School of Influence

Most leaders are not actually stepping into 2026. They are dragging unresolved decisions from 2025 behind them.

This episode of The School of Influence is a leadership walk around. Before you accelerate toward new goals, you need to inspect the frame you are building on. Momentum built on dysfunction always leads to burnout.

As a faith driven business leader and founder of the Influence Academy, I help entrepreneurs grow their impact, income, and influence through God honoring strategy. This episode calls leaders to stop chasing foliage that feeds the ego and start cultivating fruit that feeds the mission.

In this conversation, we break down:

• The Pilot’s Walk Around

Why speed without inspection creates hidden failure points.

• Fruit vs. Foliage

How to separate ego driven activity from real effectiveness.

• The Tax of Toleration

What you are allowing that is quietly draining your peace and energy.

• The Mirror Test

How fear gets disguised as wisdom, patience, or strategy.

This episode is not about doing more.

It is about removing what no longer belongs so your leadership can move forward clean, focused, and strong.

Most people don't truly "start fresh" in a new year; they often carry the "burden of the past" with them. We tend to cling to the old, rather than truly "let it go" and embrace a clean slate. This video explores why we must confront the "burden" we bring into new beginnings, rather than simply dragging our "past" along.

What if the hardest seasons of your life were not setbacks, but the very foundation of your calling?

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin Schubert sits down with purpose and possibility influencer Les Allen for a raw, faith-filled conversation about identity, resilience, and legacy. From growing up as one of five children raised by a single mother in Chicago to leaving home at sixteen and facing deep personal struggles, Les shares how hitting rock bottom became the turning point that awakened his true purpose.

This episode is a wake-up call for anyone who feels stuck, overlooked, or held back by past mistakes or limiting beliefs. Les unpacks how faith in action, not perfection, creates momentum. He challenges listeners to stop waiting for clarity and start moving with obedience, reminding us that influence begins with service, integrity, and small daily steps of courage.

If you are ready to break free from fear, reclaim your identity, and build a life that leaves a generational legacy, this conversation will stir your spirit and move you forward.

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What You’ll Learn

How to break free from limiting beliefs that keep you stuck

Why rock bottom is often the foundation for your next breakthrough

How faith and service create real influence in business and life

Why momentum starts with small, obedient steps, not perfection

Guest Bio

Les Allen is a Purpose and Possibility Influencer, ordained minister, four-time author, corporate trainer, and international coach who has worked with clients on five continents. His mission is to awaken people to the call on their lives by breaking down barriers to belief and stirring the giant within. Known for his deep faith, integrity, and servant leadership, Les lives as an unashamed Ambassador for Christ, helping others rise in purpose without compromising their values.

Guest Links & Resources

Website: https://www.ambassadorsway.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sr.lesallen

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sr.lesallen

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

Connect with Devin (Host)

Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

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

Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com/

Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

What if the very parts of your story you try to hide are the same parts that qualify you to lead?

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin Schubert sits down with Dr. Davis McAlister, a former homeless teen who went on to serve in U.S. military intelligence, become a doctor, author, and nationally recognized leadership coach. Dr. Davis shares how sleeping under stadium bleachers shaped the resilience, discipline, and identity that later defined his leadership.

This conversation dives deep into identity, influence, and leading without leverage. You’ll hear how military interrogation principles translate into modern leadership, why relationship matters more than position, and how past pain can become a strategic advantage instead of a liability.

If you’ve ever struggled with imposter syndrome, questioned your calling, or felt disqualified by your past, this episode will reset your perspective. Leadership is not about titles or platforms. It’s about character, clarity, and courage forged through experience.

Your story is not a weakness. It is a responsibility.

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Dr. Davis Transcript

What You’ll Learn

• How identity shapes influence long before position does

• Why leadership is built on relationship, not authority

• How to turn survival skills into leadership strategy

• A practical way to overcome imposter syndrome and lead with confidence

Guest Bio

Dr. Davis McAlister is a keynote speaker, author, and leadership coach known for transforming leaders into resilient problem solvers. With eight years of service in U.S. Army Military Intelligence as an Interrogator, Counterintelligence Specialist, and Linguist, Dr. McAlister brings a rare real-world perspective to leadership development. He is the author of The Interrogator’s Guide series and the host of The Approach YouTube show, where he interviews high-level performers across business, military, and leadership sectors. His work focuses on identity-driven leadership, influence without leverage, and building high-performing teams.

Dr. Davis

Guest Links & Resources

• Website: https://drdavismcalister.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davis.mcalister.27413

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DrDavisMcAlister

• Book Series: The Interrogator’s Guide

Connect with Devin (Host)

• Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

• Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

• Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

What happens when your life is shaped by adversity long before success ever shows up?

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin Schubert sits down with inspirational speaker Dwayne Morton, a man whose story proves that resilience builds real influence. From years of being overlooked in basketball, to living 18 years with a misdiagnosed blood disease, to surviving a police shooting by inches, Dwayne’s journey is raw, real, and deeply transformational.

This conversation goes beyond motivation. It dives into mindset, gratitude, faith, and what it truly means to show up with intention even when life feels unfair. Dwayne shares how his greatest challenges forged his character, sharpened his perspective, and ultimately prepared him to lead, speak, and serve at a higher level.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or questioned why your story looks the way it does, this episode will remind you that your scars are not setbacks. They are proof of preparation.

Your influence is not built when life is easy. It’s built by how you show up when it’s hard.

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What You’ll Learn

• Why resilience is built long before success ever shows up

• How mindset determines whether adversity breaks you or builds you

• The power of gratitude in seasons of uncertainty

• What it really means to show up with intention and purpose

Guest Bio

Dwayne Morton is an inspirational speaker, mindset coach, and former international basketball player whose life story is a testament to resilience and faith. After battling a rare blood disease for 18 years due to a misdiagnosis and surviving a near fatal police shooting, Dwayne emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Today, he helps athletes, leaders, and high achievers master their mindset, overcome adversity, and unlock their fullest potential. Through his work and his Show Up to Win movement, Dwayne empowers people to live with intention, presence, and courage.

Guest Links & Resources

• Website: https://showup2win.com

• Website: https://dwaynemorton.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwaynemorton

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showup2win

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/showup2win24

• Book: The Bounceback Blueprint: Become Bulletproof

Connect with Devin (Host)

• Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

• Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

• Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

What if your influence is not limited by your gifting, effort, or calling, but by your identity?

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin Schubert sits down with author, traveling minister, and Kingdom teacher Cameron Garner to unpack one of the most misunderstood truths in leadership and faith today: influence flows from identity, not effort.

Cameron shares his journey from religious performance to true sonship, revealing how many believers are trying to become what they already are. Together, they break down the difference between power and authority, why waiting on God can sometimes stall obedience, and how truth renews the mind and unlocks lasting transformation.

This conversation challenges the lie that God controls everything while reminding listeners that Heaven moves through surrendered sons and daughters who know who they are. You will walk away with clarity, confidence, and a deeper understanding of how identity fuels real Kingdom influence in everyday life, leadership, ministry, business, and beyond.

If you are ready to stop living small, stop striving, and start leading from truth, this episode is for you.

Get Your Story Published TODAY: https://www.storiestostages.com

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What You’ll Learn

Why identity, not gifting, determines the level of influence you walk in

The difference between power and authority and how to operate in both

How lies limit impact and truth unlocks freedom

Why waiting on God can sometimes delay obedience and growth

Guest Bio

Cameron Garner is an author, traveling minister, and former television host of The Kingdom Talk Show. He equips leaders, ministers, missionaries, and families to live radically transformed lives rooted in identity, truth, and Kingdom authority. Cameron’s teaching is known for being clear, bold, and deeply revelatory, helping believers move from religious performance into authentic freedom and impact. He currently resides in Puerto Rico, where he is launching a short-term power evangelism ministry school focused on identity, healing, deliverance, prophetic ministry, and effective Kingdom outreach.

Guest Links & Resources

Website: https://camerongarnerministries.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AR3xwMHt5

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@realmiraclesandhealings

Connect with Devin (Host)

Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

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

Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

What happens when God gives you a vision but no clear path to fund it?

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin Schubert sits down with nationally respected fundraising coach and faith-based leader Pastor Willie Peterson. Willie shares his raw journey from college dropout and touring musician to pastor, professor, and trusted guide helping leaders move from start-up to sustainability.

This conversation goes beyond grants and money. It dives into identity, obedience, clarity, and stewardship. You will hear why chasing money often kills vision, how relationships unlock provision, and why most ministries and nonprofits fail not from lack of calling, but from lack of strategy.

Pastor Willie breaks down the real difference between fundraising and grants, the steps leaders must take to qualify for funding, and how to build sustainable systems without losing heart or integrity. If you are a coach, speaker, nonprofit leader, or faith-driven entrepreneur trying to bring a God-given idea to life, this episode will challenge and equip you.

Your vision matters. And with the right foundation, it can last.

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What You’ll Learn:

• How to move your vision from paper to pavement with clarity and confidence

• Why funding follows obedience, structure, and relationships

• The difference between grants and everyday fundraising strategies

• How to qualify your organization for sustainable provision without burnout

Guest Bio:

Pastor Willie Peterson is a nationally respected fundraising coach, faith-based leader, and nonprofit strategist with over 30 years of experience in ministry, education, and organizational development. A former touring musician and college dropout, Willie’s story is one of redemption, calling, and obedience. As the founder of WEPete & Associates and the Kingdom Fundraisers Academy, he helps leaders move from vision to sustainability with integrity and faith. He is also the voice behind the 1-Minute Prayer Movement, reaching listeners in 13 countries and inspiring daily connection with God.

Guest Links & Resources:

• Website: https://www.wepeteinc.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorwpete/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/revwpete

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AskPastorWillie

Connect with Devin (Host):

• Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

• Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

• Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

This episode goes straight to the heart of every leader who’s ever wondered, “Why is the call so heavy?” Maurice F. Martin brings a level of honesty and fire that you can feel. A former award-winning vocalist featured on MTV and VH1, Maurice opens up about depression, addiction, identity, and the moment when God rebuilt his entire life from the ground up.

We talk calling. We talk crushing seasons. We talk about the inner critic that tries to talk you out of your assignment. And Maurice reminds us of something every leader needs to hear: God is not just after your talent. He is after your wholeness. Because healed leaders build healthy legacies.

If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, burnout, fear, or pressure… this conversation will breathe fresh courage into your spirit. You’ll learn why your season matters, how to hear God clearly in transition, and why the fire you walk through becomes the fire you carry.

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What You’ll Learn

– How to recognize the difference between God’s call and the voice of fear

 – Why healing is the foundation of true influence and sustainable leadership

 – How to navigate transition, spiritual pressure, and shifting seasons with confidence

 – The mindset shifts leaders must make to break burnout and walk boldly in purpose

Guest Bio

Maurice F. Martin is a transformational coach, counselor, speaker, and host of the Hope Rising Podcast. His bestselling book Your But Is Too Big empowers individuals to break through burnout, rebuild confidence, and embrace wholeness. Before stepping into coaching and ministry, Maurice was an award-winning vocalist with music featured on MTV, VH1, and global media platforms. Today, he helps leaders, churches, and organizations thrive by teaching resilience, healing, and God-centered identity.

Guest Links & Resources

– Website: https://www.mauricefmartin.com

 – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mauricefmartin

 – Instagram: https://instagram.com/mauricefmartin

 – YouTube: https://youtube.com/mauricefmartin

 – Book: Your But Is Too Big (Amazon)

Connect with Devin (Host)

– Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

 – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

 – Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

 – Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

Most people think they’re stuck because of lack of time, money, confidence, or motivation… but what if the real battle is happening inside you?

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, I sit down with Albert Pellissier, author of What’s On Your Back Burner and a transformational coach who helps entrepreneurs break free from the hidden inner conflicts that silently sabotage their goals. Albert shares the moment a childhood story created a limit he didn’t even know existed — and how resolving that one subconscious belief doubled his income in 120 days.

We talk about the voices inside that pull you backward, why success feels scary even when you’re praying for it, and the simple three-step process Albert developed to help people uncover and dissolve the invisible blocks they never realized were controlling their decisions.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, stalled, or resistant to the very things you say you want… this conversation will flip the page on your entire story.

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What You’ll Learn

– The surprising way childhood moments shape your adult success

– How hidden inner “characters” silently control your choices

– A simple three-step process to uncover and resolve subconscious resistance

– Why breakthrough happens fast once the real root issue is exposed

Guest Bio

Albert Pellissier is an entrepreneur, author, and coach who specializes in helping ambitious individuals uncover and resolve the subconscious conflicts that sabotage motivation and momentum. Living “at the intersection where ambition and laziness meet,” Albert discovered a simple, rapid process for identifying the internal characters that oppose success — a process he now uses to help burned-out dads, high-performing teens, entrepreneurs, and leaders experience massive breakthroughs.

He is the author of What’s On Your Back Burner: Using Dormant Desire to Relight Your Fire and leads individuals through powerful transformations via private coaching, online workshops, and in-person retreats.

Guest Links & Resources

– Website: https://backburnerbook.com

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=696435546

– Book: What’s On Your Back Burner (available on his website)

– Free Worksheets: https://backburnerbook.com

Connect with Devin (Host)

– Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

– Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

– Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin sits down with global energy mentor and business coach Emily Aarons, a woman who went from “the broke healer” to becoming a leading voice in conscious leadership, alignment, and soul-driven business growth.

Emily shares her journey from a 22-year-old wellness entrepreneur to a worldwide brand that reaches tens of thousands through her podcast, courses, app, and Energetic Advantage™ work. Together, Devin and Emily break down what it really takes to lead with clarity, heal from burnout, trust your intuition again, and step boldly into the life you were created for.

You’ll learn how to reset your energy in one minute, embody your future self, make aligned decisions in the middle of real-life chaos, and create success without the hustle taking you out at the knees.

This episode will help you slow down, breathe again, and pick up the power you’ve been carrying all along.

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What You’ll Learn

– How to align your energy so you can scale without burnout

– How embodiment helps you show up as your true, powerful self

– How to reset your mind and emotions in one minute

– How energy, intuition, and leadership work together in business growth

Guest Bio: Emily Aarons

Emily Aarons is the creator of The Energetic Advantage™, a business coach, speaker, and energy healer helping conscious leaders grow without losing themselves. From opening a brick-and-mortar wellness center at age 22 to building a global brand, Emily blends intuition with strategy to help women scale aligned businesses that feel good and create real impact. Through her podcast, app, courses, and coaching, she has served tens of thousands around the world and continues to lead a movement of entrepreneurs who want success without the burnout.

Guest Links & Resources:

– Website: https://www.emilyaarons.com

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emilyaaronsholistic

– Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilyaarons

– YouTube: https://www.emilyaarons.com/youtube

– The Mastering Ascension App (Free): https://www.emilyaarons.com/app

Connect with Devin (Host):

– Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

– Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

– Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com

In this powerful episode of The School of Influence, Devin Schubert sits down with TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and joy-driven coach Nikki Cruise, whose story will shake you, stretch you, and spark fresh faith.

For 11 years, Nikki lived strapped into a wheelchair. She couldn’t feed herself, fix her hair, or even steady her own hands. Doctors told her she would never walk again. But God had a different plan. What changed the trajectory of Nikki’s life wasn’t just a miracle moment—it was a choice. A choice to refuse the world’s labels. A choice to stop letting circumstances define her. A choice to believe again.

In this conversation, Nikki shares how gratitude became her turning point, how joy became her weapon, and how purpose pulled her out of despair into a bold, Kingdom-driven life of influence.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unseen, or unsure of your calling, this episode will remind you that your “wheelchair”—whatever it is—does not get the final say.

Get Your Story Published TODAY: https://www.storiestostages.com with Coupon Code PODCAST1

What You’ll Learn

– Why your circumstances do not define your identity

 – How gratitude becomes the doorway to unshakable joy

 – The mindset shift that unlocked Nikki’s healing after 11 years

 – How joy fuels leadership, influence, and Kingdom impact

 – The real reason joy is a weapon every entrepreneur needs

Guest Bio

Nikki Cruise is an international TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and empowerment coach known around the world as “The Joy Junkie.” After spending 11 years in a wheelchair and later experiencing a miraculous healing, Nikki now uses her story to ignite faith, courage, and bold Kingdom purpose in others. Through her J.U.M.P.P. Program (Joyfully Unleashing a More Powerful Purpose), she equips women and leaders to break limiting labels, rise in their God-given identity, and lead with joy that transforms lives. Nikki is originally from South Africa and now resides in Burleson, Texas, where she continues speaking, coaching, and releasing contagious joy everywhere she goes.

Guest Links & Resources

– Website: https://www.joy-inspired.com

 – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nikki.cruise.7

 – YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoyInspiredPodcast

 – Joy Resources + 30 Days of Joy Scriptures (from her podcast)

Connect with Devin (Host)

– Website: https://www.devinschubert.com

 – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/schubertdevin

 – Join the Influence Academy: https://influenceacademyonline.com

 – Grab Free Ebook: https://www.createbetterstories.com