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Josh Zolin was a Hollywood stunt man before he became a CEO. He walked away from the film business, started at the bottom of his father's restaurant equipment company as a field technician on minimum wage, and now runs it as President and CEO of Windy City Equipment.

In this conversation with Bart Berkey, Josh explains the thing that made all of it possible. Every level of success he reached required a different version of him to show up, and confronting the old version was the hardest work he has ever done.

He talks about why he left the stunt world, and it was not about credit or money. It was that he did not like the person he was becoming in order to succeed. He talks about the ten years he spent in the field, getting up at 4:30 in the morning and working a second job because his father refused to pay him more than minimum wage, and about the line that explains why he stayed: he did not like the work, but he liked who he was when he was working.

Then he gets practical. Josh handwrites three notebooks every single day. A wins notebook built on four filters, freedom, presence, impact and love. A universal questions notebook that teaches him how to think. And an excavation notebook, where he writes the hard question, the unfiltered answer, the sentence that starts with "the lie I'm telling myself is," and finally "I am the man who." His claim is simple. Do that for a year and you will not be the same person.

He also answers the question the show is named for. Why don't most people do this work? Because they mistake uncertainty for something they need to know, and anxiety comes from two things: what we are uncertain about, and what we feel powerless against.

Josh is the author of Blue Is The New White, a case for purpose and real earning in the skilled trades, and the host of Everything They Don't Tell You. Find everything at joshzolin.com.

In this episode:

The one thing Josh does that Most People Don't

Why he left the stunt business, and the moment in the mirror

Starting as a technician with no silver spoons and no handouts

Why fair and the same are not the same thing in a company culture

What it means to give someone your present instead of your attention

The three notebooks, and the four parts of every excavation entry

Why uncertainty and powerlessness are the recipe for intrusive thoughts

Blue Is The New White, and the case for the skilled trades

Most People Don't... But YOU Do! is hosted by Bart Berkey, who spent 16 years as a global executive with The Ritz-Carlton and now builds HUMANALITY™, a system for making people feel cared for rather than processed.

Listen, subscribe and share: https://www.bartaberkey.com/podcast

SEASON 4, EP. 248
Guest: Ryan Bartlett | Co-Founder & Chairman, True Classic | Los Angeles, California
Web: trueclassictees.com
LinkedIn: Ryan Bartlett (30,000+ follow

EPISODE SUMMARY AND KEY TAKEAWAYS

Ryan Bartlett flunked out of Michigan State, went broke trying to make it as a poker pro in Vegas, worked nightclub VIP rooms in Orlando and LA, and then spent a year quietly researching the most saturated, commoditized category in fashion before deciding to shoot his shot. That company is True Classic, now one of the fastest-growing D2C apparel brands in the world.

But this episode is not really about T-shirts. It is about what happens when a founder with a service heart builds a company around the belief that the customer experience matters more than the money. Ryan and Bart connect over Ritz Carlton-level service, the Humanality framework, and a story that started with two canceled orders, a TikTok live comment, and ended with five brand new True Classic shirts showing up at Bart's door unannounced.

Ryan talks about the parents who believed in him through every pivot, the stepbrother who reminded him of a promise he made at 19 in the Bahamas, the co-founder who ran with the culture from day one, and why he tells his customer service team to throw the 30-day return window out the window. Every time. No exceptions. At all costs.

What You Will Walk Away With

At all costs means exactly that. Ryan's customer service mantra is simple: the customer needs to have a good experience, period. Even if True Classic loses money on the transaction. The word of mouth from one bad experience costs far more than the refund. His team knows this without being told twice.

Ritz Carlton service is not a hospitality concept. It is a business model. Ryan built True Classic's culture around the same standard Bart learned at the Ritz. Surprise and delight. Notice, anticipate, over-deliver. CSAT score of 4.97 at all times. These were not aspirational goals. They were the baseline.

Parents who believe in you change everything. Ryan credits his parents more than any business school, course, or mentor. They backed every instrument, every idea, every pivot. That unconditional belief became the confidence that let him walk into the most saturated category in fashion and know he was going to crush it.

Most people get into businesses they do not love. Ryan's fill-in-the-blank answer is the throughline of his entire story: most people start businesses for the opportunity, not the passion. And when year two or three gets brutal, the opportunity is not enough to keep you going. The love is what keeps you going.

It was never about the T-shirt. It was about giving 6 million guys the confidence to leave the house feeling good about themselves. That was always the North Star. The revenue followed the mission, not the other way around.

Optimization never stops. Ryan lives in what he calls optimization mode — constantly scanning for things that are a 7 out of 10 and figuring out how to make them a 10. His next chapter is not another product. It is teaching the next generation of D2C founders how to build and scale a brand using what he actually learned from doing it, not from repackaging other people's advice.

At 16, Matt Ebert wrecked his car twice. The first one was totaled. The second time, he was too afraid to file an insurance claim, certain it would cost him his coverage and with it his newfound freedom to drive. So he found a man in town who worked a day job and fixed cars at night in his garage, and asked to be taught.

He has been in collision repair ever since. Today he is the founder and CEO of Crash Champions, with more than 650 locations, 11,000 employees, 60,000 cars repaired every month, and $3 billion in revenue. He calls that 5 percent of his market and says it is nowhere near enough.

In this episode, recorded at PodCrash Studios in Chicago, Bart Berkey asks Matt the question this show is built on: what do you do that most people don't? What follows is the conversation most CEO interviews never reach. Kmart clothes and split kids' meals. A paper route that taught him to collect, hold, pay, and keep the difference. One hundred thousand dollars cash advanced on credit cards for four Subway franchises that never made money, and a return to the body shop floor to cover the bills. A mind that has never once treated quitting as an option.

Matt is candid about the parts that do not fit on a highlight reel. Why he is most comfortable at the bottom of the rollercoaster and most nervous at the top. Why he still cannot sleep. What the drive has cost his wife and his kids, and why he measures the quality of his time with them rather than the quantity. And why, at Crash Champions, repairing the car is only the ante. The real work is trust, delivered to people on the worst day of their week, across 650 locations he cannot personally stand in.

His answer to the closing question is one word longer than you expect, and it reframes everything before it: most people don't get curious enough.

Most people fix what is broken and move on. Matt Ebert built a company around leaving things better than he found them.

Key takeaways

• Think bigger than the room you are in. Matt's answer to "what do you do that most people don't" was immediate: he thinks bigger, and he pushes the people around him to do the same. It was not there at 16. It got built.

• The wreck was the doorway. Two crashes at 16 and a fear of losing his driving freedom sent him into a neighbor's garage to learn collision repair. The problem he was trying to avoid became the career.

• He is not naturally good at anything, and that is the advantage. "I can't sing, I can't dance, I don't have athletic ability." What he learned instead was that he can figure almost anything out if he reads about it, asks about it, and practices it.

• Better is the whole business. Landscaping, construction, collision repair, all of it is transformation. "I want people to think their life has been better for having me involved in it." Bart's frame for it: easy to be, but better to become.

Learn more at mattebert.com and crashchampion.com

Listen to PodCrash with Matt Ebert wherever you get your podcasts Follow Matt: LinkedIn, Instagram @mattebertcc, X @MattEbertCC, Facebook @MattEbertCC

Episode Summary

Some people you meet feel less like new acquaintances and more like a reunion. That's how Bart Berkey describes meeting Tia Crystal — an internationally recognized artist, author, wellness advocate, clinical hypnotherapist, and founder of Be Wellness Mind — whose work has been shown at the United Nations in Geneva. In this warm, wide-ranging conversation, Tia opens up about growing up with severe dyslexia and the self-worth struggles it fed, a message she received at age ten that she wouldn't understand her purpose until forty, and how she became "the living embodiment" of what she now teaches.

Key Takeaways

• You are the success today. Whatever happened before, you go back to old patterns as the empowered adult you already are — not as the wounded child.
• Safety is the foundation of everything. "If you feel safe inside you, you can do anything." Real change starts by helping your younger self feel safe.
• Strong is muscle; power is knowing. Strength is effort; power is the quiet certainty of who you already are.
• Become the observer. ~60,000 thoughts a day, ~90% repetitive, ~80% negative. See a negative thought as a "gremlin" outside you — name the feeling, and it loosens its grip.
• Stop rereading chapter one. Most people replay the same story to the end, then start it over. It's time to give yourself permission to write a new one.
• Make peace with worry. You may never delete it — but you can breathe, put your arms around yourself, and lessen its grip instead of numbing it away.

Quotable Moments (pull-quotes for the newsletter / social)

"Strong is muscle. Power is knowing."

"You are the success today, regardless of what happened to you before."

"It's time to write a new story. What do you give yourself permission to write?"

"The more you run from something, the more it runs after you."

"You are the microcosm of the macrocosm. The only way to change the world is to change your little corner of it."

Quotable Moments (pull-quotes for the newsletter / social)

"Strong is muscle. Power is knowing."

"You are the success today, regardless of what happened to you before."

"It's time to write a new story. What do you give yourself permission to write?"

"The more you run from something, the more it runs after you."

"You are the microcosm of the macrocosm. The only way to change the world is to change your little corner of it."

Episode Details:

• Show: Most People Don't… But You Do!
• Season 4, Episode 246
• Host: Bart Berkey
• Guest: Tia Crystal, Artist, Author, Wellness Advocate, Clinical Hypnotherapist & Founder of Be Wellness Mind
• Book: The Paintbrush (Amazon & Audible)
• Also: Creator of the animated children's mindfulness series E Me Uni
• Connect: tiacrystal.com · bewellnessmind.com · bewellnesstravel.com

Guest: Kaye Gitibin, CEO and Founder of Go RentalsCompany: Go Rentals (elite mobility rental serving private aviation, 300+ locations, the only rental company recognized by the Forbes Travel Guide)Host: Bart BerkeyEpisode details: Season 4, Ep. 245

Thirty years ago, Kaye Gitibin and his brother Habbas started with seven vans and an idea nobody else in the industry was chasing: what if renting a car felt like checking into a five-star hotel? They called it hospitality on wheels. Today, Go Rentals serves private aviation and luxury travelers across more than 300 locations nationwide, it is the only elite car rental company recognized by the Forbes Travel Guide, and it has never spent a single dollar on advertising. Every bit of growth has come from relationships and referrals.

In this conversation with host Bart Berkey, Kaye traces his servant heart back to his mother, who rolled out the red carpet for every guest and cooked what the guest wanted rather than what was convenient. He explains why the answer to every legal and ethical guest request is "yes" (yes, his team once bought a Van Cleef bracelet and sourced an orange G-Wagon on request), why he hires for a "hospitality bone" instead of a resume, and how AI can enhance service by anticipating a guest's needs but can never replace the human touch. Kaye and Bart, a 16-year Ritz-Carlton veteran, connect over a shared belief: in an uncertain, increasingly automated world, the companies that win are the ones that make people feel genuinely cared for. It is a masterclass in noticing, anticipating, and over-delivering, and in taking a client from impressed to obsessed.

Key Takeaways

1. Service is the product, not the car. Go Rentals hand-picks its vehicles and keeps every car under 15,000 miles, but Kaye is blunt: guests come for the experience, not the vehicle. A $2,000 hotel room and a $125 room both have a bed. The differentiator is always the service around the thing.
2. The answer is always yes. If a request is legal and ethical, the answer at Go Rentals is yes. That single rule turned a surprise Van Cleef bracelet and an orange G-Wagon into legendary surprise-and-delight moments and lifelong fans.
3. You cannot insert a servant heart, so hire for it. Kaye hires for hospitality instinct over experience. Half the interview is how a candidate treats the receptionist and carries themselves in the lobby. Skills can be trained; a servant heart cannot.
4. Notice, anticipate, over-deliver. Remembering a guest likes red M&Ms, warming the seats before arrival, tracking the plane so the car is already waiting. Small anticipations create outsized loyalty. Their slogan: if the guest has to wait for us, the car is complimentary.
5. Relationships beat advertising. In 30 years, Go Rentals has spent nothing on marketing. Growth has come entirely from referrals and from becoming part of guests' lifestyles, not just their travel day.

Learn more about Kaye Gitibin at gorentals.com and follow Go Rentals on LinkedIn.

Seth Berge spent his 30s being comfortable. Good at making money, better than his friend group, never quite pushing past good enough. Then he hit 40, got around the right rooms, and asked himself a question that changed everything: if other people built something great, why not me?

Seth is the founder of two regenerative medicine companies: Regenerative Revival, a concierge in-home stem cell therapy service operating in all 50 states, and Precision Biologics, the distribution and contract manufacturing company behind it. He spent eight and a half years giving over 2,000 dinner seminars educating people about regenerative medicine, built a team of 25, and is now scaling both companies after years of finally deciding to go all in.

Bart and Seth go deep on what it actually takes to stop half-assing entrepreneurship, what stem cell therapy is and where it actually comes from, why your 43-year-old stem cells are not as good as a newborn's, and how Seth's entire business model is built around three things most people in his industry skip: education, access, and affordability. Bart uses his own neck surgery and ongoing pain management as a real-time case study, and Seth walks him through exactly what a treatment would look like, what it costs, and why the recovery time is almost nothing compared to surgery.

This episode is equal parts mindset conversation and health education, and it delivers on both.

What You Will Walk Away With

Most people don't go for it. That is the whole problem. Seth spent a decade being comfortable before he realized comfortable was a choice, not a ceiling. The only thing separating him from the entrepreneurs he admired was discipline and experience. One of those he could buy with mentorship. The other he had to earn by showing up.

Get in rooms where you are not the smartest person. Seth credits this shift more than any strategy. Paying for coaches, attending David Meltzer events, surrounding himself with people who had done more than him. David Meltzer's line landed hard: be interested, not interesting.

Business is a sport. Play it like one. Seth is an ex-athlete who played every sport to win. When he finally brought that same intensity to entrepreneurship, everything changed. He now has 25 people relying on his company. That weight is heavy and motivating at the same time.

Your body already knows how to heal. It just needs the right tools. Regenerative medicine is not magic. Stem cells and exosomes from umbilical cord tissue after a C-section birth give the body the youngest, most active healing agents available, ones your own body stopped producing at full capacity decades ago. The science is real, the FDA guidelines are strict, and the results for soft tissue repair are documented.

Education, access, and affordability are the three things the industry skips. Most people have heard of stem cell therapy but have no idea what it is, where to get it, or what it costs. Seth built Regenerative Revival around solving all three. Concierge in-home service. All 50 states. Packages starting at $5,000, significantly less than most clinics because Seth controls the manufacturing.

The goal is to fix the root cause, not manage the symptom. Cortisone injections mask pain. Surgery replaces parts. Regenerative therapy, at its best, repairs the actual tissue defect so the problem does not come back. One treatment. No brick-and-mortar overhead. A nurse practitioner comes to your home in two to three weeks.

Guest: Seth Berge | Founder, Regenerative Revival & Precision Biologics | Minneapolis, Minnesota
Web: regenerativerevival.com or gutstemcells.com
LinkedIn: Seth Berge

Learn more about Seth Berge and Regenerative Revival at regenerativerevival.com or gutstemcells.com and connect with Seth Berge on LinkedIn.

Most People Don't. But You DO!

When Stacey Lauren was eight years old, a girl who was deaf came to her house and fell in love with her Smurf collection. Stacey gave it away. All of it. Every last Smurf. Her mom was stunned. Stacey did not think twice.

That instinct, giving without being asked, never left her. It drove 20 years of running a staffing company with 1,260 combined employees. It drove the identity crisis she fell into when she exited. And it drove the question she could not stop asking: why do so many people know what they want to do and still not do it?

The answer she found was not about motivation or mindset. It was about rooms. The right rooms, full of people chasing the same goal, change everything. Not your friends. Not your family. People who are doing the thing alongside you. That discovery became a podcast, a methodology, a movement, and now the Do The Thing Collab Network, a platform connecting people around shared goals, community engagement, and fundraising that ties it all together.

Bart and Stacey talk through her Comfort Circles framework live, using Bart's real-life event that evening in Washington DC as the case study. They unpack why most communities think people are connecting when they are not, why vulnerability in a Senate building hallway can outlast the meeting that sparked it, and why the person who needs your message does not care about your shower cap.

This episode is for anyone who has been doing the thing alone and wondering why it feels so hard.

What You Will Walk Away With

You need people with the same goal, not just people who love you. Friends and family will cheer for you. But the people who are doing the same hard thing you are doing right now are the ones who will keep you from quitting. Stacey calls it Like Gold. Find your rooms.

Horse mode is not failure. It is the first step. The Comfort Circles framework begins with the horse: non-verbal, not yet engaging, camera off or hanging near the bathroom at the networking event. Knowing you are in horse mode means you stay in the room. That is the whole win.

Most communities are connecting at the surface. That is the problem. Showing up to events, doing the activities, checking the boxes does not mean people are actually connecting. Real engagement requires a shared goal inside the community, not just shared attendance.

Stop doing it for other people. Stacey went live for 80 episodes with her camera off because she was scared of how she looked. The shift happened when she realized the person who needs your message does not care what you look like. Get your voice out. That is the whole job.

Education by contribution is the secret to community. When people share their ideas out loud in a room, not just receive information, the room transforms. Stacey calls it the E in her I'm Game framework. Bart saw it live in a Senate hallway when 99 out of 100 people stayed after the panel ended because someone was finally being real.

Doing the thing and having your voice in it are two different things. Stacey always did the thing: sold books door to door, co-founded a company at 25, scaled it for two decades. But she did it without her voice for most of it, doing what she thought others needed instead of what she was actually built for. That gap is where most people live. Closing it is the work.

Learn more about Stacey Lauren and Do The Thing Collab Network at dothethingcollaboration.com. Connect with Stacey Lauren on LinkedIn and find the Do The Thing podcast on all major podcast platforms.

Most People Don't. But You DO!

Episode Description

For 13 years, Craig Siegel measured his life in external wins, the number in the bank account, the apartment in New York City, the next goal. And none of it made him feel like enough. In this episode, the Wall Street Journal bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and founder of CLS (Cultivate Lasting Symphony) tells Bart Berkey how a "dark night of the soul" and a global pandemic forced the pause that changed everything, and why he now trusts "invisible progress" over the visible kind.

Craig and Bart who found his own forced pause through a heart attack, dig into a truth most people avoid: we wait until life pauses us instead of pausing on purpose. Craig shares the exact practices that rebuilt his life from the inside out: starting the day with "the most important meeting of your day," flipping the script from consume to create, reframing challenging days as the greatest opportunities for growth, and reinventing yourself before life forces you to. It's a fast, quote-packed conversation about trading the exhausting chase for alignment, where success becomes an expression of who you are instead of something you're constantly chasing.

Key Takeaways

• Peace creates success — not the reverse. Craig spent years believing success would create peace. The breakthrough was realizing it's the other way around.
• Trust invisible progress. Track the internal metrics — Am I calmer? more generous? less reactive? more present? Focus on the roots and the fruits follow.
• Chasing external wins is a losing game. Like a drug, it's a high, then a "bye." It never fills you, because it doesn't measure fulfillment.
• Most people don't pause voluntarily. They wait until life pauses them — a heart attack, a pandemic, a rock bottom. Don't wait for the crash to reevaluate.
• Start with the most important meeting of your day. A 10-minute morning check-in sets the tone so you lead the day proactively instead of reacting to everyone else's noise.
• Before you consume, create. Reaching for the phone first thing asks "World, tell me who I need to be today." Flip it: create before you consume, reflect before you react.
• Challenging days are the opportunity. Reframed through Kabbalah, the hardest days are where the soul grows, ascends, and transforms.
• Reinvent before life forces you to. Reinvention isn't becoming someone else — it's becoming more of who you really are. The world needs more aligned people, not more successful ones.

You climb the mountain, the money, the awards, the deals, and then you look around and realize it's not filling you up anymore. So what does?

In this episode, Bart Berkey sits down with Brett Kaufman - entrepreneur, advisor, investor, and founder of Inner Space. After nearly 30 years in business and building, managing, and selling billions of dollars of real estate (including The Gravity Project in Columbus, Ohio, described as the world's largest conscious community), Brett hit the wall that so many high performers hit: "not enough-ness." The belief that more money and more things would finally make him feel like enough, and the hard-won discovery that they never do.

Brett shares why the real work isn't out there but inside, how his simple framework - awaken, align, expand - helps founders let go of what no longer serves them, and why the people who most need this are often the ones who look most successful from the outside. It's a short, rich first conversation (with a deeper one already promised).

Bart welcomes Brett Kaufman, founder and CEO of a real estate development company and the founder and host of Inner Space, for a candid conversation about what happens after you "make it." Brett draws on nearly three decades as a founder, employer, husband, and father, and 15+ years building intentional mixed-use communities, to explain why he now devotes himself to helping high-performing founders and executives navigate life's hard transitions.

Key Takeaways:

• More doesn't make you happier. Brett's pursuit of "more" came from "not enough-ness" — a belief he needed external validation to feel worthy. Accumulation has a diminishing return.
• The real work is inward. It's called Inner Space, not outer space, on purpose. Clearing out old conditioning and inner chatter is where real growth happens.
• Money is a tool, not the goal. Brett enjoys money for the freedom, security, generosity, and ease it creates — but it's not what fills him up. Being of service is.

Episode Details

• Show: Most People Don't… But You Do!
• Season 4, Episode 241
• Host: Bart Berkey
• Guest: Brett Kaufman — Entrepreneur, Advisor & Investor; Founder & CEO of a real estate development company; Founder & Host of Inner Space (and the Inner Space Podcast)
• Notable: Developed The Gravity Project in Columbus, Ohio — described as the world's largest conscious community
• Connect with Brett: joininnerspace.com · brettkauffman.com
• Note: A shorter first conversation — Bart and Brett agreed to record a deeper follow-up.

EPISODE SUMMARY AND KEY TAKEAWAYS

Ten years in the NBA. Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic. Games overseas in Italy, Greece, Turkey. And when it was all over, CJ Watson sat on his couch and asked himself one question: how do I keep giving back?

That question became children's books. A foundation. Free basketball camps. A Black history essay contest with laptops and 529 plans as prizes. And now, a conversation with Bart about what it actually means to be a great human being, not just a great athlete.

CJ grew up in Las Vegas with Southern hospitality baked into his bones. Yes sir. No ma'am. Look people in the eye. Give them your name and ask for theirs. He never got drafted, went overseas first, and spent every NBA season knowing it could be his last. That perspective shaped everything. He never saw himself as a celebrity. He saw himself as someone who got lucky enough to do the work.

Bart and CJ unpack humanality through the lens of sports, autographs, fatherhood, and the moment a kid at a camp says "we love the book." They talk about what it means to be present, why consistency beats talent most of the time, and how a pair of unwashed orange socks from the University of Tennessee became a lesson about preparation over superstition.

This one is warm, grounded, and full of the kind of humanity that makes the MPD audience forward episodes to people they love.

What You Will Walk Away With

Consistency beats talent. Every time. CJ's fill-in-the-blank answer came fast: most people don't be consistent. Show up on good days and bad days. Do the work when no one is watching. That is what separates the people who make it from the people who almost did.

Humanality on the court. When a fan waits hours to meet you, that moment is not about you. It is about them. Look them in the eye. Ask their name. Use it. CJ named all three steps of Humanality without being asked: I see you, be where your feet are, and just ask.

Legacy is not what you keep. It is what you give away. CJ gave away his first NBA jersey. He gave away his time, his stories, his books. He started a foundation so that kids growing up in Las Vegas have resources his family had to figure out alone. You cannot take it with you. That is the whole point.

The magic was never in the socks. CJ wore the same pair of unwashed orange socks every time he played well in college. But the real lesson from his children's book is the one he figured out later: it was never the socks. It was the preparation, the film study, the discipline, the showing up. The socks just gave him permission to believe in himself.

Your parents are your first coaches. CJ's parents talked him out of quitting overseas. They showed up to games in college, flew to NBA cities, and built the foundation underneath him before he ever knew he needed one. His whole message to his own three daughters comes from the same place: look people in the eye, say please, say thank you, and never stop.

Great dads make great leaders. The greatest feeling CJ described had nothing to do with the NBA. It was watching his daughter block a volleyball. Legacy is not built on a court. It is built in the stands.

Learn more about CJ Watson and his foundation at quietstormfoundation.org and connect with CJ Watson on LinkedIn.

Most People Don't. But You DO!

EPISODE SUMMARY AND KEY TAKEAWAYS

What does a 36-day water fast, a decade of rebuilding, and 60 years of change research have in common? They are all part of how Jaclyn Orent became one of the most uncommon leaders Bart has ever had on the show.

Jaclyn is the co-founder and CEO of the Cultural Catalyst Network, the first infrastructure built for societal-level change, connecting leaders across organizations to create the kind of cultural shift none of them could pull off alone. She joins Bart live from Boulder, Colorado for a conversation that moves fast, goes deep, and does not stay in the comfort zone.

They unpack the difference between leading from power and leading from force, why the leaders who have achieved the most are often the loneliest in the room, and what it actually takes to stop performing success and start becoming who you were built to be. Bart opens up about his own story, from panic attacks to a podcast in the top 2 to 5% globally, and Jaclyn reflects back what she hears in a way that reframes the whole journey.

This episode is for the leaders who have done everything right and still feel like there is something left undiscovered.

What You Will Walk Away With

Power vs. force is not just philosophy. It is a leadership system. The leaders who give to life produce results that grow over time. The leaders who take from life produce results that cost everyone around them. Jaclyn has spent seven years building a research-backed framework to help leaders move from one to the other.

The loneliest leaders are often the most successful ones. When you reach a certain level, everyone around you needs something from you. Peers become rare. That isolation is not personal. It is structural. And it is a problem worth solving intentionally.

Change happens through resonance, not information. Most organizations try to change culture by rolling out new strategies. But research from intentional change theory tells us that real change requires three things: shared vision, shared compassion, and shared energy. Without all three, the initiative stalls.

Most people are comfortable. That is the whole problem. Jaclyn's fill-in-the-blank moment lands hard: most people do not take the level of risk required to find out who they really are. Even high achievers stop short of discovering the greatness still inside them.

Transmutation is the real work. Bart shared his story of a botched surgery at 12, years of panic attacks, and the fear of losing control. Jaclyn named it clearly: he transmuted trauma into a platform for empowerment. That is not accidental. That is the work. And it is available to every leader willing to go there.

It is easy to be. It is better to become. Bart's line, and it is the throughline of the whole conversation. Staying who you are is comfortable. Becoming who you are meant to be requires action, risk, and the willingness to keep launching off the bridge even when it does not make sense to anyone around you.

Learn more about the Cultural Catalyst Network at culturalcatalystnetwork.com and connect with Jaclyn Orent on LinkedIn.

Bart Berkey walked into Strictly EBikes with a broken foldable bike that two other shops had turned away. Ten minutes and $38 later, he walked out with a fixed bike and a future guest. Asif Shakeel spent decades building service stations and car dealerships on one principle: compete on service, not price. Then he retired, bought the wrong e-bike online, crashed it, couldn't find anyone to repair it, and recognized the opportunity hiding inside his own problem.

Key Takeaways

• Opportunity arrives disguised as a problem. Asif's entire second act came from a bike he couldn't get fixed. Most people just want the problem solved so they can keep moving. If you solve it and notice that others have the same problem, you have a business.
• You can only go so far on price. Nobody is looking for the cheapest repair on their car. They're looking for honesty, competence, and transparency. Service is the one place with unlimited room to compete.
• One lie erases every truth. His father's lesson: get caught once and everything you ever said looks like a lie. It doesn't matter how kind you were or how much money they gave you. Trust is not a feature you can add back.
• When you have to cut, cut what the customer won't miss. In 2008 Asif cut the muzak, the landscaping, and the shelf inventory. Bart's Ritz-Carlton parallel: newspapers moved from every guest door to the elevator landing, saving enormous money with almost no impact on the experience. The skill is knowing which costs are the experience and which just look like it.
• Delegate so you can do more, not less. Asif's father insisted on doing everything himself and stayed one location. Asif systemized, built teams, and ran three businesses at once.

This episode features Asif Shakeel, Founder and CEO of Strictly EBikes, located at 683 North Washington Street in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Founded in 2022, Strictly EBikes specializes in electric bikes and serves the Northern Virginia community. Before launching the business, Asif owned three service stations and a car dealership, has lived in Northern Virginia for over 50 years, and also serves as an adjunct professor at George Mason University. The company is currently developing a franchise model and is expanding into the adjacent retail space. Learn more at strictly-ebikes.com, or connect with Strictly EBikes on Instagram and Facebook, or with Asif Shakeel on LinkedIn. You can also reach him directly at asif@strictly-ebikes.com.

A 51-year-old executive was about to be put on a stimulant for the first time in her life. She had spent a decade running things, and suddenly she couldn't focus. Her primary care doctor sent her to a psychiatrist. Instead, she went to STAT Wellness, ran a hormone panel, and found out she was in perimenopause. Nutrients, hormone replacement, a cleaner diet, and the brain fog was gone. No stimulant.

She's a Doctor of Nursing Practice, family nurse practitioner, personal trainer, and founder of the nation's first functional medicine and movement practice, with eight locations across Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and two more coming by year's end. While everyone else scales telehealth, she's scaling brick and mortar. Her reason is simple: she wants to hug her patients at checkout.

In this live session with Bart Berkey, Kristin talks about the "peace bubble" that keeps her steady while running three kids and ten locations, why her intake goes all the way back to her patient's mother's pregnancy, and the quote that named her podcast and her whole philosophy: little by little becomes a lot.

Key Takeaways

1. Keep the peace bubble. Kristin's answer to "what do you do that most people don't" wasn't about business. It was internal harmony. Three kids, ten locations coming, constant fires, and she stays aligned through breathing and a deliberate practice she calls her peace bubble. The external chaos is survivable because the internal state isn't.

2. Scale the hug, not the app. Everyone is scaling tech and telehealth platforms. Kristin is scaling brick and mortar, on purpose, at 1,000%. She wants to meet her patients, hug them at checkout, and be their third space, the place that's neither work nor home. In a world optimizing for frictionless, she's optimizing for presence.

This episode features Kristin Oja, Founder of STAT Wellness and host of the Little By Podcast. STAT Wellness offers telemedicine nationwide and complimentary 15-minute consultations. Learn more at www.statwellness.com, and connect with Kristin through the Little By Podcast.

EPISODE SUMMARY

Bart reconnects with one of his earliest podcast guests, Gail Lowney Alofsin, speaker, author, URI professor, and founder of Leadership at All Levels, for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like two old friends solving the world's problems over coffee.

Gail shares how a childhood of intentional giving, literacy volunteering at 17, and decades of mission work in Haiti shaped her philosophy of abundance: giving freely without expecting anything in return. She and Bart unpack the difference between customer service (what you do for people) and customer experience (how people feel because of you), and Gail introduces her "Black Napkin Theory," a quietly powerful story about a server who noticed what you were wearing before you even sat down.

The conversation moves through resilience, dealing with difficult people, the power of using someone's name, and what it means to notice, anticipate, and over-deliver, not just in hospitality, but in everyday life. Bart shares stories of gratitude stones, United flight attendant Nick Pino, and playing the "how many people can we help right now?" game in a coffee shop line. This episode is a masterclass in Humanality, and proof that small, intentional acts of seeing people can change the room.

KEY TAKAWAYS

• The Black Napkin Theory. A great experience is never announced. It is felt. When a server silently swaps your white napkin for a black one because you are wearing dark pants, no words are needed. That is the standard. What is your black napkin moment?
• Customer service vs. customer experience. Service is what you do for people. Experience is how people feel because of you. Know the difference and train for both.
• Use their name. Names are free. They are the cheapest, most powerful way to make someone feel seen. If someone gives you their name, hand it back.
• Abundance is a practice. Gail has given introductions, leads, and opportunities freely since day one, not because she expected anything back, but because she genuinely believes in people. Abundance taught early becomes a lifelong reflex.
• Bless and release. Difficult people, bad managers, arrogant behavior. Gail's answer is always the same: let them vent, stay grounded, and release it. Do not leave your good job because of one bad season.
• Four touchpoints by 10am. Want to build a human culture? Start small. Know the name of the person cleaning the floor. Ask the overnight front desk staff how their night was. Four meaningful human moments before the workday starts sets the tone for everything after.
• Notice, anticipate, over-deliver. It is not a hospitality strategy. It is a human one. Anyone, anywhere, can play the game: look around and ask "who could I help right now?"

Learn more about Gail Lowney Alofsin and her work at gail@gailspeaks.com and connect with Gail Lowney Alofsin on LinkedIn. To learn more about her book Your Sunday Is Now: What Are You Waiting For? reach out directly at gail@gailspeaks.com.

Candice built her framework the hard way. After a stroke and brain hemorrhage in 2018 rerouted a decades-long corporate finance career, she gave herself the "graceful pause" to ask where she really wanted to go, and discovered her true gift wasn't the numbers, but being a bridge and connector of relationships.

Out of that came ACE: Align your strategy and structure, Connect to the right systems and people, and Expand intentionally. As she puts it, even a great cup of coffee is useless without a container to hold it.

Together they get into relationship capital most people never optimize, why you should be "more interested than interesting," and the mindset shift that changes everything: stop checking boxes and start experiencing life.

What you'll take away:

1. Alignment before achievement. Most people try to perform their way to growth. Get clear on who you are and what uniquely makes you a blessing to others first, the authentic results follow.

2. Be interested, not interesting. Relationship capital is built in the moment. Lead with "How can I help you?" and let the connection evolve organically instead of pitching.

3. Structure holds the vision. Opportunities mean nothing without the systems and container to support them. Align the team, then connect strategically.

4. Bring in a mirror. You can't see your own "spinach in the teeth." A trusted accountability partner, internal or external, sees what you can't. Refusing feedback is why many businesses stall.

5. Check your patterns. Be a continual learner: pause, read the landscape, spot the pattern, and only make moves that open the next door.

6. Go through, not around. Every challenge, even a horrific culture or a health crisis, is a place to learn. You don't have to agree with how you're treated to grow from it.

7. Stop checking boxes. Living is checking boxes. Experiencing life is staying agile when you end up on a road you never planned to walk.

Most people don't realize authentic growth starts with alignment, not achievement. Our listeners do.

🎧 Guest: Candice Gaddy, Allegiant Commercial Expert LLC

🔗 More: https://mostpeopledont.com

📍 Connect with Candice Nicholson-Gaddy on LinkedIn and subscribe to her newsletter, The Strategic Growth Architect, where she teaches leaders how to align strategically, connect to the right opportunities and systems, and expand their impact through the ACE framework.

What if treating people like humans, not transactions, was your biggest business advantage?

Bart Berkey welcomes back his friend Kelly Bishop, Senior Director of Experiential Strategy & Organizational Engagement at Blood Centers of America, for a heartfelt conversation recorded live in Los Angeles. Kelly is one of the few guests Bart has ever invited back, and this episode is equal parts friendship and masterclass in human-centered leadership.

Together they explore the abundance mindset, why being genuinely happy for others is rare and powerful, and "humanality," Bart's term for making people feel cared for, valued, and seen, rather than processed, managed, or ignored. They dig into why so many experiences have become transactional, why a manager isn't always a leader, and why kindness absolutely moves the bottom line. The episode closes on something bigger than business: the "generosity crisis" and the blood shortage where one in three people will be affected.

What you'll take away:

• Abundance over envy. Being genuinely happy for others is a choice that lets you give instead of compete.
• Humanality defined: making people feel cared for, valued, and seen. "Emotional intelligence on steroids."
• The signs of people who truly care: they look you in the eye, they listen, and they don't interrupt to make it about themselves.
• A manager isn't a leader. We promote too many people who were never built to lead, and teams suffer for it.
• Kindness pays. Engaged people deliver better service, higher satisfaction, and more referrals.
• Help someone else win and you win too.
• Most people don't stop. Stop and look. Stop and ask, "Are you okay?"

Timestamps:
00:00 Abundance and being happy for others
02:00 Spotting people who truly care
04:00 Defining "humanality"
06:00 The generosity crisis
07:00 Managers vs. true leaders
09:00 The watered-down soup lesson
11:00 Kelly's role at Blood Centers of America
17:00 "60 Seconds of BCA" on the trade show floor
19:00 The blood shortage and the power of stories
21:00 "Most people don't..." Kelly fills in the blank

Learn more about Blood Centers of America at bca.coop and connect with Kelly Bishop on LinkedIn.

Most people see opportunity and hesitate. Nik Agharkar sees it and jumps - even when the timing looks insane. In this episode, Bart sits down with the founder and CEO of Crown Point Tax & Wealth Council, a tax attorney who quit his job with a three-month-old at home, built 122 clients in nine months entirely alone, and eventually discovered that the real gap in the market wasn't just tax strategy - it was someone who actually cared enough to explain it.

Nik unpacks the business philosophy he built Crown Point around: client first, always. Not as a slogan, but as a system - every process engineered from the client's perspective, every call returned even when the news is bad, every strategy explained so thoroughly that clients never wonder why they're doing something. He traces that ethos back to law school, to a fiduciary duty he took seriously when others didn't, and ultimately to his parents, who instilled a simple principle that stayed with him: think about the next person in the room.

The conversation deepens when Bart asks Nik about what he's learned from working with the ultra-wealthy. Nik introduces the concept of "resulting" - the mistake of judging a decision by its outcome rather than its process, and warns that many people who rode the wave of a hot industry confused luck with skill. Then he flips it: for the person doing everything right but not yet seeing the financial results, his message is equally clear. Time is undefeated. Keep going. Consistency is the strategy.

The episode closes on something rare, a conversation about identity, manifestation, and the inner voice. Nik challenges listeners to stop borrowing their parents' programming and start asking what they actually want. His version of manifestation isn't about timelines or vision boards; it's about identity. Who are you? What does that person's life feel like? And are you willing to believe, especially when the evidence disagrees, that you are the kind of person things always work out for? Most people don't believe that. Nik does. And it shows.

Key Takeaways

1. See the canoe. Get in the canoe. Nik's signature move is taking action when others hesitate. Opportunity doesn't wait - and most people let it pass by waiting for perfect conditions.

2. Client first isn't a value - it's an engineering principle. Like Apple designing the iPod from the user's perspective out, Crown Point builds every process, every touchpoint, and every communication strategy around what the client needs - not what's easiest for the firm.

3. The inner voice was programmed by someone else. Reclaiming your own thoughts, separate from your parents', your culture's, your industry's -is the work that leads to a life that's actually yours.

For more information, contact nik@crownepointtax.com or www.crownepointtax.com

EPISODE SUMMARY

For 18 years, Shawn Walchef has run Cali BBQ in San Diego -three restaurant locations including a spot at Snapdragon Stadium and the local Navy base. But the story most people know isn't about brisket and peach cobbler. It's about the media company he built on top of his barbecue business after he sent a press release to 14 San Diego writers celebrating Cali BBQ's five-year anniversary and got zero replies. Crickets.

That moment was the pivot. Shawn stopped waiting for legacy media to tell his story, started telling it himself, and 13 years later runs Cali BBQ Media - producer of 15 different shows including Digital Hospitality (nine years running) and Restaurant Influencers (with Entrepreneur Magazine), with brand partners that include Toast, Pepsi, US Foods, Amazon, and Google.

In this conversation, Shawn and Bart dig into the courage it takes to look stupid on the internet, the "digital flash mob" metaphor for building an audience from zero, the grandfather lessons that shaped everything (stay curious, get involved, ask for help), why every business - yours included - is secretly in the hospitality business, and the truth that took Shawn five years to learn: no one is coming. If you build it, they will NOT come. The Field of Dreams is the biggest lie ever told to entrepreneurs.

You'll also hear Bart's story about Storyville Coffee in Seattle - the $13 coffee where someone's entire job is bringing water to seated customers, and where they ask "What can we create for you today?" - and a tease about Bart's personal "humanality" framework for inserting human kindness into transactional moments.

If you've been waiting for the perfect moment to start telling your story, or thinking "no one would care anyway" - this is the episode.

Most people pick a lane. Jesse Sieff built a whole intersection.

He's a Pittsburgh-raised classical percussionist who taught himself piano at age six, trained for the 2008 Beijing Olympics in gymnastics, earned a civil engineering degree, and spent five years studying music at Indiana University of Pennsylvania before driving down to Washington, DC, to audition for the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corps — "The Commandant's Own." He won the spot with a composition called Chopstakovich, which is currently the #1 best-selling snare solo in the world with over 700,000 YouTube views.

Four years active duty and two reserve years later, Jesse founded Sieff Studios in Annapolis, Maryland — a Veteran-owned media production firm built around a single question: "Who is the most important person in your ecosystem, and how do you need them to feel?"

In this conversation recorded live at Sieff Studios, Bart and Jesse dig into the non-linear path (engineering → music → Marines → entrepreneurship), the difference between drive as a push and drive as a pull, what 87 miles to Mount Everest Base Camp does to your relationship with control, the science of vibration and the Schumann frequency, and Jesse's philosophy for high-performers everywhere: the playful pursuit of perfection.

You'll also hear Bart's powerful Invisible Backpack exercise for releasing guilt about distant family, and Jesse's vision for using drum circles to rewire audience attention at keynote events.

If you've ever made a radical career pivot, struggled with perfectionism, or felt like you were watching life from the audience instead of being on stage, this one's for you.

CHAPTERS:

00:30 Welcome to the Studio: Introducing Jesse Sieff of Sieff Studios

02:25 What Most People Don't Do: The Posture of a Student

04:45 Pittsburgh Roots: How Music Found Jesse First

08:52 Hearing the World Differently: How Musicians Perceive Sound

11:37 "Chopstakovich": The World's #1 Snare Solo and a YouTube Phenomenon

14:06 From Drum Corps to the Marines: Auditioning for The Commandant's Own

18:34 Olympic Gymnastics Training and the Physical Test of Boot Camp

20:00 Ambassadors in Uniform: Representing the Marines Around the World

21:44 What Really Drives a Polymath: Pull vs. Push and the Growth Mindset

25:47 87 Miles to Everest Base Camp: Fear, Altitude, and Transformation

31:40 The Invisible Backpack: Letting Go of Guilt and Doing Your Best

37:56 The Playful Pursuit of Perfection: A Philosophy for High Achievers

42:43 What Is Sieff Studios? Feeling Through Media and the Humanality Framework

46:08 Who Sieff Studios Serves: High-Trust B2B and Why Authenticity Beats Credentials

52:42 Drum Circles as a Business Tool: Jesse's Vision for Keynotes That Rewire the Brain

CONNECT WITH JESSE SIEFF:

Sieff Studios: https://sieffstudios.com

Jesse on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jesse_sieff

Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessesieff

"Chopstakovich" snare solo: Search "Chopstakovich Jesse Sieff" on YouTube

CONNECT WITH BART BERKEY & THE PODCAST:

Most People Don't... But YOU Do!

Email: bart@mostpeopledont.com

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And if you'd like to be a guest or know someone who would, reach out — we'd love to keep these conversations going.

#MostPeopleDontButYouDo #JesseSieff #SieffStudios #Podcast #Leadership #Music #Marines #Everest #Perfectionism #Humanality

Most People Don't… But YOU Do! with Erik Meltzer

Bart sits down face to face with Erik Meltzer in a community room in Old Town Alexandria for a conversation that starts with an unusual career path and keeps opening into something deeper. Erik traces his journey from a kid who talked his way into covering President Clinton at age 14, through journalism school and TV news, to writing newscasts for a dissident Chinese station that was literally saving lives, to a dozen years training TV stations around the world, and finally into entrepreneurship: blockchain-backed real estate through Plutus Properties and a heart-centered networking group called The Salon Circle.

The thread running through all of it is curiosity, and Erik is refreshingly clear about where his comes from. A hard childhood led him at fifteen to find a free meditation practice he has now kept for 26 years, one that reshaped how he handles adversity. That sets up the heart of the episode: a shared belief that every hardship, good or bad, is raw material for becoming better.

Bart and Erik trade stories on mindset, the mentors and friends they both learn from, why most people never ask a single question about anyone else, and what it actually takes to be a connector who gives without keeping score. It is a warm, honest conversation about curiosity, humility, and the quiet power of making other people feel seen.

What you'll take away from this episode:

Curiosity is a muscle, not a personality trait. Being interested in others is intentional. Left on autopilot, everyone defaults to "me, me, me."

Disarming beats impressive. Erik gets access to remarkable people by being non-threatening, sincere, and genuinely uninterested in extracting anything. People feel safe, so they open up.

Every hardship is raw material. Gold gets forged through heat. The skill isn't avoiding hard times, it's shrinking them, taking it from minutes to moments.

"What do you do" is a weak opening. "Why do you do it" is the real one. The upgrade isn't avoiding the question, it's going one layer deeper.

Connecting is the strategy. Business and meaning both flow out of relationships, not the other way around.

Moments worth remembering:

"Being curious is an intentional behavior. If I am not being intentionally interested, then I will default back to me, me, me."

"People find me not terribly threatening, and I'm a pretty good listener. I don't really have anything that I'm trying to gain from other people."

"Everything that happens in life, whether it be good or bad, is a good thing, because it can lead to self-improvement."

"It's not 'will I never be upset?' It's, can I turn it from minutes to moments?"

"It's okay to know what people do for a living. Where it gets real is, tell me more about why you do what you do."

Connect with Erik Meltzer:

Instagram: @theerikmeltzerLinkedIn: Erik MeltzerThe Salon Circle: joinsaloncircle.com

Connect with Bart and the show:

If this episode resonated with you, do three things. Follow the show so you never miss an episode. Share it with one person who needs the reminder that curiosity and connection change everything. And leave a rating and review, it helps more people find these conversations.

Learn more about Bart's keynotes, training, and book at mostpeopledont.com.

A Kitchen With a Mission; Waioli Kitchen and Bake Shop

Ross Anderson — Co-founder

Restaurant veteran of 30+ years (formerly ran Hawaii's largest restaurant company). Now leads a mission-driven cafe on the Salvation Army property in Manoa that hires women coming out of the prison system. Co-founded with his wife Stephanie, a pastor who served at the women's prison.

The One-Sentence Story

A seasoned hospitality leader thought he could fix lives with checklists and tight supervision — then discovered that the real transformation only began when he stopped trying to give the women jobs and started helping them become who they were created to be.

The Big Idea

Relationship over Transaction. Waioli's entire model is built on the premise that human beings heal in community, not in process. Ross and Stephanie set out to open a restaurant on a mission — and discovered that mission only worked when they put the person before the program.

Story → Insight → Application

The Story

Stephanie volunteered at the women's prison and watched the same painful loop repeat itself: women who thrived inside the walls would walk out the gate, fall back into broken relationships, and return. Recidivism was staggering. She told Ross, "We can do better."

In 2018 they opened Waioli Kitchen and Bake Shop on Salvation Army property — alcohol-free by design ("My restaurant friends said don't do it, you're losing your big profit driver"). They expected to do what Ross had always done: hire, train, supervise, repeat. The first three years their recidivism rate was nearly 80%.

Then COVID hit. The neighborhood rallied around them. They stayed open. And on the other side of it, Ross changed the entire approach — from teaching women a trade to helping them discover their identity. For the last three years, recidivism has been zero.

The Insight

Most well-meaning programs try to fix people with systems. What actually changes a life is being seen — by a boss, a coworker, a customer, a community. Ross stopped running a restaurant that helped women and started running a community that happened to serve breakfast.

The Application

Lead with why, not with process. Ross opened by saying, "We're a restaurant on a mission." The mission is the product; the food is the proof.

Replace checklists with conversation. The pre-shift huddle is now 15–20 minutes of reading and discussing scripture together — not because every business should do that, but because the principle holds: invest in the person before you deploy the worker.

Make people visible to one another. Customers now know the staff by name, ask about their kids, celebrate their milestones. Visibility is the antidote to invisibility.

Be willing to throw out what worked before. Ross's 30 years of restaurant expertise didn't change these women's lives. Letting go of "what I know" was the unlock.

Memorable Quotes

"We're a restaurant on a mission."

"Anybody can — you give me a dollar, I give you a donut, and we're on our way. But now we're starting to have relationship. And that's what it is."

"It takes a community to heal the community."

"It's harder than getting something to go viral. It's harder than getting a bunch of clicks — but it matters, and it's gonna last when the next shiny penny shows up."

"We started focusing on helping them be who they were meant to be, rather than trying to get them to go into their next career."

"Our first three years our recidivism rate was almost 80%. For the last three years it's been zero."

Connection to Humanality

Ross is a living case study for humanality — making people feel cared for, valued, and seen in a world that defaults to transactional. He named it without using the word:

"Most of the girls that come out of prison are invisible to this neighborhood. They would walk right by them, not even see them. But now they've become visible to each other."

Instagram: @waiolikitchen

Facebook: Waioli Kitchen & Bake Shop

#waiolikitchenandbakeshop

Website: waiolikitchen.com

The Generosity Crisis — with Mike Parejko & Benjamin Prijatel

Most People Don’t… But YOU Do!  |  Episode #228 recorded live at the Blood Centers of America Annual Conference, Universal City  |  Released: May 2026

What happens when 97% of the country opts out of an act that takes 40 minutes and saves three lives? Two blood center CEOs name the real shortage — and it isn’t blood. It’s generosity.

Recorded live at the Blood Centers of America annual conference in Universal City, Bart sits down with Mike Parejko (CEO, ImpactLife) and Benjamin Prijatel (CEO, Shepeard Community Blood Center, Augusta, GA) to unpack what most people don’t know about the blood supply that quietly props up American healthcare. Only 3% of the population donates blood — and just 1% of that 3% provides the type-specific products needed for pre-hospital trauma transfusions. May, Mike notes, is the kickoff of “trauma season.”

Beyond the numbers, the conversation lands on something larger: what Mike calls “the generosity crisis.” More money is coming from fewer people. Devices distract us from the people in front of us. Younger donors are disappearing. But the path back is simple, and the guests offer the language and stories to walk it — Benjamin’s “force the choice,” Mike’s “you don’t have to, you get to,” and the story of an executive assistant who is alive today because strangers showed up. This episode turns a topic most people avoid into one they want to talk about at the dinner table.

• Most people don’t think about blood until they need it.

• Most people don’t write five handwritten thank-you notes a week to strangers.

• Most people don’t reframe obligation as privilege.

Mike and Benjamin do — and that’s why the system holds.

1. The generosity crisis is real. Only 3% of Americans donate blood, and the post-pandemic reset has shrunk that pool further. “More money from fewer people” is the trend across nonprofits — blood is no exception.

2. Trauma season starts in May. Warmer weather brings more accidents, more pre-hospital transfusions, and more demand for type-specific products that only 1% of donors can provide.

3. “Force the choice.” Benjamin spent eight years asking others to donate before he was eligible himself. The day the rules changed, he removed “choice” from the equation. Most action problems are really permission problems.

4. “You don’t have to — you get to.” Mike’s reframe to his college-aged kids becomes a tool any leader can borrow tonight: same task, same effort, completely different identity.

5. The path matters more than the pitch. Donatingblood.org. 40 minutes. No appointment. Walk in, walk out. People don’t refuse because they’re selfish — they refuse because no one ever asked, and no one ever showed them the path.

“There’s a little bit of what I would call a generosity crisis that we’re facing.”— Mike Parejko  |  [00:08:00]

“It wasn’t a choice. I had to do it. If people who are listening didn’t think it was a choice, they could do it, too.”— Benjamin Prijatel  |  [00:39:00]

“You don’t have to do that — you get to do that. That little spin on the words makes a big difference.”— Mike Parejko  |  [00:42:00]

Mike Parejko — President & CEO, ImpactLife (Iowa). Chair, Blood Centers of America. 40+ years in transfusion medicine.

Benjamin Prijatel — President/CEO, Shepeard Community Blood Center (Augusta, GA). Former journalist, AARP board member, 12 years in blood banking.

Guest contact details

Benjamin Prijatel — President/CEO, Shepeard Community Blood Center  |  bprijatel@shepeardblood.org  | 

Mike Parejko — President & CEO, ImpactLife  |  mparejko@impactlife.org  | 

In this energetic conversation, Bart sits down with Richard Dolan — investment banker, family office veteran, and trusted advisor to three former U.S. presidents, Oprah, Ellen, and a long list of athletes and artists including Juwan Howard, Drake, The Weeknd, and Ice Cube.

Richard explains how a chance moment sharing a stage with President Bill Clinton turned into a career advising icons not just on their money, but on what he calls "celebrity equity" — the often-overlooked value of name, image, and likeness. He unpacks why the people closest to the top need advisors who think beyond the balance sheet, and why his real superpower is being a futurist: helping legends and leaders "cause and create what comes next" when the game, the tour, or the spotlight ends.

The conversation then turns to a looming crisis Richard is determined to solve: a baby boomer turns 75 every seven seconds, with trillions of dollars in motion — yet there are only about 100,000 financial advisors for the more than two million people retiring each year. His mission now is building the next generation of financial thought leaders to fill those empty chairs.

When Bart asks the signature closing question, Richard's answer lands hard:

Most people don't forgive themselves, forgive others, or forgive life itself — and just roll with the punches.

The episode wraps with a genuine, heartfelt exchange of gratitude, including a Tiger Eye stone, a surprise on-camera endorsement from Richard, and a reminder that proximity to creators — not takers — shapes who you become.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Advising goes beyond money. True advisory includes brand, image, reputation, and long-term legacy.

Celebrity is equity. Name, image, and likeness are assets that must be managed like investments.

Success creates a new problem: “What’s next?” High performers often need guidance after their primary career peak.

Proximity shapes outcomes. The people around you influence your direction more than you realize.

Great advisors create the future. They don’t just react—they help design what comes next.

Listening is a strategic skill. Understanding both the person and their desired future is key to effective advising.

 Memorable Quotes

• “Experience is everything.”

• “What feels effortless is never accidental.”

• “Details create the difference.”

• “Execution is what separates good from great.”

• “Consistency builds trust"

In this mind-expanding and futuristic conversation, Bart sits down with Dr. Fernando de la Peña Yaka—visionary entrepreneur, aerospace innovator, and CEO of AEXA Aerospace—to explore how technology is redefining human connection. From enabling the first two-way holographic communication with astronauts aboard the International Space Station to building accessible holographic AI tools for everyday businesses, Dr. Fernando shares how imagination, belief, and focused thinking can turn impossible ideas into reality. This episode dives into space, artificial intelligence, quantum theory, and the future of human interaction—challenging listeners to think bigger, act faster, and embrace the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Imagination drives innovation. What you believe is possible shapes what you create.

Technology should be accessible. Breakthrough tools only matter if people can actually use them.

AI is a mirror, not a replacement. It amplifies your thinking, not replaces it.

Human connection still matters. Even in a tech-driven world, relationships remain foundational.

Focus changes outcomes. What you pay attention to—and believe in—can influence results.

Speed matters, but clarity matters more. Fast technology without purpose creates noise.

We have limited time—use it well. Thinking on a universal scale changes how you prioritize your life.

Adopt or fall behind. People who embrace new technology move forward; those who don’t get left behind.

Memorable Quotes

“We are just dust in the universe.”

“If you believe something will happen, you can make it happen.”

“AI will not replace you—someone using AI will.”

“Everything starts with a plan and belief.”

“We have a very small timeframe to do something meaningful.”

“Most people don’t try new technology.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode challenges how you think about the future—and your role in it. Dr. Fernando’s story proves that innovation doesn’t start with resources; it starts with belief, vision, and action. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about what’s next, the message is clear: the future belongs to those willing to adopt, adapt, and think beyond current limitations. By embracing new technology while staying grounded in human connection, you position yourself not just to keep up—but to lead.

In this sharp and thought-provoking conversation, Bart sits down with David Dean to explore how artificial intelligence is changing not just how we work but how we see ourselves at work. David argues that AI isn’t just a productivity tool; it’s a mirror that reflects our clarity, thinking, and decision-making. He explains why AI doesn’t fix bad processes or unclear thinking,it amplifies them. From prompting to problem-solving, this episode breaks down the real skill behind leveraging AI effectively: self-awareness. This conversation challenges listeners to rethink their relationship with technology and shows that the future of work belongs to those who think clearly, not just those who use tools quickly.

 Major Takeaways / Learnings

AI is a mirror, not a solution. It reflects the quality of your thinking and inputs.

Clarity is the real advantage. Better prompts come from better thinking, not better tools.

Garbage in, garbage out—faster. AI accelerates both good and bad processes.

AI doesn’t replace skill—it exposes gaps. Weak strategy and unclear direction become more obvious.

Thinking is the differentiator. The people who win with AI are those who understand problems deeply.

Tools don’t fix broken systems. AI can’t compensate for poor workflows or lack of direction.

Speed without clarity creates chaos. Faster output isn’t useful if it’s misaligned.

Self-awareness is a competitive edge. Understanding how you work improves how you use AI.

 Memorable Quotes

“AI is a mirror, it shows you how you actually think.”

“Better prompts come from better thinking.”

“Garbage in, garbage out, just faster now.”

“AI doesn’t fix bad system, it exposes them.”

“Speed without clarity is just noise.”

“The real skill isn’t using AI, it’s thinking clearly.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode reframes AI from a tool into a lens for self-improvement. David Dean’s perspective highlights a critical truth: technology doesn’t create excellence, it amplifies what’s already there. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, leader, or knowledge worker, the takeaway is clear: the better you think, the better AI performs. Instead of chasing tools, focus on clarity, structure, and understanding your own workflow. When you improve how you think, AI becomes exponentially more powerful, not because it changed, but because you did.

In this insightful conversation, Bart sits down with Dan Barnard, entrepreneur, investor, and host of the Capital Fit podcast, to explore what it really means to build a life that matters.

Dan shares how early challenges shaped his deep sense of empathy and responsibility, and how that mindset carried into a successful career in wealth management. Despite professional success, he chose to step away and pursue a more meaningful path focused on health, innovation, and impact.

Today, through his work with startups, med-tech ventures, and Capital Fit, Dan focuses on helping build businesses that genuinely improve lives. This episode highlights a powerful truth. Real success is not just about achievement, but about connection, purpose, and the courage to evolve.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Caring is a competitive advantage. Genuine empathy builds stronger relationships and lasting impact.

Your past shapes your purpose. Difficult experiences can become the foundation of who you are.

Success without fulfillment feels incomplete. Achievement alone is not enough.

Identity can evolve. You are not limited to the role you have always played.

Health is non-negotiable. Stress and imbalance will eventually force change.

Surrounding yourself with the right people changes everything. Mindset attracts alignment.

Memorable Quotes

“I care. I really do care.”

“You can either face challenges or let them define you.”

“I became the glue that held everything together.”

“Success without fulfillment is fleeting.”

“Most people don’t follow through.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a powerful reminder that success is not just about what you build, but who you become in the process. Dan Barnard’s journey shows that caring deeply, even in high-performance environments, is not a weakness. It is a strength that sets you apart.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, investor, or someone navigating a life transition, the lesson is clear. You can reinvent yourself at any stage. You can choose meaning over comfort. And you can build a life centered on impact rather than just achievement.

If you want to apply this, start simple. Follow through on what you say. Invest in relationships. Stay open to new directions. And most importantly, do not ignore the signals your life is giving you when it is time to change.

Learn More / Connect

To explore more of Dan Barnard’s work and listen to his podcast at [Capital Fit ]

In this practical and eye-opening conversation, Bart sits down with Dr. Grant Elliott, founder of RehabFix and expert in physical therapy and performance training, to challenge the way most people think about pain, injury, and recovery. Dr. Elliott explains why traditional approaches often focus on short-term relief instead of long-term solutions, and how that keeps people stuck in cycles of pain. Drawing from his experience working with clients and building RehabFix, he shares a more effective approach based on identifying root causes, building strength, and restoring proper movement. This episode reframes rehab as more than recovery. It is about creating a stronger and more resilient body for the long term.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Pain is a signal, not the problem. Treating symptoms without addressing the root cause leads to recurring issues.

Quick fixes create long-term problems. Temporary relief often delays real recovery.

Movement quality matters more than intensity. How you move determines how your body performs and heals.

Strength is protection. Building strength reduces the likelihood of future injuries.

Rehab is proactive, not reactive. The best approach prevents problems before they start.

Consistency beats intensity. Sustainable progress comes from small, repeated efforts over time.

Education empowers recovery. Understanding your body leads to better decisions and outcomes.

Ownership is key. Long-term results require active participation, not passive treatment.

 Memorable Quotes

“Fix the root, not the symptom.”

“Pain is information.”

“Quick fixes keep you stuck.”

“Strength is the best insurance policy.”

“Your body adapts to what you consistently do.”

“Recovery requires ownership.”

 Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a must-listen for anyone dealing with pain, injury, or performance limitations. Dr. Grant Elliott’s approach challenges the common reliance on temporary relief and instead focuses on building long-term resilience. Whether you’re an athlete, entrepreneur, or someone trying to stay healthy and active, the lesson is clear: sustainable results come from addressing root causes, staying consistent, and taking ownership of your body. When you shift from reactive fixes to proactive strength and movement, you don’t just recover—you improve.

In this honest and insightful conversation, Bart sits down with Alli Covington, Co-Founder and CEO of BOD Care, to explore the intersection of wellness, performance, and entrepreneurship. Alli shares her journey from recognizing gaps in traditional self-care to building a company designed to support high-performing individuals in sustainable ways. She speaks openly about burnout, the pressure to constantly produce, and the importance of listening to your body before it forces you to stop. This episode reframes wellness not as a luxury but as a necessity, highlighting why taking care of yourself is one of the most important investments you can make.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Wellness is foundational, not optional. High performance cannot be sustained without taking care of your physical and mental health.

Burnout does not happen overnight. It builds gradually when signals from your body are ignored.

Self-care is often misunderstood. It is not indulgence, it is maintenance and longevity.

Listening to your body is a skill. Awareness helps prevent breakdowns before they happen.

Entrepreneurship requires energy management. Success depends on how well you sustain yourself, not just how hard you push.

Preventative care is more effective than reactive care. Addressing issues early leads to better long-term outcomes.

Consistency in small habits matters. Daily practices compound into long-term well-being.

Helping others starts with helping yourself. You cannot support others effectively if you are depleted.

Memorable Quotes

“You cannot pour from an empty cup.”
“Your body will tell you what it needs, if you are willing to listen.”
“Self-care is not selfish, it is necessary.”
“Burnout is built, not sudden.”
“You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else.”
“Wellness is the foundation of performance.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode serves as a wake-up call for anyone pushing hard without paying attention to their well-being. Alli Covington’s perspective challenges the idea that success requires constant sacrifice and instead reframes it as something that must be supported by intentional care.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, leader, or high performer, the message is clear. Your energy, health, and awareness are your greatest assets. By prioritizing wellness, listening to your body, and building sustainable habits, you create a foundation for long-term success rather than short-term output.

For more information, you can explore Alli Covington’s work here:
[https://www.linkedin.com/company/bodcare/]

For professional inquiries or contact:
[linkedin.com/in/alli-covington-bod]

In this powerful and perspective-shifting conversation, Bart sits down with Dr. Shawn Dill, entrepreneur, speaker, and expert in business growth and personal branding, to explore why most people struggle to stand out and what truly drives success. Dr. Dill explains the critical difference between selling a service and selling yourself, emphasizing that trust, connection, and personal positioning are what influence decisions. Drawing from his experience building businesses and helping others grow, he highlights that people do not buy based on features. They buy based on belief. This episode challenges conventional sales thinking and offers a clear roadmap for building authority, trust, and long-term success.

Major Takeaways/ Learning

People buy people, not products. Your personal brand and presence matter more than what you sell.

Selling services creates competition. Selling yourself creates differentiation. When you lead with who you are, you become irreplaceable.

Trust is the real currency. Without trust, even the best offer struggles to convert.

Positioning matters more than pitching. How people perceive you determines whether they listen.

Connection drives conversion. Relationships close deals more consistently than tactics.

Authenticity builds authority. Being real creates stronger and longer-lasting influence.

Consistency builds visibility and credibility. Showing up repeatedly compounds trust over time.

Your story is your advantage. Personal experiences and perspective set you apart in crowded markets.

Memorable Quotes

“Stop selling your service. Start selling yourself.”
“People don’t buy what you do. They buy who you are.”
“Trust is built before the transaction.”
“If you are replaceable, you are competing.”
“Connection will always outperform strategy.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to grow a business, build influence, or stand out in a crowded space. Dr. Shawn Dill’s message is simple but powerful. Success does not come from better tactics. It comes from stronger positioning and deeper relationships.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, salesperson, or leader, the takeaway is clear. Stop hiding behind what you offer and start showing people who you are. When you build trust, lead with authenticity, and invest in relationships, opportunities follow naturally and sustainably.

For more insights, you can explore Dr. Shawn Dill’s work on his official website:
[https://shawndill.com/]

For direct inquiries or professional contact:
[shawn@shawndill.com]

Major Takeaways / LearningsMemorable QuotesWhy It Matters / How to Use It

In this powerful and human-centered conversation, Bart sits down with Dr. Robert Piccinini, President of the American Osteopathic Association and practicing osteopathic psychiatrist, to explore what healthcare looks like when you truly treat the whole person. From a childhood moment caring for his father at age four to leading one of the largest medical associations in the country, Dr. Piccinini shares the values that shaped his journey: empathy, service, and responsibility. He explains how osteopathic medicine goes beyond symptoms to understand lifestyle, environment, and emotional well-being—and why helping patients help themselves is at the core of true healing. This episode blends leadership, medicine, and humanity into a conversation about what it really means to care.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Whole-person care changes outcomes. Treating lifestyle, environment, and mindset—not just symptoms—leads to better health.

• Healing isn’t always about medication. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from helping people change habits and perspectives.

• Purpose can start early. A simple childhood moment can shape a lifetime of service.

• Leadership is about responsibility. Dr. Piccinini views his role as leaving the profession better for the next generation.

• Service over self wins long-term. The osteopathic model prioritizes patients over profit.

• Mental health requires balance. Even physicians must “charge their batteries” to care for others effectively.

• Worry is natural — paralysis is not. Managing uncertainty starts with small, intentional actions.

• Awareness is a leadership skill. “Reading the room” is essential for effective leadership and human connection.

Memorable Quotes

“Most people don’t read the room.”

“It’s not always about adding a medication — it’s about helping the person help themselves.”

“Treat the whole person, not just the symptom.”

“Start each day with a grateful heart.”

“If not me, then who?”

“Worry isn’t unhealthy — paralysis is.”

 Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a reminder that the best leadership—whether in healthcare, business, or life—starts with understanding people deeply. Dr. Piccinini’s approach challenges the transactional mindset that dominates many industries and replaces it with something more powerful: care, awareness, and responsibility. Whether you’re leading a team, supporting others, or navigating your own challenges, the lesson is clear: real impact comes from seeing the full picture, not just the surface. When you treat people as whole individuals—and stay aware of the “room” you’re in—you create better outcomes for everyone.

In this deeply philosophical and eye‑opening conversation, Bart sits down with Blaine Bartlett, leadership expert, executive coach, and author, to explore identity, purpose, and what it truly means to live an aligned life. Blaine challenges conventional definitions of success, arguing that most people don’t fail — they drift, slowly losing connection with who they really are. Through powerful insights on relationships, awareness, and internal alignment, he reframes leadership as something that starts within. This episode is a thought‑provoking exploration of how external achievements can pull us away from ourselves — and how awareness is the key to finding our way back.

💡 Major Takeaways / Learnings

Drifting is the real danger. Most people don’t consciously choose the wrong path — they slowly lose alignment over time.

Success is internal, not external. True success comes from expressing who you are, not achieving external milestones.

Identity gets layered over time. Society, expectations, and experiences shape us — but they can also disconnect us from our core self.

Everything is a relationship. Your life is shaped by your relationship with work, people, habits, and yourself.

Awareness is the path back. The key to realignment is noticing where you’ve drifted and why.

External validation creates misalignment. Chasing titles, money, and perception often pulls people further from themselves.

Leadership starts within. You can’t lead others effectively if you’re disconnected from yourself.

Presence matters more than performance. Being aware and intentional creates deeper impact than simply doing more.

💬 Memorable Quotes

“Most people aren’t lost — they’re drifting.”

“Success has nothing to do with external things.”

“Everything is a relationship.”

“We’re given a ticket that says ‘Admit one’ — and no instructions.”

“The problem isn’t failure — it’s forgetting who you are.”

 Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a powerful reset for anyone who feels successful on paper but disconnected in reality. Blaine Bartlett’s perspective challenges listeners to rethink how they define success and encourages a deeper level of self-awareness. Whether you’re leading a team, building a career, or simply trying to live more intentionally, this conversation offers a critical insight: the greatest risk isn’t failure — it’s drifting away from who you truly are. By focusing on awareness, relationships, and internal alignment, listeners can reconnect with purpose and lead more meaningful, grounded lives.

Bart reconnects with childhood friend John Cline, whose path took him from a small Pennsylvania town to the U.S. Navy and into a 27-year career with the Cleveland Police Department, including years working narcotics during the height of the heroin epidemic.

Their conversation moves far beyond resumes and roles. John shares what it was like growing up labeled with a learning disability, only to later realize he simply learned differently. That early challenge became a foundation for resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to keep moving forward when things weren’t clear.

His time in the military provided structure, stability, and the first sense of being truly taken care of. It also taught him lessons he wishes he had embraced more fully in the moment - especially the importance of being present and not wasting opportunities.

As the conversation shifts into his law enforcement career, John offers an honest look at the realities of working narcotics. He describes the emotional toll of seeing addiction up close, the blurred line between victim and suspect, and the weight of experiences that don’t simply go away when the job ends.

Despite the intensity of what he witnessed, John reflects on the importance of empathy, relationships, and doing the job with purpose. He shares moments where small actions made a difference, even when outcomes weren’t always what he hoped for.

One of the most powerful themes in the conversation is what John calls the “gray haze” - the uncertainty, pressure, and complexity that can surround life and work. His perspective is simple but impactful: when you can’t see clearly, you keep moving forward anyway, one step at a time.

The episode closes with a reminder that aligns perfectly with the spirit of the show:

Most people don’t realize one conversation can change someone’s life - but it can.

John's book comes out Summer 2026. In the meantime, connect with him: https://www.facebook.com/jaycee5005/about and email him at jcline740@icloud.com to get advance details about the book, "Gray Haze".

Most People Don't...But YOU DO!

In this thoughtful and practical conversation, Bart sits down with Matt Marcial, CEO of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), to explore leadership, professional growth, and the power of listening. Matt shares his journey from working the front desk in hospitality to leading one of the world’s largest professional organizations for communicators. Along the way, he reflects on lessons learned from both great and difficult leaders, the importance of business acumen, and why servant leadership remains the most effective leadership model. Matt explains how curiosity, discipline, and a commitment to serving others shaped his career and why the best leaders don’t blame the past; they take ownership of the future.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Leadership starts with listening. The ability to truly hear stakeholders is one of the most powerful leadership skills.

• Career growth comes from curiosity. Matt’s path evolved by continually asking questions and exploring new opportunities.

• Servant leadership builds stronger organizations. Leaders succeed when they focus on supporting their teams and members.

• Professional development is a personal responsibility. Individuals must own their own growth and skill development.

• Business acumen matters in every role. Understanding how organizations operate helps professionals earn a seat at the table.

• Storytelling drives communication. Authentic, emotional stories connect more effectively than facts alone.

• Relationships fuel leadership success. Strong professional relationships enable progress and collaboration.

• Great leaders own inherited challenges. Instead of blaming predecessors, effective leaders take responsibility and improve the system.

Memorable Quotes

Bart sits down with Curt Baney and his son Hayden — the leaders behind Oxford Collection — and what unfolds isn’t just a business story. It’s a story about learning from your dad, building something together, and believing there are no limits.

Curt shares how his father started building motels decades ago — and how construction turned into a hospitality brand across the West Coast. Hayden talks about growing up on a ranch, becoming a pilot at a young age, and sitting in his dad’s office every day just listening and learning.

They talk about:

• Why they give away breakfast

• Why hospitality still needs human connection

• Why discomfort is part of growth

• And why they’re still doing this… because it’s fun

It’s simple. It’s honest. And it’s a reminder that business is really about people.

Major Takeaways

• Growth feels uncomfortable — but it’s worth it.

• There aren’t real limits… only the ones we believe in.

• Family businesses work when there’s trust.

In this sharp and practical episode, Bart sits down with Brenton Nickles, founder of JDS1 Marketing, to break down what actually works in modern marketing — and what doesn’t. Brent shares his journey from traditional marketing roles to building his own agency, helping businesses clarify their message, strengthen their brand, and execute consistently. He explains why most marketing efforts fail (lack of strategy, impatience, inconsistency), how attention is earned through value, and why long‑term positioning always beats short‑term tactics. This conversation cuts through the noise and offers a grounded, disciplined approach to marketing that leaders and entrepreneurs can immediately apply.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Marketing is not a one‑time campaign — it’s a system. Sustainable growth requires consistency.

Clarity beats creativity. If people don’t understand what you do, clever branding won’t save you.

Most businesses quit too early. Results compound over time — not overnight.

Strategy must come before tactics. Posting content without direction wastes energy.

Attention is currency. You earn it by solving real problems, not by being loud.

Brand is built through repetition. Showing up consistently builds trust.

Measure what matters. Data should inform decisions, not overwhelm them.

Positioning determines growth. When you clearly define who you serve and how, momentum follows.

Memorable Quotes

“Marketing isn’t magic — it’s discipline.”

“Clarity always beats clever.”

“If you’re not consistent, you’re invisible.”

“Strategy first. Tactics second.”

“Attention has to be earned.”

“You don’t build trust in a week.”

 Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a reality check for entrepreneurs, leaders, and marketers who want results without the hype. Brent Nickles reinforces that growth doesn’t come from chasing trends — it comes from clarity, discipline, and long‑term commitment. If you’re frustrated by inconsistent results or overwhelmed by marketing options, this conversation offers a practical framework: define your strategy, commit to consistency, measure progress, and play the long game. Success in marketing — like success in leadership — is rarely flashy. It’s built through disciplined repetition and clear positioning.

Connect with Brenton over LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brenton-david-nickles/

In this forward‑thinking conversation, Bart sits down with our newest Alliants friends; Tristan Gadsby (CEO/Co-Founder) and Gareth Fraser (VP of Sales & Marketing Operations), to explore how technology is reshaping customer experience — particularly in hospitality and luxury service environments. What began as a frustration with outdated, fragmented service systems evolved into a mission: create seamless, intelligent platforms that remove friction without removing humanity. Tristan and Gareth share how Alliants partners with some of the world’s most respected brands to unify communication, streamline operations, and elevate the guest experience. This episode dives into AI, messaging, service culture, and why the future of customer experience isn’t louder  it’s smoother.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Friction kills loyalty. Modern customers expect seamless communication across every channel.

Technology should amplify humanity, not replace it. The goal isn’t automation — it’s better service.

Messaging is the new front desk. Guests increasingly prefer digital communication over traditional calls.

Unification beats fragmentation. Disconnected systems create chaos for both customers and employees.

AI works best behind the scenes. Invisible intelligence supports staff rather than replacing them.

Luxury today means effortlessness. The highest standard of service is making complexity feel simple.

Operational clarity drives guest satisfaction. Empowered teams deliver better experiences.

Innovation requires courage. Challenging traditional service models isn’t comfortable — but it’s necessary.

Memorable Quotes:

“Technology should feel human.”

“Friction is the enemy of loyalty.”

“The best service is invisible.”

“AI should empower people, not replace them.”

“Luxury is about removing effort.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode challenges leaders to rethink how technology fits into service. Tristan and Gareth show that innovation isn’t about replacing people — it’s about freeing them to deliver better experiences. Whether you operate in hospitality, lead a customer‑facing team, or are navigating digital transformation, this conversation offers a clear lens: eliminate friction, unify systems, and design experiences that feel effortless. In a world of rising expectations, seamless service isn’t a bonus — it’s the baseline.

More about Alliants here: https://www.alliants.com/

Connect with Tristan here: Tristan Gadsby | LinkedInConnect with Gareth Fraser here:

Gareth Fraser | LinkedIn

In this thoughtful and inspiring episode, Bart sits down with Lisa Burch, founder of YTT Design Solutions, a woman‑owned civil and geotechnical engineering firm headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Lisa shares her journey from a technically curious kid fascinated by drafting and problem‑solving, to becoming a civil engineer dedicated to building infrastructure that quietly supports everyday life. She opens up about the personal challenges that led her to start her own company, the meaning behind YTT (“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”), and why community, stewardship, and long‑term thinking drive every decision she makes. This conversation reveals the unseen work that keeps communities functioning and the mindset required to build something that lasts.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Engineering is problem‑solving at scale. Civil engineers use math and science to make communities safer, healthier, and more functional.
• Great infrastructure is invisible. If it’s done right, people never notice — until something goes wrong.
• Careers can start with curiosity. Early interests in drafting, Legos, and building often signal engineering potential.
• Entrepreneurship isn’t always planned. Lisa started her firm during a period of personal upheaval, choosing action over fear.
• Speed and adaptability matter. Small, nimble organizations can innovate faster than large, rigid ones.
• Community creates purpose. Lisa’s work is deeply rooted in serving Cedar Rapids and the people who call it home.
• Trust beats marketing. Long‑term client relationships and word‑of‑mouth fuel sustainable growth.
• Design for the future. Stewardship means building infrastructure that serves generations, not just today’s needs.

Memorable Quotes

“Engineering is solving problems.”

“If I do my job right, you’ll never know I was there.”

“I bury most of my best work underground.”

“You can do anything — you just have to take the first step.”

“Yesterday, today, and tomorrow guide every decision we make.”

“Community is everything.”

 Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode highlights the quiet leadership behind the systems we rely on every day. Lisa Burch’s story reminds listeners that meaningful impact doesn’t always come with recognition often, it comes from care, discipline, and long‑term thinking. For entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone facing uncertainty, her journey shows how resilience, service, and commitment to community can turn challenges into purpose. Whether you’re building a business, raising a family, or shaping a city, this conversation offers a powerful reminder: the work that matters most is often the work no one sees.

In this deeply human and inspiring conversation, Bart sits down with Dr. Eric Fishon — author, educator, disability advocate, and nonprofit leader — to explore the lived reality of unseen disabilities and the power of advocacy, empathy, and inclusion. Dr. Eric shares his journey from a successful corporate career in customer experience and organizational culture to discovering his diagnoses of narcolepsy, chronic fatigue, ADHD, anxiety, and depression later in life. What followed was not an ending, but a reinvention. Through his Doctor Disruptor platform, Xtermigator Kids, and his work with the Invisible Disabilities Association, Dr. Eric is helping individuals and families understand that disability is not inabilityand that different is, in fact, beautiful.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Unseen disabilities are real — even when others can’t see them. Validation can be life‑changing.

Diagnosis brings clarity, not limitation. Knowing what you’re dealing with opens the door to tools, accommodations, and self‑compassion.

It’s okay to not be okay. Giving yourself grace is a critical step toward healing and growth.

Advocacy often begins with personal struggle. Dr. Eric turned his own challenges into a mission to help others.

Accommodations are not special treatment — they’re access. Education and workplaces still have work to do.

Helping others creates purpose and fulfillment. Service can be as powerful as medicine.

Technology and AI can be equalizers. The right tools help people with limited energy amplify their impact.

Disability does not define your ceiling. With support, inclusion, and understanding, potential expands.

Memorable Quotes

“It’s okay to not be okay.”

“Disability is not an inability — it can be your greatest superpower.”

“Those letters after your name mean nothing if you’re not helping someone behind you.”

“Helping others gives a high no medicine can replace.”

“Never forget where you’ve been — and turn around to help someone else get there.”

 Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a powerful reminder that many of the struggles people carry are invisible, and that empathy, awareness, and inclusion are leadership skills, not extras. Dr. Eric Fishon’s story offers hope to anyone who has felt misunderstood, dismissed, or alone in their challenges. Whether you’re living with an unseen disability, supporting someone who is, or leading a team, this conversation encourages you to ask for help, give grace, and use your experiences to lift others. It’s a call to redefine success, not by what we overcome alone, but by how we help others rise with us.

In this intellectually rich and surprisingly practical conversation, Bart sits down with Dr. Mike Orkin, distinguished statistician, professor, consultant, and author of The Story of Chance: Beyond the Margin of Error. Dr. Orkin explains how probability, randomness, and risk quietly shape our everyday decisions — from business and investing to gambling, medicine, and life itself. Through accessible examples involving dice, casinos, startups, lotteries, and leadership, he breaks down why luck feels powerful in the short term but fades in the long run, how skill changes outcomes, and why most people misunderstand chance entirely. This episode bridges mathematics, business strategy, and human behavior in a way that’s eye‑opening, grounding, and deeply useful.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

Luck dominates the short run — skill dominates the long run. Repeated decisions reveal predictable outcomes over time.

The Law of Averages explains why randomness eventually stabilizes. Outcomes converge toward probability with repetition.

Expected value (EV) matters more than single outcomes. Winning once means nothing if the long‑term math is negative.

Positive EV isn’t enough — risk management matters. Over‑betting can destroy even the best strategies.

The Kelly System teaches sustainable growth. Betting or investing a fixed fraction prevents catastrophic losses.

Most people confuse correlation with causation. We’re wired to see patterns that don’t actually exist.

Luck is a group phenomenon. In lotteries and mass events, someone wins — but your odds don’t improve.

Better decisions come from understanding uncertainty. Awareness of chance leads to smarter, calmer leadership.

Memorable Quotes

“Luck disappears in the long run.”

“The important probability isn’t that you win — it’s that someone wins.”

“Expected value tells you what happens over time, not today.”

“Positive odds don’t protect you if you bet everything.”

“Most people don’t understand the basic laws of chance.”

“Good strategy beats good intentions when uncertainty is involved.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode helps listeners make better decisions in an unpredictable world. Whether you’re starting a business, investing, leading a team, or navigating life’s uncertainty, Dr. Mike Orkin’s insights reveal how understanding probability reduces fear, improves judgment, and prevents costly mistakes. The conversation reframes luck not as magic or destiny, but as math — and shows how patience, discipline, and sound strategy create sustainable success. If you want to think more clearly, take smarter risks, and stop being fooled by randomness, this episode delivers timeless wisdom you can apply immediately.

In this episode of “Most People Don’t, But YOU DO!”,, Bart sits down with Carlos Silva, President of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, to explore leadership, learning, and the art of creating unforgettable experiences. From his early days as a Division I tennis player at Boston College, to earning a master’s degree in computer science, to leading major sports and media organizations, Carlos shares how curiosity, design thinking, and disciplined decision‑making shaped his career. He offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at growing TNA Wrestling, Invicta MMA, Fight Network, and Game+, while revealing why listening hard, learning fast, and caring deeply about people and experiences are at the heart of sustainable success.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

"Leadership is learned on the road, not on a straight path. Careers are built through timing, forks in the road, and willingness to adapt."

"Athletics build leadership instincts. Coaching, teamwork, resilience, and accountability translate directly into business leadership."

"Design drives experience. From tickets to TV graphics to arena energy, the smallest details shape how people feel."

"There are two audiences in live events. The in‑venue fan and the at‑home viewer both need intentional, tailored experiences."

"Listen hard and learn. Credibility comes from humility, presence, and learning from the people closest to the work."

"Make decisions quickly and adjust. Waiting for perfection slows growth — act, measure, refine, repeat."

"Strong teams outperform strong ideas. Hiring great people and trusting them creates momentum across organizations."

"Consistency builds confidence. Small daily disciplines compound into long‑term success."

Memorable Quotes

“Listen hard and learn.”

“No one likes to go to an empty restaurant — energy matters.”

“You don’t need perfection. You need a decision.”

“Every experience is built from a thousand small details.”

“If it doesn’t work, you change it tomorrow and move forward.”

“Consistency is one of the most powerful leadership tools.”
Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a masterclass for leaders, creators, and builders who want to scale impact without losing humanity. Carlos Silva demonstrates that success isn’t about knowing everything — it’s about listening, learning, and continually improving the experience for people on both sides of the product. Whether you lead teams, design customer experiences, or manage complex organizations, the lessons here reinforce the power of curiosity, humility, and disciplined action. If you want to build momentum, stay grounded, and lead with confidence, this conversation offers a clear and practical roadmap.

In this deeply moving and powerful conversation, Bart sits down with David Meltzer — globally recognized entrepreneur, chairman of the Napoleon Hill Institute, former CEO of the

Lee Steinberg Sports & Entertainment Agency, and one of the most authentic voices in leadership today. David opens up about his childhood, his drive to succeed, his rise to massive financial success, and the painful wake‑up calls that forced him to confront ego, fear, and self‑hatred. Through stories of family, faith, bankruptcy, humility, and service, David shares the mindset shift that transformed his life: moving from making money for happiness to making money to help people. This episode is a masterclass in purpose, kindness, asking for help, and living in alignment with who you are meant to be.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Money doesn’t create happiness — purpose does. David learned that financial success without service leaves an unfillable void.
• Ego is fear in disguise. The ego shows up as the need to be right, superior, offended, or separate — and it interferes with our potential.
• Stop is a superpower. Pausing, breathing, and choosing intention is how we move from ego to alignment.
• You live in a universe of more than enough. The real work is identifying what you’re doing to interfere with it.
• Asking for help is giving. When you ask someone for help, you give them the opportunity to serve and feel purpose.
• Kindness beats being right. Choosing compassion in everyday moments changes relationships and outcomes.
• Daily discipline creates lasting change. David lives by consistent practices rooted in faith, gratitude, and devotion.
• True leadership is service. David defines success as being a “beloved servant” to others.

Memorable Quotes

• “You’re either humble — or you’re about to be.”
• “I don’t live to get more. I live to interfere less.”
• “Ego is fear showing up as the need to be right.”
• “Ask for help — it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give someone.”
• “Make a lot of money for the sake of helping a lot of people.”
• “Be kind to your future self.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a blueprint for anyone chasing success but feeling unfulfilled, overwhelmed, or disconnected. David Meltzer’s honesty about ego, fear, loss, and redemption gives listeners permission to pause, reflect, and realign their lives. Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, parent, or someone searching for meaning, this conversation offers practical wisdom on how to live with intention, serve others, and build a life rooted in purpose — not performance. The lessons shared here remind us that happiness comes not from accumulation, but from alignment, generosity, and asking for help.

Recorded live in Boston, Bart sits down with Milt Herbert, Executive Director of the Boston Convention & Marketing Center, for a masterclass in leadership, discipline, and humanity. Milt shares his unconventional journey — from flunking out of college, to serving in combat, to becoming a professor, technologist, entrepreneur, and ultimately a long-tenured executive leader. With humility and clarity, Milt explains how military discipline reshaped his life, why treating people like people is the foundation of leadership, and how focusing on customers as humans — not transactions — creates lasting success. This conversation is packed with wisdom on work ethic, family, learning, customer experience, and what most leaders still get wrong.Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Discipline can change everything. Milt credits military service with reshaping his mindset, work ethic, and focus.

• Early failure doesn’t define your ceiling. Flunking out of college didn’t stop him from earning an MBA, teaching, and entering a PhD program.

• Leadership is about people, not roles. Employees have full lives outside work — great leaders respect and support that reality.

• Integration beats balance. Milt prioritized family, coaching his kids’ teams and staying present while building a demanding career.

• Be a lifelong learner. From coding to tennis to leadership, curiosity and self‑teaching fueled every chapter of his life.

• Customers are humans first. The best way to serve customers is to understand their goals, pressures, and definitions of success.

• Listening is a leadership superpower. Ask questions, stay quiet, and truly hear people — that’s how trust is built.

• Strong teams feel like family. When people feel cared for, respected, and seen, they stay — and they perform.

Memorable Quotes

• “People don’t show up for work — work isn’t their whole life.”

• “You keep your mouth shut, you listen, and you ask questions.”

• “Customers have jobs to do — our job is to help them succeed.”

• “It’s always about the people. It’s never just about the business.”

• “I’m only one person — it’s the team that makes everything happen.”

• “Family first isn’t a slogan. It’s a responsibility.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a blueprint for leaders who want to build trust, loyalty, and performance without sacrificing humanity. Milt Herbert’s story proves that discipline, empathy, and curiosity can coexist — and that the strongest organizations are built by leaders who listen, care, and understand people beyond their titles. Whether you lead a team, serve customers, raise a family, or are still finding your path, this conversation offers timeless lessons on how to show up, how to lead, and why people first is not optional — it’s essential.

In this powerful and refreshingly honest conversation, Bart sits down with Brittany Shoul, SVP of Revenue Strategy & Ops at MCI USA. Brittany shares her journey from being the first in her family to attend college, to discovering her leadership voice, to becoming a respected leader who champions authenticity, empathy, and integration over “balance.” She reveals how her upbringing, her grandmother’s influence, her early leadership experiences, and her work in sales shaped the leader she is today. Brittany opens up about drive, fulfillment, emotional intelligence, and why showing up like you belong—exactly as you are—is one of the most underrated skills in life and business.

💡 Major Takeaways / Learnings

• Authenticity isn’t a buzzword — it’s a strategy. Brittany insists that showing up as your true self is not only allowed, but powerful.

• “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” A core message she teaches her daughters, colleagues, and herself.

• Balance is a myth; integration is real. Your life will never be perfectly even — but you can blend what matters in healthier ways.

• Fulfillment fuels drive. Brittany isn’t trying to “prove” anything; she’s driven by the impact she can make on her team, her family, and her industry.

• Leadership means giving people permission. Sometimes people just need to hear “It’s okay” — to leave early, to rest, to take space.

• Show up like you belong. Even if you’re young, new, nervous, or different — the room is for you, too.

• Find mentors everywhere. If your company doesn’t offer strong leadership, seek it through networking, LinkedIn, peers, or past relationships.

• “You can do anything — you just can’t do everything.”

• “Show up like you belong.”

• “Fulfillment comes from the impact you make — at home, and at work.”

• “Balance implies everything is equal. That’s not real. Integration is.”

• “Be yourself. No one needs a business-professional robot.”

• “It’s okay to be excited. It’s okay to be nervous. Just show up.”

✨ Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a guide for anyone trying to grow in their career while staying true to themselves. Brittany’s journey shows listeners that success doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from authenticity, connection, and courage. Her practical insights help young professionals, leaders, and parents understand how to integrate ambition with life, how to care for themselves and their teams, and how to build confidence even when the room feels intimidating. Anyone struggling with imposter syndrome, burnout, or self-doubt will find grounding, encouragement, and permission to be human — while still striving for more.

In this heartfelt and candid episode, Bart sits down with Zane Kerby, President & CEO of ASTA (American Society of Travel Advisors). They explore the soul of travel, the evolution from “travel agents” to “travel advisors,” the emotional impact of seeing the world, and how empathy, kindness, slowing down, and meaningful connection shape a life well lived. Zane shares stories from his 30-year anniversary trip to Colombia, childhood influences, leadership philosophies, and why travel advisors are more vital now than ever. This conversation is human, emotional, and a reminder that travel doesn’t just show us the world—it shows us ourselves.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

1. Travel Advisors Matter More Than Ever

• “Travel agent” felt transactional; “travel advisor” reflects guidance, advocacy, and expertise.
• Travelers want transformation, not transactions.
• Advisors are the trusted partners who know what most travelers don’t.

1. Travel Makes Us More Human
• Travel builds empathy and reduces ego.
• Seeing how others live widens perspective and deepens understanding.
• Shared vulnerability while traveling brings people together.
2. The Best Memories Are on the Road
• Zane’s most meaningful family moments happened during travel.
• Being away from routine creates space for deeper conversations and connection.
• Small moments become lifelong memories.
3. Slowing Down Creates Kindness
• Zane’s advice: slow down, listen, and be available to be interrupted.
• Pausing helps us notice others and step in to help more often.
4. Leadership Rooted in Humility
• Zane’s parents modeled respect, humility, and kindness.
• Great leadership is about presence, consistency, and treating people well.
• Hire smart people, pay them fairly, and share the credit.
5. Stick With What Matters

• Zane believes in endurance and commitment.
• “Most people don’t stick with it…but you do.”

Memorable Quotes

• “Most of the important memories I have with my wife and family are from travel.”
• “Travel makes you less ego-centric and more human.”
• “The more planes of people we send around the world, the fewer bombs we have to send.”
• “An advisor works for you. Not for a supplier—for you.”
• “Slow the heck down.”
• “Some opportunities to help make you feel human.”
• “All that I am or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”
• “Most people don’t stick with it…but you do.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

For Travel Advisors
Your work matters more than ever. You’re not booking trips—you’re shaping how people see the world and each other. You help create life-changing experiences.

For Leaders

Slow down. Listen deeply. Treat people well. Presence is powerful. Hire smart, kind people and give credit freely.

For Everyone

Travel as much as you can. Say yes more often. Go and see the world—it expands your understanding, deepens your empathy, and enriches your life. And when you’re not traveling, practice the same principles: pause, notice, listen, help.

Travel is an empathy engine. It makes us better humans. And as Zane reminds us, the world becomes a better place when we choose to go, see, and connect.

More about Zane Kerby here: Zane Kerby | LinkedIn

More about ASTA here: Home

In this episode, Bart sits down with Sara Murray, founder & CEO of Murmaid International, sales trainer, keynote speaker, and host of Prospecting on Purpose. This conversation explores Sara’s journey from corporate to entrepreneur, her “ABAV” philosophy (Always Be Adding Value), the mindset behind confidence, abundance, and authentic connection, and the simple human behaviors that create massive business impact.

Sara shares candid stories about positivity, self-belief, gratitude, and what happens when you consistently show up as someone who notices, connects, and overdelivers.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• “Always Be Adding Value” (ABAV) is the game-changer

Sara’s foundational philosophy: every interaction is a chance to make an emotional deposit. Add value before you ask. Add value even when you don’t need anything. Add value when it costs nothing. This is what builds reputation, trust, and opportunity.

• Confidence isn’t arrogance, it’s earned through action

Sara teaches how to “jump up on the pedestal” instead of shrinking in front of high-value clients. Confidence is built by collecting experiences, learning from people, and trusting your strengths.

• Abundance > Scarcity

Even in competitive industries, there’s more than enough success to go around. Sara and Bart connect over the idea that generosity creates momentum. When you give without expectations, the world opens up.

• Sales isn’t pushing, it’s helping

If your product or service genuinely improves someone’s business or life, then outreach isn’t “bothering” people. It’s informing them of value they deserve to know about.

• Listening is the new superpower

People miss opportunities because they’re too busy “performing.” Listening deeply to needs, hints, frustrations, vacations, or tiny details, creates connection. It’s rare. And therefore powerful.

• Personal touchpoints matter more than automation

Automation is fine. Humanity wins. A review. A thoughtful suggestion. A follow-up based on something they said. Most people don’t do these small acts, which is why they stand out.

• Entrepreneurship requires patience and faith

Sara emphasizes that the first few years are harder, longer, and more demanding than expected. But with patience, belief, and staying aligned with your “why,” the payoff is life-changing.

• Your childhood shapes your strengths

Sara’s ability to talk to anyone came from sitting next to strangers on flights as a Delta employee’s kid. Every interaction became a data point that built confidence, empathy, and curiosity.

• Value before ask, every time

One of Sara’s favorite examples: she once recommended two novels to someone going on vacation. It got her booked a full year earlier than expected.

• Human > transactional.

Helping people first is the business model

When you focus on helping, not hustling, you attract the right clients, create impact, and build a career you’re proud of.

Memorable Quotes

• “We’re at your service, we’re not your servants.”

• “Everyone’s trying to jump on the pedestal. You don’t have to take anyone off… just put yourself up there too.”

• “Abundance starts when you stop asking and start adding.”

• “If your service genuinely helps people, they need to know about it. That’s not bothering them, that’s doing your job.”

• “Patience and trust, that’s the hardest part of entrepreneurship.”

• “Changing someone’s life wasn’t my why at first… but it became my why.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

• Model Sara’s A-BAV approach: Look daily for no-cost, meaningful ways to surpass what “most people don’t” do.

• Shift from scarcity to service: Helping without keeping score amplifies everything, your brand, referrals, confidence, and results.

• Lead with humanity: Automation can draft. You deliver the emotion.

• Be confident by being curious: Ask more. Listen more. Notice more.

• Build emotional bank accounts before withdrawals: Look for tiny deposits that compound into trust.

Resources:

LinkedIn: Sara Murray | LinkedInWebsite: Sara Murray

In this powerful and deeply human episode of For All the Marbles, Bart sits down with bestselling author and mental health advocate Dana Johnston. Dana opens up about her journey with bipolar disorder from the terrifying onset of insomnia and fear, to rebuilding her life, career, marriage, and sense of purpose. Her book, Shine Bright: Seeking Daylight in the Darkness, has touched thousands, offering hope, practical tools, and a way forward for anyone facing adversity.

This conversation blends vulnerability, wisdom, humor, and heart, making it one of the most inspirational stories shared on the show.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

• You Must Take Care of Yourself First

Dana emphasizes that wellness is the foundation of everything: happiness, stability, career, and relationships.

For her, self-care includes:

• sleep

• hydration

• movement

• music

• meditation

• journaling

“You can’t be happy if you don’t feel well.”

• Mental Health Is Not Linear. It’s a Human Experience

Dana reframes anxiety and depression as universal emotional states, not signs of failure.

She uses a powerful metaphor:

“The blue sky is always there, even when the clouds temporarily cover it.”

• Healing Requires Discipline, Not Perfection

Dana openly shares that even with great habits, she still veers off course sometimes, and that’s okay.

“What matters is that you know what helps you feel your best, and you do more of that.”

• Experience Shapes Change

Many people don’t adopt healthier habits because they haven’t experienced the consequences or the benefits yet. Dana notes that both hardship and role models shape whether people take action.

• We Need a More Sustainable Pace of Work

Dana is a leading advocate of the four-day workweek, not for convenience but for survival in today’s professional climate.

She argues that productivity, happiness, and health all increase when people are rested.

• Turning Pain Into Purpose Helps Others Heal

Dana didn’t write her book to heal herself; she wrote it for the young woman who feels terrified and lost after a bipolar diagnosis.

Her lived experience helps others feel seen, understood, and hopeful.

• Tiny Steps Lead to Big Transformations

Dana reminds us:

“You inch along. You get a little better every year. Don’t expect an overnight transformation. Be kind to yourself.”

Memorable Quotes

• “Take care of yourself first; everything else becomes easier when you feel well.”

• “Emotions are like clouds; they pass. The blue sky behind them never goes away.”

• “People haven’t changed their habits because they haven’t seen the consequences or the benefits yet.”

• “The pace of work in 2025 is not sustainable without rest.”

• “I wrote my book for the 22-year-old girl who just had the rug pulled out from under her.”

• “Every year, you just get a little bit better. Inch along and be kind to yourself.”

Why It Matters / How to Use It

This episode is a reminder that:

• Struggles don’t define you. Your response does.

• Daily habits shape resilience more than motivation ever will.

• You are responsible for protecting your wellness and your peace.

• Your story can help others feel less alone.

• Small, consistent steps create meaningful change.

For listeners facing anxiety, burnout, depression, fear, or any life disruption, Dana’s story shines a light forward:

You can rebuild. You can improve. You can shine bright again.

Resources:

LinkedIn: Dana Johnston, MS, CMP | LinkedIn

Book: daylightanddarkness.com

In this energizing and deeply human conversation, Bart sits down with Carrie Campbell, a longtime Boston Red Sox executive, keynote speaker, culture strategist, and former hotelier. Together they unpack what genuine service looks like, how strong cultures are built, and why creating exceptional experiences isn’t complicated—it’s intentional.

Carrie shares her journey from Fairmont Hotels to Fenway Park, how a culture of care shaped her leadership, and why the Red Sox operate with one of the most empowering philosophies in sports and hospitality: “We are in the YES business.” This episode blends personal storytelling, leadership insight, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking to build healthier workplaces or make courageous career moves.

Major Takeaways and Learnings

Culture Begins With People, Not Processes

Great organizations give employees the tools, training, and clarity to deliver great service. Culture thrives when people feel valued—never when the only priority is profit or reporting.

• Recognition Is a Leadership Strategy

Carrie emphasizes that recognition must be intentional. It means understanding how each person prefers to be acknowledged, connecting praise to impact, addressing missteps with clarity, and creating a consistent rhythm of appreciation.

• You Can Leave Environments That Drain You

When someone feels stuck, unseen, or depleted, Bart and Carrie both reinforce a message many need to hear:

If you can’t change the culture and leadership isn’t listening, you don’t have to stay.

As Bart shares, you can do anything for a year to get back on your feet and rebuild.

• Everyone Can Lead

Leadership isn’t defined by title. It’s defined by behavior. Anyone can model kindness, contribute to culture, mentor a teammate, or take ownership of their environment.

• The Red Sox “YES Business” Philosophy

Carrie offers an inside look at one of the Red Sox’s most defining cultural principles:

“We are in the YES business.”

Employees are empowered with resources like discretionary ticket allotments to proactively solve problems and create memorable moments. It is a simple but powerful philosophy that reduces friction, builds trust, and elevates fan experience.

• Fear Should Protect You, Not Paralyze You

Fear is primal, but it becomes harmful when it keeps us small. Awareness is the first step to choosing courage and forward movement—whether that means learning new skills, addressing workplace issues, or making a major career change.

• Culture Creates Safety

A strong culture is synonymous with psychological safety. It fosters clarity, consistency, trust, and retention. People stay not because of perks, but because the environment feels supportive and human.

Memorable Quotes

• “I fell in love with delivering experiences people remember long after they leave.”

• “There’s no such thing as being too nice. Kindness is not weakness.”

• “If you’re going to survey your people, you owe them a conversation afterward.”

• “Fear is supposed to keep you safe—not stuck.”

• “Everyone is a leader, title or not.”

• “We’re in the YES business, and the culture equips us to say yes.”

• “Most people don’t stop and smell the roses—and be where their feet are.”

Why It Matters / How to Apply It

• For Leaders

Model the culture you expect. Teach. Recognize. Support. Set clear expectations. Equip your people. Create consistency.

• For Employees

You shape culture too. Speak up. Contribute. Support colleagues. Practice kindness. And if the environment harms your wellbeing, give yourself permission to leave.

• For Anyone Feeling Stuck

You are not redundant. You are remarkable.

And you truly can do anything for a year to regain momentum, stability, and hope.

When Andrea Driessen and Bart sat next to each other at IMEX, the conversation didn’t begin with sales, logistics, or “What do you need?” Instead, Andrea asked something rare: “Tell me more about you.”

That moment became the spark for this deeply meaningful episode. Andrea is the Founder of Gracenotes, an author, TED/TEDx speaker, longtime entrepreneur, and former ownerof a speakers bureau. Today, she’s leading a global movement to help people experience something precious while they’re still here: a living eulogy.

In this powerful conversation, Andrea shares:

• Why people feel invisible at work and in life

• How “messages of mattering” transform confidence, culture, and connection
• her father’s 11-word note that changed everything

• The four roadblocks stopping people from expressing mattering

• What happens when we wait too long
• The extraordinary ripple effect of a handwritten Garce Note

You’ll hear emotional stories, practical tools, and reminders that we simply can’t afford to postpone what matters most.

This episode is a masterclass in noticing, appreciating, and expressing the good in others before it’s too late.

Major Takeaways / Learnings

1. We must not wait.

Life changes without warning. A grace note written today can become someone’s anchor tomorrow. Bart shares his “blue screen of death” metaphor and his own heart-attack anniversary to reinforce the message: Don’t wait.

2. People feel unseen, more than we realize.

A third of employees feel invisible at work. Half feel undervalued. Women especially feel unseen. Grace Notes offer a simple, profound antidote.

3. A “living eulogy” shifts how people view their impact.

Most people don’t know the good they bring to others until they're gone. Grace Notes allow us to tell them now when they can internalize it, live into it, and be changed by it.

4. Four roadblocks stop people from expressing appreciation.

Andrea identifies the big four:

• Lack of time

• Emotional bandwidth

• Fear of awkwardness

• Not knowing what to say
  She gives tools to overcome each one.

5. Handwritten matters.

A physical note becomes a keepsake, a reminder, a reassurance. People keep them on walls, drawers, binders—sometimes for decades.

6. Brave moves build brave lives.

Andrea shares the 11-word note from her father:
“I’m in awe of my kid doing such a brave thing.”
She still has it on her wall—even now.

7. Attention is one of the purest forms of love.

When we fully “erase ourselves” and focus on others, we give the rarest human gift: presence without agenda.

8. Meaning > Matter.

People don’t need more things. They need more meaning. Messages of mattering help create it.

Memorable Quotes

From Andrea:

• “We shouldn’t have to be dead to hear our eulogy read.”

• “People feel invisible. A simple note can change their day, their career, their life.”

• “We overthink what to write and underestimate its impact.”

• “The attention we give one another is our greatest form of love.”

• “If we don’t believe in the value of our work, no one else will.”

From Bart:

• “Most people don’t… but you do.”

• “Don’t wait to say I love you. Don’t wait to send the note.”

• “The universe is meeting you where you are because your intention is pure.”

• “You don’t need the applause, you need the impact.”

Why It Matters

1. Start your own Grace Note practice today.

Pick one person. Write 3–4 sentences. Send it. Don’t overthink.

2. Create a “Kudos File” or “Brag Box.”

Keep the notes others send you. Pull them out on the tough days.

3. Use the “habit swap” method.

Swap one episode of Netflix, one social scroll, one distraction—for a Grace Note.

4. Schedule a monthly “Grace Note Meeting” with yourself.

A simple recurring calendar block. 10–20 minutes. It changes relationships.

5. Lead with meaning.

In leadership, sales, family, and friendships:
People remember how you made them feel seen.

6. Practice presence.

Erase yourself, focus solely on the human in front of you.

Resources;

Connect to:

Andrea Driessen | LinkedIn

Website: Keynote Speaker | Gracenotes

In this unscripted, deeply human episode recorded during a car ride in Cancun, Bart sits down with two extraordinary voices — William Arruda, founder of Reach Personal Branding and global pioneer in the personal branding movement, and Stuart Fedderson, charisma and human-connection expert known for teaching how to have confident, credible, meaningful conversations.

What begins as a discussion about Bart’s Trigger–Glimmer–Awe model quickly unfolds into an energetic exchange about identity, connection, confidence, conversation skills, introversion, authenticity, and doing what most people don’t do.

Bart shares his three C’s for movingfrom Trigger to Glimmer: Clear your mind. Connect with others. Create a better meaning.

Stuart reveals his own three C’s for charisma and personal presence and talks vulnerably about growing up with a stutter, battling social anxiety, and why introverts can become powerful communicators with the right rituals.

William adds his three C’s of personal branding clarity, consistency, and constancy and explains why “fine” isthe most dangerous word in a career. If something is only fine, it’s forgettable.

The three also explore:

• Why charisma and positivity go hand in hand.
• How authenticity is the foundation of every great brand — including Taylor Swift’s.
• Why visibility matters more now than ever.
• Why people rarely take action after conferences unless they create a system to remind themselves.
• How postcards, unexpected conversations, and “Tell me more” moments create real connection.
• Why the most meaningful conversations happen with the people you don’t expect.

And in true Most People Don’t fashion, Bart shares a powerful story from a grocery store a moment when someone judged him, admitted it aloud, and left reminded of what it feels like to be truly seen.

This is a warm, funny, vulnerable, deeply humanepisode filled with insights you can use at work, on stage, and in the everyday conversations that shape your life.

MAJOR TAKEAWAYS / LEARNINGS

• You cannot move from Trigger to Glimmer without energy physical and mental.
• Positivity fuels charisma; people feel your outlook before they hear your words.
• Personal branding is a daily practice rooted in visibility and authenticity.
• “Fine” is the enemy of extraordinary.
• Introverts can be extraordinary communicators with the right rituals.
• Curiosity (“Tell me more…”) builds the deepest connections.
• Meaningful conversations often come from the people we least expect.
• To make conference learning stick, you must give yourself reminders postcards, notes, and 3-action lists.
• Complimenting uniquely (“chatter charms”) helps you start real conversation.
• Every interaction is a chance to create a story someone will never forget.

MEMORABLE QUOTES

• “Most people talk. Few people ask. ‘Tell me more’ transforms everything.”
• “Fine is the most dangerous word in your career.” — William Arruda
• “The more positive you are, the more charismatic you’ll be perceived.” — Stuart Fedderson
• “Authenticity isn’t optional — people feel it.”
• “You can’t go from Trigger to Glimmer if you don’t first clear, connect, and create.” — Bart
• “The best conversations are with the people you never expected to connect with.”
• “You have to wake yourself up before you can wake up the room.” — Stuart on introversion

Resources;

Connect to:

William Arruda LinkedIn: William Arruda | LinkedIn

Website: William Arruda – What makes you unique makes you successful.

Stuart Fedderson LinkedIn: Stuart Fedderson | LinkedInWebsite: Master your people skills, increase your success

In this inspiring episode of For All the Marbles, Bart interviews Alex Sechopoulos, the 26-year-old Head of Sales and Operations for Mixly USA, a groundbreaking company that bridges music, mixology, and technology. From humble beginnings at a Canadian winery to helping pioneer an innovation that lets you literally taste your favorite song, Alex shares how mentorship, family influence, and sheer driveshaped his entrepreneurial journey. Together, Bart and Alex explore the creative spark behind Mixly’s “Taste the Music” activation, the emotional intelligence behind great sales, and the deeper meaning of balancing ambition with well-being.

Major Takeaways / Learnings:

• Entrepreneurship starts with exposure and mentorship. Alex learned the ropes of running a business by helping at a family-owned winery and being mentored by leaders like Tony and Edie Mack.
• Work ethic is in your DNA, but growth is a choice. Discipline, humility, and curiosity were traits Alex absorbed from his hardworking parents and mentors.
• Creativity meets data at Mixly. Mixly’s concept, matching music’s 28 data parameters (from tempo to energy) with flavor science, was born at a Spotify hackathon by co-founder Henry in Belgium, blending art, emotion, and food science.
• Sales is about trust and curiosity. Alex emphasizes that success comes from helping clients solve problems and having fun while doing it, “We sell fun.”
• Scale through purpose. Whether catering to 20 people or 10,000, Mixly focuses on delivering emotional, memorable, and shareable experiences, what Bart calls “Instagramable, not Googleable.”
• Fulfilment over fear. Entrepreneurship’s greatest reward is ownership of both success and failure: “If I fail, it’s because of me. If I succeed, it’s because of me.”
• Balance drive with grace. Bart and Alex discuss the power of “Do your best but don’t give it your all,” which means preserving your energy for life beyond work.
• Organization is liberation. Alex admits that learning to systemize his thoughts and tasks transformed his productivity and peace of mind.

Memorable Quotes:

• We sell fun.” – Alex Sechopoulos
• “Give me the ball. If I fail, it’s because of me; if I succeed, it’s because of me.” – Alex
• “Do your best—but don’t give it your all.” – Bart & Alex’s shared insight on balance
• “Taste the music. Every song can become an experience.” – Mixly’s mission
• “It’s not about what you can do; it’s about what you can do to help them.” – Alex on customer focus

✨ Why It Matters / How to Use It:
This episode reminds entrepreneurs, creatives, and leaders that innovation often lives at the intersection of emotion, science, and service. Whether you’re building a company or leading a team, success comes from curiosity, connection, and consistency and remembering that fun is a strategy, nota distraction. Alex’s story proves that passion with purpose and a willingness to keep learning can turn even the wildest ideas into global movements.

Resources:

Bart Berkey | LinkedIn

Website: Mixly USA

LinkedIn: Alex Sechopoulos