Amplify Speakers Podcast

Chris Sund
  • 4.8 (40)
  • Entrepreneurship

Amplify Speakers Podcast features conversations with elite speakers, leaders, athletes, authors, and change-makers who know what it takes to perform at a high level and create real impact. Each episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore mindset, leadership, resilience, and the moments that shaped their journey. Hosted by Chris Sund of Amplify Speakers, this podcast spotlights voices that challenge thinking, inspire action, and help listeners elevate how they lead, communicate, and show up.

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    Creating the Impossible: Creativity, Persistence, and the Power of Possibility – Blake Vogt

    Creating the Impossible: Creativity, Persistence, and the Power of Possibility – Blake Vogt Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Blake Vogt. He shares his journey from a young magic enthusiast to working with top magicians like David Copperfield and David Blaine, and his philosophy of creating the impossible. Discover how embracing creativity, persistence, and a mindset that nothing is impossible can lead to extraordinary success.   Takeaways ·       Blake's early fascination with magic at age 8 ·       The importance of creative experimentation in magic ·       How chance and persistence opened doors in Vegas and London ·       The value of bad ideas in creative problem-solving ·       Lessons learned from working with Copperfield and Blaine ·       The mindset that nothing is impossible ·       Goals of performing at Madison Square Garden ·       The role of collaboration and ego-less teamwork in creativity ·       Applying magic principles to business and product design ·       The importance of passion and hard work in achieving success   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Blake Vogt and his magic career 01:14 Blake's childhood fascination with magic and early performances 03:28 Balancing creativity and performance in Blake’s career 08:11 How Blake started working with David Copperfield 12:01 The pivotal moment: dropping out of college for magic 15:09 Working on the set of Now You See Me and the Marvel movies 18:32 Meeting Paul Rudd and working on Ant-Man 22:04 The mindset of creating the impossible 34:06 Goals for the future: Madison Square Garden and beyond 35:54 Reflecting on the past year’s achievements 37:27 Closing thoughts and next steps for Blake   Quotes "I never stopped using my magic kit." "Drop out of college and work with Copperfield." "Paul wanted to learn card tricks from me."   Links Blake Vogt’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/blake-vogt/   Blake Vogt’s Website: https://www.blakevogt.com/ Blake Vogt’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-vogt-3478a549/

    Creating the Impossible: Creativity, Persistence, and the Power of Possibility – Blake Vogt

  2. Oct 11 ·  Video

    Real Vibes Only: Trust, Connection, and Authentic Leadership – Chelsea Husum

    Real Vibes Only: Trust, Connection, and Authentic Leadership – Chelsea Husum Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Chelsea Husum. She shares her inspiring journey from a Spanish teacher to a successful construction business owner, emphasizing the importance of human connection, trust, and authenticity in leadership. She discusses how caring for employees and sharing personal stories can create a thriving, loyal team. Takeaways · The importance of caring about employees as humans · Building trust and ownership in teams · Leadership lessons from a construction CEO · The impact of sharing personal stories on team cohesion · Strategies for employee retention and engagement · People want to feel seen and valued, not just managed. · Simple acts of kindness can significantly impact employee loyalty. · Authentic leadership involves vulnerability and honesty. · Sharing personal struggles can inspire and connect teams. · Leadership is about creating a culture of trust and care.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Chelsea Husum and her unique success story 01:58 The importance of seeing and valuing employees as humans 04:11 Chelsea's unlikely entry into the construction industry 06:08 The inspiration behind her book, Real Vibes Only 08:08 The power of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership 10:04 The importance of matching actions with words in company culture 12:08 Advice for retaining staff through caring and authenticity 14:02 The role of human connection in business success 15:00 Sharing personal struggles to inspire others 16:01 The concept of earning the follow and authentic leadership 16:57 Matching company values with everyday actions 17:52 The importance of leading out loud and being vulnerable 18:49 How to show up as a genuine leader in tough times 20:05 Simple ways to improve employee well-being and morale 21:12 Modeling healthy work-life balance as a leader 22:09 The real reason employees leave: feeling unseen and undervalued 22:57 Personal stories of kindness and their lasting impact 24:07 The power of caring and human connection in leadership 25:01 Opportunities to make a lasting positive impact on others 25:46 Connecting with Chelsea and her work Quotes “Can we get to know our employees as people so we can be like, ‘How are you doing today? What do you need from me? Is there any way I can support you right now?’ That is literally where the magic happens, and then people feel seen and cared for.” “That is what holds people back from actually innovating and being creative and taking risks. So if you can show up as a leader and say, ‘I’m not perfect, I don’t have all the answers. What am I missing? Help me here. Let’s create something together.’ People have buy-in.” “Do you know your people? Do you know what they struggle with? Do you know what lights them up, what they live for? What is the most important thing to them on the planet?” Links Chelsea Husum’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/chelsea-husum/ Chelsea Husum’s Website: https://www.chelseahusum.com/ Chelsea Husum’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-husum/ Chelsea Husum’s Book: https://chelseahusum.com/book

    Real Vibes Only: Trust, Connection, and Authentic Leadership – Chelsea Husum

  3. Sep 21 ·  Video

    Adversity Leadership: Decision, Direction, and Destination – Michael Allison

    Adversity Leadership: Decision, Direction, and Destination – Michael Allison Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Michael Allison. He shares his extraordinary journey from combat veteran to leadership expert, highlighting how adversity can be transformed into strength. His story offers powerful lessons on resilience, mental health, and the importance of purpose.   Takeaways ·       Michael Allison's experience in Iraq and combat leadership ·       The concept of adversity leadership and its importance ·       How trauma and PTSD shaped Michael’s life and purpose ·       The framework of Decision, Direction, and Destination ·       The journey of personal transformation and resilience ·       Adversity can be a catalyst for growth when approached with the right mindset ·       Preparation and training are crucial in high-pressure situations ·       Sharing vulnerability can inspire and help others heal ·       Leadership is tested and proven in challenging times ·       Personal discipline and faith are key to overcoming trauma   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Michael Allison and his background 01:23 Michael shares his experience in Iraq and combat leadership 05:10 The reality of combat and handling pressure 06:42 The impact of combat experiences and trauma 14:00 Turning trauma into purpose and the concept of breaking the bottle 24:25 The origins of adversity leadership and its principles 32:21 Personal transformation and proudest achievements   Quotes "Complacency kills in combat" "Seeing my friends in body bags was a turning point" "How dare you try to take your life?"   Links Michael Allison’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/michael-allison/   Michael Allison’s Website: https://michaelwallison.com/   Michael Allison’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iammichaelwallison/   Michael Allison’s Books: https://michaelwallison.com/insights/#books

    Adversity Leadership: Decision, Direction, and Destination – Michael Allison

  4. Sep 6

    Work on Your Game: Discipline, Execution, and Building Systems That Scale – Dre Baldwin

    Work on Your Game: Discipline, Execution, and Building Systems That Scale – Dre Baldwin Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Dre Baldwin. He is the founder of Work on Your Game and we discussed how a nine-year pro basketball career across eight countries turned into a business philosophy used by executives and organizations worldwide. Dre explains the four pillars behind his framework, why “the third day” separates pros from amateurs, and how his work now focuses on turning speeches into repeatable systems.   Takeaways · Dre shares how coming from a Division III college forced him to market and sell himself just to get a pro opportunity · He explains why professional sports taught him the same lessons he uses in business today: performance, structure, and consistency · The origin of Work on Your Game started with a late-night YouTube video and the phrase “stop watching YouTube ... and go work on your game” · Dre breaks down the original mindset pillars of discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and personal initiative · He expands the framework into the modern pillars of mindset, strategy, systems, and execution · He discusses his book The Third Day and why showing up when you do not feel like it is what separates professionals from amateurs · He talks about the difference between motivation and discipline, and why systems matter more than feelings · He shares why his real goal now is to make his frameworks part of company processes, not just a one-time speech · Dre gives real-world examples of people applying his ideas in dating, recovery from surgery, and team practice · He explains why his work has always been about helping people save time, energy, and trial and error   Chapters 0:00 Intro and Dre Baldwin’s background as a pro athlete and creator 1:07 What Dre learned from nine years of professional basketball 3:23 Why no single coach defined his career 4:31 How Work on Your Game began on YouTube in 2009 6:42 The origin of the Work on Your Game operating system 9:57 Why The Third Day became his most sticky framework 12:41 How to handle a real “third day” when you do not want to show up 14:14 The shift from third day to fourth day and why pros look effortless 17:17 Why execution discipline matters more than motivation 19:48 Dre’s anchor: proving himself in sports, business, and speaking 22:03 Why he moved into professional speaking after basketball 24:36 Turning speeches into systems organizations can use 26:52 Stories of impact: dating, recovery, and wrestling practice 29:51 What early YouTube comments showed him about audience demand 31:04 Why his work is really about cutting learning curves and solving problems 33:34 Closing thoughts and thanks   Quotes “You can’t plan around motivation because you don’t know when it’s going to be there and you don’t know how much of it you’re going to get.” “The Third Day is all about how do you show up and give your best effort when you least feel like it.” “The question is, are you following the system?”   Links Dre Baldwin’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/dre-baldwin/   Dre Baldwin’s Website: https://www.drebaldwin.com/dre-baldwin-keynote-speaker--26974

    Work on Your Game: Discipline, Execution, and Building Systems That Scale – Dre Baldwin

  5. Aug 23

    Choosing Joy Through the Journey: Resilience, Connection, and Living Unstoppable – Amberly Lago

    Choosing Joy Through the Journey: Resilience, Connection, and Living Unstoppable – Amberly Lago Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Amberly Lago. She shares her powerful journey of overcoming adversity, finding joy through pain, and inspiring others to live unstoppable lives. This episode highlights the importance of connection, gratitude, and resilience in transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.   Takeaways · Amberly Lago's personal story of overcoming a motorcycle accident and chronic pain · The importance of connection and community in healing · The role of gratitude and perspective in cultivating resilience · The Unstoppable Life Women Mastermind and its impact · The significance of joy as a strategy during hard times · The story behind the title of Amberly's latest book, 'Joy Through the Journey' · The ripple effect of small acts of kindness and authenticity · Amberly's experience with vulnerability and authenticity on stage and social media · The importance of self-compassion and giving oneself grace · The impact of mentorship and encouragement in personal growth · Resilience is built through perspective shifts and gratitude · Connection with others is a vital part of healing and growth · Small acts of kindness can have profound ripple effects · Joy can be cultivated even in the midst of pain and adversity · Authenticity and vulnerability open doors to opportunities and deeper connections   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Amberly Lago's story and achievements 01:22 Amberly's motivation to share her journey of resilience 02:10 The power of connection and community in overcoming adversity 03:35 Amberly's childhood experiences of cheering others on 05:00 The inception of the Unstoppable Life Women Mastermind 06:55 The impact of the 'Unstoppable' event during the pandemic 07:24 The inspiration behind the book 'Joy Through the Journey' 10:05 Understanding joy versus happiness in difficult times 11:09 Amberly's diagnosis with complex regional pain syndrome 12:28 Using gratitude and perspective to spark joy 14:21 The Spark methodology and Kindle Connection 16:09 A pivotal moment that deepened Amberly’s connection to others 20:25 The story of the sparkling water that inspired sobriety 24:40 The importance of being a good human and living with heart 28:21 Reflecting on pride and personal growth in the past year 29:31 Closing thoughts and encouragement to live unstoppable   Quotes "You have a PhD in heart." "You never know who's watching." "You are a light in the world."   Links Amberly Lago’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/amberly-lago/   Amberly Lago’s Website: https://amberlylago.com/   Amberly Lago’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlylago/   Amberly Lago’s Podcast: https://amberlylago.com/podcast   Amberly Lago’s Book: https://amberlylago.com/books

    Choosing Joy Through the Journey: Resilience, Connection, and Living Unstoppable – Amberly Lago

  6. Aug 17

    Leading Without the Mask: Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Moving One Step Forward – Will Craig

    Leading Without the Mask: Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Moving One Step Forward – Will Craig Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Will Craig. He shares his journey from childhood love of writing to authoring a book on mental health and vulnerability. He discusses overcoming personal challenges, the importance of authenticity, and how to navigate life's heavy burdens with resilience and purpose.   Takeaways ·       Will Craig's journey from childhood to author ·       The importance of storytelling in mental health ·       Overcoming depression and suicidal ideation ·       The impact of caring family and community ·       The significance of being authentic and true to oneself ·       Lessons learned from childhood medical challenges ·       The role of vulnerability in leadership and growth ·       The importance of living in the present moment ·       Authenticity and vulnerability are powerful tools for personal growth. ·       Sharing your story can help others feel less alone. ·       Focusing on being a good human being is more important than perfection. ·       Time is the most valuable resource we have, use it wisely. ·       Letting go of the past is essential for moving forward.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Will Craig and his work 00:59 Will's journey from childhood love of writing to authoring a book 05:05 Overcoming depression and sharing vulnerable stories 08:56 The importance of authenticity and not caring what others think 12:09 Will's medical challenges and their impact on his life 14:49 The power of living in the present and valuing time 19:02 Letting go of the past and focusing on the future 30:01 Advice for those carrying heavy burdens 31:56 How to connect with Will Craig and his work   Quotes "There is hope on the other side." "Be the good human being you always were." "Never be a prisoner of your past."   Links Will Craig’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/will-craig/   Will Craig’s Website: https://willcraigspeaks.com/   Will Craig’s Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/mental_health_with_will   Will Craig’s Podcast: https://willcraigspeaks.com/#podcast   Will Craig’s Book: https://a.co/d/0a9nEI7E

    Leading Without the Mask: Vulnerability, Mental Health, and Moving One Step Forward – Will Craig

  7. Aug 2

    Charge Into The Storm: Building A Mindset That Won't Break

    Charge Into the Storm: Building a Mindset That Won't Break Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Marcus Ogden. He shares his remarkable journey from NFL success to facing near bankruptcy, and his inspiring comeback story. Learn about resilience, discipline, and the strategies that helped him rebuild his life and business.   Takeaways ·       Marcus Ogden's NFL career and lessons learned ·       The importance of being your own CEO ·       Discipline and daily routines for success ·       Overcoming financial and personal setbacks ·       Building a personal brand and reputation ·       The role of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership ·       The mindset needed to push through adversity ·       Never tell your mind negative thoughts in a joking manner; words cast spells. ·       Your mindset can bend but not break; perseverance is key. ·       Authenticity and vulnerability build trust and relatability. ·       Speed and responsiveness impress clients and partners. ·       The importance of continuous improvement of assets and skills. ·       Internal attributes like grit and discipline determine success. ·       The 'charge into the storm' mentality helps overcome challenges.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Marcus Ogden's Remarkable Journey 01:25 NFL Career and Lessons in Leadership 02:21 The Importance of Being Your Own CEO 03:20 Discipline and Daily Routines for Success 04:42 Facing Financial Ruin and Personal Setbacks 06:56 Going Back to Rock Bottom and Reflection 08:48 The Power of Self-Accountability 09:48 Starting Over and Building a New Path 11:16 The Built for the Storm Framework 12:44 Growing a Personal Brand and Podcast 13:20 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Mindset Challenges 15:03 The Four V's of Life and Perseverance 17:21 The Grind of Building a Speaking Career 19:15 Creating Assets and Increasing Perceived Value 23:31 The Business of Speaking and Client Relationships 29:36 Learning from Feedback and Improving 32:01 Proud Moments and Achievements 34:22 The Power of Authenticity and Vulnerability 36:00 Customizing Presentations for Impact 37:27 The Importance of Speed and Communication 39:14 Making the Event About the Audience 40:22 Final Words: Internal Attributes for Success   Quotes “Be your own CEO. Be your own chief executive officer.” “Never tell your mind negative thoughts in a joking manner. Your body cannot disseminate the difference. Words cast spells. That’s why it’s called spelling.” “Smooth seas never made skilled sailors.”   Links Marques Ogden’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/marques-ogden/   Marques Ogden’s Website: https://www.marquesogden.com/   Marques Ogden’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marquesogden/

    Charge Into The Storm: Building A Mindset That Won't Break

  8. Jul 27

    Evolved Leadership: Where Love and High Standards Build Elite Teams

    Evolved Leadership: Where Love and High Standards Build Elite Teams Summary In this episode of the Amplify Speakers podcast, host Chris Sund interviews Mike Sarraille. He shares insights from his military career and how it translates into leadership and culture in the business world. Discover practical strategies for building high-performing teams, fostering a strong culture, and leading with purpose.   Takeaways ·       Transition from military to business leadership ·       Building and maintaining organizational culture ·       The importance of accountability and learning from failure ·       Micro events and team cohesion ·       Attracting and retaining top talent ·       Leadership behavior and culture reproduction ·       Resilience and adaptability in organizations ·       Leadership is about behavior, not just words. ·       Culture is what you do when no one is watching. ·       Fail fast, learn faster: success is a lifelong pursuit of excellence. ·       Build a culture of trust, accountability, and love. ·       Micro events and shared hardship forge unbreakable bonds.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 02:38 Transferring military leadership to business 04:04 Reframing accountability and culture 07:23 The importance of culture in high performance 08:34 Family vs. team: building conditional performance 13:45 The brotherhood and bonds forged in adversity 17:03 Learning from failure and resilience 20:40 Attracting top talent and building a magnetic culture 24:52 Leadership as behavior and culture as reproduction 30:12 Handling accountability with grace and empathy 36:56 Creating a passionate, purpose-driven culture 37:38 Proud moments: honoring fallen heroes   Quotes "Leadership is about behavior, not words." "Culture is what you do when no one is watching." "Love and high standards go hand in hand."   Links Mike Sarraille’s Profile: https://amplifyspeakers.com/mike-sarraille/   Mike Sarraille’s Website: https://mikesarraille.com/   Mike Sarraille’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelsarraille/   Mike Sarraille’s Books: https://mikesarraille.com/body-of-work/   The Unsung of Arlington, A FOX Nation Original Series https://www.fox.com/detail/series/SER276252DZAK/the-unsung-of-arlington

    Evolved Leadership: Where Love and High Standards Build Elite Teams
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Amplify Speakers Podcast features conversations with elite speakers, leaders, athletes, authors, and change-makers who know what it takes to perform at a high level and create real impact. Each episode goes beyond the highlight reel to explore mindset, leadership, resilience, and the moments that shaped their journey. Hosted by Chris Sund of Amplify Speakers, this podcast spotlights voices that challenge thinking, inspire action, and help listeners elevate how they lead, communicate, and show up.

Information

  • Creator
    Chris Sund
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    35
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Chris Sund
  • Show Website
    Amplify Speakers Podcast

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