Disruption is no longer a buzzword, it’s the new baseline. In this episode, bestselling author James Patterson and Vanderbilt professor Patrick Leddin explore how disruption reshapes careers, industries, and even personal identity. They share a framework for becoming a positive disruptor, someone who turns upheaval into opportunity.
From reinventing the publishing industry to navigating AI and workplace change, this conversation is packed with insights on adaptability, values, and finding purpose through uncertainty.
Key Takeaways
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Disruption is everywhere. Whether in global events, technology, or personal life, change happens fast — and waiting for “normal” to return is a losing strategy.
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Positive disruption starts with mindset. Instead of resisting change, view it as fertile ground for creativity and growth.
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Know your fire. Passion, talent, and inner voice are the anchors of meaningful disruption.
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Leverage your strengths. Successful disruptors lean into what they do best and build teams that complement their weaknesses.
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Discern before you react. Positive disruptors pause, think, and choose their response rather than reacting impulsively.
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Relationships matter. Every connection is either a headwind or a tailwind — surround yourself with those who propel you forward.
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AI is the next great disruption. Don’t fear it; learn how to use it. Disruption creates new roles for those who adapt first.
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Values anchor change. When disruption hits, decisions rooted in integrity and purpose guide the right next move.
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Every job — and every person — needs disruption. Growth happens when you question the “rules” and experiment with new ways of doing things.
Resources and Links
Chapters
Note: Timestamps will vary on individual listening devices based on dynamic advertising segments. The provided timestamps are approximate and may be several minutes off due to changing ad lengths.
00:00 The Age of Disruption
01:20 Change vs. Disruption
03:00 Turning Setbacks into Opportunities
05:00 Finding and Following Your Fire
07:00 Positive Disruption in Career Moves
10:00 Internal vs. External Barriers to Change
13:00 Why Every Job Needs Disruption
15:00 Four Fundamental Facts About Change
18:00 How Positive Disruptors Think
21:00 The Power of Story in Reinvention
25:00 Knowing When It’s Time to Pivot
29:00 When Stability Is the Most Disruptive Choice
31:00 Values as the Anchor for Decision Making
34:00 Collaboration as a Creative Disruption
38:00 Purpose, Mission, and the Fire Within
41:00 The AI Frontier Fear vs. Adaptation
46:00 Staying Indispensable Through Change
49:00 Trusting Instincts and Leading with Courage
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