Elevation Nation

Sam started his week off with a challenging start and the guys talk through how he looks refrain him mindset to get back to elevating during the week.

Elevator 241: Keri Hope Richmond is a multi-hyphenate leader, storyteller, and the Executive Director of Unbelievably Resilient. From influencing child welfare policy in Washington, DC, to serving as the CEO of Keri Hope Co, she’s spent her career designing spaces that help young people and families move from surviving to thriving.In this podcast: Keri pulls back the curtain on her transformative journey from the corporate world to a life dedicated to mindfulness and community. We dive into the impact of travel on perspective, the "Blue Zone" science behind longevity and connection, and why in-person relationships are the ultimate antidote to a digital age. Keri breaks down how to deconstruct old narratives, embrace evolution, and turn lived experience into real-world impact.

Sam and Parker explore the importance of introspection in personal and professional growth to elevate in life.

Elevator 240: Jack Miller is the founder and leader of The Miller Schackman Team in New York City. Since launching in 2022, Jack has led his team to over $200 million in closed sales by prioritizing a client-first approach and a standard of excellence that’s rare in the high-stakes world of Manhattan real estate.In this podcast: Jack breaks down his journey from growing up in Baltimore to building a powerhouse team in NYC. We dive into the grit required to balance a relentless work schedule with a personal life, why he encourages his agents to fail without fear, and his core belief that nothing truly worth building happens overnight.

Whoop, Aura Ring, Garmin, Apple Watch. So many people these days are tracking their body's data. From sleep to strain to movement to rest, these devices have allowed us to understand our bodies more than ever before. But is it truly helping or making us more on edge?

Elevator 239: Ryan Shaer is the Vice President of Ace Limousine, where he helped scale a family business into a 100+ employee operation serving clients worldwide. From a former startup CSO to founding his new sustainable apparel brand, AYDN, Ryan’s career is defined by high-stakes transitions and a relentless focus on culture.In this podcast: Ryan gets honest about his journey from a struggling student to a leader in the tough-as-nails limousine industry. We dive into the unique pressure of navigating family dynamics in business, the hard lessons learned from a global pandemic, and why he believes the best way to find fulfillment is to make sure the people around you are winning.

Parker and Sam talk through the dilemma that comes with success.

On March 24, the Modern Gentleman is hosting n elevated dinner for men who want more than small talk. Good food, bourbon, and real conversation about purpose, pressure, and life.Location: Colony Hotel in West Palm Beach, FloridaTime: 6:00 - 8:30pm ESTOnly 25 tickets available. Secure here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-gentlemans-table-palm-beach-tickets-1983648869166

Sam takes a solo trip to Puerto Rico and realizes that it was the opposite of a relaxing vacation.

Elevator 238: Betsy Kaplan is a PR expert for some of the world’s biggest spirits brands at Campari. She is also the founder of Grief, Sweat, & Tears and a Program Director at Experience Camps, where she is redefining how we navigate loss by bringing it out of the shadows and into the gym.In this podcast: Betsy gets real about the "grief gap" in our culture and why movement is often the best way to process what words can't touch. We dive into the unique energy of grief communities, the importance of "trusting your gut" when life hits its fastest pace, and how she’s building safe spaces in NYC where crying is a sign of strength, not a stigma.

Parker and Sam discuss the implications of AI on society, drawing insights from Mark Manson's books. They explore the idea of AI becoming a new form of religion, the potential dystopian future it may create, and the importance of authenticity in a technology-driven world.

Elevator 237: Scott Smith was a football player at the University of Maryland when a degenerative disc injury changed everything. After being told there weren't more options to fix his pain by traditional medical professionals, he spent years navigating the gap between high-level performance and debilitating injury. Today, he’s the founder of Euphoria Healing & Wellness in DC, where he’s helping others find the holistic recovery tools that traditional medicine missed.In this podcast: Scott gets real about the mental toll of losing your identity as an athlete and the grit required to advocate for your own health when no one believes you. We discuss the critical connection between mental health and physical recovery, the power of community in wellness, and why Scott is on a mission to help people live authentically and without limitations.

Parker and Sam explore the implications of AI on the future of work, personal growth, and the human experience.

Elevator 236: Brett Greenberg spent over a decade in the front office of the Washington Wizards, rising to Assistant General Manager after starting his career in the video rooms of the Miami Heat and Duke Basketball. Today, he’s a Senior Executive at Teamworks and an advisor at ProMondo Sports, navigating the intersection of high-performance tech and athlete representation.In this podcast: Brett pulls back the curtain on the high-pressure world of NBA management and the personal challenge of coming out in that environment. We dive into his "year of rebirth" after leaving the Wizards, the importance of being present when your career feels like it's moving at 100mph, and why your identity has to be rooted in more than just your job title.

Parker and Sam discuss the alarming trend of the 'friendship recession,' particularly among men, where a significant percentage report having no close friends.

Elevators 234 & 235: Esther Eisenhard and Aaron Lyon are the siblings behind CampHire. They took the elite recruiting playbooks from Google and Amex and brought them to the camp world. After six years of grinding, they’ve built the go-to agency for finding the people who actually make or break the summer camp experience.In this podcast: We get into the no-nonsense reality of building a business with family and the humbling perspective of working a day job while running your own shop at night. Esther and Aaron share how they navigate the difficult work of sourcing top talent and why the best way to grow is to stop obsessing over being perfect and just start being wonderful.

Parker and Sam debate the "success tax" that it takes to accomplish goals and break down scenarios to determine if the result is worth the sacrifice or if the bill is simply "too high to pay".

Elevator 233: Morgan Rich is a men’s coach, author of The Invitation Beyond, and the creator of Training for the unkNOWn. He specializes in helping high-achieving men move beyond conventional success to build lives rooted in integrity, emotional presence, and real aliveness.In this podcast: Morgan shares his journey through loss and the critical role mentorship plays in navigating the unique struggles young men face today. We dive into the power of men's groups, why we must learn to "hang in the darkness," and how to use grounding practices to stay present when training for the unknown.

Sam and Parker play a game to talk through their mindset on how they approach the different buckets of their life.

Elevator no. 232: Ben Sampson is a serial entrepreneur and investor who has successfully exited companies like WeHero and The Impact Job to focus on his latest venture, Luna, an Ai-powered pet health platform. Based in Bend, Oregon, he specialized in scaling modern businesses at the intersection of technology. marketing, and growth while balancing family life and the outdoors.In this podcast: Ben shares his curiosity-driven approach to business and the often-unspoken struggle of finding your identity after selling a company. We dive into why you should design your life for good stories, the importance of acting on inspiration immediately, and how to maintain resilience when entrepreneurship leads to self-doubt.

We are three weeks into 2026 and many are already forgetting about their New Years Resolutions.

Elevator 231: Jesse Johnson is the founder of Supergivers and an equine-partnered coach who uses horses to teach socially intelligent leadership. He moves beyond conventional conditioning to help leaders, families, and individuals build compassion through experiential learning with nature.In this podcast: Jesse reveals why horses are the ultimate lie detectors for our own authenticity and what they teach us about leading without ego. We dive into the mental health challenges young men face in a digital world and how reconnecting with nature helps us find true purpose and empathy.

Parker and Sam discuss the importance of intergenerational wisdom and mentorship, particularly among men. They explore the loneliness epidemic affecting young men today, the role of older male figures as mentors, and the need for deeper connections across generations.

Elevator 230: Scott Hickle is the co-founder and CEO of Throne, the innovative "wearable for your toilet" that uses AI to turn poop into critical health insights. A serial entrepreneur and mechanical engineer based in Austin, he is on a mission to save one million lives from colorectal cancer through early detection and gut health monitoring.In this podcast: Scott breaks down why the most vital health data is the kind we usually flush away and the "unsexy" challenges of building a hardware startup in a taboo space. We talk about the mindset needed to pioneer a new category, the future of waste-based tracking, and how taking ownership of your health data can literally save your life.

Parker and Sam celebrate having Elevation Nation in seven different years while reflecting on their personal growth and goals for 2026. The conversation emphasizes the value of introspection, goal setting, and the creative process as they look forward to a year of growth and connection.

Elevator 229: Ashleigh Di Lello is a Brain Coach, keynote speaker, and the creator of Bio Emotional Healing®, a revolutionary process based in neuroscience. After overcoming a life-threatening illness and years of chronic pain starting at age thirteen, she transformed her trauma into a career as an elite athlete, Broadway star, and expert in brain-body freedom.In this podcast: Ashleigh breaks down how our nervous system shapes our identity and why your brain is an "evidence-seeking machine" that reinforces your current beliefs. We dive into the science of emotional resilience, how to view failure as a verb rather than an identity, and the micro-actions you can take today to harness your brain's power and become the person you want to be.

What a year of elevating it has been. In the last episode of Elevation Nation, we recap some of our highs from the year. See you in 2026, Elevation Nation!

Elevator 228: Louisa Li is the Founder of Shanti House, a conscious-living and wellness community in NYC for innovators, and Urban Iron, a hybrid running and functional fitness race. She spent a decade as a management consultant for Fortune 500 companies before leaving corporate life to consult in wellness tech and focus on mission-driven ventures.In this podcast, Louisa discusses the surprising lack of mindfulness at founder events and why traditional networking often fuels burnout, not mental health. She shares why creating spaces that prioritize wellness, like Shanti House, is essential for founders to manage stress, calm their nervous systems, and gain the clarity needed to build resilient businesses.

This week, we pull back the curtain on the evolution of Elevation Nation, teasing a new concept on human connection. We share our vision for new authentic experiences and events designed to empower you outside the digital noise.

Elevator no. 227: Uri Pearl is the founder and president of Nealon Holdings Inc., a holding company that owns and operates a growing home-services business, Nealon Insulation. As a former special forces soldier, Uri brings a disciplined, long-term mindset to both his entrepreneurial ventures and his value investing philosophy.In this podcast: We break down the three M's of "Authentic Intelligence" (AI): Mindset, Messages, and Moments. Uri shares how a strong, fortified mindset, developed in the military and applied in business, is critical for growth, how you communicate effectively, and where to inject your authentic self into your daily life to truly create value.

This week, we're talking about the best investment you can make: you. Parker and Sam dive into the shifts they’ve made this year, from optimizing sleep and starting new solo adventures to embracing new hobbies like basketball and holistic healing.

Elevator 226: Alex Servetnick is the Head of Commercial Strategy at Stakt, the female-founded wellness brand creating innovative fitness equipment that inspires movement. After nearly a decade in Corporate America across UBS and Anheuser-Busch, he left his senior role to join his wife, Taylor, and her co-founder, Millie, helping scale Stakt toward ten million dollars in revenue in under two years.In this podcast: Alex opens up about the mindset shift required to walk away from corporate stability, what it’s really like building a company with your spouse and best friend, and how communication keeps both the relationship and the business moving forward. We talk about brand building, managing stress in a fast-growing startup, and the mental motto that keeps him grounded.

Parker and Sam are thankful for many things as Thanksgiving approaches.

Elevator 225: Raz Malas is the CEO and Co-founder of Talent Hackers, an offshore staffing company helping US businesses hire top global talent at scale. He has built two multi-million dollar businesses across E-commerce and Staffing, blending sharp execution with an unconventional mindset toward education and career growth.In this podcast: Raz breaks down how he built companies from the ground up, why remote talent is the future, and how his view of college shaped his entrepreneurial path. He shares honest lessons on partnerships, scaling, and the mindset behind his motto “make it happen.”01:28Raz Malas: The Entrepreneurial Journey03:11The Impact of Family on Entrepreneurship05:51Navigating College with a Different Mindset10:48Rethinking the Purpose of College15:33The Changing Landscape of Employment18:11Building a Remote Business22:03Scaling Talent Hackers25:42The Importance of Partnership in Business29:06Rapid Fire Questions

Parker turns 30 and shares 30 insightful thoughts, reflecting on personal growth and life lessons. The guys explore the wisdom gained over the years in a memorable Fortitude in 15.

Elevator no. 224: Renee Fluker is the Founder and CEO of Midnight Golf, a nonprofit she launched in 2001 that blends life-skills training with the game of golf to help Detroit students get to and through college. Known as Ms. Renee to her kids, she has helped more than 3,000 young people pursue higher education by using golf as a vehicle for discipline, confidence, relationship-building, and opportunity. She has become a pillar of Southeast Michigan through her mentorship, her leadership, and her unwavering belief that every young person deserves a real shot at success.In this conversation, Ms. Renee shares how she built Midnight Golf from scratch, the sacrifices behind its growth, and the impact she sees every day in her students. We talk about giving back, building community, and what it really takes to change a young person’s life.Chapters01:20The Birth of a Vision: Renee's Journey04:13Life Skills Beyond Golf: Curriculum Overview12:12Challenges and Triumphs: Renee's Resilience17:51Creating an Authentic Environment24:54Success Stories: Impact of Midnight Golf29:35Empowering the Next Generation31:09Building a Legacy of Support38:43The Importance of Grit and Determination41:31Rapid Fire44:50Call to Action for Support

Sam just got back from LA, where he attended a wellness event before heading to San Diego for some much-needed solo travel. Parker’s fresh off celebrating his sister Colby’s wedding, but both have been hit with major travel chaos. They reflect on the madness of flying, slowing down, and the importance of being fully present in real spaces with real people.

Sam and Parker use ChatGPT to play a rapid-fire game — asking each other deep, heartfelt, and hilarious questions.

Sam and Parker spent last week in Asheville, NC at a camp staffing conference called Camp Collab. Last year, they were just participants and presented about mental fortitude. This year, they took on a new role as Head Counselors acting as the MC's for the entire event.

Elevator 223: Alex Feinberg is a former professional athlete who went on to work at a global macro hedge fund, then Google, before launching his own business. Today, he’s a high performance specialist who helps elite men optimize their mindset, health, and purpose so they can perform at their best—without burning out.In this conversation, Alex shares how his experiences across sports, finance, and tech shaped his perspective on success. He opens up about fulfillment beyond money, the balance between ego and humility, and why vulnerability and recovery are just as important as discipline and drive.Chapters02:57The Journey of a High Performer05:50The Importance of Mentorship and Learning09:00Finding Fulfillment Beyond Corporate Success11:40The Role of Money and Success14:57Understanding the Drive for More17:29The Balance of Mindset and Performance20:31The Interplay of Mind and Body23:22Fitness and Financial Success26:29Introspection and Personal Growth29:30Vulnerability and Authenticity in Men32:16Rapid Fire Questions and Mental Motto