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Be Undaunted: Lead Stronger, Elevate Your Impact, Live With Energy

Be Undaunted: Lead Stronger, Elevate Your Impact, Live With Energy

Written by: George Dom Tara Collingwood
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Welcome to Be Undaunted - the podcast that helps you lead strong, elevate your impact, and live with more energy, especially in a world that has definitely not hit the pause button. George Dom is a former Navy figher pilot, Blue Angels flight leader, and corporate executive. Tara Collingwood has been a performance dietitian to Olympians, CEOs, and everyday people who are under pressure. We specialize in high-performance leadership and people who want to lead their lives more intentionally. Instead of trying to get by, we want to help you build the types of energy systems that make life feel doable and exciting again. In the Be Undaunted podcast, you'll hear stories from the cockpit to the sidelines to the boardroom, and people living every day life at full speed. We'll talk about resilience, clarity, mistakes, and lessons that make us both better leaders - and better humans. We aren't just talking about physical energy, but mental and emotional energy too. In each episode, we'll give you something that you can put into action right away - a mindset shift, skill, strategy, or simply a better way to think about the day ahead. If you're ready to grow, strengthen your leadership, and reclaim your energy; if you're ready to feel more intentional, and more capable, you're in the right place. Welcome to Be Undaunted.2026 Careers Economics Hygiene & Healthy Living Management Management & Leadership Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • Astronaut Bill Readdy Takes Us Into Orbit
    May 7 2026
    Guest: Astronaut & Naval Aviator Bill Readdy Episode Theme: Leadership, trust, resilience, and high-performance teamwork under pressure. In this powerful episode of Be Undaunted, hosts Tara Collingwood and George Dom sit down with retired NASA astronaut, naval aviator, and aerospace executive Bill Readdy. From carrier landings to commanding space shuttle missions, Bill shares lessons on humility, preparation, teamwork, and leadership forged in some of the highest-stakes environments imaginable. This episode is packed with inspiring stories from NASA, the Space Shuttle program, Artemis, and the International Space Station — along with leadership lessons that apply far beyond aerospace. About Bill Readdy Bill Readdy graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974 and became a naval aviator flying the A-6 Intruder aboard the USS Forrestal. He later attended Test Pilot School, became an instructor, and was named Instructor of the Year in 1984. After serving aboard the USS Coral Sea, Bill joined NASA as a research pilot and program manager working on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft program. He was selected as an astronaut in 1987 and flew three space shuttle missions: STS-42 – Mission SpecialistSTS-51 – PilotSTS-79 – Commander Across his career, Bill logged: 7,000+ flight hours60+ aircraft types550+ carrier landings672 hours in space Following his astronaut career, he served as NASA Associate Administrator for Human Space Flight Operations and later held senior executive roles at Boeing and Aerojet Rocketdyne. From Naval Aviator to Astronaut Bill shares how his Navy and test pilot background prepared him for NASA, but also how joining the astronaut corps introduced him to an entirely different level of systems thinking, teamwork, and preparation. He discusses: Why he initially flew as a Mission Specialist instead of PilotNASA’s intense post-Challenger return-to-flight effortsWorking on the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft programThe progression during his three Shuttle flights from Mission Specialist → Pilot → Commander High-Trust Teams & NASA Culture One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation is trust. Bill explains how NASA develops high-trust teams through: Constant trainingIntegrated simulationsCross-functional collaborationOpen debriefsAccountability without ego Memorable Insight: “You train and you train and you train some more — and you train with everything broken.” The crew, mission control, trainers, engineers, and launch teams all trained together repeatedly until coordination became almost instinctive. Leadership Lessons from Spaceflight Bill describes how great shuttle commanders intentionally built team cohesion by: Encouraging every crew member to contributeCross-training outside areas of expertiseCreating psychological safetyBuilding trust through humility and humor Bill’s Leadership Philosophy: “Be humble and be a good listener.” He also shared the military leadership principle: “Mission. Men. Me.” Meaning: Mission firstTeam secondYourself last The Reality of Shuttle Training The episode provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at shuttle mission preparation. Topics include: Simulators connected directly to Mission ControlPracticing failures repeatedlyFull launch countdown rehearsalsEmergency escape proceduresQuarantine protocols before launchPhysical and mental preparation Bill emphasizes that NASA teams didn’t just train for ideal conditions — they trained relentlessly for contingencies. Launch Delays, Scrubs & Staying Ready Bill discusses STS-51 and the emotional challenge of four launch delays and countdown scrubs, including one that occurred nine seconds before liftoff! The crew prepared for launch multiple times over several months before finally lifting off. He describes: The stress of sitting strapped into the shuttleCountdown aborts only seconds before launchMaintaining focus over long delaysContinuing flight and night training while in quarantine Leadership Takeaway: High-performing teams prepare not only for success — but for setbacks, delays, and unexpected problems. What Launching Into Space Actually Feels Like One of the most memorable moments of the episode is Bill’s description of reaching orbit. He vividly explains: The violence and noise of solid rocket booster ascentThe silence after booster separationThe sensation of going from 3G acceleration to zero gravitySeeing Earth from orbit for the first time Memorable Quote: “My commander turned around, hit me on the arm, and said: ‘Look out the window.’” Bill describes being overwhelmed by the beauty and emotional impact of seeing Earth from space. Crisis Management: Losing Communication with Houston During STS-51, the shuttle lost communication with Mission Control early in the mission. Bill explains: Why losing communications was a major threat to mission successThe detailed procedures crews trained forHow the crew methodically worked the problemWhy keeping Mission ...
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    42 mins
  • Episode 7 Trust Under Stress
    Apr 23 2026
    Trust Under Stress – What Really Shows Up When Pressure Hits In this episode of Be Undaunted, Tara Collingwood and George Dom dive into a powerful truth: stress doesn’t break trust, it reveals it. When deadlines tighten, uncertainty rises, and emotions run high, our habits, not our intentions, take over. So what does that mean for leadership, teamwork, and personal growth? They explore the 5 pillars of high trust and how each one either strengthens or breaks down under pressure. Key Takeaways Stress amplifies who we already are, it doesn’t create new behaviors.Under pressure, people fall back on habits and training, not intentions.Trust can actually grow stronger during difficult times if handled well.Awareness is the first step to improving how you show up under stress. The 5 Pillars of Trust (and How They Show Up Under Stress) 1. Character – Do you walk your talk? Breaks down as: Blaming othersDeflecting responsibilityDenying mistakes to protect ego Strong leaders: Take ownershipAdmit mistakesLead with authenticity and integrity “Character is most visible when it’s most inconvenient.” 2. Commitment – Do you put the team first? Breaks down as: Taking shortcutsLowering standardsPrioritizing self over team Strong leaders: Follow through on promisesStay disciplinedAnchor decisions in purpose (“the why”) 3. Competence – Are you capable and relevant? Breaks down as: Rushing and multitaskingSloppy executionReacting instead of following process Strong leaders: Stay calm and disciplinedTrust their training and systemsSlow down to execute effectively “Under pressure, we don’t need more intensity. We need more discipline.” 4. Connection – Do people feel understood? Breaks down as: Withdrawing or isolatingBarking orders without listeningFailing to engage the team Strong leaders: Stay engaged and presentAsk thoughtful questionsMake people feel heard (even if they don’t get their way) 5. Communication – Do people understand you? Breaks down as: Being vague or unclearMaking assumptionsThinking “I said it once, so they got it” Strong leaders: Communicate clearly and consistentlyCheck for understandingShare intent, not just information Real Talk on Stress Stress triggers fight-or-flight responses, physically and emotionally.Common reactions include: Recognizing your personal stress patterns is key to managing them. Actionable Reflection Ask yourself: Which pillar breaks down for me under stress?What patterns or habits do I fall back on?What will I do differently next time I feel pressure rising? Awareness to Intention to Better Behavior Practical Tips “Wind the clock” Pause before reacting and follow your processTrain consistently during calm periods so you’re prepared for chaosDon’t wait until trust is broken, build it dailyAsk a trusted person for honest feedback on how you show up Mentioned High Trust Leadership by George Dom Enjoying the Podcast? Follow, subscribe, and leave a 5-star review on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. Have a topic suggestion? We’d love to hear from you! Closing Thought Never waste a crisis. Stress is a mirror: use it to learn, grow, and lead better. High Trust Leadership by George Domhttps://www.georgedom.com/bookMore about George Dom:https://www.georgedom.com/More about Tara Collingwood:https://www.dietdiva.net/Follow the show: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTubeBe Undaunted is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: www.jagpodcastproductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    27 mins
  • From Grief to Growth: Transforming Widowhood into Purpose with Carolyn Moor
    Apr 9 2026
    In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Be Undaunted, Tara Collingwood and George Dom sit down with Carolyn Moor, founder of the Modern Widows Club and a global advocate for widow care. After losing her husband in a tragic accident at just 37 years old, Carolyn turned unimaginable grief into a mission that now supports thousands of widowed women worldwide. Together, they explore the emotional, physical, and societal challenges of widowhood and how resilience, community, and purpose can lead to healing and growth. This conversation is not just for widows, it’s for anyone navigating loss, identity shifts, or life’s unexpected challenges. 1. The Reality of Widowhood Sudden loss can erase memory, identity, and sense of selfThe first year is often marked by shock and survival modeWidowhood impacts emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being 2. The Hidden Struggles After Loss Anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks are common but often unrecognizedMany widows struggle to find support for themselves after helping their childrenThere is a major gap in long-term care beyond initial grief support 3. From Grief to Growth Traditional grief support is crisis-focused, but what comes next?Carolyn created a pathway: Hope → Heal → Grow → LeadTrue healing includes rebuilding identity, purpose, and future vision 4. The Power of Community (“Finding Your Tribe”) Healing accelerates when you connect with others who understand your experienceSocial support reduces isolation, overwhelm, and lonelinessSometimes you need to “borrow courage” from others to move forward 5. Building the Modern Widows Club Started with just three women in a living roomGrew into a global movement supporting thousands annuallyFocuses on post-traumatic growth, not just grief 6. Advocacy & Awareness Widowhood affects millions, yet remains overlooked in policy, healthcare, and financial systemsThe average age of a widow in the U.S. is 59, challenging common stereotypesCarolyn’s work is reshaping how society supports widowed women 7. A Powerful Perspective on Love & Loss “Every widowhood story starts with a love story.”Widowhood represents a promise honored--love that continues beyond loss Memorable Quotes “I looked the same on the outside. I was nothing of the same on the inside.” “Widows are true survivors.” “Sometimes you have to borrow courage from someone else.” “No widow wants to stay in grief, they want somewhere to grow.” “Every widowhood story starts with a love story.” Resources & Links Modern Widows Club:https://modernwidowsclub.orgCarolyn Moor: https://www.carolynmoor.com Follow Carolyn Moor & Modern Widows Club on social mediaIG: @carolyncaplemoorIG: @modernwidowsclub Call to Action If this episode resonated with you: Follow or subscribe to Be Undaunted on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or your favorite platformLeave a rating and review—it helps others find the showShare this episode with someone who may need support or inspiration Final Thought Loss may change your life, but it doesn’t end your story. With support, courage, and community, healing can lead to growth, purpose, and even renewed joy. High Trust Leadership by George Domhttps://www.georgedom.com/bookMore about George Dom:https://www.georgedom.com/More about Tara Collingwood:https://www.dietdiva.net/Follow the show: Apple Podcasts • Spotify • YouTubeBe Undaunted is produced by JAG Podcast Productions: www.jagpodcastproductions.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    32 mins
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