Mick Unplugged

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1. John R. Miles: Being Needed Isn't the Same as Mattering

   5 november 2026 · 56 min

   Afspelen
   You can keep showing up, delivering results, and supporting Lees meer

   everyone around you while losing touch with yourself.

   John R. Miles joins Mick to explore the difference between

   being needed and knowing that your presence matters.

   John shares the calling behind his work, the experience

   he calls the slow fade, and the ideas discussed in

   The Mattering Effect. Together, they unpack how leaders

   can help people feel seen, known, valued, and able to make

   a difference, and why that work also has to begin

   within ourselves.

   You'll Hear

   • Why being useful to others can leave your own sense of significance unanswered.

   • How John describes the slow fade in high performers and caregivers.

   • Why a culture of mattering requires more than recognizing someone's job title.

   • The mattering needs pyramid and John's MATTER framework: meaning, autonomy, trust, time, energy, and reciprocity.

   • The turning points that led John toward a more intentional life.

   • How small, self-honoring choices can help rebuild belief.

   • The Unplugged 5: culture, personal growth, podcast conversations, and legacy.

   Chapters

   00:00 Your presence makes a difference

   00:12 Welcome to Mick Unplugged

   02:04 The Because: a calling to serve

   07:24 Recognizing the slow fade

   11:18 The Unplugged Truth: seen, known, and valued

   15:45 The mattering needs pyramid

   21:21 The Hot Takes: The Mattering Effect

   26:43 Meaning, autonomy, trust, time, energy, reciprocity

   29:52 The Room: the turning points behind the mission

   37:53 The mattering loop and self-honoring choices

   42:14 The Unplugged 5

   50:32 Final reflections and your because

   Connect & Discover John R. Miles:

   Website: https://johnrmiles.com/

   The Mattering Effect: https://thematteringeffect.com/

   Passion Struck: https://passionstruck.com/

   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrmiles/

   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/john_r_miles/

   Follow Mick

   Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/

   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplu…

2. Jeff Staple: Stop Pleasing Everyone. Build What You Believe In.

   2 november 2026 · 40 min

   Afspelen
   What does it cost to build a life you believe in before other people understand it? Lees meer

   Jeff Staple joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about creative independence, the business lessons talent cannot replace, and the courage to stop pleasing everybody.

   Jeff traces the early T-shirt orders that became STAPLE, the decision to leave college, and the strain his choices put on family relationships. He explains why founders need to delegate, how listening to younger perspectives keeps his work relevant, and why a UPS driver's connection to his designs meant more to him than industry recognition.

   There is warmth and humor, too: five hours with Mike Tyson and his pigeons, a surprising closet answer, and the hidden wing pattern in the Breakneck sneaker. Jeff closes with the lesson he hopes people remember.

   TAKEAWAYS

   Give your creative talent the business skills it needs.

   You cannot grow by trying to do every job yourself.

   Hear a new idea all the way through before dismissing it.

   Build a life you believe in without making everybody else's approval the goal.

   MICK'S BREAKNECK OFFER

   In the conversation, Mick offers to buy Breakneck shoes for the first ten people who message him “Breakneck.” Mick will confirm whether you are among the first ten and ask your size. Jeff also offers support and discusses signed pairs. Message Mick at https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ and hear the episode for the recorded details.

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 The secret to failure: cold open

   00:16 Meet Jeff Staple

   02:39 The Because: refusing other people's limits

   05:00 T-shirts, necessity, and finding a path

   06:22 Talent needs a business: delegation

   09:21 Staying relevant by staying curious

   13:21 Family expectations and the cost of belief

   17:55 Taking care of yourself first

   19:00 Simplicity, the UPS driver, and real impact

   22:30 Growing beyond T-shirts

   24:36 The next chapter: legacy and physical retail

   27:55 The Unplugged Five

   28:25 Mike Tyson and the pigeons

   31:29 Breakneck: cit…

3. Kordell Stewart: Reclaiming My Story | Mick Unplugged

   31 oktober 2026 · 49 min

   Afspelen
   What happens when the world talks about you for years before hearing your side? Kordell Stewart joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about silence, faith, and reclaiming his own story. Lees meer

   The man known as “Slash” reflects on his path from receiver to starting quarterback, the personal cost of rumors, and why telling his story matters to the fans and young people who look up to him. Mick shares what Kordell’s example meant to his family, and Kordell closes with the priorities that have carried him: God, family, and career.

   WHAT YOU'LL HEAR

   Why Kordell wanted the opportunity to tell his story in his own words.

   How he describes the impact of years of rumors and public assumptions.

   What it took to move between wide receiver and quarterback.

   Why silence can be misunderstood and how he chooses to respond today.

   His gratitude toward the fans who stood by him and the young people he coaches.

   The Unplugged Five: New Orleans food, choosing Colorado, competition, music, and faith.

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 Cold open: the sound of silence

   00:17 Welcome to Mick Unplugged

   01:06 The Because: telling his own story

   04:40 The origin and cost of rumors

   14:18 Faith and handling adversity

   17:11 Receiver, quarterback, and the work behind Slash

   23:44 When silence becomes the story

   27:14 Gratitude, grace, and reclaiming his voice

   29:49 Giving Kordell his flowers

   37:47 The Unplugged Five

   42:52 God, family, career

   Kordell discusses the documentary featured in the interview, his relationship with Pittsburgh, and the responsibility he feels when speaking to the next generation. His recollections and views are presented in his own words.

   Mick and Kordell also discuss a possible fan gathering. No date, game, or registration details are confirmed in this episode.

   Connect & Discover Kordell Stewart:

   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kslash10/

   X: https://x.com/KSlash10

   KORDELL STEWART / SLASH & BURN is now available on HBO Max.

   FOLLOW MICK

   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com…

4. Daniel Nicholson: Idea. Intent. Action.-Turning Creativity Into a Business

   29 oktober 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   What happens when a creative outlet becomes the thing your family needs? Daniel Nicholson joins Mick Hunt for an in-person conversation about building custom bourbon barrels, finding focus through woodworking, and turning an idea into something real. Lees meer

   Daniel shares how a first barrel, a small tool investment, and a change in his family's circumstances pushed him to keep creating. He talks about the value of working with his hands, the support of his wife, and the link between intention and action.

   The conversation goes deeper into his experience growing up biracial, the importance of honest conversations, and the relationships that opened doors in his career. Daniel and Mick close with mentorship, The Unplugged Five, and a spirited comparison of their favorite bourbons.

   YOU'LL HEAR

   Daniel's because: bringing an idea out of his head and into the physical world.

   How music and art helped him recognize his creative spark.

   Why woodworking became a personal outlet and then a business opportunity.

   How he and his wife responded when their family needed another source of income.

   His experience growing up biracial and why connection starts with conversation.

   How honesty and relationships helped him move beyond restaurant management.

   The quiet impact of mentorship, plus cooking questions and bourbon favorites.

   EPISODE CHAPTERS

   00:00 Idea, intent, action

   00:11 Meet Daniel and the bourbon barrel

   03:29 The Because: turning ideas into reality

   06:54 The Unplugged Truth: woodworking, family, and action

   13:09 The Hot Takes: identity and honest conversations

   20:42 The Room: honesty opens doors

   25:00 The Unplugged 5: cooking, life, and bourbon

   35:00 Connect with Daniel and closing

   CONNECT & DISCOVER DANIEL

   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbusbarrels/

   Daniel recommends finding CBUS Barrels on Facebook for custom builds.

   FOLLOW MICK

   Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/

   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/

   TikTok: https://www.tikt…

5. Rodney Peete: Seeing the World Through His Son's Eyes | HollyRod Special

   24 oktober 2026 · 50 min

   Afspelen
   Rodney Peete knew how to lead a team. Fatherhood asked him to learn a different kind of leadership: listening, letting go of ego, and seeing the world through his son RJ's eyes. Lees meer

   In this special episode of Mick Unplugged, the former NFL quarterback joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about the beliefs that shaped him, the work behind his talent, and the moment he realized he needed to change his approach as a father. Rodney shares how Holly Robinson Peete's determination helped their family navigate RJ's autism diagnosis and how that journey continues to shape his purpose.

   At the heart of this release is the HollyRod Foundation and its work supporting families affected by autism and Parkinson's disease. Rodney describes why the foundation began, the need for practical resources and compassion, and the family experiences behind its work. He also discusses the upcoming November 7 DesignCare gala; current details are available from the foundation.

   IN THIS EPISODE

   • Why being gifted creates a responsibility to give back

   • The difference between talent and consistent work

   • What it means to lead when others need to believe in you

   • How ego got in the way of connection, and what changed

   • Why a child needs room to follow his own path

   • The purpose behind HollyRod and its family support work

   • Football, family and legacy in The Unplugged Five

   MICK'S PLEDGE IN THIS EPISODE

   For the first 100 people who message Mick 'HollyRod,' Mick pledges a $100 donation on each person's behalf to the HollyRod Foundation. He also pledges a personal match. This preserves the pledge as spoken in the recording. No calculated total or additional deadline has been added.

   EPISODE CHAPTERS

   00:00 Seeing the world through his son's eyes

   00:16 Meet Rodney Peete

   02:54 The Because: using his gifts to give back

   05:09 Belief, work ethic and the example of his father

   10:45 Leading when other people depend on you

   15:46 How college football has changed

   19:37 Fatherhood, autism and …

6. Landon McKinnis: From Rejection to Shark Tank, Why He Never Quit

   22 oktober 2026 · 49 min

   Afspelen
   Landon McKinnis wanted his mom and his kids to be proud of the man he was becoming. That purpose kept him moving as he built GoNutz through rejection, grief, and the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. Lees meer

   In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Landon joins me to talk about the because behind his work. He reflects on growing up in Shawnee, Kansas, facing racial discrimination, and finding his own identity. He also shares how faith helped him learn patience when things weren't happening on his timeline.

   We get into the business journey, too: the first shipment of inventory, a viral TikTok moment, slowing sales, and the Shark Tank email he initially thought was a joke. Landon explains how being prepared helped him respond to the opportunity, what it felt like to pitch the Sharks, and why listening to customers matters.

   YOU’LL HEAR

   - The family relationships behind Landon's purpose

   - How childhood experiences shaped his work ethic and sense of identity

   - The challenges that followed going viral

   - Why business records, numbers, and preparation mattered before Shark Tank

   - What customer feedback taught him about the product he was building

   - How he stays focused when competitors have bigger budgets and teams

   - A friendly Kansas City versus Carolina barbecue debate

   EPISODE CHAPTERS

   00:00 Faith, Patience, and Being Ready

   00:16 Welcome to Landon McKinnis

   01:12 The Because: Family, Purpose, and Making Them Proud

   03:47 The Unplugged Truth: Identity, Setbacks, and Faith

   09:18 The Hot Takes: Building GoNutz and the Shark Tank Journey

   33:46 The Room: The Opportunity That Changed Everything

   38:31 The Unplugged 5: Barbecue, Resourcefulness, and Running Your Own Race

   43:14 Friendship, GoNutz, and Your Because

   Put it into practice: Choose one useful step you can take with the resources you have today. Keep your attention on the work in front of you and the people you're doing it for.

   Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and the because b…

7. Chef André Rush: Strength Through Service

   19 oktober 2026 · 49 min

   Afspelen
   This is a previously recorded conversation, returning as a Mick Unplugged re-release. References to upcoming projects reflect the time of recording. Lees meer

   Chef André Rush's strength reaches far beyond the kitchen or the gym. In this conversation, the U.S. Army veteran, former White House chef, and mental health advocate shares the mission that keeps him serving others through grief, setbacks, and success.

   Mick and Chef Rush talk about checking in on the people you love, the stigma around asking for help, and why compassion belongs alongside discipline. Chef Rush reflects on September 11 at the Pentagon, a moment of connection at therapy, and the lessons his parents gave him about hard work and perseverance.

   The conversation also explores how cooking became his calling, the accountability required inside the White House, and the experiences behind his memoir, Call Me Chef, Dammit! It closes with four rapid-fire questions and an exchange about mentorship, gratitude, and making an impact.

   You'll Hear

   - Why a simple conversation can help people feel connected

   - Chef Rush's answer to “What is your because?”

   - How personal loss shaped his commitment to children and veterans

   - His experience of trauma and the difficulty of asking for support

   - Why encouragement, empathy, and perseverance matter

   - How military service led him toward a culinary career

   - Accountability, teamwork, and the White House kitchen

   - The story behind his memoir and four candid rapid-fire answers

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 Check on each other: the cold open

   00:20 Meet Chef André Rush

   01:19 Why reaching out matters

   03:24 Choosing service and refusing complacency

   05:33 His father's lessons on hard work

   07:19 The Because: a mission beyond yourself

   10:22 Mick on friendship, loss, and connection

   13:05 Turning remembrance into a cause

   14:13 September 11, the Pentagon, and trauma

   17:14 Asking for help and challenging stigma

   20:12 A moment of connection at therapy

   20:43 Keep going: encouragement and r…

8. Adam Zeitsiff: Building Stronger Kids and Better Leaders

   15 oktober 2026 · 45 min

   Afspelen
   What happens when business experience becomes the foundation for a more personal mission? Adam Zeitsiff joins Mick Hunt to discuss youth fitness, purpose, and the leadership lessons behind building teams that can carry a mission forward. Lees meer

   From technology to Gold's Gym and LA Fitness, Adam reflects on the experiences that led him to his work with the Dominique Dawes Academy. He explains why a child's gold medal moment might be learning a cartwheel, gaining confidence, or discovering the value of practice.

   The conversation also explores the shop-floor example his grandfather set, the importance of asking for help, and why hiring and listening to capable people can change a business. They close with mentorship, lessons Adam wishes he had learned earlier, and The Unplugged Five.

   YOU'LL HEAR

   - Why Adam's because is centered on creating better opportunities for children.

   - How his technology background shaped his work in the fitness industry.

   - The mission behind helping kids find their own gold medal moments.

   - What his grandfather taught him about caring for the people on your team.

   - Why entrepreneurs need to ask for help, listen, and hire strong specialists.

   - His perspective on AI, mentorship, and the legacy he wants to leave.

   EPISODE CHAPTERS

   00:00 The mission behind the work

   00:33 Meet Adam Zeitsiff

   01:34 The Because: a mission centered on children

   05:45 Schools, parents, and physical activity

   08:55 The Unplugged Truth: technology meets fitness

   11:45 Leading at Gold's Gym

   14:32 Two different fitness business models

   16:05 Hot Takes: the Dominique Dawes Academy vision

   20:43 AI and the human side of fitness

   23:17 Finding a child's gold medal moments

   25:57 The Room: a grandfather's leadership example

   27:56 Asking for help and scaling a business

   30:01 Hiring and compensating the right people

   32:58 Mentorship and growing leaders from within

   34:25 Connecting with the academy

   35:11 Leadership lessons learned the hard way

   36:46 The Unplugged Five
   …

9. Mookie G: Behind the Laughter, Finding Purpose and Being Yourself

   12 oktober 2026 · 43 min

   Afspelen
   What does it take to stand in front of a room and make people laugh—even when the room goes quiet? Lees meer

   Comedian Mookie G joins Mick for a candid, funny conversation about the work behind the punchline. He shares how his mother recognized his gift for bringing people joy, encouraged him to take a comedy class, and helped him discover his because.

   Mookie breaks down the difference between being funny online and performing live, the challenge of developing jokes, and why an audience’s silence does not always mean a set has failed. Mick and Mookie also explore authenticity, self-love, social media, and the patience it takes to keep showing up before the right opportunity arrives.

   Along the way: Houston sports loyalty, growing up in Beaumont, moving to Atlanta, and a rapid-fire conversation about comedy, food, and the legacy Mookie wants to leave.

   Listen for the purpose beneath the laughter—and the reminder to be yourself.

   In this episode:

   • Finding a because in bringing happiness and joy to others

   • The mother who saw a comedian before he saw it himself

   • Stage fright, audience energy, and learning to trust silence

   • Developing material through recorded conversations and real-life experience

   • Hosting, featuring, and headlining: different jobs, different rhythms

   • Using social media to build visibility while staying yourself

   • Self-love, consistency, and being ready for opportunity

   • Beaumont roots, Atlanta possibility, and a funny and friendly legacy

   CHAPTERS

   00:00 Cold open: becoming comfortable with silence

   00:27 Welcome and the comedy show where Mick and Mookie met

   02:36 The Because: bringing happiness and joy

   03:29 How his mother helped him discover comedy

   04:10 Being funny online versus performing on stage

   05:36 Tough rooms and protecting your own material

   07:42 The Unplugged Truth: developing jokes

   11:04 Hosting, featuring, and headlining

   12:42 Hot Takes: getting attention and staying yourself

   14:05 Building visibility through social media

   1…

10. D.L. Hughley on Charlie's Boy and the Conversation He Never Had

    8 oktober 2026 · 49 min

    Afspelen
    D.L. Hughley wanted one more conversation with his father. He put it into Charlie's Boy. Lees meer

    In this episode of Mick Unplugged, D.L. joins me to talk about his new memoir, the man who raised him and the parts of fatherhood he understands differently now.

    We get into duty, family silence and why providing for your children can become so consuming that being present gets pushed aside. D.L. shares what he learned about Charlie after his death and why he makes a deliberate effort to let his own children know him.

    I also tell D.L. how his backstage mentorship changed the way I approached my podcast and my business. We talk about knowing the rules, owning your decisions and understanding why people keep listening.

    You'll hear:

    - The conversation behind Charlie's Boy

    - What showing up does for a father-child relationship

    - The pressure to keep working, even when it costs you time at home

    - Why finding his way into comedy also brought survivor's guilt

    - A reunion 25 years after an act of kindness

    - D.L.'s take on freedom of speech, consequences and protecting your peace

    I'm giving a copy of Charlie's Boy to the first 100 people who DM "Charlie's Boy" to @mickunplugged on Instagram.

    https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 The conversation D.L. never had with his father

    00:11 Meet D.L. Hughley

    00:55 The Because: Faith, hope and connection

    04:12 The Unplugged Truth: The father behind Charlie's Boy

    07:12 Duty, love and the words fathers do not say

    10:36 Why D.L. wrote Charlie's Boy

    11:45 Hot Takes: Hurt, offense and growth

    14:30 Free speech and consequences

    16:22 Fatherhood and the trust built by showing up

    21:56 What D.L. learned about Charlie's work life

    26:03 The Room: Finding a way forward through comedy

    28:02 Survivor's guilt and appreciating your life

    29:05 An act of kindness comes back 25 years later

    32:06 The backstage advice that changed Mick's approach to media

    34:11 Mick's 100-book offer

    35:22 The Unplugged Five: What makes D…

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