The Culture Matters Podcast

“Pursue what is meaningful, not what is expedient.” - Dr. Jordan B. PetersonFounder of Aces Academy, mortgage professional, and author Ali "Ace" Charafeddine is joining us on the program today and we're excited to have one of the business share with our listeners today! Ace and Jay jump into some of the struggles and roadblocks Ace had to overcome early in his career, why innovation and relentlessness leads to relationships and there really is no value too high that can be put on good relationships, and why cultivating and protecting your company's culture should always be top of mind. Ace is considered one of the best because his track record proves it over and over and we're happy to have him here on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.” - Carl RogersFormer history teacher, former Head of Coaching at Compass, founder of the 6AMERS, real estate professional, and founder of With Heart Coaching Skye Michiels is back with us on the program today and we are excited! Skye and Jay are discussing the power of fear and its ability to hold people back, how Skye's coaching philosophy goes beyond the business and digs into life, and to be sure to keep things light as often as possible because there is already an awful lot of seriousness in the world. We always appreciate Skye's fresh outlook and positive vibes and it's all coming through on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Inspired. Through faith, we let go of what could happen and create what is willed to happen. Inspire."Robert Frehafer, the founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding, is back today to continue our series on the opposite of the Guardian values. We are picking up with the "I" in Guardian which stands for "inspire". Today's discussion between Robert and Jay deals with some of the ways that this incredibly important value can be overlooked or even just downright not displayed. Whether the effects are felt from leadership down through the ranks of the company or from the employee to the customer, a lack of inspiration can be a truly harmful thing for a company. We always enjoy having Robert's blend of expertise and human touch on these conversations and we truly hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“To learn is to die voluntarily and be born again, in great ways and small.” - Dr. Jordan B. Peterson“Don’t be a slave to stupid rules.” - Dr. Jordan B. PetersonMusician, mortgage professional, host of the "Laugh, Lend, and Eat" podcast, and author of Falling Forward: Mishaps on the Road to Happiness Fobby Naghmi is back today to cut it up with Jay and this episode is jam packed, so make sure you're ready! Fobby and Jay are getting into what a mindset based around doing looks like, what it means to be open to listening to the beliefs of others who don't share your beliefs, and why it is so important to remove negative labels from your thoughts, speech, and actions. We always love having Fobby on and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“If you fulfill your obligations every day, you don’t need to worry about the future.” - Dr. Jordan B. PetersonRegional Growth Director of PhillyLiving and JerseyLiving Greg Schwartz is on the show today and from the jump the vibes are fun and positive, so let's get right into it. After a a few shared laughs to kick things off, Greg and Jay dive into Greg's early understanding of relationships being the key to unlocking business opportunities, why you should never be afraid to try something no matter how complicated or mundane the task may appear to be, and a very healthy dose of culture. We're bringing a lot of positivity and wisdom today, so we hope you enjoy this conversation with Greg Schwartz.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person. He believed in me.” - Jim ValvanoPresident of Bay Country Contracting Daniel Good is back on the program after far too long of an absence and he's brought along a special guest with him today. With all probability the youngest guest we've ever had on the show, Daniel's son, Blake, is going to be chatting right along with the big guys! Daniel, Blake, and Jay are unpacking the absolutely essential value that comes along with checking in with your people both personally and professionally, what it means to share experiences and opportunities together, and we may even get a little history on the great state of Maryland while we're at it. Today's episode is a particularly special one, so we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“There are three classes of people: those who see; those who see what they are shown; those who do not see.” - Leonardo da VinciArtist, entrepreneur, podcast host, and the Creative Director for 1Team Media Vinnie Candelore is making his debut on the show today and we have got a ton to cover, so we hope you are ready! Vinnie and Jay are diving into the positive impact that art has on young people, the lessons to be gained as well as passed along as a parent, and why it is vitally important to never stop creating. Vinnie has a fresh outlook on leadership, creativity, and culture and we're happy to have him share it on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:44Our guest today is the founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding Robert Frehafer. Jay and Robert are spending a few minutes discussing the above quote from the Bible and the story of the crucifixion in a bit of detail. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“The tyrant dies, and his rule is over. The martyr dies, and his rule begins.” - Søren KierkegaardHost of the "Radical Manhood" podcast Matt Johnson is making his first appearance on the show and we've got a lot to cover, so let's get to it. Matt and Jay are discussing how culture rises and falls with leadership, the importance of making sure roles are defined very clearly within an organization to ensure accountability, and how we should all strive to improve another person's day through our words and our actions. Matt has a very positive and uplifting view on life and leadership and we're glad he's chosen to share it on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“Questions are taken for granted rather than given a starring role in the human drama. In all my teaching and consulting experience has taught me, that what builds a relationship, what solves problems, what moves things forward, is asking the right questions.” - Edgar ScheinJosh Klaris is the Executive Director of North Tenth, a North Philadelphia-based youth outreach program, and he is going us today to discuss some of his work and what makes North Tenth such a special organization. Josh and Jay are digging into the legitimate pressure that comes along with operating a non-profit, why engaging with the community is such a vital part of the success of North Tenth, and ensuring that the instruction and teaching coming out his program is always of top quality. Josh does a wonderful job at explaining his organization and why it is so important and we hope that his message comes through loud and clear on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“He cares about it like it’s his only thing hes got going on right now. That floor.” - Anthony Abruzzese Anthony Abruzzese is a partner at his family's business, Abruzzese Floors Inc., and he is making his debut on The Culture Matters Podcast today and we have a lot to talk about! Anthony and Jay are getting into what it's like to operate within a family business, how social media has changed the game and continues to be a cornerstone in the modern business world, and why it's so important to never stop learning. The motto of the business is "We Care" and it will become very evident that they mean it after this conversation with Anthony Abruzzese.

"The person who was loudest about the lack of value Jay brought to the table was a person who lacked character and self-integrity; who was lost in the world. This person's measuring stick for human value was broken. His eyesight to judge human worth was marred."Founder of 20/20 Vision for Success and the author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth Christine Beckwith is back with us on the show for part 17 of our ongoing series where we are discussing her book in detail. We are focusing on chapter 17 today, entitled "Newfound Eyesight", and getting down to the nitty gritty of where this chapter came from. Jay and Christine are discussing how Christine found out who Jay was and how they began working together and really getting down to the bare bones of their working relationship together. The curtain is getting pulled back for this conversation with Christine Beckwith.

"Always support your teammates by upholding the process, procedure, and values of the Guardian culture. Defend."Robert Frehafer, the founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding, is back today for a second look at the inverse of the value "Defend" in the Guardian value pantheon. Robert and Jay are building on their first conversation regarding this value which includes not being afraid to do the heavy lifting and what it means to deny instead of defend. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Robert Frehafer.

"Don't be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better." - Ralph Waldo EmersonCoach, author, and Chief Marketing Officer of loanDepot Alec Hanson has finally made his way to The Culture Matters Podcast and we could not be happier that the starts have aligned and he is making his debut. Alec and Jay are discussing battling through insecurities to share yourself with the world, how the values he instills in his teams are what really builds those teams to be successful, and learning to be OK with controlling only what it is you can control. This is a light-hearted chat filled with laughs and wisdom and insight that you're only going to get from Alec Hanson.

"The only person you are destined you become is the person you decide to be." - Ralph Waldo EmersonBodybuilder, entrepreneur, and host of the "This New Day" podcast Mark Ferrelli has joined the show today and he's here to spread his inspirational and positive message with our listeners. Mark and Jay are digging into Mark's journey into bodybuilding and the discipline he needed to get started and to keep going, where Mark's entrepreneurial spirit came from and how he has maintained it throughout his life, and the spiritual inspiration he received that led him to hosting his own podcast. Despite his bodybuilding background, we're keeping it light today with this truly motivational conversation with Mark Ferrelli.

"Out of every 100 men, 10 shouldn't even be there. 80 are just targets. Nine are the real fighters and we are lucky to have them for they make the battle. Ah, but the one. One is a warrior and he will bring the others back." - HeraclitusAleck Arena is the founder and owner of Arena Securities and specializes in investing in stock shares and he also happens to be our favorite Aussie! Aleck is back again today to share some of his wisdom with our listeners and we are covering a lot today, so we hope you are ready! Aleck and Jay unpack needing to stick to the simple things even if the complex things are pulling you away, how ego can lead you down a path that will eventually end in some turmoil, and what the late, great Charlie Munger taught us and means to u in his time on this planet. Aleck is wise well beyond his years and he proves it once again on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Always support your teammates by upholding the process, procedure, and values of the Guardian culture. Defend."The founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding Robert Frehafer is back on the program today as we continue our series wherein we're taking a look at the Guardian values and discussing what the opposite of those values looks like. For this discussion, we're taking an inverted look at the "D" in Guardian which stands for "defend". Jay and Robert are deep diving into how actions can contradict beliefs and what it looks like when you aren't guarding your values. We're coming in hot on the opposite values on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"You must understand the following: in order to master a field, you must love the subject and feel a profound connection to it. Your interest must transcend the field itself and border on the religious." - Robert GreeneFounder of the Anthony Group and master of his craft Anthony Mann Jr. is finally making his long-awaited debut on the show today and we are taking full advantage of having him here! Anthony and Jay are digging into repeat customers making up a large body of Anthony's clients based on the good work he and his team have done in the past, what it means to be able to provide family's with outdoor entertainment areas for their homes, and the growth that has come from the dedication to excellence both personally and professionally. Anthony has a lot of inspiration to spread around and we're glad that he's chosen to share it with us on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The way in which we see things can hardly be distinguished from the way in which we wish to see them." - Joseph A. SchumpeterThe founder of Duffin Media and Duffin Coaching John Duffin has made his way back to the show today and we have got a full episode! John and Jay are discussing the early days of John's entrepreneurial endeavors, how he leveraged what he did into what he does, and why the people within your business are the always going to be the ones who make the business. With easily the best voice we get on the show, we hope you enjoy you enjoy this conversation with John Duffin.

"Having the desire to help, the courage to move, and the patience through the process. Responsible."The founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding Robert Frehafer is back on the program today as we continue our series wherein we're taking a look at the Guardian values and discussing what the opposite of those values looks like. On this episode, we're taking a look at a big one with "Responsible". Where does responsibility begin and end? What does it mean to be patient through the project? We're answering those questions and more on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Most people overestimate what they can achieve in a year and underestimate what they can achieve in 10 years." - Roy AmaraAndrew Berman is an advisor, mentor, and the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media and he is back on the show today to talk a little business. Andrew and Jay are digging into the culture of entitlement that can come along with starting a business, what it means to be a leader instead of a follower, and that being a servant to your customers should be the overarching endeavor in any business. Andrew is one of our favorite returning guests and we think he'll be one of yours after you listen to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Standing up meant standing alone. Standing up meant having a real relationship with right or wrong while being aware of which side of the fence you stood on in every way. We can't stand up when we are standing down. We can't be warriors in life for others when we are standing down. We can't change the hardships of our own life or other's if we stand down. We can't be free if we stand down. The list of losses and potentials deficits brought on by standing down is huge and frightens many from standing up."Founder of 20/20 Vision for Success and the author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth Christine Beckwith is back with us on the show for part 17 of our ongoing series where we are discussing her book in detail. We are spending some more time in chapter 16, entitled "Standing Down", because one episode just wasn't enough to get through all of it. Jay and Christine are discussing chapter titles, overcorrecting on political correctness, and taking loss with integrity. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Christine Beckwith.

"Storytelling is incredibly important to discover our history." - Jay HughesThe CEO of Action Asphalt Travis Stokes is our guest on the program today and we are talking everything from asphalt to the future. Travis and Jay are discussing how an early interest in reading helped Travis to become an avid learner, making sure that your employees feel comfortable enough to have conversations with you about ways to improve your business, and making sure that you take the time to sit down and figure out your priorities and finding focus in a day and age when information and distraction are unavoidable. There is a lot to unpack in this episode, so we hope you enjoy this conversation with Travis Stokes.

"For all these people that closed the door on me, I'm coming back to buy the building!"Vice-President of Bay Country Contracting and the owner of today's very badass quote Sandra Albert is finally making her debut on the show today and we couldn't be happier to have her here! Sandra and Jay are unpacking Sandra's time in the collection business and her time owning her own company in that space, how she dealt with being significantly younger than some of the people that were working for her and how they perceived her, and how her previous experiences gave her a big leg up in understanding the financial side of the contracting world. We've got one of the realest ones around on the show today and we hope you enjoy this conversation with Sandra Albert.

Attitude. Communicate with our Guardian values and not selfish desires. Think long term." The founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding Robert Frehafer is back on the program today as we continue our series where we take a look at all of the Guardian values and flip them on their ear by discussing what the antithesis of those values would be. We have gotten to the first "A" in Guardian which stands for "Attitude". The Guardian attitude is very specific and an integral part of what makes it such a special company. What is the opposite of that attitude? Find out by listening to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"The eyes are more exact witnesses than the ears." - HeraclitusCOO of the Hubert Vester Auto Group, creator of the "Faith. Family. Fulfillment." podcast, and the author of the book Answers From the Stairs Chris Vester has returned to the show today and we are talking about the passion to serve others. Chris and Jay dive into where that passion comes from in himself as well as his business, how some companies choose to take advantage of the market before pulling out of a community, and how the feeling one gets from serving others helps to feed the passion to continue on. This is an important episode that reminds us why we serve in the first place and we hope you enjoy this conversation with Chris Vester.

"I had false power. I thought money, prestige, titles, and awards made me powerful. I am decorated in this life which proves I a worthy soldier. But the worth of a leadership cannot be given. The worth of a following cannot be bought. Those who don't see you will stray. True fellowship comes from showing yourself nakedly; exposing your detriments, letting the world see your scarred and broken truths, and having people stay with you anyway. When a man remains at your table when there is no food, you know that you have a friend."Founder of 20/20 Vision for Success and the author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth Christine Beckwith is back with us on the show for part 16 of our ongoing series where we are discussing her book in detail. Chapter 16, entitled "Standing Down" is our focus today and this chapter is all about looking inward. Christine and Jay discuss the difficulty of letting things from your past go, how ego can get away from you when you're put into a position of power, and how no matter how many chances someone is given, everyone has a point where enough is enough. Christine does a wonderful job unpacking this chapter and we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Everything that happens to you is a form of instruction if you pay attention." - Robert GreeneReal estate entrepreneur, life coach, and founder of Rush-In Motivation Greg Rushin is back on the show today and before anyone asks; yes, there are push-ups. Additionally, Greg and Jay are discussing how much better it feels to be disciplined in getting everything you need to accomplish finished over the regret of not getting it done, there perspective that reflection provides, and how relying on your network can help take you to new heights whether it be in the podcasting world or the business world in general. We always love having Greg on because we know we're working out our muscles as well as our minds and it is no different on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Every customer is different and that makes them special. Serve to their needs and create win-win relationships."Those of you who have been following the show know that today's guest needs to introduction because it is Robert Frehafer, founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding. We're continuing our spinoff series today where Robert is taking us through the opposite of what Guardian's values are and on this episode we're looking at the letter U for "Unique". What is the opposite of unique? What can someone do to portray the opposite of the Guardian values? You'll have to listen to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast to find out!

"Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired, but by controlling the desire." - EpictetusEverybody's favorite mortgage expert and the leader of the Bill Mervin Mortgage Team Bill Mervin is back on the program today and we are diving right into that expertise to talk about, what else, mortgages. Jay and Bill are discussing how banks are able to show different assets, the different kinds of debt there are and what mortgage lenders are looking at, and understanding that sometimes opportunities will come out of nowhere and having yourself in a good place financially and with your debt will allow you to seize those opportunities. Bill knows his stuff, so make sure you're paying close attention to this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"You become what you give your attention to." - EpictetusAndrew Berman is an advisor, mentor, and the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media who is making his presence felt yet again on the show today. Andrew and Jay are breaking down the benefits of cold showers, the difficulties that arise when planning your day involves some intense time management, and how having an engaged team who is enthusiastic and ready to learn makes a world of difference. There's a reason this man is a frequent guest and we think you'll see why after you listen to this conversation with Andrew Berman.

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." - Albert EinsteinOwner and CEO of Arawak Beach Club, Co-owner of Nasty Good, and the founder and president of Asphalt Kingdom Judd Burdon has made his way back to the show after far too long of an absence and we're thrilled to have him back. Judd and Jay are discussing life since Judd's last appearance on the show and the post-pandemic mindset, Judd's very harrowing experience with an extremely poisonous tree and his journey back to health, and what it means to be looking at your second half. This episode is a doozy, so get ready for a crazy story and a great conversation with Judd Burdon.

"Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced." - Søren KierkegaardWe are back today with the founder of South Fork Business Ventures Tony Capullo and it's been a little bit since he's been on, so let's refresh. Tony is here today to take over The Culture Matters Podcast hosting duties and flip the mic around to interview our very own Jay Doran on a variety of culture related topics. On this episode, Tony and Jay are discussing the importance of ensuring that you have a strong foundation both from a business standpoint as well as culturally, being able to see what you want the future of your business to be, and the mistake some leaders make by their deeds and actions to undermine the culture their company needs. We always enjoy flipping the script and hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Organizations don't have an engagement problem; they have an experience problem. The experience of working for your company dictates the engagement level of your people." - Greg Offner Jr.Musician, award-winning keynote speaker, and author of The Tip Jar Culture Greg Offner is back on the show today to chop it up and we couldn't be more excited to have him back. Greg and Jay are discussing Greg's book in greater detail since the book's release, Greg's thoughts on the level of engagement leaders need to demonstrate to the people around them, and why you can learn everything you need to know about engagement from a performer on stage. Greg seamlessly navigates a myriad of different topics and keeps us on our toes in this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Many people won't save themselves because the act of doing so draws attention. It is easier to keep silently suffering, silently using, silently being deceitful, or silently dying than to rise and fight." - Christine BeckwithFounder of 20/20 Vision for Success and the author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth Christine Beckwith is back with us on the show for part 15 of our ongoing series where we are discussing her book in detail. Chapter 15, entitled "Escape Artist", is one of the more personal chapters in a book full of personal chapters. Christine and Jay discuss facing your demons and looking your shortcomings in the face, Christine's experience with drug addiction and how experimentation turned into a stint in a rehab facility and how a car accident brought it all back again, and how writing about those experiences forced her to deal with her past in a new way. For anyone struggling or knows someone who is or has in the past, this episode is going to resonate and we hope that it helps you in whatever way it can.

"It is easier to find men who will volunteer to die then to find those that are willing to endure pain with patience." - Julius CaesarAdvisor, consultant, mindset coach, founder of one of the top 10 mortgage coaching programs in the country, M1 Academy, and host of "The Business of Success" podcast Phil Treadwell is back again and today we are talking about leadership. Phil and Jay are discussing why it is so important for leaders and owners to be engaged with their company and their employees, not coveting other people's journeys to success because we all walk different paths, and why brand cultivation should always be at the front of mind. There is always a lot of wisdom being thrown around when Phil stops by the show and today is no different, so we hope you enjoy this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Good character is not formed in a week or a month. It is created little by little, day by day, protracted and patient effort is needed to develop good character." - HeraclitusReal estate staple and commercial real estate expert Andre Watson is back on the show today and we are talking all things in the industry. Andre and Jay are discussing the importance of good character and having the patience to ensure that you get there, managing your risk tolerance and listening to your instincts, and how the best business is done based on the relationships you have cultivated and nurtured. This man is a steadfast expert in his field and he's here to show why on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Out of every 100 men, 10 shouldn't even be there. 80 are just targets. Nine are the real fighters and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one; one is a warrior and he will bring the others back." - HeraclitusAaron Scott Young is the chairman of Laughlin Associates and the creator of The Unshackled Owner coaching process and we're excited to have him back on the show to cut it up with Jay about a variety of different topics. Aaron and Jay are digging into the meaning of today's quote and how it applies in the business world, the fact that a lot of entrepreneurs will start their process without having any idea of what they want to build, and how not staying on top of your responsibilities can and will start a chain reaction that will ultimately end in disaster. We're having a high-level discussion today, so we hope you enjoy this conversation with Aaron Scott Young.

"Every man has a wild beast within him." - Frederick the GreatThe founder of Duffin Media and Duffin Coaching and the man with the golden voice John Duffin is back on the program today to have a chat about...chatting. John and Jay are discussing making sure you know and stick to your talking points, the frustrations and joys that can come from being a guest on other people's podcasts, and making sure that if you are hosting a podcast, make sure you do your homework and have a game plan with your guest before you hit record. Also...always remember to hit record. John is a true professional and he has a lot of great advice to share on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Avoid working directly under somebody you don't admire and don't want to be like." - Charlie MungerFounder of The Pavement Group, Top Contractor School, the host of "The Brian Hess Show", and a frequent guest on this show Brian Hess is back for another go around with The Culture Man. Jay and Brian discuss why it is important to work for someone who inspires and motivates you to be better, how the most important days are the ones where you just don't feel like doing what you need to do and pushing through it anyway, and why having belief in yourself and your intentions trumps whatever anyone else thinks or says. We always love having Brian on the show and we think you will understand why after this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Unlimited power in the hands of limited people always leads to cruelty." - Aleksander SolzhenitsynIf you have been following our show, then you are very familiar with the founder and owner of Guardian Roofing and Siding Robert Frehafer and he has made his way back for another conversation about values. In our previous series with Robert, we talked about the values at his company which all fall in line with the letters in "Guardian". We're flipping that concept on its ear today and discussing the opposite of those values and taking a look at what the antithesis of those values would be. Let''s start at the beginning with "G" which stands for, you guessed it...Guardian.

"An investment said to have an 80% chance of success sounds far more attractive than one with a 20% chance of failure. The mind can't easily recognize that they are the same." - Daniel KahnemanEntrepreneur and digital marketing expert Maxwell Finn is making his return to The Culture Matters Podcast and we are thrilled to have him back. Maxwell and Jay are discussing the difficulties of appearing on podcasts when the same couple of questions are being asked over and over, how an entertaining spin on even the dullest of subjects can lead to a large audience, and how prioritizing your time and effort on the things that are going to generate the highest return on investment should always be top of mind. We're covering a lot today, so we hope you enjoy this conversation with Maxwell Finn.

"It takes a great deal of boldness mixed with a vast deal of caution to acquire a great fortune. But then, it takes ten times as much wit to keep it after you have got it as it took you to make it." - Amschel RothschildCOO of the Hubert Vester Auto Group, creator of the "Faith. Family. Fulfillment." podcast, and the author of the book Answers From the Stairs Chris Vester is back on the show today and, as always, Chris is bringing the good stuff. Chris and Jay are discussing the mentality of what it means to be the founder of a company, living by your word and honoring your commitments, and what it means to do right by the people who help you complete your work. Chris is a good man with a good heart and it's always a pleasure to have him here on The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Life can only be understood backwards, but must be lived forwards." - Søren KierkegaardWe're going back to Jay's all-day New Year's Eve 2023 podcasting session for a quick chat with podcast regular and the leader of the Bill Mervin Mortgage Team, the one and only Bill Mervin himself. Jay and Bill are taking a look back at 2023, a look forward into 2024, and a short dive into the mortgage industry as a whole. We always like having Bill on the show, even if it's just for a few minutes.

"Out of every 100 men, 10 shouldn't even be there. 80 are just targets. Nine are the real fighters and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one; one is a warrior and he will bring the others back." - HeraclitusJoseph Iredell and Ken Jordan are the creators and hosts of the "Selling The Dream" podcast and we've got the tag team champions of podcasting back for another go around on today's show. In this heavyweight contingency of culture, Joseph, Ken, and Jay are taking a closer look at today's quote and breaking it down in terms of how it applies to business. Who are the targets? Who are the real fighters? Who is the one warrior? We're getting down to the bottom of it on today's episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Hope and belief are a powerful cocktail for survival and to survive. This is a cocktail I mix up every day and serve to the masses. 'Finding the Door' is a metaphoric philosophy which provides a clear vision for all leaders who encourage others." - Christine BeckwithFounder of 20/20 Vision for Success and the author of Finding Honor: The Journey to Truth Christine Beckwith is back with us on the show for part 14 of our ongoing series discussing and breaking down her book. In today's episode, we are talking about chapter 14 entitled "Finding the Door". Christine and Jay are discussing Christine's experiences with sharing this book with friends when it was first written, what this chapter is all about and where its inspiration came from, and how are ego is a measure for how much we will let the outside world into our world. As always, Christine lets our listeners into some very real and personal places and we hope you get as much out of it as we did on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

“Rather than love, than money, than love, than fame, give me truth.” - Henry David Thoreau Entrepreneur, business coach, founder of legit.com and host of the "No Half Cakes" podcast Jim Sabellico stops by the show today for a conversation that is covering a lot of ground. Jim and Jay unpack Jim's journey from mowing lawns to the tech and beyond, the "blue ocean" strategy, and why being a partner for growth was so important to Jim in his entrepreneurial journey. We're excited to have Jim on to share his knowledge, expertise, and all around good vibes with our listeners today and we hope you feel the same after listening to this conversation with Jim Sabellico.

"Fear of danger is 10,000 times more terrifying than danger itself." - Daniel DefoeOur New Year's Even 2023 conversation with the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media Andrew Berman was too big to contain to one episode, so we had to split it into two! During this conversation, Andrew and Jay discuss some of the lessons that were learned in 2023, the hopes and expectations for a prosperous 2024, and how getting just a little bit better is what everyone should hope for in the new year. It's always a good idea to look back before going forward and we hope this NYE conversation both encourages and enlightens as we finish off 2023 in this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Let your desires be ruled by reason." - Cicero On today's show, we are throwing it back to Jay's ambitious marathon podcast session from New Year's Eve 2023 as he sits down with the Head of Engagement and Outreach at American Business Media Andrew Berman for a discussion that ranges through a lot of topics. Jay and Andrew are discussing why Jay's local post office might not be his biggest fan, stepping up your personal commitments in 2024, and what perfect culture looks like and how to get there. There is a reason we keep asking Andrew to come back on the show and this is a perfect example on this episode of The Culture Matters Podcast.

"Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately degenerate into hard work." - Peter DruckerFounder of Martindale Pinnacle Construction and storm damage restoration specialist Paul Martindale is back on the show today and he's here to share some of his story and his views on the industry he calls home. Paul and Jay get into Paul's confidence in himself and his business, where the roofing space is today versus a few years ago, and what separates Martindale Pinnacle Construction from the rest of the industry. Paul has a fascinating story and has become a staple in the business not by accident, but through hard work and perseverance. We hope you enjoy this conversation with Paul Martindale.