BigDeal Podcast: How to Build UNSHAKABLE Self Confidence | 2 Chainz

Host: Codie Sanchez
Guest: 2 Chainz
Date: March 12, 2026
Theme: Developing inner self-confidence, the power of intuition, building success, and finding purpose — through the lens of 2 Chainz’s music, entrepreneurship, and personal life.

Episode Overview

In this raw and insightful conversation, entrepreneur and investor Codie Sanchez sits down with hip hop artist and businessman 2 Chainz to unpack the origins of self-confidence, the critical role of intuition in shaping his life, and candid stories from his journey from Atlanta’s hustle culture to multi-faceted success. They touch on partnership, failures, business lessons, community roots, and the unique inner voices that drive achievement and creativity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Intuition and the "Voice in Your Head"

• 2 Chainz’s “Navigation Voice” (00:00, 00:29, 07:42, 23:26, 46:29)

  • 2 Chainz emphasizes that from his earliest days, he trusted an inner voice as his guide—on everything from what to wear to critical business and life decisions.
  • Quote: “I have this voice in my head every day that I kind of use it as like, navigation.” (2 Chainz, 00:00)
  • He believes this voice is fundamentally positive, filled with love, and for him it’s “God within you.” This concept is the central idea of his new book, The Voice in My Head is God.
  • On Intuition vs. the ‘Fuck it’ Voice:
    • He distinguishes between the intuition that guides toward growth and the “fuck it voice” that leads to risk or potentially negative decisions. Learning to recognize and choose which to follow is crucial.
    • Quote: “We all have had that fuck it voice. We literally have said fuck it... But you just gotta be able to distinguish between.” (2 Chainz, 00:40; 48:36)

• Developing Intuition Through Experience (21:26, 14:40, 46:43)

  • Intuition isn’t mere instinct — it’s a ‘database’ built on years of experience.
  • Quote: “It’s about quieting down the outside noise, tuning in to, like, your inner connection, and listening to it.” (2 Chainz, 46:43)

From Hustling to Business Empire

• Early Property Investment & Franchising (01:35–04:20)

  • 2 Chainz recounts buying cheap Atlanta real estate on a hunch, then partnering with a talented woman from hospitality to turn hoarded properties into a restaurant empire (now with close to nine and expanding through franchising).
  • Quote: “I’m good at identifying passionate people in certain positions and identifying talent too... None of them are solely just me, it’s always like a partner involved.” (2 Chainz, 01:35)

• Legal & Branding Battles – "Escobar" (04:20–06:06)

  • Shares how his restaurant faced legal pressure from the Pablo Escobar estate over the "Escobar" name during the pandemic. The solution? Take down the Escobar photo, put up his own, and keep moving.
  • Quote: “To say that we became successful off Pablo Escobar’s name was so far from the truth... we put my picture up. And business had been just moving, just how it always has been.” (2 Chainz, 05:44)

• Business Realism & Giving Back (06:06–07:27)

  • Candid about the struggle and the less glamorous side of building businesses — dealing with betrayals, supporting 100+ employees, and encouraging staff and partners to support his ventures in kind.

Making “Trap” Positive: The Atlanta Trap House & Community

• Trap House Marketing Genius (09:17–11:52)

  • The viral “Trap House” album promo: 2 Chainz rents a nondescript house, paints it Pepto-Bismol pink, splashes “TRAP” on it, and it becomes a cultural landmark, community arts space, and social hub.
  • Quote: “I was actually making the word trap a positive connotation instead of it always being attached to something negative.” (2 Chainz, 11:07)
  • Hosted everything from art exhibits to a free HIV clinic — showing deep connection to building community, not just commerce.

• Ideas as Currency & Protecting Creative Capital (12:07–13:10)

  • Emphasizes that ideas themselves have value, but warns that many people aren’t “idea generators”—making the discipline of ideation itself a rare and necessary asset.
  • Quote: “Ideas are currency. People pay for ideas, people steal ideas. So you have to be careful who you even sharing with.” (2 Chainz, 12:52)

Self-Motivation, Confidence, and Handling Adversity

• Belief in Self Without Outside Proof (20:20–21:26, 23:26, 33:43)

  • Codie notes many wait for proof before believing in themselves, but 2 Chainz’s career hinges on acting in anticipation of success.
  • Quote: “I just knew I was special... God took his time with me and I know that and can’t no words or comments or anything like that kind of derail what I know is inevitable.” (2 Chainz, 20:44)
  • On handling haters: “I don’t get a lot of hate because I’m pretty much a what you see is what you get kind of person... That word is kind of, like, overly used too.” (19:18)

• Being Your Own Motivation (14:40–17:08)

  • For those without a support network, self-talk and self-motivation is crucial. 2 Chainz opens up about growing up unable to call on family for help, thus learning resourcefulness and becoming the “apex” for his own success and now, for his kids.
  • Quote: “If you don’t have a person on top of you, you are the apex. You’re the person that everyone comes to. Then you have to find ways on motivating yourself.” (2 Chainz, 17:14)

• Nature/Nurture, Wealth, and Growth (34:46–37:44)

  • Explains how coming from nothing shaped his drive for “larger than life” things—though maturity brings awareness that material achievements are less important than they seem.

Business Savvy: Integration, Ownership, and Leverage

• Early Adoption & Vertical Integration in Music (25:32–28:31)

  • Discusses owning a tour bus and a recording studio (before landing a major deal), which allowed for creative independence and meeting high-level opportunities (e.g. quick turnaround for Nicki Minaj).
  • Quote: “I bought the bus... had a stove, a bed, a studio. So that’s everything I need... I could really like make it work from there.” (2 Chainz, 25:55)

• Owning Masters & Publishing Rights (31:02–32:27)

  • Explains the intricacies and importance of negotiating for masters and publishing rights, which secures long-term creative and financial control.
  • Quote: “With me in these different phases of my life, I had a certain amount of leverage where I was able to get certain things... so it was just about getting the masters back.” (2 Chainz, 31:28)

• Convenience as a Major Upgrade (29:42–30:23)

  • Describes how wealth increases convenience — from hiring a chef to flying private ("the jet"), not just ostentation but as a practical benefit for focus and comfort.

Family, Faith, and Relationships

• Faith as a Backbone (08:57–09:17, 23:26)

  • 2 Chainz never shies away from discussing his personal faith and gratitude, crediting belief in God for his guidance and continued drive.

• Fatherhood & Daughters (44:18–45:33)

  • Reflects on raising girls, handling the challenging adolescent years, and drawing connections between his parenting and his own upbringing.

• Marriage, Partnership, and Learning (39:50–39:58)

  • Advocates for relationships where both partners learn from one another and support personal growth.

Building Legacy and Staying Creative

• Continual Reinvention and Legacy (23:26–24:43)
  • 2 Chainz sees himself still in his “legacy phase,” actively creating, experimenting in business, and continuing to set examples in ownership, creativity, and community involvement.
  • Quote: “I’m just really... building out the Two Chains, you know, Legacy Stamp more than anything.” (2 Chainz, 24:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Motivation:
  “No one else is going to do this for you. I don't have anybody else... If I need something, it's not love that I'm needing. If I need it, I have enough love.” (2 Chainz, 15:49)

• On Ideas & AI:
  “Ideas are currency. People pay for ideas, people steal ideas... Imagine taking your idea and pairing it with an AI who can actually show you the steps on getting [it done].” (2 Chainz, 13:10/13:23)

• On Overcoming Doubt:
  “I knew I was a star... It was hard to explain it to somebody, what you have inside of you without actually proving it... I just knew I was special.” (2 Chainz, 20:20)

• On Intuition and Faith:
  “The voice in my head is God.” (2 Chainz, 23:26, recurring mantra throughout)

• On Owning Loneliness & Stress:
  “When you don't have a person on top of you, you are the apex. You’re the person that everyone comes to. Then you have to find ways on motivating yourself.” (2 Chainz, 17:14)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trusting the Voice Within / Intuition: 00:00, 00:29, 07:42, 23:26, 46:29
• Property, Partnership, and Restaurant Success: 01:35–04:20
• Escobar Naming Legal Battle: 04:20–06:06
• The Pink Trap House Marketing Story: 09:17–11:52
• Ideas, AI, and the Cultivation of Creativity: 12:07–13:45
• Ownership, Masters, and Business Negotiations: 31:02–32:27
• Parenting and Fatherhood Reflections: 44:18–45:33
• Business Pain, Resilience, Self-Talk: 14:40–17:08, 20:20–21:26
• Faith and Meditation in Success: 08:57–09:17, 23:26

Final Thoughts

This episode goes far beyond a celebrity interview — it’s a masterclass in the mindset, strategies, and lived experience behind unshakable self-confidence. 2 Chainz shares actionable wisdom for creators, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking to tap into their intuition, outlast adversity, and leave a real legacy. The episode is steeped in humor, candor, and practical tactics—making it a must-listen for anyone seeking more than just surface-level motivation.

Standout Takeaway:
"If you've said 'something told me' one time, then this book is for you."
(2 Chainz, 48:33)

Book Plug:
The Voice in My Head is God by 2 Chainz — Out March 3rd.
Audiobook, personally narrated and sound-designed by 2 Chainz.