Ep. 118 - Servant Leader Alison Ibarra Shares Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to the Main Thing Podcast, where every episode brings you a concise, high-impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get a little better at this thing called life. Courage & Community-Building are Par for the Course with Alison Stepping onto a golf course is a serene escape for some, but for Allison Ibarra, it was the beginning of a journey that led her from competitive golf to transforming a near-derelict bowling alley into Pinhead's Family Fun Center—a community gem in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Join me as...
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Ep. 117 - Jon Beck Navigating ALS with Acceptance & Gratitude
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to the Main Thing Podcast, where every episode brings you a concise, high-impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Jon Beck Navigating ALS with Acceptance and Gratitude If you were diagnosed with a serious, perhaps fatal, health condition, would you be able to approach it with acceptance—much less gratitude? I’m fairly certain I’d struggle to do so. Yet that’s exactly what has enabled Jon Beck to get to where he is today. Unyielding Spirit in a...
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Ep. 116 - Conversation Curator Shannon Wheatley Hartman Shares Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to the Main Thing Podcast, where every episode brings you a concise, high-impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Fostering Democracy and Personal Growth Through Collaborative Exploration What if embracing diverse ideas could transform not just your personal growth, but also strengthen democracy itself? Tune into an enlightening conversation with Dr. Shannon Wheatley Hartman, president of the Interactivity Foundation. She reveals how an exploratory...
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Ep. 115 - Gifted Educator Denise Workman Shares Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to the Main Thing Podcast, where every episode brings you a concise, high-impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Denise Workman's Journey in Nurturing Exceptional Minds In this heartwarming episode, we sit down with Denise Workman, a passionate educator who has dedicated her life to advocating for— and nurturing the talents of — special needs students. How can hope and humility transform the lives of gifted students? Denise brings her...
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Ep. 114. - Skip's Quips: The Power of Words
The Main Thing Podcast
Join me for a powerful exploration of the influence of language in our lives in this special, debut edition of “Skip's Quips.” Today, I share a wisdom lesson that highlights the profound impact words can have on our bodies and minds. A seemingly innocent phrase once caused me to faint in my doctor's office. This incident underscores how words can trigger intense physical reactions, from fear to laughter. By sharing this experience, I hope to illustrate the incredible influence words wield, not only in causing fear but also in creating positive outcomes. In addition to this...
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Ep. 113 - Superconnector Bob Coffield Shares Inspiring Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Join us on The Main Thing Podcast as we share the extraordinary wisdom of superconnector Bob Coffield, celebrated for his innovative thinking and extensive network. Bob is an early adopter of technology and a cultural trend spotter, whose gifts often align in the connection of ideas and people. Host Skip Lineberg highlights Bob's ability to see possibilities and connect the dots. During this dynamic wisdom conversation, you will get valuable input on several important aspects of personal growth, including: Vital importance of relationships; Value of sharing big ideas, rather than...
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Ep. 112 - Bold Business Leader Holly Fussell Shares Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to The Main Thing Podcast! Each episode we bring you a concise, high impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Curiosity, Climbing and Community: Wisdom Lessons from SEAL Spouse, Bold Business Leader Holly Fussell Holly Fussell is one of the most diverse and curious people I’ve ever met. She’s a certified yoga instructor, an experienced triathlete, and a formally trained sommelier who studied at the Culinary Institute of America. Holly...
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Ep. 111 - Hall of Fame Broadcaster Tony Caridi Shares Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to The Main Thing Podcast! Each episode we bring you a concise, high impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Voice of the Mountaineers: Tony Caridi on Sports Broadcasting, Love, and Life Lessons What does it take to be the enduring voice of a sports team and earn the loyalty of its fans? Join us in a riveting wisdom conversation with Tony Caridi, the iconic voice of the West Virginia University Mountaineers, as he shares the secrets behind his...
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Ep. 110 - Building Your Dream with Entrepreneur Amy McLaughlin
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to The Main Thing Podcast! Each episode we bring you a concise, high impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Building Your Dream: Exploring the Entrepreneurial Journey What kind of magic is required to transform a 120-year-old building into a contemporary haven filled with original local art? Join us as we uncover the inspiring journey of Amy McLaughlin and her husband/co-founder, who turned their vision into Lafayette Flats Boutique Vacation Rentals in...
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Ep. 109 - Youth Pastor Dylan Frercks Shares Generational Wisdom
The Main Thing Podcast
Welcome to The Main Thing Podcast! Each episode we bring you a concise, high impact wisdom lesson from one of the wisest people I know. Studying their wisdom and Learning together, we all get just a little bit better at this thing called life. Living with Intention: A Youth Pastor's Journey of Purposeful Wisdom and Creative Ministry In the labyrinth of life's endless choices and pathways, it is the rare individual who walks with deliberate steps, who finds a compass in the chaos. Dylan Frercks is such an individual—a 29 year-old youth pastor whose spirit is infused with a wisdom that belies...
info_outlineWelcome back to The Main Thing Podcast! Our special guest is a gifted leader who has run the HR programs from the C-suite of several of America’s most admired and successful corporations.
Tran Taylor has served as Upbound’s Executive Vice President — Chief Human Resources Officer since July 2021 and as the Chief Diversity Officer since May 2022. From 2008 through 2021, he served on the executive leadership team as the CHRO/CPO for Bumble, Mr. Cooper and Travelocity.
Tran has a track record of leading the Human Resources function, establishing human capital strategy and optimizing culture and people practices. From 2001 to 2008, he led the human resources function for global, retail-focused companies, such as Alliance Data and The Home Depot. He has led human resources integration for multiple merger and acquisition efforts and also served as a key enabler for several transformational change initiatives.
Tran earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from West Virginia University and completed HR executive development certification from University of Michigan Business School. He joins us from Dallas, where he resides with his wife and three children.
Get set! Over the next 9 minutes you will discover why Tran Taylor is one of the wisest people I know.
Resources
Contact Tran Taylor on LinkedIn
Credits
Editor + Technical Advisor Bob Hotchkiss
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Episode Chapters
[0:00:01 - 0:04:30] - Intro, Welcome and Guest Bio; the connection between Tran and Skip
[0:04:31 - 0:06:55] - Tran’s career; earning a seat in the C-suite; his mentors along the way
[0:06:56 - 0:08:17] - Leadership style; Tran’s competitive edge; developing others
[0:08:18 - 0:11:55] - Tran shares his Main Thing; applying this wisdom to navigate one’s career
[0:11:55 - 0:14:15] - Applying the finishing touches; seeking inspiration from Maya Angelou