Podcasts about 50k

The Manager Method: Practical, Human-Centered Leadership for a Changing WorkplaceIn a world where technology and AI are transforming the workplace at breakneck speed, the fundamentals of great leadership remain rooted in human connection and intentional action. In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Ashley Herd, the Founder and CEO of Manager Method, to explore the core of effective management. Drawing on her diverse background in legal and HR leadership at organizations like McKinsey, Ashley shares how to move beyond abstract theory into actionable behaviors. This conversation provides a roadmap for executives and founders to drive performance and talent retention through a refreshingly human-centered lens.Scaling Leadership Excellence: The "Pause, Consider, Act" FrameworkHigh-performing leaders often struggle with the "reactive trap"—the tendency to respond impulsively to the endless stream of workplace demands. Ashley Herd argues that the most effective tool in a leader's arsenal is the intentional pause. Most management mistakes are born from quick answers that leaders later regret, especially in high-pressure environments. By taking a moment to step back before making a decision, a leader creates the space necessary to avoid bias and emotional knee-jerk reactions. This practice is the foundation of the "Manager Method," transforming leadership from a series of frantic responses into a deliberate strategy that builds trust and long-term credibility with the team.Effective leadership development must also be scalable and sustainable, rather than a one-time event that ends once a workshop concludes. Ashley emphasizes a "three-legged stool" approach to management training, which combines on-demand video learning, practical resource guides, and live cohort sessions. This model moves away from the traditional, expensive external trainer model and focuses on building internal muscle memory. By integrating bite-sized, practical lessons into a manager's monthly routine, organizations can ensure that leadership skills are being practiced and refined in real-time. This ensures that the "human touch" remains a core differentiator, even as automation and AI begin to handle more administrative heavy lifting.Transparency remains the ultimate currency in a modern workplace defined by rapid change. Many leaders wait until they have a "perfect" plan before communicating with their teams, but this silence often breeds anxiety and speculation. Ashley advocates for a "work-in-progress" communication style where leaders acknowledge what they know, admit what they don't, and involve the team in brainstorming solutions. Whether navigating a personnel change or integrating new AI tools, involving the team early reduces fear and empowers employees to become stakeholders in the outcome. When people feel seen and valued as human beings rather than mere resources, they are far more likely to remain engaged and productive during periods of transition.About Ashley HerdAshley Herd is the Founder and CEO of Manager Method and a highly sought-after leadership consultant. With extensive experience in HR and employment law, she has led people operations for global firms and has become a leading voice in modern management. She is the author of The Manager Method: A Practical Framework to Lead, Support, and Get Results, and is dedicated to making high-level leadership training accessible to managers at every level.About Manager MethodManager Method is a leadership development firm that provides practical, scalable training for organizations seeking to improve management performance. The company offers a mix of digital learning, resource toolkits, and facilitated sessions designed to build foundational skills in communication, feedback, and empathy. Manager Method focuses on human-centered frameworks that drive results by empowering leaders to lead with clarity and intention.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeManager Method Official Website: www.managermethod.comAshley Herd on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyherd/Key Episode HighlightsThe "Pause, Consider, Act" Framework: A three-step method for reducing impulsivity and making more empathetic, informed decisions.Transparent Communication: Why admitting "I don't have all the answers yet" is more effective than silence during periods of organizational change.The Three-Legged Stool of Training: A scalable model for management development that integrates video, resources, and live peer discussion.AI and the Human Differentiator: Why the rise of automation makes human-centered management skills like empathy more valuable than ever.Leadership as a Practice: Learning from music—why consistency and foundational "basics" are more important than being a management virtuoso.ConclusionThe conversation with Ashley Herd highlights that great leadership is built on small, consistent actions rooted in empathy and transparency. By adopting the "Pause, Consider, Act" framework, leaders can navigate workplace complexity with confidence while building a culture that prioritizes human connection.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Pete Matthew and Roger Weeks cover self-employed saving rates, inheritance tax and estate planning, and how dividends are treated inside pension drawdown (including SIPPs). They also discuss salary sacrifice and contribution limits, the pros and cons of recycling tax-free cash, and whether to overpay your mortgage or invest via a Stocks & Shares ISA. Shownotes: https://meaningfulmoney.tv/QA42  01:07  Question 1 Hi Pete and Roger, Thank you for your amazing podcast! My question is about budgeting & savings percentages: Should you aim for a % of your gross pay or your net pay when it comes to aiming for a savings percentage? e.g. Invest 20% of gross or net? I'm self employed and work contract to contract. From each contract payment I have to give 25% to agents and lawyers. Then I get paid the rest and have to put aside some of the money ready for the Tax man. When planning for how much I should save / invest from each contract payment should I be putting aside: 20% of the original contract amount? (which would be prior to the agents taking their cut and prior to the tax man taking his cut?) 20% of the amount left after the agents but prior to the tax man? Or 20% after both the agent cut and tax man cut? Thank you! Isabel 05:50  Question 2 I am a 70 year old widow with no children.  My current net worth is about £2 million. This is made of of a house (£500,000), savings and investments (£1,150,000) and a drawdown pension pot of £350,000 which I inherited from my husband.  My husband died aged 68 so the pension pot is currently tax free. I plan to leave our inheritance tax free allowances of £650,000 to family, mostly nephews and nieces and the reminder to charities.  The drawdown pension will also go to named family members until the rules change in 2027 after which this will also go to charity.   I understand that this would mean my estate wouldn't be subject to inheritance tax.  Am I right about this? Is there anything I might not have thought about or any flaws in my thinking? Thank you for your very informative podcast, Susan 08:24  Question 3 Hi Pete and Roger,  I'm still catching up on the back catalogue and am still loving the show, the listener questions are a great alternative, absolutely brilliant :) My mind has been wandering as it usually does, and this time thinking about my retirement plan and what dividends will look like at retirement. I have some queries I would love you to clarify please if possible. As it stands I have a combination of SIPP and stocks & shares ISAs all globally diversified with various stocks and ETFs etc and also a NHS DB pension.  I'm about to turn 49 and planning on a retirement at around 60. I'm trying to plan in the most tax efficient way (obviously this may change with future governments). For now though I am trying to max out my ISAs regularly for the tax free benefits and in particular focussing on a goal of using global ETF high yield dividends as income  annually at retirement. I have a Vanguard SIPP with 3 ETFs. I plan to take the 25% tax free amount from this when I retire. The rest (75%) I plan to leave as is, in the same ETFs and as they will hopefully still be paying dividends, I am a little confused as to how these will be regarded, such as for tax purposes? My assumption is the dividends will be added as cash to my now 75% remaining pot and then if I start to drawdown on this then I guess I will be taxed as normal depending on my tax status at the time only on what I drawdown as income. However when the dividends are added to my drawdown (75%) portfolio will this be part of my annual tax free (currently £500) dividend allowance OR will they not count as they are in my "pension pot" (and not classed as income) as is the case currently pre-retirement? At the present should I actually be adding the dividends that I currently receive in my pension pot to my annual tax free allowance (£500 for me)? (I assumed dividends in a SIPP don't need declaring/adding up towards your annual tax free dividend allowance). I hope that all makes sense? Thanks for all your work with the podcasts and Listener Questions too, you guys are awesome! Cheers lads, Jon 13:22 Question 4 Dear Pete and Roger, I've just turned off lifestyling on my pension thanks to your excellent podcast and videos. You may have saved me thousands so many thanks! I now have a cunning plan! I work for a university and have a hybrid pension with the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). Payments for my regular defined benefit (DB) pension are made via salary sacrifice. I'm also making additional voluntary contributions to the defined contribution (DC) part of USS, also by salary sacrifice. I've increased these DC payments to a level where my reduced effective pay is just above the level of the National Living Wage. As all my USS contributions, DB and DC, are made by salary sacrifice, they count as employer contributions. As I understand it, I am also allowed to make employee pension contributions to an entirely separate SIPP up to the full level of my Relevant Earnings, which in my case is my salary alone. Is that correct? If so, am I allowed to make employee contributions up to the level of my original salary (before salary sacrifice reductions)? Or am I only allowed to make employee contributions up to the level or my reduced salary (after salary sacrifice), just above the level of the National Living Wage? Is my plan a sound one or is it a cunning plan worthy of Baldrick? I'm 54 years old and a basic rate tax payer with a salary of about £37,000 per annum. I do not expect to be promoted. Simon 17:56  Question 5 Hi Pete and Roger, Long time listener and watcher on YouTube and think it is absolutely wonderful all the free good advice you put out there. I hope you give yourselves a pat on the back for helping so many people build their wealth and no doubt have a better future in their latter years than they would have had without you. As I reach a certain age I am pondering a strategy and was wondering if you could advise if this is a flawed approach, letting the tax tail wag the dog or perfectly valid. I've never heard anyone suggest it and can't believe that I have an idea that experts haven't thought of. It involves recycling tax free lump sums from an existing DC pension. My understanding is that you have to "break" ALL the conditions to breach the recycling rules and the one I am considering not breaking is "tax free lump sum is less than £7,500 in any 12 month period". The idea is this: - Crystalise 30K. £22.5K into a drawdown pot and left untouched so as to not trigger the MPAA. £7.5K tax free cash withdrawn - Take the £7.5K tax free cash and recycle it into a new SIPP - Benefit from 40% tax relief to gain an additional £5K - Do the same a year later and repeat until actual retirement If I did this for the 10 years between first accessing my DC pension and retiring from employment at state pension age that's an extra £50K "free". The only downside I can see is that by crystalising you remove a portion of your existing DC pot from being able to have a 25% tax free slice of a bigger pie in the future. However I would have thought by putting the tax relief and tax free cash into a new SIPP, plus 25% of that total being tax free second time around when withdrawn, it would outweigh the downside, particularly if you think you're going to be a lower rate tax payer in actual retirement. Any thoughts gratefully received. Keep up the great work and fantastic content. Kind Regards, Tom 24:40  Question 6 Hi Rodge & Pete Love the energy of the show, both educational and also very funny one of my favourite financial podcasts! I recently purchased my first home solo at 35 on a 39 year mortgage term which takes me above the standard retirement age and I do hope I am not working full time by the age of 74. I went with the longer mortgage term to keep monthly costs down initially with the plan to possibly review this when my fixed term comes to end in 2030. I contribute monthly to my S&S ISA currently £200 with the plan to double this in 2026 but should I be diverting some of these funds instead to overpay the mortgage? I'm conflicted about this as I believe I will get better returns on the S&S ISA over the 39 year period vs saving interest on the mortgage. I currently contribute to my employer DC pension and also have a fully funded 3 month emergency fund so any spare cash can be put to work for my future. Thanks, Chantelle  

Mastering the Human Side of Leadership: Lessons in Agility with Bobby HumesIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Bobby Humes, Lead Consultant & CEO of BH Consultancy, to discuss the shifting paradigms of modern management. Bobby, widely known as "Coach Bobby," brings a unique perspective to the table, blending his high-level executive experience with lessons learned from coaching youth basketball. Their conversation explores the vital transition from technical expertise to people-centric leadership, the necessity of documenting institutional knowledge in a post-"Great Resignation" world, and how thoughtful leaders can leverage AI to enhance—rather than replace—human potential. This episode serves as a strategic roadmap for founders and executives who want to build resilient cultures that thrive on innovation and intentionality.Bridging the Gap: From Technical Expert to Thoughtful LeaderThe transition from a high-performing individual contributor to an effective people leader is one of the most difficult hurdles in the professional journey. Bobby Humes explains that while technical skills may earn a seat at the table, emotional intelligence and strategic delegation are what sustain a leader's impact. Many founders fall into the "dragon" trap—possessing so much passion and expertise that they inadvertently micromanage their team, robbing them of the opportunity to grow. Thoughtful leadership requires a shift in mindset where the goal is no longer to be the best player on the court, but to be the coach who harnesses the diverse energy of the team and directs it toward a cohesive, long-term vision.Building organizational resilience in 2026 requires more than just reactive hiring; it demands proactive succession planning and the meticulous documentation of critical knowledge. Bobby observes that many organizations were left vulnerable during recent market shifts because they lacked "desk manuals" or structured onboarding processes. When a key team member exits, the loss of institutional knowledge can be catastrophic if it hasn't been documented. By treating onboarding as a strategic priority and creating living documents of core processes, leaders ensure that their teams remain agile and capable of maintaining momentum even during periods of transition or sudden talent loss.Innovation within a company is often a byproduct of what Bobby calls a "culture of play." In this environment, experimentation is encouraged, and "failing forward" is seen as an essential step toward discovery. This spirit of play is where true innovation happens—during whiteboard sessions and open-ended brainstorming where team members feel safe to voice unconventional ideas. Integrating technology, specifically AI, into this culture can serve as a massive force multiplier for human wellness and efficiency. By setting clear guidelines—such as using AI to draft complex communications or automate repetitive administrative tasks—leaders can free up their people to focus on the high-value, creative work that truly moves the needle for the business.About Bobby HumesBobby Humes is the Lead Consultant & CEO of BH Consultancy and a highly sought-after executive coach. Known for his "Coach Bobby" persona, he specializes in helping technical experts transition into world-class people leaders. With a focus on emotional intelligence and strategic agility, Bobby works with organizations to develop leadership pipelines, improve talent retention, and foster innovative work cultures.About BH ConsultancyBH Consultancy is a premier leadership and management consultancy based in Seattle. The firm provides a holistic approach to organizational health, offering services that range from strategic planning and whiteboard innovation sessions to executive coaching and wellness integration. BH Consultancy is dedicated to helping businesses navigate the complexities of the modern workforce through thoughtful, intentional leadership.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeBH Consultancy Official WebsiteBobby Humes on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe "Dragon" Metaphor: Why leaders must resist the urge to take over and instead empower their team to bring their own creativity to the table.Emotional Intelligence in Scaling: The critical need for founders to develop soft skills as they transition from "doing" to "leading."Institutional Knowledge Audits: The importance of desk manuals and process documentation to survive sudden talent transitions.AI as a Wellness Tool: Leveraging technology to reduce administrative friction and prevent burnout among high-performing teams.The Culture of Play: How fostering a safe environment for experimentation directly leads to business innovation.ConclusionThe conversation with Bobby Humes highlights that the most successful organizations of the future will be those that prioritize human connection and intentionality. By evolving from a technical expert into a thoughtful leader, you can build a team that is not only productive but truly resilient in the face of change.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Michael shares his experience attending the runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend, including tributes to Jeff Galloway, the Brooks runDisney shoe craze, and Princess race weekend drama (or lack thereof). The crew debates whether the LA Marathon made the right call offering an 18-mile option on a brutally hot race day. Plus, a massive Goal Getters segment featuring listener updates on NYC Marathon lottery wins, the Rome Marathon, Dopey training, stress fractures, and more. And Diana is officially tapering for the Virginia Half Marathon!​​TOPICS: ​• runDisney Princess Half Marathon Weekend 2026 recap• Jeff Galloway tribute — his legacy and impact on everyday runners• LA Marathon hot weather controversy: was the 18-mile option the right call?• Brooks runDisney shoes — Moana, Rapunzel & Belle editions: are they still available?• Goal Getters: NYC Marathon lottery wins, Rome Marathon, Dopey 2, stress fractures & more• Diana's Virginia Half Marathon taper — race day coming up!• Michael's Marin Ultra Challenge preview: 50K trail race in the Bay Area• Daylight saving time struggles for runners• Running in heat: how to adjust pace and avoid race day disaster• New Fourth of July 5K/10K race at Lake Elkhorn, Columbia MD• Something Good: Count of Monte Cristo (PBS), The Bride (film), Hello Goodbye & Early November concert, Hoop Tea season​​Come laugh with us as we share our running experiences and talk about everything from our favorite beer runs to our chafing nightmares. Tell us what YOU run for... Email us or leave a voice memo at WillRunForPodcast@gmail.com Find us on Facebook and Instagram @WillRunForPodcast Tag your pictures and stories @WillRunForPodcast and help grow our community.

Building Purpose-Driven Companies: Leadership Wisdom with Patrick MorkIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Patrick Mork, a renowned leadership speaker, executive advisor, and author of Step Back and Leap: Nine Keys to Unlock Your Life and Make Change Happen. Drawing from his high-octane background as a tech founder and a three-time Chief Marketing Officer, Patrick shares how the modern leadership landscape requires more than just technical acumen—it demands a foundation of purpose. This conversation explores the psychological and operational hurdles of the startup journey, providing a strategic roadmap for founders who want to build companies that are as resilient as they are impactful.Mastering the "Soft Tissue" of High-Performance LeadershipTransitioning from a technical expert to a true leader often reveals a significant gap in what Patrick calls the "operating system" of a company: its culture and interpersonal dynamics. For many founders, the most grueling part of the journey isn't the coding or the fundraising, but the inevitable friction that arises between co-founders and senior teams. Patrick emphasizes that conflict is not a sign of failure, but a necessary component of growth—provided it is managed with intention. When leaders avoid difficult conversations, they allow small misalignments to calcify into existential threats. By implementing structured feedback loops and fostering a shared language for disagreement, founders can transform potential volatility into a catalyst for innovation and deep-seated trust.The ability to delegate is another critical threshold that separates stagnant startups from scalable enterprises. Patrick recounts the cautionary tale of successful founders who remain bogged down in administrative minutiae, such as booking their own travel, long after they should have focused on high-level strategy. This failure to let go often stems from a lack of "purpose-driven" hiring; when a team is not aligned with the core mission, trust remains elusive. Effective delegation requires a leader to communicate the "why" behind every task, empowering the team to take ownership of the outcomes rather than just following a checklist. This shift moves the founder from a micromanager to a visionary, freeing up the mental bandwidth required to navigate a rapidly changing, AI-driven market.Perhaps the most vital insight Patrick offers is the direct link between purpose and the prevention of burnout. In a world where the startup life is often likened to "chewing glass," resilience is fueled by a sense of contribution and service. Burnout rarely occurs because of hard work alone; it happens when that work is fundamentally misaligned with an individual's core values. Using frameworks like the Japanese Ikigai method, leaders can audit their own lives and organizations to ensure their professional pursuits honor their whole selves. When a company's mission is clearly articulated and lived through everyday behaviors, it becomes a magnet for top-tier talent and a compass that guides the organization through the inevitable emotional rollercoasters of entrepreneurship.About Patrick MorkPatrick Mork is an Executive Advisor to CEOs and Senior Leadership Teams, a leadership speaker, and the host of the Mork Unfiltered podcast. With a career spanning roles as a tech founder and three-time CMO, he specializes in helping leaders navigate change, find their purpose, and build high-performing cultures. He is the author of Step Back and Leap, a book designed to help professionals unlock their potential and lead more meaningful lives.About Patrick Mork LLCPatrick Mork LLC provides executive coaching, leadership workshops, and advisory services tailored for founders and senior executives in the tech sector and beyond. The firm focuses on the intersection of human-centered leadership and business performance, helping organizations define their purpose and develop the "soft skills" necessary for sustainable scaling and resilience.Links Mentioned in This EpisodePatrick Mork LLC Website: www.patrickmork.comPatrick Mork on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/patrickmorkofficialKey Episode HighlightsPurpose as a Competitive Advantage: Why purpose-driven companies attract higher-quality talent and maintain greater resilience during market downturns.The Danger of Avoiding Conflict: How unresolved co-founder friction can quietly erode a company's foundation and how to address it proactively.The Ikigai Method for Leaders: Using this Japanese framework to align professional goals with personal values to prevent burnout.The "Chewing Glass" Metaphor: Navigating the intense emotional highs and lows of the startup journey without losing perspective.Scaling Through Delegation: Moving beyond micromanagement by building a trustworthy team aligned with the company's mission.ConclusionThe conversation with Patrick Mork serves as a powerful reminder that the most durable companies are built from the inside out. By prioritizing self-reflection, mastering feedback, and anchoring every decision in a clear sense of purpose, founders can build a legacy that transcends mere financial success.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Empowering Professionals and Corporate Culture Through Nonprofit Board Service: Insights from Whitley RichardsIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Whitley Richards, the CEO of Cause Strategy Partners, to explore the high-impact intersection of corporate talent and social good. Their conversation highlights how nonprofit board service is no longer just an act of charity; it is a strategic vehicle for leadership development and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Whitley explains how her organization bridges the gap between major corporations and the nonprofit sector, ensuring that professionals from companies like Google and JPMorgan Chase are not only placed on boards but are equipped with the governance training necessary to drive real systemic change.The Strategic Triple Win: Professionals, Companies, and CommunitiesFacilitating nonprofit board service creates a powerful synergy that addresses the most pressing pain points for modern business leaders: employee disengagement and the "skills gap." When a company encourages its rising talent to serve on a board, it is essentially outsourcing high-level leadership training to the real world. In the boardroom, professionals must navigate complex challenges such as financial oversight, strategic planning, and consensus-building among diverse stakeholders—all of which are "power skills" that translate directly back to their corporate roles. This hands-on experience often proves more effective than traditional classroom-style leadership retreats, as it places the individual in a position of high-stakes accountability for a cause they genuinely care about.From a corporate perspective, supporting board service is a robust retention tool that satisfies the modern worker's hunger for purpose. Employees who feel their personal values align with their professional environment are significantly more likely to remain loyal and engaged. Furthermore, these placements act as a force multiplier for a company's corporate citizenship. Instead of merely writing a check, a corporation is lending its intellectual capital to the community, building deeper, more authentic ties with local organizations. This proactive approach to corporate citizenship bolsters brand reputation and establishes the company as a pillar of the community, which is increasingly vital in a consumer landscape that rewards social transparency and impact.For the nonprofits involved, the influx of corporate expertise provides a level of professionalization and strategic rigor that can be difficult to acquire otherwise. Cause Strategy Partners uses a technology-driven approach to ensure these matches are based on more than just proximity; they are based on a deep alignment of skills and passion. This ensures that the professional isn't just a figurehead but a high-value contributor who can help the nonprofit navigate resource allocation and organizational direction. By shifting the narrative from "volunteering" to "strategic board service," Whitley and her team are redefining how we think about social impact, creating a sustainable model where every participant walks away with measurable growth and a renewed sense of mission.About Whitley RichardsWhitley Richards is the CEO of Cause Strategy Partners and a recognized leader in the social impact space. With an MPA from NYU Wagner, she has dedicated her career to the belief that the private sector holds the keys to solving many of the world's most difficult social challenges. She oversees the strategic direction of the firm, focusing on expanding the reach of their board placement and governance training programs to empower the next generation of social-impact leaders.About Cause Strategy PartnersCause Strategy Partners is a social enterprise that helps individuals and corporations achieve their greatest social impact. Through their flagship BoardLead program and a suite of governance resources, they match talented professionals with nonprofit board opportunities. By providing rigorous training and technology-powered matching, the firm ensures that nonprofit boards are diverse, skilled, and prepared to lead their organizations toward long-term success.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeCause Strategy Partners Official WebsiteWhitley Richards on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe "Triple Win" Framework: How board service simultaneously benefits the professional, the corporation, and the nonprofit partner.Governance as Leadership Training: Why the boardroom is the ultimate environment for developing emotional intelligence and strategic thinking.Bridging the Purpose Gap: Strategies for companies to retain top talent by facilitating meaningful social engagement.Technology in Placements: The role of data-driven matching in ensuring that board service is high-impact rather than just high-intent.The "My Cause Finder" Tool: A practical resource for individuals to identify where their skills meet the world's needs.ConclusionThe conversation with Whitley Richards underscores that nonprofit board service is a transformative opportunity for professional and organizational growth. By aligning personal passions with strategic service, individuals can develop critical leadership skills while corporations strengthen their culture and community impact.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Navigating the Marketing Agency Maze: Strategic Matchmaking with Behdad JamshidiIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Behdad Jamshidi, the Founder & CEO of CJAM Marketing, to discuss the critical challenges business leaders face when trying to scale their marketing efforts. With over 160,000 agencies in the market, founders often find themselves trapped in a cycle of "agency hopping" that drains resources and kills momentum. Their conversation dives into the necessity of strategic matchmaking, the value of intentional leadership, and how to find the less than 5% of agencies that actually align with an entrepreneur's specific business goals.Protecting Your Growth: The Engineering Approach to Marketing PartnershipsFor many high-achieving founders, the struggle isn't a lack of marketing options, but a lack of clarity on which specific agency "flavor" fits their current objective. Behdad explains that the marketing industry is highly fragmented, with agencies specializing in everything from granular SEO to high-level brand storytelling. A common mistake is hiring an agency based on a polished sales pitch rather than a proven track record within a specific niche or budget bracket. By acting as a fractional CMO and partner matcher, strategic consultants help business owners bypass the expensive trial-and-error phase, ensuring that the agency selected has the exact infrastructure required to scale that specific business model.Effective marketing leadership requires an objective view of the "entire board," moving beyond tactical execution to focus on foundational strategy. Business owners often jump into paid ads or social media campaigns before their internal systems—like lead follow-up and CRM management—are ready to handle the influx. This creates a "leaky bucket" scenario where marketing spend is effectively wasted. Strategic matchmaking involves auditing these internal processes first, then pairing the business with a partner who understands the nuance of their industry and the specific stage of the entrepreneurial journey they are navigating. This alignment ensures that marketing becomes a predictable engine for growth rather than a series of disconnected experiments.Ultimately, the goal of a strategic partnership is to build long-term value and trust, which is often missing in the transactional world of digital marketing. The matchmaking process relies on deep vetting and a massive network of pre-screened providers, allowing founders to access high-level talent without the risk of a "bad hire." As companies scale, their marketing needs evolve, and having a partner who can facilitate those transitions ensures that the brand remains consistent and the momentum continues. By prioritizing the relationship and the strategic fit over the latest marketing fad, entrepreneurs can reclaim their time and focus on leading their organizations with confidence.About Behdad JamshidiBehdad Jamshidi is the Founder & CEO of CJAM Marketing, where he serves as a strategic marketing consultant and agency matchmaker. With a background in engineering, Behdad brings a technical, process-driven perspective to the creative world of advertising. He specializes in identifying the perfect marketing partners for growing businesses, helping them build scalable, high-performance marketing ecosystems while protecting them from poor investments.About CJAM MarketingCJAM Marketing is a strategic consultancy that helps businesses find and manage the right marketing partners. By leveraging a vast network of vetted agencies and providers, CJAM Marketing removes the guesswork from the hiring process. The firm provides fractional CMO services, auditing internal processes and aligning business goals with the specific technical capabilities of marketing specialists to ensure sustainable, long-term growth.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeCJAM Marketing Official WebsiteBehdad Jamshidi on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe Agency Hopping Trap: Why businesses fail when they hire based on sales pitches rather than strategic, technical fit.The Kaizen Philosophy: Applying continuous, incremental improvement to both personal leadership and business operations.Tactical Hobbies for Leaders: How hands-on activities like painting or music help founders reset their mental state for better decision-making.The 5% Rule: Navigating the crowded market to find the small fraction of agencies that are actually capable of delivering ROI.Radical Transparency: How standardized referral fees and engagement models ensure unbiased marketing recommendations.ConclusionThis conversation with Behdad Jamshidi underscores that marketing success is less about the "what" and more about the "who." By finding the right strategic partners who align with your mission and stage of growth, you can transform marketing from a source of frustration into your most powerful tool for impact.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

You can be great at finding deals……but if every deal depends on your personal cash or one lender saying yes, your growth will always have a ceiling.There's a funding source most investors completely overlook.It's called business credit.Since 2007, a small group of entrepreneurs has tapped into over $2 billion in 0% business credit using this approach.That capital can help you protect your personal credit, access up to $250K in 0% APR business credit, and create a buffer when deals take longer than expected.It also gives you the ability to fund marketing, systems, and team growth without draining your own cash.Most investors don't struggle with finding deals.They struggle with access to capital when opportunity shows up.Instead of waiting years to build capital, smart investors are unlocking $50K, $100K, even $250K+ in business credit they can use to fund marketing, operations, and deal flow.Ari Page from Fund & Grow is helping 7 Figure Flipping members unlock business credit so they can access capital without relying on personal savings or one lender saying yes.If you want to create more financial flexibility in your business and move faster on opportunities, this is a great place to start.CLICK HERE to start building business credit with Fund&Grow >>Catch you later!LINKS & RESOURCES1,000 FREE Seller LeadsGet your first 1,000 seller leads FREE from our partner BatchLeads and start closing deals immediately. CLICK HERE: http://leads.getbatch.co/mztQkMr7 Figure Flipping UndergroundIf you want to learn how to make money flipping and wholesaling houses without risking your life savings or "working weekends" forever... this book is for YOU. It'll take you from "complete beginner" to closing your first deal or even your next 10 deals without the bumps and bruises most people pick up along the way. If you've never flipped a house before, you'll find step-by-step instructions on everything you need to know to get started. If you're already flipping or wholesaling houses, you'll find fast-track secrets that will cut years off your learning curve and let you streamline your operations, maximize profit, do MORE deals, and work LESS. CLICK HERE: https://hubs.ly/Q01ggDSh0 7 Figure RunwayFollow a proven 5-step formula to create consistent monthly income flipping and wholesaling houses, then turn your active income into passive cash flow and create a life of freedom. 7 Figure Runway is an intensive, nothing-held-back mentoring group for real estate investors who want to build a "scalable" business and start "stacking" assets to build long-term wealth. Get off-market deal sourcing strategies that work, plus 100% purchase and renovation financing through our built-in funding partners, a community of active investors who will support and encourage you, weekly accountability sessions to keep you on track, 1-on-1 coaching, and more. CLICK HERE: https://www.7figureflipping.com/runway Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram: @7figureflipping Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The One Big Beautiful Bill didn't kill PSLF outright, but once you run the numbers on the new borrowing limits and the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP), the financial incentive for Public Service Loan Forgiveness essentially evaporates for future borrowers. I walk through exactly how this plays out for physicians, PAs, NPs, teachers, lawyers, and other professions — and why existing borrowers are grandfathered in but should still pay attention. I also break down what the new math means for private universities, which degrees still pencil out financially, and a critical deadline for Parent PLUS borrowers that could affect your ability to retire. Key moments: (03:57) How the new $50K/year loan cap makes PSLF nearly worthless for physicians entering med school this fall (07:51) Second-year students are grandfathered in and can borrow Grad PLUS to finish their program (09:18) How lower borrowing limits gut PSLF for NPs, PAs, teachers, and lawyers (16:09) The Parent PLUS consolidation deadline before July 2026, and why waiting too long could make income-based repayment permanently inaccessible   Like the show? There are several ways you can help! Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon Music Leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts  Subscribe to the newsletter Join SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member community Feeling helpless when it comes to your student loans? Try our free student loan calculator Check out our refinancing bonuses we negotiated Book your custom student loan plan Get profession-specific financial planning Do you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!  

I'm about to tell you something that might sting: Nobody cares about your body. But stick with me, because that truth is going to set you free. We spend SO much energy terrified of what people will think if we gain weight, if we eat normally, if we stop restricting. We're scared of judgment. But here's the raw truth: People are way too busy worrying about their own bodies to spend time judging yours. Today I'm sharing 9 brutal recovery truths that no one will tell you—but I absolutely will. Because I'm tired of watching women stay stuck settling for "good enough," when full freedom is absolutely possible. These aren't feel-good platitudes. These are boss-babe-energy truths that will wake you up and change everything. The 9 Raw Truths: Your health is your wealth Nobody cares about your body 2b. You will be judged no matter what—at least be judged for something meaningful Consistency matters more than perfection Recovery takes months or years—not weeks or days Your comfort zone and "settling" will destroy your dreams of freedom No one is coming to save you You can't pray yourself away from ED behaviors—you must pray AND act Time never comes back You cannot recover from an eating disorder alone. THE 9 BRUTAL TRUTHS BREAKDOWN Truth #1: Your health is your wealth. You can fake your health to the world for a while, but malnourishment catches up with you. Your bones will tell the story. Your hormones will tell the story. You can lie to everyone else, but your body keeps the receipts. When you look back in 10-30 years, your health is what will matter most—not the number on the scale. Truth #2: Nobody cares about your body. Everyone is way too worried about their own insecurities to spend time analyzing yours. The person at the grocery store? Worried about their own body. Your coworker? Stressed about their own appearance. The people who matter don't care what size you are. And the people who care what size you are don't matter. Truth #2b: You will be judged no matter what—at least be judged for something meaningful versus your pant size. Would you rather be judged for playing small, for restricting your life, for being the woman always "on a diet"? Or judged for being bold, for showing up fully, for living a life that actually matters? People will have opinions regardless. Make sure you're living a life worth having opinions about. Truth #3: Consistency matters more than perfection. Boss babes understand this in business but forget it in recovery. You can take random action, but it's what you do consistently that leads to true freedom. Recovery isn't built on perfect days—it's built on showing up day after day, even when it sucks. Truth #4: Recovery takes months or years—not weeks or days. Trying to rush recovery is like trying to rush building a business empire. You can't shortcut the process and expect lasting results. The women who understand this is an investment in their future are the ones running companies and living their dreams while others are still counting calories. Truth #5: Your comfort zone and "settling" will destroy your dreams of freedom. Quasi-recovery isn't boss babe energy—it's small energy. It's staying in the kiddie pool when you were meant to swim in the ocean. Settling for quasi-recovery is like building a business to 50K and stopping because you're "comfortable." Your eating disorder is betting on you settling. Truth #6: No one is coming to save you. Your parents can't fix this. Your partner can't love the eating disorder away. Your therapist can't want recovery more than you do. This is your life. Your recovery. Your empire to build. That's overwhelming but also the most empowering truth—you have ALL the power to change everything. Truth #7: You can't pray yourself or "try" to get yourself away from ED behaviors. Faith is powerful. Prayer is essential. But you must pray AND act like the boss babe God created you to be. God gave you a brain, body, and free will for a reason. Use them. Trying is just failing with intention. Stop trying. Start doing. Truth #8: Time never comes back. Every day you spend restricting is gone forever. Every opportunity missed because you're obsessed with food. Every relationship you half-show up to because you're mentally calculating calories. Boss babes understand time is the most valuable currency. Stop spending yours on something that will never pay dividends. THE FINAL TRUTH TO SET YOU FREE: #9: You cannot build an empire alone, and recover from an eating disorder is the exact same. Eating disorders thrive in isolation. Every successful woman has a team, support, someone who won't let them quit when things get hard. The women who recover are the ones who stop trying to figure it all out alone and invest in themselves. KEY QUOTES

Mastering Business Scalability: Scott Abbott on Fusing AI, Systems, and Human GrowthIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Scott Abbott, the serial entrepreneur, investor, and Founder & CEO of BOS-UP. The conversation explored the critical intersection of modern technology and timeless business principles, focusing on how Scott's "Boss Up" framework helps startups and mid-market companies scale effectively. By integrating AI-driven insights with high-level coaching and human-centered development, Scott provides a roadmap for leaders who want to move beyond mere "hustle" and toward a structured, engineering-minded approach to growth. This episode is a masterclass in leveraging the latest digital tools without losing the "soft tissue" of emotional intelligence and personal reflection.The Boss Up Methodology: Balancing Business Mechanics with Human Soft TissueScaling a business requires a dual focus on rigorous systems and the human factors that drive them. Scott Abbott describes this balance through the lens of "mechanics"—the essential business competencies and disciplines—and "soft tissue," which encompasses conflict resolution, anxiety management, and boundary setting. For an organization to truly thrive, it must implement a blueprint that democratizes high-level strategies once reserved only for the Fortune 500. By adopting an engineering mindset, founders can build a "Boss Up Blue" infrastructure that identifies operational gaps, while simultaneously using "Boss Up Moments" to foster the emotional resilience needed to navigate the inevitable stresses of entrepreneurship.A cornerstone of this methodology is the strategic integration of Artificial Intelligence as a partner in critical thinking rather than a replacement for it. Scott advocates for a three-dimensional learning model that fuses traditional reading and writing with AI-powered customization. Instead of using AI to generate shortcuts, leaders are encouraged to use tools like ChatGPT or NotebookLM to create personalized journaling prompts and organize complex insights. This technology-enhanced reflection allows for a deeper, more contextual understanding of business challenges, enabling a founder to show up to coaching sessions with a refined perspective that maximizes the value of human-to-human mentorship.Democratizing high-level business education is the ultimate mission behind the BOS-UP ecosystem. By offering open-source content and a social enterprise model where profits support under-resourced entrepreneurs, Scott is championing a form of humanitarian capitalism. This approach ensures that sophisticated tools for work-life integration and organizational scaling are accessible to all, regardless of their funding stage. When technology, coaching, and human-centered philosophies are fused correctly, the result is an interactive learning environment where founders can build not just successful companies, but purpose-driven lives that impact their communities and the global market.About Scott AbbottScott Abbott is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and the Founder & CEO of BOS-UP. With decades of experience building and scaling companies, he is a dedicated advocate for lifelong learning and the strategic use of technology in personal development. Scott is the author of Boss Up and the Boss Up Moments workbook, and he leads a global network of coaches focused on democratizing elite business strategies.About BOS-UPBOS-UP is a business coaching and systems firm designed to help small to mid-market companies scale with precision. The company offers a structured framework centered on nine core competencies, blending technical business engineering with human-centered growth strategies. BOS-UP operates as a social enterprise, providing accessible resources and coaching to empower entrepreneurs worldwide.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeScott Abbott Official WebsiteScott Abbott on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe "Boss Up" Framework: A deep dive into the nine core competencies required to scale a business from startup to mid-market success.AI as a Thinking Partner: How to use artificial intelligence to enhance critical thinking, generate reflective prompts, and prepare for high-level coaching.Mechanics vs. Soft Tissue: Balancing the technical systems of a business with the emotional intelligence and human factors that sustain a team.Democratizing Strategy: The social enterprise model that makes Fortune 2500-level business education accessible to under-resourced entrepreneurs.The 3D Learning Model: Integrating reading, writing, and technology to create a comprehensive and interactive ecosystem for lifelong growth.ConclusionScott Abbott's philosophy serves as a reminder that the most successful businesses are built on a foundation of continuous learning and structural integrity. By embracing both the data-driven power of AI and the reflective depth of human coaching, leaders can navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Juan Ignacio Garcia Braschi is a partner at L40, a boutique SaaS M&A advisory firm with offices in Madrid, Lisbon, and Miami. After two decades in banking, private equity, and operating roles, including serving as CFO of ride-hailing company Cabify, he now helps SaaS founders sell companies typically valued between $20M and $200M. L40 works primarily with B2B SaaS companies doing $5M–$50M ARR, most of them bootstrapped or lightly funded, including companies in Europe and Latin America. Juan explains how today's buyers evaluate SaaS companies, why Rule-of-40 performance still matters even with AI, and how growth rate, retention, and profitability determine valuation ranges of roughly 4–8x ARR. Key Takeaways Growth Drives Valuation: Growth rate correlates most strongly with SaaS multiples. Companies growing 50% command much higher valuations than those growing 20%. Rule Of 40 Still Matters: Buyers increasingly expect SaaS companies to combine strong growth with some profitability. Financial Buyers Dominant: Private-equity-backed platforms acquiring add-ons are the most active buyers for $50M–$100M SaaS companies today. Sell During Momentum: Smaller companies growing 20–40% annually can be an ideal window for acquisition before growth naturally slows. Quote from Juan Ignacio Garcia Braschi, Managing Director and Partner at L40 "If you think that you're going to sell your SaaS company, you should think of that two years ahead of when you want to sell. So don't wait until you're burned out. "Keep in mind that you will have to make a profit at some point to sell to serious financial buyers. So when your company is growing at decent 20, 30, 40% year over year rates, that's probably the sweet spot for selling.  "Significant funds have been raised in the past 24 months and that has to be deployed. Traditional private equity firms are more more interested in tech. These days you see more and more traditional private equity firms going into tech and that's increasing competition and driving multiples up." Links Juan Ignacio Garcia Braschi on LinkedIn L40 on LinkedIn L40 website Podcast Sponsor – Lighter Capital This podcast is sponsored by Lighter Capital. In the last 15 years, Lighter Capital has helped over 600 software and SaaS founders secure simple, non-dilutive financing to grow a little faster—without giving up any precious equity or board seats to investors.  Simple debt funding from Lighter Capital can range from $50K to $10 million, with straightforward terms, no personal guarantees or covenants, and up to a 4-year payback period. Go to LighterCapital.com to apply and get a quick pre-qualification. Then talk with their experienced team to create a practical funding plan to achieve your goals.  The Practical Founders Podcast Tune into the Practical Founders Podcast for weekly in-depth interviews with founders who have built valuable software companies without big funding. Subscribe to the Practical Founders Podcast using your favorite podcast app or view on our YouTube channel. Get the weekly Practical Founders newsletter and podcast updates at practicalfounders.com. Practical Founders CEO Peer Groups Be part of a committed and confidential group of practical founders creating valuable software companies without big VC funding.  A Practical Founders Peer Group is a committed and confidential group of founders/CEOs who want to help you succeed on your terms. Each Practical Founders Peer Group is personally curated and moderated by Greg Head.

Ready to stop treating your business like a hobby and start scaling to $50K months?

On this episode, we jump into the All Day at Holloway 50k put on by RunFluent Events. On the chat, we've got Justin Kaufmann who won the 50k with a time of 3:57:35 and Jason Todd who placed 7th Overall with a time of 5:33:50! Even I had a blast running the 10k too!In this episode, we break down the race day experience, celebrate the achievements of these incredible runners, and explore the community and camaraderie that make events like the All Day at Holloway 50K so special. Whether you're a seasoned ultrarunner or just curious about what it takes to tackle a 50K, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and inspiration.Holloway Park is the legacy of Mary Ann and Edward Holloway, who were long-time residents of the local area. In 2010, the couple decided to preserve our lands in perpetuity. The property had been mined before 1950 and was left in a rugged state with a series of ridges and valleys. Over the years, this 362-acre nature park has improved the biodiversity of native plants, provided a safe haven for all wildlife, and created trails for runners and nature enthusiasts. Holloway Park was donated to the City of Lakeland in 2023 and is maintained and operated by the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department for the City of Lakeland.

March 12, 2026: Your daily rundown of health and wellness news, in under 5 minutes. Today's top stories: Nike brings back After Dark Tour for 2026, expanding women-focused nighttime race series to seven global cities after drawing 50K+ participants Microsoft reports handling 50M+ daily health questions across Bing and Copilot, with 40% focused on symptoms and 1 in 5 involving personal health management Health Innovation Lab returns to West Palm Beach in November 2026, expanding to 250 attendees with dedicated HIL day ahead of Eudimonia Summit. Learn more at https://joinhil.com Today's episode is brought to you by AIIR — a modern communications and experiential agency for health, wellness, fitness, and performance brands. From earned media to events and creator-led campaigns, AIIR helps companies sharpen their story, earn attention, and build trust that compounds. Visit https://aiir.agency to learn more. More from Fitt: Fitt Insider breaks down the convergence of fitness, wellness, and healthcare — and what it means for business, culture, and capital. Subscribe to our newsletter → insider.fitt.co/subscribe Work with our recruiting firm → https://talent.fitt.co/ Follow us on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/fittinsider/ Follow us on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/company/fittinsider Reach out → insider@fitt.co

Revolutionizing Go-to-Market Strategy: AI-Driven Performance Marketing with Lisa SharapataIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Lisa Sharapata, the VP of AI & GTM Strategy at Metadata.io, to discuss the radical shift occurring in digital advertising. Metadata is a category-defining platform that utilizes AI agents to automate the technical execution of ad campaigns, effectively removing the manual "grunt work" that often bogs down marketing teams. Lisa shares how this transition allows marketers to shift their focus from bid adjustments and spreadsheet management to high-level media strategy and authentic creative development. Their conversation provides a strategic roadmap for B2B leaders looking to scale their demand generation without scaling their headcount.Beyond Manual Execution: The Power of Multivariate Testing at ScaleThe primary bottleneck in modern B2B advertising is the sheer complexity of testing—a human team simply cannot manually manage the permutations required to find the perfect campaign "winner" across fragmented channels. Lisa explains that Metadata solves this by running dozens or even hundreds of simultaneous experiments across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and Bing. For example, a single campaign involving three different audiences, three unique offers, and three creatives across five channels results in 135 separate experiments; Metadata's AI agents handle the deployment and optimization of these combinations in real-time, shifting budget to top performers instantly. This level of scale ensures that ad spend is always flowing toward the highest-converting opportunities, rather than sitting stagnant in underperforming assets.With AI handling the "doing" of marketing, the role of the modern marketer is being redefined toward strategy, entity optimization (EO), and deep audience understanding. Lisa notes that as search behavior shifts from traditional engines to AI-driven models like ChatGPT, brands must focus on "Entity Optimization"—ensuring their company is recognized as a reputable authority across the web so it is cited by these emerging AI tools. This shift requires marketers to be more present in community-led channels and multi-channel brand awareness efforts, letting AI handle the bid thresholds and technical safeguards while humans focus on the narrative and the brand's positioning in the market.Ultimately, successful AI implementation requires a "human-in-the-loop" approach to maintain control over brand standards and financial parameters. Metadata addresses this by allowing users to set strict spend and bid limits, ensuring the AI operates within a safe "sandbox" of pre-approved strategic boundaries. As trust builds, organizations can gradually increase the autonomy of these agents, moving toward a future of vendor-agnostic optimization where the platform prioritizes what actually works for the client, rather than what benefits a specific social network's inventory. This unified data approach allows B2B firms to connect ad spend directly to pipeline and revenue, providing the transparent attribution necessary to justify marketing investment at the executive level.About Lisa SharapataLisa Sharapata is the VP of AI & GTM Strategy at Metadata.io and a seasoned marketing leader with a track record of driving growth for high-scale B2B organizations. Known for her expertise in Account-Based Marketing (ABM) and demand generation, she is a frequent speaker and thought leader on the intersection of creativity and data-driven strategy. Lisa is passionate about helping marketers reclaim their time through automation, often drawing parallels between the fluidity of her hobby in water ink painting and the organic flow of modern marketing data.About Metadata.ioMetadata.io is the leading operating system for B2B marketers, providing AI-driven automation for performance marketing and demand generation. The platform automates the repetitive, manual tasks involved in running and optimizing ad campaigns across LinkedIn, Facebook, Google, and more. By connecting ad spend to revenue data, Metadata helps organizations achieve higher ROI and provides a unified view of the go-to-market strategy.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeMetadata.io Official WebsiteLisa Sharapata on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe "Strategy Over Execution" Shift: Why AI is finally allowing marketers to abandon manual bid management and focus on creative storytelling.Multivariate Testing at Scale: How AI agents manage hundreds of campaign permutations across LinkedIn, Facebook, and Reddit to find the lowest cost per lead.From SEO to Entity Optimization (EO): Preparing your brand to be recognized and recommended by AI language models and emerging search tools.Spend Safeguards and Human Oversight: Maintaining control over automated campaigns through bid limits and "human-in-the-loop" approval workflows.End-to-End Attribution: Connecting top-of-funnel ad spend directly to bottom-of-funnel pipeline and revenue metrics.ConclusionThe conversation with Lisa Sharapata makes it clear that the future of marketing isn't about human vs. machine, but rather human and machine working in tandem. By automating the mechanical aspects of digital advertising, leaders can empower their teams to focus on the creativity and strategy that truly move the needle for the business.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Connect with Jeremiah: Instagram: @jeremiahkwatson Business: www.affluentvacays.comCheck out our free 6 step course: https://level.strsecrets.com/pc-bookSTR Secrets FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/STRentalsecretsHe did everything people told him to do.Got clean. Went to college. Got a good job. Made good money.And he was still unhappy.In this episode, we talk with Jeremiah Watson. Jeremiah just quit his corporate job. He now runs an 18-property cohosting business in Los Angeles. He is the 73rd person to leave their job through STR Secrets.Here's what you'll learn:→ How Jeremiah went from addiction and jail to building a real business → Why he lost $50K his first year — and what he changed → How he got his first cohosting deal with one cold call → The small team that runs his business today → His goal: 66 properties by the end of 2026This is what actually doing the work looks like.Timestamps:00:00 - Who Is Jeremiah Watson?03:12 - From Addiction and Jail to Turning His Life Around08:11 - Why He Chased the Corporate Dream11:36 - He Tried STRs and Lost $50K in Year One13:16 - How He Found Cohosting and Got His First Deal16:36 - How He Grew From 1 to 18 Properties19:11 - His Team and How the Business Runs Today21:27 - His Big Goal: 66 Properties by End of 202622:45 - What to Do If You Have a Job and No Time27:06 - How to Balance Drive With Gratitude31:57 - Why This Business Is About More Than Money

Book a free strategy call to see how we can help you hit your goals and beyond: https://bit.ly/3TvGiNW or call us at: (214)-453-1591 

When you go into business, you work really hard to get things going, but as you achieve success, the business takes over your life, right? You want to keep growing your business, but you can't work more. You're already exhausted and stretched too thin. If you're tired of being the fixer, the one with the fallback plan, and the one who holds it all together, you are not alone! If you're like most business owners we work with, you have revenue coming in, but you are still not profitable. You struggle to make payroll and attract profitable clients that you enjoy working with. This is why we created the Tap the Potential solution: a step-by-step, simple framework to increase your profitability while working fewer hours so that you can take your life back from your business. On average, our clients experience a 716% increase in time off, a 215% increase in profit, and a 55% increase in owners' pay—all within 12 months. In this episode, Melissa Kay and Dr. Sabrina Starling reveal why most small businesses hit a growth plateau, the hidden reason revenue increases don't lead to profit, why entrepreneurs stay stuck in survival mode, how working less can actually increase profitability, and the simple framework successful business owners use to reclaim their time. If you're ready to take your life back from your business, this episode will show you the path forward.Profit by Design is a Tap the Potential production. Show Highlights:Reasons for a growth plateau in small businesses: trying to do it alone, hiring the wrong people, and mishandling the revenue needed to growUnderstanding the hidden costs in payroll for the wrong peopleDesign your business to be sustainably profitable.The business owner's blind spots contribute to growth plateaus.Revenue doesn't equal profitability. Apply the 80/20 rule.Identify your PITA (“Pain in the assets”) clients.Our Better Business Better Life Jumpstart reveals the best profitability secrets!We are not like typical business coaches! The Tap the Potential solution teaches you how to work fewer hours with a focused intention that frees up your time.From Dr. Sabrina, the one action business owners can take today: “Do less. Ask, what's the one thing I can do today that will have the greatest impact to make other things easier or unnecessary while driving the profitability of my business?”Sign up for the Better Business Better Life Jumpstart today!Resources:Join our Jumpstart beginning April 7th! Learn how to:Free up 10 hours per week.Pay yourself an additional $50K this year.Take an extra week of vacation.Enroll now for Leadership Bootcamp! The next session begins in April.Take our Better Business Better Life Assessment to determine your level of burnout and receive a complimentary call with the next steps you need to take in your business to support your life. Click here!Ready to take your life back from your business? Want more time for what matters most and more money in your bank account than ever? Book a call with us today!Mentioned in this episode:Registration Is Open for Leadership Bootcamp!Turn your A-players into your strategic thinking partners who are taking one thing after another off your plate. You don't have to do this alone. Register here: https://tapthepotential.com/leadership

There's a big difference between making money as a creator… and building a sustainable, scalable creator business.And once you hit that $50K mark, the strategy, mindset, and legal + financial structure need to shift - fast. In this episode, I'm breaking down what creators at this income level need to think about differently.How you position yourself and price your work, to the backend decisions that protect your growth as you scale.If you're considering electing S-Corp status and need a simple payroll system, Gusto is our go-to: https://gusto.pxf.io/55XYOnIf you want strategic support growing your creator business, book a call with our team: https://calendly.com/sidewalkerdailyteam/discovery

Connect with Jeremiah: Instagram: @jeremiahkwatson Business: www.affluentvacays.comCheck out our free 6 step course: https://level.strsecrets.com/pc-bookSTR Secrets FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/STRentalsecretsHe did everything people told him to do.Got clean. Went to college. Got a good job. Made good money.And he was still unhappy.In this episode, we talk with Jeremiah Watson. Jeremiah just quit his corporate job. He now runs an 18-property cohosting business in Los Angeles. He is the 73rd person to leave their job through STR Secrets.Here's what you'll learn:→ How Jeremiah went from addiction and jail to building a real business → Why he lost $50K his first year — and what he changed → How he got his first cohosting deal with one cold call → The small team that runs his business today → His goal: 66 properties by the end of 2026This is what actually doing the work looks like.Timestamps:00:00 - Who Is Jeremiah Watson?03:12 - From Addiction and Jail to Turning His Life Around08:11 - Why He Chased the Corporate Dream11:36 - He Tried STRs and Lost $50K in Year One13:16 - How He Found Cohosting and Got His First Deal16:36 - How He Grew From 1 to 18 Properties19:11 - His Team and How the Business Runs Today21:27 - His Big Goal: 66 Properties by End of 202622:45 - What to Do If You Have a Job and No Time27:06 - How to Balance Drive With Gratitude31:57 - Why This Business Is About More Than Money

When Brent Bowers noticed land deals starting to slow down, he made a simple pivot: instead of just selling the land, he started placing brand-new manufactured homes on it. The result was a much larger buyer pool and profits around $50K per deal. In this episode, Brent breaks down how the strategy works, how he finds the right parcels, and the numbers he looks for before buying.   KEY TALKING POINTS: 0:00 - Intro 0:36 - Why Brent Bowers Changed His Strategy 2:31 - Discovering The Strategy 4:39 - Which Markets Are Working 6:45 - Manufactured Homes With Drywall 7:53 - How He Does It 11:30 - An Example Of A Market 12:56 - How To Get Discounts 14:30 - Outro   LINKS: Instagram: Brent Bowers https://www.instagram.com/brentlbowers/   Website: The Land Sharks https://www.thelandsharks.com/   Instagram: David Lecko https://www.instagram.com/dlecko   Website: DealMachine https://www.dealmachine.com/pod   Instagram: Ryan Haywood https://www.instagram.com/heritage_home_investments   Website: Heritage Home Investments https://www.heritagehomeinvestments.com/

I've watched coaches with perfect funnels stay stuck for years. And I've watched coaches with ugly funnels, basic landing pages, and iPhone videos get to $100K/month in 90 days. The difference isn't strategy. It's power — the internal certainty you bring to every conversation. When I stopped trying to prove myself and started showing up with genuine certainty, my close rate changed dramatically. Same offer, same price, same funnel. Why Certainty Sells There's a principle from neuroscience called co-regulation — our nervous systems sync up with calm, grounded humans. When a prospect is full of doubt and you show up full of certainty, they borrow your belief. That's what makes them say yes. But if you're nervous and second-guessing yourself, they co-regulate with that instead. Your uncertainty becomes their uncertainty. The 4 Pillars of Power Clarity — You can't be certain if you're fuzzy on who you help, what problem you solve, and how your solution works. If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't have clarity. Proof — Nothing builds certainty like results. Each success compounds your confidence. Testimonials aren't just for your audience — they're for you. Capacity — Your business can only grow as fast as you can. If your nervous system can't handle the pressure of $50K months, you'll unconsciously sabotage yourself back to what feels safe. Detachment — The less you need the sale, the more sales you get. When you're not chasing, you're leading. And prospects trust leaders. The Two Energies on a Sales Call Energy one: "I hope they buy. I need this sale." Energy two: "I'm here to decide if I want to work with this person." You can say the same words with both. The outcome will be completely different. "You don't need more leads. You need more power."

If you're marketing yourself as “affordable” or “budget friendly,” you may be unintentionally sabotaging your business.In this episode, Jen breaks down why positioning yourself as the cheapest option will keep you stuck working harder for less money—and what to do instead if you want to attract higher-end floral clients.Because premium clients aren't looking for the cheapest florist.They're looking for the most confident one.In This EpisodeThe “Affordable Florist” TrapJen shares a real example from a wedding Facebook group where a florist advertised herself as:“Affordable and budget-friendly” and charging wholesale pricing plus labor.This isn't a business model—it's a job.And it creates a cycle where florists stay busy but never profitable.The First Energy Shift: You Don't Need Every ClientWhen your worth is tied to volume, you'll feel pressure to book every inquiry.But successful florists know:You don't need everyone.You need the right clients.Premium clients can sense desperation.Confidence attracts better opportunities.The Power of MinimumsSetting a minimum instantly changes your positioning.Minimums:protect your timefilter inquiriessignal expertisecreate perceived valueMoving from a $5K minimum to an $8K minimum can completely change the type of client who reaches out.Upgrade Your LanguageSmall changes in language elevate your brand.Examples:Centerpieces → TablescapesDelivery fee → Logistics & installationLuxury clients respond to confident, clear communication.Stop “Walmarting” Your WeddingsIf your messaging focuses on saving money, you'll attract budget-focused clients.Instead:Show scaleShow abundanceShow design confidenceSell the experience, not the stems.Invest in the Details That Elevate Your WorkSometimes attracting higher budgets requires upgrading your tools and rentals.Examples Jen shares:ribbed votiveselevated taper candlesstatement archesSmall design upgrades can dramatically elevate how your work appears to clients.Build Relationships With the Right PlannersFull-service planners are often the gateway to higher-budget weddings.The easiest vendors to work with get referred again and again.Relationships are one of the most powerful forms of marketing.Your Money Mindset MattersIf you secretly believe flowers are too expensive, your clients will feel that.Ask yourself:Do I believe flowers are worth $10K?$30K?$50K?Your business can only grow to the level of what you believe is possible.Systems Create ConfidenceHigher-end events require systems:labor planninginstallation mechanicslogisticsteam coordinationConfidence comes from preparation.Want Help Elevating Your Business?Two ways to work with Jen:

Revolutionizing Digital Advertising: Strategic Insights into AI-Driven Campaign Management with Seva UstinovIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Seva Ustinov, the Founder and CEO of plurio, to discuss the seismic shift occurring within the digital advertising landscape. As managing ad spend across Google, Meta, and TikTok becomes increasingly fragmented and complex, Seva shares how autonomous AI agents are moving beyond simple data reporting to active execution. This conversation provides a masterclass for high-growth founders and marketing executives who are looking to bridge the gap between surface-level platform metrics and true bottom-line business outcomes.Navigating Complexity: The Rise of Autonomous Ad OptimizationThe primary bottleneck for modern marketing teams is the sheer volume of data generated across diverse sales funnels and advertising platforms. Seva explains that while traditional ad platforms optimize for immediate conversions—like a simple lead form submission—they often lack the visibility into deeper business goals, such as closed-loop sales or long-term subscriptions. This disconnect forces marketers into a grueling cycle of manual analysis and constant dashboard toggling. By implementing an autonomous agent that aggregates performance data across all channels, businesses can finally align their digital spend with their actual revenue cycles, ensuring that every dollar is attributed to a meaningful customer journey.Adopting AI in advertising is not about replacing human creativity, but rather acting as a force multiplier for strategic talent. An AI agent can handle the "grunt work" of identifying creative fatigue, reallocating budgets in real-time, and pausing underperforming segments across thousands of campaigns simultaneously. This level of granular management allows agencies and in-house teams to shift their focus away from repetitive tactical adjustments and toward high-level creative strategy and client relationship management. When the machine handles the math, the humans can focus on the mission, resulting in a more agile and responsive marketing engine that scales without a proportional increase in headcount.Ultimately, the goal of integrating autonomous agents like Plurio is to achieve a superior Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) through continuous, data-driven learning. Seva emphasizes the importance of the "human-in-the-loop" model, where the AI provides transparent, human-readable reasoning for every recommendation it makes. This transparency builds trust and allows marketers to maintain strategic oversight while the agent executes daily optimizations. For enterprises and growth-stage startups managing significant monthly spend, this approach transforms digital advertising from a cost center into a predictable, high-performance asset that evolves as quickly as the market does.About Seva Ustinov: Seva Ustinov is a tech visionary and the Founder and CEO of Plurio. With a background in building scalable marketing technologies, Seva is dedicated to helping companies navigate the complexities of digital acquisition through the power of autonomous AI agents.About plurio: plurio is an innovative AI platform that revolutionizes digital ad management by combining unified analytics with autonomous optimization. The platform connects to major ad accounts to analyze performance, identify inefficiencies, and execute campaign adjustments, helping businesses maximize their ROI with minimal manual intervention.Links Mentioned in This Episode:plurio Official WebsiteSeva Ustinov on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe Full-Funnel Gap: Why standard ad platforms often fail to optimize for long-term business goals and how AI bridges that data void.Autonomous Execution: The shift from passive dashboards to active agents that can pause, scale, and reallocate spend in real-time.Force Multiplying Creativity: How AI frees up marketing agencies to focus on high-level strategy rather than manual spreadsheet analysis.Combating Creative Fatigue: Using AI to proactively spot when ad assets lose effectiveness and rotating them before ROI drops.Transparency and Trust: The "Human-in-the-Loop" model that provides clear reasoning for every AI-driven campaign adjustment.ConclusionThe conversation with Seva Ustinov makes it clear that the future of digital advertising lies in the synergy between human strategy and autonomous execution. By leveraging AI to handle the complexity of multi-channel optimization, leaders can ensure their growth is driven by data rather than guesswork.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Send a textBryan Miller built a 7-figure-per-year passive income stream through disciplined investing, strategic leverage, and brutal clarity on risk. In this powerful talk, he breaks down his actual path from music entrepreneur to diversified real estate and equities investor—now earning cash flow from over 27,000 units.You'll learn:The capital needed to earn $1M/year passively—at different return ratesThe 5 key strategies Bryan used to grow and protect wealthWhy the right kind of concentration beats early diversificationA detailed look at his 8 investment pillars: from single-family homes to GP stakesHow to vet sponsors, avoid fake gurus, and protect against catastrophic lossesThe opportunity cost of a bad $50K deal—and how that compounds into a $1M+ lossHe also shares how he turned a $13 book and a $60/month newsletter into multi-million dollar decisions—and how the wrong advice can cost you far more than feeshttps://familyoffices.com/

Unlocking Advanced Tax Savings: How Strategic Trusts Empower Entrepreneurs with Sally GimonIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Sally Gimon, a dedicated Investor and tax strategist at The Trust is You, to dismantle the common frustrations business owners face during tax season. Despite having experienced CPAs, many entrepreneurs find themselves blindsided by massive tax bills—a pain point Sally knows intimately from her own early days in real estate. Their conversation dives into the specialized world of non-grantor irrevocable spendthrift trusts, a legal framework used by America's wealthiest dynasties to protect assets and defer taxes. This episode serves as a vital resource for high-achieving founders looking to move beyond basic deductions and into the elite level of wealth preservation.Beyond Compliance: Why Your CPA Might Be Missing Millions in SavingsMost business owners rely solely on their CPAs for tax advice, but there is a fundamental gap between tax compliance and specialized trust law. CPAs are expertly trained in the tax code, yet only a tiny fraction of professionals are versed in the nuances of contract law and the specific IRS codes that govern complex trusts. This often leads to a "compliance trap" where entrepreneurs follow the rules perfectly but still overpay because they aren't utilizing the same legal structures as the Rockefellers or the Kennedys. By bridging this gap, business owners can move from a reactive state of paying what they're told to a proactive state of legally shielding their hard-earned capital.The core of Sally's strategy revolves around Tax Code 643(b), which allows certain types of trusts to defer capital gains and passive income legally. While the IRS may issue memos expressing disapproval of aggressive strategies, it is important to remember that only Congress has the power to change the tax code itself. For business owners with appreciating assets like real estate or intellectual property, these trusts offer a dual benefit: significant tax deferral and robust asset protection from creditors or lawsuits. Implementing these structures requires a shift in mindset, moving away from "income management" toward "asset orchestration" within a protected legal entity.Ultimately, the goal of advanced tax planning is to provide the founder with more liquidity to reinvest in their mission and legacy. Sally emphasizes that these tools are not "loopholes" but are established parts of the American legal system designed to encourage long-term investment and wealth stability. By leveraging educational resources and weekly masterminds, entrepreneurs can demystify these complex structures and determine if they are ready to implement a spendthrift or beneficial trust. Taking control of one's tax destiny is about more than just numbers; it's about ensuring that the value created by the business remains within the family or the organization for generations to come.About Sally GimonSally Gimon is an experienced Investor and a leading advocate for tax education through her platform, The Trust is You. After facing a nearly six-figure tax bill early in her real estate career, she dedicated herself to uncovering the wealth-preservation secrets of the ultra-wealthy. Today, she helps business owners across 165 countries understand trust law to protect their assets and slash their tax burdens.About The Trust is YouThe Trust is You is an educational and strategic resource center focused on democratizing advanced tax-saving tools. The company provides video courses, weekly mastermind sessions, and specialized consulting on non-grantor irrevocable spendthrift trusts. Their mission is to empower entrepreneurs with the knowledge to legally minimize taxes and protect their legacy using proven trust frameworks.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Trust is You Official WebsiteSally Gimon on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe CPA Limitation: Understanding why compliance-focused accounting often overlooks advanced wealth-preservation strategies.The Power of 643(b): How this specific tax code allows for the legal deferral of capital gains and passive income within a trust.Asset Protection: Why spendthrift trusts are the gold standard for shielding your business and personal assets from litigation.The "Rockefeller" Strategy: Lessons from America's wealthiest families on using contract law to maintain multi-generational wealth.Democratizing Knowledge: How Sally's free resources are making elite tax strategies accessible to small and medium-sized business owners.ConclusionThis conversation with Sally Gimon highlights that while the tax code is complex, it contains powerful provisions for those willing to look beyond standard accounting. By integrating trust law into your financial strategy, you can transform your relationship with the IRS and keep more of your wealth working for you.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Episode Description Most interior designers assume they need more clients, more marketing, or higher design fees to increase their income. But often the real issue is something much simpler. Their process. In this episode, Michelle Lynne breaks down where interior design firms quietly lose money through unstructured discovery, unlimited revisions, procurement administration, underpriced phases, and furniture margins that are far too small. These "small" decisions can easily add up to $30,000–$50,000 or more in lost revenue each year. The good news is that fixing these leaks doesn't require more clients or more work. It requires a better structured process. Michelle walks through the most common revenue leaks she sees when reviewing design firms and explains how a few strategic adjustments can dramatically improve profitability. If you've ever felt busy but underpaid, this episode will likely show you exactly why. In This Episode • Why most interior designers don't actually have a pricing problem • How unstructured discovery quietly costs designers hours of unpaid work • The real financial impact of unlimited revisions • Why procurement administration is one of the most misunderstood parts of design • The difference between furniture markup vs margin • Why a 42% furniture margin should be the minimum standard • How scope creep disguises itself as "good client service" • Why designers often underprice concept development and vendor coordination • The missing project management phase many designers forget to charge for • How small process adjustments can add $39,000+ in recovered revenue Today's Episode Covers The Hidden Revenue Inside Your Process Many designers believe growth comes from adding more projects. But often the fastest way to increase income is simply tightening the process around the work you are already doing. Michelle explains how design firms frequently absorb work unintentionally through discovery calls, revisions, and project coordination. The Furniture Margin Mistake Costing Designers Thousands One of the largest revenue leaks Michelle sees is incorrect furniture pricing. Many designers sell furnishings at cost plus 20–30%, which results in extremely small margins. In this episode, Michelle explains why profitable design firms typically maintain a minimum 42% margin (about a 75% markup) and how that margin supports procurement labor, risk, and operational infrastructure. Scope Creep Disguised as "Client Service" Interior designers naturally want their clients to feel supported. But when boundaries aren't clearly defined, designers often absorb additional work in the name of service. Michelle explains why defining phases, deliverables, meetings, and revision limits protects both the client experience and the designer's income. The Small Process Adjustments That Change Everything Michelle walks through a simple example showing how three small adjustments can dramatically improve revenue: • Paid strategic planning phase • Structured revision cycles • Procurement or project management fees Together, those changes alone can add nearly $40,000 in revenue annually without adding more clients. Links Mentioned in This Episode Design Revenue Audit Find the $50K hiding inside your process: https://thedesignbakehouse.com/design-revenue-audit Lead Lab https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab Private Coaching https://thedesignbakehouse.com/private-coaching Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/ About the Host Michelle Lynne is the founder of ML Interiors Group and The Design Bakehouse, where she helps interior designers build profitable, sustainable businesses. Through her design firm and coaching programs, Michelle works with designers across the U.S. and internationally to refine pricing, process, and business structure. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Martha Stewart, Southern Living, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, Modern Luxury, Luxe Interiors + Design, Dallas Morning News, and This Old House. Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode, make sure you're subscribed to Designed for the Creative Mind so you never miss a conversation about the business side of interior design. And if this episode helped you rethink your pricing, process, or profitability, leaving a quick review helps other designers discover the show.

Broadcasting live from The Philly Show, Powers and Sheff welcome vintage card expert Gordy (Bonkers Cards) for an inside look at the booming sports card market. Gordy shares how he turned a Wall Street recruiting career into a thriving collectibles brand with over 50K followers, specializing in vintage legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Lou Gehrig. The conversation dives into the massive money moving through the hobby, the difference between modern speculation and blue-chip vintage cards, and why historic players remain the safest long-term investment. Gordy also brings incredible pieces to the table—including rare Michael Jordan rookies and iconic baseball cards—while explaining the stories and value behind them. Surrounded by collectors, families, and memorabilia dealers on the buzzing show floor in Philadelphia, the episode captures the energy of the hobby and the passion that keeps baseball history alive.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-divide-live--2966262/support.

Building Healthy Leadership Teams: Strategic Insights from Stacey Bailey of The Intention CollectiveIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Stacey Bailey, Senior Consultant at The Intention Collective, to explore the foundational elements of high-performing organizational culture. Stacey, an expert executive coach, shared how small to medium-sized businesses can move past the friction of "moving goalposts" to establish sustainable growth through clear strategic planning. Their conversation provides a masterclass for founders and executives on how to bridge the gap between visionary thinking and daily execution by fostering deep clarity and robust accountability rituals.Cultivating Operational Excellence Through Clarity and 90-Day RhythmsFor many entrepreneurs, the greatest barrier to scaling is not a lack of vision, but a lack of consistent operational rhythm. Stacey explains that clarity is the cornerstone of a healthy leadership team; without it, ambiguity breeds resentment and stalls momentum. When leaders fail to be explicit about expectations, they inadvertently create "unkind" environments where team members feel set up for failure. By adopting a "clear is kind" philosophy, organizations can eliminate the hidden friction that slows down decision-making and project delivery, allowing the team to move in unison toward a shared objective.A central framework discussed in the episode is the implementation of 90-day planning rhythms. Human attention spans and motivation levels naturally fluctuate, often waning after approximately three months. By breaking down annual visions into quarterly sprints, leaders can maintain high levels of engagement while remaining agile enough to pivot based on real-world data. This structure prevents the common visionary trap of constantly shifting priorities mid-stream, which often leads to team burnout. Instead, a defined 90-day finish line provides the team with a predictable cadence of "doing" and "reflecting," ensuring that progress is documented and celebrated before the next set of goals is established.Ultimately, building a resilient leadership team requires a commitment to "frustration tolerance" and a growth mindset. Stacey uses the metaphor of learning a new craft to describe the leadership journey—it requires patience, a willingness to make visible mistakes, and the discipline to stick with a process until it yields results. Accountability in this context isn't about micromanagement; it is about creating a "system and soul" toolkit where feedback loops and weekly check-ins become the lifeblood of the culture. When leaders model vulnerability and invite honest critique, they build the psychological safety necessary for their teams to innovate and take the calculated risks required for long-term market leadership.About Stacey Bailey: Stacey Bailey is a Senior Consultant and executive coach at The Intention Collective. With a background in helping diverse organizations navigate growth and change, she specializes in helping leadership teams align their internal culture with their external strategic goals. She is a proponent of using structured rhythms to drive both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.About The Intention Collective: The Intention Collective is a consultancy dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses build healthy, high-performing cultures. By combining strategic planning with leadership development, they provide organizations with the tools to create clarity, implement accountability, and drive sustainable growth. Their "System and Soul" approach ensures that both the tactical and human elements of a business are optimized for success.Links Mentioned in This Episode:The Intention Collective Official WebsiteStacey Bailey on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsFrustration Tolerance in Leadership: Why embracing the "messy middle" of learning new skills builds the resilience needed to lead through uncertainty.The Clarity Mandate: Implementing Brené Brown's "Clear is Kind" principle to eliminate team resentment and improve execution.90-Day Sprint Rhythms: How to align organizational goals with natural human attention spans to maintain year-round momentum.Defining "Done": Strategies for founders to stop moving the goalposts and start celebrating measurable milestones with their teams.System and Soul Toolkit: Creating feedback rituals that move accountability from a chore to a core cultural value.ConclusionThe conversation with Stacey Bailey highlights that organizational health is a continuous practice, not a destination. By committing to clear communication and structured planning cycles, leaders can transform their teams from a group of individuals into a cohesive, high-impact leadership unit.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Navigating Grief, Leadership, and Global Opportunity: Strategic Insights from Carl ManlanIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Carl Manlan, a prolific Author and the Head of Partnerships and Business Development at AGRA. Their wide-ranging conversation delved into the profound intersection of personal loss, empathetic leadership, and the immense economic potential within African markets. Carl, who also co-hosts the Inside the Blueprint Podcast with his daughter, shares how his poetry collection, I Can Breathe, serves as a vessel for processing grief and transforming it into a leadership strength. This episode provides a masterclass for executives and founders on how to cultivate more humane, resilient workplaces while staying attuned to the intergenerational shifts shaping the future of global business.From Personal Reflection to Empathetic Organizational DesignThe modern executive often operates at a pace that leaves little room for the "inner work" required to lead with true empathy. Carl Manlan advocates for a radical return to self-reflection, citing his own practice of a 120-day writing course as the foundation for his professional clarity. By dedicating time to pause and reconnect with formative experiences, leaders can dismantle the stoic barriers that often hinder authentic connection with their teams. This process isn't merely therapeutic; it is a strategic alignment tool that allows a leader to recognize that their employees are whole people who carry invisible burdens—including grief—into the workspace every day.Creating an empathetic work environment requires moving beyond performative sympathy toward structural support. Carl emphasizes that grief is a manifestation of love and a universal human experience that doesn't simply vanish at the office door. Leaders must normalize conversations around mental well-being and loss, providing "space rather than just sympathy." This means building flexibility into operational workflows and fostering a culture where vulnerability is modeled from the top down. When a leader acknowledges their own humanity, it gives the entire organization permission to be resilient, ultimately reducing burnout and increasing long-term employee engagement.Furthermore, the conversation highlighted the necessity of intergenerational dialogue in future-proofing an organization's culture. Through his work with his daughter, Carl demonstrates that the next generation of innovators—particularly in emerging markets like Africa—view the world through a lens of digital fluency and social impact. For businesses looking to tap into the "Africa that exists"—a continent of 1.4 billion people driven by youth and entrepreneurship—the approach must be one of partnership rather than paternalism. By bridging the gap between established leadership wisdom and the fresh curiosity of the youth, organizations can unlock new narratives of hope, healing, and unprecedented economic opportunity.About Carl ManlanCarl Manlan is a celebrated Author, poet, and international development professional. As the Head of Partnerships at AGRA, he works at the nexus of agriculture, finance, and economic transformation in Africa. He is the author of the moving poetry collection I Can Breathe and a dedicated advocate for mental health and intergenerational mentorship.About Carl Manlan OfficialCarl Manlan's official platform serves as a hub for his creative and professional endeavors. It features his published works, including I Can Breathe, and provides resources for those interested in the Inside the Blueprint Podcast. The platform emphasizes the power of storytelling to bridge cultural and generational divides, fostering global conversations on leadership and resilience.Links Mentioned in This Episode:Carl Manlan Official WebsiteCarl Manlan on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe 120-Day Reflection: How a structured daily writing habit can sharpen executive decision-making and emotional intelligence.Grief as a Leadership Asset: Transforming personal loss into a catalyst for building high-trust, empathetic organizational cultures.The "Africa That Exists": Moving beyond risk-aversion to identify high-growth opportunities in African agriculture and tech-enabled entrepreneurship.Intergenerational Synergy: Lessons from co-hosting a podcast with a 13-year-old on how to mentor and learn from Gen Z.The Metaphor of Breath: Using poetry as a practical tool for healing and maintaining professional momentum during seasons of adversity.ConclusionCarl Manlan's insights remind us that the most effective leaders are those who stay connected to their own humanity. By embracing reflection, honoring the grieving process, and looking toward emerging markets with humility, you can build a legacy that is both personally fulfilling and globally impactful.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

This week, Juliet and Jacoby are joined by Bill Simmons to share their thoughts on a new ranch milkshake, follow up with the fridge detectives on Reddit, and discuss a restaurant's $50K water bill. For this week's Taste Test, they try smoothies from Erewhon. Finally, they share their Personal Food News and react to some Listener Food News.Do you have Personal Food News? We want to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail at 850-783-9136 or email ListenerFoodNews@Gmail.com for a chance to have your news shared on the show.Be sure to check us out on YouTube and TikTok for exclusive clips, new taste tests, and more!Hosts: Juliet Litman and David JacobyGuest: Bill SimmonsProducer: Mike WargonMusical Elements: Devon Renaldo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

He was running four businesses. None were working. He deleted three. Seven days later he was at 50K a month.

Mastering the Human Element of Sales and Leadership with Shad TidlerIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Shad Tidler, a senior consultant and coach specializing in Sales and Leadership/Management at Lushin. The conversation dived deep into the psychological barriers that often prevent talented entrepreneurs from scaling their sales organizations and leading with true impact. Shad's expertise lies in dismantling the "head trash" that complicates the sales process, helping leaders transition from a state of reactive management to one of proactive, high-performance coaching. For any founder feeling stuck in the "doer" role, this episode provides a masterclass in shifting perspective to unlock sustainable business growth.Bridging the Gap Between Sales Strategy and Leadership ExecutionA common struggle for growing businesses is the disconnect between the desire for higher revenue and the actual leadership behaviors required to support a sales team. Many founders are excellent at closing deals themselves but struggle to replicate that success within their team because they treat management as an administrative task rather than a coaching discipline. To bridge this gap, leaders must first achieve clarity on their own "sales DNA"—the underlying beliefs and habits that dictate how they interact with prospects and employees. By addressing these foundational elements, a leader can stop micromanaging the "what" and start influencing the "how," creating a culture where accountability is embraced rather than feared.Developing a high-performance sales culture also requires a fundamental shift in how we view the sales process itself: it is not about "convincing" people, but about qualifying them through rigorous discovery. Shad points out that many sales teams fail because they spend too much time chasing low-probability prospects due to a psychological need for approval. By implementing a structured, repeatable sales system, organizations can remove the emotional guesswork from the pipeline. This allows leadership to accurately forecast growth and identify specific skill gaps within their team. When sales becomes a predictable system rather than an emotional rollercoaster, the entire organization benefits from increased stability and focus.Ultimately, the most successful leaders are those who invest in their own development to stay ahead of the challenges that come with scaling. Leadership and sales are both skills that require continuous refinement and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about one's own performance. This is where external coaching becomes a vital asset; it provides the objective mirror necessary to spot the "head trash" that internal teams are often too close to see. By focusing on the intersection of mindset and methodology, entrepreneurs can build resilient teams that are equipped to thrive in competitive markets, ensuring that the mission of the business is supported by a robust, self-sustaining engine of growth.About Shad TidlerShad Tidler is a seasoned consultant and coach at Lushin, specializing in sales, management, and leadership development. With a background in helping businesses navigate complex growth phases, Shad focuses on the human side of business—addressing the beliefs, behaviors, and techniques that drive or hinder professional success. He is passionate about helping individuals and teams overcome psychological barriers to reach their full potential.About LushinLushin is a sales and leadership consulting firm dedicated to helping businesses achieve predictable, sustainable growth. By focusing on the psychology of sales and management, Lushin provides the training, coaching, and systems necessary to build high-performing organizations. They work with companies to refine their sales processes, develop effective leaders, and create cultures of high accountability and performance.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeLushin Website: www.lushin.comShad Tidler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shadtidlerKey Episode HighlightsOvercoming "Head Trash": Understanding the psychological barriers and limiting beliefs that prevent sales professionals from asking the tough questions.The Manager vs. Coach Distinction: Why the most successful sales leaders spend their time coaching behavior rather than just managing metrics.Sales DNA and Belief Systems: How your underlying beliefs about money and authority impact your ability to close deals and lead teams.Systematizing the Discovery Process: The importance of a structured sales methodology to remove emotional bias and improve lead qualification.Cultivating Accountability: Shifting organizational culture so that team members take ownership of their results and growth.ConclusionShad Tidler's approach reminds us that business growth is as much about personal evolution as it is about strategy. By refining the "human engine" behind your sales and leadership, you create a foundation for success that can withstand the pressures of scaling.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Somewhere along the way, a lot of women start downplaying their running goals.“It's just a 50K.”“I mean… there are people running way farther than me.”In this episode, I'm stepping in as the

On this episode of The Ty Brady Way, Ty sits down with Chris Avery for a long awaited return appearance, and the reason is simple: the people demanded it. After Chris's first appearance where he shared how he ran a marathon with zero training, listeners flooded the comments with amazement and curiosity. So Ty brings him back to answer the question everyone was asking: what happened after that first marathon, and how did it lead to 1,500 straight days of running? Chris breaks down why the streak is far harder and far more meaningful than the single marathon that started it all, and why showing up every day, even sick, even broken, even at 11 PM, is what actually builds the person you want to become. Chris opens up about the moment the streak was born. He made the decision on January 8th, 2022, and was running by January 9th. No lag time, no overthinking, no room for doubt to creep in. He explains that most people kill their biggest dreams in the space between deciding and doing, and that acting fast is what turns a good idea into a real identity. Right now he is running 18 miles a day, burning through a pair of shoes every month, and waking up sore nearly every morning. But as he puts it, the soreness is worse lying in bed than once he gets moving, and the hardest part of every single day is simply getting out the door. Chris also pulls back the curtain on his ultimate goal: starting January 1st, 2027, he will run the perimeter of America, covering 50K (31.1 miles) every single day for 365 straight days, finishing December 31st, 2027. One man, one family, one RV. If completed, he will become the first person ever to run an ultra marathon distance consecutively around the country, surpassing the current record of roughly 200 days. He talks about the role his wife, his brotherhood, and his faith have played in keeping him going through shin splints, hernias, blown shoulders, and one brutal night with the flu where finishing felt impossible but quitting felt worse. He shares how a single question from a brother in his community, asking what it would take just to get started, was enough to reset his mind and get him out the door at 11 PM, finishing as the sun came up the next morning. His message is direct and personal: everybody has something calling them. Stop suppressing it. Stop delaying it. Breathe life into it and go do it, because as Les Brown says, the richest place in the world is the graveyard, full of symphonies never composed, books never written, and ideas that never got the chance to change the world. Chris refuses to add to that count, and after this episode, you just might too. As always, we would like to hear from you! Email us at thetybradyway@gmail.com Or DM us on Instagram @thetybradyway

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupJacob (Head of Meta at Pilothouse) joins Eric to break down what Meta's actually rolling out right now, what's hype, and what's worth testing. They get into CASC (combined awareness + sales), Meta's new AI “business assistant,” and a super practical creative testing feature that can even help you split-test landing pages without nuking social proof.For DTC founders + performance marketers scaling spend who need creative variety and cleaner measurement in Meta.In this episode, you'll learn:Why most accounts are trending video-heavy (think ~70/30 video/static), and where statics still make sense (hint: retargeting).What CASC is trying to solve (awareness + sales in one campaign) and who's most likely to get access first.How Meta's AI assistant can speed up reporting… and why you still need to fact-check it.How to use Meta's ad-level creative testing to quickly find winning hooks (and kill losers fast).A sneaky use case: split-test URLs (homepage vs PDP vs collection vs presell) using the same ad.Who this is for:Operators managing Meta at $50K+/mo who are feeling the “Andromeda” shift and need more creative throughput without turning the account into spaghetti.What to steal:Run 5-hook tests on one hero concept before you film 10 more “new” creatives.Use ad-level creative testing to test landing pages while keeping comments/likes intact.Treat AI insights as a junior analyst: fast drafts, then human verification.Timestamps:00:00 CASC explained and why Meta is combining awareness with sales02:05 Why consolidation and bigger budgets matter more in the Andromeda era04:05 Who CASC is for and when it makes sense to test05:10 Creative strategy for upper funnel: intent buckets and first 2 seconds08:05 Meta AI Business Assistant: what it can answer inside Ads Manager11:25 Creative Testing at the ad level: how the new feature works13:55 Using Creative Testing to split test landing pages without losing social proof16:10 Attribution changes: engaged views and Meta taking less credit18:25 Rollout notes and how to start using these updatesSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF591Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Lindy Alexander avoided ads for years because they felt "icky"… until she joined Get Paid Marketing and realized her results didn't require more complexity — they required less friction. In this episode, Lindy shares what shifted when she simplified how people bought (including one tiny change that made a bigger difference than she expected), and how GPM is different from any other program she joined. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The belief Lindy had about ads that kept her avoiding them (and what changed her mind) The small funnel adjustment that helped increase low-ticket conversions What she did differently inside GPM that led to a $50K+ launch without a live webinar The behind-the-scenes reason she almost didn't join (and what surprised her once she did) Why GPM felt "like an iceberg" after she got inside About Lindy Alexander: Lindy Alexander is a multi-award-winning freelance travel writer who has written for major Australian and international publications including Travel + Leisure, AFAR, The Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Sydney Morning Herald. After 10 years as a social worker, she transitioned into freelance journalism and later specialized in travel writing. She's the founder of The Freelancer's Year, a blog and online writing course hub for aspiring and established freelance writers who want to break into travel writing and land regular commissions. Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM): clairepells.com/waitlist  The Freelancer's Year (website): thefreelancersyear.com  Instagram: @thefreelancersyear Instagram: @lindyalexanderwriter Travel Writer Accelerator (TWA): https://thefreelancersyear.com/courses-resources/ttwa-apply/ Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over toApple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.

Aligning Mission and Marketing: Strategic Insights from Andrew Schulkind of AndigoIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Andrew Schulkind, the Digital Strategist and Web Developer behind Andigo. Their conversation explored the critical intersection of high-level digital strategy and mission-driven business growth. Andrew shares how organizations—particularly B Corps and public benefit corporations—can bridge the gap between their core purpose and their marketing execution. This episode serves as a masterclass for leaders looking to move beyond tactical "noise" to build an authentic, long-term digital presence that reflects their true impact and drives sustainable performance.Beyond the Hype: Strategic Marketing for Mission-Driven SuccessFor many mission-driven organizations, the greatest challenge isn't a lack of purpose, but a disconnect between their internal values and their external marketing. Andrew explains that marketing is fundamentally a promise-making engine; if the operational reality of the business fails to deliver on those promises, the brand erodes. High-achieving founders often find that their digital presence has become a "snapshot" that no longer reflects the "moving picture" of their evolving company. To solve this, businesses must transition from one-off projects to a model of continuous improvement, where messaging and operations are in constant lockstep to ensure every customer interaction reinforces the brand's integrity.In an era dominated by the rapid rise of AI and automation, the competitive advantage for B2B firms is shifting away from mere content production toward high-level strategy and radical authenticity. While AI can act as a powerful productivity expander, it cannot replace the strategic direction required to navigate complex market shifts. Andrew advocates for a "flight to strategy," where leaders use technology to automate repetitive tasks while leaning deeper into the human nuances of storytelling and relationship-building. Audiences today crave a real human voice behind the brand, and businesses that leverage AI to free up their team's creative capacity—rather than simply replacing it—will be the ones that build lasting trust.Success in the digital landscape also requires a shift in how agencies and clients collaborate. Rather than transactional vendor relationships, Andrew emphasizes the value of flexible, long-term partnerships that allow for agile pivots as market conditions change. By implementing robust measurement systems and maintaining a focus on transparency, organizations can ensure their marketing investments are yielding a tangible return on impact. This approach allows mission-driven leaders to stay focused on their "double bottom line"—profit and purpose—knowing that their digital strategy is robust enough to support both without compromising the authenticity that defines their brand.About Andrew SchulkindAndrew Schulkind is a veteran Digital Strategist and Web Developer with a deep passion for helping mission-driven businesses thrive. As an avid year-round cyclist and advocate for B Corps, Andrew brings a unique perspective on resilience and alignment to every project. He is known for his ability to translate complex technical requirements into clear, strategic growth paths for organizations that prioritize impact.About AndigoAndigo is a digital strategy and web development agency that specializes in working with B2B firms, public benefit corporations, and mission-driven organizations. The agency focuses on building long-term, flexible partnerships that prioritize continuous improvement, authentic storytelling, and strategic alignment. Andigo helps clients move beyond surface-level marketing to create digital systems that truly reflect and amplify their organizational mission.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeAndigo Official WebsiteAndrew Schulkind on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe Promise-Delivery Loop: Why marketing alignment is the foundation of brand trust and long-term customer retention.The "Flight to Strategy": How to utilize AI as a task-automation tool while doubling down on human-led strategic direction.Resilience in Motion: Lessons from year-round cycling on preparation, visibility, and adapting to harsh environmental shifts.Mission-Driven Storytelling: Leveraging a company's "why" to create more compelling, authentic B2B narratives.Project vs. Partnership: The benefits of moving toward a continuous improvement model rather than stagnant, one-off web projects.ConclusionThis conversation with Andrew Schulkind highlights that in a world of increasing automation, the most successful brands are those that remain anchored in their mission and human connection. By aligning your operations with your marketing promises, you create a resilient foundation for growth that transcends digital trends.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

The girls came in hot this week, tag‑teaming life’s chaos like two cousins who’ve had enough and are ready to square up with the universe. Jerrilyn and Lynee’ kick things off by fighting for their lives against Mercury being “in microbraids,” malfunctioning technology, and all-around bad vibes. But the real mess? The world is literally on fire, the government is cutting up like it’s auditioning for a reality show, and somehow the U.S. is beefing with half the globe. Between missile shortages, tragic attacks overseas, and everybody online spiraling, the ladies admit they’re one headline away from pressing “unsubscribe from Earth.” Their coping mechanism? Humor, delusion, and refusing to be serious anywhere outside of therapy and the Lord’s presence. From there, they roll straight into the good stuff: why everyone is losing their minds on social media, how mental health is hanging on by a bobby pin, and why sometimes the only sane response to global madness is telling people to “go to hell”—respectfully. They also dive into celebrity drama, including Keke Palmer’s NAACP Image Awards jokes and the predictable Barb chaos that followed, plus a hilarious takedown of parasocial celebrity worship. And because no She Said It First episode is complete without relationship foolishness, the hosts unpack delusional love stories, women asking for $50K dating allowances, men who think paying for nails means coochie coupons, and a bride texting her ex “goodbye” the night before her wedding (and being surprised when her fiancé said, “bet”). Through it all, Jerrilyn and Lynee’ keep it real: life is ghetto, relationships are lessons, and sometimes the greatest gift an ex can give you is getting out of your way. By the end, it’s equal parts comedy, chaos, and church. The girls remind listeners that choosing yourself is always an option, disassociation is valid self-care, and the grass is greener—especially once the clownery clears. Tune in for the laughs, stay for the gems, and prepare to tell someone to “go anywhere that’s not heaven” before the week is over. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@u1pn Follow: @urban1podcast @indeskribeabull @lynee_monae Executive Producer: Jahi Whitehead/ @Jahi_TRG Video/Social Media Producer: Walter Gainer II See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cultivating Joy: Leading with Less Stress and More Connection with Amy LenekerIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Amy Leneker, Founder and CEO of Amy Leneker, to discuss the urgent need for a shift in workplace culture. As a leadership consultant and author of the book Cheers to Monday, Amy brings a wealth of knowledge on how to dismantle the staggering human and financial costs of workplace stress. Their conversation dives into the "crisis of connection" facing modern teams and provides a roadmap for leaders who want to move beyond simply managing a to-do list toward leading a life filled with more presence, joy, and authentic engagement.Transforming Workplace Culture Through Intentional Presence and ConnectionAddressing workplace stress is no longer just a "nice-to-have" initiative; it is a critical business imperative that directly impacts organizational health and employee retention. Amy explains that stress often stems from a lack of true connection, where employees may be physically present or "available" on digital platforms like Slack and Zoom but do not feel seen, heard, or valued. By shifting the focus from mere availability to intentional presence, leaders can foster "micro-moments" of connection that build trust and empathy. This transition requires a commitment to slowing down and treating connection as a daily practice rather than a scheduled HR event.To effectively navigate the complexities of modern work life, leaders must first gain clarity by conducting a thorough stress inventory to identify specific triggers and patterns. Amy identifies five distinct types of work stress—including acute, chronic, and relationship-based stress—noting that a one-size-fits-all approach to management is often ineffective. Understanding the root cause of pressure allows individuals to tailor their responses, moving from a proactive stance of "leading their life." When leaders model this behavior, they create a permission structure for their teams to prioritize well-being, which ultimately reduces conflict and boosts collective productivity.In today's hybrid and virtual environments, the foundation of a healthy culture is built on the quality of interactions rather than the quantity of meetings. Amy emphasizes that presence is platform-agnostic; whether a conversation happens in person or via video, the key is to eliminate distractions and practice active listening. Multitasking during interactions undermines the fabric of connection and signals to others that they are not a priority. By creating intentional moments for personal check-ins and celebrating milestones, organizations can bridge the digital divide and build a culture where "Cheers to Monday" becomes a realistic reflection of the workplace experience.About Amy LenekerAmy Leneker is a leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and the Founder and CEO of Amy Leneker. With a background in organizational development, she helps leaders and teams around the world decrease stress and increase joy. She is the author of Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Method to Leave, Lead, and Live with Less Stress and More Joy.About Amy Leneker (Company)Amy Leneker's consulting firm specializes in leadership development and workplace culture transformation. Through workshops, coaching, and speaking engagements, the company provides science-backed strategies to help organizations foster authentic connections and build resilient, high-performing teams.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeAmy Leneker Official WebsiteAmy Leneker on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe "Crisis of Connection": Understanding why loneliness persists in the workplace and how to foster genuine belonging.The Five Types of Work Stress: A framework for identifying stressors to develop targeted, effective coping strategies.Presence Over Availability: Why being truly present in the moment is the most effective tool for building trust and empathy.The Cost of Stress: Examining how workplace pressure spills over into home life and the staggering trillions lost in global productivity.Leading Your Life: Shifting the mindset from "managing" external stress to intentionally leading your own internal experience.ConclusionThis conversation with Amy Leneker highlights that the ultimate competitive advantage for any organization is the well-being and connection of its people. By treating stress as a signal for adjustment rather than an inevitable burden, leaders can reclaim their time and build environments where people genuinely thrive.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

It's a very good time to be running Facebook and Instagram ads! And if you'd like to replace one of your launches this year — without losing out on the revenue — this episode is for you. Today, I'm breaking down four ways you can generate launch-level income using ads and evergreen funnels. Some require paid traffic. Some don't. All of them work — if you know what you're doing. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why the current ads algorithm is performing differently than in past years How to replace a $50K launch with a profitable evergreen funnel The simple math behind scaling ads without "risking it all" The overlooked strategy that can increase sales without increasing spend Mentioned in This Episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM): clairepells.com/waitlist  The $50K 4-Part Funnel: Replace Launches with Ads, Funnels, and Copy that Converts: clairepells.com/replace Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over toApple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.

Navigating the Digital Shift: Maximizing Engagement and Delivery with Geoffrey BlancIn a world where digital communication is the heartbeat of business growth, the challenge for modern entrepreneurs is no longer just sending a message—it's ensuring that message resonates and actually arrives. In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Geoffrey Blanc, the General Manager of Cyberimpact, to discuss the evolving landscape of email marketing and Canadian anti-spam legislation (CASL). Their conversation dives deep into the strategic necessity of choosing platform partners that prioritize compliance and deliverability, particularly for businesses navigating the unique regulatory environments of North America. Geoffrey shares how a focus on simplicity and local expertise can transform a standard marketing tool into a high-powered engine for customer retention and brand authority.Cultivating Compliance and Connection in a Saturated MarketFor many North American businesses, the "set it and forget it" mentality of global email platforms often leads to accidental non-compliance with regional laws like CASL or Quebec's Bill 25. Geoffrey explains that the true value of a specialized platform lies in its ability to act as a regulatory safeguard, automatically managing consent and bilingual requirements that generic competitors often overlook. By offloading the technical burden of compliance to a dedicated partner, founders can refocus their energy on crafting high-value content rather than worrying about the legalities of their subscriber lists. This shift from "mass blasting" to "intelligent segmenting" ensures that marketing efforts are not only legal but also deeply respectful of the recipient's inbox.Email deliverability has become a sophisticated game of reputation management, where the technical infrastructure of your provider is just as important as the subject line of your email. Geoffrey points out that as major providers like Google and Yahoo tighten their authentication requirements, the "middleman" role of the email service provider (ESP) has become critical. A high-quality ESP maintains a pristine sender reputation by strictly vetting its users and providing the necessary SPF, DKIM, and DMARC tools. This technical backbone is what prevents a carefully crafted campaign from disappearing into a "black hole" or being flagged as spam, directly impacting the ROI of every lead generation effort a business undertakes.Beyond the technical hurdles, the most successful entrepreneurs are those who treat email as a tool for relationship building rather than a simple distribution channel. Geoffrey advocates for a "less is more" approach, where the focus is on simplicity and ease of use—both for the marketer and the end-user. Whether it's using automated "welcome" sequences to nurture new leads or leveraging bilingual templates to serve a diverse customer base, the goal is to reduce friction at every touchpoint. In an era where digital noise is at an all-time high, the businesses that stand out are those that provide consistent, compliant, and clearly delivered value directly to their audience's most private digital space: the inbox.About Geoffrey BlancGeoffrey Blanc is the General Manager of Cyberimpact, a leading Canadian email marketing platform designed specifically for small businesses and organizations. With an extensive background in digital strategy and platform management, Geoffrey is a recognized expert on Canadian anti-spam legislation (CASL) and Quebec's Bill 25. He is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs simplify their marketing workflows while staying 100% compliant with evolving data privacy laws.About CyberimpactCyberimpact is an intuitive email marketing solution that prioritizes simplicity, deliverability, and compliance. Based in Canada, the platform is uniquely positioned to help North American businesses navigate strict anti-spam regulations while providing a bilingual interface and local support. Cyberimpact helps thousands of organizations build stronger customer relationships through professional newsletters, automated sequences, and robust contact management tools.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeCyberimpact Official WebsiteGeoffrey Blanc on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsCASL and Bill 25 Compliance: Why generic global platforms may leave North American businesses vulnerable to heavy fines and how to automate your regulatory safety.The Deliverability "Black Hole": Understanding the technical infrastructure required to ensure your emails bypass spam filters and land in the primary inbox.Simplifying the Workflow: How to move away from over-engineered marketing tools toward a platform that emphasizes ease of use and rapid campaign deployment.Bilingual Marketing Strategy: Leveraging dual-language capabilities to effectively reach and respect diverse demographics in the Canadian and US markets.Consent Management: The strategic importance of maintaining a clean, "opt-in" list to protect your sender reputation and long-term marketing ROI.ConclusionThis conversation with Geoffrey Blanc underscores that in the digital age, your choice of tools is a direct reflection of your brand's integrity. By prioritizing deliverability and regional compliance, you ensure that your message is not just sent, but heard by the people who matter most to your business.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

For over 400 years, the belief that surrounding yourself with like-minded, high-status people in the right rooms would fast-track your success has felt not just true – it's felt safe. Paid masterminds, celebrity-led groups, proximity plays built on follower counts and influence. But what if that entire belief is being dismantled, and your nervous system is already starting to feel it?Kathryn unpacks how the Human Design shift from the Cross of Planning into the Cross of the Sleeping Phoenix is dismantling one of the biggest beliefs in business and what's actually being asked of you instead. If you've ever felt viscerally out of place in a room that demanded you conform, follow the doctrine, or earn your seat through status, this episode is going to feel like permission.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING TO THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:Why the 400-year era of the Cross of Planning – built on homogenization, fitting in, and following what society deemed worthy (school, job, marriage, the prescribed path to success) – is shifting into the Cross of The Sleeping Phoenix, and what it means that your nervous system is going to stop feeling safe conforming to a world that no longer honors who you actually are.How the business belief that you need to pay for proximity to celebrity influencers, join the high-ticket mastermind, or only form relationships with people who hold equal or higher status is being dismantled and why Kathryn never bought into the idea that vanity metrics like follower count determine who is worthy of a conversation or a seat at the table.The difference between the group-think echo chamber of most masterminds and group coaching programs – where everyone attracts the same type of person, is taught the same doctrine, and leaves with a slightly repackaged version of the same tactic – and the kind of rich, dynamic, mutually generative co-creation that's emerging in the new paradigm, where a barista, a sourdough baker in Minnesota, or a WhatsApp conversation with a client might unlock more genuine insight than a $50K room ever could.What this shift means if you run a mastermind, group coaching program, or curriculum-based offer – specifically the question of whether your structure is asking people to conform to your methodology rather than honoring their differentiation – and why the five-step framework model is going to increasingly feel misaligned as people become too uniquely themselves to fit a one-size-fits-all path.And while you're here, follow us on Instagram @creativelyowned for more daily inspiration on effortlessly attracting the most aligned clients without spending hours marketing your business or chasing clients. Also, make sure to tag me in your stories @creativelyowned.To get Wispr Flow the crazy handy voice-to-text AI that turns speech into clear, polished writing in every app. click here.Selling the Invisible: Exactly how to articulate the value of your cosmic genius even if your message transcends the typical “10k months” & “Make 6-figures” types of promises. Free on-demand training >>> https://www.creativelyowned.co To find out how to own your unique edge, amplify who you truly are (& get paid for it), take your business to cosmic proportions, and have fun doing it, grab it here!! https://www.creativelyowned.com/quizOffer Architect: TURN YOUR ‘INVISIBLE' WISDOM INTO A COMPELLING OFFER THAT WILL SELL WITH A SINGLE EMAIL. >>>

Navigating Talent Optimization: Strategic Staffing and Leadership with Robert HowardIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge speaks with Robert Howard, Director of Recruiting Operations and Executive Leadership Coach at Magic Talent Solutions, about the evolving complexities of the modern workforce. As a military veteran and seasoned business owner, Robert brings a unique perspective to the high-stakes world of recruitment, offering deep dives into bridging staffing gaps and upskilling internal teams. This conversation serves as a strategic guide for founders and executives who are navigating the post-pandemic market correction and seeking to balance the efficiency of AI with the irreplaceable value of human judgment in leadership.Optimizing the Human Element in Modern RecruitmentThe current recruiting landscape requires a sophisticated blend of agility and specialized expertise to overcome the "ebb and flow" of market demands. Robert observes that while many organizations surged with over-hiring in previous years, 2026 is defined by stabilization and a more project-based approach to talent acquisition. For companies struggling with mission-critical, hard-to-fill roles, the solution often lies in moving beyond basic job postings toward advanced sourcing strategies that identify passive talent. By aligning staffing levels with specific project needs and maintaining a flexible workforce of both full-time and contract professionals, businesses can protect their bottom line while ensuring they have the right hands on deck for every initiative.Transitioning from an individual contributor to a leadership role remains one of the most common stumbling blocks for growing enterprises. Robert emphasizes that effective leadership development is not a "one-size-fits-all" endeavor; it requires tailored coaching that draws on proven principles of communication and accountability. Many companies find their internal recruiting teams are comprised of junior staff who lack the nuance required for high-level interviewing or the deep understanding of complex employment laws, such as those specific to California. Upskilling these internal teams through hands-on training ensures that the first point of contact for new talent is professional, compliant, and capable of identifying the subtle cultural fits that drive long-term retention.The integration of AI in recruitment offers significant efficiency gains, but it also introduces new risks regarding bias and candidate experience. While AI excels at administrative heavy lifting—such as interview scheduling and bulk follow-ups—Robert cautions that it is not yet a reliable substitute for human intuition in the final selection process. Relying solely on algorithms for candidate screening can lead to unintentional bias and even legal complications. Successful organizations use AI as a tool to free up their human recruiters for high-value relationship building, ensuring that the final "yes" is always determined by a person who can sense the intangible qualities that make a candidate truly exceptional for a specific team.About Robert HowardRobert Howard is the Director of Recruiting Operations at Magic Talent Solutions and a dedicated Executive Leadership Coach. With a background rooted in military service and entrepreneurial leadership, he specializes in identifying talent patterns and helping organizations build high-performing teams. Robert is passionate about professional development, often using his experience as an escape room enthusiast to teach the principles of collaborative problem-solving and strengths-based task management.About Magic Talent SolutionsMagic Talent Solutions is a premier staffing and consultancy firm founded to help businesses navigate the shifting talent landscape. The company provides a holistic approach to people operations, offering specialized recruiting for Biotech, Marketing, and Commercial Sales, alongside internal team training and executive leadership coaching. Magic Talent Solutions focuses on bridging the gap between current organizational capabilities and the high-level talent required to achieve strategic goals.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeMagic Talent Solutions Official WebsiteRobert Howard on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsThe Metaphor of the Escape Room: Why pattern recognition and playing to individual strengths are the secrets to solving both literal puzzles and business bottlenecks.Recruitment Upskilling: The necessity of training internal hiring teams to handle complex employment regulations and sophisticated candidate sourcing.The 2026 Market Correction: Navigating the shift from over-hiring to stabilized, project-based staffing strategies.AI vs. Human Judgment: Why administrative automation is a win, but candidate selection still requires a human touch to avoid bias.Leadership Transitions: Strategies for helping top-tier individual contributors successfully move into management and executive roles.The conversation with Robert Howard illuminates the path for businesses that want to move away from reactive hiring and toward proactive talent optimization. By investing in the training of internal teams and maintaining a human-centric approach to leadership, organizations can build a resilient culture that attracts and retains the best in their industry.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Building the Business You Really Want: Strategic Alignment and Intentional Success with Gwen BortnerIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Gwen Bortner, the founder of Everyday Effectiveness, to explore the vital intersection of business strategy and personal fulfillment. With a career spanning over four decades and 47 different industries, Gwen brings a master-level perspective to organizational design and leadership accountability. Their conversation serves as a roadmap for entrepreneurs—particularly women leaders—who find themselves achieving traditional milestones of "success" yet feeling disconnected from the joy and purpose that originally sparked their journey. Gwen shares how to dismantle the "shoulds" of the business world to remodel a venture that is both highly effective and deeply aligned with the owner's authentic vision.Reclaiming the Vision: Remodeling Your Business for Long-Term SustainabilityThe transition from a high-growth startup to a sustainable, fulfilling enterprise requires a radical shift in how a leader defines success. Gwen explains that many founders fall into the trap of chasing external benchmarks—revenue targets, headcount, or market status—that don't actually resonate with their personal values. This misalignment often leads to a persistent dread of the workweek and a sense of chronic exhaustion, even when the balance sheet looks healthy. To correct this, business owners must engage in a process of "intentional remodeling," auditing every aspect of their operations to ensure the business is serving the life they want to live, rather than the other way around.A common hurdle for high-achievers is the tendency to move the goalposts the moment a victory is achieved, which effectively eliminates the opportunity for reflection and celebration. Gwen emphasizes that celebrating wins is not just about a temporary "victory lap"; it is a strategic tool for identifying what is actually working within the business. By conducting a "success audit," entrepreneurs can isolate the specific behaviors and strategies that led to a positive outcome, allowing them to replicate those results with less friction in the future. Without this pause to acknowledge progress, leaders risk burning out on a treadmill of endless tasks that offer no emotional return on investment.Strategic advisory plays a crucial role in this process, acting as a mirror for the "hard questions" that entrepreneurs often avoid. Gwen describes her role as a strategic accountability partner who helps CEOs cut through the noise of daily operations to confront uncomfortable truths about their direction. This level of intentionality ensures that any pivot or change in the business model is a conscious choice based on long-term goals rather than a reactive response to temporary distractions. By building a culture of strategic questioning and embracing mindfulness—even through creative hobbies that engage the brain in new ways—leaders can maintain the clarity needed to build a legacy that is as sustainable as it is profitable.About Gwen BortnerGwen Bortner is the Owner, Consultant, and Speaker behind Everyday Effectiveness. With more than 40 years of experience helping organizations scale and align, Gwen specializes in acting as an "advisory board of one" for women CEOs and founders. She is known for her holistic approach to business, combining high-level strategic thinking with a deep focus on personal accountability and fulfillment.About Everyday EffectivenessEveryday Effectiveness is a strategic consultancy that helps business owners move from feeling overwhelmed to achieving intentional, effective growth. The company provides strategic advisory services, accountability coaching, and resources designed to help entrepreneurs remodel their businesses for better alignment, sustainability, and joy.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeEveryday Effectiveness Official WebsiteGwen Bortner on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsDefining Authentic Success: Why entrepreneurs must stop chasing industry "shoulds" and create their own metrics for a fulfilling life and business.The Warning Signs of Misalignment: How to recognize when your business model is no longer serving your personal well-being or long-term vision.The Strategic Value of Hobbies: Why engaging in repetitive, mindful activities like quilting can actually sharpen a leader's problem-solving faculties.Success Auditing: The importance of pausing to celebrate wins and analyzing what worked to build reproducible momentum.The Power of the "Hard Question": How having an external advisory perspective can help you avoid "shiny object syndrome" and stay committed to your true goals.ConclusionThis conversation with Gwen Bortner underscores that the ultimate goal of entrepreneurship should be freedom and fulfillment, not just financial gain. By prioritizing strategic alignment and having the courage to ask difficult questions, you can remodel your path to create a business that truly serves you.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Mastering the Human Connection: Networking Secrets from George DubecIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with George Dubec, the founder of Ultimate Networking and a man widely recognized as "The Ultimate Networker." George shares his transformative journey from being a high-level athlete to a business leader who realized, later in life, that his greatest asset wasn't his technical skill, but the depth of his relationships. This conversation dives deep into the tactical and philosophical shifts required to move from transactional "business card swapping" to becoming a high-value resource center. Whether you are looking to scale your business or enrich your personal life, George provides a masterclass on why your fortune—and your fulfillment—truly lies in who you know and how you treat them.Transforming Relationships into Your Greatest Business AssetNetworking is frequently misunderstood as a purely professional endeavor, but George explains that it is actually a foundational life skill that should permeate every interaction. True mastery begins with the transition from a passive participant to an active "connector," where the primary goal is to create value for others without an immediate expectation of return. By intentionally seeking out common ground—whether through shared hobbies, sports, or family experiences—leaders can build a level of trust and rapport that far outlasts a standard elevator pitch. This human-centric approach turns a cold database into a living, breathing ecosystem of support that can provide everything from strategic business advice to personal introductions.The difference between a mediocre networker and a world-class connector often comes down to the rigor of their systems for collecting and managing information. George advocates for a disciplined approach to contact management, suggesting that one should never settle for just a name or a LinkedIn connection. By taking detailed notes in real-time about a person's passions and needs, you signal a level of intent and respect that immediately sets you apart from the crowd. This data then serves as the fuel for a consistent follow-up routine; the real "fortune" is found in the days and weeks following an initial meeting, where personalized messages and thoughtful introductions turn a brief encounter into a lasting alliance.Furthermore, George makes a sharp distinction between passive education and active training, noting that networking is a muscle that requires consistent exercise and professional coaching to develop. Most entrepreneurs are "educated" on the importance of networking but lack the "training" to execute it at a high level. By treating networking with the same strategic importance as sales or product development, business owners can identify their blind spots through honest self-assessment and targeted skill-building. Ultimately, when you master the art of the warm introduction and consistent follow-through, you elevate your personal brand and become an indispensable hub within your industry.About George DubecGeorge Dubec is an author, entrepreneur, and the visionary behind Ultimate Networking. Known as "The Ultimate Networker," he has spent decades refining a system that helps professionals bridge the gap between knowing people and knowing how to build life-changing connections. His work focuses on the intersection of human psychology, tactical organization, and the long-term power of the "follow-through."About Ultimate NetworkingUltimate Networking is a training and resource platform designed to help entrepreneurs and professionals master the art of relationship building. Through George's books, workbooks, and specialized self-assessments, the company provides a structured framework for improving networking ROI. Ultimate Networking helps individuals move beyond surface-level interactions to develop the high-level communication and organizational skills required for a successful, connected life.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeUltimate Networking Official WebsiteGeorge Dubec on LinkedInKey Episode HighlightsNetworking as a Resource Center: Why the goal of networking is to become the person everyone goes to when they need a problem solved.The "Fortune is in the Follow-up": Tactical strategies for turning initial meetings into long-term professional partnerships.The Connector Mindset: How making introductions for others increases your own value and influence within your industry.Collecting High-Quality Data: George's system for capturing detailed contact notes to build deeper rapport.Training vs. Education: Why networking is a skill that must be practiced and coached, not just learned from a book.ConclusionThis conversation with George Dubec highlights that the most successful leaders are those who prioritize human connection above all else. By implementing rigorous systems for follow-up and focusing on being a connector for others, you can unlock opportunities that go far beyond what any marketing budget could provide.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

In this episode the hosts evaluate a $2.1M virtual reality forklift training business generating $600K+ in annual profit and debate whether it's a durable industrial SaaS opportunity—or a niche hardware rental play facing automation headwinds.Business Listing – https://flippa.com/12243476-8-y-o-virtual-reality-training-and-workplace-development-platformWelcome to Acquisitions Anonymous – the #1 podcast for small business M&A. Every week, we break down businesses for sale and talk about buying, operating, and growing them.Looking to build a professional website in minutes? Try Wix: https://wix.pxf.io/c/6898629/3115214/25616?trafcat=templateHubSpot is the backbone for how businesses scale without chaos. Try them out here: https://go.try-hubspot.com/OeG9Vr

He's the most-requested guest in Pilot to Pilot history — and the wait was worth it. Trent Palmer, recreational bush pilot and one of aviation's most recognized YouTube creators, finally sits down with Justin for a raw, unfiltered conversation about the highs and lows of a life built around flying and filmmaking.Trent opens up about his journey from RC helicopters and drone cinematography in Hollywood to becoming a full-time content creator — including how FAA regulations ironically pushed him into getting his pilot's license in the first place. But this episode goes far deeper than flying cool places and making beautiful videos.Trent shares the gut-wrenching details of his engine failure in the Nevada backcountry, what it actually feels like when the prop stops and you have 45 seconds to find a field, and why the flight home may have been scarier than the emergency itself. He talks candidly about watching a close friend crash — and somehow survive — and how each close call reshapes your relationship with risk.Then there's the FAA battle that nearly broke him. Trent walks through both investigations, the $50,000 in legal fees, the four-year court fight that went all the way to the Ninth Circuit, the license suspension he wishes he'd just accepted, and the personal toll of having your character questioned publicly.This one is honest, emotional, and packed with lessons — whether you're a pilot, a content creator, or just someone who loves a great story.What you'll hear:From drones on Hollywood sets to bush pilot YouTuberEngine failure over remote Nevada — the full storyWatching a friend crash and survive a "unsurvivable" impactTwo FAA investigations, $50K in legal fees, and hard lessons learnedHow YouTube became his full-time career (and why he almost walked away)Advice for pilots who want to start creating contentWhat's next: floats, new adventures, and maybe finally starting that podcast