In this powerful episode of I Am Refocused Radio, leadership coach and bestselling author Dain Dunston shares breakthrough insights from his book Being Essential: Seven Questions for Living and Leading with Radical Self-Awareness.

Discover how top CEOs and executives are transforming their leadership by uncovering their true identity, purpose, and self-awareness. Learn why understanding who you are is more important than just knowing what to do—and how that shift creates lasting impact in your work, relationships, and legacy.

Key Topics Covered:


Radical self-awareness for leaders


Purpose-driven leadership strategies


How to overcome imposter syndrome


Identity and legacy in leadership


Questions every great leader must ask

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or creative leader—this episode will equip you with mindset tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.

📘 Get the book: Being Essential by Dain Dunston
🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with visionary leaders
🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

#Leadership #SelfAwareness #DainDunston #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #PurposeDriven #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #BusinessLeadership #IamRefocusedRadio

In this powerful episode of I Am Refocused Radio, leadership coach and bestselling author Dain Dunston shares breakthrough insights from his book Being Essential: Seven Questions for Living and Leading with Radical Self-Awareness.
Discover how top CEOs and executives are transforming their leadership by uncovering their true identity, purpose, and self-awareness. Learn why understanding who you are is more important than just knowing what to do&mdash;and how that shift creates lasting impact in your work, relationships, and legacy.
Key Topics Covered:
<ul data-start="705" data-end="902">
<li data-start="705" data-end="743">
Radical self-awareness for leaders
</li>
<li data-start="744" data-end="784">
Purpose-driven leadership strategies
</li>
<li data-start="785" data-end="822">
How to overcome imposter syndrome
</li>
<li data-start="823" data-end="860">
Identity and legacy in leadership
</li>
<li data-start="861" data-end="902">
Questions every great leader must ask
</li>
</ul>
Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, executive, or creative leader&mdash;this episode will equip you with mindset tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.
📘 Get the book: Being Essential by Dain Dunston 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with visionary leaders 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!
#Leadership #SelfAwareness #DainDunston #PersonalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching #PurposeDriven #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetMatters #BusinessLeadership #IamRefocusedRadio

"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast—it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.

From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah’s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests—celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

"I Am Refocused Radio" is more than just a podcast&mdash;it's a movement of purpose-driven storytelling that inspires, uplifts, and empowers. Hosted by Shemaiah A. Reed, a calm and thoughtful creative with a background in media, music, and the arts, the show dives deep into conversations that resonate.
From a humble start in a San Antonio barbershop, Shemaiah&rsquo;s journey has grown into a global platform featuring over 1,000 interviews with a diverse array of guests&mdash;celebrities, CEOs, community leaders, and everyday people with extraordinary stories. Each episode offers a blend of faith, personal growth, perseverance, and hope, fostering a space where listeners can find clarity and rediscover their purpose.
Whether you&rsquo;re seeking inspiration, innovative ideas, or a moment of peace in a busy world, "I Am Refocused Radio" invites you to refocus your mind and embrace a life aligned with meaning and authenticity. Tune in to join this global community and hear the stories that connect us all.

I Am Refocused Podcast

I Am Refocused Radio provides a space that welcomes people to speak freely about real life experiences through various platforms to engage and encourage those who are looking to find their purpose.

I Am Refocused Radio Show

Unlock Radical Self-Awareness: Dain Dunston on Purpose-Driven Leadership & Identity

Iran may be entering one of the most pivotal moments in its modern history. As tensions rise and voices for change grow louder, a powerful message is emerging from inside and outside the country: the future of Iran must be determined by the Iranian people themselves, not by the ruling regime and not by foreign powers.

In this timely conversation, we explore what this moment means for Iran and for the world. Our guest helps unpack the deeper realities often overlooked in global discussions about Iran, including the growing call for a secular, democratic republic and the critical role ordinary citizens are playing in shaping the country’s future.

We also examine the powerful leadership of women at the forefront of protests and resistance movements, the misunderstandings many in the international community have about the Iranian people’s aspirations, and why the demand for sovereignty and democratic reform has become more urgent than ever.

Looking ahead, we discuss what developments the world should be watching in the coming months and what the international community needs to understand about the Iranian people’s determination to define their own path forward.

At its core, this conversation is about a simple but profound principle: a nation’s future belongs to its people.

https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/

📌 Connect with I Am Refocused Radio:
📺 YouTube: @RefocusedNetwork
📸 Instagram: @iamrefocusedradio
📘 Facebook: @iamrefocusedradio
🌐 Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com

#RefocusedNetwork #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

Iran may be entering one of the most pivotal moments in its modern history. As tensions rise and voices for change grow louder, a powerful message is emerging from inside and outside the country: the future of Iran must be determined by the Iranian people themselves, not by the ruling regime and not by foreign powers.
In this timely conversation, we explore what this moment means for Iran and for the world. Our guest helps unpack the deeper realities often overlooked in global discussions about Iran, including the growing call for a secular, democratic republic and the critical role ordinary citizens are playing in shaping the country&rsquo;s future.
We also examine the powerful leadership of women at the forefront of protests and resistance movements, the misunderstandings many in the international community have about the Iranian people&rsquo;s aspirations, and why the demand for sovereignty and democratic reform has become more urgent than ever.
Looking ahead, we discuss what developments the world should be watching in the coming months and what the international community needs to understand about the Iranian people&rsquo;s determination to define their own path forward.
At its core, this conversation is about a simple but profound principle: a nation&rsquo;s future belongs to its people.
<a href="https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/">https://www.ncr-iran.org/en/</a>
📌 Connect with I Am Refocused Radio: 📺 YouTube: @RefocusedNetwork 📸 Instagram: @iamrefocusedradio 📘 Facebook: @iamrefocusedradio 🌐 Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com
#RefocusedNetwork #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

Zolal Habibi - Iran at a Turning Point: Why the Iranian People Must Decide Their Future

“Everyone who might believe you can substitute robots for soldiers on the battlefield needs to read this book.” — General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army (Ret.), Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

In this gripping episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we sit down with national security expert Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein to explore his powerful new book, War Without Humanity: Conflict in the Post-Human Era.

The story opens in February 2039 on the tense Latvia–Russia border, where a U.S. Army platoon relies on humanoid robotic forces to hold the line—until the machines suddenly disobey orders and launch a cross-border attack. Connected through a brain–computer interface, the platoon leader watches in real time, unable to stop what could ignite World War III.

From that chilling moment, the conversation expands into a real-world exploration of the technologies already reshaping modern warfare.

We dive into the rise of augmented soldiers, artificial intelligence with human-level decision making, biotechnology that creates enhanced warfighters, and the Internet of Things turning the battlefield into a living network. As humans become nodes in a digital combat ecosystem, the line between man and machine begins to disappear.

But the deeper questions go beyond strategy and innovation:

When autonomous systems act on their own, who is accountable?

If enhanced humans begin to see themselves as a new species, what happens to loyalty and command?

Can humanity maintain its moral and spiritual identity in a post-human military age?

Dr. Gerstein walks us through the evolution of a transhuman future force—from concept and testing to the road to war—revealing how today’s research is shaping tomorrow’s reality.

This episode is not just about the future of combat.
It’s about leadership, responsibility, identity, and whether human values can survive in an era where evolution is no longer natural—but engineered.

Get the book: https://a.co/d/0eVNlBqS

https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636246581/war-without-humanity/

BIO Soldier, Statesman, Scholar, Technologist, National Security Author and Novelist ... Dr. Gerstein has extensive experience in the security and defense sectors in a variety of positions while serving as a Senior Executive Service (SES) government civilian, in uniform, in think tanks, in industry and in academia. He previously served in the Department of Homeland Security from August 2011 to December 2014 as Under Secretary (Acting) and Deputy Under Secretary in the Science and Technology Directorate. He has been an Adjunct Professor at American University in Washington, D.C. since 2009 and at George Mason University since 2020. He is national security author with eight nonfiction books out on a range of national security topics including technology and national security, countering biological warfare, bioterrorism, arms control, and the commitment of forces. War Without Humanity is his first novel.

📌 Connect with I Am Refocused Radio:
📺 YouTube: @RefocusedNetwork
📸 Instagram: @iamrefocusedradio
📘 Facebook: @iamrefocusedradio
🌐 Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com

#RefocusedNetwork #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

&ldquo;Everyone who might believe you can substitute robots for soldiers on the battlefield needs to read this book.&rdquo; &mdash; General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army (Ret.), Former Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
In this gripping episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we sit down with national security expert Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein to explore his powerful new book, War Without Humanity: Conflict in the Post-Human Era.
The story opens in February 2039 on the tense Latvia&ndash;Russia border, where a U.S. Army platoon relies on humanoid robotic forces to hold the line&mdash;until the machines suddenly disobey orders and launch a cross-border attack. Connected through a brain&ndash;computer interface, the platoon leader watches in real time, unable to stop what could ignite World War III.
From that chilling moment, the conversation expands into a real-world exploration of the technologies already reshaping modern warfare.
We dive into the rise of augmented soldiers, artificial intelligence with human-level decision making, biotechnology that creates enhanced warfighters, and the Internet of Things turning the battlefield into a living network. As humans become nodes in a digital combat ecosystem, the line between man and machine begins to disappear.
But the deeper questions go beyond strategy and innovation:
When autonomous systems act on their own, who is accountable?
If enhanced humans begin to see themselves as a new species, what happens to loyalty and command?
Can humanity maintain its moral and spiritual identity in a post-human military age?
Dr. Gerstein walks us through the evolution of a transhuman future force&mdash;from concept and testing to the road to war&mdash;revealing how today&rsquo;s research is shaping tomorrow&rsquo;s reality.
This episode is not just about the future of combat. It&rsquo;s about leadership, responsibility, identity, and whether human values can survive in an era where evolution is no longer natural&mdash;but engineered.
Get the book: <a href="https://a.co/d/0eVNlBqS">https://a.co/d/0eVNlBqS</a>
<a href="https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636246581/war-without-humanity/">https://www.casematepublishers.com/9781636246581/war-without-humanity/</a>
BIO Soldier, Statesman, Scholar, Technologist, National Security Author and Novelist ... Dr. Gerstein has&nbsp;<a>extensive experience in the security and defense sectors in a variety of positions while serving as a Senior Executive Service (SES) government civilian, in uniform, in think tanks, in industry and in academia. He previously </a>served in the Department of Homeland Security from August 2011 to December 2014 as Under Secretary (Acting) and Deputy Under Secretary in the Science and Technology Directorate. He has been an Adjunct Professor at American University in Washington, D.C. since 2009 and at George Mason University since 2020. He is national security author with eight nonfiction books out on a range of national security topics including technology and national security, countering biological warfare, bioterrorism, arms control, and the commitment of forces. War Without Humanity is his first novel.
📌 Connect with I Am Refocused Radio: 📺 YouTube: @RefocusedNetwork 📸 Instagram: @iamrefocusedradio 📘 Facebook: @iamrefocusedradio 🌐 Website: https://www.iamrefocusedradio.com
#RefocusedNetwork #Leadership #Entrepreneurship

War Without Humanity: Conflict in the post-Human Era | Dr. Daniel M. Gerstein

ABOUT THE A BUILDING

iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment Launch "The A Building" - A Riveting New Documentary Podcast About the Student Uprising That Reshaped Historically Black Colleges and Universities New Series Recounts How a Group of Morehouse College Students in 1969, Including a Young Samuel L. Jackson, Organized a Protest That Took Multiple Hostages, Among Them Martin Luther King Sr. iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment today announced the launch of "The A Building," a powerful new documentary podcast that revisits one of the most extraordinary and rarely told moments in American civil rights and higher-education history-an event that changed the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and helped define the modern era of student protest. This is the seventh title to be released from Imagine Entertainment and iHeartMedia's slate of original iHeartPodcasts. The series tells the story of the 1969 student uprising at Morehouse College, where a group of students barricaded themselves inside the administration building-known on Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses as "The A Building." Set against the backdrop of late-1960s America, "The A Building" explores a volatile period when student activism surged nationwide amid movements for civil rights, women's rights, labor justice, and opposition to the Vietnam War. At Morehouse, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. intensified tensions between the administration and a student body demanding an education that reflected Black history, identity and lived experience-and ultimately led students to hold members of the Board of Trustees hostage for two days demanding reforms to curriculum and improvements to student life. One of the hostages was Martin Luther King Sr., president of the Board of Trustees. One of the student organizers was Samuel L. Jackson-years before he would become one of the most celebrated figures in Hollywood. Samuel L. Jackson and his friends devised a plan to hijack a Board of Trustees meeting to create change. A heist with a purpose. Blending immersive reenactments with firsthand testimony, archival research and expert analysis, the series unfolds with the tension of a true-crime heist-one driven by moral urgency. "The A Building" examines the risks students took, the consequences they faced, and the lasting impact of their actions on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and student activism nationwide. Co-created and produced by Menelek Lumumba and Hans Charles, the podcast traces the aftermath of the protest, including the expulsion of the students involved, the escalation of political pressure, and the pivotal moment that ultimately led Samuel L. Jackson back to Morehouse-where a change in academic focus quietly set him on the path toward acting. "This project has been years in the making, but it feels more relevant than ever," said Menelek Lumumba, co-creator and producer. "I'm grateful we have the opportunity to tell this story about young people who took action, and how their one act of protest continues to reverberate through all those involved over 50 years later." "It's an incredible, unbelievable story when you first hear it," said Hans Charles, co-creator and producer. "That it happened on a campus like Morehouse College, in a city like Atlanta, at such a volatile time, speaks to the importance of telling and exploring what is quintessential American History." "What makes the story of 'The A Building' so compelling is how clearly it reveals the purpose and power of protest," said Nathan Kloke, Executive Producer for Imagine Entertainment. "When Hans and Menelek first brought us this pivotal chapter of American history, it unfolded like a heist film-fast-paced, surprising, and utterly gripping. We're excited to bring audiences along for the ride." "This is premium documentary storytelling that connects history to the present," said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. "'The A Building' revisits a moment that feels both historic and urgently relevant, revealing how student voices helped shape lasting institutional change." "The A Building" is part of a growing slate of documentary podcasts from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, including"Hello Isaac," "Unf**cking the Future," "Big Sugar," "The Tao of Muhammad Ali," "Obscurum, and "The Secret World of Roald Dahl," which explore iconic figures, cultural flashpoints, and untold stories through deep reporting and cinematic storytelling. Nathan Kloke and Kara Welker are Executive Producers for Imagine Entertainment in partnership with oddarts media. Katrina Norvell is the Executive Producer for iHeartPodcasts. "The A Building" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available weekly on Fridays on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

Episodes available here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/imagine-audio-the-a-building/id1692268936 

HOST BIOS Hans Charles is an Emmy award-nominated cinematographer and writer/producer, best known for Netflix's 13TH, and Showtime's  WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN. Hans has shot award-winning films that have screened at Tribeca, Sundance, NYFF, and Outfest, among many others. His projects include Netflix's GRASS IS GREENER, CONTACT HIGH, a short film that gives a visual history of hip hop, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, a collegiate drama feature Hans both lensed and produced, Lifetime's DEATH SAVED MY LIFE, and Showtime's hit docu series WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY, which premiered at Sundance 2022 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Hans was the cinematographer on The CW's hit series ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING and worked on a documentary film with Vespucci Group and Showtime called THE HONEY TRAP, directed by Chris Moukarbel which released in December 2024. He's currently shooting two documentary projects and is developing his next feature film with his creative partner, Menelek Lumumba. Hans is a partner at Align Pictures.

Menelek Lumumba is a writer and director who wrote and directed his debut feature film, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN. The film premiered at the Blackstar Film Festival and screened at dozens of festivals across the country and abroad, winning Best Feature Film at two festivals. It was released by Freestyle Digital Media in June 2020. With his creative partner Hans, Menelek co-created THE A BUILDING, a podcast about the hostage situation at Morehouse College in 1969, produced with Imagine Entertainment and iHeart. Menelek is currently in development on his next feature film.

ABOUT THE A BUILDING
iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment Launch "The A Building" - A Riveting New Documentary Podcast About the Student Uprising That Reshaped Historically Black Colleges and Universities New Series Recounts How a Group of Morehouse College Students in 1969, Including a Young Samuel L. Jackson, Organized a Protest That Took Multiple Hostages, Among Them Martin Luther King Sr. iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment today announced the launch of "The A Building," a powerful new documentary podcast that revisits one of the most extraordinary and rarely told moments in American civil rights and higher-education history-an event that changed the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and helped define the modern era of student protest. This is the seventh title to be released from Imagine Entertainment and iHeartMedia's slate of original iHeartPodcasts. The series tells the story of the 1969 student uprising at Morehouse College, where a group of students barricaded themselves inside the administration building-known on Historically Black Colleges and Universities campuses as "The A Building." Set against the backdrop of late-1960s America, "The A Building" explores a volatile period when student activism surged nationwide amid movements for civil rights, women's rights, labor justice, and opposition to the Vietnam War. At Morehouse, the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. intensified tensions between the administration and a student body demanding an education that reflected Black history, identity and lived experience-and ultimately led students to hold members of the Board of Trustees hostage for two days demanding reforms to curriculum and improvements to student life. One of the hostages was Martin Luther King Sr., president of the Board of Trustees. One of the student organizers was Samuel L. Jackson-years before he would become one of the most celebrated figures in Hollywood. Samuel L. Jackson and his friends devised a plan to hijack a Board of Trustees meeting to create change. A heist with a purpose. Blending immersive reenactments with firsthand testimony, archival research and expert analysis, the series unfolds with the tension of a true-crime heist-one driven by moral urgency. "The A Building" examines the risks students took, the consequences they faced, and the lasting impact of their actions on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and student activism nationwide. Co-created and produced by Menelek Lumumba and Hans Charles, the podcast traces the aftermath of the protest, including the expulsion of the students involved, the escalation of political pressure, and the pivotal moment that ultimately led Samuel L. Jackson back to Morehouse-where a change in academic focus quietly set him on the path toward acting. "This project has been years in the making, but it feels more relevant than ever," said Menelek Lumumba, co-creator and producer. "I'm grateful we have the opportunity to tell this story about young people who took action, and how their one act of protest continues to reverberate through all those involved over 50 years later." "It's an incredible, unbelievable story when you first hear it," said Hans Charles, co-creator and producer. "That it happened on a campus like Morehouse College, in a city like Atlanta, at such a volatile time, speaks to the importance of telling and exploring what is quintessential American History." "What makes the story of 'The A Building' so compelling is how clearly it reveals the purpose and power of protest," said Nathan Kloke, Executive Producer for Imagine Entertainment. "When Hans and Menelek first brought us this pivotal chapter of American history, it unfolded like a heist film-fast-paced, surprising, and utterly gripping. We're excited to bring audiences along for the ride." "This is premium documentary storytelling that connects history to the present," said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts. "'The A Building' revisits a moment that feels both historic and urgently relevant, revealing how student voices helped shape lasting institutional change." "The A Building" is part of a growing slate of documentary podcasts from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, including"Hello Isaac," "Unf**cking the Future," "Big Sugar," "The Tao of Muhammad Ali," "Obscurum, and "The Secret World of Roald Dahl," which explore iconic figures, cultural flashpoints, and untold stories through deep reporting and cinematic storytelling. Nathan Kloke and Kara Welker are Executive Producers for Imagine Entertainment in partnership with oddarts media. Katrina Norvell is the Executive Producer for iHeartPodcasts. "The A Building" is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available weekly on Fridays on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Episodes available here: <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/imagine-audio-the-a-building/id1692268936" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/imagine-audio-the-a-building/id1692268936&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772327045629000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1oSTrnen9fO3Sf8bFvveSG">https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/imagine-audio-the-a-building/id1692268936</a>&nbsp; HOST BIOS Hans Charles is an Emmy award-nominated cinematographer and writer/producer, best known for Netflix's 13TH, and Showtime's &nbsp;WU-TANG CLAN: OF MICS AND MEN. Hans has shot award-winning films that have screened at Tribeca, Sundance, NYFF, and Outfest, among many others. His projects include Netflix's GRASS IS GREENER, CONTACT HIGH, a short film that gives a visual history of hip hop, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN, a collegiate drama feature Hans both lensed and produced, Lifetime's DEATH SAVED MY LIFE, and Showtime's hit docu series WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT COSBY, which premiered at Sundance 2022 and was nominated for four Emmy Awards. Hans was the cinematographer on The CW's hit series ALL AMERICAN: HOMECOMING and worked on a documentary film with Vespucci Group and Showtime called THE HONEY TRAP, directed by Chris Moukarbel which released in December 2024. He's currently shooting two documentary projects and is developing his next feature film with his creative partner, Menelek Lumumba. Hans is a partner at Align Pictures.
Menelek Lumumba is a writer and director who wrote and directed his debut feature film, 1 ANGRY BLACK MAN. The film premiered at the Blackstar Film Festival and screened at dozens of festivals across the country and abroad, winning Best Feature Film at two festivals. It was released by Freestyle Digital Media in June 2020. With his creative partner Hans, Menelek co-created THE A BUILDING, a podcast about the hostage situation at Morehouse College in 1969, produced with Imagine Entertainment and iHeart. Menelek is currently in development on his next feature film.

Unlock Radical Self-Awareness: Dain Dunston on Purpose-Driven Leadership & Identity

In 1 playlist(s)

I Am Refocused Radio Show

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips