Send us a text

Today we're revisiting a powerful conversation that I had with Daniel Carcillo—two-time Stanley Cup champion, NHL veteran, and one of hockey's most compelling voices on mental health and resilience.

This episode remains profoundly relevant as Daniel's journey from the heights of professional hockey to the depths of addiction and back to purposeful healing continues to resonate with anyone facing their own battles. His raw honesty about concussion-related trauma, opioid addiction, and the transformative power of vulnerability offers timeless insights that feel even more urgent in today's mental health landscape.

What makes this conversation especially meaningful is Daniel's evolution from enforcer to healer—showing us that our greatest struggles can become our most powerful tools for helping others. His work with emerging brain health therapies and his commitment to authentic living provide hope and practical wisdom that transcends sports.

If you missed this episode the first time, or if life has brought new challenges since you last heard it, Daniel's story of redemption and purpose will meet you exactly where you are. This is more than a hockey story—it's a roadmap for turning pain into purpose and finding strength in our most vulnerable moments.

As well, if you are interested in receiving a free mental health journal sponsored by the Resilience Agenda based in Switzerland and Australia, please share this episode on social media and tag me. As well, please head over to spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts and do a review of my show. And please share this episode with anyone who you feel will benefit from tuning in. And with that, let’s jump into my conversation with the inspiring Daniel Carcillo.

This conversation with Daniel was a special one that I hope you find value in. Please share it with anyone who you feel will benefit from listening. Hope you enjoy it!!

Connect With Daniel Carcillo
Website
'X' Formerly Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
Facebook

Send us a text

In this powerful conversation, Andy Vasily sits down with Quang X. Pham, CEO of Katrina Therapeutics, to explore an extraordinary life journey spanning from Vietnam War refugee to Marine Corps pilot to biotech entrepreneur. Quang shares deeply personal stories about service, sacrifice, and the transformative power of embracing one's mission in life.

Quang X. Pham is the CEO of Katrina Therapeutics, where he's developing safer blood thinner medications. A former Marine Corps helicopter pilot who served during the Gulf War, Quang escaped Vietnam with his family in 1975 and has dedicated his life to serving his adopted country through military service and healthcare innovation. He's also a recent author and maintains an 11 handicap at Sawgrass Country Club.

Key Topics Discussed

Family Legacy and Service (4:41)

• Quang's family's dramatic escape from Vietnam in 1975 - marking 50 years in America
• The three pillars of his life: serving his new country, honoring family legacy, and contributing to healthcare
• How gratitude shaped his decision to join the Marine Corps despite skepticism from others

Military Service and Leadership Lessons (28:04 - 42:44)

• Gulf War Experiences: High-stakes decision-making as a helicopter pilot in Kuwait City
• Navigating through smoke and enemy territory while evacuating wounded Marines
• The critical importance of psychological safety in team environments
• How military experience translates to entrepreneurial leadership

Entrepreneurship and Mission-Driven Leadership (47:33 - 55:31)

• The role of tact in effective communication and fundraising
• Understanding investor expectations and adapting pitch strategies
• Balancing urgency in startups vs. consensus-building in larger organizations
• Why patient needs must drive pharmaceutical development, regardless of economic challenges

Personal Philosophy and Mentorship (59:56)

• Learning from mentors both personal and distant (John Wooden, General Colin Powell)
• The importance of continuous self-reflection and growth
• "Love what you do until you can do what you love" - navigating career transitions
• How success encompasses resilience and character, not just financial achievement

Timestamps

• 4:41 - Opening and background discussion
• 28:04 - Decision to join the Marine Corps and embracing destiny
• 39:22 - Gulf War piloting experience and high-stress decision-making
• 42:44 - Leadership insights and psychological safety
• 47:33 - Entrepreneurship, tact, and resilience
• 55:31 - Core values and mission-driven approach
• 59:56 - Mentorship and personal growth philosophy

Connect with Quang X. Pham

• Company: Katrina Therapeutics
• LinkedIn
• Quan's books including Underdog Nation: Zero in on Effort and Results for Success
• Website

Episode Themes

• Immigrant experience and the American Dream
• Military service as character formation
• Translating military leadership to business success
• Mission-driven entrepreneurship in healthcare
• The power of mentorship and continuous learning
• Resilience through life transitions

Send us a text

In a world where anxiety, isolation, and overwhelm have become the norm rather than the exception, Sharon Salzberg's wisdom offers a lifeline back to inner peace and authentic connection. As we navigate unprecedented global challenges—from social division and economic uncertainty to the lingering effects of a global pandemic—the timeless practices Sharon has championed for over four decades provide practical tools for not just surviving, but thriving.

This powerful conversation with meditation pioneer and bestselling author Sharon Salzberg was originally released in April 2024, but couldn't be more relevant to our current moment. While recorded previously, the insights shared here address the very struggles so many of us face today: how to find stability when everything feels uncertain, how to maintain compassion in polarized times, and how to stay true to our values when the world seems to be pulling us in countless directions.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

The Power of Trusting Your Own Experience Sharon opens up about her personal journey of trauma and healing, sharing how meditation became her anchor through life's most challenging storms. In our current climate of information overload and external pressure, her message about trusting your own deepest experience is revolutionary. You'll learn practical ways to distinguish between the noise of the world and the wisdom of your inner voice.

Loving-Kindness as a Revolutionary Act Drawing from her groundbreaking 1995 book "Loving Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness," Sharon demonstrates how practicing compassion—especially toward ourselves—isn't just feel-good spirituality, it's a practical strategy for resilience. In today's culture of harsh self-criticism and comparison, these ancient practices offer a pathway to genuine happiness and sustainable success.

Breaking Free from Modern Isolation Perhaps most timely is our discussion of her book "Real Life: The Journey from Isolation to Openness and Freedom." As loneliness rates soar and many people struggle with authentic connection, Sharon provides a roadmap for moving from isolation to genuine openness. You'll discover why vulnerability is actually a superpower and how mindfulness can transform your relationships.

Why Listen Now?

This isn't just another meditation discussion—it's a masterclass in applied wisdom for modern living. Whether you're dealing with work stress, relationship challenges, or simply trying to find your footing in uncertain times, Sharon's gentle yet profound insights offer practical strategies you can implement immediately.

Her four decades of experience teaching meditation have given her unique insights into the human condition, and her ability to make ancient wisdom accessible to modern audiences is unparalleled. In just one conversation, you'll gain tools that can shift how you respond to stress, relate to others, and navigate life's inevitable challenges.

As we continue to grapple with division, uncertainty, and the pace of modern life, Sharon Salzberg's message reminds us that the peace and clarity we seek isn't somewhere out there—it's available to us right now, in this moment, through practices that have sustained humans for thousands of years.

Connect with Sharon:
Website
Insight Meditation Society
Twitter
Facebook
LinkedIn

As well, you can find all Sharon's books here