Podcast appearances and mentions of grant cardone

Grant Cardone is back with a power-packed episode featuring special guests, music sensation Pitbull (Mr. Worldwide) and hospitality visionary David Grutman for a conversation centered around the energy, culture, and opportunity behind the Magical City of Miami. The mindset behind building global brands Why Miami has become a hub for entrepreneurs, entertainment, and business What it really takes to create massive experiences and lasting success This episode delivers insight straight from leaders who have built global influence, iconic venues, and unstoppable momentum. Join the 10X Nation in Episode 301 of The Cardone Zone. For more strategies on wealth, business, and real estate, visit GrantCardone.com and follow us on all our social channels for daily content, insights, and updates from Grant Cardone and the 10X community.

If sales feels draining, frustrating, or emotionally exhausting, the real problem may not be the work—it may be a hidden mindset mistake.   In this episode, Ray Higdon reveals the subtle mental shift that turns sales into a heavy burden for many reps and entrepreneurs. When salespeople attach their emotional state to outcomes—whether someone buys, responds, or joins—they create constant pressure that makes selling feel overwhelming. Ray explains why the healthiest sales mindset is detachment from outcomes and commitment to activity. Instead of chasing results, top performers focus on conversations, service, and identifying who is truly open to change. This shift removes emotional burnout and allows sales to feel lighter, more sustainable, and far more effective. —

In this episode of the Real Estate Pros Podcast, host Quentin Edmonds sits down with real estate investor James Gleeson to discuss his journey from aspiring basketball player to building a $60 million real estate portfolio. Based in St. Louis, James shares how discovering real estate through Grant Cardone sparked his passion for investing. Over the past eight years, he has grown his portfolio to 450 residential units without syndications while maintaining majority ownership. James discusses the importance of perseverance, building strong relationships, staying focused in one investment niche, and creating systems that support long-term growth. He also explains how shifting from aggressive acquisition to strengthening operations and systems can help sustain success in real estate.   Professional Real Estate Investors - How we can help you: Investor Fuel Mastermind:  Learn more about the Investor Fuel Mastermind, including 100% deal financing, massive discounts from vendors and sponsors you're already using, our world class community of over 150 members, and SO much more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/apply   Investor Machine Marketing Partnership:  Are you looking for consistent, high quality lead generation? Investor Machine is America's #1 lead generation service professional investors. Investor Machine provides true 'white glove' support to help you build the perfect marketing plan, then we'll execute it for you…talking and working together on an ongoing basis to help you hit YOUR goals! Learn more here: http://www.investormachine.com   Coaching with Mike Hambright:  Interested in 1 on 1 coaching with Mike Hambright? Mike coaches entrepreneurs looking to level up, build coaching or service based businesses (Mike runs multiple 7 and 8 figure a year businesses), building a coaching program and more. Learn more here: https://investorfuel.com/coachingwithmike   Attend a Vacation/Mastermind Retreat with Mike Hambright: Interested in joining a "mini-mastermind" with Mike and his private clients on an upcoming "Retreat", either at locations like Cabo San Lucas, Napa, Park City ski trip, Yellowstone, or even at Mike's East Texas "Big H Ranch"? Learn more here: http://www.investorfuel.com/retreat   Property Insurance: Join the largest and most investor friendly property insurance provider in 2 minutes. Free to join, and insure all your flips and rentals within minutes! There is NO easier insurance provider on the planet (turn insurance on or off in 1 minute without talking to anyone!), and there's no 15-30% agent mark up through this platform!  Register here: https://myinvestorinsurance.com/   New Real Estate Investors - How we can work together: Investor Fuel Club (Coaching and Deal Partner Community): Looking to kickstart your real estate investing career? Join our one of a kind Coaching Community, Investor Fuel Club, where you'll get trained by some of the best real estate investors in America, and partner with them on deals! You don't need $ for deals…we'll partner with you and hold your hand along the way! Learn More here: http://www.investorfuel.com/club   —--------------------

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

In this bold and controversial episode, Ray Higdon explains why being "nice" can hurt both your income and the people you are trying to serve. While many salespeople believe kindness alone is enough, Ray argues that excessive niceness often masks avoidance, weak posture, and a refusal to develop real sales skills. You will learn why caring about prospects sometimes requires courage instead of comfort, why authenticity without skill can limit impact, and how improving your sales ability actually helps more people transform their lives. Ray also breaks down the difference between being pushy and being bold—and why mastering scripts and frameworks is essential if you want consistent results. —  

In this episode, filmmaker-turned-brand strategist Jake Isham breaks down what authentic storytelling really looks like in business. Jake has worked with over 150 entrepreneurs and brands, including Grant Cardone, Callaway, and 511 Tactical, creating content that's generated over 1 billion views.He shares practical frameworks for translating product features into compelling narratives, why consistency beats perfection every time, and how founders can overcome the fear of being the face of their brand. If you're ready to stop chasing attention and start earning trust through story-driven content, this episode delivers a human-centered approach to building brand authority.Key Takeaways[3:02] - The Trust Formula: People do business with people they know and trust. "Know" is just attention—they need to know you exist. "Trust" comes from showing you understand their problem, can solve it, and have proof you've solved it for others.[4:57] - Features to Benefits: Don't communicate what the feature is—communicate the pain it solves. Look at the "why" behind feature requests in customer comments.[7:10] - Everyone Sucks at First: Being on camera is just a skill that can be learned, like coding. Start with internal videos, get on other people's podcasts, and practice in low-stakes environments.[8:46] - Build Your Personal Brand: Founders like Elon Musk demonstrate that personal brands transfer from company to company. Most SaaS founders don't stay at one company—building that personal brand allows your audience to follow you.[11:45] - Consistency is the Biggest Killer: The biggest problem isn't doing anything wrong—it's being inconsistent or not starting at all. The voice saying "you suck" is usually your own, not others.[13:53] - Commit to 50: Jeff shares his strategy of committing to 50 episodes before deciding whether to continue—pushing past the discomfort to over 380 episodes.[14:26] - Batch Your Content: You can spend half a day per month and get all your content for that month. It doesn't have to be time-intensive if built correctly.[16:38] - Pre-Production is Key: The biggest growth from 1% improvements comes from pre-production—better questions, better guests, better thumbnails, better titles.[19:48] - Just Show Up: Like going to the gym, you just need to show up consistently. Even 20-30 minutes of pushing weight regularly will yield results.[20:06] - Two Years of Daily Content: Jake's brother posted multiple videos daily for two years before one video got 3 million views in 48 hours—proof that consistency compounds.[22:08] - The Dog Video Problem: Jake's dog video got 10 million views and gained him 180,000 followers—but they wanted dog content, not his actual business content. Make sure content aligns with what you want to be known for.[22:49] - Stay in Your Lane: Your SaaS solves one problem—your videos should address that one thing. Don't talk about unrelated topics just because they might go viral.[24:25] - Interest-Based Content Strategy: Start with what you're willing to do consistently. If you hate writing, don't start a blog. If you love podcasts, start there.[27:27] - Long-Form Leverage: Long-form video content is the king right now—easiest mass appeal, can be posted across multiple platforms with no extra work, and can be cut into vertical shorts.[28:30] - You Can't Oversaturate: People who will buy from you will consume content like candy. Those who complain about over-posting aren't your customers anyway.[28:47] - Present the Pain Point Early: Your audience needs to know immediately that your content is relevant to their problem—especially for long-form content where they're investing 10-60+ minutes.[33:42] - Never Add a CTA: A health influencer with 15 million subscribers shared that he's never put a call-to-action for his products and makes "an obscene amount of money"—when he does add CTAs, people actually stop buying.[38:22] - AI is Just a Tool: AI is a tool like the internet or digital cameras. Creativity and imagination are uniquely human—AI learns from people but can't create futures or "the new thing."[40:33] - Build a Feedback Group: Create a small group of peers at similar skill levels to critique each other's content with love. Beta test your content like you would your SaaS.[42:39] - It's Annoyingly Simple: Success isn't about being clever—it's about doing the obvious basic things for long enough.Tweetable Quotes"People do business with people they know and trust. The 'know' is just attention. The 'trust' is showing you understand their problem and can solve it.""Being on camera is just a skill. We all suck at everything when we start. The only way to get good at it is to do it.""By building that personal brand, your audience grows with you as you move from company to company. Most SaaS founders don't live in just one SaaS.""The biggest mistake isn't doing anything wrong—it's being inconsistent or not starting at all.""Content is never perfect. It will be a life of 1% improvements. The same way your SaaS is never done.""Unless you sit there and start coding, the app will not be built. Content is the same—just start.""If this video goes viral and this is the thing I'm known for, am I okay with that? Make sure every piece of content relates to what you want people to know.""Your SaaS doesn't do six things. Your SaaS does one thing—solves one problem. Your videos should address that one thing.""You can't oversaturate your content. The people who will buy from you will consume it like candy.""I've never put a call to action to any of my products, and I make an obscene amount of money. When I do, I actually lose money." - 15M subscriber health influencer"AI learns from people. What only humans are capable of is creativity and imagination. AI will always just put pieces together, but humans create futures.""It's annoyingly simple. Success is not about being clever—it's about doing the obvious basic things for long enough."SaaS Leadership Lessons1. Translate Features into Customer Pain PointsStop listing what your product does. Instead, communicate the specific pain your customers experience and how your feature solves it. When customers request features, they usually tell you why in their comments—that "why" is your marketing message. Example: Instead of "our CRM has date fields," say "Do you struggle to track your first call, shoot date, and release date? Our CRM is built specifically for podcasters."2. Consistency Compounds More Than PerfectionShip your MVP. Release version 1.0. Start your podcast even if episode 1 isn't perfect. The biggest killer of content (and products) is inconsistency or never starting. Like building a SaaS, each iteration improves—but only if you ship. Jake's brother posted multiple videos daily for two years before one went viral with 3 million views. That's 730+ days of "failure" before breakthrough success.3. Build Personal Brand as Portable EquityYour personal brand is the asset that travels with you from company to company. Most SaaS founders build, sell, invest, repeat. Elon Musk's audience followed him from PayPal to Tesla to SpaceX. Being the face of your brand isn't about ego—it's about building transferable authority that multiplies the impact of your next venture.4. Batch Production Eliminates ExcusesFounders are busy, but you can create a month's content in half a day with proper batching. Record 4 podcast episodes in one session. Shoot 20 short-form videos at once. Build content creation into your operating system the same way you build product development sprints. Once it's part of the machine, time stops being the limiting factor.5. Pre-Production Drives 1% GainsThe biggest improvements come before you hit record: better questions, better guest selection, better titles, better thumbnails. Spend 30 minutes thinking through titles instead of 5 minutes. Survey 30 options. This is your "version 10" optimization—but start with version 1. Don't let pre-production planning become a procrastination tool.6. Content-Market Fit Mirrors Product-Market FitIf a video about your dog goes viral and gains 180K followers, but you're building B2B SaaS—you've built the wrong audience. Every piece of content should align with what you want to be known for. If you're building FinTech, talk about the financial space. If you're building for podcasters, talk about podcasting problems. Your content strategy should have the same focus as your product strategy: solve one problem for one audience.Guest Resourcesjake@jakeisham.comhttps://digitalshow.creativemindsofficial.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeisham/https://instagram.com/JakecreativemarketingEpisode SponsorThe...

If sales feels exhausting, draining, or emotionally heavy, the problem may not be your workload—it may be your approach. In this episode, Ray Higdon explains why sales should not feel this exhausting and reveals the two core shifts that immediately reduce burnout: posture and lead flow. Most salespeople feel tired because they are chasing prospects, forcing conversations, and operating from desperation instead of confidence. Ray breaks down why posture—the ability to manage the energy of a conversation—is the opposite of chasing and how learning it instantly removes emotional friction from selling. He also explains why building lead generation alongside prospecting is essential for long-term sustainability and why relying on one without the other limits income. —  

What happens when success, hustle, and constant work stop bringing fulfillment? In this episode of Unstoppable Mindset, I talk with marketing strategist and entrepreneur Carlos Hidalgo about business growth, faith, burnout, and the hidden cost of hustle culture. Carlos shares his journey from corporate marketing leader to founder of Digital Exhaust, along with lessons from his book The UnAmerican Dream about work addiction, burnout, and redefining success. Their conversation explores why growth does not need to be complicated, why storytelling builds trust in business, and why boundaries matter more than work life balance. Carlos also opens up about faith, failure, relationships, and the power of honest conversations. You will hear practical insights on leadership, personal growth, community, and building a life that is both successful and meaningful. Highlights: ·  06:04 – Carlos explains how his faith became a personal relationship. ·  17:32 – Why he left corporate work to start his own business. ·  25:40 – His approach to making business growth simple. ·  30:17 – How hustle culture often leads to burnout. ·  42:29 – Why boundaries matter more than work life balance. ·  54:33 – Why real community helps solve loneliness. Top of Form Bottom of Form About the Guest: Carlos Hidalgo is the co-founder and CEO of Digital Exhaust, a growth partner that helps clients make growth simple. Carlos serves his clients as an advisor, consultant, and teacher to ensure they have meaningful engagement with their customers at every stage of the journey and are able to mature and create sustainable growth. Carlos has 30 years of experience working with organizations of all sizes as an advisor, consultant, innovator, and growth expert. He is widely recognized for his expertise in demand generation, marketing, sales, and customer experience and for coaching executives in the areas of leadership and managing change. In addition to his work with his clients, Carlos has won numerous marketing awards and been named to several prestigious industry lists as a marketing leader. Carlos is also the author of Driving Demand, which is ranked as a top 5 marketing book of all time by Book Authority, and The UnAmerican Dream, which was released in 2019. In addition to books, Carlos is a well-known international keynote and TEDx speaker. You can follow Carlos on LinkedIn or on Twitter @cahidalgo Ways to connect with Scott**:** LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosahidalgo/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/CHidalgoJr Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cahidalgo_ Twitter/X: https://x.com/cahidalgo About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/ https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/ Thanks 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 podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us. Well, hi and welcome once again to an episode of unstoppable mindset. Today, our guest is Carlos Hidalgo. Carlos has many facets about him. He's a speaker. He deals with growth and growth management and with his company. He tries to make growth simple for the people who are his clients. I'm interested in learning about that, but he does other things as well. He is also involved with his wife and marriage counseling, which is a little bit different than the one I think I find a lot of people to do. So I think we got lots to talk about. So, Carlos, I want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset. We're glad you're here. Carlos Hidalgo  01:59 Thank you for having me. Michael, it's an absolute pleasure. Well, let's Michael Hingson  02:03 start with the early Carlos, why don't you tell us about you growing up and all that sort of thing, and where you came from, where you're headed, or whatever. Carlos Hidalgo  02:14 Sure, I was born one of six children. I was the youngest for about four years, and then my my parents had two more. So I am smack dab in the middle of middle six siblings. Was born in New Jersey, but call where I'm at now home, which is a little town in the Adirondack Mountains. And the reason I call it home, I started coming to camp here when I was five years old. Fell in love with the area, and then my father, in 1983 moved us up here when I was 12, and fell more in love with it. And that lasted for four years. And then my junior of high school, or right after my sophomore year, was told, Hey, we're we're moving I was 16, I was pretty pissed off at the prospect of leaving a place I loved, so I had engineered a plan to stay through my junior and senior high school, which in my mind, made perfect sense in my parents' mind, and for reasons now I understand, because I'm a parent, did not make so much sense, but I came back as often as I could, and then my wife and I moved here back full time in 2021 we also lived here in the 90s for two years, had our first son here so but grew up really charmed childhood was my dad was in advertising, so we got tickets to Great sporting events. We had horses that I took care of, along with some of my siblings, developed a love of the outdoors, which I still hold, which is one of the many benefits of living up here again. And so, yeah, pretty, pretty much, early childhood was, you know, be outside as much as I can run around school work wasn't my strong suit, but I muddled through and I Michael Hingson  04:04 made it. Where in New Jersey were you born? Carlos Hidalgo  04:07 Was born in a little town called Randolph in northern jersey. Spent most of our time in a place called blairis town. Their claim to fame as a prep school called Blair Academy, which I believe is still there. And then, I believe it was the original Friday the 13th was filmed. Part of it was filmed in Blairstown. Yeah, yeah. So I'm dating myself just a little bit. Michael Hingson  04:32 Well, we lived in Westfield for six years, so kind of know, New Jersey, but yeah, while we were back there, my wife always wanted to move back to California. She's a native. I was born in Chicago. She wouldn't let me call myself a native, even though we moved to California when I was five. But yeah, it's okay. Carlos Hidalgo  04:50 Sure, yeah, people get a little touchy about the term native or local and how it's defined, right? Michael Hingson  04:55 Oh, yeah, it varies all around the country, but there's. Nothing. You can't say anything bad about Chicago. They have Garrett Popcorn there. If you've never had it, next time we go through O'Hare Airport, you should get some Garrett Popcorn. Carlos Hidalgo  05:09 Okay, I will do that absolutely. Michael Hingson  05:12 Take a memo. Get Garrett Popcorn. It's it's really good stuff. Well, so what did you do for college? Or did you? Carlos Hidalgo  05:21 Yeah, I went to my first year, I went to a school called Word of Life Bible Institute. So it's a one year intensive program, study of the Bible actually here, not far from, literally eight miles down the road here, from where I live now. And at that point, it was really just an excuse to get back to the Adirondacks for a year, but I learned a whole lot. Met some incredible people, some of who I'm still very, very close with today. And then from there, I transferred to Cedarville University in Ohio. At the time I went there, we were about 2500 students. I think today they're closer to 7500 but I met my wife there, which was that, in and of itself, the three years of tuition that I paid as I transferred in, but study Business Communication, again, I wasn't a great student. What I realized is, if it was the things that I really loved to participate in, it was awesome. I had a really great time studying communication and language and how we speak. I was two years on the debate team, which was such a great education in and of itself. But everything else I didn't really love. I just the general ed stuff. I kind of thought, well, if I can skate by and, you know, get that, get the passing the credits. So that's really how I want about it. And the reality is, the way things are taught today, I'm a very visual and hands on learner, and so to sit in a classroom and try to take notes and go through theory and things like that just makes my brain hurt a little bit. So I but I but I finished. I got the degree and made some great friendships in the process. Michael Hingson  07:04 Well and clearly, based on what you did for your first year, you have a Christian orientation, or definitely a god orientation as well. Carlos Hidalgo  07:15 Yeah, that's that's really my operating system. Michael, I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God. I base my life on it. I spend time in it each and every day. And so what's interesting in that regard is, yes, I went to the Bible Institute. So while I had a lot of head knowledge about the Bible and God and Jesus and all these things, it's really been in the last 10 years that I would say I had a deep, meaningful relationship with them, and that came as from a lot of experience in my life, a lot of dark, dark moments in my life that were self induced, unfortunately. But really, what it's done for me is it's just radicalized who I am, changed my heart. And so it's gone from a having a head knowledge of it to a real experience and an engagement with Christ through His Word and through prayer. Michael Hingson  08:11 Yeah, head knowledge is is a fine thing as far as it goes, but there's nothing like personally experience coming closer to whatever it is, including dealing with believing in God and really recognizing what what God brings. And my last book that I wrote that was published last year, called Live like a guide dog, true stories from a blind man and his dogs about being brave, overcoming adversity and moving forward in faith very much deals with with a lot of that, the whole concept of the value and the power of personal knowledge, as opposed to just head knowledge. I talk about the World Trade Center a lot in that book, specifically in terms of what I learned and how I developed a mindset to be able to control fear, rather than letting it be the thing that overwhelmed me or overwhelms anyone and and I've had a couple people on this podcast who talk about it, and they say the same sort of thing that you did. It's not about knowledge that you sort of intellectually know. It's what you really know. So people, for example, in evacuating the World Trade Center, would look at signs, and they would follow those and a lot of people were able to do that, but that's still not knowing that is really relying on something else that you may or may not really have access to. So True Knowledge is the only way to go Carlos Hidalgo  09:38 100% and I find that I gather that through experience, yeah. And so the example I use is, if you ask me about my wife, you know, do you know Suzanne? I would say, Oh, yeah. You know, blonde hair, blue eyes, about five, five. Funny, smart. I could tell you all the different facts, but there's a big difference when you sit and you get to experience being with her, seeing. Her, how she interacts with people, how she treats others, all of those things. Take that knowledge and actually make an experience an experience, yeah. And so that's been the difference for me, as it regard, in my relationship with Jesus Christ, yeah, well, Michael Hingson  10:14 and Suzanne, so that's good. Carlos Hidalgo  10:17 Well, so absolutely, 31 years and we're still going. There you go. Michael Hingson  10:21 Well, keep going. That's that's cool. That's great to have that kind of a relationship. It's all too often we don't see a lot of that in marriage, and just people get married without knowing and that leads to all sorts of potential challenges. So it's good to really get to know someone Carlos Hidalgo  10:41 absolutely, yeah, I'm still, still learning, still studying her and learning all I can, after 31 Michael Hingson  10:46 years, and she is too Yes, she is. Carlos Hidalgo  10:49 She does a phenomenal job. Michael Hingson  10:52 So what did you do after college? Carlos Hidalgo  10:56 After college, I actually moved back up here, where I'm at now. Worked for two years for Word of Life, the same group that ran the Bible Institute. So then, actually, unbeknownst to me, i My heart was really at that point, I wanted to go into law enforcement. My father in law was an FBI agent for 30 years. I'd always been intrigued by law enforcement, so I thought going into and getting a job for a few years, cutting my teeth while I filled out a resume. So started working in the office of donor development or advancement, and that was the first time I really started to get any exposure to anything formal, marketing wise. In the meantime, applied to the FBI, never went anywhere. Ended up applying again, never went anywhere at that point. Then we moved to we left here after two years of marriage and having one child. We moved to Michigan for a brief time, and then we went back to down to from Michigan. We went to Dallas, where we lived for 13 years, and I worked while I was still trying to get into law enforcement. I kept getting marketing jobs and companies. So eventually I gave up the dream of law enforcement and just followed what's unfolding and had a pretty good career in two software companies as a director of marketing to cut my teeth and learn what global business was all about do a lot of travel, which helped me career wise wasn't so great home wise or parent wise when you're away from your kids, but it's been my career for 30 plus years. I've had a heck of a career doing it and very grateful for it, but I still still get intrigued at the whole concept of law enforcement, but I'm afraid I'm a little too old at this point to start down that path. Michael Hingson  12:47 How come you kept not getting anywhere with it? Carlos Hidalgo  12:51 Well, I did get to a point where the FBI I took a test when we lived in Dallas, and just they called after said I had scored well, which made me chuckle, thinking back to my college days of test taking, but and then they said, Hey, do you speak Spanish, which I do not, despite my name, which is very Spanish, Carlo. And they said, Okay, well, we'll keep your we'll keep your application on file. Let you know if anything changes. And that was the last I heard. So at that point, I just thought, okay, I can keep pushing this and trying. But again, as things started to unfold in the software world, the jobs that I had took care of my family. They provided well for us. They gave me opportunities to learn new things, try new things, opportunity to, like I said, international business, which I never done before. So at that point, I just thought, you know, I'm kind of seven, eight years into this thing. What does this look like going forward? And then are we going to have to just hit reset in all facets of our lives, financially, where our kids are settled, for me to go into law enforcement. So I abandoned it, and I'm okay with that. I think it would have been a phenomenal career. I would have loved it, like I said. I'm still intrigued by it, I still have great respect for it, but it just wasn't in the cards for me, and I'm okay with that. I think sometimes the way we grow is through the death of a dream. Michael Hingson  14:21 Yeah, I know I've always been intrigued by law and law enforcement, and I know that they're never going to hire me, and now they won't, right, but, but they wouldn't hire me, but I took, actually, some courses in college dealing with police and other things like that, because I was, and still am fascinated by it, and I have a great respect for the law. And I I admire good lawyers who are knowledgeable, who really are in it to deal with the law. And you can tell those from the typical ambulance type chaser who manipulates, but, but. I really appreciate the law. I in my life have had the opportunity to be involved with some efforts of the National Federation of the Blind, where we've gone several times to Washington to meet with congressional types. And so I've met some interesting people, met Ted Kennedy, met Tip O'Neill when he was still speaker, Senator Saugus from Massachusetts and others, and found and through them, got to meet some people who were truly committed to what they were doing. They weren't in it for the power. They were in it to try to really help the country and help their individual constituencies in their states and so on. It's a lot of fun. Carlos Hidalgo  15:47 Oh, I'm sure, I'm sure it was, I that's quite a roster of people you've been able to engage with, and I'm sure, no doubt, influence well. Michael Hingson  15:57 And we were there to talk about legislation that we needed. But I'll never forget first time we went in and we met Paul Tsongas. We talked about what we wanted to talk about, and he said, Well, it's the end of the day. What are you guys doing now? And we said, well, we're just going to go back to the hotel. And he said, You got a few minutes talk to you about Massachusetts. Well, we ended up staying for two hours. It was a lot of fun. Carlos Hidalgo  16:19 Wow, yeah, that is a lot of fun. I had an opportunity a number of years ago to do a tour of the West Wing, which was just phenomenal. So when you get, when you get those opportunities, I don't care what side of the aisle you may sit on or are partial to, the answer is yes, take it, because you learn a whole lot, and it's it gives you a whole new appreciation for our country. Michael Hingson  16:40 Well, 20 years ago, I was invited to come back and meet George W Bush because a congressman I had met was fascinated by my story and the story of my guide dog, Roselle, and he arranged for us to meet George W and we went back. It was supposed to be a brief, like two minute just photo op. This ended up being like a 15 minute conversation, and then it was a lot of fun. And I hope that we inspired him some, and we made a difference. And, you know, that's always a good thing. Carlos Hidalgo  17:13 Yeah, at the end of the day, right there people just like us. They are, I think the and I've heard that a lot about George W is his investment in people where he knew his you know, everybody in the staff that he knew their names, he knew about their families. So it doesn't surprise me that a two minute Meet and Greet was extended a little bit. Michael Hingson  17:34 We kept the Italian Prime Minister waiting while we finished our conversation, as it turns out, that's fine, Carlos Hidalgo  17:42 but it was good. There you go. There's your there, there's your the two truth and the lie icebreaker that they have. You do sometimes. There's, you can work that in, Michael Hingson  17:49 I could work that in, yeah, that would be, yeah, I should do that. Well, it was, but it was, it was, it was very enjoyable to be able to do that. Well. So now, so when did you start your own company? That's been a little while, at least. Carlos Hidalgo  18:04 Yeah, I started my first company that I started, I co founded with my brother. In 2005 I was working at the software company, and I just, I started to just have an edge of, you know, I should start something. I don't know what that looks like. And I remember one time just talking to my wife, and I said, I don't want to be 7580 years old. And think, what if, yeah, and my wife is very practical. And she said, Okay, so go for it, and if it doesn't work, just go get another job. And when she broke it down like that, I just thought, wow. Okay, she, I think she believes in me more than I do. So in 2005 I left the software company and we started a agency. And really, at that point for me, the Yes, I wanted to start my own company and see if I could do it. But the the big driving factor was my at that point, I we had four children, so we have four, and they were all pretty small, and I was traveling all over the country, and I didn't want to miss their childhood. And I remember coming home from trips and hearing conversations or seeing things that that I wasn't a part of, and I thought this, this isn't right. I need to be here. I need to be home. So I went to the software company, asked them what they thought they became my first client, and I did that for from 2005 to just early 2017 when I resigned my position as CEO there just to get my life back and kind of hit the reset button again, but this time, I meant it, so I left, and they're still going. But that was my first foray into entrepreneurship, and I just kept doing it since I started another consultancy, and now this is my third one, and also been part of about two to three other companies that. We launched, but never made it. So I enjoy the whole process. I love it, but, yeah, it's, I don't know. I mean, I will never say never, but the idea of not working for myself seems rather foreign to me. Michael Hingson  20:16 So the first company you had for 12 years, what did that do? Carlos Hidalgo  20:21 We were a mark. Marketing Yeah, we were a marketing services company. So we worked with business to business companies to help them in their demand generation, acquiring new customers and also customer growth. So that's really where a lot of my career has been sent, centered right, helping companies design them strategies, everything from content to technology to developing personas and putting together strategies on how to reach them when they're looking for something to buy that that client offers. Michael Hingson  20:52 Okay, well, that makes sense and certainly a worthy thing to do. So, when did you form your current company, digital exhaust, which is a very clever name, you'll have to tell me about that. Carlos Hidalgo  21:04 Oh yeah, there's a little bit of a story behind that. So I was working in 2022 early 2022 I had an offer to go be the Chief Revenue Officer of another agency, which I my wife and I talked about it, we prayed about it, and I had a really, really close friend of mine who was their chief strategy officer at the time, so the ability to work with him, stay in the industry and work with some really good clients, I jumped at, so I took that role over that role lasted eight months. I won't get into all those details of why? Never, never, really did get a clear answer. The answer I was given, not exactly. The numbers didn't the number. I'll just say the numbers proved otherwise. All that said that came to an end in 2023 I believe. Yeah, yeah, 2023 and so February, 23 so at that point, I was like, Okay, well, what do I do? I can try to go get a job, which I did. Nobody was really interested in, you know, early 50s, guy coming in. So, you know, did the interview thing. And then I just thought, Well, why don't, why don't I just bet on myself again and go for it. So at that point, the my friend who was the chief strategy officer, he had also left, so he and I started talking and thought, why don't we just do this together? You know, services he loves to implement, I love to sell. Let's just see if we can make a run at this. So here we are now. It'll be four years in or three years, I guess, in February or April of 26 and we're still alive to talk about it. And so that's how it came to be. It was really just, I've done this before. There's no security, no more security. I believe in working for somebody else than working for yourself. So bet on yourself and put out your shingle and see what you can make happen. Michael Hingson  23:06 Where did the name digital exhaust come from? That's a clever name. Carlos Hidalgo  23:10 Oh, thank you. We were, we were batting around so many different names, and we just had a thing, I think we had a running Google Sheet, like, let's just throw names up there. And then I was listening to a recording of a vendor that we had done work with in our early days, and he was talking about how you can track the digital movements of someone. And he said, You know, so basically, you know, they're leaving behind their digital exhaust. And he used the term twice. So I called my then partner, Tracy, and I said, Hey, what do you think about the name digital exhaust as a company? And he was like, Oh, I love it. So I said, Well, before we that, we have to call Dan and see if he would be okay. So I did some looking, you know, the whole trademark search, and when I told our partner about it. He said, Oh my word, I love it. He said, Never, never even thought that that could be a name, but if you guys want it, go for it. So we took it and it is, it's, it's, we think it's pretty unique, and it also describes a lot of what we do with customer data to get an understanding of how do you engage with them, where are they, and how are they going to interact with you and your brand? How so well. Again, he was right. I can look at your digital footprint or your digital behavior. I can see what sites you've visited, what web pages you visited, how much time you spend on a product piece, how much content you engage so I can look at all of that behind the scenes. Start to score that if you're an account that I want to go after, or if I'm a lead based sale, that gives me a lot of intelligence on what you're interested in. And then there's ways to kind of, from a insight perspective, determine where you are in that journey, whether it's your four. First time as a purchase, you're a current customer and you're interested in purchasing something else. So it gives us a lot of insight into that, so that I can message you or I also know when should sales place a phone call to you and start that conversation. So that's why we use the term digital exhaust, because, again, it's a lot of what we do and how we use our customer data. Michael Hingson  25:20 Several years ago, I watched a 60 Minutes program, gosh, I don't know it's actually a number of years ago. And one of the segments there was a guy who was on he was a private detective, and what he said was, I can tell more about you than most anyone else can simply by looking at your trash. And in fact, I can't remember if it was Mike Wallace or not. Who was the interviewer, but they went on investigated some trash cans and and this guy could just tell you so much about your entire life just by looking at what was in the trash can. It was really pretty amazing and and I don't mean that in any way as a negative thing, but it's very clever that people have that insight. So I appreciate what you're saying about digital exhaust. It makes perfect sense. Carlos Hidalgo  26:17 Well, good. I'm glad it does. It means we've hit the mark. I'm not I will say this. I'm not going to go through my customers trash, but I am not surprised that if you did how much you could learn about somebody, 100% but Michael Hingson  26:30 you do look at their their digital footprint and so again, and it makes perfect sense that you can learn so much that can help you, help them grow. Yes, absolutely gives incredible insight. You talk about making growth simple, tell me more about what that means. Carlos Hidalgo  26:51 Yeah, you know, I've been in the space a long time, and that really came a couple years ago. We started seeing different models that would come up different frameworks that would come out from different vendors. Started talking, you know, I talked to a lot of chief marketing officers in my role, and over and over, what we saw was just complexity of taking terms that everybody would know and applying a new term or creating a new term to replace the old term, because you wanted to stay edgy. And I finally had a CMO who said to me, this is all so complex. Is there any any organization out there, or any way to just make this simple? And I thought, Gee, I kind of been thinking the same thing, because I see all these talking heads out there on LinkedIn and at these conferences showing these overly complex, overly engineered models, and I'm like, You got to be a PhD to implement that thing. And again, I'm also a pretty simple guy. I don't think growth needs to be all that hard if you know your customer, what they need, when they need it, and why it's important to them. I'm going to be able to sell you quite a bit. I'm also going to be able to be a better marketing, better partner to you, because I'll be the first one to be able to tell you you don't need that, or you need that, but you shouldn't get it from us, and here's why. And so we just started saying, You know what? Let's create with our models. And we have models and we have frameworks, but we want them to be kind of what Apple is, right, really innovative, where you can use it. You don't necessarily have to have someone to guide you through it. And so let's just make it as simple as possible for our clients to grow their companies without these over engineered models, which mostly a lot of them are created to sell stuff. And while we want to sell stuff more, so we want to help customers be better at what they do. And so that's why we say is we want to help you make growth simple, cut through the clutter, get to what matters and move forward. Michael Hingson  28:58 Yeah, which makes a lot of sense. By by any standard, how do you find storytelling comes into what you do and how you interact with customers? Carlos Hidalgo  29:11 Yeah, it's really important in the beginning, right in the beginning stages. Anytime I'm engaging with you, if I'm a consumer and you're a brand, I want to your brand should tell a story about who you are, the value that the customer gets when they're going to interact with you, they're going to use your product, what you stand for. Can they trust you? Trust is huge. Right now. We live in a trust economy. I want to know that if you say something, I can you're going to stand behind it. So all of those things are come through in terms of story. Now, what I've always said is I think that story is important. But when it comes to now, especially in the world I live in business to business, once I get into maybe I want to purchase something for you or purchase your product. Now I. Moves from a story to a dialog because I started, I start need, needing to know, what are you interested in? What are your challenges? What are your needs, what are your pain points? And as you're telling me that I can respond more in a conversation, I can still use parts of the story, but now it's a two way dialog, even in a digital world. So if I can create that, that's fantastic, then you become my customer. And now I still want to keep telling you stories. I want to tell you a story about why you can trust us. I tell you a story about how I interact with you. I tell you a story about how I deliver service and how I help you onboard. So all that bleeds into what we call, you know, what I call the big customer experience, from brand engagement to what I'm buying to now that I become a customer, all of those are experiential factors that we have to consider. Michael Hingson  30:49 Well, yeah, and I think that storytelling is a very significant part of selling and sales, because it's part of what really helps create the trust, because people can see through it, if you're just blowing smoke or playing games. Carlos Hidalgo  31:05 Yes, they can absolutely. And you only get one shot if that's what you're gonna do only, yeah, once I realized that forget it, I'm not coming back, that brand loyalty is away real quick. Michael Hingson  31:16 Yeah. So do you encounter in the interactions that you have with people with a lot of burnout or who are going that way. Carlos Hidalgo  31:25 Oh yeah. It's, it's something that I went through in 2016 it's, it's a, I mean, the World Health Organization, whatever you think about them, they definitely have listed it as a illness or as a condition. So it's something that I've seen. It's something that I've written against quite a bit. I don't think we need to get there, but I also think it is part of the consequence, or the outcome of when we make work center of our universe, and we make work our God, when that's going to happen then, yeah, you're going to experience burnout. And I think burnout comes in different flavors, but I see a lot of people who are going through it, trying to work through it, trudge through it. I heard the term the other day, manage burnout. I don't know why you would want to manage burnout. I think you need to take steps to avoid burnout, to avoid it. Michael Hingson  32:17 Yeah, why is it so many people face it, and are experiencing burnout is because they just deal with work, they don't relax, or what. Carlos Hidalgo  32:27 Well, I think there's a lot, lot in that. I've done a lot of study, and that was the topic of some of the topic of my book that I released in 2019 the UN American dream is, I think we, especially in our Western culture, we have adopted this idea that the busier I am, the more important, the more valuable I am, and so and the reality is, none of us are well wired to go, go, go, go, go. Rest is actually a gift from the Lord. And you know, I think very few of us. But you know, think about the last time you talked to anybody. How are you? Oh, I'm so busy. We love to be busy. We love to have jam packed calendars, because it makes us feel good. The other part of it is when you think about workaholism, you know, that is an addiction. And the only time in my experience, we engage with or become addicted to something, it's when we're trying to avoid something else. And so think our workaholism, which leads to burnout, is right up there with our rising rates of anxiety, of depression, of loneliness, because we have bought a false narrative that if we go, go go, we jam pack our calendars, we work like and work like crazy until we hit some imaginary number or we can call it quits. That's what life is all about. And I just sit there and you know, my number one question to people who are running that race is, how's it working for you? You don't seem really happy right now, you don't seem fulfilled, and you're living on the promise of some day and some days, not a day in the week, right? Michael Hingson  34:03 I People ask me, How are you all the time? And my response is something actually that I borrowed from somebody else. I just say, I'm lovely. Yeah, I get lots of reactions from that. It's kind of cute, but it's great. You know, I I agree with you, there is a there's a need and a time, and it's appropriate to not work all the time. Yes, we we don't ever take time even just to sit and think about what we did today. We don't take time at the end of the day to go in our own brains. How did this work out? How did that work out? Why didn't this work? Why did this work? What could I do to make it better and then listen for answers? It's like praying. So many people, when they pray to God, they pray to Jesus and so on. They spend all their time praying and saying what they want, never realizing God all. And he knows that, yeah, when are you going to start listening for answers and really listening? And that's, that's the challenge that I see so often people don't listen, and the answers are always there. They're in their inner the the inner voice that they can hear if they but practice well. Carlos Hidalgo  35:17 And I think to part of that is you need to be still, right? And we see that in scripture where we're told be still and know that I am God, if I mean there, there. We have so much noise and so much input with our phones and constant, you know, interaction and constant noise. We don't give ourselves the ability to sit and think and process, to just to be still. And that is something that I would say, really, for me, over the last decade, has come into focus of I enjoy my downtime. I enjoy the silence that I it's one of the reasons when I run, I don't run with headphones. In my own little world, in my head, praying, thinking about things. There are times I'll drive in the car without the radio on, just in silence, and I tell people, then they look at me like, I have three heads. Yeah, I'm like, oh, it's I am so much better for it, because I'm no longer living life reactively. I'm able to live life in a way that brings me a lot of peace, a lot of joy, a lot of happiness. And when I work, I work really, really hard, but it's definitely not the center of my universe. Michael Hingson  36:27 I know people think I'm crazy, but I can go days without looking well, not days. I'll go a day. I do it volitionally, but I can go quite a while without looking at text messages, and when I do, their message is there sometimes, but I know that I could actually go for a considerable length of time without needing to carry my phone around. Now, the only reason I do carry it around, I mean, clearly some phone calls can come in and so on, but I use other tools on it that you have access to in other ways. So I use it for those things. But the bottom line is, is that I don't need to have this phone with me to stay in touch with people all the time. So if I carry my phone more often than not, I will be in a hotel room listening to something on the phone and, sure, relaxing, rather than all the other things that one could do with it well. Carlos Hidalgo  37:25 And the number of people that I talked to and research shows this that, you know, the last I saw was over 60% it's the first thing people do when they wake up is they reach over and look at their phone and I say, sit there and say, What is so important that you can't even wait 15 minutes from the time your eyes open. But we've become addicted. We've come addicted to the noise, to the constant, go, go, go. And then, you know, we have a friend of ours last year was just, I'm so busy. I'm so busy. Told my wife, over the next three months, I only have this one day I can do lunch. And then you start realizing, like, Well, really, that's, that's how you want to live your life over the next 90 days, you only have one day. Now, I didn't believe it when I heard that. I don't think they were trying to make excuse, and I don't think lying. I think in their heads, they really had this belief of, oh, I can. I've only got one day out of the next 90, but we've weed ourselves into believing that this is how we should be living life. Yeah, and it's not how I want to live life. I'll work hard, I'll put everything I've got into my clients and my business and things like that, but I don't want to be that strapped. I was that strapped one time, time wise and work wise, and it made me absolutely miserable. Mm, hmm. Michael Hingson  38:45 I know when I wake up in the morning I do reach for my phone right at the beginning. One of the very first things that I do is reach for it to see what the temperature is outside, to see what the temperature is your house, to see whether I want to turn the heater on, you know, but I don't look at messages. I don't need to do that. I'll do it eventually, but, you know, I So, as I say, I use it for other tools, but I use the phone, because that's the tool that's available to me that gives me that information, and it'll help me decide, do I want to turn the heater on, or do I want to turn the air conditioner off? And that's what I do. And then I put the phone down, and I start visiting with the dog and the cat, and we have conversations which is, which is kind of fun, Carlos Hidalgo  39:29 but yeah, you get to enjoy life. Michael Hingson  39:32 I remember, remember the old technology town? Now it's old Blackberry. Oh yeah, the black and Research In Motion. There was one night when Research In Motion lost communications with all of the blackberries, and every BlackBerry went dead, I think, for about 12 hours. But I heard that even during the time when that occurred, people committed suicide because they had no way to look at their blackberries. And. Get information. And I always thought you're that dependent, that you can't cope for a while, especially at night without that information. Carlos Hidalgo  40:09 Come on. Yeah, it's staggering. The number of, again, over 50% of people said that they would be panicked if they want an app without their phones and so and again, I used to, I used to live that way. So I understand it to a degree, but, well, I understand it. Yeah, I also tell people you don't have to live that way, because people i The people I know who live that way, don't seem very content or fulfilled, right, right? Which is really the issue, isn't it? Yeah, absolutely, because we only go, we only get one shot at this life, and I want to make the most of it. Michael Hingson  40:43 Make growth simple. Carlos Hidalgo  40:46 That's right, personal, personal and business wise, right? Michael Hingson  40:49 Personal and business wise. So what is hustle culture? Carlos Hidalgo  40:54 Well, hustle culture has been promoted by a lot of folks, a whole lot more well known that I am, you know, where Kevin O'Leary for Shark Tank, Shark Tank talks about, you got to be willing to work eight days a week, you know, and give everything you've got, you know. Gary Vaynerchuk talks about, you know, go, go, go, go. And, you know, we just see it out there of this, you've got to be willing to go above and beyond. If you want to have success, if you want to make this money, you've got to just make sure you're willing to hustle at all costs, which to me, there's a place for that. As I said, when I'm working I hustle. I work hard. I get in a zone. I kind of block everything out and and there are some weeks where we require over and above it. You know, 16 or a week is is not something that has never been done. But the difference is, there's a couple of differences. Is I'm going to work hard because that's what I'm told to do. In Scripture, it says that with everything you do, do it with all your might and do it to the glory of glory of the Lord. So I'm going to do that. Plus work was one of the first things that God ever created. He told Adam in the garden, I want you to work now, what we also see is that it was cursed when man sinned, and it was part of the curse in the garden. But I do believe work is noble. I believe it's valuable, I believe it has so many things that can teach us. So I'm working. I'm hustling hard when I'm working, but this idea that I need to give everything I have to my business so that I'm successful. Well, what about our relationships? What about our own our last word, too, right? Our own physical health? What about my marriage? All of these things that require work yet, you know, you got a guy like Grant Cardone talking about 95 hour work weeks. That's insanity. Yeah, at what point, you know, so to me, I really believe, and I've had some people who've argued with me over this. If you want to know what the object of your affection is, show me where you're spending the most time and attention. And it's not time or attention, time and attention, right? I cannot. I cannot be, quote, unquote, working, but I can be with my wife, but my brain is working. My brain is thinking about my work, thinking about my business, thinking about my career. So what good is it to her if I'm there or not? Yeah, I'm not investing in that relationship, and that is just as much work as anything else. And I would I would say the rewards are better and the gratification that much deeper. So can work life balance actually be attained? I don't believe in work life balance. I believe in boundaries, and maybe I'm splitting hairs, but when I see that, over 70% of people say that work life balance is unachievable. It tells me it doesn't exist. It's also the only place in our lives where we talk we try to separate work from life. Nobody talks about finance life, business, kids life, business, marriage life, business. But we talk about work life balance. Now I understand we spend a lot of time at work in our modern day culture, but if I can decide that I'm going to put boundaries around the things that matter most to me, so like work, like my relationships, like my physical, mental and emotional health, my spiritual health, and that's how I've started to live life. Is instead of trying to balance everything, I'm going to set boundaries. So what does that look like? Well, the first thing I do in the morning is not check the phone. I get up, I pray. I have coffee with my wife. Sometimes we have really deep conversations. Sometimes we look just let the caffeine kick in and let it wake up, and then we set time in prayer. So every day, pretty much between 815 and 830 I'm at my desk ready to work, but I've put a boundary around that morning time, which allows me to start the time with with my Bible and with my wife from 830 To about 1230 I'm locked in. I am working. There's a boundary around there's a boundary. And then about 1230 to one, about two o'clock, that's my workout. Either go to the gym or I go for a run, come home, make my protein stuff, and then I'm back working again. And so and then when I'm done work, between 530 and six, I shut it down. Work is over, and now it's my personal life again, and whatever that looks like, and some of that is seasonal, because of where I live, in the summer, it'll get stay light till 930 and the winter, it gets dark by 430 there's quite a disparity. But because I have those boundaries, I know that I'm able to bring the best of myself to each of those areas of my life, and that is far easier than balance. And when one of those boundaries needs to move, I get to have a conversation. Hey, I've got a call tonight overseas. Or do we have anything? Are we good if I take this call at 730 at night? So I take the call at 730 at night, but I have that discussion, and it's it takes more effort to move a boundary, takes very little effort to get knocked off balance. Michael Hingson  46:05 Yeah, and I think that makes perfect sense. I know for me, when Karen was here, we we enjoyed breakfast and we enjoyed dinner, and I think there's a lot of value in that. Now, I was always the earlier riser, but partly because I worked for companies that kind of required that. That is to say I worked, for example, when I lived in the east for California companies. So I ended up being there later. But when I worked in the West, calling the east, I had to be in work by six, because that's what I needed to do. But we agreed on that, and I hear exactly what you're saying. The fact of the matter is that you've got to really make some decisions, but if you're in a relationship, then you both have to agree and make the decisions together, which is what really should happen 100% Carlos Hidalgo  46:58 and those boundaries will change. I mean my boundaries now that I'm an empty nester, you know, had I lived this way 15 years ago, would have looked far different because I still had children at home. And so the boundaries can shift and change. But to your point, you have to talk about that. And what I have come to believe is that if I'm making those decisions in regards to my business, my job, my career, and I'm not having the conversation with my significant other, then I'm not I'm not sacrificing anything. I'm just selfish. And yet, what we see is, Oh, you got to sacrifice for your business. I've said to couples before, if you and your wife believe and want to say, hey, we want to go build this thing and we want to go sell it so we know the next five years we're hardly going to see each other, and we're both on board with that, and this is what we want. Go in peace. I think you're nuts, but Go in peace, but still, you made the decision together. That's right, and that's the difference. And I find that a lot of people do not do that, and I also think it adds to the stress and the loneliness and the anxiety and the depression is because we're chasing something that is so fleeting, and no matter what Empire we may build professionally, we can't take it with us, right? Michael Hingson  48:13 And that's something that I wish more people would truly realize. It would make for a much happier world. Carlos Hidalgo  48:21 It would. But the unfortunate part is, until the pain and consequence of how you're living outweighs the fear of change, most likely you're never going to do anything different, right? 48:31 So tell me, Carlos Hidalgo  48:32 oh, go ahead. No. Oh, okay, tell me about the Michael Hingson  48:36 title of the book, the UN American Dream. Where did that come from? And why did you name the book that, why was that the title? And so on, Carlos Hidalgo  48:42 yeah, and so in 2016 is when I informed the company that I had started with my brother 11 years earlier that I was stepping down. Didn't really know what that looked like. I literally just one day, through the help of a friend and God's good grace, decided that it was time for me to go. And so the way they wanted to handle it in end of the year, and I think this was like end of October ish, when I made that decision, they said, You know what, let's not announce anything. We don't want our clients to get spooked in q4 so let's wait until the turn of the the new year. So that was into 2017 so I made a post, and I published it in February, 2017 about why I was leaving the company, some of the things that I was learning along the way. And what surprised me was the phone calls and emails I got from colleagues who said, Hey, I just read your post. Can we talk? I'm kind of thinking about the same thing. I'm miserable. And it was one email in particular that still stands out, where he said, I'm miserable. I started to think like, wow, okay, this, this is not just me. My circumstances were different. But this seems to be a problem, so I started to just do some research on our obsession with work, the number of hours we work, this idea of balance and hustle culture. Really immersed myself in it, and I thought this isn't what Truslow Adams meant when he coined the term the American dream. We're killing ourselves for what like, for What's the objective here to just add another zero to my bank account. So as I started to do that research, I saw myself and a lot of that same story, and the mistakes I made and how I was, you know, I had put my business first all the things that we've talked about. And I thought, Man, this is really quite un American, really, because we say we're the land of the free and the home of the brave, but we're not free if we're slaves to our company or our jobs or our careers. So I thought, You know what? I think what we're doing to ourselves is un American, and we're chasing the UN American dream, and that's how I came up with the title, Michael Hingson  51:05 who have been some of your greatest influencers? Carlos Hidalgo  51:09 Wow, I have had a lot. Obviously, my parents have been huge influences in my life. My mom is a fierce prayer warrior, and so I fervently believe I would not be where I'm at today if it wasn't for her and her faithfulness and that and my dad is it has been in marketing and sales and advertising. So learned a lot from him, just in life, and then also in business. There's a gentleman who lives up the street who is kind of like a second dad to me, it's an interesting relationship, because his son is also my best friend, but gentleman by the name of Keith Vander wheel who is salt of the earth, wise, just a wise, wise man has loved me, has when needed, given me a swift kick in the rear end, and just really helped keep keep me focused, and been one of these guys that I can go to, and it's a little about almost 20 years older than I am, so he's one that has seen more and done more. So I'm thankful for that. And then I am very fortunate to have about three or four very, very dear, dear friends, close friends, I mentioned one, Keith's son, who spur me on to greater things, encourage me when necessary, rebuke me and help me. And then I would say, more than anything, my wife, I learned stuff from her each and every day, her steadfastness, Her Grace, her strength of character, she is absolutely the strongest person I know, and has been the biggest influence in my life. Michael Hingson  52:45 I when I was in college, did radio, and I've always liked comedy. I've always liked trying to be a little bit flip and so on, yep. But I will tell you that my wife constantly amazed me. She was pretty much a lot more straight faced and straight laced than i But when she came out with a zinger, it came out of left field, and you never saw coming. She was amazing. Clearly, she observed me a whole lot more than I thought she did, right? Carlos Hidalgo  53:18 And what a gift that is to have. My wife and I were just, we went out for brunch today, with it being the holiday, and I just, I told her, I said, I just love how much we laugh. Yeah, what a gift that is to have in your marriage. We're just laughing together and laughing at each other in a way that's not demeaning, but appreciates our differences. And you know, we can tease each other and enjoy it and know it comes from a place of love, yeah. Michael Hingson  53:42 How do we deal with the epidemic of loneliness in our lives and in our world? Carlos Hidalgo  53:48 Wow, that's a great question. It's first of all, I think it's heartbreaking. I see this especially with men. And statistics would show that that men especially struggle with loneliness. I think number one is we have to come to the realization we were not meant to live in isolation. We are communal beings. God created us to live in community, and we need to step into that. And part of that is letting your guard down and being vulnerable and letting people know where you struggle. Now I'm not talking about wearing your heart on your sleeve and walking right every stranger and spilling, but those closest of relationships, and I can say, you know, for me, when I isolated, that's when I became the worst form of myself and went to places I never thought I would go. And so I think loneliness, first of all, get off social media and your phone, because that's not a connection. No, your friends, all of your 1000s of friends on Facebook, are not true friends. They're people, you know, but they're not people that are going to walk with you through some of the hardest times of your lives, and so find those. Group, find that community, whether it's your church, whether it's a small group that you take part in, whether it's people at your work, but really start to invest in those relationships and bring as much to it as you're expecting them to. And for me, it became just with those closest relationships. I'm an open book. I'm not going to BS. I'm going to talk about what's on my heart, what I'm struggling with, what my victories are, what my low points are. And for me, that starts with my spouse. As I mentioned, I've got three other men in my life that are around my age that I can confide in, be open with, and it's the most freeing, wonderful thing, and it's their relationships that I cherish, and I think that's how we end this cycle of loneliness. But I think a lot of people have been duped. Well, I'm on I've got a bunch of friends online, yeah, you know, put the phone down, get off your social media platform and go be human and interact with other people. Michael Hingson  56:01 It gets back to the same thing we talked about earlier. There's a whole big difference between head knowledge and really knowing. And the friends who are truly your friends are people who you know and who know you and that you can truly be honest with and who will be honest with you. And that is not something that you get from all those Facebook friends. Otherwise, you're being awfully silly, right? Carlos Hidalgo  56:23 And I also think we have to get out of this idea in our culture that if I don't affirm you, I somehow don't like you anymore, this idea that tolerance and love are the same thing. Some of my closest friends have been some of the ones that have come to me and said, Hey, here's what we've observed, and we're sure you don't like that about you, and you know this needs to change. And I love that. I love that I friends who will call my stuff and a wife who will say to me, this isn't the best you like what's going on here? I need that in my life, because if all I want to do is have people pat me on the back and affirm me. I'm going to get entitled pretty quick. Yeah, and that doesn't help at all. Right? How do we bring civil discourse to our society? We're in an environment and in a world where we just don't appreciate or have conversations anymore. How do we deal with that? Well, I think a couple of things. First of all, I think we have to get back to an appreciation for and a respect for human life and humanity in general. Michael, I'm sure if you and I spent a few hours together, we would eventually land on a topic that we don't just that we don't agree on. I can be okay with that, and because if I'm open to say, Hey, Michael is a human being. He's smart. He's overcome incredible odds in his life, and maybe if I listen, I can learn something. Doesn't mean I'm going to come to your side of the the position, but I can at least learn something. But I think systematically, over decades, we've been denigrating the the value of human life. I mean, how many millions of babies have we aborted in this country? You know, your your own story, your parents were told, hey, just put him in a home. He's not going to amount to anything because of his blindness. That's insanity, you know. So today, instead of civil discourse, if I don't like you, I berate you online, I make something up about you, or I kill you. And right so and to tell you how far we've gone, not only does that happen, but then we're gonna have people who celebrate in the murder of whether it's an insurance CEO or a Charlie Kirk, or anybody, and I just sit there and say, Okay, we've we've gotten so far right civil discourse. And so I think number one is just a respect and a value for human life, which we have a lot of work to do there. And then number two, again, back to what I said, this idea that if I disagree with you, I somehow don't love you anymore. And the example I use is this idea of, well, you need we need more tolerance and affirmation. There was a time Michael where my behavior within our marriage just was unacceptable. I mean, I was cheating on my wife, and once she found out she still loved me, but she couldn't tolerate the behavior for reasons that I think I need to explain. So at that point, you say, All right, well, how do those two things work together? If I had kept doing what I was doing, I know for 100% she would have loved me till the day she died, but she died, but she wouldn't have been able to stay with me, because you can't tolerate that behavior. She's supposed to affirm that. And so this idea that because I quote, unquote, love you, I affirm you, I actually make the case that if I love you, I'm going to help you be the best form of yourself, which sometimes means disagreeing with you and pointing things out in your life. That are unhealthy, that's fair. So I think we have to get back to that place of we can have disagreement, still have respect for each other. We can disagree vehemently and still do it respectfully, right? And then at the end of the day, I can respect your position because of who you are as a person, and that you know, giving you the benefit of the doubt. This is a well thought out position. And so, okay, great. We agree to disagree. We can still be friends, yeah? Michael Hingson  1:00:27 And we might learn something, or at least be put on a path where we think about it, and we may discover that, oh, that person's right, correct, yeah, which is Carlos Hidalgo  1:00:36 cool, yeah, and it's not that hard. And again, no, do your do your homework. Know what the real issues are, and stop reading headlines on social media. Michael Hingson  1:00:46 Yeah, really, get away from that. What else should we know about you? Carlos Hidalgo  1:00:50 Well, I'm the father of four amazing kids spread all over the country, ages 30 to 20. He'll be 24 in 10 days, and then an amazing daughter in law, soon to be daughter in law, my second son is engaged, gets married next year. I love the outdoors, anything outside. And I would say, if I want your audience to remember anything, it's that what Jesus Christ has done in my life has been nothing short of amazing. And like I said at the beginning, this is my operating system, and it's who I am and my reason for being in each and every day. And I sit here and I just am in awe of the life I get to live. So I'm very, very thankful and very, very humbled by it all. Michael Hingson  1:01:36 If people want to reach out to you and maybe explore working with your company, using your company to help them. How do they do that? Carlos Hidalgo  1:01:43 Yeah, you can email me at Carlos at Digital exhaust.co it's not.com so make sure it.co's or I won't get it. So you can shoot me an email visit our website, which is digital exhaust.co or looked me up on LinkedIn, just Carlos adalgo, H, I, D, A, L, G, O, right. That is correct. Yeah. I appreciate you getting the name right on the introduction. So thank you for that. I worked at it well. Michael Hingson  1:02:12 I want to thank you for being here. This has been wonderful. And as I tell people all the time, if I'm not learning at least as much as anybody else on this podcast, and I'm not doing my job well, which means I do need to listen and think about it. And I appreciate all the insights that you gave us today, and I appreciate all of you being here and being with Carlos and me. Love to get your thoughts. Please reach out to Carlos. Please email me at Michael H i, at accessibe, A, C, C, E, S, S, i, b, e.com, but most of all, wherever you're listening or watching the pod podcast, please give us a five star review and a rating. We love that. We love your your input, please. Of course, I want it always to be positive, but I'll take whatever you send because we we value that. And for all of you and Carlos, you as well, if you know anyone else who ought to be a guest on the podcast. We'd love it if you'd let us know we're always looking to meet more people to help show that we're all more unstoppable than we think we are. And with that, I want to thank you again, Carlos, for being here. This has been absolutely fun. Carlos Hidalgo  1:03:13 Michael, thank you so much. I've really enjoyed it. Michael Hingson  1:03:20 You have been listening to the Unstoppable Mindset podcast. Thanks for dropping by. I hope that you'll join us again next week, and in future weeks for upcoming episodes. To subscribe to our podcast and to learn about upcoming episodes, please visit www dot Michael hingson.com slash podcast. Michael Hingson is spelled m

Episode 209: Automate Your Lead Generation with our FREE online course: https://go.digitaltrailblazer.com/auto-leads-course-freeMost online business owners are creating content and wondering why it isn't converting — the problem isn't your offer, it's that your audience doesn't know you well enough to trust you yet. Inconsistent, low-volume content leaves money on the table and hands your potential clients over to competitors who show up more often.In this episode, Jake Isham teaches us how to build true omnipresence — the kind that turns cold strangers into ready-to-buy clients. He breaks down how to choose the right content formats, why views are a vanity metric that could be misleading you, and the compounding effect that makes your brand impossible to ignore over time.About Jake Isham: Jake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling.Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies - including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew—creating content that's generated over 1 billion views online.Jake focuses on blending his background in filmmaking with deep marketing strategy, with creating digital shows and social media content for CEOs and entrepreneurs to cut through the noise by crafting content that builds trust, drives visibility, and creates true omnipresence across platforms.Whether scaling a founder-led brand or launching a thought leadership show, Jake brings a unique creative lens and proven playbooks that turn storytelling into growth.Let Jake build out your digital show for free - https://digitalshow.creativemindsofficial.com/Connect with Jake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeisham/ https://instagram.com/Jakecreativemarketing Want to SCALE your online business bigger and faster without the endless hustle of networking, referrals, and pumping out content that nobody sees?Grab our Ultimate Ad Script for Coaches, Agencies, and Course Creators.Learn the exact 5-step script we teach our clients that allows them to generate targeted, high-quality leads at ultra-low cost, so you can land paying customers and clients without breaking the bank on ad spend. Grab the Ultimate Ad Script right HERE - https://join.digitaltrailblazer.com/ultimate-ad-script✅ Connect With Us:Website - https://DigitalTrailblazer.comFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/digitaltrailblazerTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@digitaltrailblazerX (Twitter): https://x.com/DgtlTrailblazerInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/DigitalTrailblazer

In this conversation with Jeremy Vest, we explore the real challenges of running a sustainable video business—from figuring out profitable pricing to building systems that let you step away without everything falling apart. Jeremy shares his journey from underpricing his work to creating a business model that prioritizes recurring revenue and genuine client relationships over the feast-or-famine cycle that plagues so many filmmakers. Key Takeaways Pricing isn't just about covering costs—it needs to account for growth, overhead, and the strategic value you bring to clients, not just your time and equipment Recurring revenue relationships beat one-off projects—focusing on retainer clients and long-term partnerships creates predictable income and reduces marketing stress Systems free you from your business—documenting processes and building operational systems lets you scale without being the bottleneck in every decision Your business should serve your life goals—whether that's flexibility, income, or creative fulfillment, build your business model around what actually matters to you About Jeremy Vest Jeremy Vest is the founder of Creator Unlock & Video Niche King. With 19 years of experience and over 50 billion organic views generated through his strategies, Jeremy helps creators & companies build YouTube channels that grow on purpose—not by luck. He's worked with Roger Wakefield, dozens of Fortune 100 companies, Grant Cardone, and vidIQ. Jeremy created the D.O.M.I.N.A.T.E. Framework, a clear game plan for turning YouTube into consistent attention, leads, & revenue. In This Episode [00:00] Welcome to the show! [06:24] Meet Jeremy Vest [09:42] Sticking With A Niche [16:12] Starting A YouTube Channel [27:49] Analysis Paralysis [31:06] Using AI Before Publishing [38:25] Story Over Equipment [44:25] "Edutainment" [50:21] Connect with Jeremy [54:30] Outro   Quotes "If you're not making enough to reinvest in your business and pay yourself what you're worth, you're not pricing right—you're just buying yourself a job." - Jeremy Vest "The best clients aren't always the ones with the biggest budgets—they're the ones who value what you do and want to work with you again and again." - Ryan Koral "I'd rather have three solid retainer clients who need me every month than chase twenty one-off projects that all disappear after the invoice is paid." - Jeremy Vest "When you build systems in your business, you're not just making life easier—you're creating something that can actually grow without you doing everything yourself." - Ryan Koral "Stop thinking like a freelancer who trades time for money. Start thinking like a business owner who creates value that compounds over time." - Jeremy Vest Guest Links Follow Jeremy Vest on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | TikTok | LinkedIn Free Niche Audit www.creatorunlock.com Links Find out more about the Studio Sherpas Mastermind Join the Grow Your Video Business Facebook Group  Follow Ryan Koral on Instagram Follow Grow Your Video Business on Instagram Join the Studio Sherpas newsletter

Jake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling.
Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies—including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew—creating content that's generated over 1 billion views online.Jake focuses on blending his background in filmmaking with deep marketing strategy, with creating digital shows and social media content for CEOs and entrepreneurs to cut through the noise by crafting content that builds trust, drives visibility, and creates true omnipresence across platforms.Whether scaling a founder-led brand or launching a thought leadership show, Jake brings a unique creative lens and proven playbooks that turn storytelling into growth.Connect with Jake here: jakeisham.com Don't forget to sign up for our FREE LinkedIn Content Creation Workshop here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/LinkedInContentRoadmap

Rejection is one of the biggest confidence killers in sales—but it doesn't have to be. In this episode, Ray Higdon explains how to stay confident after rejection and why most salespeople take rejection far too personally. The truth is, rejection is not a sign that you are failing—it is a normal part of growth, success, and mastery. Ray shares powerful perspective shifts that instantly remove the emotional sting of rejection, including why top authors, actors, and entrepreneurs faced massive rejection before succeeding. You will also learn how detaching from outcomes, focusing on activity, and reframing rejection as progress can dramatically increase your confidence and consistency. —  

In Episode 299 of The Cardone Zone, Grant Cardone sits down with Jarrod Glandt for a strategic deep dive into why real estate remains the primary investment vehicle for building true financial security and long-term cash flow. Grant and Jarrod break down the fundamentals: why the asset not the hype, not the market noise, not the financing, is always the central focus of any deal. They discuss how disciplined investors evaluate properties, identify opportunities in shifting markets, and structure deals that prioritize income and stability. This episode covers: Why real estate outperforms most traditional investment vehicles over time The importance of cash flow as the foundation of financial freedom If you're serious about building wealth through tangible assets that produce income month after month, this conversation delivers a clear framework grounded in experience and execution. Tune in to Episode 299 of The Cardone Zone and sharpen your approach to investing. Stay connected by following us on social media and visit grantcardone.com or @grantcardone on all our socials for more insights on business, investing, and wealth creation.

✔️ Bitcoin's price and supply numbers are saying two different things ✔️ Grant Cardone makes a massive announcement ✔️ MARA considers selling its bitcoin✔️ Paraguay's National Electricity Administration signs Bitcoin mining memorandum✔️ European Central Bank warns about growing stablecoin adoption✔️ Tokenized stocks✔️ Become a Lightning swap liquidity provider for the Electrum wallet.✔️ Cake Wallet Update✔️ Raspiblitz Update ✔️ Sources:► https://x.com/david_eng_mba/status/2028919873888501985?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://x.com/vivek4real_/status/2028606778565439546?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://x.com/coinbureau/status/2028811429122330849?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://finance.yahoo.com/news/bitcoin-second-largest-corporate-holder-161533087.html► https://x.com/bitcoinmagazine/status/2028868269898117599?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://bitcoinmagazine.com/featured/paraguay-miners-bitcoin-mining► https://x.com/coindesk/status/2028817084218540109?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://www.tradingview.com/news/cointelegraph:122340b09094b:0-stablecoins-could-weaken-bank-lending-and-monetary-policy-in-europe-ecb/► https://x.com/coindesk/status/2028881862693900421?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://x.com/bitdov/status/2028863430321426593?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► https://x.com/cakewallet/status/2028531059160182943► https://x.com/rootzoll/status/2028836970135171480?s=52&t=CKH2brGypO5fEYTgQ-EFhQ► DONATE TO HELP KEONNE AND BILL https://www.change.org/p/stand-up-for-freedom-pardon-the-innocent-coders-jailed-for-building-privacy-tools✔️ Check out Our Bitcoin Only Sponsors!► https://archemp.co/Discover the pinnacle of precision engineering. Our very first product, the bitcoin logo wall clock, is meticulously machined in Maine from a solid block of aerospace-grade aluminum, ensuring unparalleled durability and performance. We don't compromise on quality – no castings, just solid, high-grade material. Our state-of-the-art CNC machining center achieves tolerances of 1/1000th of an inch, guaranteeing a perfect fit and finish every time. Invest in a product built to last, with the exacting standards you deserve.► Join Our telegram: https://t.me/theplebunderground#Bitcoin #crypto #cryptocurrency #dailybitcoinnews #memecoinsThe information provided by Pleb Underground ("we," "us," or "our") on Youtube.com (the "Site") our show is for general informational purposes only. All information on the show is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SHOW OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SHOW. YOUR USE OF THE SHOW AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SHOW IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

If sales have started to feel heavy, frustrating, or emotionally draining, the problem may not be your strategy—it may be your mindset. In this episode, Ray Higdon explains why sales feels hard and how simple mindset shifts can immediately change your experience and results. Most salespeople unknowingly tie their emotions to outcomes, rejection, and responses. But top performers detach from results and instead anchor themselves in activity, patience, and consistency. You will learn how to stop fearing rejection, why becoming addicted to activity transforms performance, and how shifting from "trying to close" to simply "seeing who's open" reduces pressure and increases conversions. Ray also explains why consistency, courage, and stepping outside your comfort zone are essential for success to become inevitable. —  

Organic social media growth is no longer about followers, subscribers, or paid ads. In this episode, I break down how today's algorithms across YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook actually work—and why creators can now grow from zero.You'll learn why interest-based algorithms reward quality over audience size, how organic discovery is replacing follower-based reach, and how to identify your personal “superpower” to create content that gets seen. This applies whether you have zero followers or millions.If you've been waiting to start creating content, this is the moment.-------------------About Manuel Suarez:Manuel Suarez, known as the "Marketing Ninja" and a "Best Selling Author" of "Marketing Magic", leads Attention Grabbing Media (AGM), a marketing agency honored three times on the Inc 5000 list. With a team of over 120, AGM specializes in turning attention into profit for a wide array of brands. In 2023 alone, brands managed by AGM exceeded 250 million USD in revenue.Manuel is also the co-founder of NaturalSlim, a self-funded high 9-figure brand. He has elevated thousands of businesses across various sectors and has directed marketing campaigns for industry leaders like Dr. Eric Berg, Grant Cardone, and Daymond John.He is also responsible for two of the top 15 largest U.S. YouTube channels—Dr. Eric Berg and MetabolismoTV—which together have over 20 million subscribers. Over seven years, his strategies have amassed 8 billion views, generated 5 million leads, and earned over 500 million USD in revenue.Follow Manuel Suarez on Social Media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theninjamarketer/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmanuelsuarez/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrmanuelsuarez- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/MrManuelSuarez- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmanuelsuarez/Learn More About AGM:- Visit our website: https://www.agmagency.comNeed Help with Your Marketing?- Talk to a Ninja: https://www.talktoaninja.comCheck Out Manuel's Book, a #1 Seller on Amazon:- Marketing Magic by Manuel Suarez: https://a.co/d/gbwHKSf

Are your prospects ghosting you after showing interest? If people say they're interested, ask for the video, and then disappear, the problem may not be your leads—it may be your posture. In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the real reason prospects stop responding and how subtle shifts in posture and positioning dramatically affect your close rate. Most salespeople assume ghosting is a prospect problem. But in reality, prospects respond to energy, positioning, and how conversations are led. Ray explains why chasing repels prospects, how speaking above a prospect's position creates resistance, and how to follow up without sounding needy or desperate. You will also learn a simple follow-up framework that creates urgency, filters serious prospects, and increases closing percentages. If you are in sales, network marketing, direct sales, or entrepreneurship, this episode will help you stop getting ghosted and start leading conversations with confidence and clarity. Keywords naturally included: why prospects stop responding, sales ghosting, handling unresponsive prospects, sales posture, follow-up strategies, closing more sales, network marketing training, sales positioning, improving response rates, prospecting mistakes —  

The Cardone Zone – Episode 298 "Systems and Targets" Grant Cardone outlines a direct framework for building wealth through  clear financial targets and disciplined systems. In "Systems and Targets," Cardone explains that financial success  is not driven by motivation or hope, but by measurable benchmarks  and repeatable execution. The episode focuses on: Setting specific income and asset targets Converting annual goals into daily activity metrics The Cardone Zone is available on all major podcast platforms. Follow Grant Cardone on YouTube, Facebook, X, and Rumble. For training programs, events, and additional resources, visit the official  Cardone website: GrantCardone.com and @grantcardone. About The Cardone Zone Hosted by Grant Cardone, the show delivers practical strategies on sales,  business growth, investing, and financial expansion.

If you want to close more sales, you may be focusing on the wrong part of the process. In this episode, Ray Higdon reveals why closing actually starts much earlier than most salespeople think—and shares three practical action steps you can apply immediately to increase conversions. You will learn why talking to more people dramatically improves close rates, how closing begins the moment you start interacting with a prospect, and why expanding the problem (without manipulating it) naturally leads to stronger buying decisions. Ray also explains why waiting for marketing to work is one of the biggest income killers in modern sales. If you are in sales, network marketing, direct sales, coaching, or entrepreneurship, this episode will help you close more deals by improving activity, posture, and conversation strategy.   —  

Personal brand building is the hidden advantage behind long-term business growth. In this episode, I explain how one decision to build a personal brand saved a company, created massive trust, and generated millions of customers over time.You'll see the real difference between a company brand and a personal brand, why confidence is overrated, and how starting imperfectly compounds into authority, relationships, and revenue. If you're still hesitating to put yourself out there, this will change how you see the opportunity.-------------------About Manuel Suarez:Manuel Suarez, known as the "Marketing Ninja" and a "Best Selling Author" of "Marketing Magic", leads Attention Grabbing Media (AGM), a marketing agency honored three times on the Inc 5000 list. With a team of over 120, AGM specializes in turning attention into profit for a wide array of brands. In 2023 alone, brands managed by AGM exceeded 250 million USD in revenue.Manuel is also the co-founder of NaturalSlim, a self-funded high 9-figure brand. He has elevated thousands of businesses across various sectors and has directed marketing campaigns for industry leaders like Dr. Eric Berg, Grant Cardone, and Daymond John.He is also responsible for two of the top 15 largest U.S. YouTube channels—Dr. Eric Berg and MetabolismoTV—which together have over 20 million subscribers. Over seven years, his strategies have amassed 8 billion views, generated 5 million leads, and earned over 500 million USD in revenue.Follow Manuel Suarez on Social Media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theninjamarketer/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmanuelsuarez/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrmanuelsuarez- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/MrManuelSuarez- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmanuelsuarez/Learn More About AGM:- Visit our website: https://www.agmagency.comNeed Help with Your Marketing?- Talk to a Ninja: https://www.talktoaninja.comCheck Out Manuel's Book, a #1 Seller on Amazon:- Marketing Magic by Manuel Suarez: https://a.co/d/gbwHKSf

Grant Cardone reveals why his ultimate target is 10,000 Bitcoin and how he's using a hybrid real estate strategy to aggressively accumulate it. In this conversation, he explains how he converts property discounts into Bitcoin, why he believes treasury companies were a bubble, how 1,600 non-Bitcoin investors are backing his real estate + Bitcoin model, and why dips actually make it “easier” to hit his goal. Cardone also dives into tokenizing real estate, the flaws in accredited investor laws, and why combining cash-flowing assets with Bitcoin could create an entirely new financial vehicle that Wall Street can't replicate.

Grant Cardone is a real estate investor and founder of Cardone Capital. This conversation was recorded live at Bitcoin Investor Week in New York. In this conversation, Grant explains how he pairs cash-flowing real estate with bitcoin, why he stacks bitcoin on top of discounted properties, and how that approach attracted traditional real estate investors to bitcoin. We also discuss his views on cash flow, long-term conviction, avoiding stocks and gold, and why combining legacy assets with new monetary technology creates a powerful investment framework.======================This podcast is sponsored by Abra.com. Abra is the secure way to access crypto and crypto based yield and loan products through a separately managed account structure.Learn more at http://www.abra.com.======================BitcoinIRA: Buy, sell, and swap 80+ cryptocurrencies in your retirement account. Take 3 minutes to open your account & get connected to a team of IRA specialists that will guide you through every step of the process. Go to https://bitcoinira.com/pomp/ to earn up to $1,000 in rewards.======================As markets shift, headlines break, and interest rates swing, one thing stays true — opportunity is everywhere. At Arch Public, we help you do more than just buy and hold. Yes, our dynamic accumulation algorithms are built for long-term investors… but where we really shine? Our arbitrage algos — designed to farm volatility and turbocharge your core positions. The best part of Arch Public's products is they are free! Yes, you heard that right, try Arch Public for free! Take advantage of wild moves in assets like $SOL, $SUI, and $DOGE, and use them to stack more Bitcoin — completely hands-free. Arch Public is already a preferred partner with Coinbase, Kraken, Gemini, and Robinhood, and our team is here to help you build smarter in any market. Visit Arch Public today, at https://www.archpublic.com, your portfolio will thank you.======================0:00 - Intro0:17 - Grant's portfolio, cash flow, & scale3:41 - Why he started combining real estate with bitcoin13:58 - The REIT “glitch” — why institutions can't hold bitcoin17:00 - What bitcoiners get wrong when talking to investors20:53 - Why he avoids stocks & paper assets

If your prospects are controlling the conversation, you have already lost. In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down why sales reps and leaders must stop letting prospects push them around—and how to reclaim authority without becoming defensive, arrogant, or aggressive. The foundation of confident selling is belief. If you do not fully believe in your product, service, or opportunity, prospects will feel it instantly. Ray explains why conviction is the first requirement of sales posture and how making the prospect "the prize" destroys your positioning. You will also learn powerful responses to common objections like "Is this a scam?" and "How much money are you making?"—including how to answer confidently even if you are brand new and have not made money yet. If you are in sales, network marketing, direct sales, coaching, or entrepreneurship, this episode will help you manage the frame of the conversation, increase authority, and close more sales without people-pleasing.   —  

Most sales reps believe that closing more sales requires being more aggressive, more persuasive, or more pushy. That belief is costing you deals. In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the fastest no-pressure way to increase your sales conversions—and it has nothing to do with pressure tactics. It has everything to do with posture. Ray explains how managing the energy of the conversation changes everything. When prospects pull away, most untrained reps lean in harder. But the opposite approach—maintaining strong posture and pulling back—actually increases authority, trust, and conversion rates. If you are in sales, network marketing, direct sales, affiliate marketing, or team leadership, this episode will show you how to close more deals without feeling pushy, desperate, or aggressive. —  

In this episode of Lead-Lag Live, I sit down with Grant Cardone for a wide-ranging and unusually candid conversation on Bitcoin, real estate, and what it really means to invest with conviction.Grant is blunt about one thing most people never admit: even after buying Bitcoin for years, he doesn't pretend certainty. He openly talks about the discomfort of drawdowns, the difference between conviction and having a low cost basis, and why buying through volatility matters more than sounding confident online. Rather than selling a perfect narrative, he's honest about doubt, risk, and why not investing at all is the bigger danger.From Bitcoin as a technology of money to real estate as a long-term cash-flow engine, Grant explains how wealthy investors think about scale, units, and holding assets through cycles instead of trading headlines.In this episode:– Why Grant says saving money destroys wealth– How he thinks about Bitcoin without pretending certainty– The difference between conviction and a cheap entry price– Why wealthy investors focus on units, not price– How Bitcoin and real estate play different roles in long-term wealthLead-Lag Live brings you inside conversations with the financial thinkers who shape markets. Subscribe for interviews that go deeper than the noise.#GrantCardone #Bitcoin #WealthBuilding #InvestingMindset #FinancialFreedom #StockMarket#RealEstate #Crypto Sign up to The Lead-Lag Report on Substack and get 30% off the annual subscription today by visiting http://theleadlag.report/leadlaglive. Support the show

Register here to attend the live virtual event "Why Central Florida is the Year's Most Compelling Housing Market" on Thursday, February 19th at 8pm Eastern. Keith explores how a shift in mindset can change the way you build wealth, why so many new landlords are entering the market, and what recent economic trends could mean for future rents.  You'll also hear how one Florida investor is navigating a changing housing landscape, and learn about a timely opportunity in one of the country's fastest‑growing real estate markets—all without needing to be a hands-on landlord. Resources: Register for the event at GREwebinars.com Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/593 For access to properties or free help with a GRE Investment Coach, start here: GREmarketplace.com GRE Free Investment Coaching: GREinvestmentcoach.com Get mortgage loans for investment property: RidgeLendingGroup.com or call 855-74-RIDGE  or e-mail: info@RidgeLendingGroup.com Invest with Freedom Family Investments.  For predictable 10-12% quarterly returns, visit FreedomFamilyInvestments.com/GRE or text  1-937-795-8989 to speak with a freedom coach Will you please leave a review for the show? I'd be grateful. Search "how to leave an Apple Podcasts review"  For advertising inquiries, visit: GetRichEducation.com/ad Best Financial Education: GetRichEducation.com Get our wealth-building newsletter free— GREletter.com  Our YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/c/GetRichEducation Follow us on Instagram: @getricheducation Complete episode transcript:   Keith Weinhold  0:01   Welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, the risk of delayed gratification is denied gratification. There's a new wave of landlords. Wages are rising faster than both inflation and home prices. Learn what that's going to mean for rents. Hear the voices of five different Federal Reserve chairs, then GRE announces our biggest event of the year, and you're invited today on get rich education.   Corey Coates  0:32   Since 2014 the powerful get rich education podcast has created more passive income for people than nearly any other show in the world. This show teaches you how to earn strong returns from passive real estate investing in the best markets without losing your time being a flipper or landlord. Show Host Keith Weinhold writes for both Forbes and Rich Dad advisors and delivers a new show every week since 2014 there's been millions of listener downloads of 188 world nations. He has a list show guests include top selling personal finance author Robert Kiyosaki, get rich education can be heard on every podcast platform, plus it has its own dedicated Apple and Android listener phone apps build wealth on the go with the get rich education podcast. Sign up now for the get rich education podcast or visit get rich education.com   Keith Weinhold  1:16   mid south home buyers, with over two decades is the nation's highest rated turnkey provider, their empathetic property managers use your return on investment as their North Star. It's no wonder smart investors line up to get their completely renovated income properties like it's the newest iPhone headquartered in Memphis, with their globally attractive cash flows, mid south has an A plus rating with the Better Business Bureau and 4000 houses renovated, there is zero markup on maintenance. Let that sink in, and they average a 98.9% occupancy rate with an industry leading three and a half year average renter term. Every home they offer you will have brand new components, a bumper to bumper, one year warranty, new 30 year roofs. And wait for it, a high quality renter in an astounding price range, 100 to 150k GET TO KNOW mid south enjoy cash flow from day one at mid southhomebuyers.com that's mid southhomebuyers.com   Corey Coates  2:19   You're listening to the show that has created more financial freedom than nearly any show in the world. This is get rich education.   Keith Weinhold  2:35   Welcome to GRE from the Adriatic Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and across 188 nations worldwide, I'm Keith Weinhold, and this is get rich education. Sometimes we all need a mindset reset, and this can include me. Sometimes. James clear, the author of atomic habits, says there are four types of wealth, financial wealth, which is money, social wealth, which is status, time, wealth which is freedom, and physical wealth, which is health. Be wary of jobs that seduce you with one and two but rob you of three and four. That is to say, be careful with jobs that seduce you with financial and social wealth but rob you of time and physical wealth that is definitely going to happen to you during your life, especially early in your working career. But many people, even most people, they don't do much about this. They just go on and on, selling their soul to their employer for decades. Sometimes paychecks aren't compensation. They're a bribe from an employer to give up your dreams early in your career, delayed gratification actually makes some sense, because you need capital formation, you need down payments, you need dry powder. That is totally fair and the time in your life for delayed gratification. But there's a point that most people miss, the point where delayed gratification quietly mutates into denied gratification. This is huge. Most people miss this inflection point. When is this point in your life? That's when I'll do it later becomes, well, I guess I never did it at all. They look up at what they've got at age 65 and realize that they have a respectable title. They still wear Dockers pants. They have a 401, K that they must start paying tax on, and knees that creak louder than. The front door. Compound Interest hardly outpaces taxes and inflation. That's just going to keep you in one spot, you know, and you're never going to get that time back. There is no do over there. So you need to get to the point where you can be more frugal with your time than your money. Younger people have a harder time adopting this mindset, and that's a little natural, because they have more time and less money. Sooner than later, you must desperately get financially free so that you can simply be your self workaholics, optimize income instead of assets, and you can't let that happen, because labor does not compound and capital does compound, your quality of life will exceed your cost of living when your life is funded by what you own, not by what you do that takes a different mindset. You can either be a conformer or you can build wealth when you invest in real estate that pays five ways. It's like what you're doing is buying future Tuesdays, where you never have to work again and then later, add on future Wednesdays, where you never have to work again because you got the compound leverage instead of the impotent compound interest. I mean, just consider your two and a half million dollar portfolio that is passively doing the same work as someone who sells 40 to 50 hours a week of their life away for 100k in yearly salary. All right, maybe you're thinking, Oh, that all sounds thought provoking, but if you're not engaged on that, it can sound airy and philosophical and even risky. It's sort of like, yeah, you're cueing the acoustic guitar music and slow motion images of someone pensively gazing at a sunset.   Keith Weinhold  7:12   All right, what is the concrete plan? It's not all about mindset. It only starts with mindset. You got to make that actionable. Well, we constantly provide concrete plans for you here on this show, and I've got another concrete plan for you toward the end of the show today. This harkens back to what I discussed with you seven weeks ago, seven episodes ago on the show. That's when I discussed the world's first billionaire, John D Rockefeller and his enduring quote from about 100 years ago, he who works all day has no time to make money. Yeah, that's the quote a little review. What you learned seven episodes ago is that Rockefeller meant, if you spend your life doing tasks, you're never going to rise high enough to own things that pay you for life. The bottom line here is that earning a living is a distinctly different activity than building wealth. That's what we're talking about here.    Keith Weinhold  8:14   Well, there is a new wave of landlords entering the market, and they are reshaping what owning rentals looks like. One survey by rental platform avail of nearly 2000 users. It's really influential. It found that 53% of landlords became landlords in the last five years. So you have a lot of new landlords with the most 17% of landlords entering the market in just the last year, most purchased a property specifically to rent it out, and 1/3 sort of backed into this business by renting out their former residence. Of course, some people want to rent out their former residence today, if they got locked into that sexy owner occupied three and 4% financing from 2022 and earlier, the survey went on to tell us with some really good takeaways here, 72% of landlords manage between one and four units, and this avail survey. I mean, it's just another one that shows that the majority of landlords operate small portfolios, classic mom and pop investors. That one's not too surprising. The top three reasons that landlords gave for entering the rental market, they're pretty interesting. The number one reason for getting into this at 41% of respondents is building long term wealth. Next 33% for generating passive income, and the third most popular one, it's a distant third, it is preparing for retirement at 13% so building long term wealth is the number one reason for getting into this, and that is the right reason. Them when it comes to ownership structure, 64% said that they own the property individually, whether that's through a single member LLC or in their own name, doing it, yeah, individually, rather than with a family member or a business partner. So really, the summary of this terrific, recent avail landlord survey is that if you're just getting started, you're not alone. A lot of people are most own properties solely in their own name, and the number one reason for doing it is to build long term wealth. Now there's another pervasive set of economic trends out there in the broader economy, but it's really a benefit for real estate investors, and that is the fact that wage growth has now outpaced consumer price growth for three years. Yeah, another way to say that is that wage growth has outpaced inflation for fully three years. Yeah, most people just aren't feeling it yet. So you might be taken somewhat aback by that, and why aren't people feeling that wage growth is faster than inflation, the pandemic inflation spike that was so huge, it was like getting hit with a freight train, and then someone tells you, good news, the train has stopped. Yeah, that's nice. You are still lying on the tracks, rubbing your ribs. That's because we're all still absorbing spiked prices for everything from a lumber two by four to a York Peppermint Patty, year over year, wages are up 3.8% and consumer inflation is 3% All right, so wages above inflation, that means things are getting a little more affordable, but both wages and inflation have grown faster than home prices, which have only grown about one and a half percent, and this is all per the BLS in the FHFA, so wage growth Being more than double home price growth. Well, that trend really makes properties more affordable, but historically, they're still not that affordable. Everybody knows that home prices soared until about 2023 that was the turning point, and now wages are in their catch up phase. All right, but what really matters to real estate investors is, when will this wage growth translate to rent growth, historically, big rent growth that lags big home price growth by about two to four years. So you have the big home price growth, big rent growth hits two to four years later, historically. Now, if that holds true, we should finally see substantial rent growth this year or next year. Rent growth has still been pretty soft in the one to four unit space, and even there are rent decreases in the overbuilt apartment space. Future income growth promises to make homes more affordable. Affordability has already improved, with mortgage rates hovering near three year lows. There's one problem, though, that most people overlook, and that is this wage growth has been skewed toward the higher income deciles, renters, especially workforce renters, they don't feel it until later. So this 3.8% wage growth, it's heavier for higher income people, and it's lighter for lower income people. I swear, when there are enriching economic trends, it always hits the higher income people first, and it doesn't trickle down until later. So if you as an investor, are positioned before the rent wave hits, you are surfing, and if you wait to feel it, you're swimming behind the boat. Higher wages should translate to higher rents in the next one to two years. And as far as some other forces, as we all know, the man occupying the oval office in the White House, the President, he wants lower rates. The current Fed Chair isn't so willing to do that. The next one, the one he appointed, Kevin Warsh, who arrives in May. He seems more receptive to lower rates, but it's gonna take a while. It all moves so slow. We have had 16 fed chairs before worsh over 112 years. And look how much of an econ nerd Are you? Are you as bad as me? These voices are in chronological order, and I can name each speaker.   Corey Coates  14:47   You're going to have to live with the fact that forecasts have a range of uncertainty, irrational exuberance.   Corey Coates  14:54   In my opening remarks, I'd like to briefly first review today's policy decision, but   Corey Coates  14:58   first I'll review recent. Economic developments in the Outlook, and we are well positioned to wait to see how the economy evolves.   Keith Weinhold  15:06   If you can name each of those speakers, I would love to give you a free property from gremarketplace.com but I can't quite swing that in order. Those voices are Paul Volcker. He served from 1979 to 87 he was known for crushing double digit inflation by jacking rates to near 20% it was painful medicine, but it worked the next one. Alan Greenspan sir, from 1987 to 2006 that was a long reign, almost 20 years. He oversaw the 90s economic boom, the.com bubble and the early housing bubble. Years so far, Greenspan is the only Fed chair that I have met in person. Then Ben Bernanke, he was the Fed chair from 2006 to 2014 he took the helm right before the 2008 financial crisis. He rolled out QE and emergency lending on an historic scale. In fact, he was nicknamed helicopter Ben because it's like he would print so much money that he just dropped it out of huge sacks, dollar bills in huge sacks, dropping them from an airplane, metaphorically, not literally. Then Janet Yellen, 2014 to 2018 she kind of continued this post crisis normalization, and she was the first woman to chair the Fed and then, of course, Jerome Powell serving from 2018 to 2026 he navigated the covid stimulus, ultra low rates. And then after that, the fastest rate hiking cycle in decades to fight inflation back in 2022 being the Fed chair is the most important job in this economy, and over the decades, there's been more of a movement of the fed into the public eye. You just hear about them more in the media than you used to. But like I touched on last week, it just still doesn't mean as much to real estate investors as a lot of people think, people sometimes look for someone else to come save them, but it's more about you and the choices that you make that's what means more housing supply and demand means more real estate investors have profited during every one of those Fed Chair reigns, which go back almost 50 years from Volcker to today, I think everybody knows that fed chairs don't control property prices, and they don't even control long term interest rates. What's a little paradoxical is that Trump has been vocal about how he wants more affordable home prices, yet at the same time he wants existing homeowners to have their home prices go up, those two things seem to be in tension. They're in conflict with each other. The only way you can possibly get both are through lower mortgage rates. But is he going to see later today you as a GRE follower, you don't have to wait for lower rates income, property still feels less affordable than it did five years ago, because it is that's real but here's the key distinction in what makes real estate investors different from owner occupied homeowners. Affordability isn't about the price of the property, it's about whether the property pays for itself and grows your net worth while inflation does the heavy lifting. Higher prices don't kill investors. Inaction during inflation does you're not buying a say, $350,000 property. You're controlling it with $70,000 while your tenant and inflation do the rest. We do not rely on hope or appreciation. We start with income tax benefits and debt pay down and then leverage appreciation typically happens as well. GRE only succeeds when investors close on properties that perform long term. One bad referral costs us years of trust, so we don't do that. The best question for you really isn't whether property is affordable. The question is whether owning an investment property is better than inflation compounding against you. That's the investor lens today.    Keith Weinhold  19:24   coming up next week on the show here, we're going to discuss apartments. It's been a truly be leaguered sector, where their prices have fallen 2030, and 40% in many markets. We've discussed apartments here on the show a lot before, like with Grant Cardone on episode 264, with Ken McElroy, countless times with me monologuing about apartments. And next week, we're going to talk to a multifamily educator who is known as the apartment King. Later on, a future show, we've got the return of the financial. Firebrand, and lately, the financial comedian Garrett Gunderson, a powerful speaker. That's definitely going to be interesting. As for today, you'll hear a first person account from a Florida resident about why he's moved to Florida and why he invests there. You've heard of this guy before. That's next. I'm Keith Weinhold. You're listening to Episode 593, of get rich education.    Keith Weinhold  20:26   Flock homes helps you retire from real estate and landlording, whether it's one problem property or your whole portfolio, through a 721, exchange, deferring your capital gains tax and depreciation recapture, it's a strategy long used by the ultra wealthy. Now Mom and Pop landlords can 721, the residential real estate request your initial valuation, see if your properties qualify@flockhomes.com slash GRE. That's f, l, O, C, K, homes.com/G. R, E,    Keith Weinhold  21:02   you know, most people think they're playing it safe with their liquid money, but they're actually losing savings accounts and bonds don't keep up when true inflation eats six or 7% of your wealth. Every single year, I invest my liquidity with FFI freedom family investments in their flagship program. Why fixed 10 to 12% returns have been predictable and paid quarterly. There's real world security backed by needs based real estate like affordable housing, Senior Living and health care. Ask about the freedom flagship program. When you speak to a freedom coach there, and that's just one part of their family of products. They've got workshops, webinars and seminars designed to educate you before you invest. Start with as little as 25k and finally, get your money working as hard as you do. Get started at Freedom family investments.com/gre, or send a text. Now it's 1-937-795-8989, yep, text their freedom coach directly again. 1-937-795-8989,   Keith Weinhold  22:13   the same place where I get my own mortgage loans is where you can get yours. Ridge lending group and MLS, 42056, they provided our listeners with more loans than anyone because they specialize in income properties. They help you build a long term plan for growing your real estate empire with leverage. Start your prequel and even chat with President chailey Ridge personally. While it's on your mind, start at Ridge lending group.com that's Ridge lending group.com   Zack Lemaster  22:47   this is rental retirement Zach Lee Masters. Listen to get rich education with Keith bleinhold, and don't quit your Daydream.   Keith Weinhold  23:02   I'd like to welcome in our own in house. GRE investment coach, we haven't had you on the show since November. Welcome in Naresh.   Naresh Vissa  23:11   Kwith, It's a pleasure to be back on the show. Thanks for having me on.   Keith Weinhold  23:16   We're just playing it all casual and comfortable here in house. You were just finishing up, what ice cream or a container of something right before we got started   Naresh Vissa  23:25   here, all done with the ice cream and ready to record the podcast.   Keith Weinhold  23:29   Yeah, all right, keeping cool for our chat. Well, you know you do live in Florida, so you must have your own perspective on the Florida market. You live in the Tampa area, and the reason that that's a germane topic is that's something we've been talking about here lately as really an opportunity, and that is because most of Florida has seen some temporary property price attrition, but yet more population growth is projected. So that's why we feel like that's temporary. But why don't you tell us about what you see on the ground there?   Naresh Vissa  24:07   Keith, I've lived in Florida for 11 and a half years now. That's Tampa, Florida. I like Florida a lot. I moved here December 2014 for similar reasons that many people are moving here today. So I moved to Florida in December 2014 because of no state income tax, because of, at the time, lower cost of living. Florida was one of the states I got hit the hardest during the 2008 financial crisis, or nothing called in a real estate crisis, Florida, Arizona, those few others got hit really, really hard. So Florida at that time was still rebounding from 2008 so I moved for the affordability, the no income tax, of course, the weather better. Weather. And then most places in the Northeast I've lived so weather is a big deal when it comes to real estate and geography as well. These are all different reasons to move to Florida, and these are the reasons why I moved to Florida. I was also single in my 20s, so I was much younger at the time. I was single in my mid 20s, and Florida is very good for that too. For 20 something Gen Z folks today, Florida is definitely a place that they should consider. I moved down here and I fell in love with it. From day one. I got a place living right on the water, a beach. Got beaches everywhere. Florida's tour. And I say all this because these are all enticing features of Florida, for renters, for tenants, for snowbirds. I had never even heard of what a snowbird was until I moved down to Florida, where you have people who literally live here for seven months of the year, and then they live in their home state for five months of the year. So that's generally what it is, seven months in Florida, five months in their home state, which can be the people I know personally are from New York, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio. The list goes on and on. Basically anywhere that's north of Florida could be considered a snowbird area. So that's another reason why Florida is a very hot market. Now, obviously, during the pandemic, in end of 2020, people started moving to Florida in droves. Part of it was politically, because you didn't have the restrictions that other states had during that crazy time that we lived through. And another part of it was work from home. So similar to me, in 2014 when I became full time work from home, I wanted to move somewhere for all those different reasons that I gave you the total package, and Florida fit that there was maybe one other state that fit the bill, based on everything that I told you, probably one other state. That's it. So Florida fit the bill, and that's why I think Florida is always going to be despite the hurricane prep, Florida is always going to be a destination that people will seriously look at whether you're older, retirement age or younger. Like I said in my mid 20s, single guy Florida is always going to be that destination for all the reasons that I laid out. So with that being said, what does that mean for real estate? What that means for real estate is that there's going to be a constant supply of people coming into Florida, and when there's a constant supply of people coming into Florida, then you can expect real estate prices to at least not decline. We passed, you know, all sorts of bills, including Dodd Frank post 2008 to prevent people from taking out mortgages that they couldn't afford. So now that that's out of the way, when you have a constant supply of people who are able to afford homes, who are able to afford rents, well, that's going to be a constant supply. So that's good for investors, that's good for appreciation. It's good for cash flow. And that's why I'm a huge fan, not just of the state of Florida, but also investing in Florida. And I own real estate in Florida, and you can say that I lucked out, but I bought a property in 2019 and it nearly doubled in value, yeah, when I say doubled in value in a matter of I want to say, like, two years, two and a half years, it nearly doubled in value. So with that being said, Florida, this was a rare cyclical trend when we just saw this huge upswing, rare cyclical trend. But I don't anticipate cycles like this, where you're going to have booms and busts. Moving forward, we haven't seen a bus since 2008 like I said, the the law has been taken care of in that sense, the regulation. I love the state. I've lived in six major cities, but maybe five different states, and Florida is hands down my favorite. That's why I've lived here for what did I say? 11 and a half or 12 and a half years? I don't even remember anymore. It's actually 11 and a half. My roots are here. I now consider myself a Florida person, even more so than the state of Texas, where, which is where I spent 18 years. I have no doubt that I'll surpass 18 or 19 years in Florida, and that this is it, right here. And a major reason is because this is just such a great state. It's free, it's real estate friendly. This is for people who are looking at buying primary residences, not for investment properties. But the governor has put on the ballot this coming election cycle to remove, to abolish the property tax in the state of Florida. So if you own, if you live full time, not a snowbird, not investors, but if you live in Florida permanently, then no more property tax if the vote passes. So that's another huge plus for owning property if you're a permanent resident in Florida,   Keith Weinhold  29:57   yeah, even if the property tax is abolished. Which seems unlikely, you could just tell what the tenor and the temperature of the tax climate and the investing climate is like in Florida, if they're even spearheading such a proposal, and they're a national leader in something like property tax abolition, like they are and Naresh about eight years after you moved there, which would be, what about 2020? 2022, somewhere in there, we had that strong pandemic migration push into Florida. What's happened is that that flow has slowed down. There's still positive net in migration in there in Florida. But the builders, they got ahead of this, and the pandemic migration wave waned, and they had a temporarily overbuilt condition, and they still do now, which is one reason why we've seen prices fall somewhat in most Florida zip codes, and this spells part of the opportunity. So you do have all these new build properties, some of which are vacant, but you have a good chance they're going to get absorbed pretty soon. And there are some obvious advantages to owning new build.   Naresh Vissa  31:11   Well, Keith, there is brand new construction in Florida, like you said. The work started in 2021 and there are homes that have not been sold. I don't want to say, since they were finished building in 2021 they recently finished building in 2025 and these homes could be a variety of reasons. It could be economic related. It could be hurricane related. In Tampa, the Central Florida, we had two horrible hurricanes back to back within a 15 day period, two really bad hurricanes towards the end of 2024 September and October 2024 and people lost their homes. Renters lost their homes. Other people just were freaked out and scared and said, You know what? I don't want to deal with. I've got PTSD from these hurricanes. I'm moving up to Alabama or Georgia or Orlando, you know, somewhere in Central Florida, that's a way. But even that area, you know, the hurricane still made it through to those areas too. People just picked up and said, You know what I'm done with Florida. It's a great state, but I don't want to deal with these hurricanes. And so regardless, whatever the reason, this is a pie, and these are all slices of the pie, I don't know what's been more of a contributing factor than which one has been more than the others. But with that being said, there are tons of properties in Florida, pretty much the entire state of Florida, where, especially new construction properties, are below at the time when they were being built, they're below what they anticipated being listed as. And So Keith, we're having a special webinar this Thursday, talking about these properties because they are discounted properties. They are properties that are selling at tremendous discounts, like I said to when Ground was broken years ago. So join that webinar. Gre, webinars.com gre webinars.com. Again, brand new construction. Many of these properties already have tenants in place. Not all of them, but many of them do already have tenants in place. There are all sorts of incentives that the builder is offering. And there are many builders in that, not just this one that's going to be on the webinar, but in Florida, there are many builders who are offering discounts, rate, buy downs, other incentives, because the home values have fallen somewhat a bit. Why have the home values falling? Because the demand has fallen as well. So again, the next question people might have is, well, if the demand is falling, if home home values are falling, why would I buy the trend is downward. And the answer is, whether it's a stock or any other security, you don't necessarily want to have the FOMO to buy at an all time high, just because everyone else is buying it. And I actually have family members who bought real estate at the peak of 2022 there was FOMO and there was, hey, you know, I need to get a flip, and they're down. They bought peak 2022, and they're down today. Because, look, you can pick any housing market in the country, especially a prime state like Florida. Look at any 30 year period, and you will see that home values are up double digits, even if you look at 2009 when the housing market crashed and we reached something like 10 year bottom in housing, if you look at the 30 year period, well, if someone who bought a house in Florida in, say, 1979 was still way up on their property in 2009 30 years later, we're not buying Bitcoin here where it can go up 30% in one day or go down 30% in one day. We're talking real estate, and real estate has been proven. It's been tested. It's been proven throughout time, not even a 30 year period. I think if you take any 20 year period, you're going to see the same trend of double digit gains, double digit growth. On real estate appreciation. So I'd say, if you're skeptical about Florida, you see these home values, all these discounts, that's the first thing I hear from followers. They say, why are they offering so many discounts? I'm a little concerned about all these discounts and incentives, and I don't know if that's a good thing. Well, I say, Well, I mean, you can buy full price in another state, if you'd like, you know, in California or so you could, you're more than free to buy full price. But we're talking Florida here. We're not talking about West Virginia or Rhode Island, or, you know, Nebraska. We're talking Florida. This is still the land of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, this is the land of the best beaches in the country. I mean, they there's just no arguing or debating these facts. Florida all the reasons that I stated earlier, is going to continue to be a hot, hot market. So I highly recommend people, if you want to get in on these discounted deals, G R E, webinars.com G R E, webinars.com register for our upcoming online and live special event this Thursday evening at 8pm Eastern Time, 8pm Eastern Time, gre webinars.com you won't want to miss this free, online and live special event.   Keith Weinhold  36:25   When a pound of oranges is on sale or a pound of zucchini is on sale, consumers are often attracted to that sale. Should probably be the same way with you considering adding to your real estate portfolio, and it's funny, when oranges of zucchinis are on sale, no one tries to find fault with it and think that they're rotten inside or something like that. But somehow with real estate or an investment that tends to get scrutiny from people, but these are real discounts that you're getting over buying, say, two years ago, and we're talking about a motivated seller here. And as you know, Naresh, we had the builder on the show last week, the one that's going to be co hosting the webinar with you on Thursday, and he talked to us about buying down mortgage rates to between 3.75% and 4.25% and we're here at a time where the owner occupied rate is six to six and a quarter the investor rate is seven, so you're getting about a three percentage point buy down. That's really the attraction. And Naresh, before I ask you, if you have any last thoughts, yes, again, it is our live event that you can attend from the comfort of your own home, Thursday the 19th, at 8pm eastern in just a few days, here with Naresh and the builder who you heard on last week's show, co hosting a live webinar for Central Florida so inland new build income property. It's free. You're invited, and the benefit of you attending live is that you can have any of your questions answered in real time. You're going to learn more about the Central Florida market and more about the home building process, and you are going to be able to see available new bill property, real addresses, with some of these pretty grand incentives that we've talked about again. GRE webinars.com, any last thoughts? Naresh   Naresh Vissa  38:17   I get a lot of questions about is right now the time to buy? Should I buy later? What's going to happen with real estate? And I know the number one question, or the number one caution our followers are going to have, is, is right now the time is March or April, the time. And I say, look, with real estate, I already gave you the figure that you take any 20 year time period, any 30 year time period, and that's our time horizon here at GRE again, we're not trying to buy bitcoin here and flip it, you know, two days later, we're looking to buy and hold for, I don't want to say forever, but I know my time horizon in general is the full 30 year term, at least for my properties, and some people you know, want 10 or 15 years. That's fine too, but that's the time horizon. It is not one year, two years. We're not flipping new construction properties here in Central Florida. We are looking to buy and hold over the long haul, get some very good, high quality tenants in there, in these new construction properties, so that you, the GRE follower and the investor, can collect your monthly cash flow as well as over that 20 year period, or that 30 year period take part in appreciation as well. We've also talked extensively, Keith in previous episodes about interest rate cuts that the Federal Reserve is going to be doing, and just know this, there's a reason why the builder is offering these incentives where you can get the rates so low, your mortgage rate can be so low, and it's going to take at least a year, even if the Fed goes to zero. I mean, it's going to take mortgage rates a very long time. And to reach that point of getting such low interest rates that you just laid out, so that even makes it more enticing, like, Hey, I basically have a head start on the Federal Reserve because I follow the Fed pretty closely. We don't need to get into those details, but it's looking heavily like they are going to be start cutting again later this year, this summer. So it's looking like they're going to do that, but again, now you can have a head start, because when the Fed starts doing that, and when the mortgage rates fall, then everybody's going to jump in. And what's going to happen to the home values once everybody jumps in, well, they're going to go up. You want to jump in when everybody is not jumping in, and when you can get an amazing deal on these interest rates thanks to the builder buying down your interest rate. So this is a GRE special you can't get these deals. I challenge our followers to go on the internet and try to find better incentives or deals. And what you're going to see on this webinar, on this online, live special event. So gre webinars.com you can join me as well as our special guest. He heads up the builder. His name is Jim. He's going to be on with me. And please join us at grewebinars.com sign up for this free and live online special event.   Keith Weinhold  41:20   These are some great points. There's a lot of anticipation for Thursday, Naresh. We'll see you then.   Naresh Vissa  41:25   Thanks, Keith.   Keith Weinhold  41:32   Oh yeah, a first person account on Florida life and opportunity from our own Naresh nationally, the build to rent model that has been a real success, building single family rentals with the intent that they are rentals. From day one, over 321,000 homes have been built specifically as rentals this way since 2012, and more than three quarters of those in just the last five years. So the build to rent trend is picking up steam. About 1/3 of Americans rent their home, and although the word rental for some people that still conjures up visions of high rises packed with apartments, but a growing number of today's rentals are these freestanding, single family homes and duplexes like we're talking about today, nestled in suburban communities with top notch schools, and that's why a growing number of mom and pop investors have hopped on the build to rent bandwagon. They take less maintenance. It attracts quality tenants who stay longer, and the rentals have changed, but so had the renters. 20 years ago, it felt like tenants had to rent, like they had no choice. Today, you've got more and more tenants that choose to rent. Many of them make 100k to 125k or more. Today, rentals are cheaper than owning for those people, and they're less of a headache. A lot of them don't want to fix things, and you as the owner, don't want to either. That's why new build is attractive. Then, you know, I just sent that great map to our newsletter subscribers about which states saw the most population gain from 2020 to today, the South had more population growth than every other US region combined, which is jaw dropping and within the South, the state with the most population growth since 2020 is Florida, with An 8.9% population gain in that span, narrowly beating out Texas and South Carolina. By the way, even if it weren't for the attractive builder interest rate near 4% these Sunshine State deals could still make sense. New build single family rentals from the 270s new build duplexes, 395 to 420k low insurance rates, positive cash flow, a builder warranty. And it's really even better than that. These properties are centered on Ocala, Florida, which received national recognition as the fastest growing city for this second year in a row. That's according to a U haul report, and Florida is the epitome of investor friendly. Florida is the first state to enact a law allowing law enforcement to immediately remove squatters. It distinguishes them from legal tenants. You might come to the webinar event, perhaps thinking about 80k or 500k that you want to allocate toward property or maybe nothing and you just want to learn at the event you will evaluate realistic opportunities learn how property management is handled, and understand how today's inventory fits into your disciplined, long term strategy that all takes place on. On Thursday the 19th at 8pm Eastern. It's our biggest event of the year, and it is called Why Central Florida is the year's most compelling housing market. One last time for Thursday, it is gre webinars.com, until then, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream.   Unknown Speaker  45:20   You nothing on this show should be considered specific, personal or professional advice. Please consult an appropriate tax, legal, real estate, financial or business professional for individualized advice. Opinions of guests are their own. Information is not guaranteed. All investment strategies have the potential for profit or loss. The host is operating on behalf of get rich Education LLC, exclusively.   Keith Weinhold  45:52   The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth building get richeducation.com  

In this video, I reveal the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when creating products and content—and the simple method I've used for 20+ years that has generated millions of responses and guided every major business decision I've made. I'll show you how to gather audience insights at scale, stay relevant, and create offers people actually want—using tools that now take seconds instead of days.You'll see:• Why most entrepreneurs fail by creating without data• How to use surveys to plan content, offers, and products• A real example of AI generating survey questions instantly• How to publish and distribute your survey for maximum responses-------------------About Manuel Suarez:Manuel Suarez, known as the "Marketing Ninja" and a "Best Selling Author" of "Marketing Magic", leads Attention Grabbing Media (AGM), a marketing agency honored three times on the Inc 5000 list. With a team of over 120, AGM specializes in turning attention into profit for a wide array of brands. In 2023 alone, brands managed by AGM exceeded 250 million USD in revenue.Manuel is also the co-founder of NaturalSlim, a self-funded high 9-figure brand. He has elevated thousands of businesses across various sectors and has directed marketing campaigns for industry leaders like Dr. Eric Berg, Grant Cardone, and Daymond John.He is also responsible for two of the top 15 largest U.S. YouTube channels—Dr. Eric Berg and MetabolismoTV—which together have over 20 million subscribers. Over seven years, his strategies have amassed 8 billion views, generated 5 million leads, and earned over 500 million USD in revenue.Follow Manuel Suarez on Social Media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theninjamarketer/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmanuelsuarez/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrmanuelsuarez- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/MrManuelSuarez- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmanuelsuarez/Learn More About AGM:- Visit our website: https://www.agmagency.comNeed Help with Your Marketing?- Talk to a Ninja: https://www.talktoaninja.comCheck Out Manuel's Book, a #1 Seller on Amazon:- Marketing Magic by Manuel Suarez: https://a.co/d/gbwHKSf

In this episode, Travis sits down with his friend Eric for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about preparation, confidence, and showing up at your best—whether you're hosting a podcast, pitching a deal, or stepping on stage. Eric brings thoughtful insight and humor as they unpack Travis's journey from scripted interviews to confident conversations, including lessons learned from interviewing high-profile guests like Grant Cardone. This episode is a masterclass in preparation, presence, and building credibility through intentional connection. On this episode we talk about: When to over-prepare vs. when to trust your experience How Travis evolved from scripted interviews to natural conversations What interviewing Grant Cardone taught Travis about confidence and control Why asking different questions builds stronger relationships with high-level guests How preparation directly impacts branding, opportunities, and income Top 3 Takeaways Preparation compounds — every conversation, interview, and connection is a chance to strengthen your brand and credibility. High performers respect hosts who do their homework and take them off autopilot. Confidence comes from reps: doing thousands of conversations is its own form of preparation. Notable Quotes “If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail.” “Even if someone has more money or fame than you, it's still your show — you're allowed to run the frame.” “It's not about asking better questions — it's about asking different ones.” Connect with Travis: Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@travismakesfriends/videos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell/ Other: https://travischappell.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your sales team is underperforming, there's a strong chance you're missing one critical metric—and it's quietly costing you revenue every single month. In this episode, Ray Higdon reveals the leadership blind spot most sales leaders never track: activity. While many leaders obsess over sales numbers, rank advancements, and new customers, they often ignore the one thing that actually drives those results. Ray explains why tracking activity—not just outcomes—is essential for improving sales performance, increasing production, and preventing leadership burnout. He also breaks down how recognizing effort (not just results), running activity-based contests, and setting weekly activity goals can dramatically improve team morale and consistency. If you're a sales leader, network marketing leader, entrepreneur, or manager, this episode will help you eliminate sabotage, focus your time on the right people, and increase revenue without working longer hours. —  

The Cardone Zone brings Grant Cardone together with Jarrod Glandt, President of Cardone Enterprises, for a retrospective look at the company's last 10 years, what it took to build, what it took to scale, and what it takes to win the next decade. They zero in on the real drivers of business growth, wealth creation and real estate investing, including practical insights on developing capital, protecting your gains, and pursuing cash-flowing opportunities in the multifamily market. Follow us on SiriusXM and @grantcardone, visit GrantCardone.com, and connect with us across all our social platforms: Facebook, YouTube, Rumble, X, for more insightful thoughts from Grant Cardone.   Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as financial, legal, or investment advice. Nothing discussed should be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any asset or investment. Always conduct your own independent research and due diligence, and consult with qualified financial, legal, and tax professionals before making any investment decision.

Are you trying to build a high-performance sales team without becoming a micromanager? In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the five essential elements required to create a high-performance sales culture—without pressure, burnout, or constant oversight. Most leaders think more training and more accountability will fix performance issues. But the real answer is clarity, systems, storytelling, and giving your team the tools they actually need. Ray explains why sales leaders must build scalable systems and processes, share weekly stories instead of only teaching tactics, create a searchable content library, lead by example by bringing in new production, and equip their teams with powerful sales scripts that increase confidence and close rates. If you are a sales leader, network marketing leader, entrepreneur, or team builder, this episode will show you how to improve sales performance without micromanaging every move. Keywords naturally included: high-performance sales culture, sales leadership, sales team systems, sales training strategies, sales scripts, network marketing leadership, team performance, sales management, improving sales results, leadership without micromanaging —  

Jake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helpsfounders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerfulstorytelling.Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies—including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew—creating content that'sgenerated over 1 billion views online.Jake focuses on blending his background in filmmaking with deep marketing strategy, withcreating digital shows and social media content for CEOs and entrepreneurs to cut through thenoise by crafting content that builds trust, drives visibility, and creates true omnipresence acrossplatforms.Whether scaling a founder-led brand or launching a thought leadership show, Jake brings aunique creative lens and proven playbooks that turn storytelling into growth.Visit Jake Isham's Website: digitalshow.creativemindsofficial.comwww.linkedin.com/in/jakeisham

What did you think of todays show??Bitcoin just crashed below $70K, but why should you care? This event exposed the leverage trap of Bitcoin-backed borrowing and why there were so many forced liquidations. In this episode, we break down what really caused the drop, what's happening as Bitcoin becomes more financialized, and if any of this changes the way long-term investors should think about risk and building a portfolio.Topics discussed:Introduction (00:00)Money and corruption: which comes first? (01:49)Satoshi Nakamato theories (06:21)Bitcoin's crash and liquidation scare (09:34)How leveraged positions caused the cascade (11:54)Corporate Bitcoin strategies (14:15)Long-term investing and why we're buying Bitcoin (15:51)The case for not timing the market (20:05)Why the 60/40 portfolio is dead (21:17)Black swan events and what we're actually worried about (23:35)Grant Cardone's Bitcoin play (29:25)What's next for Bitcoin (31:56)Sign up to join the FREE Scale Community! https://collectingkeys.com/Want deeper breakdowns like this every week? Subscribe to the Collecting Keys newsletter! https://collectingkeys.com/newsletter/Follow us on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/collectingkeyspodcast/https://www.instagram.com/mike_invests/https://www.instagram.com/investormandan/https://www.instagram.com/dylan_does_dealsThis episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

In this video, you'll learn why Amazon is the fastest and most reliable way to launch a new product or brand. I break down how Amazon gives instant trust, credibility, built-in buyers, and algorithmic momentum that new brands simply can't get from a website alone. You'll also learn the exact 60-day plan, how to align your DTC site with your Amazon store, how Amazon Attribution works, and why creative volume is the key to scaling in 2026.Whether you're launching supplements, consumer products, or any new e-commerce brand, this walkthrough shows the path to reaching critical mass faster and setting yourself up for long-term growth.-------------------About Manuel Suarez:Manuel Suarez, known as the "Marketing Ninja" and a "Best Selling Author" of "Marketing Magic", leads Attention Grabbing Media (AGM), a marketing agency honored three times on the Inc 5000 list. With a team of over 120, AGM specializes in turning attention into profit for a wide array of brands. In 2023 alone, brands managed by AGM exceeded 250 million USD in revenue.Manuel is also the co-founder of NaturalSlim, a self-funded high 9-figure brand. He has elevated thousands of businesses across various sectors and has directed marketing campaigns for industry leaders like Dr. Eric Berg, Grant Cardone, and Daymond John.He is also responsible for two of the top 15 largest U.S. YouTube channels—Dr. Eric Berg and MetabolismoTV—which together have over 20 million subscribers. Over seven years, his strategies have amassed 8 billion views, generated 5 million leads, and earned over 500 million USD in revenue.Follow Manuel Suarez on Social Media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theninjamarketer/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmanuelsuarez/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrmanuelsuarez- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/MrManuelSuarez- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmanuelsuarez/Learn More About AGM:- Visit our website: https://www.agmagency.comNeed Help with Your Marketing?- Talk to a Ninja: https://www.talktoaninja.comCheck Out Manuel's Book, a #1 Seller on Amazon:- Marketing Magic by Manuel Suarez: https://a.co/d/gbwHKSf

This episode was sponsored by Somers Capital   LightSpeed VT: https://www.lightspeedvt.com/ Dropping Bombs Podcast: https://www.droppingbombs.com/ In this game-changing Dropping Bombs episode, real estate investor and content creator Rich Somers returns to share how he scaled Somers Capital to $80M+ portfolio. Former air traffic controller who cashed out his 401k to chase real estate, Rich exploded to 400K+ followers in 3 years and interviewed industry giants like Grant Cardone and Dan Martell.   Rich reveals why hyper-focusing on California coastal markets pays off big, how he flips underperforming venues into winners, and his shift from hands-on operator to content and community builder. He exposes the plays making boutique hotels outperform and creating recurring revenue that sticks.    Whether you're grinding in business, chasing freedom, or just hungry for real growth, this conversation is your golden ticket—press play & level up.   To invest passively with Rich: somerscapital.com/invest  

Send us a textRyan Pineda and Brian Davila sit down with real estate mogul Grant Cardone to break down the future of housing in America, why homeownership is a trap, and how to build real wealth through multifamily investing. Grant shares bold takes on tokenized real estate, AI, college towns, and scaling a billion-dollar portfolio, all while exposing lawsuits, government pressure, and how he's building a mini-Blackstone.⁣⁣Connect with Grant⁣https://grantcardone.com⁣https://www.instagram.com/grantcardone/?hl=en⁣https://www.youtube.com/user/GrantCardone⁣Call 310-777-0255 for tickets to his upcoming event⁣__________⁣If you want to start your real estate investing business, we'll give you 1:1 coaching, seller leads, software, & everything you need. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com⁣⁣Join our private mastermind for elite business leaders who golf. https://www.mastermind19.com⁣⁣Join free Bible studies and workshops for Christian business leaders. https://www.tentmakers.us⁣__________⁣CHAPTERS: ⁣0:00 – Renter Nation Is Coming⁣9:20 – $1.6M Monthly Cash Flow⁣26:45 – Grant's First Multifamily Deal⁣52:00 – Scaling to a Billion⁣1:09:00 –Trump's Strategy on Real Estate & Taxes⁣1:24:00 – FBI & SEC Undercover at Cardone HQ⁣1:36:00 – Tokenizing Real Estate & Bitcoin⁣1:47:00 – Building a Mini-BlackstoneLearn how to invest in real estate with the Cashflow 2.0 System! Your business in a box with 1:1 coaching, motivated seller leads, & softwares. https://www.wealthyinvestor.com/Want to work 1:1 with Ryan Pineda? Apply at ryanpineda.comJoin our FREE community, weekly calls, and bible studies for Christian entrepreneurs and business people. https://tentmakers.us/Want to grow your business and network with elite entrepreneurs on world-class golf courses? Apply now to join Mastermind19 – Ryan Pineda's private golf mastermind for high-level founders and dealmakers. www.mastermind19.com--- About Ryan Pineda: Ryan Pineda has been in the real estate industry since 2010 and has invested in over $100,000,000 of real estate. He has completed over 700 flips and wholesales, and he owns over 650 rental units. As an entrepreneur, he has founded seven different businesses that have generated 7-8 figures of revenue. Ryan has amassed over 2 million followers on social media and has generated over 1 billion views online. Starting as a minor league baseball player making less than $2,000 a month, Ryan is now worth over $100 million. He shares his experiences in building wealth and believes that anyone can change their life with real estate investing. ...

Many sales leaders believe their teams are burned out—but the truth is far more subtle and far more dangerous. In this episode, Ray Higdon explains why most sales teams are not burned out at all. They are quietly disengaged. Unlike burnout, which is loud and obvious, disengagement is silent. People stop showing up, stop participating, and slowly fade away without ever saying a word. Ray breaks down the three primary reasons sales reps disengage, including leadership messaging that does not speak to them, leaders prioritizing their own goals over their team's goals, and the loss of hope caused by unrealistic success stories. This episode is essential for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to re-engage their teams, improve retention, and lead with clarity instead of pressure.   —  

In Episode 295 of The Cardone Zone, Grant Cardone dives deep into the rapidly evolving world of digital currencies with special guests Jared Dillian and Joe Carlasare, both recognized experts in Bitcoin and investing. This powerful conversation goes beyond what Bitcoin really is, why digital currencies matter, and how the future of money is being reshaped before our eyes. Grant, Jared, and Joe explore what investors, entrepreneurs, and everyday people need to understand right now. Don't miss this must-hear episode of The Cardone Zone. Follow us on all social media platforms and visit grantcardone.com for more content on business, investing, and personal growth. Join the conversation, expand your thinking, and stay ahead of the curve with The Cardone Zone.

Why do some sales teams grow consistently while others stall, struggle, or quietly fade out? In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the four non-negotiable elements every sales team needs in order to grow. These are not tactics, hacks, or pressure-based strategies. They are leadership fundamentals that create belief, momentum, and long-term retention. Ray explains why most people are not playing to win, how hope fuels action, why structure removes fear, how culture keeps people engaged, and why knowing what to say determines whether reps actually do the work. This episode also includes a candid warning about misusing AI tools in sales conversations and how poor posture costs teams real revenue. This is essential listening for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to build a team that grows without burnout, pressure, or constant micromanagement.   —  

In this solo episode, Travis dives deep into one of the most powerful success principles he's observed in hundreds of high-achieving entrepreneurs — delayed gratification. Drawing on lessons from personal experience, top performers like Grant Cardone and Kevin Hart, and timeless studies like the Marshmallow Experiment, Travis breaks down why learning to wait for bigger rewards later can completely change your financial, physical, and personal life. On this episode we talk about: How delayed gratification sets the foundation for lasting success The Marshmallow Test and what it teaches about life outcomes Avoiding the “Jones Effect” and unnecessary spending Why choosing short-term comfort leads to long-term struggle Finding balance between enjoying the present and building for the future Top 3 Takeaways Success often comes down to your ability to delay gratification — trading short-term pleasure for long-term gain. Living below your means today gives you the freedom to live on your terms tomorrow. Balance is key: allow yourself small rewards now while you continue building for future success. Notable Quotes “You can have everything you want — just not now.” “Choosing struggle now gives you control over how your life turns out later.” “If you're constantly optimizing for pleasure today, you're sacrificing your peace of mind tomorrow.” Connect with Travis Chappell: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/travischappell Twitter/X: twitter.com/travischappell Instagram: instagram.com/travischappell Website: travischappell.com Travis Makes Money is made possible by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency.Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform.Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your top sales reps may look loyal, productive, and locked in—but many of them are quietly considering leaving. In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down the real reasons why high-performing sales reps walk away from organizations they helped build. Contrary to popular belief, retention is not about compensation plans or luck. It is about leadership, culture, and trust. You will learn the five most common leadership mistakes that push top producers away, including lack of recognition, control-driven leadership, taking credit for others' success, and failing to keep the environment fresh and inspiring. This episode is essential listening for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs who want to improve sales team retention, protect their top performers, and build a culture people do not want to leave.   —  

In this video, I break down the 10 core marketing basics that helped me grow several nine-figure companies, including our family brand Natural Slim. You'll learn how to get attention, create value first, build long-term trust, craft intro offers, leverage AI, analyze data, scale creative testing, and lead a winning team. These are the foundations behind every successful brand—now yours to apply.Whether you're building your first business or scaling to the next level, these steps will save you time, money, and years of frustration.-------------------About Manuel Suarez:Manuel Suarez, known as the "Marketing Ninja" and a "Best Selling Author" of "Marketing Magic", leads Attention Grabbing Media (AGM), a marketing agency honored three times on the Inc 5000 list. With a team of over 120, AGM specializes in turning attention into profit for a wide array of brands. In 2023 alone, brands managed by AGM exceeded 250 million USD in revenue.Manuel is also the co-founder of NaturalSlim, a self-funded high 9-figure brand. He has elevated thousands of businesses across various sectors and has directed marketing campaigns for industry leaders like Dr. Eric Berg, Grant Cardone, and Daymond John.He is also responsible for two of the top 15 largest U.S. YouTube channels—Dr. Eric Berg and MetabolismoTV—which together have over 20 million subscribers. Over seven years, his strategies have amassed 8 billion views, generated 5 million leads, and earned over 500 million USD in revenue.Follow Manuel Suarez on Social Media:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theninjamarketer/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrmanuelsuarez/- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mrmanuelsuarez- X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/MrManuelSuarez- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmanuelsuarez/Learn More About AGM:- Visit our website: https://www.agmagency.comNeed Help with Your Marketing?- Talk to a Ninja: https://www.talktoaninja.comCheck Out Manuel's Book, a #1 Seller on Amazon:- Marketing Magic by Manuel Suarez: https://a.co/d/gbwHKSf

In this episode, filmmaker Jake Isham shares how he went from making short films to creating content with over one billion views for brands like Grant Cardone and Callaway. Jake discusses the challenge of balancing creative passion with the business side of marketing and explains why every entrepreneur must be willing to put themselves out there to grow. He breaks down the straightforward "Three Ps" process—Produce, Promote, and Persist—to help you stop blending in and start building a reputation that people notice. Listen in to learn how to use simple storytelling to turn your professional experience into a clear, visible advantage Episode Resources: Jake Isham - Creative Minds | LinkedIn   About Our Guest Jake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling.Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew creating content that's generated over 1 billion views online. Jake focuses on blending his background in filmmaking with deep marketing strategy, with creating digital shows and social media content for CEOs and entrepreneurs to cut through the noise by crafting content that builds trust, drives visibility, and creates true omnipresence across platforms. Whether scaling a founder-led brand or launching a thought leadership show, Jake brings a unique creative lens and proven playbooks that turn storytelling into growth.     About Our Sponsors Navy Federal Credit Union   Navy Federal Credit Union offers exclusive benefits to all of their members. All Veterans, Active Duty and their families can become members. Have you been saving up for the season of cheer and joy that is just around the corner? With Navy Federal Credit Union's cashRewards and cashRewards Plus cards, you could earn a $250 cash bonus when you spend $2,500 in the first 90 days. Offer ends 1/1/26. You could earn up to 2% unlimited cash back with the cashRewards and cashRewards Plus cards. With Navy Federal, members have access to financial advice and money management and 24/7 access to award-winning service. Whether you're a Veteran of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force or Coast Guard, you and your family can become members. Join now at Navy Federal Credit Union. At Navy Federal, our members are the mission.      Join the conversation on Facebook! Check out Veteran on the Move on Facebook to connect with our guests and other listeners. A place where you can network with other like-minded veterans who are transitioning to entrepreneurship and get updates on people, programs and resources to help you in YOUR transition to entrepreneurship.   Want to be our next guest? Send us an email at interview@veteranonthemove.com.  Did you love this episode? Leave us a 5-star rating and review!  Download Joe Crane's Top 7 Paths to Freedom or get it on your mobile device. Text VETERAN to 38470. Veteran On the Move podcast has published 500 episodes. Our listeners have the opportunity to hear in-depth interviews conducted by host Joe Crane. The podcast features people, programs, and resources to assist veterans in their transition to entrepreneurship.  As a result, Veteran On the Move has over 7,000,000 verified downloads through Stitcher Radio, SoundCloud, iTunes and RSS Feed Syndication making it one of the most popular Military Entrepreneur Shows on the Internet Today.

Is your sales team struggling to perform even though you are doing everything "right" as a leader? In this episode, Ray Higdon explains why most sales teams underperform and why the problem is rarely sales skills or motivation. Instead, top sales leaders understand structure, environment, and leadership psychology, not just tactics. You will learn the five leadership behaviors that consistently increase sales team performance, engagement, and retention. Ray breaks down why recognition matters more than pressure, why slow success stories outperform fast wins, and how inclusive leadership creates long-term growth. This episode is essential for sales leaders, network marketing leaders, entrepreneurs, and managers who want to build productive teams without burnout, turnover, or constant pressure. ——

In this episode, Travis and Eric dive into a rapid-fire round of thought-provoking quotes — from business legends like Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Alex Hormozi, Thomas Sowell, and Grant Cardone. Each quote sparks a deeper conversation about work ethic, competition, mastery, and what it really means to “make money.” Expect sharp insights, playful banter, and surprisingly practical takeaways that'll change how you think about success, side hustles, and even home ownership. On this episode we talk about: Why “40 hours a week” isn't enough to change your life The balance between competition and collaboration Why most “solutions” are really trade-offs in disguise How to master new skills in 20 focused hours Why success often comes down to sheer reps and resilience Whether your house is actually an asset How luck, effort, and timing fuel long-term success Top 3 Takeaways 1.  Mastery comes from volume — do enough reps that failure becomes unreasonable.2.  Buying a house can be smart, but it's not always the golden ticket to wealth.3.  There's no one formula for success — just honest trade-offs and relentless effort. Notable Quotes *   “Nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.” – Elon Musk*   “You can get good enough at almost anything in 20 hours; most people just never start.” – Josh Kaufman*   “Do enough reps that it's unreasonable for you to fail.” – Alex Hormozi*   “Houses are assets for asses.” – Grant Cardone (and why Travis disagrees) Connect with Travis Chappell: *   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travischappell*   Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/traviscchappell*   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travischappell*   Website: https://travischappell.com  Travis Makes Money is powered by High Level – the All-In-One Sales & Marketing Platform built for agencies, by an agency. Capture leads, nurture them, and close more deals—all from one powerful platform. Get an extended free trial at gohighlevel.com/travis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 294 of the Cardone Zone, Grant Cardone sits down with Michael Saylor for a deep, no-nonsense conversation on Bitcoin, monetary history, and the latest developments shaping the digital asset space. Saylor breaks down how Bitcoin emerged, why it has challenged traditional financial thinking, and what its growing adoption means for business owners and investors. Grant and Michael pull back the curtain on modern finance, discussing inflation, currency debasement, and why alternative assets are becoming central to long-term strategy. This episode delivers critical perspective for anyone looking to understand where money is going—and how to position themselves ahead of the curve. Follow us on all our social platforms and visit GrantCardone.com for event listings, business resources, and tools designed to help you scale and succeed.

If you have ever thought about quitting sales, this episode is for you. In this powerful and honest conversation, Ray Higdon tackles burnout head-on and challenges the way most people define it. Not all burnout is the same, and in many cases, what people call "burnout" is actually something else entirely. Ray breaks burnout into three common categories, helping you diagnose what is really happening beneath the surface and, more importantly, what to do about it. This episode is not about motivation hype. It is about clarity, awareness, and sustainable growth. ——

What if the reason you feel stuck in sales has nothing to do with your script, funnel, or marketing strategy? In this episode, Ray Higdon breaks down a powerful mindset shift that separates average sellers from top sales leaders: stop chasing prospects and start attracting them. This is not just about marketing. It is about posture. Top sales leaders manage the energy of the conversation. They do not chase people. They position themselves as solution providers who bring value, clarity, and confidence into every interaction. If you sell anything at all—products, services, coaching, or opportunities—this episode will change how you see yourself and how prospects respond to you. ——

In this episode of the Cardone Zone, Grant Cardone sits down with two powerhouse entrepreneurs from very different worlds: Jimmy John, founder of the iconic sandwich empire, and business legend Martha Stewart. Together, they break down what it takes to build brands that endure—speed, consistency, discipline, and relentless execution. Jimmy John shares how focus, simplicity, and operational intensity helped him scale one of the most recognizable food brands in America. Martha Stewart brings decades of experience in media, lifestyle, and entrepreneurship, offering insights into brand longevity, reinvention, and staying relevant through changing markets. From fast-growth entrepreneurship to legacy brand building, this episode delivers practical lessons on scaling, reputation, and sustaining success over time. Follow us on all our social platforms and visit GrantCardone.com for event dates, business resources, and upcoming opportunities.

In this episode, Grant Cardone challenges the popular narrative of the "side hustle" and exposes how it often becomes just another form of diversification that dilutes focus, energy, and execution. Grant breaks down why spreading effort across multiple unrelated activities can weaken your primary objective and slow real progress, rather than accelerate it. Instead, Grant emphasizes the power of concentration—doubling down on your main purpose, increasing skill, value, and income within your primary lane, and scaling what already works before chasing distractions. This episode is a direct call to eliminate noise, sharpen priorities, and commit fully to the path that produces real results. Follow us on all our platforms for more insights, or visit @GrantCardone and GrantCardone.com for additional content and resources.