When you work in academia, you come across some very smart people. This should be surprising given that academics spend an enormous amount of time exploring whatever topic they study. And people become academic experts by digging into the particulars of areas that can be pretty narrow and focused. This is the nature of academia: develop niche knowledge in a certain area where you develop that insight throughout a career.

And if you ever tried listening to some of those people talk about their work, or read their work in academic publications, you’ll know that it can be very difficult to decipher precisely what they are talking about. Given the amount of time and dedication it takes to achieve academic brilliance, this shouldn’t be surprising. Speaking as an academic (and not a brilliant person), this is how we are trained to communicate, and primarily to each other.

One of the great things about the Ted Talk and TedX movement is that it has created a format through which people who have something to say can find the means to say it. This also has created a platform through which public scholarship can take place, and insights can be translated to a wider audience.

In this era of wicked problems, disinformation, and social media, it is vital that we translate as much knowledge as possible.

Nick Kindler’s business is about how to help smart people improve their ability to communicate. Using an approach they call Communication Canvas, Nick with Kindler and Company give speakers the signposts they need to know the route they have to go in order to avoid verbal cul de sacs and and deliver a performance that audiences can remember.

Nick draws on his experience in improv and acting, Nick talks about how it is vital that speakers bring themselves into their presentation. He discusses the importance of taking personal stories that they haven't shared, tell the story in a way that is Ted worthy, and unpack the learnings and takeaways. When we tell our stories in the right environment, it is cathartic and helps someone else.

Nick asks us to focus on three key questions:

1. How can I simplify the messaging today
2. How can I transform using story telling and language to deep the understanding
3. How can I deliver it and perform it in a way that engages and connects

Nick Kindler LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickkindler

Nick Kindler Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nick_kindler/

Kindler and Company - https://www.kindlerandcompany.com/

Maybe it just is the way that I am viewing the world, but it seems like everyday reveals another fresh disaster. It could be that disasters have always been with us, and now we are just more aware of them. Global news at our fingertips doesn’t necessarily help as we can tap into events that occur anywhere at any time.

Even with this, it seems like disasters are moving closer and closer to home. It is a privilege to live in a society where emergency management is a thing that can be relied upon. When disaster does strike, we may have some confidence that there will be professionals that help deal with the situation in a timely manner.

But that will only get you so far. Just watch any zombie movie. It is scary how quickly civil society can break down when the dead rise and start to consume the living. Then what? Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse?

Or even a more ‘routine’ disaster? While we all might roll our eyes at fire drills, do they help us prepare for a fire? Or is it just preparedness theater?

Rick Rescorla didn’t believe in preparedness theater. He believed in actually being prepared. After the WTC attacks in 1993, he was worried about another attack taking place. In his role of VP for corporate security at Dean Witter Morgan Stanley, he had a disaster contingency plan that was rehearsed over and over with staff.

When 9/11 happened, he was able to save thousands of lives by going forward with his evacuation plan. Unfortunately, he died as he went back to make a final sweep for employees. But because of his preparedness and taking it seriously, many people were able to survive that day.

To help us think about the zombie apocalypse and other types of disasters, we welcome Patrick Hardy, also known as Disaster Patrick. Patrick has spent a career in disaster management, even though originally he wanted to be a cultural anthropologist. He was there in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, as well as other events where people were in their greatest need due to circumstances beyond their control.

Now he works with organizations to help ensure that they are in position to deal with disasters, whether natural or manmade. We talk about how he tries to create training experiences so that people can be prepared. We explore the difference between being the person who cried wolf, and actually taking preparation seriously. In fact, we discuss the prepper movement and what we can learn from their perspectives regarding self-sufficiency and resilience.

Finally, we talk about how disaster preparation is an important part of employee and community experience so that your workers feel safe and cared for in the workplace.

Patrick Hardy Website - https://disasterpatrick.com/

Patrick Hardy LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/disasterpatrick/

Patrick Hardy YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisasterPatrick

There is something about building something with one’s hands that seems to resonate. There is a resilience in being able to bring forth out of different parts and ingredients a thing that is whole and new. Of course, in American culture there is a deep notion of creation and springing forth from hard work, and with experience and knowledge that can make someone a craftsperson. Maybe this urge has increased the more that we are surrounded by convenience and things that are ready made. To still be able to pull something together and build it might remind us that we still have it in us.

Despite this, we see a decrease in people entering the skill trades. Looking at the total composition of those working in the trades, the population continues to age. Young people are not seeking these opportunities, even though there appears to be an uptick among Gen Z. No doubt there is a need for such workers.

A recent survey found that 91% of those who are in the skilled trades tend to be very satisfied with their careers. Additionally, at a time when so many jobs are being threatened by AI and even off-shoring. It is hard to send plumbing or electrical to someplace else to get one. And while technological advances can improve the productivity of construction and other work, it is not likely to replace people any time soon.

Our guest today, Jesse Hernandez, knows something about skills trades and the workplace culture that surrounds it. He grew up in this world, with a father who was a plumber. He got his own journeyman’s license. Through his professional journey he noticed that he had a love for teaching which grew into a professional speaking for the skilled trades industry. A big emphasis of his speaking is to create building sites and an environment that is personally growthful and emotionally supportive.

We cover a lot of different areas in our conversation. We explore how some poor decisions led him to 12 Step recovery. Topics like experience, strength, and hope all resonated with the changes he thought needed to be made on the worksite. The foundation of service to others informed the messages that he spreads to others. We discuss how there is a shift in the construction industry toward a people-centered culture. We also discuss his accidental discovery of being a content creator, and finding new avenues to share his message.

Ultimately, we end with the importance of knowing how to say you need help, and that you don’t have to suffer alone.

Jesse Hernandez LinkedIn

Depth Builder website

No BS with Jen and Jess YouTube