Better Faster Further

What happens when you discover your "why" at 25 and let it guide every career decision for the next three decades? British Robinson, Chair of Africa at the Milken Institute and former leader of presidential initiatives, reveals how finding her purpose transformed her from a banker into a mission- driven executive who's helped save 26 million lives and unlock billions in African investment.From her life-changing experience as a social worker in Mobile, Alabama to leading PEPFAR and Prosper Africa, British shares the profound moments that shaped her leadership philosophy. You'll Discover:• How finding your "why" in your twenties can guide decades of meaningful work• Why being "comfortable with gray" is essential for navigating non-linear career paths• The three pivotal moments that defined her leadership journey: JVC, PEPFAR, and Prosper Africa• How Africa became the world's fastest-growing economy (4.6% vs Asia's 4.1%) and why investors are missing out • The infrastructure investment secret: 11-12% returns with less than 1% default rates in Africa • Why "leadership is as much about inspiration as it is about management" during turnarounds • Her annual silent retreat practice that's sustained her for 35+ years of high-impact workThis conversation will challenge how you think about career planning, purpose, and what it means to build something that matters. Perfect for anyone seeking to align their professional path with deeper meaning. Hit subscribe and share this with someone ready to discover their own "why."

Your brain isn't just a muscle to train harder, it's part of an entire ecosystem you can optimize.Dr. Bethany Ranes, applied neuroscientist who's worked with everyone from military pilots to Fortune 500 executives, reveals why traditional cognitive advice falls short and what actually works when you can't just "sleep more and take supplements."This conversation dives deep into the science of thinking with your whole system, brain, body, environment, and social connections, to unlock performance that feels sustainablerather than exhausting. From helicopter pilots making split-second decisions to executives navigating AI transformation, Dr. Ranes shares the cognitive strategies that work whenstakes are high and time is short.You'll Discover:• Why treating cognition like a budget (not a skill) changes everything about how youapproach mental performance• The three domains of your "cognitive ecosystem" and how to optimize each one for yourspecific situation• How to use cognitive offloading to free up mental energy for what matters most, withoutlosing critical thinking skills• The surprising role of interoception (your internal body signals) in making better, fasterdecisions• Why surprise is your most valuable mental state and how to invite more of it into your work• The metacognition framework that helps high performers think about their thinking moreeffectively• How to achieve cognitive flow states consistently, even in high-pressure environmentsWhether you're leading through uncertainty, scaling a business, or simply want to think more clearly under pressure, this episode offers science-backed strategies that work in the real world.Hit subscribe and share this with someone who needs to optimize their cognitive performance without overhauling their entire life.#cognitiveperformance #neuroscience #executive performance #highperformance #brainscience

What if the secret to sustainable health isn't perfection, but progress?High-performing leaders often fall into the trap of all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to nutrition and fitness, but registered dietitian Erica Giovinazzo has spent 14 years proving there's a better way.In this conversation, Erica breaks down her seven tenets for creating lasting lifestyle changes that actually stick under the pressure of real life. From managing decision fatigue toprotecting your non-negotiables, she reveals how to optimize both your exterior goals and interior health without sacrificing your demanding schedule.You'll Discover:• Why "progress over perfection" is the foundation of sustainable change for high performers• How all-or-nothing thinking sabotages long-term success and what to do instead• The science behind "work hard, recover harder" and why alcohol disrupts cognitive performance• Why consistency beats intensity every time, and how to build atomic habits that compound• The difference between quantity vs. quality nutrition and how both impact performance• How to balance macronutrients for optimal energy, focus, and body composition• Practical strategies for protecting your health commitments like you would a client meetingThis isn't about going on a diet, it's about eating and moving on purpose to fuel peak performance in every area of your life.Hit subscribe and share this with a leader who's ready to optimize their health without the perfectionist trap.

What happens when a leader stops trying to be the smartest person in the room? In this episode, Mark Stockford, VP of Service Operations at ServiceNow, shares how embracinghumility, servant leadership, and even “ridiculous ideas” helped him scale a 700-person organization and navigate hypergrowth as ServiceNow expanded from 4,000 to 30,000employees. Drawing on his unconventional career across eBay, Zynga, and Ask.com, Mark breaks down his Guide, Lead, Shape framework, why titles matter less than impact, howauthentic connection creates loyalty, and how leaders can guide teams through massive change, including AI, without fear. This is a candid conversation about showing up asyourself, empowering others, and building teams that choose to follow you through transformation.

At age 12, Tai Nguyen arrived in America with $1 in his pocket after surviving 7 days on a fishing boat in the Indian Ocean with 69 other Vietnamese refugees.Now, 40+ years later, he's a Chief of Staff at ServiceNow, a certified executive coach, and living proof that resilience, curiosity, and relationship-building can take you from cleaning houses in Houston to leadership roles at Dell, HP, and one of the fastest-growing tech companies in the world.In this conversation with hosts Regan Bach and Adam Odosky, Tai shares his journey from child refugee to tech executive, and the career philosophy that carried him through: never say no, always ask, and build relationships everywhere you go.Key Insights:●The career philosophy that changed everything: Never say no, always ask (if you don't ask, nothing happens), don't let your title define your role, relationship-building is everything●"I negotiated my career with an iPhone charger": Director needed a charger in the hallway, Tai negotiated his move to project management before handing it over, became a legend in the organization●How he moved to San Diego with no job: Borrowed a friend's address and phone number to get interviews, moved with 2 suitcases, stayed with friends for 2 years●Becoming Chief of Staff by running town halls: Started doing work "not his role," friend asked "you mean you're his chief of staff?", pitched Mark Stockford in an elevator, sealed the deal●7 years at Dell, 13 years at HP, 9+ years at ServiceNow: Long stints in big enterprise companies, learning how to advocate for yourself and build relationships that matter●Paid out of pocket for PMP certification: HP said no budget, Tai studied nights/weekends for a year, passed 4-hour exam first try, opened doors to project management●Launched executive coaching practice: CTI certified (2+ years, 300+ hours), founded Your Limitless Potential Coach (ylpc.co), coaching senior leaders in UK and Australia●Life lessons from a refugee: Curiosity as survival skill, asking police to drive him home when lost on Houston buses at age 13, learning English in 6 months, cleaning houses every summer instead of vacationsThis episode is for anyone navigating career transitions, building a life from nothing, or anyone who needs proof that asking for what you want can take you further than any title or pedigree.✨ Watch the full episode, and if it resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear this story. Your potential is limitless.Hit subscribe! Connect with Better Faster Further:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfasterfurther/ Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/better-faster-further/id1658641713 Connect with Tai Nguyen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tai-nguyen-2303977/