Mick Unplugged

What happens when the uniform comes off but the mission is far from over?

In this episode of Mick Unplugged, Mick Hunt sits down with Marine Raider veteran, entrepreneur, author, and leadership strategist Nicholas Koumalatsos for a direct conversation about purpose, identity, leadership, confidence, fatherhood, and building businesses that create real impact.

Nicholas shares how childhood scarcity shaped his “because,” why military leadership does not automatically translate to every part of civilian life, and what it took to rebuild his identity after service. He also explains the formula he lives by, commitment plus courage creates confidence and challenges the online leadership industry to show its receipts.

The conversation moves from the hard truths of veteran transition to the origin and extraordinary growth of Johnny Slicks, Nicholas’s work through The Agoge, and the ideas behind Excommunicated Warrior and Reclaiming the Man Within.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why confidence is the result, not the prerequisite of taking action

• How commitment creates the courage required to move forward

• Why leadership must be adapted to the person, environment, and mission

• What veterans often lose when the uniform and built-in mission disappear

• How Nicholas turned an unexpected moment into the foundation of Johnny Slicks

• Why defining “done” and reverse-engineering phase lines improves execution

• How presence, fatherhood, and legacy reshape the meaning of success

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Introduction

01:13 - Nicholas’s “because” and the roots of his mission

04:44 - Learning leadership in the Marine Corps

05:24 - Why military leadership can be one-dimensional

10:22 - The Unplugged Truth: the uniform is gone, but the mission isn’t over

11:29 - The biggest myth about leadership

18:16 - Hot Takes

19:12 - Why confidence comes last

21:50 - Commitment + courage = confidence

22:32 - AI, online gurus, and showing the receipts

25:08 - Partnership, family, and building a legacy

28:50 - Who are you uniquely qualified to help?

30:32 - The Room: the moment that launched Johnny Slicks

33:42 - Scaling from no structure to eight figures

36:01 - Johnny Slicks

36:31 - Excommunicated Warrior

39:43 - What if your next chapter is your best chapter?

42:35 - Reclaiming the Man Within

44:09 - The Unplugged Five

44:55 - Define “done” and reverse-engineer the mission

45:47 - Fatherhood and being present

47:56 - The one-word legacy answer

49:05 - Closing

Connect & Discover Nick:

Website: nickkoumalatsos.com

Facebook: @NickKoumalatsos82

Instagram: @nickkoumalatsos

LinkedIn: @nick-koumalatsos

X: @NickKoumalatsos

YouTube: @NickKoumalatsos82

Website: johnnyslicks.com

Book: Excommunicated Warrior: The 7 Stages of Transition

Book: Reclaiming the Man Within



FOLLOW MICK ON:

Spotify: MickUnplugged

Instagram: @mickunplugged

Facebook: @mickunplugged

YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast

LinkedIn: @mickhunt

Website: MickHuntOfficial.com

Website: howtobeagoodleader.com

Website: Leadloudseries.com

Apple: MickUnplugged

André Holland has built an acclaimed career through performances in Moonlight, Selma, The Knick, High
Flying Bird, and more—but his deepest calling reaches far beyond the screen.
In this conversation with Mick Hunt, André shares how his parents and his Bessemer, Alabama
community taught him to move with integrity, care for his gifts, and stay shoulder to shoulder with the
people who helped him flourish. He opens up about the teacher who made him feel truly seen, the
responsibility he feels to create opportunities for emerging voices, and why commitment is the word he
hopes will define his life.

André also discusses They Fight, his preparation as a character actor, Harper Road, and the Holland
Project’s restoration of Bessemer’s historic Lincoln Theatre.
This is a conversation about calling, craft, second chances, community, and planting trees whose fruit
may belong to the next generation.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
• Why André describes storytelling and service as a calling
• How his parents and Alabama roots shaped his civic responsibility
• Why opportunity—not a lack of talent—often separates people from their potential
• The NYU classroom moment that changed André’s view of his own stories
• How he approaches character work with research, vulnerability, and faith
• Why They Fight resonated with him as a story of mentorship and second chances
• How the Holland Project and Harper Road are creating room for new voices
• Why “committed” is the word André wants attached to his legacy

LISTENER OFFER / FEATURED PROMOTION
Watch They Fight on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/movie/they-fight-a1bba82e-2550-4ffc-81df-
b973b9c85339
Discover the Holland Project and Lincoln Theatre restoration:
https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2024/10/renovating-bessemers-lincoln-theatre-andre-hollands-next-
act/

CHAPTERS
Timing is grounded in the supplied transcript. Reconfirm against the final uploaded master after
correcting the intro-name issue.
• 00:00 — Welcome to Mick Unplugged
• 01:44 — André’s Because: answering the call
• 04:25 — Family, faith, and growing up in Alabama
• 06:19 — Bessemer, opportunity, and giving back
• 07:44 — The Unplugged Truth: becoming a symbol of hope
• 12:58 — They Fight, second chances, and the craft of acting
• 18:48 — The Room: the teacher who truly saw André
• 23:11 — Creating rooms through the Holland Project and Harper Road
• 29:18 — The Unplugged Five
• 32:20 — Supporting André’s work and closing thoughts

Connect & Discover André Holland:
Instagram: @andreholland
X: @AndreHolland_
The Holland Project — Historic Lincoln Theatre: alabamalincoln.com
Lincoln Theatre on Instagram: @bamalincoln
Support the Restoration (Donate): Give to the Lincoln Theatre
Watch They Fight on Hulu: hulu.com/movie/they-fight

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged

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Don't apologize for who you are... because you were made that way for a reason.

Comedian Leslie Jones, renowned for her groundbreaking work on Saturday Night Live, shares how embracing her authentic self propelled her career. This episode delivers valuable insights on personal branding and navigating the entertainment industry with conviction.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- 3 key mindsets for creative success
- Why Hollywood resilience is essential
- 5 strategies for maintaining authenticity
- How comedy connects 2 different worlds
- Building a personal brand foundation

QUOTES THAT HIT
"You have to stay true to who you are, because that’s what makes you unique." - Leslie Jones
"The biggest lesson SNL taught me was how to trust my own voice." - Leslie Jones
"Failure isn't the end, it's just a different way to get where you need to be." - Leslie Jones

CHAPTERS
00:00 Leslie Jones' Path to SNL
07:15 The Art of Stand-Up Comedy
15:30 Authenticity in Entertainment
22:45 Navigating Hollywood Challenges
30:00 Leslie's Creative Process
38:10 The FCKRY Podcast Journey
45:00 Future Vision for Black Women
52:00 Leslie Shares Closing Thoughts

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How does Leslie Jones maintain authenticity in her career?
A: Leslie Jones emphasizes staying true to herself by not apologizing for her unique perspective and embracing the qualities that set her apart, believing this authenticity is what resonates with audiences.

Q: What key lesson did Leslie Jones learn from Saturday Night Live?
A: She learned the importance of trusting her own voice and comedic instincts, which allowed her to develop and deliver material that truly reflected her personality and experiences.

Q: Why is resilience crucial for success in the entertainment industry?
A: Leslie Jones explains that resilience is vital because the industry involves numerous rejections and setbacks, and the ability to persist through these challenges is what ultimately leads to breakthroughs and sustained success.

Connect & Discover Leslie Jones:
Facebook: @Lesdoggg
Instagram: @lesdogggg
Website: justleslie.com
X: @Lesdoggg
YouTube: @lesdogggg
TikTok: @lesdoggggg
Book: Leslie F*cking Jones

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged

#MickUnplugged #Leadership #Podcast #LeslieJones

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Because the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations.

Mick Hunt welcomes Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, who reveals how to approach difficult conversations to change your business and life. This episode will equip you with a new negotiation framework.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- The 3 Core Skills for better negotiation
- How to avoid the "why" question trap
- Building the "undeniable" personal brand
- Why the entire sales process is negotiation
- The power of Compassionate Curiosity framework

QUOTES THAT HIT
"Because the best things in life are on the other side of difficult conversations." - Kwame Christian
"There's a big difference between being liked and being respected. Those are not the same thing." - Kwame Christian
"My goal isn't to be good, my goal isn't to be recognized, my goal is to be undeniable." - Kwame Christian
"The harder we push, the harder they push back." - Kwame Christian

CHAPTERS
00:00 Welcome Kwame Christian to Mick Unplugged
02:18 Kwame Christian's Life Purpose: "Because"
04:54 Overcoming People-Pleasing With Mentorship
10:02 Why Avoiding "Why" Questions Improves Conversations
13:55 The Importance of Deep Knowledge and Credentials
19:48 Empathy and Humility in Negotiation
24:10 Convincing Others By Empowering Self-Persuasion
31:39 Compassionate Curiosity Negotiation Framework
35:23 The Origin of Kwame Christian's Negotiation Journey
37:46 Big Swings Only: New Podcast Announcement
43:27 Rapid Fire: Cooking, Loyalty, and Inspiration

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: How does a leader improve their negotiation skills?
A: You need to recognize that negotiation requires three core skills: becoming a better listener, asking better questions, and managing your own and others' emotions.

Q: Why should leaders avoid asking "why" questions in difficult conversations?
A: The word "why" is often associated with judgment and criticism, triggering defensive responses and preventing open communication. Instead, use "what" or "how" questions to gather information.

Q: What is the compassionate curiosity framework in negotiation?
A: The compassionate curiosity framework has three steps: acknowledge and validate emotions, ask open-ended questions with compassion, and engage in joint problem-solving.

Connect & Discover Kwame:
Instagram: @kwamenegotiates
Podcast: Negotiate Anything
Website: kwamechristian.com
LinkedIn: @kwamechristian
X: @KwameNegotiates
TikTok: @kwamenegotiates
YouTube: @TheKwameChristian
Book: Finding Confidence in Conflict

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged

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FIRE LINE: "Being great was not just going to happen because I was extremely talented."

Sanya Richards-Ross, an Olympic Gold medalist and track and field icon, shares her leadership insights on intentionality, the 400-meter race strategy, and her impactful work with mothers. This episode will equip business leaders with actionable frameworks for sustained excellence.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
- 3 "Because Statements" for daily drive
- Sanya Richards-Ross' 4 Ps strategy for success
- Impact of early mentorship on an athlete
- Balancing physical and mental discipline
- Why "MommiNation Gives" supports black moms

QUOTES THAT HIT
"No, baby. Do you really want to be great?" - Sanya Richards-Ross
"I want to always see myself beyond being a track and field athlete." - Sanya Richards-Ross
"You're impacting the life of a family." - Sanya Richards-Ross

CHAPTERS
00:00 Defining Sanya's Three Becausals
03:06 Early Beginnings of "Because I Can"
07:30 Unplugged Truth about 400m Dominance
19:00 Intentionality Beyond Track and Field
22:07 The Vision for Beyond the Curve
24:15 Dad's Car Conversation: The Greatness Room
31:10 Mission of Mommy Nation Gives
34:58 Unplugged Five Rapid Fire

QUESTIONS THIS EPISODE ANSWERS
Q: What was Sanya Richards-Ross's strategy for winning the 400-meter race?
A: Sanya Richards-Ross utilized the "four P's" strategy: Push, Pace, Position, and Poise, along with a silent "Pray" for the final hundred meters, which she also applies to life.

Q: How did Sanya Richards-Ross prepare for her career transition after track and field?
A: Sanya Richards-Ross was intentional about her transition for two years before retirement, thinking about how her athletic skills would serve her next, leading her to pursuits in television, writing, and family.

Q: What is the main goal of Sanya Richards-Ross's nonprofit, MommiNation Gives?
A: MommiNation Gives supports Black moms on their motherhood journey, helping homeless mothers and families affected by the black maternal mortality crisis by providing resources and community.

Connect & Discover Sanya Richards-Ross:
Website: sanyarichardsross.com
Foundation: MommiNation.com
Instagram: @sanyarichiross
Facebook: @sanyarichards
YouTube: @sani400
TikTok: @sanyarichiross

FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Website: howtobeagoodleader.com
Website: Leadloudseries.com
Apple: MickUnplugged

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.