Bold Future

I am excited to re-release this interview with Bryan Stevenson. He is one of my all-time favorite leaders and I am fascinated by him and the insights he offers. Mr. Stevenson is the Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative and is doing very challenging but extremely valuable work in the criminal justice system. His book, Just Mercy, is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and is a compelling case for fighting for what's right despite the obstacles and seeming hopelessness. There's a lot to learn from Mr. Stevenson and I hope this episode both encourages you and challenges you to think about what you're willing to go through for the benefit of other people.

If you don't have an Inner Circle, you need one. It's changed my life and I'm beyond convinced that every human needs one. 

In this episode, I talk through what it is, why it's so crucially important for your life and how to get one. 

Today we’re taking a more nuanced approach and we’re going to hear some thoughts specifically on the subject of fitness. The longer I live the more I am convinced that fitness has the ability to change so much more than just our physical bodies. It affects our minds, our relationships, our confidence, our sleep, our grit, our energy levels, our focus. There aren’t a whole lot of areas in our lives that aren’t touched by how we take care of our physical bodies. To help me talk through this subject I have recruited my dear friend and coach, Jacki Rodgers. Jacki is a co-owner at Crossfit Mudtown in Birmingham, Alabama and she is a force to be reckoned with. She’s loud, insanely energetic and has a huge personality. As a coach she’ll kick your butt when you need it and if you work out with her, she’ll kick your butt there, as well. She’s also incredibly compassionate and cares deeply about each and every person that steps foot into her gym.

How do you know if this episode is for you? We discussed: 

• The truth about our why we limit ourselves and what to do about it
• The power of fitness to transform our lives
• Why mindset is so important and how to train it for maximum effectiveness
• The humble necessity of caring for others and allowing others to care for us

Jake Carnley is the founder of Great Bear Wax Co. and they make some of the most amazing candles you’ll ever smell. Jake started pouring candles in his apartment while he was attending Auburn University in 2013 and since then he’s seen the brand really take off. He's been able to get into some large retailers and he’s hoping to announce partnerships with more stores you’ve definitely heard of very soon. I was curious to hear what Jake’s journey has been like and why he chose to build a business selling candles in the first place. 

How do you know if this episode is for you? We discuss:

• How to recover strategically after a big failure
• Why more people need to take more chances
• The power of maintaining a vision you believe in 
• Empowering beliefs and why Jake believes you have what it takes (whether he's met you or not)

Will Mason's plan was to be a rockstar. That was until his band got dropped from their label. Having no backup plan, Will was forced to figure out what to do next. Through a fateful interaction with a kid wanting to learn to play the guitar, he realized he loved teaching people to play music. Shortly thereafter, he started Mason Music. Today he has four locations and employs dozens of teachers. I think you'll learn a lot from Will's story and his thoughts on letting go of control on the path to pursuing a dream.  

How do you know if this episode is for you? We discuss:

• One question to help your team stay super focused
• How to set super high standards for you and your team
• The surprising force behind redundant communication
• Control vs Growth and why you can't have both

The end of the year is quickly approaching! So, how do we get the most out of 2017 while preparing for 2018? I share my thoughts in this mini episode. Merry Christmas!

Kasey Birdsong is a serial entrepreneur who loves solving problems. In 2015, he co-founded Planet Fundraiser, a fundraising app that helps users raise money for the cause of their choice. They've grown very quickly since their inception and currently over 25,000 users and hundreds of participating merchants. Kasey candidly shares his experiences leading a startup and how he's developing as a leader in the process.

How do you know if this episode is for you? We discuss: 

• Facing your fears to start something you believe in
• Why building a great company is a vehicle but not the end goal 
• The crucial need for a team that's smarter than you 
• Why reading is like eating

Books & podcasts discussed: 

Traction

The One Thing

Zero to One

Scott Galloway

Masters of Scale

The Tim Ferriss Show

Michael Eady believes in the power of sports to transform lives. So much so, that he founded his entire company on this belief. Knight Eady is a sports marketing and event management company based in Birmingham, Alabama. I've really enjoyed watching their growth since their start in 2013 and I'm inspired by how they're building this company. I sat down with Michael to pick his brain on company culture development and how he's been forced to change as a leader.

How do you know if this episode is for you? Here's a few things we discussed:

• Why sometimes leaving a "secure" job is your best option
• How to think about work culture and the advantages of working with Millenials
• The importance of partnerships that balance your weaknesses
• The value of intense self development

Books we discussed:

The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday

In its heyday, there were over 100 active sock mills in Forty Payne, Alabama. However, due to outsourcing and cheaper overseas manufacturing, all but a few of them have shut down their mills for good. That did not deter Gina Locklear from starting her own sock company, Zkano, in 2008. I’m fascinated by stories of people who defy the odds to start something they believe in, especially in an industry that is so challenging. Gina was kind enough to invite me to her mill, show me around and talk to me about how she got into the business and the adversity she’s had to overcome to make her dream a reality. 

How do you know if this issue is for you? We discuss: 

• The power of grit and why sometimes you just need to keep going
• Why conventional wisdom should sometimes be ignored
• The importance of attention to detail and the value it creates
• Why prioritizing your team in good times and bad is so important

The quality of our lives and the impact we have is often dictated by how we respond to challenges.  When Julian Maha found out his son had autism he was devastated. Yet, it was in the face of this hardship that he and his wife founded Kulture City, a non-profit looking to create a culture of acceptance and inclusion for all individuals with unique abilities. Kulture City is doing some incredibly impactful work, but they're also shaking up how we think about non-profits all together. The thoughts Julian shares are not just valuable for non-profits, but for all organizations looking to maximize their impact.

How do you know if this episode is for you? Julian teaches us: 

• How the startup model can be useful in spurring innovation regardless of market sector
• What it looks like to take massive action after a devastating challenge
• The ingredients for a great team and how to monopolize your strengths
• The difference in awareness and acceptance and why the difference is important