There are moments in life when you feel that quiet tug—the kind that invites you to let go, and at the same time, urges you to move forward.
Andrew Tull reminds us of the power in listening to that quiet voice, the one that knows exactly where you’re meant to go. We spend much of our lives making room for our true self to walk beside us. And if we’re brave enough to give it space, life has a way of turning in directions we never imagined—sometimes surprising us, often freeing us.
One of those life-altering turns for Andrew began in an ordinary moment, over lunch, with a napkin and a simple but powerful question:
At 21, sitting across from his mentor Ken Nucky at some forgettable restaurant, Andrew watched as Ken slid a napkin across the table and asked,
“What’s most important to you in your life?”
“Making it to 22?”
He thought. But instead, he drew a triangle.
At the vertex: God. On the sides: Family and Friends.
And though his life has been filled with both, he says,
“I do that because of the three parts of that triangle.”
That napkin is still with him.
For Andrew, clarity didn’t come through success. It came through connection.
“I love to connect folks,” he says. Not like a LinkedIn connection. More like two souls in the same room, finding something in common they didn’t expect. He believes if you put two smart, talented people together with a “pay it forward” attitude, “it’s amazing what can happen.”
Andrew’s the guy behind a gathering called the "Gathering of Friends"—a space where C-level leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who’ve had both “epic fails and cool successes” come together. The only price of entry? A genuine willingness to give.
“I’m the only person that knows everybody who’s coming,” he says. “And if you want to come in and tell everyone how cool you are, nobody cares.”
Just people, meeting people.
But let’s rewind.
Andrew didn’t start life thinking he’d be the connector of hearts and minds he is today. At 16, he thought he wanted to be President of the United States. (How timely, he laughs.) Then it shifted to starting a sports foundation for kids. If you’re wondering how he got from there to co-owning a global software development firm and running a consulting practice, you’re not alone. “It’s not even a dotted line. But it’s what it was.”
What bridged it all was mentorship.
Andrew credits mentors who took him on as a “lump of clay” and shaped him by sharing their mistakes as much as their wins. One mentor told him to create a personal board of advisors—a group of people you trust, who have your best interest in mind, and who won’t always say yes.
“You need people who’ll ask, ‘Is that the right thing for you right now?’”
It’s not a concept we hear enough about. We’re so used to either doing it alone or asking anyone nearby what they think. But Andrew is clear: be intentional about who you invite into your circle. And if you’re lucky, they’ll challenge you to think about your five-years-from-now self and whether that future you will be proud of the decisions you’re making today.
His favorite question to ask people?
“How can I help you?”
It sounds simple. But Andrew cautions, “If it doesn’t come from a sense of authenticity and some degree of follow-up, it’s just a line.” Sometimes, helping means taking action. Sometimes, it means just being present and listening. And sometimes, it’s about knowing you can’t fix someone’s problem, but you can walk alongside them.
In a world where so much feels transactional, Andrew reminds us that real relationships are built on authenticity, generosity, and time.
It makes you think about how relationships have changed. How we communicate, connect, and view each other is different now. Some might say it’s more superficial—likes, follows, swipes. And yet, something deeper is shifting. The new generation places a premium on authenticity, valuing it as a core part of identity. There’s a tension there, between the curated and the real, but it’s a contradiction worth sitting with. Because maybe, despite the noise, we’re all still craving something genuine.
“I know where I want to be. And I’m still so far behind from where that is.”
Life, he says, is like bowling in a lane where the pins are hidden. But if you’re clear on your values—your triangle, your True North—the lane becomes clearer. And when you live with intention, it’s like bowling with the guardrails up. You may not always get a strike. But you’re not going to throw it in the gutter, either.
Maybe that’s what we need more of: people willing to help us see the lane. And people like Marc Nathan—who you might remember from our earlier episode—are doing just that. Marc’s a master connector in his own right, showing us how powerful one introduction can be when it comes from a place of generosity. (You can check out his episode and blog: The art of meaningfull connections .)
And maybe the next time someone asks "how can I help you", we’ll be ready to answer. Or maybe we’ll just ask it ourselves.
You never know whose life you might change. Including your own.
So maybe today is the day you grab a napkin—or whatever's within reach—and draw your own triangle. Or circle. Or whatever shape captures the things that matter most to you. And when you do, let it be your guide.
Once you know what you're aiming for, the pins at the end of your lane start to come into focus.
Listen to Uncharted Your Sidekick for Life: Episode 12 S3 Andrew Tull
Andrew Tull is a business development leader and partner at a global software development firm based in Austin, Texas. With a career spanning over two decades, he specializes in National and International Sales, Licensing, and Go-To-Market strategies across industries like Enterprise Technology, Biometric Security, Neural Networking, and Consumer Product Goods.
Beyond his technical expertise, Andrew is known for his passion for authentic connection and mentorship. He curates spaces like his “Gathering of Friends,” bringing leaders together to foster meaningful relationships rooted in generosity and purpose. Andrew also serves on multiple nonprofit boards, staying true to the triangle that guides him: God, Family, and Friends.
Natalie Peyton: Peyton studied theatre and film in Australia, New York and LA and performed stand-up on the “three coasts.” She honed her podcast executive skills over the last 4 years developing and producing dozens of podcasts and even hosts a children’s mindfulness bedtime program
Leon Vanstone: Leon brings his curiosity and sharp interviewing skills to the table, facilitating insightful discussions with our mentors, extracting valuable lessons and insights to empower listeners on their own path to growth and achievement.
Dan Dillard: Dan, with his thoughtful approach and engaging style, delves into the minds of our mentors on the podcast, crafting compelling interviews that uncover the wisdom and experiences driving their success and impact.
This blog was written by Anais Schmidt, one of the hosts of the Uncharted Podcast. Anais is also an aspiring musician. When not in her studio, she tours Europe with Monte Mai.
If you would like to join the conversation email us at anais@foundingup.com
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