The Culture Matters Podcast

"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, then to rank with those timid souls who never enjoy much nor suffer much." - Theodore RooseveltFormer NFL player, best-selling author, business and executive coach, and the host of the massively successful "Get Authentic with Marques Ogden" podcast Marques Ogden is joining us on the show today and we are ready to do some hard hitting with this gridiron gladiator.  Marques and Jay are digging into some of the obstacles and challenges that Marques had to overcome in his journey to becoming the man he is today, what goes into making a successful podcast and the need for the audience to connect with the brand of the show as well as the host and subject matter, and what bringing real leadership to everything you do is the only way to actually being a leader.  Marques is a larger-than-life individual with a larger-than-life story and we're so excited he decided to share it with us on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The discipline of suffering, of great suffering - do you not know that only this discipline has created all enhancements of man so far? That tension of the soul in unhappiness which cultivates its strength, its shudders face to face with great ruin, its inventiveness and courage in enduring, preserving, interpreting, and exploiting suffering, and whatever has been granted to it of profundity, secret, mask, spirit, cunning, greatness - was it not granted to it through suffering, through the discipline of great suffering?" - Friedrich NietzscheOn this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is taking another look at some of the things that drive Culture Matters as an organization behind the scenes.  The core value that Jay is discussing today is urgency.  Urgency is a driving force that requires us to be on our toes and to keep pushing even when we think we've given the task all we've got.  Urgency is what is going to get you across the finish line of your goals when you're feeling like you've gone past the point of exhaustion.  Working with a sense of urgency is what is going to set you apart from your competitors in your field.  We work with a sense of urgency because that is what keeps the blood flowing and the work at the highest level.  We hope that you feel a sense of urgency to listen to this episode and then go out there and get the work done.

"When culture is treated as a core business function, you start to see real traction." - Brian SmithOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is taking some time to discuss a very intriguing article that was sent to him by someone he considers a mentor.  The article in questions was put out there by a publication called Executive Search Review and is entitled "The Critical Role of Executive Search in Driving Culture Change".  This article runs the gambit of cultural information from statistics breaking down employee retention by companies with strong cultural experiences versus those with weaker ones, what you need to do in order to see significant culture transformation within your business, and ways in which you can create a strong company culture that will attract top performers.  Jay is taking a deep dive into this culture playbook and giving his insight into some of the very in-depth and well researched points this article has to make.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly."On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is here with a very different take on our normal "Thirty Days of Thought" episode.  For this edition of the series, Jay is reading the excerpt from "Attention Deficit" chapter and letting it stand on its own.  The words from this section are going to stand on their own without any explanation or analysis.  Instead, we're letting the words breathe and leaving them open for you, the listener, to interpret as you will.  We hope that when you walk away from this, you're thinking, reflecting, and using these words as a catalyst to come to your own conclusions and definitions.

"Confidence comes from preparation." - John WoodenOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is sitting down to discuss preparation as a concept, as a mindset, and as a tool for success.  Behind the scenes, a lot of work goes into making sure Jay is as prepared as possible for every guest that comes on the show to make sure that we are doing right by the people that take the time to come on to speak with Jay.  Preparation shows respect, a willingness to learn, and that whatever it is you are preparing for has inherent value.  Whether you are prepping for an interview, a speech, a presentation, or anything else, the amount of work you put in beforehand is going to be reflected by what you produce.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"He who has a strong enough why, can bear almost any how." - Friedrich NietzscheDaniel Wright is the founder of Proline Paving, the host of the "Paving the Way" podcast, and a member in good standing of the Top Contractor School and we're extremely excited to have him back for his second appearance on the show.  In today's discussion, Daniel and Jay are taking a deeper look into the core values that drive Proline Paving everyday.  Daniel preaches doing the right thing always and while it sounds like such a simple thing to do, it may prove more difficult to put into practice.  With that said, it's the difficult things that normally prove to be the most valuable.  We're also getting into rewarding good work, recognizing good work and making sure others do too, and what it actually means to continually try and do things the right way.  There's a lot of uplifting talk in today's discussion and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Invisible threads are the strongest ties." - Friedrich NietzscheReal estate professional, businessman, co-owner of R.K. Reiman, and host of "The Real Build" podcast Bill Reiman is back again for another round of culture conversation on The Culture Matters Podcast and today we're taking a look at core values and sacrifice.  It's been said that there is no success without sacrifice and in discussing the sacrifices parents make for their children and entrepreneurs make for their businesses, that statement is proven very true during today's talk.  Bill and Jay also dive into what it means to have core values and how those who are operating without them simply aren't doing things the right way.  You're in for a treat on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast with the one and only Bill Reiman.

"Culture eats strategy for breakfast." - Peter DruckerOn today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are continuing our series where our very own Jay Doran gives a little insight into the what, the why, and the how of Culture Matters as an organization and exactly what it is that culture means in the grand scheme of things.  For this discussion, Jay begins to build upon the brief overview of the series' first episode by digging a little deeper into the why of Culture Matters.  What was the inspiration behind the beginning of this adventure?  How does culture strengthen when it is getting tested?  How does business and culture mix when life outside of the business is just as complicated, if not more so, than life inside the business?  We're just beginning to scratch the surface of these and a lot more questions, so we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast and will stay tuned as we continue to dive even deeper into Culture Matters.

"I am a steadfast anchor living in purpose and on purpose serving wherever my feet are."Coach, doctor of Biblical naturopathy, co-host of the "Faith. Family. Fulfillment." podcast and author of a book of the same name, and a very dear friend to Culture Matters Dr. Suzanne Vester is joining us for her inaugural appearance on the show and we are ecstatic to have her here.  Dr. Vester and Jay are digging into Dr. Vester's lifelong journey in service and helping others and how that has been a major influence throughout her life, the importance of making sure there is alignment between you mind, body, and spirit, and why a good portion of the most successful among us have learned that it is more important to speak less than it is to listen more.  Dr. Vester has dedicated her life to helping others in more ways than one and it was an honor to have her on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.If you or someone you know would be interested in donating to The Well, please visit https://www.zeffy.com/fundraising/steps-of-faith-29029-for-the-well .

"We all are learning, modifying, or destroying ideas all the time. Rapid destruction of your ideas when the time is right is one of the most valuable qualities you can acquire. You must force yourself to consider arguments on the other side." - Charlie MungerValue investor in real estate and beyond, co-founder of Revolution Capital Group, and a principle with Keating Partners Gray Wilson is going our program today and if you are someone who wants to get into the nuts and bolts of real estate, investing, and other financial pursuits then you have come to the right place.  Jay and Gray are digging into understanding that every market is going to have its ups and downs and it is up to you to be in the right position when the down times come, the unique ability the real estate market has to transform the smallest holder into a tried and true giant in the industry, and why it is important never to stretch whatever leverage you possess past into a place where you're abusing it.  Gray is truly a brilliant mind and we feel very fortunate to have him on The Culture Matters Podcast and we think you'll know why after listening to this episode.

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On!' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." - Calvin CoolidgeOur guests today are the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media, Andrew Berman, and the Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Paul Lucido, and we've got them back for yet another conversation surrounding our very own Jay Doran's work, Thirty Days of Thought.  During today's discussion, these three colossuses of culture will be examining what happens when someone gets stuck, what leads to getting stuck, and how to get out of it when you're in the middle of it.  Nietzsche preached walking to clear your mind and get the answers you were looking for and others have other methods, but the truth is, only you can get yourself unstuck.  There is a lot to unpack today and the gents are not holding anything back.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." - Benjamin FranklinOwner of 2 College Brothers Moving and Storage, author of the book Hometown Titan, co-founder of the Titan Retreats, and host of "The Nice Guys on Business Podcast" Wade Swikle is here to talk moving, leadership, being an entrepreneur, and so much more and we are delighted to have him on the show today.  Wade and Jay are diving into Wade's journey from majoring in broadcast journalism to owning his own moving company, the importance of at least understanding every single position within your company as an entrepreneur, and exactly what Titan Retreats are and the purpose they serve.  Not only is Wade a great guy with a lot of wisdom to impart, but he also has the distinction of being the very first guest on the show from the moving and storage space!  We have a great episode on tap today and we hope you get as much out of it as we did with the one and only Wade Swikle.

"No one can build you the bring on which you, and only you, must cross the river of life. There is one path in the world that none can walk but you. Where does it lead? Don't ask; walk." - Friedrich NietzscheFinancial advisor and the founder and CEO of Tailored Wealth Dan Pascone is our guest on the show today for the very first time and we are planning on squeezing every drop information we possibly can out of this discussion.  Dan and Jay are digging into what Dan perceives to be the fundamentals of leadership, how it may not be the most pleasant thing in the world to have the difficult or crucial conversations but you will always feel better after you've had them, and remembering that the ultimate board that you have to report to as a leader is made up of your team and your clients.  We truly hope you are buckled up because this is not only a masterclass in finance, but in leadership as well.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Once you get to a really high level, the margin becomes mindset."Personal trainer, author of the book Nutrition Finances, and founder of STRONGSIDE Fitness Mitchel Black has made his way back to The Culture Matters Podcast for his sophomore appearance and we are incredibly excited to have him back on the show.  Today is the start of a brand new series here on the show where Mitchel and Jay are going to be discussion the phenomenon that is CrossFit and the culture that it has bred among its millions of participants.  During this discussion, Mitchel and Jay are digging into the early days of CrossFit, the science that drives this incredibly unique workout regiment and the measurables that make it unlike any other fitness routine in existence, and some of the issues that CrossFit has faced both internally and externally.  This is going to be a very inspiring and intensive series and we're very glad to have someone spot us like Mitchel Black.

"Culture eats strategy for breakfast." - Peter DruckerWe are very excited to be starting a brand new series today where our very own Jay Doran is pulling back the curtain back a little to share what it is that Culture Matters does, what Culture Matters means, and what Culture Matters is.  This podcast has served as a way for culture to take center stage in the worlds of contracting, real estate, finance, philanthropy, and a host of other businesses that deserved to have their stories heard.  And now we are taking a little time to share some our story.  This first episode serves as introduction in to what is to come in this series and we hope that our listeners will take it as an opportunity to get to know us better as we continue to seek out and elevate culture at every turn.  We look forward to bringing you this series and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." - Benjamin FranklinFounder of Arena Securities and co-host of the Investor Series right here on The Culture Matters Podcast Aleck Arena is here for a for a very deep dive into the current landscape of the global financial market and the global economy as a whole.  Aleck and Jay are discussing some of the effects that recent economic decisions made by the U.S. have had on the global trade market, why it is a good thing to go back and re-evaluate the way things are being done every so often from the aspect of seeking a better trade balance, and what it looks like to switch over from an economy based on manufacturing to one based less on labor and more on assets.  If you were looking to jump head first down the economic rabbit hole, you have come to the right place.  Aleck in an incredibly knowledgable person and we are so happy to have him here to share his wisdom and insights with us on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"There was once a wise, spiritual master who was the ruler of a small but prosperous domain and who was known for his selfless devotion to his people. As his people flourished and grew in number, the bounds of this small domain spread and with it the need to trust implicitly the emissaries he sent to ensure the safety of its ever more distant parts. It was not just that it was impossible for him personally to order all that needed to be dealt with: as he wisely saw, he needed to keep his distance from, and remain ignorant of, such concerns. And so he nurtured and trained carefully his emissaries, in order that they could be trusted.Eventually, however, his cleverest and most ambitious vizier, the one he trusted most to do his work, began to see himself as the master, and used his position to advance his own wealth and influence. He saw his master's temperance and forbearance as weakness, not influence, and on his missions on his master's behalf, adopted his mantle as his own - the emissary became contemptuous of his master. And so it came about that the master was usurped, the people were duped, the domain became a tyranny; and eventually it collapsed in ruins." - Friedrich NietzscheIf you've ever listened to The Culture Matters Podcast before, then you know that the sayings and philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche are a staple of this program.  On today's episode, our very own Jay Doran is having a look at the above quote  and breaking it down to take a deeper dive into the relationships that exist between mentors and mentees as well as people in a position of authority and their subordinates.  They say people don't leave their jobs, they leave their bosses and a lot of it has to do with a lack of investment in those employees.  There is a lot to unpack in this episode and we are here for absolutely all of it on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The fact that 3/5 of an octopus' neurons are not in their brain, but in their arms, suggests that each arm has a mind of its own." - Sy MontgomeryCOO of the Hubert Vester Auto Group, creator of the "Faith. Family. Fulfillment." podcast, and the author of the book Answers From the Stairs Chris Vester has made his way back to The Culture Matters Podcast and we've got a great discussion on tap for our listeners today.  The focus of today's discussion is on a program that Chris has developed and strengthened over the years that he calls "The Nine".  Based in faith and an understanding that certain factors of your life need to align in order reach your maximum potential, The Nine is a journey into self-awareness and operating with integrity.  Starting with body, soul, mind, and spirit, Chris and Jay are walking our audience through the notion that once all of these things are in line and a person is willing to do the work to get there, aspects of their personal and professional life will begin to blossom in ways that they simply hadn't before.  We're taking a deep dive into self-improvement and firing on all cylinders with our good friend, the and only Chris Vester.

"While I was unaware that, at the time, my real compensation for that job wasn't monetary. It was learning about, and getting comfortable with, rejection and, as I would later realize, indifference to rejection is a fundamental part of being an entrepreneur." - Sam ZellAuthor of The Blueprint, founder of Holmes Drafting Services and the Holmes Family Foundation, and the founder of ApeShot Media Nick Holmes is joining the program today and we have a lot to cover, so we're jumping right in.  During today's discussion, Nick and Jay are digging into why contractors get a bad wrap even though an overwhelming majority of them are providing high-quality work, why people in the industry run into issues because of only dealing with one product or service, and how shifting your focus in hiring for the long-term instead of simply because someone checks off a few boxes is going to benefit your company for years to come.  Having Nick on the show was a real pleasure and we're looking forward to hosting him again on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"In this world, nothing can be certain except death and taxes." - Benjamin FranklinAccounting and tax expert and partner with Citrin Cooperman Advisors Kevin Ryan is our guest on the show today and we hope you're ready for a deep dive into the world of accounting and taxes because that's exactly what we are delivering today.  Kevin and Jay are discussing Kevin's early lessons in the importance of relationships and networking when getting into business, how the world before computers forced you to learn and understand taxes and tax returns because there was no technology to do it for you, how the world of accounting has changed and ensured that there is a little more diversity in day-to-day responsibilities, and how the importance of service to the client has been pushed to the forefront of the industry with the amount of options there are for different firms.  Kevin has been servicing clients for the better part of four decades and after this conversation it shouldn't be hard to see why he remains in such high demand.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"My ego is not going to take me through life. My vanity is not going to take me through life. Me serving others is going to take me through life."Inventor, author of the book Keep Going, fractional CMO, and founder of Forty Three Inc. Regan Weiss is here with us again and we have got a whole lot to unpack in this discussion, so we are going to get right into it.  Regan and Jay are digging into Regan's laugh of thehubnetwork.com which allows people all across Florida to hire the right businesses for their needs, how grassroots marketing and community involvement remain a top priority for Regan and how they should remain a top priority for everyone as they allow people to be more engaged with potential clients, and how something as small as a phone call can create a ripple that affects so many people in a very positive way.  We love having Regan on the show for his upbeat attitude and positive message and we're hoping to have him back again soon on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Happiness is three things: something to do, someone to love, something to look forward to." - Dermot Desmond Entrepreneur, investor, activist, and the chairman of Invest Africa Rob Hersov has made his triumphant return to the show and if you listened to Rob's first appearance on The Culture Matters Podcast way back in episode 801, then you know that we are about to deep-dive business with a guy who knows his stuff.  During this discussion, Rob and Jay are digging into the inspiration provided by and amazing accomplishments of Rob's wife, Dr. Katie Hersov, and her work as the CEO and co-founder of Medikidz, the value in treating everyone from the richest billionaires to the people who put gas in your car the same with respect and dignity, and why creating networks of like-minded and driven people will help you reach your full potential.  Just as with the last conversation, this one has proven to be a trust master class and we hope you get all the value you can out of it with the one and only Rob Hersov.

"There was once a wise, spiritual master who was the ruler of a small but prosperous domain and who was known for his selfless devotion to his people. As his people flourished and grew in number, the bounds of this small domain spread and with it the need to trust implicitly the emissaries he sent to ensure the safety of its ever more distant parts. It was not just that it was impossible for him personally to order all that needed to be dealt with: as he wisely saw, he needed to keep his distance from, and remain ignorant of, such concerns. And so he nurtured and trained carefully his emissaries, in order that they could be trusted.Eventually, however, his cleverest and most ambitious vizier, the one he trusted most to do his work, began to see himself as the master, and used his position to advance his own wealth and influence. He saw his master's temperance and forbearance as weakness, not influence, and on his missions on his master's behalf, adopted his mantle as his own - the emissary became contemptuous of his master. And so it came about that the master was usurped, the people were duped, the domain became a tyranny; and eventually it collapsed in ruins." - Friedrich NietzscheThe founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding and one of our favorite returning guests, Robert Frehafer, is back on the show after far too lengthy of an absence.  Robert is a vociferous man of Christian faith and that is what is being used as the cornerstone of today's discussion.  Robert and Jay are looking into what the "Holy Spirit" means to Robert and how it has affected his life inside and outside of business, how Robert's tumultuous early life and the subsequent decisions and actions of those around him didn't deter him from living his life according to his Christian beliefs, and what it means to him to see the successes of his children as they continue to make their own way in the world.  It's always a pleasure to have Robert on the show and we hope you enjoy this discussion on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I'm no prophet. My job is making windows where there were once walls." - Michel FoucaultFounder of Duffin Media and Duffin Coaching, host of the "Your Message Received" podcast, and a frequent and favorite returning guest of the show John Duffin and we've got the man with the golden pipes back to get into leadership, culture, and everything in between.  John and Jay are digging into the work that is going into John's upcoming book, The Hyper-Authenticity Business Blueprint, and why he felt called to write it, why it is important to drop your armor in order to receive or distribute information properly when you're in a business setting, and the work that it requires to not feel "less-than" around others.  John's easy-going style and copious amounts of knowledge and insight always make these conversations some of our favorites and its no different on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast. 

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." - Søren KierkegaardIf you've been listening to this show for any length of time, then you must be familiar with today's guest.  Chief Victory Officer at the Center for Victory and Executive Coach and the Director of Learning and Development of Top Contractor School Eric Guy has returned for another go around with The Culture Man and, as always, we think you're in for a treat!  Eric and Jay are digging into some of the lessons and observations Eric has made over the last year or so through mentoring and encouraging small business owners, the importance of buying into your employees so that they can buy into the vision of the company, and why you can't lead (or parent) well from a place of fear.  Eric brings a lot of good insight and information every time he is on the show and today is no different on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

Steve Sims was a mentor, strategist, advisor, loving father, and author of the books Go For Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculously High Goals and Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen and, unfortunately, he passed away recently after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  To honor his life, we are taking this opportunity to re-release the last time that Steve was on the show and to put his words and thoughts back into the world.  During this discussion, Steve and Jay dig into using your past experiences to help others achieve their goals, why even what appears to be the smallest of gestures can lead to big things, and why showing up is so important in all aspects of your life.  Steve was a good friend and someone who was admired by everyone at Culture Matters.  His loss will be felt by all he knew and all he influenced without ever having met them personally.  Please join us in celebrating the life of this extraordinary man and enjoy this conversation with the one and only Steve Sims.

Steve Sims was a mentor, strategist, advisor, loving father, and author of the books Go For Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculously High Goals and Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen and, unfortunately, he passed away recently after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  In his honor, we are taking this opportunity to put his own words back into the world.  In the very first season of The Culture Matters Podcast back in 2019, long before we knew exactly what this show would become, Steve was gracious enough to share his time with us and lend his voice to this passion project turned exploration in all things culture.  In this first interview, Steve shares some of his experiences in early life that allowed him to become the man he would ultimately become, what perseverance and belief in yourself can lead you to, and why service to others should always be at the forefront of your endeavors.  Steve was a good friend and someone who was admired by everyone at Culture Matters.  His loss will be felt by all he knew and all he influenced without ever having met them personally.  Please join us in celebrating the life of this extraordinary man and enjoy this conversation with the one and only Steve Sims.

"The very fact that a general problem has gripped and assimilated the whole of a person is a guarantee that the speaker has really experienced it and perhaps gained something from his sufferings. He will then reflect the problem for us in his personal life and thereby show us a truth." - Carl JungMichael Allosso is an acclaimed public speaker, self-awareness expert, and director and he has made his triumphant return to The Culture Matters Podcast after far too long an absence from our airwaves.  For today's discussion, Michael and Jay are taking a look back at Jay's recent interview with Dr. Jordan Peterson at the TAG 2025 event in Atlanta, Georgia and what made that such a strong interview and what it means to establish yourself when you are speaking in public, the benefits of giving positive affirmations to people and how that can affect not only the person receiving those affirmations but also the person giving them, and why great speakers and leaders delete the word "just" from their vocabulary.  There is never a dull moment when Michael is on the show and today is no different on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Mission: Eliminate the friction of clients and agents doing business together."The founder of All Things Insurance Group and one of our favorite returning guests, Pete Fournier, is back with us again to take us through some of the factors that make ATIG the success that it is.  Pete and Jay are digging into how the changing landscape of doing business in 2025 can lead to contention between agents and clients, what it has been like for Pete to go from being the person that advises customers to their best insurance options to the person who is advising and leading the next generation of insurance professionals into the future, and the fact that when you make the decision to become an entrepreneur and lead others professionally that at the end of the day, the burden of responsibility lands on you and that you have to be able to handle it.  As always, Pete is bringing his unique take on business, insurance, and leadership and giving it all to our listeners on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Luck will follow you in the coming year.""What is lost will soon be found.""You will soon be recognized for your unique talents.""The day is near where you will share your talent with the world."- P.F. Chang's fortune cookiesGood friend of the podcast and the president of Concourse Land Transfer LLC Scott Rutkay is back again for another go around with Jay Doran The Culture Man and we are bringing the energy in today's discussion!  Scott and Jay are digging into what the word "no" can do in terms of understanding that you are able to pick and choose the things that you want to be a part of and the things that you are going to take the time to prepare for, the uncertainty of the future and knowing that what might be good for you today might not be good for you tomorrow, and why it is so important to pay attention to the people and things that you have to and making sure that you are prioritizing those things properly.  As always, it was a pleasure to have Scott on the program today and we hope that you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Don't be a dick and treat people like they want to be treated and you'd be surprised what they do for you and your business."Founder of Meleeo, author of an upcoming book, entrepreneur, speaker, and business consultant Brian McNally is joining us on the show today for a great conversation about motivation, success, and so much more.  Brian and Jay are digging into Brian's journey through starting his own company and what the highs and lows looked like to make it the success that it became, believing in your ability to hire the right people and to train them the right way so that they will be successful and help your company find success, putting your goals in place and working doggedly to achieve them, and finding the motivation for self-improvement and making a lifestyle that you lead intentionally by making good choices and sticking to them.  Brian is an incredibly motivating individual and we're very grateful to him for sharing his story on this edition of The Culture Matters Podcast. 

"What was lost sill soon be found.""You will soon be recognized for your unique talents.""The day is near when you share your talent with the world.""Luck will follow you in the coming year."- A series of fortune cookies from P.F. Chang'sOur guests today are the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media, Andrew Berman, and the Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Paul Lucido, and we've got them back for yet another conversation surrounding our very own Jay Doran's work, Thirty Days of Thought.  Today's conversation is revolving around the concept of "accepting different socks" which is another way of saying accepting our unique qualities as a unit.  Using this metaphor as the basis of the discussion, Andrew, Paul, and Jay dive into what can prevent us from accepting ourselves and our qualities in both the physical and mental sense, what can drive a person to accepting themselves more openly, and how acceptance or a lack thereof can affect one in business.  As always, we're getting into some heady things and having a good time doing it with our co-hosts Andrew Berman and Paul Lucido.

"If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary." - Jim RohnAward-winning keynote speaker, Podcast of the Year Award winner, best-selling author of The Makings of a Millionaire Mind, co-founder of The Mari Strong Foundation (with his wife Mari), business and executive coach, and corporate trainer Daniel Gomez is our guest on today's show and this promises to be one fantastic conversation.  Daniel and Jay and discussing Daniel's concept of "The Journey of Becoming" which is the process of becoming what you want to attract, learning to champion your story and using your experiences to become a stronger and more understanding individual, focusing on and celebrating how far you've come as opposed to only be looking toward where you're going, and being sure that you're sowing the right seeds into your organization.  It was truly a pleasure to have Daniel on the show today and we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." - Ralph Waldo EmersonOwner and CEO of Arawak Beach Club, Co-owner of Nasty Good, and the founder and president of Asphalt Kingdom and AK Dash Judd Burdon is back on the show after far too long of an absence.  Judd and Jay are digging into the motivation behind starting AK Dash and helping small businesses within the asphalt space grow and become more successful in the online market, getting to know and understand your clients on a more personal level so that you can help them grow and make better decisions toward reaching whatever their goals might be, and how making the core values of the company a top priority helped to fuel a positive and highly motivated culture.  It's always great to have Judd on the show and we hope you enjoy this conversation on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom." - Søren KierkegaardWe are back again with another dose of culture content and on today's episode, our very own Jay Doran is bringing part two of a discussion he started earlier in the week based on the subject of "fun" culture being a productivity killer.  After a brief summary of part one, Jay digs into the role that trust in the institution plays when it comes to taking risks to accomplish goals, all of the things one can obtain outside of monetary gain when one is bought into the institution they are a part of, and how a company's narrative should be secondary when it comes to creating value  for the customer.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast. 

"There is nothing impossible to him who will try." - Alexander the GreatFounder of the Hispanic Organization of Mortgage Experts (HOME), Chief Growth Officer of Empower Mortgage, and a leader within EPM Rogelio Goertzen is making his inaugural appearance on the show today and we could not be more excited to have him here to share his experience and wisdom with our audience.  Rogelio and Jay are digging into Rogelio's journey into helping people from a worship leader at 12 to his current position within the mortgage space, never downplaying the influence of relationships as a cornerstone of your success, and what it means to serve others and being a positive representation of your heritage and culture.  Rogelio is certainly an impressive person with a long pedigree and a bright future and we hope that you enjoy this conversation on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." - Søren KierkegaardIt's been a little while, but we're back with some more culture content today and our very own Jay Doran is exploring the topic of a company's "fun" culture being a killer of productivity.  This discussion is largely based on the concept of responsibility and people doing what they are meant to be doing for the betterment of the company.  Jay is looking into the mirroring of behaviors of the higher ups by the people they are overseeing, using fun to avoid having difficult conversations with people who are not holding up their end of the responsibility, and how engagement among management and employees will lead to productivity and fun without having to force the issue.  There is a lot to unpack in this episode, so make sure to listen closely and have some fun while you're doing it.

"There was once a wise spiritual master who was the ruler of a small, but prosperous domain and who was known for his selfless devotion to his people.   As his people flourished and grew in number, the bounds of his small domain spread and with it, the need to trust implicitly the emissaries he sent to ensure the safety of its evermore distant parts. It was not just that it was impossible for him personally to order all that needed to be dealt with, as he wisely saw, he needed to keep his distance from and remain ignorant of such concerns. And so he nurtured and trained carefully his emissaries in order that they could be trusted. Eventually, however, his cleverest and most ambitious Visier, the one he most trusted to do his work, began to see himself as the master and use his position to advance his own wealth and influence. He saw his master's temperance and forbearance as weakness, not wisdom, and on his missions, on his master's behalf, adopted his mantle as his own. The emissary became tempestuous of his master and so it came about that the master was usurped. The people were duped. The domain became a tyranny and eventually it all collapsed in ruins." - Friedrich NietzscheExpert stage presence and story crafter Jon Cook is back on the show today and we are happy to have him back to share his experience and knowledge with our audience once again.  During this discussion, Jon and Jay get into some tips for people who are in or thinking about getting into the public speaking space, the future of AI and what role it is going to play in an advisory capacity, and how AI generated content is being viewed by different generations of people.  We are taking a deep dive into the future on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"How did I get into engineering? Somebody saw something."Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group Paul Lucido and we've got him back on the show for yet another discussion on our very own Jay Doran's work, Thirty Days of Thought.  Today's conversation is focusing on the section of the book called "Relationships" and Paul and Jay are diving in head first.  The majority of the discussion is centering around hero worship, modeling yourself after the people you admire, and making sure that you stay true to who you are while adding elements from the people who inspire you.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn't, pays it." - Albert EinsteinBusiness Development Officer for Wescott Financial Advisory Group Alex Rawdin is joining us on the show today and we are very excited to get into the nitty gritty of finance, so let's get this show on the road.  Alex and Jay are discussing some of the background and history of Wescott Financial, how Alex went from the music industry into his current role in the world of financial advising, and the ways in which culture is a focal point for not only Alex, but for Wescott as a whole.  Alex is bringing a lot of great experience and knowledge to the show today, so we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." - Mother TeresaFounder and Executive Director of Raise the Bar Family Services Karly Forman Cohen is our guest on the show today and we are very excited to get into philanthropy, nonprofits, and good work by good people in general.  Karly and Jay are digging into what nonprofits actually are and what purpose they serve, the work that she and her team do assisting families with children with intellectual or developmental disabilities, and what the future holds for Raise the Bar.  Karly and her team are putting in the good work and we hope that our listeners are inspired to do so as well after this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit." - Friedrich NietzschePersonal trainer and founder of STRONGSIDE Fitness Mitchel Black is hitting the airwaves on our show today and there is a lot of inspiring stuff coming from this conversation.  Mitchel and Jay are digging into Mitchel's journey from bullied kid to fitness aficionado, some of Mitchel's thoughts and insights on his group training sessions, and trusting your gut and your intuition to lead you in the right direction.  Mitchel is a truly inspiring individual with a very positive message and we're incredibly grateful that he shared it with us on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards." - Søren Kierkegaard"The two greatest warriors are patience and time." - Leo TolstoyOn today's show, our very own Jay Doran is pulling back the curtain a bit to give our listeners an update on The Culture Matters Podcast as we see ourselves at the halfway point of 2025.  Jay is discussing how the podcast has evolved, what the motivation was to start it and what it continues to be to keep it going, and what is ahead in the near and not-so-near future.  We want to thank everyone who listens to the show for allowing us to keep doing what we're doing and we are looking forward to a very enlightening and fun rest of 2025.

"Out of every 100 men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters ,and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior and he will bring the others back." - Heraclitus Psychiatrist, philosopher, neuroscientist, and author of such books as The Master and His Emissary and The Matter With Things Dr. Iain McGilchrist is our guest on the show and we are thrilled to have someone with his experience and acumen to share with our listeners on today's episode.  During his conversation with Jay, Dr. McGilchrist gives us a look at his early experiences with philosophy and what drew him to Heraclitus in particular,  how the left and right hemispheres of the brain relate to one another, and what is necessary for us to contend with a better future.  We are very grateful to Dr. McGilchrist for being so generous with his time and we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast. 

"Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies." - Friedrich NietzscheChristopher Tighe is a U.S. Navy and NCIS veteran, host of the Caffeinated Contractor podcast, and the founder of Elevation Construction and we've got him back on the show for another round of culture discussion.  For this conversation, Christopher and Jay are digging into what Christopher's focus has been on his own podcast over the last few months and what direction he sees it going, the importance of teamwork and trust in the growth of a business, and the importance of doing all of the little things the right way.  We're always happy to have Christopher on the show and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"A man of knowledge must not only be able to love his enemies but hate his friends." - Friedrich NietzscheOur guests today are the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media, Andrew Berman, and the Chief Marketing Officer of Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Paul Lucido, and we've got them back for yet another conversation surrounding our very own Jay Doran's work, Thirty Days of Thought.  The topic for today is "Approachable" and these three culture contenders are diving head first into what it means to be approachable in not only your work, but your personal life as well.  It's always a treat to have these three gentlemen together and we truly hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundations of the world." - Matthew 13:35On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are bringing you the fourth and final part of a quick series where our very own Jay Doran is using The American Gift (TAG) conference of 2025 held in Atlanta, GA, as a launching pad for further discussion on culture topics.  Today, Jay is using some questions he has written down for his interview with Jordan B. Peterson at this year's TAG as a way to guide this discussion on aiming higher.  There is an expression in sports entertainment that says "If you don't want to be the champ, why are you here?"  In essence, if you aren't always aiming for the next rung of the ladder, why are you even trying to climb?  We'll get into that and a whole lot more on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundations of the world." - Matthew 13:35We have our very own Jay Doran back again for part three of our series on The American Gift (TAG) 2025 conference being held in Atlanta, GA.  As we mentioned in the last episode, Jay will be interviewing Dr. Jordan B. Peterson at this year's event and we're using some of those questions to take a look at the question: how does a partnership work long-term?  It can be said that maintaining any relationship takes a lot of time and effort, but when it comes to business, it may add another layer of stress and complication that you might not see coming.  How do you make it work for the long haul?  That's exactly what we're here to talk about on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." - Matthew 13:35On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, our very own Jay Doran is continuing our series discussing The American Gift (TAG) conference 2025 being held in Atlanta, GA.  Jay starts this discussion by outlining his upcoming interview with Dr. Jordan B. Peterson at the conference and all the preparation that is going into such awesome opportunity.  Additionally, we're taking a look at the differences between a broker and an account executive, the toll in-fighting can take on a company, education's role in understanding social institutions.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundations of the world." - Matthew 13:35On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are bringing you part one of a quick four-part series where our very own Jay Doran will be talking about The American Gift (TAG) conference from 2025 in Atlanta, GA.  Using the conference as a jumping off point, Jay is discussing the value in home ownership from both a financial and personal perspective, why there will always be opportunity, and what home ownership can mean for the furthering of the future of you and your family.  We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things." - Peter DruckerAccount management professional, advisor, proponent of employee benefits and incentives, and professional photographer spearheading Lauren B. Pipari Photography & Designs Lauren Pipari is joining us on the show today and we are over the moon to have her here to share her experience and expertise with our listeners.  Lauren and Jay are digging into Lauren's personal journey and how she go to where she is and what she is doing, companies either being for the bottom line or for their employees, and becoming an extension of your client and their team and making yourself a needed asset to them.  Lauren is a true pro and we are very grateful she chose to spend some time with us on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.