The Role of Behavior, Belief and the Energy of Money

What if your next breakthrough hinges on how you interpret your earliest experiences? In this thought-provoking episode, I sit down with behavioral strategist Hugh Massie from Georgia (U.S.) to explore how our wiring—formed by age three—influences how we lead, decide, and handle money.

We talk about money as energy, not just math, and how stress reveals the thoughts that either limit us or push us forward. Hugh shares why exponential growth can feel easier than small steps—and how clarity comes when we strip away distractions.

The Power of Self-Awareness, Compassion, and Strategic Leadership

We also dive deep into the connection between self-leadership and effective team leadership. We discuss how self-awareness impacts leadership growth and how confronting personal challenges and past experiences helps build trust within teams. Hugh emphasizes that compassion is a crucial leadership trait, and we explore how understanding ourselves allows us to better understand others. We also talk about how financial behavior, leadership styles, and innovation drive organizational success, and why understanding these dynamics is key to creating lasting value.

About Hugh Massie

Hugh Massie from Georgia (originally from Australia) is the Executive Chairman and Founder of DNA Behavior International – the Behavior and Money Insights Company. As a Titan 100 CEO and widely recognized Behavioral Solutions Architect, Hugh Massie addresses every opportunity and challenge from the proven perspective of “behavior makes money”. With his unique analytical approach, Hugh helps growth-minded leaders create an Exponential Future by building “category king” people-centric businesses, and in the process, enhance financial decision-making, culture, and performance.

Hugh’s purpose is to support people worldwide to optimize the alignment of their natural “hard-wired” talents and financial behaviors to make quantum leaps for creating an Exponential Future with reduced stress. Thereby enabling greater happiness, more success and improved health for longer.

Applying the pioneering behavioral finance research Hugh has undertaken since 2001, his moonshot goal is to commercialize DNA Behavior’ AI-driven BeSci Tech Platform so that by 2030 fully it informs over 1 billion people annually on how to enhance their decision-making and relationships for increasing life, financial and business longevity by 30 or more years. Hugh partners with clients to create an Exponential Future by developing trail-blazing financial behavior apps for building the “New BeFi Economy” impacting all key areas of life, finance and business.

www.dnabehavior.com

www.boyswithoutfathers.org

www.linkedin.com/in/hughmassie

www.facebook.com/hugh.massie

www.instagram.com/hughmassie

www.youtube.com/@behaviorallysmart

Twitter: @HughMassie

What does it take to lead from a place of deep awareness, presence, and purpose?

In this episode, I sit down with Ron Stotts from Washington to explore how emotional healing, inner child work, and conscious self-reflection shape our ability to lead meaningfully. We talk about how early patterns—often formed in childhood—shape adult behaviors, and how leaders can break those cycles by tending to what’s been buried.

From emotional backlog to whole-brain thinking, we unpack the path toward becoming a more evolved, intentional leader—one who creates impact by being fully present, curious, and connected.

What happens when leaders stop looking outside and start tuning in?

Ron shares how dissolving the illusion of separation and reconnecting with breath leads to wholeness, presence, and real leadership. We explore how modern leaders often disconnect from their inner wisdom and what shifts when they begin to breathe, feel, and heal. He says: “The only thing I ever need to do is breathe, be curious, and present.” This isn’t just philosophy—it’s the path to genius-level leadership and meaningful business transformation.

About Ron Stotts:

Ron is a three times bestselling author with a PhD in psychology and a Dr. of Chiropractic. He's explored the depths of ancient wisdom and the latest in psychological, neurological studies, and leadership as he guides entrepreneurs and executives into the highest levels of conscious leadership.

www.facebook.com/ron.stotts.50

www.linkedin.com/in/dr-ron-stotts-14143236

www.youtube.com/@dr.ronstotts

The Communication Shift Leaders Need

Connecting with others starts with understanding yourself—how you communicate and how you prefer to receive information. Amos shares how tools like DISC profiling can help you adapt your style to better connect with different personalities. But beyond frameworks, true connection comes from being real, telling stories, and most importantly—listening. Not just hearing words, but actively engaging, responding, and showing that you care. Even in a virtual world, body language and energy matter. If communication is just about pushing a message without considering the other person, connection is lost.

Vulnerability Creates Direct, Honest Conversation

Vulnerability plays a crucial role in leadership, fostering real connections and growth. Amos shares how acknowledging mistakes and seeking team input builds trust. He highlights the importance of direct, honest conversations—whether in leadership, relationships, or letting an employee go.

Avoiding tough discussions only delays the inevitable and limits learning opportunities. A great example from youth soccer coaching shows the power of clear communication: identifying where someone is, where they need to be, and working together to bridge the gap. Leaders must ensure their message truly lands and give people space to find solutions before making decisions.

Growing up in Lemasters, Pennsylvania, his first job at Snider's Elevator taught him grit and the power of relationships. Those early days also sparked his curiosity about leadership, watching how trust, respect, and effective communication could inspire people.

His career path, from humble beginnings to leading operations across the U.S., was anything but linear. Along the way, he faced challenges like resistance to change and misaligned teams, yet those obstacles shaped his leadership philosophy—one built on influence, empathy, and helping others to reach their potential.

Through trial and error, he developed strategies to double market shares and foster collaboration in complex environments. Today, as a certified Trainer, Coach, Speaker, and DISC consultant, he draws on these experiences to guide others. He helps leaders overcome fear, build trust, and drive meaningful change. His mission is to share actionable insights grounded in his own transformation, proving that no matter where you start, success is possible with resilience and the right tools.

www.mccoyleadership.com

www.linkedin.com/company/mccoy-maxwellspeaker/

www.facebook.com/MccoyMaxwellSpeaker

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mccoy-leadership/id1775762788