The Hidden Entrepreneur Show with Josh Cary

What if the thing you’ve spent your entire life trying to hide… is actually the reason you’re meant to win?In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with Kim Fitzpatrick, founder of Launched Host, to unpack a powerful and unexpected truth. The very thing that made you feel different as a kid might be the foundation of your success today.Kim’s journey from being the “tall, awkward kid” to building a high-performance business that transforms empty properties into income-generating Airbnb assets in just seven days is more than inspiring. It’s a masterclass in identity, resilience, and turning insecurity into a competitive edge.If you’ve ever felt like the odd one out, struggled with confidence, or questioned your place in business, this conversation will hit home and shift your perspective immediately. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Your Insecurities Shape Your Success Why the traits you once tried to hide may actually be your most valuable business assets and how to reframe them to your advantage.The “Oddball Advantage” in Business How embracing what makes you different can position you as unique, memorable, and in demand instead of overlooked.From Shrinking to Standing Out The shift from playing small to owning your presence and how that transformation directly impacts confidence, communication, and opportunity.The Athlete Mindset for Entrepreneurs How Kim applies discipline, speed, and decision making from competitive sports into building and scaling her business.Why Speed Creates Profit (The 7-Day Model) How compressing timelines forces focus, eliminates excuses, and creates massive value for clients in the short-term rental market.Decision Making Like a Pro Why making fast, imperfect decisions often beats overthinking and how this skill separates high performers from everyone else.The Hidden Emotional Value of Business Why Kim’s work goes far beyond Airbnb setups and how creating experiences for others can be the most meaningful ROI.Pricing, Value, and Confidence How to transition from charging less while learning to confidently owning premium pricing when your process is dialed in.The Deeper MessageThis episode isn’t really about Airbnb properties or business systems.It’s about identity.It’s about recognizing that the thing you thought was holding you back may actually be the very thing that sets you apart.And once you stop shrinking at the “lunch table” and start owning your difference, everything changes.Visit https://www.launchedhost.com for more.

What if the problem isn’t what’s happening in your life… but how fast you react to it?In this powerful and deeply human conversation, Michael and Diana Pellegrino, founders of Resilient Minds on the Front Lines, sit with Josh Cary to break down what resilience really looks like in real life. Not theory. Not fluff. Real tools for real moments.From law enforcement trauma to personal loss, grief, and resistance, this episode pulls back the curtain on how people actually build mental strength when life hits hard.If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, reactive, stuck in your own head, or like you “know better” but still can’t shift… this one is for you.Life isn’t slowing down.But you can learn how to respond differently.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeResiliency Isn’t Just “Bouncing Back” Why true resiliency means moving forward, not just surviving what hits you.Mental CPR: A Framework You’ll Actually Use Catch. Pause. Reframe. A simple, repeatable method to stop emotional spirals before they take over your day.Why Your Mind Is the Hardest Place to Live How most people stay stuck in their own thoughts and what it takes to break that pattern.The Power of the Pause Why one breath can completely change your reaction and prevent unnecessary damage in relationships and decisions.Gratitude as a Mental Reset Tool How identifying just three things you’re grateful for can literally shift your brain out of negativity in seconds.Why “It Is What It Is” Is Killing Your Growth And how to reframe it into something far more empowering and actionable.What Triggers Really Mean Why it’s never about the backpack, the traffic, or the small moment… and what’s actually underneath your reactions.From Resistance to Transformation Diana’s raw story of loss, grief, and initially rejecting these tools… until they changed her life.How to Shorten Emotional Reactions (Not Eliminate Them) You’re not trying to never get frustrated again. You’re learning how to recover faster and with less damage.Why Mental Wellness Is a Business Advantage For leaders, teams, and organizations… investing in mental health directly impacts performance, culture, and results.The Quote:“99% of the problem is not the problem. It’s how we react to it.” That line alone is worth the listen.Visit https://www.resilientminds.us for more.

What if everything you’ve been chasing… success, validation, purpose, even healing… has been pointing you in the wrong direction?In this deeply introspective and eye-opening conversation, Josh Cary sits down with Master Mingtong Gu, a global leader in Qigong and Embodied Awakening, to challenge one of the biggest assumptions we all live by.That the answers are out there.They’re not.This episode pulls you out of your head and drops you back into something most people have completely lost touch with… their own body. If you’ve ever felt disconnected, burnt out, constantly thinking but rarely feeling, this conversation will hit you in a way that’s hard to ignore.This is not just philosophy. This is a recalibration of how you experience your life, your energy, and your sense of self. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy You Feel Lost Even When Life Looks Good The real reason so many high performers still feel disconnected, and why chasing external validation never actually fills the gap.The Dangerous Shift Into Living Only in Your Head How modern life is pulling us further away from our bodies and what that’s quietly costing you in clarity, energy, and fulfillment.The Truth About Self-Realization That No One Talks About Why asking “Who am I?” is incomplete if you ignore the one place the answer actually exists.The Body as a Source of Intelligence and Healing A powerful reframing of your body not as a machine to manage, but as a living system with built-in wisdom, energy, and healing capability.The Hidden Medicine You Already Have Why true healing doesn’t come from outside sources alone and how your body is designed to restore itself when you create the right conditions.How to Stop Seeking and Start Feeling A practical shift from overthinking to experiencing, and why feeling your way back to yourself is the real work.The Crossroads Humanity Is Facing Right Now A bold perspective on where we’re heading as a society and the urgent need to reconnect with what makes us human before we lose it.Visit https://mingtonggu.com and https://chicenter.com for more.

Cryptocurrency has opened the door to a new financial frontier. Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs, DeFi trades. For many investors it has created opportunity, excitement, and yes… confusion. Especially when tax season arrives.In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, host Josh Cary sits down with Janna Scott, founder of DeFi Tax, to unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of modern finance: how cryptocurrency is actually taxed in the United States.If you have ever bought, sold, traded, or even experimented with crypto or NFTs, this conversation is essential listening. Janna explains why the IRS rules around crypto taxation are actually clearer than most people believe. The real problem lies in the data, the reporting tools, and the platforms investors rely on.Drawing from years of research, audits, and direct conversations with government agencies, Janna reveals surprising gaps in the current crypto tax ecosystem and why many investors may unknowingly be reporting inaccurate information. She also explains how her work aims to bring transparency and accuracy to a rapidly evolving space.This episode is a must listen for crypto investors, entrepreneurs, and anyone trying to stay compliant while navigating the fast moving world of digital assets.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow the IRS Actually Treats Cryptocurrency Why the IRS views crypto the same way it views stocks, real estate, or other assets and why many investors misunderstand the tax implications of their trades.The Real Problem With Crypto Tax Reporting Why the biggest issue is not IRS regulations but the way exchanges, blockchains, and reporting platforms collect and interpret transaction data.Why Crypto Tax Platforms Often Produce Different Results Janna reveals her research analyzing multiple crypto tax software platforms and why the same data set can produce wildly different tax outcomes.The Truth About 1099-DA Reporting What the new reporting forms mean for taxpayers and why many investors could end up over-reporting gains if they rely on inaccurate calculations.How Investors Can Accidentally Commit Fraud A surprising look at how some crypto tax platforms allow users to manipulate transaction categories and data, sometimes without realizing the legal implications.The IRS Audit Reality for Crypto Investors What happens when the IRS flags discrepancies between reported gains and exchange data and how automated audits may impact crypto users in the coming years.The Entrepreneurial Journey Behind DeFi Tax How Janna Scott left government consulting, built a tax firm, and went down a deep research rabbit hole that eventually led her to create a new solution for crypto tax reporting.

What if anger is not the problem? What if the real problem is being taught to suppress it?In this thought provoking episode, Josh Cary sits down with Venessa Peruda, creator, writer, and performer of the one woman show All the Rage, to explore the emotional, creative, and cultural power of anger, especially female anger. This is a rich conversation about performance, storytelling, comedy, healing, and what happens when people finally stop apologizing for what they feel.Venessa shares how comedy became her outlet, her coping mechanism, and ultimately her creative weapon. She opens up about the social conditioning that teaches women to silence their anger, why that suppression can be harmful, and how humor can transform pain into something powerful, connective, and even liberating.If you care about personal growth, emotional expression, live performance, comedy writing, women’s empowerment, or the deeper truth behind creative work, this episode delivers. It is part artistic exploration, part emotional wake up call, and part invitation to stop swallowing what needs to be said.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy female anger is often suppressed Venessa breaks down the social conditioning that teaches women to view anger as shameful, disruptive, or unacceptable and why that conditioning needs to be challenged.How comedy becomes a survival tool You’ll hear how humor can help process difficult experiences, navigate pain, and create connection in the middle of chaos.The real mission behind All the Rage This is not just a comedy show. Venessa reveals why she sees it as an educational, liberating, and emotionally charged experience that invites women to rethink their relationship with anger.How anger can become useful energy Instead of seeing anger as something dangerous or destructive, Venessa explains how it can become a catalyst for truth, action, creativity, and personal freedom.Why performance and comedy are such difficult art forms Josh and Venessa explore the challenge of writing, performing, and landing comedy in real time, where the feedback is instant and every word matters.How laughter creates power over pain One of the strongest ideas in this episode is that comedy is a kind of alchemy. It can take rage, hurt, and injustice and turn them into release, perspective, and strength.Why creative expression can be deeply healing From stand up to sketch work to one woman shows, this conversation highlights how storytelling and performance can become tools for emotional release and self reclamation.

If you have ever hesitated to call a doctor because you were worried about the bill… this episode will hit home.Jeff Dewey, Founder and CEO of Hope Delivered Health Provided, collapsed in his front yard in 2023. He needed a liver transplant. And in that terrifying moment, he was more worried about the cost than saving his own life.That fear changed everything.In this powerful conversation, we explore what is actually broken in the American healthcare system, why high deductible plans are overwhelming more than 150 million Americans, and how Jeff’s company is working to reduce employer costs while eliminating fear for employees.But this is more than a healthcare episode.It is a story about ego, awareness, responsibility, and what happens when a 13 year old who wanted to be a Zen monk grows up to challenge billion dollar systems.If you are a business owner navigating rising healthcare costs, an employee confused by your benefits, or simply someone who has felt frustrated by the system, this conversation offers both clarity and hope.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Healthcare Costs Keep Rising Jeff breaks down why healthcare continues to climb as a percentage of GDP and why small tweaks to the system are not solving the real problem.How High Deductible Plans Impact 153 Million Americans What these plans mean for employees and employers, and why so many people delay care because of cost uncertainty.The Fear Factor in Healthcare Why Jeff hesitated to call 911 during a life threatening moment and how eliminating financial confusion can eliminate emotional panic.How Hope Delivered Health Provided Works How the company helps employers reduce healthcare expenses by 15 to 40 percent while giving employees better access, better education, and greater financial clarity.The Entrepreneurial Leap After a Health Crisis Jeff’s path from international basketball agent to financial professional to healthcare founder and how each chapter shaped his mission.Zen, Ego, and Leadership How a teenage desire to become a Zen monk shaped Jeff’s approach to competition, empathy, negotiation, and business leadership.Accumulation vs Debt in Life A powerful metaphor comparing emotional reactions and personal responsibility to financial accumulation and debt.The Hidden Entrepreneur Connection A raw discussion about regulating emotional reactions, taking responsibility, and how personal transformation fuels professional impact.

What happens when a publicist loses her entire business overnight and decides to build something bigger instead?In this episode, Josh sits down with Kristan Vermeulen, creator of Makers of the USA, a show and media platform that highlights entrepreneurs and creatives who build with their hands and lead with heart. What started as a simple podcast during COVID quickly evolved into a visually rich, travel-style show that has caught the attention of major media outlets and streaming platforms.This conversation goes far beyond podcasting. It is about reinvention, vulnerability, storytelling, and what it really takes to be ready for visibility. Whether you are an entrepreneur, executive, creative, or leader trying to tell your story in a crowded world, this episode will challenge how you think about personal brand, PR, and being seen.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Makers of the USA Is Not Just a Podcast Kristan explains how the show became a full storytelling platform designed for television, streaming, and long-form visual media, and why that distinction matters if you want real reach and longevity.How Losing Everything Can Spark the Right Idea After COVID shut down her PR business, Kristan used the moment to create something aligned with her values. This episode shows how disruption can become direction if you listen closely.The Power of Long Form Storytelling Why podcasts and unscripted conversations reveal what short articles and headlines never can and how depth builds trust with an audience.What Most Entrepreneurs Get Wrong About PR and Media Getting featured is not enough. Kristan breaks down why being visible without being prepared can actually hurt your business and what must be in place before big opportunities arrive.How to Find the Story People Actually Care About The hidden nuggets, personal moments, and life experiences that make someone memorable, and why your resume alone is never the story.Personal Brand for Leaders and Executives Why storytelling is not optional for leadership anymore and how being human makes people care about what you do.From Miss Maine to National Media Kristan shares the unexpected story of competing in pageants to showcase American made products and how unconventional choices can create powerful press angles.Confidence, Vulnerability, and Being Ready to Be Seen The internal work that must happen before the external opportunities can work in your favor.What It Really Takes to Be Ready for National Exposure Inventory, messaging, clarity, and systems. Why media attention should be earned intentionally, not chased impulsively.

Reinvention sounds sexy on Instagram.In real life, it usually starts with loss, shame, fear, and the quiet realization that the dream you chased for decades is no longer working.In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, Josh Cary sits down with John Bunzel for a raw and deeply human conversation about identity, ambition, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life when the original plan collapses.John’s story is not a highlight reel.Juilliard-trained actor.Successful playwright and screenwriter.Studio deals. Writers strikes. Hollywood politics.Then a complete pivot into movie finance, executive leadership, and eventually wealth management.This is not a story about quitting.It’s a story about choosing a future over an ego.If you are at a crossroads in your career, quietly questioning your path, or carrying shame about a dream that did not pan out, this conversation will hit home.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Reinvention Often Requires Something to DieJohn explains why true reinvention is not about adding skills. It is about letting go of a former identity and being willing to grieve it.When the World Is Telling You It’s Time to PivotFrom studio heads getting fired to writers strikes shutting everything down, John shares how repeated external roadblocks can be signals rather than failures.The Dark Side of Chasing DreamsShame. Jealousy. Financial stress. Watching peers succeed while you feel stuck. John speaks honestly about the emotional toll of staying too long in the wrong chapter.Confidence, Creativity, and Why Pressure Kills BothWhy writers, creators, and leaders lose their edge when fear and survival replace belief, and how that loss shows up in performance.Identity Shifts Are the Hardest PartGoing from artist to executive. From creative to CFP. John breaks down why changing who you are in the world is far harder than learning a new skill.Why Letting Go Is Not Failure“It’s okay to let go of your dreams, as long as you dream new ones.” This episode reframes quitting as courage when done intentionally.What “Failure Is Not an Option” Actually MeansWhen responsibility, family, and reality collide, John explains how necessity forged a level of courage he never had before.Why Wealth Managers Are Not BoringA Juilliard-trained actor turned financial planner proves that lived experience, storytelling, and humanity matter more than job titles.

In this thought-provoking episode, John Frost, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Marketing at Doane University, joins Josh Cary for a dynamic conversation about the evolving landscape of higher education.Is college still necessary in the age of AI, influencers, and online learning? John brings clarity, passion, and a fresh perspective to the table, challenging outdated assumptions and spotlighting the real value of a college education today.From redefining what it means to "help people," to teaching kids to build a brand before high school, this episode goes far beyond academics; it's a roadmap for how to raise capable, purpose-driven individuals in a fast-changing world.What You’ll Learn:Why college isn’t dead but its purpose has evolvedThe real-world skills higher ed must deliver in today’s workforceHow AI and YouTube are pushing universities to teach deeper, not just widerWhy Doane’s motto is “We don’t take orders, we make dreams”How parents can prepare their kids (mentally and emotionally) for the futureWhy what your child posts online now could impact college admissions laterThe incredible story of a student mom whose life was transformed by being told, “You can do this.”

Is your body already capable of healing itself? In this episode, Dr. Peter Kevorkian, President of Life Chiropractic College West, joins host Josh Cary to explore the often-overlooked truth about healing: it starts from within.Dr. Peter breaks down the core philosophy behind chiropractic care, not as a treatment for pain, but as a gateway to optimal life expression. From removing physical and emotional interferences to discussing the future of compassionate healthcare, this episode is a deep, empowering dive into how we can all live healthier, more vibrant lives.Whether you're new to chiropractic or already a believer, this conversation will challenge the way you think about health, energy, and personal responsibility.Key Topics Covered:The core chiropractic philosophy: “Life needs no help, just no interference”How our nervous system controls everything from immunity to mental healthWhy symptoms are signals, not the problemWhat to do before you get sick and how to live proactivelyThe connection between emotional trauma, stress, and spinal healthWhy chiropractic care begins at birth (literally)The rise of self-care, energy medicine, and holistic wellnessHow Dr. Peter is training the next generation of compassionate healers

In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, host Josh Cary sits down with Sam Yeruva, the founder and CEO of Pycube, to discuss how technology is revolutionizing healthcare operations from the inside out. Sam shares how PyCube is tackling inefficiencies in hospitals, saving lives through digitization, and helping healthcare systems prepare for the era of AI.From patient care delays to lost equipment and even expired implants, Sam reveals eye-opening challenges facing healthcare providers—and the innovative solutions his company is delivering to solve them.Whether you're a healthcare professional, technologist, or just passionate about better care systems, this conversation is a must-listen.What You’ll Learn:The real reason healthcare is so expensive (hint: it’s not just insurance).How Pycube helps hospitals reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.Why better tech can mean fewer lost samples, better organ transport, and timely patient care.The role of AI in healthcare and why Sam believes it’s essential, not optional.How non-profit hospitals can survive financial losses by embracing innovation.Why even rural hospitals deserve high-efficiency care.

Most people think their money problems are about income. Or markets. Or timing.They are wrong.In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, Josh Cary and co-host Suzi Aseltine sit down with Farrel Liger, a Wall Street managing director who is still in the game, still advising clients, and still seeing the same mistakes ruin people financially every single day.Farrel pulls back the curtain on what actually holds people back financially. Fear. Bad habits learned early. Decisions made without education. And a system that never taught most of us how money really works.This is not theory. This is front-line experience from someone who has lived through financial crises, broken investments, hard phone calls, and real wins. You will walk away seeing money differently and more importantly, making better decisions with it.If you want to understand money instead of hoping it works out, this episode is for you.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Smart People Still Make Terrible Money Decisions Farrel explains why doctors, lawyers, and high earners still struggle financially and how lack of education, not intelligence, is the real problem.The Hidden Fear That Drives Most Financial Mistakes From fear of missing out to fear of losing everything, you will hear how fear silently shapes financial behavior and how to use it instead of letting it control you.What Wall Street Advisors Never Say Out Loud Why honesty beats hype every time, how trust is actually built, and why transparency matters more than performance.The One Financial Lesson Every Teenager Needs to Know A simple banking mistake that can quietly ruin your financial future before it even starts and how to avoid it.Why Failure Is a Requirement for Financial Success Farrel shares a hard story about losing money for a client, making the call, and why failure is often the price of real growth.How to Build Wealth Without Chasing Trends Budgeting, saving, investing, and habit building explained in plain language that actually makes sense.What’s Really Happening With the Economy Right Now The dollar, AI, global markets, and economic fear explained from someone watching it unfold in real time.Why Financial Literacy Changes Everything The real reason Farrel started a nonprofit focused on financial education and why these conversations matter now more than ever.

What if staying safe did not require dialing 911, pulling out your phone, or even letting anyone know you were in danger?In this episode, Josh sits down with eBodyguard founder Melissa Faith Hart to unpack a groundbreaking safety app that works quietly, instantly, and intelligently in real-world situations. From dark parking lots to retail thefts, domestic violence, school bullying, and even elderly financial abuse, this conversation reveals how technology can finally move personal safety from reactive to preventative.This is not a fear-based conversation. It is an empowerment conversation. If you have ever felt that subtle gut feeling that something is off, this episode will show you how to listen to it and what to do next.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Voice-Activated Safety Actually WorksWhy a simple spoken safety phrase can instantly trigger emergency response, record evidence, and protect you without alerting anyone nearby.The Power of Silent ProtectionHow eBodyguard records audio, video, time, date, and location automatically, creating verified evidence with a secure chain of custody.Why This Is Bigger Than a Panic ButtonHow eBodyguard is being used by individuals, law enforcement, victim advocates, and government partners across all 50 states.Preventative Safety vs Reactive ResponseWhy Melissa believes the future of public safety is about reducing the need for 911, not increasing it.How AI Is Being Used the Right WayWhat “tech for good” really means and how eBodyguard protects against manipulated or altered evidence in the age of generative AI.Protecting the Most VulnerableHow the app helps address school bullying, domestic violence, online harassment, and the billions lost each year to elderly financial abuse.Why Privacy Is Non-NegotiableHow data encryption and user control are built into the platform so safety tools never become surveillance tools.From Broadway to BodyguardsMelissa’s surprising journey from musical theater composer to safety tech founder and why creativity and technology are more connected than you think.Becoming Your Own Safety AmbassadorThe mindset shift that puts control back in your hands and helps create safer communities for everyone.

So many women step into entrepreneurship with heart, grit, and world class talent but no roadmap for how to turn that into revenue. Today’s conversation is a wakeup call for any female founder who feels unseen or underpaid. Branding and sales strategist Ashley Abarr joins me in studio to break down why women often struggle to build sellable, scalable businesses and what to do about it.Ashley brings a rare mix of corporate strategy and creative execution, plus a deeply personal origin story that explains why she’s so committed to helping women rise. If you’ve ever questioned your worth, your messaging, or your ability to confidently ask for the sale, this episode will hit home. This is a conversation about getting visible, getting paid, and reclaiming the identity you may have sidelined for far too long.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Women Struggle to Convert Their Talent into RevenueAshley reveals the real reason so many female founders feel stuck. From lack of corporate experience to years of being told to play small, she breaks down the specific patterns she helps women break so they can finally get tangible ROI from their work.Mindset Before MechanicsAshley may be a strategy powerhouse, but she’s clear on one thing. None of the scripts, funnels, or offers matter if you don’t feel worthy of charging what you should. Hear how she dismantles old stories, perfectionism, and people pleasing so her clients can sell with conviction.Sales Is Service Not SleazeMost people picture sales as slimy or scammy. Ashley flips that belief in real time, reframing sales as the most human, purpose driven act you can master. If you’re avoiding sales because it feels uncomfortable, this is your new playbook.A Brand That Stands Out in the Sea of SamenessPeople don’t buy the product. They buy you. Ashley explains why personal branding is your greatest competitive edge and how to assess your differentiators by studying your market through a strategic lens.Why Every No Matters More Than Every YesAshley introduces her surprising “no’s list” game and explains why tracking rejection is the secret to accurate conversion rates and unstoppable momentum. This shift alone can change how you show up in your business.The Origin Story Behind Her SuccessFrom being adopted by her grandparents to becoming a single mom at twenty one earning thirteen dollars an hour, Ashley shares the raw truth of how she turned setbacks into stepping stones. Her story alone is worth the listen.Finding the Right Rooms and the Right PeopleSuccess doesn’t happen in isolation. Ashley breaks down how to choose the rooms that stretch you and why your circle determines the level you rise to.A Direct Message to Female Founders EverywhereAshley closes with a powerful reminder. Every version of you is worthy. Your business can only thrive when you stop abandoning yourself and start seeing your own value.

Most entrepreneurs work harder than anyone they know yet still feel stuck inside their own business. They are exhausted, overwhelmed, and living in constant reaction mode. The dream life they imagined feels out of reach because the business can’t seem to run without them.Today’s conversation flips that entire story.Katie Cesna, founder of Wild Legacy Collective, joins Josh in the studio to reveal why so many business owners unknowingly operate with an employee mindset. She breaks down the chaos, the lack of replicable systems, and the ego traps that keep entrepreneurs trapped in their own creation.This episode is a blueprint for stepping into true CEO identity. If you want a business that runs without constant babysitting, a team that thrives, and the freedom to enjoy life while your business continues to grow, Katie shows you exactly what needs to change.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Chaos Happens Even in Successful BusinessesHow early stage systems break as a business grows and why that creates a cycle of overwhelm, bottlenecks, and “I don’t have time to fix this” thinking.The Employee Mindset TrapWhy many business owners stay stuck doing tasks they hate, avoiding the hard decisions, and thinking the place will fall apart if they step away.The Real Reason Entrepreneurs Resist DelegationHow ego attachment to being needed creates internal panic when things go well without you and how to break that cycle.The CEO Shift That Changes EverythingWhat it means to take radical responsibility for everything in your business, how communication drives culture, and why clear systems unlock confidence for both you and your team.The Dream Life FrameworkKatie’s first step in every business. How she maps hours, income, lifestyle goals, and offer structure so your business is built around the life you want, not the other way around.How to Create a Business That Runs Without YouReplicable systems. Team empowerment. Strategic automation. Real examples of clients who went from fearful to five week vacations with their business running smoothly.Why Personal Patterns Always Show Up in BusinessHow the internal work changes external results and why fixing communication and boundaries inside the business often transforms life outside of it.Resetting the Vision When You Outgrow ItWhat to do when the dream you once wanted is no longer the dream and how to continually evolve your business to match who you are becoming.

Ever feel like you’re living a life that looks fine from the outside but feels quietly suffocating on the inside? That’s the space Shawna Poliziani knows all too well. She’s the creator of The Artist Emancipation, a movement built to help people step out of quiet desperation and into a life where they feel worthy, seen, and creatively alive.This conversation hits you right in the truth. Shawna opens up about the moment her father passed away and how it forced her to confront her own life. She was successful on paper but empty in reality. That loss became her turning point. It made her rebuild everything and commit to freeing herself and others from the roles, expectations, and definitions of success that don’t reflect who we really are.If you’ve ever felt like you’re meant for more, like you’re holding back your real voice, or like your worth is tied to someone else’s definition of success, this episode gives you the shift you’ve been waiting for.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy So Many of Us Play SmallShawna explains the hidden trap of living for approval, stability, or someone else’s version of success. You’ll understand why so many people quietly shrink themselves and what finally breaks the cycle.The Wake-Up Moment That Changes EverythingHear how her father’s passing forced a painful but powerful realization: if she died the next day, she wouldn’t have been happy with her life. This is the emotional mirror we all need to hold up.What “Emancipation” Really MeansIt’s freedom. Not in theory. In practice. Freedom from expectations, fear, money-driven definitions of success, and years of being told creativity isn’t “practical.” Shawna shows how to reclaim your identity as a creator of your own life.The Difference Between Making and CreatingA simple but game-changing distinction. Making follows instructions. Creating starts from scratch. This single insight will change the way you approach your work, your ideas, and the life you’re building.How to Feel Worthy AgainMost people don’t struggle with talent. They struggle with believing they deserve to use it. Shawna walks through why self-doubt is the easy default and how to step into worthiness as a daily practice.How Environment Shapes ConfidenceYou’ll hear why most artists and creative thinkers hide their biggest ideas and how the right space, the right conversation, and the right community can pull genius back out of hiding.The Universal Truth: Everyone Is an ArtistShawna makes a compelling case that “artist” isn’t a title. It’s a birthright. If you create anything in your life — choices, ideas, opportunities — you’re already an artist. You just haven’t claimed it yet.How Choosing Your Truth Breaks Generational PatternsShawna reflects on how her father’s life could have been different if either of them embraced their creativity earlier. It’s a powerful look at how choosing fulfillment can change your personal legacy.A Message Directly to YouShawna closes with a grounding reminder: if you’re not happy in the life you’re living, the only first step is admitting it. You don’t need the full roadmap. Just enough courage to choose something different tomorrow.

Lazy gets a bad rap. You know it. I know it. And Naz Spurrier definitely knows it. She’s a licensed trauma therapist and the creator of The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Shadow Work, and she’s here to flip that four letter word on its head.If you’ve ever pushed through exhaustion because “rest feels wrong,” or judged yourself for needing a break, this episode hands you a fresh perspective. Naz reveals why embracing ease is not a shortcut but actually the doorway into deeper emotional awareness, better relationships, more grounded leadership, and a healthier nervous system.This conversation is equal parts surprising and liberating. You’ll walk away rethinking how you work, how you respond, how you parent, how you partner, and how you treat the parts of yourself you’ve been avoiding for years. Real talk: the productivity you’re chasing might be hiding behind the rest you refuse to take.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeReclaiming the Word LazyWhy laziness is really about tuning into what your body and mind need, not checking out. Naz explains how reclaiming the word frees you from guilt and shame while making you more effective in life and business.What Shadow Work Actually IsShadow work is trending, but most people still don’t know what it means. Naz breaks it down with clarity: it’s the process of bringing unconscious patterns to light so you can lead from your wisest, most grounded self.The Sneaky Ways Your Shadow Shows UpPeople pleasing. Perfectionism. Your inner critic. That 13-year-old version of you that hijacks adult conversations. Naz walks through the common “parts” that run the show and why they show up when you least want them to.A Three Step Process to Start TodayNaz shares her simple framework for beginning shadow work without making it overwhelming. You’ll learn how to tune into your body, recognize the younger part of you that’s reacting, and choose a healthier response.How Rest Makes You Better at EverythingFrom parenting to leadership to building your business, Naz shows why ease creates better outcomes than grinding. Rest becomes a strategy instead of a reward you feel guilty for taking.Why Everyone Needs Shadow WorkNaz explains why no one outgrows their shadow and why the work is lifelong. The more success you have, the more these patterns show up until you learn to integrate them.How to Talk to Loved Ones About Their ShadowsYou can’t force someone into the work, but you can guide them. Naz shares the healthier way to nudge a spouse, child, or family member without creating resistance.How to Know When a Younger Version of You Is Running the ShowIf you respond like you’re back in middle school, spoiler alert… a part of you is. Naz shows you how to spot it and shift back into your adult self fast.

This episode goes straight into the heart of what it means to lose everything and still find a way to keep going. Stacey Dempsey-Patrick didn’t face one loss. She didn’t face two. She endured a staggering series of tragedies that would bring anyone to their knees. In twenty six months, she lost her sister, her twenty one year-old daughter, her husband, and two brothers. The grief didn’t stop. The world didn’t slow down. And yet somehow, she found a way not only to survive it but to build something that now helps countless others survive their darkest days too.Stacey is the founder of Lemonade Lounge, a community and support space created for people who are actively grieving and don’t know where to turn. This conversation pulls you in from the first moment because it’s real, raw, and painfully honest. If you’ve ever felt knocked off your feet by life, if you’ve ever wondered how a human being gets back up after the unimaginable, or if you love someone who’s grieving and you don’t know how to help, this episode is essential listening.This is grief support in a way most people have never experienced. It’s practical, it’s human, and it’s built for people who feel like they’re losing their minds but still want to find a way forward.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat Grief Really Looks Like Behind Closed DoorsStacey walks us step by step through a period of life no one believes is possible until they hear it. You’ll understand how different kinds of grief hit differently, why losing a child changes every cell in your body, and why the world expects you to be “fine” long before you actually are.The Missing Piece in Traditional Grief SupportTherapists are booked for months. Specialists in child loss are even harder to find. Stacey exposes the staggering gap in mental health care for grieving families and the emotional free fall that happens while you wait for help that isn’t available.Why Community Matters More Than AnythingLemonade Lounge wasn’t created as a “program.” It was created out of necessity. Stacey breaks down why people in deep grief need a safe place to say what they’re really feeling without being judged, medicated immediately, or rushed through the process.How to Survive Holidays, Birthdays, Anniversaries, and TriggersThe sour moments are everywhere. Stacey gives practical, real-world guidance for navigating first holidays, angelversaries, birthdays, unexpected triggers, and the painful truth that year two is often harder than year one.How to Support Someone Who Is GrievingIf you’ve ever said, “Let me know if you need anything,” you’ll rethink it after this. Stacey explains what grieving people actually need, why they may not respond to you for months, and why sticking around after the crowd disappears is the real gift.The Words You Should Never Say to Someone in GriefEveryone means well. Not everyone helps. Stacey gives a simple, powerful guide to the phrases that hurt more than they heal and what to say instead.How Grief Forced a Total Life ResetStacey’s perspective on life now is completely different. She stopped tolerating the trivial. She changed careers. She travels more. She gives more. She lives with presence and purpose because she knows how quickly everything can change.Why Preparation Matters Even If You Haven’t Faced Loss YetFrom wills to life insurance to simple conversations, Stacey reveals the emotional and practical preparation that eases the burden when tragedy hits a family.

Healthcare affects every single one of us. Yet most of what’s happening behind the scenes remains invisible until something goes wrong. In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with Sam Yeruva, Founder and CEO of Pycube, to unpack why healthcare is so expensive, so complex, and often so inefficient and what can actually be done about it.This is not a tech-for-tech’s-sake conversation. It’s a grounded, human discussion about patient safety, lost samples, missing equipment, overstressed hospitals, and why operational efficiency isn't about profits first, but about better outcomes for doctors, nurses, and patients alike.If you’ve ever wondered why hospitals feel chaotic, why delays happen, or how AI could genuinely improve healthcare without replacing humans, this episode connects the dots in a way that finally makes sense.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Healthcare Feels Broken From the Inside OutHow hospitals evolved from small community institutions into highly complex systems and why that complexity drives cost, waste, and inefficiency.What Operational Efficiency Really Means for PatientsFrom missing equipment to lost pathology samples to expired devices, Sam explains how system failures directly impact patient care and how better workflows save lives.The Hidden Cost of Chaos in HospitalsWhy hospitals lose billions not because of bad intentions, but because of outdated systems, poor visibility, and disconnected workflows.Where Insurance Fits Into the PictureA clear and balanced take on why insurers are often blamed, what role they actually play, and why removing them would likely create bigger problems, not fewer.Why Profit and Efficiency Matter Even in NonprofitsHow financial stability allows hospitals to hire nurses, retain doctors, invest in technology, and continue serving local communities.AI in Healthcare Without the Fear NarrativeA practical discussion on where AI belongs, where it doesn’t, and why every major technological leap has faced the same resistance before becoming essential.What a Job Well Done Looks Like for the Future of HealthcareSam’s vision for preparing hospitals to be AI-ready, cutting waste, improving care delivery, and creating a healthier system for everyone involved.Memorable Moments From the Conversation• Why hospitals are the most expensive hotels in America and why that matters• How a missing machine or sample can delay care at critical moments• Why efficiency is a patient safety issue, not just a business metric• The surprising parallels between AI, electricity, and early computers• How small operational improvements can turn losses into sustainable careAbout the GuestSam Yeruva is the Founder and CEO of Pycube, a healthcare technology company focused on improving operational efficiency across health systems. His work centers on reducing waste, increasing visibility, and ensuring resources are used where they matter most, patient care.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Matt Granados, founder of LifePulse and author of Motivate the Unmotivated, to unpack why most people are stuck running on fumes and how intentional living is the missing link between success and fulfillment. This conversation goes far beyond productivity hacks. It cuts straight to the root of why people feel overwhelmed, unmotivated, and burned out at work and at home.Matt has worked with companies like Google, the U.S. military, and Fortune 500 organizations, but his approach is deeply human. He explains why motivation still matters, why knowledge alone does not change behavior, and how leaders can stop managing symptoms and start fixing root causes. If you are an entrepreneur, leader, parent, or operator trying to get your life and team back in alignment, this episode will hit home.Check out these special bonuses and offers exclusively for show listeners: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/hiddenWhat You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy Intentionality Is the Catalyst for FulfillmentMatt explains why no one accidentally becomes fulfilled and how modern convenience has quietly stripped intentionality from our lives, creating burnout and disengagement.The Difference Between High Performance and Optimal PerformanceWhy chasing high performance leads to exhaustion and burnout, and how shifting to optimal performance creates sustainable success at work and in life.Why Motivation Still MattersThe truth about motivation, desire, and environment. Why leaders cannot force motivation but can absolutely create conditions where it thrives.The Real Reason People Have “People Problems”Why people are not the problem. People have problems. Fix the root cause and leadership becomes easier overnight.Expose, Bridge, Sustain: A Simple Framework That Actually WorksHow Matt helps individuals and organizations identify hidden gaps, build bridges forward, and sustain progress without sliding backward.Why Knowledge Is No Longer EnoughIn a world where everyone has access to information and AI, Matt explains how wisdom is the real differentiator and how to apply knowledge at the right time in the right way.Leadership, Fatherhood, and Personal ResponsibilityHow Matt’s experience as a father shaped his leadership philosophy and why the energy you bring into a room matters more than you think.Nice vs Kind LeadershipWhy avoiding conflict is not compassion and how honest leadership creates stronger teams and healthier cultures.From Craigslist to Fortune 500The accidental origin story of LifePulse and how a simple system built for survival evolved into a framework trusted by some of the biggest organizations in the world.Check out these special bonuses and offers exclusively for show listeners: https://www.lifepulseinc.com/hidden

If you have ever felt like success is a moving target, this episode hits different. Brian J. Esposito is not just a CEO with a big portfolio. He is a builder who has lived the full roller coaster: growth, collapse, debt, recovery, and a comeback that forced him to redefine what success even means.You will hear how he thinks about building companies, avoiding distractions, choosing partners, leading with values, and why he believes money is a tool, not the point. This is a real conversation about business strategy, mindset, and staying grounded while you scale.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow Brian built a holdings company with 115-plus businessesWhy he needs “more dots to connect” and how internal synergy becomes a competitive advantage.The real difference between growth and shiny object chaosHis spiritual and practical filter for deciding what is a true opportunity versus a trap that knocks you off your path.The business model rule he lives and dies byIf you want to be in business, you need revenues. If you want to stay in business, you need to be profitable.How to evaluate your company when you want the next levelWhere he looks first when he walks into a business, and why most advisory boards are dead weight.The equity lesson every founder needs to hearHe compares equity to oxygen in a scuba tank and explains who deserves a piece of it.Culture as a growth engineWhy his companies run on honesty, vulnerability, and zero hidden agendas, and how that drives speed and trust.Gut instinct over paperworkHe trusts instinct first, then compliance, legal, and accounting. He explains why every time he ignored his gut, it burned him.His comeback story after the 2016 crashA head on collision in Nashville, a year of collapse, millions in debt, and the mindset shift that rebuilt everything.How he learned to price himselfThe surprising moment that gave him his confidence back: getting paid $100 to prove he could still deliver value.The deeper definition of successThe question “When is enough enough?” and why chasing money can quietly turn life into constant fight or flight.Key Moments and TakeawaysBuilding a portfolio works when you create internal leverage instead of relying on outside timelines.Shiny objects often show up when you are finally doing the right things. That is the test.Profitability is not about being cheap. It is about being smart, sustainable, and human.Advisors should be producing value. If they are not, they should not be on the cap table.The wrong partners cost more than they ever contribute, especially when values do not match.A real rebuild often starts when your identity stops being tied to a number.Quotes Worth Stealing“If you want to be in business, you need revenues. If you want to stay in business, you need to be profitable.”“Every percentage of equity is a percentage of oxygen in the tank.”“Everybody can be an overnight success if you wake up the next day a little smarter, wiser, and stronger than the day before.”About the GuestBrian J. Esposito is the CEO and Founder of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises, a private holdings company with 115 plus businesses under its umbrella. He is also the CEO of Diamond Lake, a publicly traded company (DLMI). Brian is known for building across industries, creating internal leverage, and leading with a strong values based culture centered on integrity, empathy, and performance.Call to ActionWhat part of Brian’s philosophy hit you the hardest: the shiny object filter, the equity as oxygen rule, or the “when is enough enough” message? Send Josh your thoughts and questions and let’s keep the conversation going.

What if the smartest way to build a high-growth company is not to invent the technology yourself, but to find breakthrough R&D already proven inside the biggest corporations on earth and then build a company around it?In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with Roland Austrup, Chief Growth Officer at publicly traded Innventure, to unpack a rare business model that combines the private-equity and venture-capital models with public-market liquidity. You’ll hear how Innventure evaluates hundreds of technologies, says yes to only a tiny fraction, and focuses on one thing: execution without guessing on the tech or the market.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow to explain Innventure at the dinner tableRoland gives a simple way to describe what they do: they find transformative technologies and build companies around them from the ground up.The “commercialization gap” most people missBig multinationals can fund world-class R&D, but they are not always built to commercialize as entrepreneurs are. That’s the lane Innventure plays in.How they choose what to buildRoland walks through the filters: unmet market need, technical validation, immediate value proposition that drives adoption, and a strategic partner that becomes a channel or early customer.Why they only want one type of riskInnventure aims to eliminate technology and market risk, so they primarily manage execution and scaling risk.The data center cooling story that matters right nowTheir company, Accelsius, targets next gen cooling where chips run hotter and traditional cooling methods stop working. Roland breaks down why “air and water” are not enough and uses a simple frying pan analogy you’ll never forget.The hardest part of building something newEven with deep diligence, Roland says adoption timing is the wildcard. Predicting how fast an industry will change is what keeps him up at night.Leadership chemistry and why it beats talent aloneRoland shares why synergy matters at the top, why you do not want clones, and how complementary strengths are a form of risk mitigation.A career built on flow, not a straight lineFrom almost becoming a doctor to philosophy to trading to building a hedge fund, Roland’s path is a masterclass in curiosity, contrarian timing, and following what life keeps putting in front of you.The quiet truth about personal brand and businessRoland puts it simply: no matter what you do, you are always marketing yourself. Conviction, trust, and integrity are the whole game.Stoicism for builders“Why worry, it doesn’t change anything.” Roland ties business leadership back to controlling what you can control and using adversity as fuel.Learn More About Roland and Innventure: https://www.innventure.com/team/roland-austrup

If you have ever wondered what truly high level leaders are craving behind the polished LinkedIn profiles and impressive titles, this conversation pulls back the curtain. This is the inside story behind a remarkable day when seven vYve members, leaders, and entrepreneurs across a range of industries came to the New York iHeart Studios for a full immersive experience. Together, they workshopped their messaging, clarified their stories, and stepped up to the mic for one on one interviews that captured their insight, energy, and personality.In this kickoff episode, Andrea Sullivan and James Orsini share how vYve by Vayner was created to support executives and entrepreneurs who feel lonely, stretched, and stuck at the very moment they are expected to have it all figured out. You will hear how the iHeart day came together, why it became a breakthrough moment for the group, and what it revealed about the power of community, confidence, and storytelling. This episode sets the stage for the individual conversations that follow, each one showcasing a different vYve member and the work they are doing in their world.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• How vYve by Vayner emerged during the uncertainty and emotional weight of COVID• Why even the most impressive leaders quietly struggle with loneliness and burnout• How Andrea and James built vYve around community, accountability, and personal breakthroughs• What makes vYve’s mix of entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 leaders so unique• How the iHeart studio day became a podcast playground for seven vYve members• Why shaping your message is as important as knowing your story• The concierge style support vYve offers, including curated connections and expert guidance• How vYve measures progress, momentum, and personal transformation• Who vYve is for and how to know if the program is the right next step for youAbout Today’s GuestsAndrea Sullivan is the CEO of vYve by Vayner and a long time marketing leader who served as chief marketing officer for Gary Vaynerchuk for more than six years. She co founded vYve to help leaders grow their businesses while also becoming healthier, happier humans.James Orsini is the President of Startup Operations at VaynerX and a trusted operator who has helped launch multiple companies and offerings within the Vayner ecosystem. As co founder of vYve and its lead business and personal coach, James focuses on strategy, accountability, and connecting members with the right resources to move forward with clarity and confidence....The vYve Thrive SeriesStories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

Retirement is supposed to feel freeing, but for many people it becomes disorienting, lonely, and far from the dream they imagined. Recorded live inside the iHeart Studios in New York, Sylvia Toense shares how a frightening health scare at 58 pushed her to rethink everything, leave her corporate career, and develop a framework that helps others thrive in their next life chapter.If you want clarity, purpose, better health, stronger relationships, and a plan you can actually put into practice, this conversation gives you the roadmap. Retirement is not an ending. It is a shift. And Sylvia shows you exactly how to navigate it.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• The most common patterns among people who retire and feel unhappy• Why losing work based friendships leads to loneliness and depression• How Sylvia’s cardiac wake up call changed her life priorities overnight• The practical steps she took to design her next chapter with intention• Why people need more self reflection before they retire• How to experiment with retirement through small trials, hobbies, and test runs• Why purpose matters more than the idea of “free time”• The biggest trap people fall into and how to avoid it• Why planning for friendships, health, and meaning is more important than finances aloneAbout Today’s GuestSylvia Toense is the author of The Shift Playbook and a mentor for individuals preparing for retirement or major life transitions. After a successful 25 year career in financial services, a health crisis forced her to reassess her priorities and rethink her future. Today, she helps people design a purposeful, energizing, and connected life after leaving full time work, guiding them through mindset shifts, planning exercises, and practical steps for thriving in their next chapter....The vYve Thrive SeriesStories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

If you have ever wondered whether calm, connected parenting actually works, Avery Rubenstein is living proof. As the adult child of parenting expert Randi Rubenstein, Avery grew up in a home built on perspective seeking rather than punishment.In this conversation, recorded live at iHeart Studios in New York, Avery shares how that upbringing shaped her confidence, empathy, and calling as a social worker working with foster youth. This episode gives you a deeply human look at what happens when a child is heard, understood, and treated like a whole person.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• What it feels like to be raised in a home without yelling and why that matters• How perspective seeking creates emotional safety for both parent and child• Why Avery realized as an adult that her childhood was very different from the norm• The moment Avery recognized the impact of their upbringing while babysitting• How children sense when adults are truly listening• The surprising behavior shifts that happen when a child is given choice• What Avery has learned working with foster children who have experienced trauma• A simple but powerful message for parents who want to do betterAbout Today’s GuestAvery Rubenstein is the co-author of a children’s book series developed with their mother, parenting expert Randi Rubinstein. Avery is pursuing a master’s degree in social work and works in foster care settings, helping children process difficult emotions through play and perspective-based communication. Her work is centered on helping kids feel heard, respected, and understood....The vYve Thrive Series Stories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

If you have ever found yourself stuck in a cycle of tough conversations, shutdowns, and frustration with your kids, this episode is your blueprint out. Recorded live inside the iHeart Studios in New York, Randi Rubenstein shares her simple, powerful SAP framework for having productive conversations with strong-willed children.Instead of lecturing, reacting, or pushing too hard at the wrong moment, Randi shows parents how to see their child’s perspective, actively listen, and problem solve together. If you want more connection, cooperation, and confidence in your parenting, this conversation delivers the tools you need.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why the timing of tough conversations matters more than parents realize• What dysregulation looks like in kids and how to help them re enter a calmer state• How the SAP method works and why it transforms communication• Why empathy is the hidden key to productive conversations• How active listening reduces defensiveness and opens your child up• How prompting kids with the right questions helps them solve their own problems• Why ego, fear, and old school parenting habits get in the way• How Randi’s new children’s books help parents practice connection through story• The core belief Randi hopes every child learns: you are worthy of exquisite careAbout Today’s GuestRandi Rubenstein is the founder of Mastermind Parenting, a coaching and education company focused on helping parents communicate more effectively with strong-willed children. A respected voice in conscious parenting, Randi teaches practical frameworks for connection, accountability, and emotional safety. She is currently developing a series of children’s books designed to spark productive conversations at home....The vYve Thrive Series Stories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

When the world shut down in 2020, most event and influencer marketing firms folded. Mark Zablow’s agency not only survived, it thrived while serving one of the brands hit hardest by the pandemic: Corona.Recorded live inside the iHeart Studios in New York, Mark shares how he navigated the collapse of live events, protected his employees, stayed culturally relevant, and positioned his company for explosive growth through Modelo. This is a masterclass in resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial instinct. If you want a real look at how leaders turn crisis into opportunity, this is the conversation.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• What it was like to run Corona’s experiential marketing during the coronavirus outbreak• How Mark kept his team employed when events disappeared overnight• Why long term thinking matters when short term chaos hits• How Modelo became the brand opportunity hiding inside the crisis• The strategy behind one of the first large scale digital events of 2020• Why influencer marketing works and how brands misuse it• How communities, not campaigns, create lifelong customers• Why Bleecker Trading was launched during the worst retail moment in NYC• The entrepreneurial mindset that spots opportunity where others see barriersAbout Today’s GuestMark Zablow is the founder of Cogent World, an influencer and event marketing agency with a decade-long track record serving some of the biggest brands in the world. He is also the founder of Bleecker Trading, a lifestyle collectibles and trading card brand based in New York City. Mark is known for turning challenges into momentum, building communities around brands, and leading with strategic clarity in uncertain times....The vYve Thrive Series Stories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

If you have ever wondered whether self-love has a place in leadership, Katie Boedecker is your proof that it does more than matter. It transforms companies. Recorded live inside the iHeart Studios in New York, Katie shares how she and her daughter run Showdown Montana, one of the oldest ski mountains in the country and one of the very few owned and operated by women.But the real story is the Montana Mindset, a people-first leadership model that teaches employees as young as fourteen how to love themselves, support each other, and show up authentically in the workplace. This conversation shows how self-love creates stronger teams, happier employees, and a thriving business culture from the inside out.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why Showdown Montana prioritizes employees above guests and how it changed the business• How self-love training for teenagers and adults improves performance, retention, and morale• Why the traditional customer-first model no longer works in modern workplaces• How the Montana Mindset was born from a desire to keep good people employed year-round• The four pillars that guide Katie’s leadership approach• Why the post-COVID workforce came back changed and what leaders must address• How unlimited counseling and genuine support build loyalty and resilience• What it looks like to help employees uncover self-sabotaging patterns• The personal journey Katie took to develop self-love and why it fuels her leadershipAbout Today’s GuestKatie Boedecker is the owner and operator of Showdown Montana, one of the oldest ski mountains in the United States and one of the only ski areas in the world run by women. She is also the creator of the Montana Mindset, a leadership method that prioritizes self-love, personal growth, and community. Through her work, Katie is helping reshape how companies support their employees and how individuals show up in their own lives....The vYve Thrive Series Stories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

If traditional social media leaves you feeling overstimulated, disconnected, or lost in the noise, this conversation is a breath of fresh air. Recorded live inside the iHeart Studios in New York, Dr. Beverly Pell shares how she built DuoFeed, a mindful social app designed to reduce loneliness and deepen human connection. Instead of algorithms, manipulation, or endless distraction, DuoFeed separates your friends from your interests, gives you control over your feed, and introduces mindful prompts that encourage real life connection. If you crave a healthier way to be online, this episode lays out the alternative you’ve been waiting for.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• Why traditional social media feeds create overwhelm, comparison, and disconnection• How DuoFeed separates real friends from interests to restore meaningful interaction• What inspired Dr. Pell to build the app herself using AI• Why simplicity, authenticity, and clarity are driving the future of social platforms• How mindful prompts can retrain your brain and reduce unconscious scrolling• Why users are craving a return to early era social media, where friends came first• How DuoFeed helps you create a personalized, self-directed algorithm• The deeper vision behind the app: scroll less, connect moreAbout Today’s GuestDr. Beverly Pell holds a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies with a focus on technology. After years of studying how people connect online, she created DuoFeed, a mindful social app built to reduce loneliness, eliminate algorithmic noise, and help users stay connected to the people and interests that matter most. DuoFeed is currently available in beta at duofeed.app....The vYve Thrive SeriesStories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

What happens when traditional treatments fail and the pain becomes unbearable? For Donna Caruso and her husband, the answer became a journey into natural healing that changed their lives and the lives of hundreds of others.Recorded live inside iHeart Studios in New York, this episode explores how a severe injury led the couple to discover stem cell therapy, float tanks, infrared saunas, and halotherapy, ultimately inspiring them to open Eleventh Element, a relaxation spa devoted to helping people reclaim their mobility, their breath, and their dignity. If you’ve ever felt stuck, defeated, or unsure where to turn for relief, this conversation opens your eyes to solutions hiding in plain sight.What You’ll Learn in This Episode• How Donna’s husband went from barely able to walk to full recovery after a life-changing injury• Why stem cell treatment was the turning point and how they maintained healing afterward• The natural modalities behind Eleventh Element and why they work• How halotherapy benefits respiratory health, allergies, asthma, and skin conditions• The surprising power of infrared saunas for pain, inflammation, Lyme disease, and detox• Why float tanks help with migraines, mobility, MS symptoms, and nervous system regulation• What Donna sees daily as people walk in defeated and walk out transformed• How natural wellness restores dignity and hope in communities that feel overlookedAbout Today’s GuestDonna Caruso is the co-owner of Eleventh Element, a natural relaxation spa in Pennsylvania created after her husband’s debilitating injury led them on an unexpected path of healing. Together, they’ve built a place where people can experience relief through halotherapy, infrared saunas, float tanks, and other restorative modalities. Donna is passionate about giving people their life back by making natural wellness accessible, affordable, and deeply human....The vYve Thrive Series Stories about the unlocking of dreams that lead to business and personal growth… ignite YOUR thrive.The vYve Thrive podcast series was born from a simple vYve NYC meetup—an intimate gathering centered around charting our dreams and finding our true voice. What began as a small circle of leaders quickly evolved into something much bigger: founders, creators, and executives opening up, shedding old limits, and discovering what becomes possible when you allow yourself to be seen and heard.At vYve, we are more than a business-growth mastermind. We are a community grounded in honesty, courage, and the belief that our dreams—big or small—are meant to be pursued together and made real.Through our work at the New York Summit in October with The Podcast Playground, these stories now have an even broader platform to resonate, inspire, and remind others that their next chapter is entirely within reach.If you’re feeling the pull to explore your next chapter, we would love to hear from you.Reach out to us on social @thrivewithvyve on IG or just @vYve on Linkedin!This is vYve Thrive—where leaders chase their dreams, claim their voice, and ignite the spark for others to do the same.

If you’ve ever wondered what real leadership looks like in high-stakes environments, pull up a chair. This episode with Colleen Diles hits different.Colleen spent more than 22 years inside FINRA, the regulatory engine behind every broker-dealer in the United States. She has navigated billion-dollar acquisitions, wrangled teams of attorneys, pushed back on regulators with confidence, and guided firms through some of the most complex compliance terrain in the financial world. Today, she runs Diles Consulting, where she helps firms establish, grow, and stay compliant, and serves as a sought-after expert witness.But here’s what makes this conversation special. Colleen pairs sharp analysis and ironclad clarity with an almost surprising calm and compassion. She’s the leader who stands her ground, protects her people, and walks into tense rooms with steady confidence. She’s also the eight-year-old who once fired her babysitter, which tells you everything you need to know about where this started.If you’re a founder, financial executive, attorney, or someone fascinated by leadership psychology, regulatory strategy, expert witness work, or board-level decision-making, this episode delivers insights you can apply instantly.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat Good Leadership Actually Looks Like in High-Pressure IndustriesColleen breaks down why leadership isn’t loud or aggressive. It’s clarity. It’s calm. It’s knowing when to say no. You’ll hear how she guides billion-dollar deals, manages attorneys, and wins trust from regulators without ever raising her voice.The Art of Pushing Back on Regulators With ConfidenceMost people freeze when dealing with regulatory bodies. Not Colleen. She explains the mindset required to stand firm, say “that’s not required,” and do it in a way that earns respect. This is essential learning for anyone working with FINRA, SEC, or compliance oversight.How to Deliver the Truth Even When It Costs You the ClientColleen reveals how she handles consultations where honesty might mean walking away. Her philosophy on truth, ethics, and long-term reputation is a masterclass in integrity for consultants, experts, and service providers.Staying Calm in Rooms Full of AttorneysAs an expert witness, Colleen gets cross-examined by attorneys whose goal is to shake her confidence. She shares the mental framework that keeps her centered, credible, and unshakeable under pressure. These are life skills you’ll want to borrow.Why Empathy Is a Power Tool for LeadersHer secret? She has empathy for the person trying to rattle her. This surprising perspective is part of what makes her extraordinarily effective and deeply trusted.The “Mama Bear” Style of LeadershipColleen opens up about the nickname her team gave her and how protecting her people became a defining trait of her leadership. If you manage a team, you’ll love this.How She Decided to Leave FINRA and Build Her Own FirmYou’ll hear her decision-making process, her internal “what’s the worst that can happen” framework, and what it felt like landing her first clients in the early months of Dials Consulting.The Path to the Boardroom and Why She Wants That NextColleen walks through her growing passion for board service, governance, and audit committees. If you’re exploring board opportunities or corporate leadership, you’ll pick up strategies and clarity for your own path.Why Firms Turn to Her for High-Stakes ProjectsFrom establishing broker-dealers to completing CMAs and NMAs faster than industry norms, Colleen breaks down the expertise behind her rapid approvals, her efficiency, and what attorneys appreciate most about her work.A Personal, Unexpected Twist: Turtle ConservationStick around for the end. You’ll never see turtles the same way again.Visit https://dilesconsulting.com/

Ever been boxed in by a label you never chose? In this conversation, Peter Grose, CFP and founder of Grose Wealth Management, shows how to dismantle limiting labels and replace them with identity built on evidence, action, and grit. From being sent home in first grade with a note that called him “mentally challenged” to earning the CFP mark, building a long career as a financial advisor, and authoring a novel, Peter’s journey is a masterclass in self-belief, persistence, and creative problem solving.This episode is not just inspiration. It is a practical playbook for entrepreneurs, executives, and anyone who wants to turn a perceived weakness into a competitive advantage. If you want to perform better on the mic, lead teams with confidence, and make your message land with buyers and stakeholders, you will find proven mindsets and tactics you can use today.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeHow to Break Free from Labels:A step-by-step look at how Peter refused to internalize a limiting identity, and how you can reframe your own story so it fuels performance in business, sales, and interviews.Perseverance That Pays:The simple decision frameworks Peter used to stay in the game when odds looked bad, including the moment he chose not to accept failure in a high-attrition industry.Parenting, Mentorship, and Identity:How one champion can change a life. Peter’s father challenged institutions, sought second opinions, and modeled advocacy. Learn how to become that advocate for others and for yourself.Rethinking Learning Challenges:Phonics versus see-and-say, why reading is advanced decoding, and how Peter improved literacy as an adult by reading nightly with his son. Useful for leaders, teachers, and parents.Confidence Under Pressure:How to perform when tests are timed, stakes are high, and people are watching. Use Peter’s visualization practice and “decide in advance” mindset for public speaking and high-stakes meetings.From Financial Advisor to Author:Why Peter wrote the novel “Time,” how economics shaped the story, and what the creative process taught him about discipline, productivity, and finishing complex projects.Core Message Development:Practical cues to find and communicate your core message on podcasts and stages. Peter’s story shows how to transform adversity into authority that audiences remember.The Transferable Skills of Sales and Service:How years on the front line with clients sharpen clarity, listening, and storytelling. Apply these skills to podcast guesting, demand generation, and closing high-value deals.TIME A Novel by Peter Grose on AmazonNone of this information should be taken as investment, financial, legal, or tax advice. Investment advisory services offered by Bay Colony Advisors, a registered investment advisor, DBA Grose Wealth Management LLC. No Advice may be rendered unless a client service agreement is in place. Bay Colony Advisors does not provide accounting, tax, or legal advice. Principal Office: 86 Baker Avenue Extension, Suite 310, Concord, MA 01742. Phone: 978-369-7200.

How does a patent attorney become a wellness advocate? In this inspiring conversation, Angela Coxe shows that the worlds of law and wellness aren’t as far apart as they seem. As a successful patent attorney and former Division I athlete, Angela learned firsthand that confidence, balance, and self-advocacy are the real keys to professional and personal fulfillment.She opens up about her journey from burnout in the legal field to discovering entrepreneurship through skincare and self-development. What began as a side venture became a full-blown transformation, one that now informs the way she lives, works, and empowers others.Whether you’re a professional feeling the pressure to “do it all,” a mom trying to find balance, or an entrepreneur struggling to align your values with your business, Angela’s story will remind you that success begins with self-care and that protecting your brand starts with protecting your body.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Power of Reinvention:How Angela’s shift from traditional law to wellness entrepreneurship helped her rediscover purpose, confidence, and creativity.Wellness Beyond Buzzwords:Why true wellness goes far deeper than diet trends, it’s about how you think, feel, and show up for yourself every day.Balancing Career and Confidence:How working moms can let go of guilt, silence outside judgment, and make decisions that truly serve their families and values.Entrepreneurship Meets Self-Advocacy:The surprising link between asking for what you want, setting boundaries, and creating a business that aligns with who you are.“You Are Your Brand”:Why building a powerful career or company begins with aligning your lifestyle, energy, and values because people feel when you’re authentic.

What happens when a retired pharmacist, lifelong storyteller, and self-proclaimed “weirdo” finally sits down to write the book that’s been living in his head for decades? You get Bloodstone Redemption, a 500-page dark fantasy epic that defies genre, convention, and even the author’s own expectations.In this conversation, Josh Cary sits down with author Eric Carver to unpack how a lifetime of curiosity, creativity, and courage culminated in his debut novel. From high school English assignments and mowing the lawn to confronting fear, doubt, and the imposter voice that says “I’m not good enough,” this episode is a testament to what happens when you stop waiting and start creating.Whether you’re a writer, a creative, or simply someone with a dream collecting dust, Eric’s story will remind you that it’s never too late to follow the spark, and that your weirdness might be your greatest gift.

Are you feeling stuck, unmotivated, or like your body just doesn’t respond the way it used to? You’re not alone and today’s episode will show you how to take back control.Personal trainer Laura Smestad, founder of Strong Sisters Slay, joins Josh Cary on The Hidden Entrepreneur Show to share how women over 35 can transform not only their bodies but their confidence, mindset, and entire outlook on life.This conversation dives deep into the truth behind sustainable fitness, the power of strength training, and why your mental and emotional health are just as critical as your physical health. Whether you’re managing a demanding career, raising a family, or simply ready to prioritize yourself again, this episode will help you understand what real empowerment looks like, inside and out.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Connection Between Strength and MindsetWhy physical training is just the beginning and how lifting weights can rebuild your sense of confidence, purpose, and control.The Truth About MotivationWhat to do when you “don’t feel like it,” and how accountability and momentum turn temporary effort into lifelong transformation.Navigating Fitness After 35How hormonal shifts, perimenopause, and changing metabolism affect your results and the updated strategies that actually work.Why ‘All or Nothing’ Doesn’t WorkLaura breaks down the myth that fitness requires perfection, showing how simple, consistent habits create lasting change.Customizing Your JourneyHow Laura tailors each client’s training and nutrition plan to fit real life, whether you have 15 minutes a day or a full hour.The Power of Proper NutritionThe biggest nutrition mistake most women make (hint: it’s protein), and how eating right accelerates your results far more than cardio ever will.Rediscovering Joy in MovementHear how one of Laura’s clients went from dreading workouts to loving every minute and how you can too.Taking Back Your ConfidenceWhy reclaiming your body isn’t just about looking better it’s about feeling powerful, capable, and fully alive again.

What happens when you stop hiding behind your humor and start using it to heal? Comedian and content creator Katie Battel has built an audience of millions by doing just that. Her viral content, hilarious honesty, and fearless storytelling began with an anonymous Twitter account called Psycho Girlfriend but today, Katie shows up fully as herself on camera and on stage, helping others do the same.In this episode, Josh Cary digs into Katie’s evolution from trauma-fueled humor to unfiltered authenticity. Together, they explore why laughter can be the most powerful form of self-therapy, how to navigate online hate, and what it truly takes to show up boldly in a world that often rewards pretending.If you’ve ever used humor to cope, feared showing the real you, or wondered how to turn your vulnerability into connection and opportunity, this conversation will make you laugh, nod, and maybe even rethink what “authentic” really means.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Real Source of Comedy:Why the funniest people are often those who’ve faced the hardest pain and how Katie turned her own trauma into connection, healing, and laughter.From Anonymous to Audacious:The story behind Katie’s viral Psycho Girlfriend Twitter account, why she created it anonymously, and what it took to finally show her face to the world as Anxious to Audacious.The Power of Oversharing (Done Right):How being radically transparent about your struggles builds trust, relatability, and community even when others say you’re “too much.”When Humor Heals:How to use laughter not just to escape your emotions but to process them, grow from them, and give others permission to do the same.Facing Fear and Finding Freedom:Why showing up as your true self, even when it’s terrifying, is the only way to create meaningful impact, real relationships, and genuine success online.The Haters, the Humor, and the Healing:Katie’s viral hotel soap video sparked internet outrage. Her response? More laughter. Learn how she handles criticism while staying true to herself.

Are you communicating your value clearly, or are you just adding to the noise? In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with marketing strategist and agency founder Caroline Crawford, whose company CultivEight Communications helps business owners uncover, articulate, and amplify the value they already possess.Caroline reveals why so many founders, coaches, and entrepreneurs struggle to be seen for what they truly offer. You’ll discover how to connect authentically with your audience, simplify your marketing efforts, and reignite the passion behind your brand.If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing “all the right things” in marketing but still not getting traction, this conversation will help you identify what’s missing and how to fix it.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Real Meaning of ValueWhy your value isn’t something you have to find, it’s something you already have. Caroline explains how to reconnect with the natural value you bring to others and translate it into messaging that resonates.The Visibility Trap Entrepreneurs Fall IntoWhy doing more isn’t the answer and how one client cut her marketing in half yet doubled her engagement by leaning into what aligned with her strengths.The Audit That Changes EverythingThe first step Caroline takes with every client: a “self-awareness audit” that uncovers what’s working, what’s draining you, and where your message has lost connection with your audience.How Childhood Lessons Shape Modern MarketingCaroline shares a personal story about moving from school to school as a child and how her need to add value to be accepted became the foundation of how she helps brands connect with their audiences today.The Fine Line Between Serving and Seeking ValidationHow to give genuine value without slipping into “needy marketing” that repels rather than attracts.Belonging, Connection, and the Human Side of BusinessWhy effective marketing is less about persuasion and more about belonging and how every brand can create that emotional bridge with the right communication strategy.

If you’ve ever wondered why some creators explode on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts while others grind with little traction, this episode gives you the real playbook. Braxton Wood, founder of Hacks with Brax, has generated more than 250 million views for himself and his clients and breaks down the mechanics behind going viral in a way that actually grows a business. You will hear exactly how to engineer completion rate, build a clear creator persona, and design a funnel that turns short-form attention into long-form trust and revenue. This is social media strategy without fluff, packed with practical steps you can put to work today.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe One Metric That Moves the Algorithm:Why completion rate and watch time are the true engines of virality, and how a 30 percent completion rate can outperform a 10 percent video, regardless of hashtags or posting time.The 20–30 Second Baseline That Works:Why ultra-short 3–7 second loops no longer get rewarded, and how to craft 20–30 second videos that keep viewers glued to the end on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.Hook to Close and How to Hold Attention:Practical ways to win the first three seconds, maintain narrative tension, and structure a clean payoff that maximizes video completion.Persona > Random Posts:How platforms “pigeonhole” you using built-in SEO, why picking a focused topic cluster matters, and how diluting your theme kills predictable reach.Entertainment Without Being a Comedian:Twenty ways to be entertaining without trying to be funny, and why “spectacle,” novelty, or satisfying processes can outperform jokes for your niche.The Posting Cadence That Shortens the Learning Phase:How 2–3 posts per day for a focused six-week to six-month sprint helps platforms learn who to send your content to, and how Braxton reduced his learning phase from months to weeks.Reverse-Engineering Topic Demand:A simple research system to find high-demand keywords inside each platform. Search your 10 target topics, log the top four posts, and compare views or likes to choose bigger “pies” of attention.Short-Form to Long-Form Funnel:Why short-form video is for exposure and discovery, and long-form is for education, authority, and conversion. How to move viewers from viral clips to deeper episodes, trainings, and offers.Viral Without Brand Drift:How to “stay in your lane” so views turn into leads, partnerships, and sales, instead of empty vanity metrics.The Dark Side of Virality:Why fame moments do not equal revenue, how to ignore highlight reels, and how Braxton reframed virality as an asset inside a real business.Episode HighlightsBraxton’s first viral hit arrived after six months of posting three times a day and relentless experimentation. That grind taught him what really works across platforms.The dirty secret of going viral is simple. Get as many viewers as possible to watch to the end. Everything else is secondary.Platform SEO is real. Become known for a focused topic so the algorithm knows who to send your content to.Research before you record. Compare top results for your target keywords on each platform to choose topics with bigger built-in viewership.Design your content funnel. Use Shorts, Reels, and TikToks for reach, then guide people to long-form content where trust and sales happen.

How do you rebuild yourself after a lifetime of trauma, and what role can psychedelics play in that healing journey?In this episode, author and journalist Erica Rex joins Josh Cary to discuss her forthcoming book, Seeing What Is There: My Search for Sanity in the Psychedelic Era. Erica’s story is one of profound resilience, courage, and clarity. From enduring childhood abuse in a family of doctors to becoming one of the early clinical trial participants at Johns Hopkins for psilocybin-assisted therapy, Erica has lived on both sides of suffering and hope.This conversation is a profoundly human exploration of what it takes to see life as it truly is, without illusion, denial, or fear. Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself, are curious about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, or simply want to hear an extraordinary personal journey of transformation, this episode will open your eyes to what healing can really look like.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Psychedelic Renaissance ExplainedErica breaks down why we’re living in a new psychedelic era, how research returned after decades of prohibition and what it means for mental health today.Inside a Landmark Psilocybin TrialHear firsthand what it was like to participate in one of the first modern clinical studies at Johns Hopkins exploring psilocybin’s impact on depression and trauma.Trauma, Memory, and SurvivalErica opens up about her abusive childhood and the lasting psychological effects and how the long road to recovery began only after she left home and found safe spaces to speak her truth.The Moment Everything ChangedDiscover the pivotal realization that helped Erica separate herself from her trauma and finally understand: it was never her fault.The Limits and Power of PsychedelicsPsychedelics are not a cure-all, Erica emphasizes but when used responsibly and with guidance, they can open the door to new perspectives, self-compassion, and connection to the larger universe.Finding the Right HelpFrom skilled trauma therapists to trusted community, Erica shares why not all therapy is created equal and how finding the right support can mean the difference between retraumatization and recovery.Seeing What Is ThereLearn what it truly means to “see what is there” to strip away illusion, face the truth of your past, and reclaim your wholeness in the present.About the GuestErica Rex is an award-winning writer and journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times and Scientific American. Her upcoming book, Seeing What Is There: My Search for Sanity in the Psychedelic Era, blends memoir and cultural commentary to explore the intersections of trauma, healing, and the modern psychedelic movement.

What happens when a middle school teacher trades lesson plans for property deals and then uses AI to scale it all? Luis Vanderhorst’s story is a modern American dream rooted in resilience, faith, and innovation.In this inspiring conversation, Luis shares how he arrived in the U.S. from the Dominican Republic at age 11, lost his father soon after, and still managed to build a life of purpose and freedom. From teaching social studies to building multiple businesses, Luis proves that curiosity and community can change everything.If you’ve ever wondered how to start investing in real estate, how automation can simplify your business, or how to use AI without losing your human touch, this episode is your roadmap. It’s a blend of heart, hustle, and high-ROI strategy.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Power of Reinvention:How Luis transitioned from middle school teacher to full-time entrepreneur and real estate investor and the mindset shift that made it possible.Building Wealth with Purpose:Why your “why” matters more than your first property and how to choose the right real estate strategy based on your goals, resources, and risk tolerance.Faith, Mentorship, and Connection:How losing his father and finding guidance through mentors shaped Luis’s character, leadership, and vision for business and life.AI and Automation Done Right:The surprising ways AI can actually humanize your business by removing busywork, improving customer experience, and freeing up time to build real relationships.From Struggle to Structure:How growing up without a father taught Luis to fix what’s broken whether it’s a house, a system, or a mindset—and why that same philosophy fuels his success today.A Real-World Look at Real Estate Investing:Luis breaks down entry points for beginners from flipping and rentals to private lending—and shares the practical first steps you can take today.AI Tools That Save You Time (and Money):How business owners can integrate simple automation tools to manage leads, track clients, and boost revenue without losing authenticity.Key TakeawayAI isn’t replacing people, it’s replacing inefficiency. And in the same way a fixer-upper can become a dream home, you can transform your skills, your business, and your life by improving what already exists.

What if artificial intelligence could make us more human, not less?In this episode, Josh Cary sits down with Shekar Natarajan, founder of Orchestro.ai, to explore the future of “angelic intelligence”, a new kind of AI built on virtue, empathy, and compassion rather than profit and efficiency alone.With over 25 years in global logistics, Shekar has seen firsthand how systems built for speed and convenience often lose sight of purpose. Now, he’s on a mission to design AI that restores humanity to technology, starting with a logistics revolution that serves both goods and good.This isn’t just another talk about AI. It’s a story about what happens when you grow up in the slums of India, build a global career in corporate America, and decide to risk it all to create technology guided by the heart.If you’ve ever wondered whether AI can be a force for good, or how purpose and profit can truly coexist, this episode will change how you think about both.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy AI Lost Its Way:How artificial intelligence became “too artificial,” losing the voice of the people it was meant to serve, and what needs to change.The Concept of Angelic Intelligence:The 27 human virtues (like compassion, humility, and empathy) Shekar and his team have encoded into their AI model to create a “digital angel.”Purpose + Efficiency = Progress:How Orchestro.ai is proving that logistics systems can be both efficient and human-centered—delivering life-saving medicine with the same precision as luxury goods.Reimagining the Supply Chain:Why today’s delivery systems are built on outdated frameworks and how virtual, purpose-driven networks could save billions while reducing waste.From $34 to Founder:The powerful story of Shekar’s rise from poverty in India to executive leadership in corporate America, and how his father’s legacy of kindness inspired his life’s mission.Building a Better World for the Next Generation:Why Shekar believes the truest measure of success isn’t wealth or scale, it’s the number of “invisible angels” we create in others’ lives.This episode originally aired on iHeart Radio 710 WOR The Voice of New York.

If you run a business, this episode could save you from sleepless nights and costly mistakes. Rachel Michaelov, founder of Empire Tax Advisors and partner in Practice Wealth Partners, shares the deeply personal story that fueled her career and the practical systems that keep owners audit ready, tax efficient, and in control. You will learn how to choose the right entity, what your bookkeeper might be missing, and the exact questions to ask so you never assume someone else has it covered. Whether you are a solo founder, a growing service firm, or a dentist building wealth, this conversation turns “I didn’t know” into “I’ve got this.”What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Hidden Cost of Assumptions: Why relying on “someone recommended my accountant” can still lead to sales tax trouble, IRS notices, and avoidable audits. How to set roles and expectations in writing so nothing falls through the cracks.Entity Choice That Actually Saves You Money: When staying a sole proprietor or single-member LLC becomes a tax trap. How and when electing S Corp status can reduce self-employment taxes once you cross the 60–70k income range.Bookkeeping for Taxes, Not Just for Data Entry: The difference between generic categorizing and tax-smart books. Why every transaction needs a purpose under IRS rules and how proactive questions turn trips, meals, cars, and phones into properly documented deductions.Sales Tax Compliance Made Understandable: The rule New York State cares about most. Why “I didn’t charge it” does not mean “I don’t owe it,” and how to set simple quarterly systems so you are never surprised.Payroll, Depreciation, and Accountable Plans: The S Corp basics owners miss. How to pay yourself correctly, depreciate big purchases the right way, and reimburse mixed-use expenses like your phone with clean documentation.For Dentists and Practice Owners: The all-in-one approach Rachel’s team uses to bring books current, resolve liabilities, and implement strategies that have saved clients significant amounts in taxes while restoring peace of mind.Due Diligence You Can Use Today: A short checklist to vet your accountant: licenses (EA, CPA, or attorney), years of relevant experience, proactive planning, monthly reconciliations, tax-driven bookkeeping, and clear written scope.

If you have most of your savings trapped inside a 401k or IRA and you’ve wondered how to do more than buy another index fund, this episode opens the door. Henry Yoshida, CFP and co-founder and CEO of Rocket Dollar, explains how regular investors can legally use retirement accounts to access private and alternative investments. You will hear how a reluctant Merrill Lynch rookie became a three-time founder by solving a problem Wall Street ignored, why diversification now means more than stocks and bonds, and how to take a more proactive role in your financial life without becoming a market guru. This conversation is a practical roadmap to self-directed IRAs, private market access, and smarter retirement strategy for entrepreneurs and professionals who want more control.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeFrom “Plan B” to Category Leader: How Henry stumbled into finance, survived the dot-com downturn, and built three successful companies by serving overlooked customers.The 401k Pivot That Changed Everything: The scrappy play that landed 120 small-business 401k plans and sparked a career focused on retirement accounts and real-world outcomes.Why Traditional Diversification Isn’t Enough: What Henry means by “it’s the S&P 7,” why stocks and bonds now move together, and how non-correlated assets can improve risk-adjusted returns.Self-Directed IRA 101: How Rocket Dollar lets you use an IRA or 401k rollover to invest in private and alternative assets, from single family rentals to private equity and venture funds.Is This Even Allowed: The ERISA backstory since 1974, why private investments were always permissible inside IRAs, and why big brokerages never made it easy.A Practical Allocation Mindset: How some investors shift 10 to 30 percent of IRA assets into alternatives while keeping the rest in broad index funds for balance.Creative Investing Without Being an Expert: Why your local knowledge can be an investing edge, and how to think in terms of zig and zag when the public markets swing together.The New A or B Retirement Conversation: Why the future of retirement accounts looks like regular IRAs for public markets and companion IRAs for private markets, and how both can work together.Passive Is Over: Why “set it and forget it” no longer fits the times and what a proactive, aware approach looks like for busy founders and professionals.Episode HighlightsThe origin story that began with saving for law school and turned into a decade at Merrill Lynch guiding everyday savers inside break rooms across Austin.The “richest man in Babylon” principle for modern retirement: start early, contribute consistently, and let compounding do the heavy lifting.How Rocket Dollar acts as the “picks and shovels” to unlock retirement capital for private opportunities, without telling you what to buy.Realistic minimums and examples for private funds that are now accessible to more investors, plus how customers typically use a self-directed IRA alongside a regular brokerage IRA.A candid look at incentives on Wall Street and why most institutions keep you in their own public products.Henry’s closing challenge to listeners: stop being purely passive, get informed, and take an active role in your retirement strategy.Visit Rocket Dollar and Invest in what you want with a self-directed IRAThis episode originally aired on iHeart Radio 710 WOR The Voice of New York

If you are a founder or executive staring down disruption, this conversation is a practical playbook for building a culture of innovation that actually ships. AJ Bubb, founder of MXP Studios and host of Facing Disruption, breaks down how human plus AI accelerates results only when leaders fix the hidden blockers inside their teams. You will learn how to create psychological safety, design real experiments, and replace yes-people dynamics with honest feedback loops that move the business. Come for the innovation strategy. Stay for the leadership coaching, mindset frameworks, and the story of a global CEO who traded a silver fork dinner for a paper plate to hear the truth.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeInnovation that Works in the Real World: What innovation means beyond buzzwords and how to mash ideas together to solve meaningful customer problems that create value fast.Human + AI for Speed: Why AI is the cause and the customer experience is the effect, and how to aim your team at the effect first so technology choices follow strategy.From Frameworks to Outcomes: Why “installing a framework” is not enough and how a leader, player, or coach model builds confidence, momentum, and ownership inside cross-functional teams.Culture as a Performance System: How agency and psychological safety unlock creativity, experimentation, and faster delivery across product, engineering, and leadership.Avoiding the Yes People Trap: How homogeneous mental models and go-along behavior wall leaders off from reality and how to invite dissent and get to the truth.The Feedback Flywheel: A simple rule to stress test discovery work. If you only hear praise, keep interviewing until you collect constructive criticism, then build from that signal.Leadership Presence that Listens: A memorable story from Accenture on how a CEO earned honest answers by sitting with analysts and asking three simple questions.EQ x Tech x Team: Why personal growth and emotional resilience matter as much as tools, and how life and work feed each other for better or worse.The Experimenter’s Mindset: Think big and act small through repeatable experiments, measurable wins, and a visible journal that compounds momentum over time.Core Values that Guide Focus: How AJ uses Play and Passion to choose projects, say no quickly, and bring full energy to the work that matters.GuestAJ Bubb is the founder of MXP Studios, where he helps leaders and executives implement innovation at speed. He also hosts Facing Disruption, a podcast exploring the future of industries, rockstar product teams, and the experimenter’s mindset.Episode HighlightsInnovation is a process of combining ideas to solve a real problem for a specific end user.Teams accelerate when they share a clear vision, practice in real scenarios, and feel safe to test and learn.Leaders who assume they know the answer often hire alignment over honesty, which silently slows everything down.Cross-functional “player-coach” leadership builds team courage, capability, and handoff readiness.Human plus AI creates leverage when the team starts from customer effect, not technology first.Personal work and executive EQ remove control patterns that block innovation at the team level.Small wins tracked in a simple journal compound into meaningful change.This episode originally aired on iHeart Radio 710 WOR The Voice of New York

If you want better sleep, calmer nerves, less inflammation, and more daily energy without adding another pill or appointment, this conversation delivers a clear, practical path. Mark Fox, former chief engineer on the Space Shuttle program and inventor of Vibe and VegaVibe, explains how pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and vagus nerve stimulation can help your body recover faster, feel better, and perform at a higher level. You will hear real usage patterns, study-backed outcomes, and simple ways to test these devices for yourself. This is a grounded look at next-gen wellness tech from someone who built his career on precision and proof.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodePEMF Made Simple: What pulsed electromagnetic fields are, how they occur naturally (think Schumann resonance), and why targeted PEMF can support circulation, cellular repair, and inflammation reduction.Cellular Energy Explained: How increasing cell membrane voltage and boosting ATP production can help the body do what it is designed to do: heal and rebalance.Wearable, On-the-Go Therapy: How Vibe and VegaVibe condense large, expensive mat-based PEMF systems into affordable, portable devices you can use for 30 to 60 minutes and get on with your day.Vagus Nerve 101: Why the vagus nerve is the communication highway between brain and organs, how tone affects stress, digestion, sleep, and headaches, and what proper stimulation can change.Heart Rate Variability Benefits: Why HRV is a leading indicator of health and recovery, and how a single session impacted HRV in clinical testing.PTSD Protocols and Outcomes: How a structured, 30-day usage protocol produced significant score reductions on the VA’s PCL-5 screening in Mark’s largest-to-date PTSD PEMF study.Protocols Like Songs: Why the devices run multi-frequency “songs” rather than a single frequency, and how different protocols target specific issues from anxiety to pain.Real-World Adoption: Why many traditional clinics lag on PEMF awareness, and how patient-led results are driving more physicians and wholesalers to take a closer look.Success Requires Consistency: Why most failures come from underuse or a nocebo mindset, and how to structure 3 to 4 weekly sessions for measurable results.How to Validate for Yourself: Practical steps to monitor changes using symptoms, HRV, and bloodwork trends while staying within FDA general wellness guidelines.Episode HighlightsMark’s background as the youngest chief engineer on the Space Shuttle program establishes engineering rigor and credibility for wellness tech.Over 50 million user sessions across tens of thousands of devices points to real-world traction.The VegaVibe targets vagus nerve tone through a magnetic field worn like a necklace near the heart cluster, not through electrical stimulation to the neck.Vibe and VegaVibe use 50 to 60 specialized protocols, written as MP3-based frequency pairs that shift every few minutes to reach different tissues and systems.Consistency matters. Most users see best results with 30 to 60 minute sessions, 3 to 4 days per week, over 30 days.About Mark FoxMark Fox is the inventor behind Vibe and VegaVibe PEMF devices and a former Space Shuttle program chief engineer. His work brings aerospace-grade engineering to consumer wellness, focusing on portable PEMF and vagus nerve solutions people can use at home, at work, or on the go.DisclaimerThis episode shares general wellness information and personal experiences. It is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional about your specific situation.Connect with MarkWebsite: Resona.healthThis episode originally aired on iHeart Radio's 710 WOR The Voice of New York.

What does it take to be a truly effective leader in today’s fast-moving business world? Most companies promote top performers and hope they’ll “figure it out” when they step into leadership. But hope isn’t a strategy.In this episode of The Hidden Entrepreneur Show, Josh Cary sits down with Chris Hossfeld, founder and CEO of Barrel Strength Leadership, to uncover the frameworks, lessons, and battlefield-tested wisdom that leaders need but rarely receive in the corporate world.With 27 years in the U.S. Army, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and leading international teams, Chris has lived leadership where the stakes were life or death. Today, he brings that same clarity and discipline to executives, founders, and organizations hungry for growth.This isn’t another “death by PowerPoint” leadership seminar. Chris takes leaders into the field, literally. From Gettysburg to Normandy, he shows executives how history’s greatest battles can transform their communication, empower, and inspire their own teams.If you’ve ever wondered how to lead with confidence, clarity, and purpose, or how to transform your organization into one that thrives at scale, this conversation will give you the unfiltered tools and frameworks to make it happen.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeThe Missing Link in Most Companies: Why promoting great performers into leadership roles without proper training sets organizations up for failure.The Three Pillars of Leadership: Communication, vision, and empowerment, and how to know if you’re succeeding at each.Military-Grade Lessons for the Boardroom: How leadership training in the U.S. Army translates directly into running high-performing teams in business.The Power of Empowerment: Why defining thresholds for decision-making makes organizations more agile, responsive, and effective.Lessons from History: How Chris uses Gettysburg and Normandy to help leaders recognize toxic or absent leadership, understand organizational narratives, and apply these insights directly to their companies.Frameworks Over Formulas: Why real leadership isn’t about step-by-step instructions, but about developing the mental models that let you adapt in any environment.Sustained Change That Sticks: How follow-up and accountability 60–90 days after leadership training creates real transformation inside companies.Chris’s message is clear: leadership isn’t optional, and it isn’t a one-day seminar. It’s an investment that multiplies across your people, culture, and bottom line.

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing yourself on TV, or wondered if media appearances really move the needle for entrepreneurs, this episode is for you.Josh Cary sits down with Dominic Forth, CEO of Thought Leaders America, to unpack the real power of visibility, exposure, and positioning. Dominic has spent over 20 years in media, from newsroom trenches to consulting with top TV stations, and now he helps thought leaders and entrepreneurs break into television to elevate their credibility.This isn’t just about vanity metrics. It’s about authority, storytelling, and unlocking opportunities that only come when your message reaches a mass audience with trust and impact. If you want to understand what it takes to get booked on TV, and what to do with that exposure once you have it, this conversation will give you the blueprint.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy TV Still Matters: Even in the age of streaming and social media, legacy brands like ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox hold unmatched authority and influence.The Three Traits TV Producers Look For: How being audience-centric, emotionally engaging, and authentic separates you from the competition.The Power of Storytelling: Why facts and credentials aren’t enough and how to craft stories that stick in the minds of viewers and producers alike.How to Build Momentum Beyond One Appearance: Why cramming everything into a single TV spot is a mistake, and how to create a narrative across multiple interviews.Inside the Newsroom: What journalists and producers actually want from guests and how you can become the resource they need.The Future of Media: Insights into where TV, streaming, and immersive platforms like Roblox are heading, and how entrepreneurs can leverage these shifts.AI and Storytelling: Why human stories, combined with AI efficiency, will define the next wave of media strategy.