Podcasts about Building

Tom Verrilli is the chief product officer at Whatnot, a live shopping platform that's become the fastest-growing U.S. marketplace business in history, with over $8 billion in GMV. Before joining Whatnot, Tom was CPO at Twitch and director of product growth at Twitter (during one of the most turbulent periods in the company's history).In our in-depth conversation, we discuss:1. Why Whatnot's product team was founded on the premise “we regret that product management exists”2. How AI is reshaping the PM role3. What Tom looks for when hiring PMs4. The shift toward senior ICs doing the work5. How AI has transformed data science at Whatnot6. Tom's “play the accordion” mental model7. Why “hire great people and get out of their way” fails8. His biggest lessons from his time at Twitter—Brought to you by:WorkOS—Make your app enterprise-ready, with SSO, SCIM, RBAC, and moreMercury—Radically different banking, now with Command—Episode transcript: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/this-cpo-regrets-that-product-management—Archive of all Lenny's Podcast transcripts: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/yxi4s2w998p1gvtpu4193/AMdNPR8AOw0lMklwtnC0TrQ?rlkey=j06x0nipoti519e0xgm23zsn9&st=ahz0fj11&dl=0—Where to find Tom Verrilli:• X: https://x.com/tdrobbo• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-robertson-042—Where to find Lenny:• Newsletter: https://www.lennysnewsletter.com• X: https://twitter.com/lennysan• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lennyrachitsky/—In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introduction(02:40) “We regret that product management exists”: what it means and why(08:30) When specialization makes sense, and when it doesn't(15:20) How Whatnot structures its PM org(17:28) What 31,832 PM applications revealed about the function(19:40) How to develop systems thinking(22:10) The shift to senior ICs doing IC work(32:26) Advice for PMs struggling in today's market(35:22) How AI has transformed work at Whatnot(41:14) The data scientist problem(42:48) Which roles are trending up and down(44:48) What the product team of the future looks like(46:29) Why core PM skills are the most durable in an AI world(49:23) How to get the most out of the people you hire(53:32) Navigating the CPO-founder relationship(57:34) Advice for aspiring CPO's(59:16) How to know when to stand firm and when to step back(01:01:38) Play the accordion: balancing strategic vision with fast iteration(01:06:35) Agentic commerce vs. live commerce(01:09:46) Lessons from Twitter(01:13:07) Failure corner(01:15:45) Lightning round and final thoughts—Referenced:• Whatnot: https://www.whatnot.com• Building, and Whatnot: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/building-whatnot-tom-verrilli-bwkdc• Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv• Why Netflix is betting on systems thinkers—not specialists—in the AI era | Elizabeth Stone (CPTO): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/netflix-cpto-on-ai-and-the-future• Peter Bailis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pbailis• Mike Krieger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikekrieger• Anthropic's CPO on what comes next | Mike Krieger (co-founder of Instagram): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/anthropics-cpo-heres-what-comes-next• Ben Kus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benkus• Henry Shi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/henrythe9th• Hex Threads: https://hex.tech/product/threads• Product management theater | Marty Cagan (Silicon Valley Product Group): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/product-management-theater-marty• Grant LaFontaine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grantlafontaine• Logan Head on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/logan-head• Emmett Shear on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmettshear• Kara Swisher on X: https://x.com/karaswisher• Jeff Bezos: Amazon and Blue Origin—Lex Fridman Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcWqzZ3I2cY• Star City on AppleTV+: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/star-city/umc.cmc.2l8p785osmtmiyk64bh6tfde1• For All Mankind on AppleTV+: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/for-all-mankind/umc.cmc.6wsi780sz5tdbqcf11k76mkp7• Service NSW Mobile App: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/service-nsw-mobile-app• Rudyard Kipling: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudyard_Kipling• E-fish.com: https://www.e-fish.com—Recommended books:• The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers―Straight Talk on the Challenges of Entrepreneurship: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062273205• The Purpose Driven Church: Every Church Is Big in God's Eyes: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310201063• Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution―An Historic Fantasy of Dark Academia: https://www.amazon.com/Babel-Necessity-Violence-Translators-Revolution/dp/0063021439—Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email podcast@lennyrachitsky.com.—Lenny may be an investor in the companies discussed. To hear more, visit www.lennysnewsletter.com

Welcome to an especially impactful episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan takes you on a deep dive into the true nature of leadership inside agencies beyond the usual skills and techniques. Drawing from months of research and two decades of real-world experience, Drew outlines the essential leadership domains every agency owner and team member needs to master for a thriving, resilient business. Drew breaks down a practical framework of six key leadership domains, plus a vital seventh that ties them all together. These concepts shine a light on the often invisible factors holding leaders and organizations back. He reveals how mindset, team relationships, operational systems, and authentic self-awareness drive culture, retention, and profit far more than any single technical skill. Through candid examples and clear behaviors, he explains why promoting high performers into leadership roles without a game plan is a common and costly mistake for agencies of all sizes. Listeners will walk away with actionable advice for assessing their own gaps, building stronger leadership teams, and fostering accountability at every level. Drew offers concrete steps to cultivate self-awareness, hold tough but necessary conversations, and balance psychological safety with high standards—arming you with the tools to create a growth-driven, high-performing agency culture. If you're ready to confront your agency's leadership dynamics head-on, this episode is a must-listen. Drew challenges owners and leaders alike to lead with love, invest in their teams, and model vulnerability—all with the goal of building agencies that are not just profitable, but truly great places to work. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap for elevating your leadership and enabling those around you to do the same. A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The six critical domains of agency leadership development Why self-awareness and growth mindset unlock every other skill Building psychological safety and accountability for real team retention Bridging the gap on commercial thinking and agency economics Operational rigor—why systems and processes are non-negotiable The role of proactive, candid communication—internally and with clients Embracing adaptability, experimentation, and learning agility in an era of change

Federal contracts often go to first-time vendors who never had the experience listed in the job description, and the fastest path in is a short, targeted proposal that answers one buyer's actual concern. David Rambhajan, a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business founder who built and later sold an industrial construction company after starting with a $9,000 loan from his mother, walks through the sharpshooter framework he used to land his first role with zero skills, zero experience, and zero education on paper. What you'll learn in this episode: The 200-300-500 yard framework for pacing a federal pursuit so you stop groveling and start closing The exact cold-call script David used after a written rejection to earn a real conversation with the decision-maker Why offering to work one week free flipped a "not a fit" rejection into a job offer inside the same week How David used a $9,000 loan to start a construction company and which certifications he pursued first The mistake most new contractors make with certifications, and what to do instead of chasing them for their own sake Chapters: 0:00 - Sponsor read and the 70 places federal contracts hide 0:48 - The 200-yard rejection letter that started everything 1:35 - Cold-calling the marketing manager at 300 yards 3:05 - Building the proposal at Kinko's and hand-delivering it 4:40 - The one-week free-work offer that closed the job 5:55 - Landing the job and taking over the boss's role in a year 7:19 - Starting the construction company with a $9K loan from mom 8:10 - Getting SDVOSB and 8(a) certified, and the lesson ten years later Mindy gives you the federal opportunities, agency signals, recompete intel, and pursuit briefs that tell you not just what contracts exist, but which ones to chase and how to win them. Sign up for free Daily Alerts and get opportunities delivered to your inbox before the day starts.

What if your business doesn't need another strategy? What if it needs a stronger structure? In Part 3 of A Business That Makes Sense, Kehla G explores why so many entrepreneurs stay stuck—not because they lack ambition or discipline, but because they're trying to build on foundations they don't fully understand. Building on the first two episodes, Kehla introduces the three elements she believes every business owner needs to understand before adding more tactics, content, or offers: your constraint, your path, and your center. From there, she explains the four business foundations that create clarity, consistency, and sustainable momentum. In this episode, you'll learn: Why businesses are designed—not accidentally built. The difference between your business's constraint, path, and center. Why tactics don't solve structural problems. The four foundations every business needs to create consistent growth. How clarity leads to better decisions, stronger momentum, and greater self-trust. If you've been feeling like you're constantly rebuilding your business, chasing the next strategy, or wondering why nothing seems to stick, this episode will help you see your business through a completely different lens. Because a business that makes sense isn't built by adding more. It's built by understanding how every piece works together. In the final episode of this series, Kehla shares why she created Built to Hold, who it's designed for, and why she believes the future belongs to entrepreneurs who build businesses with intention instead of reaction.  

Sometimes the greatest obstacle isn't a lack of ability. It's the quiet belief that says, "Maybe I should stay in the background."In this episode of the Vibrant Living Podcast, I welcome online presence strategist Becky Hancock for a conversation that moves beyond branding and into something much deeper. Together we explore why so many women hesitate to use their voice, how fear of visibility affects both our lives and our businesses, and why stepping into greater visibility isn't about self-promotion. It's about faithfully stewarding the vision and influence God has entrusted to us. Drawing from nearly thirty years of experience in branding, graphic design, and web development, Becky shares practical wisdom about building an authentic online presence that reflects who you truly are. Whether you're building a business, leading quietly behind the scenes, or sensing God inviting you into a new season, this conversation is a reminder that your voice matters.In this episode, we discuss:• Why women often struggle to be seen and heard• The personal and professional cost of staying hidden• Building confidence without striving or self-promotion• Creating an authentic brand that reflects your values• Why understanding the people you serve matters more than simply having a beautiful website• Building a business that creates space for both purpose and joyConnect with Becky HancockWebsite: https://beckyhancock.designfinLinkedIn: Rebecca HancockBook a Conversation: https://bookwithbecky.meConnect with Donna at https://www.ivibrantliving.com/

In this episode of Front Cover: A Rough Notes Podcast on the Agency Intelligence Podcast Network, Jason Cass sits down with Michael Cruz, Principal Owner of Foresight Insurance, the agency featured on the August 2026 front cover of Rough Notes Magazine.  Key Topics: Michael's reaction to being featured on the cover of Rough Notes Magazine Foresight Insurance's growth to 13 employees and 10 years in business near DC Why starting with a strong carrier like Erie beat going the aggregator route Michael's journey from Cuba to Maryland and adjusting to a new culture at 13 How networking, not cold outreach, led to his Liberty Mutual and Erie opportunities Building a bilingual agency that serves a 40 to 50% Spanish-speaking client base Moving client-facing work to trained offshore virtual employees instead of call centers Rolling out a four-day, 32-hour work week to fight burnout during the hard market Using cross-training, shared inboxes, and team-based service to keep the agency running smoothly Michael's push for agents to get involved through groups like the Erie Task Force Reach out to: Michael Cruz Jason Cass Visit Website: Foresight Insurance Rough Notes Magazine Produced by PodSquad.fm

Show Up for Yourself Even When You Mess Up! Beyond Religion: Finding Your Connection! Supersize You Annual Challenge Day 213! Join us every day in 2026 for a quick challenge that is all about you Improving and creating the life you want! https://www.facebook.com/ThrivingSharon Ask your questions and share your wisdom! #supersize #doonethingeverydaytosupersizeyou #lessonslearned #missedopportunities #decisionmaking #beabetteryou #personalgrowth #developskills #uncoverwhatis #contribution #giving #maketheworldabetterplace #impact #benefitsofgiving #impactofyou #givetoget #breakyourheart #yourmission #yourpurpose #triggersemotions #curious #excited #givetime #giveattention #givevalue #beyou Keep your daily challenge on track even when things go wrong. Learn why showing up matters more than getting the details perfect. Building a habit requires showing up consistently, regardless of small setbacks or mistakes in your daily challenge count. This video explores the reality of maintaining momentum when plans shift unexpectedly. It is for anyone struggling to stay committed to a routine who needs a reminder that imperfect action is better than no action at all. We discuss the mindset shift needed to prioritize showing up over precision. You will see how daily accountability acts as the foundation for long-term progress, helping you move past minor errors. By focusing on the process rather than a flawless record, you can keep your daily habits moving forward. Subscribe for daily consistency tips to help you stay committed to your goals, and comment below on how you handle setbacks in your own routine. #mentorsomeone #sharewisdom #care #intentionalgiving #spirit #spirituality #religion

Life Is a Game Lior Pozin built AutoDS into a company with more than 200 employees and over $20M ARR before its acquisition by Fiverr. Listening to him, it's hard to shake the feeling that AutoDS was never the destination. It was simply another level in the game. The kid who questioned everything Long before AutoDS, before SaaS, before startups, Lior was already looking at the world differently. His father locked his computer as punishment. He learned how to unlock it. He wanted to buy a phone online. He discovered the exact same phone was being resold for more money. So he sold it himself-without ever owning inventory. At 14, he wasn't asking what he was supposed to do. He was asking: "What's the game?" And then: "Let's just try." Gamifying life One sentence quietly explains almost every decision he makes. "I look at life as a game." It's not a motivational slogan. It's a framework. Games have rules. Rules can be learned. Sometimes they can even be bent. When eBay suspended his account, he didn't see failure. He saw another move - open another account. When people warned him something wouldn't work, he didn't hear a verdict. He heard another hypothesis to test. That mindset dramatically changes the emotional cost of entrepreneurship. Failure becomes feedback. Risk becomes calculated. And trying becomes more important than being right. The question that removes fear Throughout the conversation, Lior comes back to one exercise over and over. "What's the worst case?" Not as positive thinking. As practical thinking. What's the actual downside? Will I lose an account? Waste a year? Need another job? Once he answers that honestly, fear loses much of its power. Because most imagined catastrophes turn out to be survivable. That question became one of his most useful entrepreneurial tools. The investment that compounds the most One of the most interesting moments in the conversation has nothing to do with AutoDS. It's the way Lior treats personal development. Every week he protects time with almost religious discipline. Executive coach. Personal coach. Therapist. Reading. Meditation. Breathwork. Sports. Those hours are non-negotiable. His reasoning is remarkably simple: “If I elevate myself, the business will elevate too”. Many founders invest first in their company. Lior invests first in the founder running it. Building the founder like a product Lior recently created something unusual: A personal brand book. Not because he wants nicer colors or better social media posts. Because he believes founders deserve the same strategic clarity as companies. He wants every piece of content, every interview and eventually even his AI assistant to reflect the same person. Not an optimized version. The real one. What stays after this episode: Lior doesn't describe entrepreneurship as courage. He describes it as a way of looking at the world. A constant habit of questioning assumptions. Of asking "What's the worst that can happen?" Of refusing to believe that someone else gets to build the future simply because they started first. Maybe that's why "life is a game" resonates so strongly throughout the conversation. Not because games are easy. But because games are meant to be played. And the people who keep playing long enough eventually discover that most of the limits they believed in were rules they never had to accept in the first place.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jeremy Anderson.

Thais Gibson is the co-founder of the Personal Development School and the creator of Gibson Integrated Attachment Theory, whose work on attachment and subconscious rewiring has reached more than 75 million people. He holds a PhD, is certified in over 13 therapeutic modalities, and his research shows that 88% of the more than 70,000 people he's worked with developed a secure attachment style in just 90 days. He got there the hard way, through a six and a half year opioid addiction that only broke when he understood he wasn't running from his outside world, he was running from his inside one. This one gets unusually personal. Thais breaks down the difference between the conscious and subconscious mind, why willpower alone never sticks, and the exact rewiring exercise he uses, then Larry opens up about childhood bullying and body-image fear he says he's never shared in 1,500 episodes. If you've ever set a goal your behavior refused to follow, this conversation explains why and what to do about it.   Timeline Summary [1:44] – Growing up in a tumultuous household and one of Canada's longest divorce cases [2:46] – A knee surgery, painkillers, and the start of a six and a half year spiral [4:00] – The idea that changed everything: you're numbing your internal reality, not your external one [5:52] – Why sobriety finally stuck the third time around [6:20] – The sentence in a psych class that began his recovery [8:04] – Finding God, meditation, and building a real support system [11:33] – The full bio: 75 million people reached and an 88% success rate in 90 days [13:09] – The actual difference between the conscious and subconscious mind [14:14] – The Freudian iceberg and where your conditioning is stored [16:03] – Why there's no such thing as self-sabotage [19:18] – The Monday drinker: a case study in wanting to quit but not quitting [20:36] – The three pillars of why we keep choosing what we say we don't want [24:05] – Upgrading the form: how Thais turned his own anger into vulnerability [28:55] – The red converse shoes and how we wire by emotional association [29:42] – The cost benefit rewiring exercise, step by step [32:37] – What's actually happening in the brain when you reflect, write, and repeat [36:09] – Larry shares being a bullied, overweight kid and the dance that changed him [41:05] – Why body image got wired to so much pain, and what it's really about [48:34] – The three step exercise for rewiring a core wound [50:37] – Building confidence rooted in character instead of appearance [57:04] – The four attachment styles explained [1:00:14] – The fearful avoidant style and the unworthiness wound [1:04:17] – Why your attachment shows up most where you were most wounded   5 Key Takeaways Willpower Can't Beat Your Programming — Your conscious mind can't outwill your subconscious. When you keep repeating a pattern you swore you'd quit, that isn't weakness, it's your subconscious running a different program than the one you set. There's No Such Thing as Self-Sabotage — What feels like sabotage is your conscious intention and your subconscious conditioning pulling in opposite directions. Nobody wakes up planning to wreck their day. Upgrade the Form, Don't Just Kill the Habit — Every habit meets a real need. Instead of white-knuckling it away, identify what the behavior gives you and build a healthier way to get that same need met. Rewire Through Repetition, Emotion, and Imagery — The subconscious speaks in images and feelings, not logic. Recording your costs and benefits and listening back daily for 21 days builds new neural pathways while the old ones atrophy. Root Your Worth in Character, Not Appearance — Confidence based on your body or achievements can be taken away by an injury or a setback. Confidence built on evidence of who you are at your core can't be infringed.   Links & Resources Episode page and all links: https://thedadedge.com/1511 Join the Dad Edge Alliance: https://thedadedge.com/join Dad Edge Boardroom Goal Setting Intensive (July 31, 8am central): https://thedadedge.com/goals The Personal Development School: https://personaldevelopmentschool.com Thais Gibson on YouTube: Thais Gibson Personal Development School The Personal Development School on Instagram: https://instagram.com/thepersonaldevelopmentschool The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood by Larry Hagner: referenced in episode   Enjoyed This Episode? If Thais naming the gap between what you intend and what you actually do landed for you, take it as the starting point. Send this episode to a man who keeps setting the same goal every Monday, and pick one core wound to run the 21 day rewiring exercise on this month. If the show keeps delivering, follow, rate, and leave a review so more fathers can find these conversations. This episode touches on addiction, bullying, and body image. If any of it hits close to home for you, it's worth talking with a licensed professional who can offer personalized support.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Jeremy Anderson.

Google didn't ship its big model, but they shipped a TON of new useful AI you can use today. And Google wasn't the only company updating their features behind the scenes. Replit is bringin vibe designing, ChatGPT got a lot more useful on the web, and Meta is changing from chatbot to agent. We'll get you caught up quickly. Chrome adds Some Gemini Spark, Replit Design makes impact, Buzz brings AI Agent Teamwork and 7 more AI Features you Should use Today -- an Everyday AI Chat with Jordan WilsonNewsletter: Sign up for our free daily newsletterMore on this Episode: Episode PageToday's Episode on LinkedIn: Thoughts on this? Join the convo on LinkedIn and connect with other AI leaders.Upcoming Episodes: Check out the upcoming Everyday AI Livestream lineupWebsite: YourEverydayAI.comEmail The Show: info@youreverydayai.comConnect with Jordan on LinkedInTopics Covered in This Episode:Replit Design Suite Launches With Free MobbinChatGPT Chrome Extension Adds YouTube SummarizationChatGPT Side Chat Integrates Tabs and Highlighted TextMeta AI Rolls Out Recurring Agent TasksGoogle Gemini Generates Images in Google DocsGemini AI Summarizes Comments, Edits in DocsGoogle Gemini Spark Agent Arrives in ChromeChrome Agent Uses Saved Accounts and PasswordsGoogle Lyria 3.5 Music Model ReleasedBuzz by Block Unites Team and Agent CollaborationTimestamps:00:00 Recent AI updates and developments05:01 Creating with Replit and AI models09:42 Real-time research tracking benefits10:34 Meta AI new recurring features13:35 New features of Meta AI17:53 Google Spark integrates with Chrome22:09 Google DeepMind's new music model25:25 Buzz from Block messaging tool29:42 Building a collaborative platform31:23 AI feature updates recapKeywords: Gemini Spark, Google Chrome AI integration, Google Docs AI features, AI image generation, Gemini in Docs, ChatGPT Chrome extension, YouTube video summarization, OpenAI ChatGPT update, Codex, Vibe design, Replit design suite, Mobbin integration, AI reference library, Design export automation, Project management AI, Figma competitor, Replit creative tools, Meta AI, Muse Spark 1.1, Agentic model, Recurring AI tasks, AI scheduling, Daily briefings, AI productivity tools, Google Lyria 3.5, AI music model, Flow Music, Suno, Yudio, AI generated lyrics, Vocal delivery in AI music, Licensing in AI music, Buzz collaboration platform, Block, Square, AI agent teamwork, Slack-like AI platform, Open source collaboration, Agent governance, Cryptographic identity, Agentic browser, Automated web errands, Chrome passwords integration, Google Drive data access, Multi-agent collaboration, Research automation, Enterprise AI workflow, AI productivity boost.Send Everyday AI and Jordan a text message. (We can't reply back unless you leave contact info) Ready for ROI on GenAI? Go to youreverydayai.com/partner 

Travis Chappell delivers a solo masterclass on building a powerful personal brand and network using his proprietary ACT method (Attention, Credibility, Trust), drawn from over 1,600 podcast episodes, hundreds of books, and years of real-world experience in content creation and online marketing. On this episode we talk about: The ACT framework: A = Attention, C = Credibility, T = Trust—and why trust equals transactions. How Travis engineered his own Forbes feature by interviewing the author and networking strategically. Why "best known beats best" and attention is the foundation where money flows every time. Building credibility through high-profile associations (like big-name podcast guests) over one-off media mentions. Maintaining trust by overdelivering on every sale, even small ones, to boost lifetime customer value. Top 3 Takeaways 1. Get attention first—post content relentlessly because every post is a lottery ticket that could explode your reach. 2. Credibility comes from associating with known experts; it's harder than media hits but moves the needle more. 3. Trust must be continually earned through overdelivery, since one bad experience can kill repeat business forever. Notable Quotes "If you're an online marketer and you're not coming up with methods and cool acronyms, then you're not really a marketer." "Best known beats best. You're the best kept secret in your field... but nobody knows that you exist." "Where there's attention, that's where money goes. Attention is where the money flows. 100% of the time." "Every post is a lottery ticket. You never know what's going to be the thing that actually takes off." "The question you should be asking yourself is not does this convert? But does this continue to earn me trust?" Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traviscchappell Other: https://travischappell.com (Website & Podcast) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Wealth Preservation Architecture: Deferring Capital Gains Tax and Maximizing Exit Equity with Brett SwartsIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Brett Swarts, the Founder and CEO of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to examine the severe tax liabilities that threaten high-net-worth business exits and real estate transactions. Brett, a leading wealth preservation strategist, commercial real estate expert, and author of Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan, details how traditional tax-deferral mechanisms like the 1031 exchange frequently limit investor flexibility and expose assets to market volatility. This conversation provides a comprehensive, data-backed operational guide for founders, real estate investors, and M&A advisors who want to legally defer 33% to 40% in combined capital gains taxes, retain capital compounding power, and construct flexible, long-term estate planning frameworks using the Deferred Sales Trust (DST).The Asset Preservation Paradigm: Unlocking Compound Growth and Flexible Liquidity Through Deferred Sales TrustsThe primary operational oversight committed by founders and real estate investors during an asset liquidity event is delaying tax-deferral architecture until after a transaction closes. In high-tax jurisdictions where combined federal, state, and depreciation recapture taxes routinely consume 33% to 40% of net profits, selling an appreciated asset without an established exit structure results in an immediate, permanent destruction of capital. While many investors default to a traditional 1031 exchange to defer real estate taxes, this rigid framework forces buyers into strict 45-day identification windows and 180-day closing deadlines, often compelling them to overpay for replacement properties in inflated markets. Implementing an installment sale framework via a Deferred Sales Trust before closing removes these rigid timelines entirely, allowing the full proceeds of a business or real estate sale to be reinvested into diversified stocks, bonds, or new entrepreneurial ventures tax-deferred.Executing a Deferred Sales Trust requires a disciplined structural pivot where the seller transfers ownership of the business or real estate asset to an irrevocable third-party trust in exchange for a customized promissory note. The trust subsequently executes the final transaction with the end buyer, receiving cash proceeds while issuing structured, tax-deferred note payments to the original seller over a multi-year horizon. Because capital gains taxes are triggered only on the principal payments actually received by the seller, the remaining capital inside the trust compounds tax-deferred at its full value. This strategic separation of asset ownership from liquidity streams allows high-net-worth founders to secure predictable passive income, diversify their wealth out of concentrated positions, and maintain strategic influence over investment allocations without incurring immediate tax penalties.Furthermore, leveraging specialized trust structures provides enterprise leaders with critical ancillary benefits, including robust asset protection against future litigation and the systematic reduction of estate tax liabilities. As the global market prepares for unprecedented multi-trillion-dollar wealth transfers driven by retiring business owners, financial advisors, brokers, and CPAs who master advanced capital gains tax-deferral strategies gain a massive competitive advantage. By offering clients viable alternatives to strict 1031 exchanges or immediate tax hits, advisors can unlock trapped equity, preserve multi-generational wealth, and build long-term client retention. When early tax planning, rigorous legal compliance, and flexible trust administration are synthesized into a single exit architecture, business owners eliminate transactional drag, shield their capital, and predictably maximize their enterprise equity.About Brett SwartsBrett Swarts is the Founder and CEO of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, a commercial real estate veteran, an international speaker, and an expert in capital gains tax-deferral frameworks. Drawing from years of hands-on experience facilitating complex real estate transactions and business exits, Brett specializes in helping high-net-worth individuals navigate tax traps and preserve wealth. He is the author of Building a Capital Gains Tax Exit Plan (featuring a foreword by Shark Tank's Kevin Harrington) and host of the Capital Gains Tax Solutions Podcast, dedicated to helping business owners and advisors unlock financial freedom through advanced trust structures.About Capital Gains Tax SolutionsCapital Gains Tax Solutions is an elite corporate tax advisory firm and wealth preservation agency engineered to help real estate investors, business founders, and high-net-worth individuals legally defer capital gains taxes. The company specializes in delivering customized Deferred Sales Trust (DST) frameworks, exit strategy coaching, estate tax planning, and advisor partnership programs. Through structured legal compliance, third-party trust administration, and comprehensive wealth strategy blueprints, Capital Gains Tax Solutions enables sellers across complex asset classes to eliminate tax friction and maximize their net-worth compounding potential.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeCapital Gains Tax Solutions Official Website: capitalgainstaxsolutions.comBrett Swarts on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brett-swartsKey Episode HighlightsThe Pre-Close Timing Rule: Why exit planning must be executed prior to closing a transaction to legally defer capital gains liabilities and protect wealth.Overcoming the 1031 Exchange Bottleneck: Utilizing the Deferred Sales Trust to bypass strict 45-day identification windows and reinvest in non-real estate asset classes.The Installment Sale Mechanics: Deferring 33% to 40% in combined federal and state taxes by selling assets to a trust in exchange for a structured promissory note.Multi-Generational Estate Tax Protection: Shielding large transaction proceeds from estate taxes and creditors while setting up seamless inheritance structures for heirs.The $124 Trillion Advisory Opportunity: Equipping financial advisors, M&A brokers, and CPAs with advanced tax-deferral strategies to win high-net-worth B2B clients.ConclusionThe conversation with Brett Swarts underscores that maximizing the value of a business exit or real estate sale is an intentional architectural process rather than a post-transaction accounting exercise. By standardizing internal exit governance, replacing rigid exchange models with flexible trust structures, and acting well before the deal closes, business leaders can transform a massive tax burden into a highly structured, self-sustaining wealth preservation engine.More from The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

Today I am joined by the Tactical Redneck for our weekly update from Holler Homestead. We catch up on what's been happening around the farm, share an upcoming class at Basecamp Lodge, answer listener questions, and spend most of the episode talking about fencing. We cover the pressure-tested fencing supplies we've come to trust, the lessons we've learned after building miles of fence in rocky Tennessee soil, and the skills that actually make someone an asset when it's time to build infrastructure on the homestead. Featured Event Homemade Condiments Class Friday, August 22 • Holler Homestead Learn to make your own mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, and more. You'll taste a variety of recipes and head home with a homemade dressing you make in class. $75 https://livingfreeintennessee.com/event/condiments/  Sponsors Strong Roots Resources https://StrongRootsResources.com The Wealthsteading Podcast https://InvestableWealth.com Topics Covered Updates from Holler Homestead Nashville duplex project and staging it for sale Announcing the Homemade Condiments Class at Basecamp Lodge: https://livingfreeintennessee.com/event/condiments/  Combining FAMACHA scoring with routine flock maintenance Why rotational grazing becomes more challenging with four flocks A deep dive into electric fencing on rocky and hilly Tennessee ground Lessons learned from building and rebuilding fence The pressure-tested fencing products and brands we've come to trust Where it's worth spending money on fencing supplies The tools that make fencing faster and more reliable The skills that make someone genuinely valuable on a fencing crew Why careful planning saves far more time than hard work alone Building better homestead systems instead of repeating the same mistakes Reference Links Strong Roots Resources https://StrongRootsResources.com The Wealthsteading Podcast https://InvestableWealth.com Holler Roast Coffee https://HollerRoast.com THE FENCING SUPPLIES LIST FROM TACTICAL Recommend Companies   American Grazing Lands https://www.americangrazinglands.com   Farm Fence Solutions https://www.shopfarmfencesolutions.com   Power Flex Fence https://powerflexfence.com   Premier 1 https://www.premier1supplies.com       Geared Reels O'Briens https://powerflexfence.com/collections/reels/products/ogr-obrien-gear-reel   Speedrite https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/speedrite-geared-reel?cat_id=49   Strainrite https://www.shopfarmfencesolutions.com/31-geared-wheel-27897645.html   Taragate https://www.americangrazinglands.com/collections/portable-fencing-supplies/products/taragate-geared-reel   Gallagher https://powerflexfence.com/collections/reels/products/gallagher-reel-standard-1320       Wire and Jumper Wire Poly Wire Powerflex Fence - 1/2 Mile - 2640ft Super 9 PolyBraid https://www.americangrazinglands.com/collections/portable-fencing-supplies/products/polybraid-mixed-metals-6-stainless-3-tin-copper-strands-2640   Jumper Wire https://www.americangrazinglands.com/collections/portable-fencing-supplies/products/jumper-lead       Step In Post Strainrite - Multi Wire Tread In Post https://www.shopfarmfencesolutions.com/multi-wire-tread-in-post-pk-10.html   Steel Post, Multiwire Tread In https://www.shopfarmfencesolutions.com/steel-post-multiwire-tread-in-pk-10.html   O'Brien Tredaline Post - White https://powerflexfence.com/collections/fence-posts/products/obtp-white-obrien-tredaline-post-white   FenceGard Tread -In Post, White https://powerflexfence.com/collections/fence-posts/products/powertredin-post-white-box-50       Fence Charger 110 - Cyclops Super, 12 Joule, 110V AC Powered Energizer https://cyclopsfence.com/collections/ac-mains-powered-energizers/products/cyclops-super-12-joule-110v-ac-powered-energizer   12V - Cyclops Super, 12 Joule, DC Battery Powered Energizer https://cyclopsfence.com/collections/battery-powered-energizers/products/cyclops-super-12-joule-200-acre-12v-dc-battery-powered-energizer   Fence Tester Speedrite Digital Fault Finder ST100 https://cyclopsfence.com/collections/fence-testers/products/speedrite-digital-fault-finder-st100-free-usa-shipping       Insolaters 2" Offset Screw-In Ring Insulator (Pack of 25) https://www.americangrazinglands.com/collections/insulators/products/2-offset-screw-in-ring-insulator   6" Offset Screw-In Ring Insulator https://www.americangrazinglands.com/collections/insulators/products/6-offset-screw-in-ring-insulator XL Ring Offset Insulator 6" https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/xl-ring-offset-insulator?cat_id=46 Make It A Great Week!

In July, Inside the ICE House aired six new episodes. Episode 544: New York Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux on Money, Mentorship, and the 2026 Season Episode 545: Bayern Munich CMO Rouven Kasper on Soccer Fandom, U.S. Growth, and Global Reach NYSE Texas: Buda Juice CEO Horatio Lonsdale-Hands on Ultra Fresh Growth Episode 546: Jeeves CEO Dileep Thazhmon on Scaling a Borderless Banking Platform Episode 547: Offerpad CFO Peter Knag on Transforming How Americans Sell Homes NYSE Texas: Globe Life Co-CEOs on Building a Resilient Insurance Giant

What if leadership isn't about producing results, but helping people become who they're capable of becoming? Jon Houghton has spent much of his life helping people grow. For more than twenty years, he served in leadership roles with Young Life, developing leaders, building teams, and helping others discover their gifts and purpose. Then, after a successful career doing work he deeply loved, Jon made a surprising decision. He left. Not because something was broken. Not because he was unhappy. But because he felt called to explore a new challenge and discover what another chapter might hold. Today, Jon serves as CEO of Holy Post Media, a company creating thoughtful conversations around faith, culture, leadership, and life in an increasingly polarized world. Through Holy Post, Chicago Fellowship, and countless conversations with leaders, Jon continues to ask questions that matter. Questions about identity. Questions about purpose. Questions about what it means to grow. In this episode of Design Of, Jon shares the lessons he's learned about leadership, feedback, community, faith, and personal transformation. Along the way, he reflects on mentors who shaped him, the risks of staying too long, the challenges of starting over, and why some of the most important work leaders do has nothing to do with performance metrics. Jon shared a question that has quietly followed him throughout much of his life: "Am I lovable if I'm not impressive?" It's a deeply human question. And it opens the door to a conversation about ambition, achievement, identity, and the freedom that comes when we stop trying to prove ourselves and start helping others flourish. This conversation isn't really about leadership. It's about becoming. And helping others do the same. In This Episode, We Explore: • Why Jon chose to leave a successful twenty-year career and start a new chapter • The transition from nonprofit leadership to leading a growing media company • How healthy leadership begins with self-awareness • The difference between helping people perform and helping people grow • Why feedback feels threatening and how to receive it differently • The role faith plays in leadership, relationships, and community • Building meaningful connections in a culture that often lacks depth • How mentors help us see things in ourselves we cannot yet see Key Takeaways: • Great leadership starts with personal health and self-awareness. • You cannot help others grow if you are unwilling to grow yourself. • Feedback becomes less threatening when your identity is rooted in something deeper than performance. • Meaningful community requires intentional effort and vulnerability. • Growth often begins when we leave something comfortable and familiar. • The best leaders help people become more fully who they were created to be. About Jon Jon Houghton is the CEO of Holy Post Media, a media company focused on thoughtful conversations about faith, culture, leadership, and public life. He also leads Chicago Fellowship, a community that brings together nonprofit and marketplace leaders seeking to grow personally, professionally, and spiritually. Prior to Holy Post, Jon spent more than two decades with Young Life, helping develop leaders and organizations across the country. His work today centers on creating meaningful conversations, building healthy communities, and helping people become who they're capable of becoming.

His 1% Property:https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1044301030831500315?source_impression_id=p3_1783358768_P3RIa1s1pojdXbKiWEBINAR LINK:https://shawnmoore.clickfunnels.com/optiniyvvg89sWant to learn more about Vodyssey or start your STR journey. Book a call here:https://meetings.hubspot.com/vodysseystrategysession/booknow?utm_source=vodysseycom&uuid=80fb7859-b8f4-40d1-a31d-15a5caa687b7FOLLOW US:https://www.instagram.com/vodysseyshawnmoorehttps://www.facebook.com/vodysseyshawnmoore/https://www.linkedin.com/company/str-financial-freedomhttps://www.tiktok.com/@vodysseyshawnmooreCONTACT US:support@vodyssey.comChapters00:00 Intro00:30 Eric Young's market overview and background02:17 First property in Marathon and initial lessons04:16 Market opportunities and value-add strategies09:35 Property renovation and adding bedrooms12:24 Cost analysis and value uplift15:08 Project management challenges in Marathon20:15 Local market nuances and regulations26:43 Building rights and permits in the Keys29:38 Tax depreciation strategies33:46 Closing remarks and key takeaways

Saying "Great Work" Isn't Recognition "Great work." Two words, zero impact. Your team can tell the difference between recognition and reflex, and so can your turnover numbers. In this episode I sit down with Alex Grande, founder of Recognize, to talk about what actually moves the needle on employee experience. Alex brings a rare combination to this conversation - he's an entrepreneur building HR technology, but he came up through psychology with published research in unconscious bias and social cognition. So this isn't a pep talk about praise. It's a working conversation about how recognition gets designed, why peer-to-peer is the purest form of it, and what happens to a team when the winners start noticing each other without a manager in the room. Practitioner to practitioner. Real tools you can use Monday. In this episode: Why training managers on 1:1s, feedback, and recognition is the highest-leverage employee experience investment you can make Comfort as a prerequisite for engagement - people don't bring their best to a room they're guarded in Why peer-to-peer recognition is the purest and most impactful form there is Winners want to work with winners: how recognition snowballs into a performance culture The specificity rule. Why "great work" fails and what to say instead Gamifying recognition without gimmicks: if the points don't lead somewhere, they don't lead anywhere Think SAPS: status, access, power, and stuff. This motivates people intrinsically The remote team killer nobody names: decision velocity, and why empowerment fixes it Building organic connection at a distance with water cooler channels and open meeting chat Meeting fatigue is real — kill the whole-team status update and make standups goals-based Camera on or camera off?  Alex Grande is an entrepreneur and workplace innovation expert who combines gamification with HR technology to help organizations build stronger, more connected cultures. As founder of Recognize, a social employee engagement platform, he helps companies improve communication, recognition, and retention. With a degree in psychology and published research in unconscious bias and social cognition, Alex brings an evidence-based, human-centered approach to creating recognition programs that drive lasting cultural change.  

Building wealth is about much more than saving money or investing in the stock market. In this conversation, Loral Langemeier shares the wealth building strategy that has guided thousands of entrepreneurs toward greater financial success through business ownership, mentorship and strategic planning.She explains why many people unknowingly overpay taxes, why traditional financial advice often leaves important gaps, and how integrating experts such as CPAs, attorneys and financial professionals creates a stronger wealth building strategy than relying on disconnected advisors.Loral also discusses the importance of creating a business, monetizing your expertise, building the skills to generate cash flow and surrounding yourself with experienced mentors as your wealth building strategy focused on making money, investing wisely and building long-term wealth.Loral's Takeaways:Introduction and Overview of Laurel Langemeier (00:00)Laurel's Career Journey and Achievements (02:28)The Big Table and Millionaire Maker Program (04:37)Integrated Wealth Systems and Financial Strategy (08:24)Entrepreneurship vs. Corporate Life (18:47)Tax Strategy and Financial Planning (21:49)Practical Steps for Building Wealth (23:28)The Millionaire Intensive Program (24:14)Conclusion and Call to Action (27:15)Meet Loral Langemeier:Loral Langemeier is a money expert, sought-after speaker, entrepreneurial thought leader, and best-selling author of five books.Her goal: to change the conversations people have about money worldwide and empower people to become millionaires.The CEO and Founder of Live Out Loud, Inc. – a multinational organization — Loral relentlessly and candidly shares her best advice without hesitation or apology. What sets her apart from other wealth experts is her innate ability to recognize and acknowledge the skills & talents of people, inspiring them to generate wealth.She has created, nurtured, and perfected a 3-5 year strategy to make millions for the “Average Jill and Joe.” To date, she and her team have served thousands of individuals worldwide and created hundreds of millionaires through wealth-building education keynotes, workshops, products, events, programs, and coaching services.Loral is truly dedicated to helping men and women, from all walks of life, to become millionaires AND be able to enjoy time with their families.She is living proof that anyone can have the life of their dreams through hard work, persistence, and getting things done in the face of opposition. As a single mother of two children, she is redefining the possibility for women to have it all and raise their children in an entrepreneurial and financially literate environment.Links and Resources:Ask Loral App: https://apple.co/3eIgGcXLoral on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/askloral/Loral on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lorallive/videosLoral on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorallangemeier/Money Rules: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/money-rules/Millionaire Maker Store: https://millionairemakerstore.com/Real Money Talks Podcast: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/podcast/Integrated Wealth Systems: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/Affiliate Sign-Up: https://integratedwealthsystems.com/affiliatesThanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Stitcher. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device.Leave us an iTunes reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on iTunes, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on iTunes.

AI & Exit Planning Series: Why AI Won't Fix Your Company Ft. Jürgen DaukArtificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses operate, compete, and create value. Every day, new tools promise to increase productivity, improve decision-making, reduce costs, and accelerate growth. But while AI is a powerful business tool, it cannot compensate for weak leadership, poor processes, unclear strategy, inconsistent execution, or a dysfunctional culture.In this episode of the AI & Exit Planning Series, Pat Ennis and Walter Deyhle are joined by leadership expert Jürgen Dauk to explore a simple but important principle: AI won't fix your company. Instead, AI acts as an amplifier. It enhances organizations with strong fundamentals while exposing the weaknesses of those without them. The conversation focuses on what business owners must build first—and how AI can then become a meaningful accelerator of growth, scalability, and transferable value.Whether you're just beginning your AI journey or already implementing AI tools, this episode offers practical guidance for thinking strategically rather than simply chasing the latest technology.In This Episode, We Discuss:Why AI is an accelerator—not a substitute for good leadershipThe leadership, process, and cultural issues AI cannot solveCommon misconceptions business owners have about AIWhat makes a company truly "AI ready"The relationship between AI adoption and business valueWhy buyers care more about business fundamentals than AI tools aloneWhat owners should improve before investing heavily in AIHow AI can expose weaknesses that already exist in a businessThe human skills that become even more valuable in an AI-driven workplaceOne principle every business owner should remember about AI over the next five yearsGuest: Jürgen DaukLeadership Expert | Author | Keynote SpeakerJürgen Dauk helps senior leaders and boards redesign how organizations operate by improving decision-making, distributing ownership, and strengthening execution as companies scale. With decades of executive leadership experience at global technology companies including Oracle and Avaya, he has led international sales, operations, and business transformation initiatives throughout Europe. Today, he advises organizations on building modern Leadership Operating Systems that enable faster decisions, distributed leadership, and outcome-driven execution. Connect with Jürgen:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/juergendauk/─────────────────────────────────────────Ready to assess your own exit readiness?Take the free ExitReadiness® DIY™ Assessment at exitreadiness.comLearn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.comConnect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/─────────────────────────────────────────Building your exit plan at your own pace?Explore ExitReadiness® DIY™ at exitreadiness.com. The platform combines proven frameworks, practical tools, assessments, and educational resources designed to help business owners make better decisions, build more valuable and transferable businesses, and create more options for the future. And when judgment and experience matter most, credentialed exit planning professionals are available to help.─────────────────────────────────────────DISCLAIMER: The information presented in this podcast is provided for educational purposes only. Neither the presenters nor ENNIS Legacy Partners are engaged to render legal, accounting, tax, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional regarding your specific circumstances. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.Conversations that move you closer to a regret-proof exit. Subscribe To The Channel By Clicking HERE!Learn more about working with Pat and Walter at ennislp.com Connect with Pat: linkedin.com/in/pat-ennis-25b4a111/Connect with Walter: linkedin.com/in/walter-deyhle-cpa-abv-cff-maff-cexp-cepa-57386614/#PatEnnis #WalterDeyhle #ExitReadinessDISCLAIMER: The information in this presentation is provided as education only. Neither the presenter nor ENNIS Legacy Partners is engaged to render legal, accounting, or other professional services. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. ENNIS Legacy Partners assumes no legal liability for any loss related to information contained in this presentation.

How to lead a trades team without losing their respect starts with one truth: the moment you get promoted, everything changes, for you and for them.In this episode, Jim Robinson and co-host Lori Prust dig into what actually happens when someone moves from peer to manager on a trades team. They cover why egos get big fast, how to keep your credibility while holding people accountable, and why self-awareness is what earns real respect from a team you used to call your buddies.⏱️ Chapters0:00 – Introduction0:44 – Keeping your team's respect 2:25 – Maxwell's Five Levels of Leadership and the ego trap 3:50 – The "I have to know it all" trap new leaders fall into 6:00 – Signals someone is ready to lead: the "Five to Thrive" framework7:18 – Losing trust: the ego walk and becoming "the boss" 10:42 – Address the problem in the room, handle the person one-on-one12:44 – The Good, Great, Excellent, Outstanding framework 17:48 – Self-awareness first: humble, hungry, smart 19:53 – Understanding how each person on your team learns 23:50 – Building trust and respect after a promotion 26:00 – Don't show up as the fire — emotional maturity under pressure 30:17 – The real job of the first 30 days 32:37 – Personalized recognition: knowing your people 36:06 – Closing nugget---ABOUT VISIONARY LEADERLeadership insights for executives, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to lead with real influence. Not just authority. Jim Robinson is an executive coach, leadership speaker, and author of Leading with Empathy. Every week, Jim & Lori Prust share practical frameworks and honest conversations on visionary leadership, emotional intelligence, building high-performance teams, and the psychology of leadership.Work with Jim: https://www.visionaryleader.com/ Jim's Book - Leading with Empathy: https://a.co/d/0bD1SpOPConnect with Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-robinson-18211918/Connect with Lori on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-prust-309898195/#leadership #executivecoaching #EOSleadership #entrepreneuroperatingsystem #leadershipdevelopment #visionary

This week on the RoadFS / Detail Bookie Podcast, we're joined by Cole McCrary, Marketing & Sales Coordinator and Head Trainer at SONAX USA.Cole shares what he's learned after nearly a decade in the professional detailing industry—from training thousands of detailers to working alongside some of the biggest names in automotive appearance.In this episode we discuss:• The biggest mistakes new detailers make• Why professional training matters more than YouTube videos• What separates successful detailing businesses from everyone else• The future of SONAX products and detailing technology• Running a profitable detailing business• Building a brand in the detailing industry• Why business systems are just as important as detailing skills• Upcoming SONAX training at the Petersen Automotive Museum• SEMA, Detail Fest, and where the detailing industry is headedWhether you're just starting your detailing business or looking to grow an established operation, this conversation is packed with practical advice that can help you become a better detailer and a better business owner.GuestCole McCrarySonaxhttps://sonaxusa.comHosts:Jody Sedrick RoadFS/DetailBookie PodcastRoadFS CRM - https://roadfs.comDetailBookie CRM - https://detailbookie.io

Your FREE Day Starts Now | What's Your Move? Supersize Your Business Annual Challenge Day 213!!! FREE Day! What will you do with it? Work, Rest, Play, Catch up, Mix... Pop in here every day for a dose of different business building perspective! https://facebook.com/supersizebusiness Supersize Your Business (free) Skool link: https://www.skool.com/supersize-your-business-1654/about #supersizeyourbusiness #supersizechallenge #supersizeyourbusinessannualchallenge #contribution #give #dowhatyoucan #supersizeyourbusinesschallenge #givingback #businessimpact #freeday #funday #rest #recharge #plan #prepare Learn how to handle a business mistake by moving forward instead of fixing it. See why progress beats perfection in daily tasks. This message is for entrepreneurs participating in the Supersize Your Business Annual Challenge or anyone feeling stuck on a minor error. We discuss the mindset required to keep momentum when things do not go as planned. Instead of wasting time correcting a small slip, you will see why continuing as if it were the correct day is often the better path for long-term growth. Applying this business mindset helps you stay focused on your goals rather than getting bogged down by details. By prioritizing movement over perfection, you protect your energy for more critical decisions. Overcoming mistakes quickly is a key trait for maintaining consistency in any daily challenge. Subscribe for daily business growth tips and comment below: have you ever moved forward despite making a mistake? Learn how to handle a business mistake by moving forward instead of fixing it. See why progress beats perfection in daily tasks. This message is for entrepreneurs participating in the Super Size Your Business Annual Challenge or anyone feeling stuck on a minor error. We discuss the mindset required to keep momentum when things do not go as planned. Instead of wasting time correcting a small slip, you will see why continuing as if it were the correct day is often the better path for long-term growth. Applying this business mindset helps you stay focused on your goals rather than getting bogged down by details. By prioritizing movement over perfection, you protect your energy for more critical decisions. Overcoming mistakes quickly is a key trait for maintaining consistency in any daily challenge. Subscribe for weekly business growth tips and comment below: have you ever moved forward despite making a mistake? 0:00 Embracing the Unexpected Schedule 0:57 My Commitment to Direct Connection 2:08 Refining the Content Creation Process 3:28 Building a Community for Growth

Why do some brands become part of our lives while others disappear?In this episode of Entrepreneur Authorities, Joe Pardavila sits down with branding expert and author Ernie Ross to explore the hidden forces that shape the way people connect with products, companies, and ideas.Ernie is the founder of an award-winning branding and innovation agency and the author of Intangience: How Human Connection Creates Value Between People, Brands, and Ideologies.His work focuses on a simple idea: something only has value when it holds meaning for someone.During the conversation, Ernie explains why Coca-Cola has become one of the most recognized brands in the world, why traditional advertising often falls flat, and how entrepreneurs can shift their messaging from features and functionality toward genuine emotional connection.He also shares stories from his work on political campaigns in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, including a classified ad that helped create a national conversation and a powerful 30-second campaign built around a melting candle.The conversation covers:• Why successful brands focus on meaning• What Coca-Cola understands about human connection• The difference between value and worth• Why facts alone rarely persuade people• How emotional messaging changes buying decisions• The difference between propaganda and poignant messaging• How to identify the business you're really in• Why entrepreneurs should view their company through the customer's perspective• The economic opportunities emerging across the CaribbeanErnie also shares a practical exercise from Intangience: ask what you're offering your customer beyond the basic function of your product or service.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:54 Why meaning creates value01:45 Growing up in Guyana under a dictatorship02:36 What scarcity teaches us about value03:07 Why messages need to resonate03:43 What Coca-Cola really sells05:41 How Coke created a brand built around connection06:54 How Coca-Cola became associated with Christmas07:17 The challenge of telling an emotional story08:00 The pillars of purpose10:16 The difference between value and worth11:43 Why advertising fails13:01 How framing changes perspective15:11 The flower shop example every entrepreneur should hear17:07 Propaganda versus poignant messaging20:12 The broken mirror lesson21:42 Building political campaigns that connect emotionally22:31 The classified ad that went viral25:28 A campaign that helped change Guyana28:22 The overlooked business opportunities in the Caribbean32:00 The first exercise entrepreneurs should take from Intangience32:43 Final thoughts

Before introducing Part Two of our expert panel discussion, Leighton Walker is joined by regular co-host James Brockington to reflect on a few of the current topics affecting golf clubs. They discuss the challenges of another exceptionally dry summer, the increasing impact of weather extremes on golf course management, and some of the responses to a recent LinkedIn discussion asking what the biggest challenges facing golf clubs are today. The conversation provides the perfect lead-in to the main discussion, which focuses on the future of golf clubs over the next decade. Recorded at Story Ninety-Four Podcast Studios in Oxford, Leighton is joined by an expert panel featuring: John McCormack – Club Benchmarking EMEA Paul Mould – Accountancy Matters Gavin Anderson – England Golf Will Hewitt – 59club Ben Laing – Branston Golf & Country Club Together they tackle one of the biggest questions facing the industry: What will a successful golf club look like in five to ten years' time? Building on the foundations laid in Part One, the panel explores how clubs can position themselves to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment. They discuss the importance of having a clear identity, strong governance and a long-term strategic vision, while examining how clubs can balance member expectations with commercial sustainability. The conversation also explores how changing customer behaviours, workforce challenges, technology, participation trends and environmental pressures are reshaping the industry. The panel shares practical insights on capital investment, diversification, customer experience, staff culture, benchmarking performance and why understanding data should underpin future decision-making. From flexible membership models and driving range technology to climate resilience, leadership and club culture, this episode is packed with practical advice for golf club managers, owners, directors and committee members looking to build resilient, successful clubs for the next generation.   Please support our panellists Club Benchmarking EMEA – https://www.clubbenchmarking.eu/ Accountancy Matters – https://golfaccountancymatters.co.uk/ England Golf – https://www.englandgolf.org/ 59club – https://www.59club.com/ Branston Golf & Country Club – https://branstonclub.co.uk/ Connect with Us Instagram: @golfclubtalkuk Website: Golf Club Talk UK LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighton-walker-2708b627/ Thanks to our partners Toro – Click here for more information Himalayas Golf – Click here for more information Support the podcast https://buymeacoffee.com/gctuk Rate & Review If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a 5-star review and share it with your golf network. Your support helps us continue bringing together the people shaping the future of golf.    

Most people think promotions go to the person doing the best work. In reality, they often go to the person who looks like they're already leading the room. AJ and Johnny break down why competence alone can leave high performers overlooked, while confidence, visibility, and strategic positioning shape how leadership sees you. They explain the difference between self-promotion and executive presence, why working harder can actually keep you stuck, and how promotion decisions are influenced by the signals people notice in meetings. You'll learn a simple three-step technique called “summarize and steer” to organize a scattered conversation, clarify the real decision, and propose the next move. It's a practical way to build influence, signal leadership, and become the person others look to when it matters. Episode Resources: Sign up for Theos today: https://elitehumandynamics.com/theos?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=show-notes&utm_campaign=sib-episode-4 Alison Fragale: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1djb2mzj66p25tQmHe67sl?si=dd59ec873fa449e1 Tessa West: https://open.spotify.com/episode/74v1Y08rYxYClVFAP2xBaR?si=b00d45f476014bf9 Jeffery Pfeffer: https://open.spotify.com/show/08XveTtMJIYffPwjjVwpSM?si=db4f9da656fe46e8 Chapters00:00 – Why the best worker gets passed over02:10 – Confidence signals what competence can't04:00 – The hidden politics of promotion06:35 – Self-promotion vs. strategic positioning08:00 – Why meetings shape your reputation09:15 – The summarize-and-steer method11:40 – Three steps to lead without the title13:10 – Building executive presence over time14:00 – Your next-meeting challenge Keywords career advancement, executive presence, workplace communication, leadership, promotions, strategic positioning, confidence, competence, influence, office politics, communication skills, management, professional development, meeting skills, decision making, visibility at work, leadership communication, career growth, social intelligence, workplace psychology Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rich Berry is President and CEO of Alexandra Foods, leading the family-run brand's nationwide growth while preserving authentic Eastern European traditions through handcrafted pierogi, dumplings, and community-centered storytelling. Top 3 Value Bombs 1. You do not need to be ruthless to succeed. Building a culture of empowerment, accountability, and teamwork can create long-term business success while strengthening your organization. 2. Growth should never come at the expense of product quality. Consistent quality, employee investment, and authentic innovation are the foundation of sustainable brand expansion. 3. Family-run brands scale best when they stay patient, focus relentlessly on their product, and make employees feel like true partners in the company's success. Check out the website for products, information, and retailer locations - Alexandra Pierogi Website Sponsors HighLevel - The ultimate all-in-one platform for entrepreneurs, marketers, coaches, and agencies. Learn more at HighLevelFire.com. Nexus Install - Have a high-ticket offer? Nexus Install builds you a custom LinkedIn prospect booking system designed to generate more quality sales calls. Email JLD at John@EOFire.com to learn more.

What if your self-worth is shaping what you're able to manifest? In this episode, Krista sits down with To Be Magnetic's Chief Content Officer Jessica Gill to unpack the patterns behind money, abundance, relationships, and the subconscious blocks that may be keeping you from what you truly want. From attracting more money to calling in your soulmate, Jessica reveals why your nervous system needs to feel safe enough to hold your next level. They break down manifestation “tests,” wealth consciousness, and what happens when you stop settling for less than you truly desire. They also uncover the sneaky ways we self-sabotage—from childhood conditioning and perfectionism to fear of visibility. This conversation will help you reclaim your power, expand your capacity to receive, and rethink everything you know about manifestation. We also talk about: Manifestation tests + how to recognize them Breaking subconscious patterns around money + love Building wealth consciousness + an abundance mindset Nervous system regulation + expanding your capacity to receive Self-worth, boundaries, and trusting what you truly desire Manifesting aligned relationships + finding your soulmate Childhood conditioning + generational patterns Self-sabotage, perfectionism, and analysis paralysis Using jealousy + envy as tools for expansion Visibility, authenticity, and overcoming the fear of being seen Resources: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicaashleygill/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JessicaAshleyGill Substack: https://substack.com/@jessicaashleygill Expanded Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2B1ZemTinqpXMfH8vy6zzk?si=50f43dc8830c4e52 Watch our full-length vids of Expanded on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@tobemagnetic/podcasts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tobemagnetic/?hl=en Website: www.tobemagnetic.com  Use code JESSICA for 15% TBM Pathway membership Sponsors: BetterHelp | This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. You don't have to say yes to everything this summer. Find support in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/almost30. The Absorption Company | Start taking supplements your body can actually absorb. Go to https://absorbmore.com and enter ALMOST30 at checkout for up to 35% off your first order. Ritual | Don't settle for less than evidence-based support. Save 25% on your first month at  https://Ritual.com/ALMOST30.  Super | Start building your credit the easy way. Go to https://Super.com/credit right now to see how Super+ can help you boost your credit score.  Hero Bread | Hero Bread is offering 10% off your order. Go to https://hero.co and use code  A30POD at checkout. To advertise on this podcast please email: partnerships@almost30.com. Learn More: Get your copy of Almost 30, A definitive guide to a life you love for the next decade and beyond. https://almost30.com/book Listen to Morning Microdose! A quick trip into higher consciousness - https://almost30.com/morning-microdose Watch on YouTube - https://youtube.com/Almost30Podcast Join our community - https://www.facebook.com/Almost30podcast/groups Follow: https://instagram.com/almost30podcast https://tiktok.com/@almost30podcast Podcast disclaimer can be found by visiting: almost30.com/disclaimer. 

What if the biggest problems in your life weren't obstacles... but invitations? In this deeply personal solo episode, Darin shares the philosophy behind SuperLife and explains why he believes every challenge contains the seed of a solution. From discovering toxic products in the nutrition industry to helping bring clean water to hundreds of thousands of children, Darin reveals how shifting from complaint to contribution has shaped every major chapter of his life. He also shares practical principles for cultivating optimism, surrounding yourself with solution-oriented people, taking radical responsibility, and building a life fueled by possibility instead of fear. If you've been overwhelmed by the state of the world, this episode is a reminder that the future belongs to those willing to create it. What You'll Learn Why every problem contains the opportunity for a solution How SuperLife became a movement centered around "a world that works" The mindset shift from complaining to creating Why optimism is a practice, not blind positivity How Darin built a career by solving problems instead of criticizing them The importance of surrounding yourself with solution-oriented people Why taking 100% responsibility changes everything How vision creates momentum and attracts new possibilities Why stillness and action are equally essential for growth Practical daily habits for creating your own SuperLife Chapters 00:00:00 – Welcome to SuperLife 00:00:35 – Sponsor: Alkemis 00:03:27 – Why I believe in a world that works 00:04:50 – Choosing solutions over fear 00:06:23 – Every challenge is an opportunity 00:07:10 – How frustration built my career 00:08:02 – The birth of my superfood journey 00:09:16 – Why SuperLife became a movement 00:10:17 – Stop complaining and start creating 00:11:11 – Sponsor: Shakeology 00:12:58 – Clean water changed my perspective forever 00:14:25 – Your patterns are not your identity 00:15:24 – Why personal responsibility creates freedom 00:16:26 – The power of surrounding yourself with innovators 00:17:49 – Creating a field that attracts solutions 00:19:10 – Stop focusing on what's broken 00:20:30 – How the universe responds to action 00:21:28 – Building a movement around possibility 00:22:11 – Why problems should make you hopeful 00:23:16 – Curiosity unlocks new possibilities 00:24:39 – My daily practices for staying optimistic 00:26:21 – Stillness, courage, and taking action anyway 00:28:02 – Vision creates the path forward 00:29:01 – A call to help create a world that works Thank You to Our Sponsors: Alkemis: Go to https://alkemispaint.com/ and use code DARIN10 for 10% off your order. Shakeology: Get 15% off with code DARINO1BODI at Shakeology.com. Join the SuperLife Patreon: This is where Darin now shares the deeper work: - weekly voice notes - ingredient trackers - wellness challenges - extended conversations - community accountability - sovereignty practices Join now for only $7.49/month at https://patreon.com/darinolien Connect with Darin Olien: Website: darinolien.com Instagram: @darinolien Book: Fatal Conveniences Platform & Products: superlife.com New Show: Roadmap to Happiness Key Takeaway "The world doesn't change because we become better at pointing out what's broken—it changes because ordinary people decide to become extraordinary problem solvers. Every challenge is an invitation, every obstacle contains a solution, and every one of us has the ability to help create a world that works."   5 Building Blocks: The SuperLife Vision This episode touches five pillars that could each become their own future episode. Treating them as a recurring framework gives the show a spine, andgives you a running "vision doc" you can build on episode by episode.   1. Optimism as a Discipline, Not a Disposition The core reframe: optimism isn't naivety, it's where you choose to point your energy. Future episode: the difference between denial and constructive optimism. 2. The Individual Work — Awareness, Freedom, Connection You flagged this yourself as "more on that another time." This is likely your richest solo-episode territory: what it actually means to learn from pain, become more aware, more free, more connected to your contribution. Could be a 3–4 partarc on its own. 3. The People You Cultivate Your stated "greatest asset." A strong recurring segment could be short profiles — 2–3 minutes each — of specific people in your orbit and the solutions they're building. Turns an abstract claim ("I'm surrounded by great people") into proof, episode after episode. 4. Possibility Thinking / "What Else Is Possible?" The engine of the whole philosophy. Future episode: a practical walkthrough of how you actually run this question against a real problem, step by step, so listeners can use it themselves. 5. Daily Practices Your list of eleven. This is a natural standalone episode ("The 11 Things I Do Every Day to Stay Optimistic"), each one expanded with a real story, rather than compressed into one segment of a broader episode.

Topics-  The Big Finish at Tour de France The best cyclist is a competitor at heart How much are we leaving on the table? You have to climb the hills Racing instinct How do you execute in a race? Flexible training Today's the day Flipping the switch Building race instincts in training Don't break but splinter Learn to feel suffering Problem solving All fatigue isn't created equally Obsession with precision Create obstacles in training Camera out the window Race day is really like a training day How do we get the most out of our body? Normalized Effort The illusion of power or pace The ultimate practice game Mike Tarrolly - mike@c26triathlon.com Robbie Bruce - robbie@c26triathlon.com

What does longevity actually look like when you have three kids, a full-time job, and zero time for cold plunges? In this episode, Jeff sits down with Dr. Robin Berzin, founder and CEO of Parsley Health, to talk about momgevity, her term for longevity through the lens of motherhood. They explore: Why subtraction, not addition, is often the real key to health How she decides which habits are genuinely non-negotiable. Why momgevity is about subtraction, not just optimization Her daily non-negotiables: meditation, whole foods, and protein What her grandmother's 104 years taught her about stress Navigating perimenopause, diastasis recti, and body changes after three kids Building a "village" of support instead of doing it all alone This episode is for parents juggling health and family, women rethinking longevity at midlife, and anyone tired of biohacking culture that treats wellness like a competition. This episode was made possible by: LMNT: Get a free 8-count Sample Pack of LMNT's most popular drink mix flavors with any purchase at ⁠⁠drinklmnt.com/commune⁠⁠. Stemregen: Get 20% off your first order at stemregen.co/commune with the code COMMUNEPOD Vivobarefoot: Try Vivobarefoot risk-free with a 100-day return guarantee, and get 25% off your order at ⁠⁠vivobarefoot.com/commune⁠⁠. CocoaVia:. Use code COMMUNE2026 for 25% off at CocoaVia.com

"Back in the 1900s when I was crossing the Great Plains in a covered wagon, programming in the back, the cover headline was: Software Development is Dead."I talked with Anthony Jackson, a CTO with 30 years across healthcare tech and enterprise software and author of the Architecture Protocol series, on Startup Hustle this week. Anthony is the creator of LeadershipOS, a framework for building teams that keep running when the leader isn't in the room.Here's what you'll get out of it:⚡ Why "software development is dead" has been a headline for 30+ years, and why the human judgment layer never goes away⚡ Why the real gap isn't more engineers, it's product people (and engineers who think like them)⚡ What actually changes when you go from individual contributor to manager, and why almost no company trains you for it⚡ Why every line of code still needs a name attached to it, especially in regulated industries⚡ How "lossy compression" quietly ruins decisions as they filter up and back down through management⏱️ Episode Breakdown00:32 Introduction and Anthony Jackson's background02:13 Is software development dead again?03:14 The impact of AI on coding and human judgment04:07 The importance of responsibility in software development05:59 The challenge of product management and customer feedback10:18 Transitioning from individual contributor to manager11:36 Building effective teams and leadership culture14:41 Anthony Jackson's leadership OS book and approach18:26 The significance of company and team culture21:07 The impact of good and bad managers21:38 Anthony Jackson's newsletter and coaching23:14 Connecting software developers with customers25:06 Empathy for users and understanding their experience28:18 Where to find Anthony Jackson's resources and booksLinks & ResourcesConnect with Anthony Jackson on LinkedInAnthony Jackson's Website - https://technicaleader.coachWhat Smart CTOs Are Doing Differently With Offshore Teams in 2025Subscribe to the Global Talent SprintFull Scale – Build your dev team quickly and affordablyIf you're trying to get your team out of the basement and into real product ownership, this episode is your playbook. Stop being a ticket factory. Build teams that think, create, and lead.Follow the show, rate it, and send this to someone who's still trying to do “real Scrum.” They need it more than you do.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Todd Kroupa.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcast Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Everett Swain.

Are you feeling the pinch of economic chaos with too much month left at the end of your paycheck? Want to jump into real estate investing without dealing with toilets, tenants, trash outs, or massive startup capital? In this episode, Scott Carson reveals why wholesaling mortgage notes is the ultimate path of least resistance to generate $2,000, $5,000, or even $35,000+ per month in profit—without putting up a single dime of your own money! Whether you're brand new, recovering from financial setbacks, or looking for high-yield ways to build your self-directed IRA, Scott breaks down how paper flipping works in 2026. What You'll Learn In This MasterclassWhy Wholesaling Notes Works in 2026: How flipping paper avoids state wholesaling regulations, license requirements, and messy property management issues. No Money, No Credit, No Earnest Money Required: Learn why banks and hedge funds don't ask for earnest money or proof of funds when wholesaling notes direct from lenders. Real Deal Case Studies:How Scott made a $2,000 profit wholesaling a performing hard money note direct from a lender. How a $35,000 profit was generated in under 30 days flipping a non-performing commercial apartment note from Capital One. How a 90-day non-exclusive option on a hedge fund note portfolio generated $150,000 in flips. Overcoming the 5 Major Investor Fears: How to conquer fears around lack of funds, lack of experience, performance anxiety, and finding deals/buyers. Building an Active Buyers List: Leverage modern tools, AI, social media, and direct sources to connect with real buyers instead of "joker brokers". Supercharging Your Self-Directed IRA: How to put notes under contract using your Roth or Traditional IRA to grow tax-free or tax-deferred wealth. The Wholesaling Notes Masterclass: Details on the live, all-day Saturday Zoom masterclass on August 22, 2026, including step-by-step training, live deal-spinning exercises, and a free ticket to the 2-Day Note Buying for Dummies Workshop! Take Action Now!Stop letting your money sit on the sidelines or driving endless hours for ride-shares when you can become a real estate deal architect!

Ali Lazari has her commercial and narration demos - but she wants to specialise in corporate narration and she's not there yet. Her question for Marc: what do you do in the meantime? Do you reach out to leads? Do you wait? Do you do nothing? Marc's answer: you don't sit on the sidelines. In this Summer Series episode, Marc breaks down every option available to voice actors who are working toward the demo they really want - without putting their business on hold while they get there. Inside this episode: The voiceover chicken and egg problem - and why you don't have to stay stuck in it How to use Voice123 auditions as demo clips (with the right permissions) The 30-day CRM follow-up that turns finished client work into new samples How to break up a broad narration demo into targeted clips on your website - without recording a single new thing Using AI to write practice scripts for corporate narration - and why Marc has no guilt about doing it himself How your existing commercial demo can still get you in the door with the right clients Building a frame of reference by listening to the best corporate narration demos out there The one recording that becomes four pieces of marketing content - audio clip, video sample, social post, and website case study Whether you're waiting on a demo or building toward your next one, this episode is full of things you can do right now.

Jason Yanowitz, Co-Founder of Blockworks, joins Sebastien Couture on Epicenter to discuss why crypto is entering its biggest transformation yet. From institutional adoption and the Clarity Act to token transparency, AI, on-chain capital markets and the acquisition of Messari, this conversation explores where crypto is actually heading.Jason explains why Wall Street is preparing for crypto, why token fundamentals finally matter, how Blockworks acquired Messari, why capital markets are moving on-chain, and why the next crypto cycle could look completely different from previous bull markets.The conversation also covers Bitcoin, Ethereum, DeFi, stablecoins, RWAs (Real World Assets), tokenisation, venture capital, crypto regulation, SEC policy, the Clarity Act, Token Transparency Framework, AI, Robinhood, Coinbase, Hyperliquid, self-custody, crypto infrastructure, institutional finance and the future of blockchain adoption.In this episode:1. Why Wall Street is preparing for crypto2. The Blockworks × Messari acquisition3. The Clarity Act and US crypto regulation4. Token transparency and the future of crypto markets5. Stablecoins, RWAs and on-chain capital markets6. AI's role in the next generation of crypto businesses7. Why the next crypto cycle will reward real fundamentals8. Building one of crypto's leading media and data companiesIf you enjoyed the episode, don't forget to subscribe for more conversations with the builders, founders and investors shaping the future of crypto.Links:Lido: https://lido.fi/stvaults?mtm_campaign=epicenterSponsors: Lido V3 introduces stVaults: a modular staking infrastructure that lets builders and institutions deploy custom staking vaults, while staying anchored to stETH as a shared liquidity layer.Get started building with Lido V3 today: https://lido.fi/stvaults?mtm_campaign=epicenterBlock Space Forum: https://blockspace.forum/NEAR AI Cloud now lets developers deploy OpenClaw—the rapidly growing open-source AI agent platform—inside Trusted Execution Environments, providing hardware-level encryption with cryptographic attestations. With OpenClaw on NEAR AI Cloud, you can run agents with cloud convenience, but without traditional cloud data exposure. No hardware to manage. No trust assumptions required. Learn more at near.ai.

Great client experiences don't happen by accident. They're built through dozens of intentional decisions before, during, and after every project.This week, Kyle sits down with Darin Kuns of DK Construction to share how his team has intentionally designed an experience that stands out. From customer confidence checkups and post-project interviews to thoughtful job site standards and small gestures that make clients feel valued, Darin explains how the little details create lasting trust.If you're looking for practical ideas on building a company people can't wait to recommend, this episode is packed with ideas you can start using right away.Want to keep in touch with past clients and prospects without the hassle of writing content yourself? That's exactly what Remodelers AutoPilot does — each month you get a done-for-you email newsletter and social media posts, ready to send.Explore the vast array of tools, training courses, a podcast, and a supportive community of over 2,000 remodelers. Visit Remodelersontherise.com today and take your remodeling business to new heights!Key TakeawaysFix pre-construction bottlenecksImprove planning before productionDelegate to increase capacityTrack client confidenceCreate memorable client experiencesGather post-project feedbackSet clear job-site standardsRecognize and support employeesChapters00:00 Introduction and Episode Context00:33 Celebrating 400 Episodes and Guest Suggestions01:02 Highlighting Todd DeWalt and Construction Leading Edge01:48 DK Construction's Market and Business Focus02:11 Identifying Business Heartburns and Bottlenecks03:07 Addressing Capacity and Process Challenges04:22 Strategies for Smoother Project Handoffs05:15 Handling Change Orders and Project Variances06:04 Time Management and Capacity Planning07:11 Setting Small Wins in Project Selection07:53 Focusing on Capacity and Focused Work08:56 Company History and Market Overview11:01 Developing Client Relationships and Expectations12:06 The Three Uniques of DK Construction14:48 Employee Recruitment and Incentives20:08 Client Experience and Customer Confidence24:58 Enhancing Client Delight and Little Things30:12 Implementing Client Feedback and Post-Project Surveys34:50 Company Culture and Employee Recognition39:58 Team Communication and Meeting Optimization44:52 Signage and Job Site Respect50:03 Letting Go of Control and Delegation51:52 Building a High-Performance Team55:00 Final Thoughts on Customer Service and Business Growth

For many people, healing means learning to manage pain. But what if healing meant something more? This week on Real Women's Work, I sit down with energy healer and founder of Empowering Path, Alex Bynum, for a thoughtful conversation about spirituality, trauma, purpose, and what it means to become more fully yourself. Alex shares her own journey from struggling with bulimia and feeling stuck in her early twenties to discovering a path that completely changed the direction of her life. We talk about skepticism, ancient healing traditions, entrepreneurship, and why she believes people are far more capable of healing than most of us have been led to believe. Whether you're deeply spiritual, simply curious, or even skeptical, this conversation explores universal questions about identity, authenticity, and the search for peace. In this episode we discuss: What energy healing actually is—and what it isn't Why spirituality and religion aren't necessarily the same thing Alex's journey through trauma, illness, and recovery The difference between managing wounds and healing them Why so many of us lose ourselves trying to be who we're "supposed" to be Building a business around work that's difficult to explain The surprising thing Alex has learned after working with hundreds of people What healing has taught her about compassion Connect with Alex: Empowering Path www.empoweringpath.com On Instagram

In today's dating culture, many people say there aren't enough “good men.” But is the real issue that great men are becoming harder to find—or that they're too often overlooked?In this discussion, Marquett Burton explores what he believes are the qualities that define a great man, why leadership, discipline, loyalty, and purpose matter, and how modern culture influences relationship expectations. He also shares his perspective on masculinity, personal responsibility, the pursuit of success, and what both men and women can do to build stronger relationships.Topics include:* What makes a great man?* Why leadership matters* Modern dating and relationship expectations* Masculinity and purpose* Wealth, discipline, and responsibility* Choosing a long-term partner wisely* Building stronger families and communitiesWhether you agree or disagree, this conversation is intended to challenge assumptions and encourage thoughtful discussion about relationships, leadership, and the qualities people value in a life partner.Do you think modern society encourages people to choose the right partner? Share your thoughts in the comments.⸻

With Josh Tomolak, Vice President of Independent Advisor Services, Diamond Consultants Louis Diamond and Josh Tomolak unpack today's IBD vs. RIA landscape, explaining what has changed, where each model excels, and how to determine which path best supports the business you want to build. In Summary The independent wealth management landscape has changed dramatically, making the decision between an independent broker dealer (IBD) and an RIA more nuanced than ever before. Louis Diamond welcomes Diamond Consultants' Vice President of Independent Advisor Services, Josh Tomolak, for a practical discussion of how the independent space has evolved, what truly differentiates the IBD and RIA models today, and how advisors can evaluate which path best aligns with the business they want to build. The Storyline Not long ago, the decision to become independent was relatively straightforward. Advisors either remained with a traditional firm or pursued independence through one of a limited number of models. Today, the conversation is far more complex. Independent broker dealers have significantly expanded their capabilities, offering stronger technology, larger transition packages, greater flexibility, and even pathways to RIA ownership. At the same time, the RIA ecosystem has matured into a sophisticated marketplace supported by multiple custodians, outsourced service providers, institutional capital, and enterprise platforms that rival many of the industry's largest firms. As these developments have unfolded, the traditional distinctions between an IBD and an RIA have become less obvious. Advisors evaluating their options are no longer simply asking whether they should become independent—they're asking which model best supports the clients they serve, the business they envision, and the lifestyle they want to create. In this Industry Update, Louis and Josh unpack the realities behind the IBD vs. RIA decision. They discuss where the two models overlap, where meaningful differences still exist, and why factors like service, technology, economics, operational responsibility, enterprise value, and long-term optionality often matter more than labels alone. Whether you're considering changing independent firms, launching your own RIA, or simply want a better understanding of how the independent landscape has evolved, this conversation provides an objective framework for evaluating today's choices—and preparing for tomorrow's opportunities. Topics Covered Independent Broker Dealer (IBD) vs. RIA models The evolution of supportive independence Technology investments across the independent space Transition support and advisor mobility Capital solutions and recruiting economics Business formation and enterprise value Launching an independent RIA Multi-custodial platforms and open architecture Minority investments and succession planning Future trends shaping advisor independence > Download a transcript of this episode… Listen and Learn Highlights for Advisors Why are already-independent advisors reconsidering their current model? (5:27) Josh explains why service, technology, economics, and growing optionality are causing advisors to reevaluate their existing affiliations. How have independent broker dealers and RIAs become more alike? (19:28) Louis and Josh discuss the growing convergence between the two models and why the distinction is becoming less obvious than many advisors assume. What really separates an IBD from an RIA? (25:04) A practical discussion of autonomy, compliance, flexibility, custody, economics, and advisor experience. What misconceptions keep advisors from launching an RIA? (36:29) Josh outlines the “Four Pillars” of launching an RIA and explains where advisors tend to either overestimate or underestimate the operational realities. Which advisors thrive most in each model? (33:12) The conversation explores why there isn't a universally “better” model—only one that's better aligned with an advisor's goals. What trends are quietly reshaping independence? (42:13) Minority investments, enterprise value, business formation, and changing revenue models may have an even greater impact than advisors realize today. Key Takeaways Independence has evolved from a destination into an ongoing strategic decision. Independent broker dealers have significantly improved technology, transition support, economics, and flexibility. The RIA ecosystem has matured into a highly sophisticated marketplace with broad outsourcing and support options. Choosing between an IBD and an RIA should begin with long-term business objectives—not industry perceptions. Building a valuable business depends more on business structure and scalability than simply growing assets. Advisors considering independence should evaluate models with an open mind rather than relying on outdated assumptions. The next decade will likely bring continued convergence between independent business models. https://youtu.be/jHDVso2TsmQ Quotable Moments “The question is no longer, ‘Do I want to go independent?' The question is, ‘What kind of independence makes the most sense for my clients, business, and goals?'” “Business formation is far more important than assets under management.” “The way you build your business will ultimately determine how valuable that business becomes.” “Everything in an RIA is going to cost you either your time or your money.” FAQs Is there still a meaningful difference between an IBD and an RIA? Yes. While the two models increasingly overlap, they differ in areas such as flexibility, compliance structure, operational responsibility, economics, and control. Why are more independent advisors changing firms today? Improved technology, stronger transition support, evolving economics, and better service models are prompting many advisors to reassess whether their current platform still fits their business. Is launching an RIA easier than it used to be? Yes. Supportive independence, outsourced service providers, and improved custodial resources have significantly reduced many of the historical barriers. Does every entrepreneurial advisor belong in the RIA model? No. The best fit depends on an advisor's appetite for ownership, customization, operational responsibility, and long-term vision. What matters more: assets under management or how the business is built? Josh argues that scalable business formation often has a greater impact on enterprise value than AUM alone. What's the biggest mistake advisors make when evaluating independence? Starting with assumptions instead of objectives. The most effective due diligence begins by defining the business you're trying to build, then identifying the model best suited to support it. Yes. While the two models increasingly overlap, they differ in areas such as flexibility, compliance structure, operational responsibility, economics, and control. Improved technology, stronger transition support, evolving economics, and better service models are prompting many advisors to reassess whether their current platform still fits their business. Yes. Supportive independence, outsourced service providers, and improved custodial resources have significantly reduced many of the historical barriers. No. The best fit depends on an advisor's appetite for ownership, customization, operational responsibility, and long-term vision. Josh argues that scalable business formation often has a greater impact on enterprise value than AUM alone. Starting with assumptions instead of objectives. The most effective due diligence begins by defining the business you're trying to build, then identifying the model best suited to support it. Related Resources IBD vs. RIA Comparison Guide IBD vs. RIA Revisited: Two Independent Pathways for Advisors to Consider NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. View the transcript of this episode… IBD vs. RIA: A Special Industry Update on Independence A conversation with Louis Diamond and Josh Tomolak, Vice President of Independent Advisor Services at Diamond Consultants.      Louis Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is IBD vs. RIA: A Special Industry Update on Independence. It’s a conversation with Josh Tomolak, our Vice President of Independent Advisor Services. I’m Louis Diamond, and this is the Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive, whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique, or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned. And each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education driven and based on building relationships, starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at (908) 879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual advisor transition report. It’s the award-winning data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Louis Diamond: For a long time, going independent would suggest the destination. Today, it’s often the beginning of a different conversation. As the independent space has matured, advisors have more choices than ever before. Broker-dealers have expanded their capabilities. The RIA ecosystem has become increasingly sophisticated. Capital is more readily available and support models now exist that would’ve been difficult to imagine a decade ago. The result is that many advisors who are already independent are taking a fresh look at whether their current affiliation still aligns with what they’re trying to build. My guest is Josh Tomolak, Vice President of Independent Advisor Services here at Diamond Consultants and our resident expert on independence. Josh spends his days helping advisors evaluate independence in all its forms from independent broker dealers, the fully independent RIAs and everything in between. And his knowledge is critical because the distinction between these models is often blurred. Many broker dealers now offer pathways to greater autonomy while supported independence has made RIA ownership more accessible than ever before. So the question is no longer simply, “Do I want to go independent?” The question is, “What kind of independence makes the most sense for client, business, and goals?” Josh shares what he’s seeing across the landscape, the misconceptions that continue to shape advisor thinking and the factors that matter most when evaluating the next chapter of an independent business. There’s a lot to discuss, so let’s get to it. Josh, thanks for joining me today. Joshua Tomolak: Thanks for having me, Louis. It’s a real privilege to have come. This is a full circle moment for me going from being a student of your podcast, to working alongside you, to being a guest. So I appreciate you having me. Louis Diamond: Amazing. I’m excited for this one too, because you have a fresh and in the weeds perspective that a lot of our guests simply don’t have. So why don’t you start off, you spend your time helping advisors evaluate independence every day. So working with advisors who are already independent, for the most part. And to me, it feels like the independent space has really evolved dramatically over the last decade. I mean, this podcast is really the epicenter of that to prove that out, but give us a little background on your past roles in the space and then we can get into what you’re seeing right now. Joshua Tomolak: Yeah, I’d be happy to. So I took a very non-traditional path into wealth management. I spent a decade as a deep sea Navy diver, and upon completing my service there, I ended up working for TD Ameritrade. And in my role there, I spent about six years doing nothing but helping financial advisors explore the RIA space, whether that was to join or partner with an RIA, sell to an RIA, or in most cases, launch their own RIA. And one of the things that I ultimately came to terms with is it’s just not the right model for everybody. While I’m a huge advocate for it, we would often lose business to the major broker-dealers of the world. And at the time, I really didn’t understand why. In the last six years at Diamond Consultants has been a very interesting purview into what a lot of the broker-dealers have done and are doing to make themselves more RIA-ish and be very compelling to the right advisor. Louis Diamond: Perfect framing. Your background is incredibly germane to the folks you work with. So let’s start off with the softball here. What are you seeing right now? Joshua Tomolak: It’s not so different than the rest of the industry, the wirehouses, the regional firms, things of that nature, that if you took 10 firms, they’re all likely to go different directions, even if they were identical practices. That could be… A third would go from an independent broker-dealer to another independent broker-dealer. Certainly the supported RIA space is growing every day and has created a lot of very fun and unique solutions for advisors, very customized and curated. And then I think there’s still a lot of really great sophisticated teams and individual contributors that are making the decision to go hyper entrepreneurial and launch their own individual RIA. So the movement’s really all over the board from my perspective. Louis Diamond: It does feel like it’s no longer independence is an alternative option or it’s on the fringes. It’s very front and center whether for breakaways, which is a big topic on our podcast, but in general, the infrastructure has become much, much more sophisticated today than ever before. Advisors have way more tools in their toolbox to serve clients, whether in the private markets or through technology. And it’s no longer that if an advisor’s independent, they’re in the minor leagues where they don’t have the same ability to serve clients like they did if they’re at a big bank or a private bank or a wirehouse. Do you agree? Joshua Tomolak: I absolutely agree. And I’m reminded of a question I got one time from a great team that I worked with in New York. They asked me, “Are there really more options than ever before? Because all we see is one firm selling to another.” And I think that’s a really great point. There’s far less broker dealers on the street than there were even five years ago. But for every Commonwealth, for example, that sells to an LPL, up pops three or four really cool private equity-backed, sophisticated RIA platform firms that are built to service their own unique advisor base. Louis Diamond: I think that’s right. Sitting on the sidelines, sitting on top of everything going on in the industry, I feel like capital is always an interesting topic forever. If an advisor wanted to move within the independent world or break away from a big firm to go independent, the only way to get capital was to go to an independent broker dealer. So we still see that, but I feel like today between all these minority acquisition opportunities, we’re seeing firms acquire practices at time of transition, which is somewhat new. There’s debt solutions, recruiting deals are way up for firms that are paying forgivable loans. RIAs now would, in some cases, will pay a forgivable note. What are you seeing there as far as the availability of capital and just deals in general? Joshua Tomolak: It’s a great question and I didn’t want to take the low-hanging fruit, but capital’s been a huge innovation, I guess, in the last five years I’d say. Just to give you rough quotes, please don’t hold me to it, but traditional transition broker-dealer deals were five years ago, 40 to 60% of Trailing Twelve revenue today are somewhere between 90 and 120%, sometimes north of that for the right team. That’s really meaningful money for the team that is thinking about foregoing a wirehouse deal, for example. I’d also say a lot of these firms are getting hyper-creative in how they solve for capital. The minority investment piece that you mentioned is very interesting. We’re seeing a lot of privatized forgivable notes in the RIA space where third-party or private lenders are basically lending the money and the RIA is making the payments on that forgivable note as long as the advisor is affiliated with them. So there’s been a recognition among the RIA space to get away from the, “Oh, they just took a check” type of mantra, and to say, “Look, I understand there are capital needs. These people are taking a risk. We need to solve for that.” So we’ve seen a lot of that in the marketplace. Louis Diamond: Very interesting. I think another thing financially, and then we’ll keep the train moving, that I know I’ve seen, and maybe you can weigh in if you’ve seen the same, is the cost to an advisor or a business owner to join an independent BD or to join an RIA has come way down, probably in part because of Schwab going to zero on trading. That’s been a catalyst. But it feels like we used to say independent BDs were expensive relative to the RIA world. And in some cases, they certainly could be. And if you’re at scale, maybe you can pick up a point or two being in the RIA world versus a BD. But when you have some of these BDs that have a basis point admin fee or no admin fee at a certain size and the payouts I feel like are similar, maybe have gone up a little bit, but it’s more so like the administrator fees, the platform fees, the program fees. Anyone who’s not in that world, it’s like, “What are you talking about?” But basically the way that these broker-dealers make money, it seems like there’s been a pretty big differential in the exchange of value where advisors now get more services, better technology, get more money to join them and get it at a lower cost. Do you agree? Joshua Tomolak: I absolutely agree. I think that maybe that’s one of the larger changes that we’ve seen, and it’s probably one of the benefits from a lot of the industry consolidation on that independent broker-dealer side. The economies of scale of these folks have allowed them to increase their tech spend, increase their service capacities all while offering it to the advisors at a cheaper price. And when I was at TD Ameritrade, one of the biggest pitches was the idea of a 100% payout and you control the fixed expenses, your technology compliance, et cetera. But what’s changed is that broker-dealers are pretty darn comparable on the expenses. All of those admin fees and things you mentioned will still exist, but they’re on a much smaller scale. And I think the question a lot of advisors are asking is, “Am I getting congruent value from my broker-dealer for what I pay for?” And while that answer might’ve been no a couple years ago, today the answer is more often yes. Louis Diamond: Yeah, I would agree. A lot of times we work with advisors who are starting an RIA or affiliating with an RIA or going to a BD and they see how big the deals are in the independent BD world and the payouts are really high and the fees are relatively low. And honestly, it is a hard decision or calculus to make, like, “How does it make sense for me to turn down this extremely lucrative deal when my ongoing economics are going to be somewhat similar in the BD world versus in the RIA space?” I think it’s just an interesting dynamic and we’ll get more into that distinction. One of the stars of the show right here is we’ve seen a ton of advisor movement across the industry. Our annual advisor transition report said that in 2025, over 11,000 experienced advisors changed firms, which is a large number. A lot of those numbers are within the independent world. So advisors who are 1099 through a BD or through an RIA transitioning to another platform or organization or starting an RIA. So why do you think we’re seeing so many advisors reconsider their current firm or their platform or their broker-dealer today than in years past? Joshua Tomolak: It’s a jarring number. 11,000 is definitely a significant amount of advisor movements. To me, it comes down to a few things, but I will say that it’s almost always a conglomeration of pushes and pulls. Pushes being inherent frustrations with your status quo, pulls being the new sexy, shiny things that you see in the marketplace that could be really impactful for your business. To me, it typically comes down to one of three things, at least on the push front, that drives advisors to movement. Service being number one, technology being number two, and economics being number three. And if we were just going to unpack those, I think service being, “Can you call somebody that knows your business, that knows your name? Are you getting the correct answers? Are you being pushed through a phone tree? And even if you’re not doing it, is it taking up a meaningful amount of time of your staff’s free time?” On the technology front, there’s very significant tech spends happening in the industry right now. I think Raymond James and LPL reported, for example, they spent 500 million in 2025 on a tech spend. So advisors are going to the places that are making their life easier. People are looking for a mechanism to really scale their business without having to add staff and a lot of expenses to the bottom line. And technology is just the fastest, most efficient way to do that most times. And then economics, certainly a lot of advisors and teams have built phenomenal businesses and they’ve made a great living without really stressing out about the economics. And they eventually get to a point in their business where what they were giving up as a million dollar producer is far different than what they’re giving up as a $4 million producer. And back to the congruent value, it perhaps stops to make as much sense. Louis Diamond: Well said. I always say when the cost-to-value ratio is out of whack, that’s when advisors sit up and take notice. And not to name names of firms, but there definitely are firms that are more expensive. And even if you look at how much a wirehouse or a Ed Jones advisor paid their firm, it’s like, “What got me here is not necessarily what’s going to get me there.” And while the name on the business card, the resources were incredibly impactful, and I’m so grateful for what my firm, my broker-dealer did for me when I was just starting or when I was smaller. Now the business is bigger, I rely upon different resources or I don’t need the firm as much. So I’d rather plow the cost savings either into income for myself or invest it in areas that are most germane to my business. And it’s usually when that kind of light bulb moment goes off, that’s one of the major pushes that cause advisors to evaluate other options. So I agree with you, those are the major push factors, but then what are the pull factors? What are the major advancements or changes across the independent space that’s causing advisors to say, “Hey, okay, I might have some frustrations, but at the same time, I also need to find something that’s more than marginally better than the firm I’m at. Otherwise, why am I going to go through the hassle, take the risk, et cetera? So what are some of the pull factors that advisors are latching onto today? Joshua Tomolak: Sure. And I might say with one final push factor, there’s a straw that breaks the proverbial camel’s back when you’ve been told for however many years that this change or that change is coming down the pipeline and it never happens. And it translates well into the pull factors is do they do what they say they’re going to do? The talking points really for the pull factors are exactly the same. So the counterpoint to service is perhaps having a direct relationship with the chief compliance officer at a firm or having a dedicated service representative that knows their stuff inside and out and can get you the answer even if they don’t know it off the top of their head. Having the technology to rebalance a household in two clicks instead of two hours. In economics, I think it’s really a transparency of economics. We’ve both worked with some really significant firms that have looked at their P&Ls and said, “where the heck is the money going?” And we’ve looked at the same P&Ls and said, “I have no idea,” because it’s so convoluted. People are happy to pay for good service, good technology, good products, but they just want to know where the money’s coming from. So I think it’s a yin and yang. The same things that they’re the push are often the pull. Louis Diamond: Definitely. I’ll give you a couple other from my perspective. I’ll say first specific to the independent BD world, and then we’ll dive into the RIA, I think it’s a little bit different. But I think some other will say innovations or changes that are causing advisors to really perk up and listen and really make the case to themselves that life will be better at this new organization than the status quo or staying put. We’ve seen major advancements in transition support, whether it’s being able to do a transition without a shred of paper, being able to… I mean, we’ve seen some independent advisors move their entire book within two weeks, which never would’ve happened before. So the firms that I’d say are playing offense, the larger firms that are winning, they have insane headcount around transitions and are always investing in technology, whether now on the AI front or in general. And we’ve seen transitions, they’re never easy. So that’s not a comment to say it’s easy, but a lot of the friction, a lot of the manual work has been taken away, which is massive. You definitely mentioned the significant technology spend. I mean, just the innovations going on across the industry. There’s definitely some firms that are laggards on technology and others that are light years ahead, whether because their tech is more integrated or they’ve built out their platform to be more, we’ll say modular, to plug in different third-party softwares where an advisor can really customize and create their own tech stack. I think there’s been some changes on compliance. It used to be if you’re at an independent BD, you had to be the OSJ by yourself or you had to roll up under an OSJ. But now most BDs offer home office supervision, so a big friction or pain point is taken away. And then I’ll give you a bridge to talk about what we’re seeing on the RIA side. But we’ve also seen, I would say, a real blurring of the lines between what you would traditionally think of as an independent broker dealer versus what was an RIA. So whether it’s an internal pathway where it’s like, “Start off on our independent BD platform, get the big deal, get the support, but then you can ditch that and just use this as a custodian or you can sell the business to us when you want to retire and convert to W2.” So in that vein, transitioning internally to an RIA, give me the same points like, “What are the major advancements or changes you’re seeing on the RIA side today?” Joshua Tomolak: I love that you said that because it’s been one of the most interesting changes to watch. Independent broker dealers becoming more like RIAs, and to your point, being more flexible, having more optionality, a more curated experience in some cases. And in many cases becoming closer to independent broker dealers with some of these massive shops that we’ve seen be created over the last five years that now have hundreds, if not thousands of advisors. To your question on the internal RIA slide as we sometimes call it, this really didn’t exist many places a few years ago. And I think it’s been created as both originally a retention tool in many places for the advisors that were with a major independent broker dealer and they ultimately wanted to have their own ADV and their own RIA. And the firm didn’t want to lose all the assets to an independent custodian so they gave them the green light to… And it’s ultimately became a sales tool in many cases. Just to use a couple of examples across the industry, I mean, Raymond James has Raymond James Custody Services, which has attracted a lot of really sophisticated teams. I know Wells Fargo Finance done something similar and even the counterparts over at Cetera and Osaic are trying to do the same thing. So it’s a recognition in my view that we want to keep the best talent possible. And if these folks are ultimately going to go RIA anyway, it’s less about the money and more about the flexibility and control that it offers them. So what can we do to keep those folks on board? And rightfully so, a lot of senior management of these firms have said, “Let’s not lose these teams. It’s going to be a lower margin business for us, but at the rate that they’re growing, it’s going to pay off in the long run.” Louis Diamond: Well said. RIAs are now more mainstream. And some of these RIAs, they’re either resembling independent BDs or I would even go so far to say the valuations that are even publicly available on some RIAs is definitely having people take notice. I mean, Cerity Partners recently raised capital at an over $8 billion reported valuation. Crescent was well over a billion. Firms like Mariner, Creative Planning, Mercer, Wealth Enhancement Group, and there’s many that I’m missing, are all worth a couple billion dollars or more and growing. Do you think that’s had an impact on the legitimacy or the staying power of the RIA model? Joshua Tomolak: Oh, absolutely. There’s no doubt about it. I mean, those groups that you mentioned and many more are winning some of the biggest teams on the street. I mean, if you pull up a run-of-the-mill advisor hub article, for example, you’ll see as many of those RIAs win significant businesses as you will their broker-dealer counterparts, partially in my opinion, due to the massive valuations these firms are fetching. And it’s much more of a partnership in the sense that joining a Crescent or a Wealth Enhancement Group, as you mentioned, you’re a part of a boutique group of maybe a couple of hundred very sophisticated high-producing advisors all playing under the same banner, all rowing in the same direction, and that creates substantial growth. Louis Diamond: Exactly right. I think two other things to me that’s driving the legitimacy or the growth of the RIA segment, there’s so many different outsourcing solutions that have popped up, whether it’s more of a… We’ll say a bundled or a package outsourcing solution through firms like Dynasty and Sanctuary. LPL has done a ton with having a shared services outsourcing model. So you have those. But you also have, I mean, probably 10 different firms I could think of that can be an outsourced chief compliance officer. You have tons of marketing agencies that specialize in helping RIAs. You have all these FinTechs popping up to support the RIA space. Really, it’s like anything and everything can be outsourced now. And even the big Wall Street banks like UBS, Merrill, et cetera, they’re attempting to sell and distribute product into the RIA space. Venture funds, private equity funds, anyone you talk to is trying to get a piece of the RIA space, which means there’s more product and platform availability than ever before. And I think it’s massive because one, it’s a catalyst for teams who say, “I love everything about the RIA world. I just don’t want to do it on my own,” or, “I don’t know where to start.” But also it means that they can look their clients in the eye and say, “Hey, not only do I have the same stuff that I had for you at XYZ firm, I can actually do more for you.” And even if you look at what the custodians are doing on the lending side now, Schwab owning a bank is massive and being able to facilitate mortgages, securities-backed loans, things that didn’t really exist in the past. I think it’s a very exciting time for advisors either that are independent or are considering the independent space because you have all these choices and it’s really like, “Choose your own adventure. Give me your top five things you want.” I’m sure it exists and we can find it and make it happen. And I don’t think we’d have the same confidence in that statement 5, 7, 10 years ago. Joshua Tomolak: I couldn’t agree more. That’s such a huge development is the marketplace of third party vendors in any kind of capitalism environment. There’s problems that people encounter and there’s really smart people that are trying to make a lot of money that go to market to solve them. And we’ve seen a ton of that over the last few years. Louis Diamond: Exactly right. Yeah, it’s like also… If an advisor looks around and says, “Hey, this is what I want,” and it doesn’t exist, oftentimes that’s a light bulb moment to be like, “Okay, I’ll go build it. I’ll do it on my own.” Whether it was Stewart Partners when they launched a number of years ago or Hightower, Dynasty, et cetera. They were all started by people that said, “Hey, I see a big gap in the ecosystem. Let’s create a business and raise capital to go solve it and then deliver this service to other like-minded advisors or business owners.” Honestly, it’s a treat to be able to watch all this happen in real time. We probably should have laid the groundwork with this next question, but I think it’s an important one. What’s the difference between a independent broker-dealer and an RIA? Really basic foundational. It sounds like the lines are blurred. There’s probably a lot of similarities. Advisors are successful in both. It’s not like one’s better than the other. How would you explain the differences, if a client of ours asked, “What’s the difference between an independent broker-dealer and IBD versus an RIA”? Joshua Tomolak: Get into the core of it. Again, the lines are blurred, and I’ll stay very high level on the strategic differences, but I like to use this example. I drive a Toyota Tundra. Really like the truck, gets me from A to B. Now, if I were getting to a point where I wanted a new vehicle, if I were to go get another Toyota Tundra because I really like a lot of aspects of it, but I want the one with the bigger screen and the bigger tires and the power seats, and I have rolled down windows because I have a fear of drowning. But if I want a lot of the bells and whistles, but I want to keep the foundation, that’s what I align to a independent broker-dealer to independent broker-dealer. You like the foundation of everything all under one roof. You like a lot of the resources, but you have some meaningful frustrations and you want to see if another provider in the market can solve for those or you can upgrade. If I instead, Louis, decided that I wanted a sports car or a Jeep Wrangler or something, I would be looking at a different category altogether. That’s how I articulate the platform space. They provide the same services and support in many cases that an independent broker-dealer does, think of marketing and a tech stack and regulatory oversight and a fellowship in a community, but they’re built on an RIA TC registered chassis. They’re typically far more customized so you can shop the street to get a lot more of the things that you like, though you are walking away from maybe some of the things that you’ve liked in the independent broker-dealer model. So I guess that’s the highest level I might explain it, just a little bit more minutia in any broker-dealer is going to be a FINRA registered, FINRA member broker-dealer. So they’re subject to the FINRA rules, which basically means it’s the compliance interpretation of those rules that they have to follow. So LPL’s rules may be slightly different than Cetera’s than Ameriprise’s because it’s based on their interpretations of the rules. In the RIA space, everybody really operates on the fiduciary standard. So it’s just a different lens that from a compliance standpoint, business is looked at. And a lot of people would make the argument that it’s just easier to get things done when you’re looking at something from that lens. I might’ve gone too compliance nerd on you there, but I’d be curious what you think some of the major differences are. Louis Diamond: Yeah, I think that’s right. I mean, it sounds like if you’re in the RIA world in some capacity that you as the advisor or business owner are going to have a little bit more control and autonomy and flexibility. One, do you think that’s true? And what are the reasons why that is? Is it platform? Is it strictly just compliance is easier? What are the different ways that an RIA would have more or less flexibility than someone who’s with an independent BD? Joshua Tomolak: Yeah, I think it’s overwhelmingly true, but it certainly depends on your business. Within most RIA platforms, you’re going to be one of a couple dozen, maybe a couple hundred, where you’re going to have people within that firm that really know your business. So the experience in getting things done is much less about, “Can I do this,” or, “Can I not do this?” And it’s, “Louis, I understand you asked for this. We’re going to run into these issues, but let’s figure out how to get to yes.” So it’s far more curated by people that are not operating on black and white rules and can actually figure out how to get to yes for your business. The other thing I would say is that most significant RIA platforms have multiple custodial options. So many times you’ll see as few as two or as many as five. So if an advisor or a team is trying to bring on a new piece of business or do something creative, that might be something they can use a different custodial relationship to accomplish. It might be something that Goldman Sachs does really well but is in its infancy at Fidelity, or it might be international business that’s approved on Pershing’s platform but not Schwab’s platform. So the RIA partner that you’re with can really look at those custodians agnostically and say, “What’s the best home for this business? What’s the best way to get this done for Louis?” There’s a couple examples of where I see the flexibility in practice. Louis Diamond: Yeah, I think one more too would be the concept of being able to shop the street. I’ve heard it described as becoming a buy-side advocate for your clients versus being a professional seller. So meaning, if I’m affiliated with an RIA or I’m operating my own RIA, there’s no selling away like there is at a wirehouse or at certain BDs. So if I have a client who’s trying to get a $10 million loan for a new building that they’re breaking ground on, if I’m at UBS, Merrill, Morgan Stanley, captive to a BD, I can go to my firm and say, “Hey, this $10 million loan, here it is. What are the terms? What are the rates? Will you take on this business?” And the firm will say, “Yes. No. Yes, here are the terms. Here’s the caveats, et cetera.” But it’s a very closed market process and an advisor has to live and die by what their firm says. Versus in the RIA world, it’s, “Okay, I have relationships with nine different banks and I can go to these different banks and private credit funds and whoever and really create either an option process for my client or really just help them in a fully agnostic open way.” And we see the same thing when it comes to alternative investments. No one at a wirehouse, let’s say, is complaining that they don’t have enough alts that they can offer clients. Those firms have done an amazing job with really boiling the ocean and having tons and tons of options for private investments, hedge funds, et cetera. But if you’re in the RIA world, you can take it to the next level and say, “Hey, this $3 million startup company that my friend is starting, I’m going to help them raise capital,” or, “My client wants to get a syndicate of investors together to have a direct investment into a qualified opportunity zone fund that they’re starting. Let’s do it when we can advise on it.” So it really expands what an advisor is able to do on behalf of clients. Like to me, that’s the most interesting or exciting part of the RIA model. You can get some of that within the BD world, but to me, when an advisor’s business becomes more sophisticated as far as what their end client’s needs are, it tends to translate better to the RIA world than the BD world. Not to say there aren’t ultra-high net worth focused advisors at BDs, but because of that additional flexibility, autonomy, customization, et cetera, that speaks more RIA. So again, absolutely not down at all on the independent BDs because I think there’s a massive home for them. Josh, let me turn it back to you. I’m rambling now. Give me the pitch for an independent BD. What are the things that are misperceptions that people have? What are the advantages that an independent broker dealer like an LPL or a RayJ or a Cetera have over RIAs or over other models in general? Joshua Tomolak: Absolutely. And I’d say I’ve learned more over the last six years from some of your ramblings than most people learn in an MBA course, so keep doing what you’re doing. But it’s funny being in this position now, having spent so much time sort of selling against the IBD model within TD Ameritrade, but what I’ve learned is it’s a good home for everybody. And a lot of times the advisors that they’re entrepreneurial enough where they like having their name on the door, but they’re not so entrepreneurial where they want to build everything out themselves, that’s where the independent broker dealers absolutely kill it. Their economics have gotten to a point where they’re really competitive. They offer transition capital that isn’t even going to be comparable in the RIA space unless you’re selling a minority share of your business. And you mentioned LPL, or we could really list all of the major ones, there’s not a department that they don’t have. It could be as nuance as finding 403(b) payroll slots or it could be as mainstream as fixed income or setting up events. There are all kinds of really neat departments that these all under one roof independent broker dealers have invested in. And a lot of times they make an effort to make you very much aware of all of the support because most people don’t use it. So I would say for the advisors that are looking to get their improved Toyota Tundra, then you can get probably 70 or 80% of what you want within the independent broker-dealer world. And you can also keep 20 or 30% of the stuff, maybe more that you really liked at your previous firm. So I think that’s where it really shines. I sometimes call it an incremental change rather than a transformational change. But for many advisors, incremental is really good enough if you get to keep the familiarity of how you’ve been doing business for the last 20-some years, but you’re able to get net improvement on the things that were really bothering you. Louis Diamond: Well said. Something that I’ve seen that’s been… I guess this could be either pro or con depending upon the advisor, but with some broker dealers, letting an advisor co-brand with them or really having a real consumer-facing brand, whether it’s, “I’m a franchise owner with Ameriprise,” or, “I’m independent through Raymond James,” or, “Running my own practice through Wells Fargo FiNet,” or, “I’m independent with Northwestern Mutual.” There’s definitely some brand cache or brand familiarity with some of those firms that may or may not be the same if you’re in the RIA world. So I would agree there’s a lot to like about the independent BD world and there’s a fit for people that is absolutely better with independent BDs than on the RIA side. Even if some people would say RIA is better, we’re cleaner, I wouldn’t say that. To me, it’s all about what an advisor’s goals are and then matching that up with what these firms do. And there’s never a perfect option. I jokingly say, “If there was a perfect firm, we wouldn’t be in business.” Every firm has their advantages or disadvantages. And depending upon where an advisor’s coming from, their style of business, their pain points, that’ll match up really well with on firm or one type of firm or one model than the other. Let’s pivot a little bit to the RIA world. A lot of your comments have been more about advisors affiliating or joining RIAs, this whole supportive version of independence concept. But what about advisors who want to go and start their own RIA? Either they’re leaving a captive firm and taking the entrepreneurial route and starting their own firm, or they’re leaving an independent BD to go start their own RIA. What do you see as some of the biggest misconceptions that advisors have about that move? Joshua Tomolak: That’s probably my favorite topic because there are the most misconceptions I think in this space. Louis Diamond: I’d agree. Joshua Tomolak: And I would say there’s 9 out of 10 conversations that I have with advisors and teams, they start off with the launching an RIA in mind or at least RIA curious and they want to understand what’s out there. And probably less than half the time do these folks end up actually launching their own RIA, which is okay because the ones that do are massively successful and they know they’re dang sure that’s exactly what they want to do. I think it gets a little bit romanticized sometimes that they’ll say, “Oh, I’ll just give Schwab a call,” or, “I’ll just give the custodian a call,” as if they were shopping independent broker dealers. That’s fine. You can do that and they will help you, but there’s quite a bit more to think about. And it’s not, in my opinion, the same as evaluating independent broker dealers. If it’s all right, I was taught the four pillars of the RIA model. I can go through that with you really quickly. So the way to think about the RIA space is in four pieces. And shout out to a friend, Eli Suarez, that taught me this years ago. The first pillar… Thinking of four pillars on a bar stool, if you will. The first one being administration. And this is your compliance, this is setting up your ADV, your LLC, all of your business formation documents. The second piece being technology, what do you actually want to use? Because the benefits of the broker-dealer world and the supported independent world is they’ve already built it for you. They’ve already paid for it and scraped their knees building it. In this case, you have to. And for some people, that’s really exciting to source financial planning software and portfolio management software and your CRM and tax software, et cetera. For some people, it just sounds like a huge headache. The third pillar being custodians. I have them third because you want to make sure that the right custodian can integrate properly with the technology that you’ve sourced that you’re passionate about. And then ultimately transition. What does a transition really look like? What are my legal and regulatory requirements? How does this work? What are the timelines? Things of that nature. So I guess I would say in closing that if those four things are things that you really want to own, then you’re in a really good position to consider an RIA launch. What do you think, Louis? Louis Diamond: I think that’s a great framework to break it down. Not just be like, “Okay, I can tolerate that,” or, “My team can do it,” but I think you have to be pretty excited about rolling up your sleeves and customizing and doing it yourself because in our experience, there’s a nominal differential between the economics of running your own RIA versus affiliating with an RIA or going to an independent BD. All the extra work and responsibility, you’re not really going to make it up, at least on the front end, on a higher net payout. So it has to be more about what the model means to you and having a vision that you don’t think anyone else can accomplish other than yourself. And looking at that crazy ever-expanding Michael Kitces’ FinTech map and there’s 500 different logos on it and being like, “Yes, that’s what I want. I want to go through this. I want to pick the seven pieces of my tech stack that work for me,” rather than getting, “Here’s the tech stack, take a demo, you like it, you don’t like it, take it or leave it.” To me, the two biggest misconceptions people have about the RIA world is one, “I’m going to have to be a full-time chief compliance officer,” and just that compliance is this boogeyman, this terrible, scary thing. In some ways it is. But the reality is most, especially startup RIAs will fully outsource compliance to a firm or they’ll hire a compliance consultant or firms that are big enough even will hire a CCO or repurpose someone on their team to be CCO. But compliance is much more streamlined and simpler than BD compliance. And ultimately, it’s compliance that’s being built for your business rather than compliance that’s being built for a publicly traded multinational company that supports 20,000 financial advisors. So I think compliance is always a big misconception. It’s definitely what a lot of firms will pry upon when they’re saying like, “Oh, you’re going to own all the legal and regulatory requirements. You could, but it’s definitely not a requirement.” And then I think another one is folks sometimes underestimate and overestimate the operational burden and how much work it is to start an RIA. Sometimes people just… They’re perfect for the RIA world, that’s their goal, but they get stopped in their tracks. They don’t really know what to do. But what we’ve seen, we said it earlier with so many different outsourcing solutions and different service providers that have popped up, if you have the fire in your belly to go build something, it doesn’t mean you’re doing it by yourself. I mean, that’s what firms like ours do. The custodians are very helpful. On the flip side though, I have seen advisors chasing payouts say, “Hey, I’m just going to go start an RIA because I want to make another 1 to 3%,” or whatever it comes to and they drastically underestimate what it really takes to build a successful firm. Joshua Tomolak: Exactly right. I think that’s my favorite one, Louis, overestimating and estimating the operational burden there is you could have the same conversation with two teams and it can go the completely different direction. Louis Diamond: Josh, let’s wrap here. I got one more question for you that I think is an exciting one, but give me three key trends or storylines that most people don’t know about or aren’t talking about that you’re passionate about or that you’re sharing with advisors or counseling today. Joshua Tomolak: Sure. This is the free advice portion. And I’ll tell you what, Louis, if it’s all right with you, I’ll give you two and I would love to hear one from you as well. The first one I’ve seen in both the independent broker-dealer and RIA space is the minority investor concept. A lot of folks will talk about the idea of taking chips off a table and starting to partially monetize your business. I think that’s all important, but what I’ve found is that a lot of advisors really want their partner, whether it’s an RIA broker dealer to help them grow. And that could be with M&A opportunities, that could be with traditional recruitment of advisors, that could be building a business plan. But the minority investment part really helps accelerate that for a lot of businesses because all of a sudden, not only are you cashing out a small part of your business, but you’ve just created an ally with the parent entity, it is now much more likely to help you grow in that capacity because they’re insulated from it and they profit when you profit. So I think it’s easy to be shortsighted and say, “Well, my equity’s going to keep growing. Why would I sell you a piece of this?” But I counsel folks often to really think about what that long-term strategic partnership is and making somebody a real equity partner rather than just a vendor that provides you with technology and regulatory coverage. The other one I’d say is that… And this one’s really important to me, that business formation is far more important than your assets under management. Said a different way, the way you build your business is going to make your business far more valuable than the number of dollars underneath your name. And what I mean by that is, just to use an example, a sophisticated, well-built, centralized, scalable and repeatable business, whether it’s an RIA with a broker-dealer that is going to fetch a far higher M&A multiple than a OSJ that’s five times the size that just has a bunch of 1099 independent advisors underneath the umbrella. What we’ve seen in the M&A space is that if you’re going to shell out 50, 60, $80 million for somebody’s business, you want to know that you have this business for the long term. So I would certainly counsel people that have been around maybe far longer than me to take a look at how you’re building this and put together a business plan on what those next 10 years should look like and not necessarily fall into the trap where your only revenue source is the override that you receive from a firm and then you in turn pay to the advisors on your team. Louis Diamond: Well said. I really like that line. We’d probably do a whole episode on what are the tips and tricks for building a business with the end in mind? Like the Covey quote, “Begin with the end in mind.” Transitions are like… They’re a bear. I mean, there’s no way to sugarcoat it. Advisors, when they hear transition, if you ask them, “Don’t think about it, give me your reaction.” “Terrible, risky, a lot of work. I’ll never do it again. My friend did it and it was terrible. What if my clients don’t come?” It’s all these negative emotions. And in many cases, I don’t blame an advisor because it is a big act. But to me, if someone is weighing making a transition, whether a wholesale business model change going from being an employee to being independent, going from being an advisor at an independent BD to starting an RIA, or even going independent BD to independent BD, it’s an opportunity if you rise to the occasion to build with this next act with intentionality. So whether it’s restructuring compensation for your team, converting people from 1099 to W2, putting in place new workflows, changing how investments, instead of it being each individual advisor doing investments to more of a centralized model, cleaning up workflows, really investing in data, investing in AI. It’s something that I think, again, we can have a whole episode on it, but I think it’s a great one. Build the business the right way. And obviously, businesses that are larger, theoretically, sell for more, but we’ve certainly seen businesses that are half the size of a larger one sell for a similar amount or more because they did all the right things and the larger one did the things that really turn off a buyer or detract from a valuation. Let me give you one more and tell me if you agree, but I think we’re in this moment when Altruist, the upstart, a new kid on the block custodian, they launched a basically tokenization of cash in a way to automatically agentically source or sort cash to the highest yielding money market. And you’re like, “This is fricking wonky. Louis, why are you telling us this?” I think this is an important one just to keep a watchful eye on. I have no idea how this is going to shake out, but really the biggest way that independent BDs or even custodians like Schwab and Fidelity really make money, it’s not on their overrides from practices or the admin fee or the custody fee. It’s really on net interest margin. So how much the broker-dealer or the firm is making on client cash and brokerage accounts relative to what they’re paying out the client. It’s essentially like free margin to these firms. And this concept, I think, has massive potential for disruption for the business model. Again, I don’t know what it’s going to look like, whether it means platform fees that are instituted at all these firms, whether it means certain models would be more beneficial than others, whether it means nothing’s going to change, which is probably the right answer given this industry. But it’s something to keep a watchful eye on just if your firm institutes a new platform fee or there’s a fundamental way in which your firm can no longer make money. How are they going to make it up? Are they now going to be uncompetitive? They’re not going to have as much scale or profits to invest in the platform. Is it going to cause even more consolidation in the industry? So to me, that’s the one pretty under the radar, pretty wonky storyline that I don’t think enough people are talking about, but has the biggest possibility for disruption across their space than anything I’ve seen in a while. Joshua Tomolak: Sure. That’s the whole iceberg. Not a lot of people are talking about it. It’s not poking out of the ocean, but it’s going to be continuously brought up. I think it’s a question that a lot of advisors are going to have to ask these firms. And at the end of the day, the firms aren’t the bad guys. They have to make money too to provide a quality product. So where the money comes from matters. Louis Diamond: Exactly. Josh, this has been awesome. I learned a lot talking with you and just having your objective consulting hat on what I think are really the differences between IBD and RIA and some of the key trends and storylines to watch has been instrumental. I’ll also give a plug that on our website and we’ll link to it in the show notes, we have a really helpful one-page reference guide going through the differences between independent BDs or IBDs and RIAs. So feel free to click on it. We’ll make sure it gets in your inbox. Josh, thanks again for joining us today. Joshua Tomolak: Yeah, thanks for having me, Louis. It was a pleasure. Mindy Diamond: As a financial advisor, you hold yourself to the highest standards of integrity, honesty, and credibility. You are successful because you take your professional responsibilities seriously and are dedicated to your clients. But are you living your best business life? Are your goals aligned with your firms or could a better option exist? Should I stay or Should I Go? is a book written with you in mind. It’s a self-guided journey that walks you through the key steps that we take with our advisor clients. This strategic thought process and roadmap to professional self-discovery is designed to help you ask the right questions and think critically and objectively whether you’re considering change or not. Learn how to get your copy at diamond-consultants.com/thebook. IBD vs. RIA: A Special Industry Update on Independence A conversation with Louis Diamond and Josh Tomolak, Vice President of Independent Advisor Services at Diamond Consultants.      Louis Diamond: Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast series for financial advisors. Today’s episode is IBD vs. RIA: A Special Industry Update on Independence. It’s a conversation with Josh Tomolak, our Vice President of Independent Advisor Services. I’m Louis Diamond, and this is the Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors. Mindy Diamond: At Diamond Consultants, we help elite advisors identify the right environment for their businesses to thrive, whether that’s at a wirehouse, boutique, or independent firm. With nearly three decades of experience, we’ve guided thousands of advisors and represented more than a quarter of a trillion dollars in assets transitioned. And each year, one in four advisors managing a billion dollars or more who change firms are our clients. Our process is education driven and based on building relationships, starting as your strategic partner well before you’re even thinking of a move. To schedule a confidential conversation, call us at (908) 879-1002. Wondering why advisors change firms and where they’re headed? Are transition deals going up or down? Those very questions and more inspired us to create our annual advisor transition report. It’s the award-winning data-driven resource designed for advisors that connects the dots between the motivations around movement and the firm’s appetite for top talent. Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make smart decisions. Download your copy at diamond-consultants.com/transitionreport. Louis Diamond: For a long time, going independent would suggest the destination. Today, it’s often the beginning of a different conversation. As the independent space has matured, advisors have more choices than ever before. Broker-dealers have expanded their capabilities. The RIA ecosystem has become increasingly sophisticated. Capital is more readily available and support models now exist that would’ve been difficult to imagine a decade ago. The result is that many advisors who are already independent are taking a fresh look at whether their current affiliation still aligns with what they’re trying to build. My guest is Josh Tomolak, Vice President of Independent Advisor Services here at Diamond Consultants and our resident expert on independence. Josh spends his days helping advisors evaluate independence in all its forms from independent broker dealers, the fully independent RIAs and everything in between. And his knowledge is critical because the distinction between these models is often blurred. Many broker dealers now offer pathways to greater autonomy while supported independence has made RIA ownership more accessible than ever before. So the question is no longer simply, “Do I want to go independent?” The question is, “What kind of independence makes the most sense for client, business, and go

SummaryIn this episode, Chris McShanag, CEO of Virtual Teammate, shares insights on building remote teams, leveraging AI, and scaling businesses effectively. Discover practical strategies for hiring, leadership, and creating a cohesive remote culture.TakeawaysRemote team building and managementAI-enabled virtual teams and productivityHiring strategies and cultural fitLeadership and communication in remote settingsBusiness scaling and operational efficiencyChapters00:00 Introduction to Chris McShanag and Virtual Teammate01:19 Chris's Entrepreneurial Journey and Healthcare Focus03:01 The Shift to Remote Support in Healthcare04:11 Controlling Your Destiny as an Entrepreneur06:04 Parallels Between F1, Fighter Pilots, and Business07:07 Creating Clear Processes and Outcomes for Remote Teams08:04 Hiring and Building the Right Virtual Team09:06 Common Mistakes in Remote Hiring10:00 Aligning Tasks with the Highest Value10:57 Effective Communication and Performance Tracking12:05 Team Roles and Specialization in Remote Settings12:54 Building Company Culture with Virtual Teams13:51 Delegation Framework: Do, Defer, Delete15:09 Overcoming Challenges in Scaling with Virtual Support16:05 Assessing When Virtual Teams Are a Good Fit17:04 Lessons Learned from Entrepreneurial Challenges17:59 The Role of AI in Virtual Teams18:47 Ensuring Human Accountability with AI Tools20:08 Maximizing Productivity and Engagement in Remote Teams 21:03 Building a Cohesive Global Culture21:53 Success Traits of Effective Remote Leaders23:04 Limitations of AI and Human Intervention23:50 Avoiding Premature Outsourcing25:12 The Power of Personal Connection in Virtual Teams26:06 Encouraging Virtual Team Engagement and Leadership27:04 Impact of Virtual Teams on Global Economy28:11 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration28:54 Building a Legacy and Positive Impact in Healthcare30:05 Final Advice for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders30:58 Where to Connect with Chris and Virtual TeammateLearn more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mcshanag/https://virtualteammate.com/Credits:Hosted by Ryan RoghaarProduced by Ryan RoghaarTheme music: "Perfect Day" by OPM  The Eggs Podcast Spotify playlist:bit.ly/eggstunesThe Plugs:The Show: eggsthepodcast.com@eggsthepodcast on X and InstagramMike "DJ Ontic": Shows and info: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠djontic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@djontic on twitterRyan Roghaar:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rogha.ar⁠⁠

Send us Fan MailThe conversation focused on J.D. Williams's career, growth, resilience, and impactful roles from The Wire to today.-Podcast Chapters:00:00 Being grateful for family04:08 Facing Challenges and Finding Resilience06:51 Importance of consistency in success09:43 Maintaining a Positive Attitude13:54 Playing the Character of Bodie17:37 Discussing a character's pivotal line22:43 The Wire's ongoing relevance26:19 Discussing J.D.'s acting career29:57 Comparing HBO roles: Bodie and Kenny32:46 Being offered a unique role34:27 Building complex character traits39:16 Discussing Times Square message ideas43:33 The Wire's unexpected widespread impact-Quotes to open episodes:You've got to be persistent and consistent. Keep hitting the same spot the same way, and eventually, you'll see progress or a breakthrough.“This game is rigged, man.” - Bodie-People and Names mentioned in the episode:The WireOzDavid SimonMichael Kenneth WilliamsTray ChaneyDavid Alan GrierAlexa Vogel-J.D.'s Resources:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jdxwilliams/ IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0412907/?ref_=ext_shr_lnkSupport the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.

Zocdoc: Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/UNPLANNED #sponsored Chilipad: Visit https://www.sleep.me/UNPLANNED to get up to $255 off your Chilipad 2.0 with code UNPLANNED, plus free shipping and a 30-day sleep trial for Unplanned Podcast listeners. Upwork: Visit https://upwork.com right now and post your job for free to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow. NOBL: NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad Carson and Brielle Matranga may be known for raising their family in a tiny home, but behind the scenes their story is far more unexpected. In this episode, they open up about moving in together as teenagers, growing up with addiction, breaking generational cycles, and navigating anxiety and parenthood. They also share what it's really like raising a family in 516 sq feet, and why they wouldn't change it for anything. Brielle's IG: @breillematranga_ Carson's IG: @creator___ Follow The Unplanned Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/unplanned__podcast/ https://www.tiktok.com/@unplanned_podcast Listen to the pod on Spotify/ Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/1ToDA4ufQuWuEgMq07zN6t https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unplanned-podcast/id1669604504 Follow Matt & Abby: Abby's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/abbyelizabethoward/ Matt's Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/_matt_howard_/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@matt_and_abby Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mattandabb YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@MattandAbby Mascara is sold out! Thank you guys so much! Sign up here for updates on restock: https://www.biswell-beauty.com/ Chapters: 03:31 - Going viral 9:45 - Dance background 12:37 - Growing up in Louisiana 20:45 - Our meet cute 25:27 - Moving in together at 15 38:17 - Growing up around drug addiction 44:18 - Waiting for marriage 46:30 - Anxiety after becoming a mom 49:44 - Building our own tiny home 54:11 - Living in a tiny home with 2 kids 58:28 - Transition from 1-2 kids 01:05:12 - Boundaries with family 01:13:24 - Questions from the audience 01:22:07 - Agree to Disagree Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you've been watching The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, this is the conversation you've been waiting for. Amanda Frances joins us fresh off her first season on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills to pull back the curtain on what it was really like stepping into one of the biggest reality shows on TV with no strategy, no Bravo game plan, and honestly... no idea what she was getting herself into.We talk about what filming is actually like, what surprised her most, the moments that never made sense until she was living them, and how she learned to find her voice in a room where everyone else seemed to know the rules except her. But this episode goes way beyond Housewives. Amanda opens up about motherhood, building a wildly successful business, hiring help without guilt, navigating internet hate, and the neurodivergence journey that completely changed how she understands herself.It's one of those conversations that starts with Bravo and somehow ends up being about motherhood, identity, success, and staying true to yourself. In this episode, we cover:- What it's really like filming The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills- The behind-the-scenes moments Bravo fans never get to see- The surprising moment Amanda finally found her voice on the show- Mom guilt, childcare, and why asking for help feels so hard- Building a successful business while raising young kids- The truth about internet criticism, and how she protects her peace- ADHD, masking, neurodivergence, and the identity shift that changed everythingThis episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.Aquaphor Baby - Find the new Aquaphor Baby Sensitive Lotion now at Walmart, Amazon andTarget. Visit aquaphorus.com to learn more.Jones Road Beauty - Use code BIGLITTLEFEELINGS at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free FULL-SIZE MASCARA with your first purchase! #jonesroadbeauty #adMagnetic Me - Get 15% off sitewide at magneticme.com.Osea - Get 10% off your order sitewide with code BLF at oseamalibu.com.ResortPass - Visit resortpass.com/BLF to get $20 off your first booking of $100 or more.Ross - Find your nearest Ross at rossstores.comProduced by Dear MediaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(01:57) — Father's passing at 13: the moment that pointed toward medicine(03:22) — Growing up in Nigeria with no doctors in the family(05:07) — Applying to med school in Nigeria and not getting in(06:53) — Leaving home at 17 on a scholarship to study in the UK(09:04) — Being premed in the UK with no advisor who understood US requirements(10:32) — Why US medical school was always the destination(16:17) — Researching which US schools she was eligible to apply to(19:06) — Building the application largely on her own(22:26) — Why she stopped comparing herself to other applicants(26:38) — A family loss mid-cycle and a collapsing timeline(28:13) — Deciding to apply anyway instead of waiting a year(29:49) — Submitting her primary early while prepping for a late-July MCAT(31:45) — Secondaries submitted on the deadline — the honest account(33:57) — First interview invite, roughly a month after her last secondary(38:41) — Three interviews, three acceptances(39:37) — Choosing a school: full funding and research access(40:08) — Final words for premeds navigating this without a roadmapOre grew up in Nigeria, lost her father at 13, and left home at 17 on a scholarship to study in the United Kingdom. From her first year of undergrad, she was researching US medical school requirements and treating herself like a premed in the US — even when her advisors had no idea what she was talking about. She came to the United States for her master's in public health, worked to cover her living costs, and applied to roughly ten schools — the only ones she was eligible for given her background. Her aunt passed away mid-cycle. Her secondaries went in on the deadline. She had no US prereqs and no premed advisor who had seen a path like hers. She received three interview invites and three acceptances. In this conversation with Dr. Ryan Gray, Ore walks through every major decision she made — how she chose which schools to apply to, how she balanced her personal statement with MCAT prep, why she moved forward instead of waiting a year, and how financial aid shaped her final choice. She is direct, practical, and honest about the parts that did not go according to plan.What You'll Learn:- How to identify which US medical schools you are eligible for when your prereqs were completed outside the United States- Why submitting your primary early matters even if your MCAT score is not back yet- How to think through the decision to apply in a difficult cycle versus waiting a year- What it looks like to build a competitive application without a premed advisor who understands your specific situation- How to stop comparing your application to others when your path has been genuinely different

JOIN US AT THE 2026 DUCKS UNLIMITED EXPO! July 31 - August 2 at the RENASANT CONVENTION CENTER in Memphis, TN Follow these links!Direct link to petition:  https://ducks.quorum.us/campaign/duckfactory/Link to DU page and federal register link:   https://www.ducks.org/save-the-duck-factoryLearn why Ducks Unlimited is asking waterfowl hunters to take action on one of the most important conservation issues affecting duck production in North America. Host Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by Dr. Scott Stephens for an update on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's ongoing review of regulations related to drain tile setbacks around permanently protected wetland easements in the Prairie Pothole Region. Building on an earlier emergency update, Mike and Scott explain new information regarding the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services's Request for Information on determining drain tile setbacks for landowners on property where the Service  owns wetland easements. They discuss a newly found document that states the Service's proposal to repeal the 2024 rule. They remind us why these easements matter, how Duck Stamp dollars have helped protect millions of acres of critical waterfowl habitat, and why DU believes maintaining these protections is essential for the future of duck production and wetland conservation. Topics CoveredNew developments regarding the 2024 drain tile setback ruleHow wetland conservation easements workThe role of Duck Stamp dollars in protecting prairie habitatWhy prairie wetlands are known as the Duck FactoryHow drain tile can affect wetlands and duck productionWhat Ducks Unlimited is asking hunters to doThe importance of participating in the federal comment processWhy this issue is considered a top conservation priorityListen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: DUPodcast@ducks.orgSPONSORS:Bird Dog Whiskey and Cocktails:Whether you're winding down with your best friend, or celebrating with your favorite crew, Bird Dog brings award-winning flavor to every moment. Enjoy responsibly. CLICK HERE TO PROTECT THE DUCK FACTORY