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Grant Otto on what 1,000 feet underwater can teach us about career purpose and the power of "waiting."

“The biggest ‘career moves’ don’t start with a resume; they start with curiosity.”

I recently sat down with Grant Otto, a marine scientist and researcher specializing in marine robotics. If that sounds like a job from a movie, that’s because it almost is, complete with stories of underwater ROVs getting tangled 1,000 feet down and “wet storage” missions to recover equipment worth more than a house.

But Grant didn’t come on Outside Insights just to talk about how cool the tech is (though it is very cool). He came because he’s on a mission: he’s trying to get more talented people to care about the ocean.

Three Lessons from the Deep

1. We need more than just “Turtle Lovers.” Most people get hooked on marine science by watching National Geographic. But to solve the massive challenges facing our oceans, warming waters, and rising acidity, Grant argues we need more than just biology fans. To build a “Blue Economy,” we need:

• Engineers and Builders to design resilient tech.
• Artists and Communicators to tell the story of our changing coastlines.
• Problem Solvers who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty (or wet).

2. The Power of the Cold Email Grant’s career didn’t start with a recruiter; it started with a cold email. While studying mechanical engineering, he realized he loved robotics and surfing. He asked a simple question: “What about marine robotics?” That curiosity turned into a Master’s degree and a career with deep purpose.

3. Surfing as Leadership Meditation We dove into the difference between work that “funds your life” and work that “defines you.” Grant shared a powerful perspective on surfing, describing as 80–90% waiting.

For leaders who feel like they are constantly “pushing through,” Grant’s advice is a necessary pivot: Sometimes leadership isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about knowing when to get quiet enough to hear the right wave.

Try This This Week

Take five minutes of “waiting” time today, no phone, no music, no noise. Just observe. Like Grant waiting for a wave, use that quiet space to remember your “why.”

🎧 Listen Now

Watch on YouTube | Listen on Buzzsprout

Connect with Grant:

• Sea Saturated Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

Until next time,

Chris

P.S. You may notice a few small audio/video glitches in this episode. We had some technical issues during the recording. We debated re-recording it, but the conversation was too good (and too valuable) to lose. Thanks for sticking with it.

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A conversation with community banker Marc Pelletier on trust, credit, and how entrepreneurs can walk into the bank with confidence

Most entrepreneurs would rather go to the doctor than go meet a banker.

So I brought on my first banker, and an old friend, Marc Pelletier to talk about what entrepreneurs actually need to know about banks, credit, and building trust.

In this episode:

• How banking has changed since 2001
• What banks look for (and why)
• Community banking explained
• Banker vs. investor
• Finding the right fit (yes, banks have personalities)

Marc Pelletier: https://www.meridianbanker.com/people/marc/

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Why slowing down, listening better, and taking the long way still matters

I sat down with Jeff Ton expecting a conversation about leadership and history. What I didn’t expect was how much we’d end up talking about attention, where we place it, how rarely we slow down, and what happens when we actually do.

Jeff calls himself a “hippie coder turned CIO,” and that range alone tells you he’s lived in very different worlds. Over time, his love of leadership and fascination with Lewis and Clark merged into something more personal, eventually culminating in a book he’s finishing now called Uncharted Moments. It’s not out yet, but after reading an early version and talking with Jeff, I can tell you this isn’t a typical history story.

Leadership Without A Clear Map

One idea we kept coming back to was uncertainty. Jeff reminded me that Lewis and Clark carried a map that labeled most of the western territory as “conjectural.” Unknown. That didn’t stop them from moving forward, but it did require vision, trust, and adaptability.

That challenge feels familiar today. Leading without perfect information isn’t a new problem, but it’s one we often forget has been solved before, by people who understood the value of relationships and shared purpose.

Listening Changes The Story

One of the most compelling parts of our conversation was about listening. Jeff talks about how his understanding of the expedition shifted when he stopped seeing it as a story of discovery and began to see it as a story of relationships, especially with Indigenous tribes who already knew the land.

That shift didn’t just change how he understood history. It changed how he approached leadership, learning, and even his own marriage.

Uncharted Moments

Jeff uses the phrase “uncharted moments” to describe the experiences you can’t plan for, the ones that don’t announce themselves as important until much later. They’re the moments you only notice if you’re willing to slow down, take the side road, or stay curious a little longer than usual.

It’s a simple idea, but one we don’t practice often enough.

Where Are You In The River?

Jeff shared a metaphor that I think many leaders will recognize. Imagine your team in a river, navigating the current every day. Sometimes you need to be in the water with them. Sometimes you need to be on the bank helping them find a way through. And sometimes you need to step back far enough to see the whole valley.

Leadership isn’t about picking one role. It’s about knowing when to shift.

Try This Week

Take five quiet minutes and ask yourself:

• Where am I rushing past something worth noticing?
• Where do I need to listen more rather than pushing ahead?
• Where am I in the river right now, and where does my team need me to be?

Listen To The Episode

Jeff’s book Uncharted Moments isn’t out yet, and we’ll share more when it’s released. For now, the conversation and Jeff’s website are a great place to start.

👉 Watch the full episode of Outside Insights with Jeff Ton

👉 Visit Jeff’s website to sign up for his free newsletter and to learn more about his book.

Until next time, friends,
Chris

If this conversation resonates, forward it to a friend or colleague. Insight is meant to be shared. Quick reviews on your listening app go a long way, too.