What if your greatest source of leadership and personal growth came not from your successes, but from the mentors and challenges that shaped your journey? In this episode, host Greg Inglin sits down with Eric Johnson, a well-known Seattle broadcaster and writer, to explore how resilience, mentorship, and a commitment to personal development have fueled his remarkable career - from the high-pressure world of television to a creative new chapter filled with writing novels, speaking engagements, and TV appearances. Eric shares candid stories about his transition out of daily news, the profound impact of business mentors and tough lessons learned at Washington State University, and how leadership skills are honed through perseverance, the influence of great sports journalism, and a lifelong passion for writing and reading.
What you can expect from this episode:
- Resilience and Career Transition: Eric Johnson shares how embracing resilience helped him navigate major career changes - leaving the fast-paced world of broadcasting for creative projects, proving that leadership and personal growth often come from reinvention.
- Mentorship and Personal Development: Discover how pivotal mentors, both in broadcasting and at Washington State University, shaped Eric’s work ethic and leadership skills, and why business mentors are essential for ongoing personal development as a leader.
- Leadership Skills Through Storytelling: Learn how Eric’s lifelong passion for writing and storytelling, combined with the influence of sports journalism, has made him a stronger leader and communicator - offering practical insights for anyone seeking to grow personally and professionally
Guest Resources:
Eric Johnson: Facebook
Guest idea? Feedback? Connect with Greg on LinkedIn.
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Want to skip to the good part? Here’s this episode’s segments:
00:00 Introduction and Current Projects
05:53 Early Influences and Career Path
11:52 First Broadcasting Job and Challenges and the Value of Hard Work in Career Building
17:59 Bravery and Fear of Failure, and the Drive for Excellence
22:53 Career Progression in Broadcasting and Competition and Friendships in the Industry
27:30 Joining KOMO and Learning from Legends
28:52 Creating Eric's Little Heroes and Memorable Moments in Eric's Little Heroes
32:42 Teamwork in Broadcasting
35:55 Covering Iconic Sports Moments
39:08 Transitioning to News
43:46 The Impact of Eric's Heroes
45:21 The Power of Positive Storytelling and Humanity
48:40 Navigating the Impact of Negative News
49:58 Seattle's Social Issues, Addiction, and Controversy
56:04 Facing Backlash from Seattle is Dying
01:00 Interviewing Influential Figures and Caring in Journalism
01:04:22 Common Threads Among People, Embracing Life and Human Connection