After eight and a half years with Amazon and decades in corporate life, I've made the decision to step away and pursue a more balanced life focused on different forms of wealth beyond just financial success.

• Crossed 1,000 podcast downloads milestone after last episode
• Expressing gratitude for my incredible DC Security team at Amazon
• Reflecting on valuable leadership lessons and frameworks from corporate life
• Travel experiences taught me that people worldwide share fundamental values despite cultural differences
• Sahil Bloom's "Five Types of Wealth" book changed my perspective on time allocation
• Establishing new habits like daily bushwalking in the Blue Mountains
• Training for a 28km Cancer Council fundraising walk in October
• Planning a vocation that allows more time outdoors while maintaining income
• Next episode will focus on career coaching and mentoring

Thank you for following JD's Journal. Until next time, I encourage you to live your best life and be good to each other.

Tune in to the latest episode of JD's Journal as I sit down with Vic Rose, an AI Cloud Engineer and founder at EngCloud, to explore his fascinating career journey from Amazon to Microsoft. Vic shares transformative experiences from his graduate school days, particularly a game theory class that reshaped his approach to collaboration and decision-making.

Listen as Vic takes us through his roles in intelligence and cybersecurity with the US Coast Guard, and how these experiences influenced his professional development. You'll learn about EngCloud's innovative approach to cloud migration, focusing on cost-efficiency and scalability, and discover the synergies between his work at Amazon and Microsoft. Vic's personal anecdotes, like his narrative review process at Amazon, provide a rare behind-the-scenes look at the contrasting cultures of these tech giants, highlighting Amazon's rapid decision-making versus Microsoft's more methodical approach.

Don't miss the compelling discussion on balancing work with personal well-being and relationships. Vic offers practical tips for maintaining mental health, such as taking midday breaks and setting boundaries, while also emphasizing the importance of a strong support network and a blame-free environment. The episode wraps up with reflections on the influence of Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist," and the significance of humility, curiosity, and giving back.

Vic shares his favourite quote "Every man I meet is someway superior, in that I learn of him” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Can workplace conflict be a driving force behind innovation? Join me on JD's Journal as I explore the surprising benefits of workplace conflict and how it can help foster diverse perspectives and innovation. We'll introduce you to the Thomas-Kilmann Instrument (TKI) to better understand your personal conflict styles. Learn how to harness conflict respectfully and constructively to challenge ideas for mutual benefit.

The TKI can be found at https://psycho-tests.com/test/conflict-mode

Ever find yourself struggling in crucial conversations? You'll gain essential skills for navigating high-stakes discussions with confidence. I emphasize the importance of adaptability and highlight the dangers of overusing the accommodating style. Recognize the signs of crucial conversations and uncover why communication often breaks down in these intense moments. Through preparation and creating a safe environment, you'll be better equipped to handle these challenging interactions effectively.

https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-Conversations-Tools-Talking-Stakes/dp/1260474186/

Transform your approach to difficult conversations and master your personal narratives with our practical strategies. Discover the AMPP framework—Ask, Mirror, Paraphrase, and Prime—to enhance your listening skills and build alignment. This episode provides you with tools to turn conflict into opportunities for growth, encouraging collaboration and positive outcomes in both personal and professional settings.

https://www.amazon.com/Nonviolent-Communication-Language-Life-Changing-Relationships/dp/189200528X