Episode Title: Building Through Adversity — John Horn on Leadership, Google Ads, and Learning to “Count It All Joy”

Episode Description:

In this episode of Braving Business, we sit down with John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, a top-tier Google Premier Partner agency that manages digital ad campaigns for clients around the globe. But John isn’t your typical tech CEO—he didn’t start in Silicon Valley, and he didn’t have a blueprint. He built his leadership style in real time, often the hard way, with a deep belief in values-first decision-making, transparency, and good old-fashioned grit.

John was StubGroup’s first employee, eventually becoming its CEO just months before the pandemic hit. What followed? A massive drop in client ad spend, an existential business threat, and a defining leadership moment. Instead of hiding behind closed doors, John chose candor and connection, rallying his team through open-book leadership and a whole lot of pacing around his office.

In this conversation, John shares:

• How growing up with a mix of blue-collar and corporate jobs shaped his leadership instincts
• What really happened behind the scenes when StubGroup’s revenue collapsed during COVID
• His biggest lessons from hiring—and firing
• Why transparent leadership builds long-term trust, even when the news isn’t good
• What it takes to teach digital ads to 100,000+ students and rack up millions of YouTube views
• How his faith informs his worldview and his favorite phrase: “Count it all joy”

Whether you’re a founder figuring things out, a leader trying to balance growth with integrity, or just someone wondering how the heck Google Ads actually work, John delivers practical wisdom with a down-to-earth tone and a few laughs along the way.

Key Takeaways:

• Transparency builds trust faster than perfection ever could
• The most resilient teams are led by people willing to be human first, boss second
• You don’t need a flashy background to be an effective, values-driven leader in tech

Connect with John Horn:

• Website: StubGroup.com
• YouTube: StubGroup’s Channel
• LinkedIn: John Horn

Contact Us: Visit www.bravingbusiness.com for more information, episodes, and updates.

John’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, owning the hard stuff, and pacing through it anyway. Tune in to hear how one scrappy Google Ads guy became a trusted CEO, teacher, and advocate for resilient business done right.

By popular demand, we are reissuing his unforgettable episode of Braving Business where we meet Crystal Ball, whose life is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the power of embracing freedom. Raised in poverty and repression within the infamous “Shiny Happy People” cult, Crystal’s childhood was defined by control and fear. But breaking free was only the beginning.

Crystal shares her journey through profound loss, including surviving Hurricane Michael, losing both grandparents, and helping her husband recover from a stroke—all in one harrowing year. These challenges, combined with the unexpected catalyst of motherhood, pushed her to leave a 13-year corporate career and accidentally embark on a path of entrepreneurship.

Now thriving in Panama City Beach, Crystal combines her passion for real estate and the coastal lifestyle as a successful entrepreneur and Sales Director of a boat club. She’s also preparing to release her autobiography, “Diary of a Cult Girl,” in early 2025, a bold and deeply personal account of breaking generational cycles and reclaiming self-worth.

In this episode, Crystal reveals:

• How her upbringing shaped her drive and why hyper-achievement can be a trauma response.
• The role of radical honesty and forgiveness in rebuilding her life.
• The hilarious story of how she offered her ex-husband as part of a real estate deal, which made headlines in the New York Post.
• What “success” looks like now and how it’s changed over the years.
• The values she’s instilling in her children to break harmful cycles.

Crystal’s story is raw, inspiring, and a powerful reminder that healing, freedom, and purpose are within reach—even in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• “Life is a daring adventure or nothing at all.”—Crystal’s favorite quote by Helen Keller encapsulates her journey of resilience and courage.
• How counseling, partnerships, and boundaries helped her overcome trauma and rebuild.
• Why she believes honesty and openness are the keys to resilience in life and business.

Connect with Crystal Ball:

• Facebook: Crystal Ball

Resources Mentioned:

• Diary of a Cult Girl (coming 2025)
• New York Post feature

Episode Highlights:

• [00:03:00] Crystal’s childhood in the “Shiny Happy People” cult and breaking free.
• [00:10:30] Surviving Hurricane Michael and navigating loss.
• [00:20:15] The story behind leaving corporate America and her “life-changer baby.”
• [00:30:45] How she hilariously offered her ex-husband as a bonus in a home sale.
• [00:40:10] Radical honesty, boundaries, and breaking generational cycles.
• [00:50:00] Her advice: “If they’re not in the arena, don’t worry about them.”

Crystal Ball’s extraordinary journey reminds us that resilience and transformation are possible for everyone. Tune in for an episode filled with courage, humor, and hope!

In this episode of Braving Business, we sit down with Dustin Portillo, who has turned laughter into a career—and a life lesson. Dustin fulfilled his childhood dream at just 19 years old when he became a professional clown with the Ringling Bros. Circus, performing in over 3,500 shows for more than 35 million people across North America.

After leaving the circus, Dustin’s comedic talent led him to become Ronald McDonald for McDonald’s, where he made appearances at major events like The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. But after his corporate position at Caspers Company was eliminated due to downsizing, Dustin faced a major crossroads: take the safe path or create his own.

He chose the latter. Now, Dustin is a full-time speaker and author of It’s Okay to Be an IDIOT, where he teaches audiences how to embrace authenticity, overcome setbacks, and find strength through humor and vulnerability. Dustin’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, self-belief, and, yes, a little bit of silliness.

In this episode, Dustin shares:

• What he learned from performing in over 3,500 shows with the Ringling Bros.
• The surprising lessons from portraying Ronald McDonald.
• How losing his corporate job pushed him into entrepreneurship.
• Why embracing your inner “idiot” is the key to resilience and success.
• What it takes to build a brand and inspire audiences as a professional speaker.

Dustin’s story is funny, insightful, and packed with hard-earned wisdom about navigating life’s unexpected turns with grace and humor.

Key Takeaways:

• Setbacks can be the setup for something greater—if you have the courage to pivot.
• Authenticity wins—whether you're on stage or in business.
• Laughter isn’t just good for the soul—it’s a leadership tool.

Connect with Dustin Portillo:

• Website: dustinmportillo.com
• LinkedIn: Dustin Portillo

Contact Us: Visit www.bravingbusiness.com for more information, resources, and episodes.

Dustin’s journey from clown to corporate executive to keynote speaker proves that success isn’t about avoiding setbacks—it’s about learning to laugh through them. Tune in to hear his remarkable story!