Tag: Professionals and academics

The Art of Failing Forward: Lessons from Dr. S. Irfan Ali’s Unconventional Journey

The power of failure and how it fuels success. ‘Fractured but Fearless’ is the inspiring new book by S. Irfan Ali, MD. Photo: Barnes & Noble

Fractured but Fearless: The Art of Failing Forward with Dr. S. Irfan Ali

We live in a culture that celebrates success stories—highlight reels of achievement, brilliance, and arrival. But too often, we overlook the how behind the journey. According to Dr. S. Irfan Ali, that’s just human nature. In our rush to applaud the victors, we forget the losses, the missteps, and the quiet resilience that fueled the climb. (The Authority Company, 2025)

Dr. Ali knows this journey intimately. A physician, CEO of multiple healthcare companies, nonprofit founder, artist, and photographer, his path has been anything but linear. In his new book, Fractured but Fearless: Embracing the Art of Failing Forward, Dr. Ali reflects on the failures that shaped him—and how they ultimately propelled him forward.

Drawing from a rich personal and professional background, including his immigrant experience bridging East and West, Dr. Ali shares candid stories—many of them humorous—from his early days as a medical hopeful in a new country, working the most humbling jobs while chasing big dreams.

Witty, honest, and deeply inspiring, Fractured but Fearless is more than a memoir. It’s a compelling blend of life stories, leadership lessons, and visual artistry. Each chapter reads like a standalone essay, yet together they form a cohesive roadmap for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and healthcare professionals alike. The book is also visually stunning, featuring Dr. Ali’s original photography and artwork, elevating the reading experience into one of both intellectual and artistic inspiration.

At its heart, this book is a tribute to the growth found in adversity—and to the quiet, often overlooked art of failing forward.

Key Takeaways from Fractured but Fearless:

  • Setbacks can become stepping stones to personal growth, emotional intelligence, and lasting impact.
  • Resilience isn’t born—it’s built through reflection, support, and repeated encounters with adversity.
  • Mental health care is broken. Systemic change and personal awareness are both essential.
  • Innovation thrives through unconventional thinking and trusting your instincts.
  • Career success means little without personal fulfillment and meaningful relationships.

About the Author

S. Irfan Ali, M.D. is a board-certified physician and co-founder, president, and CEO of Pioneer Medical Group, a leading hospitalist organization in Florida. He also founded Pioneer Medical Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to serving the homeless.

Dr. Ali earned his medical degree from the University of Karachi in Pakistan and completed his internal medicine residency at the University of Massachusetts. He later received a fellowship from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and completed a leadership fellowship in hospital medicine at AdventHealth/CTI.

Whether through his medical work, nonprofit leadership, or art, Dr. Ali continues to embody the ethos at the heart of Fractured but Fearless: that within every failure lies the blueprint for greatness.

Elevating Leadership: A Review of ‘Power’ by Sarah Morgans and Bill Thorness

‘POWER: How J.D. Power III Became the Auto Industry’s Adviser, Confessor, and Eyewitness to History” Photo: Amazon

Sarah Morgans has documented the history and culture of some of the country’s most celebrated corporations, organizations, and individuals. In addition to writing milestone anniversary books for Ariel Corporation, Brady Corporation, and Modjeski and Masters, she has co-authored the biography of J.D. Power and Associates founder J.D. “Dave” Power III.

Bill Thorness is a Seattle-based writer and editor who has authored three books, contributed to many others, and writes regularly for the media. He reported for more than a decade in the business press before becoming a freelance writer.

Their book “POWER: How J.D. Power III Became the Auto Industry’s Adviser, Confessor, and Eyewitness to History” is a compelling study of an intelligent, polite, market-research genius who unblinkingly spoke truth to power, and ended up making customer satisfaction a watchword not just in automotive but in all manufacturing and service industries.

“POWER” – No other individual has had as broad an impact on the auto industry during the past fifty years as Dave Power. He founded J.D. Power and Associates in 1968, a year when revolutionary cultural and political changes abounded. His persistence in getting auto executives to listen to customer concerns was key to the across-the-board rise in car quality, and the influence of his J.D. Power and Associates rankings has permanently raised the bar on customer satisfaction.

The book is divided into:

Section 1: Independence
Chapter 1: The Outsider’s Perspective
Chapter 2: End Run to the Decision Maker
Chapter 3: Forging Relationships

Section 2: Impact
Chapter 4: The Gold Standard of Quality
Chapter 5: Revolutionizing Retail
Chapter 6: Marketplace Insights

Section 3: Integrity
Chapter 7: Managing the Brand
Chapter 8: Tough Calls
Chapter 9: Controlled Controversy

“POWER” is a compelling exploration of the man behind one of the most influential names in the auto industry. It explores J.D. Power III’s impact on automotive marketing and consumer feedback. The authors present a detailed and engaging portrait of Power, recording his rise from a relatively modest background to becoming a pivotal figure whose insights and surveys reshaped the industry.

The narrative is informative and entertaining, combining biographical elements with industry analysis to illustrate how Power’s approach to customer satisfaction changed the game for automakers. Through detailed research and insightful interviews, the authors uncover the nuances of Power’s methodologies and his pivotal role in driving a customer-centric culture in the automotive world.

“POWER” is a valuable read for anyone interested in business innovation, consumer behavior, or automotive history. Sarah Morgans and Bill Thorness balance technical details with personal stories, making the book accessible to both industry professionals and general readers. Overall, it not only chronicles J.D. Power III’s professional journey but also offers a broader commentary on both consumer feedback and business strategy.

“Dave Powers not only wanted to remain independent in his efforts to help automobile manufacturers improve by listening to the voice of the customer, he also wanted to have as big an impact as possible on consumers and clients.”

*The author received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The views and opinions expressed here belong solely to her.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

New book release: ‘The In-Between: Life in the Micro’ by Christian Espinosa

‘The In-Between: Life in the Micro’ is the new book by Christian Espinosa. Photo: Christian Espinosa, used with permission.

Regardless of our life experiences, we all have those moments when life starts to make sense. Even then, we should always keep learning and growing as human beings. I like reading biographies and memoirs because the authors share what they have learned in the hopes of inspiring others to improve their lives. In his new memoir, Christian Espinosa shares the journey that transformed him into a compassionate global citizen. In “The In-Between: Life in the Micro,” he explains that some regrets do not hit you all at once. They seep in at the corners of your life, at night or on a long drive, until they become a refrain. Those are the worst regrets of all. Pick up your copy today from Amazon and read all about his fascinating journey. 

Christian Espinosa is an esteemed thought leader and best known as the bestselling author of “The Smartest Person in the Room,” a book that explores the limitations of seeking validation through achievement and the desire to be the brightest intellect in any room. He is also a successful entrepreneur, white hat hacker, captivating speaker, real estate investor, and heavy metal enthusiast. With a deep desire to inspire others to harness their innate wisdom, overcome perceived barriers, and summon the courage to tread new paths, Christian has written his latest book, “The In-Between: Life in the Micro.” This book chronicles his remarkable transformation from a “me against the world” mindset, cultivated during his tumultuous upbringing, to his evolution as a compassionate global citizen committed to uplifting humanity. (Christian Espinosa, 2023)

“The In-Between: Life in the Micro” – Christian Espinosa was living in a bubble, and it burst on May 9, 2022. It was the middle of the afternoon. As he and his partner Vanessa approached a major intersection, a blue car accelerated, ran the red light, and T-boned a black truck directly in front of them.

The blue car’s hood crumbled like an accordion to absorb the impact. Within seconds, its front end was completely smashed and its windows were broken. Then everything went out of focus, except for what he needed to do—assess the scene for safety, check on the drivers of the blue car and black truck, and call 911. Nothing else mattered—he felt a heightened sense of purpose.

He had always focused on one macro moment after another—the next mountain to climb or business to start. He had not spent any time appreciating the micro-moments—life in between the macros. He had been living in a macro-moment bubble.

The accident awakened in him a desire to paint a complete picture of who he wanted to be and how he wanted to approach his life. This is his story of learning how to value the in-between and prioritize consciously living in the micro.

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New book release: ‘Infectious Injustice’ by Justin Cook

‘Infectious Injustice’ is the new book by Justin Cook. Photo: Amazon

Memoirs and biographies can be some of the most compelling books to read. They tend to provide first hand accounts of eras and places some of us might never get to experiences. Such is the case in today’s new book release: “Infectious Injustice” by Justin Cook. This true story is told by an inmate who was inside, living and breathing in the system of incarceration for nearly two years. No matter how many prison movies or television shows we watch, they will never tell the real story compared to someone who actually lived it. Curious about what prison life is like from the inside and what it says about the justice system, rehabilitation, and the mentally ill and addicted? Then get your copy of “Infectious Injustice” today, it is available on Amazon.

Justin Cook was born in Nevada. He is a technical architect who has worked at the most prestigious companies and holds over fifty technical certifications, including top-tier status among the technical community worldwide. He speaks four languages, which he developed while living abroad in Spain, France, and Germany and has has traveled to over thirty countries, which translates to he doesn’t know how to save money. He now lives in a house free of bars that is made for naps, reading books, and drinking too much coffee. Most days, you will find him lounging in his Kirkland sweats from Costco, writing, where he transports readers to a place where bold heroes have endearing flaws, as he broadly addresses the human experience. The swashbuckling action-adventure “Infectious Injustice” is his first novel.

“Infectious Injustice: The True Story of Survival and Loss Against Corruption, the COVID-19 Disaster Inside of San Quentin, and the Dumpster Fire that is Known as Mass Incarceration.” – A secret preview into the treacherous journey of a man thrown from a successful life in Silicon Valley into the dark asphyxiating prison of San Quentin, with murders, serial killers, rats, and COVID around every corner. He paints a masterpiece of detail by challenging the stigma that prisoners are less than people, that law enforcement is superior, and that the system of incarceration in the United States is still functioning. You will join him in the cell while he recounts hunger strikes, malnutrition, panic, and pandemonium, by weaving comedic banter with a stoic sense of realism. This is a captivating tale of how sick and dying men, caused by the nationally publicized disaster of thirty deaths in a short period in the prison, stitched together the remnants of their shattered dignity and formed a brotherhood to withstand all odds; it paints the solo journey of a man’s struggle through addiction, loss, corruption, oppression, racism, and fear. You won’t be able to put down this enthralling and uttering engrossing saga of survival, a triumphant testament to the endurance of the human spirit, loyalty, respect, and the fallacy of rehabilitation while incarcerated.

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