Show overview
Direct or Detour launched in 2024 and has put out 77 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode in the time since. That works out to roughly 35 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a several-times-a-week cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 26 min and 31 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Society & Culture show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 1.1 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. Published by The LOTS Project.
From the publisher
Life rarely follows a straight line. In "Direct or Detour," we uncover the fascinating journeys behind successful people's careers and lives. Did they follow a carefully planned path, or did life's unexpected turns lead them to something even better? Each episode features candid conversations with accomplished guests who share their authentic stories - the victories, the setbacks, and the surprising twists that shaped their success. From career pivots to serendipitous opportunities, we explore whether their achievements came from unwavering focus or embracing life's detours. Join us as we discover that sometimes the most rewarding destinations aren't the ones we initially planned. Whether you're questioning your own path or curious about others' journeys, "Direct or Detour" reveals that success has many routes - and they're not always straight. Perfect for: Career-changers seeking inspiration Entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty Anyone wondering if they're on the "right" path Those fascinated by others' life journeys Your host dives deep with guests to uncover the truth about success: Is it about staying the course, or daring to take the scenic route? Want to be a guest on Direct or Detour? Send Brian Aleksivich a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour #DirectOrDetour #CareerJourney #SuccessStories #Entrepreneurship #PersonalGrowth #podmatch
Latest Episodes
View all 77 episodes
S1 Ep 76Drake Wolfe: From Foster Care to AI Empire—Scaling Automation, Purpose & Legacy
Drake Wolfe aged out of foster care with nothing—no home, no guidance, no plan. Today, he runs an AI empire powered by 150+ autonomous agents, with zero employees, and a mission to end the aging-out crisis for foster youth in America. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Drake shares how faith, execution, and radical automation helped him build Optimize AI, Agentix, and his parent company, Omnexion—all while launching a nonprofit, Foster the Future Foundation. If you’re curious about AI-driven businesses, faceless branding, or turning adversity into impact, this episode delivers.🎯 Guest: Drake Wolfe🌐 Website: https://www.drakatlaswolfe.com🤖 AI Agency: https://goagentix.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drakewolfe1/🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch #AIEntrepreneurship #FosterCareReform #AutomationBusiness #ImpactDriven #FacelessBrands #FromFosterToFounder
S1 Ep 75John Hankins: Reinventing Yourself at 71 & Making Peace With Money
John Hankins didn’t just retire—he reinvented himself. After 35 years in tech and a lifetime of financial experience, John became a certified financial therapist at age 71. Now, he helps others—especially those approaching or in retirement—unravel the emotional knots tied to money. In this episode, John shares what financial therapy really is, how he blended social work with tech expertise, and why it’s never too late to build a life that actually matters.We also dive into how John’s journey—from social services in West Philly to IBM’s cloud division to a personal cancer scare—reshaped his priorities and brought him back to helping others in the most meaningful way possible.💡 If money stress keeps you up at night—or if retirement feels more like fear than freedom—this episode might be exactly what you need to hear.🔗 Connect with John Hankins:🌐 Website: financial-therapy.me📘 Facebook: facebook.com/JohnHankinsFinancialTherapy🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/john-hankins-mss🎥 YouTube: @johnhankinsfinancialtherapy🌐 Financial Therapy Association: financialtherapyassociation.org🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 74Elijah Khan: From Starving Actor to Startup Founder Solving the Accent Problem
Elijah Khan’s journey is anything but ordinary. From struggling to make ends meet as a working actor to building Accentify, a breakthrough app helping people master accents, Elijah has turned rejection and hardship into innovation and opportunity.In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Elijah shares how he transitioned from the grind of London’s acting scene to launching a tech startup during the pandemic—and why solving a problem he personally experienced became his mission. We dive into his time as a mountaineer, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, and a determined founder who’s now scaling a business that's already gaining traction across industries.Whether you’re a creative professional, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just someone obsessed with language and voice, Elijah’s story offers insights, motivation, and a look behind the curtain of what it really takes to pivot your passion into purpose.🔗 Learn more about Elijah:🌐 Website: https://www.accentify.co.uk📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamelijahkhan🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elijahkhan🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 73Chris Scott on Fixing Execution Debt™, Burnout Recovery & Lessons from the Umpire’s Chair
Chris Scott's journey from Minor League Baseball umpire to startup survivor to founder of Boschetto is anything but traditional. In this episode, Chris shares how injury forced him to pivot, how burnout taught him to rebuild smarter, and why he coined the term Execution Debt™ to describe the hidden costs killing company momentum. His story is packed with sharp insights, tough detours, and a whole lot of clarity for anyone scaling a business or chasing a dream.📍 Guest: Chris Scott💼 Founder, Boschetto | Creator of Execution Debt™🌐 Website: https://www.boschettoconsulting.com/📊 Execution Debt™ Assessment: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeAe-tqJ9kwasHPojzeExqpEdqmIZFSHVbhuDd7RnzPVeTCww/viewform🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherfscott🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 72Cam F Awesome: From Bullied Kid to Boxing Champion & Resilience Speaker
What does it take to turn pain into power? In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Cam F Awesome — 12x national boxing champion, former Team USA captain, and resilience keynote speaker — shares his powerful journey from being a bullied, anxious kid to becoming one of the most decorated amateur boxers in U.S. history.After losing his Olympic dream due to a paperwork technicality, Cam didn’t quit — he reinvented himself. Hear how he turned setbacks into strength, self-doubt into self-talk, and built a career inspiring thousands through humor, grit, and mindset mastery.Learn what it means to embrace the pivot and own your awesome — in the ring and in life.🔗 Connect with Cam F Awesome:🌐 Website: https://camfawesome.com📱 Instagram: https://instagram.com/camfawesome🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/camfawesome🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 71Jason Barnard: From Punk Folk Musician to Google Whisperer & Brand SERP Expert | Direct Or Detour
What do punk-folk music, children's cartoons, and Google's AI have in common? One man: Jason Barnard.In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Jason shares his extraordinary career journey—from touring Europe as a double bassist in a folk-punk band to starring in a global children’s cartoon, and eventually becoming a leading expert in digital brand perception and AI search behavior.Now known as The Brand SERP Guy, Jason is the CEO of Kalicube, where he helps individuals and companies strategically manage how they appear on Google and AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity. If you've ever pivoted careers, rebranded yourself, or wondered what Google really thinks of you—this conversation is a must-listen.🔗 **Guest Links:** Free Guide https://kalicube.com/guides/ Website: https://jasonbarnard.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/kalicube LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmbarnard/ X: https://www.twitter.com/jasonmbarnard 🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 70Hersh Rephun: From Stand-Up Comedy to Holistic Brand Therapy with a Side of Sneaker Marketing
Hersh Rephun's journey defies every straight path you've ever seen. From screenwriting and stand-up comedy to launching a sneaker marketing agency and now helping entrepreneurs craft authentic personal brands—his story is a masterclass in embracing the detours. In this episode, Hersh opens up about losing a business during COVID, uncovering deeper truths through meditation and quantum consciousness, and building a career as a Holistic Brand Therapist. If you've ever struggled to align your work with your purpose, this one’s for you.We dive into:Why “selling the truth” is the foundation of personal brandingWhat it means to consolidate your gifts into one powerful identityHow humor and humanity drive connection in businessHersh’s upcoming book, Selling the Truth🔗 Guest Links:🌐 Website: https://yesbrandbuilders.com💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershrephun/🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 69Vince Quinn: From National Radio Host to Building Podcasts That Actually Work
Vince Quinn went from spinning prize wheels at radio station events to hosting his own nationally syndicated show across 225 stations—then walked away. Why? Because the future wasn’t on air—it was in podcasting. Now as Co-Founder and Creative Director of SBX Productions, Vince helps business owners launch strategic, value-driven podcasts that actually move the needle.In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Vince shares how he hustled his way into radio, why the industry left him wanting more, and how he transitioned into helping others build powerful podcast platforms. Whether you're a podcaster, a business owner, or just chasing your next big pivot, this one’s packed with lessons in grit, strategy, and reinvention.🎧 Listen to Vince’s podcast It’s Not Just Talking: Apple Podcasts🌐 Connect with Vince:→ Website: freepodcasthelp.com→ Instagram: @sbxprod→ LinkedIn: Vince Quinn→ YouTube: SBX Productions🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 68Cindy Baker: From Scroll Breaks to Focused Sprints — Beating ADHD Overwhelm with Productivity Power
What if the thing holding you back isn’t time—but focus?In this episode of Direct Or Detour, I sit down with Cindy Baker, Productivity Coach, Speaker, and founder of Cindy Baker Coaching. After a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, Cindy realized she wasn’t just procrastinating—she was unknowingly trading her dreams for distraction. Now, she teaches entrepreneurs how to manage their focus, not their time, using ADHD-friendly strategies that work for every busy brain.We talk about Cindy’s journey from overwhelmed educator to empowered business owner, why “pills aren’t skills,” and how structure can unlock your creativity and productivity. If you’ve ever struggled with procrastination, digital clutter, or that nagging feeling of being stuck—this episode is for you.🔗 Connect with Cindy:🌐 Website: cindybakercoaching.com📱 Instagram: @cbc_cindybakercoaching💼 LinkedIn: Cindy Baker on LinkedIn📘 Facebook Group: Profitable Productivity for Entrepreneurs🎁 Free Productivity Course: waitnomore.net🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 67Dom Pereira: From Undocumented Immigrant to $25M Tech CEO & Organic Farmer
What does it take to grow a multimillion-dollar tech firm, own a 400-acre organic farm, and still find time to launch a new social media platform? In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Brian sits down with serial entrepreneur Dom Pereira—better known as @AskDomThat—to explore his incredible journey from growing up undocumented in Philly to closing $25M in contracts with his tech company GCN.Dom opens up about the grind of bootstrapping a business without access to financial aid, scaling a tech company while learning business on the fly, investing in real estate, and his unexpected love for farming and agro-tourism. Whether it’s launching ClearSocial or raising goats in Texas, Dom is a testament to what’s possible when you stay curious, stay humble, and keep building.📌 Guest Details:🌐 Website: https://askdomthat.com📱 Social: @AskDomThat🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 66Shannon Russell: From MTV Producer to Empowering Women in Their Second Act
After 16 years producing hit shows for MTV and E! News, Shannon Russell made the bold decision to stop "producing for others"—and start producing her own life. In this episode, Shannon shares how motherhood and a brutal commute sparked her pivot from the entertainment industry to becoming a successful entrepreneur and CEO of Second Act Success® Coaching. Now a business coach, speaker, and podcast host, she helps women craft fulfilling second acts and launch purpose-driven businesses.We dive into Shannon’s career journey, how she overcame the fear of change, and why it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. If you’ve ever felt stuck in a career that doesn’t light you up, this conversation is your sign to consider a second act of your own.🎯 Guest: Shannon Russell – Career Transition & Business Coach, CEO of Second Act Success®🌐 Website: secondactsuccess.co📘 Book: Start Your Second Act📝 Free Journal: startyoursecondact.com🎙 Podcast: Second Act Success🔗 LinkedIn: Shannon Russell Career Coach🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 65Alykhan Jetha: From Refugee to CEO—Bootstrapping a Global Software Brand
Alykhan Jetha—known as AJ—is the CEO of Marketcircle Inc., creators of the all-in-one CRM and productivity platform Daylite.app. In this episode, AJ shares his powerful journey from being a child refugee to building a multimillion-dollar software company—without outside funding.Discover how he overcame early challenges, navigated multiple pivots, and stayed focused on long-term growth in a rapidly evolving tech world. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or scaling a small business, AJ’s story is packed with insights on mindset, resilience, and building tools that grow with you.🔗 Connect with AJ:🌐 Website: https://daylite.app🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alykhanjetha/🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 64John Brink: From War-Torn Holland to Building a Business Empire in Canada
John Brink’s life began in the chaos of Nazi-occupied Holland and evolved into an 84-year (and counting) story of relentless ambition, resilience, and reinvention. In this episode of Direct Or Detour, John shares his journey from foraging for food during the Hunger Winter to founding North America’s leading secondary wood products manufacturer—all with just $25.47 in his pocket when he arrived in Canada.Now the CEO of 10 thriving companies, a champion bodybuilder, published author, and ADHD advocate, John talks with Brian about the mindset and work ethic that kept him moving forward, even when the odds were stacked against him. If you’re an entrepreneur, dreamer, or anyone who’s ever felt underestimated—this one’s for you.🔗 Guest Links:🌐 Website: johnabrink.com📱 Instagram: @john.a.brink🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnabrink🎥 YouTube: @JohnABrink🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 63Dale Kershner: From Robotics to Human Coaching – 43 Years of Transformational Impact
At 70 years young, Dale Kershner is far from slowing down—in fact, he’s just getting started. In this powerful conversation, Dale shares how he walked away from law school, dove into early tech and automation, and eventually found his true calling: coaching human beings toward peak performance.With 43+ years of experience working with individuals, entrepreneurs, and global companies, Dale brings wisdom, wit, and raw honesty to the mic. From programming robotic machines in the 1980s to guiding C-suite leaders across cultures, Dale’s journey is a masterclass in evolving with purpose.Whether you’re launching a business or navigating life’s detours, Dale’s story proves it’s never too late—and you’re never too stuck—to grow.🌐 Learn more and book a free 30-minute coaching session: https://www.dalekershner.com📱 Instagram: @dalekershner55🔗 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dalekershner📘 Facebook: facebook.com/dale.kershner🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 62William Holsten: From Corporate Innovation to Carnival Failures—and the Lessons That Sparked “Uh-Oh!”
What happens when a seasoned corporate innovator launches a side business—and it fails hard? In this episode of Direct Or Detour, author and entrepreneur William Holsten unpacks the highs and “Uh-Oh!” moments of his unconventional journey. From leading global innovation workshops to inventing backyard carnival games, William’s path is filled with creativity, risk, and resilience. He shares how a business misstep nearly derailed everything—and how it inspired his new book, UH-OH! Avoid Unintentional Blunders that Derail Entrepreneurial Success. Discover 10 powerful tools he now uses to help entrepreneurs goof-proof their businesses and turn setbacks into stepping stones.🎙 Guest: William Holsten – The “Uh-Oh!” Navigator📚 Book: UH-OH! – Now available at www.williamholsten.com🔗 Connect with William:🌐 Website: williamholsten.com💼 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/william-holsten📘 Facebook: facebook.com/william.a.holsten🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 61Alain Salas: From French Sailor to Healing Thousands With the Mind Clearing System
What happens when a French boat rental entrepreneur abandons it all to pursue a calling across the ocean? In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Dr. Alain Salas shares his riveting transformation from living on a sailboat in the south of France to becoming a sought-after chiropractic physician and creator of the Mind Clearing System.After hitting rock bottom with burnout, divorce, and a cancer diagnosis, Alain discovered a powerful 3-step process to break limiting beliefs and reclaim health, harmony, and prosperity. Now, with over 4,000 lives changed, he’s teaching others how to tap into the healing power within.🎧 Tune in for a raw and inspiring conversation about reinventing yourself, holistic healing, and the journey from breakdown to breakthrough.🌐 Learn more about Dr. Alain Salas:Website: https://themindclearing.comYouTube: @dralainsalas8754🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 60Michael Ritsema: From Near Bankruptcy to Tech Success & Cybersecurity Leadership
What does it take to survive the ups and downs of entrepreneurship? Michael Ritsema, CEO of i3 Business Solutions, shares his incredible journey from near bankruptcy in 2001 to leading a thriving technology and cybersecurity firm today. From the challenges of sales, business pivots, and economic downturns to acquiring multiple companies and managing cyber risks, Mike’s story is filled with resilience, strategy, and lessons for business owners at any stage.Tune in to hear about the defining moments that shaped his success, the role of mentorship and peer groups in his journey, and his insights into cybersecurity risk management for businesses.🔗 Connect with Michael Ritsema:🌐 Website: i3businesssolutions.com📱 Instagram: @theritzman🔗 LinkedIn: Michael J. Ritsema🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch #Entrepreneurship #TechLeadership #Cybersecurity
S1 Ep 59Matt Diamante: From Band Life to Building a Marketing Empire
What do music, freelancing, and digital marketing have in common? For Matt Diamante, they were all stepping stones in his journey to launching HeyTony, a thriving marketing agency.In this episode of Direct Or Detour, Matt shares how he went from playing in a band to studying advertising, landing (and quitting) multiple jobs, launching a website with investors, burning through his savings on a two-month adventure, and ultimately building a successful business on his own terms.His path wasn’t linear, but every step led him closer to finding what truly worked for him. Tune in for a raw, unfiltered conversation about career pivots, taking risks, and betting on yourself.🔗 Connect with Matt:🌐 Website: heytony.ca📱 Instagram: @heytony.agency🔗 LinkedIn: HeyTony🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #Entrepreneurship #Marketing #CareerJourney #Podcast
S1 Ep 58Jasmeet Singh: From Molecular Biology to Mastering Professional Headshots
How does a molecular biologist pivot to becoming a sought-after professional photographer? In this episode of Direct Or Detour, we sit down with Jasmeet Singh, the founder of 415Headshots Inc., a premier headshot photography studio with locations in San Francisco and Sacramento. Jasmeet shares his fascinating journey from the lab to the lens, blending scientific precision with creative artistry to help professionals craft their personal brands.Discover how he transitioned from science to entrepreneurship, the challenges of switching industries, and the insights he’s gained from capturing thousands of faces. Whether you're considering a career shift or want to understand the power of a great headshot, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical takeaways!🎯 Guest: Jasmeet Singh🏢 Founder of 415Headshots Inc.🌎 Website: 415Headshots.com📸 Instagram: @415headshots💼 LinkedIn: 415Headshots🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch
S1 Ep 57Madi Waggoner: From Burnout to Building Remote—Her Journey to Entrepreneurial Freedom
How do you go from being overworked and overwhelmed to building a business that runs without you? Madi Waggoner, founder of Building Remote, knows firsthand what it takes to step away from the daily grind and create a company designed for freedom.In this episode, Madi shares her journey—from struggling with burnout to helping entrepreneurs fire themselves from the day-to-day. She reveals the pivotal moments that led her to consulting, the challenges she faced along the way, and the lessons she’s learned from working with 40+ businesses across industries. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about reclaiming control, creating systems, and building a life on your terms.🔗 Connect with Madi Waggoner:🌐 Website: https://buildingremote.co/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madiwaggoner/🚀 Interested in being a guest? Connect on PodMatch:👉 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/directordetour🔖 #DirectOrDetour #PodMatch