Janice Bryant Howroyd is a pioneering entrepreneur, global business leader, and fierce advocate for equity. As the founder and CEO of the ActOne Group, she became the first African American woman to own and operate a billion-dollar business, transforming a $900 loan into a multibillion-dollar global workforce solutions company operating in over 47 countries. An innovator in staffing and technology, Janice credits her family and humble beginnings in Tarboro, North Carolina, for shaping her values of resilience, ethical entrepreneurship, and the power of culture. Her personal mantra—never compromise who you are personally to become who you wish to be professionally—has inspired countless entrepreneurs and leaders worldwide.
Takeaways:
Authenticity Drives Success: Janice emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself, advocating that you should never compromise personal values for professional aspirations.
Culture is Foundational: According to Janice, company culture isn’t just a branding exercise—it’s woven into every action, relationship, and decision, impacting both business results and personal fulfillment.
Service and Purpose Matter Most: Real success, in Janice’s view, is measured not by wealth but by the impact on family, community, and integrity—the worthy realization of a worthy ideal.
Sound Bites:
“Together we win” isn’t just a Bryant family theme; it became a cornerstone of her billion-dollar business.
Her FEET philosophy (Freedom to innovate, Excellence in delivery, Everyone and everything matters, Time to understand) is the actionable framework driving her company’s growth and culture.
Success is less about financial achievement and more about aligning with a higher purpose and uplifting those around you.
Connect & Discover Janice:
Podcast: Ask JBH
Instagram: @jbryanthowroyd
LinkedIn: @janicebryanthowroyd
Book: Acting Up: Winning in Business and Life Using Down-Home Wisdom
Facebook: @JaniceBryantHowroyd
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
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35:38
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35:38
Mach Speed Mindset with Michelle “Mace” Curran
Michelle "Mace" Curran is a former Thunderbird fighter pilot, author, keynote speaker, and entrepreneur dedicated to empowering others to rise above self-doubt and tackle imposter syndrome head-on. Having flown elite missions and taken on leadership roles within some of the Air Force’s most demanding teams, Michelle now leverages her experience to inspire audiences across the country. Through her transition from high-performing military aviator to entrepreneur and thought leader, she’s passionate about helping others find their own “because,” lead with trust, and push through fear to leave a real legacy. Michelle’s story is one of courage, resilience, and authentic leadership—on and off the runway.
Takeaways:
Imposter syndrome is universal—even experienced leaders deal with it, and the first step to overcoming it is simply acknowledging it and talking about it openly.
Building a high-performing team starts with trust and psychological safety, not just traditional authority—leaders who model vulnerability and accountability foster the strongest cultures.
Facing your fears and making progress doesn’t require massive leaps; start taking “small, bold choices” to move toward your goals and let your confidence grow one step at a time.
Sound Bites:
"The number of experienced leaders who come up after my keynotes and say, 'I feel imposter syndrome every single day'—it’s more common than you think."
"Trust isn’t just a military thing; it’s the foundation of every high-performing team. When errors aren’t hidden, they’re learned from immediately."
"Naming your inner critic gives you power over it—it’s about recognizing when that voice shows up…and choosing not to listen."
Connect & Discover Michelle:
Instagram: @mace_curran
LinkedIn: @macecurran
Facebook: @macecurran/
Website: https://macecurran.com/
Book: The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear Into Your Superpower https://macecurran.com/flipside/
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
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38:18
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38:18
Standing on New Shoulders:The Polite’s Path to Financial Freedom
Crystal and Dedrick Polite are visionary real estate entrepreneurs, TV personalities, and founders of Be Polite Properties. As stars of A&E’s “5050 Flip,” they’ve built a multi-million-dollar real estate empire rooted in faith, family, and an unwavering commitment to generational wealth. Raised in backgrounds shaped by generational poverty, the Polites turned intentionality, resilience, and service into their guiding principles, paving a legacy that goes beyond building doors to opening them for others. Their journey inspires countless aspiring investors through mentorship, coaching, and a powerful message of lifting as they rise.
Takeaways:
Intentionality fuels success: Crystal and Dedrick attribute their achievements to going into every partnership and opportunity with purpose and clarity—from their first “business meeting” date to scaling their real estate ventures.
Mentorship matters: Their path was forged not by luck, but by investing in themselves, seeking out guidance, and ultimately becoming mentors to others. They stress that those who pay for mentorship are the ones who truly commit and succeed.
Legacy is impact: Building wealth isn’t just about accumulating properties; for the Polites, true legacy is measured by how many doors they open for others—dedicating themselves to empowering the next generation and uplifting their community.
Sound Bites:
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” —Crystal Polite
“People who pay, pay attention.” —Crystal Polite
“Start how you want to finish… and that’s exactly what we did on that first date.” —Dedrick Polite
Connect & Discover The Polites:
Instagram: @dedricpolite
@mrsbepolite
YouTube: @bepolite
Website: politewealthportal.com
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
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43:21
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43:21
The Heart Behind the Humor with Roy Wood Jr.
Roy Wood Jr. is a trailblazing comedian, writer, and broadcaster whose journey spans from FAMU to Birmingham, to the national stage on The Daily Show. Rooted in southern culture and steeped in the realities of Black America, Roy’s comedy mixes sharp insight with raw authenticity, making audiences laugh—and think—with every performance. He's the author of "The Man of Many Fathers," a deeply personal book exploring the values and mentorships that shaped his life after the loss of his own dad at 16. Both on stage and in print, Roy uses humor as his tool to challenge, inform, and uplift, leaving a lasting legacy for his son and his audience.
Takeaways:
Legacy with Purpose: Roy sees comedy not just as entertainment but as a way to affirm Black experiences and open eyes to hard truths—his mission is to inform, confirm, and bridge communities.
Improvise and Adapt: Roy's career started by necessity—he created his own internship at Hot 105.7 to fit his schedule and circumstances, teaching himself the craft of radio and standup by learning from real-life experiences and mentors.
The Power of Storytelling: His ability to blend humor with pain and depth, especially in his specials and book, showcases how storytelling can invite audiences into reflection, empathy, and growth.
Sound Bytes:
"I do what I do in an effort to...confirm to our people, to Black people, that they aren't crazy in what they're seeing and what they're feeling..."
"I got my first internship–I need an internship. I believe your morning show could use some hard news in the morning...Van said, bring Starbucks Frappuccinos and a dozen Krispy Kremes every day, and I'll see you at 5:15 sharp."
"Pain is a tool. Sorrow can also be woven into this fabric of what you're presenting...the written word will always have worth."
Connect & Discover Roy:
Instagram: @roywoodjr
Website: roywoodjr.com
X: @roywoodjr
TikTok: @roywoodjr
Facebook: @roywoodjr
Show: Have I Got News For You
Book: The Man of Many Fathers
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
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37:31
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37:31
Breaking Bread and Barriers with Andrew Zimmern
Andrew Zimmern is an Emmy-winning TV host, James Beard Award–winning chef, and one of the most influential food personalities in the world. Renowned for his adventurous spirit and groundbreaking show “Bizarre Foods,” Andrew has dedicated his life to exploring global cultures through their cuisines. Beyond being a culinary trailblazer, he is a passionate advocate for food as a connector and healer, working to address hunger and sustainability both locally and globally. Andrew’s curiosity, honesty, and genuine drive to make the world a better (and tastier) place set him apart, whether he’s sharing a meal with reindeer herders in Lapland or with friends at home.
Takeaways:
Food as a Universal Language: Andrew believes food has the power to heal, connect, and break down barriers – sharing a meal brings out the shared humanity between people regardless of background.
Purpose-Driven Passion: Despite monumental success, Andrew’s “because” is rooted in giving back, making amends, and never ceasing to be curious about the world—a relentless pursuit to make a difference through storytelling and action.
Eating for the Future: Through his new “Blue Food Cookbook,” Andrew advocates for sustainable, ocean-derived foods, arguing that diversifying and responsibly sourcing our diets is paramount to solving global issues from hunger to climate change.
Sound Bites:
“If we diversify our diets, we can save this planet. We can save families.” (Andrew Zimmern)
“Co-regulating with human beings before operationalizing with them is the most crucial thing that you can do.” (Andrew Zimmern)
“We are universally humanized by that experience... sharing food is a neutral ground over which we can communicate with each other, and it has immense value.” (Andrew Zimmern)
Connect & Discover Andrew:
Website: andrewzimmern.com
Instagram: @chefaz
Facebook: @AndrewZimmern
YouTube: @andrewzimmerndotcom
Book: The Blue Food Cookbook
🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥
Mick Hunt’s BEST SELLING book, How to Be a Good Leader When You’ve Never Had One: The Blueprint for Modern Leadership, is here to light a fire under your ambition and arm you with the real-talk strategies that only Mick delivers.
👉 Grab your copy now and level up your life → Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million
FOLLOW MICK ON:
Spotify: MickUnplugged
Instagram: @mickunplugged
Facebook: @mickunplugged
YouTube: @MickUnpluggedPodcast
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Website: MickHuntOfficial.com
Apple: MickUnplugged
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"Mick Unplugged" is a transformative podcast that challenges listeners to move beyond the conventional 'Why' and embrace the empowering realm of 'Because.' Hosted by Mick Hunt, the voice of Modern Leadership, this podcast is designed for leaders, doers, and anyone aspiring to create meaningful impact in both their personal and professional lives. Each episode delves into the principles of Modern Leadership, focusing on discovering your 'Because'—your core driving force—and how it can turn dreams into reality and aspirations into actionable steps. With practical advice, real-life stories, and forward-thinking insights, you’ll learn to make your 'Because' a daily focus, fueling your journey toward success and fulfillment. Whether you’re looking to deepen your motivation, set meaningful goals, or apply modern leadership theories to overcome challenges, "Mick Unplugged" provides the tools, strategies, and insights to guide your path. Subscribe now and start transforming your life with purpose and modern leadership principles.