TESTIMONIALS
““Now, that’s something I can truly use!”
My wife, the Youth Choir Director at Airline Baptist Church, wanted to buy Todd Lochner a one-way ticket to South America…Chile, Bolivia, anywhere in South America, not North America.
In 1985, Todd Lochner was a disruptive, flirty, self-aware handsome son of an unmarried teacher in Bossier City, Louisiana. He was a hand-full. Not that I hadn’t had my experiences with boisterous, contrarians. I had just finished 11 years as Sales Manager of a CBS Television affiliate, responsible for millions in sales. And believe me, all those clients were not choir boys, either.
With an extraordinary change in careers, I became Assistant Pastor of said Airline Baptist Church that same year. Youth ministry was among the myriad of hats I wore. A Youth Choir fell under that purview.
And there sat Todd Lochner on the third row paying attention to anything and everything but the Youth Choir Director, my lovely bride, Eva Piper. I tapped him on the shoulder, beaconing him to follow me out into the hall. After several previous attempts to stifle his disruptive behavior, this was the “Come to Jesus” meeting. In the hallway I told him in no uncertain terms, that he would not be allowed to continue in youth choir, though he could sing, quite well. Unless he started to focus on following the direction of the Director (the lovely and talented Eva Piper) and was respectful of those around him, he was out! No other options would be available to him. This was it.
Nearly forty years since the “Hall-Fight at the ABC Corral,” I’m not certain how much of that encounter has stuck with him. Let’s just say that he’s reached the pinnacle of the vehicle sales business in this country. He’s told anyone who’ll listen, that I’m a father figure to him. He’s the father of his own three children, married and the author of the tome you’re currently holding in your hand. You might say, he’s morphed from a porcupine in a balloon factory. In fact, let’s say just that.
He knows what that’s like. He’s knows of what he speaks. And he speaks honestly and transparently. Lean in and soak up the years of positive lessons and flat-out mistakes from someone not afraid to share them both. It’s quite an evolution to behold.
You’ll agree often it’s just as important to know what doesn’t work in life and the workplace as what does work. Todd does know what does not work. Over the years he’s experienced challenging and difficult professional and personal trials that you’ll learn from this book. He understands the crucial concept of compartmentalization in every aspect of this life. And he knows that even a little gratitude to have an enormous impact. Indeed, I believe the most meaningful lessons from this book are the ones wrought in family and workplace difficulties, even painful, life-altering lessons. Be prepared for some emotional stories and some hopeful counsel. They’re here for you to benefit from. His spiritual passage from a callow youth in the choir to a man loves God and honors Him are encouraging and heartening.
Yes, there are practical lists, insightful formulas, searing admissions, and straight-forward suggestions to make your life and career more meaningful and absolutely successful. You will close the book and say to yourself, “Now, that’s something I can truly use!”
From the hall just outside of the Youth Choir Room of Airline Baptist Church (It’s still there), comes the story of The Porcupine in the Balloon Factory. Forty years in the making. The porcupine and balloons being just fine in and of themselves. But never the twain shall meet. It’s all about perspective. Professionally, spiritually, and personally, Todd Lochner, delivers. Having read this book and looking forward to your reading it, I’m just glad we didn’t send him to Bolivia in 1985.
Enjoy and learn!
Don Piper
New York Times Bestselling Author (90 Minutes in Heaven) and Speaker
“a roadmap to create a positive state of mind”
“Porcupine in a Balloon Factory is a roadmap to create a positive state of mind. It is about the thoughts we think, the words we say, the life we live, the influence we can create and everything we experience is ultimately influenced by our “PC.” (You will have to read it to know it!)
As I reflect about the conflicts that arise in life, and how we react to them, they can lower our state of mind, and how we all have the hidden power that can unite and strengthens us. I believe this book will allow you to see life through a new lens with more clarity, confidence, and act at higher level. Therefore, making you a better person, spouse, friend and leader.
Once we learn to not “shoot our quills,” you'll see how we can create better teamwork, performance, relationships, leadership, and ultimately allow us to determine what we create and experience.
The truth is, we are not meant to go through life feeling anxious, disconnected, insecure, chronically stressed, worried, and sad most of the time. We are meant to live with hope, clarity, power, purpose, and confidence.
I have several books that I purchase in multiple copies so that I give out to friends and colleagues; Porcupine in a Balloon Factory is now at the top of that list.
Don’t’ think of Porcupine in a Balloon Factory as a book to just be read, but a book to be used as a manuscript to write an improved version of your own book of life.”
Kerry D. Cardwell
Automotive Operator, Specialists, and Consultant
“there is power in positive compartmentalization”
“Growing up as a competitive tennis player, I’ve been using the power of positive compartmentalization for most of my life. The ability to walk onto a tennis court and mentally set aside a day filled with challenges and stress, in order to play my best, remain positive and confident point after point, and ultimately come out on top to win a match was a necessity for achieving success.
In tennis, like other competitive sports, once you get to an advanced level, what really separates the good from the great players is their mindset. Knowing how to mentally put aside negative experiences and energy to deal with later because the immediate task at hand requires laser focus and positive energy is a skillset that not only creates success on a tennis court, but in life and career, as well.
As CEO of cityCURRENT, I’m constantly dealing with the lows and highs, the challenges and opportunities, the frustrations and satisfactions of leading an organization that connects businesses with community to power the GOOD through events, media and philanthropy. Hosting around 300 events each year means our team is managing through countless issues, but with a mission to power the GOOD, I have to be able to immediately set aside any negative energy or circumstance when I walk into the room with our team and attendees, so I radiate positive energy and don’t inadvertently become a porcupine that pops any balloons of happiness for our guests who are looking forward to a GOOD experience.
As a husband, father, son, brother, and business and community leader, I use positive compartmentalization each and every day not to put off the negatives, but to deal with them when appropriate, so I can focus on giving my best to those I love most and my community. This is why I love that my good friend, Todd Lochner, is sharing the power of positive compartmentalization and his model for how you can directly apply it and benefit from it in this book. Todd and his family have been like family for us for a long time. He is one of the most generous and caring people I know, and he LOVES his family, friends, team, and community. He gives so greatly to support others, nonprofits, schools, and charitable efforts, and it’s been fun being part of the journey with him and his team as they continue to make a difference.
I’ve seen firsthand how positive compartmentalization has transformed his life and his relationships, and this topic has been an important part of our conversations and growth as friends and leaders for a while now. So, know there is power in positive compartmentalization, know that Todd embodies this approach, and know that his model and this book can help you transform your own life, career, and community…and the relationships you hold so dear.”
Jeremy C. Park
CEO, cityCURRENT and VP + shareholder of Higginbotham Insurance
