Derek Champagne's extraordinary journey from a teepee-dwelling childhood to serial entrepreneurship offers profound insights into the elusive balance between achievement and fulfillment. In this deeply personal conversation, Derek reveals how his unconventional upbringing shaped his entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic. Raised by former hippies who found Christianity and opened their home to dozens of foster children, Derek learned early lessons about generosity and purpose that would guide his later life.

Music became Derek's first passion and business venture, managing bands by age 11 and eventually finding success in the competitive Hollywood scene. As the digital revolution disrupted the music industry, Derek pivoted through multiple businesses—from window washing to cookie distribution to marketing—demonstrating remarkable adaptability. Yet despite his professional achievements, he found himself in a corporate cubicle, struggling with depression and a profound sense of isolation.

The turning point came when Derek founded The Artist Evolution marketing agency and later discovered Iron Sharpens Iron, a brotherhood that helped him address the misalignment between his success and deeper purpose. With raw honesty, Derek shares his fear that spiritual growth might diminish his entrepreneurial drive—only to discover that authentic community and purpose actually enhanced his business acumen while bringing the peace he desperately sought.

For listeners questioning their own definitions of success, Derek offers a compelling alternative vision: building businesses with intention, creating systems that prioritize family, and finding fulfillment through significance rather than achievement alone. His partnership with Aaron Walker in Iron Sharpens Iron now allows him to guide other men through similar journeys of integration and wholeness.

Whether you're just starting your entrepreneurial path or reassessing priorities mid-career, His journey demonstrates that success and significance can coexist when approached with intention, faith, and community support.

Ready to stop doing life and business alone? Join the brotherhood that will challenge, encourage, and sharpen you at isibrotherhood.com/community.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Derek's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theartistevolution/

What does it mean to be truly worthy? In this soul-searching conversation, Aaron Walker sits down with Darren Gray, a man who's spent decades walking alongside NFL champions, coaches, and influential leaders, to explore the profound disconnect many successful men experience: achieving everything yet still feeling like they're not enough.

Gray, who co-authored "The Jersey Effect: Beyond the World Championship" and counts Tony Dungy among his closest friends, pulls back the curtain on what happens when worldly success meets the human need for meaning. Through powerful personal stories and observations from his work with elite athletes, he reveals how even those who've reached society's pinnacle of achievement often struggle with feelings of unworthiness.

"Strong confidence in the Lord coupled with deep personal and professional humility" emerges as Gray's guiding principle for authentic leadership. This rare balance—exemplified by mentors like Tony Dungy who demonstrate "confidence void of arrogance"—offers a path forward for listeners caught in the performance trap. Gray shares how he intentionally designed his "midlife crisis" to create space for what truly matters, leading to projects like the Pro Player Prayer Project and transformative tours to Israel with NFL players.

The conversation takes an intimate turn as Gray discusses his 31-year marriage, sharing practical wisdom about understanding your spouse's unique needs rather than forcing them into your world. He vulnerably recounts personal struggles including losing his mother during the pandemic, demonstrating how these "dark nights of the soul" test and ultimately strengthen our sense of worth.

For any man wrestling with success that somehow still feels hollow, this episode offers a liberating truth: "The corporate culture of more and now is a lie. Enough can be enough." Join us for a transformative exploration of what it means to find peace, purpose, and worth beyond performance.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Darrin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrin-gray/

What happens when someone born without arms or legs decides that "no excuses" isn't just a motivational phrase, but a way of life? Kyle Maynard answers this question through his extraordinary journey of redefining human potential.

Kyle's story begins with parents who refused to treat him as disabled, creating what he calls a "Jedi mind trick" effect—when they told him he wasn't disabled, he simply accepted it. This foundation shaped his perspective that would carry him through wrestling (despite losing his first 35 matches), MMA fighting, CrossFit competition, mountain climbing, and business ventures.

The centerpiece of our conversation explores Kyle's awe-inspiring climb up Mount Kilimanjaro, where he bear-crawled 19,340 feet to the summit. While this feat alone is remarkable, it's Kyle's climbing philosophy that offers the most powerful lesson: "I just focused on the three feet in front of me." This approach—breaking seemingly impossible challenges into manageable segments—provides a blueprint applicable to any mountain we face, whether literal or metaphorical.

Kyle shares vulnerable moments too—nights spent praying for arms and legs, questioning his faith, dealing with public criticism, and confronting his own limitations. Yet through it all, he's developed a nuanced understanding of the difference between reasons and excuses: "Everybody knows it at their heart, gut, soul level. The excuses we make are just to dodge responsibility."

Whether you're facing business challenges, relationship struggles, or personal mountains that seem impossible to climb, Kyle's journey offers both inspiration and practical wisdom. His story proves we're capable of far more than we realize—but only if we're willing to focus on possibility rather than limitation. As Kyle learned early and demonstrates daily: where attention goes, energy flows.


Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Kyle's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylemaynard/

In this episode, we dive into authentic leadership with Frank Ableson, founder and president of Navitend, sharing insights from a recent ISI Roundtable Virtual Event with our Community.

In this dynamic discussion, Frank reveals how he transformed his approach by celebrating team members’ “graduations,” embracing “stream workers,” and introducing workplace chaplains to support personal growth.

Discover how involving family and fostering authentic connections can transform your business into a place of healing and belonging.

Join us for future ISI Roundtable events at isibrotherhood.com/events to be part of these powerful conversations!

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Frank's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankableson/

We're diving into the question every married man has thought but few have discussed openly: "Why don't we have more sex?" This honest conversation with guest expert Dan Purcell unpacks the hidden barriers to sexual fulfillment in marriage and offers practical wisdom for rebuilding intimacy.

Sexual difficulties in marriage aren't usually about the surface-level issues we blame—stress, fatigue, or busy schedules. The root problems typically stem from how we approach intimacy itself. When achievement-oriented men treat their spouses like projects to be fixed or goals to be conquered, they create distance instead of connection. "Your spouse isn't a project," Purcell reminds us. "She's not a person that if you whine loud enough or do the dishes enough... you don't earn sex like you do other goals."

This episode challenges the transactional mindset many men bring to the bedroom. We explore how unspoken resentments, poor communication, and mismatched expectations create barriers to fulfilling intimacy. Purcell shares from personal experience how his own "superior attitude" damaged his marriage until he learned to check himself first: "What is my role in why my wife has lower desire? How am I contributing to the problem?"

The conversation also addresses pornography's devastating impact on marital intimacy, with 83% of men in a recent church survey admitting to struggling with porn addiction. Like "a diet of candy bars," pornography provides temporary satisfaction while starving the relationship of genuine connection. True passion, we discover, only exists where there's freedom—your spouse must feel completely free to say both yes and no without manipulation or pressure.

Whether you're newly married or celebrating decades together, this episode offers transformative insights for creating the intimate connection you both desire. Start by sitting down with your spouse this week and asking: "What does emotional and physical intimacy look like for us right now?" Then simply listen without defending or fixing—it might be the beginning of a whole new chapter in your marriage.

And if this hits home, we’re continuing the conversation LIVE at theISI Roundtable on July 29 virtual free event.This is your chance to go deeper, ask real questions, and connect with other men walking the same road. Save your seat today! https://www.isibrotherhood.com/roundtable

Key Takeaways:

• Many men unknowingly sabotage intimacy by treating their wives like projects or goals rather than equal partners.
• True connection requires ditching the transactional mindset and taking ownership of how we contribute to the intimacy gap.
• Poor communication, unspoken resentments, and mismatched expectations are often the real culprits behind sexual disconnection.
• Pornography creates a false sense of satisfaction while eroding real intimacy and freedom in the relationship.
• A simple, honest conversation—without fixing or defending—can be the first step toward rebuilding emotional and physical closeness.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Seth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com

The slow drift happens so gradually you barely notice it. One day, you're newlyweds with stars in your eyes, and the next, you're business partners managing a household with the efficiency of a Fortune 500 company – except something vital is missing: that spark of connection that brought you together.

Behind every successful entrepreneur stands a spouse who carries far more than most realize. They're juggling household responsibilities, emotional labor, and often their own career while watching their partner pour everything into building something great. It's not that they don't support the dream; they just miss being part of it.

This candid conversation pulls back the curtain on what your spouse might be feeling but doesn't say. When you check emails during family dinner or bring your mental to-do list to bed, it sends a message about priorities that cuts deeper than you know. "Overwork" isn't defined by physical exhaustion, but by showing up at home with nothing left to give emotionally.

We explore the real dangers of this disconnection – how financial pressure creates a vicious cycle that eliminates the margin for relationships, how intimacy suffers when conversation disappears, and how children absorb these relationship patterns even when we think they aren't watching.

But this isn't about shame or guilt. It's about practical steps to rebuild what matters most. From creating technology-free sanctuaries to having intentional conversations without defensiveness, we offer actionable strategies to help you thrive as both an entrepreneur and a spouse.

Your partner doesn't want to fight against your business – they want to fight for you. Beneath their frustration lies someone who's still cheering you on, waiting for you to see them again. This week, try asking: "What's one thing I can do to make you feel prioritized?" Then, watch what happens when you put actions behind those words.

Download the Spouse Survey mentioned in this episode here: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/resources

Key Takeaways:

• The slow drift in marriage isn’t dramatic—it’s subtle and happens while you're busy building something that was supposed to serve your family.
• Your spouse isn’t against your business; they’re just tired of feeling like they’re no longer part of the vision.
• Bringing your mental to-do list home sends a louder message than you realize: they’re no longer your priority.
• Disconnection shows up in more than just missed conversations—it impacts intimacy, parenting, and the legacy you’re modeling.
• Rebuilding the connection begins with small, intentional actions, such as asking your spouse what makes them feel seen and then actually doing it.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Seth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth

That dreaded moment when your spouse says, "I think you're working too much." You want to defend yourself—after all, you're working hard to provide for the family you love. But deep down, you know they're right. The bills still need to be paid, though, leaving you caught in what feels like an impossible situation.

This tension between financial provision and emotional presence creates what we call "The Provider's Prison." It's a place where well-intentioned entrepreneurs find themselves trapped, working harder and harder for the people they love while simultaneously growing more distant from them. The cruel irony? We're absent precisely because we care so deeply.

The path to freedom begins with a clear, written vision. Without knowing what "winning" truly looks like in all areas of life, we default to chasing financial success at the expense of everything else. Setting guardrails, delegating effectively, and learning the power of saying "no" creates the margin needed for meaningful family relationships.

Perhaps the most powerful insight is that while we can always make more money, we don't get do-overs with our children. When you say yes to another late-night proposal, what are you saying no to relationally? Creating intentional "micro moments" with your spouse and children—whether it's a special monthly activity, a quick ice cream date, or spiritual leadership through prayer—builds relationships that endure.

Breaking free isn't about achieving a perfect balance between work and home. It's about alignment—ensuring your calendar reflects your deepest convictions. When that happens, you can be both the provider and the presence your family needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Working hard to provide can unintentionally create distance from the very people you're trying to support.
• "The Provider’s Prison" traps well-meaning entrepreneurs in a cycle of overwork and emotional absence.
• A clear, written vision helps define true success beyond just financial goals.
• You can always earn more money, but you can’t relive missed moments with your children and spouse.
• Freedom comes not from perfect balance but from aligning your calendar with your deepest values.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Seth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth

Have you ever considered what would happen if you completely unplugged from your business for two months? Most entrepreneurs immediately reject the idea as impossible. "My business would fall apart without me!" But what if that belief isn't just wrong—what if it's actually holding back both you and your organization?

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the transformative power of taking a sabbatical as a business owner. Through raw, honest stories of extended breaks, we reveal why stepping away from your business might be the most strategic leadership move you could make. One business owner shares his journey of hitting the wall due to compounding stress, resulting in serious health concerns that forced him to take a two-month sabbatical with just two weeks' notice. The surprising outcome? His business didn't just survive—it thrived.

We dive deep into the psychological journey of disconnecting, from the physical withdrawal symptoms in the first two weeks to the remarkable strategic clarity that emerges afterward. This episode challenges the common entrepreneurial narrative that constant grinding equals success, instead proposing that strategic pauses allow for vision renewal, system improvement, and leadership development throughout your organization. When you step back, others step up—and that's leadership development in disguise.

Whether you run a small business or lead a large organization, this conversation will challenge you to rethink your relationship with work, rest, and leadership development. Sabbaticals aren't a luxury for the weak; they're a discipline practiced by the wise. Your business deserves your best thinking, not your constant presence. What new vision might emerge if you dared to completely disconnect?

Key Takeaways:

• Why rest isn’t a reward for hustle, but a rhythm you’re called to steward.
• Discover how Jesus modeled strategic rest and selective availability in ministry.
• Learn why vacations don’t fix burnout and what rhythms actually renew you.
• Hear real stories of entrepreneurs who hit financial goals but lost what mattered most.
• Get a practical framework to audit your life across five key areas of health and focus.
• Explore the difference between managing your time and letting time manage you.

Connect:

• Connect with ISI Brothers: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/
• Join the ISI Community: https://www.isibrotherhood.com/isi-community
• Big A's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop/
• Seth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth