WARNING: you may find your beliefs challenged after hearing from today's guest, the incredible Chris Wilson. Raised in the warzone that was Baltimore in the 80s, he eventually found himself in a life threatening situation as a teenager. He responded with a gun and that fateful day signified the beginning of the end as he was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

But that didn't stop Chris - rather than giving up, he doubled down on turning his life around and relentlessly pursued what he called his Master Plan.  I'm not going to give the entire story away, but clearly Chris is NOT still in prison and he's using his story as a force for good.

Today he's a talented artist, speaker, business owner & social entrepreneur. He's taken his Master Plan and turned it into a movement that is helping thousands of people get their lives on track.

Before you make sweeping opinions on criminal justice reform & the prison system, you need to listen to Chris' story and put yourself in his shoes. How would you have responded growing up in the environment he did? How would you have responded that fateful night when his life was threatened? Check out his book The Master Plan and find out for yourself: https://www.amazon.com/Master-Plan-Journey-Prison-Purpose/dp/0735215588

A great place to start learning more about Chris: https://chriswilson.biz/

Follow & interact with Chris on Facebook, Instagram & LinkedIn

• https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004496409995
• https://www.instagram.com/chriswilsonslife/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-wilson-905a7963/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily intrapreneurial motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

He's back by popular demand and he's better than ever! Who? He's the great Ken Rusk and we rock the mic together as we solve the worlds problems with one practical solution at a time (you're welcome in advance). What would you say to a room full of 10,000 students? How about 10,000 teachers? 10,000 parents? We tackle those tough scenarios and take an honest look at the struggles our parents & educators are facing as they attempt to equip future generations. We get real and discuss some balanced perspectives on how to start bringing order to the chaos and making sense of the insanity. 

Check out Ken's brand new podcast, Comfort, Peace & Freedom today:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/comfort-peace-freedom-with-ken-rusk/id1660815664
Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/6vXEkQ2X0odObEpLivZNro

Sign up for Ken's incredible course The Path to a Successful Life: https://sso.teachable.com/secure/992605/checkout/4379535/lifetime-path

While you're at it, order your copy of Ken's bestseller Blue Collar Cash on Amazon today: https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Collar-Cash-Ken-Rusk/dp/006298960X

Ken's website is a wealth of information, including some tremendous blog posts https://www.kenrusk.com/

Follow & interact with Ken on Instagram & Facebook:

• https://www.instagram.com/kenruskofficial/?hl=en
• https://www.facebook.com/KenRuskOfficial/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

Ever say, " Gee, I should start a podcast?" You're in the right place because you're about to hear from producer, broadcasting professional & recording studio owner Scott "Fitz" Fitzgerald! Fitz owns Roc Vox studios in Rochester NY and has an extensive resume in media & production...he even produced the comedy Bottom Feeders which streams on Amazon Prime! Basically, he knows what the heck he's talking about!

Scott & and I dig into his background and how he got into the industry. We take a few scenic detours along the way (think Goodyear Blimp and the PGA) and then we settle into an extremely practical segment on what you need to start your very first podcast.
As the title implies, if you're considering starting a podcast: START ONE. And listen to this episode because Scott & I will equip you with the basics to get things rolling.

And if you're looking for someone to help you produce your show or simply give you a consultation, now you know who to turn to: Scott!

Scott is also the host of the inspiring Positive Blatherings podcast where he gives you a front row seat to positive & life changing conversations with positive & successful people. No preparation, no script. Just letting the conversation have a mind of its own: a Blathering.

Check out Scott's podcast Positive Blatherings:
1. https://open.spotify.com/show/3m0FfqzO3ZbPyfwNRBXNZQ
2.  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/positive-blatherings-podcast/id1409637084

A great place to start learning more about Scott and Roc Vox: https://rocvox.com/about-us/

Follow & interact with Scott on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-w-fitzgerald-98a4575/
• https://www.instagram.com/rocvoxrecording/
• https://www.facebook.com/SWFitz/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

This episode is a fun one! Scott "Fergie" Ferguson is the embodiment of "growth through pain" and is an inspiration to everyone he encounters! He's a veteran, real estate expert, life coach, podcast host, fitness aficionado and about 17 other things.

Scott was killing it in the real estate industry until a little thing called the Great Recession in 2008 (that wasn't kind to those in real estate). He pretty much lost everything and found himself at the proverbial rock bottom. The pain & circumstances helped him realize he wasn't the person who he wanted to be and clawed his way back from the ground up and reinvented who he was. He exists to serve others and takes the lessons he's learned along the way and helps people overcome their own obstacles. 

Scott is the host of the top rated Time To Shine Today podcast where he gives you access to some of the top minds in coaching & consulting. Happen to like what you hear from one of his guests? Be sure to reach out because you just might be able to work with them yourself! 

Check out Scott's podcast Time To Shine Today:
1. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/33whcL74eJsBm5ncZe4FL6
2.  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/time-to-shine-today/id1492556195?mt=2&app=podcast

A great place to start learning more about Scott and his mission: https://timetoshinetoday.com/

Follow & interact with Scott on LinkedIn, Instagram & Facebook:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ask4ferguson/
• https://www.instagram.com/timetoshinetoday/
• https://www.facebook.com/timetoshinetoday

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

Attention ALL business owners - if you've ever wondered how to acquire more clients WITHOUT going broke, you need to listen to today's episode! Serial entrepreneur Tim Calise joins me for an explosive conversation on client acquisition strategies! And no, not the usual stuff you hear online - I'm talking about explaining the science of it and tactical steps to take that will actually work. 

After minutes of digging into Tim's story you'll quickly see why he's qualified to speak on this topic. He understands business at a deep level and has over 20 years of results to back it up. Tim shares about his time working with Alex Hormozi as VP of Business Development & Product Strategy w/ Gym Launch & ALAN. Tim confirms what we all suspect: yes, Alex is a walking anomaly & once-in-a-generation talent!

Oh, and listen right to the end because you'll LOVE hearing about one of his college hustles...he was quite an effective, shall we say, marketer? 

Tim was gracious enough to provide the Think.Live.Repeat. audience with a special gift. DM him "TLR" and he'll send you a free resource as a thank you for listening to the episode! While you're there, ask him about the upcoming Cash Flow Collective and how it can completely transform your client acquisition struggles.

Check out Tim's podcast Leveling The Field:
1. Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5cE6i6IpWBgZQUYl9ldYvU
2.  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/leveling-the-field/id1647043147

A great place to start learning more about Tim and his mission: https://timcalise.com/about-me

Follow & interact with Tim on LinkedIn & Instagram:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/tcalise/
• https://www.instagram.com/tim.calise

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

It's not everyday you get to meet a ninja...from what I hear, they're often hard to see. But your faithful host got lucky and scored a conversation with a ninja...a NETWORKING ninja! Ben Albert, owner of Balbert Marketing and host of several incredible podcasts joined me for super insightful conversation on life transformations and learning to network.

Ben gets into his origin story and how life began to change for him in 2020 as he stared at an empty bottle of Jim Beam and a lack of direction & purpose. Fast-forward to today, Ben is a force for good and is making a real difference in the world of entrepreneurship, marketing & networking. 

He's the talented host of a host of podcasts (yes, that was a great pun) on the Real Business Connections network. He provides a tremendous amount of value and shares practical insights that you can use and grow with. Check out the shows today!
https://realbusinessconnections.com/allshows/

And Ben & I had some extra fun with this one...we decided to make it a 2-part experience where I interviewed him on my show and then he interviewed me on his Rochester Business Connections. So hop on over and check out part-2 of our conversation here: https://realbusinessconnections.com/rochesterbusinessconnections/

A great place to start learning more about Ben and his mission: https://balbertmarketing.com/

Follow & interact with Ben on LinkedIn & Instagram:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/balbertmarketing/
• https://www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

Ever wish you could spend an hour with a top tier NFL player and learn what it's like to live that #football life? This episode is for you! The Miami Dolphins' starting fullback Alec Ingold joined me for an incredible conversation...let me tell you, he is THE REAL deal and is an absolute inspiration.

We talk about playing the NFL (obviously) his book The 7 Crucibles, navigating a career-altering injury, being adopted, his foundation and SO much more. You'll hear stories about Derek Carr, what it was like playing in empty stadiums during COVID and his hot take on what Tom Brady's doing next. 

Order Alec's amazing book The Seven Crucibles: An Inspirational Game Plan for Overcoming Adversity in Your Life:  https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Crucibles-Inspirational-Overcoming-Adversity/dp/B0BX1VTCY9

Check out Alec's incredible podcast Forged Ingold (sweet name by the way):
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forged-ingold/id1683425042

A great place to start learning more about Alec & his foundation:
https://alecingold.com/foundation 

Follow & interact with Alec on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

• https://www.instagram.com/ai_xlv/
• https://twitter.com/ai_xlv
• https://www.facebook.com/AIXLV/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

(PART 2) "I wish I was connected with less influential people",  said absolutely no one. Let's be real, we all wish we had a chance to connect with famous & influential people. Whether for business or personal reasons, I'd bet the majority of you have at least one A-list individual you're dying to meet & talk to. I know I have like at least 58 or so.

 What if I told you there were things you could start doing today to dramatically increase the odds of successfully connecting with them?

Today's guest is the incredible author Jimmy Soni! Jimmy spent 6 years researching and writing a comprehensive book about the founders of PayPal. Not only did we dive into his  book The Founders, we spent the first half of the conversation discussing the "how" of networking with people who most consider inaccessible. You say, "What does Jimmy know about this?" Well, he sat down with Elon Musk at his home and interviewed him for several hours. So that right there should highlight he knows a thing or two!

This is probably the most tactical conversation I've had so far on the show and it's chocked full with actionable networking & sales strategies! Jimmy's an incredible author who's written a number of books and has another couple bangers in the works! Oh,  and he's just so damn likeable too.

Order The Founders  today:  https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Paypal-Entrepreneurs-Shaped-Silicon/dp/1501197266

A great place to start learning more about Jimmy and his books: https://jimmysoni.com/

Follow & interact with Jimmy on Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn

• https://www.instagram.com/jimmyasoni/
• https://twitter.com/jimmyasoni
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmysoni/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

"I wish I was connected with less influential people",  said absolutely no one. Let's be real, we all wish we had a chance to connect with famous & influential people. Whether for business or personal reasons, I'd bet the majority of you have at least one A-list individual you're dying to meet & talk to. I know I have like at least 58 or so.

 What if I told you there were things you could start doing today to dramatically increase the odds of successfully connecting with them? 

Today's guest is the incredible author Jimmy Soni! Jimmy spent 6 years researching and writing a comprehensive book about the founders of PayPal. Not only did we dive into his  book The Founders, we spent the first half of the conversation discussing the "how" of networking with people who most consider inaccessible. You say, "What does Jimmy know about this?" Well, he sat down with Elon Musk at his home and interviewed him for several hours. So that right there should highlight he knows a thing or two!

This is probably the most tactical conversation I've had so far on the show and it's chocked full with actionable networking & sales strategies! Jimmy's an incredible author who's written a number of books and has another couple bangers in the works! Oh,  and he's just so damn likeable too.

Order The Founders  today:  https://www.amazon.com/Founders-Paypal-Entrepreneurs-Shaped-Silicon/dp/1501197266

A great place to start learning more about Jimmy and his books: https://jimmysoni.com/

Follow & interact with Jimmy on Instagram, Twitter & LinkedIn

• https://www.instagram.com/jimmyasoni/
• https://twitter.com/jimmyasoni
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmysoni/

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)

(PART 2) Some people have great voices. Then there are a select few who have INCREDIBLE voices. Cliff Dorsey is one of those blessed few who can literally transport you into another dimension as you listen to him sing and play guitar! This guy's voice will make you stop & look twice - I promise!

Cliff and I cover the gamut and discuss everything from his musical influences, the business behind assembling & managing a band, getting a record deal & how he got his start. You'll have to listen to get the full story, but I'll tell you this: being pushed up on stage as a teenager one Sunday at church to sing and play Long Black Train is part of his music journey. It's a classic!

We also scored big time with Cliff offering to perform a few songs from his new EP New Neon LIVE while we recorded our episode! Think of it as your own private acoustic set, complements of Cliff - crazy, right??

We pick up the conversation this week with Cliff sharing his view of music genres and where the industry is headed next. If you missed the first part of our conversation, check it out!

Check out Cliff's new EP New Neon on Spotify today!:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zsh902OKX6B46ISTh9eRa
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/cliff-dorsey/1375757810

A great place to start following Cliff's trajectory is his homepage: https://www.cliffdorsey.com/

You can also interact with Cliff on Instagram & watch him perform on YouTube:

• https://www.instagram.com/cliffdorseymusic/
• https://www.youtube.com/@cliffdorseymusic

Follow me on Instagram @ johnskomski for daily intrapreneurial motivation and learn more about Investing Inward at https://jskomski.com/

Music: Hindsight (Instrumental) by Fivefold (used with written permission)