EP 294 - Rest. In. Peace.
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Some episodes of Paper Napkin Wisdom are easy to listen to, packed with energizing insights and clear strategies for growth. Others are heavier — not because they lack value, but because the wisdom forces us to pause, reflect, and wrestle with the uncomfortable. Episode 294 is one of those conversations. This week, Govindh sits down with three little letters we all know: RIP. We’ve all said them. We’ve read them on tombstones, typed them in comments, whispered them at funerals. But how often do we really consider what they mean? And what happens when they appear in the midst of...
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EP 293 – Steven Rothberg: If a Customer Wants to Pay More, Let Them
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When you sit down with someone like Steven Rothberg, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of , you expect to hear insights about hiring, technology, and the future of work. What you might not expect is a napkin that sums up decades of wisdom in a sentence so straightforward it almost sounds too simple: “If a customer wants to give you more money, find a way of making that happen. $$$” At first glance, it feels like sales advice. But during our conversation, it became clear that Steven’s napkin is less about sales tactics and more about mindset. It’s about curiosity,...
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EP 292 - Edge of the Napkin #3: “Who’s the best partner you ever had? (Secret) … It’s you.”
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Partnership is one of the most powerful words in leadership and in life. We spend years searching for the right business partner, co-founder, or even life partner. But here’s the twist on this week’s Paper Napkin Wisdom: the greatest, most important partnership you’ll ever have is not with someone else—it’s with yourself. The napkin for Episode 292 asks the provocative question: “Who’s the best partner you ever had?” And then delivers the unexpected truth: (Secret)… it’s you. In this episode, Govindh dives deep into the nature of the...
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EP 291 – Jennifer McKenna - The Prosperity Formula: Familiar → Faith → Fulfillment
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Jennifer McKenna, founder of JMac Consulting, is an accomplished business strategist, executive coach, and creator of The JMac Method. With decades of experience guiding leaders and organizations through transformation, Jennifer has built her reputation on blending practical business strategy with a deep commitment to values, authenticity, and growth. She has coached Fortune 500 executives, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to align who they are with what they do. On Paper Napkin Wisdom, Jennifer shares her Prosperity Formula — a deceptively simple but powerful framework to help...
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EP 290 – Andrew Safnauer: Find Your Way Over the Wall
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is captured on a single napkin: “Find your way over the wall.” At first glance, it’s a simple metaphor. But as Andrew shares, this idea has been a recurring theme throughout his life and career, one that continues to guide him...
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EP 289 - The Edge of the Napkin: Friction vs. Flow
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In Episode 289 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, host Govindh Jayaraman takes us deeper into the next evolution of his work: The Edge of the Napkin. This isn’t just about wisdom captured in simple strokes anymore — it’s about stepping into the tension between friction and flow, and understanding the rhythms of creativity and growth. The napkin for this episode sets the stage: a stick figure caught between jagged lines of friction and the upward curve of flow, alongside two key modes — Seminal (Spark) and Gestational (Build). At its heart, the question posed is simple but powerful: Are...
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EP 288 – Katy Spada: Build the World You Wish Existed
Paper Napkin Wisdom
When Katy Spada sat down with me on Paper Napkin Wisdom, she brought a napkin that was more than just words — it was a challenge: “Build the world you wish existed for your younger self, and for those who come next.” Katy isn’t just an entrepreneur. She’s a mother of two (ages 7 and 4), a storyteller, and the founder of , a lifestyle and apparel company that’s grounded in values of creativity, heritage, and intentional living. What makes her story remarkable is how deeply personal it is. As she says, she never set out to be an entrepreneur — she calls...
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EP 287 – Permission, Structure, and Social Media Success with Sam Toles
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, Govindh Jayaraman welcomes Sam Toles, a digital media pioneer and storyteller with decades of experience building audiences, brands, and communities. Sam is the CEO and co-founder of , a platform designed to transform civic engagement by helping communities and governments create stronger, more transparent conversations online. Sam’s career has spanned leadership roles at MGM, Vimeo, Bleacher Report, and Warner Bros., and throughout it all he has stayed focused on how creativity, structure, and permission come together to unlock growth. His...
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EP 286 - Introducing the Edge of the Napkin
Paper Napkin Wisdom
In this special episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I (Govindh Jayaraman) take a step back to reflect on the journey we’ve been on together — over 280 episodes filled with wisdom, stories, and lessons from incredible leaders, entrepreneurs, and difference makers. The napkin for this episode reads: “Introducing the Edge of the Napkin.” It’s a phrase that captures both a transition and an expansion. The napkin has always been a place for distilled wisdom — one sentence, one thought, one principle that could change everything if applied. But now, we’re venturing into...
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EP 285 – Kendra MacDonald: Building a Career That Grows With You
Paper Napkin Wisdom
Careers aren’t meant to be lived on repeat. In this episode of Paper Napkin Wisdom, we sit down with Kendra MacDonald, CEO of Canada’s Ocean Supercluster, a leader who has spent her career helping organizations innovate, adapt, and push boundaries. Kendra has been recognized for her work in transformation and leadership across industries, and she brings her wisdom to the napkin with a deceptively simple but powerful message. On her napkin, Kendra wrote: “Make sure your career is 25 years, not 1 year 25 times. What will you learn this year?” This phrase, first...
info_outlineIn Episode 290 of Paper Napkin Wisdom, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Andrew Safnauer, a seasoned leader and executive with a wealth of experience in management, strategy, and innovation. Andrew has held leadership roles across diverse industries and today brings his insights into resilience, adaptability, and persistence. His wisdom is captured on a single napkin:
“Find your way over the wall.”
At first glance, it’s a simple metaphor. But as Andrew shares, this idea has been a recurring theme throughout his life and career, one that continues to guide him and those around him.
The Napkin: Find Your Way Over the Wall
Andrew explains that in the arc of his journey, obstacles and challenges have never been reasons to turn back. Instead, they have been invitations to problem-solve creatively.
“When you get to a problem, when I get to a problem, it doesn’t turn me around. It’s really about finding my way over, around, or through the wall.”
Walls, in Andrew’s story, are not barriers meant to stop us — they are tests of perseverance and ingenuity. Whether it was early-career hurdles, moments of reinvention, or leading teams through uncertainty, the theme of getting over the wall kept showing up.
Resilience as a Practice, Not a Trait
Andrew emphasizes that resilience is not something you’re simply born with — it’s built. Each obstacle tackled becomes a reference point for the future, a reminder that you’ve navigated tough situations before.
He shared how this mindset allows him to reframe setbacks: instead of being moments of failure, they become moments of redirection. “The wall isn’t the end,” he suggests. “It’s just part of the journey.”
Creativity in Problem-Solving
Another key theme Andrew highlights is creativity. Getting over the wall isn’t always about brute force or stubbornness. Sometimes it’s about:
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Looking for another path — maybe the wall isn’t as tall a little further down.
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Asking for help — someone else may already have a ladder.
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Redefining the problem — maybe the wall doesn’t even need climbing.
This blend of creativity and persistence turns challenges into opportunities.
Leadership Lesson: Modeling Grit for Others
As a leader, Andrew knows people watch how you respond to difficulty. The way you approach obstacles sets the tone for your team. By consistently demonstrating the belief that challenges are navigable, leaders inspire confidence and cultivate cultures of resilience.
He notes: “It’s easy to get discouraged when the wall looks too high. But if people see you keep moving forward, they start to believe they can too.”
5 Key Takeaways from Andrew Safnauer
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Obstacles Are Inevitable
Don’t waste time wishing there were no walls. Expect them, prepare for them, and use them as growth points.
Take Action: Write down one current “wall” you’re facing. Reframe it as an opportunity to grow.
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Resilience Is Built, Not Born
Each wall you’ve climbed makes the next one more manageable.
Take Action: Journal three past moments where you overcame an obstacle — and what you learned.
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Creativity Opens New Paths
Not every wall needs to be scaled directly. Explore new approaches, seek different perspectives.
Take Action: Brainstorm three alternative ways to solve the challenge you’re facing.
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Leadership Means Modeling Grit
Your response to challenges directly influences your team.
Take Action: Share openly with your team how you’ve overcome challenges, and involve them in finding solutions.
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Persistence Pays Off
Often the difference between success and failure is simply not stopping at the wall.
Take Action: Commit to one consistent step forward this week, even if progress feels slow.
About Andrew Safnauer
Andrew Safnauer is a proven leader with deep experience in operations, management, and organizational growth. His career spans industries where innovation, strategy, and resilience are key. Andrew’s perspective on finding your way over the wall comes from decades of experience leading through challenges and inspiring others to do the same.
Final Thought
Andrew’s napkin — Find Your Way Over the Wall — is a call to action. Obstacles are not stop signs; they’re opportunities to rise. Entrepreneurs, leaders, and difference-makers can take this to heart: when the wall appears, don’t turn back. Climb, reroute, or redefine — but keep moving forward.
Now, I’d love to hear from you:
👉 What’s the wall you’re facing today, and how will you get over it?
Write your takeaway on a napkin, snap a photo, and share it with the hashtag #PaperNapkinWisdom.