#62 WES WATSON

Delve into the formidable world of the Bottom Boyz in the gripping REAL ONES with Jon Bernthal podcast, where host Jon Bernthal engages with Don Wilson, Sebastian Richardson, Ricardo Wilson, and Richard Wilson in a candid discussion about loyalty, life, and the prospect of change. The Bottom Boyz stand distinct in the urban landscape, not bound by the rules of traditional gangs; their ties are rooted in the essence of community and are reflected in a remarkable sense of unity that transcends backgrounds and affiliations.

In a potent exploration of street ethics and justice, the episode uncovers the Bottom Boyz’ code of conduct—unyielding in its approach to righteousness and conflict resolution. As Ricardo Wilson voices concerns over the fading reverence in youth, and Richard Wilson questions the authenticity of political leaders, the narrative traverses incarceration, aspirational change, and empowerment. The guests’ poignant reflections and shared experiences forge a powerful testament to their unshakeable loyalty and commitment to collective uplift, showcasing how even in the most challenging environments, there is a quest for direction and deeper societal integration.

In this milestone 100th episode of "Aware & Aggravated," join Leo Skepi as he candidly delves into the trials and tribulations of his versatile career. From his early days juggling a fledgling YouTube channel and nursing studies to branching out into real estate and entrepreneurial pursuits like e-commerce, Skepi shares a raw and insightful narrative of the failures and setbacks that have shaped his journey. Each chapter of his professional life, rife with risks and abrupt changes, reveals a pattern of perseverance and a relentless drive to overcome obstacles.

Despite the winding path, Skepi has successfully carved out a niche as a podcaster and life coach, reflecting the growth, tenacity, and innovation at the heart of his endeavors. Integrating his personal values into every venture, Leo's story is more than just a series of business attempts; it's a testament to integrity and passion-driven work. As "Aware & Aggravated" hits a hundred episodes, listeners are invited to celebrate the evolution of Leo's brand, his continued engagement with the community, and his unyielding commitment to supporting and inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Dive into the captivating world of self-transformation as you lean into Leo Skepi's personal narrative in "Aware & Aggravated," his testament of overcoming the addiction to smoking outlined in episode 89. Unravel the layers of his struggle as he battles dependence and opens up about the power of decisive action. The realities of his transformation from nicotine-dependence to personal growth present riveting insights into the battle for self-control.

In this episode, not only will you grasp the intricate dynamics of self-mastery and self-control, but you will also be inspired by the tangible physical and emotional transformations that Leo experiences post-smoking. His journey, reaching beyond his personal experiences, serves as an encouraging narrative that emphasizes the inherent power everyone possesses to inspire substantial change in their lives. This is more than just a podcast episode; it's an invitation to embark on your own journey of transformation.

In today’s world, workers must collaborate effectively and provide quality service and knowledge for organizations to thrive—as a leader, this requires you to maximize employees’ productivity and creativity. However, you can’t achieve this with traditional leadership styles that rely on carrot-and-stick methods of motivation. Instead, you must evolve as a leader—you must inspire employees to maximize their work quality by trusting and encouraging them to achieve their full potential. In Trust and Inspire, Stephen M.R. Covey explains how and why you should step up from traditional to inspirational leadership to succeed in all areas of your organization and life.

In this guide, you’ll learn why modern work requires inspirational leaders, the five doctrines inspirational leaders believe in, and the three commitments you must adopt to become an inspirational leader. Our commentary will compare Covey’s ideas to other popular approaches to leadership, such as those discussed in Complexity Leadership Theory, First Things First by Stephen R. Covey, and The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni.

Never underestimate the power of a good story. In Stories That Stick, brand strategist Kindra Hall explains why stories are probably the answer to most of your business problems—from building a brand, to connecting with customers, or creating long-lasting impact. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or creative professional, this book will inspire you to harness the power of storytelling to communicate more effectively and bridge the gap between you and your audience. Drawing from examples of successful brands, Hall explains how storytelling can transform your marketing strategy and your business.

In this guide, we’ll discuss why stories are so powerful, explain what makes a good story, and introduce four core story models you can start using right away. We’ll also include prompts to help you build a stockpile of compelling stories. We’ll cite examples of companies using effective storytelling in their marketing and compare Hall’s advice with that of other marketing strategists like Daniel Pink (To Sell Is Human) and Seth Godin (All Marketers Are Liars).

In Be Your Future Self Now, Benjamin Hardy argues that true success requires living up to your full potential—that is, becoming the highest version of yourself. Anything short of this is a form of failure. However, becoming the person you want to be is one of life’s most difficult challenges. Hardy explains that it requires knowing exactly who your higher self is, identifying the big, life-changing goals that will get you there, and dedicating yourself to those goals above everything else.

In this guide, we’ll present Hardy’s argument for why you should commit to becoming your higher self now. Then, we’ll explain how to identify your higher self and Hardy’s recommendations for adopting the mindset and dedication needed to become this person. We’ll supplement Hardy’s ideas with those of other success experts including Daniel Walter (The Power of Discipline), Gary Keller (The One Thing), and Darren Hardy (The Compound Effect).

In his epic 707-page Tools of Titans, Tim Ferriss shares the habits and beliefs of 101 people at the top of their game, including tech investors like Chris Sacca and Peter Thiel, entrepreneurs like LinkedIn’s Reid Hoffman and Evernote’s Phil Libin, superhuman athletes like Amelia Boone and Wim Hof, media figures like Edward Norton and Whitney Cummings, and more.

These are the principles that successful people use to achieve audacious goals, improve themselves, and be happier. The premise: if you can apply the lessons from this book, you can be more effective.

In The 50th Law, rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) and author Robert Greene argue that the biggest factor holding us back in life is fear—of what others think of us, what we’ll lose, the future, and so on. This natural fearfulness developed to help us survive in ancient times, but in modern times, we rarely face life-threatening situations where it’s warranted. As a result, our fearfulness only holds us back from gaining power and success. Jackson and Greene argue that you must become fearless to truly thrive.

In this guide, we’ll start by explaining how Jackson’s fearlessness helped him overcome his hardships and achieve power and success. Next, we’ll discuss the rules Jackson and Greene say are necessary to follow to become fearless and principles that’ll help you follow each one. In our commentary, we’ll supplement Jackson and Greene’s advice with recommendations from other experts on success, like Daniel Walter (The Power of Discipline). We’ll also compare the ideas in this book to those in some of Greene’s previous works, including The 48 Laws of Power.

Join Shawn Ryan, veteran Navy SEAL and host of the "Shawn Ryan Show," as he engages in a profound dialogue with John Lovell and Jason Redman, two distinguished military veterans. This episode offers a raw and illuminating look into the transformation from elite service members to influential civilians. Lovell discusses his tenure with the 75th Ranger Battalion and sheds light on the nuanced leadership techniques that he developed to inspire and elevate his team. Meanwhile, the poignant topic of loss in the line of duty and the solace found in faith paints a gripping picture of the emotional fortitude required of those who serve.

Beyond the battlefield, this installment delves into the veterans' return to civilian life and the ensuing quest for purpose. John Lovell takes us through his venture of transitioning military discipline and expertise into the entrepreneurship of tactical training, sparking the conception of the Warrior Poet Society—an endeavor that blends the art of combat with a poet's heart. The conversation also explores personal evolution, including how faith and marriage can flourish post-service. Touching on the challenges faced by today's youth and the vital role of education, Ryan and his guests underscore the responsibility of imparting wisdom to the next generation, inviting the community to join the journey of collective growth through the lens of their experiences.

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of others? Do you want to change the world? To do anything meaningful, you’re going to have to work with people. And if you’re working with people, you need to know how to lead them.

The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership is a guide to the major principles of leadership. Learn how to connect with and influence people. Learn how to empower others and build an all-star leadership team. And learn how to create a succession plan and leave a legacy.

Dive deep into the story of Alli Webb, the mastermind behind the $255M beauty empire Drybar, in The Mel Robbins Podcast. Webb shares her incredible transition from a stay-at-home mom to a successful entrepreneur, marking her mark in the beauty industry with a unique business model. Alongside host Mel Robbins, Webb delves into how she identified a niche for convenient hairstyling, and transformed it into a thriving business that revolutionalized the salon experience by prioritizing customer delight and stylist empowerment through innovative approaches like removing mirrors and implementing an hourly payment system for her team.

Webb's tale isn't just about business acumen; it's also a raw look at the personal sacrifices and relationship dynamics that come with relentless ambition. She opens up about the challenges of balancing her intense commitment to Drybar with her family life, leading to intimate reflections on marriage, divorce, and the quest for personal happiness. With candid discussions on overcoming imposter syndrome and managing risk, The Mel Robbins Podcast offers listeners a mix of business strategy and personal empowerment, encouraging transparency about the messy truth behind success. Robbins and Webb, with their engaging conversation, serve as an inspiration for anyone daring to pursue their passion and seek a meaningful balance between their professional and personal journeys.