What if the fastest way to cut through fear, division, and doubt is to learn—on purpose, every day? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with James Keyes, former CEO of 7‑Eleven and Blockbuster, bestselling author of Education Is Freedom, and founder of a nonprofit that’s helped raise nearly half a billion dollars for scholarships and student support. James takes us inside the rooms where hard calls get made and shows how character, clarity, and compassion turn turbulence into traction.
We start with joy and gratitude, then move into the practicality of formal education versus self-directed paths. James shares why education is a license to learn, how structure builds discipline and collaboration, and why your brand still matters when the stakes are high. We explore the human edge in an AI world: breadth of knowledge, curiosity, creativity, cultural literacy, and integrity. He explains how to lead people with a “pull” strategy—creating meaning and momentum—rather than pushing through fear and compliance.
James lays out his three C’s of resilient leadership—change, confidence, clarity—and brings them to life with unfiltered stories from 7‑Eleven’s turnaround and Blockbuster’s crisis years, including a timely nudge from Warren Buffett to get back to the plate and keep swinging. We also tackle pride, vulnerability, and the courage to ask for help, plus the truth about “having it all” through intentional career-life integration. Throughout, James champions social good as a strategic lever, not a side project, and makes a compelling case that knowledge paired with faith is the armor we need to move beyond fear into service and impact.
If you’re navigating rapid change, building a career moat beyond AI, or looking for a leadership framework that actually scales under pressure, this one’s for you. Listen, share with a friend who needs a confidence reset, and leave a quick review so more people can rise with us. Subscribe for new episodes that blend soul and strategy—and tell us: which “C” will you practice this week?

Connect with James Keyes:

Website: https://www.jameswkeyes.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jkeyesauthor/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jkeyesauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jkeyesauthor

Linkdln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-keyes-a0947215/

X: https://x.com/jkeyesauthor

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