Episodes

  • Calling Each Other Out (With Love) | 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven R. Covey
    Oct 10 2025

    In this raw and reflective episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Ian Stermer put themselves in the hot seat with Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Instead of just reviewing the book, the trio takes a personal approach—sharing which habit is their biggest strength, which one is their biggest weakness, and which habit they think would make the biggest difference for the others on the show.💡 Key Ideas Covered:1️⃣ Our Strength HabitsEach host shares the one habit they feel strongest in—whether it’s proactivity, prioritizing first things first, or sharpening the saw. These stories show where the 7 Habits already play out in their lives and leadership.2️⃣ Our Weakness HabitsWhich habit is hardest to practice consistently? From struggling with “begin with the end in mind” to battling against the pull of urgency over importance, the team gets vulnerable about where they fall short.3️⃣ The Habits We’d Choose for Each OtherIn a fun twist, each host points out which habit they believe would take the other to the next level. Sometimes affirming, sometimes challenging—but always real.4️⃣ Practical Insights for ListenersThe episode highlights how different habits can be strengths for some and weaknesses for others, and how accountability and outside perspective can accelerate growth.🎤 Why It Hits Different:This isn’t theory—it’s personal. By holding up the mirror to themselves and each other, the Champion Reads crew models what growth looks like in action: honest self-reflection, real feedback, and the humility to admit what still needs work.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for conversations that go beyond book reviews and turn bestselling principles into powerful, personal growth journeys.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #7Habits #StephenRCovey #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection #LeadershipHabits #ChampionCircle

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    35 mins
  • The Champion Reads Book Showdown: Final Ratings & Top 5
    Oct 7 2025

    In this massive Champion Reads special, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer take the Rotten Tomatoes–style rating system to the next level. Instead of just rating a few, they go back and score every book they’ve covered so far that hasn’t been officially rated—bringing humor, hot takes, and honest opinions.This isn’t about theory—it’s about what actually stuck, what actually worked, and what still shapes how they live and lead today.💡 Key Segments in This Episode:🍅 The Ratings GauntletOne by one, the team revisits books from earlier episodes and gives them a 1–10 score—explaining the highs, lows, and biggest lessons learned.⚔️ The DebatesNot everyone agrees, and that’s where the fun begins. Some books get instant praise, others get roasted, and some spark full-on debates.🏆 The Top 5 CountdownAt the end, the crew reveals their official Champion Reads Top 5 Books of All Time (so far)—the ones that truly shaped their businesses, lives, and mindsets.🎉 Why This Episode MattersIt’s part celebration, part reflection, and part playful banter. Whether you’re new to the show or have been along since Episode 1, this one is your roadmap to the books that made the biggest difference.👥 What You’ll Take AwayWhich books are actually worth re-reading.Which “big-name” bestsellers didn’t hold up.The 5 books that stand above the rest for entrepreneurs, leaders, and champions.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for authentic, high-energy conversations that don’t just review books—they turn them into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#ChampionReads #BusinessBooks #BookRatings #Top5Books #RottenTomatoesStyle #ChampionCircle

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Book Battles: Underdog vs Oversubscribed vs Lean Startup
    Oct 3 2025

    In this special edition of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer turn book reviews into a fun Rotten Tomatoes–style showdown. Instead of breaking down principles, the crew rates and debates three of their recent reads:The Underdog Advantage by Dean GraziosiOversubscribed by Daniel PriestleyThe Lean Startup by Eric Ries💡 What Goes Down in This Episode:The Ratings Game – Each host gives their 1–10 score and defends it (sometimes passionately).Best Ideas vs. Biggest Weaknesses – Which book delivered the most usable wisdom, and which one fell flat?Who Would You Recommend It To? – Not every book is for everyone—so we cut through the fluff and say who actually needs it.Laughs, Disagreements, and Hot Takes – From “this book changed my perspective” to “eh, didn’t land for me,” nothing is off the table.🔥 Why It’s Different:This isn’t a breakdown of frameworks—it’s the raw, unfiltered opinions of three entrepreneurs and coaches putting these books through the Champion Reads lens. Expect fun, debate, and a little book banter along the way.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for high-level, high-energy conversations that don’t just review books—they turn them into real-world action.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#BookRatings #ChampionReads #TheUnderdogAdvantage #Oversubscribed #TheLeanStartup #BusinessBooks #RottenTomatoesStyle #ChampionCircle

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    39 mins
  • Batching Tasks to Build Momentum | The Lean Startup, Eric Ries
    Oct 2 2025

    In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake, Jon Kovach Jr., and Ian Stermer break down one of the most practical principles from The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: batching tasks to keep momentum moving forward.They explore why batching is more than just a productivity hack—it’s a momentum-builder. From reducing wasted energy to streamlining focus, the trio unpacks how underdog entrepreneurs can use batching to accelerate results without burning out. You’ll hear real examples of how grouping similar tasks has helped them push projects forward faster while avoiding the chaos of scattered work.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Momentum Through Batching – Why grouping tasks creates flow and rhythm.Efficiency Over Chaos – How batching cuts down wasted energy and context-switching.Small Wins Stack Up – Turning little batches into big breakthroughs.Focus That Compounds – Using batching to reduce overwhelm and build consistency.Systems That Serve You – How batching sets the foundation for sustainable growth.Whether you’re creating content, building a business, or just trying to manage your daily to-dos, this episode will help you see how batching is the secret to building momentum that lasts.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for raw, high-level conversations that turn powerful books into action-ready wisdom.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheLeanStartup #EricRies #ChampionReads #BatchingTasks #MomentumMatters #ProductivityTips #Entrepreneurship #ChampionCircle

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    35 mins
  • The Power of Doing Less (and Doing It Now) | The Lean Startup, Eric Ries
    Sep 5 2025

    In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake, Ian Stermer, and Jon Kovach Jr. unpack one of the most game-changing lessons from The Lean Startup by Eric Ries—start lean, start simple, start now.They break down how billion-dollar companies like Google, Groupon, and Amazon all began with a minimum viable product (MVP)—the simplest version of their idea—to prove it worked before pouring in massive time or money.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Focus on the Core – Strip your idea down to its most essential function.The MVP Advantage – Test demand with the simplest possible version.Cut the Fluff – Eliminate distractions and fancy features until the core works.Action Over Analysis – Stop waiting for perfect conditions—start and learn.Innovation Through Action – Build, measure, learn, repeat.With stories ranging from Von Dutch hats to DJ booths to billion-dollar tech companies, the hosts prove that you don’t need a big budget or perfect plan—you just need to start.If you’ve been sitting on a big idea because it’s “not ready,” this episode will show you how to get it off the ground today.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheLeanStartup #EricRies #ChampionReads #StartLean #MVP #Entrepreneurship #ActionOverPerfection #ChampionCircle

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    34 mins
  • Why Execution Beats the Perfect Plan Every Time | The Lean Startup, Eric Ries
    Aug 29 2025

    🎯In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. kick off their series on The Lean Startup by Eric Ries with one core truth: execution is everything.They share the good, the bad, and the downright ridiculous from their own entrepreneurial journeys—like Jon’s “Pee With Friends” app idea (yes, really) and chaotic early days running multiple startups. The big lesson? No matter how genius an idea feels, it’s worthless unless tested in the real world.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Execution Over Perfection – Great ideas need action, not just planning.Fail Fast, Learn Faster – Failure is feedback, not the finish line.No Perfect Plan – Startups are messy; agility is the winning skill.Do It Your Way – There’s no single formula for success.Balance Creativity & Action – Imagination sparks ideas; execution makes them real.From hilarious missteps to hard-earned wins, Willie and Jon show how the best entrepreneurs stay nimble, adapt quickly, and trust their own unique path. If you’ve been waiting to “get it perfect” before starting—this is your wake-up call.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#TheLeanStartup #EricRies #ChampionReads #ExecutionOverPerfection #FailFast #EntrepreneurLife #ChampionCircle

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    30 mins
  • Create So Much Value People Compete to Work With You | Oversubscribed, Daniel Priestly
    Aug 22 2025

    🎯In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. break down a powerful principle from Daniel Priestley’s Oversubscribed: instead of chasing customers, create so much value and scarcity that customers compete to work with you.From Texas Roadhouse waitlists to sold-out concerts, and from Harry Potter midnight releases to Kizzix’s legendary shoe sale, they explore how exclusivity and anticipation drive demand. But they also emphasize why scarcity alone isn’t enough—lasting success comes when scarcity meets exceptional value.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Scarcity in Action – How popular businesses and events build anticipation and loyalty.Consistent Demand – Why it’s about more than hype—keep people coming back.Scarcity + Value – Combine exclusivity with high quality for a business powerhouse.Positive Scarcity – Make customers feel excited, not manipulated.You’ll also hear how Alex Hormozi’s one-of-a-kind event bonus shows the right way to use scarcity, and why Willie and Jon believe value is the true engine behind demand.🎧 Tune in for real-world examples and practical steps to design offers people can’t get anywhere else, maintain demand long after launch, and build a loyal audience that’s eager to pay a premium for what you do.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#Oversubscribed #DanielPriestley #ScarcityAndValue #ChampionReads #BusinessGrowth #CustomerLoyalty #ChampionCircle

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    14 mins
  • You Can’t Serve Everyone...So Stop Trying | Oversubscribed, Daniel Priestly
    Aug 15 2025

    🎯In this episode of Champion Reads, Coach Willie Blake and Jon Kovach Jr. unpack a game-changing principle from Daniel Priestley’s Oversubscribed: stop chasing everyone and focus on your true audience.They share how to create your own market by finding people who already care, why trying to appeal to everyone waters down your value, and how becoming “famous to a few” leads to deeper impact and stronger loyalty. From Willie’s shift into coaching adult dyslexic entrepreneurs to Jon’s real-life move from Denver to Austin, the stories and lessons in this conversation are both personal and practical.💡 Key Ideas Covered:Create Your Own Market – Build around existing interest and let marketing attract the right people.You Can’t Have Everyone – Focus only on those who align with your values and solutions.Be Famous to a Few – Micro-communities beat big, disengaged audiences every time.Merge Niches for Impact – Combine your experiences to stand out in your own blue ocean.The takeaway? You don’t need everyone—you just need your people. Build deep relationships with the right audience, show up for them consistently, and you’ll become indispensable in their lives.🎧 Subscribe to Champion Reads for more high-value conversations that turn bestselling books into real-world action.🌐 Learn more and join the Champion Circle at: https://www.mychampioncircle.com#Oversubscribed #DanielPriestley #ChampionReads #YourPeopleMatter #MicroCommunity #BeFamousToAFew #ChampionCircle

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    31 mins