The Normal 40 Podcast

Change is the only constant, and no one knows this better than my guest, former F-16 and Thunderbird Fighter Pilot, Michelle Curran. Call sign "Mace," her story is a testament to the power of embracing change and taking risks. As a farm kid from Wisconsin, she became one of the squadron's first F-16 Thunderbird pilots before making The Trade to launch a new career as an entrepreneur. Listen as she shares her "Normal 40 moment." Michelle and I find plenty of common ground, especially our shared passion for piloting, and together we hope to inspire you to take action and make the changes you want to see in your life.Michelle's journey is an exciting one, taking her from a small farm in Wisconsin to the top of the United State Air Force. Her story proves that change can come from the most unexpected places. Hear about her experiences in the cockpit, her transition from a regular pilot to a Thunderbird pilot, and the story behind her unique call sign. Our chat also covers the nerves and pressure she experienced when participating in her first public event, her transition from a fighter pilot to an entrepreneur, and her thoughts on taking leaps of faith. This episode is a testament to the power of embracing change and taking risks.Spoiler Alert - Mace launched a new book since we recorded this podcast. It's a children's book - and it is fantastic. You can buy "Upside Down Dreams" here: https://a.co/d/iESGilu I never know who I will meet every time I hit "Join Meeting."In this case, I am proud to now call Mace a friend.This is the Normal 40, and this is your home. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Change can be terrifying, but it can also be liberating. Hear Lon Stroschein share highlights of his journey from the C-Suite to the launch of Normal 40 and the release of his new book "The Trade."Normal 40 finds everyone - and it will find you. You've either gone through it, will go through it, or are smack in the middle of it right now. How do we know this to be true? Tune in to this episode of the Normal 40 Podcast to find out.This is the audio from the soft launch of Lon's new book, The Trade. It is an emotional and inspiring episode that will reveal the risks he embraced, his journey to this point, and his aspirations to make The Trade a New York Times Bestseller.Normal 40 isn't an age; it's a feeling. And when you have your #normal40 moment, you will know. But you won't be alone.Sign up for early access to my book here: https://linktr.ee/lon.stroschein This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Ever wondered what it's like to fly Marine One for the President of the United States? Who does that? This guy: John Ballenger. But that's only what you see on the outside ... The story is on the inside.On this week's Normal 40 Podcst, we navigate the highs and lows of life with John Ballenger, a former Marine Corps pilot whose #normal40 story will inspire you. We start with his love for aviation, his adrenaline-pumping journey to become the lead pilot for the President of The United States, and how his life was transformed through an encounter with his wife, orchestrated by faith. There is hardly a more impressive duty for a Marine than to fly the President. It's the highest honor for a pilot and a Marine. But behind all of that achievement, behind the uniform, underneath all of the decorations and sterling performance and flight reviews, there can be self-doubt and heartbreak. And no matter the rank, learn how nothing in his lifetime of training had prepared him - or his marriage - for how to navigate the loss of a child.John and Lon Stroschein discuss the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life and the imposter syndrome that found John along the way. And hear - in his words - how he has moved from grappling with self-doubt to becoming a coach for others who have been where he's been.Learn about the hidden grind behind achieving big goals and the power of persistence, and grasp the 'grueling it out' portion of the journey, a testament to John's resilience.Finally, we explore Normal 40, a mission close to John's and my heart that aims to make a profound impact on the lives of those transitioning from military to civilian life. Discover the transformative power of group events and how they've changed lives. Hear John's thoughts on mindfulness, the power of failure, and how our experiences, rewarding or otherwise, shape our stories. Join us as we navigate this journey, filled with emotion, inspiration, and insights.Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in. Join Normal 40 founder Lon Stroschein for a really interesting Ramble with a dude you need to know, John Ballenger.John has a unique background and story that has called him to be "on mission" and help define his second-half story.You can follow more of John's story here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ballenger53/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

In 2011, tragedy struck Larry Ambrose when his wife died suddenly, without notice, two months after the birth of their eighth child and while Larry was away on a work trip.Now a single parent of eight kids, all under 14, he faced unimaginable challenges as a former company executive and a single parent.In this incredibly moving episode, Larry shares the heart-warming details of the day he met his wife, and the heart-wrenching details of the challenges that ensued. And learn how he managed to cope with grief while raising his children and navigating his professional career.Larry's resilience and determination to prioritize joy and presence with his children led him to #thetrade of a lifetime when he walked away from a 30-year career in 2017. We delve into the importance of recognizing and facing our own life trades head-on, as Larry recounts the pivotal wake-up call that changed his life for the better. This episode is not only a testament to the power of the human spirit, but also an inspiring reminder of how life offers no guarantees and is best lived without regrets. So, what's next for Larry? We also discuss how he is using his story and platform to inspire others, and the ways in which the Normal 40 movement can rally around people with similar missions. Larry even shares details about his upcoming book, a business he is launching with his partner Dawne Jacoby and a podcast he plans to launch this summer -- emphasizing the search for joy and meaning after loss. There are probably very few times in life when you hear something, and it stops you right in your tracks and takes your breath away. On this episode, you'll undoubtedly have one of those moments as Larry Ambrose (who is a dude you need to know) shares his story of love, loss, guilt, and the blessings he feels. It is an incredible journey that culminates in Larry making the ultimate trade, for some very personal and unique reasons. But the journey is not over yet, as Larry is embarking on writing his second half story, but now with a new purpose.This is Larry's story, and he feels blessed. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Lon has always been a risk-taker, but writing a book about his journey towards self-discovery and personal growth was a whole new level of risk for him. As a former public company executive turned lifestyle engineer, Lon Stroschein is on an adventure to inspire others to take action and create the life they want. In this episode, Adam Eaton and Lon discuss his struggles with writing, stemming from dyslexia and a lack of self-care, and how he ultimately found my voice as a storyteller to arrive where he is today. Throughout the episode, Lon shares insights about the importance of having open conversations about finances and renegotiating the unwritten marital contract with your spouse. His delves into how he and his wife navigated these hard talks and how it helped them grow stronger as a couple. Finally, my favoirte, is that Lon introduces his concept of a "Normal 40 Insurance Policy" – investing 10% of our retirement into a "Bet on Me" account to try our dreams and create the life we want now, rather than waiting for the future.If you're feeling frustrated, controlled, unhappy, lost, bored, annoyed, caged, and alone, this episode is for you. Join Adam Eaton and Lon, and let's travel this #normal40 highway together as we explore the trade-offs of taking risks and achieving our dreams.If you are a regular listener of Normal 40 The Podcast, you have likely heard Lon and Adam talk about Lon's upcoming book. In this episode, the dudes go in depth on the new book, called "The Trade" which is expected to be released in mid July. Lon shares his thoughts on the structure of the book and gives you a sneak peak at what you can expect. This includes a chapter so powerful, that you will probably be left in tears.So, why did Lon write a book? And who is this book for? Well, simply put, it is for you. And me. And Lon. And you. You read that correctly, by the way, because you are the most important person who will read this book. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast player.Sign up for The Normal 40 Insider Community or The N40 Newsletter called The Rambler at https://www.normal40.com/the-normal-40-insider This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in. This episode features an After Hours Ramble between Lon Stroschein, founder of Normal 40, and co-host Adam Eaton. The theme is actually simple... what the heck is this podcast about! More specifically, what does this podcast mean to you and what do you take from it? Why is that important? Well, we want to make sure that this podcast is presented, and named, in a way that speaks to anybody who is interested in the Normal 40 movement.So, your homework? Listen, and then give us your suggestions! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in. The Last day. No matter who you are, or what you do, you will have a last day. But, here is the good news - a last day doesn't have to be a bad thing, especially if it comes on your own terms. In this episode, Lon and Adam talk about the last day of something, of anything. How can you prepare yourself for it? And what you should be doing today that will help you prepare? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in. This episode of Normal 40: The Podcast is something totally different. It is an honest and open After Hours Ramble with two dudes talking about feelings. Those dudes? None other than the hosts of the podcast, Lon Stroschein and Adam Eaton. But, this isn't any old ramble. This is a vulnerable conversation where one person is going through something pretty serious and important. In the process of that conversation, Lon and Adam talk through some deeply personal feelings, emotions, and thoughts - and not as podcast hosts, but as friends. Despite the subject matter, a beautiful thing happens, and there are key messages and learnings for everybody in the Normal 40 community. Through pain, there are opportunities to grow, learn, and evolve. We'll see you on the next page, and thank you for listening. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in. In this episode, a whole lot of ramblin' going on. Normal 40 founder Lon Stroschein and co-host Adam Eaton have a post episode Ramble talking about the conversation they had with a dude to know, Ron W. The dudes discuss the conversation wtih Ron, the symbolism of his journey, and introduce the concept of "The D's".If you have not yet listened to the episode The Ramble: Ron W, you might want to give it a listen before this one. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com

Normal 40 is a process that gets you out of your head and into your gut. It helps you get back to where you used to be going…and back to how you used to feel. You can choose to explore it and let it out, or you can choose to suppress it and hold it in. This episode of Normal 40 The Podcast features a live ramble between Lon, Adam, and a dude you need to know, Ron. While every Ramble is different, this one is unique in that Ron is smack dab in the middle of the trade, and he went about his journey to discovery in a really unique way. We won't spoil the surprise, but let's just say Ron put his feet to work to get his mind in gear. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit normal40.substack.com