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John R. Miles: Being Needed Isn't the Same as Mattering
5 november 2026 · 56 min
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…
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Jeff Staple: Stop Pleasing Everyone. Build What You Believe In.
2 november 2026 · 40 min
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…
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Kordell Stewart: Reclaiming My Story | Mick Unplugged
31 oktober 2026 · 49 min
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…
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Daniel Nicholson: Idea. Intent. Action.-Turning Creativity Into a Business
29 oktober 2026 · 39 min
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…
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Rodney Peete: Seeing the World Through His Son's Eyes | HollyRod Special
24 oktober 2026 · 50 min
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 …
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Landon McKinnis: From Rejection to Shark Tank, Why He Never Quit
22 oktober 2026 · 49 min
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…
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Chef André Rush: Strength Through Service
19 oktober 2026 · 49 min
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…
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Adam Zeitsiff: Building Stronger Kids and Better Leaders
15 oktober 2026 · 45 min
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
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Mookie G: Behind the Laughter, Finding Purpose and Being Yourself
12 oktober 2026 · 43 min
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…
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D.L. Hughley on Charlie's Boy and the Conversation He Never Had
8 oktober 2026 · 49 min
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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Dixon Dedman: The Man Behind The Bottle
5 oktober 2026 · 53 min
What makes a bottle worth remembering? For Dixon Dedman, the answer starts with the people who share it. Lees meer
The master blender behind 2XO joins Mick Hunt for a conversation about bourbon, hospitality, creative conviction, and the legacy he hopes to leave his children. Dixon explains how his family's hospitality roots shaped his purpose, why blending requires more than mixing percentages, and how he approaches mouthfeel, maturation, and secondary oak exposure.
Mick also tastes Rapper's Delight during the conversation, and Dixon shares the story of a father and son celebrating a new generation with a bottle of Kentucky Owl. That moment brings the conversation back to his because: making something that becomes part of another person's meaningful experience.
In this episode:
How hospitality shaped Dixon's purpose and approach to bourbon
The challenge of reproducing a small sample blend at barrel scale
Why creative conviction matters when developing a whiskey
His focus on mouthfeel, viscosity, and the overall drinking experience
The personal connections that matter beyond awards and ratings
His hope that the next generation will carry the family legacy forward
Listen for the lesson that travels beyond bourbon: exceeding expectations can turn a product or service into a moment someone remembers.
Chapters
00:00 A moment beyond selling bottles
00:40 Meet Dixon Dedman
03:06 What is your because?
07:30 Moments, memories, and personal connection
10:07 Unplugged Truth: the craft of blending
15:20 Putting a personal mark on whiskey
19:27 Hot Takes: tasting Rapper's Delight
22:01 Mouthfeel and the drinking experience
35:00 The Room: a toast to three generations
39:29 2XO and the recorded plans discussed
42:20 Unplugged 5
46:08 The legacy Dixon hopes to leave
48:08 Closing reflections
Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and the because behind the work.
Connect & Discover Dixon Dedman:
Instagram: @dixon_dedman
LinkedIn: …
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Derek Gaunt: Fight Less, Win More Through Tactical Empathy
1 oktober 2026 · 1 uur 2 min
Your next difficult conversation may not need a stronger argument. It may need a better question. Lees meer
In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick sits down with his coach, Derek Gaunt, for a personal conversation about the communication skills that changed how Mick leads, negotiates, and approaches conflict.
Derek draws on his law-enforcement and hostage-negotiation experience to explain tactical empathy: recognizing another person's perspective without having to agree with it. He breaks down why explaining too early creates resistance, how tone affects a conversation, and why an objection can point to a concern that has not yet been spoken aloud.
Mick shares how asking what success looked like to a client uncovered a need he had missed. Derek also discusses the practical ideas behind Fight Less, Win More, the role of curiosity, and why difficult conversations often deserve a phone call instead of another long email.
The conversation closes with lessons on coachability, silence, trust, and staying grounded under pressure.
In this episode
Why acknowledging a perspective is different from agreeing with it.
How listening helps uncover the information missing from your assumptions.
Why you should ask what success looks like before deciding what someone needs.
What a hostage-negotiation training exercise reveals about tone and pressure.
How unaddressed concerns can resurface after an agreement.
Why Derek encourages live conversation for sensitive back-and-forth discussions.
What coachability looks like when someone is already successful.
How silence creates space to learn.
Takeaways
Before your next difficult conversation, replace one assumption with a question. Listen to the answer before preparing your response.
Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about the because behind how we live, lead, and grow.
Chapters
00:00 Meet Derek Gaunt, Mick's coach
03:29 The Because: sharing the gift of communication
05:25 Derek's journey in law enforcement
11:33 Th…
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David Pollack: Standards Over Feelings | Re-release
28 september 2026 · 40 min
This Monday on Mick Unplugged, we’re revisiting Mick Hunt’s conversation with David Pollack about standards, faith, leadership, and the work behind personal growth. Lees meer
David shares how mentorship and his experiences in football shaped the way he approaches challenges, leads others, and keeps growing. Mick and David explore the “50-40-10” principle, why preparation and consistent effort matter, and what it means to hold your standards when your feelings pull you in another direction.
Whether you’re hearing this conversation for the first time or returning for another listen, consider where you can put one of these lessons into practice this week.
This is a re-release of a previously recorded episode.
In this conversation:
Choosing standards over feelings.
The role of preparation and effort in the “50-40-10” philosophy.
Leadership built on care, influence, and understanding the people you lead.
How an invitation and a mentor helped shape David’s faith journey.
Adapting through challenges and learning from setbacks.
Reflection: Where are you letting a temporary feeling make a decision that should be guided by a lasting standard?
Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and your because. Share this episode with someone who could use it this week.
Connect & Discover David Pollack:
Instagram: @davidpollack47
Facebook: @PollackFF
X: @davidpollack47
YouTube: @DavidPollackCFB
Website: davidpollack.com
Podcast: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
Book: How to be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One
#MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast
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Ms. Pat: The American Dream Money Can't Buy
24 september 2026 · 33 min
What happens when you get the house, the car and the things you thought would make you happy, then realize your real dream was already at home? Lees meer
Ms. Pat joins Mick Hunt for a funny, candid conversation about family, authenticity and defining success for yourself. Discussing her memoir, Ms. American Dream, she explains why happiness has no price tag, how she prepared for Hollywood when she did not know the language, and why she thinks of fame as a job rather than an identity.
They also explore the money lessons she wants younger generations to learn, the podcast appearances that helped open doors, and the legacy she hopes to leave: keep going and never let someone else tell you who you are.
Explicit language. Discussion includes personal experiences with debt and credit, not individualized financial advice.
Ms. Pat's purpose is bigger than getting a laugh. She wants people to know that their hardest experiences do not have to hold them down forever.
In this episode:
The Because: laughter, survival and moving forward after difficult experiences.
The Unplugged Truth: why material success did not define her American dream.
What home, family and being Patricia mean to her.
Preparing for a table read through practice instead of pretending she already knew everything.
Why treating people well matters more to her than acting famous.
Hot Takes: the credit, interest-rate and saving lessons she shares with family and friends.
The Room: trusting her instincts about podcasts before Hollywood called.
The Unplugged Five: food, Atlanta, comedy and the legacy of never giving up.
Connect & Discover Ms Pat:
Instagram: @comediannemspat
Facebook: @mspatcomedy
TikTok: @comediannemspat
YouTube: @MsPat
X: @MsPat
Website: mspatcomedy.com
Book: Ms. American Dream: A Memoir of Making It No Matter What
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.c…
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Jesse Cole: Normal Gets Normal Results | The Fans First Playbook
21 september 2026 · 37 min
Normal gets normal results. What would happen if you stopped copying your industry and started creating an experience people could not stop talking about? Lees meer
In this Mick Unplugged re-release, Mick Hunt sits down with Jesse Cole for a practical conversation about building a fans-first business. Jesse shares how joy, memorable moments, and a willingness to try what others will not can change the way customers and employees experience your brand.
The conversation goes beyond the show on the field. Jesse explains how his team looks for customer friction, why values matter most when they cost you something, and how storytelling keeps a growing organization aligned. He recounts a ticket-email mistake and the decision to make it right, even at what he describes as a $6 million cost to the company.
You will also hear why failure can be treated as discovery, how gratitude helps create fans, and why great leaders keep teaching, repeating, and getting their reps in.
If you lead a team, serve customers, or are building something of your own, this conversation will challenge you to stop settling for ordinary.
This is a re-release of an archival conversation. References to team counts, tours, ticket demand, and projects reflect the time of recording.
The big idea
Being different is not the goal by itself. Creating an experience people remember, talk about, and want to share is the goal. Jesse Cole explains how he uses that distinction to lead, generate ideas, and build a fans-first culture.
In this episode
- Jesse's deeper purpose: bringing people together through joy.
- Why copying the normal practices of an industry tends to produce normal results.
- How to identify friction in everyday customer interactions, from invoices to the live experience.
- The "you wouldn't believe" test for a memorable moment.
- Why a company's values need to show up in decisions, not just on the wall.
- Jesse's account of an email mistake and a costly ticket commitment.
- How repeated s…
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Justin Brown: I Do Not Have Followers, I Have My People
17 september 2026 · 52 min
In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Justin, The Real Food Stalker, sits down with Mick Hunt and unpacks the unglamorous work behind a following that grew without a single negative review. He started Food Stalker in 2010 with nothing but photos and a habit of asking waiters what the next table ordered. He did not eat on camera until 2021, when his kids told him he made food look too good not to. He paid for every meal himself long before a brand ever called. Lees meer
Mick opens up about his own start, too. When he was still a LinkedIn-only guy two and a half years ago, Justin was the first account he followed on Instagram, and watching Justin be unapologetically himself is what convinced Mick he did not have to perform to show up online.
The conversation runs from microwave burgers to a lost footrace to a sister who brought home teriyaki wings and accidentally created a food critic. But the through line is simple and it applies far past food: you do not have to be the most talented person in the room. You have to be the one who keeps showing up.
IN THIS EPISODE
Why Justin never posts food he does not like
How Food Stalker started in 2010 and became a camera habit in 2021
Why consistency beats talent in every arena
The phone-and-CapCut workflow behind every video
The three thousand dollar camera he never used
How the AJC writing opportunity changed the way he describes food
Why honesty and negativity are not the same thing
The sister whose leftovers built his palate
What brands get wrong when they buy three videos instead of a partner
Why he says he has people, not fans or followers
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:55 How Justin got Mick on Instagram
03:10 The Because
03:50 Why he only shows food he likes
05:20 From 2010 photos to eating on camera
06:49 The Unplugged Truth
07:21 Consistency is everything
09:48 Fans, followers, or your people
09:51 The gear: phones, CapCut and one take
13:07 Writing for the AJC
17:40 Hot Takes
17:57 The microwave burger …
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Gary Vee: The Inconvenient Truth About Winning in the Interest Media Era
14 september 2026 · 43 min
What if the problem is not your content, your reach, or the algorithm? What if the real problem is that you are trying to be social instead of becoming unmistakably yourself?
In this Mick Unplugged re-release, Mick Hunt sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk, known worldwide as Gary Vee, for a direct conversation about interest media, authentic personal branding, accountability, gratitude, and the discipline required to build something that lasts.
Gary explains why intent matters more than tactics, why audiences can sense when a creator is only trying to sell, and why the only niche no one else can copy is you. He also shares how staying close to culture helps him see shifts before they become obvious, why blaming other people keeps us stuck, and why winning should make us more compassionate, not more bitter.
This is not a conversation about shortcuts. It is a reminder to get back in the trenches, live within your values, protect your energy, and take responsibility for the life and work you want to build.
Note: This episode contains explicit language. Lees meerIn this episode, you will learn:
- Why social platforms are increasingly organized around interests instead of existing social connections
- Why genuine intent can matter more than a perfect content strategy
- How staying close to culture helps Gary form original points of view
- Why the only truly defensible personal-brand niche is being fully yourself
- How accountability changes your relationship with money, work, and
opportunity
- Why limiting negative inputs can help you rebuild your energy
- How to respond when people close to you struggle with your success
- Why Gary believes collecting and live social shopping will keep growingChapters
00:00 Interest media and the conversation ahead
00:30 Gary Vee joins Mick
02:52 Gary's deeper purpose and the power of gratitude
05:36 Consistency through cultural and political change
08:32 Why intent matters more than the transaction
10:56 Measuring 45 times before cutting once
14… -
Darryl Strawberry: Another Life
10 september 2026 · 38 min
Darryl Strawberry's story is bigger than baseball. Lees meer
In this deeply personal episode of Mick Unplugged, Darryl opens up about the mother who raised five children alone, the pain of an absent and abusive father, the cost of success without healing, and the freedom he found through forgiveness.
Darryl shares why talent and fame could not repair what was broken inside him. He reflects on addiction, consequences, discipline, ministry, marriage, and the moment he finally forgave his father at his bedside. Mick also shares how Darryl's book, Another Life, helped him process his own relationship with his late father and begin thinking differently about forgiveness and self-forgiveness.
The conversation moves from baseball to faith, but the central lesson is universal: your past does not disqualify your purpose, and the way you start does not have to determine the way you finish.
IN THIS EPISODE
• Why Darryl's mother became the foundation of his resilience
• How proving his father wrong fueled his early ambition
• Why success exposes who you are
• The consequences Darryl could not outrun
• How forgiving his father gave him freedom
• Why Tracy's boundaries helped redirect his life
• The difference between talent, identity, and purpose
• What Another Life reveals about healing and faith
• Why Darryl believes it is not how you start, but how you finish
• The legacy he wants to leave for his children
MICK'S BOOK OFFER
Mick is purchasing 50 copies of Darryl Strawberry's new book, Another Life, for members of the Mick Unplugged community.
To request a copy, message Mick the words "another life" on LinkedIn or Instagram. The offer is limited to the first 50 eligible responses and is available while supplies last.
BOOK
Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher
Darryl Strawberry
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Another-Life/Darryl-Strawberry/9781637748848
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
02:16 The Becaus…
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Daymond John: Why the Best Deals Are the Ones You Walk Away From
7 september 2026 · 47 min
The most powerful move in business is not always saying yes. Sometimes it is knowing when to walk away. Lees meer
Daymond John joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about the decisions that shape a business and a life. The FUBU founder and Shark Tank investor explains why his deeper purpose is “because I should,” how mentors can save us from painful mistakes and why growing too quickly can quietly destroy what an entrepreneur worked to build.
Daymond also opens up about his health journey after cancer and the discipline of making gradual, sustainable change. He shares how he thinks about investing through his “My Money, Homie” framework, why he supports artists without asking for anything in return and how a five-to-seven-person filter helps him decide what belongs on social media.
This episode is a sharp, funny and personal masterclass in protecting your time, choosing the right people and refusing opportunities that no longer respect your value. Daymond’s message is clear: get narrow, go deep and keep the power to walk away.
IN THIS EPISODE
• Why Daymond’s deeper purpose is “because I should”
• How dyslexia, business and cancer shaped his perspective
• Why mentors and mistakes are the two great teachers
• How scaling too fast can weaken a business
• The difference between purpose-driven and return-driven investments
• Why Daymond supports artists without asking for anything back
• The five-to-seven-person filter behind his social media decisions
• Why too many opportunities can become a liability
• How walking away protects your value
• Why a small, trusted inner circle can outperform a massive network
CHAPTERS
00:00 Mentors or mistakes
01:38 Meet Daymond John
03:38 “Because I should”
06:04 What Daymond had to overcome
08:13 Fasting, discipline and gradual change
12:09 Cancer and the decision to study health
16:44 Why mentors matter
20:15 Don’t scale too fast
23:50 “My Money, Homie” and smarter investing
28:47 Supporting artists with no strings…
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Kier Gaines: Why Healing Starts With the Truth You Keep Avoiding
3 september 2026 · 51 min
Mick sits down with licensed therapist, mental health advocate and author Kier Gaines for a direct conversation about emotional honesty, uncomfortable truths and the courage to begin. Lees meer
Kier explains why saying "you hurt my feelings" can be an act of strength, especially for men who have been conditioned to hide emotion. He and Mick unpack avoidance, awareness, curiosity, boundaries, professional value and why credentials still matter in a culture that often rewards visibility over expertise.
Kier also shares the barber shop conversation that helped him recognize his mind as a valuable tool for change. He explains why his book, It All Starts When You Do, rejects shallow positivity and invites readers into the real work of self-healing.
This conversation is honest, practical and deeply human. It is about telling the truth, protecting what matters and taking the first step before you feel completely ready.
IN THIS EPISODE
• Why emotional honesty is a form of authority, not weakness
• How to move beyond surface-level wellness
• Why awareness and curiosity are the first two steps toward change
• The connection between boundaries, business and self-respect
• Why credentials create accountability, safety and protection
• How attention and notoriety can weaken integrity
• The barber shop conversation that changed Kier's view of his work
• Why "walking away from what does not serve you" can become avoidance
• The meaning of an authentic and consistent legacy
MICK'S BOOK OFFER
As discussed in the episode, the first 20 people who message Mick with the words "I'm starting" will receive a copy of It All Starts When You Do, purchased by Mick. Available while the offer remains open and supplies last.
CHAPTERS
00:00 The Attention Economy and Integrity
00:24 Meet Kier Gaines
01:00 Saying "You Hurt My Feelings"
04:46 The Because: Because Why Not?
07:01 Why Surface-Level Wellness Is Not Enough
10:14 It All Starts When You Do
14:12 Two Ways to Start Healing
18:1…
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Faith Over Fear: Governor Wes Moore on Service, Patriotism & Moral Leadership
27 augustus 2026 · 44 min
Discussion about service, patriotism, faith, leadership, technology, and the responsibility to leave no one behind. Lees meer
Governor Moore explains why "service saved me," beginning with the mentors, teachers, coaches, ministers, aunties, and uncles who saw his potential before he could see it himself. He reflects on losing his father at age three, wearing handcuffs by eleven, being sent to military school, and eventually discovering that leadership is not about individual achievement. It is about lifting as we climb.
The conversation then turns to the meaning of American patriotism. Governor Moore draws a sharp distinction between patriotism and nationalism, arguing that faith, not fear, is the foundation of a more perfect union. He and Mick also discuss Maryland's public-safety progress, service-year opportunities, apprenticeships, cannabis pardons, energy affordability, AI, data-center accountability, and why technological progress must include guardrails and public trust.
IN THIS EPISODE
00:00 Mick’s most important conversation
02:05 Governor Moore’s “Because”: service saved me
04:39 Running away from military school
06:37 The Unplugged Truth: a speech that moved Mick’s family
08:41 Faith, fear, patriotism, and nationalism
13:22 God’s grace and moral leadership
15:21 Hot Takes: Maryland’s progress through collaboration
20:49 Energy affordability, AI, and data-center guardrails
28:55 The Room: you belong because the room needs you
33:11 The Unplugged Five and a legacy of compassion
FEATURED SPEECH
Watch Governor Wes Moore's July 4, 2026 address, "The Work of Patriotism":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfLQy82IsWo
Read the official transcript:
https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/work-patriotism
Connect & Discover Governor Wes Moore:
Website: theofficeofgovernorwesmoore.com
LinkedIn: @iamwesmoore
X: @iamwesmoore
Facebook: @iamwesmoore
Instagram: @iamwesmoore
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mi…
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Giada DeLaurentiis: The Secret Ingredient is Joy
20 augustus 2026 · 37 min
What if one of the most important ingredients in a healthy life isn’t actually on your plate? Lees meer
In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick Hunt sits down with Emmy Award-winning chef, bestselling author, restaurateur, and Giadzy founder Giada De Laurentiis for a joyful conversation about food, family, entrepreneurship, community, and la dolce vita.
Giada shares how a shy young chef learned to tell stories to millions of viewers, why audience feedback transformed her into a stronger teacher, and how her desire to cut through the noise of the food industry became the foundation for Giadzy. She explains what makes high-quality Italian ingredients different, why Giadzy’s gluten-free pasta surprised even her, and how small Italian producers helped inspire a growing lifestyle marketplace.
The conversation goes beyond cooking. Giada explains why the people at your table can affect how you experience and digest a meal, why joy and connection belong in the conversation about longevity, and how she is bringing her businesses together through her new Chicagoland restaurant, Sorella by Giada.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• How Giada overcame shyness and learned to teach through storytelling
• Why repetition and audience feedback are essential to becoming a great teacher
• How Giadzy grew from a blog into a marketplace for Italian pantry products
• What makes bronze-cut, slow-dried Italian pasta different
• Why Giadzy’s gluten-free pasta became an unexpected breakthrough product
• How stress, connection, and the people at your table shape the experience of food
• Why la dolce vita is more than indulgence—it is part of health and longevity
• How Giada is connecting her media, product, and restaurant businesses
LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION
ACTIVE LISTENER OFFER 1 — The next 20 people who DM “GIADZY” to @mickunplugged on Instagram receive a $100 Giadzy gift card.
ACTIVE LISTENER OFFER 2 — The first 20 people who DM “SUPER ITALIAN” to @mickunplugged on Instagram receive a cop…
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You're Not Burned Out - You're Bored Out: Mitch Matthews on Reigniting Your Fire
13 augustus 2026 · 55 min
What if the exhaustion you feel isn’t burnout at all? Lees meer
Success coach, keynote speaker, and Dream Think Do host Mitch Matthews joins Mick Hunt for a conversation about purpose, clarity,
action, and the hidden problem affecting many high achievers: being “bored out.”Mitch shares how a bad-fit corporate promotion began extinguishing his fire, how his wife helped him recognize the work he was born to do, and how he built a coaching and speaking business that surpassed his
income in just five months. He also explains why a small injection of novelty can restore energy, why dreaming bigger must be paired with experimentation, and how to move from comparison and fear toward learning and love.In this episode:
• Mitch’s “Because”: loving God, loving his family, and encouraging encouragers
• The clues that revealed his calling
• Why action separates great from exceptional
• Building an “authority bridge” without blowing up your life
• The difference between burnout and being bored out
• How 15 minutes of novelty can reignite your fire
• Why successful people struggle to name their own dreams
• Giving yourself permission to experiment
• Reframing imposter syndrome as “winner’s syndrome”
• The five-word prayer that changed how Mitch entered important rooms
LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION
FREE TRAINING — Make Time for Your Next Chapter
Visit: https://www.mitchmatthews.com/time
Use code: MICK
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Meet Mitch Matthews
01:39 - Mitch’s “Because” and encouraging encouragers
08:39 - The bad-fit job that extinguished his fire
14:31 - Building an authority bridge without blowing up your life
16:34 -Burnout vs. “bored out”
23:13 - Dream bigger and act on it
27:08 - Clarity, permission, and experimentation
34:27 - The room that transformed comparison into learning
40:54 - The Unplugged Five
45:50 - Generosity, legacy, and Mitch’s free gift
Connect & Discover Mitch Matthews:
Website: mitchmatthews.com
Free Training: mitchmatthews.com/time. U…
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Confidence Comes Last: Nick Koumalatsos on Leadership, Purpose & 8-Figure Brands
6 augustus 2026 · 53 min
What happens when the uniform comes off but the mission is far from over? Lees meer
In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick Hunt sits down with Marine Raider veteran, entrepreneur, author, and leadership strategist Nicholas Koumalatsos for a direct conversation about purpose, identity, leadership, confidence, fatherhood, and building businesses that create real impact.
Nicholas shares how childhood scarcity shaped his “because,” why military leadership does not automatically translate to every part of civilian life, and what it took to rebuild his identity after service. He also explains the formula he lives by, commitment plus courage creates confidence and challenges the online leadership industry to show its receipts.
The conversation moves from the hard truths of veteran transition to the origin and extraordinary growth of Johnny Slicks, Nicholas’s work through The Agoge, and the ideas behind Excommunicated Warrior and Reclaiming the Man Within.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why confidence is the result, not the prerequisite of taking action
• How commitment creates the courage required to move forward
• Why leadership must be adapted to the person, environment, and mission
• What veterans often lose when the uniform and built-in mission disappear
• How Nicholas turned an unexpected moment into the foundation of Johnny Slicks
• Why defining “done” and reverse-engineering phase lines improves execution
• How presence, fatherhood, and legacy reshape the meaning of success
CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction
01:13 - Nicholas’s “because” and the roots of his mission
04:44 - Learning leadership in the Marine Corps
05:24 - Why military leadership can be one-dimensional
10:22 - The Unplugged Truth: the uniform is gone, but the mission isn’t over
11:29 - The biggest myth about leadership
18:16 - Hot Takes
19:12 - Why confidence comes last
21:50 - Commitment + courage = confidence
22:32 - AI, online gurus, and showing the receipts
25:08 - Partnership, family, and building …
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Called to Act: André Holland on Purpose, Community, and Creating Room for Others
30 juli 2026 · 38 min
André Holland has built an acclaimed career through performances in Moonlight, Selma, The Knick, High
Flying Bird, and more—but his deepest calling reaches far beyond the screen.
In this conversation with Mick Hunt, André shares how his parents and his Bessemer, Alabama
community taught him to move with integrity, care for his gifts, and stay shoulder to shoulder with the
people who helped him flourish. He opens up about the teacher who made him feel truly seen, the
responsibility he feels to create opportunities for emerging voices, and why commitment is the word he
hopes will define his life. Lees meerAndré also discusses They Fight, his preparation as a character actor, Harper Road, and the Holland
Project’s restoration of Bessemer’s historic Lincoln Theatre.
This is a conversation about calling, craft, second chances, community, and planting trees whose fruit
may belong to the next generation.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why André describes storytelling and service as a calling
• How his parents and Alabama roots shaped his civic responsibility
• Why opportunity—not a lack of talent—often separates people from their potential
• The NYU classroom moment that changed André’s view of his own stories
• How he approaches character work with research, vulnerability, and faith
• Why They Fight resonated with him as a story of mentorship and second chances
• How the Holland Project and Harper Road are creating room for new voices
• Why “committed” is the word André wants attached to his legacyLISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION
Watch They Fight on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/movie/they-fight-a1bba82e-2550-4ffc-81df-
b973b9c85339
Discover the Holland Project and Lincoln Theatre restoration:
https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2024/10/renovating-bessemers-lincoln-theatre-andre-hollands-next-
act/CHAPTERS
Timing is grounded in the supplied transcript. Reconfirm against the final uploaded master after
correcting the intro-name issue.
• 00:00 — Welcome to Mick Unplugged
• 01:44 — André’s B… -
Unfiltered Truth: Comedy's Power with Leslie Jones
23 juli 2026 · 43 min
Don't apologize for who you are... because you were made that way for a reason. Lees meer
Comedian Leslie Jones, renowned for her groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live, shares how embracing her authentic self propelled her career. This episode delivers valuable insights on personal branding and navigating the entertainment industry with conviction.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- 3 key mindsets for creative success
- Why Hollywood resilience is essential
- 5 strategies for maintaining authenticity
- How comedy connects 2 different worlds
- Building a personal brand foundationQUOTES THAT HIT
"You have to stay true to who you are, because that’s what makes you unique." - Leslie Jones
"The biggest lesson SNL taught me was how to trust my own voice." - Leslie Jones
"Failure isn't the end, it's just a different way to get where you need to be." - Leslie JonesCHAPTERS
00:00 Leslie Jones' Path to SNL
07:15 The Art of Stand-Up Comedy
15:30 Authenticity in Entertainment
22:45 Navigating Hollywood Challenges
30:00 Leslie's Creative Process
38:10 The FCKRY Podcast Journey
45:00 Future Vision for Black Women
52:00 Leslie Shares Closing ThoughtsQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How does Leslie Jones maintain authenticity in her career?
A: Leslie Jones emphasizes staying true to herself by not apologizing for her unique perspective and embracing the qualities that set her apart, believing this authenticity is what resonates with audiences.Q: What key lesson did Leslie Jones learn from Saturday Night Live?
A: She learned the importance of trusting her own voice and comedic instincts, which allowed her to develop and deliver material that truly reflected her personality and experiences.Q: Why is resilience crucial for success in the entertainment industry?
A: Leslie Jones explains that resilience is vital because the industry involves numerous rejections and setbacks, and the ability to persist through these challenges is what ultimately leads to breakthroughs and sustained success.C…
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Why Not Swing Big: Unlocking Your Undeniable Potential with Kwame Christian
16 juli 2026 · 54 min
Because the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations. Lees meer
Mick Hunt welcomes Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, who reveals how to approach difficult conversations to change your business and life. This episode will equip you with a new negotiation framework.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The 3 Core Skills for better negotiation
- How to avoid the "why" question trap
- Building the "undeniable" personal brand
- Why the entire sales process is negotiation
- The power of Compassionate Curiosity frameworkQUOTES THAT HIT
"Because the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations." - Kwame Christian
"There's a big difference between being liked and being respected. Those are not the same thing." - Kwame Christian
"My goal isn't to be good, my goal isn't to be recognized, my goal is to be undeniable." - Kwame Christian
"The harder we push, the harder they push back." - Kwame ChristianCHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome Kwame Christian to Mick Unplugged
02:18 Kwame Christian's Life Purpose: "Because"
04:54 Overcoming People-Pleasing With Mentorship
10:02 Why Avoiding "Why" Questions Improves Conversations
13:55 The Importance of Deep Knowledge and Credentials
19:48 Empathy and Humility in Negotiation
24:10 Convincing Others By Empowering Self-Persuasion
31:39 Compassionate Curiosity Negotiation Framework
35:23 The Origin of Kwame Christian's Negotiation Journey
37:46 Big Swings Only: New Podcast Announcement
43:27 Rapid Fire: Cooking, Loyalty, and InspirationQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How does a leader improve their negotiation skills?
A: You need to recognize that negotiation requires three core skills: becoming a better listener, asking better questions, and managing your own and others' emotions.Q: Why should leaders avoid asking "why" questions in difficult conversations?
A: The word "why" is often associated with judgment and criticism, triggering defensive responses and preventing open communication. … -
Greatness Isn’t Accidental: Intentional Living with Sanya Richards-Ross
9 juli 2026 · 42 min
FIRE LINE: "Being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented." Lees meer
Sanya Richards-Ross, an Olympic Gold medalist and track and field icon, shares her leadership insights on intentionality, the 400-meter race strategy, and her impactful work with mothers. This episode will equip business leaders with actionable frameworks for sustained excellence.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- 3 "Because Statements" for daily drive
- Sanya Richards-Ross' 4 Ps strategy for success
- Impact of early mentorship on an athlete
- Balancing physical and mental discipline
- Why "MommiNation Gives" supports black momsQUOTES THAT HIT
"No, baby. Do you really want to be great?" - Sanya Richards-Ross
"I want to always see myself beyond being a track and field athlete." - Sanya Richards-Ross
"You're impacting the life of a family." - Sanya Richards-RossCHAPTERS
00:00 Defining Sanya's Three Becausals
03:06 Early Beginnings of "Because I Can"
07:30 Unplugged Truth about 400m Dominance
19:00 Intentionality Beyond Track and Field
22:07 The Vision for Beyond the Curve
24:15 Dad's Car Conversation: The Greatness Room
31:10 Mission of Mommy Nation Gives
34:58 Unplugged Five Rapid FireQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What was Sanya Richards-Ross's strategy for winning the 400-meter race?
A: Sanya Richards-Ross utilized the "four P's" strategy: Push, Pace, Position, and Poise, along with a silent "Pray" for the final hundred meters, which she also applies to life.Q: How did Sanya Richards-Ross prepare for her career transition after track and field?
A: Sanya Richards-Ross was intentional about her transition for two years before retirement, thinking about how her athletic skills would serve her next, leading her to pursuits in television, writing, and family.Q: What is the main goal of Sanya Richards-Ross's nonprofit, MommiNation Gives?
A: MommiNation Gives supports Black moms on their motherhood journey, helping homeless mothers and families affected by the black maternal mortali… -
Unleash Your Power: Integrating Life & Work with Tim Rexius
2 juli 2026 · 51 min
I wouldn't have the skillset I needed had any of that happened, and I would have squandered it. Lees meer
In this Mick Unplugged episode, entrepreneur Tim Rexius, CEO of Rexius Nutrition, reveals how his "DAD" philosophy drives successful business growth. Tim promises to share crucial lessons on leadership, wealth generation, and family integration in entrepreneurship.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Tim Rexius' "DAD" philosophy
- Work-life integration for entrepreneurs
- Business growth strategies
- The value of lifelong learning
- The benefits of creatineQUOTES THAT HIT
"There is no work-life balance. That doesn't exist, it's a myth. But I've made my life my work and I've brought my kids and my family into every step of the process." - Tim Rexius
"I was like, you know, I don't think the answer is having more employees. I think the answer is having more partners." - Tim Rexius
"The average protein snack can take two hours to digest this popcorn six minutes." - Tim RexiusCHAPTERS
00:00 Tim Rexius' "Because"
02:12 Entrepreneurial Mindset Philosophy
04:12 More Partners, Fewer Employees
11:30 Tim Rexius' Business Strategy
21:54 Rexius Nutrition Products
25:23 Building Omaha Protein Popcorn
39:02 A Life-Changing Room
41:18 Rapid Fire Hot FiveQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What is Tim Rexius's "DAD" philosophy for entrepreneurs?
A: Tim Rexius's "DAD" philosophy stands for Discipline, Action, and Dedication, which he emphasizes are crucial for entrepreneurial success and overcoming challenges.Q: How did Tim Rexius develop Omaha Protein Popcorn?
A: Tim Rexius developed Omaha Protein Popcorn by experimenting with 600 batches to create a high-quality, protein-rich snack that could appeal to children and athletes, and later adapted its marketing based on consumer feedback.Q: What is Tim Rexius's advice on work-life balance for entrepreneurs?
A: Tim Rexius believes "work-life balance" is a myth, advocating instead for "work-life integration" by involving family in business endeavors… -
Rewire Your Brain: Subconscious Blocks Removed by Brandon Epstein
25 juni 2026 · 40 min
To lead others, you must first master yourself, that's the ultimate success code. Lees meer
High-performance coach Brandon Epstein, author of "The Success Code," helps professionals unlock their peak performance. This episode reveals how to rewire your identity for sustained success.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The 3 pillars of performance identity
- How to access flow states for peak results
- 5 strategies for subconscious block removal
- The role of mindset in elite achievement
- Actionable steps to create your success codeQUOTES THAT HIT
"Your identity dictates your reality." - Brandon Epstein
"Performance isn't just what you do, it's who you are." - Brandon Epstein
"Subconscious blocks are often the invisible ceiling for success." - Brandon EpsteinCHAPTERS
00:00 Unlocking Brandon Epstein's Success Code
05:15 Rewiring Identity for Peak Performance
12:30 Accessing Flow States in Business
20:05 Removing Subconscious Blocks Effectively
28:40 The 3 Pillars of High Performance
35:00 Practical Steps for Identity Shifts
42:10 Sustained Excellence PrinciplesQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What is the primary role of identity in high performance?
A: Identity defines your capabilities and beliefs, fundamentally shaping your actions and results. If you identify as someone who achieves, you will act accordingly.Q: How can entrepreneurs enter a flow state consistently?
A: Consistently entering a flow state involves optimizing your environment, having clear goals, and honing your skills to meet challenges, allowing for deep, effortless focus.Q: Why is it crucial to address subconscious blocks for leaders?
A: Subconscious blocks often unknowingly limit a leader's potential by creating self-sabotaging patterns and preventing them from operating at their highest level of effectiveness.Connect & Discover Brandon:
Instagram: @brandonepstein
LinkedIn: Brandon Epstein
Website: thebrandonepstein.com
Book: The Success Code
YouTube: @RewiredMethod🔥 Ready to Lead Different & Win Bigger?…
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Block the BS: Mastering Peace and Purpose with Wallo267
18 juni 2026 · 48 min
Winning ain't for everybody because people aren't willing to put in the work and discipline. Lees meer
Mick Hunt welcomes entrepreneur and content creator Wallo267 (Wallace Peeples) to discuss self-mastery, strategic decision-making, and why peace of mind should be your ultimate goal. This episode challenges traditional notions of success and offers insights on living authentically.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The critical role of "no" in personal growth
- How 5-10 "yeses" can change your life
- Why peace of mind matters more than loyalty
- Understanding the biggest business in the world: fear
- The importance of auditing your inner circleQUOTES THAT HIT
"I started committing crimes because I wanted to be accepted by some people that I thought was cool, that was followers themselves." - Wallo267 (Wallace Peeples)
"Nothing supersede a good nap. That good recharge when you go to sleep." - Wallo267 (Wallace Peeples)
"You gotta have people around that understand you're crazy and believe me you're crazy." - Wallo267 (Wallace Peeples)CHAPTERS
00:00 The Push to Help
02:06 Discovering Your Calling Later in Life
04:33 Letting Go of Old Beliefs
06:56 The Importance of Peace
11:09 Health is Wealth
15:16 Why Winning Ain't for Everybody
19:38 Block Out the Bullshit and Fear
21:36 Auditing Your Circle and Relationships
28:47 No is a Complete Sentence
32:07 The Power of a Few Key Yeses
34:22 Yes to You, No to Them
36:01 The Life-Changing Rooms
41:50 Rapid Fire: Unplugged FiveQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How does saying "no" impact one's life and personal development?
A: Saying "no" transforms your life, even if it brings initial bickering. Establishing "no" early helps younger people, changing everything for them.Q: What is Wallo267's perspective on "winning ain't for everybody"?
A: Wallo267 believes winning isn't for everyone because it requires significant discipline and work that many are unwilling to put in. Successful people often seek the "boring" monotony of consistent effort… -
No One’s Healed: The Truth About Purpose from Jess Hilarious
11 juni 2026 · 42 min
FIRE LINE: You're never going to be fully healed from everything, but a work in progress is what you want. Lees meer
Jess Hilarious, the dynamic stand-up comedian and co-host of The Breakfast Club, shares her journey of parenting, purpose, and professional evolution. Dive into this episode to understand how resilience defines her legacy and the raw truths behind her success.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- 3 key reasons for Jess Hilarious's because
- 6 months to form a bond with her son
- 2 Baltimore venues that define her career
- Why "dummy" is a term of endearment
- The importance of a supportive parenting villageQUOTES THAT HIT
"You're never going to be fully healed from everything, but a work in progress is what you want." - Jessica "Jess Hilarious" Moore
"Legacy is one of the most important things to ever leave behind." - Jessica "Jess Hilarious" Moore
"Parenting is one of the hardest things. It's just the most challenging thing you could ever do. But it's complex and it's complicated, but it's beautiful." - Jessica "Jess Hilarious" MooreCHAPTERS
00:00 Defining Jess Hilarious's Because
01:03 The Shared Parenting Purpose
03:49 Joy Over Happiness in Parenting
06:25 Jess Hilarious's Breakdown Moment
13:49 Fear and the Pregnancy Announcement
22:34 No One is Fully Healed
25:00 The Baltimore "Dummy" Hot Take
27:19 Martin Lawrence and The RoomQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How did Jess Hilarious connect with her son emotionally?
A: Jess Hilarious describes a moment six months after her son's birth, picking him up while crying, when she felt a deep emotional and mental connection, realizing he was her pride and joy.Q: What was the pivotal moment for Jess Hilarious's stand-up career?
A: The pivotal moment was performing at the Wells Fargo Arena in Baltimore City in 2016, opening for Martin Lawrence in front of 13,000 people, which confirmed her path in stand-up comedy.Q: Why is "dummy" a term of endearment in Baltimore?
A: "Dummy" became a term of endearment in Baltimore sta… -
Fearless Leadership: Gridiron to Greatness with Jared Allen
4 juni 2026 · 41 min
Leadership isn’t about being the loudest; it’s about inspiring commitment through genuine connection and relentless effort. Lees meer
Learn leadership from NFL Hall of Famer, Jared Allen, as he shares insights from his Pro Bowl career about thriving under pressure. This episode reveals how elite athletes translate gridiron success into business and personal development.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The 2011 season's 22-sack mindset
- Building a Hall of Fame career foundation
- Jared Allen's key leadership principles
- Mental toughness strategies for entrepreneurs
- Honoring military families through philanthropyQUOTES THAT HIT
"You have to be a little bit crazy, but you also have to be calculated." - Jared Allen
"Leadership is not just about telling people what to do, it's about showing them and earning their trust." - Jared Allen
"There's no substitute for hard work and understanding your competition." - Jared AllenCHAPTERS
00:00 From Idaho State to NFL Legend
07:15 The 22-Sack Season Breakdown
14:30 Leadership Lessons from the Locker Room
21:55 Transitioning NFL Grit to Business
28:10 Jared Allen's Philanthropic Mission
35:00 Sustaining Excellence Beyond the Field
42:20 Building a Brand, Full Ryed BourbonQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How did Jared Allen approach the record-breaking 2011 NFL season?
A: Jared Allen combined relentless physical preparation with a deep understanding of his opponents' tendencies, constantly pushing for improvement even when nearing the single-season sack record.Q: What are Jared Allen's top leadership principles?
A: Jared Allen emphasizes leading by example, fostering genuine relationships, and empowering teammates, believing that true leadership earns respect rather than demands it.Q: How does Jared Allen maintain mental toughness in his post-NFL career?
A: Jared Allen applies the same discipline and strategic thinking he used in football to his business ventures and personal life, focusing on continuous learning and impactful contribut… -
How to Take it Personal and Win in Business with David Grutman
28 mei 2026 · 34 min
My wife and family are special, and I want the world to see how special they are.
Entrepreneur David Grutman, co-owner of Groot Hospitality, shares how to build a lasting legacy and why nurturing relationships is key to success. He explains why focusing on intellectual property and an exit strategy, even if you never plan to sell, are critical for any business leader. Lees meerWHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The critical importance of building an ecosystem around your business
- How David Grutman uses AI in his hospitality ventures
- Why your intellectual property and name are everything
- The one thing David is most proud of to date
- Why building an exit strategy for your business is crucialQUOTES THAT HIT
"If I see a guest that I know that we take care of all the time doing their birthday party at another venue and not ours. I'm upset." - David Grutman
"Don't being a gatekeeper. I hate these gatekeeper people." - David Grutman
"You should always build a company that that's why IP is very important that you're not going to have a mess if you do exit trying to tie up all these people that are part of your IP." - David GrutmanCHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome David Grutman
01:32 David's Entrepreneurial Because and Next Steps
02:36 Groot Hospitality's Las Vegas Expansion
04:41 Taking Things Personally in Business
06:37 Building Your Business Ecosystem
09:53 David Grutman's Unique Value Proposition
15:47 The Importance of Being in the Right Rooms
19:53 Your Name and IP are Everything
22:22 The Exit Strategy Mindset
25:51 Mick's Rapid Fire Five with DavidQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What does David Grutman mean by "Take It Personal"?
A: David Grutman applies "Take It Personal" to his business, meaning he fully immerses himself in the customer experience, observing competitor venues, and ensuring his team provides the best service to keep guests loyal.Q: How can entrepreneurs build a strong ecosystem around their business?
A: Entrepreneurs build a strong ecosystem by focusing on relatio… -
Service Above Self: A Memorial Day Tribute to the Heroes Who Defended Our Freedom
25 mei 2026 · 59 min
You don't rise to the occasion, you rise or fall to your level of preparation. Lees meer
This Memorial Day episode features reflections from figures like Chef Robert Irvine and Michelle Mace-Curren on military service and leadership. Delve into the deep driving forces behind dedication and self-sacrifice, exploring the critical role of preparation in overcoming impossible challenges.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- Chef Robert Irvine's mission to help those lost
- The reason behind a 30-year Air Force veteran's call for help
- Why micromanaging doesn't constitute leadership
- 4 principles for building strong, loyal teams
- The significance of 1% of the US population serving in the militaryQUOTES THAT HIT
"Because there are people out there that need my help." - Memorial Day
"If you're worried about something right now that your worry will not affect, you're wasting your energy." - Memorial Day
"My because is simply because we're temporary." - Memorial DayCHAPTERS
00:03 Mick Unplugged: Your Because
00:46 Chef Irvine's Because: Helping Others
02:12 Tough Love and Relatability
05:48 Overcoming Impossible: Start with Chapter One
07:29 Empathetic Leadership: Beyond Micromanagement
10:51 Military Service: A Daughter-in-Law's Journey
17:03 My Because: A Free Nation
22:43 Robert J. Ono's Because: Family
28:02 Bin Laden Raid: The 90-Minute Flight
32:31 Preparation: Master the Basics
33:23 CZ Lopez: Purpose and Misfortunes
43:17 Michelle Mace-Curren: Legacy and LeadershipQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What does Chef Robert Irvine consider his "because"?
A: Chef Robert Irvine says his "because" is that there are people out there who need his help, and he uses his platform for the betterment of others who are less fortunate.Q: How does Michelle Mace-Curren define her "because" as an entrepreneur after military service?
A: Michelle Mace-Curren finds her "because" in creating her legacy now, seeing the tangible inspiration in front of her eyes when she gives keynote speeches, and knowing… -
Stop Being Forgettable: The Secret to Lasting Impact with Jefrë
21 mei 2026 · 45 min
The story will keep you there. Lees meer
This Mick Unplugged episode features JEFRË, a Public Artist and Creative Director. He explores how pivotal life experiences and a singular vision shaped his career, leading him to create monumental public art around the globe. Discover JEFRË’s journey from urban designer to iconic artist.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- JEFRË's journey after a 35-year-old heart attack
- How to become a brand-collaborating artist
- The significance behind "Victor" in the Philippines
- Why brands seek creative leaders like JEFRË
- Developing art from community insightsQUOTES THAT HIT
"The story will keep you there." - JEFRË
"I'm getting cities and nations together to create icons or moments that they can identify with their own culture." - JEFRË
"The key is, is really engineering. That's where it is." - JEFRËCHAPTERS
00:00 Mick Unplugged Introduction
02:30 JEFRË on legacy and creation
06:51 JEFRË's Filipino-American origin story
09:42 Heart attack, career change to artist
13:47 JEFRË's process for designing art
20:06 JEFRË on personal connections
24:43 Branding and entrepreneurship with JEFRË
31:54 New projects and Shark ArtQUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What motivated JEFRË to become an artist after a career in urban design?
A: JEFRË’s near-death experience from a heart attack at 35 prompted him to pursue creating impactful art immediately, shifting from long-term urban planning projects to direct artistic creation.Q: How does JEFRË ensure his monumental public artworks resonate with communities?
A: JEFRË emphasizes listening to the community to understand their desires, then interpreting that input into his art. He believes the storyline derived from community engagement is more important than the scale of the artwork.Q: What is "Shark Art" and how does Damon John support artists like JEFRË?
A: Shark Art is Damon John's initiative to support artists by providing management and business guidance. Damon helps artists like JEFRË navigate commercial as… -
Stop Following Your Parents' Money Rules with Haley Sacks
14 mei 2026 · 29 min
Haley Sacks — better known as Mrs. Dow Jones — is the financial educator helping millions of people stop being weird about money and start building real wealth. Named Creator of the Year by Adweek, featured on Fortune's 40 Under 40, and dubbed by The Wall Street Journal as “the financial guru millennials listen to,” Haley has built a movement around making personal finance feel less like punishment and more like power. She's also the author of the brand-new book Future Rich Person: The New Rules for Building Wealth — a modernized, judgment-free playbook for anyone who's tired of the old advice that doesn't work anymore. This conversation is a masterclass in mindset, money, and why the old American Dream needs a complete rewrite. Lees meer
Takeaways:
• The Old American Dream Is Dead — Use the New Rules: Your parents' money playbook was built for a world that no longer exists. Pensions, affordable homes, single-employer careers, and predictable student debt are gone. Haley breaks down why financial literacy in 2026 has to include AI, business structures like LLCs and S-corps, retirement vehicles for entrepreneurs, and the negotiation tactics nobody taught you. If you're still playing by 1985 rules, you're already losing.
• Money Magnifies Who You Already Are: There's no shame in wanting to be rich — money is just a tool that amplifies your character. If you're a giver, money lets you give bigger. If you want to take care of your family, build your community, or leave a job that doesn't serve you, wealth is the fuel that makes it possible. Drop the guilt, own the goal, and start building a financial life that matches the impact you want to have.
• Money Etiquette Is a Wealth Skill: Money is energy — and how you carry yourself with it determines how it flows back to you. Holding too tight, nickel-and-diming, or being tone-deaf about other people's situations doesn't just hurt your relationships, it actually slows your wealth-building. Move with grace, lead with humor, communica… -
How to Keep Going When Life Breaks You with Rickey Smiley
7 mei 2026 · 56 min
Rickey Smiley is a nationally beloved stand-up comedian, award-winning syndicated radio host, television personality, bestselling author, and one of the most authentic voices in entertainment today. Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, Rickey first captured America’s attention through his legendary prank phone calls and breakout performances on BET’s Comic View before building a media empire that includes The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, heard in over 70 cities nationwide. A two-time Marconi Award winner, Rickey has starred in multiple television series and specials, including his critically acclaimed Hulu comedy special Foolish. Beyond the laughs, Rickey is a devoted father, grandfather, mentor, and man of deep faith who uses his platform to uplift communities and inspire others. His bestselling memoir, Sideshow: Living with Loss and Moving Forward with Faith, chronicles his journey through unimaginable grief—including the loss of his eldest son Brandon—and stands as a powerful testament to resilience, service, and the healing power of purpose. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Give Your Kids What You Had, Not What You Didn’t: Rickey Smiley is unapologetic about raising his children and grandchildren with the same discipline, structure, and old-fashioned home training his grandparents gave him. No negotiations, no iPads as pacifiers, no coddling. In a world where everything right is being called wrong and everything wrong is being called right, Rickey stands firm—because the foundation that built him still works. If you liked who you became, give your kids the blueprint that made you, not the things you missed out on.
Men, Put Your Ego Down and Get Help: Rickey Smiley performed comedy shows while crying backstage. He went back on the radio three days after burying his son because eight million listeners needed him. But behind closed doors, he sat on the steps of his kitchen and cried for days. This conversation is a direct message to men—you cannot be too big, too proud, or too suc…
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Unstoppable Spirit: World Series to World Traveler with Jeremy Guthrie
4 mei 2026 · 39 min
Jeremy Guthrie is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who commanded the mound for over a decade with the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, and Kansas City Royals. A Stanford graduate and former BYU standout, Jeremy was an American League Rookie of the Year candidate in 2007, represented Team USA in the 2009 World Baseball Classic, and started Games 3 and 7 of the 2014 World Series before earning a World Series ring in 2015. Off the field, Jeremy serves as an MLB Commissioner’s Ambassador, traveling to over 60 countries across six continents to grow the game globally. He is also the owner of Custom Cleats, the pioneering company that converts any sneaker into a high-performance cleat for athletes of all ages and sports. A man of deep faith, Jeremy’s two-year mission in Spain at age 19 laid the foundation for a life built on service, resilience, and redefining what success truly means. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Redefine Success Before It Defines You: Jeremy learned on the streets of Spain what most people never figure out in a lifetime — success isn’t about the scoreboard. It’s about the effort you pour into becoming the best version of yourself. John Wooden said it, Jeremy lived it, and it carried him through a decade in the big leagues when the stats didn’t always cooperate. If you’re measuring your worth by outcomes you can’t control, you’re playing a losing game. Control your effort, your focus, your resilience — and let the results take care of themselves.
Forget Yourself and Find Your Purpose: At 19, Jeremy walked away from a professional baseball contract to spend two years serving others in Spain. No fastball. No spotlight. Just service. And what he found was the foundation of everything that followed — a deeper understanding of who he was and what he was capable of becoming. When you stop chasing what the world says you should want and start pouring into other people, that’s when the real breakthroughs happen. Lose yourself in service and watch …
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AI Won’t Replace You Unless You Let It with Aneesh Raman
30 april 2026 · 36 min
Aneesh Raman is LinkedIn’s Chief Economic Opportunity Officer, where he works with leaders across societies and sectors to shape the global response to the historic changes hitting work. A former CNN war correspondent and presidential speechwriter for Barack Obama, Aneesh has spent his career at the intersection of storytelling, economic policy, and human potential. He previously served as Senior Advisor on economic strategy to the State of California and led economic impact initiatives at Facebook. Alongside LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky, Aneesh co-authored the groundbreaking book “Open to Work: How to Get Ahead in the Age of AI,” a practical guide that draws on LinkedIn’s global data to help individuals and companies thrive in the rapidly evolving world of work. Lees meer
Takeaways:
AI Won’t Replace You — Unless You Let It: The fear is real, but the fatalism is a choice. 70% of job skills will change by 2030, and for the first time ever, workers — not executives — get to decide how. Your boss doesn’t know what you do all day better than you do. Stop waiting for a playbook and start writing your own.
The Three Buckets That Redefine Your Job: Aneesh breaks your weekly tasks into three buckets: what AI can do for you, what you’re building with AI, and what’s pure you — critical thinking, ethical judgment, human connection. As you shift work across those buckets, you stop being replaceable and start becoming indispensable. CEO or newest hire, start now.
Nobody Beats You at Being You: The industrial age told us to be machine-like. Now a machine can out-machine us — and people are terrified. But Aneesh flips it: for the first time in human history, work is about to index on human capabilities. Your curiosity, creativity, and ability to build real partnerships — that’s your competitive edge. Bet on yourself, because the systems of work are finally shifting to reward what makes you uniquely you.
Sound Bytes:
“AI is not going to replace you unless you let it. It all starts with … -
You’re Solving the Wrong Problem: Scaling Genius with Jason Wild
27 april 2026 · 35 min
Jason Wild is a globally recognized innovation strategist and co-author of the groundbreaking book “Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation,” written alongside Dr. Linda A. Hill of Harvard Business School and Emily Tedards. A former child actor turned business leader, Jason has shaped innovation strategy for some of the world’s most iconic brands—including Microsoft, Salesforce, and IBM—while advising CEOs across six continents. As the former Global Vice President of CEO Co-Innovation and Customer Engagement at Microsoft, Jason brings a rare blend of practitioner experience and thought leadership to the art and science of scaling breakthrough ideas. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Stop Falling in Love with Ideas and Start Falling in Love with Problems: Most companies pour millions into brainstorming and ideation—and then wonder why nothing actually changes. Jason nails it: innovation isn’t about getting to the top of the mountain, it’s about making it back down alive. More initiatives die in execution than in conception. The Waldorf Astoria didn’t have a slow elevator problem—they had a boring wait problem. An intern with a mirror solved what a million-dollar algorithm couldn’t. Leaders, stop rewarding ideas and start rewarding impact. Pick the right problem and the solution will follow.
Innovation Is a Social Process—You Can’t Mandate It, Delegate It, or Dictate It: Jason has spent 25 years in tech and he’ll tell you straight: it’s more about people than technology. The most innovative companies don’t obsess over the “what” of innovation—they master the “how.” They build communities where the best ideas rise organically, not because someone with the biggest title pounds the table. Creative abrasion, psychological safety, and diverse perspectives aren’t corporate buzzwords—they’re the operating system of every company that’s actually scaling something that matters. AI isn’t going to replace you. But a clueless leader who thinks AI can do your job? That’s the real threat.…
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Stop Chasing Grants and Start Winning Them with Alanna Taylor
23 april 2026 · 23 min
Alanna Taylor is a visionary leader and strategic architect who has spent three decades transforming bold ideas into fundable realities. With a staggering 60% plus grant win rate and over a million dollars raised annually for her clients, she is a nationally respected expert in program design, funding, and sustainable growth for mission-driven organizations. As the founder of Granted Success, Inc., Alanna specializes in grant writing, fractional executive director services, and her signature Grant-Ready Elevation Audit—a powerful diagnostic tool that evaluates a nonprofit’s win-ability across internal operations, messaging, digital footprint, and fundraising strategy. Her work is deeply rooted in empowering Black women executive directors and the Black-centered nonprofit organizations they lead. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Founders, Stop Making Yourself the Executive Director: Alanna reveals a critical pattern in the nonprofit space—Black women founders who position themselves as the executive director are inadvertently creating their own boss through the board. Her advice: position yourself as the board chair, build a strong and diverse board, and consider launching a consulting business alongside your mission. If you can create a nonprofit, you can create a business.
Win Rate Is About Discipline, Not Just Writing: A 60% plus win rate does not come from fancy proposals—it comes from the discipline to say no. Alanna carefully evaluates every RFP, reviews the terms and conditions at the end that most people skip, and declines clients whose programs do not align with a funder’s priority areas. Funders now want quantitative outcomes, not wordy narratives, and Alanna delivers exactly that.
Sustainability Means Multiple Revenue Streams: Grants alone will not sustain a nonprofit. Alanna pushes her clients to create fee-for-service offerings, technical assistance programs, merchandise, published books, and private donor bases. Unlike restricted grant funding, these revenue streams giv…
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Redefining Peak Health with Boomer Anderson
20 april 2026 · 33 min
Boomer Anderson is not your typical health guru—he’s a former investment banker turned health optimization pioneer who got the wake-up call of a lifetime when he was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease at just 30 years old. Instead of accepting the standard “take a pill and come back in ten years” approach, Boomer went all-in on understanding what true health actually means. Today he’s the CEO of Troscriptions, building science-backed solutions for stress, sleep, focus, and immune function, and the driving force behind Health Optimization Medicine and Practice (HOMe HOPe), a nonprofit that trains doctors worldwide to optimize for health rather than just manage disease. With a background that spans global finance, over 65 countries, and a relentless passion for challenging the process, Boomer brings the kind of real-world, research-backed insights that every entrepreneur and leader needs to hear. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Your Stress Bucket Is Probably Already Broken: Boomer introduces the concept of the stress bucket—a container for all the stress in your life from work, relationships, environment, and yes, even exercise. When that bucket overflows, what you think is helping you (like intense workouts) can actually accelerate damage. Leaders need to audit their total stress load before adding more to the pile.
Sleep Is the ROI Play You’re Ignoring: Getting just six hours of sleep has the same cognitive impact as drinking two to three beers. Pull an all-nighter and you’re operating like you’ve had ten to twelve. For entrepreneurs whose greatest asset is their brain, sacrificing sleep is literally leaving performance and money on the table.
Health Starts at the Cellular Level: Boomer breaks down his framework that true health is more than the absence of disease—it’s about getting your body’s basic cell optimized and balanced. When you bring biomarkers like hormones and nutrients back to their evolutionary optimal levels (ages 21 to 30), the symptoms that plague most executive…
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Beyond the Punchline: Mastering Business & Life from Bruce Bruce
16 april 2026 · 30 min
Bruce Bruce is an entertainment legend, a master of comedic timing whose sharp wit and improvisational brilliance have captivated audiences for decades across stand-up, television, and film. With a new Netflix special "I Ain't Playing" that has audiences roaring from start to finish, he redefines longevity and authenticity in the comedy game, building a career on delivering big laughs infused with relatable human insights. A true "goat" of comedy, Bruce Bruce consistently draws sold-out crowds with fresh material and an unwavering dedication to his craft, proving that genuine connection and humor are timeless. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Authenticity in Performance: Bruce Bruce emphasizes the importance of being genuinely yourself, stating "He's the same person. It's not a difference. I'm not putting out a front."
Treating Your Craft as a Business: He advises aspiring comedians and creators to view their passion as a business, highlighting the need for consistency, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
Longevity Through Adaptability: Bruce Bruce’s sustained success is attributed to staying relevant, embracing new platforms like social media, and evolving his material to connect with contemporary audiences while still delivering classic humor.
The Power of Mentorship and Communication: He emphasizes the value of honest feedback and open communication within relationships, whether with family, managers, or colleagues, to foster growth and avoid pitfalls.
Joy in the Journey: Despite the demands of a long career, Bruce Bruce reiterated that his driving force is his genuine love for what he does, underscoring that passion sustains effort over time.
Sound Bytes:
"I wanna be like, look, I'm about to throw up. This dude is about to make me throw up. So that's what I wanted. And I think that's what I got."
"If you like stripping strip, if you like stealing cars, still them, but you got to love what you do."
"When people come to see you, have something for them to go home and t… -
Master Your Focus with Nir Eyal
13 april 2026 · 44 min
Nir Eyal is not just an author; he’s a behavioral architect, a master decoder of the invisible forces that drive human action and inaction. A former Stanford Graduate School of Business lecturer who co-founded and sold tech companies before transitioning into writing and teaching, Nir’s brilliance lies in his rare ability to bridge psychology, technology, and business into frameworks that fundamentally change how leaders think, operate, and perform. With bestselling books like Hooked, Indistractable, and the upcoming Beyond Belief, Nir delivers the kind of substance that makes you stop, think, and actually do the work. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Distraction Is an Action, Not an Accident: Nir reframes distraction as something we do, not something that happens to us. The opposite of distraction isn’t focus—it’s traction. Both end in “action,” and the difference comes down to intent. If it’s not what you planned to do, it’s pulling you off course.
Time Boxing Beats To-Do Lists Every Time: To-do lists have no constraints and reward busyness over progress. Time boxing forces you to commit focused blocks to what matters most, teaches you how long things actually take, and creates the feedback loop that to-do lists can never provide.
Belief Is the Missing Piece of Motivation: Knowing what to do and wanting the benefit isn’t enough. Nir reveals that motivation is a triangle—behavior, benefit, and belief—and without the belief that you can achieve the outcome, persistence collapses. His new book Beyond Belief unpacks the science-backed way to engineer the beliefs that unlock extraordinary results.
Sound Bytes:
“My purpose is to explain the world so that it can be made better.”“The superpower, the skill of the century is going to be the ability to follow through. Because it turns out that people want to do business with those who follow through.”
“They went from 15 minutes to 60 hours of straight swimming. Why? What happened? What changed? The only variable left is that something wa…
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Why You’ll Never Feel Rich with Morgan Housel
9 april 2026 · 37 min
Morgan Housel is not just an author; he's a financial philosopher, an alchemist of understanding who transforms complex financial concepts into relatable human narratives. With a staggering 11 million books sold worldwide and translations into over 60 languages, Morgan's brilliance lies in his unique ability to unpack the intricate dance between human behavior and financial success, offering unparalleled insights that resonate deeply with business leaders and entrepreneurs alike. Lees meer
Takeaways:
The Power of Storytelling in Finance: Housel emphasizes that effective financial communication lies in compelling stories, making concepts memorable and relatable, far beyond the dry memorization of formulas.
Redefining Financial Goals: He advocates for an inward-focused assessment of financial goals, distinguishing between genuine happiness and the social hierarchy-driven pursuit of more, encouraging listeners to define success on their own terms.
Quiet Compounding for Lasting Success: Housel introduces the concept of "quiet compounding," highlighting that financial success often stems from a long-term, internal benchmark-driven approach rather than outward showmanship or fleeting achievements.
Sound Bytes:
"I always said this in my first book, The Psychology of Money, there are two topics that impact everybody, whether they like it or not, which are money and health. Like whether or not you're interested in those topics, those topics are interested in you and they will have a profound impact on your life.""If I could tell a cool story, that was A, it was timeless. And an article that was relevant yesterday might be relevant 20 years from now. And like, man, there's incredible value in that and B, it was much less competitive with other people."
"That's the goal. That right there is the goal. It's gratitude and contentment. And the idea of like, I'm only gonna be happier if I can anchor my gaze and my expectations on what other people have and I don't. That's the formul…
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Taste of Success: Intentional Living from Kwame Onwuachi
6 april 2026 · 28 min
Chef Kwame Onwuachi is a revolutionary culinary artist, an award-winning author, and a visionary restaurateur who is boldly redefining the landscape of modern American cuisine with a global perspective rooted in his Nigerian, Caribbean, and Creole heritage. From launching a catering company from the trunk of his car to earning a James Beard Award and opening nationally celebrated restaurants like Tatiana and the upcoming Maroon, Kwame is an unstoppable force constantly pushing boundaries and elevating Black foodways on the global stage. Lees meer
Takeaways:
Leaving a Place Better Than You Found It: His "why" is deeply rooted in a commitment to societal impact, aiming to leave every space and community in a better condition than he found it.
Teamwork Multiplies Success: Relying on a strong team allows for concentrated work and multiplies effective hours, demonstrating that leadership involves knowing when to be the quarterback, coach, or water boy.
Vulnerability in Storytelling: Sharing his full journey, including obstacles and vulnerabilities, is crucial for connecting with others and highlighting that true defining moments come from how one responds to challenges.
Spice vs. Spicy: Kwame clarifies that "spice" refers to flavor additives that radiate taste, not just heat, and can be balanced like instruments in a symphony to create complex flavor profiles.
Sound Bytes:
"The times that I am working, they're very concentrated and it's more like, you know, I have a team and I would say I'm sometimes I'm the quarterback and sometimes I'm the coach and sometimes I'm the water boy.""It's not what happens to them. It's how they get back up. It's how they respond to it. Cause that's what you're really in control of."
"The heat doesn't have to be the driving force. It's like a symphony almost, you know, every instrument has a role in creating this beautiful sound."
Connect & Discover Chef Kwame:
Instagram: @chefkwameonwuachi
Website: kwameonwuachi.com
Facebook: @Chefkwame
Re… -
Run Your Own Race: Olympian Allyson Felix Redefines Winning
2 april 2026 · 28 min
Allyson Felix, a name synonymous with unparalleled achievement and groundbreaking advocacy, joins Mick Unplugged to share her remarkable journey. From shattering Olympic records and redefining what it means to be a champion athlete to becoming a fierce advocate for maternal rights and an innovative entrepreneur with her brand, Saysh, Allyson's story is one of unwavering resilience, profound purpose, and inspiring leadership. She delves into the core values that have guided her through athletic triumphs and personal challenges, demonstrating how faith, integrity, and a commitment to impact have shaped her legacy far beyond the track. Lees meer
Takeaways:
The 'Because' of Purpose: Allyson Felix reveals that her profound drive stems from a faith-based belief in serving others and making a lasting impact, viewing her gifts as divine and meant for more than personal glory.
Building Your Own Lane: Faced with a lack of support in the industry, Allyson Felix co-founded Saysh, demonstrating that true change often comes from building the solutions you wish to see, rather than waiting for existing structures to adapt.
Beyond the Medal: For Allyson Felix, triumph extended beyond winning races; her most meaningful victory was competing in her own Saysh shoes, symbolizing a deeper purpose of representing women, especially women of color, and advocating for her daughter.
Sound Bytes:
"I truly believe that I was there for more than, you know, to run fast or, you know, really tried to live out my values as well and hope that that was seen and that was a real picture of someone striving for something. So yeah, to me, it's a part of who I am.""I did always have to come back to, know, well, who am I? And that is more important than any of these other things. And I truly believe also like what's for me will be for me. And I think that helped, you know, it really helped a lot of those times where you felt that pull and, you know, come back to say, you know, I need to be unapologetically my…
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Prove Yourself Right: The Art of Intentional Growth from Ron "Boss" Everline
30 maart 2026 · 38 min
Ron "Boss" Everline is not just a trainer; he's a true titan of transformation, a visionary whose profound impact sweeps across elite performance and entrepreneurial mastery. Forging an empire born of unwavering discipline and a relentless pursuit of excellence, he has become a beacon of inspiration, pushing countless individuals—from celebrity clients to everyday aspirants—to unlock their ultimate potential. His philosophy transcends physical training, encapsulating a holistic approach to life, mindset, and unwavering commitment, proving that true power comes from within. Lees meer
Takeaways:
The Art of Intentionality: Every endeavor, whether in business, mentorship, or personal growth, thrives when approached with deep presence and pure intention, leading to authentic engagement and powerful outcomes.
The Power of the "Why Not Me?": Shifting from "Why me?" to "Why not me?" transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and resilience, fostering a powerful mindset that embraces personal strength and purpose.
Discipline as a Superpower: Discipline isn’t just about rigor; it’s a magnetic force that attracts success and rewards, embodying the core of lasting legacy and personal achievement.
Sound Bytes:
"I'm trying to prove myself right and the belief that I could do more than what people, what the surroundings offered me.""I like to talk to people from a what I've learned perspective of position versus what I know."
"Gratitude is one of the greatest human emotions. And when you have gratefulness for the good and the bad, it's hard to be negative."
Connect & Discover Ron:
Instagram: @justtrain
LinkedIn: @ron-boss-everline
Facebook: @JustTrainWithBoss
X: @justtrain🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and le… -
Comedy to Coaching: The Impact of a Legend with Earthquake
26 maart 2026 · 35 min
Earthquake, born Nathaniel Stroman, is a phenomenal force in comedy and entertainment, commanding stages worldwide for almost three decades with his sharp wit and profound storytelling. A multi-talented artist, his critically acclaimed Netflix special "Chappelle's Home Team - Earthquake: Legendary" solidified his status as a comedic icon, earning accolades from the New York Times. Beyond the spotlight, Earthquake exemplifies entrepreneurial vision, having successfully owned and operated multiple comedy clubs, and he consistently uses his platform to uplift and mentor emerging talent, proving that true legendary status is built on both performance and generous leadership. Lees meer
Takeaways:
The Entrepreneurial Drive for Necessity: Earthquake's journey into club ownership was born from a fundamental need to create his own opportunities when existing structures proved restrictive, showcasing how adversity can spark innovation.
The Continuous Pursuit of Excellence: He emphasizes that maintaining a high standard in comedy, much like in any craft, demands constant work and improvement, rejecting complacency that can lead to stagnation.
Leadership Through Elevation: Earthquake’s approach to leadership involves not just personal success, but actively creating platforms and opportunities for others, deferring credit while still undeniably leading the team.
Sound Bytes:
"My mother told me what she always said. You can't get mad at another person for not allowing you to ride their bike. You either get your own bike or don't ride a bike at all.""But at the end of the day, everybody know who team it is. You know what I'm So the actor, you ain't gotta say it. You don't need to acclimate. And if you're about winning, you want to elevate your team."
"I'm at the front line. I'm telling you, I minister this comedy gospel to 4,000 people all this weekend for a whole hour. Believe me, I'm telling you what experiences, where they at."
Connect & Discover Earthquake:
Website: therealea…