The Secret To Success With Cj & Eric Thomas | Inspiration | Personal Development | Success

This week on the Secret to Success Podcast, the guys go deep on why most people stay stuck financially and personally. From Cracker Barrel’s branding mistakes to the truth about passive income, standards, and self-sabotage—this episode will challenge you to stop listening to the wrong voices and finally become the right person.

If you’re not intentional with money, marriage, or business, you’ll accidentally end up broke.

F* the Anchor. Yeah, we said it. But it’s not what you think. In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, ET, CJ, Karl, and Jemal break down why so many people are drifting in life—financially, relationally, and spiritually—because they don’t have anchors holding them steady. The guys talk about: Why margin for error matters in your money, marriage, and health How real estate formulas apply to every area of life Lessons from Little League World Series to building legacy The difference between drifting and being anchored It’s one of the most raw and practical conversations yet—funny, unfiltered, and guaranteed to challenge how you think about success.

You keep praying for a better life — more money, a better marriage, peace of mind — but nothing changes. Why? Because prayer won’t fix stupid habits. You can pray all day, but if you’re still eating like trash, still blaming everybody else, still out of order… don’t expect different results. In this episode, CJ, ET, and Pastor TJ break down why your sequence matters more than your intentions — and why God’s blessings aren’t missing, you’re just out of alignment.

You think staying quiet is keeping the peace — but it’s killing your marriage, your friendships, and your opportunities. In this raw conversation from the S2S Podcast, the guys get brutally honest about the damage caused by holding things in for years, avoiding hard conversations, and expecting others to “just know” how you feel. Learn why unspoken frustrations become resentment, how your silence might be teaching your kids unhealthy patterns, and why the same energy you use to make excuses could have already fixed the problem. From marriage lessons to personal breakthroughs, this episode is a wake-up call to speak up, take responsibility, and stop self-sabotaging the relationships that matter most.

Why do people cut you off even after years of loyalty? In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, ET, CJ, Karl, and Jamal break down a truth most people don’t want to face: being loyal isn’t enough if you’re no longer an asset. From Dede’s emotional revelation about feeling unprotected, to the raw talk about marriages, business partnerships, and friendships—this episode will challenge how you see your own relationships and the value you bring.

In this episode of the Secret to Success Podcast, the guys go all in on the mindset shift required to break out of survival mode. They challenge the traditional W2 mentality and expose why playing defense in life keeps you stuck. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything right but still not getting ahead—this episode is for you. Topics Discussed: Why the W2 mindset is keeping you broke How real wealth starts with real exposure The power of playing offense in your life How Jamal's early moves set up generational wealth Why people criticize your grind but ask to eat from it What it really means to be a value-add in your circle And why you can’t save your family with a small mindset

You’ve got more access to information than any generation in history — so why are most people still stuck? In this powerful episode, the guys break down the real reason proximity to greatness doesn’t automatically lead to results: you’re learning the moves but not adopting the mindset. From million-dollar real estate lessons to spiritual growth, relationships, and health — this one covers what it really takes to win in life.

Dede is back — and she’s not holding back. In one of the rawest episodes we’ve ever recorded, Dede and Candis join CJ and Eric for an unfiltered conversation about walls, wounds, and the real reason trust is so hard to build — especially in marriage and sisterhood. Whether you're dating, married, or simply trying to grow in emotional maturity, this episode is your mirror. From communication breakdowns to spiritual breakthroughs, you'll hear real strategies, vulnerable confessions, and a challenge to finally tear down the bricks we’ve all built.

Karl returns from a life-changing mission trip to Kenya — but what started as a service project turned into a soul reset. In this episode, the guys unpack what it really means to live with less, why simplicity brings peace, and how one week of building a school in the mountains revealed what America often distracts us from. From 400 kids with no phones and no complaints, to laying bricks alongside his kids and a 75-year-old volunteer — Karl shares how being on one accord with strangers unlocked more purpose than years of hustle ever could. ✈️ What you'll hear: Why too many options can steal your joy The truth about mission trips: it’s not about what you give How silence, service, and sacrifice create lasting transformation And the surprising leadership lesson from a brick wall

Most people want the rewards of success, but aren’t willing to do what it takes. In this episode, CJ drops a powerful analogy: the habits of the greats are like broccoli—hard to swallow but life-giving. He shares how adopting “broccoli habits” in fitness, finances, relationships, and business transformed his life from average to avenger-level. ET jumps in with a challenge: stop chasing Krispy Kreme results with cheat-meal commitment. If you're tired of being stuck, this episode will shake your soul.

This week, the fellas take you straight to the Motherland — recording live from Ghana! From the emotional walk through Cape Coast Castle to the powerful reality check about your DNA’s hidden strength, CJ, Jemal break down what it means to truly know your history.They unpack raw lessons about endurance, perspective, and how your ancestors’ survival story is coded in your blood. This episode will challenge you to stop complaining, tap into your generational resilience, and check your circle, because who you build with today shapes your legacy tomorrow.

Are your feelings stopping your future? In this episode, the guys break down why so many people stay stuck — not because of a lack of skill or opportunity, but because they refuse to take feedback. From relationships to real estate, work to worship, it’s time to stop letting your emotions drive the car and start asking the right questions. If you're tired of being in the same place and ready for real growth, this episode is your wake-up call. We’re talking feedback, filters, and finally getting RESULTS.

What happens when you're forced to make the hardest decision of your life… and you only have minutes to decide? In this deeply emotional episode, Jemal shares how his father's life was hanging in the balance — and how a choice made decades earlier saved everything. The guys unpack the difference between planning and true preparation, and why waiting until a crisis hits is too late. You’ll learn: ✅ Why living in your feelings can cost you everything ✅ How the faith pillar gave Jemal peace in chaos ✅ What it really means to be prepared — spiritually, financially, and emotionally This episode isn’t just a conversation — it’s a wake-up call to get your house in order before the storm comes. Make Real Estate Real → makerealestaterealcourse.com Forever Forward Marriage → foreverforwardmarriage.com You Matter Youth Camp → etsummerschool.com If this episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to:

What starts as a quick story about turbulence on a flight turns into a hilarious debate:When a random stranger reaches for your hand… What do you do?

This might be the wake-up call you didn’t know you needed. What if the vision you're chasing isn't even real? What if you're frustrated, not because you're behind… but because you're living in delusion? In this episode, the guys go all the way in — breaking down the dangerous difference between perception and reality, and how most people sabotage their future by refusing to expose themselves to the truth. You'll hear: Why your vision might be built on lies The hidden traps of tipping culture, insurance, and "they" systems designed to keep you in the dark How exposure shatters delusion and provides the clarity you need to move forward Real talk on homeownership, money moves, and why most people never get wealthy Delusion feels good — until it doesn’t. Reality stings, but it leads to real progress. If you’re ready to stop pretending and start building a life that actually works… this episode is for you.

You’re not stuck because of your job, your past, or your partner… You’re stuck because of the lies you believe about yourself. In this episode, the S2S crew unpacks the real reason most people never elevate: self-deception. You’re grinding, praying, and planning—but you’re out of alignment with the truth. We’re calling it out—and giving you the mindset shift to finally move forward. No more delusion. No more excuses. It’s time to get free.

This week on the Secret to Success Podcast, the crew dives into a raw, awkward, but absolutely necessary conversation: what happens when your partner stops trying? One listener asks, “Do I tell my wife she never dresses up anymore… or stay quiet to keep the peace?” CJ, ET, Karl, and Jemal open up the uncomfortable truth about relationship expectations, unmet needs, and why most couples are too scared to say what they really want. From misaligned visions to silent resentment, they break down why failing to communicate can slowly destroy even the best marriages. If you’re married, dating, or want a healthy relationship, this episode will challenge you hard and give you real steps to fix things — before you lose what you’ve built.

You ever wonder why your healthy marriage still feels heavy? In this episode, the guys get real about the weight of being the “strong couple” in your circle — the ones everyone runs to when their relationship is falling apart. But what if constantly being surrounded by broken marriages is secretly impacting your own? From secondhand smoke to secondhand divorce, CJ, ET, Karl, and Jemal unpack why healthy couples need spaces to recharge, reset, and be celebrated — not just drained. They introduce a bold new vision: Forever Forward Marriage — an exclusive retreat for healthy marriages only. ▶️ Why healthy marriages need protection ▶️ How Camille nursed Jemal through two surgeries — twice ▶️ The danger of dimming your light for broken couples ▶️ Creating a marriage Olympics — the All-Star Game for couples in bliss ▶️ What real investment in your spouse actually looks like This isn’t a marriage conference for broken people — it’s a celebration for couples in bliss.