Everyone talks about why.

This trailer kicks off a new chapter of Mick Unplugged—where we go deeper than inspiration and get to the fire that actually fuels people.

What you’ll hear is not polished.

If you’ve been coasting on purpose statements and catchy quotes, this will wake you up.

This isn’t self-help. This is self-honor.

Press play. Then ask yourself:
What’s your BECAUSE?

Damon West is an inspiring keynote speaker,

Takeaways:

Redemption is possible for everyone: Damon’s story is living proof that no matter how far you fall, it’s never too late to change your life and make a positive impact.

Your power lies within: The “Coffee Bean” message teaches that we each have the power to transform our environments—not by being changed by them, but by changing them from the inside out.

Keep going and don’t give up: Whether you’re facing life’s obstacles or chasing your dreams, Damon’s journey reminds us that perseverance in the face of adversity often brings us closer to breakthrough moments than we realize.

Sound Bites:

“I put myself in the situation I was in where I had my back against the wall and the pressure was so high on me and I had to figure it out.”

“Addiction doesn’t care who you are or where you come from. Addiction does not discriminate, because addiction doesn’t carewho you are, where you come from, who your parents are.”

“If you ever shut yourself off to people because of their differences… you could miss some of the most important lessons and some of the best friendships in this life.”

Quote by Mick: “You don’t have to win, but you doggone for sure better fight”

Connect & Discover Damon:

Website: https://damonwest.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damonjosephwest

X: https://x.com/damonwest7

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBAEWdaKcRRLLhRRmyyOfJg

Project: Coffee Bean Cares Program

Book: Six Dimes and a Nickel

🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥 

Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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 youwith the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers. 

👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Ken Rusk is a blue collar entrepreneur, bestselling author of "Blue Collar Cash," and a passionate advocate for purpose-driven living. Starting his career digging ditches at 15, Ken transformed his hands-on work ethic into a multi-million dollar business, demonstrating that success doesn’t require a suit and tie. With a mission to reshape America’s views on blue collar success and financial freedom, Ken mentors others in visualizing their goals, building wealth, and finding comfort, peace, and freedom—both in life and at work. His approach is grounded, visionary, and deeply committed to helping others climb their own mountain of success. 

Takeaways:

 Sound Bites:

Quote from Mick:  "If you want to build a winning culture, you better celebrate a win. I don’t care how small or big it is."

Connect & Discover Ken:

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-rusk-2656a7175

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KenRuskOfficial

Website: https://www.kenrusk.com

Book: Blue Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life

**The first 20 people to message Mick “Blue Collar” on Instagram or LinkedIn will receive a copy of the book**

🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥 

Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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 level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

What happens when uncertainty meets vulnerability? According to Dr. Darryl Stickel, that intersection creates trust—or destroys it. As today's uncertain world pushes people toward self-protection, leaders face unprecedented challenges in building the trust necessary for high-performing teams.

Dr. Stickel brings a uniquely powerful perspective to this conversation, drawing from personal adversity that shaped his understanding of human vulnerability. After suffering a traumatic hockey injury that left him with cognitive challenges at 17, and facing progressive vision loss from a hereditary condition, he developed extraordinary empathy that would later inform his groundbreaking work. His doctoral research at Duke University on building trust in hostile environments established him as what host Mick calls "the architect of trust."

The insights shared in this episode go far beyond theory. Dr. Stickel breaks down his practical framework where "trust equals uncertainty times vulnerability," explaining why our current environment makes trust-building especially challenging—and critical. With 70% of employees disengaged and what he describes as a "broken social contract" between organizations and workers, trust has become the new currency of leadership.

Most provocatively, Dr. Stickel reveals that "95% of people believe they're more trustworthy than average," highlighting the dangerous blind spots that prevent leaders from recognizing trust deficits. He offers immediate, actionable approaches to measuring and building trust through conversations around benevolence, integrity, and ability, with special attention to the unique challenges of remote work environments.

Whether you're managing a team, building a business, or simply trying to strengthen personal relationships, this episode provides a masterclass in the mechanics of trust—complete with the tools to start rebuilding it today. After all, as Dr. Stickel reminds us, trust is a skill we can all develop with practice.

Connect & Discover Darryl:

 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-stickel-phd/?originalSubdomain=ca

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darryl.stickel/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq1dQmEjT5a0T8xy3B2YRKw

Website: https://www.trustunlimited.com/about/

Podcast:  https://imperfectcafe.buzzsprout.com/

Book: Building Trust: Exceptional Leadership in an Uncertain World

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/
Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

Marc Morial sits at the rare intersection of politics, activism, and business – a civil rights titan whose journey from transformative New Orleans mayor to National Urban League CEO offers profound lessons in leadership and community building.

The foundation of Morial's remarkable career began in childhood, watching his parents' civil rights work from the sidelines. What began as "childcare" – tagging along to NAACP meetings and voter registration drives – became the classroom where he absorbed leadership from community giants. This early immersion shaped his lifelong commitment to economic justice and equality of opportunity.

As New Orleans mayor, Morial tackled seemingly insurmountable challenges with innovative approaches. Faced with record crime rates, he refused to choose between enforcement and prevention, instead rebuilding the police department while simultaneously creating unprecedented youth programming – summer camps, job programs, and initiatives specifically for girls who had been overlooked by previous administrations. His "Gumbo Coalition" administration championed inclusivity, featuring record numbers of women and the first Asian American and LGBTQ cabinet members in city history.

When Morial arrived at the National Urban League, he found an organization proud of its history but "operating in the past tense." Through visionary leadership, he's expanded the organization fivefold, broadening its portfolio to include workforce development, housing assistance, entrepreneurship programs, and strengthened advocacy work – all while building powerful coalitions with other civil rights organizations.

Today, Morial warns of an unprecedented assault on civil rights progress and urges listeners not to succumb to complacency or despair. "In the short run, you hear noise but don't feel the damage. In the long run, the noise will subside, but the damage will be done," he cautions. His call to action is clear: defend fundamental American principles by getting involved, using your voice, and mentoring the next generation.

Ready to be part of the solution? Visit NUL.org to join advocacy efforts or find a local affiliate in your community. 

Connect & Discover Marc:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcmorial/?hl=en

X: https://x.com/marcmorial?lang=en

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-morial-59b05130/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcmorial/

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/
Website:https://www.mickhuntofficial.com 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

"You can't stand out and stand still at the same time," declares Emmy award-winning disruptor Mario Armstrong in this riveting conversation with Mick. As the self-proclaimed "blueprint" for Mick's journey, Mario unpacks the mindset shifts and actionable strategies that transformed him from a local Baltimore media personality to a nationally recognized figure.

The conversation dives deep into what Mario calls "vulnerability as currency" – the counterintuitive power of authentic sharing in professional settings. He doesn't just theorize; he demonstrates this principle by discussing his current struggle writing his first book after years of false starts. This vulnerability, Mario explains, isn't a marketing tactic but a genuine approach that attracts the right audience to your work.

One of the most powerful insights emerges when Mick introduces the concept that "transparency is the new currency" and even "transparency is the new 401k" for modern leadership. Today's employees, particularly younger generations, care less about traditional benefits and more about knowing what their leaders personally stand for. Mario explores how transparent leadership builds trust in ways traditional corporate approaches simply cannot.

The conversation shifts to practical strategies with Mario's brilliant "11-minute framework" – a method for making consistent progress on daunting goals by focusing on what you can accomplish in just 11 minutes. Combined with his practice of celebrating "three wins" weekly (now daily), this system creates momentum that builds confidence through visible progress. "Every 11 minutes informs the next 11 minutes," Mario explains, creating a compounding effect that transforms small actions into significant achievements.

Perhaps most valuable for aspiring influencers is Mario's counterintuitive advice to dominate locally before attempting to go national. His step-by-step breakdown of how to leverage local television stations – an underutilized platform – reveals a pathway to credibility that many overlook in their rush to build digital audiences. This strategy provided the foundation for his eventual national success.

Throughout this magnetic conversation, Mario emphasizes that success isn't about making one big bet on yourself but rather consistently investing in small actions that prove your potential. For anyone feeling stuck between comfort and calling, this episode provides both the inspiration and practical framework to start moving forward – 11 minutes at a time.

Connect & Discover Mario:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marioarmstrong/?hl=en

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NeverSettleNetwork

Website: https://www.marioarmstrong.com/

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/
Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com 

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

What makes some leaders magnetic while others struggle to connect? On this riveting episode of Mick Unplugged, communication expert Matt Kohut reveals the surprising secret shared by presidential candidates, Fortune 500 CEOs, and influential speakers he's coached: they're exceptional listeners first, compelling speakers second.

Matt breaks down his powerful framework of "strength and warmth" that defines effective leadership communication. Strength—the capability to get things done through competence and assertiveness—must be balanced with warmth—the ability to show you understand others' needs and emotions. Every leader naturally leans toward one quality, but mastering both creates an unbeatable leadership presence. Through practical examples, Matt demonstrates how finding the right balance for your specific context can transform your leadership impact.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Matt discusses his new book "Speaking Out," exploring when and how corporate leaders should address political and social issues—a modern leadership challenge unheard of in previous generations. He provides a thoughtful framework for navigating these potentially treacherous waters, grounding decisions in organizational values while considering both internal and external stakeholders.

Matt and Mick challenge outdated leadership clichés, dismantling the "open door policy" myth (truly present leaders don't need to announce their accessibility) and warning against using complex language that creates distance rather than connection. The most powerful insight? Informal conversations—whether over coffee, meals, or breaks—create the authentic connections that drive organizational success, yet many leaders fail to prioritize these critical moments.

Whether you're leading a team of five or five thousand, this conversation delivers actionable strategies to transform how you communicate during chaos, build trust through genuine listening, and speak with the perfect balance of strength and warmth that today's leadership demands.

Connect & Discover Matthew:

Website: https://www.matthewkohut.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kohut-00b64b4/

X: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FMatthew_Kohut

Substack: https://matthewkohut.substack.com/

Book: Speaking Out: The New Rules of Business Leadership Communication

FOLLOW MICK ON:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast

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

Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

Ever wondered what separates truly exceptional achievers from everyone else? David Meltzer reveals the answer in this powerful conversation about creating a life so extraordinary that your reality surpasses other people's imagination.

Meltzer, who has built and lost multi-millions while leading iconic sports agencies, shares his deeply personal philosophy on happiness—a natural state we interfere with through misinterpreted meanings and limited self-images. Through vivid storytelling and vulnerable admissions about his own failures, he offers a refreshing framework for finding joy in everything you do, even the activities you don't particularly enjoy.

The discussion takes a fascinating turn when Meltzer declares himself "Repeat Man," embracing the superpower of being "annoyingly consistent" in spreading honest, life-changing messages. This self-awareness becomes a masterclass in authenticity as he explains why 10% of people will love you no matter what you do, while another 10% will hate you regardless—a liberating truth that frees you to live at your essence without fear of judgment.

Perhaps most valuable is Meltzer's mathematical formula for creating what others call "luck": attention plus intention equals coincidences. By combining focused awareness with consistent, intentional action, you create the conditions for seemingly magical opportunities to appear in your life. This isn't wishful thinking but a practical system anyone can implement immediately.

Whether you're building a business, developing as a public speaker, or simply seeking more fulfillment, this episode delivers actionable wisdom from someone who's navigated both spectacular successes and humbling failures. Listen now to discover how expanding your skills, knowledge, and desires can transform your life into one that surpasses even your own imagination.

Connect & Discover David:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeltzer11/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeltzer2/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflt1OopRWIApMOjVgZyJ6Q

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmeltzer

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/office-hours-with-david-meltzer/id1678157057

Website: https://dmeltzer.com/

Book: Game-Time Decision Making

Book: Connected to Goodness: Manifest Everything You Desire In Business

FOLLOW MICK ON:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast

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

Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

Confronting mortality changes everything. Will Craig knows this truth intimately, living with a medical condition that gives him just eight hours if his brain shunt fails. Having already survived six brain surgeries and battling through devastating personal losses, Will has transformed these experiences into a powerful mission focused on mental health advocacy and human connection.

During our raw, profound conversation, Will unpacks his journey from being "a scared kid" who believed his existence was a burden to others, to becoming a bestselling author, speaker, and mental health advocate. His evolution wasn't instant - it took years of healing, self-forgiveness, and purposeful introspection to arrive at his current clarity about what truly matters.

What makes Will's perspective so valuable is the practicality behind his philosophy. He shares specific tools anyone can use to manage mental health challenges, from journaling techniques that help process emotions to simple breathing exercises that create crucial moments of pause during heightened anxiety. These aren't theoretical concepts - they're battle-tested strategies from someone who understands darkness intimately.

Perhaps most powerful is Will's perspective on legacy. "It's not about how I led," he explains. "It's what did they learn from me, what were they inspired from, and how I lived my life every single day." This simple yet profound insight challenges us all to consider not just our achievements, but the invisible impact of how we move through the world each day.

Connect & Discover Will:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mental_health_with_will/?hl=en

YouTube: Sunday Reset w/Will & Friends

YouTube:@MentalHealthwithWill

Book: One Step Forward (Ideally in the Right Direction)

Journal: The Sunday Reset Journal: Writing Prompts for your Inner Healing

FOLLOW MICK ON:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast

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

Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/

Rachel Rodgers captivates with her remarkable journey from struggling attorney with a 400-level credit score to self-made millionaire and eight-figure business owner. Her transformation wasn't built on luck or privilege, but strategic risk-taking and unwavering belief in her capabilities.

With refreshing candor, Rachel shares how seeing her staggering $300,000 student loan debt became a catalyst rather than a paralyzer. While her law school peers pursued traditional careers with modest starting salaries, she took the entrepreneurial path—launching her own practice that matched conventional salaries in year one and quadrupled them by year two. This exponential growth demonstrates her core philosophy: calculated risks often yield returns that conventional paths simply cannot match.

What sets Rachel apart is her commitment to democratizing wealth creation. She describes herself as "the guinea pig" who tests pathways to prosperity, then creates systems to teach others—particularly women and marginalized communities—how to follow similar trajectories

For business leaders, Rachel delivers another transformative insight: creating a company where you genuinely enjoy showing up is non-negotiable for sustainable growth. She advocates adjusting offers, marketing approaches, and systems to maintain enthusiasm while advancing core mission objectives—recognizing that leader burnout inevitably impacts client experiences.

Connect & Discover Rachel:

Website: https://rachelrodgers.com/

Website: https://helloseven.co/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelannerodgers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachrodgersesq/ Book: We Should All Be Millionaires

Book: Million Dollar Action

Book: Future Millionaire: A Young Person's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Wealth Inevitable

FOLLOW MICK ON:

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast

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

Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/