My Life Lessons - The BurgeCast

Some music doesn’t just play in the background — it becomes part of who you are. In this episode, Jeff Burgess reflects on how the band Yes became the soundtrack of his life, shaping not just his musical taste, but his emotional world, friendships, and even how he approached work and opportunity.

Jeff traces his journey from early exposure to 1960s music through the moment progressive rock redefined what was possible, and why Yes stood apart from everything else. He shares how their complexity, harmonies, and ambition resonated deeply, forging lifelong memories through concerts, friendships, and decades of shared experiences. From Close to the Edge to front-row shows and backstage moments, this episode is a love letter to music that dared to be bigger than the radio.

A reflective, passionate episode about art, influence, and how the right soundtrack can quietly guide a life — one bold “Yes” at a time.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

What happens when your mind remembers everything — including the moments you wish it wouldn’t? In this episode, Jeff Burgess explores how vivid childhood memories, both painful and formative, shaped the person he eventually became.

Jeff reflects on growing up in a turbulent family environment, navigating neglect, loss, and early recklessness, and carrying the burden of a photographic memory that preserved every detail along the way. He shares how broken bones, public embarrassment, and emotional distance became unlikely teachers — ultimately instilling empathy, independence, and compassion for others.

A deeply reflective episode about learning from what hurt, finding strength in survival, and turning difficult memories into lessons that last a lifetime.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

Most sales conversations fail before the meeting even starts — not because of price or product, but because of a lack of confidence. In this episode, Jeff Burgess explains why real confidence isn’t improvised in the room — it’s built long before you walk through the door.

Jeff breaks down how preparation, listening, and intellectual honesty create a quiet authority that customers trust. He shares why doing deep homework, asking better questions, and admitting what you don’t know are strengths, not weaknesses — and how that mindset turns conversations into long-term relationships. When confidence is grounded in substance rather than showmanship, selling becomes natural instead of forced.

A sharp, practical episode about earning trust, avoiding ego-driven mistakes, and why confidence — when done right — closes more doors than pressure ever could.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

What if getting college “wrong” is sometimes how you get it right? In this episode, Jeff Burgess reflects on his unconventional college experience — one that had very little to do with grades, textbooks, or diplomas, and everything to do with people.

Jeff shares how culture shock, exclusion, unexpected friendships, and hard lessons outside the classroom shaped his understanding of race, acceptance, and human connection. From dorm-room misfires to finding belonging in unlikely places, he explains why college became less about academics and more about learning how to relate, listen, and live alongside people from every background.

A candid, humorous, and thoughtful episode about education beyond the syllabus — and why the lessons that matter most often happen when you least expect them.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

Every career has a starting point — and sometimes it’s far from the boardroom. In this episode, Jeff Burgess looks back at the early warehouse job that unexpectedly became the foundation for everything that followed.

Jeff shares how sweeping floors, organizing inventory, and learning products from the ground up gave him an education no textbook ever could. Those early lessons shaped how he built trust, earned credibility, and connected with people at every level of business — from manufacturer reps to executives. He reflects on why humility, curiosity, and shared experience create stronger teams and better leaders.

A reflective, insight-driven episode about why starting at the bottom isn’t a disadvantage — it’s an advantage — and how the lessons you learn early can carry you all the way to the top.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

When success gives you more than you need, what do you do with it? In this episode, Jeff Burgess explains why donating 100% of his book profits to the Wounded Warrior Project wasn’t a marketing decision — it was a personal one.

Jeff shares the moments and experiences that shaped this commitment, from witnessing 9/11 firsthand to decades of work supporting military and government installations across the globe. He reflects on the pride his team felt protecting those who protect us, and why supporting post-9/11 veterans and their families remains deeply meaningful to him and his family.

A thoughtful, values-driven episode about gratitude, service, and turning personal success into real-world impact — proving that purpose doesn’t end when the work is done.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today! Now also available in audiobook format.

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

What if the same rules that build great companies also make everyday life work better? In this episode, Jeff Burgess distills decades of hard-earned experience into ten simple business principles that extend far beyond the office.

Jeff breaks down how a relentless focus on speed, accountability, quality, and culture helped build a $100 million company, and why those same habits apply just as powerfully to relationships, decision-making, and personal integrity. From knowing your customer (and your competition), to trusting your gut, owning mistakes, and becoming a trusted advisor, he explains why confidence and accountability are non-negotiable.

A practical, no-fluff episode about raising your own bar, building trust through action, and why success in business and in life comes down to doing the basics exceptionally well.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

Some childhood experiences don’t fade with time — they shape everything that comes after. In this episode, Jeff Burgess shares a deeply personal story about growing up with a severe stutter, the public humiliation that came with it, and the long road to finding his voice.

Jeff reflects on bullying, family pressure, and the fear of simply opening his mouth, and how those early struggles followed him into adulthood. He walks through the turning point that changed everything: learning to slow down, reclaim control, and build confidence one word at a time. What began as a childhood liability eventually became a source of strength, shaping his ability to lead, sell, and speak to rooms full of people around the world.

A raw and powerful episode about resilience, self-advocacy, and why confidence — not speed — is what truly gives your voice its power.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

You don’t have to be a lifelong reader to have a story worth telling. In this episode, Jeff Burgess shares how a man who never considered himself a “book person” somehow ended up writing one — and why it almost didn’t happen.

Jeff walks through the unlikely path that led him from health scares and retirement to putting forty-five years of lessons onto the page. What began as a personal legacy for his kids slowly evolved into a published book, thanks to timing, friendship, and a willingness to be vulnerable about the journey. Along the way, he reflects on doubt, serendipity, collaboration, and the unexpected people who helped turn a raw manuscript into something real.

A candid, heartfelt episode about storytelling, legacy, and how sometimes the most meaningful projects start by accident — and finish with purpose.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)

Ever notice how a few casual phrases can quietly undo your credibility? In this episode, Jeff Burgess challenges the language habits that sound harmless but signal avoidance, indifference, or a lack of ownership — especially when things go wrong.

Jeff breaks down why phrases like “my bad,” “everything happens for a reason,” and “it is what it is” often shut down accountability instead of building trust. He shares how taking clear ownership, choosing intentional language, and stepping into responsibility can instantly change how you’re perceived — turning mistakes into moments of leadership rather than excuses.

A candid, practical episode about using words with purpose, separating yourself from the herd, and becoming the person who doesn’t just react to outcomes — but shapes them.

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, pick up a copy of 𝙄𝙩 𝙒𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙁𝙤𝙧 𝙈𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙎𝙚𝙞𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙪𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 today!

100% of all royalties go directly to the Wounded Warrior Project!

Wondrous Stories.... Words and music by Jon Anderson.

Copyright held by Atlantic Recording Corporation (℗ 1977, 2003, 2008)