Mick Unplugged

• Julie Zhuo: Secret Sauce to Success-Teams, Culture and the Future of Management

  Julie Zhuo is the former VP of Product Design at Facebook, where she rose from intern to executive as the company scaled into a global powerhouse. Renowned for her human-centered approach to leadership, Julie is the co-founder of Sundial, a startup that leverages data and AI to help companies make better decisions. She’s also the bestselling author of "The Making of a Manager," an essential guide for new managers navigating the changing landscape of leadership. Julie is passionate about building thoughtful cultures, empowering people, and tackling big, meaningful problems with teams she loves. Takeaways: Managers (and Leaders) Aren’t Born, They’re Made: Julie stresses that effective management is a skill that can be learned and developed—what matters most is a desire for growth, self-awareness, and the willingness to focus on team outcomes rather than just individual output. The Power of Culture and Removing Toxins: Julie highlights the importance of a healthy team culture and the danger of tolerating toxic behaviors—even from high performers—because doing so stifles the potential of the whole group. AI Is Redefining Leadership: As AI and automation increasingly handle outputs, the value of managers will be in guiding teams through change, reinforcing core human values, and focusing on outcomes that matter most. Sound Bites: “The most important thing is to put people first, because nobody can do anything amazing on their own.” “Feedback is a gift—being direct, open, and supportive is what drives growth in a team.” “The one thing you should never tolerate on your team is the asshole; their presence will always limit your culture and your people.” Connect & Discover Julie: Website: https://www.juliezhuo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joulee/?hl=en X: https://x.com/joulee?lang=en Substack: https://substack.com/@joulee?utm_source=global-search Book: The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks at You 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥   Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcastLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/Website:  https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Apple: MickUnplugged

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• Stacey Abrams: Redefining Justice Through the Power of AI

  Stacey Abrams is a renowned political leader, lawyer, author, and advocate for equity and justice. Known for her relentless work supporting voting rights and addressing poverty and inequality, Stacey is also an acclaimed writer of legal thrillers, including her latest work, Coded Justice, which explores the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI in the legal system. With roots in the Deep South, Abrams credits her family and upbringing for inspiring her commitment to social change and her ability to translate complex issues into relatable action. Beyond politics and books, she is a powerful speaker and founder of several organizations advocating for inclusion and systemic reform. Takeaways: Power is Borrowed, Not Owned: Stacey discusses the idea that positions of authority are ultimately “borrowed power,” and true impact comes from influence, not titles. AI & Justice: Her novel Coded Justice highlights both the potential and the danger of integrating AI in the legal system, urging that technology must always operate within ethical guardrails. Leadership is Responsibility, Not Permission: Abrams emphasizes that leadership means taking responsibility and acting even without formal authority—championing the idea of being a “professional troublemaker” for good. Sound Bites: “Poverty is immoral. It is economically inefficient, and it is solvable… For me, it is a call to action.” – Stacey Abrams “You don’t have to be given the authority to act, to have the responsibility of action. And that’s leadership.” – Stacey Abrams “AI is a tool that can be used to build or a tool that can be used to destroy, but it’s just a tool. It’s up to the humans who are wielding it.” – Stacey Abrams Connect & Discover Stacey: Website: https://www.staceyabrams.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/staceyabrams Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StaceyAbramsGA# YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPjnB2FdBAvJp2fKOGzJHww X: https://x.com/staceyabrams Book: Coded Justice: A Thriller 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥   Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website:  https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Apple: MickUnplugged

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• Sunny Bonnell: Reveals Lessons From Embracing Defiance and Uniqueness

  Sunny Bonnell is the trailblazing co-founder of Motto, renowned author of "Rare Breed," and a keynote speaker making waves by championing bold, unconventional leadership. As one of the rare women leaders in the creative industry and a true rebel with a cause, Sunny's mission is to help individuals, teams, and iconic brands unlock their ultimate potential. Driven by a passion for igniting vision and possibility in others, she has ignited transformation for leaders at companies like Google, Microsoft, and the Minnesota Vikings, all while inspiring others to embrace the very traits that make them stand out. Takeaways: Visionary Leadership Isn’t Optional – Sunny stresses that true progress and agility come from visionary leadership that gets clearly communicated and embedded at every level of an organization, not just in the C-suite. Embrace Your “Rare Breed” Traits – The characteristics we’re often told to tone down—rebelliousness, audacity, emotion—can actually be flipped into an unstoppable force when harnessed thoughtfully. Mission, Vision, and Values Require Simplicity and Action – Misalignment happens when company values are complicated. Codify and tie core beliefs to clear actions so your team can rally around a shared mission and truly perform. Sound Bites: “You have to succeed because of who you are, not despite who you are.” “Vision without action is just a daydream. You need both visionaries and stabilizers for the boat to go anywhere.” “If you’re not looking for big things, I’m not the person for you. We do big things.” Connect & Discover Sunny: LinkedIn:  linkedin.com/in/sunnybonnell Instagram:  Instagram.com/sunnybonnell Website:  www.sunnybonnell.com Website: www.wearemotto.com  Website: VisionCamp Youtube:  https://www.youtube.com/rarebreedtv  Book:  Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥   Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website:  https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Apple: MickUnplugged

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• Brendan Kane: Dominate Social Media with Actionable Tips & Storytelling Mastery

  Brendan Kane is a renowned digital strategist, author, and speaker who has built a name for himself by cracking the code on attention in the fast-paced world of social media. With a track record that includes pioneering YouTube influencer campaigns, developing digital platforms for icons like Taylor Swift and Rihanna, and generating over one million followers in just 30 days, Brendan is the go-to expert for understanding storytelling and growth in the digital space. His books, including "One Million Followers," "Hook Point," and "The Guide to Going Viral," have helped thousands master the art and science of authentic, scalable content creation. Brendan’s mission is to empower individuals and brands worldwide to stand out, connect meaningfully, and transform their visions into digital success.  Takeaways: Storytelling Is Everything: The foundation of social media success isn’t luck or fancy equipment—it’s mastering the art of storytelling through authentic formats that fit your personality and purpose. Start Where You Are, Master One Format: You don’t need to be a tech wizard or have celebrity status to make an impact. Focus on one content format or platform you resonate with, master it, and then consider diversifying. Social Media Is a Scalable, Accessible Tool: Whatever your business, message, or ambition—social media gives everyone the power to reach millions, drive impact, and even build billion-dollar brands, all with the phone in your pocket. Sound Bites: “It’s not about going viral for the sake of virality. True digital success is about the stories that connect people to who we are and what we stand for.” “If you can master authentic storytelling, it doesn’t matter if you’re a dentist or a rock star—you can build an audience and scale your business.” “Success on social isn’t about the platforms you post on, but about how powerfully you tell your story and why the world should care.” Connect & Discover Brendan: Website: https://brendanjkane.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brendankane Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrendanJamesKane/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjkane/ Book: The Guide to Going Viral Book: Hook Point Book: One Million Followers: How I Built a Massive Social Following in 30 Days 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥   Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website:  https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Apple: MickUnplugged

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• Sonja Keeve: Empower Yourself and Others by Owning Your Narrative

  Sonja Keeve is a powerhouse in the podcasting world, renowned for her passionate advocacy and the creation of safe spaces for everyday women to share their transformative stories. After experiencing multiple corporate layoffs and being told to "dim her light," Sonja found her true calling as the host of "Inspiring Nations." Her mission is personal—carving out room for voices that are too often unheard, and empowering women to speak up and step into their greatness. Drawing from her own challenges and triumphs, Sonja has built a global platform that not only inspires and heals but also sparks new beginnings, leadership, and connection across communities. Key Takeaways: Know Your Purpose: Before starting a podcast, get clear on your "why." Identify your goal—whether it’s to build community, connect with others, or monetize your knowledge—so your show has true direction and impact. Tell Your Story with Confidence: Sharing your authentic story, no matter how ordinary it may seem, has the power to inspire, heal, and create ripple effects in your community and beyond. Vulnerability and authenticity build real connections with listeners. Monetize What You Already Have: The easiest way to start monetizing your podcast is by leveraging existing products, services, or expertise. See your podcast as your own advertising channel to promote your offerings organically.  Sound Bites: "If you were your younger self on the other side of that mirror, what would you want to know to take the next step?" "Podcasting is this intimate connection where your voice taps into someone’s soul." "Your life is your story—if you don’t share it, what might happen for the person who needs to hear it? Connect & Discover Sonja: Website: https://sonjakeeve.com/ Book: Beyond the Mic: The Game Changing Guide to Podcasting Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonjakeeve/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonjakeeve/ Podcast: Inspiring Nations with Sonja Keeve Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonjakeeve 🔥 Ready to Unleash Your Inner Game-Changer? 🔥   Mick Hunt’s brand-new 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: https://www.instagram.com/mickunplugged/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mickunplugged/   YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@MickUnpluggedPodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickhunt/ Website:  https://mickhuntofficial.com/ Apple: MickUnplugged

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