
The Secret To Success with CJ, Karl, Jemal & Eric Thomas
In this episode of the "Secret to Success" podcast, CJ hosts an engaging conversation featuring co-host Karl Wesley Phillips, Dr. King, ET and special guest Gersh King. The episode kicks off with the hosts catching up, sharing a light-hearted and humorous dialogue that sets the tone for an inspiring discussion.Gersh King, a physical therapist known for his exceptional skills and dedication, shares his journey of personal and professional growth. He discusses his experiences with challenges such as homelessness, ADHD, and anxiety, and how he overcame them through intense dedication to his craft and personal development. Gersh emphasizes the importance of impact over monetary gain, explaining how he discovered fulfillment through service and honing his skills. He also delves into his rigorous routine, including his practice of lunges and a disciplined workout regimen inspired by figures like Bruce Lee.The hosts touch on topics like the power of breathing techniques to manage anxiety and enhance focus. Gersh leads a brief breathing exercise to demonstrate how proper breathing can ground you and activate the parasympathetic system for relaxation. The conversation further explores philosophies from Bruce Lee, the significance of being authentic, and how to harness one's energy and skills to become a master in their field.This episode is a deep dive into the mindset and practices required to achieve personal and professional mastery, offering listeners practical tips and inspiration to pursue their own paths to success.
Latest episodes

Jun 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
492 - We Almost Lost My Dad… But a Decision Made 30 Years Ago Saved Him
What happens when you're forced to make the hardest decision of your life… and you only have minutes to decide?
In this deeply emotional episode, Jemal shares how his father's life was hanging in the balance — and how a choice made decades earlier saved everything. The guys unpack the difference between planning and true preparation, and why waiting until a crisis hits is too late.
You’ll learn:
✅ Why living in your feelings can cost you everything
✅ How the faith pillar gave Jemal peace in chaos
✅ What it really means to be prepared — spiritually, financially, and emotionally
This episode isn’t just a conversation — it’s a wake-up call to get your house in order before the storm comes.
Make Real Estate Real → makerealestaterealcourse.com
Forever Forward Marriage → foreverforwardmarriage.com
You Matter Youth Camp → etsummerschool.com
If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to:
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May 29, 2025 • 1h 21min
491 - Be Careful Who You Interlock With 😅
What starts as a quick story about turbulence on a flight turns into a hilarious debate:When a random stranger reaches for your hand… What do you do? 👀
In this episode, the guys break down the now infamous “interlock moment” — but it’s deeper than just laughs.
They explore how too many people try to “perform” success without ever preparing for it. Whether it’s your marriage, your business, your mindset, or your body — the pressure will reveal whether or not you’ve done the real work.
Tap in to hear why preparation always beats performance, how discipline builds confidence, and why who you interlock with matters more than you think.
Don’t wait for pressure to show up prepared
Why routines and rituals matter more than talent
The link between physical shape, mental sharpness, and success
Real-life ways to build “muscle memory” in your purpose
What the Random Girl Challenge taught us about boundaries 😂
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May 22, 2025 • 45min
490 - Your Vision Might Be a Lie: Here’s How to Know
This might be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed.
What if the vision you're chasing isn't even real? What if you're frustrated, not because you're behind… but because you're living in delusion?
In this episode, the guys go all the way in — breaking down the dangerous difference between perception and reality, and how most people sabotage their future by refusing to expose themselves to the truth.
You'll hear:
Why your vision might be built on lies
The hidden traps of tipping culture, insurance, and "they" systems designed to keep you in the dark
How exposure shatters delusion and provides the clarity you need to move forward
Real talk on homeownership, money moves, and why most people never get wealthy
Delusion feels good — until it doesn’t.
Reality stings, but it leads to real progress. If you’re ready to stop pretending and start building a life that actually works… this episode is for you.
👉 Ready to level up your communication and influence? Join us in Atlanta for the Next Level Speakers Conference – June 7–9 and get exposed to what’s really possible.
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Leave a 5-star review on Apple or Spotify
Share this episode with someone who needs a reality check
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May 16, 2025 • 1h 10min
489 - Delusion Is Costing You Everything
You’re not stuck because of your job, your past, or your partner…
You’re stuck because of the lies you believe about yourself.
In this episode, the S2S crew unpacks the real reason most people never elevate: self-deception. You’re grinding, praying, and planning—but you’re out of alignment with the truth.
We’re calling it out—and giving you the mindset shift to finally move forward.
No more delusion. No more excuses. It’s time to get free.
💡 The awareness you’ve been avoiding? It’s the breakthrough you’ve been praying for.
👇 Tap in and take back control of your life.
🎤 Also, don’t miss the Next Level Speakers Conference:
June 7-9, Atlanta | Featuring Lisa Nichols + Eric Thomas on the same stage for the first time ever!
👉 NextLevelSpeakersConference.com
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May 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
488 - 💥 The Awkward Talk Every Couple MUST Have (Before It’s Too Late!)
This week on the Secret to Success Podcast, the crew dives into a raw, awkward, but absolutely necessary conversation: what happens when your partner stops trying? One listener asks, “Do I tell my wife she never dresses up anymore… or stay quiet to keep the peace?”
CJ, ET, Karl, and Jemal open up the uncomfortable truth about relationship expectations, unmet needs, and why most couples are too scared to say what they really want. From misaligned visions to silent resentment, they break down why failing to communicate can slowly destroy even the best marriages.
If you’re married, dating, or want a healthy relationship, this episode will challenge you hard and give you real steps to fix things — before you lose what you’ve built.
🚨 Don’t miss this one — your relationship might depend on it.
💍 Ready to celebrate your love instead of always saving someone else’s?
Visit ForeverForwardMarriage.com to join the movement.
—
🎤 Also, don’t miss the Next Level Speakers Conference:
June 7-9, Atlanta | Featuring Lisa Nichols + Eric Thomas on the same stage for the first time ever!
👉 NextLevelSpeakersConference.com
🛎️ Join our Patreon for exclusive lives, behind-the-scenes content, and early access: http://patreon.com/S2SPodcast120
👉 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast
👉 Subscribe on YouTube: S2S Podcast Channel

May 1, 2025 • 1h 18min
487 - Secondhand Divorce: How Other People's Marriages Are Wrecking Yours
You ever wonder why your healthy marriage still feels heavy?
In this episode, the guys get real about the weight of being the “strong couple” in your circle — the ones everyone runs to when their relationship is falling apart. But what if constantly being surrounded by broken marriages is secretly impacting your own?
From secondhand smoke to secondhand divorce, CJ, ET, Karl, and Jemal unpack why healthy couples need spaces to recharge, reset, and be celebrated — not just drained. They introduce a bold new vision: Forever Forward Marriage — an exclusive retreat for healthy marriages only.
▶️ Why healthy marriages need protection
▶️ How Camille nursed Jemal through two surgeries — twice
▶️ The danger of dimming your light for broken couples
▶️ Creating a marriage Olympics — the All-Star Game for couples in bliss
▶️ What real investment in your spouse actually looks like
This isn’t a marriage conference for broken people — it’s a celebration for couples in bliss.
💍 Ready to celebrate your love instead of always saving someone else’s?
Visit ForeverForwardMarriage.com to join the movement.
—
🎤 Also, don’t miss the Next Level Speakers Conference:
June 7-9, Atlanta | Featuring Lisa Nichols + Eric Thomas on the same stage for the first time ever!
👉 NextLevelSpeakersConference.com
🛎️ Join our Patreon for exclusive lives, behind-the-scenes content, and early access: http://patreon.com/S2SPodcast120
Follow us on IG: @s2spodcast

Apr 24, 2025 • 1h
486 - Stop Saving People Who Don’t Want to Be Saved
🔊 Episode Description:This week on the Secret to Success Podcast, Eric Thomas and CJ go all the way in. If you’ve ever been the person holding it all together while everyone around you falls apart, this episode is your wake-up call.ET opens up about what it really means to be fully responsible—and the emotional, financial, and physical toll it takes when you constantly pour into people who don’t take ownership for themselves. From family to friends to business partners, this conversation exposes the difference between helping and enabling.CJ shares powerful insights on how to protect your peace, what it looks like to set boundaries with love, and why walking away isn’t quitting—it’s maturity.This episode is raw, practical, and guaranteed to shift the way you approach relationships.💥 You’ll learn:
Why partial responsibility is more dangerous than none
How to spot takers (even when they’re close to you)
What “generosity wars” look like when done right
Why you should stop playing the hero and start protecting your purpose
🔥 Don’t miss out:▶️ Subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel🎥 Join our Patreon family for exclusive behind-the-scenes content: patreon.com/S2SPodcast120📲 Follow us on IG: @s2spodcast

Apr 17, 2025 • 47min
485 - Dreaming Big? You’re Still Missing One Thing
You’ve got big dreams. You’ve got ambition. So why does your life still feel off?In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, ET, CJ, Jemal, and Karl break down a truth most people avoid: you’re not certified for the life you keep asking for.We don’t mean a degree or a license — we’re talking about the inner work, the healing, the consistency, and the mastery that separates dreamers from doers. If your life feels unstable, your vision unclear, or your progress slow… this episode will show you why — and what to do next.Because the dream ain’t enough.🔗 Follow & Support the S2S Podcast:
📸 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube: Subscribe here💬 Join our Patreon community: patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 — get access to bonus content, behind the scenes, and live Q&As!🎧 New episodes every week.Thank you for rocking with us — transformation over information, always.

Apr 10, 2025 • 54min
484 - One Check Away from Broke: Why You’re Not Ready for What’s Coming
Most people don’t realize their real stress isn’t the layoff, the diagnosis, or the bad news — it’s the fact that everything in their life is depending on one source. One income. One plan. One backup. And when that one thing fails? Everything starts crashing.In this episode, the guys break down why relying on one stream of income is the fastest route to burnout — and what it looks like to actually prepare for a storm before it comes. If you’ve ever felt like your world was one unexpected bill away from collapse… this one’s for you.You don’t have to live in fear. But you do have to prepare.👕 List to the full episode and then share it with someone who needs to get their financial foundation in order.

Apr 3, 2025 • 1h 4min
483 - He Made Me President… of Nothing?! 😂 The Story That Started It All! | S2S483
CJ shares the hilarious and inspiring moment Eric Thomas made him “President” of a company that didn’t even exist yet — with nothing but a vintage t-shirt and a vision. From that Embassy Suites meeting to global impact, the guys break down what it means to believe before you see results. Plus: Maul’s indoor pool story, food temperature debates, retro checks, and why controlling your environment is key to success. This one’s equal parts laughter, legacy, and life lessons.💡 Featuring powerful moments on vision, assertiveness, mindset, and the journey from humble beginnings to global influence.Join Our Community & Go Deeper:✅ 🔥 Get Exclusive Content & Coaching: Join us on Patreon for bonus episodes, expert training sessions, and behind-the-scenes content → https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120✅ 💡 Stay Inspired Daily: Follow us on Instagram for bite-sized motivation → @s2spodcast🔔 Subscribe & Never Miss an Episode:🎥 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1🎙️ Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-secret-to-success-with-cj-karl-et/id840990649👉 Now ask yourself: Are you ready to stop making excuses and start making moves? Let’s get it. 🚀