Anderson Cooper CNN-Oil executive describes his experience being detained in Venezuela for years 

Unleashing Resilience and Leadership  

In this powerful episode, Tell Us A Story welcomes Jose Pereira, a renowned leadership and resilience coach, author, and former CEO of Citgo Petroleum. Jose’s extraordinary story of survival as a hostage (known as the Citgo6) in Venezuela for nearly five years has fueled his mission to help CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs overcome challenges and thrive.  

 The Terrifying Reality of Losing Freedom

 I am honored to have been a guest on "The Power of the Pen" with my dear friend LaWanna Bradford on e360TV. As part of my book tour promotion for "From Hero to Villain," we had a heartfelt conversation about what losing freedom looks like and the harrowing experience of being held hostage. One of the main goals of my book is to amplify and raise awareness about  the evil practice of "hostage diplomacy" employed by many pariah regimes. 

 The Power of Faith: Building Resilience in Adversity 

Discover how faith and resilience intertwine during adversity in this week’s *Building Resilience* newsletter. Jose Pereira shares the transformative power of spiritual strength, drawing from his personal experiences as a hostage. He offers practical tips for nurturing spiritual resilience and inspiring stories of those who found strength through faith. Whether you’re facing challenges or supporting others, this edition provides valuable insights to help you build a resilient spirit and rise above any adversity.

Hostage Diplomacy is an Ugly Game.

Jose Pereira, former CEO of Citgo, spent five harrowing years imprisoned by the Venezuelan government on false charges, becoming part of the infamous Citgo 6. On the podcast with Fran Racioppi, Jose shares his gripping story of survival, from enduring a year of solitary confinement and battling starvation and illness to navigating the mental toll of depression and sham trials. Despite the darkness, he found hope through secret letters exchanged with his wife, a lifeline that now forms the heart of his book, "From Hero To Villain: My True Story of the Citgo 6."
 

My speech at the Global Annual LIVE Conference is a topic that’s deeply personal to me: “Overcoming Mindset Lies to Achieve Your Goals.”  

During my talk, I’ll share my own journey of resilience—how I turned unimaginable adversity into strength. I’ll expose the mindset lies that hold so many of us back and offer practical tools to help you unleash your full potential and achieve the goals you’ve been dreaming of.  If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or held back by self-doubt, this session is for you. Together, we’ll explore how to rise above challenges and embrace a mindset that drives success. 

Jose Pereira, former CEO of Citgo, spent five harrowing years imprisoned by the Venezuelan government on false charges, becoming part of the infamous Citgo 6. On the podcast with Fran Racioppi, Jose shares his gripping story of survival, from enduring a year of solitary confinement and battling starvation and illness to navigating the mental toll of depression and sham trials. Despite the darkness, he found hope through secret letters exchanged with his wife, a lifeline that now forms the heart of his book, "From Hero To Villain: My True Story of the Citgo 6."
 

  The Building Resilience podcast is your weekly source of powerful insights into trending topics on leadership, personal growth, and resilience. Hosted by Jose Pereira, each episode is crafted to help you become a stronger, more effective leader and unlock your unbreakable leadership spirit. Paired with a weekly newsletter covering similar themes, Building Resilience delivers tools, stories, and actionable advice designed to empower leaders at every stage. Tune in to elevate your leadership journey and build the resilience to thrive in any challenge.