Million Dollar Relationships

What if the only thing standing between where you started and where you could go was one person willing to tell you the truth? In this episode, Chelle Neff, founder of Urban Betty in Austin, Texas, shares how a girl from a small West Texas town with no savings and no safety net built a salon company with three locations, nearly 100 employees, and revenue trending past $7 million. Chelle got her cosmetology license at 18 and moved to Austin the day after high school graduation. She opened Urban Betty at 27 with a $10,000 loan from her grandfather at 8% interest. But the relationship that changed everything was a woman who sat in her chair for a haircut in 2008, and who she still sees to this day. [00:05:00] What She Does and Who She Serves Founder of a salon company in Austin with three locations Nearly 100 people on the team, all employees rather than contractors Recently stepped back as CEO and promoted her general manager into the role She serves her employees first, most of whom chose a path outside college [00:06:18] How She Got Here Knew at age 10 she wanted to be a hairstylist Grew up in Throckmorton, a West Texas town of about 800 people Her parents had her as teenagers and college was never discussed Saw a newspaper notice for a high school cosmetology program and transferred schools [00:07:48] Getting Her License at 18 The program was government funded through the public school She paid only $200 for supplies when cosmetology school cost $10,000 to $15,000 Had no financial support system and no safety net Moved to Austin the day after graduating high school [00:08:26] Learning the Business from the Ground Up Started at Supercuts doing men's and children's haircuts all day Credits them with teaching her speed and how a well-run franchise operates Moved to Regis at the mall and then worked up to higher end salons Spent about ten years studying how each business was run [00:09:23] Opening Urban Betty at 27 Named the salon after her grandmother; her real first name is Betty Had no savings but good credit, so she took equipment and build-out loans A nonprofit that lends to women and minorities gave her a rate at 8% Her grandfather loaned the final $10,000 at that same rate [00:10:39] Twenty-Two Years Later Retired from doing hair in 2017 The business started with $70,000 and now trends over $7 million Never imagined going from cosmetology student to a multimillion dollar salon company Thought she would be rolling perms as an 80-year-old lady [00:12:05] What Inspires Her Now Has been working through the shift in identity from operator to founder Public speaking and mentoring salon owners is the next uncomfortable step Everything that scared her before led her somewhere greater Helping others grow gives a different kind of fulfillment than doing hair [00:14:02] The Vision Going Forward Working toward an exit strategy as she approaches 50 Her new CEO already owns 7% of the company Options include selling more shares to employees or finding the right buyer Wants to be present for her five-year-old son while the business runs without her [00:18:16] The Newsletter That Revealed Hidden Impact Added a call to action asking if anyone at Urban Betty had changed a client's life A woman wrote back with photos documenting her cancer journey and hair loss Her stylist had coached her through losing her hair and growing it back The stylist had no idea the impact she had made [00:20:07] What Clients Actually Want to See The highest engagement came from photos of a team trip to a Texas farm Clients care less about hair tutorials than about the people behind the business They want to know how the team is treated and what the company supports Almost no other salons are connecting with customers this way [00:21:54] Why Referrals Still Beat Everything The majority of guests still come through referrals from other people Reddit has become a major source because people trust unpaid, real voices That system cannot be gamed the way paid channels can [00:24:15] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Rebecca Rebecca sat in Chelle's chair for a haircut and said she heals people Chelle took her info thinking she would go once for help with dizzy spells At the first session she admitted out loud that she was unhappy in her marriage That was 2008 and she still sees Rebecca to this day, 18 years later [00:25:37] What That Relationship Made Possible Rebecca taught her to step into her own self-worth She held Chelle accountable and helped her leave her first marriage She officiated Chelle's wedding to her current husband Chelle says she would not be who she is today without her [00:26:00] The Referral Behind the Referral Rebecca was herself a referral from another client Chelle later told that client her whole life traced back to one recommendation Her husband, her son, and the success of her business all came from it Seeing Rebecca also taught her to ask for help elsewhere, leading to her first business coach in 2014 [00:29:22] Meeting Her Husband and Becoming a Mother Believes she would never have met her current husband without Rebecca They went through ten rounds of IVF before turning to adoption Their son was a hospital surrender they brought home at six days old His birth mother was a teenager, just as Chelle's own mother had been [00:30:14] Why She Talks About Therapy Openly She parents her son the way she wishes she had been parented Without Rebecca she believes she would have stayed in that first marriage far longer Her dizzy spells were her body telling her she needed to leave She refuses to gatekeep therapy and speaks about it every chance she gets [00:32:48] Final Word: Representing the Industry Grateful to speak on a platform like this for her industry Salon professionals tend to stay behind the scenes and rarely speak out Wants to prove that hairstylists can build real, sustainable wealth   KEY QUOTES "From cosmetology student to multimillion dollar salon business was never anything that I imagined. I thought I would be rolling perms as an 80-year-old lady." - Chelle Neff "Everything that's hit me that I've not wanted to do and really freaked out about, such as opening my own business or doing the first haircut, has led me to something greater." - Chelle Neff CONNECT WITH CHELLE NEFF Salon: https://www.urbanbetty.com Coaching: https://www.chelleneff.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanbetty LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/urbanbetty Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanbetty   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the simplest way to open every door in front of you is to refuse to close any of them? In this episode, John Loyack, President of Rider University, shares how 40 years across corporate finance, energy, rail, and higher education led him to a model that turns struggling universities into engines of economic redevelopment for the cities they serve. He has now done it three times, in Wilkes-Barre, Reading, and Pottsville, and is starting again in Trenton. But John traces the whole approach back to two men: a colleague at a lighting company who taught him a leadership style, and a construction executive who handed him an entire political network he had no obligation to share. [00:04:48] What He Does and Who He Serves President of Rider University, a role he started in July His third time leading a higher education institution Came into higher ed as a first-generation student whose own college was struggling Knew nothing about higher education but a lot about restructuring businesses [00:06:44] The Model: Unleashing What a University Already Has Universities rarely start these projects with money, but they have bright, talented people Connects those resources to the community to accelerate local development Students get experiential learning while providing real free resources He has now done this in four cities, most recently Trenton [00:08:21] Why It Works Like Karma When you are in it for something bigger than you, partnerships become genuine He arrives with an asset to offer rather than an ask Resources then appear that he never would have had otherwise Partnerships fall out of it without him even trying [00:10:26] Do It Before You Have to Do It for Real Wants students doing the work many times before it counts Runs student-centered business incubators with graduate mentors and local entrepreneurs Rider is built to support first-generation students, which benefits everyone That experience almost always leads to a job [00:11:52] The Student as Customer Says students are customers and the value equation has to work An undergraduate degree means roughly another million dollars over a lifetime A graduate degree takes that to about a million and a half Higher education has to be the facilitator of that outcome [00:16:03] How He Got Here First-generation student who found his own way to King's College Started at Pricewaterhouse and became a CPA Realized he wanted finance and problem solving inside a real business Moved to Lutron Electronics and then eight years at Union Pacific [00:18:54] From CFO to College Turnaround Became chief accounting officer then CFO at PNM Resources The work connected him to Wall Street and bond deals Became CEO of the unregulated business after the company split Stepped in to save King's College and never left higher education [00:20:36] What the King's Turnaround Produced Arrived when an S&P rating would have been good luck Left after completing an $80 million bond deal at BBB plus Built new programs, new athletics, and downtown Wilkes-Barre redevelopment There were no road maps for running a university like a business at the time [00:22:00] Reading and the Poorest City in the Country Got a call telling him Reading needed what he had done in Wilkes-Barre Reading was Pennsylvania's fourth largest city and the poorest in the country Grew Alvernia from a master's institution to a professional doctoral one Converted half a million square feet of downtown into College Town [00:23:53] When Others Start Following You Developers who worked in Reading came to Pottsville only because Alvernia went there They followed the university into a market it had proven out He calls it the highest form of compliment when partners follow you [00:27:41] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Mike Patino Worked with Mike at Lutron after leaving public accounting John was a public accountant suddenly standing on a production floor Mike did not have to engage at the level he did, but he did anyway Even when John failed, Mike made him feel good while teaching the lesson [00:29:15] The Leadership Style That Built Thousands of Partnerships Mike gave him the architecture for connected personal relationships in business Accountability and genuine care for each other can coexist John credits Mike for the skill set behind thousands of partnerships Mike has no idea, because they never had that conversation [00:31:02] Why It Matters More in Higher Education Business partnerships can be transactional and one-time A university is in its community forever with infrastructure it cannot move He is not leaving no matter how bad it gets That permanence makes relationship building the special sauce [00:32:54] The Multiplier Effect Good relationships mean you think of that partner for things beyond the original scope That leads to more opportunities and more ways to get things done With a difficult client you only think about how to get out The best partnerships produce things you could not have drawn on a whiteboard [00:34:01] The Second Relationship: Barry Schlauch Arrived in Reading knowing no one, unlike Wilkes-Barre where he grew up Walked downtown at sunset asking himself what he needed that he did not have The answer was access to the political machinery Barry, a construction executive, happened to attend his first president's dinner [00:36:29] Hijacking the Meeting Barry told a trustee to get John into a meeting on downtown redevelopment Reading had 25 years of fits and starts with nothing to show John brought his brochure and took over the entire meeting They talked about nothing but College Town and the building they planned to buy [00:37:00] The Network He Had No Obligation to Share Barry made his full political network available to John John joined every political event and they told the story together Every level of government showed up when the building opened Barry did not have to help; he saw the community impact and engaged [00:39:22] Why He Signs Up in Five to Six Year Chunks These turnarounds are five or six year processes Real value comes from bringing what you know to a business that does not know it Every institution is a new Rubik's cube and a new community to impact He says it feels like his first job all over again [00:41:05] The Vision for Rider Phase one is reshaping the institution to live within its cash flow Phase two is reprioritizing resources to build the engine for growth Phase three is community engagement and economic redevelopment in Trenton All three run at the same time and shift in weight as the years go on [00:46:03] Final Word: Start with Yes A rule he began at Alvernia, a Franciscan institution About 75% of the time starting with yes gets both parties where they want to go Another 20% ends somewhere unexpected but still creates a partnership Saying no means you never get anywhere at all   KEY QUOTES "To me, leadership at its best is when you're looking out for your community as a business leader and you're willing to put your capital at risk to make it happen, that's the best level of entrepreneurship." - John Loyack "We start every conversation with yes. Because if you say no, you don't ever get anywhere." - John Loyack CONNECT WITH JOHN LOYACK Website: https://www.rider.edu LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-r-loyack-77999012 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.r.loyack.2025   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the relationship that changed your life also uncovered the business opportunity you were meant to pursue? In this episode, Moshe Edri, Founder of Spa Sphere, shares how an unexpected relationship led him to discover a massive gap in the aesthetics industry and inspired him to build an AI-powered platform designed specifically for aestheticians. After spending more than 20 years building technology for some of the world's largest companies, Moshe never imagined he'd become an entrepreneur serving the skincare industry. But through one meaningful relationship, he saw firsthand the daily challenges independent aestheticians faced and realized no one was building software around the way they actually worked. Moshe explains how listening to customers, creating genuine partnerships, and staying close to the people you serve has fueled Spa Sphere's rapid growth. He also shares why relationships, are the true competitive advantage for any business, and how meaningful connections continue to shape both his company and his life.   [00:03:28] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of Spa Sphere, an AI-powered platform built specifically for aestheticians Helps skincare professionals simplify operations and grow their businesses Creates technology around the unique workflows of estheticians Enables practitioners to spend more time serving clients and less time managing software [00:05:19] Solving a Problem No One Else Was Addressing Existing software wasn't designed for the way aestheticians work Many professionals relied on disconnected tools and manual processes Fragmented systems created unnecessary stress and burnout Spa Sphere brings everything together into one purpose-built platform [00:06:41] Helping Clients Create Better Outcomes Supports personalized treatment plans instead of one-time appointments Gives aestheticians tools to guide clients through long-term skincare journeys Helps practitioners increase revenue while improving client care Aligns technology with how estheticians naturally serve their clients [00:11:04] How One Relationship Changed Everything The idea for Spa Sphere began while dating an esthetician Saw firsthand the frustrations of running an independent practice Realized an entire industry had been overlooked by technology companies Combined his background in software with a real-world business challenge [00:12:45] Growing Through Strategic Relationships Focuses on partnerships with educators, coaches, and industry leaders Chooses collaboration over chasing individual customers Creates win-win opportunities throughout the industry Builds momentum through trusted relationships and referrals [00:14:31] The Relationship That Sparked His Mission Credits a personal relationship with introducing him to the aesthetics industry Was inspired by how deeply aestheticians care for their clients Built technology that removes friction so practitioners can focus on people Turned a personal experience into a purpose-driven company [00:17:08] Growing Beyond His Comfort Zone Learned business development as a technical founder Built meaningful partnerships despite being naturally introverted Embraced new challenges to grow both personally and professionally Continues refining the customer experience as the company expands [00:18:59] Why Customer Relationships Matter Gives every client direct access to him Values personal conversations over transactional support Makes time to meet customers whenever possible Believes authentic relationships are the foundation of lasting success [00:20:54] Scaling Without Losing the Human Touch Confident the technology can scale to support future growth More concerned about maintaining exceptional customer support Wants every customer to continue feeling personally valued Committed to growing without sacrificing relationships [00:21:35] Giving Back to the Industry Inspired by the generosity and passion of aestheticians Finds purpose in helping professionals better serve their clients Provides free resources, education, and tools alongside the platform Measures success by the impact he creates for others   KEY QUOTES "The challenge for me was to create the best platform for aestheticians so they need to forget about technology. Technology becomes the easy part, not the hard part, so they can focus on building relationships with their clients." "I'm looking back where I started and where I am today, and it makes me proud that I was capable of creating those meaningful connections and always creating win-win-win situations." "All my clients have my cellphone number. They know about our hamsters, they know about my dog. We've developed those kinds of relationships." "Personal time is what helps build those relationships. That digital persona you show on camera isn't enough." "I'm happy that in a way we are now giving back to them with their time, with their revenue, and with the free content and tools we provide for them." CONNECT WITH MOSHE EDRI Website: https://www.spasphere.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moshe-edri Email: moshe@spasphere.ai   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the biggest obstacle to building lasting wealth isn't a lack of money, but meeting people who make it possible? In this episode, Peter Skaggs, Founder of Investor Lighthouse and Innovative Mortgage Alliance, shares how decades in real estate investing taught him that financial freedom isn't built through luck or chasing trends. It's built through education, disciplined action, and relationships with people who challenge you to think differently. From learning hard lessons early in his career to helping busy professionals build wealth through strategic real estate investing, Peter explains why the best investors focus on long-term thinking, continuous learning, and surrounding themselves with the right mentors. Throughout the conversation, he reveals how one relationship after another helped shape his philosophy of investing, leadership, and serving others.   [00:03:41] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of Investor Lighthouse and Innovative Mortgage Alliance Helps busy professionals create long-term wealth through real estate investing Focuses on education before investment decisions Empowers investors to build confidence instead of depending on others [00:05:18] Why Financial Education Matters Believes financial literacy creates freedom and confidence Encourages investors to understand every investment they make Explains why knowledge reduces fear during uncertain markets Teaches people to think like long-term investors instead of speculators [00:08:42] Lessons From His Early Investing Journey Learned that success rarely happens overnight Experienced setbacks that became valuable learning opportunities Developed a disciplined investment approach through experience Realized patience consistently outperforms emotional decision-making [00:12:15] The Biggest Mistakes Investors Make Chasing quick profits instead of building lasting wealth Relying entirely on advisors without understanding the investment Allowing fear and emotion to dictate financial decisions Ignoring the value of long-term planning and consistency [00:16:47] Building Wealth One Decision at a Time Small, consistent decisions create significant long-term results Every investment should align with personal financial goals Wealth comes from disciplined habits more than perfect timing Focuses on sustainable growth rather than shortcuts [00:20:54] The Relationship That Changed Everything Credits key mentors with expanding his perspective on investing Learned the value of asking better questions before making decisions Relationships opened doors that knowledge alone could not Continues investing in meaningful connections throughout his career [00:25:10] Why Mentorship Accelerates Growth Great mentors help shorten the learning curve They provide wisdom gained through real experience Accountability often matters as much as information Success becomes more predictable when learning from those who've gone before [00:29:36] Serving Before Selling Believes trust must always come before transactions Education creates stronger client relationships Long-term success comes from putting clients' interests first Strong relationships naturally generate referrals and opportunities [00:33:48] Creating Financial Freedom Financial freedom begins with intentional planning Investing should support the life you want to build Wealth provides choices rather than simply accumulating assets Every financial decision should move you closer to independence [00:38:22] The Legacy That Matters Most Helping others achieve financial confidence is deeply rewarding Success is measured by lives impacted, not just dollars earned Building relationships creates influence that lasts beyond business The greatest return on investment is seeing others succeed   KEY QUOTES "Real wealth isn't created by chasing the next opportunity. It's created by making disciplined decisions consistently over time, even when those decisions aren't exciting." - Peter Skaggs "The relationships you build throughout your life will often determine the opportunities that come your way. Knowledge is important, but relationships open doors that knowledge alone never will." - Peter Skaggs "Financial freedom isn't really about money. It's about having the ability to make decisions based on your values instead of your circumstances. That's the kind of wealth worth building." - Peter Skaggs CONNECT WITH PETER SKAGGS Website: https://investorlighthouse.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-skaggs   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if your greatest adventure isn't about where you go, but who you become? In this episode, Kevin Thompson sits down with entrepreneur, adventurer, and Wayfinders founder Mike Brcic. After building and selling one of Canada's leading adventure tourism companies, Mike realized that success alone wasn't enough. Today, he helps high-achieving entrepreneurs reconnect with themselves through transformational adventures in some of the world's most breathtaking places. Mike shares how meaningful relationships shaped every major turning point in his life, from launching new ventures to discovering a deeper sense of purpose. He also explains why the greatest breakthroughs often begin with honesty, vulnerability, and the courage to have the conversations we've been avoiding. Whether you're building a business, strengthening relationships, or searching for greater alignment in life, this episode offers practical wisdom for living with more intention and authenticity.   [00:04:50] Taking Entrepreneurs on Transformational Adventures Founder of Wayfinders, a global community for entrepreneurs seeking deeper purpose Leads immersive experiences in extraordinary locations around the world Combines adventure, coaching, and personal reflection Helps entrepreneurs reconnect with themselves and how they want to show up in life [00:06:30] Accidentally Becoming an Entrepreneur Moved to the Canadian Rockies after university Discovered he wasn't suited for traditional employment Started a mountain biking business after being fired from several jobs Eventually built the company into a global adventure tourism business operating in 45 countries [00:07:42] The Birth of Wayfinders Conversations with fellow entrepreneurs inspired a new business idea Began hosting adventure retreats for founders Transitioned from business-focused events to transformational experiences Sold his previous company to focus entirely on helping entrepreneurs grow personally [00:09:10] Creating Space for Honest Conversations Entrepreneurs often lack safe places to be vulnerable Retreats encourage discussions about marriage, leadership, purpose, and identity Helps participants slow down and ask life's bigger questions Creates environments where people can be fully authentic [00:10:13] Why This Work Matters Partnered with Philip McKernan to create even deeper transformational experiences Witnesses lasting change long after each retreat ends Finds fulfillment in helping people move closer to their authentic selves Believes every personal transformation creates a ripple effect through families, businesses, and communities [00:12:39] Facing the Truth We've Been Avoiding Entrepreneurs often bury difficult emotions by staying busy Encourages participants to acknowledge uncomfortable truths Creates an environment where honesty feels safe Helps people identify the parts of life they've neglected [00:15:02] Learning to Have Difficult Conversations Coaches participants through vulnerable conversations Teaches communication centered on personal needs instead of blame Shows how empathy reduces defensiveness Believes the most meaningful things in life are found on the other side of difficult conversations [00:17:30] One Mountain That Changed a Life Shares the story of a participant climbing Mount Cotopaxi in Ecuador The challenge transformed her confidence and self-belief Inspired life-changing decisions in both career and relationships Demonstrates how physical challenges can unlock emotional breakthroughs [00:21:37] The Relationships That Changed Everything Credits Floyd Marinescu for introducing him to life-changing connections Met Giovanni Marsico and Jason Gaignard through one entrepreneurial event Those relationships opened doors to lifelong friendships, business opportunities, and personal growth Reinforces the importance of intentionally putting yourself in the right rooms [00:24:05] Finding the Right Rooms Learned that successful entrepreneurs are ordinary people with extraordinary commitment Discovered the value of focus over trying to do everything Realized he belonged alongside other high-performing entrepreneurs Encourages others to invest in communities that challenge and inspire them [00:28:42] Chasing Validation Instead of Purpose A question from Philip McKernan exposed his deeper motivations Realized he had built his previous company seeking external validation Understood that success alone could never provide fulfillment Chose to build his next business around purpose instead of ego [00:32:23] Building a Business Around Alignment Designed Wayfinders around impact instead of rapid growth Created a lifestyle-focused business model intentionally Prioritizes exceptional experiences over scaling quickly Measures success by transformation rather than revenue [00:35:23] Creating Ripple Effects Focuses on helping entrepreneurs become better parents, partners, and leaders Believes changing one person's life positively impacts generations Regularly checks his motivations to stay aligned with his mission Keeps service at the center of every decision [00:36:50] How Relationships Continue to Fuel Growth Shares how one client referral created major business opportunities Demonstrates the long-term value of trust and reputation Shows that authentic relationships remain his strongest marketing strategy Believes sustainable growth is built through genuine connection [00:39:47] How to Join the Journey Explore upcoming Wayfinders adventures around the world Learn about experiences in Colombia, Morocco, and Patagonia Connect with a community of purpose-driven entrepreneurs Discover how adventure can lead to lasting personal transformation [00:40:26] The Gift of Authentic Relationships Encourages people to find spaces where they can truly be themselves Explains why authenticity creates deeper relationships Believes meaningful connection begins when people stop pretending Leaves listeners with a reminder to seek communities built on trust and vulnerability   KEY QUOTES "Everything you want in life, the most meaningful things you want in life, are on the other side of a difficult conversation that you've been avoiding." - Mike Brcic "If I can help somebody live a life with more meaning, more connection, and more alignment, that creates a ripple effect far beyond that one person." - Mike Brcic "Find the rooms that you can afford to be in, and surround yourself with people who are just a little bit ahead of you." - Mike Brcic CONNECT WITH MIKE BRCIC Website: https://way-finders.com Substack: https://wayfinders.substack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebrcic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mikebrcic Email: mike@way-finders.com   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if one relationship could help save thousands of lives? In this episode, Kevin Thompson sits down with Andrea and Jessica La Mesa, co-CEOs of The Life You Can Save, a nonprofit dedicated to lifting people out of extreme poverty by changing the way people think about and donate to charity. Drawing on successful careers in Silicon Valley, the husband-and-wife team now helps donors make smarter, evidence-based giving decisions that create measurable impact around the world. Together, they share how they left the tech industry to pursue a more meaningful mission, why every dollar can save lives when invested wisely, and the relationships that transformed both their careers and personal lives. Their story is a powerful reminder that meaningful relationships and a willingness to take a chance can create ripple effects that change the world.   [00:04:46] What They Do and Who They Serve Co-CEOs of The Life You Can Save Help lift people out of extreme poverty through evidence-based philanthropy Research and recommend the world's highest-impact charities Connect donors with organizations creating measurable change across health, education, and livelihoods [00:05:26] Making Charitable Giving More Effective Publish a curated list of rigorously evaluated charities Offer the Maximize Your Impact Fund to maximize donor impact Advise individuals, foundations, and philanthropic organizations Help donors make confident, data-driven giving decisions regardless of donation size [00:07:42] From Silicon Valley to Global Philanthropy Both built successful careers in the software and technology industry Decided they wanted work that created deeper purpose and meaning Transitioned from the private sector into nonprofit leadership Applied lessons from tech to scale the impact of charitable giving [00:08:52] Why This Mission Matters So Much Jessica believes life is largely a lottery, and anyone could have been born into extreme poverty Every person deserves access to healthcare, education, and opportunity Andrea believes success and purpose should exist together Their work allows them to improve lives while becoming better people themselves [00:12:01] Responding to Crisis with the Rapid Response Fund Created the Rapid Response Fund following major USAID funding cuts Partnered with Founders Pledge to close urgent funding gaps Raised more than $13 million in emergency funding Helped fund life-saving programs estimated to have saved approximately 4,700 children's lives [00:13:23] Every Donation Has the Power to Save Lives Andrea believes saving even one life would make his life meaningful Strategic philanthropy creates exponentially greater impact Data and evidence help maximize every charitable dollar Properly deployed funding can transform entire communities [00:15:25] The Mentor Who Changed Andrea's Life Wanted to leave Italy to pursue opportunities in software Nearly decided not to apply for a Fulbright Scholarship A trusted mentor encouraged him to apply anyway That single conversation ultimately led him to America, his career, and meeting Jessica [00:17:43] Jessica Honors the Relationship That Changed Everything Says Andrea has had the greatest impact on her life Their relationship opened the door to marriage, family, and international opportunities Leading a nonprofit together has strengthened both of their careers Their partnership continues to shape both their personal and professional journey [00:19:25] How to Get Involved Explore charity evaluations backed by extensive research Learn about The Life You Can Save's funds and grantmaking strategy Connect directly with Jessica and Andrea Discover how even small donations can create measurable impact   KEY QUOTES "There's enough resources in the world to help these people and make this world a little bit more just and fair. It's really about helping as many people as possible, saving as many lives as possible, and making this world a little bit better." - Jessica La Mesa "I want a life of success and meaning. I think you can have both things. In this field of work, you can both be successful because you're truly helping people, and it has meaning because it makes me a better human." - Andrea La Mesa CONNECT WITH JESSICA & ANDREA LA MESA Website: https://www.thelifeyoucansave.org Jessica La Mesa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicahoy Andrea La Mesa LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrealamesa Jessica: jlm@thelifeyoucansave.org Andrea: andrea@thelifeyoucansave.org   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if every door that ever opened for you started with a message you almost didn't send? In this episode, Susanne Sandler, SVP and GM of Fintech at Mews, a $2.5 billion global hotel technology company, shares how a bold application as a college sophomore led her into the office of the CFO of Merrill Lynch, and how a cold message to a keynote speaker years later led to six years working alongside the future CEO of Booking Holdings. Susanne runs the fintech division at Mews, which accounts for 75% of company revenue. But the principles that drive how she leads trace back to two men who saw her potential before she did, and to one simple belief: you miss 100% of the shots you don't take.   [00:03:48] What She Does and Who She Serves SVP and GM of Fintech at Mews, a $2.5 billion global vertical SaaS company Mews calls itself the operating system for modern hotels Runs the fintech business, which is about 75% of company revenue [00:04:30] Who Mews Serves Serves everything from small mom and pop hotels to large global chains Partnerships with Best Western, Choice, and the Asian American Hotel Owners Association AHOA members make up about 60% of US hotels [00:05:30] What Inspires Her Travel is where people have their most memorable experiences Most people name a trip when asked about their best moments of the year Mews removes the manual work so hotels can focus on the guest experience [00:06:48] How She Got Here Started her career in financial services and investing in financial companies Won her undergraduate business plan competition and launched a tech startup in New York The last 12 to 13 years have been focused on travel tech and fintech Says she feels lucky every day doing work that combines both passions [00:08:17] Client Impact: The Multi-Currency Win Launched a product letting hotels offer FX services to guests Guests can lock in their price in their own currency Hotels now earn markup revenue that previously went to banks and card networks Some hotels cover the full cost of all their Mews services from this product alone [00:10:52] AI at Mews: Thoughtful, Not Trendy Building a semantic data layer combining guest, property, and payments data The goal is better insights and experiences, not just cutting headcount Early results from the approach have been incredible [00:12:11] The Vision for Fintech at Mews Wants to build a holistic financial suite for hotels Expanding beyond payments into accounts, loans, and supplier payments Everything is deeply embedded and connected to hotel data [00:13:27] Why Hospitality Is Underserved Hotels have seasonal cash flow that banks struggle to understand Mews holds all bookings data plus a revenue management system That gives a full forward-looking picture of the business Underwriting becomes far easier than a bank reading old financial statements [00:15:08] The First Relationship That Changed Everything Saw an internship posting at NYU Stern for the CFO of Merrill Lynch Assumed it couldn't be the real CFO; applied anyway Walked in thinking worst case she meets someone impressive, best case she gets the job A short-term role became over two years with growing hours and responsibility [00:17:54] What She Learned from Him Finding people who believe in you and see your potential is everything Learned resilience by working under constant high-pressure stakes He was precise and held her fully accountable for her numbers People still compliment her composure; she credits that early training [00:20:24] Treating Every Human with Respect Watched him treat the person cleaning his office the same as a head of state He did it because it was right, not for gain That taught her the kind of person she wanted to become as she grew senior [00:21:31] How He Set Her Up After College He opened doors to meetings with teams across Merrill Lynch She still had to prove herself and work the grueling hours Landed a role investing in equity, debt, and early fintech companies That first role set the tone for the next 20 years [00:25:02] What Makes Mentorship Actually Work Both sides have to invest in the relationship Assigned mentorships often fail; organic ones tend to succeed Nobody owes you anything; it is all give and take [00:26:13] The Second Relationship: Glenn Fogel Saw Glenn deliver a keynote at a conference in 2013 and was blown away He told the story of rebuilding Priceline after the dot-com crash The company is now Booking Holdings with a $135 billion market cap [00:28:18] The Cold Message That Changed Her Career Reached out just to tell him the presentation was incredible He responded, they talked, and he ended up hiring her She worked with him and his team for over six years [00:29:08] What She Learned from Glenn Got a front row seat as he became CEO of Booking Holdings in 2017 Was handed some of the most critical projects for the business Learned what leadership looks like at the highest level Left only because she had learned enough to run a company at IAC [00:31:26] You Miss 100% of the Shots You Don't Take For every story that worked, there are hundreds that went nowhere She repeats the Gretzky line whenever imposter syndrome shows up There is almost no downside to taking the shot [00:33:10] Why Glenn Still Makes Time Even as a global CEO, he finds time for people who reach out He has never become overconfident or self-important He continues supporting people who did right by him Relationships become exponentially more valuable as both people grow   KEY QUOTES "Finding those people who believe in you and see potential in you, I would say, is so important." - Susanne Sandler "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. I say that to myself a lot when I'm like, well, what's the point?" - Susanne Sandler "That's how we all give back, and that's how we all create this great karma in the world and support each other." - Susanne Sandler CONNECT WITH SUSANNE SANDLER Website: https://www.mews.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannegreenfield   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the most important introduction of your career started with raking a sand bunker? In this episode, Bob Whalen, CEO of HB Global and author of Beyond Your Ownership, shares how a 112-year-old mechanical contracting company in Central Pennsylvania became one of the most powerful examples of employee ownership in America. Today HB Global has 2,500 employee owners, over $215 million in value sitting in Pennsylvania employee accounts, and a mission that Bob describes simply: serve the employees who own the company. None of it would have happened without a caddy job at a golf tournament 40 years ago, a board member named Mark Caldwell who came to Bob unsolicited, and a high school football coach who made a phone call he never had to make.   [00:06:00] What He Does and Who He Serves CEO of HB Global, an employee-owned holding company of mechanical contracting and service businesses Serves HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and construction clients across commercial and residential sectors Primary mission is serving the 2,500 employees who own the company through an ESOP [00:09:00] How He Got Here Came out of his MBA in 2004 wanting to lead a business like a sports team Got an opportunity to join H.B. McClure, a 94-year-old iconic company in Central Pennsylvania Joined in April 2008; didn't know yet that the recession had already started Bought a minority interest and used business cash flows to acquire the rest [00:11:00] The ESOP Discovery Looking for tax efficiency in the ownership transition led him to employee stock ownership plans In October 2010, sold the business to an ESOP trust; it changed his entire professional mission The median ESOP balance for employees who were there in 2010 is now over half a million dollars Over $215 million in value now sits in accounts of people living in Pennsylvania communities [00:12:00] The Book and the Mission Wrote Beyond Your Ownership to create awareness for business owners planning succession Ten million businesses are expected to need a succession plan over the next decade Selling back to employees keeps jobs local, builds community wealth, and preserves legacy Most sellers become disenchanted after selling; an ESOP keeps the legacy and culture intact [00:19:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Mark Caldwell Forty years ago, Bob caddied for his father-in-law and his partner at a golf tournament That partner was Mark Caldwell, who 20 years later sat on the board of H.B. McClure Mark came to Bob unsolicited and asked if he would be interested in the succession of the company That one invitation, which started on a golf course, had the biggest professional impact of Bob's life [00:22:00] What That Relationship Taught Him Relationships are built over long periods of time; short-term effort creates long-term results Bob gave more than he received throughout the relationship; Mark gave back far more than Bob ever gave Most things in life come from a disciplined, consistent approach over a long period of time His whole philosophy: give more than you receive [00:23:00] The Second Relationship: Coach Ray Erdy and Coach Bob Craig A local high school football coach reached out unsolicited to William and Mary on Bob's behalf Bob was injured most of his senior year; there wasn't much film on him, but the coach believed in him anyway His wrestling coach Bob Craig lived the same philosophy: helped any athlete who wanted his help His daughter's pole vault coach did the same; it taught Bob that giving freely is both right and rewarding [00:28:00] How to Get Involved with ESOPs Companies can either start their own ESOP or sell to an existing one like HB Global Setting up your own ESOP costs multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars and roughly $75,000 to $100,000 a year to operate There is no size threshold for selling to an existing ESOP; HB Global has acquired companies with as few as two to five employees Website is hb-global.com; Bob makes himself available to any owner interested in employee ownership   KEY QUOTES "Give more than you receive. Mark showed me that. If you figure that out early, it leads to a lot of good things down the road." - Bob Whalen "I've never turned down an introduction from a good friend. In my 56 years, not one time." - Bob Whalen CONNECT WITH BOB WHALEN Website: https://www.hb-global.com Book: https://a.co/d/0i8Xi6Rg LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-whalen-4023a21b   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the two words you never meant to say turned out to be the most important words of your life? In this episode, Ryan Lee, founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street and author of Retire in 10 Years or Less, shares how losing most of his net worth in 2008 led him to discover a completely different way of thinking about money. He retired at 34, not because he was rich, but because he had built enough cash flow from 17 rental properties to walk away from a job he never wanted. The moment came when his boss Rob showed up unexpectedly to offer him more territory. Ryan was sitting there mentally counting his cash flow when Rob asked if he was ready. Without thinking, he said "I quit." He spent the next decade teaching over 3,000 people to do the same.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of Wealth Outside Wall Street, helping driven individuals take control of their money Serves entrepreneurs, business owners, and freedom seekers who want more control over their time Believes money's greatest value is giving people more options with their time [00:06:00] How He Got Here Dropped out of high school; came back at 23 and finished a four-year degree in two Moved to Arizona for his first corporate job; opened his first paycheck and nearly quit on the spot Was making less as a college grad than he was as a self-employed hustler paying his way through school Decided to climb the corporate ladder instead; 2008 changed everything [00:09:00] The 2008 Wake-Up Call Watched his net worth drop from $100,000 to $28,000 at the bottom of the crash Realized he had no control over the outcome of what he was investing in Saw people 20 to 30 years ahead of him watching their retirements melt away Decided he had to find a completely different way to think about money [00:11:00] The Books That Changed His Paradigm Picked up Rich Dad Poor Dad after 2008; the phrase "savers are losers" hit him like a slap Found Creating Wealth by Robert Allen with a subtitle promising retirement in 10 years The strategy was simple: buy two single-family homes a year for 10 years That concept filled the void Kiyosaki opened and gave him a concrete path forward [00:14:00] The Day He Quit Was managing the Denver territory for a medical equipment company when his boss Rob showed up unexpectedly Rob offered him three additional territories; more road, more travel, more time away from family While Rob was talking, Ryan was mentally adding up his cash flow from 17 rental properties Rob asked if he was ready; Ryan looked up and said "I quit" without planning to [00:17:00] The First Client Who Started It All: Dr. Wes Brown A week after quitting, a doctor he used to sell equipment to called and asked how he did it Sat with him at his kitchen table and mapped out what he would do if he were in his position Eighteen months later Dr. Brown quit medicine and has been singing in his choir ever since That one conversation led to 3,000 clients; Dr. Brown started sending referrals immediately [00:21:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Russell Brunson After three years and 250 clients, wanted to reach more people but had no idea how to go online Read Dotcom Secrets in 18 hours; it was a manual for everything he wanted but didn't know how to do Found out Brunson was hosting an event in San Diego in 10 days; bought tickets and showed up Paid $25,000 to join his inner circle; says the return has been 10x what he ever paid [00:25:00] The Second and Third Relationships: Robert Allen and Robert Kiyosaki Hosted a live event and decided to invite the two authors who had shaped his entire philosophy Used mutual friend Randy Garn to connect with Robert Allen; got to Kiyosaki through another connection Gave them both lifetime achievement awards on stage; Allen said it was the most fulfilled he had ever felt by writing a book Allen co-authored his new book Retire in 10 Years or Less; Kiyosaki wrote the foreword [00:32:00] Final Word: Mindset, Skillset, Network The three best investments anyone can make are mindset, skillset, and network Mindset determines what you can see; upgrade your paradigm and new possibilities appear A strong network means you always have someone to call when things get hard or when things are great Be the kind of person others call in a crisis; that is the greatest form of leverage you can have   KEY QUOTES "Money's greatest intrinsic value is to give each one of us more control over our time and more options with what we do with that time." - Ryan Lee "Mindset, skillset, network. Those are the three best investments you can ever make." - Ryan Lee CONNECT WITH RYAN LEE Website: https://www.wealthoutsidewallstreet.com Book: https://www.retirein10years.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-d-lee-31838b304 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryan.d.lee.50   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the person who shaped your entire career was someone you met on a soccer pitch at university? In this episode, Kieran Corbett, venture capital professional at StudioVC in New York, shares how a 13-year career in futures trading, a soccer club chairmanship at university, and one chance encounter at an event in New York led him to the second chapter of his career in early-stage venture capital. Kieran grew up watching his brother build Wayflyer, an Irish unicorn, from the inside. He watched a mentor named Kieran Nestor walk into any room and connect with anyone. Those two relationships didn't just shape who Kieran became. They pointed him directly toward the career he is building today.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Works at StudioVC, a seed-stage VC fund based in New York City Invests in B2B SaaS, enterprise AI, and fintech founders post-product and post-revenue Serves both founders looking for capital and investors looking to deploy it [00:06:00] How He Got Here: From Futures Trading to Venture Capital Started as a futures trader at Positive Equity in Dublin at 23 Traded a wide variety of products for 13 years; moved to New York in 2016 Started angel investing on the side while still trading Made the full move to venture capital in September 2024 [00:08:00] Finding StudioVC Joined the Venture Institute accelerator to build knowledge of the VC industry Got a residency placement at Geek Ventures, a fund investing in immigrant founders Met StudioVC principal Toby McCoy at an event; discovered they shared an investment in Wayflyer After several meetings over the following year, joined the team [00:10:00] What Inspires Him Loves being on the journey with founders as they grow and face challenges Finds it deeply satisfying to make introductions that unlock new doors for companies Sees AI as one of the most exciting spaces in early-stage investing right now [00:11:00] Client Impact: Helping Founders Raise Their First Capital Has introduced founders to investors who were the right fit for what they were building Raising capital at the seed stage is one of the hardest things a first-time founder can do Getting the right people in the room can be the single biggest unlock for an early company [00:13:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Kieran Nestor Met Kieran Nestor through the UCC soccer club in Cork when he started university in 2006 Nestor was the chairman of the alumni and the first real entrepreneur Kieran had ever met Took Kieran under his wing, gave him enormous amounts of his time, and taught him how to build relationships Twenty years later they still talk; Kieran credits him with sparking the desire to own his own destiny [00:16:00] The Second Relationship: His Brother His brother founded Wayflyer, an Irish unicorn doing revenue-based financing for e-commerce businesses Gave Kieran an inside look at what building a successful company actually looks like That relationship also created a natural alignment with StudioVC, who were investors in Wayflyer His brother's journey pointed him directly toward the private markets career he is now in [00:18:00] The Impact That Shaped Him: Chairman of the Soccer Club Nestor made him secretary of the soccer club in his second year at university The following year he became chairman; a big responsibility at a very young age The role forced him to get comfortable with public speaking and building relationships That experience put him on the path toward wanting to be in rooms where he could make an impact [00:20:00] Vision Going Forward StudioVC has two performing funds and a talented small team in New York Wants to grow the fund to invest larger amounts of capital with more great companies Excited to build relationships with the next generation of founders in AI and technology [00:22:00] Final Word: Say Yes to Everything Met Joel Strauss in Madrid through his cousin; that relationship eventually led to this podcast Encourages people starting something new to say yes to every coffee, every event, every connection Not all of them will be great, but the ones that are can send you in a direction you never expected   KEY QUOTES "Say yes to everything. Not all of them will be fantastic, but the ones that are can really send you in a good direction." - Kieran Corbett "Someone who had that hunger, that drive, and was also very generous with their time for the next crop of people coming through. That gave me a lot of inspiration from a very early age." - Kieran Corbett CONNECT WITH KIERAN CORBETT Website: https://www.studio.vc LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-corbett-a45b5a4 Email: kcorbett@studio.vc   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the moment a boss dismissed your vision was the exact moment your career truly began? In this episode, Chris Rodgers, founder and CEO of CSP Agency, shares how a psychology major turned phone salesman found his way into SEO in the early days of pay-per-click advertising in Chicago. A meeting with a senior executive who didn't believe in what Chris was building gave him all the clarity he needed. He walked out, enrolled in a master's program, flipped his 401k, and never looked back. Fifteen years later, CSP Agency is helping B2B and e-commerce companies navigate one of the biggest shifts in search since Google launched: the rise of generative engine optimization and the AI-driven conversational web.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder and CEO of CSP Agency, a human-first AI-enhanced SEO and GEO agency Serves B2B and e-commerce clients from funded startups to Fortune 100 companies Specializes in generative engine optimization, helping brands get found in AI-driven search [00:06:00] What Inspires Him Right Now The search and SEO landscape is going through the biggest shake-up in its history Launched CSP's first paid GEO client in October; most competitors are still figuring it out Brands that move now will be positioned far ahead when the dust settles [00:07:00] The Future of Search: A Conversational Web AI overviews and AI mode are already changing how people find information The traditional ten blue links experience is going away Google is launching informational agents this summer that will do research on your behalf Visibility in this new world requires a completely different strategy than traditional SEO [00:10:00] How He Got Here Started selling popcorn door to door for Boy Scouts; always loved talking to people Became a psychology major and worked as a patient activity director for a clinical trials company Moved into sales at R.H. Donnelly in downtown Chicago and discovered pay-per-click advertising Became the top rep for integrating and executing PPC across the division [00:14:00] The Accidental SEO Discovery Noticed that profile pages sending traffic from PPC were ranking highly on Google Started optimizing those pages on sales calls; it was his first hands-on SEO work Saw how much business he was driving for small companies and got completely hooked Decided he wanted to be a practitioner, not just a seller of services [00:16:00] Client Impact Helped a New York executive assistant recruiting firm expand from local to national A neighbor saw their growth and sent a referral; that is when Chris knew the work was speaking for itself Has helped enterprise clients grow organic value from $9 million to $25 million a month [00:19:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: The Executive Who Said No Went to a senior executive at R.H. Donnelly to pitch a role change into SEO product development The executive listened patiently and then said: I don't see how this helps your sales numbers That response hit like a lightning bolt; Chris walked out knowing he was done He enrolled in the master's program, flipped his 401k, and launched his first startup [00:22:00] The Second Relationship: His Manager Who Opened the Door His manager at R.H. Donnelly left to start an SEO agency when the company disbanded its SEO department Chris went to him and asked not for a sales role but for an SEO execution role His manager said yes, brought him in as a contract senior SEO analyst, and pointed him toward who to follow to learn That was the real beginning of Chris's professional SEO career [00:25:00] The Impact He Got to Make Has created jobs for people at every stage of their careers, from interns to veteran SEOs His first intern worked for school credit, graduated, and became the lead SEO in the organization People have left CSP with resumes that got them into senior roles at major companies Helping people grow in their careers has been one of the most meaningful parts of building the business [00:28:00] Where to Find Them Website is csp.agency; a complimentary strategy session is available on the site The team will audit current SEO performance and run the brand through multiple LLMs against competitors They show exactly where the brand is or is not showing up in AI-driven search responses   KEY QUOTES "When the snow globe gets shaken up and things aren't solidified, you've got a way to move up through it so that when it comes back down and solidifies, you're in a much higher place than before." - Chris Rodgers "Where there's change, there's opportunity. There is an opportunity to get ahead of it right now." - Chris Rodgers CONNECT WITH CHRIS RODGERS Website: https://www.csp.agency Strategy Session: https://www.csp.agency/complimentary-strategy-session LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seo-dub   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the best leaders aren't the ones who avoid crises, but the ones who prepare for them before they happen? In this episode, attorney, leadership consultant, retired military officer, and author Conan Higgins shares how decades of experience in the military, law enforcement, and the legal profession shaped his approach to crisis leadership. From responding to life-or-death situations to advising organizations through complex challenges, Conan explains why preparation, emotional intelligence, and strong relationships are the foundation of effective leadership. Conan also discusses the inspiration behind his book, The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World, why every entrepreneur should develop an early warning system for their business, and how the relationships we build before a crisis often determine how well we navigate it when it arrives.   [00:02:45] What He Does and Who He Serves Attorney, leadership consultant, retired Army officer, and former law enforcement officer. Helps organizations prepare for and respond to complex crises. Advises leaders on risk management, crisis response, and organizational resilience. Believes leadership begins long before a crisis ever unfolds. [00:06:30] Learning Leadership Through Service Reflects on lessons from military service and law enforcement. Explains how leading under pressure shaped his decision-making. Learned that trust is built long before it's tested. Says leadership is earned through consistency and service. [00:12:00] Why Relationships Matter in a Crisis Strong relationships create confidence when difficult decisions must be made. Trust allows teams to communicate honestly during uncertainty. Explains why credibility cannot be built in the middle of a crisis. Believes people always remember how leaders made them feel during difficult moments. [00:18:30] Solving Problems Before They Become Emergencies Encourages leaders to identify risks before they become crises. Shares examples of organizations that avoided major setbacks through preparation. Explains why awareness is more valuable than reacting quickly. Says successful leaders pay attention to small warning signs. [00:25:00] The Value of Emotional Intelligence Explains why emotional intelligence is essential during high-pressure situations. Learned to read people before focusing on solving problems. Understanding people often reveals the real challenge. Believes empathy strengthens both leadership and decision-making. [00:31:00] Lessons From Years of Experience Reflects on the importance of learning from every assignment and every challenge. Encourages leaders to capture lessons instead of simply moving on. Says experience only becomes valuable when we intentionally reflect on it. Believes growth comes through thoughtful evaluation. [00:38:00] Why Relationships Require Consistency Shares why checking in with people shouldn't only happen when something is needed. Believes meaningful relationships are built through generosity and mutual support. Says the strongest professional relationships naturally become trusted friendships. Explains why investing in people always pays long-term dividends. [00:45:00] Giving Before Asking Describes healthy relationships as a continual exchange of giving and receiving. Explains why genuine check-ins often lead to meaningful conversations. Shares how trusted relationships become valuable sources of advice during difficult seasons. Says crises become easier to navigate when you're surrounded by people you trust. [00:46:30] The Story Behind His Book Wrote The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World after stepping away from his doctoral dissertation. Wanted the book to feel like a conversation rather than a textbook. Focuses on practical leadership lessons people can apply immediately. Encourages readers to recognize the value of their own life experiences. [00:50:00] Price Versus Cost Explains why investing in preparation is far less expensive than recovering from failure. Shares a consulting example where a risk assessment prevented far greater losses. Encourages leaders to think beyond immediate expenses. Says understanding the true cost of inaction changes every decision. [00:53:00] Building an Early Warning System Introduces his DETECT Framework for identifying warning signs before crises escalate. Says most crises leave clues long before they become emergencies. Encourages leaders to listen closely to experts and frontline team members. Believes preparation begins by learning what others are already seeing. [00:56:00] Meaningful Action Over Busy Activity Explains that activity isn't the same as progress. Encourages organizations to continually evaluate communication, stakeholder alignment, and resource challenges. Says leaders should develop systems that help them identify problems early. Believes thoughtful preparation creates confident decision-makers. [00:58:00] Slowing Down to Appreciate the Journey Reflects on the people who shaped his career and leadership journey. Shares the story of his detective partner stopping to admire Mount Rainier. Uses the moment as a reminder to slow down and appreciate what's right in front of us. Says meaningful relationships have been the greatest gift throughout his career.   KEY QUOTES "Crises will happen. That's the operating environment. Whether they're personal or professional, there will be days when you wish you could have stayed in bed, but you can't." - Conan Higgins "If you don't have good people around you, that's a harder fight. Relationships are what help you navigate the days you never saw coming." - Conan Higgins "Most crises aren't sudden events. Usually there are warning signs that were missed, ignored, or people simply weren't trained to recognize." - Conan Higgins CONNECT WITH CONAN HIGGINS Website: https://conanhiggins.com Book: The Maverick's Blueprint: Crisis Leadership for an Unstable World Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/conanhiggins   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the greatest advantage in business isn't talent, but the willingness to keep learning and never give up? In this episode, Carlos Antillano, Vice President of the Americas for Mauviel 1830, entrepreneur, author, and lifelong student, shares the journey that took him from selling cookware on eBay out of his bathroom to leading one of the world's most respected luxury cookware brands. Along the way, he reveals why curiosity, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to learning have been the driving forces behind every opportunity he's earned. Carlos also reflects on the relationships that shaped his leadership, from a scuba diving instructor who taught him confidence under pressure to a business mentor who helped him develop empathy for customers. Together, they explore why listening is one of the most valuable skills any entrepreneur can develop and how perseverance continues to open doors that once seemed impossible.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Serves as Vice President of the Americas for Mauviel 1830, overseeing business across North and South America. Built multiple businesses in the digital commerce space before joining the luxury cookware industry. Combines entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation to help grow global brands. Continues to pursue new ideas while embracing emerging technologies like AI. [00:06:00] Building a Career Through Curiosity Originally planned to become a doctor before discovering entrepreneurship. Started selling cookware on eBay after moving to the United States from Venezuela. Grew a business from a bathroom, to a storage unit, to a warehouse with employees. Returned full circle by leading the same cookware brand that gave him his first opportunity. [00:09:00] Why Learning Never Stops Believes continuous learning is the foundation of long-term success. Encourages entrepreneurs to embrace failure as part of the learning process. Compares today's AI revolution to the early days of the internet. Says perseverance comes from staying curious, adapting, and continuing to grow. [00:11:00] Helping Others Reach Their Potential Finds the greatest fulfillment in seeing people grow beyond what they believed was possible. Shares the story of an employee who developed into an industry expert under his mentorship. Speaks openly about mental health and the importance of supporting people beyond their professional development. Believes great leadership helps people thrive both personally and professionally. [00:14:00] The Story Behind His Book Wrote The Ultimate Perseverance Training to encourage entrepreneurs facing setbacks and self-doubt. Opens up about his own struggles with mental health, balance, and resilience. Never intended to become an author but wanted others to know they weren't alone. Has since been invited to speak about perseverance, leadership, and mental wellness. [00:19:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything Credits his scuba diving instructor, Tony Posimato, with shaping his confidence and leadership. Learned how to remain calm under pressure and recognize when others need support. Says the lessons he learned underwater continue to influence how he leads today. Believes those experiences prepared him for challenges far beyond diving. [00:21:00] Learning to Lead with Empathy Credits Mauviel Chairwoman Valerie for changing the way he approaches leadership. Learned to understand customers by listening before offering solutions. Grew from a digital entrepreneur into a trusted leader within the culinary industry. Says empathy cannot be learned from books. It develops through relationships and experience. [00:24:00] Relationships Open Doors Shares experiences working alongside leaders at Williams Sonoma, Amazon, and Michelin-starred chefs. Reflects on moments that once felt impossible but became reality through years of consistent growth. Shows how trusted relationships create opportunities that expertise alone cannot. Encourages entrepreneurs to remain humble as new opportunities emerge. [00:30:00] The Power of Listening Believes listening is one of the greatest competitive advantages in business. Says meaningful relationships begin by understanding people before trying to help them. Explains that great leaders ask thoughtful questions and pay close attention to the answers. Encourages entrepreneurs to become connectors by first becoming better listeners. [00:33:00] Final Thoughts: Never Give Up Honors his grandmother as the greatest example of perseverance in his life. Shares how her resilience continues to shape his mindset decades later. Reminds listeners that growth comes through persistence, not perfection. Leaves entrepreneurs with a simple message: keep learning, keep serving, and never give up.   KEY QUOTES "Scuba diving gave me structure, gave me leadership, gave me the ability to defeat those insecurities that are normal." - Carlos Antillano "Failures are gonna come. It's part of life. It's how you are able to navigate through those failures and transform that failure into a lesson." - Carlos Antillano "You just need to be open. It's a beautiful cycle at the end of the day. We have asked for help, and people have asked us for help." - Carlos Antillano CONNECT WITH CARLOS ANTILLANO Website: https://mauviel-usa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosantillano Book: The Ultimate Perseverance Training   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if everything you've been searching for has been within you all along? In this episode, Pratiqk Jaani, author of Drashti: The Perception and creator of the Drashti Method, shares the life-changing realization that transformed the way he experiences success, relationships, and everyday life. After years of pursuing achievement, personal growth, and external validation, he discovered that lasting fulfillment isn't something we find. It's something we remember. Pratiqk explains how the subconscious mind shapes our beliefs, behaviors, and relationships, often without us realizing it. Through personal stories, practical examples, and thought-provoking analogies, he reveals how changing our perception can lead to greater peace, stronger relationships, and a life no longer driven by fear or the need for constant achievement.   [00:02:30] What He Does and Who He Serves Author of Drashti: The Perception and creator of the Drashti Method. Helps people understand the subconscious patterns behind fear, anxiety, and emotional struggle. Guides individuals toward greater awareness, inner peace, and lasting fulfillment. Believes lasting transformation begins by changing how we perceive ourselves and the world. [00:05:00] The Search for Something More Spent years pursuing success through business, personal development, and achievement. Discovered that every accomplishment led to another goal instead of lasting fulfillment. Began questioning why external success never felt complete. Realized the answers he was seeking couldn't be found outside himself. [00:08:00] Discovering Wholeness Experienced a shift from constantly chasing to living from a place of completeness. Learned that peace comes from recognizing what already exists within us. Stopped measuring life by outcomes and started appreciating each experience. Says fulfillment isn't something we achieve, but something we awaken to. [00:12:00] Why We Keep Chasing Explains how society conditions us to seek happiness through external achievements. Believes most goals are driven by a desire to feel complete. Shares why success alone can never satisfy the deeper longing within us. Introduces the core philosophy behind the Drashti Method. [00:16:00] The Closed Fist Analogy Uses a clenched fist to illustrate how fear and tension block new opportunities. Explains why operating from survival keeps people focused on scarcity. Encourages people to relax their grip and trust the process. Says openness allows life to unfold in unexpected ways. [00:19:00] Turning Insight Into a Movement Began sharing these ideas after witnessing profound change in others. Wrote Drashti: The Perception to introduce a new way of understanding life. Created the Drashti Method to help people experience those insights for themselves. Describes the work as a calling rather than a career. [00:21:00] Helping Others Break Through Fear Shares the story of a friend who dreamed of leaving corporate life to start a car business. Helped him realize his greatest obstacle was the fear of being judged. Once that fear was addressed, he confidently launched his business. Sold his first seven cars almost immediately after taking action. [00:24:00] Letting Go of the Outcome Explains why forcing results often creates unnecessary resistance. Compares personal growth to planting a seed and allowing it time to grow. Believes our responsibility is to take action without becoming attached to outcomes. Says life often responds when we stop trying to control every detail. [00:27:00] Seeing Life Through a Different Lens Encourages people to stop labeling experiences as good or bad. Uses simple everyday examples to illustrate how perception shapes reality. Explains that every experience offers an opportunity for growth. Believes acceptance creates greater peace than resistance. [00:29:00] The Relationships That Shape Us Credits both sets of grandparents for teaching sacrifice, unconditional love, and strong values. Learned valuable lessons from mentors, friends, clients, and even difficult relationships. Believes every relationship enters our lives for a reason. Says the people around us often become our greatest teachers. [00:33:00] Understanding the Patterns We Learned Reflects on childhood experiences that shaped his beliefs about love and acceptance. Realized he had learned to earn affection by constantly giving to others. Explains that awareness is the first step toward lasting change. Encourages people to address the root of their struggles instead of the symptoms. [00:36:00] Relationships Without Expectations Found greater freedom by serving others without expecting anything in return. Says authentic relationships flourish when validation is no longer the goal. Believes inner peace changes the way we show up for others. Explains that fulfillment grows through genuine connection. [00:38:00] When Healing Changes Everything Shares how understanding subconscious patterns transformed the lives of people he has worked with. Explains that awareness creates lasting change without relying on willpower alone. Believes healing naturally strengthens families, friendships, and communities. Says personal transformation always creates a ripple effect. [00:41:00] Final Thoughts Encourages listeners to begin with Drashti: The Perception before exploring the Drashti Method. Invites people to approach the work with curiosity and an open mind. Offers support for anyone seeking greater clarity, peace, and purpose. Leaves listeners with a reminder that the freedom they seek has been within them all along.   KEY QUOTES "Everybody deserves the life they want. And because of the conditioning and because of the fears, people spend their life hoping that one day they will do it, and that day never comes." - Pratiqk Jaani "No matter how much money you earn, you are always going to chase more because you're not really wanting more money. What you really want is to feel that fulfillment. To feel completeness." - Pratiqk Jaani "If you want to receive something, you have to keep your arms open or your hands open. If you make a fist, you can't receive it." - Pratiqk Jaani CONNECT WITH PRATIQK JAANI Website: https://www.pratiqkjaani.com Drashti Method: https://www.drashtimethod.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratiqkjaani Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janipratikk   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if you're just one great relationship away from completely transforming your life or business? In this episode, entrepreneur, sales expert, and eCircle Academy founder Nicky Billou shares why relationships have been the driving force behind every major breakthrough in his life and business. After losing his event business during the pandemic, he discovered a new path through podcast guesting. What started as a survival strategy became one of the most powerful client acquisition systems he has ever built. Nicky also reflects on the people who changed the course of his life. He opens up about the mentor who helped him rebuild after divorce, the partnership he shares with his wife, Theresa, and the emotional client story that reminded him his work is about far more than business. This conversation is filled with practical wisdom, powerful relationship lessons, and a compelling reminder that one introduction can change everything.   [00:05:00] Serving Entrepreneurs Who Want to Make a Difference Helps coaches, consultants, and service-based entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Shows experts how to become more visible and attract ideal clients. Believes entrepreneurs create meaningful change through service. Teaches that selling should always come from a place of genuine care. [00:08:00] When Everything Changed His live event business came to a halt during the pandemic. Lost a significant source of revenue almost overnight. Turned to his coach to find a new way to grow his business. Began exploring podcast guesting as a long-term strategy. [00:10:00] One Hundred Podcasts in Thirty Days Committed to appearing on as many podcasts as possible. Completed 100 interviews in his first 30 days. Didn't generate immediate business but gained invaluable experience. Learned that repetition and consistency create mastery. [00:13:00] The Three Intentions Behind Every Podcast Appearance Inspire and educate the audience. Help the host look great by delivering real value. Build a meaningful business relationship with the host. Explains why most guests overlook the biggest opportunity after the interview ends. [00:18:00] Turning Conversations Into Business Relationships Always sets aside time after the interview to connect with the host. Practices intentional listening instead of waiting for his turn to speak. Look for opportunities to serve before asking for anything. Built hundreds of valuable business relationships through genuine conversations. [00:24:00] Why Preparation Matters Treats every podcast appearance like a planned business strategy. Refined his approach through hundreds of interviews. Encourages entrepreneurs to master proven systems before expecting results. Says preparation creates confidence and consistency. [00:26:00] The Results of Relationship-Based Podcasting Turned podcast interviews into clients, partnerships, and mastermind enrollments. Shares how one student landed a coaching client after a single podcast appearance. Another client generated more than €124,000 in sales within 84 days. Proves that authenticity matters more than perfect communication. [00:29:00] The Relationship That Changed His Life Opens up about the depression that followed his divorce. Credits relationship coach Owen Williams with helping him rebuild. Says that mentorship shaped his life as a father, entrepreneur, and husband. Believes that one introduction eventually led him to meeting his wife, Theresa. [00:33:00] Building a Business With Theresa Shares how he and Theresa combine their strengths to serve clients. Describes her as one of the best coaches he has ever worked with. Believes strong relationships should always come before business decisions. Shows how partnership strengthens both family and business. [00:37:00] The Story That Became His Mission Helped a struggling entrepreneur rebuild her business after losing everything. Learned that restoring her income also restored peace within her family. Was deeply moved when her son called him "the man who saved our family." Left with the conviction that business is ultimately about serving people and changing lives.   KEY QUOTES "A lot of people will hear the strategy and think they're doing exactly what I said, but they're really doing what they think they heard. Success is in the nuances, and those nuances only come through preparation and repetition." - Nicky Billou "Your podcast appearance isn't something you wing. It needs to be meticulously planned and executed. When you've done the work, it feels effortless to everyone else, but that's because you've mastered the process behind the scenes." - Nicky Billou "You don't have to be the most articulate person in the room or have English as your first language. If you have a proven system, stay consistent, and keep showing up, the opportunities will come." - Nicky Billou CONNECT WITH NICKY BILLOU Website: https://www.ecircleacademy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickybillou Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicky.billou   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the life you've always wanted begins with telling yourself the truth? In this episode, Kami Gray, founder of the Psychologie of Home Design School, shares the relationship that transformed every area of her life. What started as a reluctant decision to see a therapist became the beginning of a journey toward vulnerability, authenticity, and freedom from the labels she had carried for decades. Kami opens up about the stories she believed about herself, why humor became her greatest defense, and how learning to tell the truth changed the way she leads, teaches, and builds community. She also shares how that personal transformation continues to impact the women she mentors, creating ripple effects that extend far beyond business.   [00:06:30] Helping Women Believe in Themselves Many of her students are beginning second or third careers later in life. Sees confidence as the biggest obstacle most aspiring entrepreneurs face. Finds the greatest joy in watching women overcome their own limiting beliefs. Believes personal growth is just as important as professional success. [00:10:00] Success Begins Before You Feel Ready Encourages students to stop waiting until they feel qualified. Reminds them that every successful designer started as a beginner. Focuses on consistent action instead of perfection. Teaches that courage grows through experience. [00:12:00] Choosing Authenticity Over Perfection Coaches entrepreneurs to build trust by showing up as themselves. Shares how one student overcame her fear of being visible online. That decision eventually led to a multi-year luxury design project. Says authenticity consistently creates deeper connections than polished marketing. [00:19:00] The Truth That Drew People In Shifted from sharing only beautiful interiors to sharing her real life. Began talking openly about divorce, menopause, family relationships, and personal struggles. Watched genuine conversations replace surface-level engagement. Created a community where people felt safe to be honest with one another. [00:25:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything Credits her therapist, Heather, with helping her confront the stories she believed about herself. Entered therapy expecting simple conversations but was challenged by firm boundaries and uncomfortable honesty. Realized she had spent years hiding behind humor, appearance, and achievement. Began replacing self-criticism with truth, vulnerability, and self-compassion. [00:30:00] Learning to Tell the Truth Practiced recognizing when humor was masking something deeper. Started speaking more honestly with herself and the people closest to her. Discovered that authenticity strengthened some relationships while changing others. Says telling the truth became the foundation for the life she wanted to build. [00:33:00] Creating a Community Built on Vulnerability Built a design school where students formed lasting friendships and business partnerships. Fostered an environment where conversations extended beyond design into fear, purpose, and personal growth. Credits Heather's influence for helping her create a culture rooted in honesty and trust. Believes vulnerability gave others permission to become themselves. [00:35:30] The Ripple Effect of Courage Shares the story of a student whose husband initially questioned her decision to attend the school. That same student went on to build a thriving business and transform her marriage. Encourages people to protect their confidence while they're building something new. Believes one person's courage can impact countless other lives. [00:38:00] Final Thoughts Invites aspiring interior designers to explore the Psychologie of Home Design School. Also works one-on-one with entrepreneurs and young adults searching for direction. Believes entrepreneurship is a lifestyle centered on freedom, creativity, and contribution. Leaves listeners with a simple reminder: the world only gets one version of you.   KEY QUOTES "You've got to surround yourself with good people. People that have your back and don't wanna bring toxicity and negativity to you." - Kami Gray "I use humor to deflect hard things, and that I have never been vulnerable. I'm just hiding behind a veil of pretty hair and pretty clothes and humor to be my armor." - Kami Gray CONNECT WITH KAMI GRAY Website: https://www.psychologieofhome.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamigray Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/psychologieofhome   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the leadership style you were taught is the very thing destroying your team? In this episode, Dr. Fred Johnson, founder of InitiativeOne and one of the NFL's most trusted behind-the-scenes culture architects, shares a career built not on credentials but on authenticity. He has transformed locker rooms for six NFL teams including the Seahawks and Packers, coached a world-renowned cancer researcher back from the brink, and helped over 800 organizations find the best version of themselves. But the most powerful thing Dr. Fred has ever done is admit he was a recovering addict. And the man who taught him that vulnerability is a superpower, not a weakness, was John Maxwell, 45 years ago.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of InitiativeOne, a global leadership company in Green Bay, Wisconsin Works across 29 professional fields in seven countries Helps leaders transform to the best version of themselves [00:05:30] How the NFL Relationships Started John Schneider credits Fred with saving his career when he wanted to leave the profession Fred coached him back from deep discouragement without charging a dollar When Schneider became GM of the Seahawks, he asked Fred to build the culture there too Every NFL team Fred has worked with came through that one relationship [00:08:00] What Inspires Him Loves helping people find hope, clear direction, and purpose Believes you are only as strong as the quality of people around you Every large multi-year engagement in 27 years came from an unsolicited referral [00:13:30] The Mentor Who Started It All: Dr. Rosetta Riley Was a pastor in his early 30s when Dr. Rosetta Riley joined his congregation She was the leading female influencer in manufacturing worldwide She saw something in him he couldn't see in himself and mentored him for four and a half years His first clients were McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, McDonald's, and Chase Manhattan Bank [00:17:30] Client Impact: The Cancer Researcher Who Almost Took Everything Down Was called in to coach a world-renowned pancreatic cancer researcher whose ego was destroying the organization The researcher had already fired seven coaches; Fred told him he would never be number eight Six months from shutting down, the organization turned around completely Today that institute leads on at least a dozen major cancer therapies [00:26:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: John Maxwell Maxwell is widely regarded as the most influential voice in leadership today Taught Fred that leadership has nothing to do with authority and everything to do with people Taught him you cannot coach people hard if you do not love them hard first Introduced Fred to authentic, vulnerable leadership 45 years before it became a buzzword [00:29:00] The Leader with a Limp In his early 30s Fred was a recovering addict living a double life while teaching leadership When it came out, Maxwell told him: from now on you are a leader with a limp Fred resisted at first; today he says the limp is the best part of him People do not want perfect leaders; they want authentic ones [00:31:30] Being-Based vs Performance-Based Leadership The average American leader has a self-belief level of 2.7 out of 10 Performance-based leaders push people to perform so they can feel good about themselves Being-based leaders attract talent, build momentum, and stop starting over every three years Fred turned over his entire staff every three years until being-based leadership broke that cycle [00:36:30] The Second Relationship: Mr. Gault Mr. Gault was Fred's ninth grade Sunday school teacher Fred was 5'1", 98 pounds, covered in acne, and thought nothing of himself Every week Mr. Gault told him: Freddy, I believe in you and great things are in store Fifty-five years later those words still play in his mind on the hardest days   KEY QUOTES "You can't coach people hard if you don't love them hard first." - Dr. Fred Johnson, quoting John Maxwell "The best part of me is the limp. From that, wisdom and growth accelerated and came out." - Dr. Fred Johnson "No one succeeds by themselves. You are only as strong as the quality of the relationships you build and the people you surround yourself with." - Dr. Fred Johnson CONNECT WITH DR. FRED JOHNSON Website: https://www.initiative-one.com Personal: https://www.drfredjohnson.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfredjohnson Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fred.johnson.77736310   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the loneliness you feel isn't a personal problem but a public health emergency nobody is talking about loudly enough? In this episode, Dr. Julie Radlauer, founder of Collectively, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author of CONNECT: 100 Ways to Create Happiness in Your Life, shares how 25 years working at the intersection of behavioral health and public health led her to one unavoidable conclusion: mental health is deeply shaped by social health. What changed everything wasn't a textbook or a theory. It was 50 families from across the country who looked Julie in the eye and said: we're sick of talking about the problem. Fix it. Those conversations didn't just change her research. They changed her entire mission.   [00:04:00] What She Does and Who She Serves Founder and CEO of Collectively, focused on improving the mental health narrative Works with nonprofits, governments, and academia at every level Facilitates a leadership academy for emerging nonprofit leaders [00:05:30] How She Got Here Started as a licensed mental health counselor working with low-income children and families Climbed into administration as director of children's services at a large community mental health center Started a consulting business for flexibility; ended up working even more hours as an entrepreneur [00:07:00] What Inspires Her: Prevention Over Intervention Sees a global mental health crisis and a loneliness epidemic playing out at the same time Focuses on the social aspects of life that people can actually control Wants to give leaders practical tools to prevent mental health struggles before they start [00:08:00] Client Impact: Giving Communities a Framework to Change Conducts comprehensive assessments of organizations, communities, and systems Uses data, surveys, and conversations to identify what is not working Delivers strategic reports showing exactly what needs to change and how [00:10:00] The Research That Changed Everything: 50 Families Got frustrated watching families stabilize and then cycle back into crisis months later Earned a doctorate in public health to understand prevention at the population level Conducted a national study interviewing 50 families of children in public behavioral health systems Families said: we don't want clinical support; we want family, faith, friends, and community [00:12:30] What the Families Taught Her Families challenged her directly: what are you going to do with this information? A group of parents collaborated to co-create curriculum based on what they said was needed Some of those parents now travel the country training behavioral health professionals The families didn't just change her research; they became her mission [00:16:00] The Vision Going Forward Her main client groups are nonprofits, governments, and academia; all are under serious pressure The professionals she works with are exhausted and navigating constant change Focuses on giving leaders tools to support themselves, their teams, and the people they serve [00:17:30] Resources and Final Word Visit collectivelyus.org to learn about the organization and its work Specializes in translating research into practical, accessible tools anyone can use One in three people is currently struggling with mental health; the need has never been greater   KEY QUOTES "What we need is support with our family, our faith, our friends, our community. We need to figure out how to help communities support each other." - The families, as shared by Dr. Julie Radlauer "The people I interviewed in that study changed my life. They were in the most challenging situations, and they said: fix the problem." - Dr. Julie Radlauer "I focus on the social influences of mental health: the social aspects of your life that we actually have some ability to control." - Dr. Julie Radlauer CONNECT WITH DR. JULIE RADLAUER Organization: https://www.collectivelyus.org Personal: https://www.julieradlauer.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/CONNECT-Ways-Create-Happiness-Your/dp/B0CGM51W8Q TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v9nJlVvKFs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-radlauer-doerfler-drph-lmhc   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the person who pulled you out of the wrong room turned out to be the right partner for the next 25 years? In this episode, Jason Henneberry, founder of Dependency Design and senior partner in a national Canadian mortgage brokerage with over 600 professionals, shares the story of a career that has spanned market peaks, a near-bankruptcy in 2008, a dramatic rebuild, and a bold acquisition spree that captured 2% of the Canadian mortgage market in 12 months. At the center of it all is a man who walked into a bank branch, pulled a young Jason out of the corporate world, and said: come do mortgages with me. That was 2003. They still work together today.   [00:03:30] What He Does and Who He Serves Senior partner in a national Canadian mortgage brokerage with over 600 agents Runs a coaching platform and SaaS tools for the mortgage industry Tests ideas externally before bringing them in-house; it proves demand and pays for development [00:07:00] What Inspires Him: The Creative Process Loves coming up with new ideas and testing them in the market Protects the core business while running two or three experiments at a time Goes deep on whatever works and drops the rest [00:11:30] Client Impact: Helping Mortgage Brokers See the Full Picture Coaches mortgage professionals on advanced financial strategies most brokers never explore Helps brokers connect mortgages to tax, wealth, and estate planning Watches clients implement and grow without being involved in the transactions [00:13:30] The Relationship That Changed Everything: His First Mentor Was working in a bank branch when a gentleman pulled him out and said: come do mortgages with me That was 2003; they have worked together every year since The mentor now sits as chairman of the board of the company they built together Nearly 25 years later that one moment still underpins everything Jason has built [00:15:00] The 2008 Collapse: Everything Came Apart Ran 300 homeowner seminars and put 20,000 people through the program in 2006 and 2007 Wrote a 12-month marketing check in August 2008; the market collapsed on September 14th Had to sell everything including a house with an ocean view Reset from zero with three young kids and no runway [00:18:00] The Capital Markets Mentor Who Rebuilt Everything Around 2016 met someone deeply experienced in raising capital That relationship led to the formation of Tango and a major capital raise Used the capital to acquire brokerages across the country Captured roughly 2% of the Canadian mortgage market in 12 months [00:20:00] The Leadership Lesson from All Three Mentors All three mentors had different skill sets but shared one principle Point good people in the right direction and get out of their way People with the right skills and direction will always exceed what you could do alone [00:21:30] Dependency Design: The Book and the Mission Wrote a free 15-minute PDF called Dependency Design, available at dependencydesign.com Explores why founders build businesses that feel like freedom but end up like traps Helps leaders see where responsibility has quietly settled and how to rise above it   KEY QUOTES "When you let good people apply their skills with a little bit of direction, they can do things that far exceed anything you could possibly imagine doing for yourself." - Jason Henneberry "No one wakes up and says I want to be a mortgage broker. My first choice didn't work out, so I did this instead." - Jason Henneberry CONNECT WITH JASON HENNEBERRY Website: https://dependencydesign.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonhenneberry Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/henneberryjason   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the question nobody in the room could answer became the business you spent a decade building? In this episode, Tyler Ryan, founder of LTV Numbers and former NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory engineer, shares how a physics degree, a baseball bleacher conversation, and a single moment at a business event in 2018 led him to build a software company that helps online entrepreneurs finally see what has been invisible in their own data for years. Tyler didn't set out to build an analytics company. He set out to start something, anything, that would let him use his engineering brain in a business context. What he found was that the people around him needed him more than they knew. And one relationship in particular taught him the single most important lesson he has ever learned about business partnerships.   [00:03:30] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of LTV Numbers, a software platform for online course creators, coaches, and digital businesses Helps businesses understand customer lifetime value at day 0, 30, 60, 90, and beyond Serves e-commerce, info product, and online businesses that sell to customers more than once [00:07:00] How He Got Here Dad was a career musician; that entrepreneurial mindset shaped Tyler from an early age Majored in physics at UCLA; got his master's in mechanical engineering Landed an internship at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory through a bleacher conversation at a high school baseball game Fell in love with coding through that internship and knew he would use it to build something [00:09:00] The Startup Apartment and the Fork in the Road Left NASA with a college friend to build a company in a Burbank apartment Spent two years going all in with zero revenue; nearly exhausted all savings His co-founder went back to Google; Tyler refused to quit Emptied retirement and investment accounts to join masterminds and get into the right rooms [00:12:00] The Moment That Built a Business Was the only tech person in a room full of fitness coaches and online business owners Started helping people with websites and automations for free without thinking anything of it With less than 30 days of money left, announced he was offering tech consulting to the group Made $3,000 in seven days; that was the proof of concept that changed everything [00:14:30] The Event That Crystallized Everything: Joel Marion Attended Craig Valentine's Perfect Life Retreat in 2018 and watched a talk by Joel Marion of BioTrust Marion asked 400 entrepreneurs how many knew their LTV at day 0, 30, 60, 90, and 180 by product, funnel, and traffic source Four hands went up; their businesses were doing $15M, $25M, $35M, and $50M Marion said: the reason we scaled BioTrust from zero to nine figures in 18 months was because we knew that answer better than anyone [00:17:30] What Inspires Him: Lifting the Fog Was an engineer who knew nothing about business; that insecurity held him back for years Sees brilliant business people constrained not by their ability but by their visibility Loves the moment a business owner finally sees what has been invisible for years Mission: make data-driven decision-making the default for every online business [00:20:00] Client Impact: Joe DiGalbo and Live Anabolic Joe was one of his earliest LTV Numbers clients; they met in the original mastermind Joe's fitness business had been stuck at $5 million a year for three years After deep work on LTV visibility and scaling decisions, the company hit $13 million last year Has been on a weekly call with Joe for years; Joe is one of his favorite people in the world [00:23:30] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Steven Cornford Steven was the father of a high school baseball teammate; Tyler ran into him in the bleachers a year after graduation One conversation about physics led to an internship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory that summer That internship introduced him to programming and set the entire trajectory of his career The lesson: say yes early to opportunities you can't fully see; the path reveals itself later [00:25:00] The Relationship That Healed Everything: Joe DiGalbo Got into several business partnerships from a place of desperation and insecurity Partners looked great on paper but produced negative results; the company went backwards Joe was different; not because of his skill set but because of who he is as a person That relationship taught him to over-index on character and values, not skills [00:28:00] The Compound Effect of One Great Relationship Joe introduced him to Robbie, a mentor and advisor who became a close friend Has been on a weekly three-way call with Joe and Robbie for years Robbie's company is finishing an acquisition; a new chapter together may be forming One great person leads to more great people; pour into the relationship without needing to see where it goes [00:37:30] Final Word: Seven Minutes of Terror and Knowing Your Numbers Was in the JPL auditorium when the Curiosity Mars rover landed in the early 2010s Due to signal delay, the auditorium was only finding out what had already happened as they listened When mission control said "touchdown confirmed" the entire auditorium burst into tears The rover landed within a mile of its target after flying through space entirely on its own; that is what knowing your numbers makes possible   KEY QUOTES "Your skill set determines your potential. But if your visibility is terrible, you are going to operate well below that potential." - Tyler Ryan "I could partner up with a person I loved with very little marketing skills, who would run through a wall for me, and they probably would have produced a better outcome." - Tyler Ryan "Once you find that one person where you're like, I don't know how, but I would want to work with this person on anything, just keep pouring into it. It might be three years later, but it changes your life." - Tyler Ryan CONNECT WITH TYLER RYAN Website: https://www.ltvnumbers.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerjryan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetylerjryan   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the wrong turn that changed your life wasn't even yours to take? In this episode, Justin Gray, serial entrepreneur and Managing Partner at In Revenue Capital, shares how five exits worth more than $500 million in enterprise value all trace back to one unexpected introduction at a Phoenix bar. His girlfriend at the time ran into a founder, turned down a job offer, and said: talk to my boyfriend instead. That detour led Justin to employee number six at a fintech startup, his first liquidity event, and everything that followed. Today he invests in early stage B2B vertical SaaS companies, not just with capital but with his team's hands deep in the work alongside founders every single day.   [00:03:30] What He Does and Who He Serves Serial entrepreneur with five successful exits worth over $500 million in enterprise value Managing partner at In Revenue Capital, an early stage B2B vertical SaaS venture fund Invests at seed and Series A with a hands-on operator-immersive model Two portfolio companies have already exited since the firm launched in 2023 [00:05:00] How He Got Here Wanted to be a writer in college; pivoted to business and marketing when the money wasn't there Left school four credits shy of a degree; graduated into the post-September 11th job market Took a string of marketing jobs he hated; became a self-taught Swiss Army knife of go-to-market Frustrated by the siloed, arts-and-crafts lane that marketing was stuck in [00:08:00] The Startup That Changed Everything Joined a five-person payments startup in 2006 as employee number six Took three to four months to evaluate the decision; it turned out to be the best of his life Grew the company from roughly $1 million to $294 million in annual revenue Cashed out his equity and went on to found four more bootstrapped companies [00:13:30] What Inspires Him: Upleveling People Running a services firm taught him that people are the most important asset in any business Created a phantom equity program at LeadMD; half the enterprise value went to employees at exit Over a third of those employees have since gone on to start their own companies The freedom to build something is what most people need; liquidity is the key that unlocks it [00:17:30] How In Revenue Capital Actually Works Does not maintain a traditional venture fund; operates under a fundless sponsor SPV model Flies into new portfolio companies for a day and a half workshop after closing Builds a three-pillar assessment framework using market data, portfolio benchmarks, and AI One firm partner is currently serving as CRO for a portfolio company full time [00:23:30] What the Engagement Looks Like Day to Day Founders have the team on Slack, email, and phone; communication is always on Helps with hiring, messaging, pricing, customer success, CRM rollouts, and deal cycles If there is one thing that creates outsized value, it is helping founders hire the right people Knowing what great looks like at each stage is context most first-time founders don't have [00:28:30] The Relationship That Changed Everything: The Founder at the Bar His girlfriend ran into a founder at the Coach House bar in Phoenix; a disagreement led to an apology The founder offered her a job; she declined and said: my boyfriend hates his job, talk to him That introduction led to the payments startup, the first liquidity event, and everything after Without that random bar encounter, Justin says he would still be sitting in a cubicle [00:33:30] The Painful Lesson That Came With It The same founder later invested in two of Justin's subsequent companies out of shared camaraderie Their definitions of success were completely different; misalignment became costly and painful Justin had to buy the founder's half back at multiple seven figures he didn't have earmarked for that The lesson: alignment on goals, exit paths, and vision must come before any partnership [00:38:30] Final Word: Unscalable Things Drive Success Hosts the Cheat Code and Friends podcast with relationships-driven conversations Published The GTM Cheat Code in February 2025; a national bestseller about doing unscalable things All of In Revenue Capital's deal flow comes through venture partners who trust the team The model: provide value to partners first and the doors open on their own   KEY QUOTES "The sixth ingredient that builds a great tech ecosystem, more important than all the others, is context. You have to know what great looks like." - Justin Gray "Everyone thinks they need to only do things that scale. But if you create a culture of hyper value, reward first and revenue second, the relationships open every door." - Justin Gray CONNECT WITH JUSTIN GRAY Website: https://www.inrevenue.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inrevenue   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the most powerful leadership skill in the world could be taught in a maximum security prison? In this episode, Doug Noll, lawyer turned peacemaker, mediator, and author of the upcoming Empathy Leadership, shares how walking away from a $10 million law career led him to one of the most profound discoveries in human communication. For 10 years he trained over 3,000 incarcerated men and women in maximum security prisons to prevent gang riots using a skill that can be learned in minutes and practiced in seconds. That skill is two words: You feel. The story that changed everything wasn't in a boardroom. It was a woman on a hospital bed in the world's largest women's prison, writing letters to a son who hadn't spoken to her in 18 years. What happened next is something Doug will never forget.   [00:05:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Lawyer turned peacemaker with a master's degree in conflict studies Left the practice of law in 2000 after 22 years as a trial lawyer Teaches nervous system leadership to executives, founders, and C-level leaders [00:06:00] The Three Questions Every Brain Asks Every brain in every meeting asks three questions every microsecond Am I safe? Can I trust you? Do I matter to you? If leaders don't get solid yeses, they've already lost the room A leader's first job is to regulate their own nervous system [00:07:30] How a Lawyer Became a Peacemaker Took up martial arts in his mid-30s and earned a second-degree black belt His teacher sent him to learn Tai Chi; it taught him soft is strong and vulnerable is powerful In a courtroom in the late 90s the thought hit him: what am I doing in here? [00:09:00] The River Trip That Changed Everything Spent 10 days alone on a raft on the Salmon River in Idaho thinking Could only count five people in 22 years of law who came out better than they went in Heard a radio announcement for a peacemaking master's degree and enrolled at 48 Gave one week's notice, left $10 million on the table, and walked away [00:11:00] What Inspires Him Wants to teach as many people as possible to stop fights before they spiral The skill: say "you feel" and name what the other person is experiencing When you name someone's emotions, their amygdala calms and they can think again [00:13:30] Client Impact Trained senior analysts at the Congressional Budget Office to de-escalate members of Congress Mediated a three-day dispute at a billion-dollar company where stakeholders could barely be in the same room Hardened business people regularly break into tears from the release of tension they've been carrying [00:15:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Laurel Klaffer and Sarah In 2009 a woman serving life without parole wrote letters from a hospital bed One letter landed with Doug's colleague Laurel Klaffer; she called Doug and read it to him Eight months later they were standing in front of 15 women in California's largest women's prison [00:16:30] Sarah's Letter: The Moment That Defined the Mission Sarah had been in prison 18 years for a fatal DUI that killed a family of four She gave up her three-year-old son when she entered prison; he never visited or wrote back Using what she learned, she wrote naming how he must feel For the first time in 18 years he wrote back: Mom, I love you; I'm bringing my girlfriend to visit [00:18:00] Prison of Peace: A Program That Went Global Sarah's story confirmed the work was about restoring humanity, not just peacemaking The program expanded to Corcoran State Prison, one of California's two supermaxes Prison of Peace is now operating in prisons across the world [00:22:00] Mike's Story: A Father Reconnected from Behind Bars Mike, a gang member at Corcoran, had a daughter who ran from him during visits He started naming her emotions on their weekly calls; within weeks she was a changed girl She began requesting her own weekly call just to be listened to On the next visit she ran and jumped into his arms; the guards looked the other way [00:27:30] Final Word: Two Words That Change Everything Conflict is inevitable; the painful emotions around it are not Every fight is a cry: please listen to me Say "you feel" and the argument dissolves; the problem can finally be solved   KEY QUOTES "Every fight, every argument is nothing more than a cry: please listen to me." - Doug Noll "When you name what someone feels, you choose humanity over ideology. You choose connection over being right." - Doug Noll "If the most violent men I've ever worked with could learn how to listen people into existence, imagine what it could do for everybody listening to this show." - Doug Noll CONNECT WITH DOUG NOLL Website: https://www.dougnoll.com Substack: https://www.dougnoll.substack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougnoll   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher  

What if the most important business introduction of your life happened in a middle seat at 30,000 feet? In this episode, Carrie Waible, founder of CW and Co., shares a career that reads like a map of New York City's most iconic moments. Star-studded galas, Nobu's 20th anniversary, Donna Summer and John Legend at the Beacon Theater, Robert De Niro's charity events, and a 20-year client relationship that started with a phone call she almost said no to. None of it would have happened without a stranger on a plane named Stan Heath, a first boss named Tony who saw something in her before she did, and a client named Thomas who told a 26-year-old she should start her own company. She did. Twenty years later she is still at it and still evolving.   [00:04:00] What She Does and Who She Serves Runs CW and Co., a full service marketing and production company Started in 2004 producing nonprofit galas and celebrity events in New York Has worked with some clients for 10 to 20 years [00:05:00] From Events to Full Service Marketing Was churning out 12 major events a year with a team burning out A dear team member said she didn't want this to be her life Started shifting toward full service marketing and content production [00:07:30] The Client Who Gave Her the Best Advice An old client named Charlie took her to lunch when she first started out He told her: keep putting yourself in front of people and do a good job He also said at 26: lean into your PR talents; that's what will carry you She didn't fully hear it until years later when the pivot became necessary [00:10:30] What Inspires Her: People Gets her energy entirely from people; not one cup of coffee a day Feels most present when directing videos, producing events, or in the field If she is connecting with people and doing meaningful work, she feels amazing [00:11:30] Client Impact: Nobu and a Charter School Network Helped Nobu transition from a 190-seat Tribeca restaurant to a global brand without losing its heart Helped nonprofits raise what adds up to billions of dollars over the years Spoke at a charter school career day; a student asked what inspires her; she said: you do [00:19:00] The Relationship That Started Everything: Stan Heath Was flying to New York to visit friends after graduating college Got into conversation with a stranger named Stan Heath in the middle seat He said PR was her fit; his ex-business partner Tony was hiring Stan faxed her resume; she had a meeting that same weekend [00:21:30] Tony: The First Boss Who Changed Her Life Tony offered her the job after watching her work a fashion industry event He needed to see how she moved before making the offer New York clicked immediately; she has never left That first job eventually led her back to PR and to starting her own company [00:23:00] Thomas: The Client Who Told Her to Start Her Own Business A former client told her: anywhere you go, people will just ask for Carrie Waible anyway Within weeks he offered her a live event six weeks from his nonprofit's biggest fundraiser She started the company at 26 to take on that first event That night on the event floor confirmed she had found where she belonged [00:25:30] Cathy: The Referral That Led to Robert De Niro A past client named Cathy called to pass on a piece of business she couldn't take She was stern: my reputation is on the line too; I need to know you're ready The event was a star-studded benefit at the Beacon Theater with Donna Summer and John Legend The after party was at Nobu; that relationship kept growing for five to six years [00:28:30] Raven: The 20-Year Client Relationship Her first VP at her first New York job called when Carrie started her agency Asked her to do PR for the New York Boat Show; Carrie almost said no That one job opened the door to recreational boating, now one of her biggest business streams The National Marine Manufacturers Association has been a client for 20 years [00:31:30] Venice 2021: The Trip That Cracked Everything Open Was invited to manage VIPs and heads of state at a humanitarian event in Venice Went alone with only a local assistant; no team, no safety net Realized she didn't need a multimillion-dollar agency; she needed to love the work every day From that moment she began more fully embodying her gifts and what she really wanted [00:34:30] Final Word: Just Connect People find relationship building daunting; just extend a smile, a word, a handshake Trust your gut about who feels right; the spidey sense gets sharper over time Those small connections build into things you could never have imagined   KEY QUOTES "Keep putting yourself in front of people and do a good job, because no one ever wants to change who they're working with if they don't have to." - Charlie, as shared by Carrie Waible "I get my energy from people. Not one cup of coffee." - Carrie Waible "You have nothing to lose. Those things build and build into something that you just could never imagine." - Carrie Waible CONNECT WITH CARRIE WAIBLE Website: https://www.cwandco.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-waible-658b972   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if you never made a cold call, never sent a cold email, and still built a global agency with 140 clients across four continents? In this episode, Joel Strauss, founder of Strauss Communications, shares how being fired at the start of Covid with zero clients led to building a boutique PR agency that has now worked with over 140 companies across four continents. Almost every single one came through a relationship. Joel's story has three chapters: starting the business, scaling it, and saving it. Each one hinged on a personal relationship at exactly the right moment. Including the meeting in Madrid that pulled his agency back from the brink after October 7th changed everything overnight.   [00:03:30] What He Does and Who He Serves Runs Strauss Communications, a boutique PR agency for tech startups Services cover organic media coverage, content, and social media 95% of clients are tech companies; most are referred through relationships [00:04:30] How He Got Into PR Idealized politics; left after nearly two years deeply unhappy Quit, traveled South America, then went on a boys' trip to Montreal Met his brother's former roommate who connected him to a PR firm in Tel Aviv He packed up everything in New York and moved within two weeks [00:06:00] The Introduction That Started Everything His brother's former roommate saw a fit between his background and the agency The firm had political and tech clients; Joel had just enough experience to be relevant That one connection opened the door to a new industry and a new country Every step of his career since traces back to that trip to Montreal [00:07:00] What Inspires Him Gets a bird's eye view of tech across fintechs, AI, semiconductors, and more Works directly with founders, CMOs, and CEOs of innovative companies Has helped companies go from unknown to dominant positions in their markets [00:08:30] Client Impact A niche plywood replacement client started getting people knocking on their door from PR alone Several clients successfully raised investment rounds after investors cited media coverage All contracts are month to month; some clients have stayed for over three years Retaining clients through results rather than contracts is the proof of delivery [00:11:30] Starting the Business: The Boss Who Fired Him Was called into a hearing to be fired at the start of Covid Kept his cool and told his boss he understood and didn't take it personally That same boss became a mentor and referred several of his first clients Joel's wife co-founded the business with him; their relationship has been foundational [00:13:00] Scaling the Business: A Former Colleague A former colleague he stayed close with over the years eventually joined his team That person brought in key client relationships that led to major results The companies he helped raise in the US all came through this one relationship Maintaining cordial connections over time is what made it possible [00:13:30] Saving the Business: The Madrid Meeting After October 7th, Israeli tech clients sent staff into reserve duty overnight Lost half the client base almost overnight A founder from South America emailed out of nowhere; they met in Madrid by chance That relationship became a client and turned the company around [00:17:00] Vision Going Forward Wants to scale without sacrificing service quality Growing through relationships rather than cold outreach remains the core model Using AI to handle busy work so the team has more time with clients Boutique, high-quality, and relationship-driven is the identity they will not trade away [00:19:30] What Makes Them Different Most agencies charge $15,000 to $25,000 a month and put junior staff on accounts At Strauss Communications, senior people handle everything Contracts are month to month; they have to earn it every single time That pressure is what keeps the work sharp and the results consistent [00:20:00] Why He Started His Own Agency Was hired in-house at a tech company and told to bring in expensive PR firms It was him landing TechCrunch and Reuters; the firms were getting paid for his work Saw the gap and built an agency that actually delivered at the senior level [00:23:30] Thinking Broader Than Coverage Most agencies just pitch placements; Strauss Communications thinks strategically Also offers white papers and content with both PR and marketing value Measurable deliverables make it easier for marketing teams to justify the spend A webinar built from one piece of content recently generated 150 sign-ups [00:25:00] Final Word: Relationships Are a Cultural Advantage Noticed that relationship building is more open in Israel and Spain than in the US In the US, getting to the CEO requires going through several gatekeepers first Being of service and being known for it builds a reputation that compounds over time   KEY QUOTES "Every step of my story is intimately intertwined with personal relationships." - Joel Strauss "A lot of good and innovation can happen when people are more open to giving of themselves and giving their time." - Joel Strauss CONNECT WITH JOEL STRAUSS Website: https://www.strausscomms.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelstrauss1   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the most valuable business lessons you ever learned came not from a classroom, but from a farm? In this episode, Robbie Shoults, third-generation owner of Bear Creek Smokehouse, shares the story of an 83-year family legacy built on smoked meats, hard work, and two simple rules passed down from his grandfather and father: show people how to do it, don't just tell them, and it doesn't cost any more to make it taste good. What started in 1943 with 600 day-old turkey poults and a little smokehouse in East Texas is now a nationally recognized brand sold at Walmart, Publix, and Kroger, with over 50 premium products shipping across the country. And the fourth generation is already on the floor.   [00:04:00] How It All Started Grew up on the farm; farming and ranching have been in the family for generations His great-grandfather told his grandfather: I'll give you that land if you'll go work it His grandfather rode a horse 15 miles every day to work the land [00:05:30] The Family History His grandfather cleared timber with crosscut saws and mules Started planting cotton and corn, raised hogs and cattle, and sold vegetables to grocery stores Coming out of the Depression and World War II, things were hard; feeding the family was a daily struggle [00:07:00] The Turkey Decision That Changed Everything A great uncle told his grandfather: you can put more pounds of gain on a turkey per pound of feed In 1943 they brought in 600 day-old turkey poults with no prior experience Ladies from town would come out with roasting pans and pick the bird that would fit [00:09:00] From Turkeys to a National Brand Worked with Texas A&M to develop curing and smoking recipes; the business took off Expanded from turkeys into hogs, sausage, bacon, and a full product line Now supplies salt pork to over 2,000 Walmarts and Publix stores on the East Coast [00:10:00] The Bear Creek General Store Built a 17,000 square foot general store in 2018; calls it the finest tourist trap in Texas Offers hand-dipped ice cream, homemade fudge, a pit room, and Texas Longhorns out front Visitors come from across the globe to experience a true slice of East Texas life [00:13:00] What Inspires Him: Keeping the Legacy Alive His job is to keep building on what granddad and dad started His son Hunter is the fourth generation running daily operations at the plant His role is telling the story; Hunter's role is running production [00:16:00] The Relationships That Changed Everything: Dad and Granddad Neither had a college education; what they taught on the farm can't be taught in a classroom Passion, endurance, and perseverance are what make a business thrive year after year He would not be where he is without the foundation they laid [00:18:00] What His Grandfather Taught Him About Leadership His grandfather worked alongside his team in the field every single day He was never a supervisor; he was a leader who showed people how to do it Robbie has done every single job on the property; that shapes how he leads today [00:19:30] What His Father Taught Him About Quality His dad said: it doesn't cost any more to make it taste good His dad said: everything you produce comes down to one single bite Those two rules apply to product quality, customer service, and how you treat people [00:21:00] Final Word: Treat People Right Treat people the way you want to be treated; that principle runs through everything Products are available online at bearcreeksmokehouse.com and ship directly to your door The Bear Creek Bottom Bliss cookbook includes five generations of family recipes, Bible verses, and Texas tall tales   KEY QUOTES "It doesn't cost more to make it taste good." - Robbie Shoults, quoting his father "Everything that you produce out of this processing plant is gonna be reduced down to one single bite." - Robbie Shoults, quoting his father "The things that they taught us out here on the farm can't be taught in a university, in a classroom." - Robbie Shoults CONNECT WITH ROBBIE SHOULTS Website: https://www.bearcreeksmokehouse.com Facebook: @BearCreekSmokehouse Instagram: @bearcreeksmokehouse YouTube: @BearCreekSmokehouse TikTok: @bearcreeksmokehouse   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the person who saw your gift before you did was the same one who dared you to use it? In this episode, Jamie Dykstra, nonfiction book ghostwriter and former corporate finance professional, shares how a career 180 brought her from spreadsheets to storytelling. She didn't plan to become a ghostwriter. She planned to take a few months off after leaving corporate and go back. She never went back. What changed everything was a mentor who saw a writer in a finance executive, refused to accept her excuses, and told her to just start a blog. That blog became a copywriting business, and that copywriting business became the ghostwriting practice she runs today, helping purpose-driven leaders scale their impact through books.   [00:04:20] What She Does and Who She Serves Nonfiction book ghostwriter focused on business and leadership Serves executives, entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven leaders Helps clients tell their story in their voice without writing a word themselves [00:05:20] How Ghostwriting Actually Works Process starts with outlining, goal setting, and deep-dive interviews Interviews become the raw material for the manuscript Client reviews, gives feedback, and ends up with a publishable book [00:07:00] Why Leaders Need a Ghostwriter A book is not a small thing; most leaders don't have the time or bandwidth Leaders often share their message informally but never capture it in a lasting format Many resist writing a book because they don't want it to feel like an ego move A book isn't about building you up; it's a channel to serve a mission bigger than yourself [00:08:20] What Inspires Her Loves the scalability of books; one reader can change another person's life Doesn't need recognition; she knows what she signed up for If one person's life changes because of a book she worked on, that is enough [00:11:00] Client Impact: Bob Whalen and Employee Ownership Ghostwrote Beyond Your Ownership for Bob Whalen, an advocate for employee ownership The book became a tool people use to introduce the concept to clients and teams Books create awareness for things people don't know exist that create good in the world [00:15:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything Degrees in accounting and finance; started as a model developer in corporate finance A senior VP noticed she was in the wrong role and offered her a new one That leader became a mentor who helped her stand confidently in her own abilities When Jamie left corporate and felt lost, the same person told her she was really good at writing [00:17:20] From Blog to Business The mentor refused her excuses and listed every reason she was good enough Told her to just start a blog and see what happens That blog became a copywriting business, which became her ghostwriting practice She could have gone back to corporate; she chose to build something of her own [00:19:40] Your God-Given Ability Is Not Difficult for You Most people dismiss their natural gifts because they feel too easy The thing that jazzes you most is usually the thing you are best at Others can see our gifts before we can; a trusted voice can unlock everything Don't assume something isn't worthwhile just because it comes naturally to you [00:21:20] Paying It Forward Through Leadership While still in corporate, managed a team using everything her mentor had taught her Most proud of the impact she had on people through leadership during that season Because of what she received, she was able to give it forward to others on their journeys [00:23:20] Final Word: Don't Put Yourself in a Box Went from accounting and finance to ghostwriting; most people take their gifts for granted It is never too late to follow your God-given talents Her whole business started with one small blog; it always starts with one step   KEY QUOTES "A book is a way that purpose-driven leaders are able to scale their impact. That's what fires me up. The ripple effects." - Jamie Dykstra "Don't put yourself in a box. Don't ever assume it's too late to follow your God-given talents and make the impact you want to make." - Jamie Dykstra CONNECT WITH JAMIE DYKSTRA

What if one celebrity client could permanently change the trajectory of your entire career? In this episode, Dr. Catrise Austin, celebrity dentist turned brand authority strategist, shares how a bold move at a New York restaurant in the 1990s launched a career that would land her in hip hop history. She introduced herself to Isaac Hayes over dinner, became his dentist, went to the Oscars and Grammys, got a publicist through a barter deal, and eventually transformed Cardi B's smile on national television. The Cardi B episode aired as a season premiere on Love and Hip Hop, the song Bodak Yellow went number one, and TMZ ran the story. Her business tripled overnight. What she built over 30 years wasn't just a celebrity dental practice. It was a masterclass in how relationships compound when you protect them the way most people protect money.   [00:04:20] What She Does and Who She Serves Brand authority strategist helping entrepreneurs become the go-to in their industries Uses the FAME Formula to help clients climb the authority ladder Works across dental, medical, corporate, and entrepreneurial spaces [00:05:20] How She Got Here Two years after dental school, moved to New York and started networking Hit comedy clubs in the 90s and befriended a young Kevin Hart and Tracy Morgan Comedians opened for music acts; she started meeting people in the music industry Realized she could be the dentist to the stars and started passing out flyers at celebrity hotspots [00:07:40] The Night That Started Everything: Isaac Hayes Walked up to Isaac Hayes at P. Diddy's restaurant and gave him her elevator pitch He had never seen a dentist like her; he invited her to sit down for dinner She left with his phone number and his promise to become her first celebrity client That one bold move launched her career as a celebrity dentist [00:11:00] What Isaac Did Next Sent his assistant to vet her office before committing Once convinced, put her in his entourage and took her to the Oscars and Grammys Introduced her to Denzel Washington's wife, who gave her a home phone number she was too scared to call Encouraged her to get a publicist; her mom had a card for Eddie Murphy's publicist Terri Williams [00:13:00] The Publicist Who Changed the Game: Renee Foster Terri Williams loved the story but charged $50,000 a month; she referred her to Renee Foster Renee didn't have a dentist; they bartered services In exchange for cleanings, Renee got her on the Today Show and Good Morning America That third-party visibility put her on the map in a way self-promotion never could [00:15:40] What Inspires Her: The Power of a Smile Had terrible teeth growing up; her mom sacrificed as a single parent to get her braces Wearing braces for a year changed her confidence completely and made her want to become a dentist Seeing a smile transformation and knowing firsthand how it feels is the greatest feeling in dentistry The smile is your business card, your mood ring, and the first thing people notice about you [00:19:20] The Relationship That Etched Her in History: Mona Scott-Young Music executive Mona Scott-Young managed P. Diddy, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, and 50 Cent They bonded after receiving an award together; Mona sent her the biggest music acts of the era Each high-profile referral added credibility and trust with the general public Fast forward to 2016: Mona was producing Love and Hip Hop on VH1 [00:21:40] Cardi B and the Billboard Number One Cardi B joined Love and Hip Hop with a big personality but teeth she was constantly mocked for Because of her relationship with Mona, Dr. Austin got the call to do the smile makeover The transformation aired as the season premiere and Cardi later referenced it in Bodak Yellow The song hit number one on Billboard; TMZ ran the story and her business tripled overnight [00:25:40] How She Protects Relationship Capital People constantly ask her to introduce them to Cardi B; she never asks Cardi for anything Her rule: only make introductions that further the relationship with both parties She lost friends over refusing to make introductions; she has no regrets Treat clients like family; that is the foundation of everything she has built [00:31:20] Client Impact: Omarosa's Mother Omarosa insisted her New York dentist fly to California to do her mother's smile makeover for a Discovery Channel show Her mother's teeth needed significant work; Dr. Austin coordinated four additional dentists Any Beverly Hills dentist could have done it; Omarosa's loyalty to their relationship made it happen Giving someone's mother a confident smile was one of the greatest honors of her career [00:35:00] Final Word: Bring Back the Personal Touch Learned from Terri Williams's book The Personal Touch to go beyond digital communication Pick up the phone, write a personal note, send a postcard when traveling The small things nobody else is doing anymore are what make you stand out Honor your clients; treat them like family and they will never leave   KEY QUOTES "You don't have to be the best at what you do to get the opportunities. Sometimes it's the best known that gets all the opportunities." - Dr. Catrise Austin "I am so protective of the relationship I don't ask for anything. If I asked her for something, she would know this is a big deal, because I don't ask." - Dr. Catrise Austin CONNECT WITH DR. CATRISE AUSTIN Website: https://www.celebritybrandingusa.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-catrise-austin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celebritybrandingusa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrCatriseAustin   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if one person noticing something in you changed the entire trajectory of your life? In this episode, Samyr Laine, Haitian-American Olympian, attorney, and managing partner of Freedom Trail Capital, shares how a high school track coach who noticed a kid with leaping ability in gym class set off a chain of events that led to the Olympic Games, a call from the president of Haiti, boardrooms with Jay-Z and the NFL, and a venture fund investing at the intersection of culture, lifestyle, and influence. Samyr was user number 14 on Facebook, roommates with Mark Zuckerberg at Harvard, and has built one of the most unusual and compelling careers in venture capital. But none of it traces back to a famous name or a prestigious institution. It traces back to Coach Burks, who saw something and said something.   [00:06:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Managing partner of Freedom Trail Capital, a consumer-focused venture fund Invests at the intersection of culture, lifestyle, and influence Raising a $50 million first fund with investments across baby care, hair care, pet care, and beverages [00:07:40] What Inspires Him Driven by the pursuit of excellence in whatever role he is in Meets with founders even when he can't invest; every conversation teaches him something Reads nonfiction constantly to learn how others persevere Measures progress in bite-sized steps just like he did as an Olympic athlete [00:13:00] How He Got Here After Harvard, got a master's at UT Austin then attended Georgetown Law Competed professionally in track and field for 10 years including the 2012 London Olympics Represented Haiti at seven world championships and three Pan American Games Started his real career as legal counsel in DC before moving into sports business [00:14:00] From Sports Law to Roc Nation Started his real career as legal counsel for the Washington Wizards, Capitals, and Mystics Was happy in sports law when a recruiter called with an offer he couldn't refuse Jay-Z was looking for someone to handle operations at Roc Nation Left the sports world for a completely new chapter as an operator [00:15:40] From Roc Nation to Westbrook Left Roc Nation after a couple of years and joined Westbrook Inc as SVP of Operations Helped oversee Will and Jada Pinkett Smith's entire media and production enterprise Moved to lead their consumer product division covering brands, licensing, and IP monetization Worked with talent ranging from Pelé and Patrick Mahomes to DJ Jazzy Jeff [00:19:40] The Vision for Freedom Trail Capital Goal is to move from fund one to fund two to fund three Wants to be the tip of the spear for culturally relevant consumer brands Mission is to prove talent-backed businesses work when paired with discipline and rigor Model: find scalable, defensible businesses then add the right person of influence [00:23:40] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Coach Burks Got cut from his track team in eighth grade; came back junior year to find a new coach Coach Burks noticed his leaping ability in gym class and introduced him to the triple jump Had no idea what the triple jump was; just wanted to be a sprinter That one introduction led him to the 2012 London Olympics and seven world championships [00:25:40] The Second Relationship: Desiree Perez of Roc Nation Working under Desiree shaped the pace, discipline, and operating style he carries today She put him in boardrooms with Facundo Bacardi and Roger Goodell of the NFL Was in the early rooms when Roc Nation partnered with the NFL on Super Bowl halftime entertainment The people he met in her orbit opened doors he could never have reached on his own [00:27:40] What Coach Burks's Introduction Made Possible Chose to represent Haiti at the Olympics; the Haitian team had six athletes, the US had nearly 600 After qualifying for the finals, received a personal call from the president of Haiti Town squares across Haiti filled with thousands watching the Olympic triple jump final He now sits on the board of a school and orphanage in Haiti; it all started with one introduction [00:33:00] The Value of One Right Relationship One right relationship can pay dividends for decades in ways you never expected His introduction to the triple jump led to the Olympics, which still opens doors today Every stop was about gaining skills and being more useful at the next one One introduction can be worth as much as a check   KEY QUOTES "Your network and your relationships, man, it cannot be overstated how valuable it is." - Samyr Laine "The value of one right relationship. Sometimes it's gotta be at the right time. But the value of one right relationship is tremendous." - Samyr Laine CONNECT WITH SAMYR LAINE Website: https://www.freedomtrail.capital LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samyrlaine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samyrlaine   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the most important shift you could make as a leader isn't learning more, but learning to hear what's already being said? In this episode, Guy Legare, clinical psychologist, executive leadership coach at Inperium, and lifelong student of listening, shares one of the most quietly powerful stories you will ever hear on this podcast. It begins in 1990 in New Brunswick, Canada, with a man named James who had been admitted to a psychiatric facility 43 times in 25 years, and ends with a breakfast conversation about Kentucky Fried Chicken that changed the entire direction of Guy's career. Guy has spent 45 years obsessed with one question: how do I recognize the impact I am having on people so I can change it as quickly as possible? From a chance encounter with psychologist Herb Lovett, to a four-day conversation with a woman named Beth who became his soul sister, to 22 years of partnership with Ryan Dewey Smith at Inperium, every pivotal moment in Guy's life has come through a relationship he couldn't have planned.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Executive Director of Person Driven Clinical Solutions, retiring at the end of June 2026 Executive Leadership Coach at Inperium for 22 years Dedicated 45 years to helping organizations build cultures of feedback and listening [00:06:00] How He Got Here Dreamed of becoming a chemist; dropped out when it turned out to be boring Found a job supporting people with physical disabilities in Quebec City Watched a psychologist reframe situations in a way that stopped everyone cold Went back to school, became a psychologist, and never looked back [00:10:40] James and the 3AM Epiphany In 1990 was working with James, a man with 43 psychiatric admissions in 25 years After six months, James was getting more frustrated; the team assumed he was getting sick again Woke up at 3AM and realized the team might be the problem, not James Showed up unannounced at 8AM and asked James if their efforts had been frustrating him [00:15:40] "That Took You Long Enough to Figure It Out" James leaned back, smiled, and said exactly that after six months of 70 to 90 hour weeks His requests were simple, human, and completely outside the clinical framework The frustration disappeared the moment they followed what James was actually asking for [00:16:00] What Six Months of 90-Hour Weeks Actually Taught Him Was working 70 to 90 hours a week; none of it was landing the way he thought His belief that he was helping made it impossible to see that he wasn't The same pattern repeated with 10 or 11 other people; the lesson became undeniable [00:20:20] James's Two Requests He didn't want the crisis line; calling it meant police, the ER, and months in a facility He wanted Bob, a familiar face who could remind him they had been through it before The psychiatric facility was closing; Bob could move into the community and keep doing the work he loved [00:25:00] What Changed When They Finally Listened The minute the team followed what James was asking for, the frustration stopped He was still struggling with voices; what disappeared was his frustration with the helpers Admissions got shorter and further apart; he stopped losing his apartment every time [00:27:00] The Lesson That Never Left No matter how certain you feel, check with the person you are trying to help Helpers must systematically verify their impact; it is now an evidence-based practice If someone tells you that you missed something, that feedback is a gift [00:28:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Herb Lovett Met Herb at a two-day training in New Brunswick in the early 1990s Herb said: "The day I realized I was my client's biggest problem, they all started to do better" That sentence has guided Guy's work for 45 years Herb introduced him to Dr. Beth Bero in Pennsylvania, which changed everything again [00:29:00] The Soul Sister: Dr. Beth Bero Met Beth through Herb; described it as meeting a long-lost soul sister They talked nonstop for four days about the work they were both passionate about Everything Guy knows about conflict, group work, and team dynamics came from her A one-year contract became two, then three; he met his wife and never left Pennsylvania [00:33:20] The Thunderbird Framework at Inperium Uses a leadership framework inspired by the USAF Thunderbirds The Thunderbirds fly within one inch of each other and debrief after every show without rank Applying the same principle at Inperium: honest, rank-free debriefing to identify and correct drift The goal is not blame; it is to keep inching closer to where the team needs to be [00:35:40] Inperium's Vision and Guy's Role Going Forward Inperium has grown from 8 organizations in one state to nearly 30 across 21 states Guy articulates and practices the leadership framework across the full network Runs the Inperium Leadership Series to build trust and alignment across affiliates Everything the executive team learns is designed to be adapted by affiliate CEOs too   KEY QUOTES "The day I realized as a psychologist I was my client's biggest problem, they all started to do a whole lot better." - Herb Lovett, as shared by Guy Legare "If someone tells you that you missed something, the feedback they're giving me is a gift." - Guy Legare CONNECT WITH GUY LEGARE Website: https://www.inperium.org Leadership Profile: https://www.inperium.org/leadership/guy-legare LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guy-legare-3aa1b437   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if one person putting their neck out for you was all it took to change the entire trajectory of your life? In this episode, Nas Vou, founder of Do It Digital and host of CEO Insights, shares how a journey that started at McDonald's at age 14 led him from chronic illness and corporate sales in Australia to running a growth-focused digital agency from the Mediterranean island of Cyprus. Along the way, one man at Coca-Cola put his reputation on the line for a young, ambitious kid without a degree, and nothing was ever the same after that. Nas didn't get the role he applied for at first. He got the one below it. Then he got the one he originally wanted. Then he built a career on the back of what that one referral made possible. Today he helps B2B companies sign clients using high-converting funnels and outbound strategies, and he still sends thank-you messages to the man who made it all possible.   [00:04:00] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of Do It Digital, helping B2B companies sign clients Specializes in outbound strategies, sales funnels, and lead generation Hosts CEO Insights podcast on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple [00:05:00] From McDonald's to the Mediterranean Started working at 14; wanted his own money and his own destiny Got sick with glandular fever and chronic fatigue early in his career Cut his teeth in sales; discovered he was naturally wired for people Spent the last eight years transitioning from coaching into agency work [00:07:00] Client Impact: From Website to Strategic Partner Started with a single website project for a consultant Client kept giving more projects as trust grew They became full strategic partners, serving the client's own clients A transactional project turned into a friendship, a partnership, and a network [00:10:20] Why Referrals Should Never Lead with Commission Leading with "send me referrals and I'll pay you" is the wrong message Referrals work because you want to deepen the relationship, not make money Your reputation travels with every person you refer Only refer people whose character and competence you can stand behind [00:13:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Ashon Cohen Was 19 with no degree when he asked Ashon, a Coca-Cola rep, to help him get an interview Ashon put his name and reputation on the line to get Nas in the door Nas got the role and bought a house at 22 He credits that one referral for the entire trajectory that followed [00:17:00] What That Referral Made Possible Coca-Cola gave him world-class sales training and professional development That career momentum opened doors that would have taken years otherwise He still messages Ashon on LinkedIn to say thank you His belief: sometimes all you need is one person to give you a chance [00:21:40] When the Student Is Ready Serendipity in relationships happens when you are ready to receive it Trust of character plus trust of competence equals zero friction People who have been in the right rooms think about relationships differently Values alignment is what makes connections last across distance and time [00:26:00] One 26-Minute Conversation, Four Incredible People Had Craig Ballantyne on his podcast; one conversation led to four connections Kevin was the fourth or fifth person to come from that single introduction Geography stopped mattering once shared values were in place Podcasts and communities are how you scale one-to-one relationship building [00:29:00] Closing Thought: Deepen What You Already Have Ask yourself: how can you deepen the relationships you already have? Moving countries showed him how quickly you can lose the networks you relied on Consistent conversations keep connections alive across distance and time   KEY QUOTES "Trust of character and trust of competence. When those two trusts are there, there's zero friction and things can just flow." - Nas Vou "Without people, nothing really matters. As long as humans are around, people will always need people." - Nas Vou CONNECT WITH NAS VOU Website: https://www.doitdigital.agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nasvou Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nas.vou   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the most powerful word you could say in your business and your life is the one you've been afraid to use? In this episode, Dana Skaggs, psychotherapist, podcaster, and keynote speaker, shares how nearly two decades in private practice and a very personal journey with her mother's mental illness led her to become one of the most passionate voices on boundaries in the country. They call her the Queen of Boundaries, and she didn't ask for the title. She just kept showing up for people who were burning out, avoiding conflict, and slowly disappearing from their own lives. Dana's keynote, Becoming the CEO of Your Mental Boardroom, is built on a simple truth: you already know you should set boundaries. The real question is why you aren't. And that question is exactly where her work begins.   [00:04:00] What She Does and Who She Serves Psychotherapist with a master's in clinical psychology and nearly 20 years in private practice Host of Phoenix and Flame podcast, built to help people feel less alone Keynote speaker on boundaries and burnout for high performers and organizations [00:05:40] What Inspires Her: Watching People Become Free Loves watching clients go from trapped and overwhelmed to stronger and liberated You stop hoping others won't harm you; you start creating your own safety The people-pleasing tap dance ends; you can only keep your own peace [00:06:00] The High Performers She's Fighting For High performers keep giving until their gas tank runs dry She's seen them on FMLA, in the ER, sick before work every morning They're talented and creative; they just never learned to say no Her mission is to reach them before burnout does [00:07:00] The Keynoting Business Taking Shape Did her first major keynote at a national convention in Dollywood Has since spoken for chambers of commerce and young professionals groups Signature talk: Becoming the CEO of Your Mental Boardroom: Banishing Burnout with Boundaries Heart's desire is to reach more organizations, teams, and women's groups [00:11:20] Why Boundaries Make You Better at Your Job Boundaries don't give people permission to slack; they keep people performing long term Work affects home and home affects work; they are not separate Healthy boundaries in both areas lift both; the reverse is equally true [00:16:00] Client Impact: From Isolation to Thriving A client was about to quit her job; coworkers were taking advantage and she had no tools to respond At home she was avoiding her father and had drifted from all her friends Small application assignments helped her find her voice at work and at home She didn't quit; coworkers changed, her father's behavior improved, and she found a new friend group [00:22:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Yolanda Harris A podcast guest told Dana she needed to meet Yolanda Harris, a branding expert for keynote speakers Yolanda took her through a full rebranding process three years ago Dana told her it felt like every other word was Russian; Yolanda never let go Her patience helped Dana see herself as a keynote speaker for the first time [00:25:00] The Second Community: MicDrop Workshop and Jess Ekstrom Was accepted into MicDrop Academy, described as the Navy SEALs of the speaking world Jess Ekstrom leads with a heart specifically for women who speak Being around giants in the field accelerated Dana's growth [00:25:40] The Relationship That Shaped Everything: Her Mother Her mother's mental illness dominated and enmeshed the entire family Dana grew up believing her mother's moods were her fault and her responsibility to fix Her aunt gave her a boundaries book by Cloud and Townsend in 1992; it felt like magic That moment became the foundation of everything she does today [00:33:40] Final Word: Baby Steps and Grace Entrepreneurship is jumping off a cliff and figuring out the parachute on the way down Baby steps taken consistently create real change That is not just encouragement; it is a boundary lesson   KEY QUOTES "You become stronger, you become safe. You are not hoping that someone else isn't gonna try to harm you. We learn how to create our own safety, and then we become liberated." - Dana Skaggs "You can't keep someone else's peace. You can only keep your own." - Dana Skaggs CONNECT WITH DANA SKAGGS Website: http://www.danaskaggs.com Boundary Quiz: http://www.danaskaggs.com/quiz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danabskaggs-speaker Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.b.skaggs   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the boldest thing a nonprofit could do isn't fight to survive alone, but choose to grow together? In this episode, Jay Deppeler, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Inperium, shares how a 25-year journey through the health and human services sector led him to one of the most revolutionary models in nonprofit leadership. Imperium now operates across 20 states with 34 affiliates and more than $800 million in revenue, all without erasing a single organization's identity or mission. Jay didn't start in boardrooms. He started as a 19-year-old psychology student working with traumatized kids in a residential treatment facility, wondering why the systems around them weren't better. That question never left him. And when he met Ryan Dewey Smith in 2016, it found its answer.   [00:04:40] What He Does and Who He Serves Senior EVP and Chief Development Officer at Inperium, a nonprofit-supporting organization Inperium strengthens health and human service nonprofits without eroding their mission or local identity Affiliates gain scale, infrastructure, and capital while keeping their name, vision, and values [00:05:40] How He Got Here Started as a 19-year-old psychology student working with traumatized kids in a residential treatment facility Saw 84 kids at full capacity with interventions he felt weren't robust enough Pursued a master's in counseling psychology at Lehigh University to go deeper into the work Realized the people he was helping were supported by nonprofits that needed to be stronger at the systems level [00:09:00] Building Edison Court Became president and CEO of Edison Court in 2012 and led its first ever strategic plan Faced a major funding shift from program funding to fee-for-service and later managed care Tried and failed to recruit other nonprofits to grow together; ego and identity concerns blocked every attempt Decided to raise his hand and look for a larger partner instead; that partner was Inperium [00:11:20] Meeting Ryan Dewey Smith Met Ryan in August 2016 in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania Ryan introduced the concept of affiliation as distinct from merger or acquisition Affiliating organizations keep their mission, vision, and values while gaining back office support Jay was persuaded immediately; eight months later Edison Court became Inperium's third affiliate [00:13:00] What Affiliation Actually Looks Like Within three months of affiliating, Edison Court opened its first facility outside its home county Went back to organizations that had said no and showed them what was possible; they all came in Helped the Children's Home of Reading, on the brink of insolvency after 150 years, with a $400,000 loan to make payroll That organization restructured, re-strategized, and is now flourishing [00:17:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Ryan Dewey Smith Without Ryan's vision, Jay believes Edison Court would not have survived the funding shifts Ryan's energy and audacity know no bounds; he never runs from a problem He gives his leadership team full latitude to leverage their unique skills His can-do attitude was transformative in 2016 and remains so today [00:21:40] When Everyone Ran for the Hills In 2024 an organization with $300 million in revenue lost $26 million over two fiscal years Their bank was calling a $22 million line of credit on May 31st; cash would run out by early July That put 3,800 employees and 35,000 people supported by the organization at serious risk Inperium was the only organization that stepped in with a $25 million line of credit [00:25:40] The Federally Qualified Health Center The organization had a federally qualified healthcare center that couldn't affiliate under Inperium's governance structure Losing it would have left thousands of underserved people in Philadelphia without healthcare Jay brokered a deal with a local healthcare center to underwrite a new 501c3 and reapply for the federal grant Within seven days of recording, they will be a fully operational new federally qualified health center [00:29:00] Affiliation Is a Strategy, Not a Surrender Boards resist affiliation because they fear losing their identity; Inperium lets them keep it Affiliation is not concession; it is a strategic pivot to deal with the realities of the world For-profit businesses do this constantly; nonprofits tend to leave their pragmatic hats at the door No money, no mission; no margin, no mission; the work has to be run like a business   KEY QUOTES "Affiliation isn't concession. Affiliation isn't giving up. Affiliation is a strategy to pivot and deal with the realities of the world." - Jay Deppeler "If you have no money, you have no mission. If you have no margin, you have no mission." - Jay Deppeler CONNECT WITH JAY DEPPELER Website: http://www.inperium.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaydeppeler   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the connection that changes everything isn't the one you're chasing, but the one you almost overlooked? In this episode, Ron Nussbaum, Marine Corps veteran, founder of BuilderComs and Buildable Labs, and host of Construction Champions Podcast, shares how a knee injury in a swamp ended his military career and accidentally launched one of the most impactful entrepreneurial journeys in the construction industry. Ron didn't set out to build software. He set out to solve a problem nobody else was solving: the communication chaos that costs construction companies money, trust, and time every single day. And the relationships he built along the way, not the money, not the marketing, are what made it all possible.   [00:03:40] What He Does and Who He Serves Founder of BuilderComs, the messaging-first communication platform for construction teams Also runs Buildable Labs, a custom software firm built around each company's unique systems Hosts Construction Champions Podcast, one of the biggest in the industry [00:06:40] How He Got Here: From the Marines to Construction Planned to be a career Marine; a knee injury on a night training op ended that instantly Spotted a foreman-in-training ad on Craigslist and waited two weeks before applying The owner, an 82nd Airborne vet, hired him on the spot He had never swung a hammer on a house in his life [00:08:20] Finding His People on the Job Site Found the brotherhood and camaraderie he had lost when he left the Marines Knew he was behind in skill; outworked everyone instead Went from running a jackhammer to running an eight-figure business with 150 employees [00:11:40] Client Impact: The Veteran Who Almost Quit Was working with an Army veteran transitioning into a new line of business The week before the breakthrough, the client was ready to shut everything down Ron's message: stay at it, trust the vision, execute the plan Two weeks ago the client texted: first sale, all cash, $90,000 [00:15:20] The Relationship That Changed Everything Was pushed by a room of people to start the podcast even though he didn't feel called to it Used the podcast to finally get the attention of a major name in construction SaaS After recording, that person said: "You're real. What can I do for you?" He opened doors and a network Ron could never have accessed on his own [00:18:00] The Adjacent Relationship Principle The person who changes your life is rarely the one you're closest to It's usually someone adjacent to a relationship you've already invested in A woman he had met with weekly for three years made the introduction that mattered most Organic introductions from real relationships beat any marketing budget [00:23:00] Dinner and Dreams: How to Show Up Most people come into conversations asking what they can get The right approach: pitch a vision, listen 25 minutes out of 30, make your five minutes count The goal is to be what someone talks about at dinner and dreams about at night [00:28:20] The Ripple That Saved a Business The SaaS founder's belief in Ron kept him going through a season of serious doubt That validation led to a customer who told someone about the podcast That person and their partner were about to shut down; the podcast pulled them back Ron had no idea until they wrote to thank him; he later had them on as guests [00:32:20] Impact Is a Long-Term Play BuilderComs launched four and a half years ago with one goal: fix communication in construction Impact has to be genuine; people see through it the moment things get hard Ron has never taken outside capital; he will not let someone else's agenda drive his mission [00:37:20] Send the Ripple Anyway The person you connect two people with is probably not the one who will change their life It's the connection after that one that does it Ron sends introductions even when he has no logical reason; just a feeling In order for ripples to come back to you, you have to be sending them out   KEY QUOTES "When you have calls with people, it's not about closing anything. It's about dinner and dreams. You want that call to be what they talk about at dinner and what they dream about at night." - Ron Nussbaum "Every relationship I've built, it hasn't necessarily been the person I'm closest to that makes the greatest impact. It's the adjacent connection that changes everything." - Ron Nussbaum "In order for the ripples to come back your way, you have to be sending ripples somewhere." - Ron Nussbaum CONNECT WITH RON NUSSBAUM Podcast: http://www.constructionchampionspodcast.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-nussbaum Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ronwesley.nussbaum   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the business idea that found you was better than any you could have planned? In this episode, Brad Robins, serial entrepreneur, sports marketing veteran, and co-founder of Kitchen Blockers, shares the story of how a pickleball to the face on a drive back from Cincinnati sparked one of the most unexpected entrepreneurial adventures of his life. At 66, Brad had planned to retire. Instead he built the world's largest eye safety protection company for pickleball, now selling in 45 countries, in just 14 months. Brad's career has taken him from the Apple Computer launch team to bringing Facebook to Canada, to advising Olympic athletes and philanthropists on personal branding. But the story that shaped all of it starts with a father who was pushed into the wrong life, and a son who watched closely and went the opposite direction.   [00:05:00] What He's Working On Now Co-founder of Kitchen Blockers, the world's largest eye safety protection company for pickleball Sells in 45 countries; became category leader in just 14 months Official lensless eyewear partner of USA Pickleball, the national governing body [00:06:00] How Kitchen Blockers Was Born Got hit in the eye at a tournament and realized almost nobody was protecting their vision on court Named the product after the kitchen line, where most eye injuries happen Called a military engineering relative who had designed helmets and eyewear; had prototypes in motion within weeks [00:09:20] Early Proof and Global Growth Ran a small test campaign in Canada; generated strong return on advertising spend Expanded to the US market and scaled rapidly Sold close to 50,000 pairs of HeadSnap with no reported eye injuries from ball impact [00:10:00] The Brand Mission: Changing the Face of Pickleball Brand positioning: change the face of pickleball Mantra: love the product or not, please put something on your eyes Applauds competitors who also promote eye safety; the goal is category awareness, not just market share Serving players from 8 to 80; no narrow demographic, no restrictions [00:12:20] Why the Sport Is More Dangerous Than People Think Most injuries are not from hard drives but from deflections and ricochets off a partner's paddle Coordination levels vary wildly on the same court because anyone can play with anyone Targeting ophthalmologists and youth programs to change safety habits from the ground up [00:16:00] What Inspires Him: A Completely Open Runway Was part of the Apple Computer launch team and helped bring Facebook to Canada First product in his career where nobody can argue against the premise For the first time, he executes his own creative vision without needing anyone's approval [00:20:20] The Vision Going Forward Seeking the right global partner to scale impact and reach more players faster Wants to make pickleball eyewear a form of artistic expression Believes eye protection should eventually be mandated the way it was in squash [00:25:40] Why Pickleball Is Unlike Any Other Sport Anybody can play with anybody across all ages and fitness levels Pulls up to any community court and plays with total strangers Describes it as speed dating where everyone leaves happy The joy of pickleball is in the connection, not the outcome [00:28:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: His Father His father was pushed by the family to become a lawyer; his uncle, a Supreme Court judge, ordered it Brad's father was deeply unhappy in law; his real joy was building things and sailing Brad went the opposite direction; built a life around engaged passion and creative expression [00:32:40] The Intern Who Landed His First Client Volunteered at an advertising agency and did every task no one else wanted On his lunch hour, pitched a prospective client independently and came back with a new account Has lived by that principle ever since: create your own path, don't wait for permission [00:37:00] Kill Them with Kindness Lives by two rules: never take a backward step and kill them with kindness Has been actively focused on showing appreciation to people for 12 years Three strangers at Costco said he was the only person who had smiled at them all day There is not a person on earth who gets too much appreciation   KEY QUOTES "Relationships are the keys to everything." - Brad Robins "Kill them with kindness. There is not a person on the face of this earth that gets too much appreciation." - Brad Robins CONNECT WITH BRAD ROBINS Website: https://www.kitchenblockers.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinspartnership Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kitchen-Blockers/61554179590995 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kitchenblockers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kitchenblockers   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | iHeart Radio | Stitcher

What if the best business mentor you never had wasn't a person at all? In this episode, Chris Gilmour, educator, wilderness guide, course creator, and resilience consultant, shares how a fascination with wildlife tracking in his early twenties led him to one of the most unique and meaningful careers imaginable. Over two decades, Chris has taught thousands of people how to grow food, navigate the wild, and build resilience, not as a doomsday prepper, but as a practical, grounded human being who understands that nature has been solving complex problems long before we arrived. His work sits at the intersection of ecology, emergency preparedness, and ancestral wisdom, and it all traces back to one man: John Young, who taught Chris to track deer and inadvertently taught him how to see the patterns that run through everything.   [00:03:40] What He Does and Who He Serves Educator, wilderness guide, and resilience consultant Helps individuals and organizations reconnect with nature and build resilience Works with businesses, municipalities, and hospitals on preparedness and resilience audits [00:04:40] Where It All Started Got into wilderness guiding in his early twenties Became obsessed with reading wildlife tracks, weather patterns, and birdsong Those skills taught him pattern recognition and how to connect the dots in complex systems [00:06:00] Reconnecting People with the Land Humans have lost a deep connection to the land that shaped us for thousands of years Ancestral skills still train our brains and bodies in ways that matter today Time in nature calms the nervous system and restores balance amid constant tech and noise [00:07:00] Holistic Preparedness Not doomsday prepping; a practical, non-fear-based approach to an uncertain world Helps individuals, communities, and organizations adapt to extreme weather, pandemics, and financial disruption Bridges emergency management expertise with ecology for a uniquely holistic angle [00:08:20] Resilient Design Lives on a small homestead, growing food and balancing land-based living with consulting work Applies sustainable agricultural thinking to how businesses and individuals hold up under pressure What makes a food system locally resilient also makes a business resilient to disruption [00:09:40] What Inspires Him: Million Dollar Relationships Sitting alone in a hotel restaurant at 10pm on a work trip, had a profound epiphany Realized no amount of money would make him stop doing this work Sent Kevin an email that same night after thinking about what a million dollar relationship really means Confirmed he is living his life's purpose and would not trade it [00:14:40] How He Helps People Who Feel Overwhelmed Most people either ignore the anxiety or spiral into extreme prepper mode; neither works Humans are born survivors; reframing that story is the first step Audits organizations, maps every vulnerability, then finds the low-hanging fruit Small proactive steps create immediate relief; you sleep better when you've done something [00:19:20] Client Impact: The Young Man Who Came Full Circle Worked with at-risk youth in his early guiding days, taking young offenders into the wilderness One young man with a severe alcohol problem resurfaced years later in a very dark place Chris used his network to land him a summer job with a park warden in remote backcountry He is now seven years sober, a father, and works with at-risk youth through nature connection [00:24:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: John Young A friend introduced Chris to John Young in his early twenties John is an author, TED speaker, and founder of schools focused on land connection Chris went to learn tracking but John was really teaching pattern recognition and systems thinking That foundation led Chris to study emergency management and eventually consult with hospitals and municipalities [00:27:40] What John Planted That Grew into Everything John introduced the idea that culture can be designed intentionally That sparked Chris's obsession with patterns across healthy cultures, communities, and ecosystems The pattern thinking John taught is the foundation for every client conversation Chris has today [00:31:20] What Being a Tracker Really Means Tracking started as reading animal prints; it became something far bigger Now it means tracking ripples across time, culture, business, and human relationships The mission is applying ancient pattern wisdom to the most complex modern challenges Healthy humans, ecosystems, and businesses all share the same resilience patterns   KEY QUOTES "I realized that if I had millions of dollars in the bank, I would still be sitting here working on my notes to go serve this community. That relationship is literally worth more than a million dollars to me." — Chris Gilmour "John taught me to track deer. That led me down this deep rabbit hole that basically led to how I do my work today." — Chris Gilmour "Healthy humans are more resilient. Healthy ecosystems are more resilient. Healthy businesses are more resilient. How do we put those all together? That's my sacred question." — Chris Gilmour CONNECT WITH CHRIS GILMOUR

What if everything you were meant to build was already waiting on the other side of a door you almost never opened? In this episode, Jeremy Barker, founder and CEO of Murphy Door, shares the origin story behind one of the most inventive brands in home design. Murphy Door now controls roughly 92% of global search for hidden doors, ships a door every six minutes, and has served everyone from homeowners building Barbie rooms to the creators of the John Wick experience in Las Vegas. Jeremy didn't start as a businessperson. He was a full-time firefighter paramedic who wanted to build a hidden theater room for his daughters on a tight budget. That creative problem turned into a multi-million dollar company, a patented ladder brand, a real estate portfolio, and a peer review software platform. At the center of all of it is a man who almost missed everything because he used to burn the bridges other people were trying to build for him.   [00:03:40] What He Does Founder and CEO of Murphy Door, a Utah-based manufacturer of hidden-door furniture and experiential design Also created Murphy Ladder, a patented collapsible ladder, and Purebrand, a peer-powered customer review platform Holds a growing portfolio of commercial real estate and hotels Ships a door every six minutes; Murphy Door owns roughly 92% of global search for hidden doors [00:04:20] How Murphy Door Started Was a full-time firefighter paramedic trying to build a small hidden theater room for his daughters Couldn't find anyone making the door hardware he needed, so he designed his own hinges Sold the hinges as a side business while still fighting fires; grew to $5 million in revenue by 2016 His wife pointed out he was working 520 hours a month; he left full-time firefighting to focus solely on the business [00:08:00] What Inspires Him Loves helping businesses create immersive experiences, not just products Built the hidden door systems for the John Wick experience in Las Vegas for Lionsgate Gets to work with everyone from 8-year-olds wanting a Barbie room to 70-year-olds building speakeasies and humidors Feels like Forrest Gump every day: sitting across from people he has admired for years and wondering how he got there [00:12:20] The Relationship That Changed Everything: John Porter John Porter was the state president of his local LDS congregation who took a liking to Jeremy despite Jeremy not being a churchgoer He saw something in Jeremy that Jeremy couldn't see in himself and provided the financial backing to help him get there Jeremy openly admits he used to burn bridges, take personal credit for everything, and dismiss the role others played in his success Two bankruptcies and a period of serious depression were what finally shifted his perspective on relationships [00:15:00] How He Pays It Forward Looks for opportunities every day to give, ideally in ways that help the most people with the same amount of effort Helped bring PulsePoint software to his county in Utah, which notifies all first responders of nearby cardiac arrests so anyone can run and help Also supports drug rehabilitation efforts and various community programs Believes giving money is the lazy version of giving; giving time is the real currency [00:21:00] The Vision: Murphy Door as a Manufacturing Laboratory Sees Murphy Door not as a door company but as a laboratory for the future of domestic manufacturing and mass customization Because they source domestic commodities and manufacture locally, their inventory tail is essentially zero This allows full customization: customers choose wood type, handle, size, swing, and finish with delivery in around 30 days Believes tariffs are important because they push companies to manufacture closer to home, reducing logistics waste and supply chain vulnerability [00:26:00] Taking Care of People First Murphy Door employees receive 100% health, dental, and vision coverage, 4% 401k match, tuition reimbursement, maternity leave, and five weeks off Operates on an inverted pyramid: employees come first, customers come second Learned the hard way that happy employees produce happy customers; he was doing it backwards for years Murphy Door holds a 4.9 Google rating across hundreds of reviews [00:33:40] What Every One-Star Review Is Really Worth Doesn't believe in one-star or five-star reviews as true measures of quality Sees every one-star as a 360-degree review opportunity to understand the full experience that led someone there Prefers customers call him directly before leaving a bad review; he will take the call and fix it Created Purebrand specifically to help businesses get more honest, actionable, and complete customer feedback [00:36:20] Founder Fallout: The Book Published a book called Founder Fallout covering 100 questions to ask before taking on a business partner or splitting equity Designed for entrepreneurs who have a great idea and a good friend but haven't asked the hard questions yet Includes a workbook for sitting down with a current or future partner Available on Amazon; his uncle said he should have read it before getting married   KEY QUOTES "Murphy Door owns about 92% of the world's search of hidden doors right now. We became the category, which you always dream of." — Jeremy Barker "As much as you hunt for growth in work, you should hunt just as much for the opportunity to give." — Jeremy Barker "I put my employees first and my customers second. It's really hard to have super happy customers if you have super unhappy employees." — Jeremy Barker CONNECT WITH JEREMY BARKER

What if the people nobody believed in turned out to be the ones worth believing in most? In this episode, Michael Thomas, CEO of ConnectIDD and former 14-year CEO of My Possibilities, shares how nearly 20 years in the disability space has brought him to one clear conviction: we are at a tipping point. Adults with disabilities are running Ironmans, graduating from purpose-built college campuses, and landing jobs at companies that actively seek them out. The systems are finally starting to catch up. Michael built a 16-acre, 72,000 square foot campus for higher learning in North Texas from the ground up, led a $30 million capital campaign to make it happen, and is now channeling everything he learned into ConnectIDD, a disability empowerment agency helping organizations across the country do the same. At the center of all of it are two mentors who shaped not just his career, but the kind of leader he became.   [00:03:40] What He Does and Who He Serves Runs ConnectIDD, a disability empowerment agency that plugs into organizations looking to grow their impact Works with nonprofits, foundations, and businesses serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities Leads complex projects like capital campaigns, program launches, and organizational growth strategies Every engagement is individualized; there is no one-size-fits-all approach [00:06:40] How He Got Here Grew up around disability; his sister, mother, grandmother, and uncle all share a genetic condition Spent time as a kid at Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas, a specialized children's hospital Started college in music therapy, switched to philosophy when the program was cut, and found his way to the Muscular Dystrophy Association right out of college A fraternity mentor pointed out that the volunteer work he loved, Special Olympics and fundraising events, was actually a career [00:09:40] What Inspires Him: Rooting for the Underdog His father instilled a lifelong habit of rooting for the underdog in any situation People with disabilities are the quintessential underdogs; systems were never designed to elevate them A father in Florida recently led 16 adults with autism and Down Syndrome to complete an Ironman The fuel in the tank is watching expectations get shattered and systems finally start to change [00:13:00] Client Impact: The Garden Foundation in Las Vegas Engaged with the Garden Foundation, led by an exceptional founder who built it for her sister and others like her They had a waiting list for services but were limited by space; helped them identify and acquire a property in Las Vegas The property includes a house and a renovated 16,000 square foot office space with a view over the city The ribbon cutting is in 10 days; they are now serving more people with plans to grow further [00:15:20] We Are at the Disability Tipping Point Twenty years ago nobody talked about inclusive housing or actively hiring people with autism Today companies recognize the talent and loyalty of employees with disabilities Educational campuses, workforce development programs, and inclusive residential communities are now being built across the country His hope: by the time he retires, inclusion is simply the norm and not the exception [00:17:20] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Linda Smith Linda Smith spent 40 years as chief development officer of Opportunity Village in Las Vegas, named the Mother Teresa of the Desert by the governor of Nevada Her son was born with Down Syndrome and was denied US citizenship not because of immigration but because of his disability She raised more than half a billion dollars for people with disabilities over her career She took Michael under her wing, showed him what intentional relationship building looks like, and has been in his corner for 16 to 17 years since [00:20:20] The Second Relationship: Larry Solomon Larry Solomon was vice president of Human Resources at Dr. Pepper and husband of the founder of My Possibilities Michael joined the organization at 26 and needed refining; Larry was the professional coach who helped him get there The core lesson Larry instilled: take care of your people because they take care of people He was a behind-the-scenes mentor whose influence shows up in everything Michael does today [00:22:40] The Impact: A 16-Acre Campus for Higher Learning Young adults with disabilities were being parked in day programs watching Disney movies; they wanted college and nobody was building it Michael led the vision to build a university-style campus for adults with disabilities in North Texas Linda came out to speak to the board; Larry's coaching drove the professional execution; the team delivered The campus now sits on 16 acres with 72,000 square feet of educational space, offering college-style programs tailored to each person's goals [00:28:40] Go Find Real Community The most important thing missing right now is the ability to truly connect and find community Humans are communal by nature; as we have become less connected, stress, depression, anxiety, and suicide have all risen Real community means being able to say "I'm not well" to people who genuinely care about you His 11-year-old twin sons are already better at communicating emotion than most adults; the younger generation may be the teachers here   KEY QUOTES "I think we're at the disability tipping point. Twenty years ago, nobody talked about inclusive housing communities for people with disabilities." — Michael Thomas "We have to take care of our people because they take care of people. It doesn't make any sense not to lean into the support of your team." — Michael Thomas "A lot of therapy wouldn't be needed if we still had community. We would just go talk with people that care about us." — Michael Thomas CONNECT WITH MICHAEL THOMAS

What if the worst thing that ever happened to you turned out to be the very thing that made you unstoppable? In this episode, Aaron Hale, retired Army Staff Sergeant, EOD Team Leader, speaker, podcaster, real estate investor, and small business owner, shares one of the most extraordinary stories of resilience you will ever hear. In 2011, an IED blast in Afghanistan took his eyes. Four years later, bacterial meningitis took what was left of his hearing. He is now both blind and deaf, and he just ran 205 miles across Kenya and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, believed to be the first blind-deaf person to ever accomplish that feat. Aaron doesn't call himself a victim. He calls his injuries divine direction. And through his podcast, speaking, and the way he shows up every single day, he is busy proving that the story of your struggle can become the blueprint for someone else's survival.   [00:04:20] Just Back from Africa: The Seed to Summit Trek Ran 205 miles from Mombasa, Kenya to the base of Mount Kilimanjaro over nine days Climbed the tallest peak in Africa, completing a full seed to summit expedition Believes he is the first blind-deaf person to ever accomplish this Fulfilled a plan made 11 years earlier, interrupted by the meningitis that stole his hearing [00:06:20] What He Does Now Speaker, podcaster, real estate investor, and co-owner of Extra Ordinary Delights, an artisan chocolate company Calls himself an excuse killer; uses adversity as fuel, not an anchor Hosts the Point of Impact podcast to show people how to become their best selves [00:09:00] Blind, Deaf, and Still Showing Up Lost his eyes in an IED blast in 2011 while serving as an Army EOD technician Bacterial meningitis in 2015 took the rest of his hearing and destroyed his inner ear balance Uses a cochlear implant connected directly to his auditory nerve to communicate [00:12:20] How He Got Here: From Navy Chef to Army Bomb Technician Got asked to leave college, joined the Navy, and became a chef to a three-star admiral in Italy Left cooking, joined the Army, and became an EOD bomb technician Was on his third deployment when the IED blast happened, just days after seeing his firstborn son turn one [00:14:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Kyle Kyle, a fellow EOD team leader, was injured two weeks before Aaron and was already at Walter Reed when Aaron arrived He wheeled into Aaron's room, made him feel the beard he had grown out of defiance, and cracked jokes about his condition He was at full spirit just two weeks after losing a leg That moment showed Aaron he had no excuse to quit; warriors up and down those halls were all still fighting [00:19:20] What Inspires Him: The Gift of a Story In the military, relationships mean survival; you trust the people on your left and right with your life After his injury, he felt like he lost that brotherhood, but it transformed into something new He was given the gift of a story and the ability to flick the light switch on for others Getting to help someone see their situation differently is both altruistic and deeply personally rewarding [00:22:40] The Relationships That Opened the World: Eric Weihenmayer and Lonnie Bedwell Began searching online for blind people living actively: blind plus outdoors, blind plus fitness, blind plus anything Found Eric Weihenmayer, the first blind person to climb all seven summits; went climbing with him in the Peruvian Andes at 19,000 feet Found Lonnie Bedwell, the first blind person to kayak the entire Grand Canyon solo; went kayaking with him too These men took his thinking from a peephole to a bay window; he had been thinking far too small [00:26:00] What That Perspective Unlocked Registered for four marathons before ever running longer than a 10K Three of those qualified him for the Boston Marathon, which he ran in 2015 In 2023 became the first blind-deaf person to finish Badwater 135, the toughest foot race on Earth [00:29:40] The Impact He Got to Make: Kilimanjaro with 25 Friends When he arrived at Kilimanjaro, 25 friends, family, and associates had come to be part of the climb Many had never done anything like it; his story inspired them to say yes A close friend from his military real estate mastermind, someone he had spoken with weekly for years, climbed it right alongside him [00:31:00] Aaron's Marathon Training Day Reached out to Team Red, White and Blue for help training for his first marathon They organized a weekly Sunday run called Aaron's Marathon Training Day, open to anyone at any pace Week after week more people showed up; it outgrew him and became a full community movement He got to be the catalyst; it kept snowballing long after it needed him to carry it   KEY QUOTES "The difference between a rut and a grave is how long you lay there. I did not want to get stuck on the couch." — Aaron Hale "Someday the story of your struggle may be the blueprint for somebody else's survival." — Aaron Hale "We can't control the blast, but we can control the next step. And almost always, we can't accomplish the impossible without a team." — Aaron Hale CONNECT WITH AARON HALE

What if the business relationship that challenged you the most was also the one that taught you the most? In this episode, Latif Hamilton, CEO of SpiritHoods and founder of The Growth Operative, shares the story behind one of the most creative and resilient brands in fashion e-commerce. Over 16 years, SpiritHoods has generated more than $55 million in revenue, won multiple PETA Libby Awards, and built a cult following that includes artists like Doja Cat and Justin Bieber, all while donating 10% of net profits to animal conservation. This episode isn't just about building a brand. It's about what Latif learned when a complementary business partnership forced him to grow in directions he never would have chosen on his own. And it's about the hard-won lessons around inventory, cash flow, transparency, and the kind of character-driven business that earns customers for life.   [00:04:20] What He Does and Who He Serves CEO of SpiritHoods, a faux fur animal-inspired apparel brand, and founder of The Growth Operative consultancy The Growth Operative focuses on e-commerce companies in the $1 to $10 million revenue range Offers a mix of doing the work and educating clients; the goal is never to leave clients dependent Covers SEO, creative marketing, email infrastructure, product development, and design [00:06:40] Why He Fired His Agencies Fired his ad, SEO, and email marketing agencies after repeatedly damaging experiences with all three The problem was not always the agencies; it was going into those relationships without foundational knowledge Ad agencies are incentivized to run more ads, not make them efficient Understanding your own business fundamentals is what gives you real financial freedom [00:11:00] What Inspires Him Loves blowing people's minds with nuances they didn't know existed in their own business SpiritHoods ranks top three for "faux fur coat," a keyword with hundreds of thousands of monthly searches Transparency matters: he is not a gatekeeper and shares everything that benefits the client Character and morality are the lens he uses when choosing who to work with [00:13:40] How SpiritHoods Started Left a remodeling business after the 2008 crash and started researching product-based opportunities A friend wore a faux fur hat made for Burning Man out to dinner and had the most incredible night of his life The three founders wrote the business plan that same night, including the 10% giveback to endangered animals Was in Guatemala working with sea turtles when the call came: get home, there's a trade show in three weeks [00:17:40] The Trade Show That Launched Everything Flew back early and walked into a buttoned-up Vegas fashion trade show as a group of playful young hooligans Their booth was full of stuffed animals and energy while everyone else was stiff and serious Did $40,000 at that first show with only samples and no production locked in Energy and group comradery drew people in; the fun stood out in a room full of pretension [00:19:20] Navigating Tariffs, Fashion's Hard Season, and the Pivot Products are made in Asia and cannot realistically be manufactured elsewhere; tariffs are hitting hard Saw the writing on the wall two years ago and began deliberately downsizing SpiritHoods to stay nimble Major fashion conglomerates have filed for bankruptcy; the sector is under serious pressure Pivoted to consulting full-time, applying 16 years of hard-earned e-commerce knowledge to help other brands [00:22:40] The Content Rule: Entertain or Educate, Nothing Else Every piece of content must sit on a pillar of entertainment or education If you are only reaching out to sell, you are not providing value and you will lose people Giving 150% value, paid or not, is how cult-like brand loyalty is built SpiritHoods items retailed for $120 and later resold on eBay for $2,000; that is what real desirability creates [00:24:40] The Black Friday Story: Transparency That Built a Tribe Realized mid-sale that body suits were discounted too low after customers had already purchased at a higher price Standard practice would be to quietly deepen the discount without telling anyone; they chose not to Manually refunded every previous buyer the difference, which was harder and more costly to do The result was a flood of loyalty emails from customers saying: this is exactly why we love SpiritHoods [00:30:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: His Former Business Partner Met his ex-partner through a domestic faux fur supply relationship that grew into a full business partnership His partner ran a $50 million B2B company; finance-driven, analytical, and strong-willed They were opposing ends of the entrepreneurial spectrum, which caused friction and created enormous learning They parted amicably, and the lessons in finance, international operations, and inventory thinking shaped everything after [00:33:20] What the Dichotomy Taught Him His partner's rigid, finite thinking protected the bottom line in ways creative thinking alone never could Latif built the brand; his partner built the business infrastructure Artists like Doja Cat and Justin Bieber found and bought SpiritHoods without ever being approached The tension between their styles was uncomfortable in the moment and invaluable in hindsight [00:35:40] The Real Impact: Inventory Turnover and Cash Flow Discipline After the split, Latif blended his partner's financial lens with his own SEO knowledge to build a smarter product system Too much inventory ties up cash; that is one of the top reasons businesses fail As a creative and founder, cutting a product you love is hard; doing it anyway is essential You have to look at your inventory with a critical eye, not an emotional one [00:39:00] What the First Big Knockoff Taught Him Did $1 million in year one and $4 million in year two on the back of celebrity buzz and pop culture momentum Then got knocked off; sales dropped and they had no playbook for what came next That moment forced them to actually become entrepreneurs; the real learning began when the easy ride stopped Challenges are not obstacles to success; they are the education required for it [00:41:40] Scrutiny Is a Year-Round Practice Financial discipline, like meditation, must be built before you need it When things are going well, the temptation to relax on inventory and cash flow is exactly when you can't afford to Keep the same critical eye in a strong year as you do in a hard one How you narrate what you're experiencing is one of the most powerful variables in your outcome   KEY QUOTES "Nobody understands your business better than you do. When you outsource without understanding the fundamentals, you're losing." — Latif Hamilton "Businesses don't go out of business because they're bad businesses. A lot of times they go out of business because they don't have enough cash flow, and that money is tied up in inventory." — Latif Hamilton "Short discomfort, long-term growth. Do the right thing even when it costs you, and it pays dividends." — Latif Hamilton CONNECT WITH LATIF HAMILTON

What if uncertainty isn't the problem — it's that you haven't learned to tell the difference between what can change and what can't change? In this episode, Daniel Burrus, one of the world's leading futurists and a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, shares the framework he has used for four decades to predict technological change with remarkable accuracy. From describing Netflix in 1993 to advising the Department of Defense and Fortune 500 companies on AI strategy, Daniel has built a reputation as someone who doesn't just see what's coming; he teaches others how to see it too. As CEO of Burrus Research and creator of the Anticipatory Organization model, Daniel's work has one core goal: help people find certainty in an uncertain world so they can make bold moves, presolve problems, and shape their own destiny. And in an age where AI is reshaping every industry, that ability has never been more valuable.   [00:04:40] What He Does and Who He Serves Runs Burrus Research, a firm monitoring global innovations across AI, robotics, genetics, fiber optics, and more Has been doing this work for four decades, starting out as a biology and physics teacher Serves Fortune 500 companies, the Department of Defense, and entrepreneurs worldwide Works as a translator: takes complex technology trends and makes them actionable for anyone [00:05:20] The Science of Certainty Uncertainty causes hesitation; certainty drives bold moves and big decisions Accurately predicted Netflix, Amazon, and smartphones in his 1993 book Techno Trends Has authored seven books including New York Times bestseller Flash Foresight and Amazon number one bestseller The Anticipatory Organization His goal is not just to share trends but to teach a repeatable process anyone can use [00:08:20] Hard Trends vs. Soft Trends All trends fall into two categories: hard trends based on future facts that cannot be changed, and soft trends based on assumptions that may or may not happen Hard trends let you see disruptions before they hit and presolve problems before they occur Soft trends are changeable; if you don't like one, you can influence it The litmus test: can this trend be stopped or changed? If not, it is a hard trend [00:13:40] The Three Categories of Hard Trends Technology is a hard trend category: wireless went from 3G to 4G to 5G and will keep accelerating Demographics is a hard trend category: 10,000 Americans turn 70 every single day and that is not reversing Government regulation around areas like cybersecurity is a hard trend category regardless of the current political climate Combining two hard trend categories, like demographics and technology, is how low-risk, high-reward innovations are born [00:15:00] Billion-Dollar Ideas Hidden in Hard Trends There is currently no easy-launch boat trailer designed for aging seniors, despite a massive and growing market of older boaters An exoskeleton designed for seniors could prevent the falls that lead to broken hips, one of the leading causes of death in older adults A small Bluetooth sensor attached to a shoe and linked to a hearing aid could warn seniors of steps, obstacles, and uneven surfaces All three ideas are grounded in demographic hard trends that are already certain [00:25:40] The Skip It Principle: Your Problem Is Not Your Problem Whatever you think your biggest problem is, that is not it; you are working the wrong problem Drill down by asking why two or three times until you find the real, solvable problem underneath A drug company CEO thought he needed 2,000 PhD researchers; the real problem was unsolved molecular challenges, solved by crowdsourcing solutions globally online The makers of Jaws couldn't make the shark look real, so they skipped that problem and showed the shark's perspective instead; the rest is cinema history [00:33:00] AI: Hard Trend, Not a Threat AI getting more powerful is a hard trend; it cannot be stopped or reversed AI gets you 80% of the way to any task fast, but the human 20% is where trust, relationships, creativity, and judgment live Letting AI do everything makes you obsolete; using it to eliminate busy work frees you to do higher-level, more meaningful work Think of AI as a magnifier, not a replacer [00:36:40] What AI Means for CPAs and Every Other Industry Has been contracted by the global accounting association AICPA to map out what 2040 looks like for the profession Tax preparation and auditing will be fully automated, but CPAs will not disappear; their role will shift to anticipatory problem solving and trusted advisory No industry will be decimated; every industry will be redefined and reinvented The mistake is waiting to be replaced; the opportunity is reinventing yourself now with a more consultative, forward-looking skill set [00:43:00] Shape Your Own Destiny Ask yourself what parts of your current work are repetitive and could be handled by AI Use hard trends to identify what your future role needs to look like, and start learning those things now Download his free 25 Tech Trends Report at www.25techtrendsreport.com Download his free AI Strategy Report, with top AI tools across categories and real company case studies, at www.aistrategyreport.com   KEY QUOTES "When you're uncertain, you hesitate. When you have high levels of certainty, you write the big check, you make the bold move." — Daniel Burrus "AI is not good at establishing trust. AI is not good at relationships. You gotta remember that this is a machine." — Daniel Burrus "There is more opportunity right now than any other time in history to not just change, but transform every business, product, service  and career." — Daniel Burrus CONNECT WITH DANIEL BURRUS

What if everything you've been chasing is already one relationship away? In this episode, Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew, PhD, shares how over 30 years of community work across Dallas, Texas and the nation shaped her into one of the most sought-after voices on social capital, relational leadership, and community development. As President and CEO of Soulstice Consultancy, she helps health systems, philanthropic organizations, and institutional leaders connect more deeply with the communities they serve. Froswa' didn't stumble into this work. She built it, role by role, relationship by relationship, from the State Fair of Texas to World Vision US programs to keynote stages at the United Nations and the US State Department. And at the center of it all is a conviction she returns to again and again: relationships are currency, and the right ones change everything. She shares the story of the man who hired her while she was visibly pregnant and on the verge of bed rest, kept her job for months, and became one of the most formative figures of her career.   [00:03:40] What She Does and Who She Serves Runs three buckets of work: community engagement strategy, organizational culture and internal social capital, and executive coaching Serves health systems, large institutional organizations, and philanthropic groups Has been doing this work since 1995 and returned to full-time consulting four years ago Rooted in a spiritual belief system, her work always connects leaders to purpose before strategy [00:07:20] What Inspires Her: Watching Organizations Finally Get It Loves the moment organizations shift their strategy and start hitting targets they couldn't reach before Does GIS mapping to help clients identify communities they hadn't thought to connect with Helped design a workforce program for a health system where participants now graduate, get livable wage jobs, and support their families The ripple effect of her work reaches people she may never meet, and that drives her every day [00:09:20] Client Impact: Doubling and Tripling Nonprofit Budgets Worked with organizations connecting into rural and urban communities where they previously couldn't gain participation After a year of training and strategy work, those organizations hit their participation targets Helped design a support services ecosystem around a workforce program, connecting nonprofits to grant writers and partners Several of those nonprofits went on to double or triple their budgets and scale their staffing and infrastructure [00:12:00] Making Money and Doing Good Are Not Mutually Exclusive Pushes back on the idea that profit and community impact are in tension Believes generosity and thriving business can coexist, pointing to the biblical model of Boaz as an example Giving is not just financial; time, talent, and testimony are all resources to steward You can make your community better, profit, take care of your family, and help others all at the same time [00:15:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Dr. Terry Flowers Met Dr. Flowers while pregnant and interviewing for a role, after another interview was shut down the moment she disclosed her pregnancy Dr. Flowers offered her the job knowing she was pregnant, then held the position for her through months of bed rest At St. Philip's School and Community Center, she learned program development, budget management, relationship building, and community strategy He gave her one instruction whenever she brought a new idea: figure it out and make it happen [00:17:40] A Mentor Who Never Left Left St. Philip's in 2005 but Dr. Flowers remains in her life as a mentor to this day A former student painted her portrait, which now hangs on the wall at the school His daughters are still in her life; she had dinner with one of them just recently She credits his investment of time and wisdom as the foundation for everything she does now [00:20:20] Paying It Forward: The Story of Misha Met a young woman named Misha at a speaking event in Dallas and committed to being accessible, because she remembered being shut out early in her own career Brought Misha on as a volunteer, hired her, and took her along to World Vision and then the State Fair of Texas Misha eventually became a VP and hired Froswa' as a consultant, then brought her into a new project she had been building for years That morning, Misha was texting her about an upcoming event, still leaning on her wisdom and knowledge [00:23:20] Relationships Are Currency Tells entrepreneurs directly: you don't have a money problem, you have a relationship problem The right relationships give access to everything you need Real networking is not passing out cards; it is thinking about how to serve people well In an AI-driven world, relationships and trust are the most durable currencies anyone can build   KEY QUOTES "You don't have a money problem. You have a relationship problem. You get the right relationships, you'll get access to what you need." — Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew "Anything that you want is usually connected to people. So build relationships and love people well." — Dr. Froswa' Booker-Drew CONNECT WITH DR. FROSWA' BOOKER-DREW

What if the most valuable investment you could make isn't in your business, but in the people around it? In this episode, Lyndsay Dowd shares how nearly 30 years in sales and leadership, including 23 decorated years at IBM, led her to found Heartbeat for Hire, a consultancy helping executives build cultures that actually drive results. She didn't take the easy route to get there. She got fired six months after leaving IBM, sat with the shame of it for a month, and then asked herself three questions that changed everything. Today Lyndsay coaches C-suite executives, delivers bold keynotes, hosts a top 2.5% globally ranked podcast, and runs a live leadership show on LinkedIn. Her message is simple but radical: the best leadership tool you have is your humanity. Lyndsay shares how one unexpected LinkedIn connection led to a Harvard lecture, a Times Square billboard, and a personal board of advisors that keeps her grounded as an entrepreneur.   [00:03:40] The IBM Years, the Exit, and the Firing That Changed Everything Spent 23 of her 25 corporate years climbing the ranks at IBM, leading broken and first-of-a-kind businesses Left for a new opportunity and was fired just six months later, a total shock for someone known as the person you call to do the hard stuff I sat with shame for a full month before asking: what am I good at, what do I love, and how can I help people the most? Those three questions led to the founding of Heartbeat for Hire [00:05:40] What Heartbeat for Hire Does Coaches individual leaders and C-suites on modern leadership Delivers keynotes, has published two books, hosts a top-ranked podcast and a live LinkedIn show Also runs LinkedIn and storytelling workshops for executives [00:06:00] What Inspires Her: The Gap Between Bad and Great Leaders When she asks a room who has had a bad leader, a hundred percent of hands go up instantly Far fewer hands rise when she asks who has had a great leader Her mission: show the world what good leadership looks and feels like Good leadership is not complicated; it is small behavioral changes in language and awareness [00:09:00] Client Impact: Humanizing the CFO-Turned-CEO Worked with a CEO who admitted: I think people respect my work, but I don't think they like me Coached her to welcome every new employee publicly on LinkedIn, a seven-second action with an outsized impact Taught her to speak about her company the way she would over cocktails, not in boardroom monotone Core lesson: introduce the personal; leaders no longer need to separate work identity from human identity [00:14:20] Power Skills: Why Trust Is Your Currency Rejects the term "soft skills" and calls them power skills instead Trust is the foundational currency of leadership; fracturing it in front of others reverberates far and wide Safe spaces unlock inspiration, risk-taking, and people's best work How a leader handles failure, their own and their team's, is just as important as how they celebrate wins [00:16:00] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Scott McGregor and the Outlier Project Noticed one man kept showing up across all her LinkedIn connections and set up a coffee chat; that man was Scott McGregor His community, the Outlier Project, brings together roughly 800 entrepreneurs, veterans, athletes, and leaders choosing to live extraordinary lives Has since brought over 70 people into the community herself [00:17:00] What the Outlier Project Unlocked Opportunities flowed from the community: a Harvard lecture, a Times Square billboard, and appearances on over 100 podcasts Her entire personal board of advisors is made up of Outliers, the people she calls when she doubts herself The community solved the loneliness of entrepreneurship when family and friends couldn't understand what she was building Members share best practices on podcasting and speaking, and get direct access to legends like Guy Kawasaki every week [00:19:40] The Mavericks and Hustlers: Her Most Memorable Leadership Moment A leader who promoted her twice asked: how do you want to run the business? And meant it She took that autonomy back to her team and launched a storytelling program: explain what you sell with zero jargon, as if speaking to a retired school teacher The first story sparked immediate collaboration, with salespeople realizing they had solutions their clients were already asking for The program grew to 500 attendees per call, and that team still calls her years later to talk about it [00:24:20] Lead with Heart Because Results Depend on It Leadership done well isn't about feeling good; it's about generating results Her storytelling team crushed their numbers quarter after quarter because they had trust and psychological safety Churn-and-burn leadership signals to your team that burnout is expected, and they will follow your model Simple reminder: take a breath before reacting, and always lead with heart   KEY QUOTES "I don't call them soft skills. I call them power skills. Creating trust and creating psychological safety is a power skill, and the best leaders understand that trust is your currency." — Lyndsay Dowd "When you become somebody's leader, you become the topic of dinner conversation. So you better be thinking about every move you make." — Lyndsay Dowd "If you wanna 10x your results, start leading with heart. That's the big difference maker." — Lyndsay Dowd CONNECT WITH LYNDSAY DOWD

What if every client you've ever landed traced back not to a cold email, but to a conversation you had years ago with someone you genuinely cared about? In this episode, Don Martelli shares how a career that began in the newsrooms of the Boston Globe evolved into a mission-driven PR and strategic communications consultancy built entirely on relationship equity. As CEO of the PR Bunker, Don works exclusively with health and human services organizations, nonprofits, and healthcare and education clients whose work makes a real difference in people's lives. Don spent over 25 years in PR, strategic communications, and marketing across agencies of every size, growing one from $1.5M to $6-8M in revenue before deciding to burn the boat and build something of his own. Six years into running the PR Bunker, he hasn't made a cold call or chased an RFP since, and he has no plans to start. Don shares how three men shaped everything he knows about showing up, slowing down, and paying it forward in business.   [00:03:40] From Reporter to PR Guy: What Don Does and Who He Serves CEO of the PR Bunker, a mission-driven PR and strategic communications agency Former journalist at the Boston Globe covering business and politics Serves nonprofits, healthcare, and human services organizations with one filter: do they have a big heart? Work centers on storytelling across media, marketing, and donor engagement channels [00:05:00] Why He Finally Started His Own Company Spent years growing agencies for other people, including taking one from $1.5M to $6-8M in revenue Tried and failed to buy the agency he helped build Reached a crossroads in his mid-to-late forties and asked: what have I actually built that's mine? Had one honest conversation with his wife, burned the boat, and launched the PR Bunker six years ago [00:06:40] The Impact That Keeps Him Going Partnered with Hearth, a Boston nonprofit fighting elder homelessness Pitched a reporter a story about Lisa, a formerly homeless woman who now works for the organization Turned that one story into a 2.5-week marketing campaign that generated $225,000 in anonymous donations This is the kind of full-circle storytelling that drives everything he does [00:08:00] 100% Word of Mouth: How Don Builds Business No cold calls, no cold emails, no RFPs Built entirely on networking, one-on-one conversations, and what he calls "relationship equity" Every interaction is about asking: how can I help you? Who do you want to meet? Treats his network not as a stack of business cards but as a living, monetizable asset [00:12:00] The First Relationship That Changed Everything: Peter Morrissey Don's first PR boss after leaving the Boston Globe, one of the OGs of Boston PR Taught Don the fundamentals: how to dress, how to read a room, how to pitch a story Helped Don understand what a media pitch was and how to manage his own workflow and accountability [00:13:40] "Efficiency Over Speed": The Sticky Note That Stuck Don made a major mistake at work and Peter walked over, wrote four words on a sticky note, and put it on his screen: efficiency over speed Don didn't fully grasp it in his twenties but carried it with him his entire career Now passes that same note and story on to every person he mentors Has since stuck the same note on the desks of people under him when he sees rushed, sloppy work [00:16:40] His Father: The Original Pay-It-Forward Guy Lost his father at just 56 years old At the wake, the funeral home had to extend hours by 90 minutes because of how long the line was That moment revealed how many lives his father had quietly touched through service, generosity, and community Realized he was cut from the same cloth — his father had the attributes of both Peter and Ed [00:17:40] Batman and Robin: Ed Caso and the Art of the Story Ed Caso was the number two at Peter's agency — the hardened complement to Peter's nurturing style Taught Don the discipline of knowing what is and isn't news Much of Don's crisis communications work today traces directly back to what he learned from Ed Peter and Ed together were like Batman and Robin: different styles, one outcome [00:19:20] Full Circle: Passing the Torch Half an hour before recording, received a call from a former mentee named Evan Evan had spent five years building his network, launched his own successful company, and called Don just to say thank you The lesson Don passed on was the same one Peter gave him: "efficiency over speed" and "your network is your net worth" Also mentoring a 22-year-old named Elijah, who just hit $2M in revenue before graduation by focusing exclusively on relationship-based selling   KEY QUOTES "Efficiency over speed. I sat on that. And I said, "What does it really mean?" — Don Martelli "Your network is not this thing where you collect business cards that sit in your desk drawer. It's really an asset. It's a part of your business." — Don Martelli CONNECT WITH DON MARTELLI

What if the key to transforming an entire organization started with the same foundation you learned in kindergarten? Marcia Martin is one of the most prolific influencers in thought leadership over the last 40 years. Renowned as a top transformational trainer and executive coach worldwide, she has provided training for global organizations in over 20 countries. Her clients include Capital One, Warner Bros., InterContinental Hotels, American Cancer Society, Chase Bank, Allianz, McCain Foods, Evian Water, Danone Group, and Hard Rock International. A pioneer of the human potential movement, Marcia served as Vice President and Board Member of Erhard Seminars Training, now known as the Landmark Forum, helping grow its graduate base from inception to millions within a decade. She has consulted for LifeSpring, Robbins Research, Jack Canfield Seminars, Wealth Dynamics, and the Money and You Seminars, and notably organized the film shoot of The Secret: Law of Attraction with Executive Producer Rhonda Byrne. Her memoir, Sex, Power and Transformation, is available now on Amazon.   [00:04:00] At the Birth of the Human Potential Movement Marcia was present at the very beginning of the human potential movement in San Francisco in 1971 Left the University of Washington at 20 for a spiritual quest during the era of the flower children and Haight-Ashbury Apprenticed with her aunt, a clairvoyant healer and esoteric astrologist, who taught her to go inward for answers That training shaped her core belief: answers come from within, not from outside of yourself [00:06:00] Werner Erhard and the EST Years Attended Werner Erhard's very first guest seminar and recognized his message as aligned with what her aunt had taught her Joined the team and became Senior Vice President of EST, helping grow it from 30 people to over 800,000 graduates Was responsible for marketing, sales, training guest seminar leaders, and filling all events Learned both what to do and what not to do by watching how fame and wealth changed people up close [00:11:00] Organizing the Film Shoot for The Secret Co-created the Transformational Leadership Council with Jack Canfield, bringing together top thought leaders and coaches Received a call from Rhonda Byrne, an Australian TV producer, asking to film the group for what became The Secret Ended up organizing the entire film shoot, squeezed into a tiny borrowed office at her country club in Aspen, Colorado Rhonda's skill in editing made the cramped shoot look cinematic [00:19:00] The Night Werner Put Her in Front of 2,500 People Marcia started out speaking to guests on the edge of a bed in a bedroom; groups grew to 20, then 50, then hundreds The day of a major 2,500-person event, Werner told her she would be leading it instead of him She refused, panicked, and was furious; her largest audience to that point had been 150 people His advice: find one person in the crowd, look at them, and remember how much you love them [00:24:00] Empowerment Over Micromanagement Werner's decision to trust Marcia with that event became the defining lesson of her leadership philosophy Most senior executives she works with today are micromanagers who unwittingly signal they don't trust their people Her belief: if a leader is micromanaging, it is not just a lack of trust in others but a lack of trust in themselves True empowerment means giving people room to make mistakes and grow into their potential [00:27:00] The ABCs of Leadership: Her Three-Day Transformation Marcia's flagship offering is a three-day intensive for senior leadership teams of entrepreneurial organizations Covers leadership, championship performance, communication mastery, relationships, confidence, mindset, and causing action Mentored by Buckminster Fuller, Peter Drucker, Jerry Weintraub, and Werner Erhard; she now passes those lessons on   KEY QUOTES "So many human beings look outside of themselves to find answers. We haven't been taught how to go within and connect with our own higher power." - Marcia Martin "Werner was smart enough to give me the room and the empowerment to get it done. He didn't micromanage me, he trusted me and he made a good bet on me." - Marcia Martin "I've figured out the concepts, the fundamentals, the ABCs of leadership and championship performance, and put them together in a way that is fun." - Marcia Martin CONNECT WITH MARCIA MARTIN

What if the frustration of a college student with a phone bill became the seed of a company serving 10 million people? Derek Ting is a multifaceted entrepreneur and filmmaker, known as the co-founder and CEO of telecom company TextNow, offering free mobile services, and also as an actor, director, and writer of action films like Agent Recon, starring alongside Chuck Norris. A native of New York with roots in Hong Kong, he splits his time between LA and HK, blending tech innovation with entertainment.. In this episode, Derek shares the relationships that shaped his path, from a mother who sacrificed to give him access to the right environment, to a sixth-grade friend who introduced him to computers and investing, to the one investor who said yes when everyone else said no. His story is a masterclass in building something meaningful from the ground up.   [00:03:00] Who Is Derek Ting? Co-founder and CEO of TextNow, a free phone service app Started the company 16 years ago as a college student tired of paying for phone service Currently serves 10 million monthly users [00:04:00] The Birth of TextNow The first iPhone charged separately for texting, calling, and data; Derek saw a better way Aha moment: users were turning iPod touches into phones because they couldn't afford service Recruited a college classmate to build out the full product; he became co-founder [00:05:20] Phone Service Is a Necessity, Not a Luxury Many users had no other way to communicate with friends and family You need a phone number to book a doctor's appointment or apply for a job That realization turned a texting app into a much bigger mission [00:07:40] From Hobby to Business: The Early App Store Days The iPhone SDK let anyone, including college students, build and sell software for the first time First app: a daily recipe app for a dollar; then a lemonade stand video game TextNow grew from that same spirit of building things to solve his own problems [00:12:40] Cashflow Crisis and the Last Door He Knocked On Reinvested everything into carrier infrastructure, wiping out profit, then ran out of cash Knocked on every VC door in Canada in 2011 and collected rejection after rejection Remembered a man whose niece was a customer and who had mentioned he was a VC Reached out, met him at a conference, played it cool, and closed the deal; he is still a shareholder today [00:17:40] Where TextNow Is Headed Mission from day one: make phone service completely free The flywheel: more free value drives more users, more advertisers, and more revenue to fund more features Customer base is diverse: young people, those in financial rough patches, anyone needing a second line [00:20:40] The Relationship That Started Everything: His Mom Derek's biggest influence is his mother, a Hong Kong immigrant who prioritized his education above everything She stretched her finances to move him from public to private school in sixth grade That decision changed his peer group and opened doors he never would have found otherwise [00:22:00] The Sixth-Grade Friend Who Sparked It All At private school Derek met a friend who was already building computers and buying stocks in sixth grade He learned about technology and economics simply by spending time around him Without that friendship, Derek believes he would never have ended up in tech or business   KEY QUOTES "Phone service is expensive and it's actually not a luxury. It's a necessity. You need it to get a doctor's appointment, to apply for a job." - Derek Ting "I was running out of doors to knock on. The last door I knocked on became the door that worked out." - Derek Ting CONNECT WITH DEREK TING

What if a near-death experience was the thing that finally showed you what your life was really for? Tino Dietrich is a visionary entrepreneur, Inc. 500 honoree, and certified Mindvalley coach with a track record of building and scaling global businesses. As the founder and CEO of SNYDER Americas, he is spearheading the U.S. expansion of a premium German-engineered golf ball brand, disrupting the industry with innovation and precision. Tino also leads the Dietrich Institute, a coaching and consulting powerhouse dedicated to empowering high-achieving professionals to master personal growth, build thriving relationships, and leave lasting legacies. A former collegiate golfer at Syracuse University, Tino combines discipline, resilience, and strategic insight to inspire others to overcome adversity and create purpose-driven lives. His upcoming book, a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, explores themes of resilience, legacy, and living with intention.   [00:04:20] Who Is Tino Dietrich? Serial entrepreneur, Inc. 500 honoree, and certified Mindvalley coach based in the U.S. after relocating from Germany 13 years ago Founder and CEO of SNYDER Americas and the Dietrich Institute Coaches entrepreneurs and business owners to become better versions of themselves, with a focus on relationships and family Believes the challenges we face are determined by the choices we make, and that the right people help us make better ones [00:06:40] The ICU Moment That Changed Everything After contracting COVID, Tino's health rapidly deteriorated while his family recovered Was rushed to the emergency room, then the ICU, and placed on an ECMO machine to oxygenate his blood A priest was called to read him his last rites; that was the moment he realized how serious things were In the ICU, he reflected and realized he had been missing his purpose, focused on building companies but not on why He begged for a second chance to make a first impression and got it, returning home days later [00:10:20] Finding Purpose After a Near-Death Experience After surviving COVID, Tino lost 90 pounds and radically reassessed his life Realized his purpose was to coach entrepreneurs and business owners who had been in similar situations Focused his work on relationships, marriage, and family, noting that the divorce rate among entrepreneurs is even higher than the national average His mission: slow down the divorce clock and help people turn their houses into homes Recognized he had been living in a house, not a home, and that his family helped him turn that around [00:18:00] The People Who Shape You: Positive and Negative Tino credits a wide collection of people, not just one, for shaping who he is Learned in the hospital that some people who appear to be friends are not Believes you must understand what you truly want, not what others want for you, before you can see clearly who belongs in your life Is grateful for both the people who helped him and those who did not; both shaped his direction His late mother, a single mom who rose from selling curtains on a market stall in Hamburg to becoming one of the most influential people in the German steel industry in the seventies and eighties, was his greatest inspiration [00:21:00] The Mentor Who Unlocked His Path After college, Tino was introduced to a mentor who had become Chief Marketing Officer for Danone (then BSN), responsible for Eastern European expansion Tino told him he was not a marketing person; the mentor replied that this proved Tino did not yet know what marketing was, and insisted he come work for him Tino worked in marketing for three months, then went on to Colgate Palmolive in Mexico in finance The experience changed his trajectory: he returned to Syracuse and majored in international marketing and management That mentor later became his business partner; Tino credits him with opening his eyes to his own strengths and purpose [00:26:20] Ikigai and the Concept of Purpose Tino connects his near-death clarity to the Japanese concept of ikigai: the intersection of what you are good at, what the world needs, and how you can make it happen Believes everyone has unique talents, but most people never slow down enough to identify them Encourages listeners to dig deeper into ikigai as a framework for living with intention The most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself; everything else changes when that one improves   KEY QUOTES "The challenges we face are determined by the choices we make. And the people who helped me through the different phases of my life helped me to make some very good choices." - Tino Dietrich "The most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself. If you understand that and you work on that, things will begin to change around you." - Tino Dietrich CONNECT WITH TINO DIETRICH

What if the most powerful business strategy you could ever use isn't a strategy at all, but a lifelong commitment to showing up for people? Frank Carone is a seasoned legal and political strategist and the founder of Oaktree Solutions, where he guides businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs through complex challenges at the intersection of law, regulation, and politics. With over three decades of experience as a lawyer and litigator, Frank has built a reputation for navigating the most intricate corridors of power in New York and beyond. Frank served as Chief of Staff to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a role he describes as one of the greatest privileges of his life. He co-authored Everyone Wins!: The Ultimate Guide to Optimize Your Business Relationships and Achieve Financial Freedom, with an expanded second edition releasing in early 2025, and sits on the boards of the Central Park Conservancy and the Museum of Modern Art. A proud Brooklyn native, Marine Corps veteran, and father of two, Frank shares the relationship principles and pivotal people who shaped everything he has built, from a napkin idea in a Brooklyn neighborhood to the halls of New York City government.   [00:04:00] Who Is Frank Carone? Founder of Oaktree Solutions, navigating law, regulation, and politics for businesses and nonprofits 31 years as a lawyer and litigator, plus decades in politics and government Served as Chief of Staff to NYC Mayor Eric Adams Co-authored Everyone Wins! with Russ Prince to make relationship-building learnable [00:05:20] Oaktree Solutions: Navigating Legal, Regulatory, and Political Complexity After 31 years as a lawyer and litigator, Frank found his greatest value at the intersection of law, regulation, and politics Most industries are highly regulated; clients need someone who can interpret, navigate, and advocate across all three environments Oaktree Solutions workshops problems and creates value for both paying clients and the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors Frank's approach: don't limit access to those who can afford it; some of the most important relationship seeds are planted pro bono [00:08:00] Deep Listening as a Business Strategy Frank makes it a habit to understand clients' business objectives, fears, obstacles, and past experiences, not just their goals Listening takes patience and requires setting aside ego; the point is to extract information that leads to the best service When clients feel genuinely heard, they return on a routine basis and refer others without prompting Giving people the gift of feeling seen, heard, and understood is one of the most powerful things a relationship-builder can do [00:12:00] Growing Up in Brooklyn: The Roots of Grit and Credibility Grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where grit and credibility were non-negotiable Sold newspapers, flowers, and candy on the el train as a boy; later sold his comic book collection to help fund law school His father taught him to learn from both successes and failures Coach Bobby Napo challenged him to aim higher than a civil service job [00:15:40] The Marine Corps and the Art of Perseverance Received a Marine Corps recruiter's call meant for his younger brother and ended up applying himself Was disqualified due to childhood asthma; Captain Samuels fought the appeal alongside him and won Graduated from Officer Candidate School as a second lieutenant Marine training reframed his standards: bar exam prep in a library felt easy by comparison [00:17:40] Frank Seto and the Decision That Changed Everything Frank Seto was a family friend and future assemblyman who let a young Frank sell Christmas trees outside his home Frank turned to him when choosing between an honorable discharge and a law firm partnership offer Seto's advice: whatever decision you make will be the right one That single sentence removed regret from Frank's decision-making permanently; he has never looked back since [00:20:40] The Relationship That Moved a City: Mayor Eric Adams Eric Adams came to Frank's office as Brooklyn Borough President asking for his support in a mayoral run Frank activated political, labor, and business relationships to build the campaign coalition Adams was far behind in the polls; the campaign turned it around through relationship capital None of it would have been possible without decades of trust built in advance [00:24:20] Brother Anthony and the Power of Long-Term Loyalty Frank's assistant Jen has been with him for 20 years across multiple businesses His brother Anthony joined his mortgage banking venture from day one When Frank left for City Hall, Anthony gave up his own firm to hold the client base together Anthony now runs Oaktree Solutions as CEO [00:26:40] Credibility, Authenticity, and Playing the Long Game Credibility and authenticity are the two words Frank returns to again and again You cannot have credibility without authenticity; it is the baseline Real credibility means admitting when you are wrong and pivoting when you have to His advice: do not burn bridges, admit mistakes, and embrace relationships rather than just collecting them [00:29:00] Russ Prince and the Everyone Wins Framework Frank cold-emailed Russ Prince after seeing his name in a book foreword; Russ responded in seconds They connected immediately and Russ has workshopped problems with Frank ever since Together they co-authored Everyone Wins! to make relationship-building accessible to anyone Frank's belief: building million dollar relationships is a learnable process, not a personality trait   KEY QUOTES "The skillset necessary to build million dollar relationships that stand the test of time can be learned." - Frank Carone "I don't think you could have credibility without authenticity. Authenticity may be the line in the sand. In order to have real credibility, you need authenticity." - Frank Carone "None of us are really here on an island. Most people's success comes through a collection of relationships. So embrace them, don't just collect them and push them aside." - Frank Carone CONNECT WITH FRANK CARONE

What if the secret to saving a mission wasn't a merger but building something big enough to protect it? In this episode, Ryan Dewey Smith shares how frustration with traditional merger models led him to incorporate Inperium on January 12, 2016, from a firehouse office in Reading, Pennsylvania. What started as a bold experiment in nonprofit consolidation has since grown into a constellation of 34 companies across 20 states, approaching $1 billion in annualized revenue and serving roughly 300,000 people a month. Inperium operates as a behind-the-scenes parent organization providing capital, HR, IT, finance, and general administrative services at scale, driving costs down so that affiliated organizations can invest more into the people they serve. Ryan honors Jay Depper, his Chief Development Officer and the man whose early belief in the model set the trajectory for Inperium's first five years. Met through a broker just nine months after incorporation, Jay came in as a potential affiliate CEO and stayed as a partner. Their relationship survived a three-year disconnection following a post-COVID disagreement, was restored over four days in Ryan's home, and has since produced four new deals in a single year.   [00:03:46] What Inperium Does and Who It Serves Aggregator and orchestrator of behavioral health and human service organizations across four primary service areas Currently 34 companies across 20 states serving roughly 300,000 people a month Behind-the-scenes parent providing capital, HR, IT, finance, and G&A at scale so affiliated organizations can invest more into the people they serve [00:05:34] How Ryan Got Into This Work Started his first company in 1993 in the intellectual and developmental disability space and grew it for nearly two and a half decades to $65M in revenue Hit a crossroads where rising costs were outpacing their ability to serve their population Explored traditional mergers and acquisitions in 2014 and 2015; found every option reduced autonomy and stripped organizations of community standing Created Inperium as an alternative: scale the back office, protect the mission, keep the culture [00:08:11] Incorporated January 12, 2016 Organizations keep their own boards, cultures, leadership, assets, contracts, and community standing Philanthropic dollars stay with the organizations rather than being absorbed by a parent Just over 10 years later: nearly $1 billion in revenues, 34 companies, 20 states [00:09:04] What Inspires Ryan Most Every new partner added to the constellation drives costs down for existing partners and brings new subject matter expertise, geography, and service acumen Serves populations that are in most cases underserved with limited alternatives Calls it "impact squared" and then some [00:10:13] Saving Resources for Human Development Last major transaction closed December 2025: Resources for Human Development, founded 1970, on the brink of insolvency with bank loans called and 1,800 jobs at risk In six months, Inperium recapitalized the business, retired the debt, and moved it into tax-exempt public municipal markets Reduced general and administrative costs from nearly 25 cents on the dollar to 9 cents on the dollar Organization is now solvent, growing, and expanding into new geographies [00:13:25] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Jay Depper Met Jay Depper in September 2016, just nine months after incorporation, through broker Kevin Fee Jay was CEO of Edison Court in Bucks County, PA; affiliated with Inperium and spent the next four years building the model together Jay's early adoption and belief in the concept set the trajectory for Inperium's first five years of growth After COVID, the two disagreed on direction and Jay resigned; they disconnected personally and professionally for three years [00:15:30] Four Days That Rebuilt a Partnership Over a year ago, Ryan brought Jay to his home for a four-day in-person meeting to unpack everything before agreeing to move forward Jay returned as full-time Chief Development Officer; together they consummated four deals in the year since his return Ryan describes their dynamic as "an unstoppable force" in developing Inperium [00:16:27] Scaling to $2-3 Billion: The Vision Plan to expand from four to roughly ten total services verticals including higher education and arts Goal is to drive back office costs to 5 or 6 cents on the dollar at that scale, down from 9 cents today Agnostic to size, geography, and services; evaluates all comers and starts with yes [00:20:14] First Deal Outside Pennsylvania Inperium started Pennsylvania-centric; first out-of-state deal closed in New Jersey, followed by Raleigh, North Carolina North Carolina was the epiphany: proof of concept beyond the Commonwealth, now operating in 20 states Nothing preventing expansion to all 50 states; already has 13 companies in Pennsylvania alone collaborating across service spaces   KEY QUOTES "People are paying attention. People are showing that there's proof in this concept. That was an epiphany for me that this is bigger than just Harrisburg to Philadelphia." - Ryan Dewey Smith "Our assets remained ours. Our contracts remained ours. Our legacy was insulated from a business combination. That's what I did." - Ryan Dewey Smith "We start with yes. Our business is built around adding business partners that are accretive to our constellation." - Ryan Dewey Smith CONNECT WITH RYAN DEWEY SMITH

What if the most important relationship in your business isn't with your biggest client but with the person sitting right next to you in the leadership seat? In this episode, Clayton Stenson shares how 17 years of working alongside visionary entrepreneurs became the foundation for his life's work: helping Visionary/Integrator duos build healthier partnerships so their companies can scale without costing them their families or their sanity. Clayton is the founder of Unity Guides, a fractional integrator, and a coach who has spent the last four years helping visionary entrepreneurs and their second-in-command learn to understand each other, communicate better, and stop the quiet resentment that ends partnerships and careers. He also spent seven years as a pastor, giving him a front-row seat to the human side of leadership: the pride, the blind spots, and the breakthroughs. Clayton honors four people who shaped his journey: the church pastor-turned-visionary who gave him his first leadership opportunity and introduced him to faith; the second visionary who handed him the book Traction and trusted him to run a company; and two long-time friends, James and Dwayne, who showed up as sounding boards, believers, and emergency intervention callers whenever Clayton was about to walk away from everything he had built.   [00:02:37] Fractional Integrator and V/I Duo Coach Does two things: fractional integrator/COO for EOS companies at $5-20M revenue Coaches visionary entrepreneurs and their second-in-command on their working relationship Runs webinars, workshops, and programs to help the V/I Duo work better together Eight years in the integrator role; four years coaching the V/I relationship [00:04:28] How Clayton Got Into This Work Never went to school for business; has a phys ed degree Fell into an integrator-type role naturally by solving whatever the organization needed Kept getting more responsibility and influence as he solved structural and operational problems Second visionary handed him the book Traction and formally gave him the integrator seat [00:06:43] Took a Company From 0.2% to 4.4% Profitability Company was $8M revenue, 20 employees, just 0.2% profitable Promoted to integrator and began self-implementing EOS Within 12 months improved profitability to 4.4%, a strong benchmark in commercial construction Zero turnover during the transition; people engaged and excited for the changes [00:08:34] What Drives Clayton Most Spent seven years wanting to quit every month under his first visionary, feeling unseen and misunderstood That experience drives him to help integrators avoid the same pain Believes healthy leaders create healthy teams, which ripples out to families and communities Not about profitability; it's about the people [00:11:00] The V/I Relationship Is Like a Marriage Visionaries: idea-driven, sales-focused, big-picture thinkers and relationship builders Integrators: logical, process-oriented, detailed, strong at running day-to-day operations Friction between them is normal but must be navigated intentionally Most companies running on EOS deal with this dynamic regularly [00:13:00] First Transformational Relationship: The Church Pastor-Visionary Pastor of his church became his first visionary and gave him his first office job Through that relationship, Clayton came to faith Was given leadership responsibility he hadn't yet earned and rose to it Seven challenging but transformative years that made everything else possible [00:15:04] Second Transformational Relationship: The Second Visionary Introduced Clayton to the book Traction and the Entrepreneurial Operating System Trusted Clayton completely: "I suck at this stuff. I know you'll be good at it" Left Clayton to run the company while he went to fix another struggling business Taught him that costly mistakes are just "tuition," lessons that change you permanently [00:18:00] James: Ten Years of Biweekly Coffee Met every second week for coffee for ten years through multiple job changes and life seasons Some nights all about James; next week all about Clayton, true mutual support Developed depth of relationship that still feels effortless even when months pass Currently in discussions about potentially buying businesses together [00:19:30] Dwayne: The Guy Who Wouldn't Let Clayton Quit Long-time friend with a similar role who has been a consistent sounding board for a decade When Clayton texted "I think I'm gonna get a job," Dwayne responded: "No. Emergency intervention meeting. What are you doing tonight?" Talked Clayton back from the edge multiple times in the hardest early seasons of his business Also in discussions about potentially working together [00:22:00] Iron Sharpens Iron: A Coaching Breakthrough Integrator came to Clayton frustrated and ready to give up on his visionary Clayton recognized his own story in what the integrator was describing Went straight to his visionary, apologized, and owned it; relationship began to shift immediately Visionary called Clayton the following week asking him to coach them together [00:28:04] Where to Find Clayton and What He Offers Website: theunityguide.com Active on LinkedIn and quick to respond Launching a podcast specifically interviewing people about the V/I relationship Webinar for integrators: The Silent Struggle of the Integrator from Frustration to Fulfillment [00:29:48] The Power of Critical Thinking in Relationships Took a Critical Thinking course in university that changed how he processes people and situations Believes ability to see the other side of a situation is becoming rare and it's costing relationships Challenge: before reacting, ask why this person might be showing up this way Good questions asked with humility solve more problems than unsolicited advice ever will   KEY QUOTES "In my experience, your company, the people in your company, become like the leaders. If I can help create healthier leaders and healthier relationships at the top, it creates healthier people throughout the organization, which then ripples out to the families and communities those people live in." - Clayton Stenson "A lot of problems can be solved just by humbling ourselves, listening, and asking good questions." - Clayton Stenson CONNECT WITH CLAYTON STENSON

What if the person who transformed your entire career is also someone you haven't spoken to in seven years? In this episode, Ryan Ellefsen shares how he helps businesses take credit cards, lower processing fees, and protect their revenue as VP of EasyPay Direct, a merchant services company he recently joined after 20 years in the industry. EasyPay serves coaches, consultants, speakers, and internet marketers,  processing payments for names like Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, and Frank Kern across 34 US locations. Ryan built his career expertise under the mentorship of Steve Thorne, CEO of NMR (National Marketing Resources), eventually rising from Processing Manager to VP and co-building what became Platinum Payment Systems. Today, Ryan is known for his transparent, relationship-first approach to merchant services — always insisting on a face-to-face conversation before onboarding any client, no matter how small. Ryan honors Steve Thorne, the man who hired him at $70,000/year when he was making $23,400 as a Spanish teacher in Utah. Phil Smith introduced Ryan to Steve while both were in an MBA program, and Steve believed in Ryan enough to bring him into NMR, where Ryan spent 10 transformative years climbing from Processing Manager all the way to VP. Under Steve's roof, Ryan co-built a merchant processing company that eventually merged into Platinum Payment Systems.   [00:03:41] Reconnected Through a Mutual Friend Kevin and Ryan originally met years ago at Genius Network Recently reconnected via mutual friend Anthony Simon through an email introduction Neither realized in the intro email that they already knew each other [00:03:51] VP of EasyPay Direct: What He Does and Who He Serves Merchant services company helping businesses accept credit cards and get funding Specializes in the coach, consultant, speaker, author, and internet marketing space Serves major names like Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, and Frank Kern Recently joined after 20 years in the industry; he and CEO Brad Weimert were friendly competitors for two decades [00:05:04] EasyPay vs. PayPal: The Key Difference PayPal is better for card-present transactions like retail stores EasyPay specializes in card-not-present, high-risk: coaching, big-ticket packages, phone sales High-risk means future fulfillment over time, high-ticket pricing, sold over the phone Premier company in the country for internet marketing and coaching businesses [00:07:55] What Inspires Ryan Most: Giving People a Fair Deal Has an affinity for the person being ripped off by hidden fees Philosophy: everybody can win — a 10-year relationship beats a 6-month windfall Sometimes helps small businesses where he makes almost nothing — and loves it Tries to learn something from every single conversation [00:13:02] How EasyPay Lowers Your Rates Over Time EasyPay has its own gateway to manage multiple banks from a single login Uses Level 3 Advantage and tokenization to lower interchange rates Can lower interchange by up to 75 basis points (0.75%) EasyPay's margin stays fixed; all savings go directly to the client [00:18:40] The Industry's Dirty Secret: Watch Your Statements Processors can legally raise your rates by burying notice in statement fine print Not calling to cancel is considered acceptance of new terms They raise rates 5 –10 basis points at a time. Visa changes rates every six months and they go up more often than down [00:26:15] Started as a Spanish Teacher Making $23,400 a Year Graduated college, went on a church mission to South America from 1991 to 1993 Came back, majored in Spanish teaching, played sports, had fun First teaching job in Utah in 1997 paid $23,400/year Started a carpet cleaning business in school that eventually made 10x his teaching salary [00:28:00] Phil Smith Introduces Ryan to Steve Thorne Met Phil Smith in his MBA cohort Phil introduced him to Steve Thorne, CEO of NMR (National Marketing Resources) in Kearney, Missouri Steve hired Ryan as Processing Manager at $70,000/year nearly triple his teaching salary His bonus in year two was bigger than his entire teaching salary [00:29:05] Ten Years at NMR: From Manager to VP Progressed from Processing Manager → Director → Managing Director → VP NMR and sister company PMI did infomercial production for Dean Graziosi, Anthony Morrison, and others Did hundreds of millions in coaching and big-ticket event sales Ryan pitched starting a merchant processing company; Steve challenged him to make it a million-dollar idea. [00:30:31] When a Great Relationship Fractures Ryan and Steve haven't spoken in seven years following a lawsuit Ended in a no-fault settlement — neither side got what they wanted Ryan still considers Steve one of the best, most honest people he's ever met "If he ever catches wind of this podcast… I would welcome that" [00:35:20] What Steve's Mentorship Still Looks Like Today After the split, became VP of a digital marketing company within 6 months Core lesson from Steve: how to treat people with genuine sincerity "Nobody who's ever met Steve Thorn dislikes Steve Thorn" Attributes his versatility and confidence across industries entirely to Steve's tutelage   KEY QUOTES "My philosophy is that everybody can win. If you can set up a relationship that makes some money for the next 10 years, that's way better than a relationship that makes you a whole bunch of money for six months." - Ryan Ellefsen "Steve Thorn transformed my life. If he hadn't given me that opportunity, I wouldn't be where I am today and I wouldn't have what I have today." - Ryan Ellefsen "Nobody who's ever met Steve Thorn dislikes Steve Thorn. He's sincere. He's a good guy and he just knows how to treat people. And so I learned a lot from him in that regard." - Ryan Ellefsen CONNECT WITH RYAN ELLEFSEN

What if workplace conflict is not something to avoid, but the very path to healing and high performance? In this episode, Susan Winchester shares how a 36-year corporate HR career evolved into a purpose-driven executive coaching and consulting practice focused on emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and workplace healing. Susan served in senior HR leadership roles for global organizations including Kellogg's, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Rockwell Automation, and Applied Materials. After retiring from corporate life at 60, she transitioned into her own consulting and executive coaching practice, helping C-suite leaders and organizations transform workplace dynamics through her proprietary frameworks. Susan reveals how two key relationships profoundly changed the trajectory of her career, leadership style, and personal growth. [00:02:40] From Corporate CHRO to Purpose-Driven Consultant • 36.5-year career in corporate HR and consulting • Served as Chief HR Officer in Fortune 150 organizations • Successfully hired and mentored her successor before retiring • Retired at 60 and transitioned into consulting by design [00:08:00] The Crossroads Meditation • Attended a VIP retreat in Ibiza • Faced a decision between scaling a digital business or starting a boutique consulting practice • Realized she wanted to work with people she genuinely respected and enjoyed • Within weeks, former colleagues reached out with opportunities [00:10:40] Helping Leaders Shift Identity • Coaches executives in large corporations, private equity firms, and universities • Helps leaders recognize how childhood programming shows up at work • Reduces anxiety, overthinking, and perfectionism patterns • Focuses on leadership capability and performance optimization [00:13:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Celine DeCosta • Finished writing Healing at Work but was afraid to publish it • Invested in a 90-minute Story Clarity Intensive • Discovered her purpose was bigger than her fear • Published the book after years of hesitation [00:23:20] 4,000 Weeks and Redefining Time • Introduced to Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman • Realized an 80-year life equals roughly 4,000 weeks • Shifted from seeing time as pressure to seeing it as precious • Became more intentional about family, friendships, and experiences [00:27:00] Rethinking Wealth and Utility • Influenced by Die with Zero by Bill Perkins • Began focusing on life experiences over accumulation • Prioritized giving while alive • Shared wealth intentionally with family [00:29:00] The Second Transformational Relationship: Ken Wright • Met Ken Wright through the Human Synergistics Lifestyles Inventory • Received early feedback about perfectionism that later proved true • Learned advanced leadership and organizational frameworks [00:37:00] The Power of Right Relationships • Credits mentors for holding a bigger vision for her than she held for herself • Learned that growth requires uncomfortable feedback • Discovered that emotional healing improves performance • Built a career rooted in gratitude and intentional evolution KEY QUOTES "A lot of our workplace conflict is unresolved history asking to be healed." - Susan Winchester "There is a conscious healing career path, and there is an unconscious wounded career path. Most of us don't realize which one we're on." - Susan Winchester "Perfectionism looks like excellence from the outside. Inside, it can be desperation." - Susan Winchester CONNECT WITH SUSAN WINCHESTER