In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with Mitch McDermott, founder of Talent Ascension, to unpack what is really happening in today’s job market and why so many candidates and companies feel stuck.

Mitch shares his unconventional journey from the car business to building a successful executive search firm, including a bold move to Australia that reshaped his career and worldview. Along the way, we dig into how recruiting has evolved, how AI is changing hiring, and why automation has stripped too much humanity out of the process.

We talk about:

• Why hiring has started to feel like dating apps
• How generational shifts are changing expectations at work
• The dangers of over-automating recruiting with AI
• Why companies should hire for potential, not just resumes
• How job seekers can stand out in a crowded, impersonal market
• What it really means to connect with candidates on a human level

This conversation is especially relevant if you are a job seeker, founder, executive, recruiter, or leader trying to hire better people in a rapidly changing market.

Key Takeaways

• Recruiting is about alignment, not just filling roles
• Different industries require different hiring strategies
• Hiring for potential matters more than checking boxes
• Generational shifts accelerated after COVID
• AI is powerful, but it can create unintended barriers
• Mindset, resilience, and accountability drive long-term success
• Relationships still beat algorithms in hiring

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mitch McDermott

02:17 From the Car Business to Australia

05:33 Breaking Into Executive Search

11:06 Recruitment Styles by Industry

13:48 Consulting Companies on Hiring Strategy

17:27 The Reverse Interview Process

20:34 Generational Shifts in the Job Market

22:29 In-Demand Skills Today

23:27 Changes in Sales Organizations

24:19 AI’s Role in Recruiting

27:51 Personal Growth and Inspiration

30:08 Mindset and Resiliency in Business

33:11 Accountability and Leadership

35:03 Books That Shape High Performers

38:41 Why the Job Search System Is Broken

41:16 Bringing Humanity Back to Hiring

Sound Bites

• “The job search system is broken.”
• “We lost the humanity in hiring.”
• “Hiring feels like dating apps now.”

Connect with Mitch McDermott

🌐 Website https://www.talentascension.com/

🔗 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitch-mcdermott-ba409387/

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🎵 Music by C€$ https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww

In this special 100th episode milestone, Dustin sits down with his 12-year-old son, Charlie Sutton, for a fun and insightful conversation about growing up, youth sports, public speaking, and the world kids navigate today.

Charlie reflects on how his early public speaking experiences in elementary school built his confidence and why he enjoys presenting ideas more than doing skits or dances. He talks about the friendships he’s made through youth sports, the teamwork lessons that shaped him, and how YouTube and streaming culture influence kids his age.

The conversation also opens up about real life challenges. Middle school nerves. Taking risks. Trying new things. And Charlie’s humorous but honest take on chores, responsibility, and what parents should probably not trust kids with.

It’s a lighthearted, thoughtful look at personal growth from a young perspective and a meaningful father son moment to celebrate 100 episodes.

Takeaways

• Public speaking started for Charlie in third grade and sparked a love for sharing ideas.
• Youth sports helped him grow through teamwork, friendships, and competing with confidence.
• He prefers giving presentations over performing skits or dances.
• Middle school brings new experiences he’s excited to explore.
• Meeting new people through sports has been one of his favorite parts of growing up.
• Taking risks matters because life is short and every chance teaches you something.
• Personal connections matter more than winning.
• He offers some playful advice for parents about chores: “Don't trust us.”

Sound Bites

• "Don't trust us."
• "I probably gonna forget."

Chapters

00:00 Celebrating Milestones: The 100th Episode

05:39 Exploring Sports and Team Experiences

11:26 The Impact of YouTube and Streaming Culture

16:49 Anticipating Future Experiences

22:33 Reflections on Responsibility and Parenting

33:44 The Journey of Public Speaking and Confidence

39:07 Exploring Sports and Team Experiences

45:10 Life Lessons from Youth Sports

47:53 The Influence of YouTube and Streaming Culture

54:33 Looking Ahead: Aspirations and New Experiences

Follow Tools, Talents & Techniques

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If you enjoyed this episode, drop a comment, share it with someone who would appreciate it, and hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.

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Music Provided By C€$ (Charlie Sutton!)

🎵 https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww

In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Neil Soskin, a veteran in commercial real estate with nearly 40 years of experience as an advisor, coach, and leader. Neil shares his journey from CPA to trusted CRE advisor, opening up about the mentors, lessons, and mindset shifts that shaped his career. His approach blends the technical world of real estate with mindfulness, personal growth, and a deep commitment to meaningful relationships.

Neil reflects on the role spirituality and daily mindfulness have played in his life, how coaching became an extension of servant leadership, and why generational transitions in family businesses require patience, clarity, and intentional communication. He also talks openly about failure, identity, and why defining your personal vision is one of the most important investments you can make.

Walk away with insight into leadership, personal growth, emotional intelligence, and the importance of slowing down to become more effective in both business and life.

Takeaways

🏢 Nearly 40 years of commercial real estate experience

✨ Transitioned from CPA to CRE after guidance from a mentor

🤝 Relationships are the core of any successful real estate career

🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness and meditation help anchor daily decision making

Coaching is most impactful when grounded in servant leadership Generational transitions carry emotional and structural complexity

🗣️ Communication is key when navigating family business dynamics

Failure teaches powerful lessons when approached with awareness

🎯 Intentional vision setting supports personal and professional fulfillment

The journey of growth is as important as any outcome

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neil Soskin

02:05 Early Life and Career Beginnings

05:09 Transition from CPA to Commercial Real Estate

10:47 Tools, Talents, and Techniques in Leadership

12:03 Spiritual Awakening and Mindfulness

23:04 Coaching and Advising in Real Estate

25:31 Generational Transition in Family Businesses

27:33 Navigating Family Business Dynamics

32:39 The Importance of Relationships in Business

35:26 Lessons from Personal Experiences

38:07 Growth Through Discomfort

42:14 Redefining Failure and Identity

49:33 Vision and Intentionality in Life

Connect with Neil

🌐 Website: www.neilsoskin.com

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-soskin-29a0b835/

FOLLOW TOOLS, TALENTS & TECHNIQUES

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In this episode, Dustin Sutton sits down with Kameshia L. Freeman, Senior Vice President at JLL and a nationally recognized leader in commercial real estate, government advisory, and organizational development. With more than two decades of federal service and an award-winning career in the private sector, Kameshia shares a powerful perspective on what it truly means to connect, lead, and create meaningful relationships across industries.

Kameshia breaks down the mindset shift required when transitioning from government to the private sector, emphasizing the importance of visibility, authenticity, and giving more than you expect to receive. She discusses her journey from the General Services Administration to JLL, the lessons that shaped her leadership style, and how building genuine connections continues to open doors—for herself and for others.

Listeners will gain insight into relationship-building, career development, and the strategic value of meaningful connections in both public and private sectors.

Takeaways

• Connecting is more powerful than traditional networking
• Networking often focuses on getting; connecting focuses on giving
• Relationships are incredibly important for long-term success
• Government roles rarely teach people how to network
• After leaving government, visibility becomes essential
• Strong relationships fuel career growth in the private sector
• Serving others is the foundation of true connection
• Visibility can elevate professional opportunities
• Leadership requires creating space and opportunities for others
• Your approach to networking evolves as your career evolves

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Kameshia Freeman
2. 03:43 Growing Up and Early Influences
3. 06:58 Education and Career Beginnings
4. 09:50 Navigating the Federal Government
5. 12:54 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate
6. 15:52 Leadership and Career Growth
7. 18:36 Challenges and Innovations in Government
8. 21:53 Building Relationships and Networking
9. 24:45 The Move to JLL and Insights from Government
10. 27:36 Creating Opportunities for Others
11. 30:49 Self-Care and Personal Growth
12. 33:42 Parting Wisdom and Final Thoughts
13. 43:29 SUBSCRIBE OUTRO

Connect with Kameshia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/klfreeman/

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#the3tpod #Leadership #SuccessStories #AAREP #BCREN

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In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, I sit down with PGA Tour veteran, storyteller, and golf insider Jay Delsing for one of the most inspiring and entertaining conversations we’ve had on the show.

Jay opens up about growing up as a blue-collar kid in St. Louis, discovering golf as a teenager, chasing the dream of professional sports, and building a career that led him to the PGA Tour, national radio, and unforgettable moments with legends like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer, Sean Connery, Steven Spielberg, and Justin Timberlake.

This conversation goes way beyond golf. Jay breaks down what it takes to aim high, bounce back from failure, handle pressure, compete with intention, and stay grounded no matter how big the stage gets. We cover discipline, parenting, leadership, mindset, and how golf mirrors life in ways most people never notice.

If you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, golfer, parent, or someone pushing for the next level, this episode delivers real perspective and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

WATCH THIS EPISODE IF YOU WANT TO LEARN:

How Jay went from caddying as a kid to competing in 700+ PGA Tour events

What Tiger Woods changed in professional golf

How elite players manage pressure and the mental game

Turning setbacks into fuel

Why multi-sport childhoods build stronger athletes

What celebrities are really like on the course

Life lessons that still guide Jay today

Why golf is the greatest connector in sports and business

CHAPTERS 00:00 Losing vs winning, Tiger Woods & the sting of defeat 00:59 Welcome + Jay Delsing intro 01:55 Jay’s origin story 12:27 Youth sports & burnout 19:15 Handling pressure + mindset 23:44 Writing the memoir 31:10 Sean Connery, Spielberg & Lucas 38:07 Celebrities + staying grounded 42:32 Golf as a uniter 45:40 How golf mirrors life 51:16 Best rounds ever 56:34 Pressure, nerves, and performance 59:01 Aim for the top 01:04:24 Outro

ABOUT JAY DELSING PGA Tour veteran. Nationally syndicated host of Golf with Jay. Author of You Wouldn’t Believe Me If I Told You. One of the best storytellers in the game.

FOLLOW JAY DELSING

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Website: https://jaydelsinggolf.com/

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MUSIC by C€$: https://open.spotify.com/artist/21zXwxV9nWaiE6iAleU6ww?si=yNBmIPqIT7-56hAmfvqShA

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Monica Marquez shares her incredible journey from a first-generation college graduate in Texas to senior executive roles at Google, EY, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs -and now as a serial entrepreneur empowering organizations to thrive in the AI-driven future of work.

Monica explains how FlipWork helps employees at every level adopt and integrate AI successfully, transforming how they see, think, and work. She also discusses her popular newsletter, ¡Ay Ay Ay, AI!, which delivers five-minute, actionable insights for leaders navigating the future of work.

A recognized voice in leadership, diversity, inclusion, and digital transformation, Monica has been named among Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Women of Influence, featured in Hispanic Executive and Latina Style, and honored on ALPFA’s Most Powerful Latinas list. Her experience leading groundbreaking programs such as Goldman Sachs’ Returnship and New Directions initiatives - and co-founding Google’s Product Inclusion Council - offers valuable lessons for executives preparing their teams for the AI era.

In this inspiring and practical conversation, Monica and host Dustin Sutton explore:

• How adaptability is becoming the most important career skill in an AI-first world
• The power of mentorship and how it shapes career success
• Why inclusion and equity must remain central to innovation
• How AI can augment human creativity instead of replacing it
• What leaders can do today to future-proof their organizations

🧭 Key Takeaways

• Adaptability is the new superpower in the age of AI.
• Mentorship accelerates growth and opens opportunity.
• Diversity and inclusion drive innovation and performance.
• Programs like Returnship can redefine workforce reintegration.
• AI should enhance human potential—not replace it.
• Leadership means guiding people through transformation with empathy and clarity.

🎧 Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Monica Marquez 01:31 – From Medicine to Leadership and AI 07:32 – Career Decisions and Mentorship Lessons 13:06 – Building Inclusive Cultures at Goldman Sachs 15:48 – Creating Industry-Changing Programs 22:01 – Empowering Underrepresented Voices 29:14 – The Role of AI in Reinventing Work 34:44 – FlipWork and the Future of Workforce Transformation 40:23 – Embracing Change and Lifelong Learning

💬 Quotes

“Being able to adapt is going to be a superpower.” “How do we get more of this amazing talent?” “I realized there were other opportunities out there.”

🔗 Connect with Monica Marquez

• Website: themonicamarquez.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez
• Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ay-ay-ay-ai/
• Organization: https://latinasintech.org/

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: www.toolstalentstechniques.com

© Sutton Enterprises LLC | All Rights Reserved

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, host Dustin Sutton sits down with Ken Ashley, Executive Director at Cushman & Wakefield, founder of the CREi Summit, and one of the most respected voices in commercial real estate. With over 30 years in the industry, Ken has built his reputation on combining strategic business acumen with a deep commitment to leadership, gratitude, and community service.

Ken shares his journey from navigating his first challenging year in real estate to becoming one of the top 100 producers at Cushman & Wakefield and a 25-year Phoenix Member of the Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS® Million Dollar Club. He reflects on lessons learned, the importance of personal accountability, and how a mindset rooted in gratitude and service can lead to sustainable success.

As an advocate and adviser to companies, Ken helps business leaders translate corporate strategy into real estate solutions that cut costs, boost profits, and enable performance. His strategic yet common-sense approach helps transform real estate from a cost center into a competitive advantage. Ken’s story also explores the founding of CREi, a forward-thinking community of real estate professionals embracing digital tools, collaboration, and innovation.

💡 Key Themes & Takeaways:

• How mindset and gratitude create confidence and long-term resilience
• Why civic responsibility and giving back are core to leadership
• How digital tools and data are reshaping commercial real estate
• The importance of mentorship, accountability, and continuous learning
• Real estate as a performance enabler—not just a transaction
• Why “your success blesses others”

🏢 About Ken: Ken is an industry leader known for his ability to connect business performance to real estate strategy. In addition to his role as a top producer at Cushman & Wakefield, Ken has earned multiple designations, including SIOR, CCIM, and MCR (Master of Corporate Real Estate). He has served as Georgia Chapter President for SIOR, chaired the C&W Tenant Advisory Group, and was the 2018 Chair of Leadership Atlanta.

Beyond real estate, Ken’s community impact runs deep. He serves on the boards of the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts, Atlanta Police Crime Stoppers, Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps, and chairs both the Fulton County Sheriff's Foundation and the Invest Atlanta Foundation.

💬 Sound Bites:

• “This is a confidence game.”
• “You have to drive yourself.”
• “Your success blesses others.”

⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 – Ken Ashley’s Journey in Commercial Real Estate 06:28 – Navigating Market Cycles and Building Confidence 11:52 – Community Service and Civic Responsibility 13:55 – Writing the Real Estate Prescription: Ken’s Book 17:32 – CREi: From Influencers to Innovators 23:21 – Leveraging AI and Digital Tools in Real Estate 28:07 – Closing Thoughts and Mindset Reflections

🌐 Connect with Ken Ashley:

LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/kenashleyatlanta

CREi Summit → creisummit.com

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: 🌎 Website → www.toolstalentstechniques.com

© Sutton Enterprises LLC | All Rights Reserved

In this episode of Tools, Talents & Techniques, Dustin Sutton talks with Amber Hollingsworth — addiction recovery specialist, counselor, and creator of Put The Shovel Down — about how empathy, family dynamics, and AI are transforming the path to addiction recovery.

Amber shares her journey from therapist to online educator, the challenges of working with high-functioning alcoholics, and how to help loved ones without enabling. She also explores the future of AI in counseling, emotional intelligence in recovery, and what true success looks like in addiction treatment.

Whether you’re navigating your own recovery or helping someone you love, this episode offers tools, perspective, and encouragement to take the next step forward.

💡 Key Takeaways

• Amber’s journey into addiction therapy was unplanned but fulfilling

• Understanding individual experiences is crucial in recovery

• Family dynamics deeply impact healing and relapse cycles

• Empathy is essential — but enabling behavior isn’t

• Building credibility with loved ones helps guide real change

• AI can enhance counseling through personalized support

• High-functioning alcoholics often struggle in silence

• Recovery happens in small wins, not overnight transformations

• Addiction is a generational issue that affects families profoundly

🔊 Sound Bites

“I didn’t have a good plan.”

“Addiction just follows like a script.”

“I don’t believe in hitting bottom.”

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 – Introduction to Amber Hollingsworth

02:54 – Amber’s Journey into Addiction Therapy

06:40 – Building Successful Addiction Programs

09:40 – Understanding Addiction: Common Threads

11:07 – The Timeline of Recovery

13:25 – Family Dynamics in Addiction Recovery

15:11 – Empathy vs. Enabling: Finding Balance

17:23 – Building Credibility with Loved Ones

19:43 – The Role of AI in Addiction Counseling

21:17 – The Scope of Addiction in Society

23:28 – Resources and Approaches in Recovery

24:21 – Success Stories in Recovery

27:15 – The Emotional Toll of Addiction Counseling

28:55 – Collaborative Approaches in Counseling

30:42 – Influences and Inspirations in Amber’s Work

33:55 – AI Innovations in Counseling

40:06 – Fulfillment in Helping Others

🔗 Connect with Amber Hollingsworth

• Website ➜ https://www.familyrecoveryacademy.online

• YouTube ➜ https://www.youtube.com/@PutTheShovelDown

• Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/lifeswitchofficial/

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

🌐 Website ➜ https://www.toolstalentstechniques.com

📺 YouTube ➜ https://youtube.com/@DustinCSutton

🍏 Apple Podcasts ➜ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tools-talents-and-techniques-with-dustin-sutton/id1692838507

🎧 Spotify ➜ https://open.spotify.com/show/7pQZ551Ct4jVRQ2BqB7Zr2