James Barbour

What if awesome wasn’t just a feeling… but a way of life? In this episode of the Star Power Podcast , James Barbour® welcomes retired U.S. Marine, entrepreneur, and founder of The Power of Awesome , Matt Denny . Matt’s mission is simple—but bold: to help people unleash the best version of themselves, no matter the obstacles. Through his own journey of service, leadership, and reinvention, Matt has discovered that awesome isn’t about hype or ego—it’s about mindset, action, and the daily choice to rise above. Together, we dive into: What “The Power of Awesome” really means Lessons from the Marine Corps that apply to life and business How to lead yourself first—before leading others Why adversity can be the birthplace of strength (if you let it) Whether you’re a business owner, artist, leader, or just someone looking to level up your life, this conversation is packed with insights that will fire you up and keep you grounded. 🔥 Get ready to lean in, stand tall, and st...

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I just need to figure out my plan first.” Or, “Once I get clear on what I want, then I’ll move forward.” But clarity doesn’t show up before the action. It shows up because of the action. It’s one of the biggest traps we fall into — this belief that we have to wait for the right time, the right strategy, the perfect conditions before we begin. But momentum works the other way around. Every step you take gives you more information. More feedback. More direction. But sitting still? Overthinking? Waiting for the map to magically appear? That gets you nothing but more doubt. Perfectionism is just fear wearing better clothes. And the longer you sit in planning mode, the harder it gets to take the first step. You convince yourself you’re being responsible. But really… you’re just rehearsing procrastination. It’s not about having the whole plan. It’s about being willing to move without it. So here’s my question for ...

For years, I was the talent. I showed up, did my job, hit the notes, took the bow. Someone else handled the strategy. Someone else owned the platform. Someone else collected the backend. And then one day, I realized: I had built a career… but not a business. There’s a difference. When you’re just the talent, your value is capped. Your reach is limited. Your livelihood depends on someone else saying yes to you. But when you become the business — when you start treating your voice, your story, your ideas, your presence as the engine — everything changes. Suddenly, you’re not auditioning to be chosen. You’re building something that people come to you for. And it doesn’t matter if you’re an actor, a coach, a creator, or an entrepreneur. The truth is the same: You are the brand. You are the IP. You are the media. You are the strategy. If you’re tired of waiting for permission… it’s probably time to stop showing up as the hired help — and start showing up as the one in c...

Why Reinvention Isn’t a Reset — It’s a Revelation Somewhere along the way, we started treating reinvention like a reset button. As if becoming who we truly are means scrapping everything that came before — burning it down and starting from scratch. But that’s not how it works. Reinvention isn’t destruction. It’s revelation. It’s when the mask slips — and underneath the roles we’ve played, the expectations we’ve carried, and the applause we’ve chased — we finally meet ourselves. I’ve lived this truth. On stage. Off stage. Through the spotlight and through silence. I’ve gone from chasing the script to writing my own. And what I’ve found — what I now teach — is this: You don’t need to erase your past to evolve. You just need to tell the truth about it. That’s the heart of reinvention. Not pretending to be someone new… but being brave enough to become who you’ve always been. 🎙 Want to go deeper? Listen to the latest episode of the Star Power® Podcast where I exp...

“There’s power in owning your art — and building something that lasts.” Let’s get something clear —monetizing your art doesn’t mean compromising your integrity. It means giving your gifts a way to live in the world beyond applause and curtain calls. As someone who spent years performing on the world’s greatest stages, I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is to tie your worth to the next gig. The next callback. The next paycheck. But here’s what I’ve learned: Your art isn’t just what you perform. It’s what you teach, inspire, and embody. That has real value. Too many brilliant creatives believe the lie that building a business makes them “less of an artist.” That if they start marketing themselves, they’ve sold out. But I believe the opposite is true. Building a Brand is a Creative Act When I launched Star Power® , it wasn’t about business cards or sales funnels. It was about creating a movement that let people see themselves beyond the role they were cast in. Your brand is...

You Don’t Need More Time—You Need More Focus You don’t need more time. What you need is to stop wasting the time you already have. Let’s be honest— You’ve got hours buried under distractions. Scrolling. Doubting. Starting, stopping, and telling yourself you’re “figuring it out.” But the truth? You know exactly what you need to do. You’re just not doing it. And that’s not a judgment. It’s a wake-up call. I’ve seen firsthand that the most successful people aren’t the ones with more time—they’re the ones who manage their mindset and eliminate excuses. No one’s handing you a perfect schedule. No one’s showing up to hold your hand. Your goals don’t care how busy you say you are. They only respond to what you do . So stop saying, “I don’t have time.” Start asking, “What am I choosing instead?” You’ve got 24 hours— Just like every legend before you. Use them.