The Secret To Success with CJ, Karl, Jemal & Eric Thomas

If your feelings keep driving your finances, you’re paying an invisible tax. In this episode we break down how to regulate emotions, demand receipts (real due diligence), and replace motivation with rules so you stop bleeding time and money. Action over anxiety. Rules over mood. Results over excuses. You’ll learn How to stop emotional decision-making before it costs you What real due diligence looks like (records over “trust me”) The mindset shift from motivation to non-negotiable rules Why KPIs and clear consequences end confusion and chaos How to do “the real work” (and why thinking about it is harder than doing it) Tap in with S2S Subscribe for weekly breakthroughs: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: @s2spodcast Website: https://s2spodcast.com Patreon (exclusive content & live recordings): https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 Do this next (CTAs) Comment: Drop “FIRE YOUR FEELINGS” if you’re done letting emotions run your money. Share: Send this to a friend who keeps “investing” without receipts. Review: If this helped, leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts—tell us your #1 takeaway.

Whether your team is 1–5 or your home feels out of rhythm, this episode gives you the playbook: peace over moods, standards over scoreboard, purpose over procrastination. ET breaks down the same locker-room mentality he brings to pro teams—then we translate it to your marriage, money, and mindset. (And yes, we clown Jemal about the Bears some more 😅). In this episode you’ll learn: Serenity beats Happiness: why chasing “happy” keeps you stuck, and how to build steady peace you can stand on. Standards beat feelings: the non-negotiables that fix performance at work, at home, and on the field. The “fixer” trap: how to support your spouse without trying to control their journey. Imperfectly mindful: simple daily awareness habits that create momentum. From 1–5 to unstoppable: the mindset ET gives losing teams—and how to use it today. Next Steps Train with ET for 21 days (free registration): etonepercent.com (spell out “one”). Join the Patreon for bonus segments, lives, and behind-the-scenes access for only $10: patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

The week the Ravens were 1–5 and about to face Chicago, ET walked into Baltimore’s locker room with a message—not hype, a standard. Jemal, a lifelong Bears fan, wants to know why ET had to deliver that talk right before they played his team. That friendly smoke sets the tone as we unpack the exact principles ET shared: why contracts beat feelings, how identity sets standards, standards drive behavior, and behavior produces results—on the field and in your life. We trace the arc from a losing record to a winning mindset, then translate it into practical moves you can use this week: building simple systems that work when your mood doesn’t, protecting momentum, and committing to one non-negotiable that changes the scoreboard at work and at home. By the end, Jemal makes his Bears case, ET makes the case for standards over vibes, and you’ll leave with a clear “12–5” plan—one covenant, seven days, real traction. If this hits, subscribe and share it with someone who needs a standard, not a speech. Drop “12–5” in the comments with the one rule you’re locking in this week, and we’ll read a few on the next episode.

Stop helping. Own the kill. For years, helping felt noble—but that was Level 1. In this episode, Karl opens up about his shift from approval-seeking supporter to hunter: taking ownership, moving first, and letting execution—not permission—set the pace. We break down how that mindset change is transforming his leadership, family life, business, and even real estate strategy. What you’ll get Karl’s real transition: supporter → slayer (ownership over approval) “Move first, figure it out later” — how hunters build momentum Family & legacy: why your people need you leading from the front Real estate lessons (1031s, opportunity zones, scale thinking) you can model Simple systems to keep hunting when motivation dips 🔥 Viewer Challenge (comment to commit) Drop “I’m hunting” + the ONE action you’ll take in the next 24 hours. We’ll shout out a few next episode. ✅ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 🔁 Share with someone stuck in “helper mode.” 🎧 Get BTS + bonus on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🌐 More from S2S: s2spodcast.com 📲 IG: @s2spodcast

Drop your North Star in one sentence below. If you can’t say it in a line, you can’t live it in a year! Are you doing everything and going nowhere? This episode is your wake-up call. We break down why scattered hustle kills credibility, how a single North Star changed our entire operation, and the exact mindset shift to align actions with the goals you keep talking about. The guys get surgical: give up the stage for the mission, put businesses on autopilot (one at a time), value mastery over opinions, and stop letting anxiety grow in the gap between your words and your work. If you want receipts, we’ve got them—KPIs, standards, and the uncomfortable conversations required to level up.

Most people don’t lose because they’re not talented—they lose because they’re scattered. In this episode, the guys break down why doing nine things halfway will never beat doing one thing with ruthless focus. ET unpacks how people-pleasing drains your energy, CJ shows how a single North Star changed their whole brand, and Maul & Karl dive into legacy, parenting, and building skills that outlive you. You’ll learn: Why your focus decides your future How “too many options” quietly kills results The cure for people-pleasing and scattered energy Generational strategy: turning gifts into a family enterprise How to choose one priority and actually finish

In this powerful continuation of last week’s conversation, the S2S crew dives deep into the truth about circles, ego, and why so many people stay stuck. 💡ET, CJ, Karl, Jemal and Pastor TJ break down: - Why your circle can be the biggest ceiling on your future 🚫 - How comparison keeps you frustrated, broke, and unfulfilled - The hidden difference between a real anchor and a pseudo-anchor (ego) - Why honesty about where you are is the first step to growth - How exposure to the right people can transform your entire life 🌍 Too many people are failing not because of lack of talent, but because of the people they’re surrounded by and the lies they tell themselves. This episode is a reality check and a roadmap to building a stronger foundation for your family, your legacy, and your future. 🔔 Subscribe & turn on notifications so you never miss an episode: youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Join our Patreon for exclusive content: patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast 👉 Question of the week: Is your circle helping you grow, or holding you back? Drop your answer in the comments.

Parents think the best gift they can give their kids is money. But the truth? Money alone isn’t enough. In this powerful episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, ET, CJ, Karl & TJ unpack the story of Vontrell — a star athlete whose NFL dream collapsed after repeated injuries. Lost and struggling, he fell into security jobs and uncertainty… until Marlon & Camille stepped in. Instead of letting him sink, they gave him something far greater than money: A car to drive. A place to live. His basic expenses covered. In other words, they gave him a margin of error — room to fail, recover, and chase his next dream. That margin led to marriage, a new home, and eventually a million-dollar contract. Here’s what you’ll learn in Part 1: - Why your kids need stability more than a paycheck - How to create room for failure without destroying their future - Why marriages and money collapse when there’s no foundation - The hidden sacrifices that build true legacy - ET’s challenge: how do you stay hungry when you’re already full? This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation that every parent, leader, and dreamer needs to hear. 👉 Subscribe now for weekly episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success-podcast/id1061833196 👉 Join our Patreon family for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

Chronic stress is silently killing your energy, focus, and health. In this episode, learn how to eliminate stress, gain mental clarity, and thrive. Stress isn’t about your job, marriage, or circumstances—it’s about your perception of them. In this powerful episode, the S2S crew sits down with Lisa Angel Smith to break down the difference between acute stress and chronic stress, why managing stress isn’t enough, and how to actually eliminate it from your life. Lisa shares her journey, how diet and daily routines impact mental clarity, and the formula for reducing stress through Exit, Enter, and Engagement strategies. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck—this is the conversation that will set you free. ✊🏾 Don’t just watch this episode—take action. If stress has been stealing your time, health, or peace, it’s time to take it back. 👉 Watch and SUBSCRIBE on YouTube and turn on notifications so you never miss the conversations that push you toward the life you were meant to live. https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel 💬 Drop a comment: What’s ONE step you’re taking this week to eliminate stress? 🎧 Prefer to listen on the go? Tune in on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success-with-cj-karl-et-the-hip-hop-preacher/id1061833196 🔗 And if you’re serious about growth, join our Patreon fam for exclusive behind-the-scenes access, live recordings, and real conversations: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 Let’s get free together. 💯

This week on the Secret to Success Podcast, the guys go deep on why most people stay stuck financially and personally. From Cracker Barrel’s branding mistakes to the truth about passive income, standards, and self-sabotage—this episode will challenge you to stop listening to the wrong voices and finally become the right person. 🚨 Topics covered: - Why Cracker Barrel got punked and what it teaches us about chasing approval. - “One Property Away”: how to shift from active to true passive income. - The real age standards for being called Big Bro, Unk, OG, and Pops. - Why information without execution will keep you broke. - The danger of participation trophies in jobs, schools, and life. 💡 Don’t just chase checks—learn how to build a system that frees you to do what you love with the people you love. 👉 Join us LIVE at Anchored Conference — September 20th in Atlanta, GA 🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://www.youoweyou365.com/liveevent 👉 Subscribe now for weekly conversations on business, mindset, real estate, and success: @S2SPodcastChannel 🎧 Listen to the full podcast here: s2spodcast.com 📲 Follow us on IG: @s2spodcast 🎙️ Support on Patreon for exclusive content: Patreon.com/S2SPodcast120

If you’re not intentional with money, marriage, or business, you’ll accidentally end up broke. 💥 In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the guys break down the 70/30 rule and why discipline beats feelings every time. They show how anchors—non-negotiable principles—keep you from drifting into bad deals, broken marriages, or wasted years. 👉 Why the 70/30 rule protects your finances 👉 How to choose anchors that prevent drifting 👉 Why emotions kill wealth, but discipline builds it This conversation is raw, practical, and guaranteed to make you re-evaluate your habits. Don’t drift. Lock in your anchors. 👉 Join us LIVE at Anchored Conference — September 20th in Atlanta, GA 🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://www.youoweyou365.com/liveevent ✦ Subscribe for weekly episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 ✦ Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast ✦ Join our Patreon family for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

F* the Anchor. Yeah, we said it. But it’s not what you think. In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, ET, CJ, Karl, and Jemal break down why so many people are drifting in life—financially, relationally, and spiritually—because they don’t have anchors holding them steady. The guys talk about: Why margin for error matters in your money, marriage, and health How real estate formulas apply to every area of life Lessons from Little League World Series to building legacy The difference between drifting and being anchored It’s one of the most raw and practical conversations yet—funny, unfiltered, and guaranteed to challenge how you think about success. 👉 Join us LIVE at Anchored Conference — September 20th in Atlanta, GA 🎟️ Get your tickets now: https://www.youoweyou365.com/liveevent ✦ Subscribe for weekly episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 ✦ Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast ✦ Join our Patreon family for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

You keep praying for a better life — more money, a better marriage, peace of mind — but nothing changes. Why? Because prayer won’t fix stupid habits. You can pray all day, but if you’re still eating like trash, still blaming everybody else, still out of order… don’t expect different results. In this episode, CJ, ET, and Pastor TJ break down why your sequence matters more than your intentions — and why God’s blessings aren’t missing, you’re just out of alignment. 👊 What you’ll get from this episode: The painful truth about why prayer without work fails How being “out of order” destroys success in every area The cheat code of sequence — and how to reset it Why accountability beats excuses every time ✅ Take action: 📺 Watch every episode + BTS → Subscribe on YouTube 💬 Join the fam → Patreon 📲 Follow IG → @s2spodcast

You think staying quiet is keeping the peace — but it’s killing your marriage, your friendships, and your opportunities. In this raw conversation from the S2S Podcast, the guys get brutally honest about the damage caused by holding things in for years, avoiding hard conversations, and expecting others to “just know” how you feel. Learn why unspoken frustrations become resentment, how your silence might be teaching your kids unhealthy patterns, and why the same energy you use to make excuses could have already fixed the problem. From marriage lessons to personal breakthroughs, this episode is a wake-up call to speak up, take responsibility, and stop self-sabotaging the relationships that matter most. 🔥 Like this video? Don’t forget to subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. 🎧 Listen to the S2S Podcast: https://www.s2spodcast.com 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast | https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 📺 Watch more on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 💡 Join our Patreon community for exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120

Why do people cut you off even after years of loyalty? In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, ET, CJ, Karl, and Jamal break down a truth most people don’t want to face: being loyal isn’t enough if you’re no longer an asset. From Dede’s emotional revelation about feeling unprotected, to the raw talk about marriages, business partnerships, and friendships—this episode will challenge how you see your own relationships and the value you bring. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why loyalty without value leads to being replaced How to stay indispensable in your relationships and work The power of communication to save what matters When to step up and when to let go 👉 Watch until the end—the conversation gets REAL. 🎥 Subscribe & Turn On Notifications: YouTube.com/S2SPodcastChannel 🔑 Get exclusive content & live access: Patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 📲 Follow on Instagram: @s2spodcast 🌐 More episodes: s2spodcast.com

🔥 500 EPISODES! 🔥 Join Eric Thomas (ET), CJ, Karl, and Jemal for a LIVE celebration of 500 episodes of the Secret to Success Podcast! This isn’t just another episode – it’s a moment in history. Expect laughs, surprises, special guests and the raw motivation that’s kept us going for nearly a decade. 🚨 What to Expect: Behind-the-scenes stories we’ve NEVER shared before LIVE Q&A with the S2S crew Special shoutouts to our day-ones and Patreon family Big announcements you don’t want to miss! 💥 Whether you’ve been rocking with us since episode 1 or just joined the movement, this is YOUR party too. Pull up live, bring your energy, and let’s celebrate what happens when you refuse to quit! 👊 Want EXCLUSIVE access, BTS content & to join the next live recording? 👉 Become part of the family at patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 📌 Follow us for more motivation: IG: @s2spodcast YT: S2S Podcast Website: s2spodcast.com 🎯 Comment below: What’s been YOUR favorite S2S moment over the past 500 episodes?

In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the guys go all in on the mindset shift required to break out of survival mode. They challenge the traditional W2 mentality and expose why playing defense in life keeps you stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not getting ahead—this episode is for you. Topics Discussed: Why the W2 mindset is keeping you broke How real wealth starts with real exposure The power of playing offense in your life How Jamal's early moves set up generational wealth Why people criticize your grind but ask to eat from it What it really means to be a value-add in your circle And why you can’t save your family with a small mindset 🎯 Want to learn how to build legacy wealth? 👉 MakeRealEstateRealCourse.com 🎧 Love the pod? Join the movement. Unlock exclusive episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and monthly live recordings with the squad on Patreon: 👉 patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel 🗣️ Subscribe & leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more people get exposed to the message!

You’ve got more access to information than any generation in history — so why are most people still stuck? In this powerful episode, the guys break down the real reason proximity to greatness doesn’t automatically lead to results: you’re learning the moves but not adopting the mindset. From million-dollar real estate lessons to spiritual growth, relationships, and health — this one covers what it really takes to win in life. 🎯 What we cover: Why you can sit front row and still miss the lesson The mindset difference between students and success stories Why copying your mentor’s steps without their beliefs won’t work How Jamal’s commitment to the process paid off during a crisis A real-life $10M airline lawsuit and what it teaches about emotional maturity Whether you’re in the room, on the Zoom, or soaking up every podcast — this episode is your wake-up call to stop watching and start thinking different. 📺 Watch the full video episode on YouTube: YouTube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel 🎙️ Join the S2S Patreon fam for exclusive content: Patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 📸 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast

Dede is back — and she’s not holding back. In one of the rawest episodes we’ve ever recorded, Dede and Candis join CJ and Eric for an unfiltered conversation about walls, wounds, and the real reason trust is so hard to build — especially in marriage and sisterhood. Whether you're dating, married, or simply trying to grow in emotional maturity, this episode is your mirror. From communication breakdowns to spiritual breakthroughs, you'll hear real strategies, vulnerable confessions, and a challenge to finally tear down the bricks we’ve all built. 🧱 The Brick = Insecurity 🌉 The Bridge = Maturity Who’s willing to build? 💔 Topics We Dive Into: Why women shut down emotionally How men can become a safe place What sisterhood really requires How to tear down emotional bricks Why most people never feel fully seen or heard 🎥 Want to watch the episode and see the emotion in real time? Check it out on YouTube: youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel 💍 Ready to grow with other thriving couples? Apply now at foreverforwardmarriage.com 🎧 Unlock bonus episodes and behind-the-scenes moments at ⁠patreon.com/S2SPodcast120 🙌 Don’t forget to follow, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs it.

Karl returns from a life-changing mission trip to Kenya — but what started as a service project turned into a soul reset. In this episode, the guys unpack what it really means to live with less, why simplicity brings peace, and how one week of building a school in the mountains revealed what America often distracts us from. From 400 kids with no phones and no complaints, to laying bricks alongside his kids and a 75-year-old volunteer — Karl shares how being on one accord with strangers unlocked more purpose than years of hustle ever could. ✈️ What you'll hear: Why too many options can steal your joy The truth about mission trips: it’s not about what you give How silence, service, and sacrifice create lasting transformation And the surprising leadership lesson from a brick wall 🌍 One trip. One school. One powerful reminder: Peace doesn't come from possessions — it comes from purpose. 👉🏾 Love what you're hearing? Be sure to follow the podcast, leave a 5-star review, and share this episode with someone who's been chasing more — when what they really need is less. 🎥 Want to see the mission in action? Head to our YouTube channel to watch the full visual experience and meet the kids, volunteers, and community that changed Karl’s life: 📺 YouTube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel 🎧 Unlock bonus episodes and behind-the-scenes moments at patreon.com/S2SPodcast120