Growth Now Movement with Justin Schenck

In this episode of the Growth Now Movement, I sit down with entrepreneur, speaker, and digital marketing agency owner Mark Lebrun for a powerful conversation about transformation, faith, purpose, and building a life centered around impact. Mark and I first connected at a speaking event in Orlando, and after hearing his story, I knew I had to bring him onto the podcast. His journey is one of the most honest and inspiring stories I've heard in a long time. Growing up surrounded by gangs, drugs, and destructive environments, Mark shares how his life completely shifted after an encounter with Jesus and the influence of a friend named Patrick, who challenged him to change his environment, his habits, and the people he surrounded himself with. We dive deep into the importance of intentional relationships, the reality that success changes social dynamics, and how growth often requires letting go of environments and people that no longer align with who you're becoming. Mark opens up about navigating the end of a 16-year relationship and how that season forced him to reevaluate his life, his purpose, and the direction he truly wanted to go. We also talk about how the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly launched his digital marketing career. After growing to over 100,000 followers on TikTok in just four months, Mark realized there was massive opportunity in content creation, brand building, and helping businesses leverage social media effectively. He shares how he transitioned from giving away free advice online to building a successful paid consulting and agency business focused on helping others grow their influence and impact. One of the biggest takeaways from this conversation is Mark's perspective on content creation. Instead of creating content for ego or validation, he explains why the best creators focus on serving the audience first and creating content that genuinely solves problems and transforms lives. This episode is about more than marketing or entrepreneurship. It's about identity, faith, healing, relationships, purpose, discipline, and learning how to build a life that actually matters. Mark also shares his long-term vision of creating a movement that provides resources, opportunities, and a non-traditional environment for inner-city communities to experience Christ across industries including business, media, entrepreneurship, and creativity. If you've ever felt stuck in your environment, struggled with fear around showing up online, or wondered whether real transformation is possible, this conversation will challenge and inspire you. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Mark Lebrun transformed his life from gangs and drugs to purpose Why changing your environment changes your future The importance of intentional relationships and mentorship How faith helped Mark discover his calling What happens to relationships when success enters your life How Mark gained 100,000 TikTok followers in four months Why audience-focused content always performs better How to overcome fear of being on camera The difference between influence and impact Mark's definition of success and daily habits for growth Timestamps 00:00 Who Mark Lebrun Is Today 01:43 From Streets, Gangs, and Drugs to Faith 04:16 Mentorship and Choosing the Right Circle 06:15 Why Intentional Relationships Matter 09:28 How Success Changes People Around You 13:19 The COVID TikTok Breakthrough 18:50 Creating Content That Actually Helps People 22:46 Building a Bigger Mission and Movement 26:12 How to Push Past Camera Fear 29:56 Defining Success and Daily Habits 37:20 Family, Growth, and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Growth Now Movement, I sit down with differentiation expert, branding strategist, and bestselling author Mark Levy for a fascinating conversation about what truly makes ideas spread. Mark has worked with some of the biggest brands and thought leaders in the world, including Google, Adobe, Amazon, and American Express. But one of the most incredible stories he shares in this episode is how he helped an unknown Simon Sinek articulate the idea that would eventually become Start With Why and the now-famous Golden Circle framework. We dive deep into what makes an idea memorable, how to communicate your message more effectively, and why so many people struggle to articulate the brilliance that's already inside of them. Mark explains how his background pitching more than 25,000 books as a sales director taught him how attention works, how curiosity works, and why emotion always beats logic when it comes to influence and connection. He shares practical tools for entrepreneurs, speakers, coaches, creators, and business owners who feel like they have a "half-formed" idea but don't know how to clearly express it. One of my favorite parts of this conversation is when Mark breaks down his concept of the "vision deliverable" and how directing feedback properly can completely change the way people respond to your ideas. We also talk about the power of free writing from his book Accidental Genius, how to bypass your internal editor, and why creativity often shows up when you stop trying so hard to force it. We also explore why "illogical" branding can create unforgettable companies, including the fascinating story behind Red Bull and how they built a category-defining brand by doing the unexpected. This episode is packed with insights on branding, messaging, creativity, thought leadership, marketing psychology, communication, and personal growth. If you've ever struggled to explain what you do, communicate your vision, or stand out in a crowded marketplace, this conversation will absolutely shift the way you think. In This Episode, You Will Learn: How Mark Levy helped Simon Sinek develop "Start With Why" Why differentiation is the key to standing out in business How to articulate ideas that feel unfinished or unclear The power of free writing to unlock creativity and clarity Why emotion and experience matter more than information How Red Bull built one of the most memorable brands in the world Why useful feedback requires intentional direction How to overcome your internal editor and self-doubt What makes certain speakers, brands, and ideas unforgettable Mark's definition of success and the daily habits that fuel his creativity

In this episode, I sit down with Charles T. Lee, founder of Ideation and author of Design Your Good Life, to unpack what it really means to live with purpose in a world that constantly pulls you in a hundred different directions. Charles works with high-level leaders and executives, helping them gain clarity early and then execute on brand, vision, and impact. But what I love about this conversation is that we go way beyond business strategy. We get into the real stuff… purpose, legacy, relationships, and how to actually design a life that feels aligned. One of the biggest takeaways for me is how Charles reframes purpose. Instead of this one big thing you're supposed to figure out for the rest of your life, he talks about purpose as something agile, something seasonal, and something you can actually take action on right now. That shift alone is powerful. We also break down his three-phase framework from the book: Spark, Actualize, and Influence. This gives you a practical roadmap to move from curiosity and ideas to real execution and impact. It's not just theory. It's something you can apply immediately. We talk a lot about relationships too. Who you surround yourself with, how to filter the right people into your life, and why generosity and stewardship are the foundation of any meaningful legacy. Charles makes a strong case that success isn't just about what you build, but who you build it with and how you show up along the way. We also dive into AI and where the world is heading. Instead of fearing it, Charles believes it should actually free us up to focus more on human connection, deeper thinking, and intentional living. That perspective really hit home for me. This conversation is for anyone who feels like they've been checking the boxes but still wants more clarity, more alignment, and more purpose in their life. In This Episode, You Will Learn: Why purpose is not fixed and how to adapt it through different seasons of life The three-phase framework to design a meaningful and impactful life How to move from ideas to execution and real-world value Why relationships are the foundation of legacy and long-term success How to filter the right people into your life using curiosity and authenticity A new way to think about AI and how it can enhance human connection Daily habits and mindset shifts that lead to a more aligned life How to focus on your core strengths instead of trying to do everything

In this episode of The Growth Now Movement, I sit down with weight loss coach and entrepreneur Corinne Crabtree for one of the most honest conversations I've had around weight loss, emotional eating, food noise, and what it really takes to create lasting transformation. Corinne's story is powerful because it's not about a quick fix. She lost over 100 pounds, but more importantly, she completely changed her life by building what she calls a normal, sustainable lifestyle rooted in habits she could actually maintain forever. We talk about the breaking point that changed everything for her. Sitting on the couch, emotionally exhausted, telling her one-year-old son she was too tired to play. That moment became her wake-up call. And what's incredible is that her transformation didn't start with some massive overhaul. It started with one simple promise: walk for 15 minutes a day. That's it. This conversation dives deep into why so many people overcomplicate weight loss and why sustainable success often starts with doing one thing consistently. Corinne opens up about her lifelong battle with emotional eating, the constant mental chatter she calls food noise, and how childhood food insecurity, bullying, and emotional pain shaped her relationship with food long before she realized it. We unpack what food noise actually is, why it's so hard for people to silence, and how the solution isn't just willpower. It's emotional healing. She shares how learning to handle her inner critic with grace instead of shame changed everything, and why self-compassion is often more powerful than self-discipline. We also talk about how she turned her own transformation into a business back in 2007, starting on Weight Watchersmessage boards, accepting payments through PayPal, and eventually scaling into a massive coaching platform helping women around the world. Corinne also gives her perspective on GLP-1 medications and peptides, offering a balanced, honest take. She doesn't dismiss them, but she makes one thing clear: no tool can replace doing the emotional work necessary for long-term change. This episode is about more than losing weight. It's about identity, self-worth, healing, and finally creating a life you don't need to escape from. In This Episode You Will Learn • How Corinne lost 100 pounds through sustainable habits • Why "small forever changes" beat extreme dieting • The truth about emotional eating and food noise • How childhood experiences shape your relationship with food • Why self-compassion matters more than shame • How to quiet your inner critic • What food noise really is and how to reduce it • How Corinne built a business from her personal transformation • Her honest perspective on GLP-1s and peptides • Why emotional healing is essential for lasting weight loss • Daily habits that support success and balance

In this episode of The Growth Now Movement, I sit down with Detroit radio personality Bushman, also known as JD, someone I randomly met at Walt Disney World and instantly knew I had to have on the show. What makes Bushman fascinating is the contrast between who he is on-air versus who he is off-air. On the radio, he's high energy, engaging, and commanding attention. Off the mic, he's more introverted, grounded, and deeply focused on mental health, connection, and reminding people to check in on the people around them. We talk about how he developed that on-air alter ego and why it's rooted in service. For Bushman, it's not about being loud just to be loud. It's about using his platform to uplift, inspire, and connect. He shares his journey into DJing and radio, starting with inspiration from a friend in North Carolina that sparked something in him early on. That curiosity turned into a career that eventually led him to Detroit, a city he chose to stay in because of the opportunity, the culture, and the ability to keep growing. Despite major milestones like appearing in 8 Mile, doing multiple reality TV shows including Bar Rescue, and interviewing high-profile figures like Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Bill Clinton, Bushman still operates with a relentless hunger to keep improving. We break down his interview style and why preparation matters, but also why the best moments come from asking the unexpected questions. He shares stories from interviewing artists like Waka Flocka Flame and how standing out in those moments is what creates real connection. We also talk about how radio has evolved in the digital age, what it means to "hit the post," and why adaptability is everything in media today. Beyond radio, Bushman is stepping into new arenas like improv, acting, and voice acting, continuing to stretch himself creatively. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is his personal transformation. Bushman shares how he went from nearly 360 pounds down to around 215, and what that journey taught him about discipline, identity, and growth. This episode is about showing up fully, evolving constantly, and using your platform to make an impact. In This Episode You Will Learn • The difference between on-air confidence and off-air personality • How Bushman built his career in radio and DJing • Why he chose Detroit and stayed committed to growth • The mindset behind staying hungry after success • How to stand out in interviews and conversations • What "hitting the post" means in radio • How media and radio have evolved in the digital age • The importance of daily affirmations and checking in on people • How Bushman transformed his health and lost over 140 pounds • Why growth requires stepping into new creative challenges