Built to Finish

Welcome to Built to Finish! Join host, Steven Pivnik, each week as he explores the journeys of audacious goal setters. This includes experienced Founders, CEOs and entrepreneurs sharing pivotal moments that propelled their success. We’ll also be talking with endurance athletes who push the limits of physical and mental ability. This show is brought to you by Acresis — offering tailored, high-impact advisory services to help founders get to their finish line with a strategic acquisition or majority investor recapitalization. To learn more, go to: https://acresis.com/

Primal Truths: What Evolutionary Psychology Teaches Us About Leadership, Power, and Relationships with Tim Ash 01/21/2026

Primal Truths: What Evolutionary Psychology Teaches Us About Leadership, Power, and Relationships with Tim Ash “We are not broken as humans — we’re living in a culture that ignores how we actually evolved.” In this episode of Built to Finish, Steven Pivnik sits down with Tim Ash, renowned expert in evolutionary psychology, persuasion, and human behavior, for a wide-ranging and unapologetically honest conversation about what truly drives leadership, relationships, and modern society. Tim is a best-selling author, international keynote speaker, and founder of a digital marketing agency that helped create over $1.2 billion in value for global brands including Google, Expedia, and Nestlé. Returning to the podcast as Steven’s first-ever repeat guest, Tim brings a deeply informed evolutionary lens to topics most people are afraid to discuss openly. The conversation centers around Tim’s latest book, Primal Dating, co-authored with Dr. Lamour Gottlieb, and explores why so many modern challenges—from broken relationships to dysfunctional workplace cultures—stem from ignoring our evolutionary wiring. Episode Takeaways: Why evolutionary psychology is foundational to leadership, marketing, and culture. How tribes, hierarchy, and initiation rituals shape high-performing organizations. The evolutionary differences between men and women—and why modern culture distorts them. Why most relationships fail (and why that doesn’t mean you’ve failed). The myth of “happily ever after” and what humans actually evolved for. Loneliness, technology, and the unintended consequences of digital optionality. How sexual marketplace dynamics affect ambition, power, and self-worth. Why depopulation, polarization, and loneliness are accelerating—and what it means for society. Lessons Tim would give his son vs. his daughter about life, relationships, and long-term strategy. Writing books with conviction: why AI should assist, not replace, original thinking. How leadership, dating, and corporate culture all follow the same primal rules. Salsa dancing as a metaphor for fully expressed living. Links: Website: Primal Dating: LinkedIn: Social Media: @primaltim /episode/index/show/a48a940c-de72-410a-a6f6-0d2d9488b7cc/id/39790910

Redefining Wealth Management: A Human-Centric Approach to Financial Success | Lisa Kirchenbauer 01/07/2026

Redefining Wealth Management: A Human-Centric Approach to Financial Success | Lisa Kirchenbauer In this episode of the Built to Finish podcast, Steven Pivnik sits down with Lisa Kirchenbauer, Founding Partner and Senior Advisor at Omega Wealth Management, to unpack what really happens before and after a liquidity event. Recognized by Newsweek and Money.com, Lisa shares how her firm has challenged the traditional, investment-first wealth management model for more than 25 years — putting life planning, psychology, and human behavior at the center of financial decision-making. Together, Steven and Lisa explore the hidden realities founders face after “winning the game,” including loss of identity, lack of structure, and the emotional whiplash that can follow sudden wealth. They dive deep into what “enough” actually means, why most founders get the number wrong, and how preparing years in advance — both financially and personally — can dramatically change outcomes. From identity shifts and post-exit mistakes to routines, goals, and the future of wealth management in an AI-driven world, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs planning an exit or navigating life on the other side. Takeaways: Investment management was the primary focus in traditional wealth management. A human approach to wealth management is essential. Many entrepreneurs experience a loss of identity after a liquidity event. Establishing structure and goals is crucial post-event. Defining 'enough' is more complex than just a number. Life planning questions can help clarify personal goals. Choosing the right wealth advisor involves understanding their process. Lessons learned from early mistakes can guide future decisions. Personal insights from endurance sports can improve business performance. The future of wealth management will focus on holistic approaches. Quote of the Show: "If you dont deal with the human side of wealth, the money doesn't fix anything... it just amplifies what was already there." Links: /episode/index/show/a48a940c-de72-410a-a6f6-0d2d9488b7cc/id/39636600