How video games can level up the way you learn | Kris Alexander

Did you know that driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal? Driving high will get you a DUI, and if you're wondering if law enforcement can tell you're driving high? Well, everyone else can. Friends? I can tell you drove high. Parents? I can tell when you drive high. Relatives? I can tell. You drove your high didn't you? So what makes you think law enforcement can't? I can tell. If you feel different, you drive different. Drive high, get a DUI. Paid four by Nizza. You know that moment when everything lines up, when life gives you the green light and you just go. That's the 2026 Toyota Camry. No hesitation, no friction, just a car that's right there with you. Ready, responsive, in control the whole way through. Because when it's your moment, you shouldn't have to think twice. The 2026 Toyota Camry. Go like you mean it. Test out your local Toyota dealer or visit Toyota.com today. Toyota, let's go places. See packages and options at Toyota.com for future availability. You might not think about oil and natural gas, but it's a big part of your daily routine. From the soap you use to your toothpaste, even your bed sheets. More than 6,000 everyday products are made using oil and natural gas. Companies like energy transfer work behind the scenes, safely transporting these resources across the country through a network of underground pipelines. And learn more at ittakesenergy.com. Welcome to stay on course with me, Julie Riga. My life has been a roller coaster of highs and lows, but what I know to be true is that when we are grounded in our purpose and savor the sweet moments of life, we are truly a success. Today, you are going to get the ingredients for success. This life is salty and life is sweet. Together, let's explore the possibilities of our own lives and learn from thought leaders around the globe. Ready guys? Let's cook it! You were thriving on your own until leading others became your new reality. I'm Julie Riga and I created before I lead for high achievers like you. CEOs, new leaders and side hustlers who have hit that uncomfortable space from doing it all to having to lead it all. It's not just a skill gap, it's an identity shift. You're overwhelmed, you're doubting, you're stuck between growth and burnout. Just change that, join me at BeforeIlead.com or visit JulieRiga.com because it's time to stop surviving the shift and start owning it. Welcome, welcome everyone to the next edition of the StandCourse Podcast today. I have Laura Hamilton and she is the VP of IT Services at Help Desk Realty, a division of tectonic. With over 20 years of IT experience, she leads a team supporting more than 14,000 users and focuses on helping companies scale technology while maintaining a people first approach and today we are going to talk about leading with care. What if great leadership is not just about getting more done but about making people feel care for while the work they do gets done. Today we are going to share how leading with care, hiring exceptional people and building a human-centered system can create stronger teams and more meaningful impact. This episode is brought to you by Investment Current. My friend Mitch Abel learned training the hard way. He lost 150,000 starting out, but six months later he made it all back. Now he is on a mission to help others build real generational wealth by mastering three things, patience, discipline and emotional control. If you are ready to think bigger about your financial future, start your five day free trial at investmentcurrent.com. That's investmentcurrent.com. Welcome Laura to the StandCourse Podcast. Thank you. It's so great to be here. Thank you for being here, but before we get started, there's a few things. Tell us your favorite food. Well, you know, I'm a southerner, so I'm going to have to say for our chicken. Oh, yes. It's probably so much better where you live. Tell us where you live. I grew up in Memphis, Tennessee and depending on who I'm talking to, people ask me about barbecue, bill street or Elvis, sometimes I tell them another Memphis story. Oh, yeah. Like, I hear about these Memphis stories. I mean, between fried chicken and Elvis, I'm sure we can get right into it. Tell us a Memphis story. Well, back in the 1977, my uncle tried to steal Elvis's body. Laura, that's some story. That's some story. Is it like a big controversy in the town? Like, was it a big deal? It wasn't a big deal because Elvis was originally not buried at Graceland. He was buried in a cemetery called Forest Hill Cemetery on Elvis Presley Boulevard. And Vernon wanted to have Elvis buried at Graceland, but they won't let you bury people in your backyard. So they hired my uncle to go and try to steal the body. And what he did, I know he got, he got, because Elvis was buried in a mausoleum. So they got three other people to help him. And one of those happened to be an informant with the Memphis Police Department. So when they went in that night to go steal the body, the police were there waiting on them. They got arrested. And you can watch E-True Hollywood stories and see my uncle being put into the back of the police car. Oh, my God. This is a crazy story. I have this theory. And I probably shouldn't talk about this on my podcast, but I just feel like some of those celebrities are not really gone and that they're in like Kalamazoo Michigan somewhere at a bar together. Well, it's funny. You say that because what my uncle told me after everyone had already passed away was that the mafia was running Vegas at the time. And that they were laundering money through the plains of the stars. And they thought that maybe Elvis found out and went and turned them into the FBI. But then Elvis died. And so they wanted to make sure Elvis was really dead and then he wasn't in witness protection. So that is one of the reasons that-- Oh, so he really could have been in witness protection. Could have been. Could have been. You never know. He could have been. I have this theory. He's with Michael Jackson. You know? Maybe. Maybe. Well, today we're going to talk. Lar, this is hysterical. It's such a funny conversation. But today we're going to talk about leading with care. Tell us what's keeping you busy right now. I heard about your new job. Yes, I'm now the VP of operations for Help Desk Realty, my department. We are a amazing department of amazing employees. But the main thing that we do is currently we're working on moving one of our top clients from one location to another, organizing all their desktops and all their servers and everything and making sure everything's working so they can come into work the next day in and be ready to go. Wow. So you're working with a lot of people in a leadership position and really thinking about leading with care. Where do you want to start this conversation? Well, leading with care means a lot of things. But for me, it's starting with my own employees. And I think that's where you have to start is really be mindful of when you hire people and make sure that they understand the culture of your department because everyone's not going to fit into that into that environment, you know, people have their own personalities. But also hiring people that are smart and can do different things than if somebody you already have because we want to add and grow the department and we want each it's employee to compliment the other and be willing to share that information. Yeah. And building a team of capable people is definitely an interesting like task because when you're dealing with people, you don't know when you hire them, how they're going to perform, how they're going to fit in. You're really using your gut instinct and you need to give them a try, you know, that's why I like these temp to hire things because you could figure out if the person fits into the culture and then not have to like let somebody go if they don't. Yeah, it's really a failure on yourself and the employee when someone doesn't work out. So you have to really reflect if that happens. What could we have done differently? What was the sign that I didn't see in the person before I brought them onto the team? That's really only happened to me one time but it was definitely I had to look at it at myself and what I may have missed in those interviews and in that discovery. Yeah. And really like the leader understanding the job of the leader because some of those people are going to come in thinking that like one thing and then them not really having the direction. I hear a lot of missteps because of bad onboard. Yeah, I mean, we really do try to make sure that we've got a process in place for that. The main thing about my department is because we are supporting property management companies across the country that we understand and anyone coming into our department understands the importance of what we're doing because we're supporting a lot of affordable housing clients and they are literally providing housing in their communities to people that may or may not be able to get that housing otherwise. And so understanding that if the technology, although, you know, technology to us, it's our life, right? But to the end user to the person sitting there wanting an apartment, they're not worried about technology. They're worried about what that technology is going to do for them. How are we going to get that lease printed? How are we going to get that unit cleaned and all these things that technology helps them with? If something goes wrong and we're not available to help them get that fixed, it can mean the difference between someone being homeless or not. Oh, wow. That's a thing. So we really do, yeah, it is a thing and we really do and I really do stress to my employees. We do have IT with a purpose because of that. Yeah. Ready to save even more at half price books? Get almost everything for an extra 20% off during Labor Day weekend. Whether you're on the hunt for collectibles, comics, music or movies, you're sure to find a little something new or used at your local half price books. Saturday, September 5th through Monday, September 7th, get up to 20% off almost everything in store. Plus shop millions of items on sale at hpb.com. Offer cannot be combined with other coupons, exclusions apply. You know that moment when everything lines up. And life gives you the green light and you just go, that's the 2026 Toyota Camry. The 2026 Toyota Camry, go like you mean it. Test drive at your local Toyota dealer or visit Toyota.com today. That's the sound of Lego Pikachu training for battle. That's the sound of Lego Pikachu enjoying a post training snack. And that's a reminder to not let Lego Pokemon in the recording studio. Lego Smart Brick brings Lego Pokemon Play to life. Lego Pokemon with Smart Play. You're the trainer now. When you partner with CDW, your people get more out of technology. CDW data experts are simplifying complex workloads with high speed AMD processors. Which helps your project managers efficiently manage heavier workflows. Game designers level up creativity and scientists develop their next breakthrough. Amazing, right? Make amazing happen. AMD and CDW learn more at cdw.com/amd. Tell us a little bit about our next ingredient creating systems with a human purpose. Well, when you're talking about technology, whether it's AI or whether it's a software platform or just your computer itself, what happens if something goes wrong, you know, how do they get help? It's a frustration. It can be very a roadblock for them. And so we really try to minimize that tension that they feel, really empathize with them and understand a lot of what we do can be just the matter of listening to someone. I've been on calls with people where they're having frustration in a software. And it's not just me calling me and telling them what to do. They're telling me their frustration. They've got other things happening in their building. And then by the time we're off the phone, they've already figured out the answer to the problem. They just really needed to talk it through with someone. And you know, so it's more than just fixing, fixing, fixing. Yeah, making sure that the systems are preset and helpful for when things go wrong. We said and helpful, but also, you know, make sure that we are guiding them to the quickest result because they don't have time to sit and talk to us for two hours. We have to find results pretty quickly because they've got, you know, depending on where they're like Memphis, you know, you could have a shooting in the parking lot happening while you're on the phone with me. I've had that happen before where somebody's like, I've got to get off the phone. I've got a shooting go in the parking lot happening. And so, you know, we've got to be there and be willing to get problems resolved very fast. Amazing. I want to know more about the homeless part that you deal with. Tell us a little about that. So what some of our clients have, they might have PHA properties with which are public housing. They may have tax credit or HUD properties. And all of those properties are servicing a, doing a service in their community to provide housing for people who could otherwise not afford it. And so, you know, when you go and you apply for a house or an apartment like that, you are, you know, put at the top of the list if you're homeless or certain things that fall into criteria. We don't want that person to be homeless anymore. We want them in a home. We want to help them grow. And, you know, the way that we do it is through technology. The way the properties do it is many other ways, you know, they have programs and community services they're doing. And we want to make sure that we're doing everything we can on our end for the technology side to give them the tools to be able to help those people. Interesting. That's so good. Exterior remodels, inner monologues, brought to you by power. The house looks good, like really good. Siding, stunning, the roof elevated, windows, I mean, wow. The process, smooth, the neighbors, jealous. Choose power home remodeling and remodeling, how you think about remodeling. Schedule your free quote on windows, siding, roofing, and doors at powerhomeremodeling.com. Power, our work shows. Labor Day savings are happening now at the Home Depot. Select appliances starting at $399, plus save up to an extra $1,000. And get free delivery on appliance purchases of $998 or more. Upgrade your kitchen with a Samsung refrigerator featuring zero clearance. Design for all spaces with special hinges and slim doors for a seamless look. Right now at great prices at the Home Depot, you can save on top brand appliances built to elevate your kitchen. Shop Labor Day savings at the Home Depot today. Offer valid august 27th through September 16th, US only seastore online for details. When you partner with CDW, you get more from your devices with solutions that take modern work to the next level. CDW experts are delivering powerful productivity with Lenovo AI PCs. Helping users block out distractions, access virtual support anytime, anywhere, and share content seamlessly between devices. Make amazing happen. Learn more at cdw.com/lenovo. Don't you wish everything was more rewarding? With Raketin, almost everything is. You can earn cash back on those new shoes you've been wanting. You can save on the next trip you book. You can cash in on groceries. Just join, shop your favorite brands, and save. And when it's time to redeem those rewards, choose PayPal, check, built points, or cash out with gift cards. Eligible American Express members can choose to earn membership rewards points instead of cash back. Terms of condition supply. So go ahead, take a trip, fill a card, order dessert. Raketin is a world of rewards. Join today for free. Go to Raketin.com or get the app that's R-A-K-U-T-E-N. What is the last ingredient for success? The last ingredients? Oh, gosh. Never stop. Never stop. Keep going because things are going to happen. Mistakes are going to happen. But just keep pushing forward. You can't solve problems if you're not willing to find solutions. Yeah. Well, and I think the people are adverse to conflict as well. And sometimes to find solutions, you have to go through the bumpy time to get to a solution. You do. And you have to really be willing to do that. And there are people in the world that are, I'm going to say they're an ostrich. They want to put their head in the sand. They don't want to face difficult things. And that's understandable. No one really wants to face difficult things. But you can't get through something, a problem. You can't solve issues if you are not willing to take on the task. Yeah. And then tell me a little bit about one of the biggest lessons that you've learned in your career. Now that you're a VP, I'd love to know like, what is, what is something that you didn't know even just a year ago that you know now? Well, I think one of the things that I have learned through my whole career is never stop trying and just do it scared because there are so many things in life that we do. And it's scary to do, podcasts can be scary to do. Lots of things can be scary. But if you do it scared, you might find that it's really something you enjoy doing or you really find that you have solved a problem that you didn't know you could do. Yeah. Do it scared. Did you? Tell me like another story. Didn't you just do something scary that you were just telling me about tell us about that? I did I went to Las Vegas and I zip-lined down Freemonstrate and I was terrified to do it. I've zip-lined before it's not the most fun I've ever had my life, but the people that I was with really wanted to go and so When they put you in the harness and they put you're like Superman flying over the crowd, right? Oh wow I want to do it. I know you need to do it. So you're laying on this mat and they lower that door down and you see this Just space and you're just oh my gosh. This is gonna be so scary and as soon as they released us It was so much fun and it was I think one of one of the funnest things I've done in Las Vegas before Oh, wow. I think if I ever go back I'll do it again Is it like that you really high up in the air? You are you're very hop in the air, but you're very the the harness is very secure You feel very safe in it Unlike where you're zip-lining like through a rain forest or through a forest and you have to stop yourself It had breaks. So it was felt much safer than I thought it would Yeah, so what were you telling yourself as you were getting like when you had to make the decision to actually do it Were you having like a fight with yourself? I was just you know you get that nerves in your stomach and you're oh my gosh I can't believe I'm doing this, but I'm going to do it. I'm doing it I'm not gonna let fear stop me and I think that's that's the biggest point. I can get across is don't let fear stop you I like that. I like that So Laura, what's next for you? What is the next big event? You're going to or big project you're working on? Well, the next big event I'm going to is the The Yaz already conference I'm really excited to go. It's in San Diego in October and we're gonna have lots of fun And learn lots of things I love conferences conferences are so much fun especially when you go with of group of people and you get to go Travel and experiencing things. It's so much fun. Well Thank you so much Laura for being a guest today. Is there any final thoughts on leading with care? Oh gosh my final thoughts are just Be there for your people Your people trust the staff you have to take care of your clients because they will if you're taking care of your people I love it. Thank you so much for being a guest. I'm a stan course podcast Thank you so much. It was so great to be here My dad and Eurega was not just a chef. He was my hero from the hardships of world war two to the heights of culinary excellence His story is nothing short of remarkable Now this story lives on in stay on course a book that is very close to my heart It's filled with his own words his recipes and the wisdom he imparted to me Just imagine four months before he passed he handed me his life story Urging me to finish it In these pages you'll discover the secrets behind mouthwatering dishes And the lessons he taught me about leadership and perseverance and trust me There are some incredible tales in here like the time he pulls off a birthday bash For Frank Sinatra with just 48 hours notice So if you're hungry for inspiration And craving a taste of Ennio's legacy Go to julie riga dot com. That's www. julie riga dot com Thank you for listening to another episode of stay on course Please don't forget to subscribe rate and review this podcast so julie can continue serving up Delectable experts and appetizing content directly to your earbuds And remember right now you have the ingredients to be living the life you are meant to live This has been a production of stay on core studios that stay on course Dot studio exterior remodels inner monologues brought to you by power The house looks good like really good That sighting stunning the roof elevated windows. I mean wow the process smooth the neighbors jealous Choose power home remodeling and remodel how you think about remodeling Schedule your free quote on windows citing roofing indoors at power home remodeling dot com power our work shows Labor day savings are happening now at the home depot is select appliances starting at $399 Plus save up to an extra $1000 and get free delivery on appliance purchases of $998 or more Upgrade your kitchen with a Samsung refrigerator featuring zero clearance Designed for all spaces with special hinges and slim doors for a seamless look right now at great prices at the home depot You can save on top brand appliances built to elevate your kitchen shop labor-day savings at the home depot today Offer valid august 27th through September 16th. You only see store online for details When you partner with CDW your people get more out of technology CDW data experts are simplifying complex workloads with high speed AMD processors Which helps your project managers efficiently manage heavier workflows Game designers level up creativity and scientists develop their next breakthrough Amazing, right make amazing happen AMD and CDW learn more at cdw.com/amd When we've reached our limits of adulting It's easy to long for simpler times like enjoying Saturday morning cartoons without a care in the world Or savoring every last drop of sugary milk at the bottom of your cereal bowl Well, Kachava's new cinnamon French toast all in one nutrition. She gives you all the nostalgic feels and benefits Made with real cinnamon bark for the richest, deepest most authentic flavor Just two scoops provide the complete nutrition your body craves with protein fiber greens and more It's an easy upgrade to your daily wellness ritual no fillers no nonsense Just the highest quality ingredients that taste delicious Adulting may not always be fun, but at least you can stock up on treats without asking your parents for permission So whether you're kickstarting your morning or feeling your afternoon treat yourself to a sip of nostalgia Go to kachava.com and use code fitness for 15% off your first order That's kachava KAC h ava.com code fitness Sleep is essential, but finding the right mattress can be tough That's why helix and rooms to go have come together Combining their years of mattress knowledge and technology and customer insight to bring you your best night sleep Rooms to go as America's number one independent furniture company and helix sleeps award-winning mattresses And now available to try and buy at all rooms to go locations and instant or opportunity you won't find just anywhere Remember to ask a team member about their selection of award-winning helix sleep mattresses Eligible items are in stock and available for local delivery Head over to helixleap.com to find your nearest rooms to go location Plus helix and rooms to go are offering 20% of all helix mattress orders for our listeners That's helixleap.com or rooms to go.com to find the store nearest to you with helix and rooms to go better sleep starts now