The Secret To Success with CJ, Karl, Jemal & Eric Thomas

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• Most People Wait Years for What Takes 52 Days | S2S 543 28.05.2026 1h 10min

  Most people stay stuck for years on something that could be done in weeks. This week the crew breaks down the story of one man who rebuilt what a whole city left broken for 140 years, and finished it in 52 days. The difference was ownership and urgency, not money or talent. JOIN US LIVE ON PATREON New audio every Tuesday, video every Wednesday, plus live recordings with the S2S fam. This is where the real conversations keep going. https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 PRE-ORDER "WE IS GREATER THAN ME" The debut book from Eric Thomas and CJ Quinney. https://www.amazon.com/We-Greater-Than-Me-Highest-ebook/dp/B0GPGXXD5D ENJOYING THE SHOW? If this episode hit you, take ten seconds to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. It helps more people find us. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GrMsi1Cxj3nipnI9HR1QX?si=f057018bcba44c15 CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: 140 Years vs 52 Days - The Wall That Changed Everything 00:02:33 Welcome and Team Introductions: Fresh Off the Plane Energy 00:05:01 Next Level Speakers Conference Announcement: Your 52-Day Moment 00:11:33 Fair or Foul: The Elderly Server Dilemma 00:14:54 The Tipping Epidemic: From Drive-Throughs to 35 Percent Suggestions 00:09:14 The Knicks Talk and Sports Banter: When Franchises Finally Break Through 00:20:49 The Sermon Breakdown: Self-Accountability and the 52-Day Principle 00:26:21 The Math That Will Blow Your Mind: 983 Opportunities Wasted 00:28:41 ET's Bathroom Story: When Vision Meets Self-Accountability 00:28:25 The Broken Comb Philosophy: Why DeDeThrows Things Away Immediately 00:38:03 Vision, Urgency, and Miracle Territory: The Three Keys to 52 Days 00:40:27 The Michael Jackson Warning: If You Don't Move, God Gives It to Prince 00:44:19 Rachel's Transformation: From Basement to 1.3 Million in Softball 00:45:47 The Hot Seat Moment: How 5,000 Dollars Changed Rachel's Life Forever 00:48:03 Rachel Creates the Next Mastermind: When Students Become Teachers 00:46:39 The Tithing Conversation: When Your Wife Gives 40 Percent 01:06:14 Toby and Fat's 8,000 Square Foot Mansion: Real Estate Without the Degree 01:06:14 Exposure Changes Everything: Why Most People Stay Broke 01:04:41 The Callus Principle: Why the First Brick Hurts the Most 01:10:15 Final Challenge: 140 Years or 52 Days - You Choose KALM DOWN WITH KARL Karl on why the callus comes before the breakthrough. The first brick hurts, but there is a point where you stop feeling it and start building faster than everyone still waiting to begin. MAL'S MILLIONAIRE MOMENT FEATURING JEMAL KING Jemal on why most people are not broke because they are lazy. They are broke because they have not been exposed to more. Your level of exposure determines your level of success. NEXT LEVEL SPEAKERS CONFERENCE June 5 to 7, 2026, Atlanta, GA. Learn to start, grow, and monetize your speaking brand. nextlevelspeakersconference.com APOC VIRTUAL CHURCH Saturdays 11am EST on YouTube. www.apocministry.org FOLLOW Instagram: @s2spodcast Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 ABOUT THE PODCAST The Secret to Success podcast is hosted by Eric Thomas, the Hip Hop Preacher, Karl Phillips, the Bajan Sensation, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King. Four friends, four journeys, one mission, real conversations on faith, family, business, and the work it takes to build a life that lasts. New episodes every Thursday.
• She Said No: What To Do When Your Feelings Lie To You | S2S 542 21.05.2026 1h 7min

  She said no. You got down on one knee, opened the box, asked the question, and she said no. Not "I need time." Not "maybe later." She said no. So now what? In Episode 542, the crew tackles one of the most vulnerable questions a man can face: what do you do when your feelings are telling you one thing, but the data is telling you something completely different? A brother writes in after proposing to his girlfriend of several years, only to hear her say she's not ready. He's confused, hurt, and stuck between staying or walking away. ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal break down why feelings will lie to you every single time, and why the data never does. ET gets raw about the moment Dede told him she didn't feel safe, not physically, but emotionally and mentally. How his ego wanted to defend what he'd built, but the data told him something else entirely. He shares how he got off the road for four months, gave her predictability, and watched their marriage transform because he stopped going with his feelings and started going with the facts. Karl brings the "what by when" accountability framework that keeps you honest. Jemal drops the vision about getting in front of your future, how he started his daughters' 529 plans when they were toddlers, and why Yani just graduated from Michigan State debt free. CJ tells the Slim Thug story, the moment he reached out to a Houston legend to help an artist he was mentoring, got ghosted, and realized the most important lesson of his career: stop asking people to do for you what you need to learn how to do yourself. They also break down why Joe Jackson energy isn't just for parenting, it's for every area of life where you're trying to build something real. From book covers to corporate stages to marriage, this episode will challenge you to stop letting your feelings run your life and start letting the data lead. If you've ever been rejected, corrected, or redirected and didn't know what to do next, this conversation is for you. Because your feelings will tell you to quit. The data will tell you to adjust. And the difference between the two is the difference between staying stuck and leveling up. Timestamps: 🔒 This Is What Patreon Members Get... Unscripted conversations. Behind the scenes moments. Live Q&As. ET's speech streams. This is the version of S2S where nothing gets cut. If you want in: 👉 Join the S2S Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 🎤 Next Level Speakers Conference: June 5-7, Atlanta, Georgia. If you know you're supposed to be speaking, training, or elevating your personal brand, this is where you need to be. ET, CJ, Karl, Inky Johnson, Jeremy Anderson and more. Tickets on sale now: https://nextlevelspeakersconference.com About the Secret to Success Podcast The Secret to Success (S2S) Podcast is hosted by Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King. For over a decade, S2S has been one of the most authentic voices in personal development — not because of polished scripts, but because of real stories, real conversations, and real results. Every episode pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build wealth, sustain relationships, grow businesses, and become who you were created to be. No hype. No filters. Just four men who've lived it, telling the truth about how they got there. Secret to Success is hosted by Eric Thomas, Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King.
• You're Looking for Validation, Not the Truth (Here's Why It's Killing You) | S2S 541 14.05.2026 1h 9min

  Most people say they want the truth, but the moment it shows up, they call the messenger a villain. This episode picks up where the Joe Jackson conversation left off and turns the mirror around. The real question isn't whether Joe was too hard on Michael. It's why we keep demonizing every coach, mentor, and visionary with the gift to push us toward what we say we want. DISCLAIMER: Our focus in this episode is not the Jackson family, and we are not endorsing or excusing abuse of any kind. Our focus is what happens when people push us because they see we are capable of more, and get demonized for it. The Jackson story is a starting point, not the subject.The guys dig into why visionaries always get villainized, why our relationship with trauma is broken, and the difference between feedback and validation. Karl shares the "Carlos" moment that changed how he receives criticism. ET tells the Mr. Gene swim instructor story that put this entire philosophy to the test with his own son. If you've ever fired the person trying to save you, this one is for you. In this episode: Why every visionary, from Moses to Joe Jackson, gets demonized during the process Why you can't receive help unless it comes wrapped exactly the way you want it The difference between looking for feedback and looking for validation How ET almost fired the swim instructor who taught his entire family to swim How to narrate your own story without playing the victim CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Karl OS - The New Operating System 00:01:39 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Michael Jackson Movie Discussion 00:03:24 Did Michael Jackson Play the Victim His Whole Life? 00:04:15 Joe Jackson: Visionary or Villain? 00:23:06 The Gary, Indiana Reality Check 00:25:01 Feelings vs. Goals: Why Most People Stay Stuck 00:28:35 The Mr. Jean Swimming Lesson Story 00:37:12 Stop Looking for Validation, Start Looking for Feedback 00:44:20 Karl's Transformation: From Soft to Strategic 00:43:17 Next Level Speakers Conference Announcement 01:01:02 Kalm Down with Karl: Stop Living Your Life Like a Question 01:01:50 Mal's Millionaire Moment: Your Pension is Dead 01:04:02 The Secret Project Reveal: What Karl and Mal Are Building KALM DOWN WITH KARL: Stop living your life like a question and live like the answer that you are. God saw a problem on the planet and created you as the solution. Stop walking around uncertain. You are the answer. MAL'S MILLIONAIRE MOMENT: One pension is too close to no pension. Jemal breaks down how the average career span matches the average mortgage span, meaning you can have a property fully paid off by the time you retire from your day job. That's your second pension. He also shares how he turned his daughter's graduation gift into a down payment on her first property at 22. RATE AND REVIEW: If this episode hit you, take 30 seconds to rate and review on Apple Podcasts. It's the biggest way you help us reach the next person who needs to hear this. JOIN THE S2S PATREON: Early access, live recordings, behind-the-scenes content, Q&A, and ET speech streams. https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 PRE-ORDER "WE IS GREATER THAN ME" by Eric Thomas and CJ Quinney: https://www.amazon.com/We-Greater-Than-Me-Highest-ebook/dp/B0GPGXXD5D NEXT LEVEL SPEAKERS CONFERENCE: June 5-7, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. Featuring ET, CJ, Jemal, Karl, Inky Johnson, Jeremy Anderson, and Marco Kino. Early bird tickets active now. www.nextlevelspeakersconference.com APOC VIRTUAL CHURCH: Saturdays 11am EST on YouTube. www.apocministry.org WATCH THE VIDEO VERSION: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 CONNECT WITH S2S: Instagram: @s2spodcast ABOUT THE PODCAST: The Secret to Success Podcast is hosted by Eric Thomas, CJ Quinney, Jemal King, and Karl "The Bajan Sensation" Phillips. The mission: show the authentic side of four men building businesses, marriages, wealth, and legacies in real time. No hype, no filters, just real conversations to help you believe in your own potential.
• We Owe Joe Jackson an Apology (Eric Thomas Goes Off) | S2S 540 07.05.2026 49min

  Your soft coaching is killing their future. And you think you're being kind. In Episode 540, ET, CJ, Karl, and Jemal pull up to the table after watching the Michael Jackson movie and what follows is one of the most honest, uncomfortable, and necessary conversations this crew has ever had. About Joe Jackson. About tough love. About why we've been Catherine-ing people when we should have been Joe Jackson-ing them. And why the people closest to greatness are usually the ones being held back by feelings, comfort, and lies we call love. CJ gets cavity searched while ET watches in the distance… Then the crew dives into the Michael Jackson movie and what most people missed. Joe Jackson got them out of Gary, Indiana. From the steel mill to the charts. Six kids. Multiple number ones. And we've been dogging him out for decades without asking the hard question: would there even be a Michael Jackson without Joe Jackson? ET breaks down why he's been doing it wrong as a leader. Why caring about people's feelings has actually been holding them back. Why his mom kicked him out at 16 and it was the greatest gift she ever gave him. This episode will make you rethink every soft conversation you've had. Every time you coddled someone instead of challenging them. Every time you let someone stay comfortable when you knew they were capable of more. Because real love isn't making people feel good. Real love is helping them become who God called them to be. Timestamps: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Airport Security Story - When ET Left CJ Behind 00:01:25 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Pastor's License 00:02:25 Fair or Foul: ET Goes Through Security While CJ Gets Searched 00:10:58 The Michael Jackson Movie: We Owe Joe Jackson an Apology 00:12:28 From Gary Indiana to Greatness: Joe Jackson's Vision 00:18:00 The Catherine vs Joe Jackson Debate: Love or Lies? 00:21:34 Stop Catherine-ing People: Why Feelings Are Holding You Back 00:19:37 The Candy Seller Revelation: When Compassion Becomes a Lie 00:25:25 Real Leadership Requires Losing People: The Mom Story 00:34:00 Joe Jackson Them: Holding People Accountable to Their Genius 00:40:12 The Real Estate Lesson: When Mom Made ET Buy the Right House 00:29:16 The Jalen and Jada Story: Taking Ownership of Your Part 00:37:45 I Don't Have Any More Care Left: The Superpower of Not Caring 00:28:30 The Trauma of Being Broke vs The Trauma of Success 00:44:52 Next Level Speakers Conference Announcement: June 5-7 Atlanta 00:45:58 Why AI Can't Replace Joe Jackson: You Still Need Humans 00:46:50 Closing: Patreon Meetup and Final Thoughts on Tough Love 🔒 This Is What Patreon Members Get... Unscripted conversations. Behind the scenes moments. Live Q&As. ET's speech streams. This is the version of S2S where nothing gets cut. If you want in: 👉 Join the S2S Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🎤 Next Level Speakers Conference | June 5-7, Atlanta If you know you're called to speak, train, or elevate your personal brand, this is where you need to be. ET, CJ, Karl, Inky Johnson, Jeremy Anderson, and more. Plus a Patreon meetup. Early bird tickets available now: 👉 nextlevelspeakersconference.com 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 About the Secret to Success Podcast The S2S Podcast is hosted by Eric Thomas, Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King. For over a decade, S2S has been one of the most authentic voices in personal development, not because of polished scripts, but because of real stories, real conversations, and real results. Every episode pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build wealth, sustain relationships, grow businesses, and become who you were created to be. No hype. No filters. Just four men who've lived it, telling the truth about how they got there.
• You Had Everything and Still Cried in the Closet (Here's Why) | S2S 539 30.04.2026 1h 9min

  Most people spend their whole lives chasing a version of success that looks right on paper and still leaves them empty. That is the conversation at the center of Episode 539, and it is one of the most honest hours this table has produced. Candis Quinney is back and she brings the moment that started everything. She was in her closet, stressed, overwhelmed, burnt out, with everything she had worked hard for, and still broke down. The house was there. The marriage was there. The kids were there. The pool was there. And none of it was enough. That moment did not break her. It built a movement. Candis is done watching women settle for a version of life that looks good from the outside and feels hollow on the inside, and she is calling everyone to a higher standard. ET picks up where Episode 538 left off, going deeper into what it actually felt like to release the need for control and what changed in his life and his marriage when he finally did. He also brings one of the most tender moments in recent S2S history, talking about going back to heal his mother and realizing she went through everything he blamed her for carrying. Karl's Kalm Down segment delivers one of the most practical frameworks this show has produced. Access and alignment are not the same thing. Just because something good comes to you does not mean it is yours. Make your decisions on alignment, not access. With Jemal away, CJ steps in with a sanctified session and does not hold back. God wants more for you than you want for yourself. Everything you do not have is because you are still operating below the level God designed for you. Stop shrinking. The episode also includes the announcement of ET and CJ's debut book "We Is Greater Than Me," now available for preorder on Amazon, and ET pulls out his GED on camera for the first time, earned February 9th, 1989, out of Lansing, Michigan. The certificate that started everything. If you are a woman who has ever smiled through something that was breaking you, Candis is building something for you. If you have ever felt like your life looks right but something is still off, this table sees you. In this Episode: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Access Is Not the Same as Alignment 00:00:57 The Shift: Letting Go of Control and Trusting God's Plan 00:05:22 Breaking Generational Cycles: Understanding Your Parents' Pain 00:07:54 The Yoke Up Revelation: What It Really Means to Partner with Christ 00:12:33 Your Best Self Is for Hard Times, Not Good Times 00:10:27 Letting Go of Titles and Traditions That Kill Us 00:28:07 The Jada Story: When DD's Leadership Changed Everything 00:19:55 From the East Side to Bliss: Candace's Transformation Journey 00:21:47 Parenting Without Living Through Your Kids 00:33:12 Book Reveal: We Is Greater Than Me 00:43:17 Candace's Movement: From Crying in the Closet to Leading Women 00:48:32 Closing Word: Grow Up and Open Your Packages Connect with Candis: @justcandisquinney on Instagram APOC Ministry virtual church, Saturdays at 11:00 AM ET on YouTube Subscribe so you never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@SecretToSuccess?sub_confirmation=1 Join the S2S Patreon for early access every week: https://www.patreon.com/s2spodcast Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast Listen on Apple Podcasts: Search "Secret to Success" on Apple Podcasts and Spotify Secret to Success is hosted by Eric Thomas, Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King. About the Secret to Success Podcast The Secret to Success podcast is hosted by Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King. For over two decades ET has been one of the most recognizable voices in personal development, motivation, and leadership. The Secret to Success podcast goes beyond the highlight reel to show the real conversations happening behind the work, covering marriage, business, wealth building, faith, and what it actually takes to build a life worth living. New episodes every Thursday on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
• Most People Are Trapped Waiting for an Apology That's Never Coming | S2S 538 23.04.2026 52min

  Most people who feel stuck, angry, or burned out are not dealing with what they think they are dealing with. That is the throughline of Episode 538, a conversation that starts with the aftermath of the 1% Conference in Chicago and goes somewhere much deeper. CJ's wife Candis Quinney walks in fresh off one of the most powerful 1% Conferences the S2S family has ever put together, and her presence immediately changes the energy in the room. Candis is not here as a plus one. She is building something, a movement for women who are done performing, done pretending, and done settling for a version of life that looks good on the outside and feels hollow on the inside. Her story, including a moment of sitting in a closet with everything she was supposed to want and still breaking down, is the kind of honesty that most people spend their whole lives avoiding. It is also exactly why we named this episode what we named it. Before the episode even gets rolling, Karl opens with a reframe that sets the tone for everything that follows: God does not always allow the pain. Sometimes it is just our decisions. What is remarkable is that He works through it anyway. ET's conference debrief becomes one of the most honest moments in recent S2S memory. He traces his lifelong anger back to its real source, being uprooted from Chicago as a kid, losing his cousin-brothers, resenting a stepfather he never asked for, and spending decades needing to control everything because nobody was ever in control for him. The breakthrough comes when he finally connects the dots and realizes the plan he spent years fighting against was actually the plan that made him who he is. The episode also goes deep on DeDe's gift, her ability to see what no one else sees, illustrated through the story of Donovan, a child in their church navigating an impossible situation while his younger brother fights kidney failure. It is a quiet masterclass in what it looks like to show up for people with your actual gifts, not just your checkbook. If you are a woman who has ever smiled through something that was breaking you, this one is going to meet you exactly where you are. And if you have ever chased a life that looked right on paper and still felt empty behind closed doors, pull up a chair. This conversation was made for you. In this episode: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: God's Plan Despite Our Decisions 00:00:55 Welcome and Team Introductions: Post-1% Conference Reflections 00:02:49 Conference Takeaways: Building Your Own Table With People You Trust 00:04:18 Behind the Scenes: The Real Work of Live Events That Nobody Sees 00:16:02 The Commonality of Humanity: We All Want the Five Pillars 00:17:17 Candice's Mission: The Off-Ramp for Women Who Have Everything But Aren't Enjoying It 00:05:18 DeDe's Role: The Eye That Catches What Everyone Else Misses 00:09:49 The Phone Detox Challenge: Too Much Access to Everything 00:21:58 Candis' Story: Forgiving Her Father and the Optical Illusion of Life 00:27:09 The Wedding Day Decision: Moving As If You Already Have the Relationship You Want 00:30:36 The Truth About Candice's Father: When the Answer Still Isn't What You Hoped For 00:36:58 Eric's Story: I Still Don't Have Good Parents 00:38:32 The Joseph Revelation: God Allowed This to Happen So You Could Save Others 00:39:15 The Bruce Banner Effect: When Unresolved Trauma Makes You Someone You Don't Like 00:43:13 The American Dream Versus the Divine Calling: Stop Comparing Your Life 00:53:25 Losing Control and Finding God: When DD Took Over the Conference 00:55:00 The Healing Begins When You Realize Your Parents Were Broken Too 00:57:49 Closing: You Don't Want to Be Me, You Want to Be on Stage Never miss an episode: https://www.youtube.com/@SecretToSuccess?sub_confirmation=1 Join the S2S Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/s2spodcast IG: @s2spodcast Listen on Apple Podcasts: Search "Secret to Success" on Apple Podcasts Secret to Success is hosted by Eric Thomas, Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King.
• The Public Was Never Supposed to See This | S2S 537 16.04.2026 45min

  This episode was never meant for the public. It was recorded exclusively for our Patreon community — the people who are already in the inner circle. But we're pulling the curtain back and letting you see what S2S really looks like when the pressure is off, the cameras are still rolling, and nobody is performing for anybody. This is the crew unfiltered. No script. No agenda. Just ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal being exactly who they are. From 80s hip-hop debates to the first game they ever ran, to ET getting real about why he stopped giving his expertise away for free — this episode has everything the highlight reel never shows you. And then Pops pulls up and drops the origin story of how ET and CJ found each other — the moment that started all of this. If you've ever wondered what S2S looks like behind closed doors — this is it. In This Episode: The 80s hip-hop playlist that shaped who they became — LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, Babyface and more The first piece of game they ever ran (ET's Babyface line on Dede is legendary) Why ET stopped giving his time and expertise away for free — and why you should too The "selfish vs. self-focused" conversation that will change how you think about your time and money A special visit from the Cooking with the Cooks family Pops pulls up and tells the untold origin story of how ET and CJ connected Timestamps: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Public Was Never Supposed to See This 00:03:39 Throwback Music Session: LL Cool J and the Golden Era of Hip-Hop 00:09:58 Baby Face and Early Game: The First Piece of Wisdom 00:15:00 The Football Team Get Naked Story: When Confidence Was King 00:17:18 The Michael Jordan Clip: Being Selfish Is How You Win 00:18:05 The Shift: How ET Stopped Giving Everything Away for Free 00:22:02 The Mastermind Testimony: When People Pay, They Apply 00:24:16 Valuing Your Time and Expertise: The CJ Partnership Model 00:32:59 The ETA Records Story: Giving What's Earned, Not What's Expected 00:37:35 Pops Enters the Building: The Man Who Started It All 00:41:04 The Origin Story: From Prison Visit to Twenty Years of Partnership 00:43:43 Closing: Behind the Scenes Access and What's Next Key Takeaways: The difference between being selfish and being self-focused — and why it matters for your money and your time Why giving your expertise away for free is a disservice to yourself and the people you're trying to help The unplanned moment that created one of the most influential mentoring relationships in the world What the S2S Patreon is really about — and why this content exists 🔒 This Is What Patreon Members Get Every Week Unscripted conversations. Behind the scenes moments. Live Q&As. ET's speech streams. This is the version of S2S where nothing gets cut. If you want in: 👉 Join the S2S Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 📲 Follow us on Instagram: @s2spodcast 🎙️ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 About the Secret to Success Podcast The Secret to Success (S2S) Podcast is hosted by Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), Karl Phillips, CJ Quinney, and Jemal King. For over a decade, S2S has been one of the most authentic voices in personal development — not because of polished scripts, but because of real stories, real conversations, and real results. Every episode pulls back the curtain on what it actually takes to build wealth, sustain relationships, grow businesses, and become who you were created to be. No hype. No filters. Just four men who've lived it, telling the truth about how they got there. New episodes every Thursday. Patreon drops every Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Most People Were Talked Out of Their Dream Before It Started | S2S 536 09.04.2026 1h 13min

  Somebody talked you out of your dream before it ever had a chance. Maybe it was a parent. Maybe a friend. Maybe someone you trusted. And the worst part? They didn't even know they were doing it. CJ takes his son Trey to a skateboard store and watches a 6-year-old fall twice in front of a crowd, get back up, and look at his dad like it was nothing — because CJ realized he was about to pass his own fear to his son. Fear of something he'd never even tried. ET traces his version, leaving comfort in Huntsville to chase something bigger when everyone said he already had enough. Jemal gives a raw testimony — real estate, the daycare, the businesses — every significant venture required blind, childlike faith. The one that didn't? Becoming a police officer. His whole family was already there. Everything else? Trust God with nothing upfront. And Karl brings the financial lens: your side hustle doesn't just need to make money. It needs to make sense. This one will make you think about who you've been taking advice from. And whether they've ever actually been on the skateboard. 📌 TIMESTAMPS Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Karl's Multi-Million Dollar Real Estate Deal and the Five Pillars 00:01:44 Welcome and Team Introductions: One Week Until the Chicago Conference 00:05:47 The Skateboard Story: How Trey's Childlike Faith Teaches Us to Get Back Up 00:08:45 Most People Were Talked Out of Their Dream Before It Started 00:12:33 Who Is Your Skateboard Instructor? The Importance of the Right Mentors 00:35:59 Unless You Become Like Little Children: The Scripture That Changes Everything 00:40:15 Show Up to the Conference as a Child, Not as an Adult 00:44:03 ET's Stone Mountain Story: Choosing to Be a Shepherd, Not a Competitor 00:51:15 For I Know the Plans I Have for You: God's Spiritual 529 Plan 00:56:45 Why This Conference Is Different: Three-Exing for God's Work 01:02:33 Jamal's Testimony: From Audience Member to Keynote Speaker at His Own High School 01:07:17 Make Your Side Hustle Make Sense: The Million Dollar Uber Ride 01:09:24 Closing Prayer: Lazarus, Come Forth—Breaking Free from the Weeds 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS → The person who talked you out of your dream probably never tried it themselves → A child sees what's possible. An adult only sees what's impossible → You're not afraid of the risk, you're afraid of what people will think when you fall → Show up as a student, not a teacher → Your side hustle shouldn't just make money, it should make sense ⬇️ Kalm Down with Karl When something is coming at you, you slow down. But when you have something to run toward, you speed up. What are you running toward? 💰 Mal's Millionaire Moment Jemal breaks down every venture he's ever built and the one thing they all had in common. Zero evidence it would work when he started. Just blind, childlike faith. 🎟️ 1% CONFERENCE, CHICAGO APRIL 16-18, 2026 Eric Thomas and world-class speakers including - Sarah Jakes - Jameis Winston, - Inky Johnson, - Wallstreet Trapper, - Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. Day 1: Women's Day, Day 2: Men's Day, Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets: https://etonepercent.com 🔔 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 Instagram: @s2spodcast Patreon: Behind the scenes access, live recordings, exclusive Q&A, and ET speech streams. If you're serious about this, this is where you need to be: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST The Secret to Success Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eric Thomas (ET), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips and Jemal King, is one of the most impactful personal development podcasts in the world. Each week the team breaks down real conversations around success, discipline, wealth, leadership, relationships, and entrepreneurship. If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, this is the podcast for you.
• Most People Have No Idea What They're Actually Capable Of | S2S Ep. 535 02.04.2026 1h 1min

  What if everything you've built so far — your career, your income, your wins — happened without you even really trying? That's exactly what Jemal King discovered in 2006. Four daycare centers. Real estate. A millionaire — completely by mistake. And the question that hit him harder than the money itself: if I could become a millionaire by mistake, what could I become on purpose? Jemal breaks down his full story — from building without a coach to discovering the value of community, to realizing most people quit the moment they start seeing results. ET closes with his challenge: stay 365 days. Then three years. Then five. Because the levels you haven't seen yet only unlock after the time is paid. Karl brings Kalm Down with Karl and Mal drops the Millionaire Moment — the rebar that holds everything together, and why your degrees and hustle aren't working without it. Most people have no idea what they're actually capable of. This episode is the proof. It's not about talent or luck. It's about going on purpose. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ - Jemal's millionaire by mistake story — daycare centers, real estate, and the moment everything clicked - Why most people quit right when they start seeing results - Grinding alone vs. grinding with the right community - Kalm Down with Karl — Do you see what I see? - Mal's Millionaire Moment — you've been building without the rebar ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📍 CHAPTERS ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Character Chasing Over Clout Chasing 00:01:45 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Real Cost of Proximity 00:02:45 Most People Don't Want the Smoke: The Accountability Circle 00:04:44 The Five Pillars Aren't Easy: Why Character Beats Entertainment 00:06:13 Twenty Years Together: The Power of Longevity and Consistency 00:08:01 Managing Power: When You Were Little in Your Own Sight 00:14:29 The Tobe Story: When Accountability Feels Like Warfare 00:17:09 Tom Izzo and the Transfer Portal: Why Most Coaches Are Scared 00:17:54 The Responsibility of the Circle: Carrying Each Other's Names 00:20:00 Conference Reveal: Why This One Is Intentionally Different 00:26:06 The Jemal Story: From Millionaire by Mistake to Millionaire on Purpose 00:24:58 The Value of Information: Would You Come for a Thousand Dollars? 00:32:41 Community Over Solo Grind: The Dubai Yacht Energy 00:35:48 I Don't Go to Red Carpets: ET's Intentional Isolation 00:37:49 Character Chasing vs Clout Chasing: The Pillar vs Sand Analogy 00:52:52 Wall Street Trapper Joins Live: The One Percent Money Mindset 00:56:00 Kalm Down with Karl 00:57:53 The Rebar Principle: What's Missing From Your Foundation 01:00:45 Closing: ET1% Conference Final Call and Patreon Family Shoutout ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎟️ 1% CONFERENCE — CHICAGO ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including Jameis Winston, Inky Johnson, Wallstreet Trapper, Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets: https://etonepercent.com ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🔔 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 Instagram: @s2spodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ The Secret to Success Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eric Thomas (ET), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips and Jemal King, is one of the most impactful personal development podcasts in the world. Each week the team breaks down real conversations around success, discipline, wealth, leadership, relationships, and entrepreneurship. If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe — this is the podcast for you.
• You Can See Exactly What You Want. So Why Don't You Have It? | S2S Ep. 534 26.03.2026 55min

  You can see exactly what you want. You probably always could. So what's actually stopping you? This episode opens with a story CJ wasn't sure he should tell. A 4-hour TSA line. Atlanta airport in complete chaos. And a woman with no badge, no uniform — just the nerve to say: get out of that line. What followed wasn't just a funny airport story. It cracked open one of the most honest conversations this crew has had about why people stay far from the rooms that could actually change them. Not because they don't have access. But because they know exactly what comes with it. The crew gets real about the price of true accountability — what it costs to be in this circle, what it felt like when ET was going in on CJ, and why that fire is exactly what separates the ones who last from the ones who fall off. ET closes Part 1 with a warning from the life of King Saul — when you forget where you came from, the power you worked so hard to get becomes the very thing that destroys you. You can see exactly what you want. The question this episode answers is why you still don't have it. Part 2 drops next week — Jemal reveals how he accidentally became a millionaire, Karl brings Kalm Down with Karl, and Ma drops the rebar moment. If you can see it but you still don't have it — this episode is your answer. 🔥 IN THIS EPISODE - CJ's wild TSA story — and the stranger with no badge who changed everything - Why the people closest to greatness are usually the first ones to walk away from it - "You want the perks, not the accountability" — the hard truth about circles - Character chasing vs. cloud chasing — ET's 20 year philosophy - The Saul Warning — what the Bible says about power outgrowing character - Why the next level won't unlock no matter how hard you work - ET's surgical analogy — why God has to separate you from everyone you love first 📍 CHAPTERS Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Become the Savage Before You Attract the Savage 00:01:30 Welcome and Team Introductions: The TSA Miracle Story 00:11:17 Ask ET: The Wandering Eye Dilemma 00:20:12 The Chicago Conference Reveal: Why We're Separating Men and Women 00:24:49 The Becoming Principle: Why Maul Is Sitting at This Table 00:36:09 Personal Development Is the Price of Admission 00:39:37 Don't Be a Two, Be a One-in-Waiting: The CJ Partnership Model 00:41:57 The Homework Assignment: Go Back and Watch the Growth 00:49:48 The Surgery Analogy: Why God Separates You Sometimes 00:52:44 The Hard Truth: Proximity Without Accountability Means Nothing 🎟️ THE 1% CONFERENCE - CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including Jameis Winston, Inky Johnson, Wallstreet Trapper, Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets on sale now: https://etonepercent.com 🔔 NEVER MISS AN EPISODE 📲 Subscribe to the YouTube channel for weekly episodes that transform, not just inform: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 Follow on Instagram → @s2spodcast 🔥 Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🎙️ ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST The Secret to Success Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eric Thomas (ET), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips and Jemal King, is one of the most impactful personal development and mindset podcasts in the world. Each week, the team breaks down real conversations around success, discipline, belief, financial growth, leadership, relationships, entrepreneurship, and personal development. If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe — this is the podcast for you. New episodes drop weekly.
• You’re Focused on the Result, That’s Why You’re Still Losing 19.03.2026 1h 7min

  You’re not losing because you lack talent. You’re losing because you’re focused on the wrong thing. Most people obsess over results — the money, the body, the relationship, the success. But winners don’t worship outcomes. They build systems. In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, we break down why focusing on the result keeps you stuck — and how shifting to solution thinking changes everything. If you’ve been: • Starting strong but falling off • Setting goals but not seeing progress • Working hard but not moving forward • Believing… but still stuck at the 6-yard line This conversation is for you. We dive into: • The difference between victim thinking and architect thinking • Why belief determines your level of commitment • How focusing on solutions restores power over your life • Why consistency without the right system is rehearsed failure • The mental shift that separates dreamers from disciplined winners You don’t rise to your goals. You rise to your systems. If you’re tired of chasing results and ready to start designing them, this episode will shift your focus. Chapters: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Evict the Thoughts That Aren't Paying Rent 00:01:27 Welcome and Team Introductions: Five Pillars Fitness Challenge 00:07:00 Fair or Foul: The Airplane Snoring Incident 00:20:52 The Conference Difference: Solutions Over Information 00:25:20 The Three Types of People: Which One Are You? 00:24:41 From Victim to Architect: The Power of Solutions 00:33:32 The Intentionality Factor: Accidentally Broke vs Intentionally Wealthy 00:37:49 The Middle Part: Why Commitment Is Everything 00:39:49 Chemistry Class: The Solution Formula 00:41:24 Focused on the Answer Instead of the Solution: The Math Lesson 00:52:22 Belief Comes Before Action: Do You Really Believe? 01:01:55 Leverage: Knowing Who You Are Opens Every Door 01:04:49 The 1% Conference: Invest in Yourself 🎟️ TAKE ACTION 🚨 Get your ticket to the 1% Conference: 👉 https://etonepercent.com Join us live and learn how to build the systems that produce lasting results. 🔥 Join our Patreon community for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access: 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 📲 Subscribe to the YouTube channel for weekly episodes that transform, not just inform: 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 🎙️ ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST The Secret to Success Podcast, hosted by Dr. Eric Thomas (ET), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips and Jemal King, is one of the most impactful personal development and mindset podcasts in the world. Each week, the team breaks down real conversations around success, discipline, belief, financial growth, leadership, relationships, entrepreneurship, and personal development. If you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe — this is the podcast for you. New episodes drop weekly.
• Your Gift Already Opened The Door - You Got Lazy And Let It Close #532 12.03.2026 56min

  Your gift already opened the door. The question is: did you get lazy and let it close? In this episode, ET ( The Hip Hop Preacher), and the guys break down the truth about God-given gifts and why most people never reach their potential. They reveal: ✅ How to identify YOUR specific superpower (it's not what you think) ✅ Why people get complacent once their gift produces results ✅ The difference between using your gift for yourself vs. God's purpose ✅ How Karl discovered his gift of SUPPORT ✅ Why Mal's gift of VISION has made him successful in real estate and every other area of his life ✅ The "Get a Backbone" morning routine that sets up your day for success KEY MOMENTS: - E reveals his superpower: calling people back within 24 hours and showing love - Karl explains why he finally embraced being a "supporter" - Mal shares how VISION allows him to see 20-100 years into the future - The fig tree parable: Why God curses gifts that don't produce fruit - Why trying to use someone else's gift will never work for you - The Meridian Mall story: How one vendor outlasted Dick's, Barnes & Noble, and Sbarro BOTTOM LINE: Your gift will make room for you, but only if you keep using it. Stop comparing. Stop getting lazy. Stop trying to be someone else. This is YOUR year to go all in on what God gave YOU. KALM DOWN WITH KARL - "Get a Backbone": Karl breaks down how to build your life on non-negotiables. Your backbone isn't rigid—it's the structure that supports everything. He shares his morning routine: personal worship, family worship, hydration, and workout. When your backbone is together, you don't slump halfway through the day. Mal's Millionaire Moment: Stop letting your money sleep! If you're still using a basic savings account earning 0.001% interest, you're getting bamboozled. Mal breaks down high-yield savings accounts paying 3.5-4.9% that you can set up TODAY. 🔴 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOZGbbU9wctEV8z6-0SL7FQ?sub_confirmation=1 💎 JOIN THE S2S PATREON COMMUNITY Get behind-the-scenes access, live recordings, Q&A sessions, random pop-up dialogues, and exclusive content with ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal. Plus access to Eric's speeches as we go live. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🎟️ THE 1% CONFERENCE - CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including Jameis Winston, Inky Johnson, Wallstreet Trapper, Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets on sale now: https://etonepercent.com 📱 FOLLOW S2S ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: --- 🏠 ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST: Join Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips, and Jamal King as they share their real lives, real struggles, and real wins. This isn't just another motivational podcast - it's raw, unfiltered conversations showing you that if we can do it, you can too. From real estate to marriage, business to family, faith to finances - we're living it and sharing it all so you can learn with us and through us. The mission? To help you realize that YOU CAN DO IT. Life throws wrenches at all of us, but with vision, belief, and the right community, success is possible. Hosted by: - Eric Thomas (@etthehiphoppreacher) - #1 Motivational Speaker in the World - Karl Phillips - Producer, Creative Director - CJ Quinney - Strategic Brand Architect - Jemal King - Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur New episodes every week. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. © 2026 Eric Thomas & Associates. All Rights Reserved.
• Is That What YOU Want? (Or What They Want For You?) #531 05.03.2026 50min

  What do you REALLY want? Not what society tells you to want. Not what you think you should want. What does YOUR heart actually desire? In this raw conversation, Eric Thomas, CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips and Jemal King get real about goals, dreams, and the difference between chasing material things vs. living with purpose. ET shares a powerful parenting moment that changed how he sees his son, Jamal breaks down why your next promotion might be in your next property, and the crew discusses why the "unseen" matters more than what you can see. Plus: The story behind Jamal's viral house tour (millions of views), why ET doesn't want what you think he wants, and a challenge that'll make you rethink everything you're chasing. 🔴 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOZGbbU9wctEV8z6-0SL7FQ?sub_confirmation=1 💎 JOIN THE S2S PATREON COMMUNITY Get behind-the-scenes access, live recordings, Q&A sessions, random pop-up dialogues, and exclusive content with ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal. Plus access to Eric's speeches as we go live. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🎟️ THE 1% CONFERENCE - CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including Jameis Winston, Inky Johnson, Wallstreet Trapper, Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets on sale now: https://etonepercent.com 📱 FOLLOW S2S ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: What Do You REALLY Want? 00:01:14 Welcome and Team Introductions: The House That God Built 00:04:50 The Viral House Tour: Why Mal Finally Decided to Show the World 00:08:20 What's Your Next Big Goal? 00:11:38 Mal's Vision: A House in Another Country and Stretching Belief 00:23:00 The Rolls-Royce Story: How ET Honors His Wife and Sets an Example 00:25:20 Stop Parenting From What YOU Wanted: The Shoe Store Revelation 00:28:12 Know Your Own Multiples: Stop Following Rules That Weren't Made for You 00:39:10 Real Estate is Your Promotion: Your Next Property Holds Your Breakthrough 00:43:33 God Fixed It All: Communication, Marriage, and Answered Prayers 00:36:00 Chicago Conference Announcement: Bring Your Pack to Mal's Crib 00:48:00 Closing: Growth is the Only Goal—The Unseen Changes the Seen 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Stop chasing what you see others have - know what YOU actually want - Your next promotion might be in your next property (real estate = multiple paychecks) - The unseen is realer than the seen - Don't parent from what you wanted at their age - "With God, all things are possible" isn't just a phrase - it's a lifestyle --- 🏠 ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST: Join Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips, and Jamal King as they share their real lives, real struggles, and real wins. This isn't just another motivational podcast - it's raw, unfiltered conversations showing you that if we can do it, you can too. From real estate to marriage, business to family, faith to finances - we're living it and sharing it all so you can learn with us and through us. The mission? To help you realize that YOU CAN DO IT. Life throws wrenches at all of us, but with vision, belief, and the right community, success is possible. Hosted by: - Eric Thomas (@etthehiphoppreacher) - #1 Motivational Speaker in the World - Karl Phillips - Producer, Creative Director - CJ Quinney - Strategic Brand Architect - Jemal King - Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur New episodes every week. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. © 2026 Eric Thomas & Associates. All Rights Reserved.
• Being Almost Successful Is the Most Dangerous Place You Can Be | S2S Ep. 530 26.02.2026 42min

  Being close isn't the same as being there — and ET knows exactly what that feels like. In this episode, CJ and ET get raw about the "almost zone": why being talented, dedicated, and almost at the top might actually be harder than starting from zero. ET shares the real story of having the greatest motivational speech in the world and still not being able to get booked — and what finally changed everything. They break down why getting to the top and staying at the top are two completely different skill sets, the whispers of self-doubt that are quietly killing people's dreams, and why proximity to the right people matters more than talent ever will. 🔑 IN THIS EPISODE: Why the "almost zone" is more frustrating than starting from nothing The formula ET used to go from unknown to #1 motivational speaker in the world Getting to the top vs. staying at the top — why most people fail at both The whispers of self-doubt nobody talks about (and how to silence them) Why you can't build your dream with imaginary people — use your family The 1% Event: April 16–18 in Chicago | etonepercent.com Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: There's a Formula to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be 00:00:57 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Varsity Game Is Back 00:01:56 The Crown Jewel: Doing It Together for 20 Years 00:05:07 Why ET Came Back Outside: The 10% Who Are Almost There 00:07:02 The Almost Zone: Why the Red Zone Is Harder Than Being Homeless 00:10:40 It's Not More Talent, It's Proximity: The New York Times Bestseller Formula 00:16:15 Nobody Cares: The Most Important Thing You'll Ever Write Down 00:22:32 Becoming Before Attracting: Why You Met ET at the Right Time 00:23:48 The 1% Conference Lineup: Wall Street Trapper, Inky Johnson, Earn Your Leisure and More 00:32:09 How Wall Street Trapper Walked Through the Valley: From Solitary Confinement to Success 00:35:34 Field Goals Get You Beat: The Mental Battle of the Red Zone 00:36:42 Rashad and Troy from Earn Your Leisure: How Brothers Stay Together and Win Together 00:37:56 Stop Working With Imaginary People: Build With Your Family 00:40:07 The Family Reunion: Everyone's Going to Be in the Building 00:41:22 Closing: April 16-18 in Chicago—ET1Percent.com 🔴 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: 💎 JOIN THE S2S PATREON COMMUNITY Get behind-the-scenes access, live recordings, Q&A sessions, random pop-up dialogues, and exclusive content with ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal. Plus access to Eric's speeches as we go live.👉 🎟️ THE 1% CONFERENCE - CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including Jameis Winston, Inky Johnson, Wallstreet Trapper, Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets on sale now: https://etonepercent.com 📱 FOLLOW S2S ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST The Secret to Success podcast is hosted by CJ, Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), and Karl Phillips — a team who've built something rare: a 20-year friendship, business partnership, and movement that has impacted millions of lives worldwide. Joined by Jemal King and their families, S2S goes beyond motivation to deliver real conversations about marriage, business, wealth building, and personal development. New episodes every Thursday on all platforms.
• Don't Start a Business Until You Watch This - Wrong Partners Will Destroy You | S2S Ep. 529 19.02.2026 55min

  The wrong business partner will cost you everything. Here's how to know who to trust. Most businesses fail not because of a bad idea, bad product, or bad timing. They fail because of bad PARTNERS. People who don't share your values. People who steal. People who see you as a paycheck instead of a partner. People who make "doggy bags" to take home instead of building the table with you. In this raw conversation, Eric Thomas, CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips, and Jemal King break down the brutal truth about business partnerships - what destroys them, - what makes them work, - Why starting small is the only path to building big, - And real proof this approach works (six-figure real estate checks, zero student debt, generational wealth from $50/paycheck). This is Part 2 of our two-part series. If you missed Part 1 (Episode 528), go watch the wife haircut debate now! CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Be Faithful Over the Small Stuff - That's How God Knows You're Serious 00:01:20 Stop Looking for Permission - The CJ Partnership Model 00:02:28 Why Most People Want Savages But Won't Become One 00:12:00 The 115 Years of Committed Relationships at This Table 00:13:38 The Book Reveal: What We're Uniquely Qualified to Talk About 00:14:56 Building Your Table With Family vs Strangers - The Dinner Table Analogy 00:39:41 The Contract Story: When CJ Put ET First Without Being Asked 00:17:46 Leverage: The Tire Iron Principle and Why You Need Different Strengths 00:00:27 Stop Focusing on the Big Stuff - The Cam Newton Lesson 00:22:41 Warren Buffett at 94: Why Most Wealth Comes After 40 00:53:52 Yanni Graduates Debt-Free: How a 529 Plan Paid for Michigan State 00:35:53 The pizza story: Why Your People Won't Steal From You 00:47:29 The 1% Conference Announcement: April 16-17 in Chicago 🔴 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: 💎 JOIN THE S2S PATREON COMMUNITY Get behind-the-scenes access, live recordings, Q&A sessions, random pop-up dialogues, and exclusive content with ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal. Plus access to Eric's speeches as we go live. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🎟️ THE 1% CONFERENCE - CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including Jameis Winston, Inky Johnson, Wallstreet Trapper, Earn Your Leisure, and more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets on sale now: https://etonepercent.com 📱 FOLLOW S2S ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS: - Employees at a pizza shop ordered 17 pizzas right before closing and took them all home for free - that's what happens when people don't care about your business like you do - It's not about family vs strangers - it's about shared values vs survival mode - People in survival mode will take from you; people who share your values will build with you - Candis called Eric about the contract split to make sure it was fair - she protected the family before anyone even asked - Stop focusing on the "main thing" - Eric didn't chase Cam Newton, he built relationships with Cam's parents and brother, which gave him better access - Warren Buffett made 90% of his wealth after age 65 - compound interest and starting early matters more than you think - Average American family has $2,000 in savings - that's the crisis most people don't talk about - Jemal’s daughter will graduate Michigan State debt-free and is going to med school - and it all started with a $50 per paycheck investment, made consistently for 25 years - Karl transformed from employee mindset to cashing six-figure real estate checks by applying these principles - When you build with people who do, you can go to sleep knowing everyone has each other's back 🏠 ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST: Join Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips, and Jemal King - alongside their wives Dede, Candis, Tamesha, and Camile - as they share their real lives, real struggles, and real wins. This isn't just another motivational podcast - it's raw, unfiltered conversations showing you that if we can do it, you can too. From real estate to marriage, business to family, faith to finances - we're living it and sharing it all so you can learn with us and through us. The mission? To help you realize that YOU CAN DO IT. Life throws wrenches at all of us, but with vision, belief, and the right community, success is possible. Hosted by: - Eric Thomas (@etthehiphoppreacher) - #1 Motivational Speaker in the World - Karl Phillips - Producer, Creative Director - CJ Quinney - Strategic Brand Architect - Jemal King - Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur New episodes every week. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. © 2026 Eric Thomas & Associates. All Rights Reserved.
• She Cut Her Hair Without Asking - We Called The WIVES In | Fair or Foul? #528 12.02.2026 55min

  💇‍♀️ She cut her hair SHORT without warning. He feels blindsided. Who's wrong? When does a "personal decision" stop being personal in a marriage? A husband writes in after 13 years together: his wife cut her hair really short without mentioning it, and when he brought it up, she said it was a personal decision that didn't require his input. Fair or foul? This question sparked the BIGGEST debate we've had in a while - and we didn't just debate it ourselves. We called THE WIVES in live on the podcast. Dede, Camile, Candis, and Tamesha weigh in with perspectives that might surprise you. Plus: Jemal & Camile's Bobby Brown and New Edition concert experience, why "becoming a savage" matters more than wanting one, Karl's six-figure real estate confidence shift, and a powerful conversation about God wanting more for you than you want for yourself. This is Part 1 of 2 - Part 2 (Episode 530) drops the most powerful generational wealth story we've ever shared. You don't want to miss it. 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS: - "Fair for her own personal womanhood, but foul for the marriage" - marriage requires consideration beyond individual rights - After years of marriage, you should know what matters to your spouse - it's not about permission, it's about partnership - In order to attract a savage, you gotta become a savage - stop waiting for someone to blow you up - Iron sharpens iron - your growth elevates everyone around you - God has already blessed you with jobs, relationships, opportunities - you lost them because you didn't become - You can't be done with Michael Jordan - become irreplaceable in every area of your life - The 1% Conference: One day for men, one day for women to build yourselves up, then one day together to build each other up CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: When Your Circle Is Killing at the Highest Level 00:00:59 Welcome and Team Introductions: Dr. King and the Barefoot Bruce Lee 00:03:00 The New Edition Concert Experience: Front Row With Your Bride 00:08:45 Concert Legends: From Maxwell to Celine Dion and the 3D Hologram 00:12:46 Fair or Foul: She Cut Her Hair Without Asking 00:14:10 The Men Weigh In: Permission, Communication, or Her Body Her Choice? 00:25:23 Calling the Wives: Candis, Camille, DeDe, and Tamesha Sound Off 00:35:50 The Marriage Blueprint: Know Your Person and Pick Your Battles 00:43:45 Don't Worship Silence: The Difference Between Peace and Avoiding Conflict 00:45:00 The One Percent Conference Vision: Men, Women, and Unity 00:49:00 The Two-Man Versus the One-in-Waiting: CJ's Platform Philosophy 00:51:15 Iron Sharpens Iron: Becoming a Savage to Attract Savages 00:52:23 Closing: The Conference Is About Becoming, Not Being Saved 🔴 SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOZGbbU9wctEV8z6-0SL7FQ?sub_confirmation=1 💎 JOIN THE S2S PATREON COMMUNITY Get behind-the-scenes access, live recordings, Q&A sessions, random pop-up dialogues, and exclusive content with ET, Karl, CJ, and Jemal. Plus access to Eric's speeches as we go live. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🎟️ THE 1% CONFERENCE - CHICAGO | APRIL 16-18, 2026 Don't just attend. Ascend. Eric Thomas & world-class speakers including: - Jameis Winston, - Inky Johnson, - Wallstreet Trapper, - Earn Your Leisure, and much, much more. 3 days. 12,000 people. Total transformation. - Day 1: Women's Day - Day 2: Men's Day - Day 3: VIP Family Day Tickets on sale now: https://etonepercent.com 📱 FOLLOW S2S ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 🎧 LISTEN ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/0GrMsi1Cxj3nipnI9HR1QX?si=1d80bc2eec934bef 🎧 LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/secret-to-success/id123456789 🏠 ABOUT THE SECRET TO SUCCESS PODCAST: Join Eric Thomas (ET, The Hip Hop Preacher), CJ Quinney, Karl Phillips, and Jemal King as they share their real lives, real struggles, and real wins. This isn't just another motivational podcast - it's raw, unfiltered conversations showing you that if we can do it, you can too. From real estate to marriage, business to family, faith to finances - we're living it and sharing it all so you can learn with us and through us. The mission? To help you realize that YOU CAN DO IT. Life throws wrenches at all of us, but with vision, belief, and the right community, success is possible. Hosted by: - Eric Thomas (@etthehiphoppreacher) - #1 Motivational Speaker in the World - CJ Quinney - Strategic Brand Architect - Karl Phillips - Producer, Creative Director - Jemal King - Real Estate Investor, Entrepreneur New episodes every week. Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode. © 2026 Eric Thomas & Associates. All Rights Reserved.
• 👉 Most People Fail Because They Follow the Rules (That Weren’t Made for Them) #527 05.02.2026 54min

  Most people don’t fail because they lack effort. They fail because they follow rules and advice that were never designed for their real life. In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the conversation challenges one of the most common traps in personal growth: living by general advice instead of personal strategy. This episode breaks down why: What works for others often fails for you Generic advice ignores context, timing, and personal tendencies High performers don’t just work hard — they study patterns Rules, stats, and analytics are useful… but dangerous when followed blindly Real growth requires a personal “scouting report” for your life, marriage, money, and leadership Through stories from sports, business, relationships, and real life, this episode shows why winners don’t just follow instructions — they observe, adjust, and execute based on their specific situation. If you’ve been doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck, this episode will help you understand why — and what to do differently. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Stop Negotiating With Fear 00:00:52 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Q1 Focus Energy 00:01:28 Back in My Day: From Arcade Games to Roblox 00:08:31 Analytics vs The Scouting Report: Why One Size Doesn't Fit All 00:09:58 The Dan Campbell Effect: When to Go For It on Fourth Down 00:12:38 The Gazelle Mentality: How ET Learned to Observe and Survive 00:33:03 Brian Cox and the Film Room: The Cheat Code to Success 00:48:11 ET's Two-Home Challenge: Creating Unity in Unique Circumstances 00:50:20 The Mother-in-Law Revelation: Understanding What Really Matters 00:53:45 Millionaire Moments with Karl: Your Side Hustle Becomes Your Main Hustle 00:55:55 Closing: Hit Fear in the Mouth and Do Your Scouting Report 👇 Next steps: Subscribe for weekly conversations on mindset, leadership, and performance Share this episode with someone who keeps following the rules but isn’t getting results Stop copying success. Start studying what actually works for you. Transformation beats information — every time.
• Every Result Has a Belief Behind It #525 22.01.2026 55min

  Most people think belief is a feeling. This episode makes a different case. Your beliefs are visible — not in what you say, but in the results you keep producing. In this continuation of last week’s conversation, we break down why people can have information, opportunity, and effort — yet still see the same outcomes year after year. The issue isn’t hustle or knowledge. It’s what you truly believe is possible, allowed, or worth fully committing to. This episode explores how partial belief leads to partial commitment — and how that shows up everywhere: finances, relationships, faith, confidence, leadership, and decision-making. We talk about: Why belief always leaves evidence How effort without full belief creates cycles, not progress The difference between participating and fully stepping in Why your environment reinforces what you believe How results quietly reveal where commitment stops This isn’t motivation. It’s a mirror. If you’ve been doing the right things but still seeing the same results, this episode may explain why. EPISODE CHAPTERS: Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Practice Squad Mentality - You Don't Have to Be Perfect 00:01:50 Caleb Williams and the Ben Johnson Effect: Learning to See the Field 00:02:38 Stop Sleeping With the Enemy: Why Your Circle Is Keeping You Broke 00:03:09 It Burns My Heart: The Real Reason We Talk About Money 00:04:37 Let It Burn: When Your Credit Score Controls Your Destiny 00:07:42 God Said You Should Lend, Not Borrow: The Biblical Case for Wealth 00:09:46 Vengeance Is Mine: When People Owe You and God Is Teaching You 00:10:51 The Conference Invitation: Why You Need to Be in the Room 00:13:43 The $15 Million House Story: How Carl Made It With $30K and Good Credit 00:14:47 They Don't Want You in That Neighborhood: The Truth About Real Estate Gatekeeping 00:19:02 The Wizard of Oz Revelation: Everything You Need Is Already Inside You 00:21:27 Karl's Six-Figure Check Moment: When Belief Became Reality 00:23:51 The Dynasty Trust Attorney: When Doors Only Open at Certain Net Worth Levels 00:24:24 DeDe Said This Was the Best Christmas: When Communication Transforms Marriage 00:29:11 The Briefing to His Daughter: How Money Changed Karl's Family Language 00:31:01 Putting Money in Her Account: The Wisdom Jamal Gave Karl About His Wife 00:44:21 Just Believe: The Song, The Message, The Breakthrough 00:38:13 Every Result Has a Belief Behind It: Karl's Transformation Explained 00:49:56 Paycheck to Prosperity: The New System Mall and Karl Are Building 00:58:59 Work Your Work in the Morning, Evening Let Not Your Hands Be Idle 00:58:05 Turn the Light Switch Off: Carl's Million Dollar Moment 00:40:04 April 16-18 in Chicago: The 1% Solutions Gathering Announcement 01:06:15 Closing: Focus on This Opportunity With All Your Might 👉 Register for the ET One Percent Solution Conference https://etonepercent.com 👉 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow S2S on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive content & live conversations https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120
• Why Everyone’s Talking About the Chicago Bears Right Now — And What It Shows About Turnarounds #524 15.01.2026 54min

  Everyone’s talking about the Chicago Bears right now (or at least Jemal thinks so), and while a new coach matters, the real shift runs deeper. This episode breaks down a powerful truth about real turnarounds: the players didn’t change — the perspective did. Same roster. Same city. Same pressure. What changed was how the game was being seen, understood, and approached. And once that shifted, the results followed. Using the Bears as a real-world case study, this conversation explores why so many people stay stuck year after year. Not because they lack ability or effort, but because they keep trying to do more instead of learning to see differently. This isn’t about starting over. It’s about building on what’s already there. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why turnarounds don’t require new talent, just clearer perspective How guidance and coaching change what you notice and how you move The difference between repeating a year and actually creating a new one What happens when you stop chasing more and start maximizing what you already have Whether it’s your life, your career, your finances, or your faith — this message applies far beyond football. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Can You See Me Now? The Chicago Bears Energy 00:01:26 Welcome and Team Introductions: The Helmet Comes Out 00:05:16 Bears Fever: From Last Place to First in the Division 00:08:45 The Ben Johnson Effect: Why Coaching Changes Everything 00:20:17 New Year or Another Year? The Choice Is Yours 00:26:56 Don't Start Over—Keep Building: The Skyscraper Mentality 00:32:00 The Coaching Conversation: Carl's Real Estate Transformation Begins 00:33:45 From Crisis to Clarity: Carl's COVID Real Estate Story 00:36:34 The Equity Revelation: Money in the Bricks 00:43:05 The Six-Figure Check: Carl's First Major Real Estate Win 00:46:00 Why We Talk About Money: ET's Passionate Defense 00:50:04 Stop Listening to Broke People: Reading the Coverage of Wealth 00:51:26 Outro and Call to Action 👉 Register for the ET One Percent Solution Summit (Chicago) Real perspective. Real tools. Real turnaround conversations. https://etonepercent.com 👉 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 👉 Follow us on Instagram for daily perspective shifts & behind-the-scenes moments https://www.instagram.com/s2spodcast 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive episodes, live conversations, and deeper breakdowns https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120
• Why Most People Fail After They Start Winning #523 08.01.2026 56min

  Most people don’t fail because they lack talent, intelligence, or opportunity. They fail because no one around them tells the truth. In this episode of the Secret to Success, Eric Thomas, CJ, and Karl break down why success becomes dangerous when accountability disappears—and why many people collapse after they start winning. This conversation hits hard: Why discipline alone eventually fails How “yes-men” quietly sabotage your future The role appetite plays in self-destruction Why unchecked power and money expose character How to build a circle that protects your purpose, not your ego This isn’t about cutting people off out of pride. It’s about protecting your life, your family, and your future. If no one in your life can correct you, challenge you, or stop you when you’re wrong—you’re not free. You’re exposed. 🎯 Takeaway You don’t need more motivation. You need one person who won’t let you lie to yourself. Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Power of Accountability and Appetite Control 00:02:14 Welcome and Team Introductions 00:05:42 Building Legacy Through Systems, Not Just Hard Work 00:08:52 The Chick-fil-A Lesson: Identity Over Everything 00:12:00 Technology Went Too Far: The Amazon Christmas Story 00:16:28 The First Directive: Stop Having Sex 00:20:34 Why Most Successful Men Crash and Burn 00:24:18 Accountability Is Not Discipline - It's Your Circle 00:34:23 The Diddy Documentary and Complicit Silence 00:45:49 Second-Hand Smoke: Why Your Circle Determines Your Future 00:47:38 Praying for Your Tribe and Leaving to Level Up 00:52:44 Be, Do, Have: Getting the Order Right 00:53:27 Your 9-to-5 Should Fund Your Exit, Not Trap Your Future 00:52:01 Closing: Join Us at the 1% Solution Experience 00:55:28 Outro and Subscribe 🔗 Important Links & CTAs 🎟️ The One Percent Experience An immersive 3-day experience for leaders, families, and teams 📍 Chicago | April 16–18, 2026 👉 https://etonepercent.com 🎧 Subscribe to the Secret to Success Podcast New episodes every week—real conversations, real growth. https://www.youtube.com/@S2SPodcastChannel?sub_confirmation=1 ⭐ Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts Your feedback helps us reach more people who need this message. 📤 Share This Episode Send this to someone who needs accountability—not applause. 👉 Join the S2S Patreon for exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access: https://www.patreon.com/c/S2SPodcast120 🧠 Final Reminder Transformation requires truth. And truth only works when someone is brave enough to speak it.