Ep 10 | The Other Side of YES: How Risky Obedience Unlocks Breakthrough
What if the thing standing between you and your next breakthrough isn’t another opportunity, but a step of obedience? In this video, you’ll hear the story of how giving away a car became the doorway to a deeper faith and a cascade of divine opportunities. You’ll discover that obedience isn’t about loss, it’s about unlocking God’s best on the other side of your “yes.”
26 Jun 2025
Ep 09 | CLEAR Communication – The Key to Influence, Impact, and Action
Mike O'Connell Jr. presents the CLEAR method, a practical framework that enhances communication skills, enabling listeners to connect with their audience and drive impactful results.
4 Jun 2025
Ep 08 | How to Design a More Focused Life (In 30 Days) [Part 2: Systems, Rhythms & Sustainable Growth]
Mike O'Connell explains how to design a focused life by building sustainable systems and intentional rhythms that create peace and momentum.
21 May 2025
Ep 07 | How to Design a More Focused Life (In 30 Days) [Part 1: Energy, Elimination & Margin]
Mike O'Connell shares how listeners can design a more focused life by engineering their time, energy, and focus with intention, and managing energy instead of time.
28 Apr 2025
Ep 06 | What Most Leaders Get Wrong About Culture (And How to Fix It)
You don’t drift into a great culture—you design it.In this Podcast, I’ll tell you why culture isn’t built through handbooks or mission statements, but through the habits, behaviors, and decisions you reinforce every day.We’ll break down:✅ The Four Culture Archetypes✅ The 3 C’s of Culture: Clarify it. Carry it. Coach it.✅ How to recognize drift, build alignment, and create a culture that lastsYou’ll also see how Jesus modeled culture in a way that still shapes lives today—and what that means for your team, staff, or organization.If you’re ready to stop guessing and start leading culture with intention, this is for you.
Plus, I’m giving away a FREE resource! Download the Culture Archetype Kit—a simple way to analyse where your culture stands and what you need to get an upgrade.
Click HERE (https://api.gothreesixty.io/widget/form/m8sCQiOAtG3aC6ynTOF7) to access the Culture Archetype Kit!
🎧 Tune in now and let’s get your vision clear, compelling, and actionable.
👉 Listen now and DM me your biggest takeaway!
Connect with Mike O'Connell
Follow Mike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mikeoconnelljr)
Follow Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-connell-9662552b/)
Visit Mike's Website (https://mikeoconnell.com/)
21 Mar 2025
Ep 05 | The Seven Pillars of Vision
Without vision, you drift—and no one drifts to a destination they desire.
In this episode of The Backstage Podcast, I’m breaking down 7 Pillars of Vision—how to see it, build it, and sustain it. Because a great vision isn’t just about where you’re going, it’s about who you’re becoming.
This episode will give you a roadmap to move from dreaming to doing.
What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why clarity is kindness (and how confusion kills momentum)
✅ How pruning is essential for progress (what needs to go?)
✅ Why vision must be written down (Habakkuk 2:2—make it plain!)
✅ How to filter decisions through vision (say no to distractions)
✅ The power of enthusiasm in making vision contagious
✅ How to move from ME to WE—multiplying vision for lasting impact
Plus, I’m giving away a FREE resource! Download the Vision Roadmap—a clarity guide to help you write your vision, eliminate distractions, and take action.
Click HERE (https://api.gothreesixty.io/widget/form/clnNwwghZ85XkrgTjeok) to access the Vision Roadmap!
🎧 Tune in now and let’s get your vision clear, compelling, and actionable.
👉 Listen now and DM me your biggest takeaway!
Connect with Mike O'Connell
Follow Mike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mikeoconnelljr)
Follow Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-connell-9662552b/)
Visit Mike's Website (https://mikeoconnell.com/)
12 Mar 2025
Ep 4 | The Billion-Dollar Rejection Lesson Jamie Kern Lima Taught Me
Rejection—it’s something we all face, but what if we’ve been seeing it the wrong way? In this episode of The Backstage Podcast, Mike O’Connell shares a game-changing perspective on rejection, inspired by Jamie Kern Lima’s journey from relentless rejection to billion-dollar success.
Most people let rejection stop them. The most successful people use it as fuel. Today, Mike unpacks three powerful mindset shifts that will transform how you handle rejection:
Rejection is redirection—every "no" is guiding you toward a better "yes."
Rejection is a rep—each rejection builds resilience, just like lifting weights.
Rejection is a reminder—proof that you're in the game, stepping out, and growing.
If fear of rejection has been holding you back, this episode will challenge and equip you to step forward with confidence. Take action, push past the fear, and remember: rejection isn’t failure—it’s a setup for something greater.
What’s one thing you’d do differently if you had zero fear of rejection? DM Mike or drop a comment—he’d love to hear your story!
Listen now & share with someone who needs this message!
Connect with Mike O'Connell
Follow Mike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mikeoconnelljr)
Follow Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-connell-9662552b/)
Visit Mike's Website (https://mikeoconnell.com/)
16 Oct 2024
Ep 3 | Alan Stein Jr. | Success Simplified
In this conversation, Alan Stein Jr., a former basketball performance coach turned author and speaker, shares his insights on success, resilience, and the mindset of elite athletes. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the basics, blending confidence with humility, and being coachable. Stein also discusses the power of encouragement and energy in team dynamics and highlights the need for continuous growth and progress. Overall, his story and lessons serve as inspiration for individuals looking to maximize their potential in any field. Alan Stein Jr. discusses the importance of being present and having fun in order to deliver the best performance. He emphasizes the value of preparation and rituals to enhance confidence and effectiveness. Alan also shares insights on managing stress, avoiding stagnation, and beating burnout to sustain high performance and fulfillment.
Takeaways
Focus on the basics and never get bored with them. Mastery of the fundamentals is key to achieving excellence in any area of life.
Blend confidence with humility. High performers have earned the right to be confident, but they also remain open to feedback and continuous improvement.
Be coachable. Seek out competent coaches or mentors who can help you see your blind spots, hold you accountable, and guide you in your journey.
Encourage and uplift others. Being an energy giver and a supportive teammate can have a significant impact on team dynamics and overall success.
Embrace growth and progress. Continuously strive to improve and learn from your experiences, and be open to the possibility of transformation and new opportunities. Being fully present and having fun is crucial for delivering a great performance.
Preparation and rituals help build confidence and enhance effectiveness.
Managing stress involves accepting reality and focusing on our responses.
To avoid stagnation, it's important to refresh our inputs by spending time with inspiring people and consuming diverse content.
Burnout can be prevented by prioritizing self-care and aligning our work with purpose and meaning.
Connect with Alan Stein Jr.
Follow Alan on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alansteinjr/)
Visit Alan's Website (https://alansteinjr.com/)
Connect with Mike O'Connell
Follow Mike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mikeoconnelljr)
Follow Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-connell-9662552b/)
Visit Mike's Website (https://mikeoconnell.com/)
15 Aug 2024
Ep 02 | Ken Lock II | Leading with Vulnerability
In this conversation, Mike O'Connell interviews Ken Lock, the lead pastor of Evolve Church and the barber and chaplain for the Milwaukee Bucks. Ken shares insights from his upbringing in a large family and how it shaped his foundational principles. He emphasizes the importance of servant leadership and creating safe spaces for authenticity. Ken also discusses the challenges of transitioning from serving to leading and the need to balance front stage and backstage success. He shares his experiences as a barber and chaplain for the Bucks, highlighting the impact of genuine relationships and the power of compassion in communication. In this conversation, Kenneth Lock II shares insights on leadership, teamwork, and personal growth. He discusses the weight of responsibility that leaders carry and the importance of supporting and reminding them to take care of themselves. He also shares lessons from championship culture, emphasizing the need for a strong team and the different roles each member plays. Kenneth highlights the power of vulnerability and leading through difficult seasons, drawing from his own experience of going through a divorce. He encourages leaders to stay humble, continue learning, and live a life of preparation.
Takeaways
Servant leadership is not just a principle to believe in, but a core belief to live by.
Creating safe spaces for authenticity allows people to be themselves and fosters genuine connections.
Transitioning from serving to leading can be challenging, but it is important to follow God's guidance and trust the process.
Balancing front stage and backstage success requires prioritizing genuine relationships and serving others.
Being in the spotlight can dehumanize individuals, and it is important to remember that they are real people with real struggles. Leaders carry a heavy weight of responsibility and need support to take care of themselves.
Championship culture requires a strong team with different roles and a third glue guy who selflessly supports the leaders.
Leading through difficult seasons requires vulnerability and honesty, which can inspire and connect with others.
Leaders should stay humble, continue learning, and live a life of preparation.
Connect with Ken Lock II
Follow Ken Lock II on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kennethlockii)
Follow Evolve Church (https://evolvenation.org/)
Connect with Mike O'Connell
Follow Mike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mikeoconnelljr)
Follow Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-connell-9662552b/)
Visit Mike's Website (https://mikeoconnell.com/)
31 Jul 2024
Ep 01 | Jordan Montgomery | The Art of Encouragement
In this conversation, Mike O'Connell and Jordan Montgomery discuss the importance of the backstage, the journey from success to failure, and the role of identity and vulnerability in personal growth. They explore the concept of asking the right questions and taking ownership of one's actions. They also emphasize the transformative power of pain and the need to trust in God's plan. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of self-reflection, humility, and faith in navigating life's challenges. In this conversation, Jordan Montgomery shares his personal journey of overcoming failure and finding hope. He emphasizes the importance of not allowing failure to define us but to use it as a teacher for growth. Jordan also discusses the power of effective communication and the need to make people feel seen and known. He encourages authenticity and shares the impact it can have on others. Overall, this conversation highlights the importance of building upon a strong foundation, embracing setbacks as setups for comebacks, and leading with authenticity and effective communication.
Chapters
00:00 | Introduction and Purpose of the Show
09:03 | Importance of the Backstage
13:37 | Jordan's Journey from the Penthouse to the Outhouse
14:06 | Taking Ownership and Asking the Right Question
16:11 | The Role of Identity and Pride
20:06 | God's Work in Dark Seasons
21:16 | Building Upon a Foundation
22:22 | Setbacks as Setups for Comebacks
23:21 | The Importance of Being Seen and Known
25:24 | Practical Ways to Make People Feel Seen and Known
29:26 | The Power of Effective Communication
32:14 | The Importance of Feedback in Communication
34:57 | The Challenge of Authenticity
40:19 | Being Most Effective When Most Authentic
46:45 | The Impact of Authenticity
50:41 | Connecting with Jordan Montgomery
Connect with Jordan Montgomery
Follow Jordan on Instagram (https://instagram.com/jordanmmontgomery)
Visit Montgomery Companies Website (https://www.montgomerycompanies.com/)
Purchase Jordan's Book: The Art of Encouragement (https://a.co/d/gHKGInw)
Connect with Mike O'Connell
Follow Mike on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mikeoconnelljr)
Follow Mike on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-o-connell-9662552b/)
Visit Mike's Website (https://mikeoconnell.com/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 24 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
16
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
32
Contact Backstage with Mike O'Connell
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