Relationships & Revenue Podcast

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Aug 2026

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Life is all about relationships and great leaders heavily invest in those relationships. On the Relationships and Revenue Podcast, we talk about how to improve our most significant relationships at home so we can be better in our business relationships. We talk with experts from all over the world representing many disciplines about the best tips and strategies to become amazing people and amazing leaders. Welcome to the show!

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September 4, 2026Episode 33349 min

Episode 333 The Upper Hand with Dr. Abbie Maroño (Part 1)

John sits down with Dr. Abbie Maroño to discuss imposter syndrome, social media pressure, and finding your personal True North. Dr. Abbie shares her journey from becoming a professor at just 23 to working with organizations including the FBI and U.S. Secret Service. She also talks about her books, Work in Progress: The Road to Empowerment, The Journey Through Shame and The Upper Hand: Mastering Persuasion and Getting What You Want with the Science of Social Engineering , and explains why being open about our mistakes can actually make us more relatable and trustworthy. About Dr. Abbie Maroño: Dr. Abbie Maroño is a keynote speaker, behavioral scientist, and author, specializing in trust, influence, and nonverbal communication. She is known for challenging conventional thinking and translating complex behavioral science into practical insights that audiences can immediately understand and apply. Her interest in human behavior did not begin in a classroom. Growing up in an unstable and traumatic home, she learned early that no one was coming to save her. At 16, she faced a choice no child should have to make: continue down a path of addiction or fight for a different future. She chose the latter. That decision sparked a lifelong fascination with why people make the choices they do and how understanding human behavior can change the course of a life. Earning her PhD in Psychology, Dr Abbie became a Professor of Psychology at just 23 years old. She was later recognized by the U.S. Department of State for extraordinary ability in behavioral science and named one of Central Florida's 40 Under 40 by the Orlando Business Journal. She is the creator of The Upper Hand, a proprietary framework focused on trust, influence, communication, and decision-making. Dr Abbie has trained representatives from 29 U.S. federal agencies, including the U.S. Secret Service, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security, as well as senior leadership at INTERPOL. The U.S. Secret Service also recognized her contributions with an award for outstanding contribution to their forensic services. As a bestselling author, TEDx speaker, Forbes contributor, Court TV contributor, and media commentator, her work has been featured on BBC News, Fox News, WIRED, Reuters, Forbes Breaking News, Apple News, and many more outlets. She also provides expert witness services in matters involving behavioral analysis, nonverbal communication, and human behavior, including high-profile civil and criminal cases. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [02:17] - Dr. Abbie's bio [03:23] - Two very different books [06:08] - The myth of having it all together [09:25] - We're trained to wear masks [10:11] - Social media's impossible standards [11:50] - Finding your True North [13:08] - Dr. Abbie's personal principles that keep her grounded [16:04] - Don't let praise or criticism define you [19:26] - Pain is a prerequisite for purpose [22:09] - When John realized that he needed to work on himself [26:04] - Growth isn't new year, new me [30:13] - High life is a lie [33:27] - Happiness vs Joy [35:27] - Finding purpose and joy takes discipline [38:43] - How difficult retirement can be for professional athletes [42:37] - Adversity is a gift only when it's healed [45:51] - Dr. Abbie's childhood and addiction NOTABLE QUOTES: "If people can't relate to you, they will stop listening." "There's just some things that nobody should know. People don't need to know every little detail about our lives." "We don't need to hide ourselves, but we don't need to overshare everything." "Each of us has to have a true north, something that we can hold on to, no matter what. So that when those voices get loud, it's like that we can find a way to at least quiet them down a little bit, and then refocus that true north, so that we can continue to head in the direction we need to be heading." "Let people show you who they are and decide if that's enough for you. Stop trying to convince people that you're worth enough and that you deserve to be in their life, and they deserve to be in yours. Just let people be who they are." "We need principles to ground us when the money is coming in, when the work is going well, when everybody's looking at you like you're the best. It's so easy to lose sight of yourself. Money comes and goes so fast, and fame and success come and go so fast. If you don't have something to ground you, you're gonna falter." "Always remember, you're never as good as they say you are, and you're never as sad as they say you are. You're somewhere in the middle." "You can have very little and be so much happier than someone with everything. It's how you live in your head that determines how peaceful your life is." "When you find your bubble of happiness, you build an impenetrable bubble. You don't let outside words come in. You don't let outside perspectives come in. You protect that little bubble of happiness." "Pain is a prerequisite for purpose. You have to go through it. You don't bypass it. You don't ignore it. You don't pretend it doesn't exist, and you don't numb it. You have to work through it. That's how you get to purpose." "If you don't understand how someone can treat another person like that, it's a blessing." "If you can find something that brings you joy, don't let the world tell you you need all this other stuff. You don't need all this other stuff. It's great to have, but you don't need it to feel complete, and you don't need it to feel at peace." USEFUL LINKS: https://www.abbiemarono.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/drabbiemarono/ https://www.instagram.com/doctorabbieofficial/ https://www.facebook.com/DrAbbieofficial TEDx Talk "How to Turn Your Personal Shame Into a Source of Strength" - https://youtu.be/ptvCTuct4GE?si=A8vpm6D5n9UfG0Td The Upper Hand: Mastering Persuasion and Getting What You Want with the Science of Social Engineering - https://a.co/d/0ctZMkgv Work in Progress: The Road to Empowerment, The Journey Through Shame - https://a.co/d/04nYbXkh The Doctor Abbie Show - https://www.youtube.com/@TheDoctorAbbieShow CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

August 28, 2026Episode 33235 min

Episode 332 The Trust Algorithm with Alice Sesay Pope (Part 2)

John continues his conversation with Alice Sesay Pope about how AI is changing business, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Alice explains how Generative and Agentic AI can help entrepreneurs and small businesses work faster, save money, and grow without huge teams. They also talk about trust, guardrails, and how to wisely use AI. About Alice Sesay Pope: Alice Pope is a Fortune 100 Customer Experience and Operations executive who helps enterprise organizations transform CX into a measurable driver of revenue, retention, and loyalty — while modernizing cost-to-serve through digital enablement, automation, and Generative AI. She leads at the intersection of customer trust, operational excellence, and innovation — because the organizations that win at scale don't choose between efficiency and empathy. They build intelligent systems that deliver both. With more than 30 years of executive leadership in complex, global environments, Alice has led large-scale transformations that connect the full CX ecosystem — product, engineering, analytics, care, and field operations — turning customer insight into sustained business performance. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - How The Trust Algorithm can help entrepreneurs [04:17] - Being a conduit [06:03] - What leaders should think about before implementing Agentic AI [08:00] - Every business starts with people [09:15] - What does it take to be a great leader in the AI age? [12:22] - Utilizing AI from day one when starting a new business [17:10] - How Alice's faith impacts her business [19:33] - Alice's definition of success [20:07] - The most valuable skill sets in the AI era [22:35] - Traits of a great leader [23:23] - #1 daily habit [24:23] - The legacy Alice wants to leave behind [26:11] - Book recommendations [28:17] - How Alice invests in her marriage [29:34] - Circle 10 and why this program is important to her [32:31] - Best way to connect with Alice [35:18] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "Don't take everything that a Generative AI gives you as gospel. Still inspect, still conduct your audit." "Life and business are all about relationships. There's nothing before that. There's nothing after that." "Every business is a problem solver of some kind." "Success is utilizing your God-given talents to make the world a better place. So, when you go to bed at night, you feel good about what you do." "You can have an advisor, or a coach, Generative AI. But there's nothing more powerful than a real person who could be a coach, who can exchange an idea with you, who can feel your pain when you've had a failure, and help you say, 'Get back up again,' and encourage you." "There will be people who embrace the tools that will build wealth in ways that we've never seen before … but, at the same time, there are people that will be too scared of it … and it will widen the wealth gap." "Don't just launch a generative AI solution just to be launching it … Start with your customer. What can you solve for your customer faster? Will it reduce customer effort? Will it increase loyalty?" "There's something that's still powerful about a human connection and I hope our world doesn't lose that." BOOK MENTIONED: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap ... and Others Don't by James C. Collins ( https://a.co/d/0aXgmwDX ) USEFUL LINKS: https://alicesesaypope.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicesesaypope/ https://www.instagram.com/alicesesaypope/ https://x.com/Alicesesaypope https://www.youtube.com/@alicesesaypope The Trust Algorithm: How Leaders Build Trust with Generative AI - https://a.co/d/0aKOKLBw Transformation From The Inside Out - https://a.co/d/0esUYdS0 CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

August 21, 2026Episode 33135 min

Episode 331 The Trust Algorithm with Alice Sesay Pope (Part 1)

John talks with Alice Sesay Pope about building trust with customers and employees, Agentic AI and Generative AI, and why we shouldn't be afraid of AI. Alice also talks about her newly released book The Trust Algorithm: How Leaders Build Trust with Generative AI . About Alice Sesay Pope: Alice Pope is a Fortune 100 Customer Experience and Operations executive who helps enterprise organizations transform CX into a measurable driver of revenue, retention, and loyalty — while modernizing cost-to-serve through digital enablement, automation, and GenAI. She leads at the intersection of customer trust, operational excellence, and innovation — because the organizations that win at scale don't choose between efficiency and empathy. They build intelligent systems that deliver both. With more than 30 years of executive leadership in complex, global environments, Alice has led large-scale transformations that connect the full CX ecosystem — product, engineering, analytics, care, and field operations — turning customer insight into sustained business performance. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [00:52] - Alice's bio & backstory [04:00] - Why companies must care for employees first to truly serve customers [05:56] - How feeling excluded earlier in life shaped her leadership style [07:15] - Ritz-Carlton example of empowerment and kindness [09:30] - Agentic AI and Generative AI [10:56] - Should we be afraid of AI? [12:44] - How to use AI tools to grow your career [16:47] - Why our education system needs to evolve with AI [20:44] - Normalize failing as a learning tool [22:55] - What are the best ways to build trust? [25:56] - How dynamic pricing and algorithms affect trust [28:57] - Why is building trust so difficult? [30:34] - Why trust is the currency in the AI era [32:44] - The Trust Algorithm book NOTABLE QUOTES: "Experience is the best teacher." "If you're not taking care of your people first, you're not going to have a company in order to help customers." "Agentic AI tools can make decisions for customers, but sometimes they don't understand those moments that matter, and they don't rarely understand the human touch. And that's why I believe humans are still important to delivering a great experience." "There's a human component to trust that just can't be made." "Customers won't leave a brand that they trust. Instead, they will increase their overall loyalty." "When you do the right thing for your employees, they will go to heights you can't even imagine to do the right thing for customers and to represent a company." "There are various companies that may or may not invest in the time or the money that it takes to reskill associates. So we all have to take control of our careers. We have to be more deliberate about how we think about how we want our careers to be." "Our educational system has to change. It must change, especially in the world of AI. Our education system has to evolve to teach students to be critical thinkers, and also to be more creative to generate new ideas, processes that perhaps don't exist today." "There are some schools that say they ban AI tools. I believe that's wrong, because in the real world, people are using them. There's so much value to utilizing these tools to accomplish so much more, faster." "Generative AI can be a very good thing if it is implemented in a fair and ethical way." "We can't resist the change. The change is here. Can't resist it, but we can implement it in a way that's value-driven." USEFUL LINKS: https://alicesesaypope.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicesesaypope/ https://www.instagram.com/alicesesaypope/ https://x.com/Alicesesaypope https://www.youtube.com/@alicesesaypope The Trust Algorithm: How Leaders Build Trust with Generative AI - https://a.co/d/0aKOKLBw Transformation From The Inside Out - https://a.co/d/0esUYdS0 CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

August 14, 2026Episode 33042 min

Episode 330 Raise Your Confidence, Value, and Prices with John Ray (Part 2)

In this episode, John continues his conversation with John Ray, diving into how genuine relationship-building — through remembering the small details, sending handwritten notes, and giving without expecting anything back — sets you apart in business. They also discuss the role faith plays in leadership and business, the real definition of success, and how joy differs from happiness. About John Ray: After a successful career in investment banking, investment management, and strategic advisory, John Ray left the corporate world in 2013 to build his own business. It didn't take long to find the gap nobody had prepared him for: he routinely undervalued his own expertise, struggled to set prices that matched the outcomes he delivered, and watched his clients do the exact same thing. He spent the next several years figuring out how to fix it, for himself first, then for the consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, fractional executives, and other expert practitioners who hire him today to gain clarity, confidence, and profitability through positioning, pricing, and value-based business development. That work became his first book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices (2023). His second book is set for release in the first quarter of 2027. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Why knowing your client (and the "Rendezvous barbecue" story) matters [01:42] - Building real relationships through meaningful, family-focused check-ins [06:32] - The power of handwritten notes and tracking your gratitude [09:41] - How John Ray's faith shapes his business and leadership [17:01] - The Generosity Mindset: giving people dignity, not just money [19:37] - What success really looks like to John Ray [22:10] - Inside John Ray's podcast, The Price and Value Journey [24:18] - The traits of a great leader (and lessons from bad ones) [28:01] - How John Ray invests in his own growth [31:38] - What the people who annoy us can teach us about ourselves [34:05] - How John Ray invests in his marriage [37:05] - Happiness vs joy [39:18] - How to connect with John Ray [39:52] - Final Four quick-fire questions [40:38] - Books recommended [43:24] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "You gotta know your client." "It's little things like that mean the world to people." "When you gamify it, it makes it important." "Business is not just about the profit. It's about the impact you make." "Actions do speak louder than words ... it ought to show up in your actions first." "It's not mine to begin with. I'm just a steward of it." "You're giving them the dignity. You're giving them their sense that they're a child of God." "We all die without anything ... so the question is, what do you leave?" "It's a journey, folks. Give yourself grace." "It could be that you recognize those shortcomings because you share them." "We see ourselves in all our complexity, and we see others as something of a flattened cartoon character." "I'm interested in joy, because joy is an active choice to stay positive ... regardless of what's happening." "We will all suffer. The only question is how." BOOKS MENTIONED: How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen by David Brooks ( https://a.co/d/07EkM1WP ) The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann ( https://a.co/d/0iXKbOny ) USEFUL LINKS: https://www.johnray.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnray1/ www.amazon.com/author/johnray The Generosity Mindset (book site) - https://thegenerositymindset.com The Price and Value Journey - https://tinyurl.com/PriceAndValueJourneyPodcast North Fulton Business Radio - https://tinyurl.com/NorthFultonBusinessRadio The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success By Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices - https://a.co/d/09DYp6Gs CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

August 7, 2026Episode 32943 min

Episode 329 Raise Your Confidence, Value, and Prices with John Ray (Part 1)

In this episode, John talks with John Ray about how our mindset about money, value, and ourselves shapes our business. They also discuss why pricing your expertise is so hard, how to deal with imposter syndrome, and why confidence must come before clarity. About John Ray: After a successful career in investment banking, investment management, and strategic advisory, John Ray left the corporate world in 2013 to build his own business. It didn't take long to find the gap nobody had prepared him for: he routinely undervalued his own expertise, struggled to set prices that matched the outcomes he delivered, and watched his clients do the exact same thing. He spent the next several years figuring out how to fix it for himself first, then for the consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, fractional executives, and other expert practitioners who hire him today to gain clarity, confidence, and profitability through positioning, pricing, and value-based business development. That work became his first book, The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices (2023). His second book is set for release in the first quarter of 2027. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [01:00] - The story behind starting Relationships & Revenue Podcast [04:50] - Using beta readers when writing a book [07:17] - Who John Ray serves and what he does [10:42] - John's journey from investment banking to coaching entrepreneurs [13:45] - Pricing your expertise & the "Bad Neighbor" mindset [15:50] - How imposter syndrome affects pricing and confidence [17:14] - Why knowing your ideal client changes everything [20:25] - Helping entrepreneurs who keep waiting for the perfect time to start [24:18] - Why some entrepreneurs struggle with clarity, confidence, & profitability [27:36] - Helping someone with a scarcity, cutthroat view of business [31:04] - Serving vs. giving everything away [32:06] - The Generosity Mindset book [33:29] - The challenge of selling expertise in a DIY world [36:48] - Pricing for outcomes vs.pricing for deliverables [37:33] - Best barbecue spots across the U.S NOTABLE QUOTES: "Everybody has a story to tell, and unfortunately, most people die with their stories inside them." "Your expertise is up there between your ears, and guess who's right next door, shouting out the window? It's all the mindsets that hold you back." "Lack of confidence equals lack of clarity." "You don't want to start a business with no plan. You don't want to start a business with too good of a plan." "Your playbook changed over time, and that's the way it is for every business." "If you grew up in a scarcity mindset because of your family of origin, or an abundance mindset, you've got two totally different views of the world." "Our clients see more value in us than we see ourselves." "It's not about you, per se. It is about those you serve." "Clients buy for their own reasons, not for the reasons that we come up with." "Your personal brand is not what you think it is. It's what others say about you when you're not in the room." "If you have a mindset that revolves around others and their hopes, wants, needs, desires, anxieties, fears, and serving them, then it changes a lot about your business." "If you really want to serve people, you've got to be in business by definition. You can't run the business up on the rocks, give everything away, and be sustainable and serve people." USEFUL LINKS: https://www.johnray.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnray1/ www.amazon.com/author/johnray The Price and Value Journey - https://tinyurl.com/PriceAndValueJourneyPodcast North Fulton Business Radio - https://tinyurl.com/NorthFultonBusinessRadio The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success By Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices - https://a.co/d/09DYp6Gs CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

July 31, 2026Episode 32849 min

Episode 328 Protection Services, Not Just for Elites with Roy Smith (Part 2)

John continues his conversation with Roy Smith. They discuss why modest living can be a security strategy and what recent high-profile incidents reveal about gaps in security systems. Roy also shares practical advice for influencers and high-profile people on how to stay off the wrong people's radar, build the right security posture, and hire the right people for protection. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Wealthy people like Sam Walton and Warren Buffett lived modestly [02:36] - Some ways to stay off the wrong people's radar [05:01] - Basic security strategy for influencers & high-profile people [07:38] - Roy's thoughts on clients carrying firearms [10:37] - What went wrong during the attempted assassination of Donald Trump [14:25] - Charlie Kirk incident from a protection standpoint [19:48] - How Viking EPS finds and hires security professionals [22:35] - Why character matters more than an impressive resumé [25:21] - Rapport vs. professional distance with clients [28:00] - Every client needs a different style of protection [31:02] - How often do real threats happen? [32:03] - Why media protection is where Roy sees the most threats [34:04] - Roy's definition of success [36:00] - Traits of a great leader [36:39] - How Roy's team responds to his leadership [38:10] - Best advice Roy ever got [39:09] - Legacy Roy wants to leave [39:45] - How Roy is investing in his growth [41:44] - When John lost 50% of revenue in two months during 2008 [44:20] - How to connect with Roy [47:46] - Book recommendations [49:30] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "If no one really knows who you are, they're not going to watch you." "Don't be reactive. Be proactive." "Don't just think, 'Oh, I'm not a target,' because that's when you may become a target." "If I get in a gunfight with someone, protecting someone, I've already lost because now my client is exposed." "On paper, you can make your resume look like a beast... But when you put the boots on the ground is when you actually can see how someone really is." "Success is taking your God-given talents, and using it to the best of your ability every day." "Don't let ego get in your way of success." "How can I ask you to do something that I'm not willing to do?" "The wisdom only comes from screwing up." "A good leader is someone who has compassionate understanding, knowledge, but not knowledge to a point where they believe they know everything, and they can still learn from the people that are underneath them and working beside them." BOOKS MENTIONED: Left of Bang: How the Marine Corps' Combat Hunter Program Can Save Your Life by Patrick Van Horne and Jason A. Riley ( https://a.co/d/0h5VqQLm ) The Art of War by Sun Tzu ( https://a.co/d/0j0tqq5T ) Green Book (book and movie) USEFUL LINKS: https://vikingeps.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/roysmithviking/ https://www.instagram.com/viking_eps/ https://www.facebook.com/roy.smith.12720 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573089273718&ref=NONE_xav_ig_profile_page_web https://x.com/vikingeps https://www.youtube.com/@vikings-d9g CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

July 24, 2026Episode 32751 min

Episode 327 Protection Services, Not Just for Elites with Roy Smith (Part 1)

John talks with Roy Smith — founder and president of Viking Executive Protection Solutions (Viking EPS), founder of the Viking Training Academy, executive protection specialist, security consultant, former law enforcement officer, and devoted husband and loving father. Through Viking EPS, Roy provides executive protection, corporate security, and risk management services for business leaders, public figures, and government agencies. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [00:38] - Roy's bio [01:41] - The Viking Training Academy [03:05] - Viking's three main services [05:04] - Working with political clients and public figures [06:20] - Doxing and why everyone should care about online security [09:26] - Simple ways to minimize the risk of cybercrime [11:43] - Problems with chip cards and tap‑to‑pay systems [15:18] - Roy's journey from law enforcement to business owner [23:30] - How Roy invests in his marriage while running a demanding business [26:48] - John's advice on building a stronger marriage [35:09] - Roy's ideal client [36:42] - What executive protection services cost [39:48] - Concierge security services for personal outings [40:50] - Where Viking Executive Protection operates [41:50] - Corporate vs. personal security [43:27] - Working with celebrities and media personalities [45:38] - The hidden risks for social media influencers NOTABLE QUOTES: "Anyone can tap into a Wi-Fi signal, and if you are nearby, they can actually access your device." "It is important for the everyday person to understand the safety, risks, and security of all the devices they have that deal with Wi-Fi and the connection." "Cash is king!" "The more you rely on your phone to be your go-to for everything, for all your passwords, all these apps, Google Pay, Apple Pay, and all those things, the more at risk you are. Anytime you rely on one device to be your go-to for all your financial information, you are at risk." "Have crazy, crazy, crazy passwords… Have difficult passwords, and don't rely on your electronic device to hold all your information." "In order to be great in business, it actually starts at home. If things aren't going well at home, business will never be as good as it can be — EVER." "If you don't have a place of relaxation, a safe place, and that place is at home, because when you go home and you have more chaos, then you're going to be in turmoil. You have no place to reset." "I know that I would not be nearly as successful as I am.. if I didn't have a strong foundation with my family to support me." "If I get a license plate, I can pretty much find who you are." "Just because you have it doesn't mean you have to show it." "The ultimate nightmare for a security professional is someone who is just not willing to understand the vulnerability that they are in." USEFUL LINKS: https://vikingeps.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/roysmithviking/ https://www.instagram.com/viking_eps/ https://www.facebook.com/roy.smith.12720 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573089273718&ref=NONE_xav_ig_profile_page_web https://x.com/vikingeps https://www.youtube.com/@vikings-d9g CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

July 17, 2026Episode 32640 min

Episode 326 The Fighter's Mindset with Melissa Mae Jordy (Part 2)

John continues his conversation with Melissa Mae Jordy. In this episode, Melissa shares how difficult times prepare us for a greater purpose and what she learned from military service, bodybuilding, business, and motherhood. She also talks about the importance of obedience to God's will (even when it seems unclear) and shares her experiences with divine detours and the lessons learned from them. In the previous episode, Melissa shared her story from growing up in poverty and surviving abuse to serving in the military and finding healing through faith. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Why growth begins with letting go of your old self [04:44] - Melissa's new approach to dating and relationships [07:49] - Melissa's experience at the Whiteman Air Force Base [11:02] - Leaving the military and finding a new perspective [12:30] - Why she started bodybuilding and what it taught her [15:51] - Why Melissa stopped competing [18:03] - Closing her fitness centers and its effect on staff and members [18:50] - Moving from physical fighting to spiritual fighting [21:44] - Ministry in business vs. church walls [24:43] - Melissa's definition of success [25:36] - #1 daily habit [26:15] - Traits of a great leader [26:44] - The legacy Melissa wants to leave behind [27:09] - How Melissa invests in her growth [28:25] - Creating memories with her kids [30:27] - Best way to reach out and support Melissa [35:16] - Books recommended [38:48] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "We want the glory. We want the goodness, and with that comes suffering." "The reality is we live in a broken world. We live in a dark world, but the great news is God has given us authority, and he's given us power to bring light to this world." "We're not guaranteed tomorrow. We're guaranteed today, the present moment." "You could weep and cry about the past, or be concerned and worried about the future, or you can live today." "If you're not mentally and spiritually sound, the physical is very challenging." "Your gifts and talents are to be used in some sort of capacity. Don't get lethargic. Don't become a wanderer. Don't go drifting." "If you can't find the joy in what you're doing, you shouldn't be doing it. You should be able to find the joy in everything you're doing." "Your health is your wealth. If you have your health, you have a million wishes. If you don't have your health, you have one wish, and generally that's for your health." "If you're still here on earth, there's still a purpose in your life." "Those who grow need to be low. Stay humble. Understand that there's always room for more." "We're so connected to computers and devices and social media. That's not really social. Social is people coming together in person and creating experiences in life together, not just sharing portions of their life online." BOOKS MENTIONED: Bloodlines: Unveiling What Was Buried, Redeeming What Was Lost by Isi Igenegba ( https://a.co/d/0aWTnU4g ) The Unseen Realm: Recovering the Supernatural Worldview of the Bible by Michael S. Heiser ( https://a.co/d/0dJTxnXc ) Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success by Napoleon Hill ( https://a.co/d/01AYWT15 ) USEFUL LINKS: https://www.melissamaejordy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamaejordy/ https://www.instagram.com/melissamaejordy/ https://www.facebook.com/melissa.mae.656367 https://x.com/MelissaMaeJordy The Fighter's Mindset: Transform Adversity Into Your Ally ( https://a.co/d/05UDUkR9 ) CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@iamjohnhulen EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

July 10, 2026Episode 32540 min

Episode 325 The Fighter's Mindset with Melissa Mae Jordy (Part 1)

Episode 325 The Fighter's Mindset with Melissa Mae Jordy (Part 1) John talks with Melissa Mae Jordy — U.S. Air Force combat veteran, entrepreneur, speaker, high-performance coach, fight trainer, former bodybuilder and owner of multiple 9Round Kickboxing gyms, and author of The Fighter's Mindset: Transform Adversity Into Your Ally, and loving mother. Melissa is also a faith-based mentor and helps people build resilience, strengthen their faith, and turn life's challenges into opportunities for growth. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Intro [01:25] - Purpose and destiny rooted in her God-given name [02:45] - How she earned the fighter name "Heaven's Haymaker" [04:45] - Melissa's backstory [06:42] - Life happens for you, not to you [09:05] - The "F" (Foundation) in her FIGHT framework [12:44] - Failing vs. Failure [16:07] - How her kids see the new Melissa [17:02] - Rescuing her daughter from a dangerous situation [19:05] - Seeking validation and the power of authenticity [25:17] - Mental and spiritual strength matter in self-defense [27:28] - Repeating patterns and finally changing [30:06] - Redefining love from toxic to true [33:50] - How to turn life's hardest moments into your greatest strengths NOTABLE QUOTES: "The difference between stepping stones and stumbling blocks is how you use them." "Chances are, in life, you're going to get punched in the face. How long you stay down is determined by your beliefs, and are you prepared? And, that has everything to do with your foundation." "Anybody doing something in life is guaranteed to get punched in the face. So I ask you: How solid is your foundation?" "Not only is life going to happen for you, but you can sit there on your foundation and be like, 'Okay, I know this is coming to protect, promote, or perfect me.' You can move forward looking for the light, the love, and the lesson." "What you've done, John, is you've taken life happening to you, to life happening for you, to now happening through you by making an impact for others and bringing stories and testimony to life here on your podcast. I'm sure this is just one fruit that has been produced from your divorce." "Adversity is necessary to build character. It's character transformation." "Adversity is seen as bad, but adversity is necessary and should be welcomed and celebrated because that means God is bringing something out of you to protect, promote, or perfect you." "It's not the hand you're dealt; it's how you play the hand you're dealt." "Christ says the righteous man will fall seven times. You can't fall seven times if you're not getting back up." "Nothing connects more spiritually with another human than the authenticity of a pure soul." "Forgiveness isn't allowing them access." "You have to unbecome to become, and a lot of us need to unbecome to become." USEFUL LINKS: https://www.melissamaejordy.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamaejordy/ https://www.instagram.com/melissamaejordy/ https://www.facebook.com/melissa.mae.656367 https://x.com/MelissaMaeJordy The Fighter's Mindset: Transform Adversity Into Your Ally ( https://a.co/d/05UDUkR9 ) CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/

July 3, 2026Episode 32435 min

Episode 324 Spy Smarts: How to Lead and Communicate Like an Intelligence Pro with Don Weber (Part 2)

John continues his conversation with Don Weber. They dig into body language, how to tell if someone is comfortable or stressed, and why leaders must learn to really listen and watch for small signals in people's faces and behavior. Don also shares some simple habits for better communication. In the previous episode, Don shared how he unexpectedly entered the world of intelligence, the dangers he faced, the lessons he learned about trust, motivation, and human behavior, and why communication is one of the most important skills anyone can develop. Listen to this episode to learn more: [00:00] - Why body language is an underused communication skill [03:05] - "If somebody pauses, they're lying." [05:50] - Why leaders need to understand body language and micro-expressions [07:54] - The best source of information [08:28] - Essential components of great communication [10:14] - You don't always have to speak [12:40] - Why so many people are bad at communication [14:12] - Customer service with AI [15:20] - Role of faith in Don's work and business [18:49] - "I was wrong" vs. "I'm sorry" [20:05] - Don's time in intelligence work was very dangerous [22:30] - PTSD-like effects Don had to deal with [23:15] - Is there a book coming? [25:04] - What success really means [26:42] - #1 daily habit [29:27] - Traits of a great leader [31:09] - Best way to connect with Don [34:28] - Wrap-up NOTABLE QUOTES: "If we just learn to love, love your neighbor as yourself, just the Golden Rule: treat others the way you want to be treated, we'd live in such a paradise. It would be such a better world." "If you want to get your agenda across, if you want to get something done, you're not going to do it fighting; you're going to get it done through collaboration." "A great leader can't do everything themselves. They need people to do it, and you've got to be able to delegate to the right people. So, you have to be very good at reading character and choosing the right people to do your work." "If you don't have the bad, you don't have anything to compare from. If you've only had it good, you have nothing to compare it to." "If you want to change your emotions, the quickest way is to change your body. Take care of your physiology, and that should help take care of your emotions." "You have freedom of speech, but I think it's a lot smarter to think about what you're going to say before you say it." "Do what you say you're going to do, even if people don't like it." BOOK MENTIONED: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman ( https://a.co/d/06NodgCe ) USEFUL LINKS: https://drwebercoaching.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-weber/ https://www.instagram.com/drweberspeaks/ https://www.facebook.com/DRWeberPerformance https://www.youtube.com/@drweberspeaks https://linktr.ee/drwebercoach CONNECT WITH JOHN Website - https://iamjohnhulen.com LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhulen Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/johnhulen Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/johnhulen X - https://x.com/johnhulen YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLX_NchE8lisC4NL2GciIWA EPISODE CREDITS Intro and Outro music provided by Jeff Scheetz - https://jeffscheetz.com/