A personal update...

What happens when a hardworking analyst who gets mistaken for a flight attendant discovers she needs more than excellent work to climb the corporate ladder? May Busch's 24-year journey from junior analyst to Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Stanley Europe reveals the uncomfortable truths about executive presence, personal branding, and why your skills alone won't get you promoted. Some key points: The promotion-killing wardrobe mistake that taught May the harsh reality about looking "the part" The secret world of workplace sponsors and how May accidentally earned one of the most difficult managing directors as her champion Why AI won't eliminate all roles but will fundamentally change what companies expect from rising talent in the next 3-5 years The "hand brake" revelation that explains how world-class worriers can still achieve extraordinary success in high-pressure environments Get May's new book, Visible: thevisiblebook.com Connect with May: maybusch.com May on LinkedIn Finally, check out my new book with Andy Storch - available now! Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

In this conversation, I team up with my friend Andy Storch to share the behind-the-scenes story of our new book Own Your Brand, Own Your Career. We pull back the curtain on what it’s like to co-author a book from scratch, why we chose to self-publish, and how this project bridges my world of solopreneurs with Andy’s corporate leadership audience. Beyond the book itself, we dive deep into collaboration, personal branding, and the future of work in the age of AI. Get Own Your Brand, Own Your Career on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Barry Davis, a collegiate Hall of Fame baseball coach and author of Old Dog, New Tricks: The Power of Leading with Emotional Intelligence. Barry shares how writing books has not only shaped his leadership but also expanded his platform as a consultant, speaker, and facilitator. You'll also get some golden insights on coaching and mentorship. My favorite takeaway? Coach the person, not the position. Get Old Dog, New Tricks on Amazon » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

I sit down with author Marissa Nehlsen to share how we helped her bring her first book, Live Life Rich, to life. You'll learn how the book was conceived and structured, as well as some of the challenges we faced. You can also view this interview in studio on my YouTube channel here. If you've ever wanted to write a book or were curious about how the ghostwriter / client dynamic works, tune in. Get your copy of Live Life Rich » This fall, I'm planning to host an accelerator to help future authors ideate, write, and market their book. If you're interested, get on the waiting list here: mikekim.com/writeyourbook Finally, if you haven't yet done so, register for my You Are the Brand AI Summit where you'll learn from leading experts on how to amplify your personal brand using AI - without losing your authenticy or audience: youarethebrand.ai Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

As AI continues to change how we work, I’ve been paying close attention to the one thing it can’t replicate: taste. In this conversation, I share why I believe cultivating discernment is the real differentiator, how I’m personally practicing it, and what you can do to sharpen yours in business, branding, and creativity. Why I think AI can replicate skills but not intuition—and why that excites me. How Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash helped me see taste in a whole new way. The way I curate my inputs to sharpen my instincts and creativity. Why I’ve learned subtraction is just as important as addition in great work. The feedback loops I rely on to refine my eye and get better over time. Join me at my upcoming (free!) You Are the Brand AI Summit at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Content alone won’t set you apart anymore. AI can create more words, images, and videos than you could in a lifetime—but it can’t replicate your voice, your perspective, or the way you connect with people. That’s why what you say, how you say it, and the stories you share are about to become your most valuable assets. I’ve just spent weeks deep in conversations with some smart entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders I know for my upcoming You Are the Brand AI Summit. One very common theme: the people who win in this next wave will be the ones who double down on authenticity, not automation. A few more shares from this episode: The “authenticity premium” that’s making human connection more valuable than ever Why live, in-person events are exploding right now Why professional speakers aren't afraid of AI (this was cool) Why your unpolished, uncomfortable stories are often your biggest differentiator The summit kicks off August 25—and it’s completely free. When you register, you’ll get my personal field notes from every conversation, plus an exclusive 90-minute live workshop where my team and I will show you exactly how we built the summit using AI (and where we didn’t). Secure your spot now at youarethebrand.ai and learn how to turn your voice into your ultimate competitive edge. Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

When my friend Eugene Choi dropped by my place last week, we had one of the rawest conversations I’ve ever had about my business. For the first time, I opened up about the wins I’ve kept quiet, the mistakes that nearly sunk me, and the moments—and people—that altered my path forever. This is the unfiltered backstory I’ve never fully shared, until now. Tune in and, you’ll hear: 1:56 - Why my mastermind is (apparently) an anomaly 6:56 - How my mastermind helped me go full-time 15:09 - Surviving divorce and a big business blunder 19:08 - Ray Edwards' belief 26:11 - Donald Miller's kindness 31:09 - Todd Herman, Mary Valloni, so many others 42:37 - The providence of God 45:45 - My master plan for an IP empire 51:53 - Ann Ahn, an early hero 58:38 - Join me for You Are the Brand AI Summit Episode Resources: You Are the Brand AI Summit » Eugene Choi on Instagram » Connect with Me: Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

As solopreneurs, so much of what we build is deeply personal. Our businesses are often born from the gaps in our own stories. In this solo episode, I reflect on the recent death of my father and the quiet grief that followed for the connection we never fully had. It made me confront how much of my business drive was rooted in fear and pain. This isn’t a business episode in the traditional sense, but it’s a human one. If you’ve ever built something to feel safe, seen, or in control, I think you’ll find something here. In this episode, I talk about: How grief can show up as ambition, productivity, or perfectionism Why many founders build strong brands from unresolved pain The hidden costs of being self-reliant for too long What it looks like to love someone through action, not nostalgia How to keep creating when the story doesn’t end neatly CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

Watch this talk on YouTube » Entrepreneurs and high achievers like to talk a lot about how to rewrite their life story, especially in the context of their external accomplishments. I've found that growth more happens in the unseen moments - the times of pain, heartache, and the decisions we face that require courage, forgiveness, and presence. When I got the call that my dad was dying, I knew I had to share this story—our story. This is a talk I gave at Growth Now Summit Live, and with special permission from host Justin Schenck, I’m sharing it here. It’s about reconciliation, grief, identity, and the raw, often ugly road to healing. Whether or not you’re navigating loss or family conflict, I hope this message invites you to reconnect—with yourself or someone else—before it’s too late. CONNECT WITH ME Website Instagram TikTok X (Twitter) LinkedIn Facebook

There's been a lot going on lately, so I thought I'd pop in and give you an update. Sorry I've been missing my podcasts...