The Culture Matters Podcast

"If you want to make a lot of money, solve big problems." - Elon MuskOur guest today is an early supporter Culture Matters and Senior Loan Officer with NJ Lenders Corp., Jeff Winick, and we're very excited to have him back for his sophomore appearance on the show. There is a lot to cover in this episode, so buckle up and get ready to ride! Jeff and Jay are unpacking the power of focus and how concentrating on one or two things instead of a whole bunch of things at once is going to maximize your chances to be successful at those one or two things, caring about the client first and making sure that their experience is positive and that they get what they want and feel like they matter instead of just being another number, how something as simple as a to-do list can help make sure you're not missing opportunities, and why acknowledging that you need to make improvements in certain areas is the first step to making those improvements happen. Thank you to Jeff Winick for his time and expertise and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"When Zarathustra was 30 years old, he left his home and lake of his home, and went into the mountains. Here, he had the enjoyment of his spirit and his solitude and he did not weary of it for 10 years. But at least, his heart turned and one morning he rose with the dawn, stepped before the sun, and spoke to it thus: Great star! What would your happiness be if you had not those for whom you shine? You have come up here to my cave for 10 years. You would have grown weary of your light and of this journey without me, my eagle, and my serpent. But we waited for you every morning, took from you your super fluidity and blessed you for it. Behold! I am weary of my wisdom like a bee that has gathered too much honey. I need hands outstretched to take it. I should like to give it away and distribute it until the wise among men have again become happy in their folly and the poor happy in their wealth."On today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast, we are joined by our co-host of the Tales of Giving series who is also the host of "The Relief Podcast", author of How to Get Your Life Back, and founder of Real Estate Relief, Demetri Stakias. If you have been keeping up with this series, then you know that these episodes can serve a host of different purposes and cover a host of different subjects and today's journey is no different. During today's discussion, Demetri and Jay are discussing the difficulty of standing out in a world full of unique people, knowing that it is OK to look inward at some of the scariest parts of yourself and uncovering them and dealing with them, and the trickiness of letting people go from your life even if they are loved ones or family. Conversations with Demetri are always guaranteed to get deep and today's is no different on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

What if everything you’ve been told about AI is wrong?In this thought-provoking episode, Jay sits down with Scott Schang to explore a perspective far deeper than tools, automation, or productivity. This is a conversation about a paradigm shift—a true renaissance.Drawing inspiration from Nikola Tesla’s vision of a connected world, Scott reframes AI not as a replacement for human intelligence, but as a mirror for it. A collaborator. A challenger. A force that rewards self-awareness over surface-level thinking.Together, they unpack:Why the internet created a “modern dark age” of noise and external validationHow AI shifts power back to the individual thinkerThe danger of asking the wrong questions—and how to fix itWhy most businesses are solving symptoms instead of root problemsHow leaders can use AI to amplify humanity, not replace itThe future of community, connection, and decision-making in an AI-driven worldThis episode isn’t about learning how to use AI.It’s about learning how to think again.If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or builder navigating what’s next—this conversation will challenge your assumptions and expand your lens.Share this with someone who’s skeptical… and someone who’s ready.

What if everything in your business comes down to one thing: incentives?In this episode of the Culture Matters Podcast, Jay Doran sits down with Nick Brignola, Chief Financial Officer of Informative, for a powerful conversation on leadership, culture, compliance, and the hidden forces that drive behavior inside organizations.Starting with a quote from Charlie Munger—“Show me the incentive and I will show you the outcome”—Nick breaks down how incentives shape decision-making at every level of business. From sales teams to executive leadership, what you reward ultimately defines what you get.Nick shares insights from a decades-long career across logistics, finance, healthcare, and financial technology, including lessons learned inside large pharmaceutical organizations, private equity-backed companies, and high-growth environments. He dives into real-world examples of how culture can either accelerate success or lead to costly breakdowns.This episode also explores the evolving automotive and fintech landscape, data security, compliance risk, and why leadership must balance structure with entrepreneurial thinking to build sustainable organizations.In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why incentives determine outcomes in business and leadershipThe difference between entrepreneurial and structured culturesLessons from pharmaceutical compliance failures and leadership shiftsHow to balance speed, growth, and guardrails in an organizationWhy private equity thinking differs from public company pressureThe real risks around data, compliance, and customer informationWhat great culture actually looks like inside high-performing teamsWhy the best organizations align behavior, values, and executionMinute Markers:00:00 Intro and Charlie Munger quote02:15 Why incentives drive behavior and results07:10 Early career and discovering business logistics13:40 From logistics to finance and internal audit20:10 What audit really means and why it matters27:30 Learning culture inside pharmaceutical organizations35:40 When culture breaks: compliance failures and consequences44:20 Entrepreneurial vs. structured corporate cultures52:10 Private equity vs. public company mindset1:00:15 Automotive industry insights and compliance risks1:08:40 Data security, fraud, and customer trust1:16:20 Core values vs. “words on a wall”1:24:00 Final thoughts on leadership, culture, and incentivesIf this episode made you think differently about leadership, share it with someone building a business or leading a team.Subscribe for more conversations on culture, leadership, business, and life.

What does it actually take to build something meaningful—and is it worth it?In this episode of the Culture Matters Podcast, Jay Doran sits down with returning guest Mark Perkins, founder of Pivot Realty and creator of the Are You Worth It? Conference, for a powerful and honest conversation on entrepreneurship, execution, and what separates those who grow from those who stay stuck.Mark shares lessons from nearly two decades of building, scaling, and navigating the realities of business—what he got wrong, what he’s learned, and why success is far more difficult than most people are willing to admit. From surrounding yourself with the right people to getting in the right rooms, this episode is a deep dive into what it really means to go all in.This conversation also explores the future of business through the lens of artificial intelligence, the growing gap between elite performers and the rest of the workforce, and why access to the right people and environments can completely change your trajectory.At the center of it all is one question:Are you worth it?In this episode, you’ll hear about:Why entrepreneurship is harder than you think—and why that mattersThe power of proximity and getting in the right roomsHow Mark built Pivot Realty from the ground upThe vision behind the Are You Worth It? ConferenceWhat separates top performers from the middle 60%Why most people never reach their full potentialHow AI will reshape business, talent, and opportunityWhat it really means to “go” all in on your life and businessMinute Markers:00:00 Intro and Jim Rohn quote on proximity02:10 Mark Perkins returns to the podcast05:30 Starting Pivot Realty and early lessons10:45 Why entrepreneurship is harder than expected18:20 Getting in rooms with high-level operators25:10 The vision behind “Are You Worth It?”34:00 How to show up and win in the right rooms42:15 Learning from people who have actually done it50:30 Building relationships that create opportunity58:40 The future of AI and the workforce1:08:20 Top performers vs. the middle 60%1:18:00 What “go” means for 20261:25:00 Final thoughts: Is it worth it?If this episode challenged you, share it with someone you want in the room with you.Subscribe for more conversations on culture, leadership, business, and life.

In this episode of the Culture Matters Podcast, Jay Doran sits down with Doug Bertram, founder and CEO of Structural Elements, for a deeply thoughtful conversation on the body, stress, healing, performance, and what it really means to create health before crisis ever arrives.Doug shares his unique journey from psychology and manual therapy into traditional Chinese medicine, systems thinking, and the creation of Structural Elements — a methodology and growing company built around helping people increase their capacity to handle the demands of life. Rather than simply treating pain or symptoms, Doug explains how the body functions as an integrated system, how communication breakdowns happen physically and neurologically, and why true healing involves far more than addressing one isolated issue.This episode explores the connection between the body, mind, trauma, stress response, posture, belief systems, and performance. Doug breaks down complex ideas in a way that is both practical and powerful, helping listeners understand how overload accumulates, how dysregulation shows up in daily life, and how awareness and self-regulation can transform the way we move, heal, and live.This conversation is not just about pain relief. It is about human performance refined.00:00 Intro and quote: treating disease before it arises02:15 Meeting Doug Bertram and the heart behind Structural Elements05:00 From psychology and bodywork to traditional Chinese medicine09:10 Systems thinking vs. treating the body in separate parts14:20 Communication in the body: rethinking chi and energy flow20:05 Stress, safety, and the autonomic nervous system26:40 How trauma, belief systems, and the body stay connected33:10 Posture, injury, and what the body is really communicating39:20 Avoidance vs. resilience and increasing capacity to handle load46:00 Doug’s personal shift: rewriting the story of stress53:30 Signs your system is overloaded and how to self-regulate59:40 The Structural Elements methodology and franchise model1:07:10 Helping providers escape burnout and deliver better care1:13:20 The future of orthopedic wellness and preventive care1:19:00 Final takeaway: integration, regulation, and living with greater capacityThis episode covers:Why the body should be understood as an integrated systemThe difference between symptom treatment and root-cause careHow stress, trauma, and belief systems shape the bodyWhy posture tells a story about strategy and survivalHow to recognize when your system is overloadedThe connection between regulation, resilience, and performanceDoug’s vision for the future of orthopedic wellness and provider careIf you are interested in health, performance, healing, resilience, mindset, or the deeper relationship between body and mind, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

In this episode of the Culture Matters Podcast, Jay Doran sits down with Jay Stoll, founder of All Things Retirement Group, for a powerful conversation about reinvention, discipline, service, and purpose.All Things Retirement Group operates within the ecosystem of All Things Insurance Group, founded by longtime friend of the Culture Matters Podcast and frequent guest, Pete Fournier.Jay Stoll shares his incredible journey from serving in law enforcement to working in physical therapy and eventually building a thriving business in the insurance and retirement planning space. Along the way, he opens up about the defining moments that shaped him, including the emotional decision to leave law enforcement after missing one of the most important moments in his son’s life.This conversation goes far beyond insurance. It is about what it means to lead with humility, check your ego, stay coachable, and build a life centered around faith, family, and long-term impact. Jay also breaks down the deeper purpose behind retirement planning, mortgage protection, long-term care, and helping families prepare for the moments they hope never come.If you have ever wrestled with changing careers, chasing purpose, providing for your family, or building something meaningful from the ground up, this episode will speak to you.00:00 Intro and Jay Stoll’s story of reinvention03:10 From law enforcement to life-changing perspective07:15 Missing his son’s first steps and making the pivot11:20 Entering the insurance world and finding purpose16:05 What retirement planning really means21:10 Mortgage protection and planning for the unexpected27:00 Long-term care, family burden, and hard conversations34:25 Education over confusion in financial planning39:10 Mentorship, humility, and learning from proven people45:20 Building All Things Retirement Group50:15 Persistence, faith, and what it takes to keep going55:00 Final thoughts on legacy, leadership, and serving familiesThis episode covers:Reinventing your life when your priorities changeHow law enforcement shaped Jay’s discipline and decision-makingThe moment he knew he had to choose family firstWhy mentorship and humility matter in businessHow to think about retirement, protection, and legacyThe power of persistence when building something new

"Nothing captures human interest more than human tragedy." - Dan BrownHost of "The Relief Podcast", author of How to Get Your Life Back, and founder of Real Estate Relief Demetri Stakias is joining us once again for a second round of "Tales of Giving". The conversation got started before anyone hit record, but as all of our loyal listeners know, we're always interested in the space between the notes. After hitting record, Demetri and Jay are getting into the ever-so-light-hearted topic of the redemption of demon influenced individuals and how no one is ever beyond redemption, the challenges being faced in uncertain times, how loss is a source of pain but can also be a source of opportunity, and the desire to improve engagement and taking things to the next level. This conversation doesn't end where it begins, so we hope you're ready to take the journey with us on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"There are, first of all, two kinds of authors: those who write for the subject's sake and those who write for writing's sake. The truth is, that when an author begins to write for the sake of covering paper, he is cheating the reader because he writes under the pretext that he has something to say." - Arthur SchopenhauerToday, on The Culture Matters Podcast, we are back with Thirty Days of Thought featuring our very own Jay Doran as he discusses excerpts from his book, Thirty Days of Thought. However, for today's episode, Jay did not come alone. A couple of weeks ago, we took a look at the chapter from the book entitled "Writer's Block" with our dead friend, Mr. Paul Lucido. We enjoyed that conversation so much that we decided to take another swing at "Writer's Block"; this time with another dear friend who is the host of "The Relief Podcast", author of How to Get Your Life Back, and founder of Real Estate Relief, Demetri Stakias. If you listened to the episode with Paul, then you are in for a completely different take on the subject with Demetri. These two culture colossuses are getting into getting back on track if you were to lose sense of your mission, why people (and Philadelphians) love the flawed hero, and why it is almost an obligation for people who create content to share their journey. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"It's hard, it's hard to be consistent in anything and that's why so few people can do it successfully. But when you do, when you are consistent in whatever goal you're trying to get to, typically you get the results you want."Scotsman Guide Top 500 in the Country Loan Officer, Mortgage Executive Magazine Top One Percent Mortgage Originator, Philadelphia Magazine Five Star Mortgage Professional Award recipient, and Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate Rob Wishnick has finally made his way back to the show and we are not wasting a minute. Rob and Jay are jumping right in with the importance of consistency and how it can lead to both professional and personal improvement, how something as simple as showing up and doing the basics the right way everyday can lead to better and more consistent habits, what the mortgage business looks like today and why a broker can be one of your best friends during the home buying process, and what the three columns are that will help you maximize your efficiency. This was a wonderful and informative discussion and we hope you enjoy this conversation with Mr. Rob Wishnick.

Episode 21 marks Part 1 of a reflection on the impact of the 2025 NYE Lollapalooza series.In this episode, Jay begins revisiting select words of the year shared by guests throughout the Lollapalooza, unpacking what those words represent and why they mattered — not only to the individuals who shared them, but to the broader Culture Matters community.Rather than recapping conversations, this episode focuses on patterns: the themes that kept surfacing, the shared language across very different leaders, and what those signals say about where people are headed next.This is the first in a multi-part breakdown, with more reflections, insights, and connections to come as the series continues.

2025 NYE Lollapalooza Episode 20: The Impact This Series Has MadeEpisode 20 serves as the reflection point of the 2025 NYE Lollapalooza, a moment to pause, look back, and name the impact this series has already had.In this episode, Jay Doran discusses why the Lollapalooza exists in the first place, how it has evolved year over year, and what happens when long-form, values-driven conversations are given space to breathe. Rather than recapping individual episodes, Jay focuses on the resonance; the emails, messages, and conversations sparked by the series.A significant part of that reflection includes the influence and example set by Patrick Bet-David, whose approach to dialogue, conviction, and unapologetic truth-telling is referenced throughout the episode. Jay shares how that standard saying the thing that needs to be said, even when it’s uncomfortable has shaped the tone, courage, and clarity of the Lollapalooza conversations.This episode explores:Why people are craving depth over soundbitesHow honest conversation creates ripple effects beyond downloadsThe responsibility that comes with having a platformAnd why impact is measured not in virality, but in alignment, action, and changeEpisode 20 isn’t a victory lap it’s a reckoning. A reminder that when conversations are rooted in purpose, faith, discipline, and truth, they don’t just fill time they move people.This episode closes the loop on the 2025 NYE Lollapalooza and sets the standard for what comes next.If this series challenged you, encouraged you, or helped you think differently — this episode explains why.Share it with someone who values substance over noise, and leave a review to help keep these conversations alive.

Jay Doran’s Word for 2026: LOVEIn Episode 19, Jay Doran closes the NYE Lollapalooza series by sharing his personal word for 2026: LOVE — and redefining it far beyond how the word is commonly used.This episode is not about romance alone, and it’s not about sentiment. It’s about love as a discipline, a standard, and a responsibility.Jay breaks down what love actually looks like when it’s lived out:In partnership In leadership and workIn friendship, boundaries, and commitmentIn the way we choose to show up for people — even when it’s uncomfortableHe challenges the idea that love is passive or conditional, and instead frames it as something that requires intention, courage, presence, and consistency. Love, as Jay describes it, is not weakness — it is alignment. It is choosing truth over ego, service over control, and depth over convenience.This episode serves as a personal declaration and a compass for the year ahead — not just for Jay, but for anyone listening who wants to live with greater clarity, integrity, and connection in 2026.If you’ve ever felt that the word love has been diluted or misunderstood, this conversation restores its weight — and its meaning.This is the final chapter of the NYE Lollapalooza.And it’s an invitation to live the year ahead differently.Share this episode with someone who’s ready to lead — and love — at a higher standard.

In Episode 18, Jay Doran and Jenna Silverman step back and reflect on the full scope of the NYE Lollapalooza — a day-long series of conversations designed to help people close one year with intention and step into the next with clarity.Jenna, who joined as co-host for the final stretch of the day, brings a fresh lens to the recap as they unpack the patterns, themes, and through-lines that emerged across the episodes. Together, they discuss the recurring words, shared struggles, and common realizations voiced by leaders from different industries — and what those overlaps say about where people actually are heading into 2026.This episode isn’t about revisiting every conversation — it’s about zooming out. Jay and Jenna talk about:The dominant ideas that kept resurfacing across guestsWhy certain words and themes appeared again and againWhat surprised them most after hearing so many perspectives back-to-backAnd how the collective tone of the day reflects a deeper shift in leadership, faith, identity, and responsibilityEpisode 18 serves as the bookend to the Lollapalooza — a grounded, thoughtful recap meant to help listeners make sense of what they heard and decide what they want to carry forward into the new year.If you listened to even one episode from the day, this conversation helps connect the dots. And if you listened to many, it brings the meaning into focus.As always, share this episode with someone who needs perspective heading into the year ahead — and leave a review to help us continue building conversations that matter.

Episode 17 closes out the NYE Lollapalooza with a conversation that feels like a final reset before the calendar turns — not just on goals, but on identity, leadership, and what actually drives people to change.Jay Doran is joined by Jenna Silverman, Bill Reiman, Glenn Llopis, and Mark Perkins for a New Year’s Eve roundtable on the words that shaped 2025 and the words they’re carrying into 2026.Jay shares his evolution from last year’s theme — “life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards”— into a deeper truth: life isn’t a problem to solve, it’s a reality to experience. His word shifts from intensity to love, setting the tone for a conversation that’s both grounded and honest.From there, the room opens up:Jenna reflects on her shift from faith into surrender — and why surrender isn’t weakness, it’s alignment.Bill shares that his word for 2026 is faith, and talks through what it looks like to shut out noise, stop letting fear lead, and build life and business from a deeper foundation.Glenn brings the edge with a powerful framework: reinvention (2025) → conviction (2026). He challenges the idea that success is the same as health, and unpacks why so many leaders are exhausted — not from hard work, but from performing instead of truly executing as themselves.Mark anchors the conversation with a simple but relentless word: go — the compounding power of doing business the right way for years, staying decisive without perfect certainty, and continuing to move even when plans break.The group digs into the tension leaders feel every day: how to see potential clearly, how to lead people without carrying them, and how to commit to growth without sacrificing the things that actually matter.This one is a strong finish to the Lollapalooza: deep, real, and full of practical truth you can carry into 2026.If this episode hit home, share it with someone who needs it — and leave a review so we can keep reinvesting back into you.

Episode 16 of the NYE Lollapalooza is one of the most grounded, emotional, and necessary conversations of the entire day.Jay Doran is joined by Jenna Silverman, Bill Reiman, Jonathon Haddad, and Joe Silva for a raw discussion on the words that shaped 2025—and the ones guiding 2026.What begins as a simple reflection on annual themes quickly evolves into something deeper: fatherhood, responsibility, faith, emotional regulation, and perspective. The group wrestles with what it truly means to lead—not just businesses, but families, communities, and themselves.You’ll hear:Why consistency without faith lacks purposeHow strength becomes a blessing when responsibility is embracedWhy balance is not 50/50—but situational awarenessHow perspective is forged through sacrifice, time, and choiceWhat it means to raise children in a world that often avoids discipline, honor, and accountabilityThe conversation moves through personal stories of parenting, marriage, mental health, addiction, recovery, leadership pressure, and cultural erosion—without posturing or performance. It’s honest. It’s emotional. And at times, it’s heavy in the best way.A standout moment includes a reading of Rudyard Kipling’s If, used as a lens to discuss masculinity, discipline, and the responsibility to protect—not dominate—the village.This episode isn’t about resolutions.It’s about choices.It’s about keeping the main thing the main thing.And it’s about understanding that life doesn’t give perspective gently—it teaches it through experience.If you’re stepping into 2026 as a leader, a parent, or someone trying to become steadier in a chaotic world—this conversation will stay with you.🎧 Listen closely. Share what resonates. And if it moved you, leave a review—because that’s how this work continues.

Episode 15 is a different kind of New Year’s Eve conversation—less “resolution energy,” more real life, real leadership, real presence.Jay Doran and Jenna Silverman sit down with Michael Allosso and Joseph Iredell during the 2025 Lollapalooza to unpack the theme:“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.”From the jump, it’s personal—Mike Calhoun has officially tapped out after an all-day hosting marathon, and Jenna steps in to co-lead the room. What follows is a layered discussion about the words that shaped 2025 and the words driving 2026:Michael Allosso (2025): Seen & Heard — the ache of invisibility, and the power of making people feel visible.Michael (2026): Intensity — no more passive interactions; every moment becomes an event, with real stakes.Joseph Iredell: moves from Understanding into Dominance for 2026—less introspection, more execution, and refusing to “play defense” after momentum is built.Jenna: reflects on Faith in 2025 and anchors 2026 in Surrender—letting go of forced outcomes while staying disciplined about clarity, communication, and aligned action.The episode also hits a few Culture Matters gold veins: casting vs. hiring, why leaders misplace people into roles that drain them, and why “stakes” change everything—your tone, your preparation, your presence, and the way people remember you.They close by wrestling with a big question: How do you teach values in a way that’s engaging—lived, not lectured?The answer keeps circling back to the same truth: values become real when they show up inside conversations, decisions, and the way we treat people when no one’s watching.If you’re heading into 2026 craving more presence, more purpose, and fewer forced outcomes—this one will land.

Episode 14 of the New Year’s Eve Lollapalooza gets loud—in the best way.Jay Doran and co-host Mike Calhoun are joined by Brad Lea, Jenna Silverman, Anthony Mirarchi, Benny Fisher, and Fobby Naghmi for a rapid-fire, high-trust conversation about the words that will define 2026—and the decisions that will shape everything that follows.The theme that keeps surfacing: you don’t change your life by wanting it… you change your life by choosing it.Here’s what each guest is carrying into 2026:Jay: Love (after Intensity) — bringing people together, leading with courage, and reclaiming parts of himself he shelved along the way.Jenna: Surrender (after Faith) — releasing forced outcomes, tightening clarity and communication, and building Culture Matters with alignment and trust.Benny: Stewardship — honoring what he’s already been entrusted with, shifting from builder to caretaker, and going deeper with fewer relationships.Fobby: Certainty — and the story behind it: how one question from Brad unlocked a decade of weight and redirected his trajectory.Anthony: Enriched / Enriching — getting uncomfortable again, creating new products in commercial insurance, and thinking roll-ups, M&A, and bigger plays.Brad: starts with Unrecognizable… then evolves it into Choice — because free will is the overlooked superpower and better decisions compound into better lives.There are also practical gems throughout: create and publish daily, don’t “make the content content,” stop negotiating with fear, and build real momentum through consistent revenue-generating action.If you’re stepping into 2026 hungry for a reset—this episode is a jolt of clarity. Share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave a review for The Culture Matters Podcast so we can keep building this the easy way.

Episode 13 of the New Year’s Eve Lollapalooza is one of the most personal—and most powerful—conversations of the day.Jay Doran and co-host Mike Calhoun are joined by Jenna Silverman, Tom Bove, Hector Sanchez, Glenn Campbell, and David Yerkes for a roundtable on the words shaping their year, the lessons they’re carrying forward, and what it really looks like to grow without gripping life so tightly.The words set the tone immediately:Jenna: Surrender (after last year’s Faith) — letting go of forced outcomes and building Culture Matters with trust, clarity, and alignment.David Yerkes: Breakthrough (after Perseverance) — after a remarkable final quarter of 2025, stepping into a new season with momentum already in motion.Hector: Momentum (after Foundation) — building something real and now pressing forward through leadership and operational consulting.Tom: Investing — investing in himself, his relationships, and presence after a year that tested him deeply.Glenn: Listening — learning to listen to understand, not to fix; becoming the kind of man people feel safe with.From there, Jay shares the heart behind why believes “love” requires risk—bringing the right people together, even when the instinct is to protect by keeping distance. Mike closes with his word, Different, and challenges everyone heading into 2026 to stop repeating what worked before and start evolving on purpose.You’ll also hear quick snapshots of what each guest is building—leadership consulting, a growing e-commerce headwear company, technology consulting, and longevity/performance medicine—and how faith, discipline, and daily action are the throughline.If you’re stepping into 2026 needing a reset in mindset, relationships, or leadership—this episode is for you. Share it with someone you care about, and leave a review on The Culture Matters Podcast to help us keep growing these conversations.

Episode 12 of the New Year’s Eve Lollapalooza is a masterclass in what actually scales: preparation, consistency, and focus — with zero fluff.Jay Doran and co-host Mike Calhoun are joined by Armand Pinoci, Aaron Scott Young, Michele Schina, Nick Lampone, Yuri Mitchell, and Nathan Knottingham for a fast-moving roundtable on their words for 2026, the lessons they’re taking from 2025, and the real priorities that will shape the year ahead.The words set the tone:Nathan: Preparedness (after last year’s Flexibility) — staying ready for the known and unknown without losing peace.Nick: Reputation — because “it’s not what people shout, it’s what they whisper,” and in finance, trust is everything.Michele: Mastery — sharpening the fundamentals, becoming a better leader, coach, and teacher through the numbers.Aaron: Momentum — shedding the distractions, doubling down on what’s boring, profitable, and scalable.Yuri: Consistency — building structure at home and at work, especially with a new baby and new responsibilities.Armand: Stability — year seven in business, a new house, and the commitment to keep the foundation strong.Mike: Different — because growth requires a new approach, not just more effort.From there, the conversation turns into pure value: how to scale by staying in your lane, why “rejection is protection,” what consistency looks like over six years of showing up, and why patience is often the hidden ingredient behind real stability.If you’re heading into 2026 wanting a clearer focus and a stronger foundation — this is your episode. Share it with someone building something real, and leave a review on The Culture Matters Podcast to help us keep elevating these conversations.