UnMuted

Hosted by Chris Williams

Episodes

Language

EN-US

About the show

Welcome to Unmuted—where real men reclaim their voice, their values, and their vision. I’m Chris Williams husband, father, former corporate leader turned digital entrepreneur. After 18 years in the system, I was laid off and left to rebuild my life, my marriage, and my mission from the ground up. What started as a breakdown became a breakthrough and now I’m here to help you do the same. This is not another surface-level success podcast. Every week, we get real about the hard stuff. ✅ Leading a blended family ✅ Building a business from scratch ✅ Navigating faith in uncertain times ✅ Redefining manhood without losing your soul If you’re a Gen X or Millennial man in your 30s to 50s trying to lead well, live fully, and build a legacy you’re in the right place. Expect honest conversations, unfiltered stories, and practical tools to help you get clear, stay grounded, and speak life even when life gets loud. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and step into your next chapter. It’s time to stop shrinking and start showing up. This is Unmuted. Let’s go.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

5 min

5 Mins Unmuted- Some people don’t solve problems at work, they protect them.

This episode challenges the culture of chaos in the workplace. I'm exploring what happens when we stop protecting dysfunction and start rewarding problem-solvers. Whether it’s leadership, systems, or trust, leaders should be about building environments where fixing problems doesn’t make you invisible, it makes you invaluable.Get your free Ops Readiness Assessment today.👇Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And remember: “Growth without systems is just chaos with good branding.”#Leadership #CompanyCulture #CHRO #Mergers #PsychologyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

53 min

What Scammers Can Teach You About Building a Better Company Culture

Would your team still follow you if your title disappeared?In today’s episode, we take a wild but eye-opening detour into the world of scams and what leaders can ethically learn from them.Scammers are masters of creating belief, urgency, and trust all without fancy org charts or performance reviews. So what happens when we apply their psychology to building culture that actually sticks?In this episode, you’ll learn:The psychological triggers scammers use (and why they work)How leaders can ethically use influence to create belongingThe danger of relying on compliance instead of connectionWhy culture starts at the system level, not the slogan levelA surprising framework for rebuilding trust in disengaged teamsIf you’re in HR, operations, or leading post-M&A integration, this might be the most unexpected leadership insight you’ve heard all year.Get your free Ops Readiness Assessment today.👇Subscribe. Share. Leave a review.And remember: “Growth without systems is just chaos with good branding.”#Leadership #CompanyCulture #CHRO #Mergers #PsychologyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

30 min

Stop Firing People! Do This Instead...

In this episode of Unmuted, Chris breaks down the truth behind a hard leadership trend: companies firing employees when the real issue is operational dysfunction. If you’re a COO, VP of Ops, or founder trying to scale but feeling the tension of underperformance and turnover this episode is your wake-up call.Are you letting go of great people… just because your systems are broken?👉 Disengaged employees cost companies 34% of their salary in lost productivity👉 Only 12% of employees strongly agree their onboarding was effective (Gallup)👉 Yet businesses with high engagement are 23% more profitable and have 18% lower turnoverIn this episode, you’ll learn:Why poor performance often points to poor processes, not poor peopleWhat to fix before you consider firing someoneHow to build scalable systems that make your team thriveThe #1 mindset shift every VP of Ops and COO must embrace to retain top talentHow OpsElevate is helping fast-growing companies scale without losing their soulQuote of the Episode: “People don’t quit jobs. They quit chaos and unclear expectations.”Enjoyed this episode?Tap Follow or Subscribe so you never miss an episodeLeave a comment or review with your biggest takeawayAnd share this with a fellow leader who’s navigating growthGet your free Ops Readiness Assesment today.💥 Unmuted. Where we speak the truth, build what matters, and never shrink back from what’s real.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

25 min

I Failed My First Business Acquisition | 5 Hard Truths You Need to Hear

I thought I was ready to buy my first business. I had the vision, the momentum, and the passion. But I failed—and it hurt.In this episode of Unmuted, I get real about what went wrong in my first business acquisition and share the 5 lessons I wish someone had told me before I started. If you’re thinking about buying a business, scaling through acquisition, or just stepping into ownership for the first time, you need to hear this.🔑 What you’ll learn:Why falling in love with the deal can blind youThe part of due diligence no one talks aboutHow culture can crush your momentumWhy going solo is a silent killerThe truth about failing—and how it’s not the end✅ Grab the toolkit I wish I had when I started:👉🏽 https://stan.store/thechriswilliamsDrop a comment if you’ve ever struggled on your entrepreneurial journey or have a question about buying your first business—I’d love to hear your story.🎧 Subscribe for weekly truth, strategy, and unfiltered stories about life, leadership, and legacy.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 16 min

Turning Ideas into Real Life with Coding - AJ Rivera and Mike Schmidt | Episode #199

Join our FREE newsletter 'Successfully Discontent'.Check out this podcast episode where we talk with AJ Rivera and Mike Schmidt, who know a lot about making websites work well. They've worked with all sorts of businesses, big and small, and know how to make a website really stand out.We chat about how important it is for your website to really show what your brand is all about. Mike and AJ give tips on how to get past common problems and make sure your visitors do what you want them to on your site. This is super useful whether you're new to running a website or you've been doing it for a while.In this episode, we also look at how turning your website ideas into reality can make a big difference, and how using your own style and stories can make your brand stronger online. If you find this helpful, remember to like, subscribe, and share the episode to level up your website skills!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

33 min

The Entrepreneurship Bug - Neal Tricario - Episode #198

Join our FREE newsletter 'Successfully Discontent'.Join us for another exciting episode where we empower the successful discontent to build profitable side businesses. Today, we have a fantastic interview lined up for you. Our guest, Neal, has a remarkable story that many of us can relate to - reaching the pinnacle of our corporate careers and then feeling the pull towards entrepreneurship. 🌟We're diving deep into the world of sales and addressing the common fear of putting ourselves out there. Neal is an expert in sales transformation with an impressive eight-figure sales growth coaching program. 📈💼 We'll discuss why so many people in corporate settings and beyond dread sales and how we can overcome that fear. 🤝Neil has worked with luminaries like Tony Robbins and Dean Graziosi, and today, he's here to share his invaluable insights with us. So, let's give a warm welcome to Neal Tricario!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 24 min

The Power of Podcasting - Jessica Hurley. Ep 197

Join our FREE newsletter 'Successfully Discontent'.Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jessica Hurley, the creative director, and producer of an intriguing podcast network, EPYC (Evolve Past Your Consciousness Media).In this episode Jessica shares her journey into podcasting, from the initial hesitations to becoming a powerhouse in the industry. Discover how she empowers underrepresented voices and builds a supportive community, all while balancing the roles of a mom and a passionate entrepreneur.Don't miss this episode that's all about embracing your true self and finding your voice in the world of podcasting.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

42 min

Turning Hopes and Wishes Into Actionable Expectations

Join our FREE newsletter 'Successfully Discontent'.Unlock the secret to turning hopes into reality with Chris Williams on the Grow Your Side Business Podcast. Dive deep into the distinctions between hopes, wishes, and expectations, and learn how to harness them for your success.- Understand why embracing failure is a crucial step towards learning and growth, and how avoiding it might lead to the very failure you fear.- Discover the critical difference between merely wishing for a goal and the commitment required to actually achieve it.- Learn why setting realistic expectations and taking actionable steps is far more effective than seeking quick-fix solutions.- Explore the essential components of a robust plan to meet your fitness goals within the next six months.Tune in now to transform your aspirations into achievements with expert insights from the Grow Your Side Business Podcast, available on all platforms. Goodnight, and keep growing!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

1 hr 35 min

Unveiling the Secrets of Network Marketing Success with Eric Worre ⚡

Join our FREE newsletter 'Successfully Discontent'.Watch The Interview On YouTube!We're rolling into another fantastic week, and what better way to kickstart our hustle than getting the lowdown on network marketing from a titan in the field? Our latest episode of the Grow Your Side Business Podcast is now live, featuring none other than the network marketing maestro, Eric Worre!🚀 Strap in as we take "A Deep Dive into The World of Network Marketing With Eric Worre." Trust us; you don't want to miss the invaluable insights Eric has to share.Here's what you're in for:✨ Five Key Takeaways:1. The Hustle Mindset: Tap into Eric’s early entrepreneurial mindset and grasp the importance of pursuing rewards with the right amount of effort.2. Taking Responsibility: Learn why network marketing demands a high level of accountability, turning it into a catalyst for hard work and personal growth.3. From Skeptic to Believer: Transitioning from traditional employment to network marketing has its risks. Discover how to embrace this change as Eric and Chris share their personal journeys and strategies to mitigate the risks involved.4. Building Success With Your Spouse: Eric gets real about mixing business with pleasure. Expect to gain insights on working harmoniously with your partner while pursuing entrepreneurial ambitions.5. Growth and Contribution: Delve into Eric's philosophy that stands at the heart of his and potentially your success - growth and contribution. This game-changing mindset is the difference between feeling fulfilled or just filled up.🎉 Fun Fact Alert!Did you know that Eric Worre met his wife through network marketing? Talk about finding love in unexpected places! Not only did they hit it off, but they also found their entrepreneurial stride together.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

17 min

A mom in the business? This is how you do it! | Grow Your Side Business Clip With Stephanie Blake

Join our FREE newsletter 'Successfully Discontent'.Brace yourselves for an enlightening conversation with Stephanie Blake, a visionary dedicated to empowering parents to foster genuine connections with their children.Stephanie, host of the impactful Parenting Journey podcast, offers invaluable insights for career-oriented mothers striving for deeper familial bonds. Join us as we delve into Stephanie's journey, accomplishments, and profound expertise.Engage in this compelling discussion with Stephanie, a notable figure bridging the worlds of entrepreneurship and parenthood. Subscribe for more inspiring conversations about business and more!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy