Pasha Palanker: Facing Fear, Building Strength, and Leaving a Legacy of Impact
Pasha Palanker is a decorated U.S. Army veteran, speaker, and passionate advocate for mental health in the veteran community. Honored with the Bronze Star for Valor, Pasha’s extraordinary journey includes surviving a suicide bomber attack during combat and overcoming the invisible wounds that followed. After navigating his own battles with anger, identity loss, and post-traumatic struggles, Pasha found purpose in helping others climb out of darkness. Now, he shares his story nationwide, impacting thousands by speaking authentically about resilience, mental wellness, and living a life of meaning beyond military service.
Takeaways:
Healing Begins with Presence and Support: Sometimes the greatest help for someone struggling is not advice, but simply being there with love and understanding.
It Takes Strength to Seek Help: Reaching out for support, whether through a psych ward visit or therapy, is a true display of courage—not weakness.
Rewriting Purpose After Service: Transitioning from military life often means finding new purpose and challenges—embracing new missions, new hobbies, and a fresh sense of identity is crucial for a successful and fulfilling post-service life.
Sound Bites:
“You don’t have to be Superman, Superwoman 24/7. It’s okay to not be okay and to seek help for that.”
“I had to go so deep inside of myself and learn about myself in order to come out, and now I’m genuinely curious about other people and how to connect.”
“You can’t hold onto the life that’s behind you—find something new and meaningful to challenge yourself with after the uniform comes off.
Connect & Discover Pasha:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pashapalanker/?hl=en
Website: https://www.pashapalanker.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pasha-palanker-89141a13a/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pashapalankerpublic/
Speaking: Liberty Speaks
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/
Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com/
Apple: MickUnplugged
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Julie Zhuo: Secret Sauce to Success-Teams, Culture and the Future of Management
Julie Zhuo is the former VP of Product Design at Facebook, where she rose from intern to executive as the company scaled into a global powerhouse. Renowned for her human-centered approach to leadership, Julie is the co-founder of Sundial, a startup that leverages data and AI to help companies make better decisions. She’s also the bestselling author of "The Making of a Manager," an essential guide for new managers navigating the changing landscape of leadership. Julie is passionate about building thoughtful cultures, empowering people, and tackling big, meaningful problems with teams she loves.
Takeaways:
Managers (and Leaders) Aren’t Born, They’re Made: Julie stresses that effective management is a skill that can be learned and developed—what matters most is a desire for growth, self-awareness, and the willingness to focus on team outcomes rather than just individual output.
The Power of Culture and Removing Toxins: Julie highlights the importance of a healthy team culture and the danger of tolerating toxic behaviors—even from high performers—because doing so stifles the potential of the whole group.
AI Is Redefining Leadership: As AI and automation increasingly handle outputs, the value of managers will be in guiding teams through change, reinforcing core human values, and focusing on outcomes that matter most.
Sound Bites:
“The most important thing is to put people first, because nobody can do anything amazing on their own.”
“Feedback is a gift—being direct, open, and supportive is what drives growth in a team.”
“The one thing you should never tolerate on your team is the asshole; their presence will always limit your culture and your people.”
Connect & Discover Julie:
Website: https://www.juliezhuo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joulee/?hl=en
X: https://x.com/joulee?lang=en
Substack: https://substack.com/@joulee?utm_source=global-search
Book: The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks at You
🔥 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/@MickUnpluggedPodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com/
Apple: MickUnplugged
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Stacey Abrams: Redefining Justice Through the Power of AI
Stacey Abrams is a renowned political leader, lawyer, author, and advocate for equity and justice. Known for her relentless work supporting voting rights and addressing poverty and inequality, Stacey is also an acclaimed writer of legal thrillers, including her latest work, Coded Justice, which explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI in the legal system. With roots in the Deep South, Abrams credits her family and upbringing for inspiring her commitment to social change and her ability to translate complex issues into relatable action. Beyond politics and books, she is a powerful speaker and founder of several organizations advocating for inclusion and systemic reform.
Takeaways:
Power is Borrowed, Not Owned: Stacey discusses the idea that positions of authority are ultimately “borrowed power,” and true impact comes from influence, not titles.
AI & Justice: Her novel Coded Justice highlights both the potential and the danger of integrating AI in the legal system, urging that technology must always operate within ethical guardrails.
Leadership is Responsibility, Not Permission: Abrams emphasizes that leadership means taking responsibility and acting even without formal authority—championing the idea of being a “professional troublemaker” for good.
Sound Bites:
“Poverty is immoral. It is economically inefficient, and it is solvable… For me, it is a call to action.” – Stacey Abrams
“You don’t have to be given the authority to act, to have the responsibility of action. And that’s leadership.” – Stacey Abrams
“AI is a tool that can be used to build or a tool that can be used to destroy, but it’s just a tool. It’s up to the humans who are wielding it.” – Stacey Abrams
Connect & Discover Stacey:
Website: https://www.staceyabrams.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceyabrams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceyAbramsGA#
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPjnB2FdBAvJp2fKOGzJHww
X: https://x.com/staceyabrams
Book: Coded Justice: A Thriller
🔥 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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Sunny Bonnell: Reveals Lessons From Embracing Defiance and Uniqueness
Sunny Bonnell is the trailblazing co-founder of Motto, renowned author of "Rare Breed," and a keynote speaker making waves by championing bold, unconventional leadership. As one of the rare women leaders in the creative industry and a true rebel with a cause, Sunny's mission is to help individuals, teams, and iconic brands unlock their ultimate potential. Driven by a passion for igniting vision and possibility in others, she has ignited transformation for leaders at companies like Google, Microsoft, and the Minnesota Vikings, all while inspiring others to embrace the very traits that make them stand out.
Takeaways:
Visionary Leadership Isn’t Optional – Sunny stresses that true progress and agility come from visionary leadership that gets clearly communicated and embedded at every level of an organization, not just in the C-suite.
Embrace Your “Rare Breed” Traits – The characteristics we’re often told to tone down—rebelliousness, audacity, emotion—can actually be flipped into an unstoppable force when harnessed thoughtfully.
Mission, Vision, and Values Require Simplicity and Action – Misalignment happens when company values are complicated. Codify and tie core beliefs to clear actions so your team can rally around a shared mission and truly perform.
Sound Bites:
“You have to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are.”
“Vision without action is just a daydream. You need both visionaries and stabilizers for the boat to go anywhere.”
“If you’re not looking for big things, I’m not the person for you. We do big things.”
Connect & Discover Sunny:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sunnybonnell
Instagram: Instagram.com/sunnybonnell
Website: www.sunnybonnell.com
Website: www.wearemotto.com
Website: VisionCamp
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/rarebreedtv
Book: Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different
🔥 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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Brendan Kane: Dominate Social Media with Actionable Tips & Storytelling Mastery
Brendan Kane is a renowned digital strategist, author, and speaker who has built a name for himself by cracking the code on attention in the fast-paced world of social media. With a track record that includes pioneering YouTube influencer campaigns, developing digital platforms for icons like Taylor Swift and Rihanna, and generating over one million followers in just 30 days, Brendan is the go-to expert for understanding storytelling and growth in the digital space. His books, including "One Million Followers," "Hook Point," and "The Guide to Going Viral," have helped thousands master the art and science of authentic, scalable content creation. Brendan’s mission is to empower individuals and brands worldwide to stand out, connect meaningfully, and transform their visions into digital success.
Takeaways:
Storytelling Is Everything: The foundation of social media success isn’t luck or fancy equipment—it’s mastering the art of storytelling through authentic formats that fit your personality and purpose.
Start Where You Are, Master One Format: You don’t need to be a tech wizard or have celebrity status to make an impact. Focus on one content format or platform you resonate with, master it, and then consider diversifying.
Social Media Is a Scalable, Accessible Tool: Whatever your business, message, or ambition—social media gives everyone the power to reach millions, drive impact, and even build billion-dollar brands, all with the phone in your pocket.
Sound Bites:
“It’s not about going viral for the sake of virality. True digital success is about the stories that connect people to who we are and what we stand for.”
“If you can master authentic storytelling, it doesn’t matter if you’re a dentist or a rock star—you can build an audience and scale your business.”
“Success on social isn’t about the platforms you post on, but about how powerfully you tell your story and why the world should care.”
Connect & Discover Brendan:
Website: https://brendanjkane.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brendankane
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendanJamesKane/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjkane/
Book: The Guide to Going Viral
Book: Hook Point
Book: One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days
🔥 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.
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