Million Dollar Relationships

Have you ever been introduced to a person that completely changed the course of your business or your life… so much so, that much of what you have today wouldn’t be possible, if not for this person? Each week on The Million Dollar Relationships Podcast, your host Kevin Thompson interviews successful entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs as they share their personal stories and experience around this very question. Your invitation is to have a seat at the head of the table as they honor and introduce you to the most valuable people in their lives and remind us that relationship capital is the most valuable asset we possess. Each week you’ll be inspired and motivated to intentionally create more meaningful, rewarding and profitable relationships in your life so that together we can make a far bigger impact in this world.

Why Phone Service Should Be Free with Derek Ting 03/31/2026

Why Phone Service Should Be Free with Derek Ting What if the frustration of a college student with a phone bill became the seed of a company serving 10 million people? Derek Ting is a multifaceted entrepreneur and filmmaker, known as the co-founder and CEO of telecom company TextNow, offering free mobile services, and also as an actor, director, and writer of action films like Agent Recon, starring alongside Chuck Norris. A native of New York with roots in Hong Kong, he splits his time between LA and HK, blending tech innovation with entertainment.. In this episode, Derek shares the relationships that shaped his path, from a mother who sacrificed to give him access to the right environment, to a sixth-grade friend who introduced him to computers and investing, to the one investor who said yes when everyone else said no. His story is a masterclass in building something meaningful from the ground up. [00:03:00] Who Is Derek Ting? Co-founder and CEO of TextNow, a free phone service app Started the company 16 years ago as a college student tired of paying for phone service Currently serves 10 million monthly users [00:04:00] The Birth of TextNow The first iPhone charged separately for texting, calling, and data; Derek saw a better way Aha moment: users were turning iPod touches into phones because they couldn't afford service Recruited a college classmate to build out the full product; he became co-founder [00:05:20] Phone Service Is a Necessity, Not a Luxury Many users had no other way to communicate with friends and family You need a phone number to book a doctor's appointment or apply for a job That realization turned a texting app into a much bigger mission [00:07:40] From Hobby to Business: The Early App Store Days The iPhone SDK let anyone, including college students, build and sell software for the first time First app: a daily recipe app for a dollar; then a lemonade stand video game TextNow grew from that same spirit of building things to solve his own problems [00:12:40] Cashflow Crisis and the Last Door He Knocked On Reinvested everything into carrier infrastructure, wiping out profit, then ran out of cash Knocked on every VC door in Canada in 2011 and collected rejection after rejection Remembered a man whose niece was a customer and who had mentioned he was a VC Reached out, met him at a conference, played it cool, and closed the deal; he is still a shareholder today [00:17:40] Where TextNow Is Headed Mission from day one: make phone service completely free The flywheel: more free value drives more users, more advertisers, and more revenue to fund more features Customer base is diverse: young people, those in financial rough patches, anyone needing a second line [00:20:40] The Relationship That Started Everything: His Mom Derek's biggest influence is his mother, a Hong Kong immigrant who prioritized his education above everything She stretched her finances to move him from public to private school in sixth grade That decision changed his peer group and opened doors he never would have found otherwise [00:22:00] The Sixth-Grade Friend Who Sparked It All At private school Derek met a friend who was already building computers and buying stocks in sixth grade He learned about technology and economics simply by spending time around him Without that friendship, Derek believes he would never have ended up in tech or business KEY QUOTES "Phone service is expensive and it's actually not a luxury. It's a necessity. You need it to get a doctor's appointment, to apply for a job." - Derek Ting "I was running out of doors to knock on. The last door I knocked on became the door that worked out." - Derek Ting CONNECT WITH DEREK TING 🌐 TextNow: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40510720

A Second Chance to Make a First Impression with Tino Dietrich 03/27/2026

A Second Chance to Make a First Impression with Tino Dietrich What if a near-death experience was the thing that finally showed you what your life was really for? Tino Dietrich is a visionary entrepreneur, Inc. 500 honoree, and certified Mindvalley coach with a track record of building and scaling global businesses. As the founder and CEO of SNYDER Americas, he is spearheading the U.S. expansion of a premium German-engineered golf ball brand, disrupting the industry with innovation and precision. Tino also leads the Dietrich Institute, a coaching and consulting powerhouse dedicated to empowering high-achieving professionals to master personal growth, build thriving relationships, and leave lasting legacies. A former collegiate golfer at Syracuse University, Tino combines discipline, resilience, and strategic insight to inspire others to overcome adversity and create purpose-driven lives. His upcoming book, a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, explores themes of resilience, legacy, and living with intention. [00:04:20] Who Is Tino Dietrich? Serial entrepreneur, Inc. 500 honoree, and certified Mindvalley coach based in the U.S. after relocating from Germany 13 years ago Founder and CEO of SNYDER Americas and the Dietrich Institute Coaches entrepreneurs and business owners to become better versions of themselves, with a focus on relationships and family Believes the challenges we face are determined by the choices we make, and that the right people help us make better ones [00:06:40] The ICU Moment That Changed Everything After contracting COVID, Tino's health rapidly deteriorated while his family recovered Was rushed to the emergency room, then the ICU, and placed on an ECMO machine to oxygenate his blood A priest was called to read him his last rites; that was the moment he realized how serious things were In the ICU, he reflected and realized he had been missing his purpose, focused on building companies but not on why He begged for a second chance to make a first impression and got it, returning home days later [00:10:20] Finding Purpose After a Near-Death Experience After surviving COVID, Tino lost 90 pounds and radically reassessed his life Realized his purpose was to coach entrepreneurs and business owners who had been in similar situations Focused his work on relationships, marriage, and family, noting that the divorce rate among entrepreneurs is even higher than the national average His mission: slow down the divorce clock and help people turn their houses into homes Recognized he had been living in a house, not a home, and that his family helped him turn that around [00:18:00] The People Who Shape You: Positive and Negative Tino credits a wide collection of people, not just one, for shaping who he is Learned in the hospital that some people who appear to be friends are not Believes you must understand what you truly want, not what others want for you, before you can see clearly who belongs in your life Is grateful for both the people who helped him and those who did not; both shaped his direction His late mother, a single mom who rose from selling curtains on a market stall in Hamburg to becoming one of the most influential people in the German steel industry in the seventies and eighties, was his greatest inspiration [00:21:00] The Mentor Who Unlocked His Path After college, Tino was introduced to a mentor who had become Chief Marketing Officer for Danone (then BSN), responsible for Eastern European expansion Tino told him he was not a marketing person; the mentor replied that this proved Tino did not yet know what marketing was, and insisted he come work for him Tino worked in marketing for three months, then went on to Colgate Palmolive in Mexico in finance The experience changed his trajectory: he returned to Syracuse and majored in international marketing and management That mentor later became his business partner; Tino credits him with opening his eyes to his own strengths and purpose [00:26:20] Ikigai and the Concept of Purpose Tino connects his near-death clarity to the Japanese concept of ikigai: the intersection of what you are good at, what the world needs, and how you can make it happen Believes everyone has unique talents, but most people never slow down enough to identify them Encourages listeners to dig deeper into ikigai as a framework for living with intention The most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself; everything else changes when that one improves KEY QUOTES "The challenges we face are determined by the choices we make. And the people who helped me through the different phases of my life helped me to make some very good choices." - Tino Dietrich "The most important relationship in your life is the one you have with yourself. If you understand that and you work on that, things will begin to change around you." - Tino Dietrich CONNECT WITH TINO DIETRICH 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40510705

How Relationships Built a Career and a Campaign with Frank Carone 03/24/2026

How Relationships Built a Career and a Campaign with Frank Carone What if the most powerful business strategy you could ever use isn't a strategy at all, but a lifelong commitment to showing up for people? Frank Carone is a seasoned legal and political strategist and the founder of Oaktree Solutions, where he guides businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurs through complex challenges at the intersection of law, regulation, and politics. With over three decades of experience as a lawyer and litigator, Frank has built a reputation for navigating the most intricate corridors of power in New York and beyond. Frank served as Chief of Staff to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, a role he describes as one of the greatest privileges of his life. He co-authored Everyone Wins!: The Ultimate Guide to Optimize Your Business Relationships and Achieve Financial Freedom, with an expanded second edition releasing in early 2025, and sits on the boards of the Central Park Conservancy and the Museum of Modern Art. A proud Brooklyn native, Marine Corps veteran, and father of two, Frank shares the relationship principles and pivotal people who shaped everything he has built, from a napkin idea in a Brooklyn neighborhood to the halls of New York City government. [00:04:00] Who Is Frank Carone? Founder of Oaktree Solutions, navigating law, regulation, and politics for businesses and nonprofits 31 years as a lawyer and litigator, plus decades in politics and government Served as Chief of Staff to NYC Mayor Eric Adams Co-authored Everyone Wins! with Russ Prince to make relationship-building learnable [00:05:20] Oaktree Solutions: Navigating Legal, Regulatory, and Political Complexity After 31 years as a lawyer and litigator, Frank found his greatest value at the intersection of law, regulation, and politics Most industries are highly regulated; clients need someone who can interpret, navigate, and advocate across all three environments Oaktree Solutions workshops problems and creates value for both paying clients and the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors Frank's approach: don't limit access to those who can afford it; some of the most important relationship seeds are planted pro bono [00:08:00] Deep Listening as a Business Strategy Frank makes it a habit to understand clients' business objectives, fears, obstacles, and past experiences, not just their goals Listening takes patience and requires setting aside ego; the point is to extract information that leads to the best service When clients feel genuinely heard, they return on a routine basis and refer others without prompting Giving people the gift of feeling seen, heard, and understood is one of the most powerful things a relationship-builder can do [00:12:00] Growing Up in Brooklyn: The Roots of Grit and Credibility Grew up in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where grit and credibility were non-negotiable Sold newspapers, flowers, and candy on the el train as a boy; later sold his comic book collection to help fund law school His father taught him to learn from both successes and failures Coach Bobby Napo challenged him to aim higher than a civil service job [00:15:40] The Marine Corps and the Art of Perseverance Received a Marine Corps recruiter's call meant for his younger brother and ended up applying himself Was disqualified due to childhood asthma; Captain Samuels fought the appeal alongside him and won Graduated from Officer Candidate School as a second lieutenant Marine training reframed his standards: bar exam prep in a library felt easy by comparison [00:17:40] Frank Seto and the Decision That Changed Everything Frank Seto was a family friend and future assemblyman who let a young Frank sell Christmas trees outside his home Frank turned to him when choosing between an honorable discharge and a law firm partnership offer Seto's advice: whatever decision you make will be the right one That single sentence removed regret from Frank's decision-making permanently; he has never looked back since [00:20:40] The Relationship That Moved a City: Mayor Eric Adams Eric Adams came to Frank's office as Brooklyn Borough President asking for his support in a mayoral run Frank activated political, labor, and business relationships to build the campaign coalition Adams was far behind in the polls; the campaign turned it around through relationship capital None of it would have been possible without decades of trust built in advance [00:24:20] Brother Anthony and the Power of Long-Term Loyalty Frank's assistant Jen has been with him for 20 years across multiple businesses His brother Anthony joined his mortgage banking venture from day one When Frank left for City Hall, Anthony gave up his own firm to hold the client base together Anthony now runs Oaktree Solutions as CEO [00:26:40] Credibility, Authenticity, and Playing the Long Game Credibility and authenticity are the two words Frank returns to again and again You cannot have credibility without authenticity; it is the baseline Real credibility means admitting when you are wrong and pivoting when you have to His advice: do not burn bridges, admit mistakes, and embrace relationships rather than just collecting them [00:29:00] Russ Prince and the Everyone Wins Framework Frank cold-emailed Russ Prince after seeing his name in a book foreword; Russ responded in seconds They connected immediately and Russ has workshopped problems with Frank ever since Together they co-authored Everyone Wins! to make relationship-building accessible to anyone Frank's belief: building million dollar relationships is a learnable process, not a personality trait KEY QUOTES "The skillset necessary to build million dollar relationships that stand the test of time can be learned." - Frank Carone "I don't think you could have credibility without authenticity. Authenticity may be the line in the sand. In order to have real credibility, you need authenticity." - Frank Carone "None of us are really here on an island. Most people's success comes through a collection of relationships. So embrace them, don't just collect them and push them aside." - Frank Carone CONNECT WITH FRANK CARONE 🌐 Website: 📚 Book: 🏢 Oaktree Solutions: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40510665

Building a Billion-Dollar Nonprofit Constellation with Ryan Dewey Smith 03/20/2026

Building a Billion-Dollar Nonprofit Constellation with Ryan Dewey Smith What if the secret to saving a mission wasn't a merger but building something big enough to protect it? In this episode, Ryan Dewey Smith shares how frustration with traditional merger models led him to incorporate Inperium on January 12, 2016, from a firehouse office in Reading, Pennsylvania. What started as a bold experiment in nonprofit consolidation has since grown into a constellation of 34 companies across 20 states, approaching $1 billion in annualized revenue and serving roughly 300,000 people a month. Inperium operates as a behind-the-scenes parent organization providing capital, HR, IT, finance, and general administrative services at scale, driving costs down so that affiliated organizations can invest more into the people they serve. Ryan honors Jay Depper, his Chief Development Officer and the man whose early belief in the model set the trajectory for Inperium's first five years. Met through a broker just nine months after incorporation, Jay came in as a potential affiliate CEO and stayed as a partner. Their relationship survived a three-year disconnection following a post-COVID disagreement, was restored over four days in Ryan's home, and has since produced four new deals in a single year. [00:03:46] What Inperium Does and Who It Serves Aggregator and orchestrator of behavioral health and human service organizations across four primary service areas Currently 34 companies across 20 states serving roughly 300,000 people a month Behind-the-scenes parent providing capital, HR, IT, finance, and G&A at scale so affiliated organizations can invest more into the people they serve [00:05:34] How Ryan Got Into This Work Started his first company in 1993 in the intellectual and developmental disability space and grew it for nearly two and a half decades to $65M in revenue Hit a crossroads where rising costs were outpacing their ability to serve their population Explored traditional mergers and acquisitions in 2014 and 2015; found every option reduced autonomy and stripped organizations of community standing Created Inperium as an alternative: scale the back office, protect the mission, keep the culture [00:08:11] Incorporated January 12, 2016 Organizations keep their own boards, cultures, leadership, assets, contracts, and community standing Philanthropic dollars stay with the organizations rather than being absorbed by a parent Just over 10 years later: nearly $1 billion in revenues, 34 companies, 20 states [00:09:04] What Inspires Ryan Most Every new partner added to the constellation drives costs down for existing partners and brings new subject matter expertise, geography, and service acumen Serves populations that are in most cases underserved with limited alternatives Calls it "impact squared" and then some [00:10:13] Saving Resources for Human Development Last major transaction closed December 2025: Resources for Human Development, founded 1970, on the brink of insolvency with bank loans called and 1,800 jobs at risk In six months, Inperium recapitalized the business, retired the debt, and moved it into tax-exempt public municipal markets Reduced general and administrative costs from nearly 25 cents on the dollar to 9 cents on the dollar Organization is now solvent, growing, and expanding into new geographies [00:13:25] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Jay Depper Met Jay Depper in September 2016, just nine months after incorporation, through broker Kevin Fee Jay was CEO of Edison Court in Bucks County, PA; affiliated with Inperium and spent the next four years building the model together Jay's early adoption and belief in the concept set the trajectory for Inperium's first five years of growth After COVID, the two disagreed on direction and Jay resigned; they disconnected personally and professionally for three years [00:15:30] Four Days That Rebuilt a Partnership Over a year ago, Ryan brought Jay to his home for a four-day in-person meeting to unpack everything before agreeing to move forward Jay returned as full-time Chief Development Officer; together they consummated four deals in the year since his return Ryan describes their dynamic as "an unstoppable force" in developing Inperium [00:16:27] Scaling to $2-3 Billion: The Vision Plan to expand from four to roughly ten total services verticals including higher education and arts Goal is to drive back office costs to 5 or 6 cents on the dollar at that scale, down from 9 cents today Agnostic to size, geography, and services; evaluates all comers and starts with yes [00:20:14] First Deal Outside Pennsylvania Inperium started Pennsylvania-centric; first out-of-state deal closed in New Jersey, followed by Raleigh, North Carolina North Carolina was the epiphany: proof of concept beyond the Commonwealth, now operating in 20 states Nothing preventing expansion to all 50 states; already has 13 companies in Pennsylvania alone collaborating across service spaces KEY QUOTES "People are paying attention. People are showing that there's proof in this concept. That was an epiphany for me that this is bigger than just Harrisburg to Philadelphia." - Ryan Dewey Smith "Our assets remained ours. Our contracts remained ours. Our legacy was insulated from a business combination. That's what I did." - Ryan Dewey Smith "We start with yes. Our business is built around adding business partners that are accretive to our constellation." - Ryan Dewey Smith CONNECT WITH RYAN DEWEY SMITH 🌐 Personal Website: 🌐 Inperium: 💼 LinkedIn: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40283610

From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Power of the V/I Duo with Clayton Stenson 03/17/2026

From Burnout to Breakthrough: The Power of the V/I Duo with Clayton Stenson What if the most important relationship in your business isn't with your biggest client but with the person sitting right next to you in the leadership seat? In this episode, Clayton Stenson shares how 17 years of working alongside visionary entrepreneurs became the foundation for his life's work: helping Visionary/Integrator duos build healthier partnerships so their companies can scale without costing them their families or their sanity. Clayton is the founder of Unity Guides, a fractional integrator, and a coach who has spent the last four years helping visionary entrepreneurs and their second-in-command learn to understand each other, communicate better, and stop the quiet resentment that ends partnerships and careers. He also spent seven years as a pastor, giving him a front-row seat to the human side of leadership: the pride, the blind spots, and the breakthroughs. Clayton honors four people who shaped his journey: the church pastor-turned-visionary who gave him his first leadership opportunity and introduced him to faith; the second visionary who handed him the book Traction and trusted him to run a company; and two long-time friends, James and Dwayne, who showed up as sounding boards, believers, and emergency intervention callers whenever Clayton was about to walk away from everything he had built. [00:02:37] Fractional Integrator and V/I Duo Coach Does two things: fractional integrator/COO for EOS companies at $5-20M revenue Coaches visionary entrepreneurs and their second-in-command on their working relationship Runs webinars, workshops, and programs to help the V/I Duo work better together Eight years in the integrator role; four years coaching the V/I relationship [00:04:28] How Clayton Got Into This Work Never went to school for business; has a phys ed degree Fell into an integrator-type role naturally by solving whatever the organization needed Kept getting more responsibility and influence as he solved structural and operational problems Second visionary handed him the book Traction and formally gave him the integrator seat [00:06:43] Took a Company From 0.2% to 4.4% Profitability Company was $8M revenue, 20 employees, just 0.2% profitable Promoted to integrator and began self-implementing EOS Within 12 months improved profitability to 4.4%, a strong benchmark in commercial construction Zero turnover during the transition; people engaged and excited for the changes [00:08:34] What Drives Clayton Most Spent seven years wanting to quit every month under his first visionary, feeling unseen and misunderstood That experience drives him to help integrators avoid the same pain Believes healthy leaders create healthy teams, which ripples out to families and communities Not about profitability; it's about the people [00:11:00] The V/I Relationship Is Like a Marriage Visionaries: idea-driven, sales-focused, big-picture thinkers and relationship builders Integrators: logical, process-oriented, detailed, strong at running day-to-day operations Friction between them is normal but must be navigated intentionally Most companies running on EOS deal with this dynamic regularly [00:13:00] First Transformational Relationship: The Church Pastor-Visionary Pastor of his church became his first visionary and gave him his first office job Through that relationship, Clayton came to faith Was given leadership responsibility he hadn't yet earned and rose to it Seven challenging but transformative years that made everything else possible [00:15:04] Second Transformational Relationship: The Second Visionary Introduced Clayton to the book Traction and the Entrepreneurial Operating System Trusted Clayton completely: "I suck at this stuff. I know you'll be good at it" Left Clayton to run the company while he went to fix another struggling business Taught him that costly mistakes are just "tuition," lessons that change you permanently [00:18:00] James: Ten Years of Biweekly Coffee Met every second week for coffee for ten years through multiple job changes and life seasons Some nights all about James; next week all about Clayton, true mutual support Developed depth of relationship that still feels effortless even when months pass Currently in discussions about potentially buying businesses together [00:19:30] Dwayne: The Guy Who Wouldn't Let Clayton Quit Long-time friend with a similar role who has been a consistent sounding board for a decade When Clayton texted "I think I'm gonna get a job," Dwayne responded: "No. Emergency intervention meeting. What are you doing tonight?" Talked Clayton back from the edge multiple times in the hardest early seasons of his business Also in discussions about potentially working together [00:22:00] Iron Sharpens Iron: A Coaching Breakthrough Integrator came to Clayton frustrated and ready to give up on his visionary Clayton recognized his own story in what the integrator was describing Went straight to his visionary, apologized, and owned it; relationship began to shift immediately Visionary called Clayton the following week asking him to coach them together [00:28:04] Where to Find Clayton and What He Offers Website: theunityguide.com Active on LinkedIn and quick to respond Launching a podcast specifically interviewing people about the V/I relationship Webinar for integrators: The Silent Struggle of the Integrator from Frustration to Fulfillment [00:29:48] The Power of Critical Thinking in Relationships Took a Critical Thinking course in university that changed how he processes people and situations Believes ability to see the other side of a situation is becoming rare and it's costing relationships Challenge: before reacting, ask why this person might be showing up this way Good questions asked with humility solve more problems than unsolicited advice ever will KEY QUOTES "In my experience, your company, the people in your company, become like the leaders. If I can help create healthier leaders and healthier relationships at the top, it creates healthier people throughout the organization, which then ripples out to the families and communities those people live in." - Clayton Stenson "A lot of problems can be solved just by humbling ourselves, listening, and asking good questions." - Clayton Stenson CONNECT WITH CLAYTON STENSON 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: 🎙️ The Unity Rock Podcast on Spotify: 🎙️ The Unity Rock Podcast on Apple: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40283600

The Relationship That Changed Everything with Ryan Ellefsen 03/13/2026

The Relationship That Changed Everything with Ryan Ellefsen What if the person who transformed your entire career is also someone you haven't spoken to in seven years? In this episode, Ryan Ellefsen shares how he helps businesses take credit cards, lower processing fees, and protect their revenue as VP of EasyPay Direct, a merchant services company he recently joined after 20 years in the industry. EasyPay serves coaches, consultants, speakers, and internet marketers, processing payments for names like Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, and Frank Kern across 34 US locations. Ryan built his career expertise under the mentorship of Steve Thorne, CEO of NMR (National Marketing Resources), eventually rising from Processing Manager to VP and co-building what became Platinum Payment Systems. Today, Ryan is known for his transparent, relationship-first approach to merchant services — always insisting on a face-to-face conversation before onboarding any client, no matter how small. Ryan honors Steve Thorne, the man who hired him at $70,000/year when he was making $23,400 as a Spanish teacher in Utah. Phil Smith introduced Ryan to Steve while both were in an MBA program, and Steve believed in Ryan enough to bring him into NMR, where Ryan spent 10 transformative years climbing from Processing Manager all the way to VP. Under Steve's roof, Ryan co-built a merchant processing company that eventually merged into Platinum Payment Systems. [00:03:41] Reconnected Through a Mutual Friend Kevin and Ryan originally met years ago at Genius Network Recently reconnected via mutual friend Anthony Simon through an email introduction Neither realized in the intro email that they already knew each other [00:03:51] VP of EasyPay Direct: What He Does and Who He Serves Merchant services company helping businesses accept credit cards and get funding Specializes in the coach, consultant, speaker, author, and internet marketing space Serves major names like Tony Robbins, Grant Cardone, and Frank Kern Recently joined after 20 years in the industry; he and CEO Brad Weimert were friendly competitors for two decades [00:05:04] EasyPay vs. PayPal: The Key Difference PayPal is better for card-present transactions like retail stores EasyPay specializes in card-not-present, high-risk: coaching, big-ticket packages, phone sales High-risk means future fulfillment over time, high-ticket pricing, sold over the phone Premier company in the country for internet marketing and coaching businesses [00:07:55] What Inspires Ryan Most: Giving People a Fair Deal Has an affinity for the person being ripped off by hidden fees Philosophy: everybody can win — a 10-year relationship beats a 6-month windfall Sometimes helps small businesses where he makes almost nothing — and loves it Tries to learn something from every single conversation [00:13:02] How EasyPay Lowers Your Rates Over Time EasyPay has its own gateway to manage multiple banks from a single login Uses Level 3 Advantage and tokenization to lower interchange rates Can lower interchange by up to 75 basis points (0.75%) EasyPay's margin stays fixed; all savings go directly to the client [00:18:40] The Industry's Dirty Secret: Watch Your Statements Processors can legally raise your rates by burying notice in statement fine print Not calling to cancel is considered acceptance of new terms They raise rates 5 –10 basis points at a time. Visa changes rates every six months and they go up more often than down [00:26:15] Started as a Spanish Teacher Making $23,400 a Year Graduated college, went on a church mission to South America from 1991 to 1993 Came back, majored in Spanish teaching, played sports, had fun First teaching job in Utah in 1997 paid $23,400/year Started a carpet cleaning business in school that eventually made 10x his teaching salary [00:28:00] Phil Smith Introduces Ryan to Steve Thorne Met Phil Smith in his MBA cohort Phil introduced him to Steve Thorne, CEO of NMR (National Marketing Resources) in Kearney, Missouri Steve hired Ryan as Processing Manager at $70,000/year nearly triple his teaching salary His bonus in year two was bigger than his entire teaching salary [00:29:05] Ten Years at NMR: From Manager to VP Progressed from Processing Manager → Director → Managing Director → VP NMR and sister company PMI did infomercial production for Dean Graziosi, Anthony Morrison, and others Did hundreds of millions in coaching and big-ticket event sales Ryan pitched starting a merchant processing company; Steve challenged him to make it a million-dollar idea. [00:30:31] When a Great Relationship Fractures Ryan and Steve haven't spoken in seven years following a lawsuit Ended in a no-fault settlement — neither side got what they wanted Ryan still considers Steve one of the best, most honest people he's ever met "If he ever catches wind of this podcast… I would welcome that" [00:35:20] What Steve's Mentorship Still Looks Like Today After the split, became VP of a digital marketing company within 6 months Core lesson from Steve: how to treat people with genuine sincerity "Nobody who's ever met Steve Thorn dislikes Steve Thorn" Attributes his versatility and confidence across industries entirely to Steve's tutelage KEY QUOTES "My philosophy is that everybody can win. If you can set up a relationship that makes some money for the next 10 years, that's way better than a relationship that makes you a whole bunch of money for six months." - Ryan Ellefsen "Steve Thorn transformed my life. If he hadn't given me that opportunity, I wouldn't be where I am today and I wouldn't have what I have today." - Ryan Ellefsen "Nobody who's ever met Steve Thorn dislikes Steve Thorn. He's sincere. He's a good guy and he just knows how to treat people. And so I learned a lot from him in that regard." - Ryan Ellefsen CONNECT WITH RYAN ELLEFSEN 🌐 EasyPay Direct: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40283580

How Emotional Healing Drives Workplace Success with Susan Winchester 03/10/2026

How Emotional Healing Drives Workplace Success with Susan Winchester What if workplace conflict is not something to avoid, but the very path to healing and high performance? In this episode, Susan Winchester shares how a 36-year corporate HR career evolved into a purpose-driven executive coaching and consulting practice focused on emotional intelligence, leadership effectiveness, and workplace healing. Susan served in senior HR leadership roles for global organizations including Kellogg's, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Rockwell Automation, and Applied Materials. After retiring from corporate life at 60, she transitioned into her own consulting and executive coaching practice, helping C-suite leaders and organizations transform workplace dynamics through her proprietary frameworks. Susan reveals how two key relationships profoundly changed the trajectory of her career, leadership style, and personal growth. [00:02:40] From Corporate CHRO to Purpose-Driven Consultant • 36.5-year career in corporate HR and consulting • Served as Chief HR Officer in Fortune 150 organizations • Successfully hired and mentored her successor before retiring • Retired at 60 and transitioned into consulting by design [00:08:00] The Crossroads Meditation • Attended a VIP retreat in Ibiza • Faced a decision between scaling a digital business or starting a boutique consulting practice • Realized she wanted to work with people she genuinely respected and enjoyed • Within weeks, former colleagues reached out with opportunities [00:10:40] Helping Leaders Shift Identity • Coaches executives in large corporations, private equity firms, and universities • Helps leaders recognize how childhood programming shows up at work • Reduces anxiety, overthinking, and perfectionism patterns • Focuses on leadership capability and performance optimization [00:13:40] The Relationship That Changed Everything: Celine DeCosta • Finished writing Healing at Work but was afraid to publish it • Invested in a 90-minute Story Clarity Intensive • Discovered her purpose was bigger than her fear • Published the book after years of hesitation [00:23:20] 4,000 Weeks and Redefining Time • Introduced to Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman • Realized an 80-year life equals roughly 4,000 weeks • Shifted from seeing time as pressure to seeing it as precious • Became more intentional about family, friendships, and experiences [00:27:00] Rethinking Wealth and Utility • Influenced by Die with Zero by Bill Perkins • Began focusing on life experiences over accumulation • Prioritized giving while alive • Shared wealth intentionally with family [00:29:00] The Second Transformational Relationship: Ken Wright • Met Ken Wright through the Human Synergistics Lifestyles Inventory • Received early feedback about perfectionism that later proved true • Learned advanced leadership and organizational frameworks [00:37:00] The Power of Right Relationships • Credits mentors for holding a bigger vision for her than she held for herself • Learned that growth requires uncomfortable feedback • Discovered that emotional healing improves performance • Built a career rooted in gratitude and intentional evolution KEY QUOTES “A lot of our workplace conflict is unresolved history asking to be healed.” - Susan Winchester “There is a conscious healing career path, and there is an unconscious wounded career path. Most of us don’t realize which one we’re on.” - Susan Winchester “Perfectionism looks like excellence from the outside. Inside, it can be desperation.” - Susan Winchester CONNECT WITH SUSAN WINCHESTER 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40283555

Honesty as a Business Strategy with Don Williams 03/06/2026

Honesty as a Business Strategy with Don Williams What if honesty is the only sales strategy you ever needed? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Don Williams, founder of Don Williams Global and a sales and leadership coach with over 30 years of experience. Don works primarily with founder-led businesses under $100 million, helping them grow their top line fast. He started selling at 19, became the top rep out of 450 within months, and has since worked with more than half of the Fortune 500. His core belief has never changed: the foundation of all sales and leadership is trust, and the only way to build it is to be trustworthy. The relationship that transformed Don's life: a man he met in downtown Fort Worth at a meeting he knew was never going to close. Don was so impressed that before leaving he looked at the man and said, we are not doing business today, and I think that's the right thing. But I've only told a couple of people this in my life: you and I, someday, somehow, some way, we will work together and do great things. Two years later the man called. They spent nearly a decade doing significant work in the insurance industry, and at one point Don bought a house from his sight unseen simply because he trusted him completely. Their paths diverged, then reconnected again, and Don now expects them to be a near-household name in AI within the next 18 months. Twenty-five years, two business chapters, and a third just getting started. [00:02:31] Noah Rosenfarb: The Introduction Behind This Episode Noah Rosenfarb introduced Kevin and Don, telling Don simply that Kevin has your vibe. Don says he and Kevin are like brothers from other mothers. Both agree it worked because Noah already had deep trust with each of them. [00:04:00] What Don Does: Helping Businesses Bring More Money in the Door Don spent 30 years with Fortune 500 companies before shifting to founder-led businesses. He helps clients raise their top line, which solves about half of all business problems. He took one client from the edge of bankruptcy to $1.5 million in 2025, projecting $5 million this year. [00:05:20] What Inspires Him: Helping People Who Help People Don describes himself as a giver whose mission is to help people who help other people. He only takes on work that feeds that personal mission. The bigger the ripple, the better. [00:08:00] Build the Best Team, Not a Team That Looks Like You Don used to hire people who thought and worked exactly like him, and says that was a mistake. The best teams have diverse viewpoints, thought patterns, and skill sets, like a football team. A leader's only two jobs are to cast the vision relentlessly and then go get the best people to make it real. [00:12:20] The Origin Story: A 19-Year-Old with a 67% Closing Rate Don dropped engineering when a part-time sales job out-earned his future degree. Within months he was the top rep out of 450 with a 67% closing rate, double the company average. He credits brutal honesty: people buy from someone who tells the truth. [00:15:57] The Foundational Principle: Be Trustworthy Don sold 17 houses in his first month in real estate, every one on the first visit. Trust is the foundational skill of all sales and leadership. Do what you say you will do and you will stand out. [00:17:40] The Google Stat Nobody Acts On The first vendor to speak with a customer wins the deal 71% of the time. If no one answers, they call the next business on the list. Answering the phone is one of the easiest ways to beat the competition. [00:19:00] The Client Results That Rock His World A client on the edge of bankruptcy closed 2025 at $1.5 million and is projecting $5 million this year. Don loves working with highly intelligent people who are sometimes low on emotional intelligence. All influence happens at the emotional level: the brain might veto something crazy, but the heart gets what the heart wants. [00:22:26] The Relationship That Changed Everything Don met a man at a meeting he knew would never close and told him they would work together someday. Two years later the man called, and they spent nearly a decade in the insurance industry together. Twenty-five years on they are building something in AI that Don expects to make them a near-household name. [00:24:40] The Business He Gave Away at 5 O'Clock Don opened a second business to support a sick friend, then gave the whole operation away when his friend passed. At 5 PM he told Dave it would be his at 5:01 or gone forever, and gave it away for free. Don buried Dave at the National Cemetery in Dallas this year and says no bank balance replaces relationships that mean something. [00:37:07] Final Thought: You Are Stronger Than You Think All success in life starts with how you see yourself. Your reality will follow your thoughts. His favorite quote, from Christopher Robin: you are far better, far smarter, and far stronger than you think. KEY QUOTES "The foundational skill of all influence, whether it's leadership or sales, is trust. And if you want to build trust, be trustworthy. Do what you say you're gonna do. That will shock people, because they're not used to it." - Don Williams "Google stats say that the first potential vendor, the first potential service provider that speaks with the customer, wins the deal 71% of the time." - Don Williams "All your business success and all your awards and all those commas on your bank account won't make any difference if you don't like who you are and if you don't have relationships with people that mean something." - Don Williams CONNECT WITH DON WILLIAMS 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: 📧 Email: don@donwilliamsglobal.com Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40199565

Building on YouTube with Mary Ann Bautista and Matthew Pierce 03/03/2026

Building on YouTube with Mary Ann Bautista and Matthew Pierce What if the content you created in 2006 is still making you money today? In this episode, Kevin sits down with Mary Ann Bautista and Matthew Pierce, co-founders of Turbo Rank, in the first-ever two-guest interview on the show. With 30 years of direct response marketing behind them across TV, radio, and podcasting, they now specialize in helping mid-market businesses turn YouTube into a discoverable, revenue-generating channel. What makes their story remarkable is that they built Turbo Rank without ads, without outside funding, and without starting from zero. A client relationship they started together in 2006 never stopped generating revenue, giving them the foundation to launch on their own terms. Mary Ann speaks about a relationship that changed everything: Mary Lou, a radio salesperson she met in the early 1990s. A chain of casual introductions through Mary Lou's sister led to the client Mary Ann has worked with since 2006, the one that funded houses, put kids through college, and laid the groundwork for Turbo Rank. Matthew speaks on the relationship that changed everything: a voiceover artist he hired and became friends with, who casually mentioned Matthew to a large client one day. That single unrequested referral turned into 10 years of work across 40 franchise markets. [00:03:28] Ryan Guthrie: The Introduction Behind This Episode Ryan Guthrie connected Kevin with Mary Ann and Matthew, and Kevin calls it an automatic yes. Both sides agreed immediately because the trust was already there through Ryan. This is also the first time Mary Ann and Matthew have been interviewed together. [00:04:56] What They Do: YouTube Organic Optimization YouTube is the second largest search engine and most businesses do not know how to use it properly. They work with brands already active on YouTube in the $10 million to $500 million revenue range. They help clients get found, grow owned audiences, and turn YouTube into a direct sales channel. [00:07:40] What Inspires Them: Results You Can Actually See Matthew loves building an owned audience on YouTube rather than renting someone else's attention. Mary Ann points to a client they took to over 50% view duration in just eight weeks. Both say watching a client's eyes open wide at their 30-day progress meetings never gets old. [00:11:08] How They Met: A Fake Sales Call on a Friday Afternoon Matthew sold radio at CBS and used fake sales calls to Mary Ann's agency as an excuse to leave early on Fridays. They became friends, and when Matthew started his own agency, Mary Ann was one of his first clients. She brought him a restricted health and wellness account, and they started experimenting with YouTube together in 2006. [00:13:40] The Client They Have Had Since 2006 That original account grew into over 60 YouTube channels, most still driving orders today. They learned the real craft of YouTube optimization by pushing hard to serve that one account well. Two years ago they spotted a gap in the organic YouTube space and launched Turbo Rank together. [00:16:07] The Client Win They Are Most Proud Of A competitor blogger was ranking above a client's own product name with inaccurate negative content. Turbo Rank pushed the negative results down and put the client's videos in top positions in about four months. Revenue share deals from work done years ago still fund Turbo Rank today and let them launch without outside capital. [00:21:32] Mary Ann's Million Dollar Relationship: Mary Lou Mary Lou was a radio salesperson at KCBS who became a genuine friend over four or five years. She introduced Mary Ann to her sister, who made a casual elevator introduction to a key contact at a major company. That chain led to Mary Ann's most significant client relationship, one that has lasted over 30 years. [00:23:20] Matthew's Million Dollar Relationship: The Voiceover Artist A voiceover artist Matthew hired stayed in touch long after the job was done. Without being asked, he mentioned Matthew to a large client he was working with. That one casual mention turned into 10 years of work across 40 franchise markets. [00:25:35] Empowering People to Outgrow You Matthew recognized a team member was destined for bigger things and pushed him toward better opportunities. Mary Ann then hired that same person at her agency, where he stayed four or five years before moving to LA and thriving. Both believe holding people back hurts everyone, and open communication is the foundation of their culture. [00:32:14] Final Thought: YouTube Is Not Optional Anymore Every month you delay means competitors get further ahead. 60 to 65% of people search after seeing an ad, and if you are not ranking, you paid for that lead to go to a competitor. Turbo Rank offers a free mini audit and quick fix report for qualified brands at . KEY QUOTES "YouTube is the second largest search engine. People go to YouTube to find out how to do stuff. It is a social network. People go to YouTube to connect. It is one of the most powerful things your business can do right now." - Matthew Pierce "My very best clients are employees of former clients. They remember you, they know how hard you work, they know the value you brought, and you're the first call when there's a need." - Mary Ann Bautista CONNECT WITH MARY ANN AND MATTHEW 🌐Website: 💼 LinkedIn (Mary Ann): 💼 LinkedIn (Matthew): 📋 Free Mini Audit: Available at turborank.co for qualified brands Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40199505

Playing The Long Game with Scott Rammage 02/27/2026

Playing The Long Game with Scott Rammage What if the connection that saves your life was nine years in the making, and you had no idea it was coming? In this episode, Scott Rammage shares how a chain of relationships built over nearly a decade led him to the doctor who restored his health when no one else could. Scott is the owner of HireVP, a virtual professionals agency that recruits, places, and fully supports experienced overseas staff for business owners across the U.S. and Australia. He spent 17 years learning the hard way what it costs to try to do everything yourself, losing money and time with his family in the process, before building a business model designed to give other entrepreneurs the freedom he struggled so long to find. HireVP has grown entirely through referrals and relationships, with zero advertising spend. Scott lives in Dallas with his wife and sons. The relationship that transformed Scott's life: Carl, an executive coach who mentioned his brother almost in passing at the end of their first meeting. That brother was a functional neurologist, one of only 300 in the world with that specialty. Months later, when a mysterious neurological episode left Scott non-functional for weeks and regular doctors had no answers, Carl made the call. His brother took Scott from barely functional to nearly fully recovered in four days. The chain that led to Carl stretched back nine years through three other people, starting with a client Scott met in the fitness industry. [00:02:44] George Rivera: The Introduction Behind This Episode George Rivera connected Kevin and Scott, and Kevin calls any intro from George an automatic yes. Both agree a trust-based introduction beats every other way of meeting someone. It is proof that the right relationship cuts through instantly. [00:03:43] What Scott Does: HireVP and the Freedom He Was Chasing Scott runs HireVP, placing and supporting experienced virtual professionals for business owners. They go beyond typical VA services by staying involved with both sides long-term. It is all driven by Scott's mission to give owners the freedom he spent 17 years chasing himself. [00:04:42] Why He Does It: The Price He Paid First Scott started his first business in 2004 while still teaching full-time. He spent 17 years making costly mistakes and robbing his family of time and attention. His greatest joy now is shortening that learning curve for other owners. [00:07:55] The Origin of HireVP: Hold My Beer A contractor told Scott he needed a VA, then said he would never succeed with one. He took it as a challenge, went all in on overseas hiring, and had three full-time VAs within three months. A colleague asked to borrow one, Scott charged a rate, and a business was born. [00:11:40] The Breaking Point That Built a Better Model Scott lost 70% of recurring revenue almost overnight after buying out his business partner. His 17-year-old son told him he just wished his dad would finally get paid what he was worth. He charged a doctor $500 to find and train a VA just for her, knocked it out of the park, and kept getting referrals. Seeing clients fail after placement showed him full support was the missing piece, and HireVP was born. [00:16:40] The First VA, Nine Years Later His very first VA still works for him and is now at university in Florida, with Scott sponsoring her. When asked why she enrolled, she said she wanted to bring more value back to the company. He calls this kind of impact the thing that feeds him every day. [00:21:40] Carl's Brother: The Connection That Saved His Life Scott hired executive coach Carl, who mentioned his brother, a functional neurologist, almost as an afterthought. Months later Scott was falling without tripping, slurring words, and freezing mid-step, with doctors finding nothing wrong. Carl helped run the business for six weeks, then connected Scott with his brother, who had him nearly fully recovered in four days. The doctor told Scott there are only 300 practitioners with that specialty in the world. [00:26:40] What He Learned About How He Is Wired The neurologist showed Scott that his drive to fix everyone's problems is the same thing that built his businesses. Learning to manage that wiring rather than be destroyed by it has been a major personal shift. He now sees it as his duty to pass on hard-won lessons so others move through similar things faster. [00:32:22] Final Thought: Play the Long Game Networking well is a superpower, but most people try to force it too fast. His advice: slow down to speed up, and focus on the relationship, not what it might bring you. Someone recently messaged him about a podcast from three years ago that had already sent two paying clients his way. KEY QUOTES "I get no better satisfaction in business than helping other business owners really achieve that little bit of freedom from the chaos they created when they started." - Scott Rammage "Don't just make a connection. Your goal with that connection should be leaving that person with something that will improve their life. No reciprocity. Have a goal of giving only, and that will absolutely work." - Scott Rammage "Slow down to speed up. Just start meeting people and don't try to push the relationship for a connection. Push the relationship for a relationship." - Scott Rammage CONNECT WITH SCOTT RAMMAGE 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: 📱 Instagram: @scottrammage Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40199430

From Prison to Purpose with Jeff Martinovich 02/24/2026

From Prison to Purpose with Jeff Martinovich What if losing everything was actually the beginning of your greatest chapter? In this episode, Jeff Martinovich shares an extraordinary story of building and losing a billion-dollar wealth management firm and then fighting his way back from federal prison. Jeff is the founder and former CEO of MICG Investment Management, which grew to over $1 billion in assets and 100 associates in Newport News, Virginia. After the 2008 financial crisis triggered regulatory scrutiny, Jeff refused three federal plea offers, went to trial against the U.S. government, and was sentenced to 14 years in prison. But that wasn't the end. Representing himself with a number-two pencil and a manual typewriter from the prison law library, Jeff filed over 500 motions, had trial court decisions reversed five times, and got two federal judges removed, walking free nearly seven years early. Today he advises 19 companies, speaks to CEO groups worldwide, and is the author of When Not If: A CEO's Guide to Overcoming Adversity, published by Forbes Books in January 2024. Jeff lives in Norfolk, Virginia with his wife Ashley and their young children. The relationship that transformed Jeff's life: his wife Ashley. She had worked in his mortgage company years before his conviction, and about a year and a half into his prison sentence, she sent him a love letter out of the blue, saying she had always loved him and would stand by him until they won. She then drove seven hours each way to visit him once a month for seven years in what Jeff describes as a horrific prison visiting room. On the day he was released, she was waiting at the front gates to bring him home. They are now married with a young daughter, Carly, a miracle Jeff says he never deserved and considers his greatest motivation. [00:03:40] Kurt and Kristen LudHart: The Introduction That Started It All Kevin credits Kurt and Kristen LudHart for connecting him with Jeff Jeff agrees on the power of trust-based introductions cutting through surface-level noise Demonstrates how the right relationships open doors quickly and authentically [00:04:43] What Jeff Does Today: Rebuilding After Ruin Now works with a portfolio of 19 companies, helping CEOs and management teams grow Has a team of experienced advisors; also runs a law firm and investment funds Focused on helping owners create secure jobs, community impact, and charity support Describes the last five years as a full business resurrection [00:08:02] The Backstory: Air Force Academy to Billion-Dollar Firm Attended the U.S. Air Force Academy, served at Langley Air Force Base during the First Gulf War Got his MBA at night while at Langley, then entered finance as a rookie cold-calling stockbroker Built MICG Investment Management in Newport News, VA to over $1 billion in assets and 100 associates Grew to include three hedge funds, a mortgage company, insurance company, and real estate firm [00:08:48] The 2008 Crisis and the Government Comes Knocking The 2008 financial crisis triggered regulatory crackdowns on approximately 2,000 second-tier firms MICG was too large to avoid the radar and too small to write a $200 million check to make regulators move on Jeff was offered three federal plea deals and refused all three Sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after a five-week trial [00:11:20] The Prison Law Library and 500 Motions Sent to a violent prison in New Jersey, not the minimum-security facility typical for white-collar cases Began helping other inmates with their cases, filing over 300 motions for others Through this service, taught himself federal criminal law entirely by doing Filed over 500 motions in his own case using a number-two pencil and a manual typewriter [00:12:50] The Three Pillars That Got Him Through Physical: committed to 1% improvement every day, weights and running the track, not just for protection but for endorphins and the energy to stay proactive Intellectual: read 26 classics from the prison library and discovered a love of literature he never would have found otherwise Spiritual: read the Bible front to back multiple times; got into yoga and meditation to channel his anger into something productive Key mindset: treat adversity like a marathon, not a sprint, because it will take way longer than you think [00:18:26] The Academy Roommate: From Prison to $8 Million Exit Air Force Academy roommate flew out on Jeff's second day home from prison Had several struggling companies and needed someone he could trust completely Jeff and a team of Academy basketball and rugby teammates merged four losing companies Sold to California private equity two years later for $8 million Jeff's deep pride: these men had visited him in prison when he had nothing, and this was his way of giving back [00:20:32] Ashley's Love Letter: The Relationship That Changed Everything About a year and a half into his sentence, Jeff received a love letter from Ashley, a former employee She wrote that she had always loved him and would stand by him no matter what Drove seven hours each way to visit him once a month for seven years Was waiting at the front gates the day he was released and brought him home [00:24:20] The 12-Man Room: Jumping on Tony's Back Describes a late-night prison confrontation: a large inmate named Tony began brutally beating a smaller Guatemalan man over commissary pricing Jeff had spent months helping Tony with legal paperwork to get him transferred to a minimum-security camp In the middle of the night, Jeff ran across the room and jumped on Tony's back, screaming that he was about to ruin his transfer Tony came to his senses, went back to bed, everyone survived [00:27:11] The Book and the Mission: When Not If Forbes Books published When Not If: A CEO's Guide to Overcoming Adversity in January 2024 Amazon #1 bestseller; available on Amazon and at jeffmartinovich.com Two halves: 20 lessons on how to prepare before a black swan event, and 20 lessons on what to do differently once it arrives Jeff's goal: help business leaders avoid the mistakes he made on the way up and survive the ones they can't prevent [00:30:06] Final Message: You Can Get Through Anything Life doesn't throw curve balls, it throws bazookas, and Jeff lost everything down to zero Message to anyone going through something terrible: you can get through anything, you just have to get through it Believes God gives incredible rewards on the other side of the tunnel for those who endure Humbled by how many people share their own terrible stories after his speeches, proving everyone carries something [00:32:57] Own Your Story: Turning Disadvantages Into Advantages 99% of people run and hide after catastrophic public failures; Jeff chose the opposite At the start of every meeting, he tells his story directly before anyone can Google it This transparency consistently attracts trust, admiration, and deeper connection Malcolm Gladwell's principle in action: turn disadvantages into advantages KEY QUOTES "Don't run away. Own your story. Be as transparent and strong as you can. And when you own your story, it becomes the thing that attracts incredible people to you." - Jeff Martinovich "I literally lost a billion-dollar firm and everything down to 0.00. But what I want to give other people is hope and inspiration. You can go through anything as long as you get through it. You just gotta get through it." - Jeff Martinovich "The more people I help, the more the universe takes care of us. I learned that even in prison. The day I got home, I just started helping as many people as possible, mostly at 5 AM for free, and it has just exploded into all these blessings." - Jeff Martinovich CONNECT WITH JEFF MARTINOVICH 🌐 Personal Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📘 Facebook: 📚 Book: When Not If, available on Amazon Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40199330

Beyond the Success Script with Seth Streeter 02/20/2026

Beyond the Success Script with Seth Streeter What if success isn't about pushing harder but allowing yourself to be pulled toward your purpose? In this episode, Seth Streeter shares how he helps people navigate major life transitions and discover their inspired life purpose as co-founder of Mission Wealth, a wealth management firm he started 25 years ago that now manages $14 billion in assets for 4,600 families across 34 US locations. Seth has been a financial advisor for 34 years, specializing in guiding clients through major life events while helping them live more fulfilling lives through assessments across 12 dimensions of wealth. After going through divorce and the financial crisis, Seth realized he was achieving traditional success but wasn't fulfilled, leading him to spend an introspective year attending retreats, meditating, and traveling to India. In the last eight years, Seth has led purpose-driven retreats for over 2,000 people, including nine-day retreats in Bhutan where leaders trek in the Himalayas and stay with monks. Seth spoke at Davos with Deepak Chopra on conscious leadership and leads the purpose community for YPO. Seth reveals the relationship that transformed his life: Joe Bosco, owner of an Italian restaurant in Fort Collins, Colorado where Seth worked as a dishwasher through high school. When Seth was looking at colleges and his parents wanted him to attend Colorado State, Joe Bosco said "you should check out Santa Barbara, California" because he went there for horse shows. Seth had never heard of Santa Barbara but applied to UCSB because of Joe Bosco and spent 27 years there, founding Mission Wealth, having his children, serving on 10 nonprofit boards, starting sustainable future.org, and doing a TED Talk, all because Joe Bosco suggested he check out UC Santa Barbara. Seth also credits Chip Conley, founder of MEA, as a mentor who showed him how to move from his head to his heart. [00:03:40] Led Two Nine-Day Purpose Retreats in Bhutan In Asia for most of the trip Had 25 leaders in each group trekking in Himalayas Stayed overnight at monasteries, lived with monks Contemplated purpose individually, within companies, within world at large [00:04:40] Mission Wealth: 25 Years and $14 Billion Co-founded Mission Wealth 25 years ago Independent registered investment advisory firm 34 locations across US, manages just under $14 billion in assets About 4,600 families, team of 200 advisors and professionals [00:05:20] Started Leading Retreats Eight Years Ago In last eight years started leading retreats and coaching For different companies, leaders, different groups of people Takes paid time off to do it, spends vacations leading retreats About 2,000 people have gone through in-person programs [00:06:00] The 13 Inches From Head to Heart Great quote: "furthest distance many travel in lifetime are 13 inches from head to heart" As financial guy, had heart in what he did, loved helping people solve problems This work feels more intimate, more meaningful Really helping people give themselves permission to be best version of who they want to be [00:08:00] Started in Financial Services Right Out of College Right out of college, needed a job Was in student government at UC Santa Barbara, thought he'd be entrepreneur Dad was in government, mom was teacher, brother was police officer Family said "you need a job with benefits, security, and paycheck" [00:09:00] Went Through His Own Tough Journey Went through divorce, financial crisis, bumps in life Realized success script needed to be rewritten Was working hard but wasn't fulfilled, wasn't content Achieving success in traditional way materially but didn't feel fulfilled [00:09:20] The Introspective Year That Changed Everything Decided to do whole introspective year Went to retreats, read self-help books, listened to podcasts Got into meditation, went to India, did all these "woo" things That year opened up whole new framework for living [00:10:20] Push Energy vs Pull Energy As entrepreneur, had lot of push energy: building vision, growing team, charging hill Used that in Ironman, marathons, running nonprofits After personal reflection, started to adopt pull energy approach More of allowance, trusting doors close and open for reason [00:11:20] Speaking at Davos With Deepak Chopra Was asked to speak at panel in Malibu with five people Woman from Finland asked if he'd been to Davos, offered to get him in Three months before event, confirmed: Thursday with Deepak Chopra on Conscious Leadership in Era of AI Couldn't have pushed way into that opportunity, was being open and available [00:14:40] 12 Dimensions of Wealth Talk about wealth not just in financial sense but across 12 dimensions Impact families are having, quality of relationships, physical health, intellectual growth Seeing families grow true wealth feels very rewarding Lead purpose community for all of YPO [00:15:00] The Success Script and Grind Mentality Lot of people followed success script, did what they were taught Worked hard in school, career, moved through ranks or started company Rinsed and repeated grind mentality to get ahead Now 40, 50, or 60 saying "is this all there is?" [00:17:00] Woman Going Through Divorce Woman in mid-50s going through divorce Two daughters just graduated high school, going to East Coast for college Husband ended 30-year marriage right at same time From financial standpoint she was fine, but really struggling with identity [00:18:00] Converting Husband's Office Into Studio She loved working with single women's nonprofits, domestic shelters Also loved skincare, always did facials for daughters Helped her convert former husband's office into studio Became licensed aesthetician, did facials for women in community including free ones for women through tough times [00:19:20] The Inspired Life Purpose Exercise Had someone at retreat who was CEO, just exited food tech company in New York Did exercise called Your Inspired Life Purpose Four circles: innate gifts, skills, passion, what world needs most Look at how those four circles intersect [00:20:00] Paul's Life Manifesto CEO named Paul came up with amazing idea during exercise Went to room that night, wrote his life manifesto Next morning: "I was up most of the night, I now have life manifesto" Wanted to change food systems of North America leveraging technology [00:20:40] Started a Blog, Got Recruited by Patagonia Paul decided to start blog writing about his vision Just couple months later, recruiter read one of his blog posts Interviewed for new position Became head of Patagonia's Food Provision Company [00:24:00] Invested Heavily in Relationships Since High School Always had lunch meetings 12 to 1, five days a week at same restaurant Would book with clients, teammates, or people in community City council members, students, nonprofit leaders, business leaders Every single day asking: who is this person, what makes them tick, how can I support them? [00:25:00] Working at Italian Restaurant in Fort Collins Worked at Italian restaurant through high school to pay bills Was bus boy, dishwasher, had all the jobs Owner was Joe Bosco, owned restaurant in Fort Collins and one in Casper, Wyoming Was thinking about colleges, parents would pay for Colorado State [00:25:40] "You Should Check Out Santa Barbara" Wanted to do something different, applied to UCLA and Berkeley Joe Bosco said "you should check out Santa Barbara, California, they have university there" Used to go there for horse shows Had never even heard of Santa Barbara at the time [00:26:00] Chose UCSB Because of Joe Bosco Applied to UCSB, packet looked amazing, university on coast Ended up choosing UCSB as his university because of Joe Bosco Spent 27 years in Santa Barbara, half of his adult life Founded company there, had children there, on 10 nonprofit boards [00:31:00] Meeting Ashley Brilliant Mom was sixth grade teacher, had cartoons called Pot Shots by Ashley Brilliant in classroom Going through tough time in Santa Barbara, Ashley's cartoons spoke to him three days in row Wrote thank you note to Mr. Brilliant He replied, met for lunch at Chinese restaurant [00:32:00] The Fortune Cookie Message After meal, got fortune cookies Ashley's note said: "Finally, the answer you've been looking for is sitting across from you" Seth's said: "If at first it's a no, it may become a maybe" Decided to help Ashley start building business around his cartoons [00:34:40] Service Trip to Honduras Took son on service trip to Honduras, worked at orphanage Security guard had wooden leg, very archaic piece of wood with hinge 34 years old, probably made $2 a day, couldn't get new leg Decided to get him a leg [00:35:40] Getting Him a $10,000 Leg Took almost a year but got friend who was Paralympic athlete involved Got him fancy $10,000 leg that was molded and fit for him Had to get it down there strategically because shipping would mean it gets stolen He sent FaceTime video: first time he'd been able to slow dance with wife since car accident 10 years prior KEY QUOTES "A lot of people followed the success script, worked hard in school and career, rinsed and repeated this grind mentality. Now they're 40, 50, or 60 saying 'is this all there is? I now have success, but there's a creative in me that hasn't been out to play.'" - Seth Streeter "The furthest distance many of us travel in our lifetimes are the 13 inches from our head to our heart. This work feels more intimate and meaningful because it's really helping people give themselves permission to be the best version of who they want to be." - Seth Streeter "I had a lot of push energy as an entrepreneur. But I started to adopt a pull energy approach, more of an allowance, trusting that when a door closes it closes for a reason, when it opens for a reason. I was being pulled to where I was supposed to be." - Seth Streeter CONNECT WITH SETH STREETER 🌐 Personal Website: 💼 Mission Wealth: 💼 LinkedIn: 📱 Instagram: @sethstreeter3.0 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40048485

Healing Through Helping Others Find A Home with Scott Harris 02/17/2026

Healing Through Helping Others Find A Home with Scott Harris What if buying a home isn't a transaction but a deeply emotional transition that reveals who you're becoming? In this episode, Scott Harris shares how he helps people navigate the emotional journey of finding their dream homes as the founder of Magnetic Real Estate, a boutique residential real estate brokerage in Manhattan. Scott has been a residential real estate agent in New York City for almost 23 years and has sold over $2 billion in real estate. Growing up as a child of divorce, he moved back and forth between his parents' houses approximately 500 times before turning 18, and when he started helping people buy homes, he realized he was healing the damage of being from a broken home himself. He nearly burned out in 2014 while building a team, emerging wiser with the realization that real estate is much more than a transaction. His innovative approach, The Magnetic Method, ensures clients attract homes that help them reach the fullest expression of who they're meant to be. Scott firmly believes real estate agents are doing sacred work, and he wrote "Pursue Your Home" to change the narrative around buying a home. Scott reveals the relationship that transformed his career: Howie Cusack, his mentor at a booking agency in Boston when Scott left college wanting to be in the music business while performing as a singer in a boy band acapella group. Howie took Scott on as an intern and trained him for six years, teaching him how to manage crazy artists, put complicated deals together, and navigate producing concerts and booking tours. Scott toured approximately 100,000 miles a year in an RV performing about a thousand shows opening for bands like NSYNC, working from dial-up internet as the original work-from-home person. When Scott moved to New York and got into real estate, he realized he was armed with incredible skills from Howie, plugging right into the business from day one. This foundation equipped Scott to deal with level-11 insane moments, like when a client called the night before a $7 million closing asking to borrow $350,000 in closing costs, and Scott channeled Howie's ballsy presence from when a reggae act pulled out a chainsaw demanding payment and Howie said "get your butt on stage, you know you're gonna get paid." [00:05:20] Founder of Magnetic Real Estate Boutique residential real estate brokerage firm in Manhattan, New York City Been residential real estate agent in New York for almost 23 years Serves people buying and selling real estate in New York Connects with people all over the globe [00:07:40] Child of Divorce: Moving 500 Times Child of divorce, moved back and forth between parents until age 18 Did the math: moved about 500 times between their houses Started on rental side of business in New York, felt very transactional Got into sales and got such satisfaction from helping people buy homes [00:08:00] Healing Through Helping Others Find Home Finally put two and two together When helping people find homes, also doing work to heal damage of being from broken home himself When he bought home with his wife, it was same work To have a place that's really yours changed his life [00:09:20] Helping People Through Tough Things One of first sales: helping older Italian woman who was divorcee find home after bad divorce Got call from estate attorney representing Maurice Sendak's estate (wrote "Where the Wild Things Are") His estate went to serve organizations that helped kids Satisfying to know they were helping many people when they sold the apartment [00:12:00] Real Estate Agents Are Doing Sacred Work Firmly believes real estate agents are doing sacred work, really important work Some of most important work there is If people change the way they think about themselves and what they're doing, changes whole tenor Need to bring whole self into relationship with buyers and sellers [00:15:20] Started in Music Business as Intern When first left college, wanted to be in music business Also was singer and performer Got job as intern at booking agency (represents bands or talent buyer like clubs/colleges) Introduced to Howie Cusack in Boston [00:16:00] Learning to Sell Bands and Put Tours Together Real estate is competitive and hard, but go try to sell bands to bookers at clubs Or to college kids probably smoking weed half the time on phone calls Really hard to put tours together for bands Had amazing mentor in Howie, worked together for better part of six years [00:16:40] Producing Concerts is Multifaceted Producing concerts is so multifaceted Putting bands on road, booking tours, all those things All skills from working with Howie influenced way he plugged right into real estate business Right out of the gate, made huge impact on his life [00:17:40] Touring 100,000 Miles a Year Working phones from RV while doing 60,000 or 100,000 miles of touring a year Really grateful to Howie for making huge impact Had RV, went all around country performing at venues Boy band version of acapella group (like contemporary Pentatonix) with beatbox [00:18:20] Opening for NSYNC and Doing 1,000 Shows 23 to 24 years ago Opened for bands like NSYNC Did about 1,000 shows together when he was there Credits experience for making him appreciate giving back [00:18:40] Everyone's Got a Story Been to so many little towns: upstate New York, Indiana, Ohio, eastern seaboard, California Meet people living their lives, get to know them Everyone's got story to tell What's their superpower? Everybody's got something they're uniquely awesome at [00:21:00] The $7 Million Townhouse Crisis Represented songwriter (very well known, wrote popular songs in 60s and 70s) Made a lot of money, but also crazy deal maker Night before buying $7 million townhouse, calls Scott Even though told him 50 times about closing costs, didn't register he'd have to spend $350,000 [00:22:00] Get Your Butt On Stage Howie looks him right in eye: "Get your butt on stage. You know you're gonna get paid. Get outta my face with that" Scott inhabiting this ballsy guy Client asking for money Scott didn't have sitting around At closing table, client did significant gymnastics to make it happen [00:24:00] Free Resources at Pursue Your Home Bunch of free resources so people can get flavor of what's in book Go to pursueyourhome.com Can take assessment to learn your own communication style Strongly encourages people to take time to be prepared before jumping in [00:26:00] Surround Yourself With People Who Care Need to surround yourself with team who really cares about you Family and friends that support you, cheer you on, in trenches with you If there are people in your life that secretly want you to fail, leave them on outside of this conversation Important to surround yourself with feeling where people see you and hear you KEY QUOTES "I firmly believe that real estate agents are doing sacred work, really important work. We're doing some of the most important work that there is. If people change the way they think about themselves and what they're doing, it changes the whole tenor of the dynamic." - Scott Harris "Everybody's got something they're uniquely awesome at. If you prejudge them, you miss it. You miss that moment. If you can just be with somebody, you end up learning a lot." - Scott Harris "Finding a home is one of the most stressful things people go through because it is so deeply important to our existence. The word for human and the word for home are the same route. You can't untangle those two things." - Scott Harris CONNECT WITH SCOTT HARRIS 🌐 Website: 🏠 Magnetic Real Estate: 💼 LinkedIn: 📱 Instagram: @scottieharris 📘 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40048440

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary with Dr. Lani Jones 02/13/2026

The Extraordinary in the Ordinary with Dr. Lani Jones What if the extraordinary results you're chasing are hiding in the ordinary daily tasks you're overlooking? In this episode, Dr. Lani Jones shares how she helps mid-career professionals navigate the "what's next?" question through psychology-informed business coaching. Lani is a clinical psychologist who works in the leadership space, doing one-on-one coaching with professionals asking "I've checked all the boxes, where do I go from here?" while also working with organizations on culture and clarity. She started her career in a hospital setting as part of an interdisciplinary team before opening a private practice, but COVID became the unexpected catalyst when evaluation needs dropped while therapy demand skyrocketed, and she began working with entrepreneurs and executives on leading through crises and balancing professional ambition with caregiving. Lani's innovative approach centers on deep-dive calendar audits that reveal what's truly important versus what's done out of obligation, helping seasoned professionals reclaim agency they've forgotten they have. Her biggest win was helping a C-Suite executive who achieved her life's goal but was miserable, and after 18 months she was loving work again simply by claiming her agency and rebuilding her calendar. Beyond her professional achievements, Lani champions the motto "the extraordinary abides in the ordinary." Lani reveals the relationships that transformed her business: three powerhouse women she met in a mastermind group for testing psychologists around 2018-2019, who after the mastermind ended gelled so deeply that one said "I think we need to meet in person," leading to yearly gatherings where they show up so vulnerably that if two end up in the same city there's a text guilting the others to fly in even for 36 hours. These women became her biggest champions who championed her pursuit of coaching saying "pursue this, it's okay to transition out of clinical work," and because Lani had all her cheerleaders behind the scenes giving her business advice while personally supporting her, she could show up powerfully for an early coaching client, a founder drowning without systems who couldn't afford mentorship. She worked with her pro bono, introducing her to key people and helping her handle burnout, leading to Lani's realization that it wasn't just about these three women but about the broader relationship ecosystem she'd built over years where she could say "let me share my people with you." [00:03:20] Clinical Psychologist in Leadership and Business Space Works as consultant and coach with mid-career professionals One-to-one coaching with those asking "what's next? I've checked boxes, had success—where do I go from here?" Works with organizations and leadership teams on culture, clarity, evaluation procedures Does workshops and trainings [00:04:20] Started Career in Hospital Setting Worked with variety of medical professionals as part of interdisciplinary team Focused on diagnostic side: evaluation and testing Moved to opening private practice during COVID [00:04:40] COVID Changed Everything By happenstance started working with group of entrepreneurs and executives Covering topics: leading through pandemic, going through reorg while dealing with divorce Climbing corporate ladder while being caregiver at home Talking about dual roles [00:05:00] Merging Business and Psychology Being business owner herself, loved talking all things business Using psych expertise to address people-related challenges Coaching was way to merge love of both business and psychology Help people maximize impact and show up as best selves in all spheres [00:05:40] The Need Shifted Dramatically Stay-at-home mandates, children in schools at home Need for evaluations drastically dropped off Need for therapy greatly increased What she'd been doing totally unexpectedly shifted [00:07:40] C-Suite Client Success Story Woman came to her, been in C-Suite about a year C-Suite was her entire goal—everything she'd done was for this Year in, I was not very happy, asking "is this it? Is this what it's supposed to feel like?" Crisis moment: "What do I do now?" [00:08:20] Deep Dive Calendar Audit First step with all clients: calendar audit Can say such and such is important, but calendar reflects what truly is Spend week or two doing deep dive: mindless scrolling, transport times, all the things Start peeling back layers in all spheres [00:08:40] What's on There Out of Obligation? What's under obligation or guilt? What did you really want to say no to but said yes to? Seasoned professionals often forget how much agency they have in a situation [00:09:00] The Big Win: Nothing Externally Changed By end of their time together, she was really loving things again Nothing significantly changed externally: same role, two elementary age kids, married Started claiming her agency, taking more control Peeling away guilt and "shoulds" [00:09:40] Rebuilding Calendar to Bring Life Rebuilt calendar to things that brought her life, things she wanted to say yes to Even within job position, had more flexibility than she was claiming Structured schedule to maximize deep think time Had flexibility in when and how she was taking meetings [00:12:40] Met in Mastermind Group When first starting practice, sought out business mentor Was in mastermind group—all testing psychologists in private practice Very specific niche, all virtual across the country [00:13:00] Four Women Really Gelled Together At end of mastermind, herself and three women really gelled One said "I think we need to meet in person" Met up in person number of years ago for first time Have yearly gathering somewhere in world, one plays host [00:13:20] Guilting Each Other to Fly In If two end up in same city, there's text message Guilting other ones to fly in even for 36 hours to be with them Powerhouse business owners [00:13:40] Biggest Champions and Cheerleaders Been some of her biggest champions and cheerleaders Shown up in this space so vulnerably and authentically Few weeks ago, sitting on beach in Florida talking life, talking business What's going great? What's hard? [00:15:40] Early Coaching Client: Founder Drowning One of early coaching clients was a founder couple years in Didn't quite have systems in place that she needed This was her first business, felt like she was drowning Not in financial position to take on business mentor or coach [00:16:00] Working Together Pro Bono Made agreement to work together Started working with her on both personal and professional life Getting business systems in place Introduced her to number of key people with expertise outside of hers [00:16:40] Had Cheerleaders Behind the Scenes Because had all her cheerleaders behind scenes Who were giving her all amazing business advice and expertise Personally supporting her Was able to show up in very similar way for this client [00:17:40] Broader Relationship Ecosystem Wasn't only these three women Was the broader relationship ecosystem she shared with client So many other key players was able to introduce her to All that relationship equity over the years [00:20:20] The Extraordinary Abides in the Ordinary One of her mottos: "The extraordinary abides in the ordinary" As entrepreneurs and business owners, we want the big shiny things Want to run after really big successes or goals Actually the seemingly mundane or just ordinary daily tasks [00:20:40] Relationships Take Time to Build Even relationship building: sending the text, doing the follow up, grabbing the coffee Can't alter time—time is what it is, for better or worse Sometimes it's fast, sometimes it's slow Relationships take time to build, they're not overnight KEY QUOTES "The extraordinary abides in the ordinary. Sometimes as entrepreneurs and business owners, we want the big, shiny things, but it's actually the seemingly mundane, ordinary daily tasks of relationship building, sending the text, doing the follow up that creates big results." - Dr. Lani Jones "Our calendar actually reflects what truly is important to us. We can say such and such is important, but how are we spending our time? Seasoned professionals often forget how much agency they have in a situation." - Dr. Lani Jones "Relationships take time to build. They're not overnight. Don't get in that rapid pace of 'I'm not where I need to be.' Just do the daily tasks, do the ordinary, and you're gonna see the big results." - Dr. Lani Jones CONNECT WITH DR. LANI JONES 🌐 Website: https://drlanijones.com 📋 Free Calendar Reset Guide: https://drlanijones.com/reset 💼 LinkedIn: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40048305

Broken Hearts and Compassionate Persistence with Jeanne Foot 02/10/2026

Broken Hearts and Compassionate Persistence with Jeanne Foot What if we don't know what to do with broken hearts the way we know what to do with broken bones? In this episode, Jeanne Foot shares how she helps individuals and families navigate mental health, addiction, and trauma recovery through The Recovery Concierge. Jeanne is the founder of this boutique mental health, addiction, and trauma navigation agency that provides innovative concierge services tailored to unique needs of individuals, families, and the entertainment industry. With a focus on mental health and addiction recovery, her team's holistic approach encompasses assessments, counseling, and continuous support, ensuring a comprehensive pathway to sustainable recovery. Her journey into this work wasn't by choice - it chose her. Growing up in 1960s London with childhood trauma, sexual abuse, and the death of her baby sister, Jeanne fell into substances at a young age as her only tool for emotional regulation. After getting sober and spending seven years frozen in emotional pain, she had an epiphany: no one's coming to save you. She dove into everything from peak performance to trauma healing, creating the proprietary method she uses today with clients. Jeanne reveals two relationships that transformed her: her father, who mentored her in the family insurance business in her early twenties when she didn't want to go to university, teaching her that sales is about guiding people through a process (not coercing them), that you win on price but lose on price, and instilling values of ethics, integrity, kindness, vulnerability, and transparency that shape everything she stands for today and carry through to their third-generation family business; and Dr. Anthony Levitt, Chief of Brain Sciences at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto with over 10,000 employees, a brilliant psychiatrist who gave agency to people who weren't clinically trained, wanting to learn from lived experience rather than taking a top-down approach, asking Jeanne to chair a grassroots pilot program in 2012 that has now served thousands of families and become a leader in the industry both nationally and internationally, and who admitted "we're failing people, we need to do better" when others would hide that they don't know what to do. [00:04:20] Founder of The Recovery Concierge Boutique mental health, addiction, and trauma navigation agency Matches people to right services and bespoke treatment plans Uses invitational, compassionate, non-stigmatizing approach to intervention Been doing this work 30 years informally, 15 years professionally [00:05:40] Growing Up in 1960s London "Children should be seen and not heard" environment in middle class family Baby sister died when Jeanne was four years old Stepbrother sexually abused her, grew up with tremendous trauma Fell into substances at very young age as only coping mechanism [00:06:40] The Critical Juncture: Seven Years Sober Seven years into sobriety, thought "if this is all my life's gonna be, I don't want any part" Frozen in her body, life picture perfect on outside but empty inside In so much emotional pain despite having everything externally [00:07:20] The Epiphany: No One's Coming to Save You Had an epiphany: "There's no one who's coming to save you. You better figure this out yourself" Dove into everything: peak performance, emotional healing, trauma, addiction, mental health Created proprietary method mixing optimal tools that became foundation for her work [00:08:20] Her Children: The Catalyst for Change Children became more important to her than herself Wanted to do things differently than her family had done Made sacrifices in her early thirties (early 1990s) to choose them [00:09:40] The Volunteer Visit That Changed Everything Looking for place to volunteer, wanted to be of service and reduce suffering Someone pointed her to Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto Had no idea what she was doing, just felt she wanted to help [00:10:00] The Town Hall Meeting with Dr. Anthony Levitt Met Dr. Anthony Levitt, Chief of Brain Sciences at Sunnybrook Hospital (10,000+ employees) He was examining why parents were taking children to US for mental health treatment Parents shared their stories, Dr. Levitt said: "We're gonna do something about this right now" [00:10:40] Building the Plane While Flying It Dr. Levitt asked Jeanne to chair the pilot program Lived experience informed program with clinical expertise Did everything: secured philanthropy funding, hired people, visited every stakeholder, defined metrics [00:11:20] He Gave Us Agency Dr. Levitt gave them agency despite being brilliant psychiatrist Felt he could learn from people who had been in trenches and failed by system Jeanne worked across from him 30 hours a week for free because so in love with the work [00:13:00] We Don't Know What to Do with Broken Hearts Know what to do with broken hearts (cardiology) or broken bones Don't know what to do with broken hearts (emotional)—very nuanced, non-prescriptive process Need to meet client where they're at, not use top-down approach [00:14:20] Rapport Is Number One Indicator of Success Rapport is #1 indicator of success, not therapeutic expertise If you don't have rapport with someone, you can't go anywhere Client from 40 years ago still calling because of implicit trust: "I've got my people" [00:16:00] Learning from Her Father First person who changed her life was her father His ethics, sense of humor, values shaped who she became Father was fantastic mentor when she joined family insurance business in 1980s [00:17:00] Sales Is About Guiding People in a Process Father taught her sales is about guiding people, not coercing them Showing them a process: either they want it or they don't He taught her about ethics—have to have benchmark of morality in business [00:19:20] Third Generation of Client Relationships Into third generation with client acquisitions in insurance business Values come from within structure of family and organization Clients saying: "We've been dealing with these people for long time, continue that" Father's lesson: "You win on price, you lose on price" [00:22:40] Dr. Anthony Levitt: Beautiful Humility Gave agency to people who weren't clinically trained, wanted to learn from them Admitted "we're failing people, we need to do better" instead of defending system Such beautiful humility about him wanting to learn [00:23:40] Grassroots Organization Still Going Strong Since 2012 Built organization that's served thousands of families Has funding, clinical research, evidence-based outcomes Leaders not just nationally but internationally with this model of care Dr. Levitt's philosophy: "The government leads by following" [00:25:20] Lives Saved Through Being There Been in situations where had she not been there in right moment, person wouldn't be here today Meets people in their darkest moments, sometimes requires heavy lifting Testimonials from family members: "You literally saved my daughter's life" [00:26:20] Compassionate Persistence Everyone does it in their own timeline, have to respect that Not top-down authoritarian approach—some people need more time "Compassionate persistence": stay with them until they get what they need [00:28:20] Triggers Are Learning Opportunities Closer relationships trigger us most, but triggers can be good thing Learning opportunities to do better, show up differently People we love most can be most challenging, but they're opportunities for beautiful learning [00:28:40] 100% Personal Responsibility Have to take 100% responsibility, each of us—no 50/50 When we take personal responsibility, we put control in our hands We build walls to protect our hearts, but can't let anything good in either Being seen, validated, heard for what we need is important part of healing KEY QUOTES "We know what to do with broken hearts in cardiology, but we don't know what to do with broken hearts." - Jeanne Foot "Rapport is the number one indicator of success. People think it's therapeutic expertise—it's not. If you don't have rapport with someone, you can't go anywhere." - Jeanne Foot "Triggers can be a good thing. They can be learning opportunities for us to do better, to show up differently. We all have blind spots, and the people we love the most sometimes can be the most challenging in our relationships." - Jeanne Foot CONNECT WITH JEANNE FOOT 🌐 Website: https://www.therecoveryconcierge.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanne-foot-the-recovery-concierge 📱 Facebook: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/40048245

Being a Charity Banker with John Bromley 02/06/2026

Being a Charity Banker with John Bromley What if charitable giving opens you up to a new world of purpose and meaning you didn't know you had access to? In this episode, John Bromley shares how he helps donors navigate and participate comfortably in the giving world as a "charity banker." John is the founder and CEO of Charitable Impact, Canada's first fully online donor-advised fund, which has facilitated over $1.5 billion in charitable donations since its inception in 2011. Growing up in a family deeply engaged in philanthropy, John was inspired by his father, renowned charity lawyer Blake Bromley, to pursue a career in creating impact. He began in corporate finance with PwC and RBC Capital Markets before transitioning to the charitable sector in his mid-to-late twenties, where he recognized the need for a simpler, more effective giving platform. John's innovative approach has earned him recognition as a TEDx speaker, a "Forty Under 40" honoree, and recipient of the CEO Community Leadership Award. Committed to cultivating generosity, John continues to empower individuals and organizations to make meaningful change through philanthropy. Beyond his professional achievements, he is a dedicated community leader, soccer coach, and proud father of two. John reveals the relationship that transformed him: his father Blake Bromley, one of the global pioneers of charity law and finance in Canada, who taught John everything he needed to know to become a charity banker not through formal education but through osmosis during car rides to sports games every weekend, where John thought he was tuning out boring workplace talk but was actually absorbing years of expertise that no textbook could teach, leading to John's realization in his late twenties that his dad possessed unique knowledge that became the foundation for Charitable Impact and John's ability to help donors go from thinking about $200,000 gifts to creating private foundations with $15 million. [00:05:00] I'm a Charity Banker Acts like private banker to donors (individuals or organizations) Gives access to knowledge about how to go about giving Brings tools and team members to help Founder and CEO of Charitable Impact (donor-advised fund) [00:05:40] How a Charity Bank Works People give money in, get tax receipt right away Can determine how to use those charity dollars to create impact they want Role is entrepreneur who founded it, gives vision and mission There because people with great hearts, minds, deep wallets never had anywhere to go for neutral advice [00:06:40] Inspired by Seeing Others Become Inspired Charitable giving opens people to new world of purpose and meaning About investing time, talent, and money into things you care most about Having impact with your time, talent, and money Coached soccer for years, grateful for opportunity to do it [00:07:40] Getting More Out Than You Put In Really good donors get more out of it than they think they put in First time doing anything, you're not gonna be whiz kid Takes time and focus People who learn to have joy and gratitude become best donors [00:10:40] Making Intentional Giving Part of Everyday Life Vision at Charitable Impact: make intentional giving part of everyday life Quantum of money isn't as important Type of cause they choose isn't important to him Like banker shouldn't care what specific stocks someone chooses [00:11:40] From Sporadic to Intentional Giver Inspired when someone goes from not being giver to proactive giver From only reacting to being asked for money to building giving into their life Whether using time, talents, and/or money Like fitness banker trying to get people off couch [00:14:00] Be Open to Help Blessed to have had many encounters with people who had material impact If talking to younger self: you've gotta be open to help and feedback Don't have to accept it all, but have to listen to it One person stands out head and shoulders above everyone else [00:14:40] Didn't Recognize Until Almost 30 Key mentor in his life was his father Didn't recognize dad played that role until almost 30 Not just because dad was good dad who loved and nurtured him Where do you learn what you need to know to become a charity banker? [00:15:20] One of Two Serious Pioneers Father was one of arguably two serious pioneers of charity law and finance in Canada In charity nerd community (very small), dad is known globally He's one of global experts in the space Here he is, just my dad [00:16:00] The Career Change Conversation Graduated university, started in corporate finance and investment banking Left after several years, not being culture fit Started interacting with dad about changing career mid-to-late twenties Accidental pathway led to realizing dad knows stuff you can't read online [00:17:20] Learning from Osmosis Played ton of sports growing up, every weekend dad took him to games Dad yapping about charity stuff going on in his workplace John thinking: in one ear out the next, boring Now realise: how much did I learn from osmosis? [00:19:20] The $15 Million Superpower Dad's superpower: donor comes in thinking $50-100K, maybe $200K Two months later, leaving with private foundation with $15 million in it Rooted in relationship development and expertise John has had few scenarios where this happened [00:20:20] Seeing Beyond the Barriers People come in wanting to make giving part of how family does things Starting with what sounds like relatively low money Shifting how they think about it, making large structured contributions Growth mindset in philanthropic advisory space [00:22:40] Increasing Access to Participation Mission: increase access to participation in and benefit people feel from giving Not about going from 200K to 15 million About going from never giving to starting to give $100 a month It's the action to participate and start that matters [00:24:00] Like Building a Bank Banks might make more money off high net worth clients But banks don't exist without tens of thousands of small depositors Real interest is helping people get in and stay in game Regardless of money or causes they want to create impact for [00:26:00] The Workshop That Changed Everything Kevin started family foundation in 2008 to avoid big tax bill Friend Jeff Ziegler told him to start foundation and get 501(c)(3) status Went to workshop in 2009, heard foundation owners talking about what they're doing Wanted to start experiencing that [00:26:40] Jamaica Orphanage and Family Sponsorship Kevin's foundation supports Jamaica orphanage, visits every year Gives each of four older kids access to foundation debit card They choose family through food bank or church to sponsor Buy what kids want and need, groceries [00:27:20] I Wish This Was My Job Oldest daughter after first year: "I wish this was my job all the time" So incredibly rewarding for them Take kids to Jamaica orphanage, they experience what those kids are like On bus ride back, kids saying "we got it really good, Dad" [00:28:20] Three Beliefs at Charitable Impact Everyone has something in world they want to create change for Everyone has something to give toward creating that change (time, talent, treasure) When you give, you get something in return This third belief is under-focused on [00:29:40] Selfish Reasons to Give How do you learn you have it well if not exposed to these things? Creates opportunity, learning, meaning, and purpose in your own life It's not just about benefiting community No one focuses on this, but they should [00:30:00] You Don't Stay in Jobs You Don't Like Do you live in a house you hate? Probably not Eat foods you hate? Play sports you don't like? Of course not - you do things you enjoy Important to see philanthropy that way [00:32:40] Intention vs. Action Intention is critically important, big fan of intention But it's action, doing stuff in real world that creates change Can't just think about it Philanthropy is like exercise or eating well - you have to actually do it [00:33:20] You Don't Have to Be Perfect Don't have to work out hours every day Can be incremental, small part of who you are But you actually have to do something When you do, you get something in return [00:33:40] The One Thing They Don't Regret Seasoned philanthropists, particularly as they get older Never heard anyone regret spending time, talent, money on things they care about Partly because of how much they get out of it By so doing [00:34:20] Being in Control of Where Money Goes Can choose instead of paying it all in taxes Give to organization or something you believe in and want to support Take proactive step and give it there instead We can totally choose that [00:36:00] Dad, Thank You and I Love You John gives shout out to his father Thanks him for everything Says "I love you" Beautiful moment honoring his dad KEY QUOTES "Charitable giving opens them up to this new world of purpose and meaning. It's really about investing your time and talent and money into the things that you care most about, that you love." - John Bromley "Really good donors get more out of it than they think they put in. The people who learn to have joy and gratitude from giving become the best donors." - John Bromley "When you give, you get something in return. It's about creating opportunity and learning and meaning and purpose in your own life." - John Bromley CONNECT WITH JOHN BROMLEY 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📱 Social Media: @wearecharitable Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39893920

Community as Currency and the Art of Receiving with Eric Farewell 02/03/2026

Community as Currency and the Art of Receiving with Eric Farewell What if community is currency and you can never truly be broke? In this episode, Eric Farewell shares how he helps founders grow their businesses while staying grounded in purpose, presence, and resilience. Eric is an entrepreneur, author, and somatic business coach who has built industry-shaping brands like Aviator Paramotor and National STOL. He's a devoted husband and father of three whose journey through loss, injury, and burnout led him to redefine what success truly means. Eric retired at 35 (four years ago) after 26 years of building businesses since age 13. In his book Farewell to Normal and through his coaching with the Royals Mastermind, Eric helps founders cut their efforts by at least 50% while doubling revenue. His work week is usually about 90 minutes, allowing him to be deeply present with his family and use the wisdom of his experience instead of the abilities of his brain. Eric moved halfway across the country to be closer to his community in Texas, specifically the Front Row Dads mastermind. He's on the board of Rising Man, which specializes in Native American style rites of passage for men and boys. Eric reveals the relationships that transformed him: his wife, who for 16 years of marriage has reminded him he's a good man and makes good decisions, keeping him from the brink more times than he can count when their marriage was in crisis before they found therapy and somatic work; his first mentor Alex Ozzi, whom he met at an internet marketing conference at age 13 and followed puppy dog style, moving to California and living in his garage from ages 13 to 21, learning that having a mentor who's where you want to go is absolutely imperative; and his Front Row Dads community in Texas (especially Jason Bro who challenges him more than anyone and gives him more love from another man than he's ever received), teaching him that community is currency and you need mentors, coaches you pay way too much for, and community that builds you up and holds you accountable when you fail. [00:03:40] Retired at 35 Retired four years ago at age 35, been building businesses since age 13 This is not first retirement but this one actually took For him, addiction to producing was tied directly to childhood abuse and trauma Four years ago realized he didn't need to be the best worker to matter anymore [00:04:20] Serving Entrepreneurs Who Want More Stepped down as CEO, moved halfway across country from companies two years ago Work week is usually about 90 minutes, using wisdom of experience instead of abilities of brain Serves entrepreneurs and founders who are waking up spiritually Goal: Cut efforts by 50%, increase revenue by double (some reduce hours 70-80%) [00:05:40] Legacy Is Relationships Most proud of clients reducing hours 70-80% while increasing revenue Legacy is not money in bank account, it's relationships with people and family Marriage was in crisis (relationship is over, how do we cut things apart) Found therapy and somatic work, now have best relationship he can imagine [00:07:00] The Hardest Year but the Happiest Hardest year in at least last nine years (financially, emotionally, death in family) Got dozed in February, tariffed in April, had to lay off half of team Production truck and trailer flipped in Montana, caught fire, burned to ground Because of the work he's done, genuinely the happiest he's ever been [00:08:20] Started Selling Airplanes on the Internet Started in 1999 selling airplanes on this new thing called the internet ADHD kids not designed to build airplanes, so sold them instead Turned into hundreds of airplanes sold over next five years Became internet marketing career, retired from that at 23 [00:09:00] Flying as First Form of Therapy Flying was first taste of perspective shift (like Burning Man or therapy for others) Astronauts call it the overlook effect Built para motor flight school, manufacturing business, media company, aircraft racing series Many clients will never go to therapy, but flying is great tool for them [00:09:40] Losing His Brother Changed Everything Seven years ago lost his brother at age 22 (had three-month-old son) Brother was first employee at Aviator Huge wake up call about what really mattered Had been chasing constantly moving goalposts (million, 5 million, 10 million, 25 million) [00:10:20] Logo Tattooed on Bodies Worldwide Logo tattooed on ton of bodies all over the world Clients call it a family, vociferous fans, massive fans Racing series has one part-time employee and 1600 volunteers For-profit business with volunteers who believe in mission and love community [00:10:40] Why Do I Work a Hundred Hours a Week? Started journey looking inward at why he does this Would work 100 hours a week then crash every three months into fever Got vasectomy, was back on field working 24 hours later Worked that way because that's where he felt loved [00:11:20] Presence Is the Core of Everything Realized presence is the core of everything Presence is the absence of fear, love's antithesis of fear Presence is truest version of love you can give yourself and world Everything else good in life is byproduct of choice to be deeply present [00:13:00] Living with the Pain For 22 years used alcohol as primary numbing agent for pain Broken back twice, five radiated discs, broken vertebrae (was test pilot) Haven't had drink in almost two weeks, got curious about living with discomfort Doesn't want anything that ties him to fear, so sitting in the pain [00:16:40] Wife Kept Him from the Brink Number one most valuable relationship is his wife For 16 years of marriage, reminds him he's a good man who makes good decisions Her guidance and encouragement kept him from brink more times than he can count Marriage went from crisis to best relationship through therapy and somatic work [00:17:00] Following Alex Ozzi at 13 At 13 got first mentor, went to internet marketing conference, met Alex Ozzi Followed him puppy dog style, begged to make coffee, carry briefcase Ended up moving to California, living in his garage Followed him conference to conference from ages 13 to 21 [00:17:20] The Three Things You Need Mentor who is where you want to go, who's lived life you want to live Coach you pay way too much money to (makes it uncomfortable so you follow through) Community that builds you up and holds you accountable when you fail Those three things are absolute must [00:18:20] Moving to Texas for Community Moved halfway across country because community is in Texas Found mastermind called Front Row Dads (John Broman) focused on family Came to Texas with family, realized more friends here than Florida Five weeks later moved here to double down on having men who challenge him [00:18:40] Jason Bro Gives More Hell Than Anyone Jason Bro (CEO at Ma) gives more hell than anyone else Eric's met Also gives more love than Eric's ever received from another man Deeply present, engaged, challenges the crap out of him Wants relationships that challenge him to be best version and pick him up [00:22:00] Cooking for Everyone Grew up in French restaurant, started working there at age seven Worked every position from line cook to dishwasher to bartender At Aviator, if you're learning to fly, you ate meal Eric prepared first day At National STOL, cook for 100-200 people three meals a day (all volunteers) [00:22:40] The Moment He No Longer Had to Carry the Energy Sat down for lunch at Aviator with about 30 people Someone sat next to him and asked "So what do you do here?" They didn't know he was founder or CEO That's the moment he no longer had to carry energy of whole organization [00:23:00] Community Is Currency From Preston Smiles and Garin Jones (Garin Oay): "Community is currency" So many people fear going broke, not having enough, failing Problem is fear based on tangible idea that universe is finite (it's not) When you have community, you can't ever truly be broke [00:23:40] Millions Lost This Year Father-in-law hung himself, business suffered massively from canceled contracts and tariffs Millions and millions of dollars lost this year Yet in community, realized he's building coaching program with incredible people Doesn't do social media marketing, no interest in being that person ever again [00:24:40] Asking for Withdrawals Community only becomes currency when you ask for support Garin said: "You're not asking for help. Biggest bridges are suspension bridges, need support" Each of us in different places in lives, can offer different levels of support In mastermind, do ton of testing (Gene Keys, Human Design, Enneagram, Kolby, Working Genius) [00:25:00] Partnering People's Genius If someone is high quick start and another is high fact finder, partner them Quick start can temper fact finder, fact finder can challenge quick start Same thing exists in relationships All you have to do is ask for support because rising tide lifts all ships [00:26:00] Michael Dash Asked Where He Could Help Michael Dash asked where he could help Eric said he loves being on podcasts if Michael has any friends That was an invitation Michael offered Not natural for Eric, he'd rather give support (then he's in control, can't be turned down) [00:27:00] Jesse Elder's Lesson on Giving Jesse pointed out: when you give to someone who appreciates it, amazing feeling But by not allowing others to give to you, you're depriving them of same experience It's stealing from them Can't have one-sided relationship, there must be reciprocity [00:30:00] The 65-Foot Boat Experience Client Michael concerned about how he'd contribute to Kevin's event Two days later called back with idea: offer 65-foot boat for Seattle water experience Could have been time when Kevin said "you don't need to do that" Would have been worst thing for Michael who put two days of thought into it [00:32:20] The Truth of the Last Year Wrote second book, realized first 10 chapters sounded like hero's journey Wrote afterward about reality: all the hardships of last year These things are still hard, difference is capacity to be present with them Learning that level of intimacy changes every relationship [00:33:00] Most Masculine Thing You Can Do Learning to ask in way that's not demeaning of masculinity or polarity Most masculine thing: truly open visor and show what's inside Show your fear, show your pain, be with someone and let them see They can hold it [00:34:00] The Royals Mastermind Group for men and women who want to step into their king or queen energy Not overwhelmed, not living in fear or anxiety Deeply present with all that is End goal: businesses that work to support us, build legacies that matter [00:35:00] The Deeper Relationship There may be deeper relationship you've overlooked: relationship with yourself While outside relationships deeply important, they help us see reflections of ourselves Relationship we carry for who we are, for honoring our challenges is most difficult There's deeper layer of connection to self KEY QUOTES "Community is currency. So many people fear going broke, not having enough, that they will fail. The problem is we have this fear based on this tangible idea. The universe is finite. And it's not. The universe is infinite. When you have community, you can't ever truly be broke." - Eric Farewell (quoting Preston Smiles and Garin Jones) "You're not asking for help. The biggest bridges in the world are suspension bridges. They need support from others, and each of us are in different places in our lives and can offer different levels of support." - Garin Jones (shared by Eric Farewell) "If you are not allowing others to pour into you the way you pour into them, it's a one-sided relationship. There is no reciprocity, and that's the deepest part of a relationship." - Eric Farewell CONNECT WITH ERIC FAREWELL 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: ✈️ Aviator PPG: 📚 Book: "Farewell to Normal" Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39893880

Building AI Systems and Authentic Connection with Paul Kirchoff 01/30/2026

Building AI Systems and Authentic Connection with Paul Kirchoff What if your 11% success rate means you're absolutely crushing it? In this episode, Paul Kirchoff shares how he helps small growth businesses and their leaders accelerate success through EPX Global, a breakthrough AI-centric acceleration platform and ecosystem. As an avid entrepreneur, investor, and global adventurer, Paul is the founder and CEO of EPX Global, where members around the world drive faster business success, max out amazing experiences, and push individual performance to new levels. Paul is also the Founder and CEO of DominoOne, an impact accelerator and crowdsourced problem-solving platform. Paul built two marketing software/agency companies and multi-billion dollar business units at Dell Computer Corporation as an early employee. He's a member of the 113-year-old Explorers Club, DJs electronic music, wrote a corporate thriller novel (giving proceeds to cancer research), and made a film about racism. Paul is developing frontier-level expertise in operationalizing artificial intelligence across the enterprise in every department. Paul reveals two relationships that transformed him in ways nobody has ever answered this question before: a Mongolian eagle hunter he met in the far eastern corner of Mongolia, an older gentleman who had zero knowledge of America, spoke no English, and lived in a yurt with horses and golden eagles as pets, teaching Paul about authentic human connection beyond labels and systems, which became the core culture he built into his technology platform where single moms are valued equally with astronauts; and a police officer who arrested him at 32 after a casual happy hour (though Paul was sober), leading to community service at a center for the deaf and blind where he spent weeks rewinding VHS tapes while listening to thought leaders teach cutting-edge SEO and digital marketing, which gave him the advanced knowledge to start his marketing agency that became successful and sold 13 years later, ultimately leading to his trip to Mongolia and the realization he needed to build EPX Global. [00:04:00] What Paul Does at EPX Global Tech veteran CEO with many startups, sold companies, shut down companies Early employee at Dell Computer Corporation before anyone in Austin knew who Michael Dell was Built EPX Global as AI-centric ecosystem for small growth businesses and their leaders Heavy artificial intelligence expertise helping companies accelerate success, health, and experiences [00:05:00] Making Everything Go Faster Helps accelerate time to best performance unique to genetics on health side Helps companies accelerate success with AI, connections, and knowledge Makes sure people don't forget to dance under the Milky Way because life is short [00:06:00] Living in Service of Others Used to be financial goals and status symbols when younger, none of that matters now Addicted to a blank sheet of paper, gifted to solve or invent anything Respect for fellow humans (all a unit of one on their own unique journey) Living in service of others by replicating himself with technology [00:07:00] Building a Top Marketing Agency Built and sold one of top demand generation agencies in world Controlled front page of Google, Facebook called asking how they converted traffic Always on cutting edge of deploying technology in marketing (technical + psychology) [00:08:20] AI Systems for Every Business Size Wanted to build AI systems for small businesses (missing factor for 10x resources) Also doing business transformation consulting for billion-dollar companies Helping bigger companies go from where they are to AI-first operations [00:09:20] The 60% Revenue Increase Every Month Networking ecosystem connects people to solutions for health, happiness, business, capital People battling depression got connected to biohacking guys, transformed their lives One client company 60-70% higher revenue every single month with zero change to headcount [00:11:00] Being the X Factor AI systems deployed handle support, become AI salesperson, become AI marketing team Small businesses can grow beyond traditional chains with 10x resources All about being X factor in people's lives or facilitating X factor with someone else [00:14:00] The 11% Success Rate Discovery Expert guest on platform said his success rate is 14% (very successful guy) Paul did the math on his own attempts, came out to 11% success rate Entrepreneurs put enormous pressure on themselves, need different perspective [00:16:00] Trust in an AI World Real meaningful relationships becoming more and more valuable with AI Building networking assistant governed by user (uses your reasoning to find value) Human connection and that magnetic field around our hearts makes us who we are [00:19:40] When Social Media Became Entertainment Facebook, Instagram, TikTok devolved into micro entertainment channels (not networking) Feeds filled with ads and sponsored posts, no actual networking EPX Global has no ads, every connection based on merit of what you want [00:20:20] Photorealistic Fake Content AI video (Sora, Veo) can create photorealistic content that's completely fake Consumer backlash coming for authenticity in connections Business will embrace AI efficiency (hyper-efficient usually wins) [00:23:00] Two People, No Names Never anyone Paul looks up to or admires or wants to be like who affected his life Been blessed to meet incredible people (Pope, Richard Branson's Island, etc.) Two people come to mind that transformed everything Both people Paul has no idea where they are or their names [00:24:20] Far Eastern Mongolia Was entrepreneur working 14 hours a day for decade plus, one-trick pony success Knew needed to desperately change something, chose adventure Took group to far eastern corner of Mongolia to ride horses with eagle hunters Met older gentleman in yurt who had zero knowledge of America or United States [00:25:40] The Man with Golden Eagles Man spoke zero English, wore fox neck tie, had pet golden eagles (40 pounds) Paul realized this is furthest from his life as tech guy (opposite side of life) Both excited to meet each other as new friends with zero in common [00:27:00] Single Moms and Astronauts Brought that spiritualness and core value into network he built Despite super achievers (swimming oceans, skiing Everest, gold medals), none of that matters Single mom raising five good kids might be more impressive than astronaut [00:27:40] The Saturday Night Traffic Stop At 32, coming out of casual happy hour, got pulled over Told officer honestly: "I had two drinks over last hour, I'm clearly fine" Officer said he seemed like nice guy but made him do sobriety test Got arrested and taken downtown (was actually sober, officer kept saying he was nicest person) [00:28:40] Community Service for the Deaf and Blind Offered to do community service to get charge expunged Chose center for deaf and blind, job was rewinding VHS tapes in warehouse Asked supervisor if he could listen to music, supervisor said yes [00:29:20] SEO Lessons in His Ears Instead of music, put in thought leaders teaching SEO and digital marketing For weeks on end, hours a day, learning cutting-edge techniques from pioneers After that, was so advanced in knowledge that led to starting agency Agency became successful and powerful, sold it 13 years later [00:30:00] The Chain of Events If officer hadn't arrested him, wouldn't have had that learning experience Wouldn't have had confidence to start agency that got him burnt out Wouldn't have gone to Mongolia and realized need to build network [00:31:00] In the Canyon Before the Summit At the time was devastated, seemed horrible (younger without perspective) Now incredibly grateful it happened When in the canyon, you're about to go to the summit [00:32:20] When Identity Gets Wrapped Up Greatest risk to mental health is when identity tied to something other than happiness If identity wrapped up in labels (AI whisperer, top guy), devastated when things go wrong Separate identity from accomplishments to stomach any ups and downs [00:38:00] The Leader in the Back AI exercise: meditate on what you look like as future leader Paul's image: crowd moving down valley, Paul in the back (slightly bigger) Leader in back can move crowds (not showing off Maserati or boat) [00:39:00] A Multitude of Miracles However someone gets through life (good/bad parents, heartbreak, etc.) shapes them Everyone made it to this one moment in time (mathematically massive miracle) When you respect everyone like that, you operate without ability to judge or be judged [00:39:40] Operating Without Fear When you don't judge or feel judged, you operate without expectations Without expectations means without fear of future negative ramifications Can be yourself, be present, love everybody, still compete KEY QUOTES "I did the math and my success rate is like 11%. And I feel like I'm fairly successful, right? I've learned to not really give a shit about what your definition of success is." - Paul Kirchoff "There's zero in common, zero knowledge about each other. And it was one of the most remarkable moments because it shows you this level of connection that's possible when you drop labels and systems and passports and everything else." - Paul Kirchoff "If that guy wouldn't have arrested me, I wouldn't have started an agency, wouldn't have gotten burnt out, wouldn't have gone to Mongolia, and wouldn't be on this call today." - Paul Kirchoff CONNECT WITH PAUL KIRCHOFF 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: ✉️ Email: kirch@epxglobal.com 🤖 AI Business Systems: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39893865

Faith, Redemption, and the Seven Parts of Business with James Brown 01/27/2026

Faith, Redemption, and the Seven Parts of Business with James Brown What if hearing God speak to you in the last row of a church saved you from losing everything? In this episode, James Brown shares how he helps professional service business owners scale their businesses without sacrificing their lives through Business Accelerator Institute and Perseverance Squared. After launching his first business in 1994 and rapidly expanding to $8M in annual revenue, James transitioned to coaching in 2014 and has now guided over 450 business owners to significant growth. He launched Small Law Firm University, growing it to $3 million in revenue within a year, and developed a CMO program generating an additional $2 million annually. James holds a Business degree from Lindenwood University (1989) and JD from St. Louis University (1993). In 2009, he was selected as one of America's Top 20 Premier Experts and featured in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. James believes all businesses have the same seven working parts, and the only difference is what they sell. James reveals three relationships that transformed him: his wife Sherry, whom he's known since age three when they met in her mom's beauty salon, who believed in him when everyone else said he couldn't achieve his dreams and stood by him through 41 years including his darkest moments; his mentor Darrell Castle, a Memphis-based lawyer who taught him to reject the "cookie cutter" approach and build a business on his own terms, showing him that all businesses share seven working parts regardless of what they sell; and God, whom he encountered in March 2015 after hitting rock bottom (drinking excessively, making terrible choices, nearly losing everything) when a random stranger invited him to church where he heard God speak to him in the last row as the only white person in an all-Black congregation, completely transforming his perspective and leading him to sell his law firm to help other business owners build lives of purpose. [00:04:20] What James Does at Business Accelerator Institute Helps owners of professional service businesses scale predictably and profitably Focuses on building businesses that serve owners, not the other way around Has helped over 450 business owners achieve this transformation [00:05:20] The Defining Moment with His Wife Second year in business, struggling financially, client asked for refund Wife said: "At the end of the day, you do what's right and everything else will follow" That statement still resonates 30 years later and drives his mission to help more people [00:07:20] How Clients Find Him Primarily word of mouth and brand touches through Interview Valet (on 40 podcasts this year) Results speak for themselves without traditional marketing Recent client: 69-year-old Alabama lawyer practicing 50 years, never broke $500K, just hit $1M this year [00:11:00] The Unorthodox Path to Success Known wife Sherry since age three, met in her mom's beauty salon Parents married at 16, kicked James out at 19 when he announced marriage Told his whole childhood he was "too heavy" to do things, couldn't play sports Made varsity football first year as junior, played four years (nobody in family graduated college) [00:12:40] Working His Way Through Law School Got job at General Motors assembly line, 6 AM to 2:30 PM, went to school 4 PM to 11 PM for 10 years Right before graduating law school, GM announced plant closure Sent out 300 resumes, got zero responses with three kids (ages 5, 2, and 1) Forced to start business by necessity, not by choice [00:14:00] Meeting Mentor Darrell Castle Lawyers conditioned that marketing is "beneath them" Darrell taught him to look at business differently, be different Showed him all businesses have same seven working parts (only difference is what they sell) Set up business around not working past 4:30 PM from day one [00:15:40] Building the $8M Law Practice First rule: Business open till 7 PM and Saturdays, but James wasn't there Hired people and built systems so business ran without him Grew to $8 million annually with offices in four different states [00:16:40] The Dark Years: Getting Too Big for His Britches Started making bad choices despite success (never drank until his 40s) First drink was Irish car bomb followed by 10 kamikaze shots Started spending money on wrong things, went to strip clubs, cheated on wife Wife and him separated, she went on cruise with daughter [00:18:20] The Divine Encounter That Changed Everything March 2015: Drunk at wine bar, random stranger invited him to church next morning Went to that church by himself Sunday morning, sat in last row Only white person in all-Black church, heard God speak to him Never saw that stranger again (believes he was an angel) [00:19:40] The Wake-Up Call Wife told him: "God gives you hints, and if you don't listen, at some point He's going to slap you across the face" Nearly lost everything (wife, business, all going downhill) That March 2015 moment was most influential person: God Decided to sell law firm and start helping other business owners [00:20:20] The Leap of Faith Worked for another company making $330,000 a year coaching business owners 2018: At conference in Jacksonville, told them he was leaving, called wife from airport Goal: Get nine private clients in 60 days to replace income (took nine days) First year did just under $1 million in business [00:22:40] The Catalyst Moments After coaching calls, often sits there thinking "who was that guy?" Works with business owners from $250K to $100M annually Stopped questioning who he is to coach $100M business owners Been blessed with certain gifts and has faith they will continue [00:24:00] The Lesson of Not Labeling Setbacks Example: Payroll in two days is $15K, only $1K in operating account Freaking out keeps you from being creative and finding solutions Takes everything as exactly as it's meant to be and learns from it [00:27:40] The Live Event Revelation $10M, $50M, $100M business owners at tables with under-$500K owners Big business owners worried they wouldn't learn from "smaller" ones $50M and $100M owners took just as many notes (smaller businesses still nimble and innovative) Realized everyone can gain something from each other regardless of revenue size [00:30:00] When Is Enough, Enough? Just turned 60, my wife asked "when is enough, enough?" The Mastermind member asked: "What's your goal?" Answer: "To help people" "How many people on the planet? Are you ever gonna run out of people to help?" Never gonna run out (also volunteers through Red Cross deploying to disasters) [00:32:00] Building Business Accelerator Institute Can only work with so many people one-on-one before hitting bandwidth Goal: Give business owners Harvard-level business degree without Harvard-level dollars Over 55 four-week courses addressing all seven parts of business $249/month, includes two-hour open office hours every Wednesday [00:35:00] Final Wisdom: You're the Average of the Five Don't pay attention to what other people say, surround yourself with people who inspire you "You're the average of the five people you hang out with the most—and it's true" Example: Son played goalie since age 5, adapted performance to level of teammates around him Hang around like-minded individuals who inspire you to go where you want to go KEY QUOTES "At the end of the day, you do what's right and everything else will follow." - Sherry Brown "All businesses have the same seven working parts. Literally the only thing that's different is what we sell. The concept of running a very successful business and scaling it is simple. I'm very intentional with that word. I'm never gonna say it's easy, but the concept is simple." - James Brown CONNECT WITH JAMES BROWN 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 📚 Book: Co-author of "Shift Happens" Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39893805

Character, Competence, and Commitment with Kyle Skalisky 01/23/2026

Character, Competence, and Commitment with Kyle Skalisky What if witnessing 10 deaths in 23 years changed your view on life? In this episode, Kyle Skalisky shares how he helps teams build cultures of trust, respect, and accountability through his company Wyld Sky Aerospace and Management Consulting. After 23 years as a fighter pilot (F-15, F-16 aggressor, and F-18 in operational flight tests) and 15 years in the aerospace industry doing flight tests, Kyle recently stepped down as president and CEO of Check Six Aero Solutions to focus on giving back. His book "A Skyless Traveled: A Maverick Life of Leadership, Resilience, and the Pursuit of Purpose" shares lessons learned from the cockpit about building exceptional teams. Kyle believes good teams need three things: character (how people treat those who can do nothing for them), competence (people who can get the job done and are willing to learn), and commitment to the mission. He also wrote the book for his six and four-year-old sons, wanting to leave something showing what their father did for 50 years before they were born. Kyle reveals three relationships that shaped him: meeting President Ronald Reagan at his Air Force Academy graduation in 1984, whose speech about being solution-oriented rather than a naysayer set the tone for his career; his parents who married at 16, had six kids by 29, and just celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary teaching him dedication and never giving up on people; and his best friend Malibu, a talented pilot who died at 30 when he hit the ground during a Red Flag exercise. Witnessing 10-11 deaths in 23 years of flying changed Kyle's perspective—he stopped worrying about what people thought and started pursuing what brought joy, realizing that if no one will remember it in five years, it's just not that important. [00:04:20] From CEO to Giving Back Recently stepped down as president and CEO of Check Six Aero Solutions Now runs Wyld Sky Aerospace and Management Consulting Wrote book "A Skyless Traveled: A Maverick Life of Leadership, Resilience, and the Pursuit of Purpose" Serves wonderful wife Dr. Kyra Carpenter and two boys Wilder (6) and Colt (4) [00:06:00] Why Write the Book Experience is great but people never get opportunity to pass it on to next generation All people's stories are wonderful, wishes more could tell them Wants to lift up next generation that will follow Wrote book for his 6 and 4-year-old boys as older father [00:06:40] Leaving a Legacy Doesn't know how long he gets to be with boys growing up Wanted to leave something showing 50 years before they were born Show what their father did and what he believed in Pass message down to true legacy: children and family [00:07:20] Growing Up in Wenatchee, Washington Parents married at 16, had six children by 29 Didn't have much but knew wanted to do something bigger Didn't fly on airplane until 17 years old, senior in high school First flight was to Air Force Academy physical at Whidbey Island [00:08:00] The First Flight That Changed Everything Had state playoff baseball game that afternoon across state Local orchardist Jim Wade flew him in Cessna 172 Flying over Cascade Mountains, seeing Mount Rainier was transformative Changed into uniform in car, was third batter, hit three-run homer off future major leaguer [00:09:00] Air Force Academy and Finding His Passion Second time flying was leaving for US Air Force Academy (only way to get to college) Got exposed to things small town guy never traveled beyond family station wagon Found passion for flying airplanes at young age Stumbled into it with no idea it would be 23 years as fighter pilot [00:10:00] Fighter Pilot Career Flew F-15 operationally around the world for 23 years Was F-16 aggressor (adversary/bad guy that trains combat pilots) Did exchange tour with US Navy, flew F-18 in operational flight tests Retired after 23 years, went to Raytheon [00:10:40] Entrepreneurial Years Owned Great Harvest Bread company franchise (had a bakery) Co-owner of pro indoor football league team in Spokane Taught him when it's your own money, think more about spending it Helped when managing other people's money at Raytheon and Mitsubishi [00:13:20] Proudest Moment: The Team That Didn't Need Me At Raytheon, experimental R&D test airplane transitioning from single customer Customer said they don't want exclusive use anymore, won't pay for it Five year task to redefine mission, vision, create new organization After five years: "This team doesn't need me anymore, they can do this without me" [00:14:40] From One Program to 15 Had to go out and advertise capability to other Raytheon programs Restructured team to support multiple test projects instead of just one Asset went from supporting one program to 15-16 programs Worth billions of dollars in sales to Raytheon [00:15:40] Mitsubishi: Six Months of Success Mitsubishi trying to certify new regional jet, program having problems Took over program management and flight test team Program for previous 5 years never met schedule or been on budget Within first month, for next 6 months straight met schedule and under budget [00:17:00] Refocusing the Team Just through refocusing team, aligning tasks to priorities Giving people clear idea of what they did and why important to mission Aligned the focus and became best flight test team in business Better than Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Embraer or any large OEMs [00:19:00] Character, Competence, and Commitment Good teams have people full of character (how they treat those who can do nothing for them) Team needs competence (people who can get job done, willing to learn and improve) Third C is commitment to what they're doing Finding right people with all three is when you will succeed [00:21:20] Meeting President Ronald Reagan Air Force Academy graduation 1984, Reagan handed him diploma Speech that day embodied how Kyle wanted to live his life Not enough to be naysayer pointing out everything wrong Have to be person who can bring forward solutions [00:22:40] Reagan's Impact Shaped views about what was valuable throughout life Optimistic but understood reality, charismatic but not fake Had guiding principles but willing to change Genuinely liked people (important for any leader) [00:24:00] His Parents' Influence Parents are who really had impact on who he became Never made it feel like they gave up something for kids Felt true blessing was getting to have kids in their lives Father was athlete of year, worked morning job, bartended at night while in college [00:25:40] 72 Years Together Parents both 88 years old, just had 72nd wedding anniversary Even when times are hard, don't give up on people, work through it Father didn't become major league player but channeled into coaching Oldest brother became professional baseball player with Philadelphia Phillies [00:27:00] Learning to Live in the Moment Finding joy means learning to live in the moment Let go of past but learn lessons, don't let it define you Don't be so focused on future that you forget what's in front of you Take opportunities that may take you on detour in life [00:28:20] Losing Malibu Best friend Jim "Malibu" Reynolds was academy graduate, talented flyer Designed and built own aerobatic airplane, flew in air shows Made mistake on range in Red Flag exercise, hit ground and died at 30 Changed Kyle at 30 years old, realized it can all end very quickly [00:29:40] 10 Deaths in 23 Years Saw at least 10-11 deaths in 23 years of flying Changed how he looked at things and approached them Before worried about everything, how people thought of him Now: if no one will remember in 5 years, it's just not that important [00:33:00] The Squadron Bar Ritual Friday nights not just about drinking, it's a ritual Chance to bond with people going through similar experience Way to relax, find friendship and bonding in non-retribution way Learned more in one-on-one conversations than formal meetings KEY QUOTES "I wrote a book because I have those six and four-year-old boys. I am an older father and I don't know how long I get to be with those boys growing up. I wanted to leave something to show for those 50 years before they were born, what their father did and what I believed in." - Kyle Skalisky "Good teams have people full of character. You can't define that on a resume. It's how people treat those who can do nothing for them. But you also have to have competence. Then the third C is commitment." - Kyle Skalisky CONNECT WITH KYLE SKALISKY 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 📚 Book: "A Skyless Traveled: A Maverick Life of Leadership, Resilience, and the Pursuit of Purpose" (available on Amazon) Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39656715

The $2 Million Business Card with Ghazenfer Mansoor 01/20/2026

The $2 Million Business Card with Ghazenfer Mansoor What if your journey from poverty to six countries was shaped by stepping stones of relationships? In this episode, Ghazenfer Mansoor shares how Technology Rivers helps health tech companies build HIPAA compliant software products and helps healthcare service businesses 10x their operations through AI and technology. With a computer science background and experience building a recruitment SaaS company, Ghazenfer started Technology Rivers with one core philosophy: build it right the first time. Too many founders hire developers and end up with never-ending products that keep building but never launch. His team focuses on helping startups with limited money build the right MVP so they can get traction, get customers, and secure more funding. The work creates a double bottom line: supporting businesses solving world problems while creating opportunities and livelihoods for people across six countries. He reveals that his journey wasn't shaped by one person, but by stepping stones of relationships. Growing up in Pakistan in poverty, mentors and friends guided him toward education and opportunities that eventually brought him to the US. Coaches, entrepreneurial groups like EO, and books like "Who Not How" all shaped his direction. The most powerful story? Exchanging business cards at a conference. Months later, that person called about a project. Over six years, that one card exchange generated close to $2 million in business. [00:05:20] What Technology Rivers Does Software development business serving health tech companies primarily Started helping all verticals but gradually focused just on health tech Help companies build HIPAA compliant software products Work with healthcare service businesses, help them 10x operations through AI and technology [00:06:00] Build It Right the First Time Wanted to fix problem of never-ending products that keep building but never launch Companies hiring developers with products that are never ending Founders have limited money, need to build right MVP to get traction and funding Help startups build products right the first time so they're not broke if it doesn't work [00:08:00] Creating Double Bottom Line Impact Help companies create solutions that solve world's problems Every founder working with them is solving something, changing the world Also creating opportunities for people supporting those projects Team in six different countries, many in growing economies, creating livelihoods [00:10:20] AI is the Biggest Shift Started career in early web, but AI is even much bigger shift Mind blowing how things are moving, but also creating opportunities Much easier now for people who want to create companies and solutions AI not just solving existing problems but bringing new problems to solve [00:12:00] Journey Shaped by Series of Relationships Not just one person, journey shaped by series of relationships as stepping stones Growing up in Pakistan, mentor guided him to take risky opportunity That opportunity created by colleague in same company Friend said "you have to do your master's degree" when Ghazenfer only had diploma [00:13:00] From Poverty to Possibility Friend showed the path, arranged meeting, pushed toward higher education Was in poverty, didn't have means for education People supported along the way giving opportunities on jobs or introducing to something Each opportunity helped get to next step [00:13:40] Coming to the United States Would not have been in US without those opportunities Friend introduced to recruiter who was recruiting for company in US Coach helped see certain things in way he hadn't seen before Entrepreneurial groups (EO, Vistage forums) helped shape journey [00:14:40] Books That Shaped Direction "The Great Game of Business" by Jack Stack - partnership made based on this book "Who Not How" by Dan Sullivan - amazing book "What Got You Here Won't Get You There" by Marshall Goldsmith "How to Win Friends and Influence Others" by Dale Carnegie [00:15:40] Taking the Leap Created own podcast, started speaking engagements Wrote first book "Beyond the Download: How to Build Mobile Apps That People Love, Use, and Share Every Day" Now writing another book All these people contributed to growth, wouldn't be fair to point to just one person [00:19:20] Clients as Partners and Coaches Client gave guidance and tips that helped do things in certain way Coaching came directly from client to team: "If you do it this way, this would help me" Relationship with clients has always been as partners Client guided in terms of how to do things, shaped development effort [00:22:00] Co-Creation is Key Software development and product development can only work if co-creating Not about giving instructions and just doing it Believe in co-creation as collaborative effort Client comes with idea, have to discuss, brainstorm, come up with right way [00:23:40] Challenging in a Positive Way Someone said "you would challenge our client's business approaches" Don't challenge their decision, communicate and make sure they hear alternate options Challenge in positive way: "Have you thought about this alternate option?" Show three ways of doing something with one recommendation [00:24:40] Three Options, One Recommendation Not making decision for client, letting client make decision Giving enough information to make the decision If only give one option and it doesn't go well, it's a problem Software products need that product approach with enough guidance and information [00:27:00] The Power of Physical Business Cards At conferences, people say "Who uses cards nowadays?" Challenge: Once you leave a conference, how do you remember who you connected with? If just connect on LinkedIn, no reference left when you have thousands of contacts Physical cards are cheaper and provide tangible reminder [00:27:40] The $2 Million Card Exchange Years ago at conference, sitting with someone, exchanged cards Few months later, guy called: "We were on same table, you gave me your card" Working on global software project, needed help Got that project, then partner introduced them to another company [00:28:40] Six Years of Business from One Card After six months of work, got another project, then another one Over six years timeframe, got close to $2 million in business From that one card exchange From that point, focused on improving quality of card and keeps bunch with him [00:29:20] Cards Keep You Top of Mind Cards are cheap but provide reminder when back at home or office In sales they talk about follow ups: be in front of people at right time Traditional way but works for Ghazenfer Still keeps bunch with him all the time [00:36:20] Be the Go-To Person Book "Networking is Not Working" by Derek Coburn resonated Want to be go-to person for anything - even if someone needs a plumber Are you the person who's connected to many that friends always call? If you are that person, makes huge difference KEY QUOTES "Software development, product development can only work if you are co-creating something. If the clients are giving instructions, then we're just like everybody else, then we are not really doing our work. We believe in co-creation." - Ghazenfer Mansoor "You wanna be the go-to person for anything. If somebody even needs a plumber, who do they call? Are you the person who's connected to many that your friends are always calling you?" - Ghazenfer Mansoor (quoting Derek Coburn) CONNECT WITH GHAZENFER MANSOOR 🌐 Business Website: 🌐 Personal Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 📚 Book: "Beyond the Download: How to Build Mobile Apps That People Love, Use, and Share Every Day" (releasing end of year) 🎙️ Podcast: Lessons from the Leap Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39656675

Nine Figures of Funding Through Strategic Partnerships with Jason Fishman 01/16/2026

Nine Figures of Funding Through Strategic Partnerships with Jason Fishman What if a simple LinkedIn message could get you on the phone with decision-makers immediately? In this episode, Jason Fishman shares how DNA has worked on over 500 investment crowdfunding campaigns that have collectively produced nine figures of capital. His agency specializes in investor marketing and user acquisition, helping brands raise capital through Reg CF, Reg A+, and Reg D filings. Jason's mission stems from a sobering statistic: nine out of ten businesses fail in their first year, and nine out of ten that survive fail the next year. Many of them fail because they're undercapitalized. By using his digital marketing skillset to bring the right investors to marketing funnels and measure actual conversion and return on ad spend, Jason helps companies that are having trouble meeting new investors access the capital they need to survive and thrive. He reveals how he met his business partner Tim Martinez at a 2009 conference after almost skipping a workshop. Jason waited in line 10-15 minutes just to talk to Tim, and that conversation eventually led to co-founding DNA together. Jason also shares his LinkedIn outreach strategy: send 25 invitations per day with customized messaging, look for a 20% acceptance rate, and include a scheduling link by message three. This simple tactic helped DNA connect with FINRA regulated portals and build the strategic partnerships that became instrumental to their success. [00:05:20] DNA: Investor Marketing and User Acquisition Focused on investor acquisition, targeting investors with advertising and outreach Worked on over 500 deals that collectively produced nine figures of capital Campaigns in 2025 alone have surpassed $100 million raised altogether Helps brands that are having trouble meeting new investors [00:06:20] Why Jason Does This Work Nine out of ten businesses fail in first year, nine out of ten that survive fail the next year Many fail because they're undercapitalized Can use digital marketing skillset to bring right investors to marketing funnel Measure conversion, return on ad spend, total transactional value [00:07:20] Background in Ad Tech Part of social gaming startup in Los Angeles, played role in capital raise Raised over $3 million in seed capital, created countless versions of deck Company merged with advertising network, started working with Fortune 500s Quickly found fundraising was common part of conversation [00:08:20] First Campaign: $2.83 Million First campaign through Reg D 506(c) which allows solicitation of accredited investors Able to target high net worth, high household income audiences with advertising Raised $2.83 million on first campaign for Rayon Solar back in 2015 Reg CF (Regulation Crowdfunding) went into effect May 2016 [00:09:00] The Filings Available Today Can raise up to $5 million on Reg CF campaign Up to $75 million on Regulation A+ campaign (hoping for $150 million soon) Important to have specialization and niche as marketing agency Fell into this area, succeeded, kept getting introductions [00:11:00] What Inspires Jason Most Stat that nine out of ten businesses fail is not acceptable Part of LA accelerator community, works with universities and founders Want to make sure right eyeballs are on their products, companies, brands Funding could be make or break for them [00:12:00] Watching Companies Grow Watch clients' teams grow, their offices, their equipment, market share Seen groups go from $20 million valuations to $3.5 billion valuations Part of Crowdfund Professional Association working on tax credit for investors Would put Regulation Crowdfunding on tax form for every American [00:15:40] Meeting Tim Martinez in 2009 Met at SR Action Sports Retail conference in San Diego Almost didn't attend workshop, last minute walked into "50 Ways to Promote Your Skate Shop" Tim was professional skateboarder, worked in snow/skate/surf sports world 50-100 business owners taking notes on everything Tim said [00:16:20] Waiting in Line 15 Minutes Had to wait in line 10-15 minutes to talk to Tim after presentation First thing Tim asked: "How old are you?" (Tim few years older) Hit it off, had great discussion Tim said "I'm in Hollywood, you're in Hollywood, why don't we grab coffee sometime?" [00:17:00] The Path to Partnership Started pulling Tim into projects at agency, later worked for Tim's agency When Jason was at ad network, Tim asked if interested in starting new firm Tim was consulting companies with no idea about digital marketing Created DNA together, Tim has brought in countless introductions since [00:19:00] Don't Be Bashful Don't let self-doubt and little thoughts stop you ("maybe I'm too young or he's busy") Everyone wants to talk to speakers, why stick around? But Jason did Speakers are there for a reason, looking to have outcome for their time They're thought leaders, experts, probably things you can do together [00:20:40] How Tim Led to Crowdfunding Wouldn't have been possible without relationship with Tim Tim's relationship with Fundable introduced them to Reg D campaigns After success, Tim had friend in film industry with crowdfunding company That partner brought them to first Reg CF campaign in May 2016 [00:25:20] Building Strategic Partnerships Building strategic partnerships has been instrumental to success Would tell founder to incorporate into business plan, marketing plan, model Went to great lengths because saw how effective it was LinkedIn outreach in 2017-2018 got DNA on phone with portals right and left [00:26:00] The LinkedIn Strategy Can send 25 invitations per day from your profile Search by company, job title, company size, industry, zip code Send message with invitation, look for 20% or higher acceptance rate By message three, add scheduling link to streamline booking process [00:27:00] Customized Outreach Have very clear call to action, very visible opportunity on how to connect Every founder, if not every professional, should be doing this Start manually, really customize messaging Build relationships with people who can introduce you to target audience [00:30:00] Do More Don't think "I have a few relationships, I'll hit my goal" It's all about driving enough traffic at high enough conversion rate 50,000 visits per million raised at 2% conversion rate and $1,000-$2,000 average investment Engage experts, talk to people, do not be bashful KEY QUOTES "It's all about relationships. Your net worth is your network. Some people say it the other way around. Your network is your net worth." - Jason Fishman "Whether they're on television or a billionaire or leading a workshop or whatever it may look like, don't be afraid to go up to 'em and talk to 'em. There's no telling what it could look like 16 years into that relationship." - Jason Fishman "Building strategic partnerships has been instrumental to the success of our business, and it's something I would tell a founder to incorporate into their business plan, marketing plan, and their model." - Jason Fishman CONNECT WITH JASON FISHMAN 🌐 Website: 📺 YouTube: Test Optimize Scale Podcast (200+ episodes) 💼 LinkedIn: Connect with Jason Fishman 📱 Monthly webinars with educational content and new deck every month Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39656665

The Contract I Lost That Changed Everything with Eric Collett 01/13/2026

The Contract I Lost That Changed Everything with Eric Collett What if the contract you didn't get was actually the answer to your prayer? In this episode, Eric Collett shares how he helps entrepreneurs and executives optimize their brain health to function at an elite level. His work goes upstream, identifying the trajectory decades before diseases like Alzheimer's show symptoms, because most people don't realize that Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases generally start decades before the first symptoms appear. Eric's team has developed the Enhance Protocol, helping clients improve brain function by 20-30% so they can learn faster, understand new technologies more rapidly, find words faster, have more stable mental health, and prevent cognitive decline to stay in the game longer. He reveals losing what would've been his biggest contract in Arizona. After two weeks of silence following a handshake agreement, he prayed: "If it's not the right thing, please don't let it happen." The CEO called to say they'd met nurse practitioner Randy Vawdrey who could actually reverse cognitive decline. Eric told them "You should work with Randy, that's a huge opportunity." Months later, Randy called to collaborate. They met at 6pm and talked until after midnight going through a Bible-sized stack of research. Within six months, Eric asked Randy to become his business partner, a relationship that put him through an intentional crash course in med school for years. [00:05:20] Optimal Brain Health is Required Believes optimal brain health required for optimal results in business and life Brain is like hardware, everything we're learning and striving to do is like software Loading new software on crummy old dysfunctional hardware never gets great results Good brain health needed for better relationships, better business [00:06:00] Improving Brain Function by 20-30% Team developed organized system to identify root cause issues affecting brain performance Make specific recommendations, track objectively Help people improve brain function by 20-30% Can learn faster, understand new technologies more rapidly, find words faster, have more stable mental health [00:07:20] Who They Serve All ages: younger people with traumatic brain injuries, people in 30s with brain fog People 50-80 noticing things aren't what they used to be Especially focus on entrepreneurs and executives who want to function at elite level Most people miss opportunity to quantify it objectively instead of just guessing [00:10:00] Gary Plummer: From Doorknob to Stage Gary Plummer played linebacker for San Francisco 49ers, won Super Bowl ring Shortly after retiring, couldn't remember how to install doorknob (had done many times) Could go from zero to fighting mad at drop of hat, had to isolate from people Wouldn't drive on freeways, wouldn't travel without handler to meet at airport [00:11:20] The Transformation Eric's team helped take Gary's cognitive scores from 58th percentile to 86th percentile Several years later, now above average overall on tests Got to watch Gary step on stage at Forever Young Foundation event in Arizona Had quit speaking because he would lose train of thought, now presenting confidently [00:13:40] Alzheimer's Starts Decades Before Symptoms Nationally recognized expert, spoken in 39 of 50 states to healthcare professionals Alzheimer's and diseases like Parkinson's generally start decades before first symptoms We've grown up in "sick care system" that waits till you have serious problem 40-95% of Alzheimer's cases believed to be preventable [00:18:00] Think of Your Brain as a Boat When things are good, riding high in water, moving at top speed When not good, starting to take on water Common for people to get forgetful as they get older, but that's not normal, that's evidence of disease Brain health is never about one thing, it's multifactorial (80-100 things) [00:19:20] One Client: 68th to 99th Percentile Client is 42 years old, wrote LinkedIn article about experience Went from 68th percentile in cognitive functioning to 99th percentile Getting better results in life and business today Has lot more assurance he's changed trajectory for tomorrow [00:20:40] The Contract I Didn't Get Early 2017, started A Mind For All Seasons as solopreneur Opportunity to work with Arizona company designing memory care program for entire portfolio Met with owners, left with handshake agreement, supposed to get contract in couple days Couple days turned into more than two weeks [00:22:00] The Prayer Prayed: "I want this to happen, this would make my year" "If it's not the right thing, please don't let it happen" "I promise I will be grateful, I may not understand it, but I can be grateful in all things" Within day or two, CEO called [00:22:20] Meeting Randy Vawdrey CEO said they met nurse practitioner with advanced training in neurodegenerative diseases Randy had done fellowship with Dr. Bredesen at UCLA, Buck Institute for Research on Aging Dr. Bredesen's 2014 paper "Reversal of Cognitive Decline" showed 9 out of 10 patients with remarkable improvement Company said "We can't afford both Randy and you, we're going to work with Randy" [00:23:40] "You Should Work With Randy" Eric told them "You should, that's a huge opportunity, no one's doing that" They suggested "You should call Randy, he lives in Idaho like you do" Eric thought "I'm not gonna call Randy, I don't have time, I just lost biggest contract" Hustled for couple months [00:24:20] Randy Called Randy called out of the blue, said company wanted him to train staff "I'm a clinician, I don't do that, I want to explore collaborating" Eric was driving through Randy's part of state next week, said "Why don't we get together?" Went to Randy's house at 6pm, was there till after midnight [00:25:00] The Bible-Sized Stack of Research Randy brought out huge Bible-sized stack of research, slammed it on coffee table Started going through footnotes of the footnotes, what he'd learned with real patients Eric left 100% recognizing they could make far bigger difference Had agreement to split the contract, neither would make much money [00:25:40] "Will You Be My Business Partner?" Within six months Eric said "Randy, what are we doing dating? We need to work together" "Will you be my business partner? Let's go all in on this" All these years later still working together, still innovating Randy put Eric through intentional crash course in med school [00:26:00] The Education Every Friday and Monday morning at 7am for a few years, met for hour or two Randy taught Eric how to read labs, physiology and science behind everything Continued teaching ever since "Short of my own family, he has done more to affect my life than any human on the planet" [00:27:40] The Vision: Impact a Million Lives Current goal: impact another million lives in next two to three years Eight billion people on planet, everybody has brain, everybody needs optimal brain health Majority of Americans not metabolically healthy Alzheimer's nicknamed "diabetes of the brain" [00:32:40] Social Engagement Reduces Cognitive Decline From research standpoint, being more socially engaged reduces risk of cognitive decline Not only better in business and more joy in life, it's better for your brain Prioritizing relationships and being connected matters deeply for cognitive and mental health KEY QUOTES "Diseases like Alzheimer's disease, which I'm a nationally recognized expert in. I've literally talked in 39 of the 50 states to healthcare professionals. Most people don't realize that Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's generally start decades before the first symptoms ever show up." - Eric Collett "I prayed and I literally said, I want this to happen. This would just make my year. If it's not the right thing, please don't let it happen, and I promise that I will be grateful. I may not understand it, but I can be grateful in all things." - Eric Collett "Being more socially engaged actually reduces the risk of cognitive decline. So not only are things better in business, and not only do you have more joy in life, it's actually better for your brain." - Eric Collett CONNECT WITH ERIC COLLETT 🌐 Website: 🎁 Special Offer: (Use code MDR for 30 days free) 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 🧠 Includes: CNS Vital Signs cognitive test ($50), weekly office hours, masterclasses, thousands of hours of searchable content Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39656620

Building the Best Men's Group in the World with Francis Piché 01/09/2026

Building the Best Men's Group in the World with Francis Piché What if feeling like you only had a stick on the battlefield was the moment God showed you the sword? In this episode, Francis Piché shares his declaration: to create the best men's group in the world for conscious men who want to establish something beyond their own life. The Knight Club isn't just about mission, it's about working on that mission together with brothers who share the heroic code (humility, excellence, respect, optimism, integrity, and courage). His vision? Chapters around the world where men can travel to Paris, London, Barcelona, or Sydney and know they'll connect with people like them who they can do life and business with. Francis was inspired by a recent trip to Scotland where he felt deeply connected to the knighthood and brotherhood, realizing this is his next chapter. He reveals the dark night in Orange County when he felt so powerless that ending it all seemed like the only option. Financial debt, feeling worthless in a place full of luxury cars, unable to even talk to a woman because his self-esteem was on the floor. After rejecting his friend's money in anger, he told his brother Jason he felt like all he had on the battlefield was a stick, not even a sword. That conversation saved his life. Later, Francis asked for the photo of the bright star he'd seen that night. The star's name? Sisaph, which means "the sword of the giant." God had the story for him all along. Francis also shares how his sales mentor Bob Smith told him after selling his entire year's quota in six months: "What do you mean 150%? Your goal is 200%. That's how successful people think." [00:07:06] The Knight Club Declaration Declaration: Create the best men's group in the world for conscious men, men of faith Men who want to establish something beyond their own life, creating a legacy Rising together in ups and downs, working on mission together Differentiator: Not only thinking about mission, working on it with Thinking Into Results program [00:08:40] The Vision: Chapters Around the World Vision inspired by recent Scotland trip, felt connected to knighthood and brotherhood Imagine chapters everywhere: Paris, London, Barcelona, Sydney, South America Connect with people like you who share the heroic code Can do life and business with them, have great time traveling [00:09:20] The Heroic Code Humility, excellence, respect, optimism, integrity, and courage All guys in group embody these attributes, you can rely on this Creating retreats for men, sometimes incorporating women together Traveling, connecting great people, business owners, dreamers who want to make difference [00:11:40] Am I Alive While I'm Alive? Best friend died last year out of nowhere at 47 Asked himself: "Am I alive while I'm alive? Am I having a bold life?" Bold means: Brave, Original, Loving, and having Dedication to a cause/mission Purpose of life: be fully alive, being free, helping others, making a difference [00:17:00] The Dark Night in Orange County Two-three years ago, perfect storm: waiting for clients not responsive, deeply in debt Felt not good for own clients, business not showing up, felt powerless and meaningless Saw beautiful woman at hookah bar but too scared to talk, she left in McLaren Friend Simon teased "Be a man, why don't you talk to her?" hitting self-esteem to floor [00:19:20] The Stick on the Battlefield Rejected friend's money with gesture he felt, was rejecting own friend and self "What's the point? Why am I here? I'm not even a man" Only reason didn't consider ending it: didn't want burden of bringing body back to parents Friend Jason had long conversation, wouldn't let him give up [00:21:00] The Sword of the Giant Told Jason: "If I was on battlefield right now, all I have is a stick, not even a sword" After conversation felt reignited, asked for photo of bright star from that night Looked up name of star: Sisaph, which means "the sword of the giant" "God had that story for you. You're the giant, you're the star. Remember this." [00:22:20] The Power of Brotherhood Moment of reawakening the giant within Not just support in bad times, also celebrating good times All have ceilings, all have pressure (next exit, firing employees, etc.) Requires new identity to go to next level [00:24:40] The Godfather's Wisdom At 16, godfather gave birthday card: "Don't choose job for paycheck" "Do what makes your heart come alive, otherwise you'll be poor all your life" Chose multinational job for $55K over $30K small organization that offered travel Was miserable for four years, flames diminished every day [00:26:20] Found the Card 20 Years Later At 36, found the card and realized: "He was right" Associated being successful with getting all that, which is a lie If you have enough of your why and excitement, you'll go through challenges Purpose of living: to be fully enlivened [00:27:20] Bob Smith: The Sales Mentor Week before starting new job at Xerox, fiancée said "I want to cancel the wedding" Three months before wedding, she left next day, "house of cards collapsed" Sales coach Bob Smith at bootcamp helped him recreate himself Bob's lesson: "Seven things to be a successful salesperson... #7 most important: Have fun" [00:29:00] "You Can Do Anything You Want" After bootcamp, thanked Bob for the week Bob put hand on shoulder, piercing eyes: "I've watched you this week" "You can do anything you want in your life. It's just up to you" Gave permission to go for it [00:29:40] Sold Entire Year in Six Months Won rookie of the year, at six months sold whole year's quota Told Bob "My goal now is 150% for President's Club" Bob: "What do you mean 150%? Your goal is 200%. That's how successful people think" Ended at 167% of plan, almost best in entire company, second place [00:37:20] Are You Alive While You're Alive? Friend passed away from running, something burst in heart, died at 47 Life is precious, not just at 65-80, but now Mission: make sure fully playing game, not playing small Other friend with cancer chose date, said: "Never let anyone or anything sway you from who you really are" KEY QUOTES "The name of the star was Sisaph, which means the sword of the giant. All along, while you're at your lowest point, God had that story for you. You're the giant, you're the star." - Francis Piché "You can do anything you want in your life. It's just up to you." - Bob Smith (to Francis) CONNECT WITH FRANCIS PICHÉ 🌐 Website: 🏰 Knight Club: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 📸 Instagram: @pgfrancis Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39598715

Attributes of Powerful Communicators with Dia Bondi 01/06/2026

Attributes of Powerful Communicators with Dia Bondi What if the most powerful communicators aren't the most polished ones? In this episode, Dia Bondi shares how watching a three-day communication skills class transformed her life. She had no resume to support her desire, but she made the ask that changed everything: "Will you apprentice me?" That mentor said yes, and 25 years later, she's still helping leaders speak powerfully from who they truly are. Dia's work goes beyond messaging to something deeper: helping clients articulate what they have to say before figuring out how to say it. She's coached VC-backed founders past Series B, VP-level executives, and even helped Rio de Janeiro win the right to host the 2016 Olympics (a $7 billion decision) without ever knowing who referred her. Dia reveals the six attributes of the most compelling communicators: they make the choice to be big in big moments, they know how to make strategic asks, they absolutely know their voice, they've got killer setups for their asks, they bridge their voice to the business really well, and they prep on purpose by actually talking through what they'll say. She shares the story of a founder who created a 40-minute story to invite existing customers to help inform what gets built next. That task drove $10 million of value in the business. Dia also explains why the most powerful moment in her career might have been her first deal that included both cash and shares, because once she did it once, she now had the confidence and understanding to recreate it over and over again. [00:08:20] The Ask That Changed My Life Watched three-day communication skills class about storytelling in business Had no resume to support desire to do that work Asked if he would apprentice her, and he did 25 years later still finds it compelling because it truly moves the needle for people [00:10:20] What You Have to Say vs. How to Say It Messaging is "how do I say it?" but Dia lives in the step before that "What is it that you have to say?" Until a leader can articulate things that feel innate but aren't obvious, can't create the message First articulate what you have to say, then figure out how best to express it [00:12:00] The 40-Minute Story Worth $10 Million Former client needed to invite existing customers to participate in informing product development Put together compelling story bridging what founder has to say with story of business Set up really killer ask, 40-minute story to set up that ask Client secured participation needed, will drive about $10 million of value in business [00:17:20] The First Deal With Shares Introduction to blockchain company working directly with founders First time setting up deal that included both cash and shares It paid off, and importantly gave confidence and understanding Once you do it first time, now have opportunity to do it over and over because it's in your radar [00:20:00] Helping Rio Win the Olympics bid Got a request over the internet: "We heard you're good, can you give us a call?" Turned out to be production team working on Rio's bid for 2016 Olympics $7 billion decision, got to work in those teeny tiny rooms where stories get crafted Still doesn't know who referred her, but knows what part of work it came from [00:24:40] Six Attributes of Powerful Communicators One: Make choice to be big in big moments (not about being polished or showboat) Two: Know how to make strategic asks and use asking strategically Three: Absolutely know their voice and can give good feedback to creative collaborators Four: Got killer setups for the asks they make of partners [00:27:20] The Last Two Attributes Five: Bridge their own voice to the business really well Six: Prep on purpose by actually talking through it, not just thinking about it One founder's pregame routine: end call, go downstairs, change shirt, wash face, drink water If he did that six times in day, he'd go through six shirts [00:30:00] Kevin's $16.1 Million Conversation 2003, owned cleaning and restoration company with website producing $15,000/month Mentor Joe Polish: "Come speak at event, document what you do into a course" Had never spoken publicly before, invested in Speaker's Bootcamp training Made $35,000 in course sales that day, but that wasn't the big win [00:32:40] The Real Big Win Over next 12 years sold $16.1 million worth of that course All because of one conversation: "Why don't you come down and speak?" Brought energy, joyfulness, willingness to share with generosity When you're invited, say yes KEY QUOTES "I made the ask that changed my life. That gentleman brought me in and let me watch his class. I asked if he would apprentice me, and he did." - Dia Bondi "The most compelling communicators make the choice to be big in big moments. And that's never about being a showboat." - Dia Bondi CONNECT WITH DIA BONDI 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📚 Book: Ask Like an Auctioneer: How To Ask For More and Get It 🎯 Special Page for MDR Listeners: ✨ The Intensive: 📋 21 Strategies to Elevate Your Voice: Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39598705

The Formula to Achieving Any Goal with Cliff Ravenscraft 01/02/2026

The Formula to Achieving Any Goal with Cliff Ravenscraft What if saying your goals out loud, got you an email introducing you to your hero? In this episode, Cliff Ravenscraft shares how he walked away from a family insurance agency (started by his grandfather in 1937) where he was next in line to lead, all because of a podcast about the TV show Lost. After building an audience of 60,000 subscribers and receiving over 500 handwritten letters from people whose lives were transformed, Cliff realized his real calling wasn't selling insurance or being a pastor. It was teaching people how to use their voice to create content that matters. He's since helped over 40,000 people launch podcasts, but discovered something critical: nine out of ten failed because they skipped the first seven steps of building an online business. Step eight? Create content and build your audience. Everything else comes first. Cliff reveals the four-step formula that led to a $3 million relationship: believe it's possible, write it down, tell others, and work the plan as it becomes available. He also shares why his first year as a full-time entrepreneur, working 14-hour days seven days a week for $11,000, ended with a 24-hour podcast marathon and two weeks in the hospital where he almost died. [00:05:00] Helping 40,000 People Launch Podcasts Left very lucrative career in family insurance agency started by grandfather in 1937 Went out to teach people how to launch podcasts Helped more than 40,000 people in the world launch a podcast Published over 4,800 podcast episodes across 55+ shows in 20 years [00:11:20] The First Year That Almost Killed Him First year full-time: 12-14 hours a day, seven days a week, not one day off first nine months Didn't receive single personal paycheck, just earned enough to pay business expenses End of year brought home $11,000 net personal income after taxes Celebrated with 24-hour podcast marathon, ended with two weeks in hospital [00:13:20] Why Nine Out of Ten Podcasters Fail In 2012, more than 50 of top 100 business podcasts were Cliff's clients But nine out of ten failed to ever see sustainable profit or any income Created 11-step framework for building online business Step number eight: create content and build audience (first seven steps were missed) [00:14:40] The Workshop That Changed Everything In 2017 stopped teaching podcasting, started coaching through what people missed One person earned no income before workshop, within two weeks secured $5,000/month recurring Coaches charging $50/hour walked out charging $300/hour "This is what fires me up" [00:16:40] Choose an Audience With Money Most people fail to choose audience that has money Ideal customer must have money, be aware of problem, willing to pay to solve it "I've got entire audience of tens of thousands and none of them have any money" Must validate they will pay before you create website, logo, podcast content [00:20:00] The Two Conditions At 18, convinced life would be devoted to ministry with servant's heart Parents asked him to work in insurance office because of computer skills Told parents: "You will never expect me to get insurance license" "If I'm offered opportunity to pastor church, I must get your full blessing to leave" [00:24:20] Top 10 Out of 14,000 Insurance Agents Year 2000, top 10 out of 14,000 agents with Grange Life Insurance Top 50 out of 48,000 agents with Auto Owners Life Insurance Sold 30-100 policies per month selling term life insurance All while competing against people selling permanent life (much higher premiums) [00:25:40] The Lost Podcast Changed Everything 2005, started podcasting as hobby about TV show Lost By third episode had 27,000 subscribers around the world Audience grew to over 60,000 subscribers Wooden inbox with over 500 handwritten letters: "Because of something you said, my life will never be the same" [00:28:00] Reaching Hundreds of Thousands Within 18 months reaching hundreds of thousands through seven different podcasts Producing seven to fifteen podcast episodes per week People's lives being transformed "I wonder what life would be like if I could do this for a living" [00:30:40] Testing the Four Step Formula Heard four-step formula: believe it's possible, write it down, tell others, work the plan Decided to test it with specific goal: meet Dan Miller and Leo LaPorte Didn't want to just meet at conference and be forgotten Wanted to tell them their influence and have them not forget meeting him [00:32:40] Forty Minutes After Hitting Publish Recorded podcast episode explaining formula and his goal Hit publish, 40 minutes later got email from Andy Troub (the connector) "I happen to be working on a project with Dan Miller. He's already aware of who you are" "Would you like me to introduce you?" [00:34:00] From Hero to Consulting Client One week later, Dan Miller was guest on Cliff's podcast After the interview, Dan asked "Can I schedule a consulting call with you?" Cliff told Dan audio quality was terrible, people can't make themselves listen Dan: "I really appreciate how honest you are. What do you recommend?" [00:35:00] The Weekend in Franklin, Tennessee Dan said order duplicate of everything in studio, ship to house "Come spend weekend with me, stay in guest room, help me build podcast studio" Dan started telling massive audience about Cliff Ravenscraft Cliff was booked solid for years because of that relationship [00:36:00] The Michael Hyatt Introduction Dan told Michael Hyatt (CEO Thomas Nelson Publishing) podcast was #1 marketing tool Dan did email introduction to Michael Hyatt Within a week, Cliff was in Franklin staying in Michael's guest room Setting up Michael's podcast studio [00:37:40] $3 Million in Revenue Between Dan Miller and Michael Hyatt relationships alone Can trace at least $3 million in revenue to those two Also met Leo LaPorte, both goals from four-step formula checked off Tested formula over and over, it worked every time [00:40:20] The 10-Step Formula Over time developed 10-step formula (includes four steps plus six others) Six other steps where you don't have to wait for plan to become available Ask series of questions that will give you next step Email cliff@cliffravenscraft.com with subject "10 step formula" for free video KEY QUOTES "I've got an entire audience of tens of thousands of people and none of them have any money, and none of them will buy any of my products and services. This is why you're creating content year after year with no real income." - Cliff Ravenscraft "Forty minutes after I published that episode, I got an email from Andy Troub saying Dan Miller is already aware of who you are, he's been having trouble with his podcast, would you like me to introduce you?" - Cliff Ravenscraft CONNECT WITH CLIFF RAVENSCRAFT 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 📧 Email: cliff@cliffravenscraft.com (Subject: "10 step formula" for free video) Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39564475

Restoring Impossible Relationships with Greg Stephens 12/30/2025

Restoring Impossible Relationships with Greg Stephens What if restoring impossible relationships just required knowing what's on the other side? In this episode, Greg Stephens shares how 24 years as a master trainer for Crucial Conversations taught him that breakthroughs aren't permanent until they're practiced over and over. That realization led him to shift from training to coaching, creating a six-month program where executives and emerging leaders have conversations they never thought possible. His specialty? Seeing relationships like some people see music, orchestrating conversations where people show up as their best. Greg also reveals why his mentor Bill Solomon intentionally made his welding job miserable before college, teaching him the resilience he'd need to push through Baylor surrounded by wealthy students. Most powerfully, he explains "emotional accounting": why putting off a Friday conversation until Monday doesn't just ruin your weekend, it costs you exponentially more on the back end. [00:04:44] What Alignment Resources Does Company goal: everyone eats at the trough (trainers train, coaches coach, sales people sell, speakers speak) Greg's specialty lives in areas of difficult relationships, everyone has at least one Works with relationships that seem impossible Application of Crucial Conversations tools for talking when stakes are high [00:05:40] Twenty-Four Years Teaching Crucial Conversations Was master trainer in Crucial Conversations, taught it for 24 years starting in 2001 Before the book was written, it was called "Path to Dialogue" then "Dialogue Smarts" One of first master trainers, stayed until January this year when he released his book Got to travel the world, train on stage, do keynote talks [00:06:00] Why Breakthroughs Need Practice People would take class, have great experience, have aha breakthrough moments Found that breakthroughs aren't permanent until they're practiced over and over If you want permanence around a breakthrough, you've gotta go do something That piece was lacking, so decided to shift business to coaching [00:06:20] The Six Month Coaching Program About six month program, 20 different weeks Teaching executives and emerging leaders (ages 21-28) Wanted to teach younger generation what executives said "I wish I'd learned this 20, 30 years ago" Most people say "I've had a coach before, this is nothing like it" [00:07:00] Building Up and Completing Relationships Build people up in relationships, let them go back and improve, clean up, or complete relationships Complete doesn't mean never see person again (could, but doesn't have to) Can work next to person and have completed relationship around an issue It just doesn't show up for you anymore because you know where you stand, said what you need to say [00:07:40] The Skills Most People Don't Have Coaches and mentors say "you need to go have this conversation," but how? There are skill sets you need, the application of them, and how to make adjustments People talk about psychological safety but don't know how to create it What to do when your emotions take hold or other person's emotions take hold [00:08:20] How to Really Listen When You Disagree How do you begin to really listen when you disagree with everything being said? How do you get on the right topic? Most people don't know how to dissect and break down conversations Greg helps dissect it and break it down for people [00:08:40] Executives on Retainer Some executives don't want to learn all skill sets, just want someone to do it for them Working with groups on retainer where they call when they have big problem They lay out background, what they've done, then Greg lays out plan for conversation Role plays exactly what might happen, clients say "it was like you were right there" [00:10:00] When People Don't Show Up as Their Best Sometimes people have breakdown, don't show up as their best, come back saying "I really blew it" Great learning point, it needed to be this way Limiting belief: thinking it's over when conversation goes badly When you know these skills, you can go back over and over and reset [00:11:20] What Drives Greg Most Watching people restore relationships they thought were just not possible Worked with police captains on issue, individual conversations showed no one thought it could be done Scheduled for four sessions, had breakthrough after first session One person took responsibility for their part, allowed everyone else to take responsibility [00:13:00] It's Still Hard Even With Skills People say "you have the skill, you should be able to do it" Greg still doesn't like having difficult conversations Doesn't want to have the conversation, but wants what's on the other side "Stop looking at the conversation right now. Let's look at what you want beyond that." [00:14:00] Work is Easy, Personal is Hard When working with businesses, always eventually get to their personal lives Those are the much more difficult conversations Work is easy, we all want to make more money and enjoy work Hardest ones are family businesses with so much emotion and unspoken hierarchy [00:16:00] Bill Solomon Changed Everything Gentleman who wrote forward to Greg's book, had heart transplant before writing it Bill told Greg "I'm so glad you asked me to write the forward because I couldn't stop writing" Two months later Bill had book of his own called "Losing Control" (in his seventies) Was the person who pointed Greg toward something more in his life [00:17:20] The Welding Job That Taught Resilience Bill gave Greg job before college as welder's helper (Bill was CFO of company) Told the guys "You're gonna like this guy I'm bringing in, but treat him like crap" "Tear him down every day. Make him feel stupid. You're gonna begin to like him. Make it hard on him." Never told Greg this was happening [00:18:20] Breaking the Golden Handcuffs Wouldn't have business today without Bill Solomon Getting through Baylor, getting great job, then getting out of job and breaking golden handcuffs Starting own business in 1999, none of that would've happened Bill took interest, made it difficult on purpose, said "you're gonna be a great leader one day" [00:21:40] Greg Reynolds Called Every Day After Greg's divorce, Greg Reynolds called him every day for three months All he said was "How you doing today? How you doing today?" One of hardest times Greg ever went through Showed Greg the power of that, he's done same thing for friend of his [00:22:20] Taking Interest in People If you really want to take interest in a person, find out what they're doing every day Every one of these gentlemen shaped how Greg mentors others Having conversations he never would've had, saying what he never would've said Taking interest like Bill Solomon did, being there like his coaches [00:24:40] "What Do You Want to Do?" Woman was looking at situation from the past when she didn't have skills Now she does have skills "Question isn't what they want or what I want to do. It's what do you want to do?" She got quiet: "I want to have the conversation." [00:25:00] Over 20 Resets to Stay on Track They practiced again, she went and had conversation Wrote amazing email about how each time she had to stop herself and come back Get conversation back on track by sharing your best intent Had to do that more than 20 times [00:28:20] Investing Upfront vs. Costing on Back End If you add skillset and knew how to address it, you'd say "I'm not wasting my weekend" Have conversation, no matter what outcome, it's out of you Have entire weekend to problem solve whatever that was and learn about what you did Used time wisely by investing upfront rather than it costing you on back end [00:31:40] Marcus Newcomb Connection Marcus Newcomb is special person, they hit it off Greg has gotten to meet so many great people networking and marketing his book Kevin is "the real deal" KEY QUOTES "Breakthroughs aren't permanent until they're practiced over and over. So if you want permanence around a breakthrough, you've gotta go do something." - Greg Stephens "If you really want to take interest in a person, find out what they're doing every day." - Greg Stephens "My life is built on the shoulders of all my friends and people in my life that have shown me so much." - Greg Stephens CONNECT WITH GREG STEPHENS 🌐 Website: 💼 LinkedIn: 📚 Book: Build New Bridges: The Art of Restoring Impossible Relationships (Amazon) 🎙️ Podcast: A Shot of Inspiration ⏰ Office Hours: Weekly coaching forum (details on website) Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39564410

Story Saving and Narrative Resilience with Amanda Johnson 12/26/2025

Story Saving and Narrative Resilience with Amanda Johnson What if the book you're writing is actually about the story holding you back? In this episode, Amanda Johnson shares how twenty years of helping entrepreneurs write books revealed something most people never see: the reason you can't finish your book usually has nothing to do with time, organization, or writing skills. It's the old stories you're carrying that keep one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. Amanda's work goes far beyond traditional book coaching. She creates what she calls "story saving" experiences where high-achieving entrepreneurs finally see the truth they've been avoiding. She tells the remarkable story of a social worker writing a "choose your own adventure" book about high-conflict divorces who spent 18 months unable to get one character right. Amanda kept trying to show her client she was writing her own husband, but the truth wasn't safe enough to see yet. After a decade of watching hybrid publishing houses destroy clients' carefully-built brands with covers that would "completely disrupt trust," Amanda's 19-year-old entrepreneurial son suggested while she cursed in the kitchen: "Mom, how about we just build a publishing house?" Now, with her son as business partner and youngest sister as creative designer, Amanda runs Saved By Story, a boutique hybrid publisher where every detail honors the transformational work her clients have done. [00:03:40] Entrepreneurial DNA Raised with entrepreneurial grandparents, it's in her DNA Accounts for rebellious spirit: entrepreneurs see problems and think "I could fix that" Thought she was going to be a Christian journalist at end of high school Got to university, asked to be part of honors program (classic books program) [00:04:40] Learning to Think Critically Four and a half years wrestling with great ideas and stories that formed civilization Hadn't been taught how to think critically or feel greatly Halfway through decided: I want to get to teens before they're in college alone and disconnected Became a history teacher to help teens think critically and wrestle with big ideas [00:05:40] Bouncing Out of the System Got classroom with all gang bangers, drug dealers, kids nobody else wanted first semester "What is the logic here? Send the newbie to barely survive?" Did it for six months, gave absolute best Realized couldn't give it her all every day and show up as good mom for toddler [00:06:20] The Online Writing Program Friend of family starting online writing instruction program "You have teaching credential, writing chops, can do it anytime when your kid is sleeping" Helped build curriculum, got really great results Went to networking events to share the program [00:07:00] The Side Business That Changed Everything Female entrepreneurs said "I don't want you to teach me to write, I need you to fix what I've written" Opened side business helping people get clear on message, audience, and engagement Quickly found story was the answer Story was also the answer to why most people weren't finishing their books [00:08:40] The Retreat Model Today Mostly retreat and community model for busy, wildly successful individuals They need time away, good excuse to say "I'm out for three days, seven days" They know how to focus and achieve goals, but book always gets pushed to back burner All of a sudden five or ten years have gone by [00:09:20] Authorship is Lonely Like Entrepreneurship Not every entrepreneur writes book to establish authority Entrepreneurs can be very lonely working from home without water cooler experiences Gets exacerbated when someone decides to write: Who am I to write? How does one do this? Having community where everybody's in same soup moves people much more quickly [00:10:40] Two Types of Clients First type (15-20%): "I need this done in three months and published in another three" Example: Client franchising business in six months, needed book published first Wrote book in less than three months, published in another three months These clients know how to block time and make it happen [00:12:40] The Choose Your Own Adventure Book Works in high conflict divorces, helps judge sort out what's best for kids Wanted to write choose your own adventure for her career Family with parents and two children, both parents get three options each All sound amazing but only one actually is best, shows destination of each choice [00:13:40] Writing the Husband Character Writing family quite unfairly, good for women but men would say "What? She didn't do anything" Couldn't get one character right, Amanda realized she was writing her husband We write what we know Readers said "No way would I put this in front of male reader, this has to be changed" [00:15:20] Breaking Generational Patterns Didn't have enough safety in herself, writing character out helped her see truth Realized all the stuff in marriage was generational Has been able to break that generational story for her own kids This is the book "You Can't Make This Story Up" [00:16:00] Fifteen Years of Seeing People Stuck Could have been wounded story or something they didn't want to talk about Sometimes they'd been dimmed in childhood or got in trouble when they got visible One foot on gas, one foot on brake even though it's for great cause and fulfilling purpose Had to figure out what the brake was [00:16:40] After That Story, Everything Changed After 15 years of stories, decided to help other creatives and entrepreneurs learn about being stuck It's not just "not organized" or "not right time" or "I'm not good writer" Those are ego's convenient way of keeping us from changing the real story That lady worked for two or three years and still rewriting it three or four years later [00:17:20] Do It In Community If our souls know that hard work is coming, of course there's resistance Answer: Write it, process it first, do it with partner who knows what you're up to Do it in community because communal experience really accelerates it [00:19:40] The 12 Month Program Structure Seven days together quarterly in person in cozy Airbnb (not conference settings) First three days: story saving work (not therapy but sort of feels like it) One day: go to spot together or do something fun in nature, let everything recalibrate Three days of work: goal is to get first chapter at first retreat [00:22:40] It's Always About Relationships When trying something new, doesn't want to do all the tasks "Where are the people? It's all for me. It's always been about relationship, not the actual to-dos" First person who changed everything: Ursula Lameris, sales coach [00:24:40] Learning From an Extrovert Connection was so natural to Ursula but not natural to Amanda (introvert) Put it in the book, had fun for five or six years in same neighborhood Made game out of networking: "Today I'm gonna sell this many contracts for you" Both experienced each other's work, just created relationships [00:25:20] Making Networking a Game Would go to networking meetings and talk each other up "Oh you need to talk to Amanda. Oh you need to talk to Ursula" That's how they both built really amazing businesses in a few years [00:28:00] Ten Years of Saving Self-Published Authors After 10 years helping individuals self-publish, people started looking at hybrid publishing Needed imprint for their position, status, industry Would try different hybrid houses, then call Amanda to come save it Couldn't believe what she was seeing [00:29:20] The 19-Year-Old's Solution Son said: "Mom, how about we just build a publishing house? We'll just figure it out" He was 19 years old Always been an entrepreneur, was hustling people at garage sale at age three or four Amanda: "I don't really have time, but if you want to, I'll partner with you" [00:30:00] Saved By Story Publishing House Son is business partner, youngest sister is creative designer Boutique hybrid publishing house A lot of people who do writing process eventually move through publishing Do education and empowerment for people ready to publish without giving all power away [00:30:40] The Bigger Impact Vision More of what's already doing, bigger impact on personal side Narrative resilience work that happens when people write in community Gets to end of retreats thinking "There are only few people in this room" Dream: expanding transformational work through personal brand, speaking, facilitation [00:31:00] Narrative Tools for Every Arena Take narrative tools and skills and infuse them into places that need them Education system, mental health space Pretty much every other arena could benefit from narrative resilience right now [00:32:00] Free Content at Foreshadows Website: savedbystory.house Forward slash foreshadows has whole bunch of free content Helps anyone at any stage from "I have an idea" to "Am I on right track for publishing?" [00:33:00] Tell Your Family How to Support Figure out how to make people around you feel safer while on amazing adventure Most family members really want to support, but if we don't tell them how, they don't know how KEY QUOTES "We're made to belong. We're made to be in a community. And the way that we do that and have for millennia is by figuring out how to be reciprocal." - Amanda Johnson "Most of our family members really want to support, but if we don't tell them how, then they don't know how." - Amanda Johnson CONNECT WITH AMANDA JOHNSON 🌐 Website: 📄 Free Resources: 💼 LinkedIn: /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39509905

Adoption Saved My Life with Anthony Simonie 12/23/2025

Adoption Saved My Life with Anthony Simonie What if losing half your business in a betrayal led you to make $120,000 in 60 days on a platform everyone ignores? In this episode, Anthony Simonie shares how being adopted by his grandparents literally saved his life and how that experience shaped everything from his approach to entrepreneurship to his decision to adopt both of his children, Miles and Daisy. After his nine-month-old son Miles stopped breathing and Anthony performed CPR not knowing if his son would survive, his business partner exploited that crisis by drawing up a fraudulent amendment that gave away half of Anthony's half of their seven-figure business. That betrayal could have crushed him. Instead, it led Anthony to discover LinkedIn's hidden goldmine. Within 30 days, he generated $60,000 in new business plus $60,000 in recurring revenue, for $120,000 total. He did it again the next 30 days with the exact same numbers, proving it wasn't luck but a duplicatable system. Now, having helped over 1,000 clients leverage LinkedIn to build databases of affluent prospects, land strategic partnerships, and get booked on podcasts, Anthony has turned relationship-building into a science. Anthony reveals why his five-foot-tall Italian grandmother's persistence shaped his entrepreneurial DNA, how his daughter Daisy (his niece whose parents both committed suicide within five months) is now thriving, and why Tim Tebow's words hit him like a lightning bolt: "You can be successful without having any significance." [00:05:40] Raised by Grandparents, Saved by Adoption Adopted and raised by grandparents, literally saved Anthony's life Grandparents stepped up when they should've been enjoying retirement Both of Anthony's kids (Miles and Daisy) are adopted because adoption was a blessing for him Five-foot-tall Italian grandmother wouldn't let anyone leave without a meal, haircut, and promise to go to church [00:07:00] Learning Entrepreneurship at Craft Shows Grandmother was an artist making ceramic and wooden crafts Anthony helped her set up and break down at craft shows Watched her overcome challenges as they came She taught persistence and perseverance that stuck with him forever [00:08:00] The Pharmaceutical Sales Path Finished high school, walked onto college baseball team (paid for school for couple years) Became pharmaceutical sales rep like his stepdad, seemed like helping people Got job at Schering-Plough, did well but wasn't happy Started learning pharmaceutical goods may not be so good for us [00:10:00] The Foreclosure Cleaning Business Buddy said "We've got this little side business cleaning out foreclosed properties" At first thought "I don't think I wanna clean houses" Had moment of "I'm just done" with corporate job Started business, expanded from Missouri to Los Angeles (brother in charge), then Phoenix [00:11:00] The Dan Kennedy Event That Changed Everything Same friend took him to Dan Kennedy marketing event in St. Louis Eyes opened watching people make money helping others understand their business Friend said "Why don't we do it together, you be the face" Anthony had already turned cleaning business into real business with systems [00:11:40] First Year: Over $1 Million Partnered up, grew business in first year to over $1 million Had to learn everything: copywriting, email, webinars, buying traffic At first loved the money, but then started receiving messages from people he was helping "You saved my marriage. You helped save me from losing my home." Hundreds of them. [00:12:40] When It Became More Than Money First time felt complete: "This is so much more than just the money" People appreciate you, like you for what you're doing to help them Attorneys, physicians, everyone was losing businesses during that time Learning how to make income by doing something in large demand that people didn't know existed [00:15:40] Losing Everything Was the beginning of everything falling apart Used to a certain quality of life, now worried about son and business blows up Lost interest in the business, couldn't do it anymore, business died Partner had franchised business to double dip, his franchise failed too [00:17:20] LinkedIn Saves the Day Anthony: "LinkedIn? Are you trying to help me get a job? I'm not looking for a job" Took skills he'd learned and applied them to LinkedIn platform Created an offer, first 30 days sold $60,000 plus $60,000 recurring = $120,000 Thought maybe he got lucky, then did exact same thing next 30 days with same numbers [00:18:20] Helping Over 1,000 Clients Realized he had something duplicatable Close circle started asking what he was doing, started sharing it Years later, helped over 1,000 clients leverage LinkedIn Building databases of affluent prospects, referral partnerships, getting on podcasts, strategic partnerships [00:19:00] Every Successful Entrepreneur Has Been Crushed You're gonna have ups and downs in business If you have fortitude to stick it out and learn from challenges, you grow When you talk to people at measurable level of success, all have been through steep challenges Sometimes way worse than Anthony's experiences [00:23:40] Not An Agency, Highly Customized Not a one-size-fits-all agency approach Very highly customized and specific strategy depending on who you are, what you offer, who you serve Usually at capacity, takes on one or two new clients per month Recently launched "done with you" program to teach people how to run the play themselves [00:28:40] The God Thing Anthony and Jill were thinking about adopting again Friend sent invitation to dinner for adoption agency Right during that timeframe, all the tragedy happened with Daisy "It was a God thing... put on our hearts for specific reason: to step up and take care of Daisy" [00:30:40] Tim Tebow's Words: Success Without Significance At mastermind, got to watch Tim Tebow speak One thing stuck: "You can be successful without having any significance" Never heard it phrased that way before If all entrepreneurs adopt that mindset, we can change the world better than any politician [00:32:20] Starting the Real Estate Fund Works with lots of real estate syndicators and operators Asked: How else can I serve these people outside of helping them make more money? Started real estate fund to protect capital and provide hedge against inflation Helps people grow their capital while protecting it [00:35:00] Nobody Is Self-Made Doesn't believe anybody's self-made When people say "I'm a self-made millionaire" they're not being honest Even just your mother deciding to go through with birth, that person helped you There's abundance of opportunity, money, success out there for everybody [00:40:20] Remember Why You Do What You Do We live in world that's so distracted, separated, at odds Take time every day and remember why you do what you do, who you do it for What's the purpose, what's the passion, how does it impact world around us Entrepreneurs can change the world, but it starts under our own roof [00:42:40] Turn Off The News for 30 Days Challenge: Turn off news for next 30 days Watch how your mind clears up and you start focusing on things that matter You'll become more productive, have more pep in your step If you're business owner, you need that clarity to continue with what you're compelled to do KEY QUOTES "You can be successful without having any significance." - Tim Tebow (as shared by Anthony) "I don't believe anybody's self-made. Even just your mother deciding to go through with the birth, that person helped you." - Anthony Simonie "We as entrepreneurs can change the world in my humble opinion, but that starts with us. It starts under our own roof." - Anthony Simonie CONNECT WITH ANTHONY SIMONIE 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 📄 Free LinkedIn Profile Guide: /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39509740

The $39 Million Apple Stock Lesson with Jerremy Newsome 12/19/2025

The $39 Million Apple Stock Lesson with Jerremy Newsome What if Forrest Gump taught a six-year-old how to never worry about money again? In this episode, Jerremy Newsome shares how watching Forrest Gump at age six sparked a question that changed everything: "What does it mean to not have to worry about money?" That question led him to pick blackberries door-to-door, earning $1,500 that his dad matched to buy $3,000 worth of Apple stock in 1995. While those shares would be worth $39 million today, Jerremy sold them in 2000 for $12,000. That early win, and the lesson from selling too soon, ignited a 20-year journey mastering liquid markets. Now Jerremy helps people understand stocks, options, crypto, and other "liquid markets" using what he calls "second grade math" to achieve financial freedom. He shares the story of Jordan, a police officer making $80,000 a year who recently made more in one month trading than his entire monthly salary. But Jerremy's impact goes beyond teaching trading. When he stood up at a Vail event and matched $40,000 in donations for blind and special needs children learning to ski, he didn't just change those kids' lives. He turned a skeptic named Preston Brown into a lifelong friend and business ally. Jerremy reveals how meeting his wife at a Tony Robbins event, connecting with business partner Brittany Turner through Instagram, and operating from abundance instead of scarcity has created a life where impact matters more than income. [00:04:00] The Forrest Gump Moment That Changed Everything At age six, watching Forrest Gump with his dad and brother when Lieutenant Dan "invested in some kind of fruit company" Growing up poor, hearing someone didn't have to worry about money was a huge paradigm shift Asked his dad what investing meant, learned about Apple as a computer company Dad gave every excuse: "I don't have time, I'm not smart enough, I don't have enough money" [00:05:20] Picking Blackberries to Buy Apple Stock Dad said "If you bring me some money, I'll match it dollar for dollar" Jerremy's favorite quote: "It's not your resources, it's your resourcefulness" Picked blackberries, sold them door-to-door for a dollar a bag in summer 1995 Made $1,500, dad borrowed from uncle to match, bought $3,000 of Apple at exact bottom [00:06:00] The $39 Million Lesson Those shares today worth about $39 million Sold them in 2000 for $12,000 when family moved from Georgia to Florida Dad called it "the best investment, the best trade I'd ever make my whole life" Got $12,000 at age 12 and has been studying markets "like a heathen" ever since [00:07:00] From History Teacher Dream to Teaching Financial Freedom Wanted to be history teacher since fourth grade, teacher said "You don't get paid any money" Has blend of entrepreneur spirit and teacher spirit Loves learning unique things and teaching them simply because that's how he learns Teaches "liquid markets": stocks, options, crypto, futures, bonds, gold, silver, commodities [00:08:00] Making Complex Things Simple What motivates him: helping people understand complex subjects and explaining them easily When someone learns something and it clicks, that energizes him more than anything Teaches "second grade math to how to become financially free as quick as possible" If you have access to internet, you have access to income once you have knowledge and tools [00:09:20] Jordan the Police Officer's Transformation Started working with Jordan 7-8 months ago, police officer in Northern California making $80,000/year Jordan said police officers are massively undertrained, don't have equipment/knowledge for wide array of situations Last month Jordan made more trading than his monthly salary Made $12,000 net on $60,000 account (20% return in one month) [00:11:20] From Scarcity to Abundance Jordan paying off debts, taking wife and kids to Disneyland Using money to feel abundant, taste prosperity, be in place of creation versus fear Most people find themselves in scarcity when it comes to money The opportunity to create income exists every single day in the stock market [00:12:20] Giving People Choices and Freedom Jordan now realizes he has choices and options For entrepreneurs doing $500K-$3M, you're in the swamp: making enough to do well but not enough to be free Mindset shift from "I have to work to make money" to "I get to create to attract more value" Making (grinding energy) versus attracting/receiving/creating (different energy) [00:15:40] Two People Who Changed Everything His wife: Met at Tony Robbins UPW event November 4, 2012 in Orlando Brittany Turner: Reached out via Instagram in February 2020 through mutual connection Both have helped him heal, expand, and step into greatness [00:16:00] Meeting His Wife at Tony Robbins Boss said "you really should go to this Tony Robbins event called UPW" Met his wife at Unleash the Power Within in Orlando Took 12 years to figure it out, got married about five years ago Have three boys together, she's helped him expand and step into greatness [00:17:00] The Brittany Turner Partnership Needed real estate specialist for his Money Grows on Trees conference Sent Brittany Turner video via Instagram DM in February 2020 In coming-up-on-six-year relationship: organizations built, purpose stepped into, islands, investments, opportunities Alignment with someone who brings joy, understanding, and awareness of more into your life [00:18:40] The Web of Million Dollar Connections Brittany introduced him to Ané Gupta (relationship specialist) Ané introduced him to Chuck Hogan who ran Your Best Life mastermind Chuck's mastermind had three main members: Chuck, Dean, and Preston Brown Got asked to speak at event in Vail, Colorado in February 2022 [00:19:40] The $80,000 Donation That Changed a Relationship Organization helping blind and special needs kids learn to ski said "$5,000 would change our whole life" Preston Brown admittedly didn't like Jerremy before they met Jerremy stood up and said "I will match every donation given today" Room raised over $40,000, Jerremy matched $40,000 for $80,000 total to Little Champions [00:21:00] From Skeptic to Lifelong Friend Preston came up afterwards, gave hug: "You are my guy, that reminded me of Christ" "Between me and you, we'll be friends for life" Preston has given so much business, referrals, opportunities since Coming to Vegas this weekend with 40 entrepreneurs for "radical business" [00:23:00] When Making More Money Ceases to Inspire Kevin: Once family needs are met, making more money ceased to inspire him Having conversations with entrepreneurs, making introductions that lead to big deals, that's what inspires It's not the revenue, it's the impact Les Brown taught Jerremy: "Your income is directly tied to your impact" [00:25:40] Connecting with Jerremy Name spelled J-E-R-R-E-M-Y (stands for Jerry + Me, his dad's name was Jerry) Newsome: N-E-W-S-O-M-E.com All social media platforms, look for blue verified check mark Broke to Woke podcast with Brittany Turner (six seasons, 24 episodes, season seven coming) [00:27:00] Ask For More Awareness of what's possible comes by asking for more It's okay to want more so you can offer more, provide more, give more God is the God of infinite, receiving more doesn't take away from anyone else "Those who knock, door is opened" - ask for more and change your awareness KEY QUOTES "It's not your resources, it's your resourcefulness. That's probably what entrepreneurship is." - Jerremy Newsome "If you have access to the internet, you have access to income once you have the knowledge and the skills and the tools." - Jerremy Newsome "The secret to living is giving, and one of the best things to give is the gift of a relationship." - Jerremy Newsome "Your income is directly tied to your impact. You wanna make more, figure out a way to impact more." - Les Brown (quoted by Jerremy) CONNECT WITH JERREMY NEWSOME 🌐 Website: 📘 Facebook: 💼 LinkedIn: 🎙️ Podcast: Broke to Woke (with Brittany Turner) 🎙️ Podcast: Solving America's Problems Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: | | | /episode/index/show/mdrpod/id/39422140

Million Dollar Relationships

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