WIT Podcast Whatever It Takes

Brandon James
  • 5.0 (14)
  • 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. 8h ago

    122. You're Building a Life Your Family Never Asked For.

    You're Building a Life Your Family Never Asked For. You say you're doing it all for your family. But have you ever stopped to ask them if this is the life they actually want? As entrepreneurs and high performers, we're wired to chase the next level. More money. More success. More freedom. Bigger opportunities. But somewhere along the way, we can become so obsessed with building the life WE envision that we forget to ask the people we're building it for what THEY want. In this episode of the WIT Podcast, Brandon J gets brutally honest about how his relentless pursuit of success almost cost him his marriage. From spending a decade in prison to building a nine-figure net worth, Brandon knows what it takes to sacrifice, execute, and win. But one of the hardest lessons he learned had nothing to do with business. You can be winning in every area of your business while slowly losing the people who matter most. Brandon shares how he and his wife, Kelly, went from chasing separate visions to creating one shared mission. He breaks down the conversations, daily commitments, and intentional habits that helped transform their marriage and align their family around something bigger than money. In this episode, we dive into: Why your spouse might feel disconnected from the success you're working so hard to create. The dangerous assumption that providing financially means you're leading your family. How Brandon almost destroyed his marriage by chasing his own vision. Why your family's dreams deserve just as much attention as your business targets. The power of creating a shared 12-month vision with your spouse. How Brandon and Kelly use their daily "This Is Us" commitments to stay aligned. Why real leadership starts with the people waiting for you at home. Here's the question every business owner needs to answer: Are you building a life WITH your family, or are you expecting them to follow you into a life they never agreed to? Because at the end of the day, what good is building an empire if you lose the people you wanted to share it with? Want to create a shared vision with your spouse? Comment "VISIONS AND TARGETS" to get the template Brandon and Kelly use to map out their future. Comment "THIS IS US" to get the daily identity and commitment framework they use to stay aligned. Subscribe to the WIT Podcast for real conversations about leadership, business, marriage, identity, and becoming the person capable of sustaining success. Whatever It Takes.

  2. 2d ago

    121. From Prison to Millions: The Brutal Truth About Building Real Success | Raymond Little

    On this special edition of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, recorded live from Win the Storm in Dallas, Joey Yak and Brandon J sit down with Raymond Little, the man behind Perimeter Roofing, for an unfiltered conversation about second chances, personal transformation, building successful businesses, and creating a legacy that goes beyond money.   Raymond spent approximately 149 months behind bars. When he was released in 2015, he had just $43, no place of his own, and a past that made finding work incredibly difficult.   But he had two things he refused to compromise on: showing up early and outworking everyone around him.   Those two commitments became the foundation of a remarkable transformation.   From working ordinary jobs and knocking doors to helping build a multimillion-dollar roofing operation and eventually selling the business, Raymond discovered that the real secret to sustainable success isn't just working harder. It's becoming a different person.   In this episode, Raymond and Brandon share the realities most entrepreneurs never talk about: the emotional cost of building a business, the discipline required to create financial freedom, the danger of letting money feed your ego, and why developing people matters more than simply generating revenue.   They also dive into marriage, faith, recovery, personal accountability, and the responsibility that comes with building a team.   Raymond challenges business owners to stop measuring success only by their bank accounts and start asking a harder question:   Are you building something that makes money, or something that actually changes lives?   Because building a profitable company is one thing.   Building a culture that survives beyond you is something entirely different.   If you're an entrepreneur, roofing contractor, sales professional, or someone determined to rewrite your story, this conversation will challenge the way you think about success, sacrifice, and the legacy you're creating.   Your past doesn't have to determine your future. But the standards you live by today absolutely will.   Raymond Little Website https://www.svgcommunity.com/ https://www.svgcommunity.com/leadersedge Links: Website: https://justdowit.com/ Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/E5kikU69rj8?si=LS33D482BRCkR98Y Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  3. Oct 28

    120. Vision And Targets: Why You're Still Stuck In The Same Place

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J break down one of the most powerful practices behind personal growth, business success, and lasting transformation: Vision and Targets. After spending 10 years in prison, Brandon came home with a 300 credit score, no driver's license, and a future that seemed nearly impossible to rebuild. Sitting on his mother's front porch, he wrote down a vision for the life he wanted to create. He believed it would take six or seven years to accomplish those goals. He achieved them in just 16 months. But the biggest transformation wasn't the money, the house, or the material success. It was the man he had to become to make those things possible. In this conversation, Brandon shares how defining a clear vision changed the direction of his life and why so many people remain stuck despite having the ability to accomplish more. Joey and Brandon walk through the Vision and Targets framework used inside the WIT Movement, showing how to build a detailed 12-month vision for your business, finances, health, relationships, faith, and personal development. They explore why you must honestly acknowledge where you're starting, how to identify the standards and habits required for your next level, and why setting goals means nothing without daily execution. More importantly, they explain how to connect your vision to something emotionally powerful enough to keep you moving when discipline gets difficult, motivation disappears, and life challenges your commitment. Because having a dream isn't enough. You need a destination worth fighting for, a clear understanding of where you stand today, and the willingness to make decisions that move you closer to that future every single day. Whether you're building a business, trying to become a better spouse or parent, pursuing financial freedom, or simply tired of feeling stuck, this episode will challenge you to stop drifting through life and start living with intention. The life you want won't happen by accident. You have to define it, commit to it, and become the person capable of living it. Want to start building your own Vision and Targets? Comment "VISION AND TARGETS" below to receive the worksheet discussed in this episode and start creating a clear roadmap for your next 12 months. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  4. Oct 26

    119. Your Team Is Betting Their Life on You

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J confront one of the most important responsibilities of leadership: understanding that the people who follow you are trusting you with more than just their careers. They're trusting you with their futures, their families, and the opportunity to build a better life. Brandon shares how his perspective on leadership completely changed when he realized that the people around him were depending on the person he was becoming. What started as a personal commitment to improve turned into a responsibility to raise his standards in every area of life. But becoming a great leader requires more than working hard, hitting numbers, or holding a position of authority. In this conversation, Brandon and Joey break down why so many business owners struggle to build strong teams, how ego destroys trust, and why the quality of your leadership determines the level of people you can attract, develop, and retain. They discuss the importance of leading yourself before leading others, building trust before demanding accountability, and creating a vision big enough for your team to see their own future inside it. Brandon also opens up about the difficult transition from being a top-performing salesperson to becoming a leader whose success was measured by the growth of others. He explains why learning to develop people, rather than simply expecting them to perform, became one of the most important turning points in building Brandon J Roofing. From taking extreme ownership of your team's failures to recognizing potential in people before they see it themselves, this episode challenges leaders to rethink what it truly means to be responsible for others. Because your job isn't just to build a successful business. Your job is to become the kind of leader who helps other people build successful lives. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, manager, or someone responsible for developing others, this conversation will challenge you to examine your standards, your influence, and the example you're setting every single day. Your team doesn't need another boss. They need someone worth following. Links: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  5. Oct 21

    118. I Was Supposed to Die That Day… But God Had Other Plans.

    What if the darkest moment of your life became the beginning of everything God had planned for you? In this powerful episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J shares his personal testimony during a guest speaking appearance at a men's faith gathering, opening up about his journey from addiction, incarceration, and hopelessness to faith, redemption, and a life dedicated to helping others. Brandon spent much of his early life believing he was destined for failure. First incarcerated at just 12 years old, he eventually spent a decade in prison, including years in solitary confinement. Surrounded by darkness and trapped in destructive patterns, he convinced himself that the life he was living was the only life he would ever know. But even after being released from prison, the hardest battle was far from over. Brandon shares the painful reality of returning to his old lifestyle, losing everything again, and reaching a breaking point that nearly cost him his life. What happened next became the turning point that would forever change his relationship with God, his identity, and his future. Through recovery, faith, mentorship, and a willingness to completely surrender his old way of living, Brandon began rebuilding his life from the ground up. Just six months after coming home, he started the business that would eventually become Brandon J Roofing. But this testimony isn't about building a successful company or achieving financial freedom. It's about discovering that true transformation begins when you stop allowing your past, your mistakes, and your circumstances to define who you are. Brandon challenges the men in the room to take responsibility for their lives, surround themselves with people who hold them accountable, strengthen their relationship with God, and become intentional about the men they are called to be. He also shares why vulnerability is a strength, why isolation can destroy progress, and why the greatest breakthroughs often begin when we're finally willing to admit that we need help. Whether you're battling your past, struggling with your identity, rebuilding after failure, or searching for a greater purpose, this message is a reminder that your story isn't finished. Your past may explain where you've been, but it doesn't have to decide where you're going. No matter how far you've fallen, there is still an opportunity to change your direction, rebuild your life, and become the person God created you to be. Your next chapter starts with the decisions you make today.

  6. Oct 19

    117. This Is Us: I Almost Lost My Wife While Building My Dream Life

    What happens when you're building the life you've always dreamed of, but slowly losing the person you're supposed to share it with? On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Brandon J sits down with his wife, Kelly, for one of their most personal and emotional conversations yet. Together, they open up about the struggles that nearly cost them their marriage, the painful realization that they had lost their connection, and the intentional changes that helped them rebuild their relationship stronger than ever. While Brandon was focused on growing his business, pursuing success, and creating a better future, he didn't realize that the vision driving him forward was leaving Kelly feeling behind. From the outside, they had everything. But behind the success, their marriage was slowly falling out of alignment. That experience became the foundation for "This Is Us," a daily practice they created to strengthen their marriage through faith, shared vision, honest communication, and intentional love. For the first time, Brandon and Kelly share how "This Is Us" transformed their relationship, helping them reconnect, rebuild trust, and become more intentional about the life they're creating together. They reveal the daily habits that keep their marriage strong, why personal growth must go hand in hand with growing together, and how putting God at the center of their relationship changed everything. Kelly also shares her perspective on feeling left behind, navigating one of the hardest seasons of their marriage, and finding a deeper connection with Brandon and her faith through the process. This episode is about more than marriage. It's about understanding that success means very little if you're losing the people who matter most along the way. Whether you're married, building a business with your partner, struggling to reconnect, or simply wanting to create a stronger relationship, this conversation will challenge you to become more intentional about who you're becoming and who you're becoming together. Because the greatest life you can build isn't one where you achieve everything alone. It's one where you never lose sight of the person standing beside you.

  7. Oct 13

    116. Your Family Deserves Financial Freedom, Not A Fake Image

    On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J tackle one of the biggest financial traps entrepreneurs face: making more money without ever building real financial freedom. Brandon shares his journey from starting over with a 300 credit score to becoming a multimillionaire, and the financial principles that helped him build lasting wealth. But this conversation isn't about how much money you can make. It's about how much you can keep, how you manage it, and whether the decisions you're making today are creating security for your future. They break down why so many business owners get caught up in chasing revenue, upgrading their lifestyles, and trying to look successful while their financial foundation is falling apart. Brandon explains the importance of developing the right mindset, understanding your expenses, building financial reserves, and giving every dollar a purpose before it ever reaches your account. From managing personal finances to tracking business profitability, preparing for difficult seasons, and investing for the future, this episode challenges entrepreneurs to stop confusing income with wealth. Because real success isn't about having the nicest cars, the biggest house, or impressing people on social media. It's about creating financial security, protecting your family, and building a life where you have the freedom to make your own choices. Whether you're a business owner, sales professional, or entrepreneur looking to take control of your finances, this conversation will challenge you to rethink your relationship with money, strengthen your financial discipline, and start building wealth that lasts. Stop building a business that keeps you broke. Start building a future that sets you free. Links: Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/E5kikU69rj8?si=LS33D482BRCkR98Y Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

  8. Oct 12

    115. A Real American Entrepreneur | From a $300 Camaro to Million-Dollar Builds - Scott Griffin

    What happens when you finally build the business you've always dreamed of, only to realize you're miserable running it? On this episode of the Whatever It Takes Podcast, Joey Yak and Brandon J sit down with Scott Griffin, owner of Griffin Automotive Design, for an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, perseverance, leadership, and what it really takes to turn a lifelong passion into a successful business. Scott's journey started at just 12 years old when he saved enough money from odd jobs to purchase his first Camaro for $300. What began as a childhood obsession with cars eventually became Griffin Automotive Design, a custom automotive business specializing in high-end classic muscle cars, with builds that can exceed $1 million. But the road to success was anything but easy. Scott opens up about leaving a secure career to pursue his dream, struggling to support his family during the early years, and nearly walking away after expanding into a massive 35,000-square-foot facility. Despite the company's growth, poor hiring decisions and a toxic workplace culture had turned his dream into something he no longer enjoyed. Everything began to change when Scott realized that growing a business required more than technical skill. It required becoming a better leader. Brandon and Scott dive into the importance of building the right team, protecting company culture, investing in personal development, and creating opportunities that genuinely change people's lives. They also discuss why successful entrepreneurs must continue evolving, surrounding themselves with the right people, and refusing to limit their vision to what seems possible today. From rebuilding classic cars to rebuilding his approach to leadership, Scott's story is proof that the hardest seasons of entrepreneurship can become the foundation for your greatest growth. Whether you're starting your first business, struggling with your team, or chasing a dream that feels impossible, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, become a stronger leader, and keep moving forward when quitting feels like the easier option. Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough comes after the moment you almost give up. Links: Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/E5kikU69rj8?si=LS33D482BRCkR98Y Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whatever-it-takes-podcast/id1811772757 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhateverItTakesPod Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0sSzR7yw3PiVBCMNhzYBg6 Join our free Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/16VU4A8d8A/?mibextid=wwXIfr

See All (122)

5
out of 5
14 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.

Information

You Might Also Like