Champion Reads

Hosted by Champion Reads Book Club: Jon Kovach Jr. | Ian Stermer | Champion Circle

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138

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Jun 2026

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About the show

The Champion Reads Book Club meets weekly to discuss powerful principles in major books and bestsellers. The hosts Jon Kovach Jr. and Ian Stermer lead professional discussions about and applying the principles we are reading in our current book studies. Champion Circle Networking Association is a coaching and consulting business using business networking events, education, training, workshops, and one-on-one/group coaching. Our organization has in-person and online groups in various parts of the country. Learn more by visiting www.MyChampionCircle.com

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60 recent

June 12, 202638 min

Do This and People Will Actually Remember You | Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi

In this episode, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer wrap up Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi by getting straight into what actually works when it comes to building real relationships.This isn’t complicated, but most people still get it wrong. They try to impress instead of connect. They talk more than they listen. They focus on how they’re coming across instead of actually paying attention to the person in front of them.We break it down into simple moves that make a real difference. Remember people’s names. Ask better questions. Actually care about the answers. And most important, stop trying to be someone you think people want. People don’t connect with that. They connect with you.If you want stronger relationships in business and life, this is where it starts. Not with tricks. Not with scripts. With how you show up.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Remembering someone’s name builds instant connectionAsk deeper questions and actually listen to the answerGive value without expecting something backPeople connect with authenticity, not performanceFocus on the person in front of you, not your image🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#️⃣ #ChampionReads #NeverEatAlone #KeithFerrazzi #NetworkingTips #RelationshipsMatter #PersonalGrowth #BusinessGrowth #AuthenticConnection #CommunicationSkills #HighPerformance

June 5, 202635 min

Stop Doing This When You Network | Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi

In this episode, Coach Willie Blake and Ian Stermer flip the script on Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and call out what not to do when it comes to networking.Everyone talks about how to build relationships. Not enough people talk about how they’re quietly destroying them.We break down the habits that push people away. Reaching out only when you need something. Faking interest. Treating people like transactions. It might seem small, but people feel it right away. And once that trust is gone, it’s hard to get it back.This episode is a reality check. If your networking feels forced, awkward, or like it never leads anywhere, there’s a reason. Fixing what’s broken matters more than adding new tactics.💡 Key Ideas Covered:People can tell when you only reach out to get somethingSurface-level conversations don’t build real trustTrying to impress kills authentic connectionConsistency matters more than one-time outreachRelationships fail when they feel transactional🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#️⃣ #ChampionReads #NeverEatAlone #KeithFerrazzi #NetworkingMistakes #RelationshipsMatter #PersonalGrowth #BusinessGrowth #AuthenticConnection #EntrepreneurMindset #HighPerformance

May 29, 202635 min

Why Most Networking Is a Waste of Time | Never Eat Alone, Keith Ferrazzi

In this episode, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer break down Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi and get into what networking is supposed to look like… and what most people get completely wrong.This book flips the whole idea of “networking” on its head. It’s not about collecting business cards, making quick connections, or trying to get something out of every conversation. It’s about building real relationships by leading with generosity.We talk about what it actually looks like to give without expecting something back… and why that’s the part most people struggle with. Because if you’re always thinking about what you can get, people feel that. And it kills the connection before it even starts.This episode brings it back to something simple. If you want better opportunities, better relationships, and better results, start by being someone people actually want to stay connected to. That’s where it all begins.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Real relationships beat surface-level networking every timeGive value first without keeping scorePeople can feel when you’re trying to “get” somethingLong-term connections create long-term opportunitiesStop collecting contacts and start building trust🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#️⃣ #ChampionReads #NeverEatAlone #KeithFerrazzi #Networking #RelationshipsMatter #PersonalGrowth #BusinessGrowth #GiveFirst #EntrepreneurMindset #HighPerformance

May 22, 202649 min

We Rated the Books… Not All of Them Survived | Book Rotten Tomatoes

We’re running it back.Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer bring back the Rotten Tomatoes-style ratings, but this time it’s sharper, more honest, and way less forgiving.Every book gets put on the table and judged for what it actually did, not what it sounded like. Did it stick? Did it change anything? Or was it just another book that sounded good in the moment and disappeared a week later?This is where opinions get real. Some books hold their ground. Some drop hard. And some spark debates that go deeper than just the content. Because at the end of the day, this isn’t about who wrote it or how popular it is. It’s about what actually made a difference.If you’ve ever wondered which books are worth your time and which ones just aren’t, this episode cuts through all of it.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Not every popular book actually delivers real impactWhat sticks over time matters more than first impressionsDifferent perspectives change how books get ratedSome books age well, others fall off fastReal value comes from what you apply, not what you read🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#️⃣ #ChampionReads #BookRatings #BusinessBooks #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #TopBooks #EntrepreneurMindset #GrowthMindset #TakeAction #HighPerformance

May 15, 202633 min

Book Battles: Rich Dad Poor Dad and Gaining Control

This is a different kind of episode.Coach Willie Blake and Ian Stermer step away from the usual format and bring you a Beyond Bestsellers conversation. No Jon this time. Just two books that hit personally and changed how they see the world.Willie brings Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. A book that challenges how most people think about money, work, and security. It flips the script from “work hard and save” to understanding assets, ownership, and how money actually moves. This isn’t just about getting rich. It’s about thinking differently about how you earn, spend, and build your future.Ian brings Gaining Control by Robert F. Bennett. A book focused on taking ownership of your life, your decisions, and your direction. It digs into discipline, responsibility, and the reality that if you don’t take control, something else will. Whether that’s bad habits, other people, or just drifting through life without intention.This episode connects two powerful ideas. Money and control. Because if you don’t understand either, you end up stuck. We talk about what actually impacted us from each book, what we’ve applied, and where people get it wrong.No fluff. Just real takeaways from books that made a difference.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Most people are taught to earn money, not how to build itAssets vs liabilities is a mindset shift, not just a financial oneIf you don’t take control of your life, something else willDiscipline beats motivation when it comes to real changeFinancial freedom and personal control go hand in hand🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#️⃣ #ChampionReads #BeyondBestsellers #RichDadPoorDad #FinancialFreedom #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #TakeControl #WealthBuilding #HighPerformance

May 8, 202634 min

The Truth About Mental and Physical Transformation | Becoming Supernatural, Dr. Joe Dispenza

In this episode, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer go deeper into Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza and tackle a big idea: what’s happening in your mind eventually shows up in your real life.The book shares stories of people who changed their health, habits, and entire direction in life by changing how they think and what they focus on. That sounds powerful… but also raises a real question. Where’s the line between thinking differently and actually doing something different?We break that down with real talk and real experiences. Because yes, your mindset matters. But if your thoughts don’t lead to action, nothing changes. We talk about how patterns in your thinking create patterns in your behavior, and how those patterns either keep you stuck or move you forward.This episode connects the dots between mental and physical transformation. Not in a hype way, but in a practical way. If you want different results, you need a different approach. And it starts in your mind, but it doesn’t stop there.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Your thoughts shape your behavior, and your behavior shapes your resultsRepeating the same thinking leads to repeating the same lifeMental change without action is just imaginationReal transformation shows up in what you do dailyAwareness gives you a choice, discipline makes the change real🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #BecomingSupernatural #JoeDispenza #MindsetMatters #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #TakeAction #MentalStrength #TransformYourLife #HighPerformance

May 4, 202635 min

Are You Thinking Your Way Into a Better Life? | Becoming Supernatural, Dr. Joe Dispenza

In this episode, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer break down Becoming Supernatural by Dr. Joe Dispenza and get real about what this book is actually saying.This isn’t your typical self-help book. It pushes the idea that your thoughts, emotions, and energy aren’t just internal, they shape your reality. The big question is… how much of that is real, and how much of it are people overcomplicating?We talk through what stood out, what made us pause, and what actually applies in real life. Because it’s easy to get caught up in big concepts like “rewiring your brain” and “becoming a new version of yourself,” but if you can’t apply it, it doesn’t matter. So we bring it back down to earth and focus on what you can actually do with it.If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same patterns, same habits, same results, this conversation will hit. Because at the core, this book is about one thing: if you don’t change how you think and act, nothing changes.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Your thoughts and emotions drive your actions, whether you realize it or notMost people stay stuck because they repeat the same mental patterns dailyAwareness is the first step, but action is what creates changeBig ideas mean nothing if you don’t apply them in your lifeYou don’t need to become “supernatural,” you need to become intentional🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #BecomingSupernatural #JoeDispenza #MindsetShift #PersonalGrowth #SelfDevelopment #TakeAction #MentalStrength #GrowthMindset #HighPerformance

April 3, 202635 min

Book Battles: Three Feet From Gold and The Top 10 Rules for Success

In this special episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. step away from the mainstream bestsellers and share two lesser-known books that made a real impact on their personal journeys: Three Feet from Gold (Jon’s pick) and The Top 10 Rules for Success (Willie’s pick).Instead of hype or popularity, this episode focuses on books that genuinely shaped mindset, resilience, and action. Jon breaks down how Three Feet from Gold teaches persistence when success feels just out of reach, while Willie reflects on how The Top 10 Rules for Success reinforced the importance of daily habits, belief, and consistent execution—aligned perfectly with his 2% Rule philosophy.This is a raw, reflective conversation about the books that don’t always get spotlighted… but quietly change the way you think, act, and show up in life.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Hidden Gems Over Hype – Not every life-changing book is a bestseller. Sometimes the quiet ones hit the hardest.Three Feet from Gold Mentality – Jon shares how persistence and staying in the game often separates winners from those who quit too early.Daily Success Principles – Willie connects The Top 10 Rules for Success to real-life execution, discipline, and long-term growth.Success Is Built Through Reps – Both hosts emphasize that books don’t change lives—applied principles do.Personal Impact Over Popularity – The most powerful book is the one you actually implement, not just the one everyone recommends.Whether you’re an entrepreneur, coach, or someone chasing a bigger vision, this episode reminds you that success isn’t about reading the most famous books—it’s about finding the ones that move you into action and actually change how you live.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #ThreeFeetFromGold #SuccessBooks #PersonalGrowth #HiddenGems #Mindset #Consistency #2PercentRule #ChampionCircle

March 27, 202635 min

The Alchemist Principle: The Universe Helps the Committed | The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho

In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. continue their deep dive into The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, focusing on one of the most emotional truths from the book: the heart becomes wiser after it’s been broken.They explore how pain, setbacks, and disappointment are not detours from the journey—they are part of the transformation. Santiago’s story reminds us that a broken heart doesn’t mean the dream is over. It often means the lesson is beginning.Coach Willie shares how heartbreak, failure, and rejection often sharpen clarity and strengthen conviction. Instead of seeing emotional pain as weakness, the discussion reframes it as a refining force that builds resilience, wisdom, and deeper self-awareness. Jon reflects on how many people quit their dreams the moment things hurt, not realizing that the struggle is usually the exact moment growth is happening. Ian adds that the heart, once tested, stops chasing illusions and starts pursuing what truly matters.They also discuss how fear of getting hurt causes people to play small, stay safe, and abandon their Personal Legend. But avoiding pain often leads to a life of regret, while embracing the journey—even the painful parts—leads to meaning and fulfillment.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Pain Refines the Heart – Heartbreak teaches lessons that comfort never could.Growth Through Struggle – Challenges are not signs to quit; they are signals to evolve.Emotional Courage – Following your dream requires risking disappointment and rejection.Wisdom Through Experience – A tested heart gains clarity, strength, and direction.Don’t Let Fear Stop the Journey – Avoiding pain may feel safe, but it blocks transformation.This episode is a powerful reminder that a broken heart is not a failure—it is evidence that you cared, tried, and stepped into something meaningful. The journey toward your Personal Legend will test you, but those tests shape the version of you capable of achieving it.If you’ve ever faced setbacks, rejection, or emotional pain while chasing your goals, this conversation will help you see it differently: not as the end of your story, but as the moment your heart becomes wiser.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for honest, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheAlchemist #PauloCoelho #ChampionReads #HeartAndMind #PersonalLegend #GrowthThroughPain #Resilience #MindsetShift #LifeLessons #BeTheChampion

March 20, 202633 min