Austin expresses a preference for the podcast to be shorter, around 1.5 hours, as he finds himself disengaging in the latter half. He explains that the first 1-1.5 hours are typically the most engaging and valuable for him, while the final 30-45 minutes can feel drawn out. John and Amer acknowledge Austin's perspective and are open to exploring ways to structure the podcast to better meet his needs.

The group discusses how their differing schedules and time commitments impact their preferences for the podcast length. John shares that the podcast ends at 9am for him, leaving him with open time before his next obligation, while Austin has a busier Sunday schedule that the podcast can disrupt. They explore potential compromises, such as starting the podcast at 10:30am instead of 9:30am to give John more time to wake up.

The group acknowledges a shared desire for more intentionality and structure in the podcast, including the ability to come prepared with specific topics or questions they want to discuss. They agree that the current approach of each person hoping to cover their own agenda can lead to missed opportunities and disengagement. The group proposes implementing a system where they share their discussion topics and priorities ahead of time.

The group agrees that they strongly dislike small talk during the podcast, preferring to dive directly into substantive discussions. They agree to avoid open-ended questions that tend to lead to unproductive small talk, and instead focus on asking direct questions that drive the conversation forward.

The group discusses the value of committing to specific actions or changes during the podcast, and then holding each other accountable for following through on those commitments in the following weeks. They propose a system where each person shares their current challenges or goals, and the group provides feedback and support.

The group summarizes the key agreements reached, including: 1) Dedicating the next 3 episodes to deep dives into each person's current situation and challenges, 2) Implementing a system for sharing discussion topics and priorities ahead of time, and 3) Avoiding small talk in favor of more intentional, substantive conversations. They agree to iterate on this structure as needed to ensure the podcast remains valuable and engaging for all.

Amer, Austin, and John discussed booking an Airbnb for their upcoming Patreon retreat in Chilliwack, BC. They reviewed several options and ultimately chose one with a life-size Monopoly board, double basketball court, and cold plunge, as these amenities were very appealing to the group.

John shared insights from a Wall Street Journal article on sports betting, noting that 91% of bettors are overly optimistic about their future winnings, despite being accurate in reporting their past losses. He also discussed the popularity of parlay bets and player prop bets, which are the most profitable for gambling companies.

The group discussed the parallels between investing, sports betting, and the monetization tactics used in video games, such as loot boxes and microtransactions. They noted how these industries all leverage human psychology and the desire to predict the future, often leading to losses for the average participant.

The group analyzed how different industries and trades are impacted by economic conditions, with discretionary and capital-intensive sectors like pools and roofing being more sensitive than essential services like plumbing. They discussed how this affects their own business and the need to adapt strategies accordingly.

Amer and John discussed their approaches to managing and coaching their teams, with John outlining his structured process of reviewing data, isolating issues, and providing targeted training and feedback. They also explored the distinction between managing and coaching, and the importance of developing these skills as business owners.

John shared his reflections on the similarities between Warren Buffett's approach as a successful investor and operator, and his own aspirations to develop complementary skills in capital allocation and coaching management teams. They discussed the importance of initial conditions and the potential for a holding company structure to leverage these abilities.

Here is a link to Chris Thomson's podast - The Leaders of Tomorrow

A casual exploratory conversation with Chris Thomson, Head Coach of Student Works, covering leadership, personal development, and business philosophy.

• Chris emphasizes integrity, continuous learning, and personal growth as key to long-term success in business and life

• Student Works' success attributed to focused strategy, strong culture, and developing leaders through hands-on experience

• Chris advocates for finding one's unique strengths and contributions rather than trying to excel at everything

• Meditation, journaling, and regular personal development practices are crucial for maintaining clarity and effectiveness as a leader

• Focuses on developing a strong culture of integrity and continuous improvement

• Emphasizes being an exemplar and living the values you espouse

• Believes in giving people opportunities to grow, even if they initially struggle

• Advocates for clear standards and removing those who don't align with company values

• Stresses the importance of being a "student of the game" and continuously learning

• Grew from $10 million to $35 million annual revenue in past 7 years

• Implemented minimum performance standards (e.g. $40k booked by May 1st) to improve quality

• Focused strategy on core business, avoiding distractions that previously limited growth

• Improved systems, marketing, and recruitment processes based on learnings from competitors

• Emphasizes developing leaders through hands-on experience running their own operations

• Daily meditation practice focusing on body scan, emotional awareness, and thought observation

• Regular journaling to gain clarity on thoughts and feelings

• Participates in mastermind groups and personal development programs (e.g. Landmark, Hoffman Process)

• Reads 30-40 books per year to continually expose himself to new ideas

• Recently completed a 300-hour coaching course to further develop skills

• Believes financial success should be a byproduct of creating value, not the primary goal

• Advocates for building wealth slowly and living below means in early career

• Warns against tying self-worth to net worth or material possessions

• Emphasizes the importance of having a clear life philosophy and living it consistently

• Recommends focusing on experiences over material goods once financial stability is achieved

• Develop a clear vision for your life and work towards it consistently

• Focus on building valuable skills rather than just following passion

• Be cautious about over-extending financially in early stages of business

• Continuously invest in personal growth and development

• Find ways to contribute value to others rather than focusing solely on personal gain

• Interested individuals can email Chris at cthompson@studentworks.com to learn more about Student Works

• Those curious about the program should consider working for a current Student Works operator to gain experience

• Listen to the Leaders of Tomorrow podcast for more insights from Chris and successful alumni

• Read "So Good They Can't Ignore You" by Cal Newport for insights on skill development vs. passion