheryl Dorsey
Cheryl
Blayne Smith and Brandon Young are two US Army combat veterans who came together in civilian life to start their own company. They’ve now published a new book, co-authors of Perseverance > Endurance: Lead with Resilience. Grow Through Adversity. Win Together., in which they describe invaluable lessons that they’ve learned from their training, the battlefield, and life since their time in the service.
Chapters:
01:04 Introducing Blayne Smith and Brandon Young
Bill introduces the guests, Army Combat veterans Blayne Smith and Brandon Young, who co-authored the book Perseverance > Endurance and discuss their impressive backgrounds and experiences.
04:04 How They Met and Bonded
Blayne and Brandon share the story of how they met after their military service while working at a company that actively sought to hire veterans, highlighting their initial feelings of being out of place.
06:26 Transitioning from Military to Nonprofit
The conversation shifts to their early experiences in the nonprofit sector, where they both contributed to helping veterans transition back into civilian life and the challenges they faced.
10:00 Founding Applied Leadership Partners
Blayne and Brandon discuss the founding of Applied Leadership Partners, a consulting firm aimed at helping organizations navigate growth and adversity through effective leadership.
14:00 The Importance of Leadership in Organizations
The duo emphasizes that many challenges in organizations stem from leadership issues, and they aim to provide practical frameworks to enhance leadership effectiveness.
15:21 Exploring Their Book: ‘Perseverance is Greater Than Endurance’
Blayne and Brandon delve into the key themes of their book, discussing the critical distinction between endurance and perseverance, especially during times of uncertainty.
18:35 Training for Perseverance
The conversation focuses on how to cultivate perseverance, contrasting it with endurance training and discussing practical ways to adapt and grow through challenges.
24:44 The Role of Optimism in Leadership
Blayne and Brandon reflect on the importance of optimism and hope in leadership, discussing how these qualities can inspire teams and foster resilience during difficult times.
30:02 The Power of Perspective
In this chapter, the guests discuss how extending our time horizon can foster optimism, reminding us that difficult moments are temporary. They emphasize the importance of focusing on the mission rather than the discomfort of the present.
33:03 Frameworks for Perseverance
The conversation shifts to the five factors that define perseverance: change, uncertainty, acceptance, choice, and growth. The guests delve into how these elements interconnect and provide a roadmap for navigating challenges.
37:25 Training for Perseverance
Here, the guests explore the role of hope and purpose in developing perseverance, sharing personal anecdotes and insights. They discuss how understanding one’s character and values can guide individuals through tough times.
41:01 Integration Over Balance
The discussion turns to the concept of life integration versus work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of being a whole person in all aspects of life. The guests encourage listeners to manage their energy and presence rather than merely their schedules.
46:14 Facing Challenges with Clarity
In this chapter, the guests reflect on the significance of having a clear mission and priorities during crises. They share a powerful story about a leadership decision made during a critical moment, illustrating the impact of purpose on navigating adversity.
54:03 The Veteran Perspective
The episode concludes with a reflection on the resilience and perseverance of veterans, highlighting their unique experiences and insights.