Podcast Episode 75: How to Change the World w/ Special Guest Julie Borlaug

Mar 8, 2013 | In The Loop

In The Loop with Andy Andrews, hosted by Andy Traub.

Andy and AT bring special guest Julie Borlaug, granddaughter of Norman Borlaug (whom The Butterfly Effect and The Boy Who Changed the World is about), on the podcast to discuss the legacy of her grandfather’s life-changing work.

 

Norman Borlaug hybridized corn and wheat for arid climates, which ultimately saved the lives of over 2 billion people across the world from famine.

  • Andy reverse engineered Norman Borlaug’s life in multiple books to show that everything we do matters.
  • He absolutely changed the world.
  • Julie now works for the Borlaug Institute at Texas A&M, which continues the work Norman Borlaug started.

 

Andy came up with The Butterfly Effect story when the military contacted him about the problem of suicide among soldiers.

  • How do you prove to people that their life matters?
  • He was researching George Washington Carver when he discovered Norman Borlaug.

 

Julie had the opportunity to work directly with Norman during the last six years of his life.

  • Norman was adamant that we must believe in the young and inspire them and give them the resources to show them they can change the world.
  • He made his breakthrough with wheat in his 30s after everyone told him what he was doing was not going to work. He was even fired and he quit a few times.
  • He was working on a technique called shuttle breeding, and his stubbornness eventually paid off.
  • Norman truly believed that it will be the young who will come up with the solutions to our greatest problems.

 

If you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you’re probably doing something wrong.

  • Most people aren’t getting extraordinary results. So if you’re doing what everyone else is doing, you’re only contributing to the average.
  • If you want extraordinary results for your life, your marriage, your children, your profession, you have to stop doing what everyone else is doing.
  • Norman Borlaug’s least favorite word was “mediocrity.”

 

Were you encouraged or helped by this podcast? Share it with a friend!

 

Questions for Listeners

  • Do you have a question? Call in and your question might be featured on the show!

 

If you have questions or comments for THE PROFESSIONAL NOTICER, please contact us at: TheProfessionalNoticer@AndyAndrews.com

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