The MIC is a podcast for people leaders who want to kill off toxic communication, boost sales, and value personal growth to reach their potential. Hosted by Paul Leon, MBA, a sales trainer, entrepreneur, and comedian. This top 50 management podcast features mini-masterclasses and conversations with experts who share their strategies and experiences. Whether you are leading a team, growing a business, or improving your mindset, each episode offers tips that will help you lead with confidence. Listen, learn, and skyrocket rapport with The MIC podcast!
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November 9, 2026Episode 4128 min
What Suffering Taught Me About Leadership
In this video, I wanted to share part of my story and my perspective on suffering, using the Bible as an anchor for how it can support your journey toward better leadership. I try to be there every day for my family and the people I have the privilege to serve. I hope this helps. Website | LinkedIn | YouTube Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
November 2, 2026Episode 4053 min
Why Victim Thinking Keeps You Broke and Stuck
In this episode, Parker McCumber shares his inspiring journey from poverty to success, emphasizing the importance of ownership, military leadership principles, and effective organizational strategies. Discover actionable frameworks to elevate your leadership and business performance. Get to know Parker further: Website Book Chapters 00:00 Meet Parker McCumber 13:00 Military frameworks that level up leadership skills 30:27 How do you communicate intent? 46:49 What are some of the best job interview answers you received from candidates you’ve interviewed? View Our Workshops Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
October 30, 2026Episode 3956 min
Why Funny People Lead in Sales
David Babcock, a Will Ferrell impersonator, shares his unique approach to sales and marketing through comedy and improvisation, emphasizing the importance of character, timing, and engagement at trade shows and events. Discover how humor and authenticity can transform sales strategies and build genuine connections Follow David/Will As: Ron Burgundy Ricky Bobby Chapters 00:00 Meet Ron Burgundy 12:06 Finding my calling as a Will Ferrell impersonator 25:21 Do Improv Skills Matter? 36:20 Starting a marketing agency 48:25 David Babcock's Favorite Success Story Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
October 21, 2026Episode 3852 min
How Leaders Build Teams That Speak Up
Good intentions do not always lead to good leadership. Your team may experience your words and actions differently than you expect. In this episode of The Manager’s Mic, Paul Leon, MBA, talks with Jenny Catalano, founder and CEO of Impact Events Collective. Jenny is a former chief operating officer with more than 20 years of leadership experience. Jenny explains the Impact Gap™ : the difference between what leaders mean to do and what employees actually experience. She shares how everyday conversations and decisions can build trust—or cause people to pull away. Follow Jenny Website LinkedIn Forbes Article That Refrences Her Expertise Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jenny Catalano 01:28 Defining leadership in practical terms 03:17 Impact events and leadership solutions 04:36 Disconnects between leaders and employees 05:14 Common denominators in leadership misses 07:11 The importance of employee voice and listening 08:35 Diagnosing organizational disconnects 12:15 Employee and leadership diagnostic process 14:48 Interpreting diagnostic results 16:44 Creating a culture of trust and integrity 18:20 Addressing leadership blind spots 20:02 The future of leadership in an AI-driven world 22:22 Building resilient and engaged teams 24:16 Challenges of leadership in organizational change 27:24 Decision-making in complex leadership scenarios 31:56 The importance of authenticity and values Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
October 12, 2026Episode 3749 min
The Lies We Tell Ourselves About Leadership
In this episode, James Robbins shares his journey from a shy kid to a leadership expert, emphasizing the importance of authentic leadership, overcoming limiting beliefs, and practical strategies for growth. Discover how to move people, handle rejection, and lead with purpose in both corporate and nonprofit sectors. Get to know James Website Nine Minutes to Monday The Call to Climb Key Topics James Robbins' leadership journey from ranch to boardroom The universal principles of effective leadership Challenges of short-term thinking in corporate environments The importance of authenticity and self-awareness in leadership Strategies to overcome fear of rejection and limiting beliefs The role of daily habits and rituals in personal development The significance of being present with others at work and at home The impact of modeling behavior and leading by example The power of exposure therapy to conquer fears The importance of purpose and intrinsic motivation in leadership Sound Bites "Stories we tell ourselves hold us back" "The fastest way to overcome rejection is exposure" "The best leader is an authentic version of you" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to James Robbins and his leadership journey 04:08 Short-term thinking in corporate leadership 08:45 The Call to Climb: the metaphor and the book 09:40 Internal work and limiting beliefs 12:03 Encouragement for those feeling low or rejected 14:16 Reframing fear and rejection through stories 17:27 Exposure therapy and overcoming fears 19:16 The importance of the authentic self in leadership 22:01 Fear of being seen and the courage to be vulnerable 24:11 The impact of confidence and belief in leadership 26:11 The role of leadership frameworks and models 28:01 Motivating others through purpose and autonomy 32:22 The power of being present with others 37:01 End-of-day rituals for leadership and life balance 42:45 Lessons from successful and unsuccessful leaders
October 5, 2026Episode 3655 min
Marc Hildebrand: Leadership From 20 Years in Law Enforcement
In this episode of The Manager's Mic , Paul Leon sits down with Marc Hildebrand—founder of Modern Leadership Coaching, retired 20-year LAPD sergeant, and international best-selling author of Mastering Your Life Through Self-Coaching . Drawing from two decades in high-stakes law enforcement, losing 100 pounds, and scaling a coaching business, Marc reveals why tactical leadership advice fails without internal self-leadership. Discover how to reprogram your brain’s mechanisms. Follow Marc Website Book Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark Hildebrand and his background 03:10 The importance of leading oneself first 04:41 Hindsight lessons: focusing on controllables 05:38 Understanding the brain's protection mechanism 08:04 Overcoming fear and self-doubt in leadership 09:49 The influence of environment and mentorship 11:33 Handling high-pressure situations calmly 14:22 Self-awareness and internal dialogue 16:01 The journey of losing 100 pounds 20:56 Balancing work, family, and self-care 22:09 The ripple effect of leadership training 23:23 Modeling behavior for children 26:36 The importance of curiosity in leadership 36:31 Connecting the dots: challenges and growth 44:58 The impact of ripple effects in leadership 47:14 The significance of internal dialogue and stories 49:20 The power of curiosity and understanding others 51:52 Redemption stories and transformation 54:45 Building trust and connection through curiosity Sound Bites "Leadership starts with leading yourself." "Focus on what you can control." "Your brain's protection mechanism is normal." Grab Your Free 90-Day Leadership Roadmap Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
September 28, 2026Episode 3548 min
How Ayahuasca Can Support Leadership
In this episode of The Manager's Mic, Paul Leon explores the intersection of plant medicine and consciousness. Daniel Yepez and Sarah Lynn Thomas are Co-CEOs of Behold Retreats. Behold Retreats is a world-renowned retreat featured in the Netflix docuseries Aaron Rodgers: Enigma. Discover why high-performing leaders turn to sacred plant medicines like ayahuasca. This helps dissolve mental blocks, unlocking creative problem-solving. What You’ll Learn: • The founding journey of Behold Retreats: bridging corporate leadership and ancient plant medicine • How ayahuasca, altered consciousness, and ego dissolution reshape leadership decision-making • The truth behind Aaron Rodgers’ Costa Rica retreat featured in Netflix’s Aaron Rodgers: Enigma • Strict medical protocols, screening, and why "set and setting" dictate psychological safety • The 7-week framework: Why post-ceremony integration matters more than the ceremony itself • Practical tools to practice presence, regulated nervous system states, and conscious leadership in daily business 👉 Visit our website for more FREE resources on people leadership: https://www.themanagersmic.com/ 🔗 Connect with Behold Retreats: https://www.behold-retreats.com/ 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Daniel Yepez & Sarah Lynn Thomas of Behold Retreats 01:32 — Daniel's Transition from Corporate Entrepreneurship to Plant Medicine 02:50 — The Mission & Philosophy Behind Behold Retreats 04:01 — Co-Founding a Business as a Couple: Navigating Roles & Relationships 07:09 — Communication Frameworks for High-Stress Business Partnerships 09:48 — What is Ayahuasca? (Science, History, & Ceremony Explained) 11:01 — Altered States of Consciousness & Lasting Personal Transformation 12:23 — Inside the 7-Week Preparation & Post-Ceremony Integration Program 14:04 — Why Elite Athletes & High Performers Choose Plant Medicine 15:24 — Navigating Identity Shifts, Emotional Healing, & Ego Dissolution 18:54 — The Critical Difference Between Being "Kind" vs. "Nice" in Leadership 20:23 — Behold Retreats Featured in Aaron Rodgers: Enigma on Netflix 21:21 — Protecting Client Privacy, Lineage, & Sacred Traditions Under Media Scrutiny 23:09 — Managing Viral Demand After Global Netflix Exposure 25:26 — Core Leadership Lessons from Managing Retreat Facilitation Teams 26:47 — Embracing Responsibility & Stepping Up Before You Feel Ready 27:12 — Why Strong Leaders Must Learn to Ask for Help 27:49 — Staying Grounded & Present After Reaching the Pinnacle of Success 29:30 — Psychedelic Safety: Set, Setting, & Medical Vetting Protocols 33:48 — Can Psychedelics Unlock Breakthrough Creativity & Innovation? 35:47 — Reframing Emotional Trauma, Gaining Perspective, & Healing 38:51 — How to Elevate Consciousness & Presence Without Plant Medicine 42:38 — Practical Presence Tools for High-Stakes Workplaces 45:13 — Long-Term Visions for Executive Wellness Over the Next Decade 46:31 — Consciousness Expansion, AI, & Personal Data Sovereignty 💬 Key Sound Bites: • "Let the content dictate the format, not the structure." • "Everybody receives a new perspective on something." • "Everything we need is already inside of us." ⚖️ Legal Disclaimer: Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content. You can review the Netflix trailer for Aaron Rodgers: Enigma to see how the documentary highlights Aaron Rodgers' healing journey and retreat experience featured in the series.
September 21, 2026Episode 3458 min
Why Most Leaders Use AI Wrong
In this episode of The Manager’s Mic Podcast, Kevin Williams, CEO of Ascend, shares insights on how organizations can leverage AI to boost productivity, build infrastructure, and prepare for the future of work. We explore practical strategies, the importance of policy, and the evolving role of AI in business and society. Follow Kevin Website - https://www.ascendlabs.ai Podcast - https://ascendlabs.ai/podcast Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ascendlabs.ai LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinguywilliams/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kevin Williams and AI in Business 02:01 Kevin's Background and Successes in AI 05:02 Current State of AI Adoption in Organizations 08:04 AI Infrastructure and Data Integration Strategies 12:08 The Rise of Agentic Harnesses and AI Tools 16:02 Practical Use Cases of AI in Daily Work 19:58 AI Policy, Security, and Ethical Considerations 23:55 Building an AI-First Company and Organizational Change 30:00 Kevin's Journey as an Entrepreneur in AI 39:50 Future Trends in Robotics and AI 50:04 Impact of AI on Jobs and Economy 54:02 Next Steps for Leaders and Organizations Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
September 14, 2026Episode 331 hr 8 min
How This Leader Beat Her Fear of Public Speaking
Dayna Gowan reveals how she went from being paralyzed by public speaking to leading with total confidence. She breaks down the exact mindset shifts, breathing techniques, and unexpected improv skills that help people leaders beat their nerves, connect through storytelling, and build real psychological safety within their teams. Follow Dayna LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/danagowan Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/improvlyspeaking/ Podcast - https://improvlyspeaking.buzzsprout.com/ Key Topics How to conquer the fear of speaking in front of your team The surprising way improv builds instant leadership presence Exact breathing techniques to kill your nerves before you speak How to use storytelling and humor to connect with any audience The real secret to creating psychological safety at work Why the best leaders use play to boost professional growth Chapters 00:00 Meet Dayna Gowan and her leadership journey 02:13 Dayna's early struggles with public speaking fear 03:57 Joining Toastmasters to finally conquer nerves 05:59 How improv completely changes your stage presence 07:59 The mindset shifts required to lead with confidence 10:59 Coaching teams and stepping into leadership roles 13:53 Why play and fun are critical in team workshops 16:57 Using humor and storytelling to build connection 19:53 Breathing techniques to instantly calm your nerves 23:08 Dayna's exact coaching approach for better communication 27:04 How to foster true psychological safety in your team 29:55 Dayna's podcast and what she is learning right now 32:59 Final thoughts on storytelling and leading with confidence Legal Disclaimer: Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
September 7, 2026Episode 3233 min
Why Most Sales Leaders Fail in Seconds
Paul Leon shares sales leadership tips from his experiences at networking events, emphasizing the importance of clear messaging, alignment, and mental toughness in sales and communication. He discusses how to handle rejection, craft compelling value propositions, and develop resilience to succeed in sales and leadership. Key Topics The importance of clear messaging in networking Aligning sales and marketing messaging Handling rejection and criticism Developing mental toughness and resilience Crafting effective CTAs and value propositions The role of authenticity and permission in sales The significance of preparation and alignment Overcoming fear and living in your purpose Sales Leadership Tips Most people struggle to formulate a clear one-sentence problem statement in 15 seconds. Misalignment between sales and marketing messaging causes distrust. Preparation and clarity in messaging increase conversion and trust. Rejection is part of the process; resilience is key. Living in your purpose and faith provides strength in rejection. Consistent effort and mental toughness reduce the pain of rejection. Sound Bites "The less I do, the more it hurts." "Wouldn't it be nice if people were kind and did the right thing?" "Pray for them and bless them, even in rejection." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and overview of networking challenges 15:12 The importance of clear messaging in 15 seconds 21:59 Misalignment between sales and marketing messaging 15:33 Examples of poor messaging and how to improve 22:25 The role of preparation and alignment in success 22:39 Handling rejection and building resilience 22:48 The power of permission and clear CTAs Legal Disclaimer Leonsolutions, LLC, and the content it produces are for educational purposes; your results may vary. No guarantee of results is claimed. The publisher of this content is not responsible for any actions taken or not taken as a result of reading, watching, or listening to our content.
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