WIT Podcast Whatever It Takes

Brandon James & Jon Paramore
  • 5.0 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Introducing the WIT Podcast: Whatever It Takes Life has been a wild ride for me—full of ups and downs, wins and losses. 6.5 years ago, I walked out of prison with nothing. I was given another chance at life, and I made a promise to myself and to God: I would give it everything I've got, hold nothing back, and leave it all on the field. I committed to doing Whatever It Takes. Since then, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From scaling a business from $0 to $55 million, navigating setbacks, closing private equity deals, and helping others grow, I've learned that success isn't just about the wins—it's about failing forward, staying consistent, and relentlessly pursuing growth. The WIT Podcast isn't just about professional growth; it's about real, raw experiences—the kind that transform every area of your life. We're here to share the hard truths, the strategies that work, and the lessons learned from doing Whatever It Takes. This isn't just a podcast; it's a blueprint for anyone ready to take on life's challenges and come out stronger.

  1. 2D AGO

    66. The Lie Your Ego Keeps Telling You

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast Brandon James and Jon Paramore dive deep into the power of self-awareness and why it's one of the most important traits a person can develop in leadership, business, and life. The conversation starts with reflecting on a recent event that put a lot of things into perspective and quickly moves into a powerful discussion about radical honesty with yourself. Brandon shares how ego, victimhood, and blame can keep people stuck in the same patterns, and how learning to take ownership of your part in every situation can completely change the direction of your life. They talk about the difference between being self-aware and being self-critical, how to process your past without letting it define your future, and why humility is required if you truly want to grow. Brandon also shares personal experiences from recovery and the process that helped him identify fears, resentments, and character defects — and how that process ultimately set him free. Jon and Brandon also break down why many people know what they need to change but still struggle to actually do it, and why asking for help is often the turning point that allows real transformation to begin. If you've ever struggled with letting go of the past, breaking old habits, or figuring out how to become the person you know you're capable of being, this episode will challenge you to take an honest look in the mirror and start moving forward with clarity and purpose. Apple Podcasts ⤵️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wit-podcast-whatever-it-takes/id1789167910 Youtube ⤵️ https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify ⤵️ https://open.spotify.com/show/1zzvGZzQh9Lj9VL1DScWRJ Join our free Facebook group ⤵️ https://www.facebook.com/groups/1664694160780709

    44 min

  2. MAR 4

    65. Talking Complacency, Pressure, and Staying Ready with World Series Champ, Matt Adams

    On this episode, Brandon James and Jon Paramore discuss complacency, pressure and staying ready with a special guest today: MLB World Series Champion + former St. Louis Cardinal Matt Adams — aka "Big City." In this episode, we cover: The "Big City" nickname How it started in spring training Why it stuck for 10+ years Where it all began Starting baseball at 3–4 years old Small-town Pennsylvania upbringing + early love for the game The setback that fueled him Losing the University of Pittsburgh opportunity Going D2 at Slippery Rock with a chip on his shoulder The money + travel ball reality Not having the resources for all the "prep / travel circuit" stuff Betting on: "If I'm good enough, they'll find me" Manifestation before it was "cool" Practicing his autograph in class Visualizing success as a teenager without even realizing it Minor leagues → fast track to the show Rookie ball → A-ball → Double-A → Triple-A → debut Getting drafted 23rd round and being told he was a "roster fill"… then proving everyone wrong What it takes to climb when you're NOT the top prospect Why most guys don't make it Complacency after getting drafted Taking the foot off the gas Expecting things to be given instead of earned The "Cardinal Way" culture The obsession with doing the little things right Practicing fundamentals daily (even bunting when you're a big bat) Low tolerance for ego / selfishness How leaders are built, not bought Playing with legends + learning the standard Being around Pujols / Yadi / Tony La Russa Mentors like Jon Jay & Daniel Descalso How winning environments feel different World Series moments you can't script Fenway Park as a rookie (pinch-me stuff) The emotional chaos of a Game 7 moment Winning a championship and realizing: "We're grown men celebrating a kid's game" St. Louis as a baseball city Why Cardinals fans are different Respecting great baseball… even from visiting players Getting love on the road because Cardinals fans travel The hard truth: keeping your spot is harder than earning it The pressure of always having someone coming for your job Why role players have to stay ready at all times Life after the league Independent ball grind + still chasing the dream Coaching, media, and what his next chapter could look like What he wishes he told his younger self: don't take a day for granted Quick notes: If you've got little ears in the car, heads up: we drop a little salty language sometimes. Help us get this episode out: ✅ Like / Comment / Share ✅ Subscribe on YouTube (channel is live — go run it up) ✅ If you're on Apple Podcasts: thumbs up + subscribe ✅ Anywhere else you listen: leave a quick review

    50 min

  3. FEB 25

    64. Why Most People Stay Broke (Even After Making Six Figures)

    In this episode, Brandon James and Jon Paramore talk about a major gap in sales and entrepreneurship: Too many leaders teach people how to make money… Almost nobody teaches them how to keep it. We break down: The "Joe" effect — tripling income and still ending up broke Why quick success can destroy undisciplined people The importance of financial literacy in leadership Building emergency funds and reverse engineering goals Creating real freedom instead of seasonal success We also discuss: Social media outrage culture Protecting your focus Choosing how you show up daily Not sacrificing integrity for clicks or conflict If you want sustainable success — personally and professionally — this episode hits.

    43 min

  4. FEB 18

    63. The Cost of Being Out of Alignment

    In this episode, Brandon James and Jon Paramore break down what it really means to live in alignment — and the real price you pay when you don't. From entrepreneurship to personal discipline, faith, leadership, and relationships, we explore how small daily compromises slowly erode self-trust and confidence. Topics include: Turning vision into reality (16 months instead of 6 years) Why discipline feels like a fight at first Reprogramming yourself through daily action Losing the choice to quit The mental toll of avoiding hard decisions Accountability, ownership, and radical honesty Grace vs. perfectionism If you've been carrying "that thing" around for months (or years), this episode is your wake-up call. Write it down. Get honest. Get accountable. Stay started.

    36 min

  5. FEB 18

    62. Stuck in Place: The Barrier Between You and Your Next Level

    In this episode, Brandon James and Jon Paramore dive into one of the biggest hidden reasons people stay stuck—and how subtle habits, beliefs, and daily decisions quietly hold them back. This is an honest, reflective conversation about growth, discipline, and the mindset shifts required to move forward. If you've been feeling frustrated, unfulfilled, or like you're capable of more but don't know what's blocking you, this episode will challenge you to look inward and rethink how you approach progress. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a professional, a student, or someone simply trying to improve their life, this discussion will push you to evaluate what needs to change so you can finally step into your next level.

    45 min

  6. FEB 5

    61. How to Build Leaders, Hire the Right People, and Scale Without Burning Out

    In this episode of the WIT Podcast, Brandon and the team answer real questions from business owners inside the Whatever It Takes community—covering leadership development, hiring systems, growth strategy, and how to scale without losing control They break down how to intentionally build a growth-driven culture, why personal development must be baked into company systems, and how weekly leadership meetings, book studies, and accountability structures create teams that thrive. You'll hear how DISC assessments are used in hiring, what questions actually reveal character and coachability in interviews, and why most companies put the right people in the wrong seats. The conversation also dives into navigating busy seasons, setting aggressive yearly targets, creating roadmaps for long-term growth, and knowing when to shift from working in the business to working on it. Brandon shares his journey from sales rep to building toward a $100M vision—and why learning every role matters before delegating. They wrap up with practical insights on pricing strategy, controlling demand, fixing bottlenecks through systems rather than shortcuts, and why January and February can be the biggest separation months of the year for high performers. If you're building a team, hiring leaders, or trying to break through your next ceiling—this episode is packed with real-world playbooks.

    37 min

  7. JAN 28

    60. The Leadership Habit That Builds Great Companies

    What separates companies that scale from those that stall? In this solo episode, Brandon unpacks the philosophy behind creating a "culture of leaders who create leaders." He shares real-world lessons from years of building his business — including early hiring mistakes, leadership bottlenecks caused by ego, and why accountability multiplies as you move up. You'll hear Brandon discuss how caring for your people, developing them personally and professionally, and being willing to pass the spotlight are essential for long-term growth. Topics include: • Leadership equity and trust • Why service matters more than authority • Developing talent from inside your organization • Letting others shine as a founder • Vision casting and belief • Why companies plateau without leadership development • Building systems that grow people If you're serious about scaling a team the right way, this episode delivers the mindset every leader needs.

    20 min

  8. JAN 21

    59. Why the Next Level Requires a New You

    This episode of the WIT Podcast is a deep conversation about growth, humility, and what it really takes to scale a business without stalling out. Brandon James and Jon Paramore focus on the idea that most people stop growing not because they lack opportunity, but because they overestimate what they know and underestimate what the next level requires. The episode repeatedly returns to the theme that every new level demands new skills, new systems, and a new version of the leader. Key ideas include: Why success at one level doesn't qualify you for the next The danger of shiny object syndrome when growth gets uncomfortable Staying narrow and deep instead of wide and distracted Why curiosity, coachability, and humility matter more than confidence The importance of systems, structure, and people development Why leaders must continually "fire themselves" from old roles How real scaling comes from building people, not just revenue They also break down real-world examples from roofing, private equity, and leadership transitions, emphasizing that companies don't rise to their success — they fall to their systems. The conversation highlights why developing leaders at every level is the only sustainable way to grow without breaking culture or quality. This episode is about becoming the person capable of carrying the next level, not chasing shortcuts.

    44 min
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5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Introducing the WIT Podcast: Whatever It Takes Life has been a wild ride for me—full of ups and downs, wins and losses. 6.5 years ago, I walked out of prison with nothing. I was given another chance at life, and I made a promise to myself and to God: I would give it everything I've got, hold nothing back, and leave it all on the field. I committed to doing Whatever It Takes. Since then, the journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. From scaling a business from $0 to $55 million, navigating setbacks, closing private equity deals, and helping others grow, I've learned that success isn't just about the wins—it's about failing forward, staying consistent, and relentlessly pursuing growth. The WIT Podcast isn't just about professional growth; it's about real, raw experiences—the kind that transform every area of your life. We're here to share the hard truths, the strategies that work, and the lessons learned from doing Whatever It Takes. This isn't just a podcast; it's a blueprint for anyone ready to take on life's challenges and come out stronger.

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