# 128: If You Think Nobody Cares, You're Wrong with Thomas Eastlack Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/av-it-amplifier-6369183/128-if-you-think-nobody-cares-you-re-wrong-with-thomas-eastlack Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/av-it-amplifier-6369183/128-if-you-think-nobody-cares-you-re-wrong-with-thomas-eastlack.md Podcast: [AV/IT Amplifier](https://stenobird.com/podcast/av-it-amplifier-6369183) Published: 2026-01-14T15:46:43+00:00 Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/128-if-you-think-nobody-cares-you-re-wrong-with-thomas-eastlack--69439277 Audio file: https://api.spreaker.com/download/episode/69439277/episode_128.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/av-it-amplifier-6369183/episodes/128-if-you-think-nobody-cares-you-re-wrong-with-thomas-eastlack Duration seconds: 1838 ## Resource Week two with Thomas goes deeper into the inner mechanics of growth: how confidence gets built (and rebuilt) in real time, how “needing people” can be both a strength and a signal, and what it looks like to stop outsourcing your own decisions. Ryan and Thomas talk candidly about learning to move forward without requiring constant external reassurance—and how that shift changes the way you show up in work and life. The conversation also hits the human layer underneath the job titles: believing there’s good in the world, the cost of giving too much without replenishing yourself, and the kind of question people rarely ask—because it requires them to actually be ready for the answer. Along the way: a great metaphor about “overflow vs. emptying your cup,” mentorship, ITSM curiosity, and a surprisingly specific Subway order. Topics Discussed Introvert vs. extrovert energy (and what happens when you’re alone too long) How Thomas is building confidence in decisions under stress “What are you waiting for?” — self-talk and external validation Whether people are fundamentally good (and how to live that belief) Protecting yourself from over-giving: overflow vs. depletion Envy vs. material jealousy: wanting traits, not stuff What strong leaders actually have (spoiler: not all the answers) ITSM learning: tools, automation, and simplifying messy processes The question people should ask more often: “How are you… really?” How to connect with Thomas + his sign-off phrase Connect with Thomas Email – Thomas.Eastlack@yc.edu LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-eastlack/ Connect with Ryan @Ryan_A_Gray https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanagray/ ryan@higheredav.com Voiceover by Chris Dechter Have feedback or guest ideas? Let us know! This show is a production of Higher Ed AV Media. Visit… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/av-it-amplifier-6369183/episodes/128-if-you-think-nobody-cares-you-re-wrong-with-thomas-eastlack/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/av-it-amplifier-6369183/128-if-you-think-nobody-cares-you-re-wrong-with-thomas-eastlack.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.