Mick Unplugged

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

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: http://mookieg.com

https://a.co/d/03iPJ9db https://a.co/d/059WUF9R

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://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: http://2xowhiskey.com

https://a.co/d/03iPJ9db https://a.co/d/059WUF9R

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://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: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://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: http://davidpollack.com

Podcast: See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://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:https://www.facebook.com/jesse.cole.129/@mspatcomedy

TikTok: @comediannemspat

YouTube: @MsPat

X:@MsPat

Website: http://mspatcomedy.com

Book: Ms. American Dream: A Memoir of Making It No Matter What https://a.co/d/03iPJ9db

https://a.co/d/059WUF9R

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://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: http://findyouryellowtux.com

Savannah Bananas: http://thesavannahbananas.com

Non-Profit: http://bananasfoster.org

Books: Fans First

Banana Ball

Find Your Yellow Tux

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://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: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://leadloudseries.com

Apple:MickUnplugged

What if the problem is not your content, your reach, or the algorithm? What if the real problem is that you are trying to be social instead of becoming unmistakably yourself?
In this Mick Unplugged re-release, Mick Hunt sits down with Gary Vaynerchuk, known worldwide as Gary Vee, for a direct conversation about interest media, authentic personal branding, accountability, gratitude, and the discipline required to build something that lasts.
Gary explains why intent matters more than tactics, why audiences can sense when a creator is only trying to sell, and why the only niche no one else can copy is you. He also shares how staying close to culture helps him see shifts before they become obvious, why blaming other people keeps us stuck, and why winning should make us more compassionate, not more bitter.
This is not a conversation about shortcuts. It is a reminder to get back in the trenches, live within your values, protect your energy, and take responsibility for the life and work you want to build.
Note: This episode contains explicit language.

In this episode, you will learn: - Why social platforms are increasingly organized around interests instead of existing social connections - Why genuine intent can matter more than a perfect content strategy - How staying close to culture helps Gary form original points of view - Why the only truly defensible personal-brand niche is being fully yourself - How accountability changes your relationship with money, work, and opportunity - Why limiting negative inputs can help you rebuild your energy - How to respond when people close to you struggle with your success - Why Gary believes collecting and live social shopping will keep growing

Chapters 00:00 Interest media and the conversation ahead 00:30 Gary Vee joins Mick 02:52 Gary's deeper purpose and the power of gratitude 05:36 Consistency through cultural and political change 08:32 Why intent matters more than the transaction 10:56 Measuring 45 times before cutting once 14:29 The more you become yourself, the more you win 16:19 Personal brand, garage sales, and serving people at every level 18:21 From social media to interest media 23:05 Remote work, entitlement, and changing expectations 27:09 Money choices, humility, and personal accountability 28:56 When you need to move your feet 29:19 Protecting your energy from negative inputs 33:07 Compassion for the people who boo your success 34:46 Gary's vision for VeeFriends and collectibles 38:16 The VeeFriends quiz and closing challenge

Connect & Discover Gary Vee:

Instagram: @garyvee

YouTube: @GaryVee

TikTok: @garyvee

Facebook: @gary

X: @garyvee

LinkedIn: @garyvaynerchuk

Website: http://garyvaynerchul.com

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://leadloudseries.com

Apple:MickUnplugged

Darryl Strawberry's story is bigger than baseball.

In this deeply personal episode of Mick Unplugged, Darryl opens up about the mother who raised five children alone, the pain of an absent and abusive father, the cost of success without healing, and the freedom he found through forgiveness.

Darryl shares why talent and fame could not repair what was broken inside him. He reflects on addiction, consequences, discipline, ministry, marriage, and the moment he finally forgave his father at his bedside. Mick also shares how Darryl's book, Another Life, helped him process his own relationship with his late father and begin thinking differently about forgiveness and self-forgiveness.

The conversation moves from baseball to faith, but the central lesson is universal: your past does not disqualify your purpose, and the way you start does not have to determine the way you finish.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why Darryl's mother became the foundation of his resilience

• How proving his father wrong fueled his early ambition

• Why success exposes who you are

• The consequences Darryl could not outrun

• How forgiving his father gave him freedom

• Why Tracy's boundaries helped redirect his life

• The difference between talent, identity, and purpose

• What Another Life reveals about healing and faith

• Why Darryl believes it is not how you start, but how you finish

• The legacy he wants to leave for his children

MICK'S BOOK OFFER

Mick is purchasing 50 copies of Darryl Strawberry's new book, Another Life, for members of the Mick Unplugged community.

To request a copy, message Mick the words "another life" on LinkedIn or Instagram. The offer is limited to the first 50 eligible responses and is available while supplies last.

BOOK

Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher

Darryl Strawberry

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Another-Life/Darryl-Strawberry/9781637748848

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

02:16 The Because

02:54 Darryl's purpose and the mother who never quit

07:15 Success exposes who you are

10:07 The Unplugged Truth

11:39 Forgiving his father

17:38 Hot Takes

21:11 Discipline, faith, and ministry

24:23 The Room

27:15 Another Life

29:54 Mick's 50-book giveaway

31:34 The Unplugged Five

32:46 The legacy Darryl wants to leave

33:17 Closing

Connect & Discover Darryl:

Instagram: @darrylstrawberry18

Website: http://darrylstrawberry18.com

Facebook: @therealdarrystrawberry

Threads: @darrylstrawberry18

Book: Another Life: Discovering the Healing Power of Purpose on My Long Journey from Player to Preacher

Strawberry Ministries: @livingrestored

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://leadloudseries.com

Apple:MickUnplugged

#MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #darrylstrawberry

The most powerful move in business is not always saying yes. Sometimes it is knowing when to walk away.

Daymond John joins Mick Hunt for a candid conversation about the decisions that shape a business and a life. The FUBU founder and Shark Tank investor explains why his deeper purpose is “because I should,” how mentors can save us from painful mistakes and why growing too quickly can quietly destroy what an entrepreneur worked to build.

Daymond also opens up about his health journey after cancer and the discipline of making gradual, sustainable change. He shares how he thinks about investing through his “My Money, Homie” framework, why he supports artists without asking for anything in return and how a five-to-seven-person filter helps him decide what belongs on social media.

This episode is a sharp, funny and personal masterclass in protecting your time, choosing the right people and refusing opportunities that no longer respect your value. Daymond’s message is clear: get narrow, go deep and keep the power to walk away.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why Daymond’s deeper purpose is “because I should”

• How dyslexia, business and cancer shaped his perspective

• Why mentors and mistakes are the two great teachers

• How scaling too fast can weaken a business

• The difference between purpose-driven and return-driven investments

• Why Daymond supports artists without asking for anything back

• The five-to-seven-person filter behind his social media decisions

• Why too many opportunities can become a liability

• How walking away protects your value

• Why a small, trusted inner circle can outperform a massive network

CHAPTERS

00:00 Mentors or mistakes

01:38 Meet Daymond John

03:38 “Because I should”

06:04 What Daymond had to overcome

08:13 Fasting, discipline and gradual change

12:09 Cancer and the decision to study health

16:44 Why mentors matter

20:15 Don’t scale too fast

23:50 “My Money, Homie” and smarter investing

28:47 Supporting artists with no strings attached

33:16 The two-year-old turkey leg debate

35:29 Daymond’s five-to-seven-person filter

39:34 Drowning in opportunity

41:15 The power to walk away

41:30 Quick Five

43:39 Go narrow and deep

43:53 Leadership and what Daymond is building

46:22 Closing

Connect with Daymond John:

Website: http://daymondjohn.com

Instagram: @thesharkdaymond

LinkedIn: @daymondjohn

YouTube: @TheSharkDaymond

Facebook: @TheSharkDaymond

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://leadloudseries.com

Apple:MickUnplugged

#MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #daymondjohn

Mick sits down with licensed therapist, mental health advocate and author Kier Gaines for a direct conversation about emotional honesty, uncomfortable truths and the courage to begin.

Kier explains why saying "you hurt my feelings" can be an act of strength, especially for men who have been conditioned to hide emotion. He and Mick unpack avoidance, awareness, curiosity, boundaries, professional value and why credentials still matter in a culture that often rewards visibility over expertise.

Kier also shares the barber shop conversation that helped him recognize his mind as a valuable tool for change. He explains why his book, It All Starts When You Do, rejects shallow positivity and invites readers into the real work of self-healing.

This conversation is honest, practical and deeply human. It is about telling the truth, protecting what matters and taking the first step before you feel completely ready.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why emotional honesty is a form of authority, not weakness

• How to move beyond surface-level wellness

• Why awareness and curiosity are the first two steps toward change

• The connection between boundaries, business and self-respect

• Why credentials create accountability, safety and protection

• How attention and notoriety can weaken integrity

• The barber shop conversation that changed Kier's view of his work

• Why "walking away from what does not serve you" can become avoidance

• The meaning of an authentic and consistent legacy

MICK'S BOOK OFFER

As discussed in the episode, the first 20 people who message Mick with the words "I'm starting" will receive a copy of It All Starts When You Do, purchased by Mick. Available while the offer remains open and supplies last.

CHAPTERS

00:00 The Attention Economy and Integrity

00:24 Meet Kier Gaines

01:00 Saying "You Hurt My Feelings"

04:46 The Because: Because Why Not?

07:01 Why Surface-Level Wellness Is Not Enough

10:14 It All Starts When You Do

14:12 Two Ways to Start Healing

18:15 Boundaries, Business and the Cost of Free

23:53 Hot Takes: Credentials, Safety and Anti-Intellectualism

34:13 The Room: A Barber Shop Conversation That Changed Everything

37:43 The Book, the Podcast and Mick's Offer

40:15 The Unplugged Five

44:03 Legacy, Authenticity and Kept Promises

46:00 Closing

Connect & Discover Kier:

Instagram: @kiergaines

Instagram:@learnedthehardwaypod

LinkedIn: @kiergaines

Podcast: Learned the Hard Way with Kier Gaines

Facebook: @kiergaines

TikTok: @kiergaines

Book: It All Starts When You Do

Threads: @kiergaines

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://leadloudseries.com

Apple:MickUnplugged

Discussion about service, patriotism, faith, leadership, technology, and the responsibility to leave no one behind.

Governor Moore explains why "service saved me," beginning with the mentors, teachers, coaches, ministers, aunties, and uncles who saw his potential before he could see it himself. He reflects on losing his father at age three, wearing handcuffs by eleven, being sent to military school, and eventually discovering that leadership is not about individual achievement. It is about lifting as we climb.

The conversation then turns to the meaning of American patriotism. Governor Moore draws a sharp distinction between patriotism and nationalism, arguing that faith, not fear, is the foundation of a more perfect union. He and Mick also discuss Maryland's public-safety progress, service-year opportunities, apprenticeships, cannabis pardons, energy affordability, AI, data-center accountability, and why technological progress must include guardrails and public trust.

IN THIS EPISODE

00:00 Mick’s most important conversation

02:05 Governor Moore’s “Because”: service saved me

04:39 Running away from military school

06:37 The Unplugged Truth: a speech that moved Mick’s family

08:41 Faith, fear, patriotism, and nationalism

13:22 God’s grace and moral leadership

15:21 Hot Takes: Maryland’s progress through collaboration

20:49 Energy affordability, AI, and data-center guardrails

28:55 The Room: you belong because the room needs you

33:11 The Unplugged Five and a legacy of compassion

FEATURED SPEECH

Watch Governor Wes Moore's July 4, 2026 address, "The Work of Patriotism":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfLQy82IsWo

Read the official transcript:

https://governor.maryland.gov/news/speeches/work-patriotism

Connect & Discover Governor Wes Moore:

Website: http://theofficeofgovernorwesmoore.com

LinkedIn: @iamwesmoore

X: @iamwesmoore

Facebook: @iamwesmoore

Instagram: @iamwesmoore

FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify:MickUnplugged

Instagram:@mickunplugged

Facebook:@mickunpluggedYouTube:@MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn:@mickhunt

Website: http://mickhuntofficial.com

Website: http://howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: http://leadloudseries.com

Apple:MickUnplugged