Mick Unplugged

Episode: Define Your Value: Own Your Identity & Growth with Jason Feifer

Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Jason Feifer (Editor in Chief, Entrepreneur Magazine, Author: Build for Tomorrow)
Date: February 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of "Mick Unplugged" features a powerful conversation between host Mick Hunt and visionary editor, storyteller, and author Jason Feifer. The discussion centers around defining your value beyond titles, owning your core identity, adapting to change, and personal branding in the modern world. Jason shares transformative frameworks and personal stories, while Mick credits Jason’s work for saving his business. The vibe is open, energetic, and deeply appreciative, with Mick frequently expressing his admiration for Jason’s impact.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Beyond Titles: What Do You Really Own? (03:18)

• Jason’s Take: Titles are rented, not owned. True value comes from your voice, perspective, and the impact you make.

  • Quote:

    "A title is something that I rent... but the thing that I can own is my voice and my perspective and the value that I bring to others."
    — Jason Feifer (03:18)

• Pattern Recognition as a Core Skill: All humans excel at recognizing different patterns. Jason’s unique pattern is understanding how people communicate and sharing those insights.

2. Finding Your ‘Because’: Deeper than ‘Why’ (06:04)

• Jason’s Purpose (“Because” framework):
  • 1. Personal Growth through Opportunity:

    "If I can push myself out of the smallness of what I thought I was into something that's big, that I don't even know what the boundaries are, I think that on the other end of that is tremendous personal growth and discovery."
    — Jason Feifer (06:45)

  • 2. Living in Motion with Interesting People:
    Identified his happiest state: "being in physical motion, in engaging with interesting people about interesting things."
  • Toolkit for Listeners: Ask yourself, "What state of being do I like to be in?" Orient choices toward creating or sustaining that state. (09:45)

3. Skillset is NOT Identity (10:05–16:28)

• Core Insight: We often confuse what we do with who we are, tying identity to job roles or skills.

  • Quote:

    "When we tie our identities to the output of our work or the roles that we occupy, then as soon as any of those things change, it doesn't just feel like a change to our work. It feels like a challenge to who we are."
    — Jason Feifer (11:06)

• How to Own Your Transferable Value:

  • Create a “mission statement” for yourself:

    “I tell stories in my own voice.” (13:41)

  • Anchor your identity in something unchanging; your skills and job may shift, but your mission and approach remain.

• Result: This reframing helped Mick communicate his evolving roles to his team and the world:

  • "I help humans emotionally connect with other humans, or help people find their true 'Because'." (15:44)

4. Personal Branding & The 5% Character (19:08–26:50)

• Personal Branding for Everyone: Whether you’re a consultant, baker, or insurance agent, “You are a brand now.”

  • Quote:

    "People connect with people, not with brands. They want to connect with you, not just the thing that you sell."
    — Jason Feifer (23:26)

• Getting Started:

  • Find your core value—what do you bring people (e.g., joy, clarity, confidence)?
  • Create a “5% character”: A focused, audience-facing version of yourself, making your message simple, repeatable, and scalable.

    • "You're not putting yourself out there... You're creating a little character, and that character is a really focused version of you." (24:29)

5. The Power of Consistency: Predictability and Surprise (28:00–32:03)

• Key for Content & Personal Messaging:
  • Every post, speech, or appearance should balance predictability (consistent value and theme) with some element of surprise.
  • Jason’s “Media Formula”:

    "The formula is it has to be the right balance of predictability and surprise." (29:10)

  • Too random confuses the audience and the algorithm; too consistent, and you’re boring.

6. Embracing Change: The Build for Tomorrow Framework (32:35–43:48)

• Mick’s Story:

  • Feared the word “change” due to its negative connotations, but Jason’s book helped him and his team embrace it as essential for growth.

• Jason’s Four Stages of Change (34:17):

  1. Panic
  2. Adaptation
  3. New Normal
  4. Wouldn’t Go Back
  • Example: A wig shop owner in Baltimore thrived after switching to appointment-only during COVID—what was once forced change became a better, more rewarding business model. (38:21)

    • "...she has leaned heavily into social media and into her website and the things she never thought was relevant for her business... The business is appointment only. ...Sales increased, and customers were happier." (37:14)

• Communicating Change as a Leader:

  • Address panic upfront, outline the stages, and model vulnerability plus a plan.

    • "You are leading with both vulnerability and a plan... And here's what we're gonna do." (41:46)

7. Connection Over Content (44:38–46:24)

• Mick’s Practice:
  • Offers to buy 40 copies of Jason’s book for listeners as a tool for growth.
• Jason’s Reflection:
  • True value comes from authentic connection, not just content output.

    • "It can't just be a broadcast vehicle... Anything that you can do to facilitate, not content, but connection is the foundation of your growth tomorrow." (45:37)

Memorable Quotes

• “A title is something that I rent... but the thing that I can own is my voice and my perspective and the value that I bring to others.”
  — Jason Feifer (03:18)
• "If I can push myself out of the smallness of what I thought I was into something big... on the other end is tremendous personal growth."
  — Jason Feifer (06:45)
• "When we tie our identities to the output of our work... it feels like a challenge to who we are."
  — Jason Feifer (11:06)
• "People connect with people, not with brands."
  — Jason Feifer (23:26)
• "The formula is: it has to be the right balance of predictability and surprise."
  — Jason Feifer (29:10)
• "Anything that you can do to facilitate, not content, but connection is the foundation of your growth tomorrow."
  — Jason Feifer (45:37)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic / Segment | |-----------|-----------------| | 03:18 | Titles vs. True Value: What You Really Own | | 06:04 | Jason’s "Because" and Purpose | | 10:05 | Identity vs. Skillset | | 14:59 | Transferrable Mission Statements | | 19:08 | Personal Branding & 5% Character Explanation | | 22:32 | Personal Branding for Non-Natural Brands | | 24:29 | Social Media Persona: 5% Character | | 28:00 | Predictability & Surprise in Messaging | | 32:35 | Embracing Change: Four Stages Framework | | 38:21 | Wig Shop Example: Opportunity in Change | | 41:46 | Communicating Change as a Leader | | 44:38 | Content vs. Authentic Connection | | 46:38 | Where to Connect with Jason Feifer |

Where to Connect with Jason Feifer

• Newsletter: onethingbetter.email (One practical tip each week for success and satisfaction)
• Social Media:
  • Instagram / LinkedIn: Jason Feifer
• Book: Build for Tomorrow

Tone and Atmosphere

The conversation is grounded, practical, and both deeply personal and universally applicable. Mick’s admiration for Jason’s work sets a tone of respect, while Jason’s insights are generous, candid, and motivational—packed with frameworks, stories, and encouragement.

Summary Takeaways

• Redefine your identity beyond your job title or skillset; discover and own your "Because."
• Create a personal or business mission statement that is transferable no matter the circumstances.
• Personal branding matters for everyone in the digital age—find your "5% character" and make your value simple, repeatable, and scalable.
• Consistency and focused messaging matter more than simply “making content”—balance predictability with surprise.
• Change is inevitable and essential. Embrace its stages, communicate them with vulnerability and a plan, and lead your teams confidently through transitions.
• Prioritize connection over mere content—genuine engagement is the key to personal and professional growth.

(Ad and sponsorship sections omitted for clarity and continuity.)