Episode 100: Christina Dufour & The Fifth Agreement: A Practical Guide To Self-Mastery

ABOUT CHRISTINA

Christina, a Founder with Native American heritage, has a background in Finance and brings over a decade of experience in Business Development to her mission of specializing well-being in the workplace. With a degree in Business Management and Organization, Christina integrates well-being and performance practices into corporate settings, collaborating with esteemed organizations and executives. Christina developed an expertise in well-being with 13+ years of studying and teaching meditative modalities and supports individuals at all levels to overcome their unique challenges, foster inner balance, find confidence, and more effectively manage stress. She has studied with many expert teachers and a Buddhist monk, and is certified in multiple other introspective and expressive modalities. She leverages her unique blend of wellness and business expertise to craft customized programs that provide results-based tailored solutions for industry-specific stressors.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Christina is, How has life's programming of your perception limited your understanding of yourself AND the world around you?

FIND CHRISTINA

LinkedIn Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/episode-100-christina-dufour-fifth-agreement-guide-john-m--geguf/?trackingId=8RlmwMneQIao%2B4zCOjRAhw%3D%3D

CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Book Leads - Christina Dufour

00:46 - Introduction & Bio

02:42 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

04:03 - The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Christina's work and people's needs.

07:18 - How Christina's expressive work has contributed to the introspection work with her clients.

10:44 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

16:35 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

21:29 - What does leadership mean to you?

22:52 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

25:46 - Overview of the 1st Agreement - Be Impeccable With Your Word

33:37 - Overview of the 2nd Agreement - Don't Take Anything Personally

52:56 - Overview of the 3rd Agreement - Don't Make Assumptions

01:21:35 - Overview of the 4th Agreement - Always Do Your Best

01:31:12 - Overview of the 5th Agreement - Be Skeptical, But Learn To Listen

01:39:07 - Overview of the Three Attentions: (1) Victim, (2) Warrior, and (3) Master

01:51:07 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

· Watch on YouTube

· Listen on Spotify

· Listen on Google Podcasts

· Listen on ⁠Apple Podcasts

· Read About The Book Leads – Blog Post

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!

Episode 99: Sean Stewart and (a) The Greek Hoplite Phalanx: The Iconic Heavy Infantry of the Classical Greek World by Richard Taylor & (b) Living Latin: Everyday Language and Popular Culture by Charlie Kerrigan

ABOUT SEAN

Sean Stewart is a seasoned historian, leadership consultant, and business trainer. With over 30 years of experience in studying and working in the history field, Sean's multifaceted expertise in history, sailing, and storytelling enables him to connect people with our shared human experience across millennia. Sean has been dedicated to unveiling the power of history to transform our present perspectives and inspire positive change. As a historical leadership excellence expert, he

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Sean is, How do you utilize the stories of your past -- and history, overall -- to shape your approach to your work, life, and leadership?

FIND SEAN

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7203475413115781121/

CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast - Sean Stewart

00:41 - Introduction & Bio

02:42 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

13:57 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

16:11 - Where did your curiosity for the story come from?

25:00 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

26:00 - What does leadership mean to you?

31:39 - Can you introduce us to the books we’re discussing? (Greek Hoplite Phalanx)

38:37 - More on the book Living Latin

39:44 - How we should teach history today

44:46 - Synopsis of Sean's upcoming book

46:35 - A leader from history who stands out to Sean

56:25 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!

Episode 98: Jeff Buehner and His Book, The Sultan's Seven Secrets

ABOUT JEFF

30 years ago, Jeff came across the writings of the richest man to ever walk the earth, Sultan Musa of Mali who could not talk openly about how he learned these wealth secrets, so he embedded the principles of his success in a fairytale. Contained in his writings is something called the Language of the Gods. When you speak this language, the

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Jeff is, How are your deep feelings about yourself and your circumstances impacting the result of what you want for yourself?

FIND JEFF

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/episode-98-jeff-buehner-sultans-seven-secrets-jaramillo-mba-msop-wncme/?trackingId=sgxLPVqpTguRl7KdUA3W1A%3D%3D

VIDEO TIME STAMP

00:00 - The Book Leads Podcast - Jeff Buehner

00:42- Introduction & Bio

02:16- Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

03:02- How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

07:48 - When you say you're more of a black or white person, where does that come from?

12:00 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

13:17- What does leadership mean to you?

14:05- Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing

23:04 - An overview of the origin of the Sultan's Secrets.

59:10 - How the Sultan's Secrets affected Jeff's life up until the point he wrote his book.

01:10:00- What’s next for your writing?

01:13:08- What book has inspired you?

01:15:53- What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last

Episode 97: Mónica Esgueva and Her Book, The 7 Levels of Wisdom: A Path To Fulfillment

ABOUT MONICA

Mónica Esgueva is a renowned self-development teacher and spiritual guide known for bridging the gap between Eastern and Western philosophies. With a profound understanding of the mind, human consciousness, and spirituality, she has been helping the transformation of individuals for more than fifteen years.  She is a prolific author who is celebrated for her impact on self-development in Spain and Latin America, and she has 9 empowering books. Mónica's journey extends beyond her literary contributions; during a decade-long exploration of India and Nepal, she immersed herself in profound teachings from Tibetan lamas, including the

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Mónica is, How are you responding to the voice that's calling you to transform into what it is you're meant to be?

FIND MONICA

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/episode-97-m%2525C3%2525B3nica-esgueva-7-levels-wisdom-path-jaramillo-mba-msop-h4wge/?trackingId=UytCUHY9TCG6Jqg2rDkrlg%3D%3D

CHAPTERS – NEED TO FIX FOR AUDIO

00:00 - The Book Leads - Mónica Esgueva

00:50 - Introduction & Bio

02:54 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

07:05 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

16:29 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

18:12 - What does leadership mean to you?

20:06 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

27:25 - Can you provide a general overview of the book?

29:00 - What are the seven levels of wisdom?

43:40 - What lessons have you taken away from the book?

49:46 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last

Episode 96: Dr. Eric Boyd and his book with Anna Alvarez Boyd, PCC, FairWays to Leadership®: Building Your Business Network One Round of Golf at a Time

ABOUT ERIC

Eric is Professor Emeritus at James Madison University and associate professor of marketing at the University of Central Florida. His research on leadership has been published in leading management journals like Harvard Business Review and Advertising Age. He received his PhD in marketing from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia and is an award-winning scholar who is recognized internationally for the innovativeness and quality of his instruction. Eric promotes leadership development and training through his work with FairWays to Leadership (FWTL), a national nonprofit he co-founded with his wife, Anna Alvarez Boyd. The mission of FairWays to Leadership is to teach leadership and networking skills to college students from diverse communities through the experience of learning to golf. Eric is also a leadership coach with Inntinnean Coaching. Eric's coaching philosophy is that every person has innate strengths, and the use of those strengths is key to successfully leading others and oneself. Working with clients to understand their leadership strengths through reflection and assessment, Eric provides clients with a customized approach that allows them to be more effective leaders. 

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Eric is, Which superpower, that could benefit and possibly be life-changing for others when you share it, are you overlooking?

FIND ERIC

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7196579462459572224/

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction & Bio - Dr. Eric Boyd

03:00 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

11:38 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

25:30 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

26:11 - Where does your servant leadership come from

28:38 - What does leadership mean to you?

29:35 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing? A breakdown of the chapters in the book.

32:47 - What do alumni of FairWays to Leadership say about their takeaways?

35:20 - How does the program work, between the classwork and golfing?

41:38 - What lessons have you taken away from the book

43:24 - How did it work out with you cowriting the book with your wife?

45:05 - What’s next for your writing?

45:36 - What book has inspired you?

49:00 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!

Episode 95: Suzi Hunn & Her Book, Big-Hearted Entrepreneur: Own Your Worth and Amplify a Mission That Matters

ABOUT SUZI

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Suzi is, What's the medicine in you that others need? How do you own it and amplify what you can share with others?

FIND SUZI

CHAPTERS

00:00 - The Book Leads - Suzi Hunn

00:50 - Introduction & Bio

02:41 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

24:07 - What it means when "the person doing the talking is the person doing the learning.

27:46 - What the mantra "You have the medicine that you must own" means.

34:51 - How did your path into your career start off, and what did it look like up until now?

36:23 - Where Suzi's interest in business came from.

42:09 - How Suzi's entrepreneurial journey began.

52:32 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

01:04:49 - What does leadership mean to you?

01:05:44 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

01:10:46 - How the book is organized and laid out for the reader & breakdown of the chapters in the book.

01:17:38 - Breakdown of the chapters in the book.

01:19:48- What lessons have you taken away from the book?

01:30:28- What’s next for your writing?

01:31:54 - What lessons Suzi hopes readers take away from the book.

01:33:16- What book has inspired you?

01:36:25- What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last

Episode 94: Sandra Long & Her Book, LinkedIn for Personal Branding: The Ultimate Guide

ABOUT SANDRA

Sandra is a leading global independent LinkedIn consultant, instructor, speaker, and author. She is the author of the best-selling book, LinkedIn

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Sandra is, How are you crafting your personal branding, itemizing the pieces of your strengths and values, incorporating them into your story?

FIND SANDRA

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7190804621861208064/

VIDEO TIME STAMP

00:00 - Guest - Sandra Long

00:49 - Introduction & Bio

02:31 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

04:26 - Changes in Sandra's field during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

07:47 - How did your path into your

08:59 - Sandra's jump from sales to

16:40 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

17:51 - What does leadership mean to you?

18:52 - What Thought Leadership can mean

24:23 - What the proliferation of AI might mean for LinkedIn

26:59 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

31:45 - General Overview of Book / Breakdown of Chapters

45:49 - What lessons have you taken away from the book?

47:10 - What’s next for your writing?

48:25 - What book has inspired you?

49:20 - What are you up to these days? (A

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last

Episode 93: Melanie Herschorn & Her Book, Make a Big Impact with Your Book: Author Marketing Strategies for Long-Term Success

ABOUT MELANIE

Melanie wants to help you step into your spotlight as an authority. A publisher and book marketing expert for business owners, consultants, professionals and speakers worldwide, she’s on a mission to empower authors to share their message with the world. With her comprehensive background of over 20 years as a celebrity publicist, award-winning journalist in radio, print, and TV, as well as a clothing designer and entrepreneur, Melanie is uniquely positioned to support authors to step into thought leadership and make a big impact with their book. Her new book, Make a Big Impact with Your Book, is available now.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Melanie is, How are you telling and empowering YOUR story? Are you telling it at all, or have you given up?

FIND MELANIE

LinkedIn – Full Podcast Article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/episode-93-melanie-herschorn-make-big-impact-your-john-m--ktzae/?trackingId=dukN9pJiRcWmw52F8mxlKg%3D%3D

VIDEO TIME STAMP

00:00 - Guest - Melanie Herschorn

00:49- Introduction & Bio

02:55 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

07:34- While in the field of publishing, what kind of shifts have you seen in the industry?

10:44- How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

17:52- What was it that drew you to journalism and telling other people's stories?

21:53 - Does it make sense from who you were as a child that this is what you would be doing in your career?

29:14- What does leadership mean to you?

30:06- Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

33:20- Can you provide a general overview of the book?

43:48- A breakdown of the chapters in the book.

51:20 - Is there a certain part of the book that resonates most with people?

53:33 - Takeaways from a toxic

56:30 - What's changed in you as a result

57:38- What book has inspired you?

01:00:54 - What’s next for your writing?

01:02:39- What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last

Episode 92: Bernard Chong & Made In America: My Story by Sam Walton

ABOUT BERNARD

Bernard stands at the helm of a billion-dollar investment empire, seamlessly navigating traditional businesses and cutting-edge tech startups alike. His diverse portfolio spans industries from retail, real estate, and entertainment to food and beverage. His interests range from animation (ASI Studios) and radio communications (Energy FM) to food and beverage (Tim Hortons/Kko Kko), entertainment (RKB Productions), and IT (Thirty One Digital), among others. A luminary in the esports industry, Bernard gained international acclaim for founding the award-winning Bren Esports (now APBren) in 2017. Bernard's philanthropic endeavors are as extensive as his business ventures. As the co-owner of Synergy88 Studios, the Philippines' first Microsoft-accredited art supplier specializing in mobile games and 2D character designs, he contributes to the flourishing creative industry. His upcoming ventures include the U.S. expansion of Mendo Coffee Company, a new mobile app platform, housing developments in Panama, the BrenNetwork investment fund, and the launch of the BrenSEED Foundation—a global education-focused non-profit. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Bernard is an avid Legos enthusiast, chess player, and comic book aficionado, with a particular fondness for Batman. Currently residing in Beverly Hills, CA, he is a devoted father and family man.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Bernard is, How open, curious, and prepared are

FIND BERNARD

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Guest - Bernard Chong

00:47 - Introduction & Bio

02:40 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?

04:25- How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?

24:50 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?

28:58 - What does leadership mean to you?

32:23 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?

36:40 - What lessons have you taken away from the book?

36:59 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!

Episode 91: Carl Grant III & His Book, How To Live The Abundant Life

ABOUT CARL

Carl Grant III lives in Austin, TX and is the married father of five adult children. He’s the Author of “How to Live the Abundant Life,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Carl is CEO of Capital Raise and Connexa Holdings, LLC, is Chairman of Cationic Mineral Formulations, Inc., and is a partner in Super Connector,

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Carl is, What is the faith that drives you to make the most of what you can in your work and community? (It doesn't even need to be religion.)

FIND CARL

CHAPTERS

00:00 – The Book Leads – Carl Grant III

00:48 - Introduction & Bio

01:54 - Who Carl is today and more information on his work

06:13 - Carl's career path to today

13:06 - How Carl went from atheist to finding his life with and under God

26:17 - How Carl's work today reconciles to who he was in his childhood

27:55 - What leadership means to Carl

32:49 - Carl's introduction to his book

42:20 - Carl's general overview of the book (& books that have inspired Carl)

47:54 - A certain part of the book that resonates most with people

52:40 - Lessons Carl learned in the process of writing the book

01:04:46 - What’s next for Carl's writing

01:07:02 - Lessons Carl hopes others take away from his book

01:09:34 - What Carl is up to these days

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

For more great content, subscribe to my newsletter Last Week's Leadership Lessons, if you haven't already!