Unapologetic Leadership

Cory Dunham

In a noisy, distracted world, authentic leadership matters more than ever. Hosted by Cory Dunham—entrepreneur, business leader, and follower of Jesus—this podcast is real talk for real leaders who want to live and lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. From overcoming fear mindsets to leading with love, Cory shares personal stories, faith-driven values, and practical tools that help you grow as a leader in your workplace, family, and community. Each episode offers actionable takeaways, mindset shifts, and sometimes guest insights—so you can lead without burnout, build trust, create alignment, and anchor yourself in what truly matters. Whether you’re a boss, teacher, parent, entrepreneur, career professional, or single mom, this show will help you lead yourself and others in a way that’s bold, authentic, and sustainable. Because leadership isn’t a title—it’s a way of living. Subscribe and join a community of leaders who are done with surface-level living. The world doesn’t need louder leaders—it needs leaders who are clear, courageous, and grounded.

  1. 2d ago

    From Inherited Land to Intentional Legacy: Faith, Stewardship, and Generational Wealth with Colby Boone

    What are you building today that will still matter after you are gone? For Colby Boone, that question became very real when he inherited part of 50 acres of family land in North Carolina. What began as a responsibility to care for a piece of property quickly became something much bigger. Colby discovered more than 100 family members buried on the land. He began digging into deeds, family history, agriculture, and the lives of the generations who came before him. He found himself looking at land differently, not simply as an asset to buy and sell, but as something entrusted to him. That realization helped shape the work he is building today. Colby is the Founder and Managing Partner of Boone Capital Land Partners, where he works at the intersection of land investing, conservation, development, technology, and stewardship. But this conversation goes far beyond real estate. Cory and Colby talk honestly about faith, identity, generational wealth, leadership, family history, technology, AI, mentorship, and the responsibility that comes with being given an opportunity, a business, land, influence, or any other resource. They also explore an important question for business owners and leaders: Are you simply trying to make more money, or are you building something worth passing on? Colby shares why he believes legacy is not just about what you accumulate. It is about what you improve, protect, teach, and leave behind for someone else to carry forward. This episode explores: Why stewardship is different from simple ownershipWhat inherited land taught Colby about responsibility and legacyHow faith helped shape his identity and directionWhy generational wealth is about more than moneyWhat business owners can learn from thinking beyond the current generationWhy relationships, community, and trust still matter in a technology-driven worldHow Colby views AI and technological disruption through an opportunity mindsetWhy the next generation may have more tools and opportunity than any generation before itThe importance of leaving a business, property, community, or opportunity better than you found itIf you have ever asked yourself whether all the work you are doing is building toward something bigger, this conversation will make you think differently about success, responsibility, and what you eventually hand to the next person. About Colby Boone Colby Boone is the Founder and Managing Partner of Boone Capital Land Partners LP, acquiring, improving, and exiting rural land assets across the Southeast. Colby works at the intersection of technology, stewardship, and private markets. His work with Boone Capital Land Partners focuses on acquiring and enhancing rural land for conservation, recreation, development, and revenue while honoring the history and long-term value of the land. His personal experience inheriting family property helped deepen his passion for stewardship, generational wealth, family history, and creating opportunities that can extend beyond one generation. Connect with Colby LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colbycornell/ Website:https://boonecapital.co/ Social Media: @ColbyCBoone on all social media platforms Connect with Cory Dunham: Website: https://CoryDunham.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corydunham-executive-leadership-coach/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoryDunhamLeadership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591473931608 Unapologetic Leadership Podcast: https://UnapologeticLeadershipPodcast.com/ Unapologetic Leadership features real conversations about business growth, leadership, messaging, visibility, sales, mindset, faith, and the decisions business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders face as they work to build businesses and lives with greater clarity, purpose, and impact.

  2. Oct 2

    Are You Building a Business You Actually Want? Leadership, AI, Culture, and Happiness, with Ezra Dibble

    You can grow the business, hit the numbers, build the team, and still wonder: Is this actually making my life better? For founders and business owners, it is easy to spend so much time optimizing for revenue, efficiency, productivity, and growth that you forget to ask what you are really building toward. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with entrepreneur and sales leader Ezra Dibble for a wide-ranging conversation about business, leadership, AI, culture, and the idea of optimizing your life for happiness, not just achievement. Ezra shares lessons from his entrepreneurial journey and discusses how AI has made it possible to build and test ideas faster than ever before. As a non-coder, he used AI and vibe coding to help develop his latest venture, Wine Aisle, while still relying on experienced developers for critical parts of the technology. They explore why founders should get a minimum viable product into customers' hands instead of spending enormous amounts of time and money trying to perfect an untested idea. Ezra explains why some of his most valuable feedback has come from people willing to tell him exactly what isn't working, and why humility is one of an entrepreneur's greatest advantages. The conversation also examines leadership and culture: empowering people instead of protecting information, surrounding yourself with people who know more than you, encouraging teams to take risks, and embracing continuous improvement. Ezra shares how leaders can create an environment where people remain excited about the mission and feel empowered to contribute their best ideas. At the center of the conversation is a powerful idea: What if you optimized for happiness? Ezra explains that the goal behind Wine Aisle isn't simply maximizing revenue. It is helping people create better dinners, better evenings, and better experiences. That philosophy raises a much bigger question for every entrepreneur: Are you building a business that supports the life you actually want? This conversation is a reminder that growth matters, but so do the people, relationships, experiences, and life that growth is supposed to support. About Ezra Dibble Ezra Dibble is a builder and entrepreneur at heart with experience creating sales processes, systems, and strong teams. His sales background spans AI SaaS, cannabis technology, e-commerce marketplaces, advertising sales, real estate, and even rock climbing. Connect with Ezra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ezra-dibble-488b5412/ Connect with Cory Dunham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corydunham-executive-leadership-coach/ Website: https://CoryDunham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoryDunhamLeadership Podcast: https://UnapologeticLeadershipPodcast.com

  3. Sep 30

    When the System Isn’t Working: Leading with Courage, Conviction, and Clarity, with Patrice Sulton

    What do you do when the way things have always been done is no longer working?  For business owners and leaders, that question can show up everywhere. A process keeps breaking down. People are frustrated. Responsibility is unclear. You know something needs to change, but changing it may create resistance, uncomfortable conversations, or even more pressure on you. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with attorney, educator, and social entrepreneur Patrice Sulton for a conversation about what it takes to lead with courage when the easier choice is to leave things alone. Patrice serves as Executive Director of the Center on Race, Inequality, and the Law at NYU School of Law, where her work focuses on confronting systems and practices she believes perpetuate racial inequality and injustice. About Patrice Sulton Patrice shares lessons from her work in criminal legal reform and community advocacy, including the importance of listening to the people closest to the problem, questioning systems that are not producing the desired outcomes, and staying grounded in your values when change is difficult. She also challenges leaders to look beyond appearances and ask a harder question: Are our actions actually moving us toward the outcome we say we value, or are we simply doing what has become familiar, accepted, or expected? Cory and Patrice explore a challenge nearly every leader eventually faces: How do you create meaningful change without losing the trust, relationships, and people you are trying to serve? Their conversation examines the power of curiosity, listening, patience, and understanding different perspectives. Patrice explains that effective leadership does not require everyone to see the world exactly the same way. Leaders can learn to understand where people are coming from and help them move toward a shared outcome. They also discuss why leaders need the courage to question assumptions, challenge established ways of doing things, and recognize their own agency. Many systems, rules, and organizational practices were created by people, which means people can also rethink and improve them. This conversation is about more than law or public policy. It is about leadership under pressure, making difficult decisions, building trust, challenging assumptions, staying aligned with your values, and having the conviction to change what is no longer working. Patrice Sulton is an attorney, educator, and social entrepreneur whose work focuses on criminal legal reform, community advocacy, and helping people have a stronger voice in the systems and decisions that affect their lives. Connect with Patrice: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricesulton/ Connect with Cory Dunham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corydunham-executive-leadership-coach/ Website: https://CoryDunham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoryDunhamLeadership Podcast: https://UnapologeticLeadershipPodcast.com

  4. Sep 25

    Human Connection Still Wins: Building a Business and Life That Matter, with Amanda Collett

    As AI and technology change how we work, communicate, and build businesses, something surprisingly human may become even more valuable: Real connection. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Amanda Collett, CEO of Conference Badge, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, relationships, burnout, ambition, and what it really means to build a successful business and life. Amanda shares how she launched her first event with just $250, navigated successes and failures, and eventually acquired Conference Badge, a goal she had written on her whiteboard before she knew exactly how she would make it happen. But this conversation goes far beyond business growth. Amanda opens up about losing her father, experiencing burnout, learning to give herself grace, and realizing that constantly chasing the next achievement does not necessarily create the life you want. They also explore what AI could mean for businesses, careers, and the way people interact. As technology makes it easier to automate more of what we do, Amanda believes trust, relationships, community, and genuine human connection will matter even more. About Amanda Collett Amanda Collett is the CEO of Conference Badge, a platform that helps event organizers design, print, and manage professional name badges. Conference Badge serves event organizers across North America and is expanding into Australia and Europe with a mission to make great events more accessible. Before Conference Badge, Amanda served as Country Manager for Web Summit North America and Director of INNOVATEwest. Her career spans events, technology, strategic growth, sales, partnerships, team building, and community development. She is passionate about the power of bringing people together face-to-face and believes meaningful relationships will become even more important as our world becomes increasingly digital. Amanda is also a strong advocate for women in business and for building success without losing sight of the people and relationships that matter most. Connect with Amanda: Email: amanda@conferencebadge.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandacollett1/ Connect with Cory Dunham: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corydunham-executive-leadership-coach/ Website: https://CoryDunham.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoryDunhamLeadership Podcast: https://UnapologeticLeadershipPodcast.com

  5. Sep 23

    The Truth About Federal Contracts, Readiness, Faith, with Dr. Lori Smith

    The Truth About Federal Contracts, Readiness, Faith, with Dr. Lori Smith Winning a federal contract can change your business. But what happens when you finally win the opportunity you have been chasing... and discover your business was not actually ready for it? The pressure rises. Cash flow gets tighter. Deadlines become unforgiving. And the weaknesses you could work around when the business was smaller suddenly become impossible to ignore. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, I sit down with Dr. Lori A. Smith, a retired federal Contracting Officer and U.S. Air Force veteran with more than 30 years of experience inside the federal contracting system. Dr. Smith explains why talented small business owners do not always struggle because they lack ability. Sometimes they are simply underprepared for the rules, requirements, financial realities, and accountability that come with government contracting. We talk about what entrepreneurs need to understand before pursuing federal contracts, why hustle cannot become your business model, and why growth often exposes what hustle has been hiding. We also explore how preparation, strong systems, integrity, accountability, and faith create a foundation capable of carrying bigger opportunities when they arrive. Dr. Smith's own journey is just as powerful. From growing up in a single-parent home in Macon, Georgia, to sitting at tables where billions of dollars in federal contracting decisions were made, her story is one of preparation, perseverance, faith, and purpose. “I’ve sat on every side of the table, and I’ve read every line of the contract.” About Dr. Lori Smith Dr. Smith has exercised direct oversight of more than $143 billion in federal contracts, including the $128 billion Community Care Network at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Her career includes 22 years of active duty in the U.S. Air Force, disaster recovery contracting for nine hurricanes at FEMA, contracting operations at Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, and critical acquisition assignments at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Today, Dr. Smith leads a dual-engine ecosystem serving women-, veteran-, and minority-owned businesses. Acu-Elligent LLC provides government contracting strategy, the VETR Framework for AI-powered proposal management, The Readiness Room membership community, and certification training including the Narrative Blueprint Workshop. Sowing Our Seeds Empowerment is a nonprofit providing programs designed to address funding access, network gaps, and systemic barriers facing entrepreneurs. She is the author of Winning Business Proposal Strategies for Success and host of GovCon Clarity, a podcast and video series focused on closing the readiness gap in federal contracting. She is also writing a memoir chronicling her journey from a single-parent home in Macon, Georgia, to the table where billions of dollars in federal contracting decisions were made. Her recognitions include Black Impact Magazine’s 100 Entrepreneurs to Know in 2025, the 2024 IMPACT Award, FORUM Women in Leadership 2024 Award, Department of Veterans Affairs Outstanding Career Award, Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and multiple Meritorious Service Medals. She holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from National University and serves as a Women in Leadership Program Advisor at the University of North Georgia. Connect with Dr. Lori LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acuelligent/ Email: info@acuelligent.com Website: https://acuelligent.com Sowing Our Seeds: https://sowingourseeds.com Connect with Cory Dunham & Unapologetic Leadership LinkedIn: https://Linkedin.com/in/CoryDunham-Executive-Leadership-Coach/ Podcast: https://UnapologeticLeadershipPodcast.com YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/@CoryDunhamLeadership

  6. Sep 16

    Would You Want to Do Business With You? Integrity, Reputation & the Golden Rule with Matt Wolff

    Running a business puts your reputation on the line every day. A difficult customer. A prospect who says no. Someone who doesn’t communicate clearly. A deal you desperately want to close. A relationship that may or may not ever lead to business. In those moments, it can be tempting to focus on the transaction. But people remember how you made them feel long after they forget what you sold them. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Matt Wolff, founder of Ticket Time Machine, for a candid conversation about integrity, communication, persistence, reputation, relationships, and doing the right thing even when there is nothing immediately in it for you. Would you want to do business with you? That question sits underneath much of this conversation. Because getting more customers isn’t only about marketing harder, following up more often, or perfecting your sales process. People need to trust you. They need to believe you’ll communicate honestly. They need to feel respected even when the answer is no. And over time, those individual interactions become your reputation. Cory and Matt discuss: Why doing the right thing shouldn’t depend on what you get in returnHow direct, honest communication can strengthen relationshipsWhy constructive feedback can make you betterHow to stay persistent in sales without becoming pushyWhy every business relationship is a two-way interviewThe importance of choosing the right customers, not simply more customersWhy reputation is built one interaction at a timeHow the Golden Rule still applies in business: treat people the way you want to be treatedAt the center of the conversation is a simple belief: You don’t build trust with one big gesture. You build it through hundreds of small decisions about how you treat people. About Matt Wolff Matt is the founder of Ticket Time Machine, a company helping fans keep meaningful memories alive in an increasingly digital world. As sporting events, concerts, festivals, and other experiences have moved toward digital tickets, many fans have lost the physical keepsakes that once helped capture those moments. Matt believes technology changing shouldn’t mean people have to give up something they value. Ticket Time Machine creates unique keepsakes including tickets, badges, lanyards, wristbands, VIP materials, merchandise, and gifting. Matt has been collecting ticket stubs since before Miley Cyrus was Hannah Montana, before Michael Jordan played baseball, and before Rocky defeated Drago. Why keep them? Because a small piece of paper can instantly bring back where you were, what happened, and most importantly, who was there with you. That same appreciation for relationships and experiences carries into Matt’s approach to business. If you run a founder-led business and you’re trying to grow without becoming more transactional, this conversation is a reminder that how you sell, communicate, follow up, and treat people becomes part of what people ultimately buy. Before your next sales conversation, customer interaction, or difficult decision, ask yourself: Would I want to do business with me? Connect with Matt Wolff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattwolff3/ Ticket Time Machine: https://tickettimemachine.com/ Connect with Cory Dunham on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/corydunham-executive-leadership-coach/ Podcast: https://UnapologeticLeadershipPodcast.com Website:https://CoryDunham.com Subscribe for more conversations about business growth, faith-driven leadership, clearer messaging, better decisions, stronger people relationships, strategic consistency, purpose, and building a business and legacy that make a meaningful impact.

  7. Sep 9

    Teaching Critical Thinking in Schools: Authentic STEM Learning for Every Student, with Karen Marshall

    What if the solution to one of our biggest problems is already sitting inside the mind of a student who has never been asked what they think? In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Karen N. Marshall, CEO of Innovative STEM Solutions, to explore why authentic STEM education is about far more than science. It’s about teaching students how to think critically, ask better questions, communicate their ideas, and solve real-world problems. Karen shares why worksheets and one-off activities aren’t enough, how experiential learning can create greater opportunities for every student, and why educators and leaders may need to rethink what meaningful learning actually looks like. The future needs problem solvers. The question is whether we’re giving today’s students the opportunity to become them. About Karen Marshall Karen is the CEO of Innovative STEM Solutions and a consultant for STEM and K-12 education, specializing in NGSS/LSSS, coastal restoration, and water quality. Karen brings more than 20 years of educational leadership experience to her work. Through Innovative STEM Solutions, she and her team provide innovative educational resources and solutions to academic institutions and nonprofit organizations. Drawing on diverse educational experience, Karen has developed a deep understanding of the challenges educational institutions face and works to create strategies tailored to each organization’s unique needs. Innovative STEM Solutions provides services designed to improve academic performance and help organizations achieve their educational goals, including curriculum development, teacher training and coaching, technology integration, and comprehensive evaluation. Connect with Karen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-n-marshall-44503570/ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/karenknm

  8. Sep 2

    From Felony to SpaceX: Building Wealth, Teams, and Legacy Through Relentless Execution, with Efren Barriga

    What happens when life knocks you all the way to the bottom? For Efren Barriga, becoming a felon, filing for bankruptcy, and watching doors close could have defined the rest of his life. Instead, he decided there was only one direction left to go: up. In this episode of Unapologetic Leadership, Cory Dunham sits down with Efren to unpack his remarkable journey from rock bottom to SpaceX, where he grew from fabricator and welder into leadership roles overseeing nearly 400 people and contributing to some of the most ambitious aerospace programs in the world. Efren shares the principles that transformed his life: choosing abundance over scarcity, surrounding yourself with people who challenge your thinking, taking action before you have all the answers, developing emotional intelligence, empowering teams to solve problems, and pursuing experience before money. They explore entrepreneurship, real estate investing, raising capital, faith, family, failure, leadership, and why the questions you ask yourself can completely change the trajectory of your life. This is a conversation about redemption, relentless execution, ownership, and refusing to let your past write your future. About Efren Barriga Efren Barriga is a manufacturing leader, investor, and founder driven by one principle: Make A Difference, M.A.D. Raised in Huntington Park, California, and overcoming both a felony and bankruptcy, Efren rebuilt his life from the ground up, scaling aerospace manufacturing teams in some of the most high pressure environments in the world. At SpaceX, he led nearly 400 personnel and delivered multimillion dollar operational improvements on programs shaping the future of space travel. As an entrepreneur and investor, Efren oversees $5M+ in assets, has secured multiple infinite return properties, and recently acquired an aerospace welding company, stepping into ownership in one of the world’s most technical industries. But at the center of everything he does is legacy. Efren is a father of five, with another child on the way, and believes wealth is about far more than lifestyle. It is about building systems, assets, discipline, and opportunities that can strengthen his family for generations. He continues to work a W-2 executive role while building businesses and managing investments, proving his belief that there is always time when you structure your schedule, protect your focus, and execute with discipline. Efren’s journey is about redemption, structure, ownership, and building a legacy that changes the trajectory of a bloodline. Connect with Efren Direct Access: expert.minnect.com/@EfrenBarriga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebmadwarrior

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

In a noisy, distracted world, authentic leadership matters more than ever. Hosted by Cory Dunham—entrepreneur, business leader, and follower of Jesus—this podcast is real talk for real leaders who want to live and lead with clarity, courage, and conviction. From overcoming fear mindsets to leading with love, Cory shares personal stories, faith-driven values, and practical tools that help you grow as a leader in your workplace, family, and community. Each episode offers actionable takeaways, mindset shifts, and sometimes guest insights—so you can lead without burnout, build trust, create alignment, and anchor yourself in what truly matters. Whether you’re a boss, teacher, parent, entrepreneur, career professional, or single mom, this show will help you lead yourself and others in a way that’s bold, authentic, and sustainable. Because leadership isn’t a title—it’s a way of living. Subscribe and join a community of leaders who are done with surface-level living. The world doesn’t need louder leaders—it needs leaders who are clear, courageous, and grounded.