CEO Only Does Three Things | Trey Taylor on Leadership, Focus, and Building Great Businesses

CEO Only Does Three Things | Trey Taylor on Leadership, Focus, and Building Great Businesses

Chris sits down with entrepreneur, investor, speaker, CEO coach, and author Trey Taylor to discuss leadership, business growth, productivity, mergers and acquisitions, focus, networking, personal development, and what separates successful executives from everyone else. Trey shares the story behind his bestselling book CEO Only Does Three Things and explains how great leaders create clarity by focusing on culture, people, and numbers instead of getting lost in day to day operational distractions. The conversation explores Trey’s journey from studying economics and law to working in M&A, venture capital, AOL, WebMD, and eventually leading family businesses, coaching CEOs, and investing in companies across multiple industries. Throughout the conversation, Trey discusses: • Why focus is one of the most important leadership skills • How successful CEOs structure their time and priorities • The importance of building strong systems and culture • Lessons learned from mergers and acquisitions • Why most acquisitions fail after integration • Productivity, delegation, and avoiding burnout • The value of mastermind groups and surrounding yourself with smart people • Networking, relationships, and creating opportunities through conversations • How curiosity and asking questions can expand your business and career • Why leaders must stop doing jobs they should delegate to others Chris and Trey also discuss: • Brian Tracy and early personal development influences • The movie Wall Street and entrepreneurship inspiration • Private equity, investing, and business acquisitions • Building intentional relationships and high level networks • Learning through mentorship and surrounding yourself with high achievers • Books that shaped Trey’s mindset including The Alchemist, Making It All Work, and Rumi’s poetry One of the most fascinating parts of the episode centers around Trey’s personal strategy of paying to have conversations with investors, founders, private equity professionals, and executives simply to learn from them and better understand business, markets, and leadership trends. That intentional approach to learning and relationship building has helped him dramatically expand both his network and perspective. If you are interested in leadership, entrepreneurship, business growth, productivity, investing, executive coaching, personal development, networking, or scaling a company successfully, this episode is packed with practical insight and valuable lessons. Books Discussed: • CEO Only Does Three Things • The Alchemist • Making It All Work • A Year with Rumi Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, entrepreneurship, personal growth, mindset, wellness, networking, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

How Loving the Detroit Lions Helped Save His Life | Joel Walkowski on Addiction, Sobriety, and Resilience

Chris sits down with author Joel Walkowski to discuss addiction, sobriety, mental health, sports, recovery, personal growth, resilience, and how a lifelong love for the Detroit Lions became deeply connected to his own personal journey. Joel shares the story behind his upcoming book Honolulu Blues: How Loving a Losing Football Team Created a Winning Man, where he connects decades of Detroit Lions heartbreak and perseverance to his own battles with addiction, family trauma, homelessness, recovery, and rebuilding his life. Throughout the conversation, Joel opens up about:  • Addiction to Adderall and alcohol  • Growing up in a difficult family environment  • His father’s struggles and lasting impact on his life  • Hitting rock bottom financially and emotionally  • Living out of a broken down RV with almost no money  • Sobriety, recovery, and rebuilding self worth  • Therapy, recovery programs, and mental health for men  • Creating structure and routines to avoid relapse  • The importance of vulnerability and asking for help  • Why sports can become deeply emotional and personal Joel also discusses how Detroit Lions football became symbolic of resilience, disappointment, hope, loyalty, and perseverance throughout his life. As the Lions slowly transformed under coach Dan Campbell, Joel was simultaneously transforming his own life through sobriety and personal growth. The episode also dives into:  • The psychology of addiction and recovery  • Why men struggle to talk openly about mental health  • The importance of community and support systems  • How routines and discipline help maintain sobriety  • Basketball, sports fandom, and finding healthy outlets  • Why storytelling and books can help people heal Chris and Joel also discuss some fun Detroit sports topics including:  • The Detroit Pistons championship teams  • Barry Sanders, Golden Tate, and Detroit Lions history  • Cade Cunningham and the future of Detroit basketball  • The emotional connection fans build with sports teams Joel’s story is honest, vulnerable, funny, heartbreaking, and inspiring all at the same time. If you enjoy conversations about resilience, addiction recovery, mental health, sports culture, personal growth, and overcoming adversity, this episode delivers an incredibly powerful message. Books Discussed:  • Honolulu Blues: How Loving a Losing Football Team Created a Winning Man Order the book here!  [https://www.amazon.com/dp/163774904X/?bestFormat=true&k=honolulu%20blues%20joel%20walkowski&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_14_de&crid=4VKOFKLOFZ6K&sprefix=honolulu%20blues] Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, sports, personal growth, wellness, resilience, mindset, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

From IT to Publishing: Kim Eley on Writing Books, Creativity, and Finding Your Purpose

In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with author, publisher, book coach, and founder of KWE Publishing, Kim Eley, to discuss writing books, publishing, creativity, storytelling, entrepreneurship, AI, and helping people finally share the stories they have inside them. Kim shares her journey from working in IT to building a successful publishing and book coaching business focused on helping authors turn their ideas into finished books. Although she originally studied English, Kim found herself building a career in technology before eventually realizing she wanted to pursue work that felt more meaningful and aligned with her passion for writing, creativity, and helping others. The conversation dives into:  • What it really takes to write and publish a book  • Why so many people struggle to start writing  • The emotional side of creativity and storytelling  • How book coaching and ghostwriting work  • The growing role of AI in publishing and writing  • Why authentic human stories still matter  • The importance of finding your unique voice as an author  • Building confidence as a writer and creator  • Entrepreneurship, purpose, and career transitions Kim also discusses her books, including From Mess to Message: 10 Steps for Writing Your Book and Tickers: What Makes People Tick and Pursue a Career They Love. She shares insights into the publishing process, working with nonfiction and children’s book authors, and how KWE Publishing helps aspiring writers move from uncertainty to becoming published authors. Chris and Kim also explore:  • The challenges of balancing creativity and business  • Why writing a book is much harder than most people realize  • The importance of community and collaboration for authors  • How AI should and should not be used in writing and publishing  • Why every person has a story worth sharing Books discussed during the episode include:  • Who Moved My Cheese?  • Finding Your North Star by Martha Beck  • The Babylon Blueprint by David Hancock If you are interested in books, writing, publishing, entrepreneurship, creativity, personal growth, storytelling, or becoming an author yourself, this episode is packed with practical insights and encouragement. Connect with Kim Wells Eley:  • KWE Publishing: https://www.kwepub.com/ Subscribe to @Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, personal growth, entrepreneurship, creativity, wellness, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

From Homelessness to Bestselling Author: Kelli Christina’s Fight for Justice and Faith

In this powerful episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with bestselling author, entrepreneur, staffing executive, and speaker Kelli Christina to discuss leadership, resilience, legal battles, homelessness, faith, business ethics, and rebuilding life after devastating setbacks. With more than 25 years in the staffing and recruitment industry, Kelli shares her journey from restaurant management into medical staffing, eventually building her own staffing company while navigating some of the most difficult professional and personal challenges of her life. The conversation centers around her upcoming book In Good Faith and the story behind Riding the Executive Roller Coaster, a dramatic legal thriller inspired by real life experiences inside the staffing industry. Chris and Kelli discuss:  • Leadership responsibility and ethical decision making  • The hidden realities of lawsuits and legal battles in business  • How one decision changed the course of Kelli’s life and career  • Rebuilding after homelessness and financial devastation  • Faith, resilience, and surviving difficult seasons of life  • Why leaders must understand legal responsibility before making decisions  • The emotional toll of business conflict and litigation  • Budgeting, financial discipline, and learning from adversity  • Making a difference through books, public speaking, and advocacy Kelli also shares her passion for helping educate leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives on the consequences of unethical business decisions and the importance of protecting both people and company culture. Throughout the episode, she emphasizes that true resilience is not about avoiding hardship, but learning how to rebuild after life knocks you down. The episode also explores:  • Medical staffing and recruitment industry challenges  • Leadership culture and accountability  • Government advocacy and legal reform  • Personal development through reading and lifelong learning  • Faith based perseverance and personal transformation If you enjoy conversations about business, leadership, resilience, entrepreneurship, legal ethics, personal growth, and overcoming adversity, this episode delivers a powerful and emotional story of survival and rebuilding. Subscribe to Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, growth, mindset, resilience, entrepreneurship, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.

Curiosity Changes Everything | Julie Bruns on Leadership, Growth, and Creating a Better Life

In this episode of Books4Guys, Chris sits down with leadership development expert, trainer, and author Julie Bruns to discuss curiosity, emotional intelligence, resilience, career growth, leadership development, and creating a more fulfilling life both personally and professionally. Julie shares her journey from corporate software training into leadership development and coaching, eventually leading to the creation of her book Peace, Possibilities, and Perspective: 8 Secrets to Serenity and Satisfaction in Your Life and Career. Throughout the conversation, Julie explains why curiosity may be one of the most important traits for personal growth, professional development, leadership, and lifelong learning. Chris and Julie discuss:  • Why curiosity changes the way we connect with people  • The importance of emotional intelligence in leadership  • Why great employees do not automatically become great leaders  • How resilience and grit shape long term success  • The difference between wanting something and actually pursuing it  • Why personal development impacts every area of life  • How leaders can better support and develop their teams  • The challenge of measuring leadership and culture impact inside organizations  • The role books and lifelong learning play in growth and self awareness Julie also shares lessons from her own career journey, including transitioning from software training into leadership consulting, overcoming challenges in corporate environments, and learning how to create opportunities by asking questions, staying curious, and continuing to grow. Books discussed during the episode include:  • The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks  • Untamed by Glennon Doyle  • The Body Keeps the Score If you are interested in leadership, emotional intelligence, career development, communication skills, resilience, or personal growth, this episode is packed with practical insight and motivating conversation. Connect with Julie Bruns:  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yes2possibility/  • Website: https://2possibilityandbeyond.com/my-book Subscribe to @Books4Guys for conversations focused on books, leadership, personal growth, wellness, mindset, career development, and helping people become better readers, thinkers, leaders, and professionals.