Ep 231 - Live Life Rich (in Tandem) with Marissa Nehlsen
Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Release Date: 10/29/2025
Thriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. What happens when a career shake-up, a calling to entrepreneurship, and a surprise pregnancy all collide at once? In this episode, Robert sits down with Robbie and Nicole Harper—co-founders of Blue Ridge PR—to talk about what it really looks like to build a business while...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. FREE Marriage and Business Assessment Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. As married entrepreneurs, it’s easy to fall into traps that seem harmless but quietly eat away at your profits, your time, and even your marriage. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee uncover five hidden growth traps that keep business owners stuck working harder instead of...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
When big ideas stall, it’s rarely because the idea is bad—it’s because people get stuck. In this week’s conversation, we welcome strategist and author Susan Schramm (chair of Nehemiah Project; founder of Go To Market Impact) to unpack how married entrepreneurs can de-risk decisions at work and at home—without killing momentum or connection. Susan introduces her De-Risk System for Impact, a simple, people-first way to move initiatives forward: clarify why and why now, name who must take action, surface assumptions, and explore both upside and downside risk—including the risk of...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Cracker Barrel’s attempted rebrand lit up the internet—but the logo was only the tip of the iceberg. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee unpack what really happened: rapid, sweeping changes to brand visuals, menu staples, and in-store experience that left loyal customers feeling ignored. Robert draws on his Coca-Cola days to connect the dots to “New Coke” and other big-brand missteps. The lesson for married entrepreneurs? Expansion is great—if you bring your core with you. We talk about how to modernize without losing the soul of your brand, why you must weight research toward your...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Live Life Rich Book Website: Instagram: @marissanehlsen Facebook: Twitter:@MarissaNehlsen LinkedIn: Eight-figure founder and wealth strategist Marissa Nehlsen returns to share how married entrepreneurs can build real wealth and protect what matters most at home. From her North Dakota roots to stewarding multiple Costa Rica retreat properties, Marissa unpacks the mindset shifts that moved her from hustle to harmony—where profit funds purpose, family, and freedom. She reveals why “keeping moving” doesn’t mean doing more; it means making better, braver...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
After a jam-packed few weeks onboarding clients and juggling a major project, Robert & Kay Lee get real about a message every married entrepreneur needs to hear: “Hustle now, rest later” is a myth that steals joy, strains marriages, and sabotages long-term business value. In this candid conversation, they unpack why constant grind doesn’t equal greater achievement—and how to build a business that grows and lets you enjoy life with your spouse now, not “someday.” You’ll hear how choosing family over finance actually creates a stronger company: better culture, lower turnover,...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Every married entrepreneur knows mistakes come with the territory—but they don’t have to derail your marriage or business. In this episode, Robert and Kay Lee pull back the curtain on the top five mistakes they’ve made as married entrepreneurs—and the lessons learned along the way. From overlooking the “Chief Feelings Officer” to chasing shiny objects, they share candid stories that cost them time, money, and peace (sometimes six figures!). You’ll hear how “hiring for convenience” created unnecessary conflict, why building real friendships beats pouring money into funnels,...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
With over 10,000 AI tools at our fingertips, it’s tempting to think technology will be our golden ticket to efficiency, profits, and free time. The problem? All that “help” can actually lead to tech creep—where one more tool, one more subscription, and one more DIY task sneak onto your plate until your calendar is full and your marriage is on the back burner. Bottom line: Tech can absolutely help you grow your business and free up more time for your marriage—if you use it in moderation and keep your focus on the high-level work only you can do. 🎧 Listen now to learn how to put...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
When roles shift at home and at work, even strong couples can feel the strain. In this episode, returning guests Shay and Phil Bynes (Kingdom Driven Entrepreneur) pull back the curtain on their four-year journey of transitioning Shay out of the CEO seat and Phil in—while raising three kids and continuing to lead a global movement. They share what changed, what didn’t, and how they protected connection through it all. You’ll hear how they navigated identity, authority, and expectations as spouses and co-leaders—without letting business tension become marital tension. From hearing...
info_outlineThriving in Tandem: The podcast for married entrepreneurs
Get on the waitlist for a Thriving in Tandem event near you. Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. Every married entrepreneur knows the challenge of managing different energy levels—especially when one spouse is ready to go full throttle and the other needs to pace themselves. In this episode, Robert...
info_outlineLive Life Rich Book liveliferichbook.com
Website: www.marissanehlsen.com
Instagram: @marissanehlsen
Facebook: facebook.com/marissa.nehlsen
Twitter:@MarissaNehlsen
LinkedIn:linkedin.com/in/marissa-Nehlsen
Eight-figure founder and wealth strategist Marissa Nehlsen returns to share how married entrepreneurs can build real wealth and protect what matters most at home. From her North Dakota roots to stewarding multiple Costa Rica retreat properties, Marissa unpacks the mindset shifts that moved her from hustle to harmony—where profit funds purpose, family, and freedom. She reveals why “keeping moving” doesn’t mean doing more; it means making better, braver decisions with crystal-clear purpose.
We dive into Marissa’s practical frameworks: the What if / What for / What’s next lens for vision, her five-question execution filter (Why, What, Who, How, When), and the habit of “giving every dollar a job.” She challenges us to know our numbers, clean out calendar and business clutter, and decide what we’re truly trading our lives for. You’ll also hear simple rhythms she and her family practice—daily walks, weekly dinners, faith time—that keep connection strong while companies scale.
Finally, Marissa breaks down her Freedom Plan—three anchors every owner needs to plot their way to time and money freedom: your Freedom Number, Freedom Date, and Freedom Sources. If you’re grinding 65-hour weeks to “provide,” this episode will help you re-align goals with your spouse, multiply what matters, and design a rich life emotionally, relationally, spiritually, physically, and financially. Want to experience this work in real time? Join our retreat waitlist to be first in line when we announce dates.
Key Takeaways
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Vision before velocity: Ask What if? What for? What’s next? so your growth serves your marriage, not steals from it.
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Five-question filter for everything: Why, What, Who, How, When—use it to build self-managing companies and a calmer home.
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Declutter to scale: The right things can’t enter a space the wrong things occupy—edit offers, meetings, and even great-but-misaligned commitments.
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Know your numbers: Profit follows clarity. Track what actually moves the needle and assign every dollar a job.
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Build your Freedom Plan: Define your Freedom Number (what you need), Freedom Date (by when), and Freedom Sources (how it’s funded).
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Trade-offs on purpose: Decide what you’re willing to trade your life for—and confirm what your spouse actually wants (hint: it’s often you, not stuff).
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Rituals that protect connection: Simple daily walks and weekly family meals create the margin for honest conversations and faster conflict resolution.
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Choose your circle wisely: You become like the five people closest to you—prioritize couples who are growing in both marriage and business.
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Read for ROI: Open a book’s table of contents and jump to the chapter that solves today’s problem—then apply it.
Marissa Nehlsen Bio
Marissa Nehlsen is the founder and CEO of an eight-figure, debt- free financial firm, managing over $1 billion in assets across forty- six states.
Marissa’s journey began on a North Dakota farm where she learned the value of hard work and resilience. For the past thirty years, she has founded five self-managing companies and coached thousands of entrepreneurs, helping them make money their best employee. Marissa is the author of the NEW book “Live Life Rich” and a dynamic keynote speaker, using her special blend of practical, tactical, and Intentional 30+ years of experience to help people move forward from where they are to where they want to be.
Beyond business, Marissa is a global impact leader. She Cofounded The Foundation of Latin America, which mobilizes entrepreneurship with the purpose of eliminating poverty through the building of sewing schools for women in Costa Rica, developing sustainable energy projects, forestry, and organic farms. A mother, grandmother, and visionary leader, Marissa lives in St.
Petersburg, Florida, raising her family while continuing to inspire, educate, and lead. Marissa is most excited about the launch of her healing and retreat center on her mountain in Costa Rica, set to open January 2026.
Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs’ guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/
Download the 5 Daily Habits to Thrive in Tandem https://marriedentrepreneur.co/5-daily-habits-download
Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk