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He's the guy behind "Betty (Get Money)" and a fur coat two-step that took over TikTok, but before Yung Gravy was flexing platinum plaques, he was studying finance and marketing in college. Today on Money Rehab, we sit down with the rapper who lives a double life: viral hitmaker by night, options trader by day. Gravy walks us through the trade that made him $400K, a bet on 1-800-Flowers stock at the start of COVID, built on a grim but accurate read that funeral orders were about to spike. It's the kind of call institutional investors make quietly all the time; Gravy just said the quiet part out loud, and the internet has been arguing about the ethics of it ever since. We get into how a music-industry paycheck, unpredictable, front-loaded, gone as fast as the trend that made it, pushed him to actually learn the market instead of just spending like a rapper. What it's like sitting in a room with a finance background while everyone assumes you can't do math because you rap about money instead of manage it. Where the rap flex ends and the real portfolio begins. And whether the same instincts that write a viral hook are the same instincts that spot an undervalued stock before anyone else does. Private Wealth Collective Nicole's boutique wealth management practice for people who want more than a robo-advisor and less than a hedge fund minimum. Real strategy, real relationship. The Money School Nicole's $149 investing course that actually breaks down stocks, ETFs, crypto, and building a real portfolio, no jargon, no judgment, lifetime access. Start investing investing at SoFi.com/MNN ----------------------- Find other exclusive content at— Instagram: @moneynews TikTok: @moneynewsnetwork Website: https://moneynewsnetwork.com
Send us Fan MailWhy do good sellers freeze up the second a conversation moves from a director-level buyer to the CFO? It's not a skills gap — it's identity. Bill Caskey and Bryan Neale break down why sellers resist doing new things, even when they know exactly what it's costing them.Bryan shares what happened when he volunteered to try something brand-new outside of sales — nervous, uncomfortable, and more locked-in than he's felt in years. That leads into why "just say this instead" coaching doesn't work, why the block that keeps a rep out of the CFO's office (or a $400K advisor from becoming a $1M advisor) is about identity, and a simple reframe for calling on anyone above your comfort level: find what's the same before you worry about what's different. It's the 20th anniversary of the show, and Bill and Bryan want to hear from you — send a short voice memo to listener@advancedsellingpodcast.com for their September anniversary celebration.The Insider program is open for enrollment. To check out our small learning group, go to http://advancedsellingpodcast.com/insiderIf you haven't already, join 14,000+ other sales professionals in our LinkedIn group at advancedsellingpodcast.com/linkedinIs it time to make a BOLD move in your business? If so, download our brand new book, "12 Bold Moves - Insider Secrets to Reinventing Yourself and Your Business." http://12boldmoves.com
This week, while Dave is out, hosts Maria Varmazis and Joe Carrigan are discussing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. Maria and Joe are joined by friend of the show Michele Kellerman. We start with some follow-up from Michele on efforts in the Philippines to crack down on online fraud centers and the ongoing fight against scam operations. Joe explores WhatsApp's new on-device scam detection feature and whether it can actually spot suspicious conversations without compromising privacy. Michele covers an elaborate jury-duty scam that kept a Florida woman on the phone for more than 10 hours, using fake law enforcement, cryptocurrency payments, and stolen personal information to steal more than $25,000. Maria looks at a new wave of back-to-school scams using fake websites, phishing attempts, and AI-generated content to target parents and students. Our Catch of the Day comes from Ami, who discovered that even paying by check isn't foolproof after a mailed check was intercepted, altered, and cashed by someone else. Resources and links to stories: Scam no more: how the Philippines is cracking down on online fraud centres with UN support WhatsApp rolls out new feature that flags potential scam messages PA man loses nearly $400K after online chess game leads to Cryptocurrency scam The ‘Jury Duty' Scam That Cost This Family $25,000 New York back-to-school scams: Fake websites, AI ads and phishing texts to watch for Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at hackinghumans@n2k.com.
Greyson Boerner traded startup life for a 28-year-old niche business — now on pace to grow revenue 50% in year one.Register for the webinar:Learn to Avoid the #1 Reason Acquisitions Fail - TODAY!! - https://bit.ly/4z0fkBxTopics in Greyson's interview:Founding software startupsETA as a path to stabilityGetting his education with Acquisition LabFinding business brokers through Google MapsUncovered niche church pew restoration businessCompetitor closure created significant growth opportunityChurch visit reinforced acquisition decisionHired bilingual ops manager to bridge communicationStolen truck fiascoRevenue up 50%, margins pressured by investmentsReferences and how to contact Greyson:LinkedInWorship Interiors GroupContact Jenny to learn how Engage can run people operations in your acquisition:Jenny Thear: jthear@engagepeo.comWork with an SBA loan team focused exclusively on helping entrepreneurs buy businesses:Pioneer Capital AdvisoryGet a complimentary IT audit for acquisition diligence or post-close transition.Visit inzotechnologies.com/eta.Connect with Acquiring Minds:See past + future interviews on the YouTube channelConnect with host Will Smith on LinkedInFollow Will on TwitterEdited by Anton Rohozov and produced by Pam Cameron
The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
New York Times bestselling author Gillian McAllister spoke with us about how to deal with rejection, deleting full drafts, the business side of adaptations, and her latest US release, the thriller THAT NIGHT. Gillian McAllister is the internationally bestselling author of Wrong Place Wrong Time, Just Another Missing Person, Famous Last Words, and others. Her novels have been selected by both Read with Jenna and Reese's Book Club, and she has become one of today's most celebrated voices in psychological suspense. Her latest US release is That Night (already adapted into a Netflix series), a novel that follows a family's dream vacation in Italy that spirals into a nightmare. New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry said of Gillian, “McAllister is the best at putting her characters in impossible situations and making her readers not only contemplate but feel what it would be like to find themselves in those situations.” Gillian graduated with an English degree before working as a lawyer. She is also the creator and co-host of the popular Honest Authors podcast. [Discover The Writer Files Extra: Get 'The Writer Files' Podcast Delivered Straight to Your Inbox at writerfiles.fm] [If you're a fan of The Writer Files, please click FOLLOW to automatically see new interviews. And drop us a rating or a review wherever you listen] In this file Gillian McAllister, Milena, and I discussed: Her law background and path to publication How she wrote close to 400K words before breaking through Why she plans novels via synopsis and keeps her early drafts private Business advice on how to talk to publishers once you've sold a book The real reason so many lawyers become crime writers And a lot more! Show Notes: ElevenReader is a new, award-winning audio app for iOS, Android, Web gillianmcallister.com The Honest Authors' Podcast That Night: A Novel by Gillian McAllister (Amazon) Gillian McAllister Amazon Author Page Gillian McAllister Facebook Gillian McAllister on Instagram Milena Gonzalez | Writer | Reader | Book Reviewer diary_of_a_book_babe on Instagram Kelton Reid Instagram Kelton Reid on Twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Schedule Your Free 1:1 Audit for Realtors NOW: https://go.stefanielugo.com/infoHere's exactly what you'll get in 30 minutes:→ A clear picture of what gaps you need to fix in your real estate workflows right now→ Honest feedback on what is working in your market right now, and what needs to go→ The first steps you can take TODAY, not tomorrow, not next week→ The fastest path to closing 2-4 deals per month working 25-30 hours a week
Dawn of a New Era Podcast with Entrepreneur Dawn McGruer| Marketing | Motivation | Mindset |
Lauren Tickner: Why a Million Followers Can Still Make You Less Than $10K a MonthA huge audience doesn't automatically build a valuable business.In this episode of Dawn of a New Era: The Billionaire Brain Podcast, Dawn McGruer sits down with entrepreneur Lauren Tickner for a refreshingly candid conversation about personal branding, social media, AI, scaling and what success really looks like once you've already made the money.Lauren has built three seven-figure businesses and became a millionaire at 23 — but some of her biggest lessons have come from questioning the very strategies that helped her get there.She reveals why she now sees the traditional personal brand as potential “golden handcuffs”, including the story of a former client with more than one million followers who was making less than $10K a month.Lauren also shares what happened when she lost access to her 128,000-follower Instagram account and 50,000-follower Facebook profile for months — and why her business carried on regardless.Her philosophy? Stop thinking about social media and start thinking about business media.Dawn and Lauren explore why follower count is a poor measure of commercial success, how micro-niche authority can outperform mass influence, and why every piece of content needs a clear connection to what your business actually sells.They also get into Lauren's dramatic shift from 47 employees to just four, how AI has helped her build a leaner and more profitable company, and why scaling doesn't necessarily mean more people, more clients or more complexity.Lauren openly shares the less glamorous side of entrepreneurship too — burnout, refunding more than $400K in clients she no longer wanted to work with, a Black Friday campaign that generated virtually nothing, and one hiring decision she estimates cost the business millions in opportunity.In this episode, you'll discover:Why one million followers can still translate into less than $10K a monthWhy Lauren believes a personal brand can become “golden handcuffs”The difference between building a following and building micro-niche authorityWhy Lauren treats social media as business media and a traffic sourceHow her business survived losing access to 128K Instagram followers and 50K Facebook followersWhy your content strategy has to begin with what you actually sellHow to use sales-call transcripts and AI to uncover the exact language your customers useWhy Lauren calls this process “brainwave inception”How she went from 47 employees to four while increasing profitabilityWhere human intelligence still matters when implementing AIWhy revenue can be vanity while profit creates freedomHow founder burnout changed the way Lauren thinks about growthWhy she refunded more than $400K rather than keep the wrong clientsThe Black Friday failure that convinced her to stop chasing the beginner marketThe hiring mistake that ultimately cost her millionsHow Lauren is using AI agents to research prospects and create personalised one-to-one outreachWhy the question founders should be asking is no longer “How can I do this?” but “What would I need to tell AI to get it to do this perfectly?”Key moments00:49 — Going from 47 employees to four with AI02:13 — Why Lauren now defines success as freedom06:25 — More revenue, less profit: the hidden cost of a big team11:49 — Human intelligence + artificial intelligence16:01 — Why personal brands can become “golden handcuffs”17:48 — The million-follower business making less than $10K a month20:52 — Losing 128K Instagram followers without hurting the business21:11 — “Business media, not social media”23:56 — Finding the before-and-after your customer actually wants25:41 — Using AI and customer language for “brainwave inception”30:48 — The Black Friday campaign that made virtually no sales33:18 — The hiring decision that cost millions in opportunity45:10 — Lauren's AI-powered personalised prospecting system46:55 — The AI question every founder should start askingIf you're building a personal brand, growing an audience or scaling a founder-led company, this episode will challenge you to look beyond followers, headcount and revenue — and ask a much more important question:Are you building attention, or are you building an asset?Connect with Lauren TicknerFind Lauren by searching Lauren Tickner on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.Support the PodcastEnjoyed this conversation?Subscribe to Dawn of a New Era, share the episode with an ambitious founder and leave a rating or review wherever you listen to your podcasts.Your support helps more women discover the conversations, strategies and stories that can change the way they build their businesses and their lives.CHECK OUT THE PODCAST & APPLY TO BECOME A GUEST https://dawnmcgruer.com/podcastFOLLOW Dawn McGruer Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dawnmcgruer/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawnmcgruerThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podkite - https://podkite.com/privacy
In today's podcast the boys talk about the flock cameras controversy, Ken regretting his new marriage, the Cboys bullying environment, Jack constantly posting his girl, Make-A-Wish kids coming to the shop, Dalton's truck catching on fire, the Cboys converting to flip phones, hitting 400K subscribers and more! Thank you for watching, enjoy Don't sleep on [@ultrapouches]. New customers get 15% Off with code WIDEOPEN at takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at square.com/go/wideopen! #squarepod Rula patients typically pay $15 per session when using insurance. Connect with quality therapists and mental health experts who specialize in you at https://www.rula.com/wideopen #rulapod Get 10% Off your entire order & take advantage of Ridge's Annual Sweepstakes by going to https://www.Ridge.com/WIDEOPEN#Ridgepod NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open only to legal residents of the promotion territory, who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence. Void elsewhere & where prohibited by law. Enter by 9:00 a.m. USPT on 8 September 2026. 2 winners, prizes total ARV: up to approx. $539,165 CAD / £284,170. Skill-testing question required in CA. See Official Rules at ridge.com/pages/rules for complete eligibility, entry instructions, how to enter without a purchase, entry limits, prize details, odds, and restrictions. Sponsor: The Ridge Wallet LLC. To watch the podcast on YouTube: https://bit.ly/LifeWideOpenYT Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast for free wherever you're listening or by using this link: https://bit.ly/LifeWideOpenWithCboysTV If you like the show, telling a friend about it would be amazing! You can text, email, or send this link to a friend: https://bit.ly/LifeWideOpenWithCboysTV You can also check out our main YouTube channel CboysTV: https://www.youtube.com/c/CboysTV
After learning fraud from a Nigerian scammer and spending years in the streets, the Nappy Chef reveals how he left crime behind, built a legitimate culinary career, and completely turned his life around. Nappy Chef's links - https://www.officialnappychef.com/ https://www.instagram.com/nappychefeverything/?hl=en Do you want to be a guest? Fill out the form https://www.insidetruecrimepodcast.com/apply-to-be-a-guest Get 10% sitewide for a limited time. Just visit https://GhostBed.com/cox and use code COX at checkout. Shop my merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MatthewCoxCollection Send me an email here: insidetruecrime@gmail.com Do you extra clips and behind the scenes content? Subscribe to my Patreon: https://patreon.com/InsideTrueCrime Check out my Dark Docs YouTube channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@DarkDocsMatthewCox Follow me on all socials! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insidetruecrime/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@matthewcoxtruecrime Do you want a custom painting done by me? Check out my Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/coxpopart Listen to my True Crime Podcasts anywhere: https://anchor.fm/mattcox Check out my true crime books! Shark in the Housing Pool: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0851KBYCF Bent: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BV4GC7TM It's Insanity: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KFYXKK8 Devil Exposed: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TH1WT5G Devil Exposed (The Abridgment): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1070682438 The Program: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0858W4G3K Bailout: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bailout-matthew-cox/1142275402 Dude, Where's My Hand-Grenade?: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXNFHBDF/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1678623676&sr=1-1 Checkout my disturbingly twisted satiric novel! Stranger Danger: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSWQP3WX If you would like to support me directly, I accept donations here: Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/MattCox69 Cashapp: $coxcon69 Chapters: 00:00 - Early life & influences 01:54 - Job Corps & hustling 08:59 - Getting kicked out & crime 15:00 - Trauma & homelessness 17:09 - Surviving on the streets 22:27 - North Charlotte & drug trade 30:04 - Betrayal & retaliation 32:08 - Ohio robberies & SWAT close call 36:11 - Loss, arrests & turning point 45:12 - Moving out & breakup 46:04 - West Virginia & quitting hard drugs 50:31 - Soft drugs, jail & culinary path 1:00:15 - Funding the food truck & restaurant 1:01:46 - Legal risks & prison stories Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Election Day is Thursday … but over 400K of our Tennessee neighbors don't have the right to vote, thanks to a felony conviction. Nashville native and community organizer Larry Turnley joins us to share his own journey from a life sentence to having his record expunged, talk about the barriers others face, and the investments he says our city needs to make to give our younger generation a chance at success. Learn more about the sponsors of this Aug. 3rd episode: Brooklyn Bowl VOTE FOR US in the Nashville Scene's Best of Nashville 2026 Awards! Election Day is Thursday, Aug. 6! Here's everything you need to know to go vote. Get more from City Cast Nashville when you become a City Cast Nashville Neighbor. You'll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members only events and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm/nashville Want some more City Cast Nashville news? Then make sure to sign up for our City Cast Nashville newsletter. Follow us @citycastnashville You can also text us or leave a voicemail at: 615-200-6392 Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE.
You look at the millions of views you're racking up and then you look at your bank account — and the zeros don't match. Not even close. That gap has a name. And in this episode of Running With Wolves, Savannah explains exactly what's causing it and how to fix it. Gen Z marketing gets you seen. Millennial marketing gets you paid. And if all you have is one of them you are leaving serious money on the table. Here's what this episode covers: Why going viral without a buyer's journey just creates frustrated founders and abandoned carts The difference between Gen Z top of funnel content and millennial trust and conversion content — with real brand examples Why it's not a personality question about your brand — it's a funnel question How Savannah took an art publishing client from 100K to almost 400K in sales in one month without changing a single product or price point Apply to work with Savannah HERE: http://bit.ly/applywlfpodcast or DM her on Instagram @itssavannahjordan ( / itssavannahjordan ) with your takeaway. viral content no sales, Gen Z vs millennial marketing, marketing strategy 2026, content that converts, buyer's journey, organic marketing, female founder, Wolf Framework
On this episode, we're joined by Rick Boxx. Rick Boxx is the CEO and Founder of Unconventional Business Network. UBN is a nonprofit founded in 2001 that has equipped over 400,000 business leaders in integrating their faith and the Bible with their work. Rick has a daily radio and email broadcast called “Integrity Moments” that reaches over 2 million leaders and is featured on over 200 radio stations. He's authored seven books, including Unconventional Business. Rick is a former CPA, banker, and multiple time entrepreneur. He resides in Overland Park, Kansas with his lovely and lively wife, Kathy. They have three children and four grandchildren who live in the area. https://unconventionalbusiness.org/ Send us Fan MailThanks for listening, and keep partnering with God in your business. And don't forget to check out our sponsor at HighBridgeBooks.com. And feel free to contact me directly at darren@highbridgebooks.com if you're interested in writing, publishing, and selling a book.
eBay sent a box of cockroaches to 2 journalists… now it's paying $56Haribo opened its 1st gummy-only stores… but it's not a 1-trick pony, it's a 1-trick thoroughbred.Tech stocks are down 10% on “Brotation” or “Erasure”... but your portfolio needs “Bubble Wrap”Plus, Minivan sales hit 400K last year… Millennials just became their parents (Alex, are you listening?) $HSY $QQQ $EBAY Grab your Tickets to the IPO Tour: Our In-Person OfferingSan Francisco 9/23: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1C0064AFB5F688BDBoston 10/14: https://tickets.citywinery.com/event/tboy-the-ipo-tour-in-person-offering-8cdhupSeattle 11/4 (21+): https://www.axs.com/events/1446394/the-best-one-yet-ticketsNEWSLETTER:https://tboypod.com/newsletter OUR 2ND SHOW:Want more business storytelling from us? Check our weekly deepdive show, The Best Idea Yet: The untold origin story of the products you're obsessed with. Listen for free to The Best Idea Yet: https://wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/NEW LISTENERSFill out our 2 minute survey: https://qualtricsxm88y5r986q.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dp1FDYiJgt6lHy6GET ON THE POD: Submit a shoutout or fact: https://tboypod.com/shoutouts SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tboypod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tboypodYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tboypod Linkedin (Nick): https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-martell/Linkedin (Jack): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-crivici-kramer/Anything else: https://tboypod.com/ About Us: The daily pop-biz news show making today's top stories your business. Formerly known as Robinhood Snacks, The Best One Yet is hosted by Jack Crivici-Kramer & Nick Martell. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Church Health Giving Day 2026--- Reached Goal of $400K-- INTERVIEW WITH DR. SCOTT MORRIS with J&J on 7/28/26
App Masters - App Marketing & App Store Optimization with Steve P. Young
Be a part of the $1K MRR Challenge inside the App Founders Community:https://appfounders.co/Can a simple speaker cleaning app really make over $400,000 per month?In this video, we break down Clear Wave, a Water Eject Speaker Cleaner App that generates an estimated $350K–$400K+ in monthly revenue through App Store Optimization (ASO), keyword targeting, and a simple app monetization strategy.You'll discover how niche apps can become highly profitable businesses, why distribution matters more than ever in the AI era, and how a single keyword can drive meaningful revenue.You'll learn:✅ How Clear Wave App generates an estimated $400K/month✅ The power of niche keywords like "Water Eject."✅ Why distribution is more important than app development in 2026✅ App Store Optimization (ASO) opportunities most founders overlook✅ Simple onboarding and paywall strategies that convert✅ The Mobile App Distribution First framework for building profitable apps
In this episode of the Creator Method Podcast, Gary Lipovetsky sits down with Curtis Gardner, a full time automotive technician who went from roughly 15,000 followers to nearly half a million in just a few months and reached more than 100 million views along the way. Curtis shares how years of recording video inspections for customers helped him become comfortable behind the camera, why he started creating content to help other technicians, and how experimenting with one new format completely changed the trajectory of his personal brand. He also opens up about leaving a job he had held for nine years because they would not allow him to create content in the shop, dealing with criticism from coworkers and strangers online, and the sacrifices required to balance a full time career, marriage, fatherhood, and one of Instagram's fastest growing accounts. This conversation goes far beyond cars. Gary and Curtis unpack the psychology of virality, why storytelling can be more important than technical skill on social media, the pressure to repeat what works, and why creators must continue experimenting even after finding a successful format. They also discuss the importance of building a personal brand around a genuine mission, why every skilled professional has the opportunity to become their own media company, and how social media can help technicians, plumbers, dentists, lawyers, electricians, accountants, and other experts create opportunities far beyond their traditional careers. Follow Creator Method: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creatormethod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreatorMethodPodcast Follow Curtis Gardner: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curtisagardner/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:00 Why every profession can become a media company 03:00 How Curtis started creating automotive content 04:00 Building trust through video inspections 06:00 Why he wanted to help other technicians 09:00 Dealing with skepticism and criticism 10:00 Why Curtis left his job after nine years 14:00 Going from 15,000 to nearly 500,000 followers 15:00 The content experiment that changed everything 17:00 The psychology of going viral 18:00 How Curtis stayed humble through rapid growth 21:00 The truth about consistency and community building 22:00 What makes people stop scrolling 23:00 Craft versus storytelling 25:00 Why negativity performs so well online 28:00 Finding an employer who supports content creation 29:00 Building content around impact instead of money 30:00 The role Curtis' wife played in his journey 31:00 Balancing content, work, marriage, and fatherhood 33:00 What people misunderstand about consistency 35:00 Why everything happens for a reason 36:00 Why creators stay in their lane 37:00 Collaborating outside your niche 40:00 Taking creative risks and using trial reels 41:00 Curtis' dream Formula 1 collaboration 43:00 Why professionals need to become creators 44:00 Curtis' five year vision 46:00 Helping the next generation of technicians 47:00 Opportunities created by social media 49:00 Curtis' favorite cars 52:00 Analog cars versus modern cars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The power of two of the leading projects in crypto have come together to launch one of the most innovative trading platforms on the market. Beanstock Trading is a new prop firm built in partnership with Bittensor Subnet 8 Vanta and on the rails of Hyperliquid. If you think you have the trading skills to scale up your account, this is for you.
This weeks ai slop is served up by DeepSeek v4 Pro. I tried to use Kimi but it got stuck generating the notes. So now you get this. Could be worse. Episode SummaryJack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack return for a wide-ranging conversation that spans the turbulent state of Australian politics and the precarious state of global affairs. The episode opens with striking Redbridge polling data suggesting One Nation could pick up as many as 19 seats in the upcoming Victorian state election -- a result that would leave neither major party able to form government in its own right. The Jacks explore the mechanics of minority government, the prospect of a marriage of convenience between the Liberals and One Nation, and whether Labor voters in protest mode could deliver One Nation unexpected inroads into heartland seats.The domestic focus then shifts to the Australian economy. Drawing on former ACTU Secretary Bill Kelty's recent analysis, the hosts dissect a bureaucracy more concerned with treating symptoms than causes, lamenting squandered billions on unused quarantine centres, infrastructure costs among the highest in the world, and a housing crisis driven by a failure to train enough workers. The conversation turns to political courage -- or the lack of it -- comparing today's risk-averse governing class with the Hawke-Keating reform era, when fringe benefits tax was meant to kill the long lunch but somehow did not.A spirited defence of Emerge Australia -- an advocacy group training GPs to diagnose and treat myalgic encephalomyelitis (chronic fatigue syndrome) -- highlights the government's decision to cut a mere $400,000 in funding, a move Jack the Insider brands disgraceful for an organisation serving an estimated 250,000 Australians. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme reform also gets a hearing, with pharmaceutical companies increasingly bypassing Australia for clinical trials.Internationally, the Jacks confront the escalating dangers of the Russia-Ukraine war. With Ukraine making Crimea increasingly uninhabitable and Vladimir Putin backed into a corner, the prospect of an attack on a NATO or NATO-aligned state looms. The conversation covers Russia's cancelled bond sale, the shifting power dynamic between Putin and Xi Jinping, and thousands of Russian passports arriving in Moldova -- a familiar prelude to intervention. On Iran, the hosts reflect on the Trump administration's military strikes, oil climbing past USD 100 a barrel, and the political consequences for the upcoming US midterm elections.The episode closes with sport: the FIFA World Cup (and Argentina's remarkable ability to unify the football world in mutual disdain), the AFL's handling of the Nicky Winmar domestic violence case and questions of consistency, the end of the Bazball era in English Test cricket, a warm tribute to the late Sir Garfield Sobers, and rugby union's new Nations Championship format.Timestamped Highlights(All timestamps adjusted +25 seconds to account for theme music.)00:00:26 -- Introduction and Banter Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack open the show trading observations on air conditioning, long lunches, and the perils of sitting directly beneath the vent.00:01:32 -- One Nation's Victorian Polling Surge Redbridge polling data indicates One Nation could win as many as 19 seats in the Victorian state election. In an 88-seat legislature, that would make a majority for either major party almost impossible.00:02:52 -- Minority Government Mechanics Hong Kong Jack explains the constitutional pathway: if no party wins a majority, the sitting Premier gets the first conversation with the Governor and may be recommissioned to form government.00:04:20 -- A Three-Cornered Contest Jack the Insider argues the Allan government is at the end of the road, but the Liberal alternative inspires little confidence. One Nation may poll well in Labor heartland seats as protest voters look for an outlet that is not the Liberal Party.00:06:33 -- The Polling vs. the Pencil Hong Kong Jack predicts One Nation's polling numbers will soften once voters are alone in the booth with an HB pencil hovering over the ballot paper.00:08:32 -- Commonwealth Games Land in Glasgow The hosts acknowledge the Commonwealth Games have begun -- in Glasgow, not Victoria. The opening ceremony featured King Charles and Queen Camilla emerging from a Doctor Who TARDIS.00:10:50 -- Pauline Hanson and the Tommy Robinson Interview The Jacks dissect Hanson's decision to interview the controversial British figure, with Hong Kong Jack arguing the motivation is straightforward: publicity, good or bad.00:12:12 -- Factions Within One Nation Barnaby Joyce's visible discomfort with the Robinson interview signals internal tensions. Jack the Insider warns One Nation risks veering further towards the "lunar right."00:13:30 -- Two Australias: The Great Dog Divide A detour into the changing culture of pet ownership. Jack the Insider contrasts the utilitarian farm dogs of his Reservoir childhood with the multi-billion-dollar industry of designer dog beds, pushchairs, and booties.00:15:59 -- Bill Kelty's Economic Diagnosis Former ACTU Secretary Bill Kelty delivers a blunt assessment: Australian governments have spent decades treating symptoms rather than causes -- quarantine centres never used, infrastructure costs at world-record levels, a housing crisis born of under-investment in skills.00:17:59 -- The Courage Deficit Hong Kong Jack argues the current government, like its recent predecessors, lacks political boldness. The Prime Minister's Labor conference speech seemed "spooked by One Nation" rather than offering a growth narrative.00:19:22 -- The Keating Comparison Jack the Insider revisits the Hawke-Keating reform era, noting the howls of outrage that greeted early reforms -- including fringe benefits tax, which was meant to "kill lunch" but somehow did not. The difference today: social media amplifies every backlash.00:23:02 -- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Funding Cut An urgent segment on the defunding of Emerge Australia, an advocacy group that has trained roughly 10% of the nation's GPs in diagnosing and treating ME/CFS. The cut amounts to approximately $400,000 -- a sum Jack the Insider describes as negligible in public expenditure but catastrophic for the 250,000 Australians living with the condition.00:26:37 -- The PBS and Australia's Clinical Trial Problem Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly bypassing Australia for clinical trials, leaving patients with rare conditions to raise extraordinary sums for overseas treatment. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme's pricing structure may require root-and-branch reform, particularly for newly developed drugs.00:29:50 -- What Should Labor Do About One Nation? Hong Kong Jack's prescription is simple: fix the economy and stop saying silly things. One Nation will wither on the vine if economic growth returns.00:30:17 -- Derryn Hinch: The Human Headline Remembered The former broadcaster, senator, and Justice Party founder has died aged 82. The Jacks reflect on a complicated legacy -- a man who transformed Melbourne talkback radio and tabloid television, was twice married to Jacki Weaver, and whose profound impact on the media is tempered by a deeply troubling intervention in the justice system.00:32:00 -- The Glennon Case: When a Headline Cost Children Their Safety Jack the Insider recounts in detail how Hinch's decision to publicly name convicted paedophile priest Michael Glennon during an active trial led to the suspension of proceedings, an eventual overturned conviction, and a four-year window in which Glennon continued operating camps and abusing children -- as many as 20 additional victims.00:38:14 -- Hinch's Media Legacy Despite the Glennon tragedy, Hong Kong Jack credits Hinch with changing the sound of Melbourne radio. The talkback format he pioneered arguably saved stations like 3AW.00:40:32 -- Ukraine and the Battle for Crimea The Ukrainians cannot hold Crimea, but they are making it unliveable. Water, electricity, and supplies have been cut. Crimeans are fleeing en masse. The Russian Black Sea Fleet has effectively ceased to exist.00:42:13 -- Putin Backed Into a Corner Jack the Insider warns that Vladimir Putin, when cornered, does not act rationally. The spectre of an attack on a NATO country -- perhaps a Baltic state -- or on Moldova is real. Putin cannot sue for peace; it would mean the end of him.00:44:21 -- Russia's Economic Pressure Points Hong Kong Jack notes that Russia cancelled a regular bond sale last week after failing to find buyers. The economic squeeze is mounting. Putin and his deeply unpopular party are now being fused together ahead of elections.00:47:13 -- Russian Passports Arrive in Moldova Thousands of Russian passports have been shipped to Moldova -- the same playbook used in Crimea and eastern Ukraine before intervention.00:49:32 -- Iran, the Houthis, and Oil Above USD 100 US strikes on Iran continue. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have struck oil tankers. The price of crude has pushed past USD 100 a barrel -- a politically dangerous number for Donald Trump four months out from the midterms.00:50:33 -- The Netanyahu Pitch for Regime Change Jack the Insider recounts the scene from Swan and Haberman's book: Benjamin Netanyahu presenting a case for US-Israeli combined bombing to achieve regime change in Iran. Trump was impressed; Marco Rubio and the CIA director were not.00:52:56 -- US Midterms: The Democratic Candidate Problem The Democrats' prospects are muddied by candidate issues including the withdrawal of Graham Plattner over sexual assault allegations and the party's persistent inability to select candidates who genuinely connect with the white working class.00:54:40 -- Tim Waltz, John Kerry, and Authenticity Hong Kong Jack contrasts the Democrats' clumsy attempts to project authenticity -- Tim Waltz hunting, John Kerry windsurfing -- with the reality that Kerry was an ice hockey player who once attended a White House meeting with two black eyes from a congressional game.00:58:19 -- The Sickness in American Democracy Jack the Insider argues the two-party lock on presidential politics -- achieved partly by keeping third-party candidates off ballots in roughly 30 states -- is profoundly undemocratic. With 40% of voters now registering as independents, millions have no candidate who represents them.00:59:43 -- Can Trump Disrupt the Midterms? Hong Kong Jack analyses the constitutional limits on presidential interference in state-run elections. Any attempt to use emergency powers would go straight to court.01:03:43 -- Marine Le Pen: France's Next President? Polling around 67%, Le Pen is the frontrunner for the French presidential election. Her felony conviction for misusing EU funds appears to be no impediment.01:05:09 -- Andy Burnham's Fast Start as UK Prime Minister The new PM has hit the ground running with popular measures: a GBP 2 bus fare cap across England, 20% business rate cuts for pubs, clubs, and live music venues, and the scrapping of VAT on domestic electricity bills.01:07:36 -- Britain's Investment Challenge The biggest test for Burnham will be attracting investment. The UK has 11 million working-age citizens on benefits -- a figure now exceeding tax receipts.01:09:03 -- FIFA World Cup: Argentina Triumphs, Trump Photobombs Argentina are world champions, but not before a petition signed by millions demanded their exclusion from the final. Donald Trump appeared on the podium; the Spanish commemorative photos, the Jacks note, did not include him.01:11:07 -- The Refereeing and the Expansion The officiating was patchy, but the expanded tournament format was vindicated. Seeing Cape Verde, Australia, New Zealand, and Iran compete gave the event a genuinely global feel.01:14:23 -- Nicky Winmar, the AFL Hall of Fame, and Domestic Violence The Jacks grapple with the AFL's removal of Winmar from the Hall of Fame following a domestic violence conviction. Jack the Insider questions the consistency: Wayne Carey and Gary Ablett Sr. remain honoured. Hong Kong Jack suggests a suspension rather than permanent expulsion would have been more appropriate, arguing that football cannot be reserved for choirboys.01:19:06 -- Bazball's End: The McCallum Era Concludes Baz McCallum is out as England's Test coach after 49 Tests: 27 wins, 20 losses. Ten of the first eleven were victories; seven of the last nine were defeats. The hosts debate whether Bazball added to cricket's audience even if it could not sustainably win Test matches.01:23:20 -- Sir Garfield Sobers: The Greatest of All Time A warm tribute to the late West Indian legend. Jack the Insider recalls meeting Sobers at the Hilton in Barbados. Hong Kong Jack shares the story of Sobers -- completely ambidextrous -- playing golf off scratch left-handed and off two right-handed.01:27:53 -- Rugby Union's Nations Championship A new format pits Northern Hemisphere sides against Southern Hemisphere sides, culminating in finals at Twickenham. Hong Kong Jack is sceptical anyone will care which hemisphere wins. The 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia, however, is selling tickets strongly.01:30:00 -- Sign-Off Jack the Insider thanks listeners and apologises for the previous week's absence due to illness. The hosts promise to return on or around 31 July, though Hong Kong Jack advises against buying "20-year futures in us."Social Media PostsTwitter / XPost 1: One Nation could win up to 19 seats in the Victorian election. On this week's episode, we break down what a three-cornered contest means for the major parties -- and why minority government may be coming to Spring Street. Listen now.Post 2: "Putin, when cornered, does not act rationally." This week we examine the escalating dangers in Ukraine, Russian passports in Moldova, and why oil above USD 100 spells trouble for Trump. New episode of The Two Jacks out now.Post 3: $400,000. That is what it costs to train GPs across Australia to diagnose and treat ME/CFS -- and the government has cut it. We discuss why this quiet defunding of Emerge Australia is a disgrace. Full episode linked.Post 4: Derryn Hinch transformed Australian media. He also, by his own grandstanding, gave a paedophile priest four more years of access to children. This week we examine the complicated legacy of the Human Headline.Post 5: Bazball is dead. Garry Sobers is immortal. Nicky Winmar is out of the Hall of Fame. Our sport segment this week covers the big calls in cricket, AFL, rugby, and a World Cup final that unified the planet -- against Argentina.FacebookThis week on The Two Jacks: Jack the Insider and Hong Kong Jack navigate a political landscape where the old rules no longer apply.Redbridge polling has One Nation on track to become kingmaker in Victoria. We explore what minority government would actually look like -- and whether Labor can cling to power even if it finishes second.Bill Kelty says Australia's bureaucracy treats symptoms, not causes. We ask: where has political courage gone, and could anyone sell reform the way Keating did?From a USD 400,000 funding cut that will devastate chronic fatigue sufferers, to pharmaceutical companies abandoning Australian clinical trials, to a PBS in need of root-and-branch reform -- the domestic agenda is packed.Internationally, the picture is darker. Putin is cornered in Ukraine. Iran burns. Oil has passed USD 100. And the US midterms are shaping up as a referendum on Trump's foreign policy.Plus: Derryn Hinch's complicated legacy, Argentina's World Cup, Nicky Winmar and the AFL's consistency problem, the death of Bazball, and a toast to Sir Garfield Sobers -- the greatest cricketer who ever lived.Listen wherever you get your podcasts.InstagramCaption for episode artwork: Episode 165 is live. This week: One Nation's Victorian moment, Putin's dangerous corner, the Hinch legacy, and why a $400K funding cut matters more than you think. Link in bio.
Send us Fan MailKyle Zanetto lost close to $400,000 in a single year working eighty-hour weeks. Luke Davies sat $75,000 in overdraft with a maxed-out mortgage and had to sell his house. Both now run successful Tasmanian building companies — and together founded Future Builder to stop other builders repeating their mistakes.The core of the conversation is what sits between a good builder and a profitable building business: markup versus margin, estimating bottlenecks, recovering overheads, and how business structure determines the numbers. As Luke puts it, if someone tells you what your markup should be, they don't know your business.Kyle explains how a 30-point client questionnaire now filters roughly fifty leads down to two, and why that shift — not cost-cutting — is what protects quality.They also walk through Future Builder itself: the asset library, the courses, the Monday masterminds, and Alfie, the AI business companion Luke has been building for nine months that runs a 104-point health check across six business pillars and connects to Xero. The conversation moves into lean methodology on site, burnout and why builders won't ask for help, suicide in the industry, and what each of them would change in the NCC if given one shot.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTSHow a builders markup can make or break a business — and the difference between markup and net profitKyle's 30-point client entry questionnaire: open-book negotiated tenders, 30% cash, and turning down 48 of 50 leadsLuke's approach to saying yes to the right job even when the schedule is fullAlfie, the AI business companion: business life stages from start-up to prime, the 104-point health checkLean methodology on the building site — spaghetti maps, rework, and the triple hit to the bottom lineBurnout, self-awareness and hustle culture: the routines to business owners use to keep operating at high loadLEARN MOREFuture Builder: https://www.futurebuilder.co/Zanetto Builders: https://www.zanettobuilders.com.au/Davies Construction: https://www.daviesconstruction.com.au/Sustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.auBROUGHT TO YOU BYSustainable Builders Alliance (SBA): https://www.thesba.com.au
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When Joe Kudla launched Vuori out of a Southern California garage in 2013, he was betting against his own track record. He'd already tried the apparel business twice and failed both times. He had a comfortable life, a thriving financial consulting firm he'd built to hundreds of employees, real financial independence, the kind of success that came from humble beginnings near Seattle. And he walked away from it. What pulled him back was a men's activewear gap nobody else was serving and a creative pull he'd spent years ignoring. "I just didn't want to look back and be like, yeah, I wanted this so bad, but I never really jumped in with two feet," Kudla tells Ken. With $400K from friends and family and two employees who are still with him today, he went all in. Sixteen years later, Vuori is a billion-dollar global brand valued north of $5 billion, spanning 100+ stores, 30+ countries, and 3,000+ employees, and here's the kicker: he built the entire thing having put only about $2M on the company's balance sheet.In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Ken sits down with Joe Kudla – Founder and CEO of Vuori – to unpack how a former CPA and fashion model turned a men's yoga apparel gap into one of the most admired brands in performance wear. They explore the founding story, the fabric-first product philosophy, the community-driven retail model that started in a 3,000-square-foot popup doubling as an art gallery, the REI break that opened wholesale, the capital strategy that returned $1.2B+ to shareholders, and the tariff playbook that protected quality over margin.In this episode you'll learn:The white space that launched Vuori: an underserved men's yoga market 2x the size of surfing, and activewear you'd want to live in, not change out ofWhy raising money in 2013 was "almost impossible", and how $400K from friends and family got it startedHow the first store became a community hub, art gallery, and office all at onceThe REI break that proved premium men's athleisure could be a wholesale categoryHow Vuori hit profitability by 2017 with the office in the backstock roomThe capital strategy most people misunderstand: $1.2B+ raised for shareholders, only ~$2M put on the balance sheetThe international growth story: from a beach town in Encinitas to customers in China and KoreaHow Vuori handled the tariff hit: don't panic, never cut corners, and split the cost three waysThe leadership philosophy: a "no drama" culture policy, fabric-first meetings, and why Kudla is still the fit modelDon't forget to subscribe to The Retail Pilot podcast for more conversations with retail industry leaders and visionaries shaping the future of commerce.If you missed our last episode, where James Reinhart, Co-Founder and CEO of Thredup, explains how he built one of the most operationally complex companies in fashion, be sure to tune in.Connect with Ken:-Follow Ken Pilot Ventures on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
In this episode Trey and Micah talk with Brent Gilliland, Agency Principal at Clandestine Insurance Agency. Brent shares how he went from getting fired after his first year, to six years later, he's running a one-man agency clipping along at $400K in revenue, built entirely around a niche nobody else wanted to touch.In this episode:How Brent got fired after year one for chasing a nicheLanding with an outdoor rec agency and learning from program presidentsWhy relationships with underwriters matter more than almost anything elseBuilding a firearms-specific insurance program from scratchWhat it looks like to run (and start scaling) a one-man agencyAdvice for producers in their first 3-5 years who feel stuckThe rise of the "broker of one" and why solo producers don't need to give up 70-80% of their paycheck to an aggregatorIf you're a producer thinking about niching down, or wondering whether you can build something on your own without a big agency behind you, this one's worth the full watch.
Louis Ruggiero got sober from drugs and alcohol and kept gambling, until it cost him $10.2 million, his savings, and very nearly his life. In this conversation with Tyler Ramsey he tells the whole story: the comped Vegas weekends, the $65,000 cash bets, the newborn son he couldn't be present for, and the phone call that finally stopped him. Then he explains how he rebuilt, and why he believes legalized sports betting is the next public-health disaster. In this episode:· Why Louis calls gambling his "primary," even after getting sober from drugs and alcohol· How $100 bets became $50,000 to $200,000 weekends in Las Vegas· The casino-host machine: private jets, Rolls Royces, comped suites, and what it really costs· "$70,000 on Friday, negative $2,000 by Monday," and hiding it all from his family· Why he says it is not a financial disease, it is an emotional one· The Thanksgiving that became his lowest point, and the friend whose phone call changed everything· The GA toolkit that worked: self-exclusion, turning his money over to family, and a year with no sports· The pressure relief group and how he faced seven creditors and a million in debt· "Life on life's terms": the simple reframe that keeps him steady· Why he walked $65,000 cash into a sportsbook at 24, and why he thinks betting apps are "worse than the opioid crisis" 0:00 - Two podcasters, same mission 2:22 - Sitting with Lamar Odom 5:41 - We get addicted to everything (even the phone) 7:55 - Kanye, forgiveness, and resentment as poison 10:22 - "Your big thing was gambling" 11:18 - Sober from drugs, still betting: the part that wanted to kill him 12:00 - $10.2 million, gone 12:59 - From $20 in the bank to a $400K deal 14:22 - Vegas, the casino host, and the comped life 17:17 - "Were you ever actually good at it?" 23:55 - The prison behind the glamour 27:30 - A newborn son and a broken promise 28:12 - Not a financial disease, an emotional one 30:31 - Thanksgiving 2024: the lowest point 31:39 - The phone call that changed everything 37:32 - Telling his wife, and why she stayed 38:32 - The toolkit: self-exclusion, no money, no sports 41:24 - The pressure relief group and seven creditors 44:33 - 18 months in: "I've never felt better" 47:12 - Life on life's terms 48:04 - The warning: betting is everywhere now 50:45 - $65,000 in a backpack 51:49 - Why Vegas is finally fun sober 57:35 - Where it started: Atlantis at 15 Guest: Louis Ruggiero, host of "Nothing's Off the Table with Louis Ruggiero" (Apple, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube).Host: Tyler Ramsey. Punk Rock Sober / Painful Lessons. If you or someone you love is struggling: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, US) · National Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-GAMBLER (24/7, free, confidential) · SAMHSA 1-800-662-4357. #PunkRockSober #Recovery #GamblingAddiction #ProblemGambling #SportsBetting #Sobriety #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealth #PainfulLessons #RecoveryStory
Take Minesweeper. Add Sudoku logic. Put cats on it. Congratulations, you've just made $200,000 a day..We break down Meow Doku by Oakever, the cat-puzzle that came out of nowhere to shake up a category that hadn't changed in a decade. They walk the game (it's Minesweeper crossed with Sudoku — one cat per color, per row, per column, cats can't touch — simpler than Minesweeper and endlessly satisfying), the pure ad monetization (100% ads, no IAP, ~80%+ from interstitials, a clever cooldown timer that tightens the longer you play), and the numbers (~400K downloads/day, 2M+ DAU with huge US and Japan share, an estimated ~$200K/day and climbing). Then the portfolio: Oakever (real name Learnings / Beijing Lexing) is a fully bootstrapped, Singapore-based Chinese giant with a ~200-300 person R&D team, 70M MAU, a billion cumulative downloads, five straight years of 100%+ revenue growth, and a claim to being the #1 Chinese game company by ad revenue on Meta and Google. And the twist that makes the whole thing a masterclass: MeowDoku isn't original — it's a cats reskin of "Queens Master Sudoku," a game that sat dormant making almost nothing for a year and a half until Oakever found it, added cats, and out-executed everyone on UA. Plus, this game is a LINKEDIN GAME!!⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 The game we've wanted to cover for 3 years03:30 Minesweeper meets Sudoku — the core rules06:30 Why it's simpler than Minesweeper (and better)10:20 100% ads — the cooldown timer trick14:30 The numbers — 2M DAU, ~$200K/day22:50 Inside Oakever's monster portfolio27:30 The bootstrapped Chinese ad-revenue king36:40 The twist — it's a reskin of Queens Master SudokuThis episode is brought to you by Kinoa — the AI operating system for mobile game operations: flows, live segments, in-app messages, push notifications, and A/B testing in one place, run by the operators who own the numbers. Carry1st saw +43% ARPDAU; PlayStudios saw +31% revenue on Tetris Block Party. Learn more at Kinoa.http://www.kinoa.ai?utm_source=MatejPodcast&utm_medium=Link&utm_campaign=Matej+Podcast&utm_id=100PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investorsFor an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: Jakub Remiar, Felix Braberg, Matej LancaricJoin our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-3bckldvr8-8PXvzciMWdheOzED9hq0SA---------------------------------------Matej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultanthttps://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultanthttps://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultanthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiarPlease share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
Motivation runs out by Tuesday. Discipline built on who you are does not. That is the whole conversation.Pauly Domenech is a mindset and performance coach with Glover U who sold 100+ homes a year for seven years. In this episode we get into the real estate agent mindset behind that number: why motivation is fleeting, how discipline actually comes from identity and character, the morning routine that runs his day, and the listing audit that moved his team from $400K to $4.3M in GCI in one month. Then he tells the story of going through a minivan windshield training for his first Ironman, and finishing the race 28 days later.IN THIS EPISODE- Why motivation is fleeting and discipline comes from character- The sneaky sheets and the night-before routine that runs his day- The listing audit that went from $400K to $4.3M in one month- Leading the man in the mirror first- The bike crash, the Ironman 28 days later, and "because you can, you must"KEY TAKEAWAYS- Discipline is not a long grind. It is one decision made in the moment, over and over.- Reverse-engineer your bedtime from your morning. Subtract what wastes your evening instead of adding willpower.- Audit your listings. Have the price-reduction conversation or let the listing go. Get the no to no.- You have no right to lead anyone until you can lead the person in the mirror.- If you can do the hard thing, you must.ABOUT PAULYPaul "Pauly" Domenech is a mindset and performance coach with Glover U, based in Destin, Florida. Seven years as a top-producing agent averaging 100+ transactions a year and over $1M in GCI. Brazilian jujitsu world and Pan American champion, 5-0 professional fighter, and Ironman.Documentary: https://youtu.be/hwTALIHr-w0Website: https://itpauly.comInstagram: https://instagram.com/pauldomenechGlover U: https://gloveru.com=================================================Enjoyed this episode? Leave a review and share it with an agent who needs to hear this.RESOURCES & LINKS:50% OFF DESCRIPT: Edit your video and audio like a pro (2 months at 50% off): https://descript.cello.so/iDcb8kT8jf2If you are thinking of Buying or Selling, book a 15 minute call: https://calendly.com/cameronmanning/15min
Pokémon Champions launched on mobile doing roughly $300-400K/day. Two days later it was collapsing. It's now around $80K/day and falling — a textbook shark fin from the biggest IP on the planet. We cover the wins on this podcast, but we also cover the failures, and this one is genuinely fascinating.We break down what went wrong with Pokémon Champions. The game is essentially Pokémon Stadium (the N64 classic) rebuilt for mobile — a pure battler with no exploration, no gyms, no story, no breeding, no catching Pokémon in the wild. The gacha is neutered into a "pick one of ten" system with no randomness at all. And the killer: Pokémon Home import lets players bring their existing collections straight in from Pokémon Go and other titles, so many players arrived on launch day with everything already unlocked — what Jakub calls "Web3 interoperability in play," and a total economy destroyer. Monetization is cosmetics, a battle pass, and ranch refresh tickets. That's it. The crew also contrasts it with the Pokémon apps that genuinely print money (TCG Pocket at ~$15M/month, Pokémon Sleep at ~$150K/day and ~$150M in three years, Pokémon Go spiking on the 30th anniversary), and picks apart the UA: ~300 creatives that are really about 7 concepts, almost all 15-21 seconds, cut from a year-old trailer.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 Why we're covering a failure02:40 It's Pokémon Stadium, rebuilt for mobile07:05 The neutered gacha — pick one of ten11:26 The shallow monetization: cosmetics and a battle pass12:30 Pokémon Home import — the economy killer14:35 The numbers — shark fin, Japan-driven, 16% US17:06 The Pokémon apps that actually print money19:59 The creatives — 300 videos, 7 concepts, all too shortThis episode is brought to you by Kinoa — the AI operating system for mobile game operations: flows, live segments, in-app messages, push notifications, and A/B testing in one place, run by the operators who own the numbers. Carry1st saw +43% ARPDAU; PlayStudios saw +31% revenue on Tetris Block Party. Learn more at Kinoa.http://www.kinoa.ai?utm_source=MatejPodcast&utm_medium=Link&utm_campaign=Matej+Podcast&utm_id=100PVX Partners offers non-dilutive funding for game developers.Go to: https://pvxpartners.com/They can help you access the most effective form of growth capital once you have the metrics to back it.- Scale fast- Keep your shares- Drawdown only as needed- Have PvX take downside risk alongside you+ Work with a team entirely made up of ex-gaming operators and investorsFor an ever-growing number of game developers, this means that now is the perfect time to invest in monetizing direct-to-consumer at scale.Our sponsor FastSpring:Has delivered D2C at scale for over 20 yearsThey power top mobile publishers around the worldLaunch a new webstore, replace an existing D2C vendor, or add a redundant D2C vendor at fastspring.gg.This is no BS gaming podcast 2.5 gamers session. Sharing actionable insights, dropping knowledge from our day-to-day User Acquisition, Game Design, and Ad monetization jobs. We are definitely not discussing the latest industry news, but having so much fun! Let's not forget this is a 4 a.m. conference discussion vibe, so let's not take it too seriously.Panelists: Jakub Remiar, Felix Braberg, Matej LancaricJoin our slack channel here: https://join.slack.com/t/two-and-half-gamers/shared_invite/zt-3bckldvr8-8PXvzciMWdheOzED9hq0SAMatej LancaricUser Acquisition & Creatives Consultanthttps://lancaric.meFelix BrabergAd monetization consultanthttps://www.felixbraberg.comJakub RemiarGame design consultanthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jakubremiarPlease share the podcast with your industry friends, dogs & cats. Especially cats! They love it!Hit the Subscribe button on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple!Please share feedback and comments - matej@lancaric.me
Mark runs a window cleaning business in Shropshire turning over £16k a month, but he's on the tools from 8am to 5pm, doing admin until 9pm, and at 57, he feels like he's running out of time. His goal? £400k revenue, a full rebrand, and getting off the tools for good. In this episode, James digs into whether Mark's plan is achievable, what's really holding the business back, and the steps to scale a local service business in a saturated market.Find out more from Mark here: https://www.shirewindowcleaning.co.uk/Try Entrepreneurs University 14 Day FREE Trial Here ►https://jamessinclair.net/entrepreneurs-university-free-trial/Sign up to my weekly newsletter 'The James Sinclair Letter' here:https://www.jamessinclair.net/the-letterFind out your Entrepreneurial DNA, take the '8 Traits of the Greats' quiz here ► https://jamessinclair.scoreapp.comGet your tickets to our next event here ► https://www.jamessinclair.net/eventsApply to be on my podcast here ►https://jamessinclair.net/podcasts/
Joel Friedland calls himself the most risk-averse real estate investor in the United States, and he has the scar tissue to prove it.In 2008 he was carrying $70 million in personal guarantees across 50 buildings. Ten of them were going to have to be sold at a loss. He sat his wife down and told her, and he watched her fall back in her chair. What followed was months of depression he describes without flinching in this conversation. He came out of it with a conclusion most investors never reach: the problem was not real estate, it was the way he was structuring the deals.Today Joel and his team at Brit Properties buy small single-tenant industrial buildings in Chicago, and they buy three out of every four of them with no debt at all. The ceiling is 30% loan-to-value. That boundary is not a strategy so much as a mental health requirement, and he is refreshingly blunt that it costs him upside.He is also one of maybe five syndicators in the country doing it. He does not know who the other four are.This is Joel's second appearance on the show. After the first one, Ed changed how Clark St underwrites deals. That is not a marketing line, it is what happened.What we get into:Why Joel compares over-leveraged real estate investors to gamblers, right down to the part where they hide the risk from their spousesThe 2008 collapse in his own words, and the boundary he set on the other side of itThe buy box: single-tenant only, 7,000 to 30,000 square feet, no flex, no multi-tenant, and specific dock, ceiling-height and parking requirementsHow 20 towns out of 200, and 700 buildings out of 17,000, makes the pipeline small enough to actually work, and why his team still knocks on doors to find dealsThe secret-sauce exit: 77 of Joel's 82 sales went to owner-occupants who pay a premium over cap-rate buyers, not to investorsA live deal he is in the middle of on Stern Avenue, bought for $1.9M with $400K into the rehab, and the neighbor across the street who wants itThe Keebler building: bought for $6M, sold for $17M, a 40% IRR over a 15-year Comcast lease, and why that grand slam required the leverage he now avoidsWhy his 250 investors, averaging roughly $20 million in net worth, are not looking to get rich, and are looking for somewhere that is not the casinoReshoring, tariffs, and the honest math on why manufacturing is not all coming backThe batter who never strikes outLightning round: the mentors (the Podolsky family, and 99-year-old Nate Wagner, who Joel has bought breakfast nearly every Saturday for 15 years), the deal he wants back, the book on his nightstand, and how he defines success.Connect with Joel FriedlandBrit Properties: britproperties.comBook mentioned1929 by Andrew Ross Sorkin: find it on AmazonConnect with Ed Mathews and Clark St CapitalWebsite: clarkst.comNewsletter: Underground InsightsSubmit a deal: clarkst.com/submit-your-dealElevista - Speed as a Service™Elevista Connect is the first AI-powered lead conversion system built for real estate investors.
Is hiring a person still your default answer to a problem? For a growing number of startups, it shouldn't be.In this episode, Yaniv Bernstein is joined by returning guest Matt Cook, co-founder of Scouut, one of Australia's most respected engineering recruiters for early-stage startups, to unpack what's changed in engineering hiring since Matt's last visit. They cover ‘team debt' (the AI-era sequel to tech debt), why AI is acting as an appetite suppressant for headcount, why the best engineers are now worth $400K+, and why the ‘software factory builder' is becoming the most sought-after hire in tech.In this episode, you will:Understand "team debt", and why teams built to solve today's problems are already becoming obsoleteLearn why "removing the crutch" (like scrapping a QA gating function) forces the kind of AI-native change that timid, incremental adjustments never willDiscover why most startups were already overstaffed before AI, and why AI now acts as an ‘appetite suppressant' for hiring rather than just an efficiency toolHear why hiring should now be treated as a last resort, and what that actually means in practice for foundersUnderstand why compensation banding and headcount-based budgeting are breaking down, and what smart companies are replacing them withLearn about the rise of the ‘software factory builder': the rare, highly-paid engineer who uses their judgment to build airtight, AI-based infrastructure the rest of the team can lean onTimestamps00:00 Coming Up...00:58 On Today's Show: Matt Cook on 'Team Debt'02:36 What is Team Debt?05:12 Refocusing on AI Native Solutions10:40 Unlearning Old Hiring Ladders12:04 Why Companies Are Oversized14:59 AI, the 'Corporate Ozempic'19:25 Layoffs and Team Composition24:02 Disrupting Yourself at Series B28:12 The Salary Race for AI Engineers34:01 Limitations of Headcount Budgeting38:16 How Downsizing Can Help You Grow41:13 ClickUp's 'Hail Mary' Pivot44:26 Software Factory Builders and 'Forward Deployed' Automation49:14 Maintaining Safe Internal Software54:25 Closing ThoughtsResources mentionedScouut (Matt Cook's engineering recruitment firm for early-stage startups): https://scouut.com.au/Matt Cook on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewmarkcook/ 'Corporate Ozempic' by Scott Galloway — the essay behind the AI/hiring analogy Yaniv references: https://www.profgalloway.com/corporate-ozempic/The PactHonor the Startup Podcast Pact! If you have listened to TSP and gotten value from it, please:Follow, rate, and review us in your listening appSecure your official TSP merchandise at https://shop.tsp.show/Follow us on YouTube for full video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@startup-podcast Give us a public shout-out on LinkedIn or anywhere you have a social media followingKey linksThis episode of the Startup Podcast is sponsored by .tech domains. Forget weird prefixes and creative misspellings; the availability for .tech domains is simply way better than .com. For a clean and memorable name, go to https://get.tech/tspThis episode of the Startup Podcast is sponsored by Vanta. Vanta helps businesses get and stay compliant by automating up to 90% of the work for the most in demand compliance frameworks. With over 200 integrations, you can easily monitor and secure the tools your business relies on. For a limited time offer of US$1,000 off, go to https://www.vanta.com/tsp The Startup Podcast website: https://www.tsp.show/episodes/Learn more about Chris and YanivWork 1:1 with Chris: http://chrissaad.com/advisory/Follow Chris on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrissaad/Follow Yaniv on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ybernstein/Producer: Justin McArthur https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-mcarthurAssistant Producer: Steph Hefferan https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-heff/Intro Voice: Jeremiah Owyang https://web-strategist.com/
400,000 of you showed up for physics with no compromises, so I did something different for the milestone. No highlight reel. I took your hardest questions live and answered them, then got honest about the part of this job nobody asks about: the discipline behind running a serious science podcast. We get into why clocks didn't tick differently in the early universe, what it actually means that the Big Bang happened everywhere at once, and whether JWST has any real shot at catching a Population III star before it's gone. Then it gets contested. I make the case that language models may rediscover physics before they rediscover mathematics, walk through why enormous numbers do not get you to alien life, and look at the moment Avi Loeb quietly softened his ʻOumuamua position. In this conversation: Why the early universe didn't run on a different clock The Big Bang as an everywhere-at-once event, not an explosion in space JWST and the hunt for the first generation of stars Whether an LLM could rediscover Einstein, and what that would mean for who controls discovery Why I read every book my guests write, and why that habit is the channel Get the transcript, bonus content, and my Monday M.A.G.I.C. Message: https://briankeating.com/yt Have a .edu email and live in the USA? You automatically win a meteorite: https://briankeating.com/edu Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 Timestamps 00:00 Did time always tick the same? 02:05 Is every point the Big Bang's center? 07:22 Could consciousness be space-time? 09:03 Will Webb see the first stars? 10:20 Can an LLM rediscover Einstein? 13:30 Has Penrose's CCC been falsified? 16:48 Dark Forest theory: science or sci-fi? 21:30 Can inflation ever be falsified? 29:04 Physical limits of AI compute growth 32:58 Is this the last CMB experiment? 37:30 Why large numbers don't prove alien life 55:30 Loeb quietly walks back Oumuamua 01:13:10 The null hypothesis on UAP 01:28:50 String theory vs. intelligent design 01:31:10 God as a scientific hypothesis 01:45:10 Drowning in knowledge, starving for wisdom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode: What the YAP Challenge Teaches Us About Trust, Presence, and the Future of Work In this episode, I dive into the phenomenon of Jessie Jean's YAP Challenge—a 30‑day video‑creation program that has taken the creator economy by storm. Her first cohort brought in $1.2M, and the second crossed $6M, all at a price point of $297. I'm not interested in the hype or the mechanics of her launch; I'm interested in the trust behind it. Why This Challenge Captured My Attention I explore why so many people felt comfortable joining a program like this, especially at a moment when online courses are supposedly "dead." As I say in the episode: "What is it about her specifically that people trusted? And I'd argue… it's probably not necessarily her, but how it made them feel." Jessie didn't come out of nowhere—she had: 400K+ followers 12 years of online experience Funnel experts and coaches supporting her A beta tester who hit 1M+ views, proving the method worked But the real magic wasn't her credibility alone. It was the network effects she created by having participants post their homework publicly. People didn't just trust Jessie—they trusted the community. Why This Matters in a Corporate Context I connect the dots between the YAP Challenge and the future of employee-led communication inside organizations. Employees are more trusted than executives. Their authentic, unscripted presence online is a powerful asset for: Employer brand Recruitment Reputation Internal trust Cross-team visibility I share my own experience of building a personal brand inside a corporation and how, even years after leaving, people reached out because they trusted me. This challenge model could easily be adapted inside companies: Run it publicly on LinkedIn Run it privately on Slack Integrate it into employee advocacy programs Use it to build confidence, presence, and thought leadership As I say in the episode: "This type of challenge… gives them something that they feel they can control." Why Video Skills Matter Right Now Video is the antidote to AI slop. It captures: Voice Presence Gestures Authenticity Point of view It's proof of humanity in a moment when people are craving it. What I'm Paying Attention To I'm not participating in the YAP Challenge myself, but I'm deeply interested in: The systems behind its success The trust dynamics The transferable skills The implications for the future of work How organizations could use similar models to build capability and confidence Reflection for Listeners I close the episode by asking: Are you planning to join the YAP Challenge? What skills do you see emerging from participants? What parts of the model do you admire—or question? How could your organization benefit from something similar? How this creator turned yapping on camera into a 4,000-customer, $1.2 million launch
Most fundraising galas leave money on the table for reasons the people running them never see.Chris Hensley and Brett Higgins, two of the most in-demand fundraising auctioneers in the country, join Trevor to work through five of the sharpest questions raised at the recent Chicago Gala Playbook event. What separates the organizations that consistently overperform from the ones that stay stuck at last year's number? Where does the fundraising actually break down in a program? And what does it look like to create inspiration to give without slipping into pressure?In this episode: the six-month mistake most nonprofits make (spoiler, it involves ignoring the data from last year's event), why "we don't want to ask for too much money" is almost always a symptom of a past bad experience, the difference between pressure and inspiration and when each has a place, the concept of "unspoken peer pressure" and how leaders in the room quietly move giving upward, why the witching hour at 9:15pm is real and what to do about your program timing, and the one thing organizations overestimate every year (the room, the dinner, the linens) versus the one thing that actually moves revenue.Plus: why Chris raised $1.2M against a $400K goal at a Relevant Radio event, and what "taking the lid off" the top ask can look like when the room is emotionally ready.Chapters:00:00 Intro01:41 Gala Playbook in Chicago09:25 Data-Driven Fundraising18:25 The Art of Asking23:00 Creating Inspiration to Give Instead of Pressure32:09 Creating a Unique Experience for Fundraising Events38:09 The Right Places to Focus43:32 One Piece of Advice You Would Give to a Nonprofit45:54 Bonus
You hear about another consultant who charges double what you charge. Or a new consultant who left corporate six months ago is landing so much work they're turning projects away.Or a competitor walks away with a deal you were certain was yours.The gut punch is immediate.What happens next is the part most independent consultants don't realize is costing them.The comparison doesn't just make you feel bad. It changes what you do. You question your strategy. You start proposing less. You shrink your visibility. You reinforce an identity of someone who is behind, when the data almost never supports that.In Episode 277 of the Grow Your Independent Consulting Business podcast, Melisa Liberman addresses this directly. She shares three real consultant stories where comparison nearly derailed businesses that were, by any objective measure, doing well. A ten-year veteran generating $200K to $400K consistently. A six-year consultant who gave a newer colleague every tool she had, then watched that colleague leapfrog her. A twelve-year consultant who lost a deal to a competitor and started questioning everything.Comparison was costing them in their businesses, and threatening their longevity.Melisa breaks down the root causes and gives you three specific tools for managing it when it hits. Not generic advice to "focus on yourself." Actual processes for what to do in the moment and over time.If you've ever walked away from a conversation with another consultant feeling smaller than when you walked in, this episode is the one to listen to.Timestamps for Key Moments:[00:00] Why comparison costs you more than you realize[00:03] Agenda overview[00:04] Companion resource: Consulting Mindset Audit at ICmindset.com[00:06] Three real consultant stories[00:15] The real impacts: beyond the emotional gut punch[00:21] The root causes[00:25] The three tools to manage comparison as a business owner[00:37] Put this episode into actionResources Mentioned:Companion Resource: Consulting Mindset Audit. Take the audit at ICmindset.comFull Show Notes: https://shownotes.melisaliberman.com/episode-277Want More?Melisa's Books, Planners & Journals: https://linktr.ee/melisalibermanGet Melisa's Book: https://www.melisaliberman.com/bookVisit Melisa's Website: https://www.melisaliberman.com/Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisa-libermanWant help achieving your consulting business goals? Melisa can help. Click here for more on coaching tailored to you as an independent consulting business owner.
At 21, Cody Berman appeared on ChooseFI as a college student discovering financial independence. Three years later, he retired at 26. Now 30 with a $5 million net worth, he's back to reveal exactly how he compressed a decades-long journey into a three-year sprint—and why the same principles work whether you're 25 or 55. The Journey from 22 to FI at 26 00:05:30 Cody's path to financial independence was methodical and aggressive. Between ages 22 and 25, he experimented with over 20 side hustles, scaling his income from $96K to more than $400K annually. The key? He kept expenses locked at just $24K per year—creating a massive gap of $625K over three years. That gap fueled three wealth-building engines: $500K in stock market investments (VOO, VTSAX, VTI) 13 rental properties generating $3,700/month in passive income Digital products businesses producing $10K/month By his 26th birthday, Cody had achieved "cashflow FI"—his passive income streams covered living expenses without touching his investment portfolio. The Psychology of Financial Independence 00:18:00 Brad and Cody explore why some people achieve FI while others with similar incomes stay stuck. The answer isn't math—it's psychology and awareness. Cody attributes his success to having a clear destination. When you know exactly where you're going and why it matters, spending $100 on something that doesn't serve that destination becomes harder than saying no. The infamous "second marshmallow" experiment demonstrates this: delaying gratification becomes easier when you're aware of what you're trading for. As Cody puts it: "Earn more, spend less, invest the gap. Very simple. That is financial independence in a nutshell." Passive Income Reality Check 00:28:00 Let's demolish the myth of truly passive income. Cody manages 13 rental properties—but spends just 4-5 hours per month on them. This represents the spectrum of passive income: not zero effort, but minimal effort relative to the returns. The secret? Working in seasons rather than constant hustle mode. Some months require more attention (tenant turnover, maintenance issues), while others are nearly hands-off. Cody's businesses also follow this pattern—periods of intense development followed by relative autopilot. Brad reinforces this with math: "Every $100 a month you can cut out of your budget is $30,000 less you need in your FI number." Over 20 years, that $100/month compounds to $60K invested. That's a $90K swing from a single optimization. Designing the Perfect Tuesday 00:42:00 Forget exotic vacations—FI is about winning on a random Tuesday. Cody and Lauren's ideal weekday reveals what financial independence actually looks like: Morning: Wake naturally, coffee together, workout (him: gym; her: Pilates), shower, work on creative projects they enjoy Midday: Lunch together, afternoon walk in their neighborhood, separate time for individual pursuits Evening: Dinner together, reading, quality time before bed Nothing dramatic. No yachts. Just complete autonomy over every hour of a normal day. They maintain this through monthly alignment meetings—typically at a restaurant over a nice meal—covering: Money and real estate Health and fitness Travel plans Relationships (with a safe space to address concerns) Friends and family A rotating category Goals for the next month They also record an annual video reviewing the year, creating a time capsule of their journey. Post-FI Life and the Book 00:58:00 What actually happens when you achieve FI? Cody shares the uncomfortable truth: "Anything that you say that you want to do and that you don't do is a Cody problem. Before FI, you can blame things on time. You can blame things on money." When those excuses disappear, you're left facing yourself. That can be liberating and terrifying. His new book, Retire by Thirty, addresses this and more. Like Tim Ferriss's The Four Hour Workweek, the title is provocative but the principles are universal. Whether you compress your FI journey from 50-55, 33…
This week on The Comic Source Weekly, Jace breaks down the biggest comic book news for the week of June 24, 2026. The lead story is Absolute Batman already heading to animation, with reports that DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation are developing an animated series based on Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta's comic. Jace also follows up on the Amazing Spider-Man #1000 cover controversy, as Marvel now says the John Romita Jr. / Paolo Rivera cover and the Pepe Larraz cover are both main covers. Also covered this week: Ignition Press celebrating its first anniversary with seven launches over seven weeks, WARBIRD #1, Exquisite Corpses continuing to expand, Crimes Against Nature, Marvel's Midnight Universe, Giant-Size Youngblood, the Plastic-Verse passing 400K copies sold, DNX, The Karman Blade, Good Devils, Where Monsters Lie, and Marvel's Wolverine: The Art of the Game. Jace also looks at what hit for the week of June 24, counts down the Prana Top 10 Bestseller List for the week of June 17, and highlights books approaching Final Order Cutoff on June 29. CHAPTERS 00:00 Hook and Intro 00:56 Absolute Batman Goes Animated 04:10 ASM #1000 Cover Fallout 07:08 Ignition Press Turns One 11:10 WARBIRD #1 14:27 Exquisite Corpses Continues to Expand 16:35 Crimes Against Nature 18:17 Marvel Midnight Universe 21:22 Giant-Size Youngblood 23:07 Plastic-Verse Passes 400K 25:47 DNX 28:41 The Karman Blade 30:08 Good Devils Second Printing 31:27 Where Monsters Lie Omnibus 32:34 Marvel's Wolverine: The Art of the Game 33:53 What Hit 37:47 Prana Top 10 46:37 Final Order Cutoff 57:29 Closing
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Gaddis. Interview Summary Show: Money Making Conversations MasterclassHost: Rushion McDonaldGuest: Jennifer Gaddis – Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Educator, Founder of Road to QA 1. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to inspire and educate everyday people—especially those without college degrees or traditional tech backgrounds—on how to pivot into technology careers, specifically Quality Assurance (QA), and to reframe fear around AI, layoffs, and automation into opportunity. Jennifer’s story is used as proof of concept that: You do not need a college degree to succeed in tech Transferable skills already qualify many people for QA roles AI does not eliminate jobs—it creates new opportunities Strategic career pivots can result in life-changing income and freedom Rushion positions Jennifer not only as a success story, but as a new blueprint for wealth-building through skills, not credentials. [ 2. Interview Overview (High-Level Summary) Jennifer Gaddis shares how she: Pivoted into tech in 2021 with no degree Went from $40K to six figures within 90 days Built a $400K+ remote household income with her husband Created Road to QA, helping 200+ people land tech jobs Accidentally built a multi-million-dollar education business Used personal hardship, COVID, financial stress, and family responsibility as fuel—not limitations She explains what Quality Assurance engineering is, why it is resistant to AI replacement, and how regular users of apps are already doing parts of QA work without realizing it. 3. Key Takeaways A. You’re Already More Qualified Than You Think Jennifer emphasizes that everyday digital behavior translates into QA skills: Using apps Identifying bugs Expecting software to “work correctly” Navigating systems as an end user This insight forms the core of her teaching philosophy. B. The Faster You Add Skills, the Faster You Increase Income Jennifer repeatedly notes: “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” By stacking skills (manual QA → automation → AI testing), professionals increase their market value, not just job security. C. AI Is a Career Accelerator, Not a Threat Rather than fearing AI, Jennifer encourages people to: Work alongside AI Become the humans overseeing AI systems Move into hybrid QA + automation + AI roles She stresses that human oversight is still required in tech deployment. D. Entrepreneurship Can Be Accidental—but Scalable Jennifer did not initially plan to build a company. Her business emerged from: Instagram stories A $97 beginner e-book Real student outcomes Her willingness to: Raise prices Build systems Hire specialists Learn financial discipline Allowed Road to QA to grow sustainably. E. Representation and Access Matter Jennifer openly discusses: Being a Black woman in tech Coming from financial insecurity Navigating family obligations Redefining success for future generations Her story challenges stereotypes about who “belongs” in tech careers. [ 4. Notable Quotes from the Interview “I landed my first year in tech within 90 days.” [ “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” “You’re already a software tester—you just don’t know it yet.” [ “I didn’t set out to build a company. I said yes to myself.” [ “AI still needs human oversight.” “My journey was already different, so I had to build something different.” 5. Overall Message Jennifer Gaddis’s interview reinforces a central theme of Money Making Conversations: Income growth follows skill alignment, not traditional credentials. Her journey reframes: Fear → strategy Job loss → skill expansion Limited access → self-investment The interview serves as both motivation and roadmap for anyone seeking financial mobility through tech—without gatekeeping. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Gaddis. Interview Summary Show: Money Making Conversations MasterclassHost: Rushion McDonaldGuest: Jennifer Gaddis – Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Educator, Founder of Road to QA 1. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to inspire and educate everyday people—especially those without college degrees or traditional tech backgrounds—on how to pivot into technology careers, specifically Quality Assurance (QA), and to reframe fear around AI, layoffs, and automation into opportunity. Jennifer’s story is used as proof of concept that: You do not need a college degree to succeed in tech Transferable skills already qualify many people for QA roles AI does not eliminate jobs—it creates new opportunities Strategic career pivots can result in life-changing income and freedom Rushion positions Jennifer not only as a success story, but as a new blueprint for wealth-building through skills, not credentials. [ 2. Interview Overview (High-Level Summary) Jennifer Gaddis shares how she: Pivoted into tech in 2021 with no degree Went from $40K to six figures within 90 days Built a $400K+ remote household income with her husband Created Road to QA, helping 200+ people land tech jobs Accidentally built a multi-million-dollar education business Used personal hardship, COVID, financial stress, and family responsibility as fuel—not limitations She explains what Quality Assurance engineering is, why it is resistant to AI replacement, and how regular users of apps are already doing parts of QA work without realizing it. 3. Key Takeaways A. You’re Already More Qualified Than You Think Jennifer emphasizes that everyday digital behavior translates into QA skills: Using apps Identifying bugs Expecting software to “work correctly” Navigating systems as an end user This insight forms the core of her teaching philosophy. B. The Faster You Add Skills, the Faster You Increase Income Jennifer repeatedly notes: “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” By stacking skills (manual QA → automation → AI testing), professionals increase their market value, not just job security. C. AI Is a Career Accelerator, Not a Threat Rather than fearing AI, Jennifer encourages people to: Work alongside AI Become the humans overseeing AI systems Move into hybrid QA + automation + AI roles She stresses that human oversight is still required in tech deployment. D. Entrepreneurship Can Be Accidental—but Scalable Jennifer did not initially plan to build a company. Her business emerged from: Instagram stories A $97 beginner e-book Real student outcomes Her willingness to: Raise prices Build systems Hire specialists Learn financial discipline Allowed Road to QA to grow sustainably. E. Representation and Access Matter Jennifer openly discusses: Being a Black woman in tech Coming from financial insecurity Navigating family obligations Redefining success for future generations Her story challenges stereotypes about who “belongs” in tech careers. [ 4. Notable Quotes from the Interview “I landed my first year in tech within 90 days.” [ “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” “You’re already a software tester—you just don’t know it yet.” [ “I didn’t set out to build a company. I said yes to myself.” [ “AI still needs human oversight.” “My journey was already different, so I had to build something different.” 5. Overall Message Jennifer Gaddis’s interview reinforces a central theme of Money Making Conversations: Income growth follows skill alignment, not traditional credentials. Her journey reframes: Fear → strategy Job loss → skill expansion Limited access → self-investment The interview serves as both motivation and roadmap for anyone seeking financial mobility through tech—without gatekeeping. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Most lawyers would have taken the $400,000… The plaintiff had healed. No surgery. Relatively modest medical bills. Plenty of risk heading into trial. But attorney Matthew Wilson saw something bigger. In this episode of Sari Swears, Matthew breaks down how he turned down the highest offer in the case, took it to verdict, and watched a jury return $1.8 million. More importantly, he shares what changed his approach in the courtroom. For years, voir dire was the part of trial that terrified him most. Then he started doing something different—having real conversations with jurors instead of relying on the same old script. In this episode, you'll hear: How a "small" injury case became a seven-figure verdict The overlooked damages that resonated with jurors What focus groups revealed about suing a city How authenticity changed Matthew's entire approach to voir dire The moment he realized jurors don't need perfection—they need a real person And perhaps the most powerful part of the story isn't the verdict itself.
I just watched The Backrooms and now I can't stop thinking about hospital liminal spaces. The basement. The pathology lab. The OR at 2 AM when you're going in for an open globe. We start there. Then a great Spotify question pulls me into ophthalmology boards, what the written test is like, the oral exam I took inside an examiner's actual hotel room (with their luggage in the corner) during a hotel workers' strike in San Francisco, the $2,000 fee, and why the whole recertification industry feels like a money grab. Also a quick rant about why physicians start their careers $400K in the hole and a decade behind everyone else. The main event is a tale of two health systems. You already know PeaceHealth in Eugene, where the emergency physicians fought back, used Oregon's corporate practice of medicine law, and took it to court. Now meet Valley Health in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, where CEO Mark Nance just cancelled the contract for EMBER (Emergency Medicine of Blue Ridge) and handed it to SCP Healthm a private equity outfit backed by Canada's Onex Corporation. Same Apollo MD playbook. Same damage. But Virginia has no corporate practice of medicine law, no physician union, and no nurses' union, and Valley Health is flush with cash while blaming Medicaid cuts. I'm fed up, and I'm going to keep making this content as long as people keep sending it to me. Takeaways: Valley Health in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley cancelled its 20-plus-year contract with EMBER (Emergency Medicine of Blue Ridge) and handed it to SCP Health, a private equity-backed corporation owned by Canada's Onex Corporation, mirroring the Apollo MD/PeaceHealth situation in Eugene Despite blaming Medicaid cuts from the "Big Beautiful Bill," Valley Health holds over $1 billion in assets, $700 million in cash reserves, and reported $100 million in net profit in 2024 and continues to build new facilities Valley Health has also forced out Front Royal Family Practice under CEO Mark Nance, revealing a broader pattern of consolidating independent groups and eliminating physician autonomy Virginia has no corporate practice of medicine law, no physician union, and no nurses' union, leaving healthcare workers without the legal and organizational protections that allowed the Eugene physicians to fight back successfully Ophthalmology board recertification, board exam fees, and roughly $400K in training debt mean most physicians don't start meaningful earnings until age 31 or later, a financial reality often missing from broader debates about physician pay To Get Tickets to Wife & Death: You can visit Glaucomflecken.com/live We want to hear YOUR stories (and medical puns)! Shoot us an email and say hi! knockknockhi@human-content.com Can't get enough of us? Shucks. You can support the show on Patreon for early episode access, exclusive bonus shows, livestream hangouts, and much more! – http://www.patreon.com/glaucomflecken Also, be sure to check out the newsletter: https://glaucomflecken.com/glauc-to-me/ If you are interested in buying a book from one of our guests, check them all out here: https://www.amazon.com/shop/dr.glaucomflecken If you want more information on models I use: Anatomy Warehouse provides for the best, crafting custom anatomical products, medical simulation kits and presentation models that create a lasting educational impact. For more information go to Anatomy Warehouse DOT com. Link: https://anatomywarehouse.com/?aff=14 Plus for 15% off use code: Glaucomflecken15 -- A friendly reminder from the G's and Tarsus: If you want to learn more about Demodex Blepharitis, making an appointment with your eye doctor for an eyelid exam can help you know for sure. Visit http://www.EyelidCheck.com for more information. Produced by Human Content Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Physicians earning $400K are living paycheck to paycheck—and an 18th-century psychology trap is why. Roughly 30% of doctors over 60 don't have $1M in net worth, even counting their home. Justin Harvey and Dr. Jimmy Turner unpack the behavioral-finance forces—the Diderot Effect, lifestyle creep, and leverage—that quietly erode physician wealth, and the simple framework that lets you spend guilt-free while still building real options.Resources: Disability Insurance: Every physician needs Disability Insurance from MMM Disability Insurance. Click here to get a Quote from Money Meets Medicine Disability Insurance Looking for a new CPA? Use the one that Dr. Jimmy Turner personally uses and recommends (Gelt). Click here to get a 10% discount code on services when working with Gelt. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Most entrepreneurs don't get it right the first time. In fact, the average founder fails around four times before they land something that really works. What matters isn't avoiding failure, it's what you do to bounce back.In this episode of The Opportunity Podcast, Greg sits down with entrepreneur and solopreneur mentor Moe Choice for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to rebuild after things fall apart. Moe has built 12 different businesses, lost everything more than once, gone through bankruptcy in Dubai, and had his plans completely disrupted during COVID. But instead of giving up, he doubled down on building a successful business designed around freedom. A big part of the conversation is about why skill alone isn't enough. Moe explains that many talented people stay stuck because they focus too much on improving their craft and not enough on learning how to position, market, and sell it. He also highlights how important focus is. Many solopreneurs jump between tactics, but Moe's breakthrough came when he committed to one channel, LinkedIn outreach, and stuck with it long enough to get genuinely good at it. That consistency became the foundation for rebuilding and eventually scaling his coaching business. If you're building a business, this episode is a reminder that resilience matters just as much as strategy, and that sustainable success usually comes from simplifying, not complicating. Topics Discussed in this episode: 02:38 - Moe's entrepreneurial journey and how he built a $250K business on LinkedIn 07:00 - Why Moe's business in Dubai went from $400K profit to bankruptcy 12:49 - The benefits of creating an American LLC 17:13 - Moe's only regret from his failed Dubai business 21:17 - How Moe built his LinkedIn business coaching company 32:51 - Good enough is better than perfection 37:52 - How Moe helps solopreneurs reach 15K 53:29 - The difference between successful entrepreneurs and those who fail Mentions: Empire Flippers Podcasts Empire Flippers Marketplace Create an Empire Flippers account Subscribe to our newsletter Moe's LinkedIn Moe's Website Sit back, grab a coffee, and learn how to succeed as a solopreneur!
In this episode, I sit back down with Cody Berman, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and author of the book Retire by 30. Cody first came on the podcast in 2018 at 22 years old. By 25, he had reached financial independence through scalable online businesses, strategic real estate, and intentional spending. He quit a corporate banking job after seven months, tried over 30 side hustles, and grew his income from $96K to over $400K in three years, all while keeping expenses under $24,000 annually. His new book lays out a menu of approaches for reaching financial freedom, not a one-size-fits-all formula, but a roadmap built around your own values, income, and life stage. In this episode, Cody shares: Why defining your values and aligning them with your spending is the foundation of a truly free life His four-bucket framework for thinking about side hustles and which type created the most wealth The exact income, savings, and investment numbers that got him to financial independence at 25 How he and his wife kept lifestyle creep in check while still traveling and enjoying life What's New in the Paperback Edition of Your Journey to Financial Freedom: A bonus chapter: When Life Happens: Staying on the Path to Financial Freedom Through Setbacks, Shifts, and Uncertainty A book club and discussion guide with prompts, exercises, and action steps Updated corrections from the original hardcover Exclusive bonuses when you purchase the paperback, including: The Fire Starter Course The Find Your FIRE Number Worksheet Other related blog posts/links mentioned in this episode: Check out Cody's book: Retire by 30 Read the The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss Check out the FIRE Calc Get your paperback edition of Your Journey To Financial Freedom if you haven't already. Apply to Share Your Journeyer Story, here. Join the Journey to Launch Book Club to dive deeper into financial freedom with guided discussions and resources here! Join The Weekly Newsletter List to get updates, deals & more! Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review! Get The Budget Bootcamp Check out my personal website here. Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast! YNAB – Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link. What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here! Connect with Cody: Website: Codydberman.com Instagram: @CodyDBerman Facebook: @CodyBermanPage Twitter: @CodyDBerman Connect with me: Instagram: @Journeytolaunch Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch Facebook: @Journey To Launch Join the Private Facebook Group Join the Waitlist for My FI Course Get The Free Jumpstart Guide
What if your best skin ever had nothing to do with Botox, fillers or even fancy skincare? This week we welcome Dr. Tia Paul, a Harvard- and MIT-trained, board-certified dermatologist—and major skin laser aficionado. As the founder of Balanced Skin Dermatology and Aesthetics in Newport Beach, California, Dr. Paul treats everything from acne, hyperpigmentation, eczema and psoriasis to skin cancer and she has earned over 400K followers on social media.Tune in to find out how to achieve glass skin the non-gimmicky way, as Dr. Paul reveals everything to know about the most effective at-home brightening solutions, how-to navigate the world of professional lasers, and the “pyramid” framework she designed for a brighter skin game plan that won't shock your skin or your credit card.In this episode, we discuss:Hydroquinone, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, niacinamide — the new rules for skin brightening skincare in 2026Lasers 101 — the difference between ablative and non-ablative lasers, vascular lasers and why the term “laser” itself is one of the most misused words in the beauty industryWhat is laser “stacking” and why Dr. Paul says that combining technologies is where you get the best resultsWhat's all the fuss about Xerf? The new tightening device that's giving people snatched jawlines with zero downtime — Dr. Paul shares her experience.Myth or reality? The truth about lasers on skin of colour — and what to ask before your appointmentWhy the Fitzpatrick scale is outdated — according to Dr. Paul — and what she thinks should replace it to treat a full range of skin tonesDr. Paul's go-to's: The laser that she personally swears by for glass skin, and the favourite sunscreen the derm will be using to maintain clear skin results all summer longDisclaimer: Please note the discussion in this podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.Get social with us and let us know what you think of the episode! Find us on Instagram, Tiktok,X, Threads. Join our private Facebook group. Or give us a call and leave us a voicemail at 1-844-227-0302. Sign up for our Substack here. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to watch our episodes! For any products or links mentioned in this episode, check out our website: https://breakingbeautypodcast.com/episode-recaps/ Related episodes like this: K-Beauty Secrets: Dermatologist Dr. David Kim on Salmon DNA, Glass Skin & Anti-AgingStress and Your Skin: Decoded with Dr. Amy WechslerSkincare Terms to Know Before Your Next Dermatologist Visit with Dr. Samantha Ellis PROMO CODES: When you support our sponsors, you support the creation of Breaking Beauty Podcast! One SkinBorn from over a decade of longevity research, OneSkin's OS-01 Peptide™ is proven to target the visible signs of aging, helping you unlock your healthiest skin now and as you age. For a limited time, try OneSkin with 15% off using code BREAKINGBEAUTY at oneskin.co/BREAKINGBEAUTY. After you purchase, they'll ask you where you heard about them. PLEASE support our show and tell them we sent you. Qualia Life SciencesExperience the most trusted magnesium for purity, potency, and performance. Plus it's non-GMO, vegan and gluten-free making it a choice you can feel good about. Go to qualialife.com/BEAUTY for 50% off. And here's a bonus, use the code BEAUTY for an additional 15% off your order. Thanks to Qualia for sponsoring this episode! QuinceElevate your summer wardrobe. Go to Quince.com/breakingbeauty for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Dove Discover the new Dove Serum+ Oil Body Wash — available in “Radiance” with notes of jojoba and monoi flower and “Soothing” with almond oil and sandalwood — at www.dove.com/ca. Now available on Amazon and in stores nationwide.*Disclaimer: Unless otherwise stated, all products reviewed are gratis media samples submitted for editorial consideration.* Hosts: Carlene Higgins and Jill Dunn Theme song, used with permission: Cherry Bomb by Saya Produced by Dear Media Studio See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Gaddis. Interview Summary Show: Money Making Conversations MasterclassHost: Rushion McDonaldGuest: Jennifer Gaddis – Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Educator, Founder of Road to QA 1. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to inspire and educate everyday people—especially those without college degrees or traditional tech backgrounds—on how to pivot into technology careers, specifically Quality Assurance (QA), and to reframe fear around AI, layoffs, and automation into opportunity. Jennifer’s story is used as proof of concept that: You do not need a college degree to succeed in tech Transferable skills already qualify many people for QA roles AI does not eliminate jobs—it creates new opportunities Strategic career pivots can result in life-changing income and freedom Rushion positions Jennifer not only as a success story, but as a new blueprint for wealth-building through skills, not credentials. [ 2. Interview Overview (High-Level Summary) Jennifer Gaddis shares how she: Pivoted into tech in 2021 with no degree Went from $40K to six figures within 90 days Built a $400K+ remote household income with her husband Created Road to QA, helping 200+ people land tech jobs Accidentally built a multi-million-dollar education business Used personal hardship, COVID, financial stress, and family responsibility as fuel—not limitations She explains what Quality Assurance engineering is, why it is resistant to AI replacement, and how regular users of apps are already doing parts of QA work without realizing it. 3. Key Takeaways A. You’re Already More Qualified Than You Think Jennifer emphasizes that everyday digital behavior translates into QA skills: Using apps Identifying bugs Expecting software to “work correctly” Navigating systems as an end user This insight forms the core of her teaching philosophy. B. The Faster You Add Skills, the Faster You Increase Income Jennifer repeatedly notes: “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” By stacking skills (manual QA → automation → AI testing), professionals increase their market value, not just job security. C. AI Is a Career Accelerator, Not a Threat Rather than fearing AI, Jennifer encourages people to: Work alongside AI Become the humans overseeing AI systems Move into hybrid QA + automation + AI roles She stresses that human oversight is still required in tech deployment. D. Entrepreneurship Can Be Accidental—but Scalable Jennifer did not initially plan to build a company. Her business emerged from: Instagram stories A $97 beginner e-book Real student outcomes Her willingness to: Raise prices Build systems Hire specialists Learn financial discipline Allowed Road to QA to grow sustainably. E. Representation and Access Matter Jennifer openly discusses: Being a Black woman in tech Coming from financial insecurity Navigating family obligations Redefining success for future generations Her story challenges stereotypes about who “belongs” in tech careers. [ 4. Notable Quotes from the Interview “I landed my first year in tech within 90 days.” [ “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” “You’re already a software tester—you just don’t know it yet.” [ “I didn’t set out to build a company. I said yes to myself.” [ “AI still needs human oversight.” “My journey was already different, so I had to build something different.” 5. Overall Message Jennifer Gaddis’s interview reinforces a central theme of Money Making Conversations: Income growth follows skill alignment, not traditional credentials. Her journey reframes: Fear → strategy Job loss → skill expansion Limited access → self-investment The interview serves as both motivation and roadmap for anyone seeking financial mobility through tech—without gatekeeping. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jennifer Gaddis. Interview Summary Show: Money Making Conversations MasterclassHost: Rushion McDonaldGuest: Jennifer Gaddis – Senior Quality Assurance Engineer, Educator, Founder of Road to QA 1. Purpose of the Interview The primary purpose of the interview is to inspire and educate everyday people—especially those without college degrees or traditional tech backgrounds—on how to pivot into technology careers, specifically Quality Assurance (QA), and to reframe fear around AI, layoffs, and automation into opportunity. Jennifer’s story is used as proof of concept that: You do not need a college degree to succeed in tech Transferable skills already qualify many people for QA roles AI does not eliminate jobs—it creates new opportunities Strategic career pivots can result in life-changing income and freedom Rushion positions Jennifer not only as a success story, but as a new blueprint for wealth-building through skills, not credentials. [ 2. Interview Overview (High-Level Summary) Jennifer Gaddis shares how she: Pivoted into tech in 2021 with no degree Went from $40K to six figures within 90 days Built a $400K+ remote household income with her husband Created Road to QA, helping 200+ people land tech jobs Accidentally built a multi-million-dollar education business Used personal hardship, COVID, financial stress, and family responsibility as fuel—not limitations She explains what Quality Assurance engineering is, why it is resistant to AI replacement, and how regular users of apps are already doing parts of QA work without realizing it. 3. Key Takeaways A. You’re Already More Qualified Than You Think Jennifer emphasizes that everyday digital behavior translates into QA skills: Using apps Identifying bugs Expecting software to “work correctly” Navigating systems as an end user This insight forms the core of her teaching philosophy. B. The Faster You Add Skills, the Faster You Increase Income Jennifer repeatedly notes: “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” By stacking skills (manual QA → automation → AI testing), professionals increase their market value, not just job security. C. AI Is a Career Accelerator, Not a Threat Rather than fearing AI, Jennifer encourages people to: Work alongside AI Become the humans overseeing AI systems Move into hybrid QA + automation + AI roles She stresses that human oversight is still required in tech deployment. D. Entrepreneurship Can Be Accidental—but Scalable Jennifer did not initially plan to build a company. Her business emerged from: Instagram stories A $97 beginner e-book Real student outcomes Her willingness to: Raise prices Build systems Hire specialists Learn financial discipline Allowed Road to QA to grow sustainably. E. Representation and Access Matter Jennifer openly discusses: Being a Black woman in tech Coming from financial insecurity Navigating family obligations Redefining success for future generations Her story challenges stereotypes about who “belongs” in tech careers. [ 4. Notable Quotes from the Interview “I landed my first year in tech within 90 days.” [ “The difference in your paycheck is your skillset.” “You’re already a software tester—you just don’t know it yet.” [ “I didn’t set out to build a company. I said yes to myself.” [ “AI still needs human oversight.” “My journey was already different, so I had to build something different.” 5. Overall Message Jennifer Gaddis’s interview reinforces a central theme of Money Making Conversations: Income growth follows skill alignment, not traditional credentials. Her journey reframes: Fear → strategy Job loss → skill expansion Limited access → self-investment The interview serves as both motivation and roadmap for anyone seeking financial mobility through tech—without gatekeeping. #SHMS #BEST #STRAWSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
You're looking online and seeing properties priced at $300K, $400K, $500K, or more. As a real estate investor, that won't cut it. What if you could get a deeper discount—we're talking $150K rental properties. Don't think it's possible? Henry has been getting deals just like this in 2026, buying them, making upgrades, and walking into serious equity with way less money in. How does he find them? Today, we're sharing the exact methods. This is how to find off-market properties priced well below your area's average, even in 2026, even with methods people have written off as dead. This is the quick guide to getting your first off-market real estate deal. Henry goes over how to spot the “situations” that lead to lower prices, the list he builds to target the best potential investment properties, the methods he uses to contact sellers (it's not just cold-calling), and the tool he recommends every beginner to use to choose their deal-finding method. Plus, if you don't have time to search for deals, we'll share an easier method to get them sent to you. In This Episode We Cover How to find investment properties for around $150K even in 2026 The off-market deal-finding methods beginners can use to get their first discounted property The two things Henry needs on his off-market list before he starts contacting sellers Got no time to look for deals? This method gets deals sent straight to your inbox How to use AI to speed up your deal-finding method and get in the game faster And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1280. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 paid-off rentals vs. 15 rentals with mortgages. We get this question a lot: Should I pay off my rental properties or use the cash flow to keep scaling? Many investors believe you need a dozen or more rentals to become financially free. So, in today's show, we're going to show you the overlooked math behind having five paid-off rental properties, and whether it's worth it to keep scaling to over a dozen doors. I've modeled out both scenarios (pay off rentals vs. buy more) to see which gets you to financial freedom faster, which leaves you with a bigger net worth, and which pumps out more cash flow so you can do what you want with your time. We're using real, inflation-adjusted numbers: $400K home prices, $250/month cash flow, 30-year loans. These are the types of deals we're buying even in 2026. So which scenario would Dave pick? Dave has a clear answer on the option he thinks is best for most real estate investors, and what to do if you pay off your rental properties but want to scale slowly when the right deal arrives. If you've got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, this is the episode to hear before you make a move. How Logan scaled to 14 rental units and nearly $8,000 in monthly cash flow Buying his first rental property at 18 with no credit, no experience, and just $15,000 Several ways to find off-market rental properties for sale (and fund them!) How to scale your real estate portfolio faster while keeping your W-2 job Why house hacking is a no-brainer for people looking to break into real estate And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1276. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5 paid-off rentals vs. 15 rentals with mortgages. We get this question a lot: Should I pay off my rental properties or use the cash flow to keep scaling? Many investors believe you need a dozen or more rentals to become financially free. So, in today's show, we're going to show you the overlooked math behind having five paid-off rental properties, and whether it's worth it to keep scaling to over a dozen doors. I've modeled out both scenarios (pay off rentals vs. buy more) to see which gets you to financial freedom faster, which leaves you with a bigger net worth, and which pumps out more cash flow so you can do what you want with your time. We're using real, inflation-adjusted numbers: $400K home prices, $250/month cash flow, 30-year loans. These are the types of deals we're buying even in 2026. So which scenario would Dave pick? Dave has a clear answer on the option he thinks is best for most real estate investors, and what to do if you pay off your rental properties but want to scale slowly when the right deal arrives. If you've got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, this is the episode to hear before you make a move. In This Episode We Cover 5 paid-off rental properties vs. 15 rentals with mortgages: which makes more money? How much faster do you reach financial freedom if you pay off your mortgages early? The multi-million dollar difference between the two scenarios (but is it worth it?) How Dave is combining the two scenarios to “harvest” his cash flow while scaling Proof you don't need a huge portfolio to become a multimillionaire And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1275. Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices