128: If You Think Nobody Cares, You're Wrong with Thomas Eastlack

Week two with Thomas goes deeper into the inner mechanics of growth: how confidence gets built (and rebuilt) in real time, how “needing people” can be both a strength and a signal, and what it looks like to stop outsourcing your own decisions. Ryan and Thomas talk candidly about learning to move forward without requiring constant external reassurance—and how that shift changes the way you show up in work and life.The conversation also hits the human layer underneath the job titles: believing there’s good in the world, the cost of giving too much without replenishing yourself, and the kind of question people rarely ask—because it requires them to actually be ready for the answer. Along the way: a great metaphor about “overflow vs. emptying your cup,” mentorship, ITSM curiosity, and a surprisingly specific Subway order.Topics DiscussedIntrovert vs. extrovert energy (and what happens when you’re alone too long)How Thomas is building confidence in decisions under stress“What are you waiting for?” — self-talk and external validationWhether people are fundamentally good (and how to live that belief)Protecting yourself from over-giving: overflow vs. depletionEnvy vs. material jealousy: wanting traits, not stuffWhat strong leaders actually have (spoiler: not all the answers)ITSM learning: tools, automation, and simplifying messy processesThe question people should ask more often: “How are you… really?”How to connect with Thomas + his sign-off phraseConnect with ThomasEmail – [email protected] – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eastlack/Connect with Ryan@Ryan_A_Grayhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/[email protected] by Chris DechterHave feedback or guest ideas? Let us know!This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit www.HigherEdAV.com for fresh content every day!