The Stronger Leader Podcast

In Episode #62 of The Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with military veteran, entrepreneur, mentor, and founder of Let's Geaux Hustle, Trevor Calais. This powerful conversation dives deep into Trevor's journey from growing up in a single-parent household in Shreveport, Louisiana, navigating street life, drugs, and adversity, to serving in the U.S. Army and ultimately building a thr...

In Episode #60 of The Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with Richard "Warpath" Macias for one of the most powerful conversations on faith, addiction recovery, marriage restoration, fatherhood, fitness, and purpose we've ever had. Based on the transcript in the uploaded episode file, Richard shares his journey from a childhood surrounded by dysfunction, years of alcohol abuse, destru...

What happens when a man goes from poverty, pain, addiction, and emptiness… to building multimillion-dollar businesses, leading with faith, and helping transform lives? In Episode #59 of the Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with entrepreneur, luxury home builder, and brother in Christ Adan Candelaria for one of the most raw and powerful conversations yet. Adan opens up about growing...

What happens when a young woman chasing attention, partying, and external validation hits rock bottom—and encounters God in a real, undeniable way? In this powerful episode of the Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with Tay, a 22-year-old who went from working in nightlife, battling depression, and living a party-driven lifestyle… to becoming a bold voice for faith, modesty, and purp...

What happens when a middle-class kid with two great parents, real athletic talent, and every reason to succeed still ends up in prison — twice? Rock Perry sits down with Tony Cardello for one of the most raw, unfiltered, and spiritually charged conversations The Stronger Leader has ever hosted. This isn't a polished redemption story with a neat bow on it. This is a man in real time, 60 days into t...

💪 Tony sits down with 18-year-old fitness content creator, wrestler, and faith-driven entrepreneur Brady Becker from St. Louis, MO. Brady runs the social media page Born to Be a Beast, where he teaches teens how to live a healthy lifestyle, train the right way, and pursue greatness — and he's doing it all with God at the center. 🙏🎯 This episode is one you do NOT want to sleep on. Brady is only...

In this powerful episode of The Stronger Leader Podcast, host Tony Cardello sits down with entrepreneur, evangelist, and youth pastor Michael Jackson — founder of Holy One Clothing — for a raw, real, and deeply inspiring conversation about faith, identity, family, and the call to share the gospel with a lost world. Michael opens up about growing up on the southeast side of Houston, Texas — raised...

In this powerful episode of The Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with Nolan Kistler and Kristian Vazquez for a raw, passionate, and faith-centered conversation about the controversial decision to eliminate the wrestling program at California Baptist University. What unfolds is far bigger than a discussion about one sport being cut. This episode is about leadership, conviction, acco...

In this powerful episode of The Stronger Leader Podcast, host Tony Cardello sits down with Christian influencer and disciple-maker Captain Taylor Morgan, also known online as “The Healthy Christian.”Taylor shares an incredible story of transformation — from a rebellious Marine struggling with alcohol, ego, and identity… to a man radically changed by an encounter with Jesus Christ. Raised in a good...

From Brazil to the American Dream: Mila Markson’s Story of Faith, Sacrifice & Online Success | Stronger Leader Podcast Ep. 51In Episode 51 of The Stronger Leader Podcast, host Tony Cardello sits down with entrepreneur and content creator Mila Markson, a Brazilian immigrant who turned adversity, faith, and relentless determination into an incredible success story. Mila’s journey begins in a small t...

🔥 NEW EPISODE: Bear Bailey’s UNFILTERED Story — From Angola to Millions, Trauma to Testimony 🔥In this powerful, raw, and hope-filled episode of The Stronger Leader Podcast, host Tony Cardello sits down with viral Christian artist and speaker Bear Bailey — a brother in Christ with a story that’ll grab you by the heart and not let go. Bear didn’t just “blow up” online… he was forged. You’ve probab...

In this episode, Tony sits down with Frank Termini and Mitch Thompson, founders of Core Personal Training, for a deep and honest conversation about the connection between faith, discipline, nutrition, mental health, and physical performance. This discussion goes far beyond traditional fitness advice. Instead of chasing aesthetics or quick-fix diets, Frank and Mitch break down a holistic approach t...

In this powerful episode of The Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with Yoey Ramirez — Miami native, Cuban-born single mother, tattoo model, former stripper — and now a bold new follower of Jesus Christ. This is a raw Christian testimony about trauma, addiction, survival, and spiritual transformation. Yoey shares her story of growing up without her father after immigrating from Cuba...

In this raw and unfiltered episode of The Stronger Leader Podcast, Tony Cardello sits down with Max Dutton (Dutton Mindset) — U.S. Marine, recruiter, husband, and bold advocate for biblical masculinity. Max shares his powerful testimony of growing up in chaos — poverty, addiction, violence, instability, and trauma — and how that environment shaped him into a hardened young man searching for identi...

In this raw, unfiltered, and deeply needed conversation, Tony Cardello sits down with Haley Rochelle (@therealhaleyrochelle) and Travis Ala (@MRUNSTUCK) from Harmony to unpack what biblical masculinity, strong womanhood, and true accountability actually look like in today’s broken culture. This episode goes far beyond surface-level relationship talk. It dives into:• Healthy masculinity vs. toxic m...

In this episode, Tony Cardello sits down with his friend Mike Truesdell (aka “Trues”) for a raw, emotional, and hope-filled conversation about what it really looks like to come out of the streets and step into purpose. Mike opens up about losing his mom at 13, being left to figure life out far too young, and how that pain led to addiction, crime, and eventually drug dealing. He talks honestly abou...

In this deeply moving episode of the The Stronger Leader Podcast, host Tony Cardello sits down with attorney, leader, and survivor Darren Fulcher for one of the most raw and faith-filled conversations to date. Darren shares his powerful life story—growing up in extreme domestic abuse, navigating deep rejection, battling anger, addiction, and suicidal thoughts, and ultimately finding purpose throug...

In this powerful episode of the The Stronger Leader Podcast, host Tony Cardello sits down with Xerogangg for an unfiltered conversation about childhood trauma, addiction recovery, spiritual warfare, and the life-changing power of faith. Xerogangg opens up about growing up in an abusive environment, how early family dynamics shaped his understanding of “normal,” and how trauma followed him into adu...

In this powerful conversation, Tony Cardello sits down with Ian Macklin to unpack what true success really looks like beyond performance, titles, and numbers. Ian shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a high-performing sales leader—and why faith, forgiveness, and identity transformation were the real turning points. Together, they explore how leadership starts with leading yo...

In this episode, Tony Cardello sits down with longtime friend, coworker, and “car guy extraordinaire” Tim Gibson for a raw, hilarious, and deeply moving conversation. Tim takes us from 32nd & Prospect in Kansas City—a childhood marked by poverty, violence, and a missing father—to a life built on resilience, discipline, and a renewed purpose. Tim opens up about his mother’s transformation when he w...

Tony Cardello hosts a special Thanksgiving roundtable with family guests Angel Cardello (Board Certified NP-BC, Healthylooks Wellness majority owner), Annemarie Horstmann (Pembroke Hill pre K teacher, Reggio Emilia), and Lisa Cardello (equine pharma sales, pageant alum). Honest, warm and unfiltered — we cover healthcare on the front lines, early childhood education philosophies, entrepreneurship,...

Welcome back to the Stronger Leader Podcast! In this powerful episode, host Tony Cardello sits down with a long-time friend and true Kansas City MMA legend, James Krause. James is not only a former pioneer who helped put Kansas City on the map for mixed martial arts but has also evolved into an incredibly successful entrepreneur and businessman. This conversation comes full circle, exploring how h...

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Stronger Leader Podcast! Host Tony Cardello is joined by the multi-talented David “King” Ruiz, a man who has navigated a life of many phases—from a challenging upbringing in Oakland and Stockton, California, to becoming a successful fitness coach, life coach, and entrepreneur. This intimate and insightful conversation, made possible by a remote podcast co...

Join host Tony Cardello on another episode of the Stronger Leader Podcast as he sits down with Coach Kellen Laws from Liberty High School Girls Wrestling. This deeply personal conversation goes beyond the wrestling mat, exploring Kellen's journey from a young, reluctant athlete in Farmington, Missouri, to a celebrated high school coach in Kansas City. Tony and Kellen share a vulnerable and intimat...

YouTube Description: On this episode of the Stronger Leader Podcast Tony Cardello sits down with John Ott — wrestler, MMA competitor, pro bodybuilder, entrepreneur and founder of YEP Strength — to unpack a life built on relentless discipline, faith, and leadership. John traces the journey from Blue Springs youth sports and early wrestling, through college competition and mixed martial arts, into a...