... Why Empowerment Begins with the Decision to Choose Yourself
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is stop shrinking—and start rebuilding.
In Conversation No. 038, I sit down with Christina Messer for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about transformation, healing, and rising on your own terms. Christina shares her journey of navigating a difficult marriage, finding her voice, and stepping into a new season of purpose and strength.
We talk about the role of boundaries in protecting your peace, the mentors who helped her rediscover her power, and how faith played a foundational role in her growth—both personally and professionally. This one’s about choosing yourself without guilt and rewriting the narrative with boldness.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: the moment you stop settling is the moment you start becoming.
Listen in. Then step forward, unapologetically.
... Why Success Means Defining It for Yourself
When your last name carries weight, finding your own voice becomes the real work.
In Conversation No. 037, I sit down with Mark Wojcik to talk about legacy, identity, and the journey of stepping into who you’re really meant to be. Mark opens up about growing up in the shadow of a successful father, the pressure to measure up, and the pivot that led him to carve his own path in the recruiting industry.
We explore the uncomfortable moments that lead to real clarity, how intentionality reshaped his leadership style, and why self-actualization is the foundation for lasting success—both personally and professionally.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: you don’t have to follow the blueprint—you can build your own.
Listen in. Then own your story.
... Why Owning Your Story Is the First Step to Leading Fearlessly
Confidence isn’t inherited—it’s built through choice, community, and showing up anyway.
In Conversation No. 036, I sit down with Erin Pohan to unpack her journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a bold, authentic leader in the accounting world. Erin opens up about battling imposter syndrome, carving her own lane, and creating real impact through events like Wave Seattle.
We talk about the pressure to conform, the freedom that comes with self-acceptance, and how leadership starts with the courage to live your truth—out loud. This episode is about more than career growth. It’s about personal evolution, one fearless step at a time.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: your past doesn’t disqualify you—it equips you.
Listen in. Then lead like you.
... Why Your Greatest Challenges Can Become Your Greatest Legacy
Impact doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built through resilience, intention, and the courage to keep going.
In Conversation No. 035, I sit down with Andrea Beem to talk about the art of creating meaningful experiences—both in life and in leadership. Andrea shares her personal journey of facing adversity head-on, and how those challenges became fuel for transformation.
We unpack the mindset behind real growth, the small choices that lead to big breakthroughs, and how leaders can show up with clarity and conviction even when the path isn’t clear. This isn’t just theory—it’s hard-earned wisdom from someone who’s lived it.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: your struggle isn’t in the way of your impact—it is the way.
Listen in. Then create something that lasts.
... Why Trusting the Process Doesn’t Mean Letting Go of the Wheel
Faith and self-reliance aren’t opposites—they’re partners in the journey.
In Conversation No. 034, I sit down with Kareen Mills for a deep and thoughtful conversation about what it means to trust something bigger than yourself while still showing up and doing the work. From her early years in the Philippines to building a life in the U.S., Kareen shares the moments that taught her how to balance divine timing with personal determination.
We explore the tension between surrender and control, the beauty of co-creating your future, and how to lead with both conviction and humility. This one’s for anyone navigating big decisions, unknowns, or moments where faith feels like the only map you’ve got.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: you can believe in a higher power and still believe in your own.
Listen in. Then move forward in faith.
... Why Healing Is the Hardest—and Most Worthwhile—Work
The path to growth doesn’t always start with ambition. Sometimes, it starts with survival.
In Conversation No. 033, I sit down with Ashleah Burkeen for a raw, powerful conversation about resilience, trauma, and the long road to self-discovery. Raised in a chaotic environment and shaped by emotional and spiritual abuse, Ashleah shares how she turned pain into purpose—and what it took to reclaim her voice.
We talk about the slow work of healing, the courage it takes to choose self-love, and why real growth often comes from the darkest places. This episode is about more than overcoming—it’s about becoming.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: no matter where you come from, you can write a new ending.
Listen in. Then rise.
... Why Growth Starts With How You Lead
Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about creating the conditions for growth.
In Conversation No. 032, I sit down with Kyle Mlakar to talk about what leadership really looks like when it's done with intention. We explore the personal side of leading—how the best leaders grow themselves first, and how that internal work shapes everything around them.
Kyle shares some of the pivotal moments that made him the leader he is today, and we dive into what it takes to build a legacy that’s rooted in impact, not ego. From culture to resilience to personal ownership—this one’s for anyone serious about leading with purpose.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: real leadership isn’t loud—it’s consistent, clear, and deeply personal.
Listen in. Then lead like you mean it.
... Why Growth Begins With the Courage to Look Inward
Most people try to change their life without ever changing themselves.
In Conversation No. 031, I sit down with Lee Walker for a powerful, honest conversation about personal growth, identity, and breaking through social limitations. Lee opens up about what it was like growing up without strong social skills—and how that early challenge became the catalyst for the man he is today.
We talk about self-awareness, the process of real evolution, and the bravery it takes to rewrite the story you were handed. This isn’t surface-level self-help. It’s about doing the work that actually moves the needle—internally and externally.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: your past doesn’t define you—but your willingness to grow from it does.
Listen in. Then choose your future.
... Why Community Is the Greatest Business Strategy
Your next level isn’t in a new tactic—it’s in a deeper connection.
In Conversation No. 030, I sit down with Samantha Doyle—business strategist and coach—to talk about the overlooked edge in business growth: people. Samantha shares how a pivotal moment from her childhood shaped her path, and how community became the fuel behind her success.
We dig into the art of networking with intention, the power of showing up for others, and why building a strong circle is the best strategy for scaling anything worth building. It’s not about transactional relationships—it’s about transformational ones.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: business growth is rarely a solo mission.
Listen in. Then invest in your people.
... Why Real Healing Starts With Who You Were Before the World Told You Who to Be
Healing isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about remembering who you were before the world tried to reshape you.
In Conversation No. 029, I sit down with Martha Kartaoui for one of the most honest, powerful episodes we’ve had yet. Martha shares her story of growing up in a religious cult, the trauma that shaped her early identity, and the painful—but liberating—journey of breaking free and coming home to herself.
We talk about what it really means to heal—not just surface-level coping, but deep soul-level renewal. We explore forgiveness, the courage it takes to shed imposed labels, and the quiet power of community and personal faith.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: healing isn’t becoming someone else—it’s reclaiming the person you’ve always been.
Listen in. Then come back to yourself.
... Invest in it Wisely.
Confidence doesn’t come from winning—it comes from walking through the fire and choosing to keep going.
In Convo No. 028, I sit down with Tarik El Mazani—top performer, high net worth individual, and now entrepreneur. Tarik is living proof that preparation meets opportunity when you’re willing to embrace adversity. From humble beginnings to high-level success, Tarik unpacks how challenges aren’t roadblocks—they’re the training ground.
We talk about what it means to reframe setbacks, the mindset behind true growth, and why confidence is less about hype and more about history—what you’ve overcome, how you’ve prepared, and the quiet belief built in the dark.
🎙This episode is a reminder: your struggle isn’t the detour—it’s the way forward.
... Why Substance Beats the Aesthetic
Entrepreneurship looks a lot better on Instagram.
But behind the aesthetics, the filters, and the curated branding... there’s the real work. The rejection. The doubt. The showing up when no one claps. In Conversation No. 027, I sit down with Ellen Yin—founder of Cubicle to CEO and a powerful voice in the business space—to talk about what it actually takes to build something real.
We get into the loneliness of leadership, the role of community in staying grounded, and the difference between being known and being respected. Ellen shares her journey of stepping out, betting on herself, and learning to build for the long game.
We talk rejection, resilience, real growth—and why the people around you matter more than the algorithm ever will.
🎙 This episode is a reminder: your brand might open the door, but your substance is what keeps it open.
Listen in. Then get back to building.
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The Real Cost of Becoming a Leader
In this episode of the MyCORE Podcast, I sit down with my friend Jason Richards to have the kind of conversation most leaders won’t touch. We talk addiction, grief, resilience, and what it really means to lead people when your own life has been cracked wide open.
Jason opens up about the loss that changed him, the therapy that helped him make sense of it, and the lessons he’s still learning about people, pain, and purpose. We dig into the realities of leading in an age where AI can write your emails, but can’t replace your heart. Where management is shifting from control to connection.
And where the most powerful thing you can bring to the table… is still your humanity.
This one’s for the founders who’ve walked through fire, the operators who’ve outgrown the hustle, and the leaders learning how to lead people, not just processes.
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https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadcademy/
https://www.facebook.com/people/Leadcademy/61552710906131/#
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...Why Content Is the Loudest Form of Credibility
If you’re not creating content, you’re already behind.
In this episode, I sit down—again—with my very first MyCORE podcast guest and longtime friend, Joseph Connell, to talk about the one thing too many people are still sleeping on: content.
Most people treat it like a checkbox. But we’re calling it what it really is—a business essential.
We dig into the mindset blocks, the fear of being seen, and the excuses that hold people back. We also unpack what it actually takes to show up with consistency, build trust, and create real community through content that aligns with your mission.
Because in today’s world, visibility isn’t just a bonus—it’s currency. And content? It’s your loudest receipt.
If you’ve been stuck in your head, playing small, or waiting for the “right time” to start—this one will light a fire under you.
... What Really Drives a Founder
Most people celebrate the founder story once it’s polished.
But this episode isn’t about the exit. It’s about everything you had to survive before you even started.
In Conversation No. 024, I sit down with my close friend Ryan Shank—entrepreneur, operator, and builder—to unpack what’s underneath the hustle. We talk about childhood wounds, chasing validation, leadership, therapy, identity, and the personal cost of building something that lasts.
We get into the mental and emotional side of business, what profit sharing really means, how to lead with empathy, and the grit it takes to face your past and still show up as a CEO.
Listen in if you’ve ever questioned whether you’re building from purpose… or pain.
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... And the Fight to Be Whole in a Curated World
Behind the highlight reels and polished branding, there’s a quiet war between who we really are and who we think we need to be.
In this conversation, I sat down with Alex and Jessica Weber to talk about the trap of performing for approval—how it shows up in our careers, relationships, faith, and sense of identity.
Alex is an award-winning keynote speaker, leadership coach, and author who’s taken stages across the world. Jessica is a faith and fitness coach who challenges women to pursue wholeness—in body, spirit, and identity. Together, they’re building a life rooted in purpose and growth—without letting the pressure to perform steal the joy of being real.
We talked about the cost of honesty in a world that rewards the curated, trusting God when the path isn’t clear, and the fight to live with integrity when everything around you says, “just keep up the image.”
This isn’t just a conversation about marriage, careers, or belief—it’s about identity and surrender. It’s about resisting the pressure to perform and choosing instead to live with integrity, purpose, and real vulnerability.
Join us as we unpack the cost of authenticity—and why it’s always worth it.
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... And the Discipline to Grow Anyway
What are you willing to sacrifice?
In this Memorial Day reflection, I’m going all in on what most people avoid: the hard, painful, often thankless work of cutting back what’s holding you back.
From honoring those who paid the ultimate price to asking ourselves what kind of legacy we’re building, this episode is about facing the brutal truth—growth doesn’t happen without discipline. Or pruning. Or pain.
We talk about the difference between coasting and carrying weight, about the kind of people you surround yourself with, and why your work ethic might be the real reason you're stuck. Because gratitude without action is just sentiment—and purpose without discipline? That’s just a dream you’ll never chase.
If you're feeling the pull to level up but keep resisting the cutbacks, listen in. It’s time to grow like you mean it.
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...But You Have to Face the Pain to Find the Light
This isn’t just a conversation about trauma—it’s a conversation about what comes after.
In this deeply personal and unfiltered episode, I sit down with therapist and trauma survivor Bekah George to talk about the pain most people never say out loud. We unpack the difference between guilt and shame, the weight of childhood trauma, and the slow, deliberate process of choosing healing over hiding.
Bekah shares her journey of grieving, setting boundaries, and ultimately finding purpose in her pain. I share my own story of bullying, body image, spiritual shame, and finally facing a violent moment that changed everything.
You don’t just wake up one day healed.
You fight for it. Bleed for it. Grieve for it.
We talk about the weight of silence, the courage it takes to grieve what could’ve been, and how your story—no matter how broken—can become someone else’s permission to begin again.
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The Compound Effect of Every Choice You Make
The most dangerous part? You won’t even notice it happening.
You wake up. You go through the motions. You tell yourself you’re fine.
But what you’re really doing... is compounding mediocrity.
In this raw, solo milestone episode of The MyCORE Podcast, I’m sharing the truth I’ve lived—not just read about—in The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy and The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson: that every decision you make, no matter how small, is shaping your life. The problem is, most people are sleepwalking through those decisions.
I unpack the real story behind the growth of MyCORE—not the glossy highlight reel, but the unsexy reality of small, deliberate actions repeated long enough to become unstoppable momentum.
You’ll hear:
This isn’t motivation—it’s mechanics. You’re either compounding toward the future you want or the one you’ll regret.
Buy These Books!
📚 The Compound Effect
📚 The Slight Edge
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Leadership Lessons You Can’t Script
This week on The MyCORE Podcast, I’m sitting down with Misty Megia for a conversation that proves leadership isn’t just about boardrooms and spreadsheets—it’s about owning the stage, both in business and in life.
Misty, a powerhouse who’s taken her passion for theater and turned it into a thriving career in leadership, shares her journey from shy kid to confident CEO. We dive deep into the transformative power of performance art, how to find your voice, and why being seen and heard is crucial in business.
But it’s not all spotlight and applause. We also talk about the real challenges of navigating business during a pandemic, shifting to virtual events, and the lessons learned from a painful $85,000 loss in her first month.
This episode is packed with raw truths about public speaking, overcoming anxiety, the importance of authenticity in leadership, and the power of surrounding yourself with the right people. If you’re ready to take the stage in your own business journey, this conversation will give you the confidence to step into the spotlight and lead like a pro.
Links to Add:
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