Subscribe
Share
Share
Embed
What if the traits that made school difficult could become your greatest business advantage? John Weathersby, a self-described "serial entrepreneur" with dyslexia and ADHD, has built tech companies, advised the military on open source software, led the National Graphene Association, and now serves as a Federal Disaster Recovery Officer at FEMA. His secret? He's a "conduit of people" who s dots others can't see.
- Why entrepreneurship might be a "mental disorder" (in the best way) and how to embrace your unconventional thinking
- How to build teams by finding the "shiny spot" in everyone and leveraging their unique talents
- The art of bringing powerful people together - from Intel and IBM executives to Navy CTOs
- Why nonprofits can be incredibly profitable and how to think about them differently
- How entrepreneurial thinking transformed FEMA's disaster response operations
- The power of learning more from failures than successes - and how to rebound every time
- 00:00 — Introduction to John Weathersby and his unique path
- 03:14 — How dyslexia and ADHD shaped his entrepreneurial mindset
- 04:14 — "You can find a shiny spot on just about anybody"
- 12:00 — Getting Intel, Red Hat, IBM, and Oracle in the same room
- 12:48 — The "Bubba Linux" story: Mississippi meets Silicon Valley
- 21:23 — How entrepreneurial efficiency thinking works in government
- 22:30 — The backstory: From retirement to FEMA
- 26:20 — Becoming FEMA's philanthropy advisor
- 27:01 — Yellowstone floods deployment experience
- 44:14 — True leadership: "A football team is not made of quarterbacks"
- 1:04:45 — Learning more from failures than successes
- 1:29:11 — The failed pitch that taught him about listening
- 1:30:33 — "I'm going to get up one more time than you knock me down"
John Weathersby is a Federal Disaster Recovery Officer at FEMA with over 5 years of service, responding to major disasters including the Yellowstone floods. Before FEMA, he was a serial entrepreneur with experience in open source technology, where he earned the nickname "Bubba Linux" while working with the U.S. Navy at Stennis Space Center. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the National Graphene Association and has extensive experience building trade associations and ing corporate leaders with government opportunities. Originally from Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
About the Podcast:
The Principled Entrepreneur with Caleb and Jodie Moore dives into real stories of grit, growth, failures, and victories. Every conversation explores what it really takes to build your business and your life on purpose and principle.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - Welcome to The Principled Entrepreneur
01:24 - Meet John Weathersby, FEMA Director & Serial Entrepreneur
03:14 - "Entrepreneurship is a Mental Disorder" - Embracing Dyslexia
04:14 - Finding the Shiny Spot in Everyone
04:50 - Building Teams: "If It's Just You, Single Point of Failure"
12:00 - Bringing Intel, IBM, Red Hat & Oracle to Washington
12:48 - The "Bubba Linux" Story at Navy Stennis Space Center
21:23 - Entrepreneurial Efficiency in Government
22:30 - How FEMA Called: The Retirement That Wasn't
26:20 - Becoming FEMA's Philanthropy Advisor
27:01 - Yellowstone Floods: First Major Deployment
44:14 - Leadership Lesson: Football Teams Aren't All Quarterbacks
45:02 - Self-Assessment: "Are We Doing This Right?"
01:04:45 - Learning More From Failures Than Successes
01:05:11 - When Things Fall Apart: Don't Beat Yourself Up
01:29:11 - The Failed Pitch Story: Know Your Worth
01:30:03 - "What Do We Learn From That?"
01:30:33 - John Wayne Philosophy: Getting Up One More Time
01:31:07 - Closing & Arkansas vs Ole Miss Football Banter
The Principled Entrepreneur is where real entrepreneurs share the principles, values, and grit that carried them through the toughest seasons to their greatest successes. Hosted by husband-and-wife team Caleb and Jodi Moore, we uncover authentic, relatable stories that prove you’re not stuck and you’re not alone. Whether you’re in a body shop, behind a desk, or chasing a dream, each episode will fuel your hope, strengthen your grit, and remind you to keep going — no matter what.