The Greater Journey: Stories of Transformation with Gregory Rutledge

Gregory Rutledge
  • 0.0 (0)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Everybody wants the highlight reel. Nobody wants to talk about the trenches. The Greater Journey is where we flip that. I sit down with entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives to unpack the setbacks, the doubts, and the messy middle that actually make you GREATER. Each conversation follows my GREATER framework — Grounded in your story, Reframe your beliefs, Embrace learning, take Action, Transition with purpose, Empower your network, and build Resilience through it all. This isn’t theory, it’s real people sharing the real stories that shaped them. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or like you were made for more, these episodes will remind you: your story isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of YOUR greater journey.

Episodes

  1. NOV 16

    From Chaos to Clarity: How Coach Will Smith Found His Purpose

    In this raw and powerful episode of The Greater Journey, host Gregory Rutledge sits down with Coach Will Smith, founder of Lifestyle Coaching Academy and creator of the New Me Initiative — a 90-day, no-excuses, results-driven transformation program. Will’s story takes us from foster care, addiction, and self-destruction to fatherhood, redemption, and purpose. He reveals how a single wake-up call changed everything and why he believes in accountability over excuses. 🎧 What you’ll learn: The truth about “overnight success” (it’s a 10–20-year night)How to stop blaming and start becomingThe mindset shift from victim to victorWhy peace beats “crazy busy” every timeHow resilience is built through fire, not comfortThe daily habits that keep him grounded and focusedWhy empowering your network starts with owning your story “It’s easy to be comfortable. It’s hard to be great. And just two more letters to be GREATER.” #TheGreaterJourney #FromWaiterToGreater #CoachWillSmith #LifestyleCoachingAcademy #NoExcuses #MindsetShift #Resilience #Accountability #PurposeDriven #NewMeInitiative #EntrepreneurMindset #FaithAndFocus #GreaterFramework #MenWhoLead #FromFireToFocus

    40 min

  2. NOV 11

    She Turned Rejection Into Rhythm—The Power of Starting Anyway

    In this episode of The Greater Journey, host Gregory Rutledge sits down with Lindsay “Boog” Yancey, founder of No Hook, LNY Bar Services, and LNY Assistant Services. From dreaming of dancing on stage to managing artists and building her own brand, Lindsay shares how trial and error, resilience, and purpose turned rejection into rhythm. 🎧 What you’ll learn: How discouragement can redirect—not destroy—your destinyWhy trial and error is the fastest teacher in entrepreneurshipHow to build something no one can take from youThe power of starting before you’re ready and learning as you goWhat “automate repetition, not relationship” looks like in real lifeThe truth about imposter syndrome and how to keep going when you feel stuckHow purpose evolves through pain, persistence, and communityCore quote: “Every time I felt like quitting something… something came up.”Boog’s story proves you don’t need permission—just the courage to start.

    55 min

  3. NOV 3

    Dirty Energy & Divine Purpose: Jeff Caliguire on Finding Your Calling Beyond Burnout

    In this heartfelt episode of The Greater Journey Podcast, Gregory Rutledge sits down with Jeff Caliguire—7-time author, former pastor, and founder of WeTrainCoaches.com—to explore the cost of living outside your calling. Jeff shares his raw story of serving in ministry, battling depression, and finally discovering what he calls “clean energy”—the place where your purpose and peace align. Together, they unpack:  🔥 How burnout is often a sign you’re operating outside your true design.  ⚡ Why trying to “be Myron Golden” will never work—and what to do instead.  💡 The 4 essential “checks” for a fulfilled life: Paycheck, People, Purpose, Play. 🕊️ How to trade performance-based faith for God-centered confidence. ❤️ Why courage isn’t hype—it’s living from the heart. If you’ve ever felt trapped by your title, tired from trying, or torn between faith and fulfillment—this one’s for you.

    41 min

  4. NOV 3

    Forged in the Fire: CJ C Boyd on Reinvention, Resilience, and Rising After Ruin

    When life knocked her down—hard—CJ C Boyd didn’t rise from the ashes. She was forged in the fire. In this powerful episode of The Greater Journey Podcast, Gregory Rutledge sits down with CJ C Boyd—founder of Queen by Design and host of Awaken the Warrior—to unpack what it really means to rebuild after loss. After losing her children, her marriage, and her café, CJ had every reason to quit. Instead, she discovered the warrior within.  Together, Gregory and CJ explore:  🔥 How to unlearn the “rules and roles” that keep women small.  🔥 Why the fire doesn’t destroy—it refines.  🔥 How faith and identity intersect in reinvention.  🔥 The power of charging for transformation (not validation).  🔥 Why authenticity after 50 might be your greatest advantage. If you’ve ever felt forgotten, overlooked, or underestimated, this episode will remind you of one truth:  You were never meant to rise quietly. You were meant to be forged greater.

    44 min

  5. OCT 17

    The Truth About Success Nobody Talks About with Stephanie Garcia

    Unlock greater success! Stephanie Garcia shares her NLP mindset, hacks for reframing limiting beliefs, and the system to turn one live video into 94 content pieces. Stephanie Garcia of ‪@captivateoncommand‬  is the host of Lights, Camera, Live and is an award-winning digital marketing strategist dedicated to helping brands and business owners like you, skip the guesswork on how to make their presence known online and start creating meaningful relationships with their customers online with tried and true social media marketing strategies for live streaming and live selling. ▶️ Like my sound? Order the Shure SM7dB Dynamic Vocal Microphone w/Built-in Preamp for Streaming, Podcast, & Recording. https://amzn.to/47faDXp ▶️ ▶️ Order ‘FROM WAITER TO GREATER’ on Amazon - this book will CHANGE YOUR LIFE! https://amzn.to/4n4kjd3 ▶️ ▶️ Join the GREATER University Skool Community: https://www.skool.com/the-greater-uni... ▶️ The Five What’s Framework will help you write copy that converts consistently. https://mailchi.mp/9dcb4a9f44aa/quest... ▶️ Voicenotes is how I leverage AI to organize my thoughts, turn my voice into words without the friction of writing things down and losing them. https://voicenotes.com/?via=gregory

    1h 58m

  6. OCT 6

    Sarah Khan on Building Businesses That Last: The Truth About Leadership, Growth, and Doing the Work

    On this episode of The Greater Journey Podcast, Gregory Rutledge sits down with Sarah Khan—leadership empowerment strategist, TEDx speaker, author, and founder of NYSH Strategic. Sarah is known as “Sarah Khan Out Loud” for a reason: she doesn’t hold back on telling the truth about what it really takes to build a business and lead yourself with courage. Together, they dive into: Why so many online entrepreneurs are “playing business” instead of building one.The difference between a business and an expensive hobby.Sarah’s Entrepreneur Growth Hierarchy (Emerging → Awakened → Connected → Flourishing → Liberated).Why self-leadership and business growth must happen in lockstep.The hidden grief and pruning that come with leaving corporate life and unlearning employee mindsets.Why quick fixes and shortcuts never last—and how to build a foundation that does.This conversation will challenge, encourage, and equip you to take your next step with clarity and conviction.

    54 min

  7. OCT 3

    From Side Hustles to Financial Freedom with Elijah Bilel

    On this episode of The Greater Journey, Gregory Rutledge sits down with Elijah Bilel—creator of The Side Hustler Society and author of The Anatomy of Financial Success. Elijah shares how his journey from Amazon employee to Uber driver to entrepreneur unlocked his mission: helping people reclaim financial freedom by mastering one-person business skills and understanding their financial personality. In this episode you’ll discover: Why the “employee” mindset is a new concept—and how to break free from it.How to balance the many hats of a solopreneur (without burning out).The surprising story behind The Veggie Outers and how small actions create momentum.Why knowing your financial personality changes how you save, invest, and spend.The first steps Elijah took that kept him out of the job market and into entrepreneurship.Whether you’re stuck in overwhelm, curious about side hustles, or ready to reframe your money story—this episode is packed with practical wisdom and resilience-driven breakthroughs.

    36 min

  8. SEP 24

    How a single mother turned struggle into six figures and found her calling in business and faith.

    On this episode of The Greater Journey, Gregory Rutledge sits down with Judaea Morris—entrepreneur, author of Rooted in Resilience, and founder of BIBE Media Group. Judaea opens up about rebuilding her life after domestic violence, divorce, and starting over as a pregnant single mother. From launching a business with a $99 printer in her father-in-law’s house to hitting Amazon bestseller in 24 hours, her story is proof that setbacks don’t stop destiny. Together, Gregory and Judaea explore: What resilience really looks like when life knocks you down.How entrepreneurship is self-development in disguise.Why pruning relationships is part of the growth process.The difference between chasing a lifestyle and filling a real need.This conversation will remind you that resilience isn’t just bouncing back—it’s rebuilding stronger, wiser, and greater.

    31 min

  9. SEP 9

    Safe Connect ID: The Tech That Could Save Lives

    What if a single piece of technology could prevent the next tragic police encounter? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Greg Alexander, founder of Safe Connect ID, and his business partner Eric Kibodeaux, a 30-year medical professional and public health advocate, to explore a groundbreaking solution to one of the most urgent issues in public safety today. 🛑 People with disabilities are 4x more likely to experience harmful or fatal interactions with law enforcement.  ✅ Safe Connect ID is changing that—by connecting first responders to real-time data that can de-escalate situations before they turn tragic. We discuss: 🔹 The real-life tragedies that inspired this movement  🔹 How the Safe Connect system works (and why it’s needed now more than ever)  🔹 The power of combining medical insight, tech, and advocacy to protect vulnerable communities 🔹 Their strategy to roll this out nationally — from partnerships to policy to AI 🔹 What YOU can do to support, share, and save lives Whether you're a parent, educator, policymaker, or just someone who believes in justice with compassion — this conversation will move you. 👉 Visit www.mentalhealthverification.net to learn more, get involved, or register for yourself or a loved one. This isn’t just a project. It’s a public safety revolution. And it’s already saving lives. #SafeConnectID #MentalHealthVerification #GregAlexander #PublicSafetyTech #DisabilityAdvocacy #LawEnforcementReform #AIForGood #Podcast #SocialImpact #GregoryRutledge #GREATERFramework

    1h 1m
  • 9 Episodes

About

Everybody wants the highlight reel. Nobody wants to talk about the trenches. The Greater Journey is where we flip that. I sit down with entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives to unpack the setbacks, the doubts, and the messy middle that actually make you GREATER. Each conversation follows my GREATER framework — Grounded in your story, Reframe your beliefs, Embrace learning, take Action, Transition with purpose, Empower your network, and build Resilience through it all. This isn’t theory, it’s real people sharing the real stories that shaped them. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or like you were made for more, these episodes will remind you: your story isn’t the end. It’s the beginning of YOUR greater journey.

Information