Episode 160: Michael Trugman & Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

ABOUT MIKE

Mike Trugman is a Life and Leadership Coach who helps people move from fear to fulfillment—building lives rooted in purpose, passion, and authenticity. Through his work, Mike supports clients in reconnecting with their inner compass so they can show up more fully in every area of life, both personally and professionally. Mike is also the host of Mike’s Search for Meaning, a top 3% podcast dedicated to exploring what it truly means to be human. His conversations dive deep into transformation, vulnerability, and the inner work required to live a life aligned with who we really are. Mike’s own journey is proof of what's possible. He once felt paralyzed by self-doubt—so anxious about speaking in meetings that his body would shake. With time, courage, and consistency, he not only found his voice—he built a life around helping others find theirs too. Before stepping into coaching and podcasting, Mike spent over a decade in public accounting, specializing in financial services clients like hedge funds and private equity firms. That experience taught him a lot about achievement—but even more about the cost of ignoring our inner truth. Mike lives just outside New York City with his wife and young son. When he’s not coaching or podcasting, you’ll find him reading, learning, cooking, walking in nature, passionately rooting for the Knicks and Jets, and cherishing time with loved ones.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS• Reconnecting to your inner voice.

• Your dojo of leadership.

• Reconciling your work to who you are, your values and virtues.

• "These days, I try not to be so motivated by pain."

• Working past shame & humiliation.

• "...all the people that really like helping other people, it's because they have overcome, transcended, worked through their own limitations, their own pains, and they wanted to help other people."

• Working with coaches and therapists.

• Coming out of the spiritual closet.

• Conformation (and losing yourself) to what's socially acceptable.

• "...it's usually the stuff that we try and pretend that we aren't that has the most power over us."

• The three types of pilots.

• The Manifesto for Introverts.

• "...even though I'm this way..."

• Letting go of "shoulds."

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Mike is, Whatever you've overcome in the past -- what has it taught you about how to navigate things in the future?

FIND MIKE

• Website: https://miketrugmancoaching.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-trugman/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytrugofchoice/

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7F18LLh0p7YOvvl4hSCDKu?si=792bfdc566e34040&nd=1&dlsi=4f6aeb20ddff41ca

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article HERE

CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast – Mike Trugman

00:38 - Introduction & Bio

03:00 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

06:33 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

39:58 - Coming out of the spiritual closet.

58:20 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

01:00:22 - What does leadership mean to you?

01:04:07 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

01:05:40 - The Manifesto for Introverts (from Cain's book).

01:21:13 - How introversion still shows up.

01:28:56 - Introversion and having kids.

01:34:05 - What book has inspired you?

01:37:38 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you tojoin me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

· Watch on YouTube

· Listen on Spotify

· Listen on Apple Podcasts

· Read About The Book Leads – Blog Post

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