Leadership
Podcast

In the podcast “The Next Level,” hosted by Jon Sanchez, long-time friend and guest Brad Thor shares his journey from television production to becoming a renowned writer. Starting with his experience as a producer for the TV series “Travelling Light,” Brad reveals how his path took a turn towards writing during a conversation with his wife on their honeymoon. His initial fear of failure had led him to invest his savings in travel rather than write a novel, but this discussion sparked his decision to devote two hours daily to writing.

His determination paid off when he met Cindy, a sales rep for Simon & Schuster, during a chance encounter on a trip. She expressed interest in reading his novel, creating a sense of accountability for Brad. An English newspaper article about a Swiss intelligence officer served as the inspiration for his book “The Lions of Lucerne,” which he subsequently wrote and sent to Cindy. Her enthusiasm led the book to the top editor at Simon & Schuster, propelling Brad’s writing career.

Heidi, his literary agent, and his disciplined approach have contributed significantly to Brad’s success, resulting in 22 published books, including the “Harvath Series.” Brad follows a “pantser” approach to writing, letting the story develop organically rather than using an outline. His work focuses on current geopolitical issues, giving his thrillers a “non-fiction hook” that holds readers’ attention.

Brad attributes his success to his discipline, continual self-improvement, and high standards. He considers his readers his employers, always striving to deliver a better product to them. Despite the pressure and challenges of writing, Brad finds satisfaction in his craft, frequently studying books about writing even in his off time.

He emphasizes that his books are well-researched and insightful, aiming to make readers more knowledgeable. In 2008, he shadowed an intelligence team in Afghanistan, an experience that enriched his understanding of the world for his writing. His commitment to accuracy and detail in his novels is seen through his extensive research, including visits to his story locations or speaking with people who’ve been there.

Brad also shares his philosophy on risk-taking, advising aspiring writers to embrace mistakes as part of growth. He practices Stoic philosophy to cope with perfectionism and accepts things as they are. He believes in helping others in their journey, as seen through his support for Jack Carr, a former Navy SEAL turned author, whom he helped become successful.

In summary, the podcast episode covers topics such as the importance of discipline, perseverance, detailed research, taking risks, and helping others. Brad Thor’s journey serves as a powerful testament to these values, inspiring others to embrace a similar approach in their careers.

With the fast-paced world we live in today, leadership development is more important than ever. Each Thursday, join Jon Sanchez, CEO of Team Performance Institute, as he interviews guests around best practices on leadership. Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or just want to hear from those who have gone before you, this is the podcast for you.

The Next Level podcast is available on all major podcasting platforms.