Sonja Keeve: Empower Yourself and Others by Owning Your Narrative
Sonja Keeve is a powerhouse in the podcasting world, renowned for her passionate advocacy and the creation of safe spaces for everyday women to share their transformative stories. After experiencing multiple corporate layoffs and being told to "dim her light," Sonja found her true calling as the host of "Inspiring Nations." Her mission is personal—carving out room for voices that are too often unheard, and empowering women to speak up and step into their greatness. Drawing from her own challenges and triumphs, Sonja has built a global platform that not only inspires and heals but also sparks new beginnings, leadership, and connection across communities.
Key Takeaways:
Know Your Purpose: Before starting a podcast, get clear on your "why." Identify your goal—whether it’s to build community, connect with others, or monetize your knowledge—so your show has true direction and impact.
Tell Your Story with Confidence: Sharing your authentic story, no matter how ordinary it may seem, has the power to inspire, heal, and create ripple effects in your community and beyond. Vulnerability and authenticity build real connections with listeners.
Monetize What You Already Have: The easiest way to start monetizing your podcast is by leveraging existing products, services, or expertise. See your podcast as your own advertising channel to promote your offerings organically.
Sound Bites:
"If you were your younger self on the other side of that mirror, what would you want to know to take the next step?"
"Podcasting is this intimate connection where your voice taps into someone’s soul."
"Your life is your story—if you don’t share it, what might happen for the person who needs to hear it?
Connect & Discover Sonja:
Website: https://sonjakeeve.com/
Book: Beyond the Mic: The Game Changing Guide to Podcasting
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonjakeeve/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjakeeve/
Podcast: Inspiring Nations with Sonja Keeve
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonjakeeve
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s brand-new book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
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/
Apple: MickUnplugged
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32:28
Jeremy Stalnecker: Reveals Lessons in Leadership From Military Service
Jeremy Stalnecker is a Marine Corps veteran, pastor, and the CEO of the Mighty Oaks Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to helping America’s military warriors and their families overcome the unseen wounds of combat, such as PTSD. Drawing on his own challenges transitioning home after Iraq, Jeremy has made it his mission to offer faith-based hope, healing, and leadership to veterans, first responders, and their loved ones. His experience in both combat leadership and ministry uniquely positions him as a transformative voice for resilience, character, and servant leadership.
Takeaways:
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Healing unseen wounds takes community and purpose: Jeremy credits his journey of healing from trauma to having the right support network and a strong sense of faith, which now fuels his responsibility to help others walking a similar path.
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Leadership is about being, not just doing:
Effective leadership is rooted in character and presence—not just tactics or positional authority. True leaders leverage their resources and opportunities to help others grow and succeed.
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Resilience in a changing world requires clarity: With an overload of information and rapidly evolving challenges, leaders must be grounded in their purpose and values to navigate uncertainty and positively impact those around them.
Sound Bites:
“So many people are carrying traumas and
brokenness within them that goes undealt with... if you don't address these, eventually it will have a very damaging effect on you.”
“My job as a leader is not to get you to do what I want you to do. It's to leverage everything I have at my disposal to make you better than you would be without me.”
“When those things pop up in front of us, we have to decide, am I going to stay where I am and die, or am I going to march?”
Connect & Discover Jeremy:
Website: https://www.jeremystalnecker.com/
Website: https://www.mightyoaks.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremystalneckerofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremystalnecker/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/JeremyStalnecker
Podcast: March or Die
Books:
Offensive Faith
March or Die
Leadership By Design
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s brand-new book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes &
Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
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/
Apple: MickUnplugged
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33:45
Gary Vee: Reveals How Interest Media Is Changing the Game
Gary Vaynerchuk—known to millions as “Gary Vee”—is a serial entrepreneur, visionary business leader, and globally recognized voice on marketing, personal branding, and living life with authenticity. From his humble beginnings as a Soviet Union immigrant hustling at garage sales to building multiple successful businesses and amassing a massive online following, Gary has become the “inconvenient truth” in the world of self-improvement and entrepreneurship. Renowned for his candor, empathy, and relentless consistency, Gary has inspired generations with his actionable wisdom on gratitude, accountability, and the true intent behind success. On this episode, he joins Mick Hunt to dive deep into interest media, personal brand building, and uncovering the purpose that fuels his unstoppable drive.
Takeaways
Intent Matters More Than Tactics: Gary emphasizes that true impact comes from a genuine desire to serve your audience, not from chasing likes or followers for personal gain. Authentic intent can be felt by your audience and sets you apart from the crowd.
Interest Media Over Social Media: The way people interact with digital platforms has shifted—platforms are now more about sharing interests and connecting over passions than about purely social connections. Creators should lean into authenticity and share what makes them unique to attract the right audience.
Accountability and Gratitude Are Superpowers: Blaming others or circumstances doesn’t lead to growth—taking responsibility for your actions, being grateful for what you have, and minimizing negative influences can supercharge personal and professional progress.
Sound Bites
“I’m more proud of the compliments and the words of affirmation than any material thing I’ve gotten from my success.”
“If you want to make real impact, run it like a business or don’t do it at all.”
“You are the brand. The more you’re you—all the way you—the more you’ll win.”
Connect & Discover Gary:
Website: https://garyvaynerchuk.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyvee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyvaynerchuk/
X: https://x.com/garyvee
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/garyvee
VeeFriends: https://veefriends.com/
Books:
Day Trading Attention
Twelve and A Half
Crush It!
Crushing It!
#AskGaryVee
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s brand-new book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
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/
Apple: MickUnplugged
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43:18
Gary Forbes: Unlocking Success Strategies From the NBA to Entrepreneurship
Gary Forbes is a former NBA player turned entrepreneur, advocate, and mentor. Originally hailing from Brooklyn, Forbes built a storied basketball career, earning conference player of the year honors at UMass before navigating the rigors of professional sports—all while managing Type 1 diabetes. Now, as the founder of Sole Survivors, Gary is dedicated to empowering youth, particularly those facing chronic health challenges, with optimism, resilience, and the unwavering belief that setbacks are just setups for future success. He’s also a published author, devoted father, and passionate motivator, showing that grit, self-belief, and giving back can turn any obstacle into a stepping stone.
Takeaways:
Turn Challenges Into Fuel: Gary’s journey with type 1 diabetes didn’t stop his NBA dreams; it gave him an extra level of resilience and inspired him to help others facing adversity.
Stay Rooted in Optimism: Whether facing tough losses, career pivots, or daily struggles, Forbes credits his “superpower” of optimism and his unwavering childhood love for basketball as keys to ongoing growth and reinvention.
Make Your Story Count: From mentoring the next generation to creating a global platform for children with health challenges, Gary believes your name and legacy are defined by how you show up for yourself and your community.
Sound Bites:
“Plan B all the way to Z is to make plan A work. Always have that kind of mindset and vision and just that love.”
“Your present situation is not your final destination.”
“You’re a Forbes. You’re supposed to do these things.”
Connect & Discover Gary:
Website: https://thesolesurvivors.com/about-us/
Book Series: Sole Survivors: New Age of Heros
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-forbes-082b5b267/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garyforbes_/
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s brand-new book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
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/
Apple: MickUnplugged
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32:08
Matt Iseman: Reveals His Journey from Doctor to Comedian to Ninja Warrior Host
Matt Iseman is an Emmy-winning comedian, TV host, and medical doctor best known as the beloved host of American Ninja Warrior. A cancer survivor and rheumatoid arthritis warrior, Matt uses both his medical background and comedic chops to inspire resilience and hope in others. He’s a passionate advocate for the Arthritis Foundation, raising awareness and funds as a public voice for those impacted by chronic illness. Matt’s dynamic career spans stand-up comedy, television, and philanthropy, making him a true champion for transformation and relentless growth.
Takeaways:
Community is Healing: Matt credits finding connection with others experiencing rheumatoid arthritis as a crucial turning point, emphasizing the power of shared experience and support when living with chronic illness.
Laughter Matters: Comedy provided Matt not just with a career, but with a coping mechanism that helped him manage both the physical and emotional pain of RA, proving that laughter truly is healing.
Leading with Humility: Through his journey on Celebrity Apprentice and his friendship with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Matt learned that true leadership comes from building others up, not boosting your own ego.
Sound Bites:
“Even if it’s a bad answer, even if it’s cancer, even if it’s a chronic disease… at least you know what you’re up against.”
“When you’re laughing, you’re not thinking about the pain, you’re not thinking about the sadness.”
“When you didn’t make it about your ego… when I sought for collaboration, I found that was how I managed a lot of the egos.”
Connect & Discover Matt:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattiseman/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mattiseman/
Website: https://mattiseman.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mattisemanlive
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s brand-new book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
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/
Apple: MickUnplugged
"Mick Unplugged" is a transformative podcast that challenges listeners to move beyond the conventional 'Why' and embrace the empowering realm of 'Because.' Hosted by Mick Hunt, the voice of Modern Leadership, this podcast is designed for leaders, doers, and anyone aspiring to create meaningful impact in both their personal and professional lives. Each episode delves into the principles of Modern Leadership, focusing on discovering your 'Because'—your core driving force—and how it can turn dreams into reality and aspirations into actionable steps. With practical advice, real-life stories, and forward-thinking insights, you’ll learn to make your 'Because' a daily focus, fueling your journey toward success and fulfillment. Whether you’re looking to deepen your motivation, set meaningful goals, or apply modern leadership theories to overcome challenges, "Mick Unplugged" provides the tools, strategies, and insights to guide your path. Subscribe now and start transforming your life with purpose and modern leadership principles.