Mar 22 2025 69 mins
Chattanooga Counseling and Consulting is a Chattanooga, TN based counseling and consulting business. You can find more about us at: https://www.chattanoogacounselingandconsulting.com/
Gabe Whitmer's Services:
- https://www.fbmortgageloans.com/lo/gwhitmer/
- https://contrastcoffee.com/
What would happen if you approached every interaction with the baseline assumption that everyone wants to be your friend? Gabe Whitmer, who manages one of the top 20 mortgage lending teams in the nation, credits this simple mindset shift as a cornerstone of both his personal happiness and professional success.
In this deeply insightful conversation with Josh Zello, Gabe reveals how an ethical dilemma at AT&T propelled him into a career revolution, ultimately leading to building not just a business but a community of connection. "I want to lead, not manage," Gabe shares, explaining how he's cultivated a work environment where values thrive, autonomy reigns, and relationships flourish.
The heart of the episode centers around a profound truth: "People are inherently lonely and they just need a friend." This observation from Gabe's wife serves as a touchstone throughout their exploration of adult friendships. Both men unpack how genuine connections develop through reciprocity, vulnerability, and what Josh calls the "interpersonal piggy bank" - the balance of investments and withdrawals that characterize healthy relationships.
Particularly valuable is their discussion about how friendships naturally wax and wane through different life seasons without diminishing their significance. Gabe's refreshing approach to connection dismantles the mental torture many experience wondering about relationship status, replacing it with a foundation of trust and openness that invites deeper bonds.
Whether you're building a business, nurturing friendships, or simply seeking more meaningful connections, this conversation offers practical wisdom for creating relationships that both fulfill our innate need for community and reveal who we truly are. Subscribe now for more transformative conversations that challenge conventional thinking and inspire authentic living.