Everybody talks about your WHY. Mick Hunt goes deeper.
Mick Unplugged is the leadership and personal growth podcast built on one idea: your BECAUSE is the purpose underneath your purpose, and it is the most powerful force you own. Hosted by Mick Hunt, USA Today bestselling author and the voice of Modern Leadership, every episode sits across from a high performer, founder, athlete, or culture-shaper and asks the one question they cannot fake an answer to. What is your BECAUSE?
Past guests include Shark Tank stars Daymond John and Kevin O'Leary, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk, motivational…
D.L. Hughley joins Mick Hunt to discuss his new memoir *Charlie's Boy*, which explores his relationship with his father and the conversations they never had. The episode centers on themes of fatherhood, presence, and the sacrifices parents make to provide for their families—often at the cost of emotional connection.…
Worth it if you're interested in fatherhood, family legacy, grief, or D.L. Hughley's personal story, or if you appreciate intimate long-form conversations about presence and intergenerational understanding.
Mick Hunt interviews Dixon Dedman, master blender at 2XO bourbon, in a 53-minute conversation framed around how meaningful moments and personal connection elevate a product beyond its functional purpose. The episode opens with a philosophical question about what makes a bottle worth remembering, then explores how…
Worth it if you're interested in bourbon craftsmanship, leadership philosophy, or how personal values shape business decisions, but less essential if you want technical whiskey education.
Mick Unplugged features Derek Gaunt, a hostage-negotiation expert and Mick's personal coach, discussing tactical empathy as a framework for difficult conversations and conflict resolution. The core premise is that better questions often matter more than stronger arguments when navigating disagreements.
Gaunt draws on…
Worth it if you're interested in negotiation tactics, leadership communication, or conflict resolution and want practical frameworks grounded in real-world hostage-negotiation experience.
Mick Unplugged revisits a conversation between host Mick Hunt and David Pollack, a former football player turned media personality and podcast host. The episode centers on Pollack's philosophy of prioritizing standards over feelings—a core theme that frames the entire discussion. The conversation explores how…
Worth it if you're interested in leadership philosophy, personal development through mentorship, or want practical motivation around decision-making and standards—and don't mind hearing recycled content.
Ms. Pat, the comedian and author of 'Ms. American Dream: A Memoir of Making It No Matter What,' sits down with Mick Hunt for a 33-minute conversation about redefining success beyond material wealth. The episode centers on Ms. Pat's journey to realizing that the house, car, and possessions she thought would bring…
Worth it if you're interested in authentic success stories, redefining wealth beyond money, or seeking motivation from someone who overcame hardship through resilience and self-belief.
Mick Unplugged hosts Jesse Cole, founder of the Savannah Bananas baseball team and author of 'Fans First,' in a conversation about building customer-centric businesses that stand out through memorable experiences rather than industry convention. Cole's central thesis—"normal gets normal results"—frames the discussion…
Worth it if you lead a team, run a business, or want practical frameworks for creating memorable customer experiences and building values-driven culture.
Mick Unplugged features Justin Brown, known as The Real Food Stalker, discussing how he built a large, engaged following without negative reviews or performing for the camera. Justin started Food Stalker in 2010 as a simple photo project—asking waiters what other tables ordered—and didn't eat on camera until 2021,…
Worth it if you're interested in social media strategy grounded in authenticity, content creation workflows, or how to build genuine audience connection without performing.
Mick Hunt interviews Gary Vaynerchuk in this 43-minute conversation about building authentic personal brands and winning in what Gary calls the "interest media era." The episode centers on a counterintuitive thesis: the real barrier to success isn't content quality, reach, or algorithm manipulation—it's the creator's…
Worth it if you're a content creator or entrepreneur wrestling with authenticity versus growth tactics, or a Gary Vee fan wanting his unfiltered perspective on personal branding.
Mick Unplugged hosts baseball legend Darryl Strawberry for a deeply personal conversation centered on his memoir, Another Life. The episode moves beyond Strawberry's Hall of Fame career to explore the formative pain and resilience that shaped him: a single mother raising five children, an absent and abusive father,…
Worth it if you're interested in redemption narratives, faith-based personal growth, or want to hear a candid conversation about overcoming trauma and addiction beyond the sports headlines.
Mick Hunt interviews Daymond John, FUBU founder and Shark Tank investor, in a 47-minute conversation centered on strategic decision-making and knowing when to decline opportunities. John opens with his philosophy that the most powerful business move is often saying no and walking away from deals that don't align with…
Worth it if you're an entrepreneur or leader interested in strategic decision-making, scaling wisdom, and learning from someone who has built a major brand and navigated high-stakes investments.
Mick Unplugged hosts licensed therapist and author Kier Gaines for a 51-minute conversation centered on emotional honesty as the foundation for healing. The episode opens with a discussion of the attention economy's threat to integrity, then pivots to Gaines's core message: that saying vulnerable things like "you hurt…
Worth it if you're interested in male emotional vulnerability, therapy-informed self-help, or conversations that critique shallow wellness culture while offering concrete starting points.
