Mick Unplugged

Ken Rusk is a blue collar entrepreneur, bestselling author of "Blue Collar Cash," and a passionate advocate for purpose-driven living. Starting his career digging ditches at 15, Ken transformed his hands-on work ethic into a multi-million dollar business, demonstrating that success doesn’t require a suit and tie. With a mission to reshape America’s views on blue collar success and financial freedom, Ken mentors others in visualizing their goals, building wealth, and finding comfort, peace, and freedom—both in life and at work. His approach is grounded, visionary, and deeply committed to helping others climb their own mountain of success.  Takeaways: Visualizing Success Is Essential: Ken emphasizes the transformative power of clear, detailed visualization for personal and professional goals. Translating dreams into vivid images and actionable plans is a crucial first step to actually making them happen. Blue Collar Work Can Be a Path to Wealth and Fulfillment: Ken breaks the myth that blue collar jobs are less fulfilling or financially rewarding than white collar roles. In fact, blue collar careers often bring more control, satisfaction, and opportunity. Giving Back Multiplies Success: Both Ken and Mick highlight the importance of generosity—not just financially, but with time and effort. Giving back, Ken believes, not only helps others, but often leads to more blessings and satisfaction in your own life.  Sound Bites: "The more you give, the more you are blessed with. And I don't know why that is, but it just is." "If you keep saying, 'I've never done this before, but if I did,' you start to imagine the process—and pretty soon, you’ve already built the skyscraper in your mind." "When you can get your corporate goals aligned with people's personal dreams, that’s where the synergy happens. That’s when you really start to move your company forward."   Quote from Mick:  "If you want to build a winning culture, you better celebrate a win. I don’t care how small or big it is."    Connect & Discover Ken: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenruskofficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-rusk-2656a7175 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KenRuskOfficial Website: https://www.kenrusk.com Book: Blue Collar Cash: Love Your Work, Secure Your Future, and Find Happiness for Life   **The first 20 people to message Mick “Blue Collar” on Instagram or LinkedIn will receive a copy of the book**   🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥  Mick Hunt’s brand-new book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.  👉Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million    FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when uncertainty meets vulnerability? According to Dr. Darryl Stickel, that intersection creates trust—or destroys it. As today's uncertain world pushes people toward self-protection, leaders face unprecedented challenges in building the trust necessary for high-performing teams. Dr. Stickel brings a uniquely powerful perspective to this conversation, drawing from personal adversity that shaped his understanding of human vulnerability. After suffering a traumatic hockey injury that left him with cognitive challenges at 17, and facing progressive vision loss from a hereditary condition, he developed extraordinary empathy that would later inform his groundbreaking work. His doctoral research at Duke University on building trust in hostile environments established him as what host Mick calls "the architect of trust." The insights shared in this episode go far beyond theory. Dr. Stickel breaks down his practical framework where "trust equals uncertainty times vulnerability," explaining why our current environment makes trust-building especially challenging—and critical. With 70% of employees disengaged and what he describes as a "broken social contract" between organizations and workers, trust has become the new currency of leadership. Most provocatively, Dr. Stickel reveals that "95% of people believe they're more trustworthy than average," highlighting the dangerous blind spots that prevent leaders from recognizing trust deficits. He offers immediate, actionable approaches to measuring and building trust through conversations around benevolence, integrity, and ability, with special attention to the unique challenges of remote work environments. Whether you're managing a team, building a business, or simply trying to strengthen personal relationships, this episode provides a masterclass in the mechanics of trust—complete with the tools to start rebuilding it today. After all, as Dr. Stickel reminds us, trust is a skill we can all develop with practice. Connect & Discover Darryl:  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/darryl-stickel-phd/?originalSubdomain=ca Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darryl.stickel/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq1dQmEjT5a0T8xy3B2YRKw Website: https://www.trustunlimited.com/about/ Podcast:  https://imperfectcafe.buzzsprout.com/ Book: Building Trust: Exceptional Leadership in an Uncertain World FOLLOW MICK ON:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marc Morial sits at the rare intersection of politics, activism, and business – a civil rights titan whose journey from transformative New Orleans mayor to National Urban League CEO offers profound lessons in leadership and community building. The foundation of Morial's remarkable career began in childhood, watching his parents' civil rights work from the sidelines. What began as "childcare" – tagging along to NAACP meetings and voter registration drives – became the classroom where he absorbed leadership from community giants. This early immersion shaped his lifelong commitment to economic justice and equality of opportunity. As New Orleans mayor, Morial tackled seemingly insurmountable challenges with innovative approaches. Faced with record crime rates, he refused to choose between enforcement and prevention, instead rebuilding the police department while simultaneously creating unprecedented youth programming – summer camps, job programs, and initiatives specifically for girls who had been overlooked by previous administrations. His "Gumbo Coalition" administration championed inclusivity, featuring record numbers of women and the first Asian American and LGBTQ cabinet members in city history. When Morial arrived at the National Urban League, he found an organization proud of its history but "operating in the past tense." Through visionary leadership, he's expanded the organization fivefold, broadening its portfolio to include workforce development, housing assistance, entrepreneurship programs, and strengthened advocacy work – all while building powerful coalitions with other civil rights organizations. Today, Morial warns of an unprecedented assault on civil rights progress and urges listeners not to succumb to complacency or despair. "In the short run, you hear noise but don't feel the damage. In the long run, the noise will subside, but the damage will be done," he cautions. His call to action is clear: defend fundamental American principles by getting involved, using your voice, and mentoring the next generation. Ready to be part of the solution? Visit NUL.org to join advocacy efforts or find a local affiliate in your community.  Connect & Discover Marc: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcmorial/?hl=en X: https://x.com/marcmorial?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-morial-59b05130/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marcmorial/ FOLLOW MICK ON:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website:https://www.mickhuntofficial.com  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"You can't stand out and stand still at the same time," declares Emmy award-winning disruptor Mario Armstrong in this riveting conversation with Mick. As the self-proclaimed "blueprint" for Mick's journey, Mario unpacks the mindset shifts and actionable strategies that transformed him from a local Baltimore media personality to a nationally recognized figure. The conversation dives deep into what Mario calls "vulnerability as currency" – the counterintuitive power of authentic sharing in professional settings. He doesn't just theorize; he demonstrates this principle by discussing his current struggle writing his first book after years of false starts. This vulnerability, Mario explains, isn't a marketing tactic but a genuine approach that attracts the right audience to your work. One of the most powerful insights emerges when Mick introduces the concept that "transparency is the new currency" and even "transparency is the new 401k" for modern leadership. Today's employees, particularly younger generations, care less about traditional benefits and more about knowing what their leaders personally stand for. Mario explores how transparent leadership builds trust in ways traditional corporate approaches simply cannot. The conversation shifts to practical strategies with Mario's brilliant "11-minute framework" – a method for making consistent progress on daunting goals by focusing on what you can accomplish in just 11 minutes. Combined with his practice of celebrating "three wins" weekly (now daily), this system creates momentum that builds confidence through visible progress. "Every 11 minutes informs the next 11 minutes," Mario explains, creating a compounding effect that transforms small actions into significant achievements. Perhaps most valuable for aspiring influencers is Mario's counterintuitive advice to dominate locally before attempting to go national. His step-by-step breakdown of how to leverage local television stations – an underutilized platform – reveals a pathway to credibility that many overlook in their rush to build digital audiences. This strategy provided the foundation for his eventual national success. Throughout this magnetic conversation, Mario emphasizes that success isn't about making one big bet on yourself but rather consistently investing in small actions that prove your potential. For anyone feeling stuck between comfort and calling, this episode provides both the inspiration and practical framework to start moving forward – 11 minutes at a time. Connect & Discover Mario: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marioarmstrong/?hl=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marioarmstrong/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NeverSettleNetwork Website: https://www.marioarmstrong.com/ FOLLOW MICK ON:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com  Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes some leaders magnetic while others struggle to connect? On this riveting episode of Mick Unplugged, communication expert Matt Kohut reveals the surprising secret shared by presidential candidates, Fortune 500 CEOs, and influential speakers he's coached: they're exceptional listeners first, compelling speakers second. Matt breaks down his powerful framework of "strength and warmth" that defines effective leadership communication. Strength—the capability to get things done through competence and assertiveness—must be balanced with warmth—the ability to show you understand others' needs and emotions. Every leader naturally leans toward one quality, but mastering both creates an unbeatable leadership presence. Through practical examples, Matt demonstrates how finding the right balance for your specific context can transform your leadership impact. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Matt discusses his new book "Speaking Out," exploring when and how corporate leaders should address political and social issues—a modern leadership challenge unheard of in previous generations. He provides a thoughtful framework for navigating these potentially treacherous waters, grounding decisions in organizational values while considering both internal and external stakeholders. Matt and Mick challenge outdated leadership clichés, dismantling the "open door policy" myth (truly present leaders don't need to announce their accessibility) and warning against using complex language that creates distance rather than connection. The most powerful insight? Informal conversations—whether over coffee, meals, or breaks—create the authentic connections that drive organizational success, yet many leaders fail to prioritize these critical moments. Whether you're leading a team of five or five thousand, this conversation delivers actionable strategies to transform how you communicate during chaos, build trust through genuine listening, and speak with the perfect balance of strength and warmth that today's leadership demands. Connect & Discover Matthew: Website: https://www.matthewkohut.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-kohut-00b64b4/ X: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2FMatthew_Kohut Substack: https://matthewkohut.substack.com/ Book: Speaking Out: The New Rules of Business Leadership Communication FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wondered what separates truly exceptional achievers from everyone else? David Meltzer reveals the answer in this powerful conversation about creating a life so extraordinary that your reality surpasses other people's imagination. Meltzer, who has built and lost multi-millions while leading iconic sports agencies, shares his deeply personal philosophy on happiness—a natural state we interfere with through misinterpreted meanings and limited self-images. Through vivid storytelling and vulnerable admissions about his own failures, he offers a refreshing framework for finding joy in everything you do, even the activities you don't particularly enjoy. The discussion takes a fascinating turn when Meltzer declares himself "Repeat Man," embracing the superpower of being "annoyingly consistent" in spreading honest, life-changing messages. This self-awareness becomes a masterclass in authenticity as he explains why 10% of people will love you no matter what you do, while another 10% will hate you regardless—a liberating truth that frees you to live at your essence without fear of judgment. Perhaps most valuable is Meltzer's mathematical formula for creating what others call "luck": attention plus intention equals coincidences. By combining focused awareness with consistent, intentional action, you create the conditions for seemingly magical opportunities to appear in your life. This isn't wishful thinking but a practical system anyone can implement immediately. Whether you're building a business, developing as a public speaker, or simply seeking more fulfillment, this episode delivers actionable wisdom from someone who's navigated both spectacular successes and humbling failures. Listen now to discover how expanding your skills, knowledge, and desires can transform your life into one that surpasses even your own imagination. Connect & Discover David: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidmeltzer/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidmeltzer11/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmeltzer2/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCflt1OopRWIApMOjVgZyJ6Q TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidmeltzer Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/office-hours-with-david-meltzer/id1678157057 Website: https://dmeltzer.com/ Book: Game-Time Decision Making Book: Connected to Goodness: Manifest Everything You Desire In Business FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Confronting mortality changes everything. Will Craig knows this truth intimately, living with a medical condition that gives him just eight hours if his brain shunt fails. Having already survived six brain surgeries and battling through devastating personal losses, Will has transformed these experiences into a powerful mission focused on mental health advocacy and human connection. During our raw, profound conversation, Will unpacks his journey from being "a scared kid" who believed his existence was a burden to others, to becoming a bestselling author, speaker, and mental health advocate. His evolution wasn't instant - it took years of healing, self-forgiveness, and purposeful introspection to arrive at his current clarity about what truly matters. What makes Will's perspective so valuable is the practicality behind his philosophy. He shares specific tools anyone can use to manage mental health challenges, from journaling techniques that help process emotions to simple breathing exercises that create crucial moments of pause during heightened anxiety. These aren't theoretical concepts - they're battle-tested strategies from someone who understands darkness intimately. Perhaps most powerful is Will's perspective on legacy. "It's not about how I led," he explains. "It's what did they learn from me, what were they inspired from, and how I lived my life every single day." This simple yet profound insight challenges us all to consider not just our achievements, but the invisible impact of how we move through the world each day. Connect & Discover Will: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mental_health_with_will/?hl=en YouTube: Sunday Reset w/Will & Friends YouTube:@MentalHealthwithWill Book: One Step Forward (Ideally in the Right Direction) Journal: The Sunday Reset Journal: Writing Prompts for your Inner Healing FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rachel Rodgers captivates with her remarkable journey from struggling attorney with a 400-level credit score to self-made millionaire and eight-figure business owner. Her transformation wasn't built on luck or privilege, but strategic risk-taking and unwavering belief in her capabilities. With refreshing candor, Rachel shares how seeing her staggering $300,000 student loan debt became a catalyst rather than a paralyzer. While her law school peers pursued traditional careers with modest starting salaries, she took the entrepreneurial path—launching her own practice that matched conventional salaries in year one and quadrupled them by year two. This exponential growth demonstrates her core philosophy: calculated risks often yield returns that conventional paths simply cannot match. What sets Rachel apart is her commitment to democratizing wealth creation. She describes herself as "the guinea pig" who tests pathways to prosperity, then creates systems to teach others—particularly women and marginalized communities—how to follow similar trajectories For business leaders, Rachel delivers another transformative insight: creating a company where you genuinely enjoy showing up is non-negotiable for sustainable growth. She advocates adjusting offers, marketing approaches, and systems to maintain enthusiasm while advancing core mission objectives—recognizing that leader burnout inevitably impacts client experiences. Connect & Discover Rachel: Website: https://rachelrodgers.com/ Website: https://helloseven.co/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelannerodgers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachrodgersesq/ Book: We Should All Be Millionaires Book: Million Dollar Action Book: Future Millionaire: A Young Person's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Wealth Inevitable FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the key to transformation isn't finding your "why" but discovering your "because"? Pastor Keion Henderson delivers this game-changing perspective in an unforgettable conversation that cuts straight to the core of authentic leadership and personal growth. "I do it because I was born to," Pastor Keion reveals, sharing how this simple yet profound realization shaped his leadership journey. Unlike your "why" (your family, friends, community), your "because" is the divine purpose encoded in your very design—it's what you're built for, just as planes are built to fly and cars to drive. This distinction becomes a foundation for living with greater authenticity and confidence, even through doubt and struggle. The conversation takes a powerful turn when addressing the perfectionism that plagues so many high-achievers. Pastor Keion brilliantly articulates the battle between ego and effectiveness: "The ego says you would have been better if you said what you thought. Effective says you said what you said and it worked." This liberating perspective helps leaders trust that what emerges from a prepared soul is enough—preparation doesn't guarantee perfection, but it enables impact. Most revolutionary is Pastor Keion's insight that "problems can't be solved by the same mindset that created them"—a principle that host Mick credits with quadrupling his business. This philosophy, explored in Pastor Keyon's book "The Shift," challenges listeners to continually evolve their thinking, recognizing that what brought you to your current level won't take you to the next one. The conversation also previews his newest book "Lazy Love," which examines how our past experiences shape our capacity to love effectively. Whether you're looking to transform your business, improve your relationships, or discover your divine purpose, this episode provides practical wisdom for embracing imperfection, shifting mindsets, and recognizing that your greatest impact might come not just from your successes but from how you've navigated your failures. Your "because" is waiting to be unleashed—and it might just be your greatest superpower. Connect & Discover Pastor Keion: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pastorkeion/?hl=en Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/pastorkeion/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@KeionHendersonTV TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@iampastorkeion?lang=en Book:The Shift FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if every person on earth could reach their absolute potential? Dr. Adriane Johnson-Williams believes our collective power is diminished when systems block people from their best selves - and she's dedicated her life to changing that reality. The catalyst for her remarkable journey began at age 14 when she left South Memphis for boarding school, suddenly experiencing privileges her equally brilliant friends back home would never access. That stark contrast planted a seed that grew into her lifelong mission to eliminate barriers to human potential. This conversation goes beyond surface-level diversity talk to explore how real change happens. Dr. Johnson-Williams reveals her powerful filter for clients: "I'm not going to work with you if I don't believe you're ready to do the work." Her actionable framework for addressing inequity starts with getting clear on your vision, understanding why things are the way they are, and identifying your specific "brushstroke" contribution to larger systemic change. Perhaps most illuminating is her distinction between mentorship and sponsorship. While mentorship provides guidance and emotional support, Dr. Johnson-Williams credits her success to sponsors who "walked me up to the door, opened it, gone in on the other side, and said 'hey, this is my girl.'" This transfer of power - literally stamping others with your authority - creates pathways traditional mentorship cannot. Her approach to equity conversations begins with helping people interrogate their own identity and place within systems, creating space for honest reflection while maintaining everyone's dignity. Through profound insights on emotional intelligence, reflective practice, and authentic leadership, Dr. Johnson-Williams demonstrates why her one-word mission - "humanity" - resonates so powerfully across classrooms, boardrooms, and communities. Ready to make your contribution to unleashing human potential? Listen now and discover how your "because" becomes your superpower. Connect & Discover Dr Adriane: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drajw/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/search/keyword/?q=dr%20adriane%20johnson-williams Website: https://standpointconsulting.com/about/dr-adriane-johnson-williams/ FOLLOW MICK ON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://www.mickhuntofficial.com Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices