2020 will be known for a lot of things: people missed, events cancelled, long-held plans shelved, much of world activity brought to a sudden halt. The “great pause” – as some called it – affected daily life for everyone.  At the same time, in the US and certain other countries, the health threat was overlaid with what seemed to be unresolvable sectarian conflict over matters as important as race and gender and as trivial as wearing a mask. There was no common ground on basic facts or values, and common decency was in short supply. One thing was clear: many people were hurting.

It was a lot to process. Personally, I was losing faith in humanity in general, and in people who claimed to be guided by faith, in particular. I was struggling to reconcile how masses of people could profess one thing and behave in ways that directly contradicted their expressed values. Still, one need not look too far back in history to recognize the enormous capacity of humans to be inhumane. Were we headed for those days again?  

As I grappled with my own feelings, a quote from Haruki Murakami came to mind, “When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked into it.” The phrase struck a chord as a reminder that tough times present opportunities – particularly for those who take personal responsibility to recognize the lessons those days could teach.

While this era is unprecedented, the truth is that most people face obstacles and many do indeed figure out how to get on with it. Rather than dwell on problems, the most self-aware amongst us choose to understand, learn, and keep moving. The “storms” change them. Who are these people? And what do they know that others do not? Maybe even more important, what do they wish they knew before they started down the track?

Around that time, London-based global marketing expert Simon Daw and I were chatting on WhatsApp about people and the state of things. Naturally, we solved many of the world’s problems in the span of a few calls. Well, not really, but we did feel like we should do something to help. And maybe our contribution, however small, could be to find and share the good. We decided to capture the stories of people who observe and adapt – those figure-outer type of folks – in hopes that others may be inspired by their examples.    

So we set off on a Zoomified trip around the world. We talked with people from all walks of life: from start-up entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 CEOs, professional athletes to weekend warriors, from artists and designers to even engineers who became designers. From those who dream…to those who dream then do. The best among them have three things in common: none are perfect, all are humble, and each have learned a few things along the way. In our new podcast, What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin & Simon Daw, they share those lessons with you. Here are just a few stories we’ve collected so far…

Jeff Campbell graduated from Columbia, served in the US Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, and followed that with a career on Madison Avenue. Indeed, he was a Mad Man before the TV show. When his Florida-based father was diagnosed with a serious illness, Jeff moved to Miami and joined Burger King. Within a few years, Jeff had risen to global CEO. And then he was let go. Our conversation with him is full of life and leadership lessons. Have a listen, here.

Video: “I was smart enough to do the job but I wasn’t wise enough.” - Jeff Campbell, former CEO of Burger King

Hannah Ingram-Moore started selling mobile phones while studying in Spain. She sold that venture to Motorola at the start of a remarkable leadership career. She is co-founder of Maytrix Group and has worked with companies such as Whittard of Chelsea, Gap, Fortnum & Mason, Swatch Group, and Mulberry to create and deliver omnichannel strategies. This past April, her family sponsored her father’s walks around the garden to raise money for charity. Little did they know their simple gesture would turn into a global fundraising phenomenon netting nearly $60 million for the UK’s National Health Service, knighthood for her father, Captain Sir Tom, and the creation of The Captain Tom Foundation. Full conversation here. 

Video: “Maybe it’s good they didn’t tell me 12 million people were watching.” - Hannah Ingram-Moore

At some point today, there’s a good chance you’ll interact with a brand that has fingerprints all over it. Not just anyone’s fingerprints, mind you, but Shawn Parr’s fingerprints. Adidas, Campbell’s, CMT, Heineken, Hilton, Mattel, MTV, Nike, Samsung, Starbucks, and WD-40 have been clients of this business transformation strategist and team at Bulldog Drummond. Purpose is at the heart of everything he does, personally and professionally.  Full conversation here.

Video: Making the common good common again with Shawn Parr.

Kate Nowlan faced responsibility at a young age when she had her daughter while in college. She loaded up a baby backpack and finished school. While serving as a swim coach and running a youth sports program, Kate launched an athletic apparel brand. Her journey of entrepreneurship, fundraising challenges, and brand building is fascinating. Kate didn’t appreciate the meaning of her brand until she met a cancer patient wearing her apparel on a beach. Full conversation here.

Video: “I didn’t fully understand what the brand meant until this…” - Kate Nowlan

Prince Daniels, Jr. was told by a coach that he had a one in a million chance to play college football and a one in a billion chance to play in the NFL. He did both. Understandably, “football player” became part of Prince’s identity. And then injury took it all away. The physical aspect was only a part of the toll. He also suffered from anxiety and depression. Using meditation and mindfulness as tools of recovery, Prince found solutions for himself and also a new calling.  Full conversation here.

Video: “Go to bed with a dream, wake up with a purpose.” - Prince Daniels, Jr.

Nick Dorman is an engineer by training, a product designer by experience, and a brand strategist by choice. He has worked on jets, pets, and the BBC. He's designed telephones for the Danish, letter boxes for the Royal Mail, and steered successful brand innovation, identity and strategy for companies all over the world. As founder of Echo Brand Design in London, he has deep insight into sustainability and design. Full conversation here.

Video: Nick Dormon on the role of design in human behavior.

A few years back, a business trip to Spain coincided with the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona. This event had always been on my to-do list and, as a runner, I felt reasonably fit. During marathons, I’d visualize eating barbecue. However, seeing the bulls coming at me in the street that morning, I suddenly realized that I had the right animal in mind but in the wrong form. I could run way faster being chased by bulls than by thinking about eating them. In person, the bulls just seemed bigger, louder, and faster. So I took off running. There’s a narrow concrete tunnel into the bullring and it’s the last place anyone wants to be when bulls are breathing down your neck. I got through the tunnel but cut my arm while trying to get out of the way. Doing the Running of the Bulls…great! A scar not caused by bull horns while doing it…even better.

Why the long-winded scar story? Scars serve a purpose; they are souvenirs of what we’ve done and also reminders of our resilience.

And so the What I Wish I Knew show is on the road. We’re looking for people and their stories of resilience and hope…of getting things done despite being knocked down and earning a few scars along the way. Join us on this journey. And let us know what you think. 

What I Wish I Knew with Mike Irwin & Simon Daw is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you find your favorite audio stream.

Thanks are due to many who've helped us on this project so far: Steph Barry, John Bradley, Jeff Campbell, Ken Charman, Prince Daniels Jr., Nick Dormon, Enrique Fiallo, Tim Forrest, Bryan Finnerty, Isaiah Ford, Robert Harwood, Hannah Ingram-Moore, Kelsey Irwin, Joe Irwin, Liza Klein, Ian Muir McNally, Mike Meyrick, Graham Milner, Saundra Redmond-Moton, Kate Nowlan, Shawn Parr, Bryan Pate, Bob Rief, Bern Schroeder, along with inspiration from Shelby Stanger.

 Mike Irwin is co-host of the What I Wish I Knew podcast. He is an advisor, blogger, mentor, operator, and strategist.  Drawing from his past as a startup co-founder/President, executive officer of a $1+ billion market cap company (WD-40), public company CFO, VP Marketing, global chief strategy officer, head of sales, and board member, Mike helps companies grow sales, improve profitability, and scale up. He serves as an advisor, consultant, fractional CEO/GM/MD, and on boards of directors. He currently serves on the boards of directors of Kitchens For Good and San Diego Sport Innovators. His past board involvement includes the Aztec Athletic Foundation, Aztec Shops, Canyon Crest Academy Foundation, Leukemia Society of San Diego, Voz Sports Inc., WD-40 BIKE, and WD-40 Company. Follow him at BottleRocketAdvisors.com, get in touch at mike@bottlerocketadvisors.com or connect on LinkedIn.