Business is often treated as a series of cold transactions, but the real growth happens when you stop hiding behind a professional mask.

Justine Derby joined me at the Music City Work Club to discuss how she grew her business from $5 million to $17.5 million by leading with her struggles instead of just her highlights. We dive into why showing up on your bad days is often more impactful than being "perfect" for your audience.

Let’s Chat:

• Moving away from the transactional mindset to build genuine relationships.

• The strategy of using personalized video messages to make new followers feel seen.

• How to use social media as a creative outlet rather than just a marketing chore.

• Why editing your own content can help preserve the raw emotion that connects with people.

  
  

The full episode is available on all platforms. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and stick around for more conversations about leadership, business and human connection.

00:00 Going All-In on Vulnerability (Intro)

00:24 Live from Nashville Success Summit: Meet Justine

01:05 Stop the Transaction, Build Relationships

02:05 Social Media, Intention & Real Struggles

03:32 Why Leaders Sharing Hard Stuff Matters

05:08 Personalized Video Messages for New Followers

06:29 The Human Need Behind Great Marketing

07:52 Client Experience and Reviews

09:46 Create Emotion on Camera

10:42 More Stages Ahead & Ditching the Cue Cards

We all say we’re trying to make things happen, but that one word might be the very thing keeping you from your next level.

This conversation with Jensen Buck was a wild one, it’s a raw look at what happens when you stop leaving a door open for failure and start moving with a level of belief that looks like insanity to everyone else.

We dive headfirst into:

1. Jensen’s transition from the dangerous world of underwater welding to pursuing a career in music.

2. The moment Jensen pulled over on the side of a highway to ask for a sign and received ten gigs in a single week.

3. How a life-changing experience in a jail cell led to a commitment to lead through service and love.

4. The power of human connection and why I almost lost everything 30 days before my biggest conference.

5. Moving from ego to confidence and the importance of emptying your cup to learn something new every day.

You won’t find too many episodes like this one. Full episode available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more real, raw conversations on human connection.

00:00 A Life-Changing Moment

00:56 Welcome to the Impact Effect Podcast

01:40 Defining and Spreading Positive Impact

05:29 From Underwater Welding to Music

10:24 The Power of Determination and Manifestation

14:43 Navigating Fear and Embracing Faith

24:15 The Role of Love and Connection in Success

26:57 A Life-Changing Jail Experience

29:11 A Newfound Faith and Purpose

31:32 The Power of Human Connection

37:07 Overcoming Adversity and Finding Success

42:40 Future Endeavors and Creative Projects

50:21 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Confidence isn't something you are born with; it’s a muscle you have to build through intentional action and the refusal to abandon yourself.

I sat down with Rebecca Hatch Black at the Nashville Success Summit to talk about the internal friction every entrepreneur faces. We dig into the "inner critic" that tries to talk you out of your potential and why true confidence is actually quiet, peaceful and grounded in clear boundaries.

Let’s chat:

1. Naming your inner critic to separate your true self from your doubts.

2. Why confidence is the foundation for finding your purpose and calling.

3. The danger of "abandoning yourself" just to please other people.

4. The "Bless and Release" method for setting professional boundaries without burning bridges.

5. Why chasing riches often leads to misery while contentment leads to impact.

Episode available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE and stick around for more conversations about leadership, business and human connection.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene

00:38 Meet Rebecca Hatch Black

00:51 The Power of Confidence

01:10 Silencing the Inner Critic

03:09 Following Your Dreams

04:30 The Importance of Self-Love

06:27 Building Confidence

09:12 Setting Boundaries

13:18 Conclusion and Excitement for the Future

Leading isn't a title; it's what you do at 5:30 in the morning when you're exhausted and your family is counting on you.

I sat down with Brock Zevan immediately following the Nashville Success Summit to talk about the weight of leadership and the choices that define us.

We get into the grit of building a culture, the reality of overcoming addiction, and why a 15-minute block on your calendar might be the most important thing you do today.

In this episode, we discuss:

1. The difference between 'having an option' and making a better choice.

2. How to lead from the front by inviting others into your journey.

3. Managing a high-level event through the military-style 'Chief of Staff' framework.

4. Why the details even the toilet paper at an event dictate the impact you leave.

5. Finding clarity through specific prayer in the 'fourth quarter' of a project.

This episode is available on Apple, Spotify and YouTube. Be sure to SUBSCRIBE for more conversations about leadership, business and human connection.

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

01:07 Defining Impact and Leading by Example

02:45 The Importance of Passion and Drive

07:24 Making Choices and Stepping Up

09:33 Creating Memorable Experiences

15:38 Attention to Detail and Preparation

19:13 Daily Planning and Time Management

20:11 The Power of 15-Minute Increments

21:13 Challenges of Organizing Large Events

22:56 Post-Event Follow-Up and Momentum

25:12 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

30:01 Leveraging AI for Event Management

31:23 Navigating the Final Week Before an Event

33:08 Faith and Personal Reflections

37:15 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Your team is a mirror, whether you want it to be or not, they’re reflecting your leadership back to you every single day.

In this episode of Impact Effect, I sit down with leadership expert and organizational psychologist Tammy Fitzpatrick, PhD to talk about what your team’s behavior is really telling you. We get into why culture is never created by slogans, why integrity shows up in the small moments, and how leaders often become blind to the patterns they’re modeling.

If I’m being honest, this one hit me too. It’s not about fixing your team, it’s about taking a look in the mirror first and owning what you see.

Topics we dive into:

1. Why your team’s behavior is a direct reflection of your leadership

2. How modeling, not messaging, sets the real standard inside a company

3. The hidden ways leaders create the problems they complain about

4. Why fixing systems starts with fixing how you show up

5. How clarity and focus change what actually moves the business

This episode is out now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. If these conversations about leadership, business and human connection matter to you, come hang with us and SUBSCRIBE to the channel.

Let’s goooo.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:04 Defining Impact and Presence

02:08 The Power of Charisma and Energy

03:26 Reading the Room and Creating Safe Spaces

05:04 Modeling Leadership Behavior

08:58 Integrity and Leadership

12:53 Addressing Organizational Issues

19:45 Consulting Challenges and Client Desperation

20:27 Holistic Business Diagnostics

21:08 CEO Challenges and Ownership

21:44 Leadership Ego and Adaptation

22:23 Client Case Study and Leadership Dynamics

23:35 Importance of Positivity and Mindset

25:52 Positioning and Safe Spaces in Consulting

30:03 Diagnostic Work and Revenue Goals

33:45 Aligning Leadership and Organizational Goals

35:26 Meeting Management and Communication

36:11 Final Thoughts and Leadership Vision

You can work harder than everyone else and still slowly build a business that’s breaking underneath you.

In this mini episode of the Impact Effect Podcast with Jim Morris, recorded live at the Nashville Success Summit, Jim sits down with Kendra Cooke to talk about the CEO money mindset that actually creates a sustainable, healthy business.

Kendra shares:

1. Why financial awareness is the foundation of every successful business

2. The four pillars every CEO must understand

3. How to stop running your business on stress and start running it on clarity

4. Why sales and marketing still matter more than almost anything else

5. How to build a business that can survive changing markets and hard seasons

This is a must-watch conversation for any entrepreneur, business owner, or leader who wants to stop guessing and start building something that actually lasts.

This episode is available on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. Subscribe to the channel for more conversations about leadership, business, and human connection.

What if the most valuable skill in the next 10 years isn’t technical, but human?

In this episode of Impact Effect, I sit down with Brian Galke, one of the leading experts in facial decoding, body language and human behavior, to talk about the one advantage AI can’t replace, your ability to truly read people.

We go deep into:

- How to read people’s faces and body language in real time

- Why most people misread signals in conversations, meetings, and sales

- The hidden mistakes that quietly break trust and connection

- How to instantly build stronger relationships in business and in life

- Why people skills will matter more than ever in an AI-driven world

- How to show up in a room in a way that makes people trust you faster

Brian shares practical, real-world examples you can start using immediately, whether you’re leading a team, selling, building relationships or just trying to communicate better with the people in your life.

If you care about connection in a world that’s changing fast, this episode will change how you see every interaction.

Catch the full episode on Apple, Spotify and YouTube and be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the channel for more conversations about leadership, human connection and real-world impact.

Let's goooooo.

If you are in Nashville looking for a studio to record your show, be sure to check out bookhoneypod.com for the best spot in town

00:00 Welcome to the Impact Effect Podcast

00:29 Defining Impact with Brian Galke

00:59 The Importance of Showing Up

04:05 Balancing Social Interactions

05:54 Creating Meaningful Experiences

09:31 The Power of Human Connection

20:00 Body Language and Facial Decoding

23:26 Motivational Stories and Hands-On Events

24:10 Connecting with Janine Driver

25:57 The Importance of Communication Styles

27:48 Active Listening Techniques

28:06 Momentum and Miscommunication

28:36 Understanding and Adapting Communication

34:47 Eyebrows and Facial Decoding

36:41 The Power of Personal Connection

43:41 The Future of Soft Skills

44:36 Conclusion and Final Thought

In this episode of the Impact Effect Podcast, Jim Morris sits down with William Wade Jr. for a deep, honest conversation about how real change actually happens, not through wishing or hype, but through changing the way you think and make decisions.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why changing your thinking is the first step to changing your life

• How your identity determines your decisions and your future

• Why most people live in reaction mode and how to break that cycle

• How to build your life around Freedom, Family, Finances, and Fatherhood

• Why learning, reading and quiet thinking time are unfair advantages

• How your words and self-talk shape your direction

• What it really means to live with intention instead of autopilot

• How to build a life and legacy that actually lasts

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve outgrown your old way of thinking, or you’re ready to stop reacting and start designing your life, this conversation will meet you right where you are.

🎧 Listen in and ask yourself one honest question:

What would change if I changed how I think?

Subscribe to the Impact Effect Podcast for more conversations on leadership, mindset, business and human connection.

Money mindset is popular, but most people are missing the real foundation. Purpose.In this episode, Jim Morris and Justyn Melendez break down how belief, purpose and value shape not only your money habits, but your relationships, decisions and long-term impact.Justyn shares how he went from a poverty background to raising capital, building relationships and creating real wealth by focusing less on chasing money and more on meaningful value. He explains his BPV Method and why accelerating your money requires the right people, long-term thinking and a clear purpose behind your income.You’ll hear stories about risk, leaving comfort, investing in relationships and why being in the right rooms CHANGES EVERYTHING.Whether you’re a business owner, entrepreneur or leader building something meaningful, this episode will challenge how you view money, purpose and IMPACT.If these conversations help you think differently, consider SUBSCRIBING. It helps us keep sharing real, human conversations like this.

In this powerful episode of the Impact Effect Podcast, Jim Morris sits down with speaker and coach Nicole Cramer for a raw and deeply human conversation that goes far beyond business.

Together, they explore what happens when we stop chasing the highlight-reel version of success and start owning our true story, flaws and all.

They unpack what addiction really looks like in everyday life, how identity quietly shapes our habits and why self-expression is one of the greatest freedoms we have. Nicole shares how recognizing herself as an addict helped her understand what she was really craving, which wasn’t a substance or a numbing behavior at all, but genuine CONNECTION.

In this episode, you'll hear real conversations around:

• Why we overextend, overachieve and still feel empty

• The difference between "look at me" and "come with me" leadership

• Why so many high achievers quietly feel disconnected and exhausted

• How identity is silently formed, and how to break free from the wrong one

• The true reason vulnerable content grows trust and draws people closer

• Why most people don’t have a marketing problem, they have a connection gap

This conversation pulls back the curtain on achievement, perfection and the pressure to always have it together. It’s a conversation about being human first, leader second.

If you’ve ever felt tired of pretending, overwhelmed by expectations, or unsure how to show up as your real self in your work and relationships, this episode will speak directly to you.

🎧 Subscribe to the IMPACT Effect Podcast. New episodes every week with Jim Morris, where we explore the intersection of business purpose and positive IMPACT.

🎙️ Apple | Spotify | YouTube — Wherever you listen.

📲 Follow Jim Morris on Instagram, Facebook & LinkedIn

#AuthenticLeadership #HumanConnectionInBusiness #IdentityAndImpact