
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Mitch McDermott, founder of Talent Ascension, to unpack what is really happening in today’s job market and why so many candidates and companies feel stuck.
Mitch shares his unconventional journey from the car business to building a successful executive search firm, including a bold move to Australia that reshaped his career and worldview. Along the way, we dig into how recruiting has evolved, how AI is changing hiring, and why automation has stripped too much humanity out of the process.
We talk about:
This conversation is especially relevant if you are a job seeker, founder, executive, recruiter, or leader trying to hire better people in a rapidly changing market.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mitch McDermott
02:17 From the Car Business to Australia
05:33 Breaking Into Executive Search
11:06 Recruitment Styles by Industry
13:48 Consulting Companies on Hiring Strategy
17:27 The Reverse Interview Process
20:34 Generational Shifts in the Job Market
22:29 In-Demand Skills Today
23:27 Changes in Sales Organizations
24:19 AI’s Role in Recruiting
27:51 Personal Growth and Inspiration
30:08 Mindset and Resiliency in Business
33:11 Accountability and Leadership
35:03 Books That Shape High Performers
38:41 Why the Job Search System Is Broken
41:16 Bringing Humanity Back to Hiring
Sound Bites
Connect with Mitch McDermott
🌐 Website https://www.talentascension.com/
🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-mcdermott-ba409387/
Follow Tools, Talents & Techniques
🌍 https://toolstalentstechniques.com
📺 https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/ X: https://twitter.com/the3tpod
Subscribe for weekly conversations with leaders, founders, innovators, and creatives across industries.
🎵 Music by C€$ https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww
In this special 100th episode milestone, Dustin sits down with his 12-year-old son, Charlie Sutton, for a fun and insightful conversation about growing up, youth sports, public speaking, and the world kids navigate today.
Charlie reflects on how his early public speaking experiences in elementary school built his confidence and why he enjoys presenting ideas more than doing skits or dances. He talks about the friendships he’s made through youth sports, the teamwork lessons that shaped him, and how YouTube and streaming culture influence kids his age.
The conversation also opens up about real life challenges. Middle school nerves. Taking risks. Trying new things. And Charlie’s humorous but honest take on chores, responsibility, and what parents should probably not trust kids with.
It’s a lighthearted, thoughtful look at personal growth from a young perspective and a meaningful father son moment to celebrate 100 episodes.
Takeaways
Sound Bites
Chapters
00:00 Celebrating Milestones: The 100th Episode
05:39 Exploring Sports and Team Experiences
11:26 The Impact of YouTube and Streaming Culture
16:49 Anticipating Future Experiences
22:33 Reflections on Responsibility and Parenting
33:44 The Journey of Public Speaking and Confidence
39:07 Exploring Sports and Team Experiences
45:10 Life Lessons from Youth Sports
47:53 The Influence of YouTube and Streaming Culture
54:33 Looking Ahead: Aspirations and New Experiences
Follow Tools, Talents & Techniques
🌍 Website: https://toolstalentstechniques.com
📺 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@DustinCSutton
Subscribe for weekly conversations with top performers, leaders, innovators, and creatives across industries.
If you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment, share it with someone who would appreciate it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/
Music Provided By C€$ (Charlie Sutton!)
🎵 https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww
In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Neil Soskin, a veteran in commercial real estate with nearly 40 years of experience as an advisor, coach, and leader. Neil shares his journey from CPA to trusted CRE advisor, opening up about the mentors, lessons, and mindset shifts that shaped his career. His approach blends the technical world of real estate with mindfulness, personal growth, and a deep commitment to meaningful relationships.
Neil reflects on the role spirituality and daily mindfulness have played in his life, how coaching became an extension of servant leadership, and why generational transitions in family businesses require patience, clarity, and intentional communication. He also talks openly about failure, identity, and why defining your personal vision is one of the most important investments you can make.
Walk away with insight into leadership, personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the importance of slowing down to become more effective in both business and life.
Takeaways
🏢 Nearly 40 years of commercial real estate experience
✨ Transitioned from CPA to CRE after guidance from a mentor
🤝 Relationships are the core of any successful real estate career
🧘♂️ Mindfulness and meditation help anchor daily decision making
Coaching is most impactful when grounded in servant leadership Generational transitions carry emotional and structural complexity
🗣️ Communication is key when navigating family business dynamics
Failure teaches powerful lessons when approached with awareness
🎯 Intentional vision setting supports personal and professional fulfillment
The journey of growth is as important as any outcome
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Neil Soskin
02:05 Early Life and Career Beginnings
05:09 Transition from CPA to Commercial Real Estate
10:47 Tools, Talents, and Techniques in Leadership
12:03 Spiritual Awakening and Mindfulness
23:04 Coaching and Advising in Real Estate
25:31 Generational Transition in Family Businesses
27:33 Navigating Family Business Dynamics
32:39 The Importance of Relationships in Business
35:26 Lessons from Personal Experiences
38:07 Growth Through Discomfort
42:14 Redefining Failure and Identity
49:33 Vision and Intentionality in Life
Connect with Neil
🌐 Website: www.neilsoskin.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-soskin-29a0b835/
FOLLOW TOOLS, TALENTS & TECHNIQUES
🌍 https://toolstalentstechniques.com
📺 https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton
Subscribe for weekly conversations with top performers, leaders, innovators, and creatives across industries.
If you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment, share it with someone who would appreciate it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/
Enjoy the vibes and inspiration with music provided by C€$: 🎵 https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww
@the3Tpod X: https://twitter.com/the3tpod
In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Kameshia L. Freeman, Senior Vice President at JLL and a nationally recognized leader in commercial real estate, government advisory, and organizational development. With more than two decades of federal service and an award-winning career in the private sector, Kameshia shares a powerful perspective on what it truly means to connect, lead, and create meaningful relationships across industries.
Kameshia breaks down the mindset shift required when transitioning from government to the private sector, emphasizing the importance of visibility, authenticity, and giving more than you expect to receive. She discusses her journey from the General Services Administration to JLL, the lessons that shaped her leadership style, and how building genuine connections continues to open doors—for herself and for others.
Listeners will gain insight into relationship-building, career development, and the strategic value of meaningful connections in both public and private sectors.
Takeaways
Chapters
Connect with Kameshia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klfreeman/
FOLLOW TOOLS, TALENTS & TECHNIQUES toolstalentstechniques.com
Subscribe for weekly conversations with top performers, leaders, innovators, and creatives across industries.
If you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment, share it with someone who would appreciate it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.
Follow us for updates and more on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/
Enjoy the vibes and inspiration with music provided by C€$ on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww
#the3tpod #Leadership #SuccessStories #AAREP #BCREN
@the3Tpod X: https://twitter.com/the3tpod
In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with PGA Tour veteran, storyteller, and golf insider Jay Delsing for one of the most inspiring and entertaining conversations we’ve had on the show.
Jay opens up about growing up as a blue-collar kid in St. Louis, discovering golf as a teenager, chasing the dream of professional sports, and building a career that led him to the PGA Tour, national radio, and unforgettable moments with legends like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Sean Connery, Steven Spielberg, and Justin Timberlake.
This conversation goes way beyond golf. Jay breaks down what it takes to aim high, bounce back from failure, handle pressure, compete with intention, and stay grounded no matter how big the stage gets. We cover discipline, parenting, leadership, mindset, and how golf mirrors life in ways most people never notice.
If you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, golfer, parent, or someone pushing for the next level, this episode delivers real perspective and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.
WATCH THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT TO LEARN:
How Jay went from caddying as a kid to competing in 700+ PGA Tour events
What Tiger Woods changed in professional golf
How elite players manage pressure and the mental game
Turning setbacks into fuel
Why multi-sport childhoods build stronger athletes
What celebrities are really like on the course
Life lessons that still guide Jay today
Why golf is the greatest connector in sports and business
CHAPTERS 00:00 Losing vs winning, Tiger Woods & the sting of defeat 00:59 Welcome + Jay Delsing intro 01:55 Jay’s origin story 12:27 Youth sports & burnout 19:15 Handling pressure + mindset 23:44 Writing the memoir 31:10 Sean Connery, Spielberg & Lucas 38:07 Celebrities + staying grounded 42:32 Golf as a uniter 45:40 How golf mirrors life 51:16 Best rounds ever 56:34 Pressure, nerves, and performance 59:01 Aim for the top 01:04:24 Outro
ABOUT JAY DELSING PGA Tour veteran. Nationally syndicated host of Golf with Jay. Author of You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told You. One of the best storytellers in the game.
FOLLOW JAY DELSING
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/golfwithjaydelsing
X: https://x.com/JayDelsing
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-delsing-83142914/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaydelsinggolf/
Website: https://jaydelsinggolf.com/
FOLLOW TOOLS, TALENTS & TECHNIQUES
toolstalentstechniques.com
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton
https://www.instagram.com/the3tpod/
https://twitter.com/the3tpod
MUSIC by C€$: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww?si=yNBmIPqIT7-56hAmfvqShA
In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Monica Marquez shares her incredible journey from a first-generation college graduate in Texas to senior executive roles at Google, EY, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs -and now as a serial entrepreneur empowering organizations to thrive in the AI-driven future of work.
Monica explains how FlipWork helps employees at every level adopt and integrate AI successfully, transforming how they see, think, and work. She also discusses her popular newsletter, ¡Ay Ay Ay, AI!, which delivers five-minute, actionable insights for leaders navigating the future of work.
A recognized voice in leadership, diversity, inclusion, and digital transformation, Monica has been named among Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Women of Influence, featured in Hispanic Executive and Latina Style, and honored on ALPFA’s Most Powerful Latinas list. Her experience leading groundbreaking programs such as Goldman Sachs’ Returnship and New Directions initiatives - and co-founding Google’s Product Inclusion Council - offers valuable lessons for executives preparing their teams for the AI era.
In this inspiring and practical conversation, Monica and host Dustin Sutton explore:
🧭 Key Takeaways
🎧 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Monica Marquez 01:31 – From Medicine to Leadership and AI 07:32 – Career Decisions and Mentorship Lessons 13:06 – Building Inclusive Cultures at Goldman Sachs 15:48 – Creating Industry-Changing Programs 22:01 – Empowering Underrepresented Voices 29:14 – The Role of AI in Reinventing Work 34:44 – FlipWork and the Future of Workforce Transformation 40:23 – Embracing Change and Lifelong Learning
💬 Quotes
“Being able to adapt is going to be a superpower.” “How do we get more of this amazing talent?” “I realized there were other opportunities out there.”
🔗 Connect with Monica Marquez
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: www.toolstalentstechniques.com
© Sutton Enterprises LLC | All Rights Reserved
In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, host Dustin Sutton sits down with Ken Ashley, Executive Director at Cushman & Wakefield, founder of the CREi Summit, and one of the most respected voices in commercial real estate. With over 30 years in the industry, Ken has built his reputation on combining strategic business acumen with a deep commitment to leadership, gratitude, and community service.
Ken shares his journey from navigating his first challenging year in real estate to becoming one of the top 100 producers at Cushman & Wakefield and a 25-year Phoenix Member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS® Million Dollar Club. He reflects on lessons learned, the importance of personal accountability, and how a mindset rooted in gratitude and service can lead to sustainable success.
As an advocate and adviser to companies, Ken helps business leaders translate corporate strategy into real estate solutions that cut costs, boost profits, and enable performance. His strategic yet common-sense approach helps transform real estate from a cost center into a competitive advantage. Ken’s story also explores the founding of CREi, a forward-thinking community of real estate professionals embracing digital tools, collaboration, and innovation.
💡 Key Themes & Takeaways:
🏢 About Ken: Ken is an industry leader known for his ability to connect business performance to real estate strategy. In addition to his role as a top producer at Cushman & Wakefield, Ken has earned multiple designations, including SIOR, CCIM, and MCR (Master of Corporate Real Estate). He has served as Georgia Chapter President for SIOR, chaired the C&W Tenant Advisory Group, and was the 2018 Chair of Leadership Atlanta.
Beyond real estate, Ken’s community impact runs deep. He serves on the boards of the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts, Atlanta Police Crime Stoppers, Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps, and chairs both the Fulton County Sheriff's Foundation and the Invest Atlanta Foundation.
💬 Sound Bites:
⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Ken Ashley’s Journey in Commercial Real Estate 06:28 – Navigating Market Cycles and Building Confidence 11:52 – Community Service and Civic Responsibility 13:55 – Writing the Real Estate Prescription: Ken’s Book 17:32 – CREi: From Influencers to Innovators 23:21 – Leveraging AI and Digital Tools in Real Estate 28:07 – Closing Thoughts and Mindset Reflections
🌐 Connect with Ken Ashley:
LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/kenashleyatlanta
CREi Summit → creisummit.com
🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 🌎 Website → www.toolstalentstechniques.com
© Sutton Enterprises LLC | All Rights Reserved
In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Dustin Sutton talks with Amber Hollingsworth — addiction recovery specialist, counselor, and creator of Put The Shovel Down — about how empathy, family dynamics, and AI are transforming the path to addiction recovery.
Amber shares her journey from therapist to online educator, the challenges of working with high-functioning alcoholics, and how to help loved ones without enabling. She also explores the future of AI in counseling, emotional intelligence in recovery, and what true success looks like in addiction treatment.
Whether you’re navigating your own recovery or helping someone you love, this episode offers tools, perspective, and encouragement to take the next step forward.
💡 Key Takeaways
• Amber’s journey into addiction therapy was unplanned but fulfilling
• Understanding individual experiences is crucial in recovery
• Family dynamics deeply impact healing and relapse cycles
• Empathy is essential — but enabling behavior isn’t
• Building credibility with loved ones helps guide real change
• AI can enhance counseling through personalized support
• High-functioning alcoholics often struggle in silence
• Recovery happens in small wins, not overnight transformations
• Addiction is a generational issue that affects families profoundly
🔊 Sound Bites
“I didn’t have a good plan.”
“Addiction just follows like a script.”
“I don’t believe in hitting bottom.”
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Amber Hollingsworth
02:54 – Amber’s Journey into Addiction Therapy
06:40 – Building Successful Addiction Programs
09:40 – Understanding Addiction: Common Threads
11:07 – The Timeline of Recovery
13:25 – Family Dynamics in Addiction Recovery
15:11 – Empathy vs. Enabling: Finding Balance
17:23 – Building Credibility with Loved Ones
19:43 – The Role of AI in Addiction Counseling
21:17 – The Scope of Addiction in Society
23:28 – Resources and Approaches in Recovery
24:21 – Success Stories in Recovery
27:15 – The Emotional Toll of Addiction Counseling
28:55 – Collaborative Approaches in Counseling
30:42 – Influences and Inspirations in Amber’s Work
33:55 – AI Innovations in Counseling
40:06 – Fulfillment in Helping Others
🔗 Connect with Amber Hollingsworth
• Website ➜ https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online
• YouTube ➜ https://www.youtube.com/@PutTheShovelDown
• Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/lifeswitchofficial/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe
🌐 Website ➜ https://www.toolstalentstechniques.com
📺 YouTube ➜ https://youtube.com/@DustinCSutton
🍏 Apple Podcasts ➜ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507
🎧 Spotify ➜ https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2
In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Joel Steele, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong athlete, to unpack the powerful life lessons that come from failure, resilience, and self-discovery. From running a restaurant to building success in financial services, Joel opens up about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, what it takes to pivot, and how sports shaped his mindset along the way.
He also shares the inspiration behind his new book, “Life Switch,” a guide to helping others tap into their true potential and purpose. If you’ve ever faced setbacks, questioned your path, or needed motivation to keep going, this conversation is packed with the insight and encouragement you need to reset, refocus, and move forward.
💡 Key Takeaways
Entrepreneurship requires self-awareness and grit.
Failure isn’t final — it’s feedback.
Sports can teach powerful lessons about perseverance.
Pivoting is part of the growth process.
Writing a book can help you clarify your purpose and inspire others.
Finding your “life switch” means discovering what truly drives you.
🏷️ Keywords entrepreneurship, personal development, sports, financial services, life lessons, resilience, book writing, motivation, overcoming failure, self-discovery
🔥 Memorable Quotes
“What if it does work?”
“The journey is the fun part.”
“Believe to achieve.”
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Joel Steele
02:26 The Concept of Life Switch
03:50 The Entrepreneurial Journey Begins
07:13 Lessons from Failure
09:49 The Role of Sports in Life
11:48 Recognizing When to Move On
14:55 The Path to Recovery
18:36 Transitioning to Financial Services
23:27 Building a Business from Scratch
24:38 The Journey into Sports Ownership
27:24 Investing in Passion: The G-League Experience
30:09 Lessons from the Court: Overcoming Adversity
32:40 The Emotional Toll of Business Loss
36:55 Finding Purpose and Identity
38:20 Writing a Book: Sharing Life Lessons
44:32 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom
46:28 Subscribe Outro
📚 About the Guest Joel Steele is an entrepreneur, author, and former athlete passionate about helping people find purpose through persistence. His new book Life Switch explores how mindset shifts can unlock personal growth and lasting fulfillment.
Follow and Connect with Joel
https://bookjoelsteele.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-steele-9685888/ https://www.instagram.com/lifeswitchofficial/
toolstalentstechniques.com
https://youtube.com/@dustincsutton
In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Vijay Rajendran, startup advisor, entrepreneur, and author, to explore the art of fundraising, mentorship, and building resilient startups. Vijay shares his journey across entrepreneurship and investing, breaking down how founders can leverage storytelling, resilience, and strong relationships to raise capital and scale effectively.
We dive into his perspective on fundraising as a learned skill, the role of mentors and networks, and why honest feedback and finding the right investors are critical to long-term startup success. Vijay also shares insights on the future of AI investment and why adaptability is the most valuable trait for founders navigating today’s startup ecosystem.
✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode
🔹 Storytelling as a fundraising superpower
🔹 Mentorship and resilience in entrepreneurship
🔹 Why fundraising is a skill founders can develop
🔹 How to identify the right investors and early adopters
🔹 Lessons from writing his book on startup funding frameworks
🔹 The evolving landscape of AI in startups
💬 Key Quotes
“Good begets good.”
“It’s a learned skill, much like sales.”
“Find the weirdos.”
⏱️ Chapters ⏰ 00:00 – Introduction to Startup Systems ⏰ 03:47 – Vijay's Journey and Background ⏰ 06:29 – The Importance of Mentorship ⏰ 09:13 – Resilience and Perspective in Entrepreneurship ⏰ 11:49 – The Process of Writing a Book ⏰ 14:37 – Fundraising Fundamentals ⏰ 17:24 – Relationship Building in Fundraising ⏰ 19:55 – Identifying Target Clients ⏰ 22:52 – Navigating the Current Startup Landscape ⏰ 25:30 – Early Stage Investment Challenges ⏰ 32:02 – Finding the Right Investors ⏰ 34:25 – The Future of AI Investment ⏰ 44:49 – The Entrepreneurial Journey: Keep Going ⏰ 46:22 – Outro
🌐 Connect with Vijay Rajendran 🔗 LinkedIn ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/in/vijayarajendran/
🔗 GAI Ventures ➜ https://gai.ventures/
🔗 GAI Ventures LinkedIn ➜ https://www.linkedin.com/company/gaiventures/
🎧 Listen & Subscribe to Tools, Talents & Techniques
📺 YouTube ➜ https://youtube.com/@DustinCSutton 🍏 Apple Podcasts ➜ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507 🎧 Spotify ➜ https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2 🌍 Website ➜ https://www.toolstalentstechniques.com
📌 Tags for SEO startup, fundraising, mentorship, entrepreneurship, AI, venture capital, investor relations, business strategy, startup book, leadership, Dustin Sutton, Tools Talents & Techniques, The3TPod, startup success
From the publisher's feed
You are building something. A business, a career, a life that actually means something. Tools, Talents, and Techniques is where founders, operators, and leaders share exactly how they did it.…
Host Dustin Sutton goes beyond the highlight reel to uncover the decisions, systems, and mindset shifts that separate people who talk about success from people who build it. New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe and start listening.
© Sutton Enterprises LLC. All rights reserved.