Meet Douglas Hess

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Douglas Hess. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Douglas below.

Douglas, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

It started with a meeting — one that my mother never forgot.

I was still a kid, and she’d gone to a parent-teacher conference like any parent would, hopeful for some encouragement, maybe a few ideas to help me do better in school. Instead, she got something very different.

The teacher looked her in the eye and said something along the lines of:
“College? I wouldn’t count on it. Factory work might be more realistic.”

Those words could’ve crushed me. Could’ve defined me.
But they didn’t.

They became fuel.

See, I didn’t grow up thinking everything would be handed to me. I knew I’d have to work harder, push through more, and sometimes prove people wrong just to be seen. That conference became a silent turning point — not just for my mother, but for me too. It planted a seed of resilience that grew every time I was underestimated or overlooked.

Fast forward.

Today, I hold both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree.
I’m not working on a factory line — I’m in management, helping build and lead teams.
And I’ve launched not just one, but multiple successful podcasts, reaching thousands with my voice, experience, and insight.

Resilience? I get it from moments like that conference.
From people like my mother, who didn’t give up on me when someone else did.
From every “you can’t” that I turned into a “watch me.”

I don’t tell this story to dwell on the past — I tell it to remind anyone who’s ever been doubted:
You are not their low expectations. You are your own possibility.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

“I Guess You Could Say I’m a Dreamer”

Most people are told at some point — usually not long after graduation — that it’s time to get “real.” That dreams don’t pay the bills. That changing the world is for someone else. For many, that’s when the fire dims.

I guess you could say I took a different path.
I still believe I can change the world.
And I’m building a life that proves it.

I’m a creator, a thinker, and yes — a dreamer — who’s managed to turn doubt into drive. I’ve launched several successful podcasts that explore ideas, people, and conversations that matter. My work lives at the intersection of purpose and possibility — always asking the deeper questions, always pushing toward growth.

The most exciting part of what I do is seeing people light up when they hear something that finally clicks. Whether it’s a story that inspires them, a perspective that challenges them, or a strategy that helps them take that next step — that’s the magic I live for.

Right now, I’m actively developing new projects, experimenting with fresh podcast formats, and collaborating with others who still believe in big ideas. There’s something powerful about creating in this space — not just producing content, but building community, shifting mindsets, and making real impact.

If there’s one thing I want people to know about my work, it’s this:
I don’t just put things out into the world — I pour belief into them.
And I’m here to remind anyone listening that your dreams don’t have to expire.
Not at 22. Not at 42. Not ever.

Stay tuned — this is just the beginning.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking Back: The 3 Qualities That Shaped My Journey

When I reflect on the road that brought me from being underestimated to leading teams, launching podcasts, and building a voice that resonates — three key qualities stand out. Interestingly, I developed all of them during my college years, but I didn’t truly appreciate their value until much later. Here’s what they are — and how I recommend others lean into them:

1. Read — Widely and Often
In college, I read because I had to. Now, I read because I need to.
Reading beyond your field or job opens your mind in ways that are hard to describe. It gives you fresh lenses to see the world, understand people, and make better decisions. Whether it’s books, articles, essays, or stories outside your comfort zone — reading builds your intellectual agility.
Advice: Read something every week that challenges your thinking or exposes you to something new. Your best ideas will often come from the pages you didn’t have to read.

2. Be a Generalist, Not Just an Expert
A professor once told our class: “In life, be a generalist.” At the time, it felt outdated — like a relic from another era. But as I moved through my career, I realized something: experts are great at one thing, but generalists adapt.
Generalists connect dots. They see patterns. They bridge gaps between teams, ideas, and disciplines. In a rapidly changing world, that flexibility is a superpower.
Advice: Build depth where needed, but never stop learning across categories. Know a little about a lot — and stay curious.

3. Communicate — Clearly and Powerfully
You can have the best idea in the room, but if you can’t express it, it doesn’t matter. Communication isn’t just about talking — it’s about connecting, persuading, and being understood.
Whether you’re leading a team, recording a podcast, or pitching a vision, your words are your bridge to others.
Advice: Practice speaking and writing regularly. Ask for feedback. Learn to simplify without dumbing things down. The clearer your message, the further it travels.

Skills don’t always shout when you first learn them. Sometimes they whisper — and only years later do you realize they’ve become the backbone of your success.
For anyone early in their journey: Trust the process. Stay open. And remember, the seeds you plant today often don’t bloom until tomorrow.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

Looking to Collaborate? Always.

I’m always looking to connect with people who dream big and dare even bigger.
The kind of folks who believe in ideas before they’re fully formed, who see opportunity where others see risk — and who aren’t afraid to build something new, messy, and meaningful.

I’ve especially loved working in college environments because that’s where you find it all — energy, curiosity, bold thinking, and a willingness to take chances. That’s the kind of mindset I look for in collaborators.

Whether you’re a creative, a strategist, a builder, or a storyteller — if you’re passionate, driven, and still believe you can change the world (or at least a corner of it), I want to hear from you.

Let’s connect.
You can reach me via email hessdoug@hotmail.com or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hess-b384544/
Let’s dream something up — and then make it real.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: hessdoug14
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17CDVFFbHR/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-hess-b384544/
• Twitter: hessdoug14

Image Credits

YES