In this power-packed episode of Common Cents The Podcast, Garrett Reed sits down with Jon Sansone, the legendary cold-call warrior with over 34 years in sales, bestselling author of Sales Warrior, and a true testament to grit, resilience, and reinvention.

From being $24K in debt and unemployed, battling depression in a small apartment, to becoming financially independent, Jon’s comeback story is one that every aspiring professional and seasoned sales rep needs to hear. With a degree in Advertising & Psychology, Jon combines mental insight with real-world tactics to teach the art of rapport, voicemail mastery, and selling across generations.

A proud Eagle Scout, history and music buff, and member of APEX, Jon pulls back the curtain on what truly drives long-term sales success—and how it’s less about the product and more about connection, mindset, and emotional intelligence.

🔥 Five Highlights from the Episode:

1. 💪 Rock Bottom to Financial Freedom: Jon shares how he went from broke and depressed to financially independent by mastering cold calls and committing to personal development.

2. 📞 The Power of the Perfect Voicemail: Discover how to use emotion, tone, and curiosity to leave voicemails that convert.

3. 🤝 People Buy People: Why personal connection, not pitch decks, wins the deal—and how to build rapport instantly.

4. 📚 Lessons from 150+ Books: Jon reveals timeless principles from leaders like Zig Ziglar, Napoleon Hill, and Chris Voss that shaped his career.

5. 🎯 Selling to Every Generation: Insights on demographic selling from an elder Gen X’er who’s mastered adapting to every age group in the buying cycle.

   
   

   ⏱ Timestamped Summary:

   • 💪 00:00 Jon Sansone opens up about his journey from rock bottom—$24K in debt and clinically depressed—to mastering sales and becoming financially independent.

   • 🌟 27:11 Strategies for managing depression, building professional confidence, and finding emotional balance while maintaining drive.

   • 🤝 43:56 Sales is a relationship game: why building trust, emotional connection, and being easy to do business with matters more than any script.

   • 🤝 58:13 Creating value through personal interaction, active listening, and follow-ups—how real sales pros stay memorable.

   • 🤝 01:14:29 Sales, like dating, hinges on emotional intelligence—Jon compares the two with uncanny insight.

   • 🤝 01:28:51 First impressions matter—tips on nailing your opener, mastering body language, and drawing people in authentically.

   • 🎭 01:57:35 Character, consistency, and storytelling are the secret weapons of great salespeople—and people in general.

   • 🔥 02:22:24 Wrapping up with Jon’s passion for music, emotional triggers, and creating high-energy atmospheres for personal growth.

On this powerhouse episode of Common Cents The Podcast, Garrett Reed sits down with Jason Nemes, the electrifying entrepreneur, bestselling author of The Code of Behavior, TEDx speaker, and founder of Summit Roofing & Construction. From surviving a heart attack on Easter Sunday 2021 to becoming a high-performance leader with 6% body fat and a supercar in the garage, Jason’s story is proof that discipline, authenticity, and mindset can rewrite your life script—no matter where you start.

A staple in the health & wellness space and a respected leader in personal development, Jason drops unfiltered wisdom on building seven-figure businesses, sustaining peak fitness, navigating relationships, and reverse engineering success. Whether you're an entrepreneur, high-performer, or simply trying to take the next step in your personal journey, this conversation is loaded with the mindset hacks, habits, and heart you didn’t know you needed.

🔥 Five Highlights from the Episode:

1. 💔 From Death to Discipline: After flatlining from a heart attack, Jason shares how it became the ultimate wake-up call to transform his health, lifestyle, and leadership approach.

2. 📈 Reverse Engineering Success: Learn how Jason builds unstoppable momentum by working backward from big goals, holding his team accountable, and living by non-negotiable standards.

3. 👥 The Power of Proximity: He explains why your inner circle is either your parachute or your anchor—and how aligning with believers changed his life.

4. 🎯 Purpose Over Pressure: Why true growth begins when you focus on goal-achieving activities, not just stress-relieving ones.

5. 🧠 The Real Code of Behavior: Jason breaks down the principles behind his bestselling book and how authenticity, faith, and self-discipline are the foundation for personal and financial transformation.

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  ⏱ Timestamped Summary:

  
  

  💪 00:00 Jason kicks off with his origin story—growing up in Plano, building mental resilience, and how a relentless work ethic propelled him into entrepreneurship.

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  🚀 18:51 A masterclass on authentic leadership, learning from peers, and holding yourself to non-negotiables to scale business and life.

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  💔 31:21 Jason recalls his near-death experience from a heart attack and how it reshaped his perspective on faith, health, and purpose.

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  💪 47:44 The importance of consistency, clear communication, and using past failures as a blueprint for future wins.

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  🌱 01:06:03 Mentorship, morning routines, and surrounding yourself with those who call you to a higher standard.

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  🎨 01:31:07 From “Tatted Press” to business leader—Jason shares his thoughts on self-expression, real estate, and living unashamedly.

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  🏡 01:45:03 A well-rounded life is built on faith, fitness, family, and forward-thinking.

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  🌟 02:04:35 Closing wisdom on the human condition, emotional intelligence, and choosing logic over reaction for a life of impact.

  
  

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In this powerful episode of Common Cents The Podcast, Garrett Reed sits down with Super Bowl Champion and NFL veteran John Brandes, who now serves as VP of Customer Engagement for Maintenance Supply Solutions. From lining up as a tight end for the Washington Redskins to building winning teams in the multifamily industry, John shares the playbook for resilient leadership, meaningful mentorship, and personal growth.

With stories from Coach Joe Gibbs’ Bible studies at training camp to managing relationships in today’s construction world, Brandes reminds us that true success isn’t about titles—it’s about how you treat people. Whether you're in business, sports, or navigating life’s toughest transitions, this episode delivers real, raw, and relatable insights from a man who’s been at the top—and started over.

🔥 Five Highlights from the Episode:

1. 🏈 Transitioning with Purpose: From NFL stardom to entry-level sales, John Brandes proves the power of humility, work ethic, and starting from the bottom.

2. 👥 Leadership That Connects: Inspired by Coach Joe Gibbs, John shares why strong leadership starts with integrity, faith, and caring for your team—on and off the field.

3. 🤝 Relationships Over Revenue: In business and associations, it's not about the pitch—it's about people. Build trust, earn respect, and the rest will follow.

4. 💼 Culture Over Corporations: Competing with billion-dollar brands? John explains why customer service, culture, and consistency give smaller companies the edge.

5. 🌟 Life, Legacy & Love: After a near-death accident at 61, John’s commitment to gratitude, faith, and family shines through—reminding us to say “I love you” often and mean it.

   
   

   ⏱ Timestamped Summary:

• 🏈 00:00 John Brandes opens up about his journey from NFL tight end to sales leader, sharing lessons in perseverance and career reinvention.

• 🏈 19:30 Reflections on Coach Joe Gibbs’ leadership, evolving player safety in the NFL, and how character shaped John’s off-field life.

• 🏈 42:00 John breaks down how the grit and discipline of football prepared him for construction project management and business success.

• 🏗️ 53:44 From NFL retiree to multifamily sales pro—John discusses mentorship, family sacrifice, and rebuilding after big career transitions.

• 🤝 01:19:23 Leadership insights, accountability, and the value of promoting second-chance hires in creating a loyal, mission-driven workforce.

• 🏗️ 01:34:50 Navigating leadership shifts post-acquisition, the importance of humility, and how stress affects culture in a family-run business.

• 🌟 01:50:44 Conversations on company values, mental health for first responders, and raising kids with compassion, gratitude, and resilience.

• 🌟 02:10:58 Final takeaways: love deeply, lead boldly, and don’t wait to resolve conflict—because tomorrow isn’t promised.
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