Hey Collective Crew, Shaun here. This week on The Gold Mine, Chance and I took a moment to pull back the curtain a bit and have a candid conversation about The Collective itself – its journey from a “crazy little idea” to where we are nearly three years in, its impact (however tiny), and our aspirations for its future.
It was an opportunity to reflect on lessons learned, the unexpected joys and frustrations of this endeavor, and what it means to build a community centered around growth, resilience, and a shared mission.
Key Insights from Our “State of the Union”:
1. Evolution of Vision – From Idea to Impact (and Back to Learning)
I reflected on how the initial concept for The Collective has grown, sparked by a desire to be more helpful. The journey hasn’t been just about disseminating information but about our own continuous learning, as highlighted by mentioning my recent second guest appearance on Travis Bader’s Silvercore podcast where I realized, “Never thought I would be a podcaster, time to own it!”
2. The Power of Unforeseen Connections
A key motivator is seeing the “Collective” in action; like the recent story of Arjun, a young volunteer on Sach’s run across Canada, who also knows The Collective, and closely follows our guests and transferal of wisdom. These moments, where our efforts connect individuals and help create more positive combined outcomes, underscore the “why” behind the podcast.
3. Navigating Difficult Questions & Maintaining Integrity
We touched upon a livestream listener’s question (from Ethos and Eros) about us considering using the Access to Information Act for topics. While acknowledging the validity of such pursuits, I reiterated our focus on broader ideas, philosophies, and holistic perspectives rather than investigative deep dives into these kinds of areas. We are trying to maintain the “fireside chat” integrity of our platform, which allows the conversation to more authentically unfold.
4. Favorite Ranks & The Lessons Within
A fun livestream question came up – “Which was your favorite military rank?” Chance went with Master Corporal for a variety of good reasons. My response was “All of them were favorites.” But when it came right down to it, I went with Corporal. I stated it felt like a “seasoned” stage and demonstrated a certain “I know some things” vibe, courtesy of the wide spectrum of individuals and crucial lessons in leadership and human nature you gain in those first four years, prior to beginning formal leadership roles.
5. Leadership Beyond Rank – The True Change Agents
Responding to Ethos and Eros’s livestream follow-up question on the comparison between NCO’s and Officers, I argued that true leadership and the ability to “lead change in reality” transcends formal positions. It’s less about rank, and more about the individual’s presence, gravitas, and earned experience. In critical or catastrophic moments, people look to the “knowing one,” the one with proven competence, regardless of insignia, or position within the boardroom.
6. The Collective’s “Ecosystem” & Future Growth
Chance likened The Collective to an ecosystem, constantly growing. And while I appreciate our positive forward trajectory, my desire is always for more impact, reaching more people, and helping others live richer lives. This involves practical steps like improving our social media “sizzle” and meeting the needs of The Collective (e.g., upcoming apparel line with Gordo).
7. Looking Ahead – Deep Dives (always) and Expanding the Team
We confirmed our upcoming show on “Masculinity,” signaling our commitment to significant and deep topics. The vision is to continue building the Collective by bringing in more specialized expertise to support our mission, ensuring the “State of The Collective” is one of continuous, positive evolution.
Final Thought: The Collective is a Journey of Shared Growth
This platform is as much a learning journey for us as it is (we hope) for our listeners. We’re committed to evolving, to asking hard questions (of ourselves and our guests), and to fostering a community dedicated to being better together. The “State of The Collective” is strong because of the collective effort of our amazing guests and listeners, and the shared desire for meaningful dialogue.
What has The Collective meant to your journey?
Listen to the full “State of The Collective” discussion here: State Of The Collective
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Keep evolving,
Shaun & The Collective Crew
