You Are A CEO Podcast | with Michael E. Parker

Are you an entrepreneur who has made the leap from a corporate job to starting your own business? Making this transition can be both exciting and challenging. In this video, we explore the common struggles that entrepreneurs face after leaving their corporate jobs, from adapting to a new work environment to finding the right mindset for success. Whether you're considering making the switch or...

What does it take to become a CEO before anyone thinks you’re ready? In this episode of the You Are a CEO Podcast , Michael E. Parker sits down with Shawn Wilson , the youngest CEO of a credit union at just 25 years old—and an expert financial adviser who led a full turnaround of a failing institution into a thriving one. Michael and Shawn explore what leadership looks like when you’re learning in...

Most people don’t fail financially because they’re irresponsible. They fail because no one ever taught them how money actually works.  Michael E. Parker sits down with Zach Garcia , whose life took an unexpected tragedy that completely reshaped his relationship with money, wealth, and ownership. Zach shares how he once believed a modest 9–5 income was his ceiling—despite being surrounded by wealth...

Why do some speakers captivate a room—while others share powerful experiences that somehow fall flat? In this episode of the You Are a CEO Podcast, Michael E. Parker interviews Cat Coley, a storytelling and public speaking coach who helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals unlock confidence, clarity, and connection through story ownership. This conversation goes beyond storytelling tips and...

What if the reason you’re still afraid to speak up, step forward, or go after your goals isn’t a lack of talent—but a lack of identity? This is the uncomfortable work no one sees that makes you unstoppable. In this powerful episode of the You Are a CEO Podcast, Michael E. Parker sits down with former NFL athlete turned identity coach Anthony Trucks to unpack his concept of the Dark Work Experience...

In this powerful episode, Michael E. Parker sits down with real estate investor and Vodyssey founder Shawn Moore, a leader who has helped over 3,000 people build wealth through short-term vacation rentals. Together, they unpack what it truly means to build a life you don’t want to take a vacation from—and why so many entrepreneurs never reach this kind of freedom.    This conversation breaks down...

Do you struggle with self-doubt, limiting beliefs, or feeling stuck in life? In this powerful episode of You Are A CEO, Michael E. Parker sits down with Barbara, an fitness expert and weight loss coach. With over two decades of experience helping people thrive in aerospace and corporate wellness, Barbara now focuses on one-on-one coaching that transforms lives and physiques from the inside out. In...

Most entrepreneurs believe that offering things for free will attract more people. But what if the opposite is true? In this powerful podcast, Michael E. Parker is joined by expert virtual event strategist Zach Hesterberg to reveal why the “free event" model is quietly destroying your business. Zach explains that while free content is valuable on platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and social m...

Expert Dietitian Drops Truth About Health You Have Never Heard! This is not another “eat better, try harder” talk. This is about understanding the root causes that traditional healthcare often overlooks—imbalanced systems, overwhelmed biology, nervous system stress, and years of misinformation. You’ll discover why your symptoms are not random. They’re signals. And once you learn to decode them, ev...

What happens when hundreds of entrepreneurs, professionals, and CEOs-in-the-making gather for three days with one mission — to transform their life, their business, and their future? The Ultimate Freedom Live 2025 delivered breakthroughs no one expected. And in this special recap, Michael E. Parker breaks down the biggest insights, the most powerful transformations, and the life-changing moments t...

In this eye-opening episode of You Are A CEO, Michael E. Parker sits down with expert fitness trainer David Hesterley to expose some of the biggest myths about health, fitness, and longevity—myths that have quietly shaped how we age, how we move, and how we show up in life. From childhood, movement is natural—we run, climb, explore, and live actively without ever calling it “exercise.” But as adul...

What does it really take for Generation Z to rise above expectations and lead with excellence—even when you’re the youngest in the room? In this thought-provoking conversation, Michael E. Parker sits down with Robert Grimess III, a rising young professional, to explore how Gen Z can break barriers, overcome imposter syndrome, and redefine success in today’s fast-paced world. They unpack lessons ab...

What happens when you face a health emergency… and have no idea what to do? In this eye-opening conversation, Michael E. Parker sits down with LaShunda Wells — a Registered ER Nurse with 17 years of experience — to talk about how everyday people can take their power back in the healthcare system. She reveals what really happens behind the scenes in emergency rooms, why so many patients don’t get t...

What if the very thing you love doing… ends up stealing your freedom? Too many entrepreneurs and barbers get caught in the freedom trap — working harder, longer, and still not getting ahead. This episode will show you how to change that. I sat down with Bradford Kelly, “The Business Minded Barber,” and Founder of Another Level of Barbering, to unpack how he escaped trading hours for dollars. Bradf...

She survived three brain surgeries, grew up in difficult environments, and transformed her life. In this powerful episode From GED to PHD Despite 3 Brain Surgeries, I sit down with Dr. Camille Salter to uncover how adversity shaped her into a leader and how you can use your pain as your edge. We uncover how your environment can shape who you believe you are—and how breaking free begins the moment...

What does it really take to fight for people’s rights, navigate workplace culture, and climb from human resources into law? In this episode, What If Your Words Are The KEY to Freedom?, Michael E. Parker sits down with Alexandria Houston, Managing Partner at The Lighthouse Legal Group, to uncover lessons from her 17+ years in HR and her move into law. They discuss the realities of corporate culture...

Cyber attacks are no longer random crimes—they’re a business model. And hackers don’t care who you are—they care how vulnerable you are. In this episode, I sat down with cyber security expert Marquis Carroll to break down the reality of today’s cyber threats—from ransomware being sold on the dark web, to zero day attacks and one-click exploits worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you’ve ever...

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur today? Because the truth is, lack of capital destroys most businesses. Whether a startup or a seasoned business owner here are business tips that can help you scale in today's market. In this episode, Michael E. Parker, sits down with Venture Capitalist Cory Haynes, CEO of Vanta Venture to discuss how to make your business fundable so that you...

What does it really take to succeed as a hairstylist today? In this powerful podcast episode, Legendary Hair Stylist Discusses the Old and New School, the Bay Area Pixie Queen, India Johnson, breaks down her journey, wisdom, and insider secrets that every stylist—whether just starting out or a seasoned pro—needs to hear. From building confidence behind the chair to understanding why “starting a bu...

Success in entrepreneurship isn’t just about working harder — it’s about mastering the inside game and building the right sales strategy to create lasting business growth. In this podcast episode, Michael E. Parker sits down with sales expert Craig Cooper to uncover why, The Reason Why Most Businesses Never Make Money, and eventually fail. Michael and Craig reveal why commitment is the turning poi...

As AI accelerates faster than ever, 2 out of 3 jobs could soon be automated. In this powerful episode, How to Survive the Automated Workforce, Michael E. Parker sits down with Jahleel Stewart, a global HR and talent expert with 30+ years of experience building world-class teams, to talk about the real impact of automation on your career, your future, and your freedom. From LinkedIn revolutionizing...

What separates those who build real wealth from those who stay stuck? In this powerful episode, POVERTY vs WEALTH: EXPERT Reveals The Surprising Truth About Creating Wealth, Michael E. Parker sits down with wealth strategist Gina Wright—a real estate veteran with 38 years of experience, 110+ doors under management, and $500K+ in income—all while legally paying no state taxes and only $230 in feder...

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a buzzword — it’s the billion-dollar battleground for the future of work. Michael is joined by his Chief Technology Officer, Marcus Smith, who has spent over 150,000 hours implementing workplace technology. In this episode, Why AI Is Changing Everything We Know About Work, Michael E. Parker tackles one of the most pressing questions for CEOs, entrepreneurs, and...

Explore how entrepreneurial challenges can be transformed into significant opportunities for growth just by having a problem. Discover the methods to qualify, solve, and leverage your business problems to achieve unparalleled success with proven strategies.

This should make us all stop and think more deeply.