Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Disconnect to Reconnect: Lessons from Marlo Campbell

Host: Mick Hunt
Guest: Marlo Campbell
Release Date: December 25, 2025
Location: Montego Bay, Jamaica

Episode Overview

This episode of "Mick Unplugged" marks the podcast’s first on-site recording, taking place in beautiful Montego Bay. Mick Hunt sits down with his longtime friend and leadership peer, Marlo Campbell. The conversation weaves through powerful themes of disconnection as a tool for personal and professional growth, the formative impact of sports and teamwork, modern leadership philosophies, and the enduring power of relationships—all interspersed with humor, nostalgia, and friendly rivalry. This episode aims to inspire leaders, parents, and anyone seeking meaningful impact to intentionally unplug in order to reconnect with themselves and others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Disconnecting and Reflection

• Disconnecting for Growth:

  • Marlo stresses the necessity of taking deliberate breaks from work and daily stress, not just as a vacation activity but as a routine for mental and emotional recalibration.
  • Quote: "Disconnecting is a way for you to reflect and truly analyze what's going on in order to make improvement in your world, in your life... Taking this time away is good just to spend time with friends and family. And just, you know, just figure out what's going on, what the next moves are." – Marlo Campbell [03:10]

• Leadership Perspective:

  • As a CEO and leader, Marlo emphasizes the pitfall of the "always on" mentality and the danger of losing touch with one's roots.
  • Quote: "You always got to remember where you started from. And the best way to do that is to take that step back... If you can't slow down just a little bit, then that's when you get yourself in trouble, okay? You start losing in touch with reality." – Marlo Campbell [04:18]

• Everyday Practices:

  • Disconnecting can be as simple as napping, sitting quietly, practicing hobbies, or family time.
  • Quote: "I'm a professional napper, man. You know, I could nap anytime. And it's my time, you know, 3 o'clock on a Saturday, Sunday, I'm gonna relax...Just getting your mind away from the business side." – Marlo Campbell [06:16]

2. The Role of Sports in Building Leadership and Character

• Building Relationships Through Soccer:

  • Marlo shares how his upbringing, including moving into a predominantly white neighborhood and discovering soccer, shaped his lifelong ability to connect with diverse people.
  • Quote: "Soccer is a worldwide sport... you’re always building relationships with people that are different...I always seek to understand where they're coming from. Even if I disagree...What I can do is understand it and maybe...helping them to understand." – Marlo Campbell [08:31]

• Lessons for Business and Life:

  • Leadership in sports, especially facing adversity, forges qualities vital for business success: resilience, teamwork, process orientation, and learning from mistakes.
  • Quote: "Soccer is a game of mistakes...As a coach, when we don't win, I take the responsibility. I can't point the finger and say, you didn't do this, you didn't do that. You know what? I didn't get you ready...That's the job. That's the role a leader needs to take." – Marlo Campbell [26:04]

3. The Power of Relationship-Building

• Networking and Openness:
  • Marlo reflects on his reputation for networking (“2 degrees from Marlo Campbell”), explaining it grew from being thrust into new environments and learning to adapt.
  • Quote: "Never met a stranger. Don't judge. People are going to be people, people are going to be different. I always seek to understand where they're coming from." – Marlo Campbell [08:31]

4. Finding and Living Your 'Because' (Purpose)

• Mentoring and Paying it Forward:
  • Marlo explains his purpose as helping “the next one," whether assisting friends career-wise or guiding people towards opportunities.
  • Quote: "Life is short...What I've learned from a lot of my mentors is, can you help the next one?...When you can take what you've learned and why I do what I do, no matter what it is, is to try to help others." – Marlo Campbell [23:00]

5. Parenting, Youth Development, and Sports

• Why Youth Sports Matter:

  • Sports provide essential lessons in teamwork, handling adversity, accountability, and community—skills critical for successful adulthood.
  • Quote: "No matter what the sport is, it's more of a psychological thing. The psychology of having a goal, achieving success...Team sports teach people how to work together..." – Marlo Campbell [33:51]

• Role of Parents:

  • Encourages parents to be present, supportive, and avoid undermining coaches or players, since children model parental attitudes.
  • Quote: "Just being present for them...making sure that you're not blaming their coach or their individual player...Their attitude is everything in how your child is going to progress." – Marlo Campbell [36:47–39:15]

6. Leadership and Praise

• Uplifting vs. Criticizing:
  • Leaders should remember who helped them and focus on uplifting their teams rather than fixating on mistakes.
  • Quote: "It's really easy to point the finger...Most times people know they messed up. Why do we have to make them feel even worse? Can we pick them up?" – Marlo Campbell [32:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On reflection:

  • "Taking time away is a way to not take notes, but just mentally take notes and just say, okay, oh, this is where I've been, this is where I'm going. This was a good experience. How can I duplicate that? This was a bad experience. What have I learned from that?" – Marlo Campbell [04:58]

• On building relationships:

  • "You always have that thing of...it used to be what, six degrees of Kevin Bacon. I call it now, you're 2 degrees from Marlowe Campbell." – Mick Hunt (Host) [08:14]

• On legacy and being present:

  • "Your first job was being a dad. Your second job is being a husband. That's what I admire most about you...you and Damon are the two people that I look to to help remind me of that on a daily basis." – Mick Hunt (Host) [51:04]

• On Attitude:

  • “Attitude is everything. It’s all about how you approach it. As a parent, your attitude is how everything...Your friendships, the people you meet. Everything is going to be...How are you approaching this? Is it open or are we just being close minded?” – Marlo Campbell [37:55]

Segment Highlights & Timestamps

Montego Bay & Disconnecting (02:29–07:36)

• Marlo and Mick discuss the need to disconnect, share practical ways both leaders and non-leaders can recharge, and use relatable metaphors involving resetting technology.

The Power of Connections & Soccer Backstory (08:02–18:32)

• Marlo recounts his journey as a child moving neighborhoods, how soccer introduced him to diversity, and the pivotal moment he received an NC State scholarship offer.

Leadership, Mentorship, and 'Because' (22:41–26:16)

• Marlo articulates his evolving “because”—helping others through career transitions, mentorship, and leveraging his diverse life experience to connect and uplift.

Business, Coaching, and Team Dynamics (26:04–33:12)

• Exploring parallels between sports and business, Marlo underscores the responsibility of leadership and the importance of making teams feel valued.

Parenting & Youth Development (33:12–39:15)

• Rich advice on youth sports and the critical role parents play in supporting their kids.

Rapid Fire & Cultural Fun (39:17–50:16)

• High-energy rivalry about UNC vs. NC State basketball, top player drafts, and Marlo’s top three albums of all time, blending personal favorites and musical influence.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:29] – Beginning of reflection and the idea of disconnect
• [06:16] – Marlo’s methods for disconnecting and self-care
• [08:31] – Marlo’s childhood, soccer, and foundations for networking
• [18:32] – Receiving the NC State scholarship; transformative moments
• [23:00] – Marlo’s ‘because’ and mentoring others
• [26:04] – Parallels between sports and leadership
• [33:51] – Importance of youth sports for child development
• [36:47] – Parent advice and learning through sports
• [39:38] – Rapid-fire college basketball rivalry
• [47:42] – Top three musical albums
• [51:04] – Mick’s personal tribute to Marlo and reflections on legacy

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, the tone is engaging, upbeat, and marked by genuine camaraderie and respect. Marlo’s humility, warmth, and leadership wisdom shine, while Mick steers the conversation with energy and authenticity. The rapid-fire sections blend nostalgia with playful banter, making the episode equally informative and entertaining.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode is an inspiring exploration into the value of slowing down to recharge, the immense life lessons sports can teach about leadership and resilience, and the fundamental importance of supporting and uplifting both your family and your team. If you’re a parent, leader, or someone searching for practical ways to find and live your purpose, this conversation delivers both the motivation and the actionable insights for real transformation.

“Your ‘Because’ is your superpower.”
– Mick Hunt [53:18]