The Chris Voss Show

Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes: Short stories about friendship, growth, and social misdemeanors by Andy Dietrich Amazon.com Andysbook.com Ever wonder what happens when you crash the wrong wedding or mistake a fraternity rush for a question about your heritage? How about fashioning a fake nightclub stamp empire in Vegas, or trying (and failing) to pull off a flawless heist for a Super Nintendo game? From laugh-out-loud anecdotes to surprisingly heartfelt reflections, this collection explores themes of friendship, growth, and the chaos that comes with simply trying to be human. Tackling everything from awkward cultural misunderstandings to the wild adventures of military life, this book offers readers a candid, hilarious, and sometimes poignant glimpse into a life lived fully—and occasionally just recklessly enough. Some highlights... “Are You Russian?”: The awkward misunderstanding that kicked off a college fraternity adventure. “That One Time I Witnessed a Divorce”: A Chipotle line, a hair tie, and a (potentially) marriage-ending discovery. “When You Mess It Up for Everyone Else”: How one man’s shenanigans changed Vegas club re-entry policies forever. “Honey Bee Did What Honey Bees Do”: The miraculous conception story that starts with a bottle of Patrón. “The Night I Lost My Damn Mind”: An unforgettable encounter with medical-grade THC and pulled-pork sliders. Play Stupid Games, Win Stupid Prizes is perfect for fans of David Sedaris, Tucker Max, or anyone who has ever made a questionable decision and lived to laugh about it later. With a mix of humor, heart, and the occasional ridiculous life lesson, this book will leave you smiling, shaking your head, and maybe even feeling a little better about your own misadventures. “If you’re gonna do something stupid, be smart about it.”About the author Andy Dietrich was born at an early age and lived a fairly uneventful life in the Black Forest of Germany. At age 14, he and his mom packed their things and moved to Alaska to experience the true meaning of "holy shit, it's cold!" At 19, while on a sugar high, he enlisted and became one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children. He was released early due to good behavior and moved to Las Vegas where he now spends his time harassing, errr...."welcoming" the tourists and exercising his second-favorite drinking arm. If you come across a wild Andy in his natural habitat, do not feed him attention; he will only come back for more.

False Claims: One Insider's Impossible Battle Against Big Pharma Corruption by Lisa Pratta Amazon.com Lisapratta.com In Big Pharma, lives are secondary to profit margins. But Lisa Pratta stood her ground—risking everything to expose the lies of a billion-dollar pharmaceutical business mired in deception, greed, and the systemic abuse of both patients and employees As a rising star in pharmaceutical sales, Lisa Pratta wanted to believe that she was helping improve the lives of people who suffered from illness. But as she climbed the corporate ladder, she uncovered a sinister world of bribery, fraud, and sexual harassment—all papered over with a thin veneer of corporate respectability. At Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Lisa found herself at a small company with a blockbuster drug that could have been a lifeline for patients suffering from multiple sclerosis—that is, if it was prescribed properly. But instead, Questcor chose profits over patients, training its sales force to push untested treatment regimens with the sole purpose of beating its competition. Lisa recognized this as not only dangerous but highly illegal. In the midst of this controversy, Questcor arbitrarily inflated the drug’s price to a jaw-dropping $28,000 per vial. Torn between her morals and the financial stability the job provided for her special-needs son, Lisa made a decision that would change her life forever: she reported the fraudulent practices of the company to the federal government. For nearly a decade, she led a double life—feeding insider information to the Department of Justice while enduring the relentless demands of her company to sell their drug using illegal marketing tactics. She faced constant fear of exposure, knowing that the government offered her no protection if her secrets were revealed. Nonetheless, Lisa pressed on, determined to hold Questcor accountable for the laws they were breaking and the lives they were endangering. This incredible true story offers a sobering look at the unscrupulous sales methods used by America’s corrupt pharmaceutical industry, spotlights the levers they pull to extract ludicrous profits from the sick and dying, and is a page-turning portrait of one woman’s heroic fight against Big Pharma and a mother’s struggle to protect her family.About the author Lisa Pratta was a top-selling pharmaceutical and biotech sales representative for thirty-two years, helping to pave the way for women in the field, only to see the entire in-dustry corrode with sexual harassment and fraud. Lisa was an honors graduate of Albright College before launching her career at pharma giants such as Astra Zeneca, Serono, and Questcor/Mallinckrodt. In 2012, while still employed at Questcor, Lisa became a whistle-blower reporting off-label prescriptions and Medicare fraud to the United States government and went under-cover for nearly a decade. She is a single mother of two, including a special-needs son.

Corrective Skin: Transforming Skincare with Clean, Effective Solutions with Kelly Brown Correctiveskin.com About the Guest(s): Kelly Brown is a seasoned entrepreneur in the skincare industry, holding the position of Founder and CEO at Corrective Skin. With nearly three decades of experience in aesthetics and skincare formulation, she has been a pivotal force in the development of clean and clinical skincare solutions. Kelly, a second-generation skincare expert, worked closely with her mother, who established Corrective Skin over 30 years ago. She is not only recognized for her success as a businesswoman but also as an educator, helping both professionals and clients navigate result-driven product solutions without harmful pharmaceuticals. Episode Summary: Join Chris Voss on The Chris Voss Show for an enlightening conversation with Kelly Brown, the powerhouse behind Corrective Skin. Brown shares insights from her entrepreneurial journey and how she cultivated a brand that intertwines integrity, education, and effective skincare solutions. Listeners are in for a treat as they delve into the science behind skincare, with discussions ranging from the importance of clean ingredients to understanding product formulations that genuinely work. In this episode, Kelly Brown emphasizes the significance of using non-toxic, paraben-free, and non-comedogenic skincare products. Her dedication to creating a clean and clinical brand without harmful chemicals is evident as she elaborates on Corrective Skin's approach, including their famous epidermal growth factor cream. Brown further discusses her efforts to provide accessible skincare education and her commitment to environmental sustainability through initiatives like the plant-a-tree program. Whether you're an existing skincare enthusiast or just beginning your journey, this conversation promises valuable takeaways on maintaining healthy skin and the long-term benefits of using quality skincare products. Key Takeaways: Importance of Clean Skincare: Kelly Brown discusses how Corrective Skin emphasizes non-toxic, paraben-free products designed not to clog pores. Family Legacy in Skincare: Corrective Skin was founded by Kelly’s mother over three decades ago, and Kelly has continued to evolve the brand by focusing on effective formulations. Science-backed Formulations: Products like the EGF cream use active ingredients that mimic youthful skin behavior, emphasizing the importance of regenerative skincare. Educational Approach: The company prioritizes educating consumers and professionals, ensuring everyone can make informed choices about their skincare routines. Sustainability Initiatives: The brand supports environmental initiatives such as planting a tree for every product sold, highlighting their eco-conscious philosophy. Notable Quotes: "I've rebranded, relaunched, New Look, new Fill, and I'll be bringing out more of those time-tested formulations as time goes on." "Whats really frustrating for me… a lot of labels lie and say they're clean, say they're non-comedogenic, which means that it won't cause breakouts." "Corrective Skin is truly a blend of it all – where you get results, it's clean, it's not going to break you out." "We want you to find what works for you. So, we're here to help you through education." "Prevention is key, and as we age, our skin ages faster with each decade."

A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner Susanmeissnerauthor.com Amazon.com 1956, Malibu, California: Something is not right on Paradise Circle. With her name on the Hollywood blacklist and her life on hold, starlet Melanie Cole has little choice in company. There is her next-door neighbor, Elwood, but the screenwriter’s agoraphobia allows for just short chats through open windows. He’s her sole confidante, though, as she and her housekeeper, Eva, an immigrant from war-torn Europe, rarely make conversation. Then one early morning Melanie and Eva spot Elwood’s sister-in-law and caretaker, June, digging in his beloved rose garden. After that they don’t see Elwood at all anymore. Where could a man who never leaves the house possibly have gone? As they try to find out if something has happened to him, unexpected secrets are revealed among all three women, leading to an alliance that seems the only way for any of them to hold on to what they can still call their own. But it’s a fragile pact and one little spark could send it all up in smoke…About the author Susan Meissner is the USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction with more than three-quarters of a million books in print in eighteen languages. Her novels include The Nature of Fragile Things, starred review Publishers Weekly; The Last Year of the War, a Library Reads and Real Simple top pick; As Bright as Heaven, starred review from Library Journal; Secrets of a Charmed Life, a 2015 Goodreads Choice award finalist; and A Fall of Marigolds, named to Booklist’s Top Ten women’s fiction titles for 2014. She is also RITA finalist and Christy Award and Carol Award winner. A California native, she attended Point Loma Nazarene University and is also a writing workshop volunteer for Words Alive, a San Diego non-profit dedicated to helping at-risk youth foster a love for reading and writing.

From Burnout to Badass: Flip the Script on Your Work-Life Story by Dana L Cox Danalcox.com Amazon.com From Burnout to Badass: Flip The Script on Your Work-Life Story is a cultural revolution and personal transformation guide that shatters the status quo of how we approach work, life, and success. Dana L. Cox, a seasoned business consultant and dynamic leadership expert, delivers an unapologetically bold and empowering roadmap to help you reclaim your time, energy, and purpose. This isn't just another book filled with fluffy inspiration-it's a no-nonsense, action-packed call to greatness. Cox's electrifying voice resonates with powerful tough love and transparent honesty. She invites you to confront your reality, uncover your hidden blind spots, and challenge limiting beliefs holding you back. With her, it's not about excuses-it's about results. What makes this book stand out is its inclusivity. Cox draws from diverse cultural perspectives, weaving insights from Asian, African-American, Latin American, and Middle Eastern experiences to create a global guide. By honoring these unique viewpoints, Cox ensures every reader finds themselves within its pages. From Burnout to Badass positions you as the hero of your own story, equipping you with tools to reframe challenges as opportunities, realign priorities, and confidently rewrite your work-life narrative. Whether drowning in burnout or simply seeking to elevate your life to badass levels, this book is your wake-up call. Are you ready for radical, lasting transformation? This book is not just a guide-it's a partner on your journey to reclaiming your power, rediscovering your joy, and redesigning your life on your terms. No fluff, no judgment-just real talk, practical strategies, and undeniable results. Your journey from burnout to badass starts now.

Lead with Love: A Journey of Discovery by Jack Russell Amazon.com Selfsustainingleadership.com Have you always known love?” a dear friend asked Jack as they were driving home on a dark, bitterly cold winter night. It took a mile or so before he responded, “Yes.” He felt the prevalent darkness deep in his being. It was an emotionally turbulent moment in his life. His wife had recently died after a short illness. But he also experienced Love in the deepest moments of his despair bringing rays of light and hope to the darkness. Yes, he could truly say that he had experienced Love’s comfort, guidance, healing, and protection in many, many ways throughout his life. His friend continued, “What is this Love that you’ve known?” Her question was the beginning of a focused journey of exploration and discovery lasting well over a decade. In 1997, Jack created a cutting edge, quantum leadership model for the 21st century—Self-Sustaining Leadership. At its core, it says we are all connected, entangled together in a web-of-life. Leadership is about relationships; how we connect with others and ourselves in ways that contribute to our collective well-being, productivity, health, and peace. It is Love, a universal principle that sustains this connection; that connects us heart-to-heart. But how do we live this connection with ourselves and others in our daily lives? How does Love guide us to know what is the morally right thing to do in different situations? How do we practice loving ourselves so we can love others more deeply? How does fear and love motivate us in everything we do? What does Love have to do with leadership? Jack takes us on a journey of discovery in answering these questions and more. In doing so, he shows us how to lead with Love! As I read Jack’s work,” one reader offers, “it feels like he’s sharing with me, like we’re having a conversation. He speaks to my heart.” This book is about connecting heart-to-heart.About the author Jack is a proven leader, author, executive coach-mentor, organization trainer-instructor, and entrepreneur. He is a leadership visionary who, in 1997, created a cutting-edge Self-Sustaining Leadership model based on the principles of quantum mechanics. It was the fulfillment of a life-long quest to discover a 21st-century model to meet the universal need for holistic, multi-dimensional, skillful, and morally courageous leaders in real-world settings. Describing his work, people comment on Jack’s visionary insights along with his integrity, trustworthiness, engagement, deep listening, and selfless heart character traits. He has a diverse coaching, teaching and training background ranging from the U.S. Army to early child care, secondary and higher education to businesses and non-profits. Having lived and served in several countries, he brings a global perspective and a deep respect for diverse cultures to his work. He lives among the Green Mountains of Vermont with his wife, Glenda, who partners with him in the leadership work.

Hitting the Wall: Eliminate the Beliefs That Sabotage Your Business and Your Life by Shelly Lefkoe, Vahan Yepremyan Amazon.com Mortylefkoe.com As an entrepreneur, you’re a master at solving problems and selling solutions. But limiting beliefs can still derail your progress. You struggle to delegate. Your company thrives, but your health and your nonbusiness relationships suffer. In Hitting the Wall, Shelly Lefkoe and Vahan Yepremyan shine a light on the limiting beliefs that cause otherwise successful people to suffer from such blind spots. Discover how to identify and escape from the hidden beliefs that hold you back. Get inspired with real-life examples of people whose lives dramatically changed when they addressed the beliefs standing in their way. Hitting the Wall shows you how to eliminate damaging behavior patterns so they no longer derail your career or decimate your relationships. Ridding yourself of inner barriers will unveil an exciting future full of more time, accomplishments, and personal freedom than you ever believed possible.About the author Shelly Lefkoe is Co-founder and CEO of the Lefkoe Institute. An international keynote speaker and workshop leader, Shelly has helped thousands of entrepreneurs rid themselves of limiting beliefs. Her programs have reached over 150,000 people worldwide. Her work has been featured on the Today show, Leeza, and many others.

Stoic Empathy: The Road Map to a Life of Influence, Self-Leadership, and Integrity by Shermin Kruse Amazon.com Sherminkruse.com Correct the power imbalances in your work and life with a science-backed practice that combines the rigor of Stoic philosophy with the relational impact of empathy. Stoicism combined with empathy may sound like a contradiction in terms. But when these seemingly opposing forces are harnessed together, they have the power to change your life. From surviving missile attacks and political oppression in Iran to leading high-stakes legal teams and negotiations in corporate America, Shermin Kruse's journey fuels her mission to merge empathy and stoicism as tools for navigating power, justice, and human connection in every facet of life. In this eye-opening book, she offers you this radical perspective shift—anchored in up-to-the-minute research—to help you navigate life's challenges with power and principles. We often think of empathy as an emotional stance: we feel what someone else is feeling. But Kruse outlines a form of empathy that’s based in cognition, not emotion—a way for us to understand what the other person is thinking and feeling while keeping a distance from their feeling state—and shows us how we can strategically maneuver our level of engagement from “emotional empathy” to “cognitive empathy” in different circumstances. Then she utilizes Stoic philosophy and modern science to outline the how of emotional regulation and control. The bridge she builds between Stoicism and empathy gives us the knowledge and discipline we need to: Calmly assess the power dynamics of any situation Understand and manage our own emotions as well as the emotions of others Defuse danger and turn conflict into connection Skillfully steer a challenging conversation toward the result we want Whether you're a leader striving to succeed in your role with integrity, an educator seeking to guide curious minds with compassion, a parent nurturing resilience in your children, or simply facing a personal or professional crossroads, Stoic Empathy is an essential toolkit for negotiating success in every area of your life.

Awakening the Advocate: Memoir of a Modern Slavery Activist by Matthew Friedman Amazon.com Themekongclub.org If you're looking for a way to make a positive impact on the world, Matthew S. Friedman's inspiring book is the perfect guide. Through his incredible experiences and tireless activism over 35 years, he shows us that one person truly can create a ripple effect that leads to global change. As you read his powerful stories, you'll be reminded of the immense suffering in the world, but you'll also be uplifted by the sheer strength and determination of those who fight against it. Friedman's message is clear: we each have the power to make a difference in our own unique way. This captivating sequel to his previous memoir, ‘Where Were You: A Profile of Modern Slavery,’ is bound to leave a lasting impact on you. It will ignite your passion, challenge you, and encourage you to take action toward bringing about meaningful change. In this book, you'll learn how a once-shy boy from a New England town dedicated his life to battling the scourge of human trafficking in over 40 countries. Join us on an unforgettable journey with a man whose compassion and relentless dedication to justice have made him a global force in the fight against modern slavery. Together, we can create a brighter future for all. About the author Matthew Friedman is a leading, internationally renowned global expert on modern slavery and human trafficking. An award-winning public speaker, author, filmmaker, and philanthropist, Matthew regularly advises heads of governments and intelligence agencies. As the founder and CEO of The Mekong Club, Matthew is considered the leading catalyst for the anti-slavery movement in Asia’s business sector by captains of industry. In 2017, Matthew received the prestigious “Asia Communicator of the Year Gold Award” for giving more than 800 presentations to 80,000 people including government leaders and the Vatican on the topic of modern slavery within a five-year period in different countries. Matthew has a unique and powerful speaking style that inspires people and helps them reach their fullest potential. Each year he is cited at least 40 times in the news media (CNN, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, the Financial Times, the Economist, etc.) and invited to speak at major international conferences around the world. He has managed and directed tens of millions of dollars to major humanitarian portfolios impacting millions of people for the World Bank, the U.S. State Department, and the United Nations. His work over the last 30 years of pioneering and managing international anti-human trafficking projects from Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Hong Kong has given him access to many influential networks in different countries throughout the world. Matthew is the author of 13 books ranging from action novels, non-fiction accounts of his human rights work, to a book that outlines his unique philosophy of “time.” A long-time supporter of film and the media arts, Matthew was an executive producer and advisor on four award-winning films, one of which was nominated for an Emmy and another executive produced by Emma Thompson.

Warrior Soldier Brigand: Institutional Abuse within the Australian Defence Force by Ben Wadham, James Connor Amazon.com Flinders.edu.au Questions of institutional abuse have been at the centre of numerous royal commissions, inquiries and reviews of the clergy, the police and defence forces over the past decade. This scrutiny has highlighted how those organisations foster forms of violence and violation. One of their principal characteristics is that the culture of abuse and its perpetration is largely the work of men. In Warrior Soldier Brigand, Ben Wadham and James Connor argue that three pillars shape the patterns of abuse in the Australian Defence Force: martial masculinities, military exceptionalism and fraternity. Historically, the military has been an almost exclusively male domain, but since the Vietnam War it has become an all-volunteer force and more culturally diverse, a change that has proven to be profoundly challenging, and one the ADF has not always readily welcomed nor sufficiently addressed. While the ADF may train and accommodate some of the best military personnel in the world, it has not resolved the use of that violent potential against its own. Exploring the fundamental paradox that underpins abuse in the military, Wadham and Connor report on the shifting landscape of the ADF since 1969.