You Are The Brand

What happens when you step outside your comfort zone and immerse yourself in something bigger than yourself? Fresh from a great trip to Uganda, I’m grappling with deep questions about work, meaning, and the unexpected ways life pulls us forward. This episode is a raw, unfiltered reflection on what I experienced—and how it’s shifting my perspective.

🔹 The real reason I said yes to this trip after years of saying no
🔹 How doing work on the ground changed my relationship with my own expertise
🔹 The unexpected lesson the Nile River taught me about life and connection
🔹 Why passion fades—and how to reignite it in a way that feels real
🔹 What I saw that broke my heart (and why it made me want to give more of myself)

Join me as I unpack this journey, the emotions I didn’t expect, and the big questions I’m still sitting with. Let’s see where the river takes us.

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Today I talk with James Beng Lee to rethink success. Whether it’s hitting a financial goal, publishing books, or building a business, many people reach a point where they ask: What now?

James has worked with top performers across various industries and has seen firsthand how success can often feel hollow when it’s not defined correctly. We discuss the phases when people start questioning their definition of success, how the fear of not enough keeps us stuck in achievement cycles, and why true transformation requires more than just hitting the next milestone.

We also break down the crucial role of support networks and why so many high achievers struggle with loneliness. James introduces his 4S Framework—a way to recalibrate the relationships in your life to better support your growth. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve "made it" but still feel a void, this conversation will give you new insights into what truly matters.

CONNECT WITH JAMES BENG LEE

Website: https://liveholystic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamesbenglee/

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In this episode, my friend Nick Cavuoto flips the script and puts me in the hot seat. We cover everything from my childhood dreams of becoming a comic book artist to the lessons I’ve learned from my parents, my entrepreneurial journey, and why books have become my personal legacy. 

I also open up about my relationship with my father—how we went nearly a decade without speaking, the wild stories from his past (including an actual CIA job offer!), and how reconnecting with him shifted my perspective on life, business, and self-worth. 

If you’ve ever struggled with defining success, questioned where you’re heading next, or wrestled with family dynamics and personal growth, this is one of my most candid conversations yet.

Get my book, You Are the Brand: https://amzn.to/40Ntc2O

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I’d love for you to follow me on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks!

If you’ve ever felt stuck doing everything yourself, this episode is for you. In this episode I sit down with Jen Kem to talk about her new book, Unicorn Team, and how it changed the way I think about building a team, managing ideas, and stepping into my own role as a leader. We share the hard truths about why working harder isn’t the answer and the mindset shifts that make all the difference.

Why your next level requires a mindset shift from “donkey work” to “unicorn thinking” How to identify the right team members, even if you’re just starting out The key to turning endless ideas into actionable, profitable projects Why solopreneurs need to focus on culture, even with small or part-time teams Jen’s practical framework for filtering ideas and delegating effectively

Resources Mentioned:

Jen Kem’s book, Unicorn Team

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I’d love for you to follow me on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks!

In this episode, I open up about my decision to travel to Uganda—a trip that’s less about adventure and more about reconnecting with what truly matters. After more than a decade in an industry that glorifies success and appearances, I’ve found myself searching for deeper meaning and alignment in life and work. This journey represents a step away from “life as usual” and into the unknown. 

Why a decade of success left me craving something deeper—and how I’m answering that call. The surprising lesson marketing has taught me about truth, appearances, and connection. What it means to step outside the familiar and embrace the courage to feel again. How personal growth and outgrowing work can lead to greater alignment and purpose. A powerful question for you: What’s calling you to reconnect with your life’s deeper meaning?

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I’d love for you to follow me on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks!

What if you could breathe new life into your book and connect with readers in a fresh, personal way? In this episode, I share a simple but powerful strategy I’ve started using: creating a “director’s cut” of your book.

This approach not only gives your book a second life but also doubles as a standout marketing strategy on YouTube. Tune in to hear why this works, how I approached it for You Are the Brand, and how you can easily create your own director’s cut.

Why YouTube is the perfect platform for authors looking to connect with readers. What a director’s cut of your book is and how it can set you apart from other authors. How I created a personal, behind-the-scenes take on my book that resonated with my audience. Simple steps to create your own director’s cut video, even if you’re new to YouTube. How this strategy keeps your book relevant and boosts sales long after its release.

Get You Are the Brand on Amazon »

In this first episode of 2025, I reflect on a decade of being in business full-time (I went full time in August of 2015). This is an honest look at what it truly takes to build a life and business that align with your values.

Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned entrepreneur, I hope these stories and insights will inspire you to live and work with greater intention.

The 7 Lessons:

Pain Pushes Until the Vision Pulls Honor Your Convictions and Make Decisions You'll be Proud of Later Sh*t Happens... And It Can Also Be a Great Fertilizer for Your Future Know Thyself, Entrepreneurship is Full of Emotional Whiplash Relationships Are Rocketships but Also Safe Havens You Can't Always Play 100% Through Pain The Way Out of Your Head is Through Your Heart

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I’d love for you to follow me on Apple Podcasts if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks!

If you’re dreaming about leaving your 9-to-5 to build a business, but you’re unsure where to start, I get it. Nearly 10 years ago, I was in your shoes—working long hours as a CMO, feeling unfulfilled, and wondering how I could create a life on my terms.

In this episode, I’m sharing exactly how I made the leap to full-time entrepreneurship, including the hard lessons I learned along the way and the strategies that worked. If you’re ready to start making moves toward freedom, this episode will give you the roadmap to get there.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Setting Financial Goals Is Essential: I’ll explain how I made my side hustle match my day job income for three months before making the leap. The Power of Resourcefulness: You’ll hear how I maximized my limited time, from recording podcasts at 5 a.m. to turning my day job into a paying client. How to Test Income Streams Before You Quit: I’ll walk you through why experimenting with coaching, consulting, and courses helped me discover what I loved—and what I didn’t. The Importance of Mentors: I’ll share why investing in masterminds and personal growth made the difference in scaling my business. How to Use Your Day Job as an Advantage: I’ll reveal the strategies I used to leverage my corporate role to fuel my entrepreneurial journey.

Ready to take action? Join me for my free Side Hustle to Six Figures masterclasses at SideToSix.com. Let’s make 2025 the year you take the leap!

In this episode, we explore the drawbacks of hustle culture and the importance of integrating rest into our lives for sustainability. Through my experience with professional wrestling, I learned how relentless work without breaks can lead to burnout. The episode encourages listeners to rethink their approach to work by simulating urgent scenarios to practice delegation and task management. By prioritizing relationships and commitments that truly matter, the episode advocates for a balanced lifestyle where taking intentional breaks is essential. 

Tune in to gain insights on crafting a fulfilling life that doesn't compromise well-being.

In this episode, you will hear about:

Challenging the relentless hustle culture and embracing the necessity of rest. Using high-stakes scenarios to practice delegation and task management. The importance of prioritizing meaningful relationships and commitments. Personal experiences about stepping back for a balanced life. The importance of rest for sustainable productivity and well-being.

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We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.

In today’s episode, I get real about how my life hasn’t turned out the way I expected—and how that’s okay. I’ve spent a lot of time questioning the “standard” path of success and realizing that it’s not always the one we’re meant to walk. I

f you’ve ever felt like your life isn’t going as planned, or if you’ve wondered if you’re climbing the right mountain, this episode is for you. I’ll share how I came to embrace my unique journey and why not giving up, even when it’s hard, is the key to finding fulfillment.

I talk about why it’s okay to let go of the idea of success that everyone else follows and how to create your own path. I share the moment when I met a mentor who helped me realize that the career I thought I wanted wasn’t the one for me. I dive into how loneliness and self-doubt can be part of the journey—and why they’re worth facing head-on. Learn why it’s crucial to invest in your personal growth, even when the results aren’t immediate. If you’ve ever felt lost or uncertain, I hope my story will encourage you to keep going and remind you that you’re not alone.

If you’re in a season of uncertainty, feeling like you’re not measuring up, or just needing a little encouragement, this episode is for you. Tune in and let’s talk about what it really means to grow, learn, and create a future that feels right for you.