Podcasts about strategic coach

Just about everyone is talking about AI, but very few are talking about the agreements that will actually make it useful. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore why every major innovation, from railroads to credit cards to AI, only works when humans reach consensus on the rules, the measurements, and the value behind the technology. Show Notes: Every new breakthrough, including AI, tries to reorganize the existing world so everything changes to conform to its progress. For decades, Moore's Law has meant more processing power every 18 months while costs drop, multiplying what's possible. Every major technological advance triggers an equal and opposite human reaction because human nature has to negotiate with innovation. Innovation is always in negotiation with tradition, eliminating what's obsolete while protecting what's truly valuable. The biggest champions of any new technology are usually the people who profit the most from it. AI is unusual because it doesn't yet fit neatly into existing party politics, which opens the door to a different kind of conversation. Behind-the-scenes lobbying around AI and other innovations is about securing funding and minimizing regulation while shaping the rules of the game. A new technology only becomes truly important when it acts as a multiplier, expanding human capability rather than just replacing it. Money only works when there is broad consensus about the standard; fungibility, reserve currencies, and trust are the real foundations of value. Across history, progress has depended on shared standards of measurement, whether it's time zones for railroads, currency systems, or digital payment networks. Economic systems are often the highest operating system, and when economics break down, societies drop to political, religious, or even tribal conflict.  Resources: Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Andy Howard always knew he didn't think like everyone else, and school confirmed it. Today, he runs Karuna Impact, a niche property business that converts underused commercial buildings into homes and channels a third of its profits to fight child bed poverty. Discover how Strategic Coach® helped Andy transform discomfort and loss into clarity, confidence, and a powerful freedom of purpose. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:Why Andy's entrepreneurial mind didn't fit formal education.What Andy started doing after school that finally felt energizing.How a neglected niche in property became a huge growth opportunity.How Andy has gained confidence and clarity through Strategic Coach.What sparked Andy's renewed sense of purpose as an entrepreneur. Show Notes: Many successful entrepreneurs don't thrive in school, so they use their own experience as their real education. Most coaching programs focus on goals and tactics; Strategic Coach focuses on expanding your freedom. Freedom isn't handed to you—you earn it through the entrepreneurial journey. To be free in any area of life, you first need freedom over your time. As you grow your personal freedom, you naturally create greater value for others. For many entrepreneurs, work loses its energy once it feels routine. Big opportunities often live in niches that most people overlook. Social impact and company profitability aren't mutually exclusive; a well-designed business can achieve both. Strategic Coach thinking tools help you get crystal clear on your vision and the people needed to achieve it. Every Program Coach is an entrepreneur, so they coach from real-world experience, not theory. Finding a community of like-minded entrepreneurs makes it easier to take risks and pursue bigger freedoms. Clarifying your freedom of purpose gives you the motivation to keep growing long after you've hit your initial goals. Resources: Karuna Impact The Kolbe A™ Index The Impact Filter® The 4 C's Formula by Dan Sullivan Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Entrepreneurs Everything Is Created Backward by Dan Sullivan

What if the smartest path to your future runs straight through your past? In this episode of Capability Amplifier, Dan Sullivan and I dig into how Ai is reshaping the way entrepreneurs think, create, and build.I share what I have been doing in live workshops. I use Ai to study a person's body of work, then help them shape a clearer, more exciting future, often inside a single session. We look at the tools that make this possible and why a rough working prototype can do more than a polished plan.Dan brings the strategic lens. He explains why so many entrepreneurs try to escape their past, and makes the case that their history is their biggest asset. He also walks through his free-day system, how he plans and protects his time, and why he comes back from time off with what he calls a new brain.We get into the mindset behind all of it: structure that creates freedom, the kind of client who is the best fit for this work, and why collaboration is the part of Ai that excites us most.The core idea is simple. Your past is your edge. Use it well, and Ai can help you build what's next faster than you thought possible.In this episode, Dan and I break down:How Ai can turn your past work into ideas for your next moveThe tools that make fast prototyping possible, and what each one doesWhy a rough working model beats a perfect planThe paid conversation that attracts people who are ready to actDan's free-day system and how he guards his timeWhy structure in one area of life creates freedom in anotherThe traits that make someone a great fit for this kind of workKEY TAKEAWAYSTreat your history as an asset - your past projects, content, and clients are raw material Ai can shape into your next offer.Prototype before you commit - a rough working model can teach you more in a day than a perfect plan does in a month.Add a small barrier to entry - asking people to invest a little upfront attracts the ones who show up ready to act.Decide your time off first - set the number of days you will not work this year before you fill the rest of the calendar.Guard your free days with a plan - hand work to your team in advance, and protect the time the way you protect a key meeting.Use Ai to filter, not just create - point it at your inbox to surface dropped balls, and at your calendar to match your days to your goals.Build structure so you can be creative - predictability in one part of life frees you to take bigger swings in another.Choose clients who like themselves - the best fit are ambitious people who value their own growth and have invested in it before.Time Stamps00:00 Why entrepreneurs have a real edge01:37 Mike's early-morning Ai workshop02:56 Building a member's future self, live08:55 Turning years of episodes into a book11:36 A faster way to build a business15:14 The paid coffee chat that finds better clients18:19 Dan's Bill of Rights book and faster writing with Ai25:00 Mapping Dan's capabilities with Ai35:16 Schedule your free days first36:44 How Dan guards his free days48:03 Using Ai to clear your inbox and calendar56:44 Your past points to your better futurePS – When you're ready, here's how I can help: Want to discover your next big opportunity? Meet my team for a 60 Minute, 1:1 Idea Deep Dive  here: www.AiAccelerator.com/Ai1k Ready to reinvent yourself, your business, and your brand, and create “Your Next Act”? Watch this.Discover More

Joe Polish sits down with Strategic Coach Founder Dan Sullivan and The CEO of CEG Worldwide John Bowen to explore the research-backed framework behind their new book, The Greater Game — a 100x blueprint that reveals why only 5.4% of Entrepreneurs are playing a completely different game than everyone else. Together they unpack the shift from Founder-dependent businesses to scalable ecosystems, the finite-vs-infinite game divide, and why AI is less a technological revolution and more a cognitive one. Here's a glance at what you'll discover in this episode: The number that reveals whether you're winning or losing the only game that matters... and why 94.6% of Entrepreneurs are optimizing a game that's already coming to an end (you've probably already done 10x without calling it that — what you do next is the whole point) Dan Sullivan's quiet observation after 52 years and 7,000+ Entrepreneurs... the exact moment a successful person stops growing isn't failure — it's something far more seductive, and almost no one catches it in themselves (the first exercise he runs at Strategic Coach is designed to show you you've already crossed the line once) Joe typed a question into AI and got back the most brutal case study in modern business history... Blockbuster, Kodak, Borders, Toys "R" Us — and the one invisible shift every company on that list missed before it was too late (this isn't a technology story — it's a thinking story) Why John Bowen started three new companies on his 70th birthday... and the dashboard he and Dan built for roughly $2,000 that a top vendor quoted them $50,000 a year to provide (his tech team called after the first meeting and said "we'll just build it and give it to you tomorrow") The four-hour version of something that used to take Dan Sullivan four weeks... and what it reveals about the only AI upgrade that actually changes your trajectory (this isn't about using AI more — it's about using it in the right direction entirely) What Joe Polish teaches Genius Youth Members that no business school has ever covered... and why writing handwritten postcards in an age of AI might be the single highest-leverage thing you do this week (the killer app of 2026 is not what anyone is selling you) If you'd like to join world-renowned Entrepreneurs at the next Genius Network Event or want to learn more about Genius Network, go to www.GeniusNetwork.com. Show Notes: The Book: The Greater Game and the 5.4% Dan and John's new book — published by Hay House and instantly a #1 Amazon bestseller — grew out of a 25-year research partnership to study what separates the highest-performing Entrepreneurs from everyone else. Their research across 7,000+ Entrepreneurs found that 94.6% are still optimizing the game they're in — while only 5.4% are architecting a completely different one. The book maps out exactly what those 5.4% are doing. The book's central premise: "Every system that got you here is optimized for a game that's coming to an end." From 10x to 100x: Dan's Framework Dan has been coaching Entrepreneurs to 10x since the 1990s — starting with an exercise where he had Clients identify when they were one-tenth of where they are today. Everyone in his program had already done 10x without labeling it that way. When he challenged a Client who said they couldn't go 10x in three years, the Client responded they could do it in 15 — and then voluntarily suggested doing it again. That's when the 100x idea crystallized. Dan's thesis: give yourself a long enough time horizon, use AI as a genuine collaborator, and constant growth becomes the natural state — not the exception. The Four Levels of The Greater Game Level 1 — Foundation for Freedom: Vision, security, and financial confidence. Getting off the couch. Level 2 — Energy for Expansion: Motivation and IP development. Dan has built an extraordinary amount of intellectual property; John and Joe have too. Level 3 — Platform / Ecosystem: Moving from Founder-dependent to a scalable system. John's own company grew 58% while writing the book — by walking the talk of this level. Level 4 — Agency: Creating markets. Courage, commitment, and building an ecosystem where you're generating the category itself. Finite vs. Infinite: What the Game Shift Really Means Finite game: competing for market share, managing dependencies, staying indispensable personally, reacting to market pressure. Business value: 3–5x EBITDA. Infinite game: designing an ecosystem, multiplying unique genius through others, engineering your own absence, redefining the market. Business value: multiples that reflect systems, not the Founder. Joe's examples (finite → infinite): Blockbuster → Netflix, Kodak → Apple, Borders → Amazon, taxi companies → Uber, Toys "R" Us → Lego. The pattern: finite players optimize the current game; infinite players keep changing what the game is. Dan's real-world example: Paul Van Dyne came to Strategic Coach planning to retire at 65. He went on to take his engineering firm from #40 to #1 nationally in nine years through M&A — and now plans to build his gourmet coffee shop inside one of his medical centers. AI as a Cognitive Revolution Dan's framing: AI isn't a technological revolution — it's a cognitive revolution. He compares its impact to the introduction of zero in mathematics, which made economics, double-entry bookkeeping, and science possible. Practical example: Dan used to need four weeks to structure a new book. With AI, the same work takes four hours. He now writes a new book every quarter. John's vibe-coding story: his Team built the entire Greater Game Dashboard for roughly $2,000–3,000 using Lovable — after being quoted $50,000/year from a top vendor. They own the code and iterate freely. Joe's counterpoint: the killer app today is being fully human — knowing how to bond, connect, and think for yourself. "Write with your hands, think with your brain."  The Greater Game Dashboard John built this free interactive tool at TheGreaterGameDashboard.com to put the book's framework into action. The 15-minute assessment shows you exactly where you stand relative to peers and the 10 Greater Multipliers. The dashboard automatically calculates what your company is worth to a buyer today — and shows how each improvement raises that number. Dan calls it the greatest tool he's seen in 52 years of coaching Entrepreneurs. Monthly updates include an Entrepreneur Pulse confidence index. Useful whether you ever intend to sell or not — knowing your number changes how you invest in your business. Building Great Teams: Cast, Don't Hire Dan's principle: Strategic Coach treats itself as a theater company — with backstage and front-stage roles. They don't hire for jobs, they cast for roles. Every new hire is there to free up someone already in the company. Babs Smith built the Strategic Coach Team around Dan from the start — several Team members have now been with the company 20–30+ years. Beware the Founder-as-salesperson trap: if you're great at selling, you'll hire the wrong people — you'll confuse their excitement for the role with fit for the role. John, Joe, and Dan all find talent primarily through communities — mastermind groups, Genius Network, Strategic Coach — rather than ads. Great people seek out great people. Dan's upcoming book (Hay House): Casting Not Hiring. IP as a Strategic Asset Dan has had 82 thinking tools patented by the US Patent Bureau (none rejected), with 75 more pending. Each patent is a borrowable asset — you can borrow up to half the appraised value, creating a private intellectual property bank. Joe Polish's company operates as an ESOP — all Team members become equity owners after a vesting period, creating a true ownership culture without requiring employees to buy in upfront. Genius Youth and the Human Connection Advantage Joe's Genius Youth program focuses on skills AI can't replicate: human connection, handwritten notes, cold plunges, cooking and hospitality, ethical influence. Joe's 2026 Genius Network Annual Event —  features Peter Diamandis and Steven Kotler (Authors of We Are as Gods), live robots, and a mystery musician on 300M+ albums. Resources: The Greater Game (Book) — Dan Sullivan & John Bowen The Greater Game (Audiobook) — narrated by Gord Vickman, Hay House Business TheGreaterGameDashboard.com — free 15-minute assessment & company valuation tool 10xTalk Podcast — Subscribe — 10xTalk.com 10xTalk on Apple Podcasts Strategic Coach — Dan Sullivan's coaching program Genius Network — Joe Polish's community for elite Entrepreneurs Joe Polish's Genius Network Annual Event CEG Worldwide (John Bowen) — research and coaching for financial advisors Cleator Ghost Town, Arizona — Joe's 40-acre ghost town & the Cleator Bar and Yacht Club Inside Strategic Coach Podcast — Episode on Hiring — Dan Sullivan & Shannon Waller AI Killed the Modern Company (Video) — Peter Diamandis & Salim Ismail Why Microsoft AI Chief Predicts AI Automation of White-Collar Work in 18 Months — Fortune / Mustafa Suleyman

What happens when an Ai agent is given one goal, trained on the right inputs, and left to run for 13 hours?In this episode of Capability Amplifier, Dan and I walk through exactly that. While sitting in the audience at Abundance360, I built an Ai agent designed to win Peter Diamandis's $3.5 million sci-fi film competition. The agent produced five fully edited three-minute trailers - complete with original scripts, character designs, mood boards, voiceovers, soundtracks, sound effects, and final edits. Total production cost: $48.Dan watched every film live during the conversation. His reactions - and his observations about the timeless nature of storytelling, Shakespeare's technique of starting in the middle, and why asking "who does this hurt?" is the fastest way to kill creative opportunity - give this episode a depth that goes well beyond the technology itself.We also cover the broader picture: what this speed and accessibility means for entrepreneurs, creators, and anyone who has ever had a story to tell but thought the barrier to entry was too high.The core message from both is clear: the tools are no longer the obstacle. Great storytelling is still the moat. And the window to get ahead of this is open right now.In this episode, Dan and I cover:How Mike built an Ai agent at Abundance360 with a single mission - win a $3.5 million film competitionThe "cheat code" of training an agent on the judge's known preferences before startingA full walkthrough of all five Ai-generated film trailers with Dan reacting in real timeWhy Dan says Shakespeare's storytelling technique shows up in all five filmsThe $48 total production cost reveal and what it signals for the future of filmmakingThe five-day production of a full one-man musical show using Ai and real performance combinedDan's warning: the question "who does this hurt?" stops creativity before it startsMike's 10% time compounding framework and how it changes decision-makingWhy the moat in creative work is now the storytelling and the wrangler - not the toolsWhat comes next with Ai agents - breakthroughs Mike previews for a future episodeNote: The observations and experiments shared in this episode reflect Mike Koenigs's personal experience with Ai filmmaking tools. Results will vary based on tools used, prompts, and creative direction applied. This is not a guarantee of any specific outcome.TIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction and the Abundance360 setup explained02:40 - Why the barrier to professional filmmaking has collapsed04:58 - How Mike built and trained the Ai agent to win the competition08:50 - Automated mood boards, character design, and pre-production09:55 - Film 1: "The Seed" - a Studio Ghibli-style story about growth and hope12:03 - Film 2: "The Memory Weaver" - memory, loss, and preserving legacy14:37 - Film 3: "The Star Maker" - grief, space, and building light in the dark17:07 - Film 4: "Symphony of Life" - learning to hear what nature has been saying19:24 - Film 5: "Architect of Dreams" - finally building something worth keeping21:59 - The $48 total production cost reveal and what it means27:22 - Why consumers with new capabilities disrupt every industry35:38 - The 10% time compounding framework and Dan's three wins a day method Discover More

One hundred and sixty-eight. Financial advisor coach Ray Sclafani has been hearing the same thing from high performers across the industry: I am overwhelmed, I feel overcommitted, I have too much to do and not enough time. In this episode of Building the Billion Dollar Business, Ray offers the leadership reframe that changes everything about how the best leaders think about those 168 hours. The question is not how do you manage your time. The question is what should no longer require it.What you will learn in this episodeWhy time blocking is not a productivity hack but a way of telling the truth about what actually matters to you as a leaderThe critical difference between responsiveness and effectivenessWhy the real multiplier is not another app, another list, or another early morning, it is developing others who can develop othersWhat real delegation looks like versus task dumpingHow themed days, energy blocks, meeting clusters, decision blocks, and delegation blocks change the quality of leadership over timeThe five dimensions of the 168 hour self-assessment: focus, preparation, recovery, delegation, and team multiplicationKey insight from this episodeThe question is not how do I manage my time. The better question is what should no longer require my time. That is the leadership reframe. Time blocking is not about filling every square on the calendar. It is about protecting time for the work only you should do while creating room for others to grow into the work they should be doing. Because the future of your business cannot be built on your personal endurance alone.The 168 hour self-assessmentFocus: are you spending enough time on your highest contribution?Preparation: are you creating the conditions for better work or reacting all day?Recovery: are you protecting your energy or borrowing from tomorrow?Delegation: are you handing off meaningful work or simply assigning tasks?Team multiplication: are you developing others who can develop others?Resources and references mentionedDavid Allen — Getting Things Done: The GTD MethodDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach — the entrepreneurial time system: free days, focus days, and buffer daysFrancesco Cirillo — the Pomodoro techniqueSession app — focus timer for named, bounded work blocksCoaching questions for reflectionIf your calendar became a visible expression of your highest priorities, what would need to change or shift first?What work are you still holding on to that could become a development opportunity for someone else on your team?One year from now, what would be different in your business and life if you invested your time more intentionally for each of the next 52 weeks?Building the Billion Dollar Business is hosted by Ray Sclafani, founder and CEO of ClientWise, the financial services industry's leading executive coaching and team development firm for elite advisors and wealth management teams.Find Ray and the ClientWise Team on the ClientWise website or LinkedIn | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Get Jimmie's book free: JimmieApplegate.comBook a conversation: BeaconTreatmentCenter.com  Email Jimmie: Jimmie@LiveSober.us What if everything you thought you knew about recovery was built on a broken foundation?In this episode of Capability Amplifier, I sit down with Jimmie Applegate, founder of Beacon Treatment Center in Arizona, author of Addicted to Failure, and a man who spent 30 years in the grip of addiction before finding what actually works. What he built on the other side of that journey is one of the most thoughtful, science-backed, and genuinely human approaches to recovery I've ever come across.Jimmie's guiding principle is simple but powerful: there are as many doorways to recovery as there are people. The moment you force everyone through the same door, you start losing them. Addiction is customized to the individual, and so recovery has to be too.We go deep on the 4 doors every person in recovery moves through, the real neuroscience behind why 30-day programs fail, what it takes to reach someone who hasn't admitted they have a problem yet, and the vision Jimmie is building toward, including a new facility in the Black Hills to serve the Lakota Nation, where the average adult male dies at 47.The people you'll hear from in this episode - Ryan, Travis, Sheldon, and Talbot - all came through Jimmie's program and now work inside it. They are proof the doors exist.In this episode, Jimmie and I break down:Why the traditional recovery system keeps cycling people through failure - and what the alternative looks likeThe 4 doors to recovery and what each one actually means in a person's lifeReal stories from men who hit every kind of rock bottom, and what finally changedWhy rock bottom is not always required, and why waiting for it is sometimes fatalThe science behind brain rewiring and why 6 to 8 months is the real minimumHow intentional stress, nature, and brotherhood are built into the treatment modelThe role of multi-generational trauma, especially in Native American communitiesWhat Jimmie is building next - the app, the Black Hills facility, and the $7 million askNote: The experiences and recovery stories shared in this episode are real accounts from individuals who went through Jimmie's program. Nothing in this conversation constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you or someone you love is dealing with addiction or a related mental health challenge, please reach out to a qualified professional or contact Jimmie's team directly.Time Stamp00:00 - Introduction and the 4 doors framework overview02:47 - Door 1: The event that changes everything04:02 - Door 2: Surrender vs. just recognizing the problem06:18 - Door 3: Hope and purpose - the campfire story08:48 - Door 4: Transformation - you won't recognize their eyes11:32 - Jimmie reveals: Alex from the book is him13:44 - Jimmie's son and the neuroscience pivot that changed everything19:49 - Real stories: Ryan, Travis, Sheldon, and Talbot40:59 - The science: why 30 days is where brain repair is just starting44:41 - The app, the Black Hills facility, and the $7 million missionDiscover More

Chris Sutton, CEO of Sutton Engineering, shares his journey in MEP engineering and founding his company. He discusses expanding to New York, the importance of mission-critical work, and transitioning from a hustle mindset to structured growth. Chris highlights leadership challenges, personal development through Vistage, Strategic Coach, and EOS, and emphasizes defining a company's 'why' and building strong relationships. The episode covers strategic hiring with tools like the Culture Index and Kolbe assessments, payment challenges in commercial projects, and using technology for growth. Chris concludes with insights on automation, process improvement, and advice for young professionals.

The media landscape has changed completely, but many companies are still playing by old rules. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss how streaming, brand value, speed, and niche thinking are reshaping business. They also explore what today's entrepreneurs can learn about adaptability, confidence, and creating lasting value. Show Notes: A brand only has real value when it stands for something clear and relevant. Netflix succeeded by adapting to each new delivery system instead of trying to reinvent the world. The smaller the niche, the bigger the opportunity when you become the clear choice. What used to feel like a luxury can become an expectation very quickly when technology changes the standard. A college degree may still carry social meaning, but it is no longer a guarantee of financial payoff. Entrepreneurs tend to build their lives around ambition, curiosity, and relationships with other highly driven people. Real entrepreneurial success requires confidence, courage, and the willingness to keep moving after setbacks. Most “overnight” industry collapses are really the result of years of ignored warning signs. The real risk is not change itself, but refusing to invest in new capabilities while the world moves on. The most valuable part of college is often the network, not the diploma. Successful entrepreneurs redefine failure as feedback and use it to sharpen their next opportunity. Resources: The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith The Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard Learn more about Jeffrey MadoffDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach® 

Scott is the founder of Edelman Wealth Management Group and manages all aspects of financial planning and employee benefits, providing products and services for investing, retiring, insurance, and estate conservation for individuals, families, and businesses. He has a strong commitment to giving uncomplicated advice and unparalleled service and puts an emphasis on creating lasting relationships with his clients and within his community.A natural teacher and mentor, Scott is a member of Strategic Coach, an entrepreneur business coaching program. He is a thought leader in the financial field and a regular speaker at conferences. Scott is also active with local charities and is on several boards. Scott lives in Bucks County, PA with his wife and children.Learn more: http://www.edelmanwealthmanagement.com/1 Disclaimer: Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, product or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.2 The Hall of Fame was an elite group of financial representatives of former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and the John Hancock family of companies. To be included in the HOF, inductees need to qualify for the ACE award 15 times. The Achieving Client Excellence Award (ACE) was granted by former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and the John Hancock family of companies. The ACE award was granted to the top 250 advisors each year based on total weighted premium from the sale of both proprietary and non-proprietary protection and wealth products. No other factors are considered. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation.3 The Practice of the Year Award was granted by former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and sponsored by Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions in recognition of an advisor's excellence in practice management. Candidates were evaluated by Business Health, an independent international management consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry, for client service, internal planning and structure, external relations, staffing and technology capabilities and overall practice performance. Sales production was not a criteria for winner selection. The competition was open to all advisors and of the applicants, 5 were selected to be interviewed and one winner was selected from that group by an independent panel. Advisors did not pay a fee to apply, to accept or to purchase materials related to advertising the award. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation.4 Qualifying membership in the MDRT is based on minimum sales production requirements and gross business generated within a year. Each MDRT status designation is granted for one year only. All members must apply every year to continue their affiliation with the Million Dollar Round Table.Influential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-scott-edelman-founder-of-edelman-wealth-management-group-discussing-his-30-year-anniversary-in-business

Scott is the founder of Edelman Wealth Management Group and manages all aspects of financial planning and employee benefits, providing products and services for investing, retiring, insurance, and estate conservation for individuals, families, and businesses. He has a strong commitment to giving uncomplicated advice and unparalleled service and puts an emphasis on creating lasting relationships with his clients and within his community.A natural teacher and mentor, Scott is a member of Strategic Coach, an entrepreneur business coaching program. He is a thought leader in the financial field and a regular speaker at conferences. Scott is also active with local charities and is on several boards. Scott lives in Bucks County, PA with his wife and children.Learn more: http://www.edelmanwealthmanagement.com/1 Disclaimer: Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc. member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, product or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.2 The Hall of Fame was an elite group of financial representatives of former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and the John Hancock family of companies. To be included in the HOF, inductees need to qualify for the ACE award 15 times. The Achieving Client Excellence Award (ACE) was granted by former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and the John Hancock family of companies. The ACE award was granted to the top 250 advisors each year based on total weighted premium from the sale of both proprietary and non-proprietary protection and wealth products. No other factors are considered. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation.3 The Practice of the Year Award was granted by former broker-dealer Signator Investors, Inc. and sponsored by Fidelity Clearing & Custody Solutions in recognition of an advisor's excellence in practice management. Candidates were evaluated by Business Health, an independent international management consulting firm specializing in the financial services industry, for client service, internal planning and structure, external relations, staffing and technology capabilities and overall practice performance. Sales production was not a criteria for winner selection. The competition was open to all advisors and of the applicants, 5 were selected to be interviewed and one winner was selected from that group by an independent panel. Advisors did not pay a fee to apply, to accept or to purchase materials related to advertising the award. Third-party rankings and recognitions are no guarantee of future investment success and do not ensure that a client or prospective client will experience a higher level of performance or results. These ratings should not be construed as an endorsement of the advisor by any client nor are they representative of any one client's evaluation.4 Qualifying membership in the MDRT is based on minimum sales production requirements and gross business generated within a year. Each MDRT status designation is granted for one year only. All members must apply every year to continue their affiliation with the Million Dollar Round Table.Influential Entrepreneurs with Mike Saundershttps://businessinnovatorsradio.com/influential-entrepreneurs-with-mike-saunders/Source: https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-scott-edelman-founder-of-edelman-wealth-management-group-discussing-his-30-year-anniversary-in-business

Eric Hansen built his business the hard way—decades of grit, risk, and going it alone. But he hit a ceiling he couldn't break through by himself. In this episode, Eric shares how joining The Strategic Coach® Program helped him multiply his business, reclaim his time, and design a more balanced, purposeful entrepreneurial life. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:Why entrepreneurs talk about completely different things with one another than anyone else in their lives.The two crucial stages that signal you're ready to join The Strategic Coach Program.Why Eric said no to Coach for years—and what finally changed his mind.The kind of wireless telecommunications company Eric has been growing for nearly three decades.How Eric has actually gained more free time and freedom as his company has scaled.  Show Notes: When corporate executives meet, they share wins. When professionals meet, they discuss problems. When entrepreneurs meet, they trade stories about their biggest failures and comebacks. Entrepreneurs routinely put themselves into situations where they have to grow as people in order to create the solutions they need. Great entrepreneurs are always acquiring new capabilities, and that continual growth is what builds their confidence. The most successful entrepreneurs can go through almost any kind of trouble and still find a way to come out stronger on the other side. In the Strategic Coach® community, you never have to explain yourself because everyone has lived through their own version of the challenges you're describing. It's a powerful advantage for a new entrepreneur to admit they don't know everything and be open to learning. Companies, like people, move through distinct phases of growth, and each phase demands a different kind of leadership. When you're staring down potential business ruin, you quickly discover who you are and what you're really made of. Grit is a crucial entrepreneurial capability that never shows up neatly on a resume and is almost impossible to judge on the surface. Most small businesses don't survive beyond their first few years, which makes staying power and resilience a serious competitive advantage. The willingness to be vulnerable, especially after major setbacks, can become one of an entrepreneur's greatest superpowers. Resources: The 4 C's Formula by Dan Sullivan Grit by Angela Duckworth The 4 Freedoms That Motivate Successful Entrepreneurs The Self-Managing Company by Dan Sullivan From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brook The Impact Filter®

What if your biggest competitive advantage is already sitting inside your business, untapped?In this episode of Capability Amplifier, I sit down with Michael Rozbruch and Isaac Park to talk about how they built AutoDrive CRM, the nation's only marketing CRM designed specifically for tax resolution professionals.Michael spent 16 years growing a tax resolution firm from a dining room table startup into a $23 million company. After exiting in 2014, he launched Roz Strategies with his wife and business partner Rosalind, and went on to coach and train over 14,000 tax professionals. But his members kept running into the same wall: they couldn't automate the follow-up the way Michael had.Isaac Park came in as a digital marketing and automation specialist and helped Michael do something remarkable,he took decades of proven IP and packaged it into a scalable platform that any tax resolution pro can use.One beta user, CPA Toph Sheldon, went from struggling to convert leads at $400K-$600K to projecting $1.8 million in 2025, without spending more on marketing. Just better follow-up.This conversation is a masterclass in mentor-to-implementer partnerships, turning intellectual property into leverage, and why the niche you ignore might be the biggest opportunity in your market.In this episode, we cover:Why the best tech partner is probably already inside your business - and how to spot themMichael's 11-touch, 180-day follow-up system that converted 67% of unconverted consultationsHow Isaac learned to listen for the outcome first and fill in the technical details secondWhy most tax pros (and professional practice owners) have a case management system, not a real marketing CRMThe difference between a yes-man and a true problem solver - and why it matters for any partnershipHow Michael and Rosalind earmark a monthly budget specifically for testing and learningWhat the AutoDrive beta rollout taught them about building scalable software from proven IPWhere Ai fits into the future of AutoDrive - and what "solo millionaires" could look like in this industryTIMESTAMPS00:00 - Introduction: packaging decades of expertise into a scalable product02:14 - Michael's origin story: from fired on the 405 to $23M firm05:05 - Discovering the IP: how a tax resolution business became a coaching empire07:12 - Isaac joins the story: from implementation to partnership09:14 - What to look for in a tech partner (and where to find them)14:26 - Isaac's approach: submit to the authority, earn the freedom21:05 - The 11-touch, 180-day follow-up system that converts 67% of leads25:30 - Toph Sheldon: from $600K to $1.8M using AutoDrive38:01 - How to decide what to build next - and what to leave alone43:30 - Advice to their past selves: move faster, solve the big problem soonerDiscover More

Every great entrepreneur wants (and deserves) to have a dependable team around them so they can be freed up to develop new ideas and focus on growing their business. But how do you get one? After all, the first question most entrepreneurs ask when they join The Strategic Coach® Program is, “Where do you find such great team members?” In this episode of Inside Strategic Coach, Dan Sullivan and Shannon Waller finally answer this question in-depth. From identifying and nurturing Unique Ability® within a team and creating a positive and collaborative work culture to investing in team members' growth, Dan and Shannon share everything that makes Strategic Coach® a magnet for skilled and passionate talent—and how to become one too.Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode: The number one tool necessary for building and maintaining a great team.How to determine if an activity is right for a person.Why Strategic Coach team members don't really need to be managed, monitored, or motivated.How Strategic Coach creates an incredible sense of safety for its team members.The two things that team members are looking for.Why you should think of hiring someone as an investment, not a cost.  Show Notes: At Strategic Coach, you're always either winning or learning. There are a lot of Coach tools that support having a great team. Everybody's on their own unique growth path in terms of who they are and the kind of work they're most likely to enjoy and excel at. Strategic Coach team members can continually focus their time at work on doing what they're excited about. The moment someone is hired, Coach invests in learning about who that person is and how they can grow their skills. At Strategic Coach, if something doesn't work, the system gets blamed, not the individual. The four core values of Strategic Coach (PAGE) are: positive and collaborative teamwork, being alert, curious, responsive, and resourceful, getting results, and providing an excellent first-class experience. Strategic Coach has uniformly very helpful and very positive staff. Some Coach clients have been with the company for 15, 20, 25 years, and so have some team members. The educational system generally disparages successful business people. Almost all Coach team members are directly in contact on a person to person level with the company's clients. A team member can't be at their best if they don't feel safe. If you want great team members, you have to be a great entrepreneur. And that also includes being a great person. Great team members who want a bigger future aren't interested in being with someone who doesn't have any future. If you're going to be able to attract and retain the best people out there, you can't have an entitled attitude. Resources: Unique AbilityⓇ Article: Your Business Is a Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show on the Front Stage The Team Success Handbook by Shannon Waller Everyone And Everything Grows by Dan Sullivan Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy

What if wasting energy is the most productive thing humanity has ever done? In this episode of Capability Amplifier, Dan Sullivan and I explore the radical idea that conservation holds progress back - and that every breakthrough civilization has ever made came from consuming more energy, not less.Dan introduces the work of Mark Mills from the Manhattan Institute and his book "The Bottomless," which argues that using energy to create higher forms of energy is the engine of all human advancement. From the laser to nuclear power to Ai, the pattern is the same - massive energy input produces exponential capability output.We also get into how Ai is already running out of human-generated data to train on and is now producing its own synthetic training data. Mike draws a parallel to drug development, where Ai-powered simulations could eventually compress decades of human trials into hours. Dan connects all of it to his own life - at 81 years old, his biological age tests at 59, which he attributes entirely to regular and comprehensive medical testing over the last two decades.The conversation also touches on SpaceX's first-principles approach to building rockets, the real state of nuclear energy in 2025, the energy limitations of solar in places like Germany, and two separate moments in history where individual decisions by Soviet officers may have prevented nuclear war.At the close of the episode, Mike demos a new Ai-powered tool he's been using to compress hours of content into minutes each morning - and explains how anyone can use the same approach to accelerate their own learning.The core idea running through all of it: you can't build lasers by conserving candles.In this episode, Dan and I break down:Why conservation slows progress and strategic energy use is what drives human civilization forwardThe four high-density energy sources - coal, oil, gas, and nuclear - and why Dan says Ai is now a fifthHow SpaceX's willingness to burn a million gallons of fuel per launch compressed 50 years of NASA progress into threeDan's view that people don't die of disease - they die of late testing or no testingWhy Ai generating synthetic training data is a logical and necessary next step, not a gimmickThe "Available on Monday" filter Dan uses to evaluate any new technology or ideaWhy only 5% of the population being entrepreneurs is exactly the right numberHow Mike is consuming 20 to 30 hours of content per morning in 20 to 30 minutes using Ai toolsTIMESTAMPS00:00 – Introduction to creating a great yesterday01:11 – The power of simple tools03:09 – Dan's 63-day time experiment05:02 – Focus on today for a better yesterday06:22 – Creating consciousness in daily activities08:52 – Nostalgia vs. creative momentum10:15 – The impact of focusing on the present12:30 – How Dan's scattered thinking quietly disappeared14:00 – Why the point system works16:00 – Tracking conscious actions for momentum17:30 – How nostalgia limits progress19:10 – The role of Ai in amplifying creativity21:00 – Ai as a creative multiplier for entrepreneurs23:00 – The freedom of time and what it brings24:45 – Dan's final thoughts on his experiment and methodDiscover More

AI is about to move from a tech debate to a political battleground in the U.S., shaping regulation, jobs, and public opinion. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff discuss how parties, voters, and leading tech companies are likely to respond—and why this friction is setting up a new golden age for entrepreneurs. Show Notes: There's always a pause before politics fully catches up to a breakthrough technology like AI, but once it does, the debate quickly becomes intense and adversarial. Around AI, three early camps are emerging: build as fast as possible, emphasize safety and oversight, and resist on populist grounds that cut across party lines. We've seen this pattern before with industrialization—massive change first, political sorting later. Big institutions are still trying to figure out AI while individual entrepreneurs are already running hands-on experiments. A smart move is to keep a sharp human brain between you and the technology so your judgment stays in charge. Wherever big organizations are slow, confused, or scared to move, entrepreneurs can step in and create new value. Many business owners are using AI to automate repetitive, low-value activities so their teams can focus on higher-value thinking. Even when jobs change or disappear, every person is still a buyer and a voter, so backlash is guaranteed. Entrepreneurs who help clients think clearly about AI and their real problems will become the most important partners in their lives. When services aren't being delivered and problems aren't being solved, that's where entrepreneurs can build new kinds of value. Resources: Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Great Meltdown by Dan Sullivan Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Nicole Elliott is a conversion copywriter and messaging strategist who crafts human-sounding, non-salesy sales copy for entrepreneurs who want to sell without the sleaze (or excessive exclamation points). Over the past decade, she's developed launch campaigns, sales pages, and websites for industry-leading brands like Strategic Coach, Hello Audio, and Entreprenista. Her signature 3-Step Human-First Messaging Approach weaves together strategic audience insight and authentic brand voice to create copy that connects and converts. When not writing for clients, Nicole is probably getting lost somewhere on the globe (she's visited 100+ countries and territories and lived in half a dozen), learning languages (she speaks somewhere between 3 and a 1/2 and 5, depending on the day and on how much coffee she has had), or teaching the occasional English as a Second Language class.Connect with Nicole here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-elliott-copywriter/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-elliott-copywriter/https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-elliott-copywriter/https://www.nicoleelliott.co/Don't forget to download our free LinkedIn High-Impact Post Template Guide here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsposttemplates

What if building a better future starts by focusing on today, not tomorrow? In this episode of Capability Amplifier, Dan Sullivan and I discuss his time experiment that helped him eliminate future-based anxiety and unlock a profound sense of productivity and calm.Instead of stressing over the future, Dan committed to creating a "great yesterday" every day. This shift in focus reduced his mental scatter and distraction, something he personally attributes to ADHD tendencies, while helping him become more conscious and present, getting more done with less effort.Dan walks me through the mental shifts he experienced, how he tracks daily progress through a unique point system, and why staying in the moment is the key to both personal and professional growth. We also get into how Ai is amplifying Dan's creative process, and how this simple method can help anyone stuck in the anxiety of what's next.The core message is clear: create a great yesterday, and you'll unlock your best tomorrows. This goes beyond productivity - it's a way of being that eliminates distractions and allows for peak creativity and clarity.In this episode, Dan and I break down:Dan shifted his focus from future worries to present actions, creating calm, clarity, and momentum.Creating a great yesterday builds a foundation for today and tomorrow, replacing distraction with intention.Dan's point system tracks conscious actions throughout the day, turning small wins into compounding results.Nostalgia traps you in the past and blocks you from embracing what's possible right now.Ai accelerates creative action, helping us speed up decision-making and idea execution.By mastering time, Dan's method has given him freedom in time, money, and relationships.Note: The experiences shared in this episode reflect Dan Sullivan's personal observations from his own time experiment and daily practices. Nothing in this conversation constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms related to ADHD or any other condition, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Introduction to creating a great yesterday01:11 – The power of simple tools03:09 – Dan's 63-day time experiment05:02 – Focus on today for a better yesterday06:22 – Creating consciousness in daily activities08:52 – Nostalgia vs. creative momentum10:15 – The impact of focusing on the present12:30 – How Dan's scattered thinking quietly disappeared14:00 – Why the point system works16:00 – Tracking conscious actions for momentum17:30 – How nostalgia limits progress19:10 – The role of Ai in amplifying creativity21:00 – Ai as a creative multiplier for entrepreneurs23:00 – The freedom of time and what it brings24:45 – Dan's final thoughts on his experiment and methodDiscover More

Plenty of entrepreneurs secretly chase celebrity, but fame can become a trap that limits growth. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explain the dangers of building a personality-based business, and how to design a company where your ideas matter more than your image so your success can scale. Show Notes: The strongest businesses are designed so team members can deliver transformative value without the founder in the room. Great entrepreneurial structures protect the founder from distractions and side projects that don't support the company's main future. Entrepreneurs get into trouble when their excitement about new ideas is interpreted as a commitment to future projects. Asking thoughtful questions about someone's idea lets you stay curious without overcommitting your time, brand, or resources. People project their own fantasies of happiness onto celebrities and assume fame automatically creates a better life. Dan intentionally shifted from a personality-driven model to building thinking tools and a coaching system so Strategic Coach® could grow beyond him. Entire industries now manufacture celebrity through events, PR, seating charts, and carefully curated rooms, but security comes from a solid business model and ongoing production. Relationships are one of the best safeguards against the distortions of celebrity, because true friends will tell you when you're off track. In a great company, people are cast into roles that match their unique talents instead of being dropped into generic jobs. Resources: Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Learn more about Jeffrey MadoffDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach

From the start of his career, Zack Oliva has deliberately moved toward where he sees the next wave of growth. Now co-owner of a national energy law firm, he shares how he makes major career and business decisions, builds a focused niche, and uses entrepreneurial thinking to stay in the right position for long-term expansion. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:Why Zack says he “wasn't a real person” when he started his firm in 2013.How focusing on the right people allowed Zack's company to grow exponentially.Zack's attitude toward every person who comes through his organization.How The Strategic Coach® Program has helped Zack and his business partner grow their company 3-4x.Why Zack thinks joining Strategic Coach® is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Show Notes: Becoming a professional takes years of study, but becoming an entrepreneur starts with choosing to keep growing beyond your credentials. Most professionals follow best practices, while entrepreneurs create their own rules and go where the future growth will be. Entrepreneurs are people who want to grow. Your personal growth as an owner sets the ceiling for how big and how fast your company can grow. Choosing a growing niche creates a powerful platform to multiply opportunity. Casting for roles, not hiring for generic jobs, helps you find A‑players who fit your vision and teamwork standards. Treating your team members as whole people, not just employees, creates loyalty, creativity, and staying power. A business becomes more valuable when it runs increasingly well without the founder at the center of everything. Trusting your intuition is a learnable skill that gets stronger when you pay attention to past decisions and meaningful coincidences. Entrepreneurship is largely a game of confidence, and protecting that confidence is one of your key responsibilities. Strategic Coach thinking tools and workshops give entrepreneurs and teams a shared language that accelerates connection and progress. Investing in your team's development produces more creative, capable people who free you up for higher-level work and a fuller life. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Entrepreneur's Guide To Time Management

Homeowners don't need more inspiration. They need a way to see what's possible in their own space before they commit to anything.That's what this conversation with Abram Huber is really about. We start with the "palapa vs steel cage" contrast (you already know which one expands you), then I pull up a photo of my backyard and run it through his visualizer. One click. Instant "thatchified." Vivian sees it and the decision friction disappears because it stops being abstract. Abram nails why this matters: "when you have someone who maybe just has a backyard" - you need to bridge from inspiration to something they can actually feel and picture living in.Try the Ai visualizer at https://visualizer.endureed.com/ In this episode you'll hear:Why "someone who maybe just has a backyard" gets stuck at the vision gap (and how to bridge it with one photo)The "palapa vs steel cage" contrast that explains why environment changes your stateHow Abram went from a high-control childhood (actual arranged marriage at 17) to building a global brand around inspiring spacesThe Ai tool that lets you see your space transformed before you spend a dollarWhy taking "one day a month to do nothing" changed everything for his teamTimestamps0:00 Inspiring environments create inspiring people3:05 Palapa vs steel cage - the clearest contrast7:10 Building environments where there's no resistance12:40 Why backyard buyers get stuck at visualization18:20 Disney builds trust, home builds life23:45 The moment I "thatchified" my backyard28:30 How the Ai tool bridges the vision gap36:10 Make it usable, not just pretty44:20 The "do nothing" rule that changes performance50:10 A little bit of thatch can change your soulDiscover More

Entrepreneurship is all about guessing and betting because every new business starts as a set of educated bets about the future. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff share how to ask better questions, increase your tolerance for uncertainty, and make smarter guesses and bets about the growth of your business. Show Notes: Making high‑quality guesses and bets is a capability you can deliberately develop. Employment can feel like an escape from guessing and betting since it comes with a guaranteed paycheck, but entrepreneurship requires you to lean into it. A successful business balances reliable cash flow with the freedom to keep making new bets. Predictability is useful, but treating it like a guarantee sets you up for disappointment. You rarely have perfect information, so focus on making the best decision available now, not the “right” one in hindsight. Freaking out never improves your odds; clear thinking and action do. Everyone is going to screw up sometimes; your recovery strategy matters more than the mistake. There are two kinds of uncertainty: when something you relied on stops being predictable, and when you're doing something completely new. Wisdom is what turns raw knowledge and experience into better pattern recognition and decision-making. As you gain experience, your real advantage is knowing which opportunities to say no to much faster. Adaptable entrepreneurs treat new technologies and disruptions as fuel for innovation, not threats to their identity. AI will only be as smart, useful, and contextual as the quality of the questions and standards you bring to it. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy The Impact Filter® Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

John Kissell runs a multi-state fleet maintenance operation serving some of America's biggest companies. Over the past 20 years, he's hired and trained over 3,000 technicians - and he's cracked the code on getting people productive fast. In this conversation, we dig into how voice tools, augmented reality, and on-site coaching can collapse months of training into days. This isn't theory - it's working right now for Fortune 50 clients who can't afford downtime.We also talk about what happens when robots start handling more mechanical work (spoiler: the opportunity gets bigger, not smaller), and how to build a company culture where technicians actually become millionaires through equity and ownership.If you manage fleets, run a shop, or lead maintenance operations, this is worth your time.In this episode, John Kissell discussed:Day-one productivity through pre-training to client systems and culture - no 60-90 day rampVoice-first documentation reclaims 1-2 hours per tech daily - eliminates glove-off/tablet/type cycleBridge to robotics strategy - position yourself to service and maintain automation when it arrivesThree deployment models create flexibility - on-site embedded techs, mobile service trucks, or shop-based operationsFortune 50 training standards - techs arrive understanding your documentation, systems, and expectationsOwnership culture through equity and ESOP-Roth - how to keep A-players for 10+ years instead of losing them to $2/hour moreTimestamps 00:00 Why old systems are costing companies money 01:21 Meet John Kissel and his business journey 03:09 The technician shortage crisis 04:16 Fast-track training model explained 05:08 Robotics and the future of skilled trades 13:05 Voice tools reclaim hours of productivity 14:31 Preparing workers for Fortune 50 standards 16:13 Three deployment models that scale 17:05 Building millionaire technicians through ownership 22:30 Mentorship + Ai = accelerated young talent 27:21 The future of flexible work and skills-on-demand 32:08 Hiring 3,000+ technicians: what works 39:13 Why masterminds changed his trajectory 47:55 Advice for scaling without burnout Learn more about John Kissell and his innovative work at https://johnkissell.com/. Discover More

No one can control the future, but something we can do is make sure we have a great past. Dan Sullivan and Steve Krein discuss how a good life is when you focus on making every day a great yesterday. Show Notes: Entrepreneurs often fall in love with exciting future possibilities and end up pulled in 10 different directions at once. When you commit to creating great yesterdays, you naturally think less about abstract futures and more about the quality of what you're doing right now. Today is real. The future exists only in your mind. Like strengthening a muscle, you get better at creating great yesterdays the more you practice it. Seeing each day as tomorrow's yesterday changes your behavior, even in frustrating situations like travel delays or schedule disruptions. Thinking of today as tomorrow's yesterday increases your intentionality, so more of your time goes to activities that compound. As a result of new technologies and tools, what you can accomplish in a single day is radically different from a few years ago, which makes your daily choices even more important. Many entrepreneurs suffer from too much opportunity and too much achievement, which makes it hard to stay grounded in the present. The greatest challenge that entrepreneurs face is loneliness, but Strategic Coach gives ambitious entrepreneurs a community where they feel understood and can talk freely about their goals and successes. Resources: The Entrepreneur's Guide To Time ManagementUnique Ability® The Impact Filter® Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff My Plan For Living To 156 by Dan Sullivan Thinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan The 4x4 Breakthrough

Learn how to leverage AI agents to build faster, smarter, and more profitable businesses without burning yourself out. AI agents are no longer something you plan for in the future they are working right now for the founders who are paying attention, and in this episode, I sit down with one of my favorite people on the planet to show you exactly what that looks like in practice. We go deep into how AI agents are being used today to automate creative work, produce films, manage workflows, and even build the software that builds the software. If you have ever felt like you are falling behind with AI, this conversation is going to light a fire under you, because the scoreboard has reset and the window to get ahead is open right now. Mike Koenigs is a 5x serial entrepreneur with five exits, a 19x bestselling author, a stage 3a colorectal cancer survivor, and the guy founders call when they are ready to build their next act. Peter Diamandis calls him an arsonist of the mind, and Tony Robbins has said he is an extraordinary man who brings insights so valuable that you need to take advantage of what he has to offer. Mike has taken the stage at MIT, NASA, the United Nations, Abundance 360, Tony Robbins events, Strategic Coach, and Genius Network, demonstrating hands-on AI systems in real time. He is the founder of The Superpower Accelerator and AI Accelerator, co-host of two top 1% podcasts, and has spent four decades working with companies like Sony, BMW, and 20th Century Fox, as well as hundreds of entrepreneurs building high-net, low-overhead businesses they actually love. KEY TAKEAWAYS: AI agents can fully automate creative workflows including scriptwriting, mood boards, video production, and voiceover without needing a large team behind you. Your competitive edge is not the tools you use but the context, experience, and creative thinking you bring to the way you use them. Mike's go-to AI stack includes NotebookLM, Claude, Manus, Replit, and Gemini, and with those tools alone he can build almost anything he needs. We are moving from an output-based economy to an outcome-based economy, and the founders who will win are the ones who lead with creative thinking and critical problem-solving. AI does not have taste and does not know what finished looks like, which means your vision, judgment, and experience remain your greatest assets. The biggest trap in AI is not falling behind but getting pulled into infinite possibility without clear constraints, which costs you focus and precious time. Building agents that handle repetitive background work frees you up to operate as the architect, the creative force driving outcomes rather than the one doing the manual lifting. The founders who come out ahead are the ones who wake up curious every single day, embrace discomfort, and keep showing up to learn and apply before anyone else does. Connect with Mike Koenigs: aiaccelerator.com/free Growing your business is hard, but it doesn't have to be. In this podcast, we will be discussing top level strategies for both growing and expanding your business beyond seven figures. The show will feature a mix of pure content and expert interviews to present key concepts and fundamental topics in a variety of different formats. We believe that this format will enable our listeners to learn the most from the show, implement more in their businesses, and get real value out of the podcast. Enjoy the show. Please remember to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Your support and reviews are important and help us to grow and improve the show. Follow Charles Gaudet and Predictable Profits on Social Media: Facebook: facebook.com/PredictableProfits Instagram: instagram.com/predictableprofits Twitter: twitter.com/charlesgaudet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlesgaudet Visit Charles Gaudet's Wesbites:  www.PredictableProfits.com www.predictableprofits.com/community https://start.predictableprofits.com/community  

Jon and Jeff talk with Richard Simtob, who breaks down how he discovered and lives by his unique ability to uncover underlying issues, negotiate mutually beneficial solutions, and inspire future leaders. He shares how Strategic Coach helped him define his strengths and how that focus now guides his involvement in five different companies. He also gets real about delegation, parenting through purpose, and why trying and testing matters more than locking into a rigid plan. Key Takeaways: • Define your unique ability • Delegate to elevate: Hand off one task per quarter to stay in your sweet spot • Let kids explore: Encourage young adults to try different paths and make purpose-driven choices • Improving existing systems often beats starting from scratch • Prioritize with intention: Block time for strategy and leadership, then fit in the rest   Connect with Jon Dwoskin: Twitter: @jdwoskin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.dwoskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejondwoskinexperience Website: https://jondwoskin.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondwoskin Email: jon@jondwoskin.com Get Jon's Book: The Think Big Movement: Grow your business big. Very Big! Connect with Jeff Gunsberg:Website: https://title-connect.com Connect with Richard Simtob:Website: https://simtob.co *E - explicit language may be used in this podcast.

What happens when timeless entrepreneurial thinking tools meet Ai -powered execution?In this episode, Dan Sullivan and Mike Koenigs explore Dan's 3x3 Framework and show how combining a few simple tools can radically change how entrepreneurs think about ambition, freedom, and future growth. The conversation moves from creativity and long-term thinking to time structure, project clarity, and the way Ai is accelerating the path from idea to real capability.At the center of the discussion are three Strategic Coach® tools: Lifetime Extender, Free Focus and Buffer Days, and the Impact Filter. Dan explains how these tools reinforce each other, while Mike reflects on how they have shaped his own thinking over the years and why they feel even more powerful in the Ai era.The bigger theme of the episode is simple but powerful: capability expands ambition. Instead of chasing possibility in the abstract, Dan and Mike argue that entrepreneurs grow by building real capabilities that create more freedom of time, money, and relationship.Aimatters here not just because it speeds things up, but because it can help turn knowledge, conversations, and patterns into action much faster than before.In this episode, Dan and I break down:How the 3x3 Framework helps entrepreneurs connect ideas in a more structured wayWhy Lifetime Extender changes the way people think about their futureHow Free, Focus, and Buffer Days create more freedom and less frictionWhy the Impact Filter sharpens projects, teamwork, and executionHow capability expands ambition more effectively than vague possibilityWhy Ai is a capability multiplier, not just a productivity toolHow capturing conversations and past knowledge can create faster insight and actionWhy entrepreneurs need more freedom of time, money, and relationshipHow better capabilities lead to a bigger sense of future growthTIMESTAMPS00:00 Welcome to the “Ambition Amplifier” episode01:11 Why the 3x3 tool is so powerful and human01:36 Steve Jobs, creativity, and “putting things together”03:09 Dan introduces the three core tools inside the 3x304:37 Lifetime Extender, Free Focus and Buffer Days, and Impact Filter explained06:22 Mike's take on what these tools actually do in real life08:59 How combining the tools expands entrepreneurial freedom10:55 Mike reflects on how Lifetime Extender changed after cancer12:36 The hidden number people carry about how long they think they'll live19:04 Freedom of time and the danger of shrinking ambition26:46Aienters the conversation27:30 Why Ai changes medicine, science, and possibility33:11 Mike explains why Ai feels like a real leap, not just an upgrade34:18 A real-world Ai story using Starlink and Gemini in the desert40:05 Freedom of money, productivity, and focusing on profitable opportunities51:38 Freedom of relationship and long-term collaboration58:18 From microchips to Ai creating more powerful Ai 01:00:23 Capturing conversations and using Ai to find patterns faster01:23:34 From frustrating work to fascinating work01:25:15 Mike's closing reflection on creativity, connection, and hyperspace Discover More

Happiness isn't just the next big achievement; it's something you build into each day. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore why external success alone never satisfies, how envy and comparison steal joy, and how liking yourself, tracking daily progress, and using your unique capabilities in teamwork create a sustainably happier entrepreneurial life. Show Notes: The idea that you'll finally be happy once you solve a specific issue is a trap. Even the biggest wins, from curing diseases to landing on the moon, didn't make society happier. Entrepreneurial success includes both quantitative wins (money, growth) and qualitative wins (energy, meaning, relationships). Your greatest competition is the previous version of you. Ending each day by reminding yourself of the progress you made increases your sense of happiness. Creating increasing value for other people is one of the most reliable sources of happiness. Thinking about your thinking lets you keep improving how you operate, which becomes a happy, energizing habit. Envy is toxic because it wants others to lose what they have, while jealousy can sometimes push you to improve yourself. Ambition is a neutral capability that powers all your other capabilities; character determines whether you use it well or badly. Retirement often disappoints ambitious entrepreneurs because it cuts off the new challenges and capabilities that make them happiest. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Thinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan Unique Ability® Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

When life partners become business partners, tension can quickly intensify—or multiply everything that matters. With the right tools and mindsets, that partnership can become extraordinary. In this episode, Kerby Skurat and Cristina Edelstein share how Strategic Coach® has helped them build a thriving business and a strong marriage at the same time. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:How life partners Dan Sullivan and Babs Smith co-run Strategic Coach.What Strategic Coach has helped Cristina and Kerby achieve with their business.How Cristina and Kerby grew their real estate business into a $10‑million‑a‑year company.Cristina and Kerby's core values.What led Kerby to the decision to shut down a $16-million company.Why both members of an entrepreneurial couple should attend Strategic Coach workshops. Show Notes: Many entrepreneurial couples end up with an almost adversarial business relationship that spills into their personal life. Unique Ability® gives each partner a clear lane, so “best with best” teamwork becomes possible instead of competitive. Entrepreneurism usually shows up early in life and quickly becomes a lifelong way of operating. Choosing the entrepreneurial path means you've opted out of the job market and into creating your own game. Strategic Coach provides the structure, tools, and community that support this unique way of life. There's an art to staying in your lane, especially when both partners are strong‑willed and driven. Every individual has a distinct way of creating results, and honoring those differences turns conflict into collaboration. Real data, real statistics, and real projections give you the confidence to make clear decisions and smart adjustments. A business can be big and profitable and still be the wrong one for you. Shutting down a good company can be the smartest move if it frees you up for great opportunities. Time away from your team, in a room with other entrepreneurs, often leads to the biggest strategic decisions. Hearing other entrepreneurs' success stories can inspire you to take action on your own goals. Strategic Coach workshops create a thinking space where you can focus on what could be, not just what is. Getting help at deeper personal levels, like marriage counseling, can dramatically improve your business teamwork. Strategic Coach tools work just as well at home as they do in the office. In a team of any size, the speed of the leader determines the speed of the pack. When both partners are in the same coaching environment, it's far easier to stay aligned on vision and decisions. Resources: Unique Ability® Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front StageEverything Is Created Backward by Dan SullivanThe Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller EOS® Worldwide Who Not How by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy How To Sell Transformation Using This One Question Do You Know What's Keeping Your Clients Awake At 3 A.M.? Your Life As A Strategy Circle by Dan Sullivan

Most entrepreneurs think community is just “networking.” They're missing the bigger opportunity.In this episode, Eric Berman and I break down what it really takes to build communities that actually work not shallow rooms full of business cards, but real relationship-based environments where trust, accountability, ideas, and opportunities compound over time.We talk about how Speakeasy Mastermind grew from a small San Diego gathering into a multi-city model, what makes the right room so valuable, and why more entrepreneurs than ever are quietly paying what Eric calls the “isolation tax” by trying to do everything alone.We also go deep on leadership, follow-through, culture, the kind of people who belong in high-value rooms, and the mistakes that can destroy a community before it ever has a chance to grow.In this episode, Eric and I break down:Why great communities are built on relationships, accountability, and contributionHow Speakeasy Mastermind evolved from an informal mastermind into a scalable multi-city modelWhat the “isolation tax” is and why entrepreneurs pay for staying disconnectedWhy the right room can accelerate growth faster than strategy aloneHow to identify the right leaders when building a communityWhy follow-through is one of the rarest and most valuable entrepreneurial traitsThe difference between people who contribute energy and people who drain itWhy not every successful entrepreneur is qualified to lead a roomHow to choose the right core members when launching a chapterWhat kinds of entrepreneurs thrive best in communities like SpeakeasyWhy ego, entitlement, and poor culture fit can quietly destroy a roomEric's backstory: building an early social network, losing it in the dot-com crash, and reinventing himselfHow offering value first created his opportunity with Brian TracyWhy active listening and service are still underrated business superpowersThe principle behind Eric's upcoming book, Proximity PaysWhy the best relationships are built by listening well, serving first, and doing what you say you'll doWhat excites me most about this conversation is that it's really about something deeper than masterminds or meetups.It's about proximity, it's about choosing better rooms and it's about understanding that the people around you shape the speed, quality, and direction of your future.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Eric Berman's Backstory and Why Community Matters 00:38 What It Takes to Build Relationship-Based Business Communities 01:06 The Origins of the Original Speakeasy Mastermind 03:36 Turning Community-Building Into a Scalable Business Model 05:56 What Made the Original Mastermind So Valuable 07:28 The “Isolation Tax” Entrepreneurs Pay 08:49 Why Every Business Owner Needs the Right Room 10:01 How Speakeasy Expanded Into Multiple Cities 10:31 What Makes a Chapter Work or Fail 12:50 The Business Model Behind Speakeasy 14:47 Who Belongs in the Room  and Who Doesn't 18:38 Eric's Early Social Network, Dot-Com Crash, and Reinvention 21:28 How Brian Tracy Became a Career-Making Relationship 23:27 How to Get Involved as a Member or a Captain 24:46 Why Follow-Through Matters So Much in Leadership 26:17 How AI Now Supports Community Notes and Shared Wins 27:33 Why Small, Intimate Rooms Win 30:20 Eric's Book: Proximity Pays 31:20 Active Listening, Service, and Relationship Leverage 32:29 Why Doing What You Say Matters More Than Ever 34:00 Final Thoughts on Friendship, Trust, and Long-Term CommunityDiscover More

Despite rising IQ scores, people aren't any happier, and entrepreneurs know that being smart alone doesn't guarantee a great life. In this conversation, Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore why IQ tests only measure a narrow slice of intelligence, why entrepreneurs thrive on poorly defined problems, and how happiness comes from agency, progress, and meaningful relationships. Show Notes: IQ scores have climbed steadily over the past few decades, yet, by almost every measure, people today are no happier than earlier generations. IQ tests only measure your ability to solve well‑defined problems with clear rules and right answers, which is a very narrow slice of real‑world intelligence. Entrepreneurs win by spotting patterns, connecting ideas, and being comfortable thinking in abstractions, not by memorizing information for standardized tests. Happiness is much more closely linked to a strong sense of personal agency than to any score you could get on an exam. Entrepreneurial foresight—the ability to see what people will want next and act on it—is a unique advantage that can't be measured by IQ tests. Most of life and business operates in gray areas with no agreed‑upon solutions, making comfort with ambiguity a core entrepreneurial capability. The education system largely trains people to “win the test,” not to think creatively, make bets, or handle uncertainty the way entrepreneurs must. Revenue milestones and big wins won't automatically make you happier if you're still chasing an ever‑moving ideal in your head. Measuring your progress backward from where you started, instead of against an unreachable ideal, creates daily happiness and sustainable motivation. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy Learn more about Jeffrey MadoffDan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Most business owners think growth should make life easier.Then they hit $1M, $2M, $5M, or $10M... and suddenly everything feels harder, heavier, and more complicated than ever.In this episode, Michael Walsh breaks down the hidden “danger zones” of business growth - the predictable crisis points where service-based businesses get stuck, founders burn out, partners disconnect, and growth starts feeling like a trap instead of freedom.We talk about:Why 96% of businesses that hit $1M never reach $5MThe real reason businesses stall at $2M, $5M, $10M, and in the black hole between $12M and $20MWhy promoting your best performer into management often backfiresThe compound problem of outgrown structures + more peopleWhy SOPs and tighter control can make things worseThe difference between a “well-oiled machine” and an “intelligent ecosystem”The 4 human drivers every founder needs to understand: survive, thrive, connect, adaptHow to design a business that grows because of your people, not despite themReal stories of founders who tripled revenue, reduced hours, and fell back in love with their businessesMichael has spent 30 years helping founders build service businesses that grow with more freedom, more alignment, and more joy.If your business looks successful from the outside - but feels messy, exhausting, or strangely stuck on the inside - this episode is for you.

Somewhere on the prairies, there's a producer trying to do it all. The agronomy. The marketing. The books. The succession. The banking. The strategy. And they're wearing every hat at once — running hot, making decisions with incomplete information, and wondering why the numbers never quite tell the full story. The top farms? They stopped doing that a long time ago. This Growing the Future Productions live event puts Dan Aberhart at the table with seven of the most plugged-in financial and business minds working in Canadian agriculture right now: Evan Shout (Maverick Ag / Farmer Coach), Brian Mack and Justin Simpkins (Grow Lytics), Travis Gerrard and Roxanne Olynick from MNP, and Courtney Thevenot and Tanner Gerwing from Scotiabank Agricultural Banking. The conversation runs nearly 90 minutes and covers the full spectrum — from bookkeeping basics to billion-dollar family legacy questions. Not a panel of polished talking points. A real room of real advisors who already work together behind closed doors, and now you get to hear it. What gets covered in this episode: The 2% / 18% / 80% Split — Where Does Your Farm Land? Evan Shout opens with a number that should stop people cold: over the last 20 years, as farm revenues have gone up and risk has increased, financial acumen in the industry has actually gotten worse. The top 2% aren't just profitable — they're operating with a completely different level of financial sophistication. The next 18% are closing the gap. The other 80% are still treating finance as a back-seat discipline. (00:07:00) — Evan breaks down what separates the top tier, and why building a team is the single most powerful thing an operation can do to move up that ladder. Access to Capital vs. Strategic Advice — They're Not the Same Thing Grow Lytics started by reverse-engineering the perfect credit deal. Not by handing out money — by working backward from what a lender actually needs to say yes, and building the farm's story from there. Brian Mack draws a clear line between knowing your costs and knowing what the bank is looking at when you walk through the door. (00:10:00) — The panel unpacks the difference between getting financed and being financially positioned. You don't want your banker to tell you it's a bad deal. You want to already know that before you show up. What Scotiabank Actually Looks For — And It's Not Just the Numbers Courtney Thevenot is direct: lending decisions aren't just financial. Management strength, character, who you've got in your corner, whether you're trying to do it all yourself — that all goes into the picture. A farm that walks in with a team behind them sends a completely different signal than one that shows up with a stack of paper and no story. (00:12:00) — Courtney makes the case for the banking relationship as an ongoing partnership, not a transactional event. Quarterly calls. Farm visits. The relationship should be built long before you need something. The Mental Health Moment Nobody Planned — But Everybody Needed An audience member, Harry Siemens, drops a question about the farm suicide rate — 3.5 times higher than any other industry. Dan opens the floor. What follows is one of the most honest conversations this panel has. Evan doesn't give the diplomatic answer. He gives the hard one: farming culture has tied identity and legacy to a business in a way that makes failure feel unsurvivable. That's not the truth. But it's the pressure people are carrying. (00:27:00) — Justin Simpkins adds context from time spent in Australia, where the numbers are even more stark. Courtney mentions the Canadian Centre for Agriculture Wellbeing as a real resource. Roxanne talks about peer groups as one of the most underrated tools for connection and permission to be honest. This segment wasn't on the agenda — but it might be the most important twelve minutes in the episode. Benchmarking, Peer Groups & the Trucker Who Blew Everyone's Mind Travis Gerrard talks about what happens when you put a trucking company's operational metrics in front of a room full of grain farmers. Nobody expected it. Everyone walked away wanting to know their numbers that much better. The benchmarking group MNP runs is covering 14% of Saskatchewan farmland — and the data is clear on what the best operations have in common. (00:19:00) — Travis and the panel dig into the power of cross-industry benchmarking, and why getting outside the agriculture bubble — like Dan's example of Strategic Coach — can be the jolt that resets how a producer sees their own operation. AI, Data & the Role of the Farm's Next Hire The panel lands on something the audience was clearly hungry for: the missing seat at the table isn't another accountant or banker. It's a CTO. A tech integrator. Someone who can get real-time data flowing — from grain cards, JD Ops, harvest profit, bookkeeping — so that the advisors in the room can do insight work instead of cleanup work. (00:44:00) — Evan lays out the vision clearly: AI isn't replacing thought leadership, but it will replace data entry, and that changes everything about how fast good decisions can get made. The Third Generation Curse — And the Harder Question Nobody's Asking John Gibson brings it live from the audience floor: why do so many family farm operations succeed through two generations and fall apart in the third? The panel doesn't flinch. Evan talks about the knowledge that gets lost when the generation that built through hard times doesn't transfer that context. Brian Mack says something that stops the room: are you trying to preserve the farm, or are you trying to preserve wealth for future generations? Because sometimes those are two different decisions. (00:49:00) — Evan makes the case for the family office model — keeping the farm intact across generations rather than selling it off every 40 years to settle estates. The math at today's land prices makes the traditional approach nearly impossible. Succession Planning — Separate Rooms, Real Conversations Travis's point lands hard: get the kids in a separate room. Get the parents in a separate room. Because what the next generation actually wants — and what mom and dad assume they want — are often two very different things. That gap, unaddressed, is where farm transitions collapse. (00:38:00) — Roxanne talks about seeing a generational shift in how clients are bringing younger family members into meetings earlier. Evan talks about farm operations actively recruiting external CEOs to run the business while family members stay involved as shareholders. The structure is changing. Who's Missing from the Dream Team? Lawyers. The panel admits it freely. Wills, shareholder agreements, prenups, joint venture agreements — verbal handshakes between multimillion-dollar operations. Evan doesn't mince words: Walmart isn't doing verbal agreements anymore. Neither should you. (01:23:00) — The closing segment also touches on life insurance, climate advisors, agronomists as financial team members, and the AI-specific skill set that's becoming the next frontier for farm advisory teams. Featured in this episode: Dan Aberhart — Host, Growing the Future Productions Evan Shout — Maverick Ag / Farmer Coach Brian Mack & Justin Simpkins — Grow Lytics Travis Gerrard & Roxanne Olynick — MNP Courtney Thevenot & Tanner Gerwing — Scotiabank Agricultural Banking Resources mentioned: Canadian Centre for Agriculture Wellbeing (CCAW) — free counseling and support resources for ag producers across Canada Sask Ag Matters — crisis line and no-cost counseling for Saskatchewan farmers Do More in Ag — mental health resources for the agricultural community Connect with the panelists: Maverick Ag / Farmer Coach: maverickg.com or farmercoach.ca Grow Lytics: growlytics.ca MNP: mnp.ca Scotiabank Agricultural Banking: Contact your local Scotiabank ag banking team More from Growing the Future: Podcast: growingthefuturepodcast.ca YouTube: Growing the Future Productions Ground Truth Daily: Available wherever you listen to podcasts Register for the Convergence Conference at convergence.ag and stay updated by subscribing to the Growing the Future Podcast at growingthefuturepodcast.ca.

To stop feeling overwhelmed at work and get more done, consider which version of you is showing up. Some days the you that shows up is the focused, motivated, energized, action-taking you. And some days the you that shows up is the unfocused, unmotivated, lethargic, non-action-taking you. When we recognize this in advance, we can do a couple of things. One is to say, “okay, I don’t really like the me that showed up today. Can I get myself in gear? Take some sort of action? Can I get myself motivated? Or will I at least take the next step?” Will I take one small step in the direction of accomplishing what I’ve told myself and others that I intend to do? David: Hi, and welcome to the podcast. In today’s episode, co-host Jay McFarland and I will be discussing the topic of how to avoid getting overwhelmed. Welcome back, Jay. Jay: Hey, David. It’s great to be here, and this is such an important topic, especially for the entrepreneur. There are so many different things going on. And oftentimes you have to be the front office, the back office, you have to fulfill the orders. I mean, there are just so many things, and keeping track of it can be very difficult. David: It can. Before we even really dive in too much, I just want to point out, first of all, we are not experts in the mental health field at all, right? So if you’re struggling with actual mental health issues, this is not the podcast to listen to. But if you’re in sales, marketing or business ownership, dealing with the day-to-day and occasionally feeling overwhelmed, that’s what we’ll be talking about. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed or stressed in business, that will be the discussion at hand today. As you were saying, Jay, most of us have this situation at one point or another when you’re in business, particularly when you’re in sales. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed on some days. It’s like, “I don’t feel like making the calls,” or “I’m struggling with this or that.” And just that thought alone can stop some people in their tracks and cause them to not move forward. Jay: Yeah. I think first of all, it’s important to tell people it’s okay to feel overwhelmed. I mean, that’s the reality for most people. But if that feeling becomes a stress paralysis, like I’ve experienced, like there are so many things going on. I don’t know which one I should be focusing on, so I end up doing less instead of more. That can really be damaging to your business. David: It absolutely is. I find that in a lot of cases, the things that cause us to feel overwhelmed are when we focus on all the different things that we have to do or all the different things that have to be done. It’s the fact there are too many things coming at us at once. Sometimes it’s the habit of looking at everything, as opposed to looking at the one thing or the next thing that I can do, which would allow us to move forward. I’m sure that sounds very simplistic, and to some degree it is. But when we’re struggling with that, a lot of it really becomes about our focus. How tightly can we narrow our focus so we can actually concentrate on doing just one thing? What’s the one, tiny, next thing I can do to move forward so I don’t just give up? Jay: Yeah, and a lot of people I think, sometimes want to give up. But I think it’s really important to do some work in advance here. If you don’t have a list or a plan that talks about all of those things that need to be done and maybe prioritize them. If you don’t have that done, then it’s going to be very hard, like you said, to say, what is the one thing I should be doing right now? Because you haven’t taken the time to plan ahead and even know, so, then it becomes “the squeaky wheel gets the grease,” right? And sometimes that squeaky wheel is just the last thing that you should be doing. David: Yeah, that is exactly true, and it happens to probably all of us at one point or another where there are a lot of things to do, and as you said, whatever is making the most noise, whatever is rattling our cage at the moment gets done when in actuality, that might be something that either shouldn’t be done at all, or it should be something that should be prioritized or de-prioritized to move down farther on the list. I think it’s also important to understand that all of us have good days and bad days. And whenever we make life-altering decisions on bad days, it’s usually not a good outcome. So part of it also is just recognizing when we’re having the kind of days where we are feeling overwhelmed when we’re feeling like things are too much, and then maybe just sort of holding off on making big important decisions until we feel like we’re in better control of our thoughts and our direction and our focus. Jay: So I think what you’re really talking about, this pre-planning and being aware of how you feel, it’s self-awareness. I think that may be one of the hardest skills to master is understanding at all times how you feel and are you prepared to do something. Often, even that bad day, as you said, is going to send us in a certain direction and the next day we’re going to regret it. That’s what we’re trying to avoid. Right? David: Yeah, because what also happens is that a lot of times when we give into these feelings, if I’m feeling overwhelmed and I say, okay, well I’m just not going to do that. I’m going to bail out on this and I’m going to bail out on that. Right? What we’re doing essentially is we are programming ourselves to be able to do less, to be able to perform less, to be able to tolerate less. And each time we do that, it can really become a downward spiral because now instead of saying, okay, I’m feeling a little overwhelmed, but what’s the one thing I can do? What’s the one action I can take on this particular project to keep this important thing moving forward? If we just give up on that or any other project that is important to us, we are training ourselves to do that going forward. Because the more we get used to and the more we create a habit of bailing out on things that make us feel a little uncomfortable, the less likely we are going to be able to do anything like that going forward, which is absolutely harmful if the goal is personal and professional growth. Jay: Yeah, such a great point. And for me, one of the tricks I learned, and I learned it from my mom, is sometimes when you feel like you can’t do anything or you’re stressed, just do something very small. I remember when she was really stressed about something and instead of sitting there and just stewing in it, she’s like, I’m going to vacuum. You know? And to me, getting the vacuuming done provided a sense of forward movement and the feeling of productivity will often feed more productivity. But sitting there doing nothing that’s just going to feed doing nothing. David: Yeah. And a lot of that I think is about getting out of your head and getting into your body, right? Getting into any kind of movement, taking action is almost always better than just, you used the word stewing, you know, stewing in your own brain and churning stuff over and over again, that’s only going to make you less efficient, less effective, less productive. And we need to avoid that at all costs. Jay: Yeah, I totally agree. In fact, one of the things that I did, because I realized that I suffer from this kind of stress paralysis, is I made a list of little things that I could do. Because I realized my mood, as you said, really determines what I want to do. So sometimes blocking out your schedule is very important, and I think it depends on your personality, whether or not that works for you. But for me, I found, well, I’m going to make a list of things that I can work on and my mood kind of dictates the thing that I’m going to focus on in that minute. Now I have the type of work where I can do that, other people don’t. But that has been very helpful to me so that I can just get that moment of productivity in. And then I feel good about myself and now I can go on to other things. David: Yeah, and I think the whole idea of taking action based on our feelings, that by itself is a privilege that not everybody has. Like you were talking about, if you have a particular job and you are required to do things, then you may not feel like it, you may not be in a great mood, you may feel unmotivated, you may feel overwhelmed, but in order to keep that job, you have to continue to take action and move forward. And I don’t think that’s a bad thing for people who even aren’t in a situation like that. Those of us who do have a little more control over our schedules should probably not use that ability to take our own power away from us by giving in, by yielding to whatever negative feeling or whatever negative temptation it is that we have, whether it’s the temptation to give up or give in, or eat an entire chocolate cake or whatever your temptation is. Now we’re veering into other territory, but I think that sometimes people look at overwhelm in business as being separate or different than any other type of either not wanting to do something or wanting to do something. But ultimately it boils down to, you know, what are you committed to? What have you said you are going to do? What are you planning to do? And if you are continuing to take action on that stuff, then you’re honoring your own stated goals. And when you stop taking action on your own stated goals because you feel, whatever, overwhelmed or tired or exhausted, or whatever the words are, you just continue to disempower yourself. Jay: Yeah, disempower. That’s a great word for it. What comes to mind for me when I’m in these modes is sometimes I tell myself, “fake it until you make it.” You know, just like you said, because if I’ve got something scheduled and I don’t feel up to it, but I’ve got to be there because it’s my responsibility, then fake it until you make it. And oftentimes you find that because you know, you dreaded it ahead of time, but then when you’re in it, it feels right and you’re making progress and you’re moving your business along, and then afterward you feel good that you did it. So sometimes that philosophy is all you need to move forward. David: Yeah. And recognizing which you is showing up on any given day. Because some days we start out and the you that shows up is the focused, motivated, energized, action-taking you. And some days the you that shows up is the unfocused, unmotivated, lethargic, non-action-taking you. And when we recognize this in advance, we can do a couple of things. One is to say, okay, I don’t really like the me that showed up today. You know, can I get myself in gear? Can I take some sort of action? Can I get myself motivated? Or will I at least take the next step? Will I take one small step in the direction of accomplishing what I’ve told myself and others that I intend to do? I think I’ve quoted this a number of times on the podcast. I just think it’s such a great one. Dan Sullivan from Strategic Coach said basically, success in life boils down to three things. Show up on time, do what you say you’re going to do, and say please and thank you. The third one’s nice. The first two, showing up on time and doing what you say you’re going to do is so critical. And very often people will not do the second one. They won’t do what they said they were going to do because their feelings got in the way. It’s like, well, I don’t feel like it, or I feel overwhelmed that I just can’t. I can’t bring myself to do it. And again, when we tell ourselves that, and when we yield to it, when we give into it, we’re done. Jay: Yeah, that’s exactly right. And all progress stops. It’s a great discussion today. How can they find out more? David: Well, you can go to TopSecrets.com/call. That’s TopSecrets.com/call. Schedule a call with my team or myself and we’d be happy to go through this with you. A lot of people need focus. They need next steps and next steps and next steps because when you have that, it really does eliminate the overwhelm as long as you’re willing to take the next small step. I had someone who was going through one of our courses and he was struggling with some stuff, and he was saying, well, you know, to be in your course, you know you have to give 110%. I’m like, no, you don’t. You just have to be willing to take the next step. I said, like, the next lesson that you’re up to in the course is five minutes and 50 seconds long. Right. Go through the video, ask your questions below. That’s it. Just do that. You don’t need 110% motivation to do that. All you need to do is you need to be willing to follow through on your commitments and take the next step. So if you’re interested in a next step, TopSecrets.com/call, we would love to have a call and help you with whatever it is you’re struggling with in your business right now. Jay: Yeah, it’s great. I think the whole message of this podcast is just take the next step. David. It’s great talking to you. David: Thanks. You too, Jay. Are You Ready to Say Goodbye to Overwhelm? If so, check out a few ways we help promotional product distributors take the next step: Just Getting Started? If you (or someone on your team) is just getting started in promotional product sales, learn how we can help. Ready to Grow & Scale Your Business Fast? If you're an established distributor serious about growing your sales and profits now, check out this case study and schedule a call with our team. Need EQP/Preferential Pricing? If you're an established distributor doing a decent volume of sales, click here to get End Quantity Pricing from many of the top supplier lines in the promo industry.

Most founders don't hire an executive assistant for one simple reason:They think it will create more work.More training.More managing.More explaining.But what if the opposite is true?In this episode, we bring in Terry Pham to break down the real reason founders stay stuck—and how delegation actually works when it's done right.We cover:The 5 delegation roadblocks holding founders backWhy “I don't have time” is the biggest lieHow founders accidentally become the bottleneckWhat a great executive assistant actually doesThe crawl → walk → run system for delegationWhy control is costing you growthHow to get 10–20 hours of your week backThis episode isn't about hiring help.It's about removing yourself as the thing slowing everything down.00:00 The Value of an Executive Assistant02:29 Terry Pham's Journey and Insights05:08 Common Misconceptions About EAs08:04 Delegation Roadblocks and Overcoming Them10:52 The Role of EAs in Managing Entrepreneurs13:45 Creative Delegation Examples16:20 Identifying Tasks to Delegate19:21 The Importance of Clarity in Delegation21:42 Building a Productive Relationship with EAs24:44 The Emotional Aspect of Delegation27:34 Final Thoughts on Executive Assistants39:36 Evolving the EA Relationship40:23 Understanding Personal Work Styles41:53 Building Effective Partnerships44:43 The 90-Day Integration Process46:47 Anticipating Needs and Responsibilities49:42 Daily Syncs and Accountability52:51 Refining Communication and Expectations55:54 Gatekeeping and Access Management59:02 Balancing Accessibility and Boundaries01:06:30 Transformative Experiences with EAsResourcesSuperpowers HQ - https://superpowershq.com/commerciallyspeakingEO Dallas - https://www.eonetwork.org/Strategic Coach - https://www.strategiccoach.com/guest linksLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrypham/

Every major breakthrough arrives with stories of utopia and doom, and AI is no exception. Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Dan trace the pattern from railroads and television to today's AI tools, and show entrepreneurs how to keep humans front stage, put technology backstage, and set their own rules for using it. Show Notes: New technologies are created for capability, not with a clear plan for the people, skills, and systems needed to run them.​The instant a new technology appears, it reshapes the economic, political, and cultural landscape around it.​Almost immediately, every breakthrough is seen as giving some people an unfair advantage and others a disadvantage, whether that's real or just perceived.​​Human behavior around new technology is remarkably consistent, even as the tools keep changing.​The early predictions about television as both a window on the world and a vast wasteland turned out to be true at the same time.​Television's real business model shifted from selling hardware to selling audiences, proving that the biggest profit often comes from unexpected places.​​Breakthroughs always create new capabilities faster than society can build the doors, guardrails, and institutions to manage them responsibly.​A practical rule for entrepreneurs is to keep humans on the front stage with clients and use technology on the backstage to support them.​​Entrepreneurial environments give you the freedom to decide how technology fits your values instead of letting the technology decide for you.​Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1998: Benjamin Hardy explains that elite performers don't succeed by working nonstop, they succeed by mastering recovery. By intentionally stepping away to rest, think deeply, and gain clarity, you sharpen your focus on the work that truly produces results. Learning how to recover strategically can help you eliminate low-value effort and dramatically increase the impact of what you do. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bettermarketing.pub/if-youre-serious-about-success-then-you-need-to-improve-your-recovery-828b2ac213cc Quotes to ponder: "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." "Addictions embody repetition without progress." "Wherever you are, that's where you should be." Episode references: Strategic Coach: https://www.strategiccoach.com/

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1998: Benjamin Hardy explains that elite performers don't succeed by working nonstop, they succeed by mastering recovery. By intentionally stepping away to rest, think deeply, and gain clarity, you sharpen your focus on the work that truly produces results. Learning how to recover strategically can help you eliminate low-value effort and dramatically increase the impact of what you do. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bettermarketing.pub/if-youre-serious-about-success-then-you-need-to-improve-your-recovery-828b2ac213cc Quotes to ponder: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” “Addictions embody repetition without progress.” “Wherever you are, that's where you should be.” Episode references: Strategic Coach: https://www.strategiccoach.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most founders use data for every part of their business - except hiring. They run numbers on their product, their marketing, their cash flow. But when it comes to the most expensive decision in the company, they trust a gut feeling and a resume.Regina Chou is changing that. She grew up in a rice paddy in Taiwan, became the first in her family to attend college, and built a predictive hiring engine that analyzes 450 psychographic traits to determine - before the offer letter goes out - whether someone will perform and whether they will stay. Her REGI Blueprint powers the Performance Machine and has helped scale companies from Mercedes-Benz dealerships to CrowdStrike's $2 billion IPO.In this conversation, Regina shares the data point that upended decades of hiring science (IQ hurting sales), the blind experiment that proved resumes are irrelevant, and why the most surprising traits - hope, greed, emotional resilience - are the ones that actually predict your next great hire.In this episode, we talk about:IQ has a negative correlation to car sales at Mercedes-Benz dealerships - the traits you assume matter most might be working against youHope, optimism, and emotional resilience are the consistent predictors of performance across industries and job rolesA blind hiring experiment with 3,000 applicants and zero resumes produced hires still succeeding five years later"Greed" - aspiration for material goods - turned out to be a top performance driver for garage door techniciansSame company, same product, different countries - top performer profiles were vastly different across culturesGen Z wants the same thing every generation wants - meaningful work and an environment where they can thriveRegina's formula for founders: combine data and technology with heart to build a winning hiring systemTIMESTAMPS:0:00 Why traditional hiring science is broken1:16 Regina's origin story - Taiwan, poverty, and a grandfather's dream5:55 The Mercedes-Benz IQ discovery8:35 Building a model that predicts actual performance14:32 Blind hiring at Diamond Asia Capital19:55 Tommy Mello and the greed factor23:22 Gen Z - same challenges, louder voice27:02 Data + heart: advice for struggling founders31:54 The vision - when resumes become irrelevantPS – When you're ready, here's how I can help: Join me for the Ai Accelerator Workshop this March 25th - LIVE from Genius Network Headquarters - register here: www.AiAccelerator.com/LiveWant to discover your next big opportunity? Meet me for a Cup of Coffee at my Digital Cafe (this is where we can meet): www.MikeKoenigs.com/1kCoffeeReady to reinvent yourself, your business, and your brand, and create “Your Next Act”? Watch this.

Most high achievers don't struggle because they lack ambition, ideas, or discipline. They struggle because their lives are full of tiny points of friction. Small decisions. Small interruptions. Small logistical annoyances that quietly drain attention, energy, and momentum throughout the day. In this episode of Tales from The Lane, Kate explores the concept of friction — and how seemingly minor obstacles can prevent us from doing the work that actually matters. Through real-life examples and practical systems, she explains how removing small points of resistance can dramatically improve focus, follow-through, and clarity. You'll learn: Why we often spend more time worrying about tasks than completing them How small systems reduce decision fatigue Where friction commonly shows up in daily life Simple strategies that make the right actions easier and the wrong actions harder Why progress often comes from removing obstacles, not pushing harder Kate also shares practical examples from her own life and coaching work, including: Weekly "staff meetings" for teams of one Capsule wardrobes that reduce decision fatigue Task batching and time blocking Creating a junk-drawer workflow for loose ends Designing a simple shutdown routine for the workday If you've been feeling busy but not making meaningful progress, this episode will help you identify the hidden friction points slowing you down—and remove them. Because sometimes the fastest way forward isn't more effort. It's less resistance. Get the PDF that goes along with this episode:  Quiet the Noise: 10 Systems for Focus, Follow-Through, and Meaningful Progress And if you're ready to design a life and career that actually fit who you've become, Kate would love to support you.

Jonathan Whistman is The Sales Boss - the architect behind human powered organizations where identity, belief, and culture drive extraordinary performance. He helped Tommy Mello scale A1 Garage Door to a half-billion dollar exit, with technicians going from $200-300k producers to $900k average - and top performers reaching $3 million.Andy Elliott had so much success running his team on Jonathan's system that he invested $2 million and partnered with Jonathan to co-create the Performance Machine - combining The Sales Boss methodology with ElliottHire's training and activation systems.Jonathan's superpower comes from an unusual place: growing up inside a religious cult. That experience taught him how to read human behavior with precision - and how identity, belief, and culture shape everything people do. Now he applies those insights to help leaders build organizations where humans perform at their highest level.In this episode, he walks through the Think | Feel | Act framework, explains Sacred Rhythms, and reveals why most companies are like a high school band when they could be Carnegie Hall. He also shares the Talent Reveal Interview - a group hiring method that lets you find your first $100k producer in 30 days.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction and opening hook3:08 The saddest thing about hiring7:14 Predictive hiring and the Reggie Blueprint12:59 Jonathan's cult backstory19:07 Think | Feel | Act explained28:41 Sacred Rhythms in action31:41 Inside Andy Elliott's sales meeting40:03 How the software platform works51:08 The Talent Reveal Interview55:55 Final question and closing

Most entrepreneurs were trained to win through competition, not collaboration. In this episode, Dan Sullivan and Shannon Waller show how the rules of improv—no one in charge, “yes, and,” and always supporting your partner—create transformative business partnerships, helping you think on your feet, combine unique strengths, and co‑create new value that competitors simply can't copy. Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:How the first two rules of improv translate directly into powerful business collaboration.What instantly shuts down collaboration and kills momentum.How Strategic Coach® workshops function as true collaborations between the coach and members.The structured way of thinking that Strategic Coach clients use to create new breakthroughs.What it really takes to be a great business coach. Show Notes: Strategic Coach® has always taken a theatrical approach to business, with a clear structure for entrepreneurs to bring their own content and breakthroughs. Thinking about your thinking lets you compare experiences, spot patterns, and create better solutions than you've had before. When you combine past experiences in new ways, you generate fresh ideas and opportunities that didn't exist on their own. At Coach, the workshop tools may stay the same, but what each entrepreneur focuses on and transforms is totally unpredictable. Great coaching means being comfortable with anything participants say or ask and using it as raw material for progress. Your work life and personal life work best when they collaborate instead of compete, supporting the same future. Most entrepreneurs grow up in a world of pure competition and have to consciously shift into collaboration. At the highest level, successful companies collaborate with other successful companies to create a “third thing” for shared clients. This “third thing” is a new value creation that competitors can't copy because they don't know how it was created. In improv and in collaboration, no one is the boss; each partner brings different strengths and has equal status. The first rule of improv is to say yes to any new idea your partner brings instead of debating or analyzing it to death. The second rule of improv is to actively support your partner's progress by adding value to what they've started. Powerful collaborators stay alert, curious, responsive, and resourceful so they can build on what's happening in real time.​Collaboration dies when your partner doesn't respond, fails to comment, opposes your idea, or refuses to contribute to it. The best collaborative days often come from letting go of rigid plans and following the energy of the group's best ideas.​Being a great collaborator means arriving prepared with a “quiver” of experiences and examples you can draw on in the moment. You can strengthen your improv muscle by asking unpredictable, high‑value questions rather than trying to have all the answers. Resources: Casting Not Hiring by Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff Thinking About Your Thinking by Dan Sullivan Unique Ability® Yes, And by Kelly Leonard and Tom Yorton

If you feel like everyone around you is racing ahead – launching faster, reading more, doing more, moving more quickly – this episode is for you. In this solo episode of Tales from The Lane, Kate explores a principle she first learned as a musician and now sees everywhere in life and work: Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. From music practice to reading, decorating a home, making decisions, deepening relationships, learning new skills, and building a business – Kate makes the case for moving more deliberately at the beginning so you can build something that actually lasts. This isn't an argument for procrastination or hesitation. It's an invitation to think differently about momentum, mastery, and sustainable growth. In this episode, Kate shares: What a career in music taught her about mastery and mistakes How slow decision-making can save you from fast mistakes How making one small change at a time creates lasting transformation And if you're ready to design a life and career that actually fit who you've become, Kate would love to support you.

#201 - Stop the Hustle: How Doing Less Can 10x Your Success with Brannon Poe, CPA, Author, Founder of Poe Group Advisors & Accounting Practice Academy   Create More Time, Profit & Freedom—Without Burning Out What if the key to greater success wasn't doing more—but finally doing less?   In this episode, I talk with Brannon Poe, a CPA and entrepreneur who's redefining what it means to “have it all.” Brannon helps accounting firm owners build, buy, and sell thriving practices—but the brilliance of his work isn't just in business strategy. It's in teaching high performers how to reclaim time, profit, and freedom without losing their sanity (or their marriages) in the process. We dig into how he discovered the power of margin, mindset, and unplugged vacations—and how every overextended professional can apply these same principles to their own lives. You'll hear: Why busy is the new burnout—and how to stop wearing it like a badge of honor. The deceptively simple mindset shift that separates exhausted achievers from calm high-performers. How a cruise, a laptop ultimatum, and a good wife sparked Brannon's “freedom revolution.” The truth about why stepping away (literally) makes your business—and your brain—work better. The 3-bucket strategy for reclaiming your calendar and your creativity. Why the most successful people he knows are also the most balanced. This conversation will challenge the part of you that thinks you can't slow down. Step in closer: you can—and your work, health, and happiness will thank you.  

Most entrepreneurs think the future is “Ai tools.”That's only half the game.The other half is IP - because if you're creating anything valuable, you either protect it, productize it, or you'll watch someone else monetize it.In this episode, Dan Sullivan and I make a 19-year commitment to a “Free Zone” collaboration - and we break down how to build 10x–100x partnerships using Ai + patents + thinking tools, without getting distracted, diluted, or stolen from.You'll see how Dan turns concepts into protectable assets (with an insane patent cadence), and how I'm turning conversations into prototypes, tools, and marketing - fast.If you're a founder who's overwhelmed with ideas, half-finished Ai outputs, or “vendors” who don't actually collaborate… you need to watch this.In this episode, Dan and I break down:The Free Zone collaboration model (and why vendors don't count)How Multiplier + Simplifier partnerships create patentable outputDan's real IP engine: 78 patents issued, 75 pending, and the workflow behind itDefensive vs. offensive IP: copyright + trademark + patentsWhy the real bottleneck isn't your market—it's distraction, isolation, and personal-life ceilingsHow to turn “what you already do” into a tool, framework, and protected assetWhy the future belongs to entrepreneurs, not giant corporationsTIMESTAMPS:00:00 The 19-Year Commitment01:28 Why This Collaboration Became the Model03:10 AI + Patents + Free Zone: The Big Bet04:25 Dan's Patent Engine (78 issued, 75 pending)06:23 Staying Simple in an AI World09:57 Fast Filter Applied to Our Collaboration15:52 Defensive vs. Offensive IP18:13 “I Self-Medicated With Thinking Tools” (Dan's story)21:33 How Dan Spots Patents Everywhere27:08 The Real Problem: Isolation + Distractibility33:28 Mike's “$10M Opportunities” AI Tool38:52 “Hero To” Clarity + Real Numbers45:35 The Hidden Growth Ceiling: Lifestyle + Identity54:59 The Plan: 10x the Podcast Audience58:31 “Instant IP” for Every Episode01:01:44 Why AI Talent Leaves Big Companies01:05:36 Next Steps: Story → Animation Trailer01:07:18 Wrap Up: Build Bigger With People You LikePS – When you're ready, here's how I can help: Join me for the Ai Accelerator Workshop this March 25th - LIVE from Genius Network Headquarters - register here: www.AiAccelerator.com/LiveWant to discover your next big opportunity? Meet me for a Cup of Coffee at my Digital Cafe (this is where we can meet): www.MikeKoenigs.com/1kCoffeeReady to reinvent yourself, your business, and your brand, and create “Your Next Act”? Watch this.

Dan Sullivan and Jeffrey Madoff explore three types of people in the business world, including corporate executives, professionals, and entrepreneurs. What does each group really talk about behind closed doors? Discover why entrepreneurs learn fastest from failure, how timing and trust shape every sale, and why capitalism only works when strangers choose to cooperate. Show Notes: Corporate executives are rewarded for telling success stories because bonuses and shareholder expectations are tied to constant growth.​Professionals build their reputation by talking through complex problems they solve for clients, not by showcasing glossy wins.​​When one entrepreneur has the courage to share a failure, it reassures everyone else that they're not alone and creates a community where setbacks are normal, human, and okay to talk about. Entrepreneurs rarely have anyone who understands every angle of their world, which is why they need rooms full of other entrepreneurs.​​The marketplace is always right in the moment, and a “no” simply means the buyer did not want that offer at that time.​You can be early, in the wrong market, or talking to the wrong audience, so every new idea is a timing and positioning experiment.​​​​The first purchase in any deal is always the relationship, so if a prospect won't share meaningful information, you should walk away fast.​​​​​Comeback and redemption stories resonate so strongly because entrepreneurs intuitively value people who get knocked down and then create a bigger future anyway.​​Resources: Your Business Is A Theater Production: Your Back Stage Shouldn't Show On The Front Stage The D.O.S. Conversation by Dan Sullivan How To Sell Transformation Using This One Question Learn more about Jeffrey Madoff Dan Sullivan and Strategic Coach®

Keith breaks down where the U.S. housing market appears to be headed and which regions and states are quietly winning or losing in the population shuffle since 2020—and what that could mean for real estate investors.  You'll also hear about an intriguing cash-flow play in single-family rentals in select Southern markets. Then, Keith is joined by financial strategist and comedian Garrett Gunderson, who challenges the usual "scrimp and save" advice. Together, they explore how to build real wealth without sacrificing your life today, how high-net-worth individuals often get money wrong, and a different way to think about financial independence, freedom, and investing in yourself. Resources: Get Garrett Gunderson's Killing Sacred Cows audiobook free: DM @GarrettBGunderson on Instagram with the words "Keith Cows." Episode Page: GetRichEducation.com/595 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   Keith, welcome to GRE. I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, is the future direction of the housing market trending up or trending down? Which states have seen the most population growth? Then powerful wealth mindset tactics with a financial comedian today on get rich education   Speaker 1  0:20   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 and 188 world nations. He has a list show guests and keep 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  1:04   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   Speaker 2  1:38   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  1:54   Welcome to GRE from Mount Rainier to Mount Rushmore and across 188 nations worldwide. I'm Keith Weinhold, and this is get rich education. I am not a Lambo driving influencer that will take any brand deal just to shill a gambling platform instead. Our core strategy at GRE is aging. Well, I've spoken with a lot of LP investors with capital calls and deals that lost all their money. Well, we approach wealth building with discipline and consistency. It doesn't sound dazzling, but it really shines when things go wrong elsewhere, because at least for the core of our portfolios, we get long term fixed rate debt for income property get paid five ways and win the inflation triple crown, and we do it all with a high degree of passivity. Right before I took the mic today, I got a two sentence email from a property manager that said an air conditioning unit's air handler board had to be replaced for $420 I don't even know what an air handler board really is. Now, the manager sent some photos in a written estimate. I quickly checked chat GPT, and I saw that the price was about right, and replied to my manager to go ahead and have that done. That's it an example of relative passivity. US residential real estate has nominally appreciated over every single 10 year period in modern history, despite some occasional short term downturns, even those are not common. Well, we recently had a guest mention that it's 20 years at the longest like 20 years or less is the period of time between which real estate never goes down. He was right. But you actually can't find any 10 year period where home values fell. What about the 2008 global financial crisis, I think that's the first place that the mind goes. Well back then, home values bottomed out at 208k in 2009 before they started growing again. And 10 years before that, the median price it was 157k in 1999 so even when home values hit their GFC low at that point, they were still up 32% from the previous 10 years. So you can confidently say then that over any 10 year period, home prices are up nationally. Now, how about the future? Well, for the future, there is more evidence of rising home prices. Building permits for new homes have fallen to their lowest level since 2019 that's according to the census bureau. So fewer single family homes are being built. Now we plan to discuss that more on. Next week show when we dive deep on does America really have a housing shortage? But this week, more reasons for future home price bullishness is that the labor market now, it's not doing that great. It sure isn't white hot, but unemployment, which was already low, that recently dropped a touch lower to just 4.3% inflation has fallen to 2.4% and wages are rising faster than that. In fact, our own Fed Chair recently remarked at how he's surprised at the strength of the economy. The property market analytics firm kotality, they now expect home prices to appreciate another four and a half percent this year. They and other firms continue to believe that the Midwest will be the hottest area of home price growth even more than that four and a half percent in that region. That is because not only is the Midwest underbuilt, it's that the prices are so affordable that it's attracting young people. The other factor is that mortgage rates recently dipped just below six into the high fives again, and that can release this pent up housing demand, and think about where we've come from. In late 2023 mortgage rates were about 8% and now lower mortgage rates also reduce the lock in effect, so it can create both more sellers and more buyers. The thing to remember is that 70% to 80% of home sellers are also home buyers because they've got to live somewhere. And first time homebuyers, of course, they buy only, they don't sell anything. In fact, former GRE guest in housing wire lead analyst Logan modeshami and Barry Habib were just positing on this at housing wire's latest summit on how the volume of home sales has been depressed for so long that lower rates could very well trigger a rush of buyers, these kind of people that have been delaying purchasing for years, this pent up housing demand being released if indeed rates go lower. People think they know the future, but we don't really know that that's going to happen for sure. But a lot of optimism about this phase of the housing market supported by not great, but decent economic conditions. Of course, that new housing demand is going to manifest unevenly across the nation. So let's talk about the places that have seen the most population growth from 2020 to today, basically the states that support that housing demand. Well, between 2020 and today, the US has grown by about 10 million people. That's over 3% nearly every state grew. But the bigger story is where that growth is happening. And really, here's the jaw dropper as a region, the South, gained more people than all of the other regions combined, about 7.6 million new residents in the south since 2020 the South's population is up 6% the West's almost 2% the Midwest population is up more than 1% and The Northeast up seven tenths of 1% again, this is not per year. This is total population growth from 2020 to today, Florida and Texas, they led the nation among the big states, both up almost 9% sprinting like they just found out that income tax is optional. The Carolinas in Tennessee are big southern growers too. People clearly keep moving toward warmer weather, a lower cost of living, lower taxes and job markets. Nothing new there. California in New York are the biggest losers in absolute numbers, California losing half of 1% of population in New York, a full 1% people keep moving away from these traditionally expensive, high tax coastal states like a buffet when the crab legs run out, people just getting up and leaving. That's not any sort of news story there, either. These trends help cash flow residential real estate investors like us, because the south aligns with that favorable landlord tenant law and those high ratios of rent income to purchase price. Luckily for us, that's where people are moving too. The Midwest has those phenomena as well, although their growth has been slower.    Keith Weinhold  9:39   Now a few Midwest highlights for you. Since 2020 the population of Indiana is up 2.8% quietly benefiting from Illinois. Escape Velocity, Missouri up almost 2% and that's growing mostly in Kansas City and St Louis suburbs. Ohio at almost 1% that's pretty modest growth overall, but Columbus up 5% that is flexing like it just landed a semiconductor plant there in Columbus, the intermountain west has bicep bulging growth, but it rarely works for us, because rents are only a little higher, but property prices are way higher. Yes, those pretty Rocky Mountain states, great Instagram, tough cash flow now Louisiana, it is a state that confounds people. It's a warm place, and it has a low cost of living, you would think Louisiana would be attracting people in droves for those reasons. Well, then why is its population following Louisiana down nine tenths of 1% since 2020 Well, you've got bleak job prospects that make Louisianans leave its tax competitiveness ranks 31st property insurance costs are high thanks to environmental risk. Louisiana has more swamps than beaches. Even the NFL saints were six and 11, and if they had made the playoffs, that wouldn't have made people move back. And hey, no personal shade here, I enjoy going to the New Orleans investment conference in Cajun culture, in Airboat Tours through the alligator filled Bayou, fun stuff, but for income producing property, you got to seek out different characteristics than just vacation Glee or how Good the gumbo tastes keep emotion separate from investing, Hawaii is America's biggest percentage loser. Its population is down one and a half percent since 2020 its cost of living is stratospherically high, with a median home value of just a little over a million dollars. That results in net outmigration to the mainland parts of the Aloha state now experience natural decrease. That means that deaths exceed births. Natural decrease. That's mostly a phenomenon on the Big Island. That's not where Honolulu is. That's where you have Kona and Hilo when young people can't afford to stay demographic gravity kicks in population loss. Hawaii is also highly dependent on tourism, meaning more volatility in recessions. It has contractor availability issues and higher repair costs, partly due to shipping materials to the remote islands. What about the upsides of Hawaiian real estate? Well, you're just going to have this inherent, strong, long term land scarcity and lifestyle desirability overall. Hawaii isn't bad. It's just hard. And I like Hawaii as a place to vacation, so the best times in my life were in Hawaii. Now, with all this said, These are broad generalities about states which are big places themselves right now. There are certainly Missouri real estate investors listening to me that are actually losing, and Hawaii real estate investors that are winning, and even cash flow positive. I'm talking general trends here, and this is with respect to long term rentals, not short term rentals. If your rent to price ratio is as low as point three or point four, like it often is near the coasts, well then you are speculating on appreciation. That's what that means. All 50 states have opportunity. All 50 states have no go zones. People keep moving south. That's a trend that the pandemic accelerated six years ago. More opportunity is concentrated there. That's got nothing to do with vacation excitement. That is population math, and I'm talking about swimming with the tide here in our Don't quit your Daydream newsletter I recently sent you that colorful population change map that I was describing some of there. More recently, I also emailed you that great and rare map of landlord friendly versus tenant friendly states mapped out and a lot of other great stuff.    Keith Weinhold  14:17   Before we bring in our firebrand guest, Garrett Gunderson, I just learned about a really strong opportunity for a provider of single family rentals and duplexes in Memphis and Little Rock. They're providing a locked in 5% interest rate and 5% property management for five years. Yeah, that's not a throwback to 2020 it's what mid south homebuyers calls their triple five program. They are the oldest and most trusted, maybe turnkey investment provider in the country, operating since 2002 and what they do is they offer these fully renovated, occupied rental properties in Memphis and Little Rock, two of the strongest cash flow markets in the South. With financing and management and rates that make the math work like it hasn't in years. So again, 5% interest, 5% property management fees for a full five years. You know those markets, they already had these investor advantage numbers with rent to price ratios mere point eight in Memphis and Little Rock. But yeah, that low 5% mortgage rate, even for renovated properties, not just new build. That's the kind of spread that turns a good deal into a great one. So to give you an idea, if you get a 30 year fixed rate mortgage loan amount of 125k with a 7% mortgage rate, your principal and interest payment is 832, at a 5% rate, it's just 671, so that's $160 more cash flow right there, and it's made a tad sweetener than that with just a 5% Property Management rate. And I don't know how long that offer is going to last, but it is available now and for the next little while, you can ask about it. When you visit mid southhomebuyers.com that's mid southhomebuyers.com and you can ask them about their triple five program. More next. I'm Keith Weinhold. You're listening to Episode 595, of get rich education.    Keith Weinhold  16:19   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/gre. 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,   Dani-Lynn Robison  18:08   this is freedom family investments. Co founder, Danny Lynn Robinson, listen to get rich education with Keith Weinhold, and don't quit your Daydream. You Brenda.   Keith Weinhold  18:24   Today's guest is someone that America knows as the long haired, bearded money guy in the past, he's drawn physical appearance comparisons to Jesus Christ. He's a prominent financial strategist. Founded an eight figure company, hit the Inc 500 he's both a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. He is just an electric speaker, including appearances in front of dozens of billionaires. And he's just got this great way of speaking to financial freedom that hits you differently. He even has a comedy special that's great to welcome back to the show. Garrett Gunderson,   Garrett Gunderson  19:02   that's good to be back. Man. Is really good. Love your energy. Has a nice intro.   Keith Weinhold  19:07   Well, you give a lot of like, nice guidance to people that's somewhat different than they're used to hearing. You know, Garrett, I think a lot of the conventional guidance is, you know, it's not very far above Elementary School advice like, put your credit card in the freezer so you don't use it too often, but a lot of times you speak to either business owners or people that have already had some success, and I think a lot of your underlying mantra is, hey, you better live your best life now   Garrett Gunderson  19:35   I kind of feel like you are your greatest asset, and if you starve out that asset because you don't feed it with knowledge, or you don't invest in yourself, or you don't gain the skills that really matter because you're so addicted to scrimping and sacrificing and building your balance sheet right, trying to build savings accounts and retirement plans and doing all you can to pay off that mortgage. Yeah, you could become a millionaire on paper. But will you live like one? Will you enjoy your. Life. What about all the memories that you miss along the way? What about having quality of life today and creating a life you don't want to retire from? The wealthy people, they didn't get that way because they shrunk their way there. They didn't get that way because they were amazing budgeters. They built businesses. They created value. They learned how to, you know, sell or speak or market or have business acumen that grow business or to hire people, and having those systems that actually impact more people or more deeply impact the people that they serve, because it's about value creation and their value creators. And I think this notion of just thinking, Oh, I could just trade time for money and set money aside. Man, that's a really painful way to get to a million dollars, but Northwestern Mutual, they just put out an article that said, 32 or 34% of millionaires don't feel wealthy, because if you have money tied up in an account that isn't kicking off cash flow, it doesn't feel like wealth. You can't spend that net worth. It's just a statement if you don't learn how to create cash flow. And I love financial independence, where people have cash flow from assets to cover their expenses now their lifestyle is covered from that cash flow. Now they can reinvest every active dollar into themselves and their quality of life, into more cash flowing assets, into taking trips along the way, not just waiting until they're too old to enjoy it.   Keith Weinhold  21:13   You work with business owners all the time, and you've even worked with some ultra high net worth people that still seemed to scrimp and save. Do you think really, what is that the function of? Is it more of the wrong mindset or the wrong tactics when someone acts that way?   Garrett Gunderson  21:32   It's a mindset that's really kind of handed down to them? Yeah, maybe from their parents or grandparents or from a different era, like there's people that were, you know, in the Great Depression, that then tells stories to their family about how tough it was, and you never know when that money could go away. So you got to hold tight, and it's a scarcity mindset. So one of the wealthiest clients I ever had, I mean, this was a guy who he was worth a lot of money, but you would never know it. I saw him on TV one day. I was like, Dude, he needs new clothes, and we found a strategy to save him a bunch of money. He was just buying his inventory with cash or like, let's buy it on a plum card, and you'll get cash back. I just said, Just take 10% of that cash back, which was over $100,000 a month, and spend it on yourself. He's like, Well, I wouldn't know to spend it on I'm like, Well, how about some new clothes to start with? He's like, Okay. And then the next month, he bought a nest system for his house. The next month he bought a sound system. Eventually, saved up enough money to buy a Tesla, which he really wanted, like it was money that was there for him, but it changed his entire paradigm, because now he had a quality of life. He was very philanthropic and donated money. He built massive businesses, but he never treated himself well. He'd never felt like it was okay to spend that money because of his upbringing, because the way that his parents viewed money and the way that their parents viewed money, and it was always something that felt scarce. So it felt like, okay, will this go away? And the reality was, we just found money in your couch cushions, essentially. So why not enjoy it along the way? He eventually bought a home that he loved on the water, that he loves the garden. I mean, it was like a total transformation with that one simple thing to help him heal his relationship with money, overcome scarcity, because he was already highly productive. He just had to break free from this budgetary mindset.   Keith Weinhold  23:09   That's great. It was almost like, Dude, I can see it in you. Before we even talk. You got that code off the rack at Burlington. I swear you can do better than this. Come on, now   Garrett Gunderson  23:17    30 years ago, 30 years ago too. You know, it doesn't even fit anymore.   Keith Weinhold  23:23   Well, you know, I recently dedicated a complete episode Garrett to the way I put it is that the risk of delayed gratification is denied gratification. Now, there are some good things to be said for delayed gratification, I think, especially when you're younger, or you're just starting out in the working world, and you just tried to cover rent for your apartment and you don't have much else. Delaying some gratification is good. You need to form capital. You need to get liquid. I try to avoid saying stacking savings, because that gets people in the mindset of becoming super savers sometimes, and they miss out on returns. But what I mean about the risk of delayed gratification, being denied gratification, if it's taken too great of an extent, is, you know, I'm talking about the guy where, when he was 24 he used to say, Oh, I'm going to visit the Galapagos Islands someday. That's what I want to do. But you can just tell by the time you talk to the dude, when he's 48 he begins to use the past tense for things he wanted to do, for example, then he might start saying, Oh, well, I guess I never did visit the Galapagos Islands. You know, you can tell with people when they use the past tense, and that's when you know that their future is not bigger than their past, and a lot of that is the reflection of their financial status.   Garrett Gunderson  24:40   I got married at age 23 and the first two years, well, it was really like the first year and a half, maybe I was just such a miser. I gave my wife a $400 a month budget for an apartment, and we found out that there's places you don't want to live in Utah. I didn't know it, but she's like, is this what you want? And I was like, This doesn't feel like a safe neighborhood. And then you. Know, I was like, All right, maybe $600 I was still kind of really scarce. And my parents were like, Why don't you just live in our basement, rent free, and my wife's like, sex free. If you think that's where we're living, I'm gonna live in my parents basement, you know? Because I just thought money was something to save. So I saved me over 50% of my income. And a lot of people were like, that's amazing. Congratulations. Great job. And so I felt really good about it, and then I realized that my business wasn't growing as fast as this other person my age. I met him at an event, and a year later, he was doing better. And I was like, Dude, what's going on? I could hear it in your voice. I could hear like, you're just a different person. He goes, Oh, I'm doing two things. One, I just hired this guy, Steve D'Annunzio, and he changed my entire life. And I was like, I need to meet him. He's like, he happens to be here in Vegas. He's from Rochester. Introduced me. I hired him as my coach right away. I'm hearing all these people talk about strategic coach at the same event, and they had a booth. So I signed up for Strategic Coach, which meant I had to part with some of my money. Think it was $7,500 I hired Steve as a one on one mentor, and all of a sudden I was investing in myself, yeah. And I broke free from those chains of like, reduction and restriction into the game of production. And then I even had a situation where a woman called me out at the same event. This was a life changing event where she's like, I wonder what it's like living in a financial prison you built for your wife. It's like, Oh, see, that's what happened. I thought I was responsible, and building that responsibility that's actually building walls. And when I came home for that event, my wife and I started looking for our home. Within a few months, we found one. I bought a home. It was very easily within my means. I basically made as much as I paid for this house that we loved. We lived there for nine years. We built so many memories. You know, we had our two kids while we were there, I started host study groups, and that year, I grew my income by $170,000 with the coaching of strategic coach, Steve dnunzio And this woman, Nancy, calling me out. The next year, it grew by even more because the skills started to compound. I decided from that moment forward, I would spend at least $40,000 a year, which I might be able to reach for some people, but at least $40,000 a year on mentors. Is a guy named Alan. He writes my meal plans and my workouts, and I'm at 10% body fat because he knows exactly what they do. I do what he says. It was worth this $10,000 investment, because now I pay attention what I pay for, and I look at like if I'm my greatest asset, how can I create more energy? How can I create more value? How can I feel better about myself? How can I show up the very best version of I am, so I can deliver the most to the other people. And so I've always just been in amazing groups. I just got back from two different events in Beverly Hills around amazing people, learning incredible things that allow me to grow. I haven't spent a huge amount of money on a mentor last year to figure out something that I hadn't been able to figure out to this point. It's the same thing I did to become a speaker, to become a writer or even learn how to sell or market, you've got to invest in the skill, not just in the savings account. You grow yourself first, and then you grow your money. If you starve yourself out because you're in that miserly mindset, you're going to stunt your growth and never be fully fulfilled.   Keith Weinhold  27:56   You're your own best investment. And yes, this stuff is the varying definition of investing in yourself. Don't live below your means. Grow your means and all of that.   Garrett Gunderson  28:05   Grow your means and be more efficient within your means. I mean, the best way I know how to save is not overpay on tax, which 98% of business owners are doing that today. You know, don't overpay on interest, because you either restructure your loans, renegotiate your interest rates, reallocate underpouring funds to pay it off, or you remove investment drag. A lot of people have unnecessary fees and hidden commissions that drag on their investments. Or just design your insurance properly so it's more efficient. Those four i's, IRS, interest, investments and insurance show you how to keep more of what you make, take some of that money, build up your foundation so you have a peace of mind fund, so you have staying power, at least six months of liquidity and then invest more into yourself or learn how to create cash flow. This is the game the wealthy play. But the poor middle class, they think it's about paying off a mortgage and funding the retirement plan, and they will argue about it until it's too late, when they get there and now their homes paid off, but the property taxes are higher than their mortgage was 20 years ago, you know. Or they have home maintenance they have to take care of, or inflation has destroyed the value. Like if someone were to put away 100 grand and they wait for 30 years if they got 10% which the market did the last 30 years, if you reinvest dividends, they're going to have right around $1.7 million but if they have to pay 2% in fees, fiduciary fees, 12 b1 fees, which are marketing fees for the fund expense ratio, you know, the fees of maybe a retirement plan, and they now have 2% fees. It only goes to 1.1 million. Huge difference. And that 1.1 million if we account for inflation, even if we said inflation was low, like 2.7% over that 30 years. Well, by the time we pay for inflation and tax, guess what? The purchasing power value is like, 300 grand $300,000 that's a problem, and it's because they didn't learn to create cash flow. It's because they didn't learn to invest in themselves. It's because they relied completely on a market they don't control. I'm not saying the market is completely something to avoid. I'm saying we go in sequence. How do you grow your income for. First, then how do you keep more of the income you make with? You know, financial savvy and plugging leaks. Then learn to grow your money, but maybe growing your money. For some I like to think of like three dimensional assets, like real estate's three dimensional. It can grow in equity, it can create cash flow, and it has tax advantages. But my business is three dimensional, the more my business creates cash flow, without me, the more equity it has, and that business has major tax advantages. So most people are one dimensional, pay off a loan, put a money in retirement account. That's the poor, middle class. Wealthy people build a system where they've got three dimensional assets, equity, cash flow and tax savings. And that is a complete game changer, because then they can employ the buy borrowed I strategy, if you have assets like, you know, an individual stock, or if you have assets, like a piece of real estate or a business, you could borrow against it. There's no tax on that five for life, right? You keep refinancing. Or you can even do charitable trust to avoid the taxes upon the sell of those paying no tax when there's gains. Or you can pass it on to the next generation with a step up in basis, which means they get it at the full value and not have to pay the difference. And if you have life insurance, the life insurance will pay back the loan that tax free as well. So buy, borrow, die. I mean, it's a completely different thought process of defer taxes. If you defer taxes, I get it. You could do a Roth IRA or Roth 401. K Sure, that'll let you put after tax money in and grow it. But where's the cash flow? What's the underlying investment? How does it help you create financial independence? How does it help you does it help you grow your skills to become a better investor? We've been taught to be lazy, not that people are lazy. We've just been taught to be lazy with our money. We've been fed a narrative. I don't have the time, I don't have the skill, I don't have the interest, but I want to have it, so I just hand it over. And who do we hand it over to Keith Wall Street. Wall would you trust Wall Street? Like you flew to Frankfurt not long ago. Would you get on Wall Street airlines where they're like, hey, sometimes our planes go up, sometimes they go down. That would brand, and he'd feel inspired, right? Would you go to Wall Street, you know, hospital? Or like, hey, he lost one of your kidneys, and by loss, we stole it and resold it. You know, like, Wall Street doesn't have a brand. That's good. It's boiler room. It's Wolf of Wall Street. It's the movie Wall Street with Michael Douglas. You know, greed is good like yet that's what people put their money into. And you can go to any downtown and any major city, and guess who has the biggest buildings, insurance companies, banks and Wall Street investment companies. So you're taking the size of your home and shrinking it to build up their building and put money in their pocket. And their story is, it's because they're Ivy League, they're smart. They try to make it complicated, but you don't have to know most of the things you think you need to know about finance. The foundational things are important, how to protect your assets, how to design insurance, to transfer risk, how to have some liquidity, how to automate your savings. And then you focus like Warren Buffett would teach. He said, You know how people would become a better investor if they only had 20 investments they could make over their lifetime? He says, I don't diversify because I'm in the know. He's like, I'm a good businessman, therefore I'm a good investor and I'm a good investor because I'm a good businessman. I don't separate the two. Yeah, most people think he's a stock market investor. No, he buys out the companies in the stock market. Rarely does he have minority stakes in it. He does have some of that, maybe with Coca Cola and apple, but he bought a lot of companies outright, whether it was Geico, whether it was See's Candies, whether it was like he buys these companies, he's so far outperformed the stock market by billions of dollars from an index fund like what he has, versus someone that put the same money in an index fund, Warren has billions more from his investments than the person that put all their money in the index fund, even if it was the same amount. It's completely about strategy, not about luck.   Keith Weinhold  33:30   Yeah, it's the Andrew Carnegie, put all your eggs in one basket and then watch your basket. Yeah? Watch that basket like a hawk. Totally. Yeah. I mean, stacks mutual funds, they have what I call those five simultaneous drags. If you think you're getting a 10% long term return over time, subtract out inflation, emotion, taxes, fees and volatility. What do you have left? Not much. But there's no friction there. It is just the easiest thing to do ever since decades ago, 401 K contributions begin to become automated throughout your paycheck, sometimes even automatically, automated   Garrett Gunderson  34:04   values your permission opt out. It's easy. You have to opt out, right? It's Big Brother. You don't know what's best for you. And by the way, how crazy are four one K's. Part of the reason the market has gone up in value is because people consistently fund for one case, whether the market's going up or down, they're told $8 cost average. So that's artificially fueling the market. When we see the numbers, there's a buffet index, and it's like 2.9 times higher than what he's comfortable with, with the stock market, because of how overinflated the market is, partially due to inflation, partially because people put money in. But let's remember, why did 401, K's even come about? Because pensions failed. And by the way, these pensions failed and they had world class money managers managing these multi billion dollar pensions, but they didn't know about something called disinvesting, or didn't know enough about it. When the market goes down and pension money is owed, they still have to pull money out of the pension to pay the employee which disinvests, which pulls more money out of the account. So now instead of just being 10% down, they might be 17% down. And so even if the market comes back 10% it's 10% of only 83% of the money. So not even back to square one. And if it goes down a second year in a row, they're in real trouble. It starts to chip away at the principal, and they can't recover. And that happened to pensions, and they said, Oh, here, we can't handle these. We're going bankrupt. We're going to get rid of pensions. You take care of it. Well, guess what? Vanguard says, the average balance in a 401, k right now is $148,000 how someone's supposed to live on $148,000 even if you could get 10% that's $14,800 a year taxable, that's not going to do it. Even if you have a million dollars, where are you going to put the million dollars to get the return without risking it going down? Maybe you're going to be in treasuries at 5% that's $50,000 taxable per year. You're a millionaire on paper, but living poorly. That's why I'm here to call these things out. I think that my book Killing Sacred Cows, which was my original New York Times bestseller, which is probably how we met. Yeah, I rewrote it. I rewrote it, rereleased it in 2024 and I'll give people the audiobook. They just have to DM me on Instagram. Garrett B Gunderson and DM the word cows with Keith's name, cows and Keith or Keith and cows. I'll hook you up with the book for free, so you can learn about the nine financial myths. We're talking about some of them here, but there's also some comedy in there, so they can laugh after each chapter. I threw some comedy in there. You know, if you like my comedy, I'm not the funniest comedian. I'm just the funniest money comedian. That's the reality.   Keith Weinhold  36:33   When we had the very inventor of the 401 k plan, Ted benna, come onto the show, he revealed to us that when 401 K plans rolled out, they were first called salary reduction plans. They had to scrap that name in order to foster participation. But reducing your salary is still principally what it does to you. You got to think about it that way and blow up some of these myths. But Garrett, you've already given a lot of great technical information about what someone can do, how someone can think differently. Bigger pictures, we're sort of winding down here. You know, when I'm thinking about this whole delayed versus denied gratification thing, how do you meter it out right throughout your life? I mean, what's your earmark your family legacy? How do you meter it out, right so you don't have too much or too little at the end of your life?   Garrett Gunderson  37:15   I like to see this strategy of, like, what would the rockfellers do that I wrote about is, you know, the beginning before that strategy is you pay yourself first, which has always been around Richest Man in Babylon. Tons of books talk about it. My argument is you want to pay yourself at least 15% of your personal income, off the top, to a separate account. Once you get six months in that account, now you start to invest that money, but you build your stability with that peace of mind. And we want 15% because the luxury once enjoyed becomes a necessity. So you want more money in the future, not the future, not less propensity to you know, there's also, just like planned obsolescence, things break down. You have to repair them. Technological change, we're buying new technology that doesn't even exist. I have now subscriptions to a bunch of AI things that help me out, right? But I'm spending more money. There's also taxes, those could go up in the future, or 38 trillion in debt as we film this, which is a crazy number. And there's also inflation. If we give 3% to each of those five factors, that's 15% now again, use the four i's, IRS, interest, investments and insurance to find that money, not just budgeting. But then here's the magic. At least 3% of your income should go to a separate account called the Living wealthy account. That's your guilt free spending, value based spending account, so you enjoy some money along the way. These are the things that are the finer things in life that people might say are wasteful. You know, there's a book called unreasonable hospitality that talks about this, 11 Madison Avenue was the number one rated restaurant in the world. And, you know, will who wrote the book talked about they had 3% of their budget to just go wild on their customers dream making money, right? So to create the special experience in the restaurant, and even the bear, I think was season three, showed some of that process of how they do that. So I highly recommend taking a certain percentage. You get to enjoy along the way. It could be higher than 3% but start there, and you're going to feel better, you're going to have different energy, you're going to show up in a different way. And then from there, I just believe in having trust, so that your money's outside of your estate, and protecting financial predators so you own nothing but control everything. And I personally use life insurance. I use just standard over, you know, like basically properly structured, optimally funded whole life, so that death benefit will come in after I die. It allows me to spend more of my money and then have it replenished so I can enjoy more of my money along the way, because I know that death benefit will be there for my wife or even for my family trust after I'm gone, so I don't disinherit the people that I love.   Keith Weinhold  39:31   Garrett Gunderson, he can take you through these steps, which he calls financially fit, to financially independent, and then finally to financially free. Tell us a little more about that going through those steps.   Garrett Gunderson  39:44   So financial fitness means your financial house is in order. You've got everything handled properly, car insurance, homeowners, liability, disability, medical life insurance, your corporate structures as a business owner, how you pay yourself, your taxes the last three years and move. Moving forward your investments. It's like, you know what it's going on. You've improved your cash flow, and you're dialed in. You're as safe as you could possibly be. Then financial independence is, how can we create income, especially from a business that comes in when you don't, that's people, that's processes, that's technology, so that you can be involved, but you don't have to be involved. This is the part most people miss, yeah, and I think it's crazy. A lot of people have this notion they're just going to work so hard so they can sell their business one day, I'm like, What about just creating a business that you love so much you don't want to sell it? What about giving up the things that are burning you out and have the employees that can take care of that so you do the things that you love and then just enjoy life along the way, take some little trips, take some time off and come back in. The business grows up when you're away, they learn how to do things without you, and then you can still create value into that business. I sold the business in 2021 and really regretted it, because I kind of was so removed from the business. I kind of felt like it lost its soul and I didn't feel connected to it. So this time around, I started a business in July of 2024 I'm like, I'm only going to work with the P with the people I love, building things that I love, and I'm not going to let myself get burned out by doing too much. We're going to take two weeks in Hawaii coming up here in April, just enjoy some time together as a family. We do quarterly family retreats with my wife and kids. We do traditions with my family up at my cabin, like I want to have this great life where it's blurs the lines between work and play. I have a little quote from someone else that talks about that art of life is blurring the lines between work and play, but also just having complete play sometimes that there is no work. So I come back refreshed, relaxed, rejuvenated and ready to create. And so really, that financial independence gives you permission to swing for the fences and what you do, knowing your foundation is handled, knowing that your lifestyle is covered, from assets to create cash flow gives you work optional freedom. But instead of retiring, think, what could your biggest impact be like? Create the life you don't want to retire from. Create a vision so compelling you can dedicate your life to it and find that the win is actually in the work, not just the outcome. I think that is the elegance of we win when we play, and when we have more play in our life. We don't try to escape from something. And when you start something, you might have to do things you hate, but you can eventually delegate it, and then life becomes great. I mean, one of my early coaches, Dan Sullivan, who I mentioned, a strategic coach. He's in his 80s, still behemoth of creating value in the in the market. To listen to him, you know, he's phenomenal. He's made such a huge difference in my life, and he has no intent of retiring. He just gets smarter every year, adds more value, builds more infrastructure, and he's the one that taught me the merit of free days, just taking time off, taking time away. So, yeah, that's financial independence. Is cash flow, and then financial freedom is a state of mind. It's when money is no longer the primary reason or excuse you would do or not do something. It's a consideration, but it's no longer the consideration means that you have a healthy relationship with money. Money is an asset and an ally, not an enemy. You don't come from a place of scarcity. You come from a place of abundance. You can be more present with your family and doing what you do without feeling distracted. I think wealth is our ability to be present, not necessarily how much money we have in a bank account. I think we have a good amount of money in a bank account, and we can be present. That is like true wealth.   Keith Weinhold  43:12   It harkens back to the John D Rockefeller, he who works all day has no time to make money. Rockefeller would have said, you can architect a wealth plan if your head is down on the assembly line, that means gradually move your offer. It's from trading your time for dollars over to owning assets that pay you to own them. Garrett's comedy special is called the American Ream. There's no D in that word, R, E, A, M. You can look that up, Garrett. It's been enlightening as always. Thanks so much for coming back onto the show.   Garrett Gunderson  43:43   Hey man, good to be back.   Keith Weinhold  43:51   Always. A lively conversation with Garrett, besides some great mindset perspective, he's really good at saving you tax and setting you up with asset protection. Though he's not as real estateish as me, he's pretty savvy. For example, He's aligned on the fact that, for example, say you have an 80k debt. Well, it doesn't necessarily mean that it makes sense for you to pay that off sometimes it does, but what happens to your net worth anytime you pay off an 80k debt, well, let's see. You've reduced your asset side by 80k and you've reduced your debt side by 80k so your net worth is the same, and retiring the debt means that you might have lost leverage, lost cash flow and lost tax advantages, all at the same time on Instagram, send a DM with the two words, Keith Cows to Garrett B Gunderson, and he'll hook you up with his book for free next week on the show, we go deep on does America really have a housing shortage with an expert analyst. Until then, I'm your host. Keith Weinhold, don't quit your Daydream.    Speaker 4  45:01   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  45:29   The preceding program was brought to you by your home for wealth. Building, get richeducation.com  

Dr. Kevin Christie interviews Shannon Waller of Strategic Coach about entrepreneurial alignment and leadership for chiropractors. Shannon shares how she joined Strategic Coach after working in corporate training and dealer assessment programs, starting in sales and later moving into training design and building team programs. They discuss a key mindset shift: seeing yourself as an entrepreneur with a specialty in chiropractic care, not only a doctor focused on craft. Shannon explains Strategic Coach's Unique Ability framework—activities range from incompetent and competent to the “excellent trap” (superior skill and strong reputation, but boredom), and finally Unique Ability (superior skill plus passion), which she describes as a 10x return. Shannon outlines a leadership model based on self-awareness, team awareness, and business awareness. They cover delegation extremes that sabotage teamwork: the “delegation death grip” and “drive-by delegation.” Shannon recommends Strategic Coach's Impact Filter to clarify purpose, ideal outcome, risks, and success criteria. They close with Strategic Coach fit criteria (minimum $200,000 personal income and three years in business) and resources at strategiccoach.com and yourteamsuccess.com.

Happiness can be tricky for entrepreneurs, especially when the outside world thinks you've already “made it.” In this episode, Dan Sullivan shares a simple daily framework for staying genuinely happy as an entrepreneur, regardless of what's happening in your business, your relationships, or the larger world around you.Here's some of what you'll learn in this episode:Why an entrepreneur's happiness depends on three simple ingredients.How to measure your daily achievement in a way that actually feels like progress.What excites Dan most about creating and sharing a brand-new thinking tool.Why your greatest value shows up when you spend your time doing activities you genuinely love. Show Notes: Entrepreneurial happiness comes from a way of being that you practice every day, not a goal or a destination. The first ingredient for a happy entrepreneurial life is making real daily progress, not just occasional big wins. Measuring yourself against an ideal future is like measuring your distance to the horizon line—you never feel any closer. You feel genuinely successful when you measure progress against where you started and what you've actually achieved. A simple end-of-day reflection on what you accomplished turns an ordinary day into a tangible gain you can build on tomorrow. The second ingredient for a happy entrepreneur is liking who you are, which means appreciating how you handle setbacks, not pretending you've never made mistakes.When you give yourself grace for past decisions, it becomes much easier to extend that same grace to other people. Even if you don't achieve your goal, you can be pleased with how you went about things. Being truly useful to other people each day is the third ingredient that makes entrepreneurial happiness feel complete.Strategic Coach® is built on hundreds of thinking tools that help entrepreneurs reframe situations and recognize the progress they're actually making. These three ingredients—progress, self-liking, and usefulness—keep you grounded in the present instead of trapped in past regrets or future fantasies. Of the three, liking who you are carries special weight because without self-respect, progress and usefulness don't feel satisfying.It's hard to feel useful doing work you're not good at or don't enjoy, so designing your role around your Unique Ability® is crucial for happiness. Greater self-awareness helps you like yourself more because you understand which situations you handle well and which ones you should avoid or delegate. Dan describes happiness as living in “local reality”—what's real, available, and actionable right now, instead of chasing someone else's reality.Viewing each day through this three-part lens is a practical way to keep your entrepreneurial confidence high, no matter what challenges arise. Resources: The Gap And The Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy Shannon Waller's Team Success podcast Unique Ability® The Positive Focus®

What happens when business owners stop treating Ai like a trend and start using it as a real execution advantage?In this episode, I answer practical questions from founders, business owners, and creators who want to know how Ai Accelerator Live works in the real world. The conversation covers how to use Ai inside an existing business, how to build and market a new idea faster, how to involve team members, and how to turn founder knowledge into valuable assets, offers, and opportunities.I explain why speed to market matters more than ever, why community and weekly practice help people stay current, and why Ai is most powerful when it helps founders amplify their superpowers instead of replacing them. From lead generation and hiring to onboarding, founder branding, IP, and pitch decks, this session shows how entrepreneurs can move from ideas to execution with more clarity and far less friction.In this episode:Why Ai is most useful when it helps founders execute fasterHow founders can use Ai for marketing, lead generation, and outreachWhy founder brands are becoming more valuable in the Ai eraHow teams can use Ai without feeling replaced by itWhy community and weekly implementation matter more than tool obsessionHow to identify bigger business problems and opportunities fasterWhy speed to prototype, pitch, and market creates an advantageHow recordings, transcripts, and prompts extend the value after the eventTIMESTAMPS00:00 Why this Q&A matters 00:55 What Ai Accelerator Live is really for 02:10 In-person vs virtual access 04:29 Existing businesses vs new ideas 05:40 Who you meet in the room 07:28 Best tools and platforms to focus on 10:10 What if you do not know where to start 11:26 Why the event is one day 13:10 What the virtual experience looks like 17:46 Helping teams overcome fear of Ai 19:14 How to prepare before attending 21:09 Founder brands and superpowers 25:47 Prototyping ideas and raising money 27:33 The advantage of early adoption 32:00 Hiring and building an Ai-forward culture 34:37 Protecting IP created with Ai 40:36 Using Ai for lead generation 49:06 How to use the recordings after the eventDiscover More