Listen Then Speak

What This Episode Is About What happens when the very thing you’ve been praying for finally shows up, and your first instinct is to run from it, ruin it, or convince yourself you don’t deserve it? In this deeply personal and powerfully honest solo episode, Jahmaal Marshall pulls back the curtain on one of the most overlooked cycles holding people back: the inability to distinguish between peace and chaos when chaos is all you’ve ever known. Growing up in unpredictable, unstable, or emotionally chaotic environments doesn’t just shape your childhood, it rewires your nervous system. It trains your brain to see dysfunction as familiar, and familiarity as safe. So when peace, consistency, or genuine opportunity arrives, your subconscious goes on high alert. Something must be wrong. And if nothing is wrong… you’ll create something. Jahmaal goes deep into how unprocessed childhood wounds quietly sabotage great relationships, promising careers, and life-changing opportunities in the present; not through dramatic blow-ups, but through subtle, patterned behaviors: hyper-guardedness, manufactured drama, emotional escapism, and the haunting habit of settling for less than you’ve been built to receive. This episode is especially critical for leaders. When unhealed wounds sit in the driver’s seat of leadership, the impact doesn’t stay personal, it shapes team culture, drives decisions, and quietly communicates to the people around you what’s possible… and what’s not. If you’ve ever wondered why you keep finding yourself back in familiar chaos after finally getting something good, this episode is the mirror you didn’t know you needed.

You've heard "know your worth" so many times it's lost its edge. But what if the real problem isn't that you don't know your worth, it's that you've never gotten genuinely curious enough about who you actually are to discover it? In this solo episode, Jahmaal Marshall dismantles the gap between self-worth as a slogan and self-worth as a lived frequency. He traces the direct line between untapped self-curiosity and the toxic dynamics that seem to keep finding you, and walks through the four-stage process of how clarity doesn't just repel what drains you, it actively begins to attract people who lead with value. This episode is for the person who has enough insight, and is ready for implementation.

The way you communicate can open doors, or quietly close them. On this week’s episode, I sat down with Steve Woodruff to talk about what it really means to communicate with clarity, own your strengths, and become unforgettable in the way you show up. Steve is known as the “King of Clarity” – and his Clarity Formula is designed to help businesses and business owners unlock more revenue. He shares how simplifying your message, understanding your unique value, and creating what he calls “memory darts” can help you stand out, earn more referrals, and move with greater confidence in your work and calling. It’s a powerful conversation on identity, alignment, and saying what matters in a way people actually remember. Interested in Launching your own Podcast? Podcast Principles can help! Book a call below to learn more. https://calendly.com/podcastprinciples/discover Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction 1:15 - Meet Steve Woodruff 3:06 - Steve’s favorite genre of music 6:53 - Steve’s shift away from corporate 11:11 - Finding your true purpose and identifying mismatch 14:16 - “Redeeming the time”, finding your path 19:21 - “Memory darts” 25:23 - How you can get in touch with Steve 27:26 - Final thoughts CONNECT WITH JAHMAAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/ Website: https://listenthenspeak.com/ If you're ready to get measured results for both personally and professionally, schedule an appointment with Jahmaal BUY ME A Coffee - with this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/listenthenspeak?new=1 Interested in learning more about Steve? Website: https://www.stevewoodruff.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swoodruff/ Book - Clarity Wins: https://www.amazon.com/Clarity-Wins-Get-Heard-Referred/dp/1732857105/ref=sr_1_1?crid=249NH5OG9SPL&keywords=Clarity%20Wins%20by%20Steve%20Woodruff&qid=1695139262&sprefix=clarity%20win%20by%20steve%20woodruff%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1 Book: The Point: https://orderthepoint.carrd.co/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interested in Launching your own Podcast? Podcast Principles can help! Book a call below to learn more. https://calendly.com/podcastprinciples/discover In this episode, I sit down with Terry Rice, speaker, entrepreneur, and leadership trainer, for a real conversation about addiction, identity, fatherhood, discipline, and what it means to live in alignment. Terry brings the perspective of someone who has rebuilt more than once, opening up about getting fired from Facebook, losing his son TJ, and how those experiences shaped the way he leads, lives, and serves others today. We talk about overcoming alcoholism, building a life with intention, and using your scars, not to hide, but to help others grow. Honest, challenging, and full of perspective, this one is for anyone trying to lead with more clarity, purpose, and truth. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction 1:37 - Favorite genre of music and how it informs Terry’s life 4:15 - How Terry utilizes the gym 6:05 - Building resilience 8:35 - Terry’s why and his addiction to alcohol 13:57 - Exploring ‘functional addiction’ 18:01 - How Terry hit his brick wall 24:38 - Your sense of purpose and conquering your addictions 27:52 - “What drives you today?” 32:55 - Work/life rhythms and getting alignment 39:37 - Being a dad and working, or having a business 42:23 - Episode wrap-up CONNECT WITH JAHMAAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/ Website: https://listenthenspeak.com/ If you're ready to get measured results for both personally and professionally, schedule an appointment with Jahmaal BUY ME A Coffee - with this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/listenthenspeak?new=1 Interested in learning more about Terry? https://performancesystems.co/keynote https://buildwiththem.com/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terry-rice/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/itsterryrice/ https://performancesystems.co/ R³ Performance Systems helps leaders and organizations build systems that work whether they feel motivated or not. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interested in Launching your own Podcast? Podcast Principles can help! Book a call below to learn more. https://calendly.com/podcastprinciples/discover Burnout does not start with your calendar. It starts with what you keep tolerating. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Gwendolyn Oglesby-Odom, a healthcare executive and transformational servant leader, for a powerful conversation on boundaries, psychological safety, self-care, and what it really takes to lead without losing yourself. From non-negotiables and team culture to vulnerability and sustainable leadership, this episode is packed with wisdom for anyone trying to build healthier people and stronger teams. Episode Highlights: 0:24 - Introduction 1:40 - Favorite genre of music and how it shapes her life 3:29 - The wellness gap for leaders on the front lines 4:05 - Why self-care has to be scheduled 5:31 - Night routines, boundaries, and protecting rest 7:36 - Non-negotiables and the cost of renegotiating them 10:17 - Delegation, team structure, and leadership vision 12:51 - Psychological safety and leading with vulnerability 20:15 - What to do when your work environment is draining you 23:00 - Vacation, refueling, and the leadership case for rest 25:51 - Leading with love and building a healthy team culture 35:11 - Dr. Gwen’s billion-dollar healthcare investment in Chicago CONNECT WITH JAHMAAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/ Website: https://listenthenspeak.com/ If you're ready to get measured results for both personally and professionally, schedule an appointment with Jahmaal BUY ME A Coffee - with this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/listenthenspeak?new=1 Interested in learning more about Gwendolyn? Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-gwendolyn-oglesby-odom-ed-d-msn-bsn-rn-bc-nea-bc-0037482/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interested in Launching your own Podcast? Podcast Principles can help! Book a call below to learn more. https://calendly.com/podcastprinciples/discover On this episode of Listen Then Speak, I sit down with my friend (and repeat guest) Mita Mallick to talk about her new book, The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses. We get into the real workplace dynamics so many people quietly deal with: chaos, burnout, and “lethal loyalty”, and what it actually looks like to set boundaries without blowing up your career. Mita shares how her upbringing as the daughter of Indian immigrant parents shaped the way she approached work, why “keep your head down and work hard” can backfire in modern corporate culture, and how bad bosses don’t just create stress, they create ripple effects that drain entire teams. We also unpack one of the book’s most memorable archetypes, “The White Rabbit” manager, and walk through practical ways to manage up, prioritize what’s urgent vs. important, and build a communication framework that protects your time and sanity. If you’ve ever felt pressured to be available 24/7, struggled to advocate for yourself, or wondered how to lead well in a broken culture, this conversation is for you. Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction 0:53 - Meet Mita! 2:25 - Favorite genre of music 3:07 - Management, flexibility and being a role model 5:30 - The start of Mita’s career and how her parent’s culture informed it 12:06 - The ‘F’ word (family) 17:09 - The “white rabbit” 21:16 - “Managing up” with a ‘white rabbit’ 27:07 - Getting over the fear of ‘managing up’ 30:13 - Urgency exhaustion and guarding your true priorities 33:59 - Advice to service-based, or faith-based professionals 38:12 - Where you can get Mita’s book CONNECT WITH JAHMAAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/ Website: https://listenthenspeak.com/ If you're ready to get measured results for both personally and professionally, schedule an appointment with Jahmaal BUY ME A Coffee - with this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/listenthenspeak?new=1 Interested in learning more about Mita Mallick? Website https://www.mitamallick.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mita-mallick-2b165822/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Devil-Emails-Midnight-Leaders-Bosses/dp/1394316488 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week’s Listen Then Speak, Jahmaal sits down with business coach Justin Janowski for a conversation that goes past surface-level advice and into what actually makes sales, pricing, and strategy feel clean and effective. Justin is the founder of Faith2Influence, and began his entrepreneurial journey just like many others, with uncertainty and fear, but also with a strong desire to build a faith-driven, impactful, and financially successful business. He joins Jahmaal to talk about why “sales” doesn’t have to feel pushy (or fake), and how the best sales conversations are really leadership with a clear invitation at the end. Justin also breaks down his simple framework for ending every call with a yes, a no, or the next call booked, so you stop living in follow-up limbo and start closing the open loops that quietly drain your time and energy. You’ll also hear the mindset side: identity, emotional state, and the stories we tell ourselves about money and rejection, and the quick pre-call rituals Justin uses to show up grounded, confident, and aligned. If you’re building a business, thinking about a side gig, or you just want to get better at communicating value without feeling “salesy,” this episode is for you.Interested in Launching your own Podcast?Podcast Principles can help! Book a call below to learn more.https://calendly.com/podcastprinciples/discover Episode Highlights: 0:00 - Introduction0:26 - Meet Justin Janowski2:05 - Favorite genre of music that informs Justin’s life4:45 - What started Justin’s passion for sales8:18 - The problem that Justin was created to solve12:36 - Sales that “feel good” and leading prospects to yes (or no)19:31 - Win/win or no deal21:30 - Diving into the sales conversation itself25:45 - Rejection and why people quit too soon28:11 - Your emotional state going into a sales call32:31 - “I’m not in sales, how does this apply to me?”34:27 - Some of Justin’s own rituals37:59 - Where you can find Justin39:07 - Episode wrap-up CONNECT WITH JAHMAAL LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/Website: https://listenthenspeak.com/BUY ME A Coffee - with this link: https://buymeacoffee.com/listenthenspeak?new=1 If you're ready to get measured results for both personally and professionally, schedule an appointment with JahmaalInterested in learning more about Justin JanowskiWebsite: https://www.faith2influence.com/startLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinjanowski/https://www.f2itribe.com/10sv3hp (Free ten - step Sales Process)Text "Plan" to 33777 (Free Coaching Call) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For some people, helping others reach financial stability and freedom – is just a job.For Bill Walters, it’s personal.Before becoming a financial guru, Bill spent six years caring for his mother during her battle with dementia. He also raised a daughter with emotional, medical, and psychological needs. These experiences taught him firsthand how unpredictable life can be and how important it is to plan ahead with wisdom and care.Today, he works with people who are navigating life on their own terms. Whether managing a household or growing a business, to planning for retirement, or a loved one’s long-term care – Bill’s mission is to help you achieve lasting financial stability and solvency through solutions that truly fit your journey.He joins Jahmaal to share more about his journey and this crucial intersection between his experiences, and what he does to help others now. They also touch on the importance of mindset and control. The magic of simple, responsible decision making and more!Interested in Launching a Podcast?https://calendly.com/podcastprinciples/discover Episode Highlights:0:00 - Introduction0:22 - Episode open, introduction to Bill Walters1:20 - Bill’s favorite genre of music (and how it informs his life)3:44 - What’s developed Bill into who he is today5:22 - Bill’s draw to “see things perfected”10:12 - Bill’s advice for your own loved ones14:53 - Mindset, burnout and control23:05 - Roadmapping financial (and mental) success26:32 - How you can find your “why”29:22 - Re-building a nest egg33:15 - Closing thoughts CONNECT WITH JAHMAALLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/Website: https://listenthenspeak.com/ If you're ready to get measured results for both personally and professionally, schedule an appointment with JahmaalInterested in learning more about Bill Walters?+1 (267) 278-5062 | +1 (609) 994-0222bill@perfectlyimperfectfamilies.comwww.perfectlyimperfectfamilies.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Burnout in high performers is often invisible, especially for executives, senior leaders, and business owners who appear successful on the outside while silently carrying emotional exhaustion and over-responsibility. In this episode of the Listen Then Speak Podcast, Jahmaal Marshall explores the real cost of high-functioning burnout, the financial impact of high-functioning codependency, and why doing the root work is essential for sustainable leadership.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn: - Why high achievers don’t burn out from doing too much, but from being disconnected from themselves - The hidden belief that keeps senior leaders trapped in stress and over-responsibility - How anxiety in leadership is often identity-based, not circumstantial - Why traditional solutions fail high performers with dysregulated nervous systems - What “disordered boundaries” look like in executives and founders - How the Listen Then Speak approach helps leaders reduce stress, restore clarity, and lead without self-betrayal - What sustainable success actually requires at the nervous system level

Nurses care for everyone, but who cares for them? In this powerful episode of The Listen Then Speak Podcast, host Jahmaal Marshall shines a light on the hidden emotional load carried by nurses at every level. From long shifts and staffing shortages to the quiet expectation to “stay strong,” this conversation uncovers the real human cost of caregiving. You’ll learn how burnout shows up, what emotional fatigue does to the mind and body, and why so many nurses continue to suffer in silence. More importantly… we walk through practical, compassionate solutions through the Listen Then Speak framework; communication, boundaries, emotional safety, and the courage to ask for help. Whether you’re a nurse, a leader in healthcare, or someone who loves a nurse, this episode will help you understand, support, and protect the people who hold our healthcare system together.

After a short hiatus, we’re back—and today’s episode is a special one. We’re celebrating the milestone of 60 episodes of the Listen Then Speak Podcast! In this episode, Jahmaal shares a heartfelt thank-you to every listener who has supported the journey so far. Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or you’re just joining the community, this podcast exists because of you.