7. Why Finance Pros Can't Communicate (And How to Fix It) with John Sanchez

Finance pros are notorious for hiding behind spreadsheets — but what happens when one of their own decides to call that out? John Sanchez went from military kid moving 12 times before graduation, to doing M&A deals at Blockbuster, to accidentally stumbling into entrepreneurship, to becoming one of the go-to communication trainers in accounting and finance. Turns out the bar is low — and he's made a career out of raising it. In this episode: How growing up as a military brat (12 moves, one tiny kid) forged a scrappy, adaptable mindset — and an eclectic group of friends The ROTC hallway protection racket that Jack called out as a "higher-level bartering system" Why John bought Tony Robbins cassette tapes in high school and why he was simultaneously afraid they wouldn't work — and that they would From Big Six accounting to M&A at Blockbuster — including a private jet trip to evaluate Aaron Spelling's entertainment empire at age 23 The accidental entrepreneur moment at a Chamber of Commerce meeting that changed everything Why the communication bar in accounting and finance is surprisingly low — and the simple frameworks that can get you most of the way there Chris Voss, rejection words, labeling emotions, and why "is now a bad time?" is better than "do you have a minute?" Lightning round: no TSA Pre-Check, skeptical of airport breakfast, and strong opinions on pre-flight cocktails Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & Fun Fact 02:46 – Growing Up Military: 12 Moves & a Roach Coach 05:10 – ROTC, Eclectic Friends & the Hallway Deal 10:44 – Tony Robbins Tapes & the Psychology Bug 15:53 – Six Majors, FSU & Landing on Accounting 20:33 – The Vouching Moment That Changed Everything 23:13 – M&A at Blockbuster & a Private Jet to 90210 30:06 – The Accidental Entrepreneur 34:44 – Communication Training for Finance Pros 38:09 – Rejection Words, Chris Voss & Labeling Emotions 46:26 – Lightning Round & Networking Tips 50:51 – Where to Find John Connect with John Sanchez: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fpajohn/ FP&A LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2223974/ Connect with Jack Tompkins: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-tompkins/ Company: https://www.pineapplecf.com Speaking: https://www.pineapplejacktompkins.com/