The Practicing Peoples Podcast

Sounds True to Self-Leadership: Andrew Pike on Mindfulness, Men’s Community, and Life Transitions

CJ Hammond and Jordan White host their producer, Andrew Pike, a Denver-based music producer, audio engineer, and video editor with 15 years at Sounds True, to explore the deeper story behind his work and life. Andrew shares how producing audiobooks and recording leading mindfulness and meditation teachers immersed him in spiritual wisdom that reshaped his approach to creativity, story, and service. The conversation covers his self-leadership journey through a men’s group, applying practices like The Central Question, presence, and self-compassion, and how that growth helped him navigate being laid off and stepping into a new chapter as a full-time creator. They also discuss golf as a metaphor for life – mindset, resilience, and “playing the ball where it lies” – and Andrew encourages men to find community beyond surface-level connection. You can follow and contact him at pike42d.com and on social platforms.

Peter Demarest on Axiology, Valuegenic Self-Leadership, and Aligning AI with Human Value

CJ Hammond and Jordan White host Peter Demarest, co-founder and president of Axiogenics® and author of Answering the Central Question, to discuss his journey from Navy submarine cook and restaurant work to a 24-year IT career and ultimately applied axiology. Peter explains axiology as the study and science of value, grounded in Dr. Robert S. Hartman’s formal axiology and the Hartman Value Profile, emphasizing the hierarchy of intrinsic, extrinsic, and systemic value and its link to quality of life. He contrasts short-lived motivational approaches and quick fixes with purpose and aspiration, introducing a game-changing tool called The Central Question for creating the greatest net value in the moments that matter, and describing how the VQ Profile identifies biased (B-Game) habits of mind and also reveals a person’s thinking assets (A Game). The conversation also covers embedding axiology into AI to address the AI alignment problem and uphold human dignity, as well as ways to connect with Peter and the Hartman Institute.
Purchase Peter's book, endorsed by Stephen Covey, here.
Connect with Peter on LinkedIn here.
Learn more about the work of Axiogenics® here.

Eddie Korbal on Formal Axiology, Value-Driven Leadership, and Being a Man of Value

CJ Hammond and Jordan White interview Eddie Korbal, a PhD candidate and certified neuroologist, about formal axiology and how the hierarchy of value (intrinsic, extrinsic, systemic) shapes self-leadership, decision-making, and organizational development. Eddie shares how his Roman Catholic upbringing, introversion, and ongoing self-work influenced his precise communication and evolving worldview, including deconstructing prior paradigms through the science of value. They discuss mindfulness as facing difficulties with clarity, the difference between rehearsal and performative living, and how leaders can build trust, clarify purpose, assess attributes, and engage collective wisdom to create value for both results and people. Eddie creatively defines a “man of value” - seek the silver lining, take action, and be a good person, and shares ways to contact him via Cycle of Experience and LinkedIn.
Fellow brothers, be sure to head over to www.skool.com/valuesphere-community-7865/about to learn more about becoming a Man of Value.

Whitney Johnson on Disrupting Yourself: The S-Curve of Growth, Faith, and Sustainable Progress

CJ Hammond and Jordan White welcome Whitney Johnson, CEO of Disruption Advisors and author of Smart Growth and Disrupt Yourself, to discuss balancing ambition with presence, using kindness and grace instead of hustling. Whitney shares how early career constraints and later stagnation on Wall Street led her to seek new “playbooks,” and how reading Clayton Christensen’s The Innovator’s Dilemma gave language to what her soul knew, prompting her entrepreneurial pivot. They explore why self-disruption is difficult because it requires letting go of an old self, how to distinguish positive disruption from shiny object change, and the S-Curve model (launch point, sweet spot, mastery) as a way to understand what growth feels like. The conversation covers ecosystems and accountability, practical habits to support you, and how small improvements can compound through a contagion effect.
Be sure to tune in - Whitney shares ways to connect and offers to send listeners a signed copy of her Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Smart Growth!

Life in Progress: Myths of Arrival and Lasting Peace

CJ Hammond and Jordan White reconnect for another episode, reflecting on the “myth of arriving” – the belief that hitting a milestone (a job, money, marriage, becoming a parent, etc.) will create permanent peace or finality. They discuss how “once I” thinking fuels external validation and disappointment, and how real growth comes from presence, self-awareness, accountability, and making ongoing adjustments along the way. Using relationships, career shifts, meditation, and spiritual “ego” as examples, they emphasize that life is an unfolding journey of checkpoints rather than an endpoint, and that fulfillment is built from the inside out through curiosity, community, contribution, and compassionate action. They encourage listeners to trust the process, be authentic, and return to practices and places that refill the soul.
For our fellow brothers tuning in, be sure to head over to www.valuepherecommunity.com!

Building Brotherhood: Men of Value and the Power of Connection

Welcome to the second season of the Practicing Peoples Podcast with your hosts, CJ Hammond and Jordan White! In this episode, we dive into the power of authenticity, self-leadership, and creating a life of value. We reflect on our enduring friendship, new life milestones, and the transformative journey we've embarked on over the years. We explore the importance of emotional intelligence, the distinction between inspired actions and anxious doings, and the role of genuine male friendships in promoting personal growth and authenticity. This episode is a heartfelt conversation intended to encourage all to align with their true selves and create lasting value in their lives. Don't miss out on this insightful start to a new season filled with meaningful discussions and inspiring stories.
Gen Z and millennial men, head over to www.valuespherecommunity.com to share more about navigating manhood in today's world.

Reclaiming Clarity: An Inside Look at the Men of Value Community

In this special episode, we talk with technologist and self-development enthusiast Chris Ruiter for a deep, raw, and open dialogue on what it means to be a Man of Value. We explore the challenges men face in navigating identity, purpose, and connection in today’s complex world.
Through the lens of Valuegenic Self-Leadership, we dive into themes of authenticity, curiosity, and the importance of fostering meaningful relationships beyond surface-level conversations. We discuss the loneliness epidemic, the struggle between societal expectations and personal truth, and how asking the right questions with curiosity and compassion can transform our relationships and inner worlds.
Whether you’re seeking to lead yourself more consciously, build deeper connections, or explore what it means to be your authentic self, this episode offers powerful reflections and actionable insights.
Key Topics Discussed:
The journey from external validation to internal clarity
How Valuegenic Self-Leadership shapes decision-making and connection
The importance of curiosity and compassion in tough conversations
Creating safe spaces for men to show up authentically
The power of community in personal growth
Tune in, get inspired, and join us on the Men of Value path, where growth, connection, and value creation take center stage.Connect with Chris on LinkedIn here.Learn more about the Men of Value Community here.Get your free VQ Profile® intro report and one-on-one debrief with Jordan here.

From Burnout to Balance: Cultivating Inner Healing and Self-Love

In this episode, we sit down with Abby Payne, a seasoned registered nurse, creative writer, and board-certified coach. Abby shares her profound journey from experiencing intense burnout and compassion fatigue as an ICU nurse during the pandemic to discovering self-love and healing through holistic practices. The discussion delves into the nuances of self-care, people-pleasing, and nervous system regulation while touching upon the transformative power of coaching and the importance of inner safety and authenticity. Abby also introduces her eight-week program, 'Break the People-Pleasing Pattern,' and her 'Digital Detox' initiative aimed at balancing screen time and managing stress effectively. Tune in to explore ways to enhance your life through mental, emotional, and spiritual alignment.
 
Find her on IG @abbykaypayneFind her on FacebookCheck out her website here

Small Actions, Big Impact: The Journey to Be a Good Person

We sit down with Drick Bernstine, CEO of Be A Good Person, and capture a conversation centered around personal growth, dealing with change, and the importance of compassion. We discuss various aspects of self-improvement, from the power of introspection to the significance of helping others without expecting rewards. We reflect on life experiences, such as traveling to a third-world country, and emphasize the need to embrace discomfort and slow down to truly connect with the present moment. The discussion highlights the impact of small actions and thoughts on personal and collective well-being and encourages living with purpose and a loving mindset and, of course, being a good person.Follow Drick on IG @drickyb_ & @_dbchroniclesFollow Be A Good Person on IG @beagoodpersonPick up some Be A Good Person gear here!
 
 

The Playbook: From Football to Behavioral Analysis

In this episode, we sit down with Mike Reynolds, the owner and creator of The Parent Trap, LLC. With over a decade of experience working with families affected by autism, Mike shares his personal and professional growth journey. He discusses his love for travel, athletics, and the importance of knowing oneself. Mike also dives into his challenging childhood, his therapeutic journey, and how these experiences have shaped his approach to life and work.
*Be aware of profanity and drug use references in this episode.
Learn more about Mike and follow him on IG here