Game 7. Millions watching. And Tyrese Halliburton's secret weapon wasn't his jumpshot.

Before the biggest game of his career, the Indiana Pacers star made one crucial decision: he refused to listen to "poison narratives" from sports media. While everyone else was talking, he was present.

And that presence powered his performance all the way to the NBA Finals - before tearing his achilles.

Here's what hit me: if an elite athlete needs to master communication to perform under pressure, what about the rest of us?

You're communicating 80% of your day—in meetings, with your team, even in your own head. Most people wing it. But communication isn't just talking. It's presentation and presence. Master both, and you don't just get heard—you get results.

Whether you're leading a team through change, navigating a difficult conversation, or building the coalition you need to hit your goals, this skill determines everything. Halliburton proved it on the biggest stage. Now it's your turn.

This is Equal Matters. I'm Rob Hunter, and the door is always open.

http://robhunter.me

Where a conversation can lead you...

Rep. Analise Ortiz canvasses one of the oldest neighborhoods in Phoenix, knocking on doors.

She gets out here often enough to have a callous on her knuckle.

Ortiz just finished her first term in the House and is now running for state Senate.

You'll meet residents and learn what issues matter to them. You'll learn about school vouchers, affordable housing, and the criminal justice system in between knocks.

We also learn what we have in common.

Which gives us something to build on.

Maryvale is seldom covered by media channels. A lower income community judged from a far.

What can we learn by taking a closer look?

Join Rob Hunter as he canvasses Maryvale with Rep. Analise Ortiz. Share this conversation with a friend.

Cheers.

What happens when your identity gets wrapped up in work?

For Erika Diaz it started with a dead squirrel at 14. The more accolades she received, the deeper her attachment to work.

So much so she attended a partial hospitalization program to break the cycle.

Erika takes the veil off mental health by being so personal about her journey.

Especially since she's been thrown another curveball - learning her identity is being challenged in another way.

Erika hosts Honestly, Mental the podcast. Listen here.

Connect with Erika on LinkedIn.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has been threatened and scrutinized. All because of his role.

If you want to learn more about HOW elections work, this episode is for you.

You'll hear about the intricacies and controversies surrounding elections in Maricopa County involving:

• Voter registration
• Mail-in voting
• In-person voting (run by Board of Supervisors)
• Fraud protections
• How votes are counted

Richer talks about fraudulent ballots and a federal law allowing those who 'swear' they are U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections.

Two men are in jail for threatening Stephen's life. So he talks about his personal experiences revealing both the challenges and sense of duty that come with his role.

On a lighter note, Stephen shares his love for hip-hop and his love of Phoenix.

To watch Recorder Richer's live stream inside the election center here.

Share this episode. If nothing else, they will have an inside look at how the election system works in Maricopa County. One of the closest political districts in America.

Rate & Review Equal Matters. Subscribe. Tell your friends.

Jeffrey Shaw is a business coach, mentor, author, and speaker.

And a fantastic human.

Jeffrey started selling eggs at the age of 14.

That's where his self employment life began. A journey that hasn't ended yet.

Along the way, he's built a very successful photography and coaching business.

He'll also explain his marketing system.

Jeffrey offers profound insights on empathy, authenticity, and breaking assumptions, encouraging listeners to expand their comfort zones and step into their true selves.

Jeffrey came out at the age of 44. This turns into a conversation about having more impactful conversations with those who may be different or think different than us.

Watch Jeffrey's Tedx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEb5NUu5SnM

Website:

Books: Lingo & The Self Employed Life

Here's your reminder. Rate & Review Equal Matters. This is a podcast designed to open our perspectives to learn more from others. Subscribe. Share with friends.

Meet Coach Mycal Anders.

He's the founder of Next Level Performance Consulting in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Coach Derz helps leaders who have given it all to their business and career reconnect with themselves.

Hear about the transformative power of self-discovery, overcoming obstacles, and finding joy in life's journey.

We go back in time to Mycal's years in the Marine Corp. How did that experience lay the foundation to commit to Progress Always.

You'll learn about how to embrace introversion, through our personal stories. We also discuss the importance of manage your internal dialogue, self-care, and personal growth.

Navigate life's challenges, prioritizing self-improvement, and celebrating the joyous moments along the way with us.

Join us on a candid and enlightening conversation that will inspire you to embrace your true self and live life to the fullest.

Equal Matters is designed to bring us together for these important, in-depth conversations. Rate & Review. Subscribe. And share with someone who will be positively impacted by Coach Derz's tips.

Find Next Level Performance Consulting here

Coach Derz on Instagram

Myc's Progress Always podcast here.

The US Government borrowed $3 TRILLION in the past 365 days.

This borrowing is taking place when interest rates are high. Which means $1.2 trillion is being spent on interest alone. Not educating kids. Not helping correct injustice. Nope.

Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ) joins the Equal Matters podcast to dig deeper into how this happens and why. The Arizona Republican will also explain why it is so difficult to slow the spending down. Because it's all about the money.

Lobbying money.

Political money.

Everyone but you.

The Congressman remains optimistic and presents solutions: use tech like A.I. and reform healthcare and immigration. Join in for more details about what is happening behind the scenes in Washington. D.C.

And how the spend and borrow your money.

Equal Matters is designed to give you deeper insights than most media outlets. Subscribe and share.

Additional resources:

Here's Congressman Schweikert's YouTube page.

https://www.youtube.com/repdavidschweikert

You'll find the floor speeches he gives.

Schweikert also mentioned Brian Reidl of the Manhattan Institute. The article he referred to that the rich aren't rich enough to pay for government:

https://manhattan.institute/article/the-rich-arent-rich-enough-to-balance-the-federal-budget

There are 5 benefits to getting out of your comfort zone.

• New experiences
• Broadens perspective
• Discovery
• Confidence Builder
• Compounds

Rob Hunter explores these benefits after exiting his comfort zone during the country music festival Stagecoach.

There he listened to music he never wanted to like, drove an RV he never wanted to drive, and cold plunged in water too cold to think about.

Growth happens in moments when you challenge yourself. Growth is what leads to the most fulfilling rewards.

Join Equal Matters. Rate & Review. Share with someone who might benefit from this conversation. Thank you.