Ever felt like that next big breakthrough just isn't happening?
Entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and inspiring creators discuss the Tenacious moves they've made to reach the top. Andy Christiansen facilitates these conversations, bringing out unexpected vulnerability. Each discussion is raw and honest. This isn't self-help, it's the nitty gritty.
Andy, a veteran entrepreneur himself, has been a business and life coach for over 20 years. He has passionately coached everyone from Top Brass at the United States Air Force to Fortune 100 business execs. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Joey Jennings Jr. is a surf coach and entrepreneur who believes the ocean is the ultimate
teacher for life and business. From his early days chasing waves to guiding students through
their first ride, Joey discovered that surfing was more than a sport — it was a mindset. The
lessons of patience, balance, and resilience that he teaches in the water translate directly into
his entrepreneurial journey, where he’s learned to embrace risk, adapt to changing conditions,
and keep paddling toward purpose.
As a business owner, mentor, and storyteller, Joey brings a unique perspective that connects
the rhythm of the waves with the rhythm of entrepreneurship. He’s passionate about helping
others unlock their potential, whether they’re standing on a surfboard for the first time or
launching their first business venture. Through podcasts, coaching, and community, Joey
shares real-world wisdom about facing challenges, celebrating wins, and finding meaning in the
ride.
More information, contact info:
IG: joeyjenningsjr
TIK TOK: j_jrob
Contact: purposentertainment.com/pages/joey
Email: surfwithjoey@gmail.com
Jessica Huffman Griffin joins us to discuss how she overcame childhood trauma and a life filled with setbacks and struggles and how she went from surviving to thriving.
Jessica's advice for overcoming life's challenges is not to take it personally, change your mindset, and surround yourself with people who think bigger and better than you. She was her life coach before life coaching existed.
Like coal becoming a diamond, through time and pressure, she has transformed herself from a victim to a victor. She is the poster child of tenacity. The best part of her life is that she now takes time to give back and pour into others so they can overcome and live their best lives.
Top three nuggets from the podcast:
Jessica is a real estate professional in Atlanta, GA, married to Mike, a mother of two and grandmother of three.
Jessica has a knack for healthy living. A few of her go-to sites:
Ultra Wellness Clinic: https://www.ultrawellnesscenter.com/
Dr. Mark Hyman and Function Health: www.functionhealth.com
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-hyman-show/id1382804627
Dave Asprey: https://biohackingconference.com/2025
Dr. Andrew Huberman: https://www.hubermanlab.com
Supplement Jessica uses and myself, AG1: https://drinkag1.com/homepage-newsite
For more information:
Home invasion incident story: https://abcnews.go.com/US/atlanta-home-invasion-victim-prayed-god-shot/story?id=33269852
Contact Jessica:
Email: jessicahuffman@atlantafinehomes.com
Blog: livinglifewithjessica.com
Instagram: @livinglifewithjessica
Facebook: @jessica.eastonhuffman
LinkedIn: @jessicahuffman
In this episode Ben and I discuss how all companies need to think like media or marketing companies. Why? Tune into to hear this great insight.
And what has Ben’s extensive research identified as the #1 problem in most companies with culture/ performance. It’s not what you think. It’s not bean bag chairs, ping pong tables or free snacks.
Hear how craft, cause and community are three tenants you can build a modern workplace culture around.
Ben’s over arching message is "stop guessing and start measuring!"
In his culture architect, strategic advisor and writing career, Ben Ortlip worked with some of the world’s top brands, including Coca-Cola, Ritz-Carlton, Mercedes-Benz, AT&T, UPS, and Chick-fil-A.
In 1990 he started a production company, Kaleo Ranch, that is still in operation. His work has been recognized by the NY Art Director’s Club, the Clio Awards, the ADDYs, and others.
As a ghost-writer, Ben has worked on more than a dozen books and workbooks with well-known thought leaders like John Maxwell, Tony Robbins, Andy Stanley, Patrick Lencioni, Ken Blanchard, Henry Cloud, and the Drucker Institute.
In 2012, Ben’s passion for organizational strategy and leadership development led him to pioneer a process called Cultural Architecting, an integrated methodology for designing and curating cultures that reinforces the company’s unique business strategy.
The Cultural Architecting program is already shaping culture in healthcare, dining, manufacturing, technology, and global petroleum companies. Ben published Culture is the New Leadership in 2024. Ben and his wife, Lisa, have been married 28 years and are raising eight children.
TO CONTACT BEN ORTLIP:
Website: www.thecultureMRI.com
Email: ben@thecultureMRI.com
Mobile (text is best): 770-403-9224
RELATED LINKS/INFO:
Book: Benjamin Ortlip, Culture is the New Leadership. https://a.co/d/iAyAuur
Book: Kouzes/Posner, The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in
Organizations. https://a.co/d/43ksBnR
Peter Drucker books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000AP61TE
Abraham Maslow: https://positivepsychology.com/abraham-maslow/
2024 is the 10th Anniversary of Miriam Webster's word of the year: CULTURE. And we still don’t know what to do with it in most workplaces.
Top three nuggets from the podcast:
The bottom line is motivation; listen to see what to do about motivating those you work with.
In his culture architect, strategic advisor and writing career, Ben Ortlip worked with some of the world’s top brands, including Coca-Cola, Ritz-Carlton, Mercedes-Benz, AT&T, UPS, and Chick-fil-A.
In 1990 he started a production company, Kaleo Ranch, that is still in operation. His work has been recognized by the NY Art Director’s Club, the Clio Awards, the ADDYs, and others. As a ghost-writer, Ben has worked on more than a dozen books and workbooks with well-known thought leaders like John Maxwell, Tony Robbins, Andy Stanley, Patrick Lencioni, Ken Blanchard, Henry Cloud, and the Drucker Institute.
In 2012, Ben’s passion for organizational strategy and leadership development led him to pioneer a process called Cultural Architecting, an integrated methodology for designing and curating cultures that reinforces the company’s unique business strategy.
The Cultural Architecting program is already shaping culture in healthcare, dining, manufacturing, technology, and global petroleum companies. Ben published Culture is the New Leadership in 2024. Ben and his wife, Lisa, have been married 28 years and are raising eight children.
TO CONTACT BEN ORTLIP:
Website: www.thecultureMRI.com
Email: ben@thecultureMRI.com
Mobile (text is best): 770-403-9224
RELATED LINKS/INFO:
Book: Benjamin Ortlip, Culture is the New Leadership. https://a.co/d/iAyAuur
Book: Kouzes/Posner, The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in
Organizations. https://a.co/d/43ksBnR
Peter Drucker books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000AP61TE
Abraham Maslow: https://positivepsychology.com/abraham-maslow/
Elle Ullmann is an American entrepreneur, media mogul, tech investor, and undoubtedly the queen of connecting people. She is the founder of Melt Music & Media Agency: a full-service marketing, technology, and licensing conglomerate. With a focus on influencer marketing, AI, and NFT licensing, MELT assists personal brands in maximizing their potential by leveraging their audience and building communities around emerging technology & IP portfolios."
Elle has always been immersed in entertainment and business. Having attended the star-studded Buckley School in Los Angeles, as well as growing up with a monkey named Clyde and two gorillas, Sam and Sophie, she quickly found her footing as an entrepreneur.
She went on to help create the Greenwich-based entertainment, lifestyle, and performance sport companies Hashtag Board Co., The HashLife Company, and RU3 Performance. Elle achieved further popularity among younger demographics while promoting numerous music artists around the globe, such as Waka Flocka, Pia Mia, Jason Darulo and others.
Her love for music led her to her next business venture: WriteMySong. While attending a music business conference at Harvard University, she met Vincent Berry, who won 2 Grammys as a co-writer of Beyonce’s "Sandcastles." It was there that she saw the opportunity to fuse music and branding, and expanded this concept into MELT Music & Media Agency.
She has since partnered with SULT Agency, the first ever music meta-label aimed to help artists distribute, register, and market their music properly while retaining total control of their royalties. Furthermore, she partners with SULT co-founder, DJ E-Feezy, who has his own label at RocNation, and has also gone on to found the 2021 Houston Fusion Fest.
Beyond music and entertainment, Elle prides herself in being an avid tech investor, Elle is a shareholder and advisor to the NFT marketplace BYT.io, and RarityMon: the most accurate rarity NFT checker. Additionally, she is an investor of the E-Sports team XSET, and currently invests in AR, AI, and 5G Stocks, Audience Building Platforms, Music and Gaming distribution platforms, and API ad and payment integrations. Furthermore, Elle is a shareholder of Equalitude, a company built on conscious commerce and whose slogan is “An Attitude of Equality.” She signed a global license for UNESCO Center for Peace to promote equality worldwide.
Elle is passionate about mentoring entrepreneurs to help them learn how to create and grow their income for lifelong financial security. She believes consistency is one of the top 10 attributes of success, and lives by the mantra, ”Success is a series of successful days.”
To connect with Elle, DM her on any of her social channels:
X (Twitter): @elleullmann
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/elleullmann
IG/Threads: elleullmann
Web: meltmma.com
And don’t forget to grab you PPV for the Crawford-Spence fight date TBD in LasVegas, NV. https://www.sho.com/sports/fights
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/overwhelmedpod/support
About our guest, Dr. Bill DeMarco. His life’s work: “To be highly knowledgeable, capable and hungry in leading and supporting the people I live and work with and to lead others in powerful and effective uses of vision casting, strategy, and history….And to do it all with an understanding heart.”
Passionate about all things leadership and developing the ultimate in high performance leaders–J. William “Bill” DeMarco serves as the Director Air University Innovation Accelerator (AUiX) and as a Professor of Leadership Studies Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Maxwell AFB, Alabama. His Leadership and Command experiences include command at the squadron, group, and region level, as well as serving as ACSC’s 44th Commandant.
Bill is an adjunct professor with Auburn University in Leadership. He served as a National Security Affairs Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and is a fellow at The Judge Business School, Cambridge University, England, as well as a senior associate with GiANT Worldwide leadership consulting. He is a TEDx speaker and also contributes as a leadership consultant for the National WWII Museum’s Corporate Leadership Academy in New Orleans, LA, and is the founder and CEO of the Mastermind Century Group, LLC. Bill volunteers and serves on the 100th Bomb Group Foundation’sBoard of Directors and as an Advisor for Gen-Pol a think-tank consultancy and social enterprise.
Bill is married to Sundie and together they have three sons and one grandson.
To connect with Bill visit
AUix: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUiX/
The Mastermind Century Group
https://m100group.com/
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/overwhelmedpod/support
About our guest, Dr. Bill DeMarco. His life’s work: “To be highly knowledgeable, capable and hungry in leading and supporting the people I live and work with and to lead others in powerful and effective uses of vision casting, strategy, and history….And to do it all with an understanding heart.”
Passionate about all things leadership and developing the ultimate in high performance leaders–J. William “Bill” DeMarco serves as the Director Air University Innovation Accelerator (AUiX) and as a Professor of Leadership Studies Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) Maxwell AFB, Alabama. His Leadership and Command experiences include command at the squadron, group, and region level, as well as serving as ACSC’s 44th Commandant.
Bill is an adjunct professor with Auburn University in Leadership. He served as a National Security Affairs Fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution and is a fellow at The Judge Business School, Cambridge University, England, as well as a senior associate with GiANT Worldwide leadership consulting. He is a TEDx speaker and also contributes as a leadership consultant for the National WWII Museum’s Corporate Leadership Academy in New Orleans, LA, and is the founder and CEO of the Mastermind Century Group, LLC. Bill volunteers and serves on the 100th Bomb Group Foundation’sBoard of Directors and as an Advisor for Gen-Pol a think-tank consultancy and social enterprise.
Bill is married to Sundie and together they have three sons and one grandson.
To connect with Bill visit
AUix: https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUiX/
The Mastermind Century Group
https://m100group.com/
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/overwhelmedpod/support
Back in the day, Zach Thomas was selected as the top Eagle Scout in the nation. As we all know, such an honor is extremely rare. Among other things, It was one of the qualifiers that got him into West Point, the United States Military Academy, and so began his military career. He served almost 7 years active duty as an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer before leaving the Army to pursue the Chaplaincy and entrepreneurship.
.On this episode, we'll talk about:
Zack Thomas is an experienced entrepreneur and business leader. published author, speaker, and coach. graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Find out more about Zach on his website , and connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Website: https://leaderfarming.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theleaderfarmer
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/theleaderfarmer
Follow us on our social media:
Website: https://www.andychristiansen.com/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andychristiansenpcc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/achristiansen
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andy.christiansen.94
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Combo is a wife, mother, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, Chief Transformation Officer for Shift4 Payments, and Mission Director for Science & Research for the Polaris Dawn Commercial Spaceflight. Before all that she was the first-female solo demonstration pilot on the United States Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds. Pretty damn cool...
Samantha has had a storied life. From knowing her purpose at the age of six to having to make a gut wrenching life and career decision in her early 40's a few years short of a possible "potential" dream job destination teaching Air Force cadets as a General Officer. The simple (not easy) choice was to be something, or do something, she chose the harder, to do something.
Please consider a donation to the polarisprogram.com/our-cause/.
To reach Samantha Weeks for keynote pubic speaking or interviews visit drsamantahaweeks.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Josh Berry sits down with Andy and JoJo to walk through his crazy cool yet difficult career and life. Getting kicked out of his own company. Having the courage and patience to overcome challenges. How mentors have impacted him and the power of a praying wife! How an inborn skill, hobby or side job can turn into your dream job. Josh went from doing the possible for the ungrateful to doing the impossible for the grateful?
Connect with Andy! AndyChristiansen.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Josh Berry sits down with Andy and JoJo to walk through his crazy cool yet difficult career and life. Getting kicked out of his own company. Having the courage and patience to overcome challenges. How mentors have impacted him and the power of a praying wife! How an inborn skill, hobby or side job can turn into your dream job. Josh went from doing the possible for the ungrateful to doing the impossible for the grateful?
Connect with Andy! AndyChristiansen.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Capt. Hines sits down with Andy and JoJo to break down his efforts to establish better leaders within the USAF. He discusses the value of perspective, and the "Jedi Mind Tricks" that allow you to have influence in life.
Connect with Andy! AndyChristiansen.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
In this episode JoJo talks about his upbringing, passions, and journey.
Visit AndyChristiansen.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Andy breaks down his story in his own words. How can we be tenacious in all aspects of life?
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
This episode Andy and JoJo sit down and chat with Ramon Gonzales, a maverick leader in the co-working space. Ramon discusses how his team weathered the pandemic and how his business helps foster better businesses for others.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Michael Pittman is back! He's a marketing guru and entrepreneur extraordinaire, but most importantly he might be one of the most underrated subject matter experts in the world of personal development. Andy and Joe go deep with Michael, touching on numerous topics. Michael opens up on the methods and techniques he's used to climb the ladder and make a name for himself.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Jerremy is back for part 2! Ever wondered where you should put your hard earned cash? Stocks? ETFs? Crypto? Jerremy breaks it all down, and shares some personal success (and failure) stories in the world of trading.
Want to learn more? Check out all that Jerremy has to offer at reallifetrading.com
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Jerremy Alexander Newsome is considered one of the leading global minds on Stock Market education. He serves as the CEO of Real Life Trading and the Founder of the Non-Profit RL Foundation. He acutely recognizes trends and patterns in the stock market and via private mentorship he helps others understand how to make the mental shift to trade the financial markets successfully. Whether its stocks, futures, options or entrepreneurship, Jerremy understands how to bring financial liberation to the forefront. He is a prolific investor with early investments in companies such as Tesla, Ethereum, Apple and Square.
Jerremy is a philanthropist at heart — Today, he helps people achieve financial freedom by creating revenue streams via the stock market. His Real Life Trading brand has now expanded to Australia and the United Kingdom. Jerremy founded the RL Foundation who’s mission is to enrich the lives of those who are enriching others
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Andy sits down with Jasmine Cruz, founder of LoveTank. The concept of LoveTank was birthed through what she felt was missing from the average household. True love is something kept deep within that you unlock for yourself. Jasmine magnifies the importance of embracing change and loving the process. LoveTank is dedicated to sharing life’s greatest and most powerful gift; and that is love to all generations.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Victor Rodriguez has been an entrepreneur since day one, always laser focused on changing the world. He stops by to discuss his business journey with Andy and JoJo. Victor specifically touches on the insights and experiences he's learned from his mother.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Michael Pittman is here! He's a marketing guru and entrepreneur extraordinaire, but most importantly he might be one of the most underrated subject matter experts in the world of personal development. Andy and Joe go deep with Michael, touching on everything from college to family, and the realities of running a client service business.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
David Butler, the former VP of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Coca-Cola joins us this week! He gives incredible insights into success, the creative process, and the purpose of design. David also speaks about the work he has done in his personal life, and gives a history of how he got his start.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
Through two recessions, countless shifts in the marketplace, and all kind of tough crossroads, Blake Howard has helped to lead his company to the top. Matchstic is the brand identity house of the south, and that is thanks, in no small part, to the creative work of co-founder and creative director Blake Howard. In this episode Blake and Andy discuss the ups-and-downs of running a creative business. They discuss what growth and change has looked like, from the massive successes to the unexpected failures.
Don't forget to check out AndyChristiansen.com for a wealth of incredible resources if you are looking to discover your next big thing.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support
The canine king of Instagram is undoubtedly the loveable "Tuna". He's a Chiweenie pup with an impressive smile, and an even more impressive fanbase. With over 2 Million followers on Instagram Tuna is a bona fide celebrity. His parents, Courtney and Ian, have grown this page from nothing. They've managed to turn these simple goofy dog photos into an incredible business. They snagged a publishing deal with Penguin books and have toured the world sharing the warmth of this incredible dog with his numerous die-hard fans.
Today Courtney and Ian discuss how they did it, and what it takes to sustain an audience in the ever-growing world of social media. They discuss the struggles, and hard decisions necessary to take the plunge and do this full-time. Courtney wraps up the episode with an incredible piece of advice for those who aren't sure what their next step should be.
Make sure to shop all things tuna: www.tunameltsmyheart.com
And follow this incredible puppy: @tunameltsmyheart
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/overwhelmedpod/support