Some stories shake you. Others stay with you long after the conversation ends. This episode of The Wichmann & Co Podcast is both.

My guest, José Angel Pereira Ruimwyk, once led Citgo Petroleum as CEO. Then, in a political power move, he was taken hostage and imprisoned in Venezuela. What followed was a long season of isolation, letter exchanges that became lifelines, and a redefinition of leadership, success, and faith.

José opens up about the complex political negotiations that finally led to his release, the unexpected strength he found in small moments, and how his mission shifted toward advocacy for others still trapped in similar situations. Today, he coaches entrepreneurs, helping them align their work with their true purpose and push forward when life gets unbearably hard.

Before you hit play, I want to give you a quick heads-up. There’s an echo in this recording. José could hear it as we spoke, but I couldn’t, and despite using echo cancellation, it came through. I hope you’ll stick with it anyway, because José’s story is absolutely worth it.

🎧 Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

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