My Favorite Mistake: Business Lessons from Failures and Success

Redefining Professional Learning: An Emphasis on Mistakes with Michael Bloom

My guest for Episode #258 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Michael Bloom, Chief Executive Officer & Founder of Praktio, an online learning company whose mission is “to create space for learning through mistakes.”
Episode page with transcript, video, and more
Before leaving to run Praktio full time, Michael was the founding director of the Transactional Lab & Clinic, an experiential program at the University of Michigan Law School.
Michael is the co-author of two books on contracts from a transactional perspective: Contracts and Commercial Transactions and Contracts: A Transactional Approach.
Michael earned his J.D. from Yale Law School and earned his B.A. with highest distinction from the University of Michigan, where he studied American history.
This episode focuses on Michael's journey from being a clinical professor to founding Praktio. By creating an environment that promotes learning through mistakes, Michael has challenged traditional paradigms and aligned his unique educational model with the evolving needs of learners in a fast-paced, information-rich world. His entrepreneurial venture, peppered with a fair share of mistakes, has yielded invaluable insights that have guided the development of a highly effective educational model that thrives on constructive feedback and the power of mistakes.

Questions and Topics:
Is it a mistake to listen to ALL feedback equally?
Did you fear it might be a mistake to leave the law school and go full time into Praktio?
How do law firms react to mistakes? 
Framed as learning opportunities or something shameful?
Tell us more about the Praktio story and product…
Make mistakes in a safe environment to avoid the real one?
Learning from the mistakes made by others now?
What are some common or bad mistakes that could be made with contracts?
Preventing mistakes vs. more senior inspecting the work?
LinkedIn Profile: “Make mistakes and learn from them”
As CEO, how do you think about mistakes INTERNAL to Praktio?
Cultivating a culture of learning from mistakes?
Learning from the mistakes of other entrepreneurs?

Almost Killed a $500 Million Mars Rover: Chris Lewicki's Lessons Learned

My guest for Episode #257 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Chris Lewicki, an Astrofuturist, Engineer, and Entrepreneur who is interested in developing strong, thoughtful foundations for the near-future space economy.
Episode page with transcript and more
He’s a multi-time co-founder. He first co-founded and was CEO of Planetary Resources Inc. (PRI), which focused on the prospecting, development, and use of resources found on near-Earth asteroids. (Skip) He helped acquire over $60M in investment and revenue, built a team of 80 extremely talented engineers, scientists, and business and policy leaders, and launched 3 experimental spacecraft to advance the adoption of space resources as a crucial part of humanity’s activities in space.
Prior to entering the private sector, Chris was a key member of NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers and the Phoenix Mars Lander, serving as Flight Director for the Mars rovers Spirit and Opportunity, and as the Surface Mission Manager for Phoenix.
Chris received both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Arizona. He’s the recipient of two NASA Exceptional Achievement Medals and has an asteroid named in his honor: 13609 Lewicki.
Chris imparts lessons learned from his early days in NASA's Mars exploration projects, where a potential disaster during a rover test thrust him into the limelight as an emerging leader in the field. His poignant recount of the incident underscores the nuanced details that contribute to the success or failure of any mission and the critical concept of design for test( DFT).
Drawing parallels to the broader engineering community, this episode's riveting discussion reveals essential strategies used in this high-stakes industry. The implementation of mistake-proofing tactics, robust system performance to ensure resilience, or ‘poka-yoke', and the introduction of redundancy in spacecraft design all contribute to an airtight spacecraft system. Learn from Chris's profound insights as he unravels the multifaceted considerations that go into ensuring functionality, designing for testability, and anticipating service requirements and testing needs during the initial design phases.
Questions and Topics:
Was it a connector being reversed?? 
New and innovative work… – was it a design mistake to not be “designed for test”?
Could that have been mistake proofed in some way? It was not
Would they have fired you? Did you ask??? Ernie or others??
Took time to be able to tell the story? How long?
What response did you get to sharing that story online?
Bringing these lessons into the private sector as CEO?
How many people have taken you up on your offer to share their failure stories??
MY $500M MARS ROVER MISTAKE: A FAILURE STORY
Netflix documentary on the James Webb telescope

Embracing Life's Twists: A Journey of Yoga, Meditation, and Unexpected Opportunities with Ann Swanson

My guest for Episode #256 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ann Swanson, the author of the internationally bestselling book SCIENCE OF YOGA, which has been translated into over 15 languages. 
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Her new book, Meditation for the Real World, illuminates the fascinating science behind meditation with step-by-step practices. She worked alongside Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar and an illustrator for the New York Times to create this science-backed visual guide. It’s important to note that Ann wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her. 
Overcoming her own chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga and meditation, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science graduate degree in Yoga Therapy. Now, Ann blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom, resulting in realistic techniques you won’t just learn – you’ll love to live by!
This episode sheds light on the journey of turning mistakes into unexpected triumphs — and how Ann's favorite mistake was thankfully a “near mistake.” We discuss how the resilience to push through tribulations is often the stepping stone to success in personal well-being and spiritual practice.
We also touch upon the art of manifestation, breaking stereotypes and illustrating how envisioning one's life trajectory and being open to various possibilities can lead to astonishing opportunities. We delve into real-life case studies of individuals going from rejection to becoming acclaimed authors, demonstrating the importance of sharing one's knowledge and skills, maintaining a positive digital presence, and the role of persistence and self-belief.
Questions and Topics:
What’s your favorite mistake?
Getting so many job rejections… over 100
Wouldn’t have known it was a mistake??
How did meditation help you during those tough times??
Tell us the story of this latest book,  “Meditation for the Real World,”
Meditation mistakes? Is that possible?
What if you feel like you are “bad” at meditating, or your mind wanders too much?
Mind / body connection between yoga and meditation?
How long do you need to meditate for it to work? Can one-minute meditations really make a difference?
The science of meditation??
Why do most people fail at developing a consistent meditation practice? How can we apply the science to finally build a sustainable practice?
Any mistakes in the writing the book?

Bonus: Sarah Lohse’s Update & Key to Effective Communication: Storytelling (Her New Book: "Open This Book")

Bonus Episode Update with Sarah Lohse: Unearthing the Power of Storytelling
Her episode of "My Favorite Mistake"
Today's episode of "My Favorite Mistake" features Sarah Lohse, founder of Favorite Daughter Media and author of "Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders."
Sarah illuminates storytelling's potential as a powerful leadership and communication tool, extending it beyond the realm of novelists and filmmakers to thought leaders and influencers. With her knack for drawing relevant insights from personal experiences, she demonstrates how a well-told story can engage, inspire, and teach valuable lessons.
https://favoritedaughtermedia.com/open-this-book/ 
Check out all episodes on the My Favorite Mistake main page.

The Trials and Triumphs of Terry Bartley: An Author with ADHD

Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #255 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Terry Bartley. He is a high school journalism, literature, and English teacher and writer of the new collection of short stories, Tyranny of the Fey. 
Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersection between writing and fandom. Terry has professionally written for the Coal Valley News and Screenrant. He has won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and MarCom. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. in English Education from Western Governor’s University.
With a candid discussion on his life's journey through countless experiences straddling education and literature, Terry charts an inspiring narrative about turning apparent career missteps into stepping stones of growth. We navigate through his career in teaching while pursuing his passion for writing amidst an uncertain freelance career.
Immerse yourself in an absorbing conversation as Terry discusses his life with ADHD, stressing its impact beyond professional barriers permeating quotidian existence. In our challenging exploration of the realm of ADHD, Bartley underscores the importance of acceptance, diagnosis, and therapy as his allies combating the condition. He promotes a holistic, individualized approach to managing ADHD, dispelling the clouds of misconception about mental health. Listen along for the fascinating exposition of how ADHD molded his unique creative expression, setting light on his inspiring journey.
Questions and Topics:
What's your favorite mistake?
Feeling out of sync – shaming?
When did you get diagnosed with ADHD?
What prompted or led to that diagnosis?
The impact of treatment?
Tell us about your book
Is it a mistake to publish the short stories before the novel? Only time will tell?
Learning from mistakes and steps from the first release??
Was it a struggle to finish a book then? Or are short stories easier?
Tell us more about the podcast — not just book authors…
What's done is done
 

Attorney Gina Mundy's Motherhood Career Mistake; Preventing Labor & Delivery Errors

My guest for Episode #254 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Gina Mundy, author of the book A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth: Expecting the Best: Using the Power of Knowledge to Help You Deliver a Healthy Baby.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Gina is an attorney who specializes in childbirth cases. Throughout her career, Gina has traveled nationwide, engaging with healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, and midwives to explore all aspects of labor and delivery. Meeting with experts from various states, she has explored and analyzed the myriad of issues that can arise during labor and delivery, impacting both mother and baby. v
Gina lives in Clarkston, Michigan, with her family (husband, kids, and dogs)… and she enjoys visiting wineries. Me too (the wineries part)!
Join us as we embark on Gina Mundy's transformative journey from a legal expert in childbirth cases to a successful author. We explore how challenging circumstances, often derived from personal experiences, inspire noble feats like authorship, turning potential mistakes into powerful preventive guidance. Gina's book serves as an incredible testament to her efforts to help expecting parents bypass potential risks and navigate childbirth with ease.
Dive into a discussion touching upon critical topics such as recognizing the signs of distress or complications early, understanding the impact of medications like Pitocin in childbirth, and the implications of labor after water breaks. Our guests underline the importance of being forewarned and forearmed, thereby uplifting childbirth experiences with informed decisions.
And we'll hear about Gina's favorite mistake from her legal career, and decisions she made as a working mother -- how much does she regret those decisions today?
Questions and Topics:
Now 10 years later… was that a mistake??
What were the adjustments?
What led to writing the book — and first learning about problems and mistakes that occur during childbirth??
What's the difference between naturally occurring bad outcomes vs. mistakes? Is that always clear?
What are the most common problems that occur during childbirth?
Does time of day matter? 5 pm Friday??? July?
And how can people help prevent mistakes?
Who gets sued, the resident or the attending??
How often does info from the legal case help drive improvement and prevention?

Overcoming Burnout with Julian Reeve, Former Hamilton Music Director

My guest for Episode #253 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Julian Reeve, former Musical Director for the musical Hamilton and CEO of Perfect Equilibrium, Inc., a firm that provides consulting services related to employee burnout and retention.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Julian graduated with honors from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England, before embarking on a highly successful career as a musician, educator, and entrepreneur.
He performed for millions across six continents around the world as a Music Director, winning The Los Angeles Drama Critic Circle Award for Best Music Direction on the Broadway musical Hamilton before leading it’s first presentations at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (DC) and at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferrè in Puerto Rico (with Lin Manuel Miranda).
Julian has built four thriving companies in the creative sector, including the London-based boutique talent agency Boland & Reeve Ltd (now Collective Agents) and Perfect Equilibrium Inc. in Los Angeles.
In this episode, Julian talks about his “favorite mistake,” a turning point that occurred early on in his career that challenged his understanding of leadership. This not only shaped his communication skills but also transformed his perspective on perfectionism. With fascinating real-life experiences, he explains the crucial role of self-awareness, the power of accepting and utilizing feedback, and the impact of approach and attitude on leadership and personal development.
Questions and Topics:
What's your favorite mistake?
Was that authority-based approach modeled to you by teachers?
Did you learn to ask for feedback?
Should we cut you some slack since you were young?? Learning from those mistakes — and getting other chances?
How do perfectionists tend to respond to feedback?
What led you to leave your work in the music industry??
The ways perfectionism is helpful?
Does it help to reframe standards of excellence and expectations?
Was there ever a mistake-free performance of Hamilton?
Why does Perfectionism lead to not just burnout and depression?
Self-compassion — Kristen Neff Episode 183
Tell us about your company – and how you help individuals and organizations
Julian's TEDx talk

Military Veteran and Retired Federal Air Marshal Russell Jack on the Mistaken MAGA Movement

Episode page with video, transcript, and more
My guest for Episode #252 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Russell K. Jack. He’s a retired US Senior Federal Air Marshal, working in that role from 2002 to 2022. Russell previously served five years as a Federal Police Officer. And previously served five years in the Colorado Army National Guard and was deployed in Saudi Arabia (Desert Storm).
He is also a first-time author — his book is titled, Is MAGA a Terrorist Movement?— available now. He hopes this book will promote critical thinking about protecting our democracy and just how precariously close we are to losing it forever. He writes this book out of a sense of duty to the American people. 
In today's episode, Russell shares his favorite mistake story from his time working as a security officer for a major health system. Why did a Black man think he was being racially profiled by Russell? And what did Russell learn about that interaction?
We also dive into important topics from his book — the lessons learned and the implications for 2024 and beyond.
Questions and Topics:
Did you get to share that lesson with others in law enforcement?
How often do you think racial profiling does occur?
What’s the definition of “terrorist”?
Death threats are an example of terrorism?
Fascist? What does that mean and what’s the implication if MAGA wins in 2024?
It’s a mistake that we don’t have a clear definition of “Insurrectionist”?
Who is the audience for the book? The already convinced, or the convincible?? Your hope for the book?
You write you’ve never convinced anybody to stop being MAGA. Do you expect this book to help?
Do you run across people who now think it was a mistake to previously support or vote for Trump?
Does MAGA think they made mistakes in early 2021 that they wouldn’t make again in early 2029??
If Trump were to die tomorrow, what happens to MAGA movement? 

Turning Stumbles into a Dance: Elaine Hart on Building Resilience at Power Fitness

My guest for Episode #251 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Elaine Hart, the Chief Banana Officer at Power Fitness Events. She’s a resilient fitness enthusiast and former luxury event manager at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Overcoming challenges including anorexia, she discovered strength in fitness and community. Elaine transitioned her career to empower others through spinning, founding Power Fitness. 
Her resilience was further highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting her business to offer virtual classes. With a mantra of “Keep Pedaling,” Elaine's story inspires physical and mental strength, shared passionately from her spinning bike.
In today's episode, Elaine talks about mistakes including:
Quitting her job to start a business in 2020
Feeling shame about her anorexia
Through innovation and determination, Elaine transformed the unforeseen challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic into an opportunity for growth and deepened engagement. Her unique initiative, “Bring Your Own Banana” (BYOB), nurtures an environment of playfulness, motivation, and connectivity within her community. As the ‘Chief Banana Officer,' her story encapsulates the spirit of Power Fitness Events—a testament to the power of resilience, innovation, and community connection.
Questions and Topics:
Why are you the “Chief Banana Officer?”
Would it have been a mistake to stay in the career?
What drove you to make that big decision?
It says Self-Care on the banana – tell us about that
A mistake to think one-size-fits-all when it comes to advice?
Why do you say we should make the stumble part of the dance?
What does it mean to distance yourself from the action, the mistake?
Shame around mistakes — had a lot of shame around her anorexia?
Mental health first aid?? 
The importance of being playful? How did you learn this or discover it in you?

250 Episodes! Celebrating and Reflecting on a Podcasting Journey

In this episode, host Mark Graban reflects on 250 episodes, sharing a few clips, admitting a few mistakes, and telling a few stories.
Kevin Harrington episode
Mark Teich episode
Rep. Will Hurd episode
Rep. Adam Smith episode
Sofie Roux episode
Tom Peters episode
Video of Karyn Ross and her suitcase