Send us Fan Mail

Chris Welton was born with one hand. He's a performance coach, TEDx speaker, and international bestselling author of One Jordan — and he built his entire professional network by mailing strangers a single Jordan sneaker with a note: want the other one? Give me a call.

It worked on Damon West. It worked on Ben Newman. It worked well enough that John Maxwell built a keynote around the strategy and started naming Chris from the stage — Chris found out because strangers began messaging him on LinkedIn mid-talk.

In this conversation, Chris and Josh get into what separates lived adversity from performative resilience: the four ways people show up when adversity hits, why Chris intentionally puts himself in brutal physical situations before life does it for him, and what happened at HYROX in Dallas when he went face-first into the turf twenty meters from the finish and his wife told the paramedics to back up.

He also opens up about mental health, PTSD, and why men his size don't have those conversations.

In this episode:

- The One Jordan strategy and why most people aren't bold enough to try it
Why the gap between top producers and mediocre performers is smaller than you think

- Victim, Survivor, Warrior, Architect — the four adversity paradigms

- The Adversity Accelerator: training for hardship before it arrives

- Why Chris moves foster-care kids to the top of the resume pile

- Accountability versus ownership, and what it costs teams when leaders get it wrong

- The sentence his grandmother said to him 47 years ago that shaped everything

Connect with Chris Welton:
Website: https://chriswelton.live
Instagram: @onehandatatime
Podcast: One Hand At A Time
Book: https://onejordanbook.com
 
Connect with Josh Kosnick:
https://joshkosnick.com
Life Quotient Assessment: https://www.joshkosnick.com/assessment

Spartans — share this episode far and wide.

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

Most people think legacy is something you build at the end — a monument, an inheritance, a name on a building "someday." That's the first lie. The second one is even more common: legacy is what you leave behind.

In this solo episode, I break down the two lies about legacy almost everyone believes — and why both of them are keeping you from building one right now.

Inside this episode:

• The moving-truck moment that made me question everything I'd chased
• The three questions I asked myself in the field — and the sad answer to all three
• Why your legacy is a Kairos problem, not a Kronos problem
• What Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Deuteronomy actually say about inheritance (hint: it's not the greeting-card version)
• Marcus Aurelius vs. the Spartans — and the tension that reframes how you should live today
• The one question to ask yourself before you go to bed tonight

If this hit you, share it with one person who needs to hear it today.

📖 The Kairos Code audiobook launches August 1. Join the launch team → kairoscode.com/250

Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://joshkosnick.com/connect

Chapters:

0:00 What did you leave in someone today?
1:17 Welcome + audiobook launch team (Aug 1)
2:18 Two lies people believe about legacy
2:51 The boxes in the basement
4:56 If you died tonight, what would they say?
6:09 Lie #1 — Legacy is a future event
7:14 The to-be list and the to-feel list
8:38 The DM that arrived 8 years later
10:46 Lie #2 — Legacy is what you leave behind
12:57 My father-in-law's boots
14:01 What scripture actually says
16:25 Why I started this podcast
17:25 Marcus Aurelius pushes back
19:08 The Spartan view — timē and kleos
21:08 Kronos vs. Kairos
22:03 What did I leave in someone today?

#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #Legacy #Kairos #FaithInBusiness #JoshKosnick #TheKairosCode #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

People don’t change.

It sounds wise… until it quietly wrecks your life.

In this episode, Josh makes the case against one of the most common lies in our culture: that you’re stuck with who you’ve always been. He breaks down why that belief feels safe, how it kills growth in real time, and what the science and lived stories say about actual transformation.

You’ll hear:
• Why “people don’t change” is self-protection, not truth
• How your brain and nervous system can actually rewire over time
• Why the “21 days to change your life” idea is wrong (and what really happens)
• Real examples of addiction broken, bodies rebuilt, and generational patterns ending
• A practical framework for what change requires: decision, plan, repetition, community, faith

This isn’t motivational fluff. It’s the uncomfortable reality that change is hard, slow, and still completely available—if you’re willing to pay the price in repetition.

If you’ve ever looked at your own story and thought,  “Maybe this is just who I am…” ,watch this before you decide that your past gets the final say.

Connect with Josh Kosnick: joshkosnick.com

#SpartanLeadership #Leadership #BusinessSuccess #Mindset #Entrepreneurship #SelfImprovement #Podcast #JoshKosnick #SpartanMindset

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

What does it really look like to go from a $2,500 bet to a 9‑figure beverage brand?

In this episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick sits down with Adam Kroener, co‑founder and president of Carbliss, to break down how he went from putting a drink “in a can” and “selling the shit out of it” to building a massive ready‑to‑drink cocktail company.  Adam shares how a backyard idea turned into a real business, why his wife’s 25 “better questions” became their first business plan, and how they ended up doing the exact opposite of what was on that plan once they got into the real world.

Adam pulls back the curtain on formulation, distribution, culture, and the realities of scaling, including flying to California to dial in flavor because he didn’t know how to describe what he was tasting, honoring his late best friend through the parent company name, and learning to ask experts better questions instead of pretending to know it all.

You’ll hear the unpolished story behind Carbliss, from early fears and $2,500 on the line to navigating explosive growth, hiring, and building a team that can sell “the shit out of it” without losing who they are.

In this episode:

• The $2,500 down-payment story and the “put it in a can” moment with his wife
• How a non-beverage guy learned to talk to beverage experts and dial in flavor
• Turning 25 questions into a business plan they eventually did the opposite of
• Honoring a best friend through the parent company behind Carbliss
• What it really takes to scale from an idea to a 9-figure brand

Connect with Adam Kroener | adamkroener.com
Drink Carbliss | https://drinkcarbliss.com
Follow Josh Kosnick | joshkosnick.com

Timestamps:

00:00 Cold open – “Put it in a can and sell the shit out of it”  
00:57 Welcome back + who Adam is and why his story matters  
02:23 Army deployment to Iraq and how it shaped his leadership  
04:11 From factory floor to leading 1,000+ people in manufacturing  
07:41 Early failed business, delusional confidence, and what he learned  
10:22 The $2,500 bet and the origin story of Carbliss  
12:32 Visionary vs. integrator – building the business with his wife  
13:54 Why Carbliss tastes like the name on the can (product and flavor philosophy)
39:57 Family, staying grounded, and building a life around the business  
01:08:01 Legacy, the real American Dream, and Adam’s final leadership lesson

#SpartanLeadership #AdamKroener #Carbliss #Entrepreneurship #StartupStory #BusinessPodcast #Founders #Leadership #BeverageIndustry #CPG #DrinkBusiness #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #VeteranOwned #HusbandAndWifeTeam

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

AI isn’t here to replace you. It’s here to multiply you.

In this Spartan Leadership episode, Josh sits down with entrepreneur and operator Matt Schmitt to break down why his core thesis is simple: AI + humans = superpowers.

Matt shares how he went from an IT grad in the Great Recession, to buying cans for Anheuser-Busch, to building and exiting e‑commerce brands, and now to building AI tools that help small operators move like an army without losing the handshake, the character, or the relationship.

They talk about how to use AI without handing over your thinking, why the “big guys” will cut people while the real competitive advantage for small businesses is keeping your people and equipping them, and how faith, marriage, and fatherhood have shaped the way Matt builds.

Connect with Josh Kosnick: https://joshkosnick.com

Connect with Matt Schmitt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realmattschmitt

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

What do you do when the business, career, or life plan you built your identity on suddenly disappears?

In this episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick sits down with Dr. Christine Whelan, the “purpose professor,” to talk about why purpose is a verb—something you do every day with your gifts and values—rather than a job title or a single life calling.

They unpack what happens when everything falls apart: Josh’s story of losing his business five years ago, empty nest transitions, career changes, and the quiet identity crises that come when a chapter ends. Dr. Whelan explains how to separate your purpose from your role, why transitions make purpose feel more urgent, and how to design a life where you spend more time on the things you’re gifted at and actually enjoy.

You’ll hear a research‑backed definition of purpose, a fresh take on happiness as a byproduct (not the goal), and a practical framework for living with pro‑social purpose—using your gifts, in keeping with your values, to positively impact other people in the community.

If you’ve ever asked “What now?” after a loss, layoff, or big life change, this conversation is for you.

In this episode:
• Why “purpose is a verb,” not a one‑time discovery or slogan
• How to think about purpose when your business, role, or season ends
• Designing work you love using a simple “T‑chart” exercise
• Purpose in parenting and raising kids who live their values
• Pro‑social purpose, “eco‑you” vs “ego‑you,” and why community matters

Connect with Dr. Christine Whelan:
- Website: https://christinewhelan.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbwhelan/

Connect with Josh Kosnick:
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/joshkosnick
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/joshkosnick
- Website: https://joshkosnick.com

#PurposeIsAVerb #ChristineWhelan #SpartanLeadership #PurposeAfterLoss #LifeTransitions #FindYourPurpose #ChristianLeadership #BusinessLeadership #PersonalGrowth #Podcast 

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode of Spartan Leadership, Josh Kosnick tackles a problem that’s quietly wrecking our society, our homes, and our boardrooms: the inability to hold two truths at the same time. From Memorial Day to the boardroom to your marriage, he breaks down how binary thinking masquerades as conviction while quietly destroying wisdom, trust, and culture.

You’ll hear why being “for” or “against” everything isn’t strength, it’s rigidity — and how real leaders learn to sit in tension, honor complexity, and still make clear decisions. Josh then walks through six practical disciplines you can start using this week to build the muscle of holding two truths without folding under pressure.

If you’re a leader at work, at home, or in your community, this episode will challenge how you think, how you decide, and how you show up when things get complex.

🔗 Learn more and go deeper with The Kairos Code at thekairoscode.com

⏱️ Timestamps
00:00 – What happens when you can’t hold two truths and why it limits everything downstream  
00:22 – Six practical disciplines to build the “two truths” leadership muscle  
00:49 – Stop reacting: creating a gap between stimulus and response so wisdom can get in  
01:28 – Welcome back to Spartan Leadership with Josh Kosnick; introducing “Two Truths”  
02:01 – From BLM and “defund the police” to everyday conversations: how we’re trained to pick a side  
02:26 – “Not every cop is bad, : both/and thinking in practice  
02:48 – Why having to pick a side on everything has frustrated Josh for years  
03:10 – How this conditioning is showing up in your home and your boardroom  
03:35 – Memorial Day: honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to this country  
03:54 – Anti‑war and pro‑soldier: holding two truths that culture treats as incompatible  
04:18 – Against war, honoring every fallen soldier, and why that’s now seen as controversial  
05:11 – What we’ve lost in society, in homes, and in business: the ability to hold two truths  
05:36 – Binary thinking feels like conviction but is actually rigidity and limitation  
06:07 – How algorithms reward hot takes over wisdom and train us for performance, not discernment  
07:03 – From newspapers to modern media: why the hot take wins and corrections disappear  
07:28 – When two truths can’t coexist, all that’s left is power — the loudest voice wins  
08:03 – Inside the boardroom: growth versus sustainability and why both are true at the same time  
08:32 – Dysfunctional leadership teams: ego with a title versus searching for truth  
08:59 – Visionary and Integrator: the EOS structure built on two necessary truths

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

Thomas Massie is facing a $35 million AIPAC-funded primary challenge—the most expensive congressional race in history. Why? Because he stood on principle instead of party loyalty. In this Leadership In Review episode, we break down what’s really happening in American politics, Trump’s broken promises on gas prices and America First, and the business lessons you need to hear.

Jason Smith (constitutional law expert) and Emanuel Whitfield (entrepreneur) join Josh Kosnick for an unfiltered breakdown of principle vs. politics, foreign policy reality, and why execution beats ideas every single time—featuring the legendary Michael Jackson 3AM story.

If you care about political integrity, business success, or understanding how money controls Congress, this conversation will open your eyes.

⏱️ CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Why We Do Leadership In Review: Real Conversations, Real Friends
3:03 - Thomas Massie Primary: AIPAC’s $35M Campaign Explained
5:20 - Massie’s Controversial Votes: Border Wall & Big Beautiful Bill
7:20 - Principle vs Party Loyalty: Where Do You Draw the Line?
9:00 - Can You Be Too Conservative? Legislative Teamwork Debate
10:25 - Trump’s Broken Promises: Gas Prices & Neglecting America
11:18 - Israel vs Iran Foreign Policy: The Real Debate No One’s Having
13:15 - JD Vance on Team Politics: “If We Can’t Count On You…”
19:00 - Big Beautiful Bill Analysis: Helping Workers or Adding Debt?
20:45 - Trump’s Empathy Problem: “Patriots Will Suck It Up”
22:00 - Business Success Reality: Right Place, Right People, Right Time
24:00 - Kushner’s $200 Billion Saudi Deal: How Connections Work
25:00 - The Tasting Room Effect: Networking That Actually Pays
27:00 - Midterm Preview: What Massie’s Race Means for 2026
29:00 - Information Age Paradox: Why Knowledge Isn’t Power
30:00 - Execution Over Ideas: Why Most People Fail
30:45 - Michael Jackson’s 3AM Call: Act Before Prince Gets Your Idea

🔥 KEY TOPICS COVERED:

Thomas Massie Kentucky primary election, AIPAC political spending, JD Vance team politics statement, Trump second term performance, gas prices rising under Trump, America First foreign policy debate, Israel Iran policy controversy, principle versus party loyalty, congressional voting records, business networking strategies, execution versus ideas in business, Michael Jackson creative process, deal making in cigar lounges, political influence money, 2026 midterm election predictions

👥 GUESTS:

Jason Smith - Constitutional law background, owns The Tasting Room Madison, believes in coalition building for transformative legislation
Emanuel Whitfield - Serial entrepreneur, business owner, political independent who calls out hypocrisy on both sides of the aisle

---

📺 MORE SPARTAN LEADERSHIP:

Subscribe for monthly Leadership In Review episodes where we discuss politics, business, and life over cigars—and still walk out as friends.

🔗 JOSH KOSNICK:

Website: https://www.joshkosnick.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshkosnick
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkosnick

#ThomasMassie #AIPAC #Trump2026 #LeadershipInReview #PoliticalDebate #AmericaFirst #GasPrices #CongressionalPolitics #BusinessNetworking #ExecutionOverIdeas #MichaelJackson #EntrepreneurMindset #2026Elections #PoliticalPrinciples #spartanleadership

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

Most conversations about Vortex Optics focus on the products. This one is about the people and the principles behind the glass.

In this Spartan Leadership episode, Joe Hamilton, CEO of Vortex Optics, gives an inside look at what truly drives the brand — from his father’s original vision to the employee‑owners in Barneveld who show up like it’s their company, and the front‑line team that lives out “we’ll take care of you” every single day.

We go deep on:

• Why Vortex once refused to let a flattering article run because it focused too much on the Hamilton family and not enough on staff and customers
• How the “About You” core value (instead of “About Us”) became the lens for every decision they make
• The story behind CARE — Create A Rare Experience — and how they build systems that let humans serve humans, not hide behind policies
• What it actually looks like to empower front‑line team members to solve problems without a script
• Why Joe believes scale and efficiency are NOT the ultimate thing, and how that conviction shapes the way they treat one customer at a time
• The weight of being trusted with a 10‑year, life‑and‑death U.S. Army contract — and what that does to the standards inside the building
• How legacy, stewardship, and his dad’s example keep Joe grounded as a leader

This is not a product review, a brand commercial, or a highlight reel. It’s a behind‑the‑scenes look at how Vortex thinks, what it expects from its people, and why the culture feels different when you walk through the doors.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What actually makes Vortex Vortex?” — this is the episode.

Chapters:
00:00 – Why this isn’t a typical CEO interview
02:00 – The article Vortex refused and what it revealed
03:00 – “About You,” Joe’s dad, and customer‑first values
07:00 – CARE: Create A Rare Experience
12:30 – A binocular, a son, and a rare experience in real life
15:00 – Why scale and efficiency aren’t the ultimate thing
20:00 – VIP Warranty and empowering the team to do what’s right
27:00 – Inside the Army contract and raising the bar internally
40:00 – Developing leaders and protecting the culture
55:00 – Legacy, stewardship, and the future of Vortex

Learn more about Vortex Optics: https://vortexoptics.com/
Connect with Josh Kosnick: joshkosnick.com
Follow Joe Hamilton on Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/joehamiltonlive/

#leadership #VortexOptics #companyculture #business #entrepreneurship #servantleadership #legacy #brandbuilding #customerobsession #customerservice #SpartanLeadership #podcast #businessleadership #mindset #highperformance #employeeowned #culturematters #faithinbusiness #purpose #JoshKosnick

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube

Send us Fan Mail

World Series rings don’t come from hype—they come from how you think when everything is on the line.

In this conversation, Josh Kosnick sits down with Joshua Lifrak, Director of Performance and Coaching at Limitless Minds and former Chicago Cubs Mental Skills Coach, to unpack the mindset systems behind the 2016 World Series run and how those same tools translate directly into the boardroom, the home, and your inner life.

They break down neutral thinking, why most leaders live in reaction instead of response, and how to shift from life by default to Win Today—no matter what happened yesterday. You’ll hear real stories from the Cubs’ clubhouse, lessons from elite performers and corporate leaders, and practical mental drills you can start using tomorrow morning.

If you’re a founder, executive, or business owner carrying real pressure—team, payroll, marriage, kids—this episode will challenge how you process adversity, define success, and lead when the moment gets loud.

In this episode:
The inside story of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series run and what was happening “between the ears” that fans never saw

What “be present, not perfect” looks like when the scoreboard, investors, or your family are watching

Neutral thinking vs positive thinking—and why neutrality creates better decisions under pressure

The six steps from Win Today and how they connect with the Five Bridges of Kairos (Spiritual, Internal, Relationships, Environment, Legacy)

Why high achievers resist “Mile Zero” and drift into complacency after big wins

How visualization actually works for elite performers—and how leaders can use it before key meetings, pitches, and hard conversations

The illusion of choice, failure as a non‑negotiable, and what it really costs to stay comfortable

Ready for a room where leaders tell the truth faster?
If this conversation hits home, you’re exactly the kind of leader Bridge Builder Mastermind is built for—a table of owners and executives who are done pretending everything is fine while carrying the full weight of their business and life.

Bridge Builder Mastermind is for leaders who have already built something meaningful, but know there’s another level of clarity, courage, and consistency required for the next chapter. Monthly, in‑person sessions in Madison, WI where we tackle real decisions, not hypotheticals—and you walk out with concrete next steps, not just motivation.

→ Apply here: https://www.joshkosnick.com/mastermind

CONNECT WITH ME HERE:
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
Twitter
TikTok
YouTube

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST HERE:
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
YouTube