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Birthday Hotel Stay Sparks a Conversation About Rest and Self-Care Courtney explains she sent Juan to a downtown Phoenix hotel for two nights as a birthday gift because they have two kids she's still sleep training and she wanted him to get time away, though it was only two miles from home. They discuss how taking time for yourself prevents resentment and irritability and how Courtney struggles more with self-care, often insisting she doesn't need breaks. They broaden self-care beyond "bubble baths" to include practical tasks that reduce mental load, and emphasize resting to recover from illness rather than pushing through. Courtney notes activities that help her recharge, including sewing, spending time with her best friend Matt, massages, and especially learning to take naps instead of scrolling on her phone, using a timer to rest.   00:00 Birthday Hotel Getaway 01:00 Why Time Away Matters 01:40 Courtney Struggles With Self Care 02:54 Oxygen Mask Reality Check 03:34 Rest Is Real Self Care 04:04 Choosing Recovery Over Hustle 06:05 Recharge Habits That Work 07:43 Selfish Or Necessary Reset 09:21 Naps Not Doomscrolling 10:41 Wrap Up And Thanks

What Would It Take for You to Give Yourself Proper Rest?   In a solo, on-the-fly episode, Juan asks what it would take to give yourself proper rest, reflecting on a birthday staycation Courtney booked at an older downtown Phoenix hotel near Van Buren that has changed over time. Though only a few miles from home and not his best sleep, he values the space to reset, enjoy simple pleasures without shame, and practice being present. He compares restorative rest to letting a phone cool down and stop draining energy, not just plugging it in while still overworking it. He notes how people dismiss rest as "just sleep more," argues that avoiding rest can be insecurity, and suggests a nap or snack can help when overwhelmed. Drawing on their IVF experience, he emphasizes that supporters need rest too, and that high performers rest well; his call to action is to pursue truly regenerative rest anywhere.   00:00 Todays CBQ Setup 00:36 Staycation In Phoenix 01:25 Why Rest Feels Hard 02:39 Phone Battery Metaphor 03:35 No Shame Rest Rules 05:03 Presence And Letting Go 06:02 Late Nights And Reset 06:49 IVF Lesson On Support 07:08 Rest Like A Champion 07:48 Simple Call To Rest

Why did I build the Blind Spot Community? Because I want to help more people than 1:1 coaching allows — and because most of us already know what to do… we just don't keep doing it. In this episode, Courtney and I break down the purpose of the community and how the three tiers are designed for different stages: Tier 1: practical handouts + monthly updates for people who want tools they can actually use Tier 2: DIY coaching + hiring resources, a 1:1 call, and the weekly group for support and momentum Tier 3: year-long check-ins, deeper assessment work, and an AI consult with Courtney to apply AI safely and effectively to real problems We also talk about the real reason this exists: the same concepts land differently depending on the person. Sometimes one word change makes the whole thing click. If you've been looking for structure, clarity, and a way to stay connected to your own goals without a massive commitment, this episode explains the lane.

Why did you dump me in 2004? That's how this episode starts. But this isn't just a relationship story. It's about rejection — in love, in leadership, in sales, and in career growth. We talk about: Why rejection feels isolating (even when it's necessary) The difference between being rejected and being freed How rejection forces the next chapter Why leaders must normalize "no" Sales, negotiation, and the flinch test The shame that keeps people silent Why if you're not getting rejected, you're probably not swinging big enough Rejection hurts. But it also clarifies. It strengthens. It redirects. And if you don't learn to process it, you'll avoid the very risks that move you forward. Rejection isn't a gift in the moment. It's a gift in hindsight. Embrace the blind spot.

What does a leader need to know about AI — if they're not planning to become an expert? More than you think. Less than you fear. In this episode, we unpack what actually builds credibility around AI for leaders: Embracing the fact that you don't know everything Avoiding the "curse of knowledge" Why curiosity beats certainty How fast iteration changes leadership expectations Why technical expertise doesn't automatically equal strategic leadership AI is not just a technical shift. It's a mindset shift. The leaders who will thrive aren't the ones pretending to know everything — and they aren't the ones dismissing it either. They're the ones asking better questions. Embrace the blind spot.

For years, I've coached leaders using a framework I never fully explained — until now. The BS Model (Blind Spot Model) reveals where your attention goes and what it produces: Intentional Presence Task Execution Reactive Distraction Avoidant Coping Most people live externally focused and call it productivity. But without internal clarity, busyness turns into burnout. This episode breaks down: Why "I'm busy" is a warning sign How reactive distractions quietly take over The difference between being productive and being aligned Why burnout isn't accidental — it's patterned Nothing in this model is "bad." The problem is when you don't realize where you're operating. Embrace the blind spot.

Why aren't our babies sleeping? That's the question. But this episode isn't just about sleep. It's about leadership, ownership, energy, and what happens when a system that once worked starts slipping after a new variable is introduced. Sleep training is project management. Regression is iteration. Exhaustion changes your standards. We talk about: ·       Why knowing what to do isn't the same as doing it ·       How depletion impacts decision making ·       Ownership vs resentment ·       Redefining "done" when circumstances change ·       Why you shouldn't make system decisions when you're exhausted Whether you're leading a household, a team, or yourself, the lesson is the same: Step back. Lay it out. Define the next iteration. Then execute — rested. Embrace the blind spot.

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:9f60229b-0b84-4f2e-8a6e-fcb00170066a-5" data-testid= "conversation-turn-12" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> CBQ: How do you change someone's attitude?   Changing someone's attitude is not about force. It is about awareness, sequence, and humility. In this episode, Juan and Courtney explore why you can not skip emotional stages, why progress is often smaller than you want, and why the first attitude you must check is your own. Drawing from Tribal Leadership and Tattoos on the Heart, they unpack the five workplace "t-shirts" people wear—and why trying to yank someone from "my life sucks" to "everything is great" rarely works. HIGHLIGHTS "You can not force someone to wear your t-shirt." – Juan "Progress is progress, even if it annoys you." – Juan "Sometimes blunt honesty is what actually gets through." – Courtney "If I am at 'I'm great, you suck,' I am part of the problem." – Juan "Gratitude shifts the shirt you are wearing." – Juan   CareerBlindspot.com  LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube Juan | Courtney  → Your listening perspective matters - 5 min survey.  

"Make your own traditions. Do not do things just because everyone else does." – Courtney   CBQ: Why are there white Christmas trees in our bedroom and the kids' rooms?   Summary: Juan and Courtney talk through why traditions should evolve with your life—and how choosing intention over obligation turns holidays into something you actually enjoy instead of just survive.   HIGHLIGHTS "Nothing says Palm Springs like white Christmas trees." – Courtney "We want traditions, but we do not want to be beholden to traditions." – Juan "Avoiding something is a start, but leaning into a celebration is different." – Juan "They are not going to remember any of this. We are." – Courtney "This is permission to mess around and find out." – Juan *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "75a0a129-e3e3-4f5e-b73e-b810c6aaa0e6" data-testid= "conversation-turn-36" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> CareerBlindspot.com  LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube Juan | Courtney  → Your listening perspective matters - 5 min survey.    

"I did not understand what networking was. I thought it was just, 'Here is my job, help me.'" – Courtney CBQ: How much do you hate networking today?   Summary: Juan and Courtney break down why traditional networking felt like a "negative 34" and how getting clear on your talent, value, and curiosity can turn awkward events into intentional, energizing collaboration.   HIGHLIGHTS "You are more excited to network because you are more clear on what you are talented at and where it is valued." – Juan "People do not know how you could help them. You have to tell them what you do well." – Juan "If you are not excited to be there, stop going. Go where you would actually get on a plane to meet people." – Juan   CareerBlindspot.com  LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube Juan | Courtney  → Your listening perspective matters - 5 min survey.

"It lifted a weight off your shoulders I did not realize I was holding." – JK   CBQ: Why did you get a vasectomy?   Summary: Juan and Courtney use a very personal story to expose an overlooked leadership truth: responsibility shared is pressure reduced, and sometimes the smallest physical procedure removes the biggest emotional load. HIGHLIGHTS "It was a pinch for you. It was surgery for me." – Courtney "I did not realize I wasn't lifting weight off your shoulders." – Juan "Men get praised for showing up. Women get questioned." – Juan "Sometimes the leadership move is doing the thing that makes life easier for someone else." – Juan   CareerBlindspot.com LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Juan | Courtney   → Your listening perspective matters – 5 min survey.  

"Getting out of the house makes us do work better." – Courtney   CBQ: Why are we in a phone booth at Industrious?   Juan and Courtney pull back the curtain on their recording setup to unpack the modern co-working experience—why intentional environments matter more than trendy spaces, and how isolation quietly kills creativity.   HIGHLIGHTS "Getting out of the house makes us do work better." – Courtney "I chose co-working because I wanted human experience." – Juan "Just because I do not get energy from people does not mean I should avoid them." – Courtney "Until you are intentional about it, you will be stuck in an office or stuck at home—with lonely company." – Juan "Who do you actually want to run into?" – Juan   CareerBlindspot.com LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube Juan | Courtney → Your listening perspective matters – 5 min survey.

"It is not the content. It is the intention behind it." – Courtney   CBQ: What is the difference between doom-scrolling and researching on your phone?   Summary: Juan and Courtney dissect the blurry line between learning and avoidance—why "research" can be productive curiosity or just another flavor of self-distraction.   HIGHLIGHTS "Doom-scrolling is when I am not actually going to apply what I learned." – Courtney "Body-doubling helps neurodiverse people get things done." – Courtney "Investing in yourself is different from retail therapy." – Juan "I do not deserve this notebook? Yes you do. Start using it." – Juan "Repurpose something you already have - intention beats novelty." – Juan   CareerBlindspot.com  LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube Juan | Courtney  → Your listening perspective matters - 5 min survey.

"DIY starts with ego, but ends with humility." – Juan Kingsbury   CBQ: Why is DIY a mixed bag of fun and frustration?   Juan and Courtney break down the trap of "doing it all yourself." From home projects to leadership habits, they reveal how ego fuels the start, but humility gets the job done.   HIGHLIGHTS "When you DIY, you eventually have to delegate."  "The real skill is knowing who to delegate to." "Letting go of control is not weakness, it is awareness." "No one will care for your baby the same way you do." "If your projects are unfinished, check your ego."   CareerBlindspot.com  LinkedIn | Instagram | Youtube Juan | Courtney  → Your listening perspective matters - 5 min survey.