Cleared Hot Podcast: Friday Q&A – "friday 10 24 final mixdown"

Host: Andy Stumpf
Date: October 24, 2025

Overview

In this Friday Q&A episode, Andy Stumpf fields four listener questions, digging into practical advice on workplace promotions, leadership dynamics, military service complexities, pranks in elite communities, and—on a lighter note—life with a miniature dachshund. As always, the episode is characterized by Andy’s blend of direct talk, military perspective, self-deprecating humor, and heartfelt reflections.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dealing with Workplace Promotion Fallout & Leadership (00:01–38:50)

Question Recap

A listener, recently promoted to a permanent leadership role over peers (some with more tenure), seeks advice on handling resentment, navigating peer relationships, and earning legitimacy, especially when his promotion has created tension and awkwardness.

Andy’s Core Advice

• Understand It's Not Your Burden:
  "You're not the one who made the decision...you should have no expectation of being responsible for an explanation as to why those above you...decided to make your position permanent or elevate your role. You need to put that particular rock down... This is not your water to carry." (06:53)
• Ego in Leadership:
  "It's not a matter of whether or not you have an ego or you don't have an ego. If somebody tells you that they don't have an ego, they're just lying...It's about keeping your ego in check and specifically in a leadership role...detach your ego from your decision making process." (17:16)
• Military vs. Civilian Leadership:
  Explains how military promotion is often based on hierarchy rather than merit, and yet teams often succeed regardless, due to buy-in for the mission—not always possible in civilian settings.
• First Rule as a New Leader:
  "My best piece of advice to you is don't try to go into the office on your first day and be Thor with his hammer...The best leaders I ever worked for made no attempt to be the smartest person in the room." (29:30)
• Empowering Your Team:
  "Your job as a leader is to make sure...that the team that works for you has the tools that they need, the knowledge that they need, an understanding of what they are being tasked with doing..." (35:59)
• Handling Jealousy/Resentment:
  "If there is pettiness around or resentment, don't engage, perform and everything is going to work out okay."

Memorable Quotes

• "Ounces can become pounds. Pounds become really heavy. It can weigh you down. Don't pick up rocks that you don't need." (08:01)
• "I wish I could say that leadership roles were only given based off...merit, but it’s not. It’s oftentimes just who is next." (19:38)
• "If you treat everybody exactly the same in the civilian world, in my experience, you are on an egg timer for failure." (23:01)
• "Focus on what it is that got you looked at for this new role to begin with. Take care of your team." (37:41)

2. Practical Jokes and the Spirit of Military Team Rooms (38:51–59:33)

Question Recap

A listener asks Andy to share some legendary pranks from his military days, particularly those that happened in the "cage area," and requests that he consider pranking Michael (Andy’s producer).

Recounted Pranks (All Hypothetical)

• Flashbangs in Cages: Booby-trapped boots with flashbangs to wake someone up "faster than an iced coffee."
• Zip-Tied Doors: Hundreds of zip ties covering every inch of a cage door.
• Cages Welded Shut: Breachers welding cages shut.
• Inflated Zodiacs: Rolling up Zodiacs and inflating them in a locked cage, creating mayhem.
• Frozen Cup "Drips": A Dixie cup filled with frozen excrement, left to thaw and drip onto the victim’s gear.
• Sewn-Shut Pants: Combat clothing discreetly sewn shut at the knees.
• Fish in Hubcaps: Placing fish (or, more hilariously, roadkill) in hidden car locations for a long-smelling punishment.
• Shredded Document Confetti: Packing a car (via its sunroof) or cage with fine shredder material for years-long consequences.

Cultural Takeaways

• "If you wanted to get into the trenches, you had better be ready to be into the trenches...This is a cannonball." (42:41)
• Emphasizes the importance of intent, management, and moderation with hazing and pranks: "There is a place for it. The intent behind it matters, the management of it matters...Can it be taken too far? Absolutely." (43:10)

3. Serving with a Disqualifying Condition: Pride and Guilt (59:34–1:10:50)

Question Recap

A listener with cerebral palsy (CP), told he could never serve, conceals his condition, joins, and is later discharged for mental health. He struggles with whether he should be proud of his service, knowing he got in against the rules.

Andy’s Perspective & Advice

• Don’t Lie to the Recruiter:
  “I would not recommend that you lie to a recruiter... there is a reason that it’s a disqualifying factor. The job and those serving in the job are more important than your desires.” (1:04:43)
• Be Proud, Let Go of Guilt:
  “Why pick up the rock or the bucket of water...with either regret for something that you can't change or struggling to feel proud about doing the job that was asked of you...Unless you were not able to do the job...what is there to not be proud of?” (1:07:43)
• The Internal Monologue:
  “The biggest impediment you have is the person looking at you in the mirror...that internal monologue is you talking to yourself.” (1:09:00)
• Recommendation:
  Find a therapist or counselor—“someone who is way more educated than me”—to develop tools for interrupting the negative self-talk.

Notable Quote

• “You need to tell [that voice] to shut the fuck up because it’s not serving you well.” (1:10:40)

4. Living with a Tiny Dog (Miniature Dachshund Enthusiasm) (1:10:51–End)

Question Recap

After recently losing two large dogs, a listener is curious about the pros and cons of owning a “micro” dog, specifically Andy’s beloved miniature dachshund (Javelin).

Dog Owner Tips & Anecdotes

• Safety:
  Not recommended to leave a mini dachshund unattended outside in rural areas due to wildlife and birds of prey.
• Temperament:
  “Dachshund breed...was bred to go into tunnels and kind of go after rodents. They’re very headstrong. Javelin understands all the commands...he will look at you with his eyes and tell you to fuck off and go do what he wants to do.” (1:13:25)
• Emotional Rewards:
  Miniature dachshunds are “loving, loyal, cuddly...like a little pocket creature...pain in the ass—they bark at everything...you cannot pet them enough...but you’ll love them for it.” (1:14:49)
• Lifestyle Fit:
  Mini-dogs travel easily (Andy describes travels with Javi and the “absolute multitude” of accessories) and adapt well to indoor environments, provided they have safe outdoor space.

Memorable Moment

• When his wife, Leah, first experienced dog ownership:
  “She has said, ‘I didn’t know that you could love something so much.’ To which I said, looking at her like, what the... What about me?” (1:16:32)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Question 1: Navigating Promotion Tensions
  00:01–38:50
• Question 2: Military Pranks & Culture
  38:51–59:33
• Question 3: Serving with Disabilities & Internal Guilt
  59:34–1:10:50
• Question 4: Miniature Dachshund Appeal
  1:10:51–End

Notable Quotes

• “Don’t pick up rocks that you don’t need. This is not your water to carry.” (08:01)
• “If you treat everybody exactly the same in the civilian world, you are on an egg timer for failure.” (23:01)
• “The best leaders that I ever worked for held themselves accountable to their team.” (36:57)
• “Life isn’t fair. Fair is in Iowa and it has cotton candy and a merry-go-round.” (37:41)
• “[Miniature dachshunds] are absolute attention whores. Personal space doesn’t exist. And all I can say is you’ll absolutely love them for it.” (1:15:12)

Tone & Style

Andy is candid, good-humored, and pulls no punches. He mixes practical experience with reflections from both the military and civilian life, often telling stories with a self-deprecating, unfiltered edge. He leverages his own journey, conveying lessons with both empathy and challenge.

Summary Conclusion

Andy’s guidance this episode centers on owning your path, leading with humility and curiosity, not picking up emotional burdens that aren’t yours, and—when life gets heavy—finding both a sense of humor and the right help. In discussing workplace jealousy, dark humor, survivorship guilt, and the joys of a small but mighty dachshund, Andy offers a rich tapestry of advice for listeners facing their own personal and professional crossroads.