My Conversation with Leaders with a Heart Podcast
Recently, I had the honor of being a guest on the Leaders with a Heart podcast, hosted by my friend and fellow global wanderer, Payman. We met in Da Nang, Vietnam—a place that has become not only my home but my spirit city—at a local coffee shop for a heart-filled, laughter-laced conversation about life, teaching, travel, service, and self-discovery. We covered battle scars, bee phobias, and why yoga (not a Ferrari) may be the greatest investment of your life.
Payman opened with a deceptively simple question: "Who is Paul?" And if you know me, you know I had to pause. I spoke from the heart: I’m just a guy trying to live a meaningful life with the tools I’ve been given. That journey has taken me from the U.S. Air Force to luxury hotels, to classrooms and conference rooms, to YouTube, and ultimately to Da Nang. Teaching, in all its forms, is my calling. Whether I’m standing in front of university students, training corporate leaders, or just chatting with someone on the street, I teach because I learn—and I learn because I teach.
From rapid-fire questions about what makes me smile (spoiler: smiles themselves!) to my irrational fear of bees (yes, really), we explored what it means to live a life of curiosity and compassion. I opened up about being diagnosed early with dyslexia and ADD and how learning how my brain worked helped me become not only a better learner, but eventually, a better teacher.
We dove deep into the transition from military life to civilian purpose. My Air Force values—Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All You Do—have stayed with me every step of the way. But the real turning point? Yoga. One yoga class changed my life. It planted the seed for what would become a mindfulness-driven approach to everything I do today—from my doctoral research to how I handle a tough classroom moment.
I also shared how Da Nang first whispered to me during a holiday trip and how, years later, I returned for good. There's something magical about this city: the ocean breeze, the rhythm of sunrise rituals, the entrepreneurial spirit, and yes, the rain that makes it all feel like poetry in motion.
In the end, the conversation circled back to what drives me: impact. From a young boy who wanted to be everything from an actor to a soldier to a baseball star, I’ve finally found something that lights me up from the inside: helping others see their own light. Teaching, coaching, and creating content are all just expressions of that deeper mission.
You can catch the full episode on the Leaders with a Heart Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. If you're new here, check out my work at WalkaboutRojo.com or follow along on my YouTube channels: Walkabout Rojo and Walkabout Elevations.
Until next time, keep walking your walkabout—and remember: if you ever write a book about your life, make it one that someone would actually want to read
