Podcast Summary: The Amazing Authorities Podcast

Episode Title: Engineering Success: Alan Lazaros on Communication, Goals & Growth
Host: Mitch Carson
Guest: Alan Lazaros
Date: August 20, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features a dynamic conversation between host Mitch Carson and Alan Lazaros—engineer, MBA, coach, and prolific podcaster. The discussion explores how engineering mindsets, communication styles, and modern technology intersect in the journey to personal and professional authority. Alan shares insights from his unique path, emphasizing the importance of intentional communication, goal-setting, and continuous improvement, while Mitch brings decades of media and performance wisdom to the table.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Perspectives in Communication: From Broadcast to Virtual

• Mitch and Alan compare traditional broadcast interview styles to modern, camera-based podcasting:
  • Mitch discusses the conventions of television—multiple cameras and unbroken eye contact between host and guest ([02:23] Mitch).
  • Alan explains his “triangulation” approach: engaging not only with the host but also directly with the audience via camera, mirroring the dynamic of a live studio audience ([01:40] Alan).

    "What I'm trying to do is virtually mimic something like an Oprah interview, where the interviewee and interviewer are looking at each other and there's a live studio audience looking on." — Alan ([01:49])

• Both agree that shifting mediums (TV vs. podcasts, solo vs. co-hosting) bring new best practices and norms.

2. Technology’s Evolution: AI, Virtual Reality, and Media Consumption

• They reflect on how AI is rapidly changing content creation, noting the rise of AI-narrated audiobooks ([05:54] Mitch).
• Alan expresses both excitement and caution about technological acceleration and its impact on society ([05:09] Alan).
• Discussion touches on virtual reality and the possibility of future virtual interviews ([05:09] Alan).

3. Engineering, MBAs, and Thought Modalities

• Both host and guest have MBAs; they share how it impacted their thinking ([08:38] Mitch, [10:10] Alan).
• Alan outlines four thinking modalities:
  • Math/rationality (engineering mindset)
  • Words/communication (show business, media)
  • Images/vision (visionaries)
  • Vibe/intuition (often stronger in women)
• Alan notes his strength in math and his journey to improve communication—a skill rarely emphasized among engineers ([10:42] Alan).

  "Most intelligent people, from an engineering perspective, are very rarely the most successful people." — Alan ([12:34])

• Example: Helping a client from an engineering background master 25 “impact points” of effective communication.

4. Elon Musk, First Principles, and Public Perception

• Elon Musk is held up as an example of someone who blends engineering precision with powerful (and sometimes polarizing) communication ([12:54] Mitch).
  • Alan admires Musk’s rational, first-principles approach: “I love his first principles thinking. I love that he’s all about accurate thinking...but it’s unbelievably difficult for people who think in those modalities to explain these concepts.” ([13:45] Alan)
• The hosts discuss how intelligence and communication are perceived differently by various audiences:

  "People of lower intelligence are more likely to think he's a poor communicator, in my opinion." — Alan ([15:41])

• The role of triggering emotional reactions in audiences, and how style affects perception ([16:10] Mitch, [17:30] Alan).

5. The Art and Science of Communication

• Filler words (“right?”, “you know”) are dissected as signs of insecurity or habit; both have worked to eliminate them ([20:58] Alan, [22:16] Alan).
• Alan shares his strategy: “We used to have an 'um' jar. I used to have to put a dollar in a jar every time I said it.” ([22:16] Alan)
• Mitch advocates for Toastmasters and direct feedback as tools for improvement ([21:04] Mitch).

Notable Communication Tips:

• The Power of Pause: Using silence and measured responses instead of filler words ([23:24] Mitch).

  "If you don't have an answer, there's nothing wrong with a pause." — Mitch ([23:31])

• Pace and Intelligence: Speaking quickly can signal intelligence but can also lose the audience if overdone ([25:14] Alan, [25:47] Mitch).

  "A person who speaks quickly is perceived to be more intelligent than someone that speaks slowly..." — Mitch ([25:14])

6. Mastery Through Repetition: The 10,000-Hour Rule

• Alan meticulously tracks his hours across coaching, training, and podcasting—nearing 11,000 logged hours ([29:20] Alan).

  “I track all my coaching, training, and podcasting. Why? Because I agree with you on the 10,000-hour rule.” ([29:56] Alan)

• Both reference Malcolm Gladwell's Outliers, discussing mastery and the progression from basics to expertise ([27:05] Mitch).

7. Reverse Engineering Success: Alan’s Business Approach

• Alan explains his P3 Target: Coaching (1:1), Training (groups), and Podcasting (scale) ([29:35] Alan).
• His coaching framework includes:
  • Reverse-engineering goals (dreams → goals → habits → skills → identity)
  • Prioritizing math and science-based approaches to achievement ([30:53] Alan)

  “The science of achievement does not care about your feelings.” — Alan ([31:35])

• Only 3% of people have clear, written goals—a crucial stat for would-be achievers ([31:49] Alan).
• His brand: Next Level University (NLU), which offers personal growth resources for those aiming to reach their full potential ([32:29] Alan).

8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Perspective and Change:

  "Perspective is reality. When you and I first met, it was awkward for me because I'm looking at a camera...but it's simply different." — Mitch ([00:30])

• On Technology’s Impact:

  "Tech is fascinating and I think the world has changed in technology more in the last 30 years than the previous 300." — Alan ([08:19])

• On Communication Weaknesses:

  "Most people who think in mathematics are terrible communicators. And I really struggle to communicate my ideas..." — Alan ([10:42])

• On Continuous Improvement:

  "I'm 36 years old. I've been practicing [communication] pretty much every day, no joke, for the last 10 years. And it's still...wildly humbling." — Alan ([22:42])

• On Listening to Gut vs. Brain:

  "I always say listen to your gut with people, listen to your brain with business." — Alan ([31:49])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Communication Perspectives and Camera Technique: [00:30] – [05:09]
• Future of Tech and AI in Media: [05:09] – [07:50]
• Engineering Mindset to MBA and Communication Modalities: [08:05] – [12:54]
• Elon Musk, First Principles Thinking, and Public Perception: [12:54] – [17:30]
• Effective Communication, Filler Words, and Feedback: [20:12] – [23:24]
• Mastery and 10,000-Hour Rule: [27:05] – [29:56]
• Alan’s Coaching Model & NLU: [30:53] – [32:29]

Conclusion

Alan’s story is a blueprint for transforming analytical expertise into influential leadership by mastering communication and relentless self-improvement. The episode delivers practical lessons on embracing new media realities, tracking progress, and integrating emotional intelligence with technical skills to reach—and help others reach—the next level.

Podcast/Contact Info:

• Alan Lazaros: Next Level University
• Host: Mitch Carson (MitchCarson.com)

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