Backstage with Mike O'Connell

What if the thing standing between you and your next breakthrough isn’t another opportunity, but a step of obedience? In this video, you’ll hear the story of how giving away a car became the doorway to a deeper faith and a cascade of divine opportunities. You’ll discover that  obedience isn’t about loss, it’s about unlocking God’s best on the other side of your “yes.”

If you’ve ever walked away from a conversation thinking “I nailed it,” but no one took action—the issue isn’t your delivery—it’s your clarity. In this video, I’ll teach you the CLEAR Method—a practical framework to help you lead with communication that connects, lands, and drives real results. We’ll walk through:• How to connect with your audience instead of just talking at them• Why learning your...

You don’t drift into a focused life—you design it. In this episode, I’ll show you how to move beyond quick wins and build a system that sustains your energy, your purpose, and your peace. We’ll break down:✅ Why delegation alone isn’t enough—and what most leaders miss✅ A 3-step method to document your systems once and multiply their impact✅ How to build a digital HQ that outlives your memory and...

You don’t drift into a focused life—you design it. In this episode, I’ll show you how to stop reacting to your to-do list and start engineering your time, energy, and focus with intention. We’ll break down: ✅ Why time management is a myth—and what to manage instead ✅ The Energy Audit: A simple yet powerful method to discover what fuels or drains you ✅ The “Eliminate, Automate, Delegate” framewo...

You don’t drift into a great culture—you design it. In this Podcast, I’ll tell you why culture isn’t built through handbooks or mission statements, but through the habits, behaviors, and decisions you reinforce every day. We’ll break down: ✅ The Four Culture Archetypes✅ The 3 C’s of Culture: Clarify it. Carry it. Coach it.✅ How to recognize drift, build alignment, and create a culture that last...

Without vision, you drift—and no one drifts to a destination they desire. In this episode of The Backstage Podcast , I’m breaking down 7 Pillars of Vision —how to see it, build it, and sustain it. Because a great vision isn’t just about where you’re going, it’s about who you’re becoming . This episode will give you a roadmap to move from dreaming to doing. What You’ll Learn: ✅ Why clarity is kind...

Rejection—it’s something we all face, but what if we’ve been seeing it the wrong way? In this episode of The Backstage Podcast , Mike O’Connell shares a game-changing perspective on rejection, inspired by Jamie Kern Lima’s journey from relentless rejection to billion-dollar success. Most people let rejection stop them. The most successful people use it as fuel. Today, Mike unpacks three powerful m...

In this conversation, Alan Stein Jr., a former basketball performance coach turned author and speaker, shares his insights on success, resilience, and the mindset of elite athletes. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the basics, blending confidence with humility, and being coachable. Stein also discusses the power of encouragement and energy in team dynamics and highlights the need for co...

In this conversation, Mike O'Connell interviews Ken Lock, the lead pastor of Evolve Church and the barber and chaplain for the Milwaukee Bucks. Ken shares insights from his upbringing in a large family and how it shaped his foundational principles. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and creating safe spaces for authenticity. Ken also discusses the challenges of transitioning fr...

In this conversation, Mike O'Connell and Jordan Montgomery discuss the importance of the backstage, the journey from success to failure, and the role of identity and vulnerability in personal growth. They explore the concept of asking the right questions and taking ownership of one's actions. They also emphasize the transformative power of pain and the need to trust in God's plan. Over...