The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

#506 This week we spoke with Anthony Sarandrea, who gave us a lot of gold nuggets about generating leads online. But I know what some of you may be thinking: “I'm not even close to being able to do some of the things you talk about in that episode.” I still recommend listening to it, because we discuss an amazing approach to generating leads for your business. However, if you're just starting out, I want to point out one thing Anthony mentioned that's so important when you're starting to build your business because it makes everything else so much easier: before you start trying to generate leads, you need to know exactly what your target audience is going through. Hopefully, this won't be a foreign concept. But it bears repeating: everything else comes more easily when you know who your audience is. so how do you learn about them? Well, it's one thing to say, “I'm going to do some research, have conversations with people. I'll see what the forums are saying, put myself in people's shoes, and try to figure out what I can do to best serve them." That's a great start, and it'll definitely help. But it's just the first step. The next step is what I want to talk about today: becoming your target audience. Stick around and let's talk about what that looks like. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session506.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#505 They often say that this world is very small, especially the world of online business. When I go to conferences (or at least when I did before COVID), I'd often get introduced to somebody, and we'll find that we've already connected before, or we have a second- or third-degree connection. Today's guest is someone I'd never connected with, or even heard of long before we talked, but I'm so glad that we met because we had one of the best conversations I've had about lead generation in a very long time on the show. His name is Anthony Sarandrea, and I'm so grateful he's joining us today because he is a master at lead generation. Anthony has a number of different businesses. One in particular, Pocket Your Dollars, helps people become the financial experts of their own lives, and generates a ton of leads doing it. He also helps other businesses generate their own leads, and he's got some systems and approaches that I very much resonate with—especially when it comes to immersing yourself into that space you're trying to get into. Speaking of immersing yourself, you'll hear about a really interesting way Anthony did his market research: he literally became his own target customer on purpose. When it comes to lead generation, Anthony is one of the most creative and dedicated people I've met in the space. He knows the importance of remembering that your leads are real people, and that you need to serve them if you want to succeed. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session505.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#504 That's right—follow-up Friday episodes are back! I wanted to talk about something that crossed my mind after this week's conversation with Ali Abdaal. And this is a result of “competition.” When you start to build a business and do competitive research, you come across people who are already doing amazing things in the space. You come across people who are amazing writers. You come across people who write just the most beautiful emails in the world. You come across people, like Ali, who have incredible storytelling capabilities and who have the ability to create very professional videos. And you always wonder to yourself, “Man, why can't I do it like them?” And sometimes you'll try to do it like them—but that's almost never the right choice. You've got to check yourself before you wreck yourself, and that's what I want to talk about today. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session504.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#503 Has this ever happened to you? About a year and a half ago, I discovered a six-minute YouTube video about note-taking, by someone named Ali Abdaal. After I finished watching it, I thought, "Whoa, I really like this guy." So I watched the next video, which was about iPads. (I had just recently bought an iPad Pro and I wanted to learn how to make the most out of it.) Thanks to the way Ali taught, and his easy-to-listen-to accent, I started binge-watching everything on his channel. Ever since I started paying attention to Ali, things have been really taking off him for him. His brand and community have grown tremendously, and he's even released his own online course. And we've become good friends! I knew I had to ask him to come onto the podcast to share his journey from med school student to creating a YouTube channel, and how he's grown it to nearly two million subscribers, with passive income now coming in from multiple sources. We'll unpack the strategy behind Ali's impressive rise, and if you're interested in YouTube or creating video yourself, we also dive into some tips to help you with the algorithm and taking advantage of what YouTube can offer in terms of driving traffic and finding new customers. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session503.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of The Community Experience, a brand-new podcast from SPI!In this feed drop (episode 001), hosts Tony Bacigalupo and Jillian Benbow are hanging out with a different Jillian, Jillian Richardson, a woman on a quest to cure the world of its loneliness epidemic. Through her popular newsletter, the Joy List, and her book, Unlonely Planet, Jillian is doing remarkable work.We invited her onto the show to try to understand why community is such a hot topic right now. How can you integrate community into what you’re building and keep it authentic? Whether you hope to find a new community or want to build a more impactful community yourself, there's something here for you.Let us know what you thought of episode 001! Reach out to us @TeamSPI on Twitter. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/cx001. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#502 Have you tried live video yet? If you haven't, this episode is for you. And even if you've already been using live video in your business (no matter what platform), this episode is also for you! Wherever you land on that spectrum, I want you to consider using live video more because it's the best way to engage with an audience. I've experienced this firsthand in the past year and a half with my live video show, the Income Stream. It's been fascinating to see what going live on YouTube every day has done for the brand for the connections. Live streaming is such a wonderful tool, whether you're pre-launching something, pitching something, or simply trying to build a deeper relationship with your audience. Today we're speaking with none other than Luria Petrucci from LiveStreamingPros.com. Luria has personally helped me with setting up my live streaming stuff, from gear selection to strategies, to how to be engaging on camera. She's such a wonderful person, and I can't wait for you to hear from her, learn from her, and hopefully be inspired to do more live videos. We'll be digging into how to use live video to engage with your audience, how and where to go live, and much more. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session502.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#501 Do you ever wonder what your life or career would be like if you'd made a different decision at a fork in the road? I definitely don't use my architecture degree anymore. But at the same time, I think about the skills I've learned and the things that happened early in my career that helped get me to where I'm at today. If I'd taken a different path, I wouldn't be where I am today. And I'm grateful for the experiences. In fact, some of my favorite stories and conversations are about starting down a path that pivots into something else, whether it's niching down into something specific, or making a more radical change. Either way, it's always an amazing story—and you're going to hear one of those stories today from Megan Gilger from Fresh Exchange. Megan and her husband, Mike, started a design studio that evolved into something completely different. Today they have an amazing blog and online community at FreshExchange.com that's all about the pursuit of community and connection and reciprocity with the earth. It's not necessarily what they set out to do, but it's what it became. You'll hear about how this journey has unfolded for Megan and the Fresh Exchange brand: how it all started and gained traction, and how Megan knew this was the route she was meant to follow. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session501.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#500 Significant number alert! This is episode 500 of the Smart Passive Income Podcast, and to celebrate the milestone, we're doing something a little different. We're flipping the script. Today we have a guest host running the show, and although we won't say who it is (you'll have to listen to find out!), you may remember this person and his wife from two hugely popular episodes of the show (122 and 265). Anyway, our mystery host is taking over the mic today and interviewing his "guest," Pat Flynn, about his online journey. They talk about Pat's experience losing his architecture job, and how he started, built, and grew his first online business. You've probably heard some version of this story before, but this episode is different—Pat and our host go really deep to uncover some of the nitty-gritty details of the struggles and the excitement on Pat's path to creating multiple online businesses and becoming a trusted educator for entrepreneurs everywhere. Pat also reveals a little about what's coming next for the SPI community, and for this very podcast. As for our mystery host, well, what can we say? He's a delight. We think you'll agree that this episode is the perfect way to cap off the first 500 episodes of the SPI podcast, the first of many more to come. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session500.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#499 If you're a business owner, this might be one of the most important podcast episodes you listen to. That's because as an entrepreneur, whether you're just starting out or you have been doing this for a while, you're probably constantly coming up with ideas. Some of those ideas are probably great. Some of them, not so great! But when it comes to great ideas, you need to know how to actually get them out into the world. And I'm not talking about specific strategies, like email or advertising. What I'm talking about is this: How do we take our ideas and put them out there so they'll spread? That's the big idea behind today's episode. This stuff is on the level of Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath, or Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Today I'm talking to Jeff Goins, from GoinsWriter.com. Jeff is a great friend of mine, someone I've known for over a decade now, who's been on the show before and has helped me with my book writing. And he's here today to help us all out. So if you're looking to create ideas that spread on their own, this one's for you. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session499See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#498 If you're running a business, you need an email list. But you also need to send the right emails. And you also need to make sure those emails are actually getting into your subscribers' inboxes. I often talk about the fact that email is the way to go. And it is! I only wish I'd started my email list sooner. And email does offer advantages over platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, with their algorithms that can block our messages from the audiences that want to hear from us. But email has a similar issue, and it's one you need to address if you want to reach more people: the dreaded spam folder. Why do emails end up in spam, and what can you do about it? That's what we're talking about today with Adrian Savage, the founder of Deliverability Dashboard. Adrian is a wizard when it comes to all things email, and he goes over the four keys to massively improving your deliverability rates. If you have an email list or are thinking of starting one, this episode is a must-listen. You can also get access to a simple checklist that helps you avoid the spam folder and potentially double your open rate at DeliverabilityDashboard.com/checklist. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session498.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#497 Today, you're going to hear an incredible level of detail on how to build a brand, write a bestselling book (or two), and make business and family life work together in a powerful way—plus why health and sleep are so crucial, and much more. Our guest is an SPI fan favorite: Shawn Stevenson of the Model Health Show, and he's going to take us behind the scenes of how he runs his business and gets things done, from his podcast to his books and everything else that's gone into building his incredibly successful brand. In fact, some of what Shawn shares in this episode is stuff he's never shared, because nobody's ever asked him these questions before! I cannot wait to go behind the scenes with you. How does the man run the show? Let's find out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session497.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#496 How do you position yourself as an expert? How do you talk about yourself online so that other people become interested, not just in following you, but potentially buying from you? How do you sell yourself in a way that's not sleazy? It starts by remembering that you are the only you that exists. Today we're talking with Mike Kim from youarethebrandbook.com about how to turn your youness into a personal brand that gets people's attention and makes you money. Mike is one of the most genuine people I know. He's been through the ranks and gone through a lot of ups and downs, to now be helping people build their brands online. I'm really excited for you to hear this episode because it could be the refresher you need to take hold of who you are and how you position and talk about yourself online. In fact, Mike and I go through an entire blueprint on how to do this yourself. So sit back, relax, and take notes if you need to, because this is a great one. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session496.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#495 The future of business is about community and connection. And, it's more than just creating Facebook or LinkedIn groups—now your entire business can be run like a membership site. That's exactly what we're going to be talking about today with Jillian Benbow, the manager of our membership community, SPI Pro. Jillian and I cover what it takes to create a thriving community where members feel welcomed and excited to engage and grow together. She's a pro at fostering connection and managing all the different facets of running a community of diverse people with all kinds of businesses and goals. We talk meetups, networking, AMAs, gamification, and much more—it's a wealth of information on how to manage a community, so don't miss it. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session495.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#494: A long, long time ago—before Zoom was even a thing—we were talking about summits here on SPI. And guess what? Summits are back, and they're hotter and better than ever, especially because now we have even more tools to create and run amazing summits. One of those tools is HeySummit. It's a platform Rob Geld cofounded to help make online summits more flexible, more customizable, and easier to run. I'm really excited to welcome Rob to the show to share all the ins and outs, plus the practical, strategic step-by-step advice to create your first summit. Where do you start? How do you make it happen? Rob's got the answers, so check it out. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session494.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#493 So by now you've probably heard about Clubhouse Let me tell you, Clubhouse is here, social audio is definitely here to stay, and it's not going anywhere. Having spent some time on Clubhouse (80,000 followers and counting), I can tell you that some of the connections and experiences I've had there have been amazing. Clubhouse can be a fantastic way to spark genuine conversations, create powerful connections, and take your business to the next level. It can be an absolute game changer! But you gotta do it right, and that's why I have Mike Stelzner on the show today, founder of Social Media Examiner. Today he'll be breaking down what you should and shouldn't do when joining the platform, how it works, how to promote your brand on Clubhouse, and more. Let's dig in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session493See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#492 We've got a fun one for you guys today. Connie Neal is on the show and boy, is she a character. And I mean that literally . . . Connie creates amazing content for kids as a character she created called Grandma Goodie, and she does a phenomenal job. First, we're going to be going back in time a little bit because Connie wasn't always a for-kids YouTube content creator. A while back she had an idea for something else that she actually mailed to me, but it didn't pan out. Still, Connie pushed forward with relentless optimism and now she's starting to really find her groove. We'll chat about how she got to where she is now and where she's going next, with a couple of fun stories to boot. Let's get started! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session492See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Did you know that there's a Museum of Failure? For the final installment in season 1 of Flops — the brand-new podcast my team launched this year — hosts Karen Beattie and Ray Sylvester sat down with the museum's director, Dr. Samuel West. What followed was a fascinating conversation around normalizing failure, how different cultures approach it, Dr. West's criteria for deciding what gets displayed in the museum, and more. Plus, stick around until the end for a special "mini failure" story from yours truly. And if you haven't listened already, all 8 episodes of the first season of Flops are now available for streaming. Learn more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/flops.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#491 As entrepreneurs a lot of us develop this idea that we need to hustle now, grind out the hours, and our families will understand. But this is the opposite of what I would advise. Nothing can replace lost time that you could have used to develop a strong relationship with your children, your partner . . . I've seen the other side of the "hustle now" mentality. Trust me, it isn't pretty.Today I've got Jim Sheils on the show with a life-changing conversation about how to schedule time to connect with your family, why it's essential that you do so, and the rules he follows to get it right. His company, 18 Summers, is devoted to this topic and Jim's also the author of The Family Board Meeting, which I highly recommend you check out. If you want to learn how to succeed as an entrepreneur and have a great relationship with your family, this is the episode for you! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session491See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#490 Earlier this week I interviewed Kevin Espiritu from Epic Gardening for session 489 of the show. He's absolutely killing it in his space and I've taken a few notes from him in terms of content creation. In talking with Kevin and interacting with him outside the show, I was reminded of some of the things I've seen other successful people do. I'll tell you all about them today, as well as something that I think it's critical all entrepreneurs realize: you have to take a stand at some point. I'll illustrate this for you today with an experience I had hearing Ramit Sethi speak back in the day. A few quick but impactful lessons in here for you today, so don't miss out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session490See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#489 The pandemic put a lot of entrepreneurs on high alert and changed the way we work or do business. But some businesses thrived, and today's guest has a business that pretty much exploded during the pandemic. I first got connected with him because I (like a lot of us!) decided to try and start a garden. And when it comes to learning about all things gardening and plants, Kevin Espiritu from Epic Gardening is the man to go to. But Kevin's success wasn't just due to the pandemic. He poised himself for explosive success. Over time Kevin's built up a massive following on YouTube, published two books, expanded his brand, and created incredibly valuable product and affiliate deals. You'll learn all about how he did on today's episode, so don't miss out! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session489See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#488 Earlier this week on episode 487 I got to interview PJ of GoatMilkStuff.com — it'll be one for the ages for sure. And it reminded me of something, an episode from way back, episode 122 with Shane and Jocelyn Sams. In fact, I'm going to share a clip from that episode today as well. And in having my memory jogged, something crystallized for me around being an effective podcast host. We're going to get into all of it today, so take a coffee (or tea, or water) break and let's chat! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session488See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#487 PJ Jonas started making goat milk soap in 2008 and has since grown the business into the family business. Seriously, her entire family is involved with everything from actually making the soap to social media and more. And they don't just make soap anymore, they've added lip balms, lotions, and more to the products they ship worldwide. How did she scale the operation, how did she recruit the whole family into the business, and how do the Jonas's keep a sense of work life balance? PJ's giving us the full rundown today, so whether you're a seasoned or aspiring entrepreneur or just want to hear an amazing story, you're in the right place! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session487See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#486 Sometimes our competitive edge can prevent us from finding a critical link with someone who, on paper, might look like a competitor. Well, I'm here today to encourage you to find a buddy, someone you can build up and who can encourage you as you progress, even if (again, on paper) you might look like competitors. Press play for a bit of encouragement from me and an important call to action! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session486See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#485 The pandemic has taught all of us about the importance of flexibility. Chris Ducker, a great friend of mine, is here to tell us his experience, how his business is doing, and what he's learned making major business decisions in these times. How we respond to major shifts like these are often the ultimate test of ourselves and our businesses. Chris's key learnings can help us all better plan for the future and cultivate the right mindset for the next big pivot. There are some amazing nuggets on this episode — don't miss it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session485See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#484 When I was a kid, when I was in school, I was afraid to ask questions. I worried that I'd look silly in front of my friends, that I'd get made fun of, or that I'd reveal something I didn't know (that I should). I'm here to tell you that your entrepreneurial journey shouldn't be like that. Asking questions, particularly at the start of my own journey, was a huge part of why I was able to go on and have success. It's just you and me today, so let's dig in. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session484See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#483 Today's guest is a student of mine who has a podcast and a book called Turn Autism Around. She's on a mission and she's here to tell us how she's started to realize that mission through books, courses, and more. She'll also share some of the strategies she learned for writing her book, launching her show (now with over 400,000 subscribers), and how she handles criticism online. Mary's story shows us just how positive the ripple effect can be — it's super-inspiring for anyone, especially if you're at the beginning of your business journey. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session483See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#482 I've got a great tip to share with you today — especially if you're an introvert like me. This goes way back to my first conference. If you've ever been to one of these events you know that networking is a big part of the appeal. The ability to walk up to someone, introduce yourself, and strike up a conversation can lead to incredible opportunities. But way too often we end up psyching ourselves out of making the first move. Often the answer . . . is action. So we're going to dig into this topic a bit today, just you and me. Let's do it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session482See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#481 Chris Voss is the CEO of The Black Swan Group Ltd. and the author of Never Split the Difference — an amazing book on negotiation that I'd highly recommend everyone read. I'm so grateful that Chris joined me on the show to talk about negotiation, how he got interested in the topic, as well as his in-depth advice on negotiation. We talk about how to great a lasting last impression (and why that's more critical than a first impression), setting yourself up for success, why negotiation is ultimately about collaboration, and we even get into Chris's thoughts about having the right kind of mindset for successful negotiation. Everyone uses negotiation to some degree in their life or business and man, this is one for the books. Let's do it! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session481See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#480 If you're an entrepreneur, at some point you're inevitably going to compare yourself to the other entrepreneurs out there. Maybe you wish you had success like theirs, maybe you're envious because their success seemed to happen overnight. But some comparisons are healthy, like if you're trying to pull inspiration from someone or compare yourself now to where you were in the past. How can we approach those thoughts in a healthy way?I've been there, and over time I've developed a few mindset shifts and thought experiments that have helped me a lot. Let's chat! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session480See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#479 John Lee Dumas is here today to share the story behind his book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success: why he decided to write it, why he went with a traditional publishing deal, and all the strategies he used to make it come together. Whether you've written a book before, want to compare notes with John, or just want to learn more about this amazing book, stay tuned! Learn more about the book by going to UncommonSuccessBook.com. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session479See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#478 For today's Follow-Up Friday, we're going one-on-one so I can tell you about my own first experiences with memberships, going all the way back to the days when I was a newbie with Internet Business Mastery. There's a lot you can learn from my experience and what it taught me about the power of membership communities, how to set them up so that members feel heard and taken care of, and providing students and learners with an amazing experience. Let's dig in! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session478See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#477 Creating a membership community has been one of the best decisions we've ever made at SPI! Maybe you've thought about creating a membership community of your own, or maybe you're just curious. Either way, you're in the right place!Today's episode is essentially a masterclass in membership communities. I'm honored and thrilled to have Stu McLaren on the show today, someone who has over 10 years of experience launching, cultivating, and empowering people through online membership communities. We're not just skimming the surface or laying out steps for getting started. We get into some advanced strategies and tactics on everything from onboarding to ensuring the longevity and health of your membership. Definitely take notes for this one! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session477.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The podcast team at SPI has been cooking up something very exciting: a brand-new podcast called Flops! Flops presents an honest portrait of entrepreneurial failure in its numerous forms. When we hear entrepreneurial stories, we often glorify the big wins and brush over the failures that had everything to do with why success occurred. Flops turns the atypical success story on its head. Here to chat about the concept for the show and how it came about are co-hosts Karen Beattie and Ray Sylvester — after our short conversation you'll hear the first full episode of Flops: "The Pyramid Scheme." Learn more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/flopsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#476 We hear phrases tossed out around the word "value" all the time. "Provide value," "give value," "massive value," etc. Sometimes that can sound a bit challenging, but Michael Hyatt — who was an amazing guest earlier this week on episode 475 of the podcast — has taught me a way to provide huge value to people in a really simple way. This isn't a superpower by the way, although Michael is obviously phenomenal at doing this thing (which I'll reveal in the episode). This is something everyone can start doing right now, and I'm going to challenge you to start today. I want to tell you how helpful and amazing Michael has been in my own life so that you can hopefully follow his example. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session476See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#475 Is it even possible to win at work and life? It's the so-called "double win" — succeeding at work and life simultaneously — and Michael Hyatt's here to explain some of the strategies he uses to achieve it. He has a new book out on this very topic, which he co-authored with his daughter, Megan: Win at Work and Succeed at Life.In this episode, you'll hear Michael and I talk over strategies and mindsets for achieving balance and freeing yourself from the cult of overwork. Michael details how to embrace constraints, how he structures his workday, and how to curb workaholism. This episode will inspire you to find that crucial balance in your own entrepreneurial journey — let's go!Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session475See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#474 Today we're going to jump back in the DeLorean and go all the way back to when I made my first time hire. Now, this wasn't a long-term hire or a team member, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons in the process (some of them kind of embarrassing, to be honest). Making that first hire was really the unlock for me in a lot of ways. Ultimately, you just can't do everything on your own, and once you realize just how much more you can do by outsourcing, hiring, delegating . . . so many doors open up. So let's sit back, relax, and I'll tell you the story. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session474See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#473 How do you show appreciation for your assistant, who basically acts as an extension of your entrepreneurial self? Or, how do you resolve conflict with an assistant, what do you do if they're not the right fit? We're going to get into all of that, discuss how my assistant's role with SPI has evolved over 7+ years, and a lot more. Jess is such a blast to work with and I'm so grateful that she's on the show with me today. Let's go! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session473See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#472 We just had an amazing episode on the podcast earlier this week — SPI 471: How to Become a Better Communicator with Kolarele Sonaike. Definitely listen to it if you haven't had a chance yet. But today I want to share my own journey as a communicator. We're going to hop in the DeLorean and go all the way back to middle school, high school, and college — where I first started honing my communication skills. Sometimes you just have to hit the ground running, and when it comes to learning how to communicate as an entrepreneur, it's not helpful to be "the kid in the back of the class" (like I once was). Hopefully, this episode inspires you to get out there, make mistakes, and avoid the trap of thinking everything you put out there has to be perfect. SmartPassiveIncome.com/session472See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#471 Communication is one of the most critical foundations to everything you do as an entrepreneur, in your personal relationships, and so much more. And becoming a better communicator is a lifelong journey — how do we do better? Our guest today is Koralele Sonaike, a Communication Skills Coach with a background as a barrister (England's version of a lawyer). He's here today to talk about approaches for becoming a better communicator, his own journey as a barrister and communicator, and the transformations he helps create in the lives of his clients. This episode can do amazing things for you, so if you want to better your communication and get better results in your business, don't pass it up. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session471See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#470: What is it I've found, you ask? Let me tell you: a topic that I'm deeply interested in and a way to share it that's unlike what anyone else is doing.In session 469, I talked to Nick from PokeRev about his Pokemon card collecting and how he's been able to create a community—and earn money—around his hobby. Over the last few months, he and I have built a friendship around our shared love of Pokemon, and I've joined a number of his live streams and even become a moderator for his community, the PokeCave. Seeing what he's doing inspired me to create my own Pokemon-centered YouTube channel, Deep Pocket Monster, where I've found a love for live streams. There I try to bring positivity and energy to inspire other collectors and create a fun space for families to join. I've learned so much doing those live streams, and now I want to share what's making those successful. Let's go! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session470See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#469 What if you could turn a hobby or passion — maybe something you loved or were crazy about as a kid — into a thriving goldmine of a business? That's exactly what Nick, AKA PokeRev, has done. Pokemon was his passion as a kid, it's something that's deeply steeped in nostalgia for him. He's managed to turn that joy into a super-successful YouTube channel. Thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of people join him on his live streams and he's been able to grow his subscribers to nearly 300k in just about a year! Whether you're new to the hobby or not, definitely give this one a listen. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session469See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#468: In SPI 467, I talked to Kristen at Bearfoot Theory, who took a month-long sabbatical from work at the end of 2020—a whole month disconnected from her business!— and managed to make more money than she had before, even while she was gone. We all need a break from time to time, and for those of us who own and manage our businesses on a day-to-day basis, it can be a real challenge to even think about stepping away for an extended time. This can feel overwhelming and stressful and trust me, I've been there. Finding a healthy work and life balance has not always been easy for me.After a vacation to Hawaii a couple of years ago, I realized I had a near-impossible time disconnecting completely from work. I even took all my podcasting equipment with me to record an episode while I was there. (Not cool, Pat.) This kept me from fully relaxing and enjoying the precious time I had away with my family.Since then, I've put a good deal of thought into how my next vacation can be different, and today, I'll take a deep dive into the strategies my team and I have worked on together to set the business up for success for those times when I need to step away, unplug, and recharge.Find show notes at smartpassiveincome.com/session468.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#467 We talk about a lot of business topics here at SPI, most of them related to moving forward: how to optimize your time, build your business, launch courses, create a podcast. It's a lot of doing. But today we're going to talk about something on a different side of the spectrum: taking time away from your business to think, focus on your mental health, gain new clarity, and reevaluate your relationship with your business or things like social media. On the show with me today is Kristen Bor, a travel blogger at BearfootTheory.com who did exactly that. Whether you've never taken a sabbatical before or the idea is just plain crazy to you, you should listen to this episode. I hope it's as inspiring for you as it was for me! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session467See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#466: We go deep in this episode. We're talking about the entrepreneurial leap—that moment when you accept the risk and truly dedicate yourself to the path of starting your own business. For me, it didn't happen the moment I got laid off or even after I started making more than four times what I'd been making as an architect. It came later, after several eye-opening experiences and conversations with people I trusted. Today, I'll tell you that story. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session466See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#465 Today's guest has written some truly incredible books that I wish I'd had on hand at that time. His book Rocket Fuel was a game-changer for me in helping me realize my role in the business. His new book, Entrepreneurial Leap is a powerful book, especially for anyone who's considering making the leap into entrepreneurship. Whether you've made the leap already or need to reassess where you're at, Gino's throwing down a lot of wisdom for us. Here we go! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session465See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#464: I'm excited to introduce you to our first Follow-Up Friday episode on the SPI Podcast! Over the last couple of years we've had a lot of requests for more solo episodes of the show and now we're finally doing it. I'll be dropping a new episode every Friday to dive deeper into our Wednesday's guest interview. In this case, we didn't have a guest on Wednesday, so today it's just me diving even deeper into the world of YouTube.In today's episode we'll talk about my newest side project, Deep Pocket Monster, a Pokemon YouTube channel where I document my Pokemon card collecting and investing journey. I've put a lot of thought into strategies to get the most views and gain subscribers, and today I'll share what's working and what's not in hopes it will help you in your own YouTube journey. Welcome to Follow-Up Fridays! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session464See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#463: Starting off in a brand-new space can be hard for anyone but there are some strategies and mindsets you can use to optimize your approach. Today I'm going to break it down for you as I talk about my new YouTube channel . . . in the Pokemon card collecting space. But how did I make some noise in a space that I was essentially coming into for the first time? How did I fit a brand-new project into my life on top of everything else that I do? My foray into the Pokemon card YouTube space is an excellent case study in doing exactly that, so give this episode a listen! Also, make sure you stick around until the very end: I've got a very exciting announcement for you about the future of the Smart Passive Income Podcast. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session463See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#462: The cash flow between advertisers and podcasters recently has been insane — some projections say over $1 billion will be spent on podcast ads in 2021. So where do you start, whether you're someone with their own show or an advertiser with a product or service you want to spread the word about? If your curiosity is piqued, you're in the right place. Here to help answer your questions about podcast ads — whether you're a podcaster or an advertiser — is Heather Osgood of True Native Media. Podcast advertising is a massive opportunity and Heather has a ton of wisdom to share on the topic. Don't miss this one. Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session462See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you're familiar with this podcast then you've probably heard me talk about the power of podcasting. Seriously, it can be life-changing. But what's going on out there in the "podverse" — what's the state of podcasting in 2021?Whether you're new to podcasting or already have a show of your own, today's bonus episode is a must-listen: our guest is none other than Buzzsprout's head of marketing, Alban Brooke. Alban's sharing a ton of insight based on what he's seeing in the industry, where it's going, how to leverage social media to bring more listeners onto your show — there's something in here for everyone!By the way, I would highly recommend checking out Buzzsprout as a hosting provider, plus you can get some extra time on your plan if you go through SmartPassiveIncome.com/buzzsprout. [Full disclosure: As an affiliate, I receive compensation if you purchase through this link.] Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/podcast2021See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

#461: Darryll was a Division I athlete when his football career essentially... imploded. By learning how to pick himself up from that event, including a serious turning point in his life due to a suicide attempt, Darryll realized an incredible new mission: to help people, specifically athletes, to find their next big passion. He's now a two-time TEDx speaker and the author of an Amazon best-selling book: Who Am I After Sports? An Athletes Roadmap to Discover New Purpose and Live Fulfilled. He's here today to share his story, how he created his foundation, Second Chance Athletes, and his roadmap for finding your next passion in life. He's bringing the heat so go ahead and hit that play button! Show notes and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session461See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.