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What does it cost to build a life you believe in before other people understand it? Jeff Staple joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about creative independence, the business lessons talent cannot replace, and the courage to stop pleasing everybody. Jeff traces the early T-shirt orders that became STAPLE, the decision to leave college, and the strain his choices put on family relationships. He explains why founders need to delegate, how listening to younger perspectives keeps his work relevant, and why a UPS driver's connection to his designs meant more to him than industry recognition. There is warmth and humor, too: five hours with Mike Tyson and his pigeons, a surprising closet answer, and the hidden wing pattern in the Breakneck sneaker. Jeff closes with the lesson he hopes people remember. TAKEAWAYS Give your creative talent the business skills it needs. You cannot grow by trying to do every job yourself. Hear a new idea all the way through before dismissing it. Build a life you believe in without making everybody else's approval the goal. MICK'S BREAKNECK OFFER In the conversation, Mick offers to buy Breakneck shoes for the first ten people who message him “Breakneck.” Mick will confirm whether you are among the first ten and ask your size. Jeff also offers support and discusses signed pairs. Message Mick at https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ and hear the episode for the recorded details. CHAPTERS 00:00 The secret to failure: cold open 00:16 Meet Jeff Staple 02:39 The Because: refusing other people's limits 05:00 T-shirts, necessity, and finding a path 06:22 Talent needs a business: delegation 09:21 Staying relevant by staying curious 13:21 Family expectations and the cost of belief 17:55 Taking care of yourself first 19:00 Simplicity, the UPS driver, and real impact 22:30 Growing beyond T-shirts 24:36 The next chapter: legacy and physical retail 27:55 The Unplugged Five 28:25 Mike Tyson and the pigeons 31:29 Breakneck: city, trail, and hidden pigeon wings 33:36 Mick's Breakneck offer 34:42 Stop trying to please everybody 35:36 Keep the kid in you: the closing CONNECT & DISCOVER JEFF STAPLE: Website: https://www.staplepigeon.com/ Jeff Staple: https://jeffstaple.tv/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffstaple/ FOLLOW MICK Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com/podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunY

What happens when the world talks about you for years before hearing your side? Kordell Stewart joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about silence, faith, and reclaiming his own story. The man known as “Slash” reflects on his path from receiver to starting quarterback, the personal cost of rumors, and why telling his story matters to the fans and young people who look up to him. Mick shares what Kordell’s example meant to his family, and Kordell closes with the priorities that have carried him: God, family, and career. WHAT YOU'LL HEAR Why Kordell wanted the opportunity to tell his story in his own words. How he describes the impact of years of rumors and public assumptions. What it took to move between wide receiver and quarterback. Why silence can be misunderstood and how he chooses to respond today. His gratitude toward the fans who stood by him and the young people he coaches. The Unplugged Five: New Orleans food, choosing Colorado, competition, music, and faith. CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: the sound of silence 00:17 Welcome to Mick Unplugged 01:06 The Because: telling his own story 04:40 The origin and cost of rumors 14:18 Faith and handling adversity 17:11 Receiver, quarterback, and the work behind Slash 23:44 When silence becomes the story 27:14 Gratitude, grace, and reclaiming his voice 29:49 Giving Kordell his flowers 37:47 The Unplugged Five 42:52 God, family, career Kordell discusses the documentary featured in the interview, his relationship with Pittsburgh, and the responsibility he feels when speaking to the next generation. His recollections and views are presented in his own words. Mick and Kordell also discuss a possible fan gathering. No date, game, or registration details are confirmed in this episode. Connect & Discover Kordell Stewart: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kslash10/ X: https://x.com/KSlash10 KORDELL STEWART / SLASH & BURN is now available on HBO Max.  FOLLOW MICK 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/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 How to Be a Good Leader: https://howtobeagoodleader.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mickunplugged Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Buy Mick’s book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Leader-When-Youve-Never/dp/1394357958 If this conversation speaks to you, subscribe to Mick Unplugged and share it with someone finding the courage to tell their own story. Your BECAUSE is your superpower. Go unleash it. #mickunplugged #kordellstewart #NFL #resilience

What happens when a creative outlet becomes the thing your family needs? Daniel Nicholson joins Mick Hunt for an in-person conversation about building custom bourbon barrels, finding focus through woodworking, and turning an idea into something real. Daniel shares how a first barrel, a small tool investment, and a change in his family's circumstances pushed him to keep creating. He talks about the value of working with his hands, the support of his wife, and the link between intention and action. The conversation goes deeper into his experience growing up biracial, the importance of honest conversations, and the relationships that opened doors in his career. Daniel and Mick close with mentorship, The Unplugged Five, and a spirited comparison of their favorite bourbons. YOU'LL HEAR Daniel's because: bringing an idea out of his head and into the physical world. How music and art helped him recognize his creative spark. Why woodworking became a personal outlet and then a business opportunity. How he and his wife responded when their family needed another source of income. His experience growing up biracial and why connection starts with conversation. How honesty and relationships helped him move beyond restaurant management. The quiet impact of mentorship, plus cooking questions and bourbon favorites. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Idea, intent, action 00:11 Meet Daniel and the bourbon barrel 03:29 The Because: turning ideas into reality 06:54 The Unplugged Truth: woodworking, family, and action 13:09 The Hot Takes: identity and honest conversations 20:42 The Room: honesty opens doors 25:00 The Unplugged 5: cooking, life, and bourbon 35:00 Connect with Daniel and closing CONNECT  & DISCOVER  DANIEL Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cbusbarrels/ Daniel recommends finding CBUS Barrels on Facebook for custom builds. FOLLOW MICK Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mickunplugged YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Buy Mick's book: How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never Had One https://www.amazon.com/Good-Leader-When-Youve-Never/dp/1394357958

Rodney Peete knew how to lead a team. Fatherhood asked him to learn a different kind of leadership: listening, letting go of ego, and seeing the world through his son RJ's eyes. In this special episode of Mick Unplugged, the former NFL quarterback joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about the beliefs that shaped him, the work behind his talent, and the moment he realized he needed to change his approach as a father. Rodney shares how Holly Robinson Peete's determination helped their family navigate RJ's autism diagnosis and how that journey continues to shape his purpose. At the heart of this release is the HollyRod Foundation and its work supporting families affected by autism and Parkinson's disease. Rodney describes why the foundation began, the need for practical resources and compassion, and the family experiences behind its work. He also discusses the upcoming November 7 DesignCare gala; current details are available from the foundation. IN THIS EPISODE • Why being gifted creates a responsibility to give back • The difference between talent and consistent work • What it means to lead when others need to believe in you • How ego got in the way of connection, and what changed • Why a child needs room to follow his own path • The purpose behind HollyRod and its family support work • Football, family and legacy in The Unplugged Five MICK'S PLEDGE IN THIS EPISODE For the first 100 people who message Mick 'HollyRod,' Mick pledges a $100 donation on each person's behalf to the HollyRod Foundation. He also pledges a personal match. This preserves the pledge as spoken in the recording. No calculated total or additional deadline has been added. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Seeing the world through his son's eyes 00:16 Meet Rodney Peete 02:54 The Because: using his gifts to give back 05:09 Belief, work ethic and the example of his father 10:45 Leading when other people depend on you 15:46 How college football has changed 19:37 Fatherhood, autism and confronting ego 30:44 Not My Boy! and the leadership lesson in compassion 34:23 HollyRod: support for families 38:47 Mick's pledge to the foundation 40:29 The Unplugged Five 46:03 Your because is your superpower CONNECT & DISCOVER RODNEY PEETE HollyRod Foundation, its programs and DesignCare information: https://hollyrod.org/ Rodney's book, Not My Boy!: A Father, A Son, and One Family's Journey with Autism: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/rodney-peete/not-my-boy/9781401395100/ FOLLOW MICK Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.

Landon McKinnis wanted his mom and his kids to be proud of the man he was becoming. That purpose kept him moving as he built GoNutz through rejection, grief, and the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Landon joins me to talk about the because behind his work. He reflects on growing up in Shawnee, Kansas, facing racial discrimination, and finding his own identity. He also shares how faith helped him learn patience when things weren't happening on his timeline. We get into the business journey, too: the first shipment of inventory, a viral TikTok moment, slowing sales, and the Shark Tank email he initially thought was a joke. Landon explains how being prepared helped him respond to the opportunity, what it felt like to pitch the Sharks, and why listening to customers matters. YOU’LL HEAR - The family relationships behind Landon's purpose - How childhood experiences shaped his work ethic and sense of identity - The challenges that followed going viral - Why business records, numbers, and preparation mattered before Shark Tank - What customer feedback taught him about the product he was building - How he stays focused when competitors have bigger budgets and teams - A friendly Kansas City versus Carolina barbecue debate EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Faith, Patience, and Being Ready 00:16 Welcome to Landon McKinnis 01:12 The Because: Family, Purpose, and Making Them Proud 03:47 The Unplugged Truth: Identity, Setbacks, and Faith 09:18 The Hot Takes: Building GoNutz and the Shark Tank Journey 33:46 The Room: The Opportunity That Changed Everything 38:31 The Unplugged 5: Barbecue, Resourcefulness, and Running Your Own Race 43:14 Friendship, GoNutz, and Your Because Put it into practice: Choose one useful step you can take with the resources you have today. Keep your attention on the work in front of you and the people you're doing it for. Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and the because behind the work. Connect & Discover Landon McKinnis GoNutz / ORBÉ: https://thegonutz.com/ Founder story: https://thegonutz.com/pages/orbe-story This conversation uses the GoNutz name. The company's current website introduces ORBÉ as its new primary brand. FOLLOW MICK 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://mickhuntofficial.com/ Book: How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never Had One https://howtobeagoodleader.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Content note: Discussion of grief, racial discrimination, and personal grooming. #mickunplugged #landonmckinnis #gonutz #sharktank #entrepreneurship

This is a previously recorded conversation, returning as a Mick Unplugged re-release. References to upcoming projects reflect the time of recording. Chef André Rush's strength reaches far beyond the kitchen or the gym. In this conversation, the U.S. Army veteran, former White House chef, and mental health advocate shares the mission that keeps him serving others through grief, setbacks, and success. Mick and Chef Rush talk about checking in on the people you love, the stigma around asking for help, and why compassion belongs alongside discipline. Chef Rush reflects on September 11 at the Pentagon, a moment of connection at therapy, and the lessons his parents gave him about hard work and perseverance. The conversation also explores how cooking became his calling, the accountability required inside the White House, and the experiences behind his memoir, Call Me Chef, Dammit! It closes with four rapid-fire questions and an exchange about mentorship, gratitude, and making an impact. You'll Hear - Why a simple conversation can help people feel connected - Chef Rush's answer to “What is your because?” - How personal loss shaped his commitment to children and veterans - His experience of trauma and the difficulty of asking for support - Why encouragement, empathy, and perseverance matter - How military service led him toward a culinary career - Accountability, teamwork, and the White House kitchen - The story behind his memoir and four candid rapid-fire answers CHAPTERS 00:00 Check on each other: the cold open 00:20 Meet Chef André Rush 01:19 Why reaching out matters 03:24 Choosing service and refusing complacency 05:33 His father's lessons on hard work 07:19 The Because: a mission beyond yourself 10:22 Mick on friendship, loss, and connection 13:05 Turning remembrance into a cause 14:13 September 11, the Pentagon, and trauma 17:14 Asking for help and challenging stigma 20:12 A moment of connection at therapy 20:43 Keep going: encouragement and resilience 24:44 How cooking became his calling 32:17 Accountability inside the White House 35:35 The story behind Call Me Chef, Dammit! 40:50 Food, patience, and plans discussed in the recording 42:24 Four rapid-fire questions 44:40 Gratitude, mentorship, and farewell CONNECT & DISCOVER CHEF ANDRÉ RUSH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realchefrush/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChefRush TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chefrush Website: https://chefrush.com/ Book discussed: Call Me Chef, Dammit! A Veteran's Journey from the Rural South to the White House FOLLOW MICK 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/ TikTok: @mickunplugged: https://www.tiktok.com/@mickunplugged Spotify, Mick Unplugged: https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Buy Mick's book, How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never Had One: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Leader-When-Youve-Never/dp/1394357958 Content note: Discussion of suicide loss, grief, September 11, trauma, and mental health. Contains occasional strong language.

What happens when business experience becomes the foundation for a more personal mission? Adam Zeitsiff joins Mick Hunt to discuss youth fitness, purpose, and the leadership lessons behind building teams that can carry a mission forward. From technology to Gold's Gym and LA Fitness, Adam reflects on the experiences that led him to his work with the Dominique Dawes Academy. He explains why a child's gold medal moment might be learning a cartwheel, gaining confidence, or discovering the value of practice. The conversation also explores the shop-floor example his grandfather set, the importance of asking for help, and why hiring and listening to capable people can change a business. They close with mentorship, lessons Adam wishes he had learned earlier, and The Unplugged Five. YOU'LL HEAR - Why Adam's because is centered on creating better opportunities for children. - How his technology background shaped his work in the fitness industry. - The mission behind helping kids find their own gold medal moments. - What his grandfather taught him about caring for the people on your team. - Why entrepreneurs need to ask for help, listen, and hire strong specialists. - His perspective on AI, mentorship, and the legacy he wants to leave. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 The mission behind the work 00:33 Meet Adam Zeitsiff 01:34 The Because: a mission centered on children 05:45 Schools, parents, and physical activity 08:55 The Unplugged Truth: technology meets fitness 11:45 Leading at Gold's Gym 14:32 Two different fitness business models 16:05 Hot Takes: the Dominique Dawes Academy vision 20:43 AI and the human side of fitness 23:17 Finding a child's gold medal moments 25:57 The Room: a grandfather's leadership example 27:56 Asking for help and scaling a business 30:01 Hiring and compensating the right people 32:58 Mentorship and growing leaders from within 34:25 Connecting with the academy 35:11 Leadership lessons learned the hard way 36:46 The Unplugged Five 40:12 Legacy and making a difference CONNECT & DISCOVER Adam Zeitsiff: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-zeitsiff/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/zeitscameraaction/ Dominique Dawes Academy: https://www.dominiquedawesgymnasticsacademy.com/ Academy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dominique-dawes-academy/ Academy Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dawesgymnasticsacademy FOLLOW MICK Mick Hunt Official: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ TikTok: @mickunplugged https://www.tiktok.com/@mickunplugged YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Spotify: Mick Unplugged https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Buy Mick's book: How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never Had One https://www.amazon.com/Good-Leader-When-Youve-Never/dp/1394357958 Your because is your superpower. Go unleash it. Content note: Contains occasional strong language. Business plans and expansion discussions reflect the time of recording. #mickunplugged #adamzeitsiff #kidsfitness #gymnastics

What does it take to stand in front of a room and make people laugh—even when the room goes quiet? Comedian Mookie G joins Mick for a candid, funny conversation about the work behind the punchline. He shares how his mother recognized his gift for bringing people joy, encouraged him to take a comedy class, and helped him discover his because. Mookie breaks down the difference between being funny online and performing live, the challenge of developing jokes, and why an audience’s silence does not always mean a set has failed. Mick and Mookie also explore authenticity, self-love, social media, and the patience it takes to keep showing up before the right opportunity arrives. Along the way: Houston sports loyalty, growing up in Beaumont, moving to Atlanta, and a rapid-fire conversation about comedy, food, and the legacy Mookie wants to leave. Listen for the purpose beneath the laughter—and the reminder to be yourself. In this episode: • Finding a because in bringing happiness and joy to others • The mother who saw a comedian before he saw it himself • Stage fright, audience energy, and learning to trust silence • Developing material through recorded conversations and real-life experience • Hosting, featuring, and headlining: different jobs, different rhythms • Using social media to build visibility while staying yourself • Self-love, consistency, and being ready for opportunity • Beaumont roots, Atlanta possibility, and a funny and friendly legacy CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: becoming comfortable with silence 00:27 Welcome and the comedy show where Mick and Mookie met 02:36 The Because: bringing happiness and joy 03:29 How his mother helped him discover comedy 04:10 Being funny online versus performing on stage 05:36 Tough rooms and protecting your own material 07:42 The Unplugged Truth: developing jokes 11:04 Hosting, featuring, and headlining 12:42 Hot Takes: getting attention and staying yourself 14:05 Building visibility through social media 16:40 Be yourself, self-love, and finding joy 18:23 Houston loyalty and Beaumont roots 22:26 Why Atlanta felt full of possibility 23:49 The Room: the comedy class that changed his path 25:45 Trusting silence and finding your pace 28:45 New projects and getting booked 29:59 Performing your best when opportunity is watching 33:15 Where to find Mookie and the story behind the merch 34:47 The Unplugged Five: comedy, football, and food 38:03 The legacy he wants to leave 39:30 Closing: your because is your superpower Subscribe to Mick Unplugged for conversations about the because behind the journey. Connect & Discover Mookie G: Instagram: @mookie_g_comedy Facebook: @mookiegcomedy Website: mookieg.com                            FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged Book: How to be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One

D.L. Hughley wanted one more conversation with his father. He put it into Charlie's Boy. In this episode of Mick Unplugged, D.L. joins me to talk about his new memoir, the man who raised him and the parts of fatherhood he understands differently now. We get into duty, family silence and why providing for your children can become so consuming that being present gets pushed aside. D.L. shares what he learned about Charlie after his death and why he makes a deliberate effort to let his own children know him. I also tell D.L. how his backstage mentorship changed the way I approached my podcast and my business. We talk about knowing the rules, owning your decisions and understanding why people keep listening. You'll hear: - The conversation behind Charlie's Boy - What showing up does for a father-child relationship - The pressure to keep working, even when it costs you time at home - Why finding his way into comedy also brought survivor's guilt - A reunion 25 years after an act of kindness - D.L.'s take on freedom of speech, consequences and protecting your peace I'm giving a copy of Charlie's Boy to the first 100 people who DM "Charlie's Boy" to @mickunplugged on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ CHAPTERS 00:00 The conversation D.L. never had with his father 00:11 Meet D.L. Hughley 00:55 The Because: Faith, hope and connection 04:12 The Unplugged Truth: The father behind Charlie's Boy 07:12 Duty, love and the words fathers do not say 10:36 Why D.L. wrote Charlie's Boy 11:45 Hot Takes: Hurt, offense and growth 14:30 Free speech and consequences 16:22 Fatherhood and the trust built by showing up 21:56 What D.L. learned about Charlie's work life 26:03 The Room: Finding a way forward through comedy 28:02 Survivor's guilt and appreciating your life 29:05 An act of kindness comes back 25 years later 32:06 The backstage advice that changed Mick's approach to media 34:11 Mick's 100-book offer 35:22 The Unplugged Five: What makes D.L. laugh 36:37 The conversation America avoids 37:45 Human connection and why people keep listening 41:34 D.L.'s go-to drinks 42:35 Other people's opinions and protecting your attention 44:27 Closing conversation CONNECT & DISCOVER D.L. HUGHLEY Book: Charlie's Boy: A Memoir https://a.co/d/0bV9x1UZ Instagram: @realdlhughley https://www.instagram.com/realdlhughley/ Facebook: @RealDLHughley https://www.facebook.com/RealDLHughley/ YouTube: DL Hughley https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6B_HuuSaR-IDsKuJVK0LEw FOLLOW MICK Instagram: @mickunplugged https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: @mickunplugged YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: @mickhunt https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Book: How to Be a Good Leader When You've Never Had One https://howtobeagoodleader.com/ Apple Podcasts: Mick Unplugged https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mick-unplugged/id1731755953 Spotify: Mick Unplugged https://open.spotify.com/show/2cUp7JRzkVqunYmD2ENe4g Content note: Explicit language and discussion of grief and family relationships.

What makes a bottle worth remembering? For Dixon Dedman, the answer starts with the people who share it. The master blender behind 2XO joins Mick Hunt for a conversation about bourbon, hospitality, creative conviction, and the legacy he hopes to leave his children. Dixon explains how his family's hospitality roots shaped his purpose, why blending requires more than mixing percentages, and how he approaches mouthfeel, maturation, and secondary oak exposure. Mick also tastes Rapper's Delight during the conversation, and Dixon shares the story of a father and son celebrating a new generation with a bottle of Kentucky Owl. That moment brings the conversation back to his because: making something that becomes part of another person's meaningful experience. In this episode:  How hospitality shaped Dixon's purpose and approach to bourbon The challenge of reproducing a small sample blend at barrel scale Why creative conviction matters when developing a whiskey His focus on mouthfeel, viscosity, and the overall drinking experience The personal connections that matter beyond awards and ratings His hope that the next generation will carry the family legacy forward Listen for the lesson that travels beyond bourbon: exceeding expectations can turn a product or service into a moment someone remembers. Chapters 00:00 A moment beyond selling bottles 00:40 Meet Dixon Dedman 03:06 What is your because? 07:30 Moments, memories, and personal connection 10:07 Unplugged Truth: the craft of blending 15:20 Putting a personal mark on whiskey 19:27 Hot Takes: tasting Rapper's Delight 22:01 Mouthfeel and the drinking experience 35:00 The Room: a toast to three generations 39:29 2XO and the recorded plans discussed 42:20 Unplugged 5 46:08 The legacy Dixon hopes to leave 48:08 Closing reflections Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and the because behind the work. Connect & Discover Dixon Dedman: Instagram: @dixon_dedman LinkedIn: @dixon_dedman X: @dixon_dedman Website: 2xowhiskey.com                          FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged Book: How to be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One #MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #DixonDedman #2XOWhiskey

Your next difficult conversation may not need a stronger argument. It may need a better question. In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick sits down with his coach, Derek Gaunt, for a personal conversation about the communication skills that changed how Mick leads, negotiates, and approaches conflict. Derek draws on his law-enforcement and hostage-negotiation experience to explain tactical empathy: recognizing another person's perspective without having to agree with it. He breaks down why explaining too early creates resistance, how tone affects a conversation, and why an objection can point to a concern that has not yet been spoken aloud. Mick shares how asking what success looked like to a client uncovered a need he had missed. Derek also discusses the practical ideas behind Fight Less, Win More, the role of curiosity, and why difficult conversations often deserve a phone call instead of another long email. The conversation closes with lessons on coachability, silence, trust, and staying grounded under pressure. In this episode Why acknowledging a perspective is different from agreeing with it. How listening helps uncover the information missing from your assumptions. Why you should ask what success looks like before deciding what someone needs. What a hostage-negotiation training exercise reveals about tone and pressure. How unaddressed concerns can resurface after an agreement. Why Derek encourages live conversation for sensitive back-and-forth discussions. What coachability looks like when someone is already successful. How silence creates space to learn. Takeaways Before your next difficult conversation, replace one assumption with a question. Listen to the answer before preparing your response. Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about the because behind how we live, lead, and grow. Chapters 00:00 Meet Derek Gaunt, Mick's coach 03:29 The Because: sharing the gift of communication 05:25 Derek's journey in law enforcement 11:33 The Unplugged Truth: see their perspective 16:44 What does success look like? 19:41 The warning signs you should not ignore 21:45 Hot Takes: tone and pressure in negotiation 28:09 Find the concern beneath the objection 31:05 Why the conversation needs a phone call 35:05 Fight Less, Win More 39:08 The Room: a conversation that changed Derek's path 41:30 What Derek looks for in someone he coaches 45:05 When the skills change your personal life 48:12 The Unplugged Five 53:00 Silence as a negotiation tool 54:17 Trust, training, and final lessons 56:43 Closing Connect & Discover: Instagram: @derekmgaunt LinkedIn: @derek-gaunt-2943a824 Website: The Black Swan Group Book: Fight Less, Win More: How Master Negotiators Influence Hearts, Minds and Deals Clip: 60 Seconds or She Dies                          FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged Book: How to be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One #MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #DerekGaunt #Negotiation

This Monday on Mick Unplugged, we’re revisiting Mick Hunt’s conversation with David Pollack about standards, faith, leadership, and the work behind personal growth. David shares how mentorship and his experiences in football shaped the way he approaches challenges, leads others, and keeps growing. Mick and David explore the “50-40-10” principle, why preparation and consistent effort matter, and what it means to hold your standards when your feelings pull you in another direction. Whether you’re hearing this conversation for the first time or returning for another listen, consider where you can put one of these lessons into practice this week. This is a re-release of a previously recorded episode. In this conversation: Choosing standards over feelings. The role of preparation and effort in the “50-40-10” philosophy. Leadership built on care, influence, and understanding the people you lead. How an invitation and a mentor helped shape David’s faith journey. Adapting through challenges and learning from setbacks. Reflection: Where are you letting a temporary feeling make a decision that should be guided by a lasting standard? Follow Mick Unplugged for more conversations about purpose, leadership, and your because. Share this episode with someone who could use it this week. Connect & Discover David Pollack: Instagram: @davidpollack47 Facebook: @PollackFF X: @davidpollack47 YouTube: @DavidPollackCFB Website: davidpollack.com Podcast: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged Book: How to be A Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One #MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast

What happens when you get the house, the car and the things you thought would make you happy, then realize your real dream was already at home? Ms. Pat joins Mick Hunt for a funny, candid conversation about family, authenticity and defining success for yourself. Discussing her memoir, Ms. American Dream, she explains why happiness has no price tag, how she prepared for Hollywood when she did not know the language, and why she thinks of fame as a job rather than an identity. They also explore the money lessons she wants younger generations to learn, the podcast appearances that helped open doors, and the legacy she hopes to leave: keep going and never let someone else tell you who you are. Explicit language. Discussion includes personal experiences with debt and credit, not individualized financial advice. Ms. Pat's purpose is bigger than getting a laugh. She wants people to know that their hardest experiences do not have to hold them down forever. In this episode: The Because: laughter, survival and moving forward after difficult experiences. The Unplugged Truth: why material success did not define her American dream. What home, family and being Patricia mean to her. Preparing for a table read through practice instead of pretending she already knew everything. Why treating people well matters more to her than acting famous. Hot Takes: the credit, interest-rate and saving lessons she shares with family and friends. The Room: trusting her instincts about podcasts before Hollywood called.  The Unplugged Five: food, Atlanta, comedy and the legacy of never giving up. Connect & Discover Ms Pat: Instagram: @comediannemspat Facebook: @mspatcomedy TikTok: @comediannemspat YouTube: @MsPat X: @MsPat Website: mspatcomedy.com Book: Ms. American Dream: A Memoir of Making It No Matter What                            FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged

Normal gets normal results. What would happen if you stopped copying your industry and started creating an experience people could not stop talking about? In this Mick Unplugged re-release, Mick Hunt sits down with Jesse Cole for a practical conversation about building a fans-first business. Jesse shares how joy, memorable moments, and a willingness to try what others will not can change the way customers and employees experience your brand. The conversation goes beyond the show on the field. Jesse explains how his team looks for customer friction, why values matter most when they cost you something, and how storytelling keeps a growing organization aligned. He recounts a ticket-email mistake and the decision to make it right, even at what he describes as a $6 million cost to the company. You will also hear why failure can be treated as discovery, how gratitude helps create fans, and why great leaders keep teaching, repeating, and getting their reps in. If you lead a team, serve customers, or are building something of your own, this conversation will challenge you to stop settling for ordinary. This is a re-release of an archival conversation. References to team counts, tours, ticket demand, and projects reflect the time of recording. The big idea Being different is not the goal by itself. Creating an experience people remember, talk about, and want to share is the goal. Jesse Cole explains how he uses that distinction to lead, generate ideas, and build a fans-first culture.  In this episode - Jesse's deeper purpose: bringing people together through joy. - Why copying the normal practices of an industry tends to produce normal results. - How to identify friction in everyday customer interactions, from invoices to the live experience. - The "you wouldn't believe" test for a memorable moment. - Why a company's values need to show up in decisions, not just on the wall. - Jesse's account of an email mistake and a costly ticket commitment. - How repeated stories and team recognition reinforce culture. - Why watching customer behavior can reveal more than asking for opinions. - The setbacks behind ambitious ideas and the discipline of continuing to improve. - Gratitude as a daily practice for leaders, employees, and customers. - Why great leaders teach, repeat, and practice communicating. Put it into practice Choose one ordinary interaction in your business. Find the friction. Write down three ways to make the experience more useful, surprising, or memorable. Then thank one person who has helped you build what you have. Chapters 00:00 Why this conversation is a business masterclass 00:40 Welcome to Mick Unplugged 01:39 Jesse's because: bringing people together with joy 03:38 Bring the energy and make moments matter 04:23 Why normal gets normal results 07:51 Find the friction and create memorable experiences 09:50 Making fans-first values real 10:13 The ticket mistake and the cost of doing right 13:13 Storytelling and a culture that scales 15:26 Reinvention without losing your direction 16:19 Build the best experience and watch your fans 18:53 The setbacks behind the show 21:17 Inspiration, energy, and doing hard things 22:41 Gratitude and creating fans 24:28 Great leaders teach and get their reps in 26:53 Creativity, speaking, and sharing the journey 29:36 Quick questions: yellow tuxes, big moments, and lessons 31:21 The daily creativity routine 31:51 Jesse's message about legacy 33:13 Your because is your superpower Connect & Discover Jesse Cole: Instagram: @yellowtuxjesse LinkedIn: @yellowtuxjesse Facebook: @jesse.cole.129 TikTok: @yellowtuxjesse YouTube: @yellowtuxjesse Website: findyouryellowtux.com Savannah Bananas: thesavannahbananas.com Non-Profit: bananasfoster.org Books: Fans First              Banana Ball              Find Your Yellow Tux FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged #mickunplugged #jessecole #thesavannahbananas #fansfirst #leadership

In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Justin, The Real Food Stalker, sits down with Mick Hunt and unpacks the unglamorous work behind a following that grew without a single negative review. He started Food Stalker in 2010 with nothing but photos and a habit of asking waiters what the next table ordered. He did not eat on camera until 2021, when his kids told him he made food look too good not to. He paid for every meal himself long before a brand ever called. Mick opens up about his own start, too. When he was still a LinkedIn-only guy two and a half years ago, Justin was the first account he followed on Instagram, and watching Justin be unapologetically himself is what convinced Mick he did not have to perform to show up online. The conversation runs from microwave burgers to a lost footrace to a sister who brought home teriyaki wings and accidentally created a food critic. But the through line is simple and it applies far past food: you do not have to be the most talented person in the room. You have to be the one who keeps showing up. IN THIS EPISODE Why Justin never posts food he does not like How Food Stalker started in 2010 and became a camera habit in 2021 Why consistency beats talent in every arena The phone-and-CapCut workflow behind every video The three thousand dollar camera he never used How the AJC writing opportunity changed the way he describes food Why honesty and negativity are not the same thing The sister whose leftovers built his palate What brands get wrong when they buy three videos instead of a partner Why he says he has people, not fans or followers CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 00:55 How Justin got Mick on Instagram 03:10 The Because 03:50 Why he only shows food he likes 05:20 From 2010 photos to eating on camera 06:49 The Unplugged Truth 07:21 Consistency is everything 09:48 Fans, followers, or your people 09:51 The gear: phones, CapCut and one take 13:07 Writing for the AJC 17:40 Hot Takes 17:57 The microwave burger debate 21:42 The race he lost to his nephew 27:02 The Room 27:26 The sister who changed his taste buds 29:55 Vegan mac and cheese 33:03 How Mick Unplugged started 36:48 The Unplugged Five 43:29 What Justin wants the world to know 46:36 Where to follow Justin 48:05 Closing Connect & Discover Justin Brown: Instagram: @therealfoodstalker Facebook: @The-Real-Food-Stalker TikTok: @therealfoodstalker YouTube: @therealfoodstalker LinkedIn: @justintherealfoodstalker FOLLOW MICK ON: Spotify: MickUnplugged Instagram: @mickunplugged  Facebook: @mickunpluggedYouTube:  @MickUnpluggedPodcast  LinkedIn: @mickhunt  Website:  MickHuntOfficial.com Website: howtobeagoodleader.com Website: Leadloudseries.com Apple: MickUnplugged