Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Story Engine Podcast

What if the legal protection you've always viewed as a necessary expense could actually become one of your business's greatest drivers of profit, freedom, and growth? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Sharon Toerek, founder and CEO of Toerek Law and a leading legal advisor to independent marketing agencies, to explore how intellectual property and strategic legal agreements can do far more than protect your business from risk. Sharon shares why client contracts, pricing, payment terms, and ownership of your original work can make the difference between running a profitable agency and constantly feeling busy while your margins disappear.

We also explore what happens when a successful client relationship turns into a financial crisis, leaving an agency struggling to collect payment while its intellectual property is being used without proper authorization. Sharon reveals how these situations develop, why proactive legal strategy matters, and how agencies can transform their proprietary systems, methodologies, and expertise into scalable revenue streams through training, education, licensing, and other IP-driven business models. If you're ready to move beyond selling time for money and start creating more value from your thinking, this conversation will challenge how you view legal protection—and reveal how protecting your brilliance can become a pathway to greater profitability, freedom, and long-term success.

• (01:52) – Why Sharon specializes in helping independent marketing agencies—and the overlooked legal needs that inspired her business.

• (03:50) – How legal affairs can become a profit center by improving client contracts, protecting margins, and creating new revenue opportunities.

• (04:46) – Why the intellectual property agencies create every day could be worth far more than the fees they charge for their services.

• (05:50) – How packaging proprietary systems, methodologies, and education can create repeatable revenue streams beyond selling time for money.

• (06:46) – Why AI makes intellectual property protection more complicated—and why businesses can unknowingly infringe on someone else's work.

• (08:12) – How proactive legal strategy helps agencies negotiate from a position of strength instead of constantly reacting to stressful client problems.

• (09:07) – The contract details that can make the difference between a profitable month and one spent fulfilling work that barely pays.

• (10:05) – Why an agency's greatest negotiating leverage comes at the beginning of a client relationship—and how to use it effectively.

• (13:43) – Inside a high-pressure client crisis involving withheld payments, disputed intellectual property, and the threat of serious financial consequences.

• (18:27) – The words that capture the stakes of a business-threatening situation: "This is a make or break moment for us potentially."

• (19:59) – Why knowing your legal options isn't enough—and how to find a practical business solution when a client relationship goes sideways.

• (21:14) – How a successful, long-standing client relationship can turn into an IP dispute when money becomes a bigger concern.

• (22:40) – The agency that used its intellectual property to build an entirely new business around training, education, events, and media.

• (24:18) – Why the biggest opportunity for professional service firms may be creating value from their thinking rather than their doing.

• (25:07) – Hear Kyle transform Sharon's client crisis into a powerful origin story about protecting businesses, stopping financial bleeding, and creating freedom through intellectual property.

• (28:12) – Why bringing humanity and emotion into your story can make your expertise more meaningful and memorable.

What if one of the simplest tools for changing how you feel, focus, lead, and connect was something you could experience simply by breathing? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Jessica Wiehle, founder of AromaWell and a formally trained clinical aromatherapist, to explore the surprising power of scent. We unpack how essential oils interact with the brain, why different aromas can influence mood, motivation, memory, stress, and focus, and how Jessica creates personalized "aromatic signatures" for individuals, businesses, healthcare facilities, and shared spaces.

But Jessica's story goes much deeper than aromatherapy. After losing her mother to cancer at just 19, Jessica discovered herbal medicine and eventually experienced the powerful effects of eucalyptus during an incredibly stressful period of her own life. Years of study, experimentation, and entrepreneurship eventually led her to develop customized aromatherapy programs—including work with memory-care patients experiencing severe cognitive decline. We explore the moment her work came full circle, the lesson she learned about solving everything through effort, and why sometimes the next level of growth comes not from trying harder, but from creating more space for pleasure, relaxation, and alignment.

(02:03) – Why Jessica calls herself a "modern medicine woman" and how decades of studying plants shaped her approach to healing

(03:36) – How aromatherapy began transforming Jessica's work with memory-care patients and expanded into mental health, hospice, and workplace wellness

(06:23) – What actually happens in the brain when you smell an essential oil—and why scent can influence memory, mood, and motivation

(07:36) – Why rosemary and peppermint may act like a workout for the brain, particularly for cognitive stimulation

(14:23) – The realization that changed Jessica's business: why a purely clinical approach wasn't fully aligned with the way she wanted to help people

(16:48) – How Jessica creates a personalized "aromatic signature" based on your personality, story, goals, and the environment you want to create

(19:32) – How the same process can be applied to an entire business by aligning scent with brand story, mission, vision, and customer experience

(20:45) – Why aromatherapy offers something most personal-development tools don't: an approach that works in the background without requiring more effort

(21:47) – The hidden blocks behind motivation and overwhelm—and how Jessica uses scent to address them

(23:22) – The connection between breathing, cortisol, stress, and why a smell can become a simple reminder to slow down

(25:21) – Why pleasure matters and how scent can engage the subconscious in ways we don't always consciously understand

(27:39) – The deeply personal story that led Jessica to aromatherapy after losing her mother to cancer at just 19

(31:55) – The eucalyptus experience that convinced Jessica there was something powerful about aromatherapy

(33:04) – Jessica remembers being beside her mother in hospice—and the small moment of connection she has never forgotten

(36:05) – How Jessica went from a paralegal career to building a business around plants, research, and aromatherapy

(37:27) – What happened when Jessica introduced a customized aromatherapy program into a memory-care facility

(38:50) – How nurses tracked the effects of aromatherapy—and the dramatic changes they observed in some residents

(39:37) – The World War II survivor who told Jessica, "I don't know what's in this stuff, but it's working"

(41:06) – Kyle reflects on Jessica's story and the journey from standing beside her dying mother to helping others through aromatherapy

(46:49) – Jessica's reaction to hearing her own story reflected back—and what she learned about authentic storytelling

(48:14) – Why telling your story in a way that creates a personal connection can change how people experience—and respond to—it

(48:53) – Jessica's closing message about our capacity to evolve through our senses and become more conscious of what surrounds us

What happens when the success you've worked so hard to create slowly pulls you away from the people and the life that matter most? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with David Taylor-Klaus, MCC, to explore the hidden cost of defining ourselves by what we do—and what it takes to reconnect with who we are beyond our accomplishments. David shares the deeply personal story of reaching a breaking point during Hurricane Katrina, when he realized he had become so disconnected from himself that he could no longer keep his struggles silent. That moment ultimately led him into therapy, coaching, and a much deeper process of rebuilding his life around his values, relationships, and purpose.

We also dive into David's work around neuroinformed coaching and why understanding how your brain actually works can change the way you approach motivation, leadership, and personal growth. We explore the difference between "work-life balance" and what David calls a life rhythm, how entrepreneurs can become overcalibrated toward accomplishment, and the five things that can motivate an ADHD brain: play, interest, novelty, competition/collaboration, and urgency. Most importantly, David shares a powerful question that can completely change the way you approach your future: "What will this look like when it's easy?" Rather than forcing yourself into someone else's definition of success, the goal is to discover the path that works with who you actually are.

(02:29) – Why successful people can become disconnected from their families by defining themselves through their work and accomplishments

(04:01) – The "work-life balance" lie and why building your life first creates a healthier relationship with your work

(05:41) – The warning signs David ignored before realizing something was seriously out of alignment in his life

(07:13) – The Hurricane Katrina moment that forced David to confront the storm happening inside him

(07:58) – Why speaking your struggles out loud can be the beginning of changing your life

(09:25) – The stigma around difficult emotions and why learning to experience emotions matters

(12:09) – What neuroinformed coaching means—and why most coaching research doesn't account for neurodiversity

(16:46) – The PINCH framework: five things that can help motivate an ADHD brain

(19:27) – The two turning points that transformed David's recovery from something he was doing for his children into something he was doing for himself

(21:00) – How watching his wife go through coach training sparked David's first genuine excitement in years

(24:35) – David's story retold: from feeling trapped and disconnected to discovering a future he could actually feel excited about

(30:51) – The realization entrepreneurs need: it doesn't have to be this hard

(32:10) – The question that can change your path: "What will this look like when it's easy?"

What if the biggest obstacle in your business isn't the problem you're trying to solve—but the question you haven't been willing to ask? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with executive coach and Vistage chair Ken Proctor to explore the power of asking better, tougher questions. Ken shares how his own failures taught him that leaders don't necessarily need more answers—they need someone willing to challenge them, uncover their blind spots, and help them see what's really driving their decisions.

We dive into the "ghosts" that can quietly shape the way leaders operate, from fear and insecurity to old stories carried from childhood into business. Ken explains why asking uncomfortable questions can create more respect than simply trying to be liked, while I explore my own experience of discovering how a single comment from my father influenced years of decisions in my career. This conversation is ultimately about using honest questions to break out of familiar patterns, create greater self-awareness, and move toward more alignment and integrity as a leader.

(01:03) – How Ken's failures turned into the foundation for his "Art of the Question" methodology

(01:25) – The question that uncovered a CEO's deepest fear—and revealed the connection to his micromanagement

(02:29) – Why challenging leaders with questions can create movement when advice and answers fall short

(03:29) – The difference between asking questions to be liked and asking questions that earn respect

(03:45) – A powerful CEO question: If you fired yourself, what qualities would you want in your replacement that you don't possess?

(05:00) – How tough questions can uncover hidden constraints affecting executives, sales teams, and company culture

(06:30) – Why the "sting" of an honest question can be the thing that finally wakes someone up

(08:10) – The hidden cost of avoiding uncomfortable truths inside a company

(09:50) – How an old comment from a parent can become a "ghost" that silently drives years of business decisions

(11:00) – Recognizing the moment when a familiar pattern repeats—and realizing the ghost may still be running the show

(12:50) – Turning painful business experiences into greater self-awareness, significance, and alignment

(13:20) – Why leaders need to be willing to ask themselves the same tough questions they ask everyone else

(14:00) – Moving from constantly circling the problem to finally confronting what's driving it

I've built a lot of businesses over the years, but some of my biggest lessons came from the ones that went painfully wrong. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with serial entrepreneur Tom Matzen, who has built 94 businesses, taken companies public, built franchise models, and experienced both enormous wins and multimillion-dollar losses. We dig into one of the most painful chapters of his career: turning a company valued at $21.4 million into $10 million in debt in just six months after stepping away from the business and trusting the wrong person. Tom shares what that experience taught him about intuition, accountability, checks and balances, and the dangerous difference between delegation and simply abdicating responsibility.

But the conversation goes far beyond what went wrong. Tom explains why entrepreneurs can accidentally build businesses that are completely dependent on them—and why becoming "indispensable" can actually become a liability. He introduces his Omega Method, built around organic growth, machine leverage, equity expansion, growth alliances, and asset accumulation, with the goal of creating more profit and more freedom while allowing the founder to spend more time in their zone of genius. We also get into AI and automation, strategic partnerships, acquiring rather than building from scratch, and the powerful story of how losing another business ultimately led Tom to create Icon Maker. This is a conversation about turning painful business failures into frameworks, freedom, and a completely different way of building.

(02:19) – Tom reveals how a company he took public went from $21.4 million in value to $10 million in debt in just six months

(04:02) – The warning Tom ignored before hiring a "shark" to run the company—and why he now sees that decision differently

(05:39) – The critical distinction between empowering a team and having the checks and balances necessary to protect the business

(07:47) – Why entrepreneurs often mistake healthy skepticism and "street smarts" for being a constraint on growth

(10:08) – The moment Tom realized he had stopped listening to his own instincts—and how stepping down from the board created an opening for disaster

(10:08) – The "worst-case scenario" filter Tom now uses before entering a new business venture

(13:17) – Why entrepreneurs should start with the exit in mind—and how failing to do this can shape the entire structure of a business

(15:00) – How being indispensable can trap entrepreneurs inside the businesses they worked so hard to build

(18:07) – Tom introduces the five principles behind his Omega Method for creating more growth with less work

(20:57) – From $1,100 monthly mastermind phone bills to AI agents: how technology has changed the leverage available to entrepreneurs

(22:23) – Why Tom believes entrepreneurs should look for ways to acquire or license existing assets instead of constantly starting from scratch

(24:11) – The power of strategic alliances—and how the right relationship can create quantum rather than linear growth

(29:26) – The shocking moment Tom was locked out of his own company after a massive launch

(30:57) – How losing access to his business also meant losing years of personal files, tax records, photos, and other critical information

(33:45) – Tom identifies one of his biggest entrepreneurial mistakes: confusing abdication with delegation

(35:01) – Why painful experiences can show up physically—and the question Tom believes every entrepreneur needs to ask about intuition: "Do we trust it?"

(35:41) – The three-day Icon Maker launch that generated $3.2 million in sales and became a turning point in Tom's entrepreneurial journey

(37:33) – Why Tom focuses on serving the people who don't buy—and how that philosophy changes the way he approaches selling

(42:00) – I share the story behind my own painful business failure and how it became the catalyst for creating the Omega Method

(43:58) – Tom explains how a $100,000 loan and a devastating business failure ultimately led to his partnership with Danella and the creation of Icon Maker

(45:00) – Why Tom believes every mistake can become either a lesson or simply another painful experience—and how reflection changes everything

(45:00) – The difference between building a business and building a job with economic risk—and why freedom needs to be part of the model

I've spent a lot of time thinking about the patterns that quietly shape how we lead, love, and live—and this conversation with Bryan Post took that exploration somewhere much deeper. Bryan has spent nearly 30 years working with families, adopted and foster children, parents, CEOs, entrepreneurs, and high-performing executives. His central message is powerful: when we experience stress, we don't simply become stressed—we can actually regress emotionally, allowing old fears, traumas, and survival patterns to take control. In this episode, we unpack his "Fear to Love" methodology and explore why the same emotional patterns he sees in children can show up in highly successful adults who have mastered business, achievement, and grit but still struggle with relationships, connection, and a deeper sense of meaning.

What really stood out to me was Bryan's emphasis on going beyond simply thinking about our trauma or inner child. Real transformation, he argues, requires us to slow down, enter the emotional experience, breathe through it, and learn to meet our pain without shame or judgment. Bryan shares his own deeply personal story—from being conceived under traumatic circumstances and moving through foster care and adoption, to a pivotal night when he collapsed on the floor after a painful marriage experience, and eventually to a powerful moment in Sacramento where he openly processed his own emotional overwhelm in front of a group. We also talk about why successful people can climb the first mountain of financial and professional achievement only to discover an emotional void when it's time to climb the second mountain of meaning. If you've ever wondered why you can be incredibly capable in one area of your life while feeling completely overwhelmed in another, this conversation offers a fascinating look at what may be happening underneath the surface.

• (00:14) – Why Bryan starts with the parents instead of the child: How helping parents develop deeper self-understanding can completely change the way they understand and respond to their children.

• (02:04) – The "Stress Model" that applies to both children and adults: Why Bryan believes the emotional patterns he sees in children are fundamentally the same patterns playing out inside stressed adults.

• (03:55) – Why your inner child may be running the show: We explore how childhood experiences continue to influence present-day relationships and reactions, especially during moments of stress.

• (04:42) – Trauma, energy, and the memories stored beneath the surface: Bryan explains how unresolved experiences can be triggered years later, creating emotional reactions that seem disproportionate to what's actually happening in the moment.

• (06:00) – The hidden emotional void behind high achievement: Why some successful men can conquer the first mountain of business and financial success but struggle when it comes to relationships, meaning, and emotional connection.

• (08:29) – What makes Bryan's approach different: Why talking about trauma and the inner child isn't enough—and why real change requires going into the emotional experience itself.

• (09:30) – The surprising connection between breathing, stress, and emotional regulation: Bryan explains how slowing down and breathing can help interrupt the cycle of cortisol, fear, and emotional reactivity.

• (10:44) – Why people don't change until they're willing to: Bryan explains the moment when someone finally becomes ready to stop repeating the same patterns and why that willingness can create breakthroughs far faster than years of traditional approaches.

• (13:23) – Bryan's own story of trauma, adoption, and survival: Bryan opens up about the circumstances surrounding his conception, adoption, family history, and the experiences that ultimately shaped his life's work.

• (16:37) – The night Bryan collapsed on the floor: He shares an incredibly vulnerable moment from a difficult marriage when he drove home for 90 minutes, walked into an empty house, and finally allowed himself to have a deep, uncontrollable cry.

• (19:34) – What emotional mastery actually looks like: Bryan explains how developing awareness of your pain can change the way you respond when rage, overwhelm, or old emotional patterns surface.

• (21:39) – The Sacramento breakthrough: Bryan describes experiencing intense overwhelm and imposter syndrome at one of his own events—and choosing to process his pain openly rather than hide it.

• (22:50) – Why Bryan lay down in front of his own group: He shares exactly what happened when he told everyone he needed to do his own emotional work first and allowed himself to receive support.

• (23:28) – Kyle turns Bryan's story into a story of its own: I retell Bryan's journey from the lonely drive home to the Sacramento breakthrough and explore what it means to create a safe space for emotional transformation.

• (27:44) – The choice we have in every stressful moment: Bryan leaves us with a simple but powerful practice: stop, take three to ten deep breaths, and choose love instead of automatically reacting from old trauma and fear.

What happens when the traits you spent your life fighting become the very things that allow you to serve others? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Hill, a self-described former "asshole" who has transformed decades of misunderstanding, broken relationships, self-hatred, and personal development into what she now calls her superpower: human connection. Jen shares the brutally honest moment when someone finally told her that her behavior was hurting people—and how that confrontation started a decades-long journey of learning to understand herself, embrace her autistic brain, and turn the way she naturally sees and connects people into a gift.

Then the story takes an unexpected and heartbreaking turn. Just as Jen and her business partner Julian were preparing to sell their technology company, Julian suddenly passed away, the acquisition fell apart, and Jen found herself on her knees in Lisbon asking God and the universe what she was supposed to do next. Her answer became the Jennifer Hill Tribe—a community designed around belonging, safety, generosity, and meaningful human connection. We talk about how the tribe grew from a simple request for 10 members into a thriving community, why so many successful entrepreneurs still feel like they can't fully be themselves in other rooms, and how Jen uses her unique ability to connect people to create relationships that become friendships, business partnerships, and sometimes even romance. Most importantly, we explore why the story that nearly breaks you may eventually become the exact story that helps someone else survive their hardest day.

(01:29) – The brutally honest feedback that changed Jen's life
Jen shares the moment someone looked her directly in the eyes and told her she was powerful—but was also destroying people around her. That confrontation became the catalyst for decades of personal transformation.

(02:34) – From self-hatred and existential crisis to a search for meaning
Jen opens up about the darkest period of her life, her early search for purpose, and the experiences that eventually led her toward personal development and self-understanding.

(06:04) – Why knowing your problem isn't the same as knowing how to change it
Jen explains why recognizing that she was hurting people wasn't enough—and how years of reading, meditation, coaching, and eventually understanding her autism helped her begin turning what she once saw as a weakness into a superpower.

(07:22) – The business email Jen wishes she could take back
Jen tells the story of sending an all-caps email to her team asking if they were "a bunch of fucking morons"—and how a business coach helped her recognize that even her communication style needed to change.

(08:20) – Discovering autism as a superpower
Jen shares how her friend and business partner Julian helped her see the strengths behind the way her brain works, including pattern recognition and the ability to make connections others might miss.

(09:00) – How Jen accidentally became a human-connection machine
Jen explains how she naturally channels introductions and connections for people without even keeping track of how many referrals she makes—and how that gift eventually became the foundation of her community.

(09:36) – The business idea that was supposed to change humanity
Jen reveals how she and Julian began building Optimatch, a technology designed to turn her intuition for matching people into a scalable system.

(10:00) – The phone call that shattered everything
Just one day after Jen and Julian celebrated receiving the exact acquisition offer they wanted, Jen woke up to the news that Julian had suddenly died.

(10:42) – What do you do when the future you planned disappears overnight?
With the acquisition gone, clients pushed away, hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, and her business partner gone, Jen found herself on her knees asking God and the universe to show her what to do next.

(11:06) – The unusual test Jen gave the universe
Jen asked for 10 paid members of her community within a month as a sign that the Jennifer Hill Tribe was her next assignment. Instead, 30 people joined—and another 30 joined the following month.

(14:45) – The real mission behind the Jennifer Hill Tribe
Jen explains her bigger vision: helping every human being develop deep, meaningful relationships with themselves, other people, and their purpose.

(15:14) – Who actually belongs in Jen's tribe?
We explore the entrepreneurs, doctors, investors, coaches, authors, podcasters, and other successful people who make up the community—and the common values that bring them together.

(16:58) – Why successful people can still feel like they don't belong
Jen reveals the missing ingredient she sees in many masterminds and communities: the ability to show up completely authentically without feeling like you have to hide part of yourself.

(19:06) – How Jen creates a community that feels like a "warm hug"
Jen breaks down what happens when someone joins the tribe and how she intentionally creates an environment where people feel secure, cared for, welcomed, and seen.

(19:58) – The unusual systems Jen uses to create powerful connections
Jen explains how she combines different systems—including numerology, motivational psychology, and Cards of Your Destiny—to understand how people may naturally connect and where friction might exist.

(21:49) – Yes, Jen is also a professional matchmaker
Things take a hilarious turn when Jen reveals she keeps a "soulmate list" and sometimes introduces people for fun—including putting Kyle on the list in real time.

(25:55) – The "fairy godmother of human connection"
Jen explains the role she has embraced and why creating meaningful connections between people has become one of the greatest joys of her life.

(27:26) – The moment Jen realized the tribe had truly become what she wanted
Jen describes the twice-monthly tribe social hours that consistently remind her why she created this community in the first place: love, appreciation, connection, and people feeling genuinely seen.

(29:34) – Why the tribe secretly became the "Love Club"
Jen shares the deeply personal story behind the community's internal name and how a difficult experience involving her sister ultimately gave the tribe a name that captured its true purpose.

(31:52) – I tell Jen's story back to her
I take everything we've uncovered and turn it into the story of someone who spent years feeling like she didn't fit in, finally discovered her gifts, built a company, found a powerful business partner, and then had her world shattered by his sudden death.

(35:00) – "Let me find my tribe"
I share the moment when Jen's loss became the beginning of a new mission: creating a place where people could feel safe, seen, supported, and connected.

(36:41) – How one community member became the proof that Jen had created what she needed
Jen's vision comes full circle when a member reaches out to her during a personal crisis—and Jen realizes she can be there for someone else in exactly the way she once needed someone to be there for her.

(38:54) – The story that could save someone else
Jen closes with a powerful reminder: the story that broke you, embarrassed you, or made you feel like you couldn't keep going may eventually become the story that helps someone else survive their hardest day.

In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Torrie Thompson to unpack one of the most frustrating experiences in health: doing everything "right" and still feeling terrible. We talk about the hidden toxins in our homes, products, and environments that can quietly accumulate over time—and why so many symptoms that we've been taught to accept as "normal" may actually be signs that something deeper is going on. From scented trash bags and household chemicals to mold, heavy metals, environmental toxins, and gut issues, Torrie explains why her approach starts with extensive data and testing rather than guessing. She shares how she uses comprehensive labs to identify what is actually happening inside someone's body, then combines that information with personalized, data-backed protocols and a team-based approach to help people clear what's holding them back.

But the most powerful part of our conversation is Torrie's own story. She became sick at just 12 years old and spent 15 years going from doctor to doctor while being told that her labs were "perfect," despite debilitating headaches, weakness, insomnia, depression, weight gain, brain fog, and severe bone pain. It wasn't until she began digging through years of old lab work herself that she discovered clues pointing toward Lyme disease, co-infections, mold, and environmental toxins—things that had been missed for years. We also take a deeper look at the transformation that happened when she finally began getting answers: having the energy to work out again, play tennis, get through the day without needing a nap, and ultimately feel like she had her body and her life back. Along the way, I help Torrie tell this story in a way that reveals not only the data behind her work, but the deeply personal reason she became so passionate about helping others find answers.

(00:18) – Torrie explains why she focuses on hidden toxins and helping people identify what in their homes, products, and environments could be affecting their health.

(02:21) – Why doing everything "right" can still leave you feeling horrible—and how common health problems can become normalized even when they aren't actually normal.

(03:29) – The surprising example of scented trash bags and how seemingly harmless everyday products can contribute to our overall toxic burden.

(05:32) – The mindset that keeps people stuck: believing they're simply "broken" or have to live with their symptoms instead of looking for what's actually causing them.

(06:07) – Torrie breaks down her data-driven approach, including testing for mold mycotoxins, heavy metals, environmental toxins, parasites, and gut imbalances.

(07:32) – Why years of experience and thousands of client cases matter when developing protocols—and how Torrie uses real-world data to determine what works.

(08:24) – The power of having a team of practitioners analyze difficult cases together instead of relying on a single perspective.

(09:11) – What can happen when the body begins clearing its toxic burden: more energy, less brain fog, improved hormones, reduced inflammation, better mood, and improved lab markers.

(10:28) – Torrie takes us back to age 12, when unexplained symptoms began and she started a 15-year journey through doctors and specialists searching for answers.

(12:04) – The emotional breaking point that changed everything—and the moment Torrie decided she had to find the answer herself.

(13:05) – How an accidentally ordered lab test became the first major clue toward Lyme disease and finally gave Torrie something to investigate.

(14:40) – The second major discovery: testing revealed extremely high levels of black mold and environmental toxins that traditional testing had failed to uncover.

(16:43) – The moment Torrie realized she was finally getting her life back—when she could work out, lift weights, eat more normally, and recognize the healthy person she saw in the mirror.

(17:37) – Why gradual changes can be so difficult to recognize—and how much of our lives we may be missing while we assume feeling bad is simply normal.

(19:00) – I help Torrie tell the full version of her story, including the 15-year struggle, the emotional breaking point, the search for answers, and the discoveries that changed her life.

(23:52) – We talk about why your personal story can be just as powerful as your expertise—and why Torrie's experience is more than just "I was sick, now I'm better."

(25:38) – Torrie reflects on what it feels like to hear her own story told back to her and why the human story can connect with people in ways data alone cannot.

(26:59) – Torrie shares where to follow her and learn more about her work.

What happens when the challenges you've spent years trying to overcome become the very experiences that shape who you're capable of becoming? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Tom LeNoble, a former executive at companies including MCI, Palm, Walmart.com, and Facebook, who has been given six months to live three separate times and has lived with metastatic cancer for the past fourteen years. Rather than allowing those diagnoses to define his life, Tom has built his philosophy around three powerful principles: risk, resilience, and reinvention.

We dig into what it actually looks like to stop living in the past, stop waiting for a "do-over," and start using your past as evidence of what you're capable of. Tom shares how his childhood, health crises, and willingness to take enormous risks—including leaving a dream corporate position to join a then-little-known Facebook—shaped the way he now advises executives and professionals. We also explore the hidden problems beneath the problems people bring to coaching, the six forms of energy that can become imbalanced, why curiosity and psychological safety can accelerate change, and how "acting as if" can help you move toward a life that doesn't yet exist. This is a conversation about resilience, but more importantly, it's about what becomes possible when you decide that your past can inform your future without controlling it.

(01:56) – Risk, resilience, and reinvention: Tom explains how two life-threatening illnesses forced him to rethink conventional approaches and develop the three principles that now guide his work with executives.

(02:59) – Stop waiting for the "do-over": We explore why living in the past can consume the time, energy, and consciousness you need to actually create your future.

(04:10) – The problem beneath the problem: Tom reveals why clients often arrive with one business question but leave with an entirely different answer—and how going one or two layers deeper can uncover what's really blocking them.

(04:58) – Turn your past into evidence, not a ball and chain: Tom explains how previous experiences can either keep you stuck or become proof that you're capable of handling what comes next.

(07:17) – The six forms of energy: We break down how time, physical vitality, relationships, money, support, and other forms of energy interact—and how depletion in one area can create problems everywhere else.

(08:17) – Are you missing the butterfly?: Tom shares a powerful metaphor for how being mentally stuck in the last email, conversation, or upcoming meeting can cause us to miss the renewal and opportunities happening right in front of us.

(08:55) – Stop searching for the story that makes you look good: We talk about how entrepreneurs and leaders can filter their own experiences through the wrong lens—and miss the stories and insights that would actually connect with their audience.

(10:23) – Curiosity as a coaching superpower: Tom explains how watching behavior, facial expressions, and vocal inflection helps him identify what's really happening beneath someone's words and create a safe space for honest conversations.

(11:57) – The investor call that was costing an executive his relationship: Tom shares a specific example of helping an executive recognize that the sacrifices he thought were necessary for business success were actually creating the same relationship problems he had experienced before.

(13:57) – What changes when you're told you have six months to live: Tom describes the perspective shift that comes from facing death repeatedly—and why he became more interested in what he could do while living than in dwelling on the possibility of dying.

(14:39) – Resilience is a muscle: Tom explains why resilience gets stronger through use and why looking forward, rather than wallowing in what happened, can fundamentally change how we experience adversity.

(16:14) – The lifestyle that forced Tom to wake up: Tom gets specific about the years when he worked 12–14 hour days, partied afterward, neglected his health, and lived almost entirely for future outcomes.

(18:34) – Growing up in "the shack": Tom takes us back to his childhood without hot water or a refrigerator and explains how realizing at age five that his life was different became an early catalyst for risk, resilience, and reinvention.

(21:01) – The phone call that changed everything: Tom tells the story of being recruited by Facebook when it was still a little-known company, interviewing with a 19-year-old Mark Zuckerberg, and taking the enormous risk of leaving his dream job at Palm.

(23:50) – Building a career while fighting for your health: Tom reveals what it was really like working at Facebook while dealing with a serious diagnosis—including being more concerned about where the bathroom was than whether he was in the right meeting room.

(25:01) – My attempt to reflect Tom's story back to him: I take everything Tom has shared and connect the pieces—from his health struggles and relentless work ethic to his decision to fight forward and reinvent his life.

(28:55) – Why your story can reveal possibilities you didn't see before: Tom explains why having someone accurately reflect your story back to you can help you see the person you're capable of becoming.

(29:29) – The hidden power of writing your own story: Tom shares why writing his memoir was so cathartic and why every part of our past—even the parts we would rather hide—can be essential to understanding who we are today.

(31:03) – Where to connect with Tom: Tom shares how you can learn more about his work, his books, and the Opening Pathways Collective.

In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Barry Goldstein, a longtime music producer and creative collaborator who has spent more than 40 years exploring how music can magnify mission, unlock creativity, and help us move through the blocks that keep us from our next level. We dive into the idea of the "last 3%"—that frustrating gap between knowing you have something great and actually being able to fully express its potential. Barry explains why solving that final piece doesn't necessarily require more effort, more analysis, or more information. Sometimes, it requires getting out of the thinking mind and into a deeper state of intuition, coherence, creativity, and flow.

Barry also shares the deeply personal story that led him to rethink his entire relationship with music. At the height of his career as a major-label record producer in New York City, the work he had once loved became repetitive, stressful, and creatively draining. His search for a way back to the joy he experienced as a 14-year-old musician eventually led him to experiment with music created at 60 beats per minute—music he describes as "decomposing" rather than composing. What began as an experiment for his own healing unexpectedly became a tool that people used for sleep, anxiety, childbirth, dementia, and other transformational experiences. We also explore the moment Barry realized just how powerful that work had become while watching thousands of people experience breakthroughs during a walking meditation at a Dr. Joe Dispenza event in Cancun. This conversation is ultimately about more than music—it's about remembering why we create, learning to trust what we don't yet know, and discovering what becomes possible when we bring the heart and mind back into alignment.

(00:27) – Barry explains his mission to use music to magnify purpose and why his lifelong fascination has been the creative process of bringing something into existence from nothing.

(05:15) – We unpack who Barry works with and why his ideal collaborators are people who have already done significant personal work but sense there is still something missing or another level they can access.

(07:55) – I explore the "last 3%" idea: why the final bit of refinement can make the difference between something that works and something that creates a dramatically greater impact.

(09:06) – Barry explains why the final 3% may actually require less effort, not more, and how music can help shift us out of an overactive analytical state and into alpha and theta brainwave states associated with flow.

(12:03) – We explore why the goal isn't to choose between the heart and the mind, but to integrate them—and how heart-brain coherence can open access to intuition and wisdom beyond analytical knowledge.

(17:14) – Barry takes us back to his years as a major-label producer in Midtown Manhattan, when the career he had dreamed about began to feel like a job and producing music became a source of pressure instead of joy.

(19:00) – Barry reveals the experiment that changed his relationship with music: setting a metronome to 60 beats per minute and allowing music to emerge without preconceptions, editing, or knowing where it would lead.

(21:47) – What Barry thought nobody would listen to started reaching people in unexpected ways—including families using his music for dementia, sleep challenges, dental appointments, and childbirth.

(25:06) – Barry describes the powerful moment on a beach in Cancun when he watched thousands of people experience breakthroughs during a Dr. Joe Dispenza walking meditation—and realized his music had become the soundtrack to their transformation.

(26:47) – I retell Barry's story through the lens of his transformation from a successful but creatively trapped producer into someone using music as a tool for healing, flow, possibility, and meaningful impact.

(32:56) – Barry reacts to hearing his own story told back to him and recognizes how powerful it can be to have another person help distill the deeper meaning hidden inside your own experience.

(34:24) – Barry shares where to connect with him and reflects on why great collaboration begins with the curiosity of asking, "I wonder what he would do with this."

I've spent a lot of time thinking about alignment—not just as a personal-growth concept, but as something that directly affects how we lead, build businesses, make decisions, and live our lives. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Esther Wildenberg, an executive coach, entrepreneur, consultant, and AI business owner who has spent more than 20 years helping leaders recognize when they've drifted out of alignment and find their way back. Esther describes alignment as the place where our purpose, passion, heart, identity, and actions are working together—and when they are, we create a kind of inbound energy that attracts the right people, opportunities, and growth.

We get very practical about what happens when that alignment disappears. Esther calls it "founder's fatigue": when we become obsessed with everything that isn't working, blame our employees, clients, finances, or circumstances, and convince ourselves we simply don't have enough time. She explains why stepping away from the business can actually be one of the most productive things an entrepreneur can do, including her unconventional three-day process of removing clients from their normal environment—and even taking away their phones—to create enough space for clarity. We also dive into Esther's own experience during the COVID pandemic, when a company pivot, a newborn son in the NICU, isolation, and an identity crisis forced her to completely rethink how she was living and leading. Ultimately, this conversation is about learning to step out of the trenches, reconnect with yourself, and create the kind of business and life that actually supports the person you want to become.

• (02:49) – Esther defines alignment and explains why getting your energy, purpose, passion, identity, and messaging into sync can dramatically change how your business grows.

• (03:58) – Why alignment is so difficult: the uncomfortable necessity of slowing down, creating silence and solitude, and actually listening to what your life is telling you.

• (06:49) – The biggest challenge of growing a team: why the people you hire will never care about your business exactly the way you do—and why entrepreneurs need to let go of that expectation.

• (08:24) – Why a candidate saying "no" to a past employer isn't necessarily a red flag—and the question Esther asks to uncover whether someone has actually learned from their failures.

• (09:23) – "Founder's fatigue": the warning signs that you're out of alignment, including constantly focusing on what's broken and blaming everyone around you.

• (12:25) – The hidden cost of the hustle: how an obsession with productivity, money, and growth can quietly destroy your health, relationships, and sense of balance.

• (12:55) – Why entrepreneurs may need to stop thinking in three- to five-year plans and start developing the ability to pivot every 90 days to six months.

• (14:48) – Esther's unconventional alignment reset: stepping completely out of your business for three days to gain enough distance to actually see the problem clearly.

• (15:09) – Why Esther takes away her clients' phones—and how she believes 90% of their problems can begin to resolve once they're removed from the environment creating the stress.

• (17:34) – The power of changing your environment and surrounding yourself with people who face similar challenges, including Esther's experience in high-level masterminds.

• (19:30) – Why taking an hour for yourself in the morning can actually make you more productive, focused, and magnetic throughout the rest of your day.

• (20:36) – Esther's raw story of founder's fatigue during the COVID pandemic: a company pivot, a newborn son, six weeks in the NICU, isolation, and a complete crisis of identity.

• (23:17) – The turning point: how Esther hired a coach, changed the direction of her company, and shifted from focusing on sales and revenue to helping people thrive and connect.

• (24:31) – The podcast question that changed Esther's perspective on her own impact—and helped her realize she didn't need to reach thousands of people to make a meaningful difference.

• (26:00) – Why Esther stopped preparing for podcasts and stages and began trusting what she calls the "download" of what she needs to say in the moment.

• (31:54) – Esther explains why vulnerability is central to her work and how she uses her own painful experiences to help others move through similar challenges faster.

• (34:12) – Esther's powerful prediction about the future of AI and technology—and why the ability to deeply connect with other human beings may become our most valuable skill.

• (35:21) – Her final challenge: build real communities, become an excellent communicator, and strengthen the human relationships that technology can never replace.

What if the very experiences you've been trying to leave behind are actually the things that qualify you to play a bigger game? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Markus Kaulius, a multi-exit entrepreneur, investor, author, and longtime student of personal development, to unpack the beliefs, habits, health, and faith that have shaped the man he is today. Markus grew up poor, in a broken family, and describes himself as starting "behind zero"—but instead of seeing that history as baggage, he learned to recognize it as the source of his work ethic, resilience, and ability to connect with people. We dig into why we so often write successful people off by assuming they were simply born that way, and how doing that protects us from having to challenge our own beliefs, identity, and assumptions.

Then we go much deeper. Markus shares the system he uses to create the life he wants: identifying the habits that support that life, putting those systems in place, and trusting them long enough to work. We explore why health should come first if you want to give your best to your family and your work, why faith is about more than religion and can include having genuine faith in your own purpose, and what happened when Markus hit one of the lowest points of his entrepreneurial life during COVID. After his business dropped 70% in a single month, he found himself leading from fear and holding an all-hands meeting that made him realize he had become the leader he never wanted to be. What happened next completely changed the trajectory of his company. This conversation is ultimately about learning to see obstacles differently, moving from scarcity to abundance, and realizing that you may be much closer to playing the bigger game you were designed for than you think.

(01:29) – From growing up poor and broken to becoming a multi-exit entrepreneur
Markus opens up about growing up financially, emotionally, and spiritually disadvantaged—and why he now considers that difficult background one of the greatest advantages he was given.

(06:41) – Why we write successful people off—and what that protects us from
We unpack the psychology behind assuming someone's success came easily, and how dismissing their story allows us to avoid challenging our own beliefs, identity, and potential.

(09:41) – Finding the "younger version" of yourself who is still stuck in limiting beliefs
Markus explains who he is really trying to reach when he speaks and coaches: the younger version of himself who believed he couldn't succeed because of his circumstances.

(12:45) – Why the right mentor isn't necessarily the "best" mentor
Markus shares a powerful perspective on personal development: if someone's voice resonates with you and challenges you to take action, keep listening. If it doesn't, find another voice.

(15:45) – The habit system behind Markus's success
Instead of relying on discipline, Markus explains how he identifies the habits required to create the life he wants, puts systems in place, and then trusts the process instead of constantly looking for immediate results.

(18:26) – Why your health might need to come before your business and family
Markus challenges the idea that putting your health first is selfish and explains how starting his day with his body and energy actually allows him to show up better for his work, family, and relationships.

(22:04) – Faith in yourself, faith in your purpose, and faith in something bigger
We explore what happens when you genuinely believe you were put here for a bigger purpose—and how that belief can completely change the way you approach your daily decisions.

(27:24) – The COVID moment that forced Markus to confront his own limiting beliefs
Markus takes us inside one of the darkest periods of his entrepreneurial journey, when his business dropped 70% in a month and fear about the future began affecting the way he led his team.

(29:53) – The all-hands meeting that made him realize he had become the worst version of himself as a leader
He shares the uncomfortable moment when he saw fear in his employees' faces and realized that his own panic and scarcity mindset were spreading throughout the organization.

(32:13) – The obstacle isn't necessarily blocking you—it may be preparing you
Inspired by Ryan Holiday's The Obstacle Is the Way, Markus describes the breakthrough that helped him see his biggest challenges as the very things capable of making him stronger and more qualified.

(33:23) – "I'm not a benchwarmer": The mindset shift that changed everything
During prayer and meditation, Markus had a realization that snapped him out of his victim mindset: he wasn't meant to sit on the sidelines. He was meant to get back in the starting lineup.

(34:34) – How one mindset shift created a new business opportunity within 24 hours
Markus brought his executives together, changed the energy in the room, and asked a simple question: who needed warehouse space? Within 24 hours, the company had its first new contract—and momentum began building again.

(37:59) – Rewriting the story of your own life
I reflect Markus's COVID experience back to him as a story, connecting the external crisis to the internal patterns he had carried since childhood and the moment he chose to recommit to his purpose.

(43:35) – Why your life doesn't have to be perfect for the system to work
We talk about the reality that personal transformation isn't something you "finish." New obstacles will always appear, but having a framework for reconnecting with yourself, your purpose, your health, and your faith can help you navigate whatever comes next.

(45:25) – The message Markus wants you to take action on today
Markus closes with a challenge: if something in this conversation resonated with you, don't dismiss it. Take action, become a better version of yourself tomorrow, and recognize that the world only gets one version of you.

What happens when you've built the successful career, hit the milestones, created the life everyone tells you that you should want—and yet, deep down, you know something is wrong? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Melissa Marina, a subconscious healer and intuitive channel for top entrepreneurs and founders, to explore what happens when high achievers finally stop compromising their deepest desires. Melissa shares the story of graduating with honors, winning entrepreneurship awards, landing a great corporate job, and seemingly doing everything "right"—while privately feeling miserable, coping with wine and cigarettes, and wondering why success wasn't making her happy.

We dive into the patterns that keep ambitious people stuck, including people-pleasing, limiting beliefs, unsupportive relationships, old identities, and the pressure to pursue goals that no longer feel meaningful. Melissa walks me through her Release, Reveal, Rise framework for clearing the patterns holding you back, reconnecting with your deeper purpose, and building a new identity and lifestyle around what you actually want. We also explore one of the most powerful themes of the conversation: sometimes what looks like a business or money problem is actually connected to your relationships, your identity, or the life you've been afraid to ask for. This episode is ultimately about something much bigger than making more money—it's about creating a life where success, fulfillment, family, freedom, and purpose can actually coexist.

(01:42) – Why stepping away from business during motherhood became a massive accelerator
Melissa explains how maternity leave unexpectedly gave her more clarity, energy, and focus—and why removing the "shoulds" from her business actually created more growth and income.

(04:13) – The hidden cost of building a life that looks successful but doesn't fulfill you
We explore how different seasons of life require different priorities and why performative work can quietly drain your energy.

(04:58) – The high achievers who secretly feel like something is missing
Melissa breaks down the types of founders and executives she works with—and the "wild, outrageous dreams" they often suppress because they have families, teams, mortgages, and responsibilities depending on them.

(06:31) – How people-pleasing and relationships can become invisible ceilings
We uncover how the desire to keep everyone happy can prevent ambitious people from pursuing their next level—and how a partner's lack of alignment can become a powerful hidden block.

(08:51) – The Release, Reveal, Rise framework
Melissa introduces the three-stage process she uses to help clients identify recurring patterns, reconnect with their purpose, and create a new identity aligned with their future.

(10:52) – What has to be cleared before you can actually find clarity
We talk about releasing old career paths, business decisions, identities, and "masks" that may still be taking up space—even when they no longer belong in your life.

(12:30) – Designing a life where your business supports your life—not the other way around
Melissa explains how the "Reveal" stage helps clients design their ideal next chapter around family, travel, relationships, spirituality, wealth, fulfillment, and the rhythms that genuinely work for them.

(14:04) – The identity shift that makes your future self possible
Melissa explains the "Rise" phase and how raising your minimum standards, changing your self-concept, and creating new boundaries can help you stop reverting to the person you've outgrown.

(15:54) – "I did everything right"—and still hated my life
Melissa takes us back to her early twenties in Bermuda, when she had the grades, awards, career, relationship, and accomplishments—but realized she had forgotten herself along the way.

(18:30) – The moment Melissa realized achievement wasn't the answer
She shares the profound realization that doing everything society expected of her had not created happiness—and that she had been following the formula for success while losing herself in the process.

(19:47) – What changed when success stopped being about hustle
Melissa describes her transition from a "hustle era" to a season of choosing, where she could focus on speaking, facilitating transformations, and the work that genuinely makes her lose track of time.

(21:15) – Finding a partner who amplifies your ambitions instead of limiting them
We explore how Melissa's current relationship has allowed her to pursue international speaking, travel, and a bigger vision for her family without having to choose between motherhood and her purpose.

(22:14) – The terrifying conversation that changed her relationship
Melissa shares the defining moment when she had to tell her partner that traveling the world and speaking was part of the life she wanted—and why refusing to compromise on that desire ultimately deepened their relationship.

(25:49) – The story behind the story: when success looks right but your life feels completely wrong
I help Melissa turn her experience in Bermuda into a powerful story about dissatisfaction, playing small, discovering purpose, and ultimately creating a life aligned with what she truly wanted.

(33:14) – The surprising connection between money problems and relationships
We uncover why the "money block" or business ceiling clients think they're facing can actually be connected to their relationships—and how recognizing that connection can create a major breakthrough.

(34:00) – Discovering what your current life is really costing you
Melissa explains her "Destiny Opportunity Audit" and how looking at missed opportunities, lost time, and potential income can reveal the real cost of remaining stuck.

I sat down with entrepreneur and business coach John Glon for a conversation about something I've experienced personally—and something I see happen to so many founders: the moment when hard work, grit, and determination that once built the business start becoming the very things that hold it back. John shared his journey from running a successful electrical manufacturing business to realizing that his deeper calling was helping leaders and their teams communicate, execute, and lead better. We explored what happens when founders become the person everyone depends on, why "I'll just do it myself" becomes such a dangerous habit, and how growth can eventually demand an entirely different skill set than the one that created the business in the first place.

I also shared a deeply personal story about a painful decision I made with a business partner, the consequences of stepping too far away from my own company, and the years of costly mistakes that eventually helped me develop a better way forward. At the heart of this conversation is a simple question: What if the solution to your business problems isn't working harder, but learning how to lead differently? John and I unpack structure, vulnerability, curiosity, presence, accountability, and the importance of creating a business where everyone understands their role, knows the North Star, and has the freedom to do their best work. If you're a founder or leader who has built something successful but feels like the business is demanding more and more of you, this conversation may help you see your situation—and your next move—in a completely different way.

(01:32) – John explains the philosophy that guides how he shows up: love, care, and compassion, and how his entrepreneurial journey led him toward helping other leaders.

(02:52) – Why John walked away from a seemingly reliable and profitable business path after realizing that success wasn't filling his cup or allowing him to help enough people.

(05:32) – We explore the idea of turning years of costly mistakes into a shortcut for other entrepreneurs, so they don't have to spend years learning the same lessons the hard way.

(05:59) – I share a powerful storytelling lesson: how saying "I worked so hard to figure this out, and now I have the shortcut for you" can transform painful experiences into authority.

(08:23) – John reveals the three things he believes make his coaching different: structure, vulnerability and curiosity, and being fully present with the people he serves.

(10:34) – Why vulnerability can unlock a completely different level of trust inside an organization—and why admitting that you don't have all the answers can actually make you a stronger leader.

(13:05) – The warning signs that a founder may be operating out of alignment: the business is growing too quickly, the wheels are falling off, or the owner desperately wants more time away from the business.

(15:04) – We uncover a major trap for high achievers: you can't outwork every problem in your business—and you definitely can't outwork problems in your family.

(17:29) – Why entrepreneurs often need someone outside themselves to help break habits, patterns, and "scar tissue" that keep them stuck in the same leadership cycle.

(18:14) – John describes what becomes possible on the other side: genuine smiles, more engaged employees, higher-level work, more personal freedom, and a team that is finally rowing in the same direction.

(20:02) – John tells the story of a painful decision to exit a business partnership—and how acting from shame and frustration created consequences that went far beyond the original conflict.

(22:52) – A powerful lesson about the danger of using an "easy button" in business: stepping too far away can cause you to lose touch with the heart and soul of the culture you created.

(24:36) – John discovers that his results-driven approach was alienating employees who had been drawn to the company because of its heart-centered culture.

(26:18) – An emotional conversation with a key employee forces John to confront a difficult realization: he was no longer operating in alignment with his own values.

(28:59) – John looks back on a period when his business finally felt joyful—employees were laughing, money was flowing, the team was connected, and he was able to create balance outside of work.

(31:25) – I tell the story behind my own transformation, beginning with the question that stopped me in my tracks: "Why do we need to babysit you?"

(34:00) – I reveal the process I developed through years of painful mistakes: creating structure, vulnerability, curiosity, and presence so leaders can bring their businesses and lives back into alignment.

(35:53) – John reacts to hearing his story reflected back to him—and explains why experiencing a story can sometimes create more transformation than simply intellectualizing a problem.

(37:53) – John shares why storytelling has become such a powerful leadership tool for him, and why the best speakers don't always need slides or complicated frameworks to make an impact.

(38:59) – John shares his closing thoughts and where you can connect with him and learn more about his work.

What happens when you're a nurse who deeply cares about helping people, but you realize the healthcare system doesn't always give you the freedom—or the options—to provide the kind of care you believe people deserve? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Ashley Yardley, founder of Advanced Mobile IV, to unpack the personal experiences that pushed her to build a completely different model of healthcare. We talk about how her background in home health and hospice led her to see the power of bringing care directly into people's homes and communities, and how that eventually became a mobile IV franchise built around nurses, technology, flexibility, and personalized care.

But Ashley's story goes much deeper than building a healthcare business. She shares the devastating experience of watching her father-in-law improve dramatically during cancer treatment, only to see his treatment options change after an insurance decision—and the profound realization that followed. That experience helped Ashley understand that she wanted to create more options for patients while also giving nurses a way to build businesses, control their schedules, and have a greater impact on their communities. We also explore the software and systems behind her franchise, the vision of empowering nurses to become entrepreneurs, and the moment I reflected Ashley's own story back to her in a way she had never heard before. This conversation is ultimately about turning painful experiences into purpose—and building something that gives people more freedom, more options, and more control over their own lives.

(01:29) – Why Ashley believes healthcare works better when care happens in someone's natural environment—and how that insight became "nurses on wheels."

(03:37) – The surprising reason so many people seek IV therapy, from dehydration and travel to athletes and unexpected moments when they need support quickly.

(05:26) – What makes someone an ideal Advanced Mobile IV franchisee—and why Ashley looks for people who want to invest in their health, future, and community.

(06:26) – Why being a great nurse doesn't automatically make someone a great business owner, and the business mindset Ashley believes franchisees need.

(08:20) – How Ashley built proprietary software and an EMR to help her franchisees respond quickly, manage nurses, track inventory, and scale.

(09:20) – The business model behind mobile IV: rapid service, recurring subscriptions, community relationships, and the potential for additional revenue streams.

(10:59) – The transformation Ashley is most proud of: giving nurses more freedom while helping them build careers that allow them to spend more time with their families.

(12:42) – The moment Ashley realized the traditional hospital environment was no longer the right fit—and why she wanted to fill the gaps she had seen firsthand.

(13:43) – The painful experience that changed Ashley's perspective on healthcare, insurance, and the role that financial decisions can play in patient care.

(15:42) – What happened when Ashley's father-in-law's cancer treatment was working, but an insurance decision made the treatment financially inaccessible.

(17:51) – Ashley's philosophy on going back to the basics of health and giving the body the foundation it needs to fight and recover.

(19:12) – The powerful story of Ashley's son after brain surgery—and the moment he asked to receive an IV because he knew he needed one.

(19:36) – Ashley's vision for the future: empowering nurses to build their own clientele, choose their schedules, and get paid what they deserve.

(20:47) – How painful experiences can become lessons, and why Ashley believes something that feels like the worst moment may ultimately be protecting or teaching you.

(26:44) – I retell Ashley's story back to her—and she hears the deeper meaning of her journey in a way she never had before.

(27:39) – Why hearing your own story from someone else can be more empowering than telling it yourself—and how a new perspective can help us move faster.

(28:25) – Ashley's closing message: trust yourself, seek second and third opinions, and remember that you may have more options than you realize.

(29:30) – Where to learn more about Ashley, Advanced Mobile IV, and opportunities for nurses to get involved.

In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with brain health and dementia expert Eric Collett to explore a question I think a lot of us would rather avoid: What if the problems we experience in our brain, energy, focus, and mental health today are warning signs of something deeper? Eric explains why conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's can begin developing decades before obvious symptoms appear, and why things like brain fog, low energy, declining productivity, gut health issues, and memory changes deserve more attention than we often give them. We also unpack Eric's powerful "hardware vs. software" analogy: sometimes we keep trying to learn more, work harder, or become more productive when the real problem is that our underlying biology needs attention.

What makes this conversation especially powerful is Eric's personal story. After 16 years working in assisted living and memory care, he reached a breaking point when he had to leave his family's evening plans to return to work with a dying resident. That night, he looked in the mirror and realized he was overweight, exhausted, brain foggy, chronically stressed, and ignoring the warning lights in his own life. Within days, he decided to leave his career and build what became A Mind for All Seasons. We talk about his four-part process—measure, learn, apply, and adjust—and why information alone isn't enough to change your health. Ultimately, this episode is about taking care of your brain before you desperately need to, recognizing that common doesn't always mean normal, and taking the next right step toward having the energy, clarity, and capacity to live the life you actually want.

What if the thing we spend our lives avoiding—death—could actually become one of the most powerful tools for creating a more meaningful life? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with behavioral change expert and bestselling author Karen Salmansohn to explore why so many ambitious, high-achieving people resist self-help, stay trapped in "beast mode," and keep telling themselves they'll finally live the life they want someday. Karen shares her philosophy of moving from the "den of pleasure" into the "laboratory of growth," embracing emotional diversity, and focusing less on success, money, and productivity and more on becoming the person you actually want to be.

We also go deep into Karen's personal story. After her father's death forced her to confront how much of her own life she had been postponing, she wrote his eulogy—and then wrote one for herself. That exercise became a blueprint for the life she wanted to live. We explore how mortality awareness can create urgency, how identity-based habits can change behavior, why your core values can become the "puppet master" of your habits, and how a single message her father left behind—"Everything that is not given is lost"—continues to shape the work she does today. This is a conversation about death, but ultimately, it's about learning how to live with more courage, intention, meaning, and purpose.

Most people who want to write a book are thinking about the book. What they don't see coming is what the process does to them.

Steven Heumann spent 15 years as a television writer and director before founding Superhuman Creative, a ghostwriting and publishing company that helps leaders tell their stories. In this conversation, we talk about the difference between leading with principles and leading with your story, what it actually means to reach a moment of authenticity (it's not a mindset shift, it's an identity shift), and why the clients who go through his process often describe it as four months of therapy with a book at the end. Steven also shares his own turning point: lying in a bunk bed in a Montana RV, in the middle of a shoot, quietly deciding to walk away from everything he'd built and start over. That one private moment changed what Fridays look like for him today.

Rae Irelan was home alone, leg in a cast, a two-year-old running around, and a mattress on the living room floor because she couldn't climb stairs. Then the landlord called. Sixty days to move out.

Most people would have collapsed. Rae and her husband Sammy sold almost everything they owned, hit the road, and used the chaos to finally go all-in on what they had been studying for months: using AI to take back the hours that were quietly draining founders dry.

In this episode, Rae shares the real breaking point behind her shift, how she and Sammy built a system to audit where time actually goes (the numbers shock every single client), and what it looked like when the systems started working while they were homeschooling their son on a beach in Puerto Rico. She also shares the story of a trucking family with seven kids who got 40 hours a month back each, launched a new six-figure revenue stream, and then opened their home to foster kids. This is what happens when your business stops running you.

Chandler Bolt dropped out of college with a C in English, ADHD, and about three months of runway in the bank. He borrowed his parents' retirement savings to buy out his business partner at Self Publishing School, then paid every dollar back in 11 months. Over the last 12 years, his company has helped publish more than 7,000 books.

In this episode, Chandler gets honest about what it means to lead through a genuinely hard season: flat growth years, SEO traffic down 70%, and an industry being disrupted by AI hype that he thinks is badly outpacing AI capability. He shares the framework he calls the "wartime CEO," why he still drives the same Nissan Altima from high school (250,000 miles and counting), and what Self Publishing School does completely differently from everyone else in the space.

Chris Miles calls himself the anti-financial advisor. Not because financial advisors are bad people. Because he was one, and it nearly ruined him twice.

In 2007 he had it all figured out. Debt free basement finished, growing equity, a Mercedes in the driveway. He went to the bank to cash out on his home's equity and they kept moving the goalposts. Get your credit score up two points. Now do X, Y, Z. By September they told him the truth. No more cash out refinances for business owners. The equity he built his whole plan around was trapped.

Within two years he lost the house, the car, and nearly everything he thought defined him. He tells the story of standing at his door mid argument with his wife, slamming it, driving off, and somehow knowing something was about to shift. Two months later it did.

Here's the part that stuck with me. Chris says he didn't actually feel wealthy until the money was gone. That's when he found out what was actually his.

Full conversation is on the podcast. Worth your drive time this week.

On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast I sit down with Andrew Quebbemann, and we discuss something on the podcast that I haven't stopped thinking about.

"People only think other people die."

Not morbid. Just true. You know people get sick, but it's someone else. You know people get laid off, but not you. You're a safe driver, you eat healthy, you got your shots. So the plan gets pushed to twelve on the top ten list. Every year.

Andrew had a client call him at 58 and say he wanted to retire in two years. Andrew ran the numbers. Second meeting, he had to say it straight: the math doesn't work. Not because the guy didn't have money. Because nobody had mapped where he was actually headed until it was almost too late.

Time is the one thing you can't buy back once it's gone. That's the whole episode.

What happens when you've built the career, earned the title, achieved the success—and still feel disconnected from yourself? In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with Justin Ricklefs, founder of Guild Collective and author of *Give a Damn*, to explore the hidden cost of achievement-driven leadership. Justin shares the personal journey that transformed his life—from sitting alone in a Target parking lot while working what many would consider a dream job, to building a human-centered company rooted in purpose, presence, and genuine connection. Together, we unpack why so many leaders reach a point where hustle, control, and performance stop working—and what happens when you're forced to confront the deeper fears, identities, and stories driving your success. Justin reveals how burnout, numbness, strained relationships, and constant striving are often symptoms of something much deeper, and why the path forward isn't found in another productivity hack, marketing strategy, or business book. If you've ever felt trapped by the very success you've created, this episode offers a powerful reminder: your value is not determined by what you do. It's determined by who you are. And when leaders learn to lead from that place, they create healthier teams, stronger cultures, more meaningful businesses, and ultimately a more fulfilling life.

Scott Richmond was lying on a hotel bathroom floor in Atlanta, the day after his birthday, on the phone with his mom. He'd already spent thirteen days in two hospitals that month. He'd lost 42 pounds. His mom was telling him they couldn't afford this anymore. He needed to come home.

He didn't go home. He stayed anchored to one thing: his five year old daughter back in Iowa. That's what kept him fighting through a year that included being told, by the best pulmonary hospital in the country, that they simply didn't have an answer for him.

Here's what Scott told me on this episode of Story Engine. Almost nobody who comes to him needs more information. They've already Googled everything, tried every protocol, seen twenty or thirty practitioners. What they're actually missing is one thing, the piece that makes all the other pieces finally connect. And more often than not, that piece isn't physical at all.

If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right and still stuck, this conversation is for you. 

What if the symptoms you're fighting aren't the real problem? In this powerful episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with functional medicine pioneer and bestselling author Dr. Jill Carnahan to explore her extraordinary journey from a 25-year-old battling aggressive breast cancer and Crohn's disease to becoming one of the leading voices in root-cause medicine. Dr. Jill shares how a seemingly healthy childhood on a family farm exposed her to hidden environmental toxins, setting the stage for a health crisis that would ultimately transform her life's mission. Through her own healing journey, she discovered that true health isn't just physical—it's deeply connected to our emotional resilience, spiritual perspective, and willingness to ask better questions. But this conversation goes far beyond disease and diagnosis. We dive into why modern healthcare is failing both patients and practitioners, the burnout epidemic among clinicians, and the critical importance of treating people as human beings rather than collections of symptoms. Dr. Jill reveals the mindset shifts that helped her overcome seemingly impossible odds, why curiosity may be one of the most powerful healing tools available, and how she's now helping an entirely new generation of practitioners rediscover the humanity at the heart of medicine. If you've ever struggled with chronic illness, felt unheard by the medical system, or wondered how adversity can become your greatest gift, this episode is one you won't forget.

On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I am talking to Nancy Bisbikos. Nancy runs a company called the Biko Method, and for fifteen years she's been helping people, from Olympic athletes to PGA golfers to executives, clear what she calls "emotional footprints." These are the patterns that get built when we're small and unprotected, then get passed down without anyone naming them.

In aviation school, Nancy Bisbikos would walk into a classroom with tiny rectangular windows and feel like she couldn't breathe. Her nails turned blue every time. She had no idea why until her parents told her most of her family on her father's side died in concentration camps, through suffocation.

We talk about the difference between a subconscious block and a conscious one, why the college basketball player who misses the game winning shot starts passing more the next season, and why the loudest voice in your head is usually the one you shouldn't trust. Nancy also tells a story about the moment she had to choose between staying sick and choosing real growth. It's not a comfortable story. It's a true one.

What if the biggest thing holding your brand back isn't a lack of content, strategy, or opportunity—but your inability to see your own value? In this deeply personal and insightful episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with filmmaker, storyteller, and entrepreneur Chris Van Loan II to explore the hidden art of capturing authentic moments that create lasting impact. From documenting elite masterminds and transformational events to helping entrepreneurs share their stories in ways that truly connect, Chris reveals why the most meaningful moments are often the ones that never make it to the screen—and how that realization sparked a powerful evolution in his own business. But this conversation goes far beyond media and marketing. Chris opens up about years of self-doubt, feeling overlooked despite an impressive track record, and the difficult journey of recognizing his own worth. Through a powerful live storytelling exercise, we uncover the deeper thread connecting his career, his purpose, and the message he most needed to hear himself: believe in your own magic. If you've ever struggled with imposter syndrome, questioned your value, or felt like your best work wasn't being seen, this episode will leave you inspired, challenged, and ready to step into your next chapter.

What does it really take to stand out in a world where everyone is fighting for attention? In this powerful episode of The Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with PR strategist and visibility expert Lauren Cabello, founder of Leverage with Media PR and the newly launched Big City Podcast Tours. Lauren shares what most entrepreneurs get wrong about visibility, why traditional PR is making a surprising comeback in the age of AI, and how authentic relationships—not viral trends—are becoming the ultimate competitive advantage. But this conversation goes far deeper than media placements and podcast appearances. Lauren opens up about one of the most pivotal moments of her life: selling the home where she raised her children, walking away from a successful personal finance brand, changing her public identity, and betting everything on a new vision. Her story is a powerful reminder that true visibility starts with the courage to reinvent yourself, trust your instincts, and keep moving forward long before the results arrive. Whether you're an entrepreneur, author, speaker, or thought leader looking to expand your influence, this episode delivers both practical strategy and profound inspiration.

In this episode, I sit down with Rubina Chadha, founder of Inner Design, to explore what it really means to regulate your nervous system in high-stakes moments. We go far beyond surface-level "mindset" advice and dive into the real reason so many high performers—entrepreneurs, leaders, and creatives—feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck despite their success. Rubina shares how we've been conditioned to live in our heads, and why reconnecting with our bodies is the key to clarity, resilience, and sustainable performance.

Through a powerful, real-life story, we uncover what emotional regulation actually looks like in practice—not in theory. From navigating major life transitions to making better decisions under pressure, this conversation reveals simple, practical tools you can use immediately. If you've ever felt like overthinking, stress, or emotional overwhelm is holding you back, this episode will show you a new way forward—one rooted in presence, awareness, and real inner alignment.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Rubina Chadha and the power of nervous system regulation
• 01:17 – What creativity and mindfulness really mean (and why everyone is creative)
• 03:19 – Why high performers default to overthinking—and where it stops working
• 05:05 – The hidden cost of stress: health, relationships, and burnout
• 07:27 – Why we're not taught how to handle stress—and what's missing
• 11:22 – Rubina's unique approach: creative expression + breathwork as entry points
• 12:59 – Simple ways to release stress (that most adults have forgotten)
• 15:17 – What becomes possible when you learn to regulate your emotions
• 17:59 – A real-life story: receiving life-changing news in the kitchen
• 19:40 – The emotional conflict of letting go and supporting growth
• 22:46 – Finding peace, presence, and gratitude on the other side
• 24:32 – A powerful live storytelling transformation of Rubina's journey
• 28:07 – The impact of being seen—and the importance of community

In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Mark Rust, founder of Consequently Creative, to unpack what it really takes to stand out in a world flooded with noise, sameness, and safe marketing. Mark shares how his background as a musician shaped his approach to branding—and why the magic isn't in logos or color palettes, but in the bold, often uncomfortable choices that make people pay attention. From redefining branding as the central operating system of your business to crafting messages that connect beyond words, this conversation challenges everything you thought you knew about visibility.

We also dive into the role of audacity in business growth—what it looks like to break the rules, create unforgettable moments, and engineer opportunities instead of waiting for luck. Mark shares powerful stories (including one unforgettable outreach strategy involving a coffin and a competitor's microphone) that demonstrate how small, creative shifts can open massive doors. If you've ever felt stuck blending in, overcomplicating your message, or struggling to articulate what makes you different, this episode will give you a new lens—and the courage—to do something radically different.

Episode Highlights

01:15 – How music shaped Mark's creative thinking and storytelling approach

03:13 – The hidden downside of chasing perfection and "rockstar" success

04:36 – Why marketing magic comes from combining multiple elements—not just design

06:47 – The real key to standing out: leading with why, not what

08:31 – The biggest mistake businesses make: vague, meaningless messaging

10:23 – Why people connect emotionally—not logically—to brands

12:17 – Branding as the central operating system of your business

13:52 – What makes Consequently Creative different in a crowded industry

15:51 – The power of audacity: doing what others won't

17:50 – Kyle's story of bold action and betting on himself

20:05 – Mark's unforgettable moment asking a university president for help

21:40 – The "coffin campaign": a bold outreach strategy that landed a dream client

24:51 – Why conventional marketing no longer works in an oversaturated world

26:04 – How to position your message so people actually lean in

28:14 – Small shifts in clarity that create massive business impact

29:14 – A powerful story that captures Mark's philosophy in action

In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Carolee Moore, an expert storyteller who helps corporate leaders and subject matter experts find their voice, get on the right podcasts, and turn their visibility into real business growth. What stood out to me most is how Carolee doesn't just focus on booking interviews—she helps people reconnect with their authentic voice after years of operating inside corporate expectations. We explore how storytelling, when done right, becomes the bridge between deep expertise and real influence.

Carolee shares her journey from growing up in Jamaica surrounded by storytelling, to navigating corporate America, to building (and walking away from) a successful marketing agency that no longer aligned with her. We also dive into how podcast guesting can fast-track credibility in B2B spaces, why so many experts struggle with visibility despite their experience, and how finding your voice can literally "change the vote" in the rooms that matter most. If you've ever felt unseen, under-recognized, or stuck playing small—this conversation will show you a new path forward.

00:49 – From Jamaica to the U.S.: The Roots of a Storyteller
02:09 – Corporate Life, Structure, and Suppressed Creativity
03:30 – Building (and Closing) a Multi-Six-Figure Agency
04:24 – The Pivot: From Marketing to Podcast Guesting
05:31 – The Types of Experts She Works With
07:41 – Why Podcasting Works for High-Level Experts
09:00 – Turning Stories Into Credibility and Sales
11:14 – The Hidden Struggles of High-Achieving Experts
12:46 – Watching Less Experienced People Win (and Why It Hurts)
14:08 – The Real Transformation: Finding Your Authentic Voice
16:46 – Integrating Visibility With Sales and Business Strategy
17:23 – The Boardroom Moment That Changed Everything
19:00 – Speaking Up and Changing the Vote
20:58 – Learning to Own Your Voice
21:39 – Underpricing and Positioning Lessons as an Agency Owner
22:46 – A Major Win: Earning a Year's Salary in One Day
23:30 – Learning to Celebrate and Step Away
24:44 – The Story Reflection: From Silence to Impact

In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Jonathan Greye from personalbrand.com to explore what branding really means—and why most people are getting it completely wrong. We go far beyond logos, fonts, and color palettes to uncover the deeper "engine of the story" that drives everything: your identity, your lived experiences, and the essence of who you are. Jonathan shares how true branding is about mirror work—reflecting your full story back to you so clearly that it transforms not just your messaging, but your offers, your team alignment, and the way your entire business operates.

What struck me most is how this process doesn't just create a brand—it creates freedom. When your brand is rooted in your true essence, you stop rebuilding your website every year, stop chasing trends, and start building something timeless that evolves with you. Jonathan also opens up about the pivotal moment that pushed him to leave agency life behind and build a business where creativity, alignment, and impact finally came together. If you've ever felt boxed in, scattered, or disconnected from your own brand, this conversation will completely reframe how you see your business.

01:09 – The "Engine of the Story" Explained
Jonathan shares how storytelling across copy, visuals, and design creates a multi-sensory brand experience.

03:42 – What a Brand Manifesto Actually Does
We break down how a manifesto draws a line in the sand, attracts the right people, and repels the wrong ones.

05:09 – Where Most Branding Agencies Get It Wrong
Why focusing only on content or niching can limit growth—and how true brand DNA creates long-term flexibility.

07:42 – The Costly Trap of Constant Rebranding
I share the common cycle of rebuilding websites and chasing trends—and why it never works long term.

08:38 – Mirror Work: Seeing Yourself Clearly for the First Time
Jonathan defines mirror work and explains how embracing your full story becomes your true differentiation.

10:25 – How Your Brand Shapes Your Offers and Business Model
We explore how understanding your essence influences not just messaging—but how you structure your entire business.

12:04 – The "Frankenstein Brand" Problem
Jonathan describes how many entrepreneurs piece together scattered strategies that never fully align.

15:06 – Branding That Creates Cultural Impact
How great brands go beyond marketing and begin to shape movements and communities.

17:08 – The Breaking Point: Creative Director Burnout
Jonathan shares the moment he realized his dream job wasn't what he thought it would be.

18:12 – The Dali Museum Project That Changed Everything
A powerful story of creative rejection that led to a complete shift in his career path.

20:02 – The First Aligned Client Experience
The moment Jonathan realized he was finally doing the work he was meant to do.

21:39 – "I Finally Felt Seen"
How a client's reaction validated his new approach to branding and set the foundation for his business.

26:08 – From Rejection to Reinvention (Story Breakdown)
I reflect Jonathan's journey back to him, connecting the dots into a powerful, transformational narrative.

28:58 – Where to Learn More
How to connect with Jonathan and explore working with his team at personalbrand.com.

What if the reason your coaching business feels exhausting… is because it's built the wrong way? In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Christie Ruffino to unpack how coaches, speakers, and authors can escape the chaos of low-ticket offers, endless content creation, and "shiny object syndrome" — and instead build scalable, high-ticket programs that deliver real results.

Christie shares her proven framework for turning your expertise into a profitable, freedom-based business using strategic offers, risk-reversal guarantees, and books as powerful lead-generation tools (not just credibility pieces). You'll also hear her raw journey from overworked single mom grinding through 10+ hour days… to creating a business that supports her lifestyle, her family, and her freedom. If you're ready to stop spinning your wheels and start building something sustainable, this episode will show you how.

In This Episode

• 01:27 – Christie's Background & Mission
  From publishing expert to helping coaches leverage books for impact and income.
• 02:21 – Why Most Books Don't Make Money
  The myth of "build it and they will come" — and why a book alone won't grow your business.
• 03:45 – The Right Way to Use a Book as a Lead Generator
  How to position your book as a funnel that attracts ideal high-ticket clients.
• 05:06 – What High-Ticket Clients Actually Want
  Why they don't care about reading your book — and what they do want instead.
• 06:40 – Building a Real High-Ticket Offer
  The biggest mistake coaches make (starting too small) and how to position yourself as an expert faster.
• 08:36 – The Power of Guarantees in Coaching Programs
  How risk-reversal builds trust, improves conversions, and ensures real client results.
• 10:02 – Screening vs Selling
  Why the best high-ticket models focus on qualifying clients instead of convincing them.
• 11:28 – The "Busy & Broke" Entrepreneur Trap
  Content overload, shiny objects, and why the ascension model leads to burnout.
• 13:27 – Christie's Unique Framework
  Risk-reversal offers, done-for-you components, and structured group coaching systems.
• 16:19 – Done-For-You vs Done-With-You Support
  How to design offers that maximize results without draining your time.
• 17:26 – Christie's Breaking Point
  Working 10–12 hour days as a single mom, overwhelmed and stuck in the hustle cycle.
• 20:08 – The Emotional Cost of Busyness
  The hidden guilt and pressure of trying to provide while feeling absent at home.
• 22:17 – The Turning Point: High-Ticket Transformation
  Moving from chaos to clarity — and finally building a business that works.
• 24:32 – Freedom, Travel, and Lifestyle by Design
  Choosing how to work, where to work, and creating space for life again.
• 25:15 – Christie's Story, Reframed
  A powerful narrative transformation illustrating her full journey and impact.
• 30:19 – Where to Learn More & Final Thoughts
  Christie shares resources and reflects on the power of storytelling in business.

What if the way you lead today was shaped long before your first job, team, or business? In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Kevin Mays to explore how early childhood roles—whether you were the oldest, youngest, or an only child—quietly influence your leadership style, decision-making, and even the types of people you attract into your life and work.

Dr. Kevin breaks down how these deeply ingrained patterns can either limit or amplify your impact—and more importantly, how to break free from them. This conversation is a powerful invitation to lead yourself first, so you can show up more authentically for your team, your clients, and your mission. Plus, you'll get a behind-the-scenes look at how Kevin is shaping his message and story for an upcoming book—revealing what it really takes to step into your full leadership potential.

Highlights:

(00:25) – Kevin's origin story: getting kicked out of college and discovering the power of choosing what you want vs. what you should

(01:40) – From psychologist to leadership expert: helping high achievers become "inspired executives"

(02:45) – The breaking point: realizing a traditional career path wasn't the right fit after a near-dangerous flying experience

(03:20) – A radical decision: selling everything, hitting the road, and designing life on his own terms

(04:10) – "My age doubled overnight": the moment Kevin stepped into adulthood, leadership, and responsibility

(05:00) – Leading through crisis: helping a bank grow during the 2006–2008 financial collapse using conscious leadership

(07:18) – The deeper mission: mastering consciousness and applying ancient wisdom (like teachings of the Buddha) to modern leadership

(09:10) – What's really leading you: the "invisible patterns" formed in early childhood that drive your behavior

(10:00) – The neuroscience of identity: how your brain wires your beliefs, habits, and self-concept before age 3

(10:45) – The "8-lane highway" effect: why most people repeat the same patterns for life without realizing it

(11:30) – Birth order explained: how being oldest, youngest, or an only child shapes your leadership style

(12:30) – The trap of success: how the traits that made you successful become your biggest limitation

(13:20) – The turning point: awareness as the gateway to breaking unconscious patterns

(14:44) – Why entrepreneurs struggle to scale: when "doing everything yourself" becomes the bottleneck

(16:47) – Leadership ripple effect: how your internal patterns create chaos—or clarity—throughout your entire organization

(17:30) – "I work with a bunch of idiots": the hard truth about leadership and taking responsibility for your team

(18:39) – The real work: shifting from mastering the external world to mastering your internal one

(19:48) – Kyle's breakthrough: how being an only child shaped conflict avoidance and over-responsibility

(21:31) – The realization: what got you here won't get you to the next level

(23:06) – The process: building awareness as a mental discipline to interrupt and rewrite old patterns

(25:27) – A painful lesson: staying too long with a misaligned client and the toll it took on Kevin's life

(26:00) – The cost of misalignment: anxiety, stress, and how it impacts your family and well-being

(27:27) – The breaking point: finally letting go of what wasn't working

(28:17) – The shift: what happens when you create space by removing what drains you

(29:00) – Alignment in action: attracting better clients, better opportunities, and more fulfilling work

(29:45) – Case study: a high-level executive transforms confidence and lands a better-aligned role

(30:20) – Organizational transformation: how one leader's internal shift improved communication, culture, and profitability

(31:00) – A powerful story: Kyle reflects Kevin's journey into a compelling narrative of transformation

(35:58) – Final insight: you are always writing your story—whether you realize it or not

(36:18) – Where to go next: Dr. Kevin shares his book launch and how to begin upgrading your leadership

In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Graham—someone who's spent over two decades helping visionary leaders bring bold ideas to life—and who is now stepping into his own vision with LOOTBOX, a performance nutrition brand designed specifically for gamers. What struck me most in this conversation is how Shannon's entire journey—from not fitting into traditional masterminds to embracing imagination and creativity—has led him to build something that truly serves a community often overlooked and misunderstood.

We explore the massive gap in the gaming industry between the demand for high-level performance and the low-quality, sugar-loaded products marketed to gamers. Shannon shares how LOOTBOX is different—not just in what it delivers nutritionally, but in how it creates community, elevates identity, and integrates cutting-edge experiences like AI companions. This is a conversation about creativity, courage, and what happens when you stop trying to fit in—and start building something better.

Highlights:

• 00:58 – Shannon shares his transition from 22 years in leadership development to launching LOOTBOX

• 02:18 – Why imagination and creativity are the most underrated drivers of real-world impact

• 04:03 – Inside the "Hall of Heroes" and how childhood nostalgia fuels adult innovation

• 06:02 – How working on "moonshot" ideas shaped Shannon's ability to think beyond existing models

• 08:30 – The inspiration (and limitations) behind fast-scaling brands—and how LOOTBOX stands apart

• 10:31 – The real problem with gamer nutrition: sugar, crashes, and lack of respect

• 12:50 – Why sustainable performance and recovery are the missing pieces in gaming culture

• 15:16 – The massive gap in the market—and why gamers are ready for something better

• 17:05 – Introducing Nova: the AI avatar companion changing the user experience

• 20:23 – How Shannon is blending gaming culture with

Hair loss is often treated as a surface-level issue—but what if the real cause runs much deeper? In this episode of the Story Engine Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Julie Olson to uncover the often-overlooked metabolic factors behind hair loss, along with the profound emotional and psychological toll it can take on women. This conversation goes beyond quick fixes, shining a light on the internal imbalances that may be at the root of the problem.

Dr. Julie shares her holistic approach to restoring hair health by addressing the body as an interconnected system—offering a new sense of hope for women who feel frustrated, unseen, or stuck. If you or someone you know has struggled with hair loss and hasn't found real answers, this episode opens the door to a more compassionate, root-cause-driven path forward.

Highlights:

(00:24) – Julie introduces her work: a triple board-certified nutritionist specializing in root-cause solutions for female hair loss

(01:03) – Kyle shares his experience with "biological anxiety" and how metabolic issues can manifest in unexpected ways

(02:14) – Why hair loss isn't genetic destiny: the role of epigenetics and how lifestyle choices influence gene expression

(03:52) – The powerful symbolism of hair and why it plays such a deep role in identity—especially for women

(05:00) – "Hair is the crown of glory": the emotional weight of hair loss and why it's so devastating

(06:10) – The psychological impact: how hair loss affects confidence, relationships, and how women show up in the world

(06:40) – The stress-hair loss cycle explained: how chronic stress triggers inflammation and pushes hair into the shedding phase

(07:58) – The surprising role of the scalp microbiome—and why hair requires more nutrients than you might think

(08:57) – The vicious cycle: how emotional stress about hair loss can actually make the condition worse

(10:00) – Why common solutions fail: extensions, transplants, and treatments that ignore the root cause

(10:50) – Julie's personal story begins: losing her hair in clumps at age 38 and being dismissed by doctors

(11:27) – "Medication is a bandage": why most approaches miss the deeper metabolic issues

(13:30) – The problem with modern medicine: being dismissed, unheard, and pushed toward lifelong medication

(16:25) – The 5 root causes of hair loss revealed: hormonal, digestive, inflammatory, toxins, and stress

(17:03) – Hidden toxins explained: how plastics, cosmetics, and everyday products disrupt hormones and health

(19:49) – A bigger issue emerges: why modern life is creating more metabolic problems than ever before

(21:23) – Lessons from a "Blue Zone": how lifestyle, food, and simplicity impact long-term health

(23:16) – The turning point: Julie leaves her dream job after her mother's cancer diagnosis—and her own health begins to decline

(24:49) – Hiding in the office: the emotional reality of hair loss—shame, isolation, and desperation for answers

(25:11) – "I was humiliated": the breaking point and frustration of getting no real solutions from doctors

(26:32) – The healing journey begins: uncovering hidden infections, food sensitivities, and internal imbalances

(28:43) – The slow victory: regaining her hair—and more importantly, control over her health and life

(29:43) – Starting her own practice: a moment of empowerment and stepping into her true calling

(31:00) – Kyle reflects Julie's story back: a powerful narrative of transformation, resilience, and purpose

(36:18) – A deeper layer: Julie's mother survives cancer, reinforcing the power of metabolic health and lifestyle changes

(37:13) – A heartbreaking insight: why losing hair can feel worse than chemotherapy for some women

(37:53) – The mission: giving women hope worldwide and addressing hair loss at its true root

(38:31) – Next steps: Julie shares how to identify your root cause with her diagnostic quiz

What if the goals you're chasing aren't actually yours? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Lia Dunlap, creator of the Limitless Life Club, to explore how leaders — especially women — can break free from expectations placed on them and design a life aligned with their true vision. Lia shares what it really means to live "limitless": setting goals rooted in authenticity, creating sustainable momentum, and building a path that feels expansive rather than exhausting.

Together, Kyle and Lia unpack the hidden pressures that shape our ambitions, how to separate external noise from internal truth, and why clarity is the foundation of both leadership and fulfillment. They also co-create a new story that captures the unique value of the Limitless Life Club — a community designed to help leaders move from reactive striving to intentional creation. If you're feeling successful on paper but disconnected from your deeper vision, this episode will help you recalibrate and reimagine what's possible.

02:15 — What the Limitless Life Club is and who it's designed to serve.

05:30 — The difference between externally driven goals and internally aligned vision.

08:45 — Why many leaders — especially women — feel boxed in by expectations.

12:00 — Redefining ambition: choosing goals that energize rather than deplete.

15:30 — Creating an enjoyable path to success instead of pushing through burnout.

18:45 — The power of community and support in expanding what feels possible.

22:00 — Co-creating a new narrative for leadership and limitless living.

25:00 — Practical steps to begin aligning your goals with your true vision.

Why are so many large organizations struggling with high attrition, disengaged teams, and eroding trust? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Jim Carlough to explore his framework for becoming a more "integrist" leader in today's rapidly evolving corporate landscape. Jim shares his philosophy behind the Six Pillars of Leadership — a practical model designed to strengthen trust, stabilize teams, and reduce costly turnover inside large corporations.

Together, they unpack why traditional leadership approaches are breaking down, what employees truly need from leaders in 2025 and beyond, and how trust—not perks or compensation—is the real competitive advantage. Jim reveals how leaders can shift from reactive management to intentional stewardship, creating cultures where people stay, perform, and grow. If you're leading a team, running a division, or responsible for culture inside a growing organization, this episode offers actionable insight into building loyalty, accountability, and long-term success.

02:30 — The root causes of high attrition: broken trust, misalignment, and leadership blind spots.

05:45 — What it means to be an "integrist" leader in the modern corporate environment.

09:30 — Overview of the Six Pillars of Leadership and how they interconnect.

13:00 — Why trust is the true performance multiplier inside organizations.

17:20 — Practical strategies to reduce turnover and rebuild engagement from the top down.

21:10 — Common leadership mistakes that unintentionally drive high performers away.

24:40 — How culture is shaped daily through decisions, communication, and consistency.

27:30 — Implementing the Six Pillars inside large corporate structures without resistance.

What if you could legally defer — or even eliminate — the 20% to 50% capital gains taxes that quietly erode generational wealth? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions, to unpack his unique approach to helping high-net-worth individuals transition from highly taxed exits into sustainable, passive income streams.

Brett shares how business owners, real estate investors, and entrepreneurs can reposition their wealth instead of handing a massive portion over to taxes — all while preserving control, flexibility, and legacy. You'll hear Brett's personal origin story, the turning point that sparked his mission, and the framework he uses to help clients build tax-efficient strategies that support long-term freedom and generational impact. If you're planning an exit, selling appreciated assets, or simply want to steward your wealth more strategically, this conversation could fundamentally change how you think about capital gains.

02:30 — Brett explains the common tax trap: losing 20%–50% of wealth at the moment of exit.

05:45 — Who this strategy is for: entrepreneurs, real estate investors, and high-net-worth individuals preparing for liquidity events.

09:30 — Brett's origin story: the personal and professional experiences that fueled his passion for capital gains solutions.

13:15 — Understanding tax deferral vs. tax elimination — and why timing is everything.

17:40 — The strategic framework Brett uses to convert concentrated wealth into diversified passive income.

21:30 — How to maintain control and flexibility while repositioning assets.

24:50 — Protecting generational wealth: aligning tax strategy with legacy planning.

Most podcasts don't fail because of bad content — they fail because of bad strategy. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Paresa Noble, founder of Noblier Media, to unpack what it actually takes to transform a podcast from a passion project into a powerful authority-building, revenue-generating business asset. Paresa shares how she helps experts and thought leaders use strategic positioning, data-driven metrics, and the right creative support to build podcasts that create measurable growth — not just downloads.

Together, Kyle and Paresa break down the overlooked details that separate hobby shows from high-impact platforms: messaging clarity, intentional storytelling, backend strategy, and the systems required to sustain momentum. They also explore how having the right team behind you doesn't just improve your show — it creates freedom, scalability, and new opportunities you can't access alone. If you're a founder, expert, or thought leader who wants your podcast to drive real results instead of just filling your calendar, this episode will shift how you think about podcasting.

02:15 — Why most podcasts struggle to create business results — and the strategic gaps most hosts don't see.

05:00 — The difference between "just publishing episodes" and building a podcast with clear positioning and purpose.

08:30 — How data-driven metrics should inform your strategy (and which numbers actually matter).

12:00 — Crafting messaging that establishes authority and attracts aligned clients instead of casual listeners.

15:45 — The hidden production and strategic layers that elevate a podcast into a premium brand asset.

19:30 — Building the right support team: how delegation unlocks creativity, growth, and sustainability.

23:00 — Co-creating your story: how expert support can clarify your voice and amplify your message.

26:00 — Turning your podcast into a freedom engine instead of another obligation.

What if the future of business, connection, and community isn't more online—but more offline? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Aleksandar Svetsky, founder of SatLantis, a new platform designed to compete with Meetup and Eventbrite by empowering creators to build monetizable, sustainable, human-centered communities in the real world.

Aleksandar makes a bold case: the internet had its run, but the next great opportunity lies in physical spaces—shared experiences, meaningful gatherings, and communities built around trust and aligned values. Together, Kyle and Aleksandar explore why digital platforms have eroded real connection, how event organizers can reclaim ownership and revenue, and why offline communities may become the most valuable asset entrepreneurs can build in the coming decade. If you're a creator, community builder, or business owner wondering what comes after "audience building," this episode will challenge how you think about growth—and where it truly happens.

01:15 — What is SatLantis? A new alternative to Meetup and Eventbrite designed for monetizable, human-centered communities.

 03:00 — Why online platforms are failing community builders—and the hidden cost of digital dependency.

06:30 — The economic opportunity of real-world gatherings: why physical presence creates deeper trust and stronger networks.

09:45 — Ownership vs. renting attention: how platform incentives shape (and often distort) community culture.

13:20 — Building sustainable, revenue-generating communities without sacrificing authenticity.

17:10 — The psychological and cultural shift toward offline connection in a hyper-digital world.

22:00 — What successful community builders are doing differently—and how SatLantis supports them.

26:00 — Practical steps to start building your own real-world community today.

What if the rules you've been following in business aren't helping you grow—but quietly holding you back? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Paige Arnof-Fenn, founder of the global branding and marketing firm Mavens & Moguls, to explore how breaking the "right" rules can unlock clearer messaging, stronger brands, and work that actually feels meaningful again.

Paige shares her unconventional journey from Wall Street financial analyst to Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola brand marketer to startup leader—and ultimately entrepreneur—revealing how each chapter shaped her philosophy around branding, market research, and ethical growth. Together, Kyle and Paige dive into why so many companies struggle to stand out, the dangers of relying on "feel-good feedback" instead of real market insight, and how storytelling, scrappy marketing, and values-based decision-making can transform both businesses and lives. This conversation is a must-listen for founders, marketers, and leaders who want to grow faster without losing their soul.

• 00:53 From Wall Street to entrepreneurship: Paige's unconventional career journey

• 02:37 Why Paige never fit neatly into corporate rules—and why entrepreneurship changed everything

• 05:44  Who Mavens & Moguls serves best: startups, mid-market firms, and Fortune 500 gaps

• 07:52  The real challenges of pre-revenue and venture-backed startups

• 08:59  Why market research matters more than opinions (and how to do it quickly and cheaply)

• 12:05  What makes Paige's approach different: treating client budgets like it's her own money

• 15:27  Powerful success stories: Sundance Film Festival, Hurricane Katrina, and storytelling under pressure

• 22:12  A defining early-client moment: choosing values over revenue

• 27:32  Playing the long game: building a business you actually want to wake up to

• 30:09  Kyle reflects Paige's story and the deeper mission behind her work

• 33:43  Paige's closing advice: why authentic stories beat buzzwords, AI noise, and "sea-of-sameness" marketing

AI isn't just about automation—it's about making your business more human. On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Nick Morgan, founder of Perfectus Labs, an AI-powered agency helping entrepreneurs and creators get better results while freeing up time to focus on what matters most. Nick shares how he built systems and tools like Cognos SEO and Book Solid to help businesses personalize outreach, increase engagement, and scale efficiently—without losing the human touch.

From manually following up with clients for hours every night to traveling the world while his AI-powered systems manage communications, Nick's journey shows how thoughtful AI implementation can break the burnout cycle and create real freedom. They explore how AI can be used ethically to connect with prospects, create better customer experiences, and generate measurable business results—like 98% inbox placement and response rates as high as 34%. Whether you're a small business owner, marketer, or entrepreneur, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you work smarter, connect deeper, and live better.

• 00:54  Nick's journey from enterprise clients to building tools for SMBs, including Cognos SEO and Book Solid

• 03:50  Making AI outreach feel human: personalized messages, curated content, and high inbox placement rates

• 06:00  Kyle reflects on "the platinum rule" in AI outreach: treat people how they want to be treated

• 07:09  Event follow-ups: using AI to book calls and manage connections automatically, increasing booking rates up to 60%

• 08:48  Reducing the manual workload: how AI frees up hours previously spent on follow-up

• 12:27  Using AI to motivate prospects to take action, including webinar attendees and cold prospects

• 14:18  AI as a tool for revenue generation first, then efficiency in operations—tangible, fast, and visible results

• 19:35  How Perfectus Labs leverages experience, psychology, and agentic AI to deliver results for clients

• 22:47  The personal cost of manual follow-up: burnout, long hours, and lack of free time; integrating work into daily life

• 28:49  Achieving freedom through AI: traveling to London, exploring history, and being present while business runs smoothly

Running a dental practice—or any service-based business—can be both rewarding and overwhelming. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with serial entrepreneur and marketing expert Ridgely Goldsborough to explore how dentists can attract better patients, grow their practices efficiently, and create lives with more freedom and less stress. Ridgely shares his personal journey from running 45 companies to helping elite dental practices scale with smart marketing, AI, and systems that actually work.

They dive into the unique challenges dentists face: balancing full schedules with financial growth, handling moral dilemmas around patient care and pricing, and navigating the competitive, fast-changing world of marketing. Ridgely also shares lessons from his own experiences with pandemic disruptions, business setbacks, and the transformative power of putting the right systems and team in place. Whether you're a dentist, a health practitioner, or an entrepreneur wanting higher-paying, higher-quality clients, this episode provides practical insights and actionable strategies to thrive in your practice and your life.

• 00:54  Ridgely's background: 45 companies, serial entrepreneurship, and lessons from failure

• 02:27  Why Ridgely focuses on dentistry and the unique dynamics of marketing to dentists

• 04:15  The delicate balance of patient volume, marketing, and ethical dilemmas in dental practices

• 07:25  Managing complex cases and patient financial realities while maintaining profitability

• 09:54  How elite practices handle selling and treatment plans with treatment specialists

• 12:31  The importance of AI, specialized marketing experts, and having a "geeky" team for success

• 15:03  VIP concierge-style service: making marketing personal while allowing dentists to focus on what they love

• 17:09  Outcomes of optimized marketing: more high-value cases, happier clients, and competitive advantage

• 19:12  Handling tough conversations and building strong, trust-based client relationships

• 21:08  Ridgely reflects on challenges during the pandemic and other major business disruptions

• 24:25  Transitioning from player to coach: building systems and a team that runs the business

• 26:25  Achieving more freedom, better client results, and personal fulfillment through systems and guidance

What if the way you think about money is holding you back from the life you actually want? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with entrepreneur and financial strategist Brandon Neely to explore how infinite banking—a system used by some of the wealthiest families in the world—can give you control over your money, your business, and your life.

Brandon shares his deeply personal journey from running a coffee shop with no safety net to navigating floods, business volatility, and family challenges—all while learning to build wealth the smart way. From bootstrapping his first business to developing a financial system that balances profit, cashflow, and freedom, Brandon reveals how he and his wife crafted a life of clarity, security, and choice. If you've ever felt trapped by debt, uncertainty, or the stress of running your business, this conversation will give you actionable insights and the confidence to take control of your financial future.

On This Episode

• 01:12  Brandon's transition from coffee shop owner to financial entrepreneur

• 03:32  How emergency funds and access to capital saved their first business during a flood

• 06:36  Navigating volatility: COVID, business stress, and maintaining a life to the fullest

• 08:44  Three critical rules for business owners: know your calling, build a supportive team, and know your numbers

• 10:49  Explaining Profit First: a system to structure business finances for sustainability and growth

• 14:39  Using the 10-10-10 rule and percentage-based financial planning for clarity and control

• 16:41  The STILL method: set goals, track, inspect, adjust, and live deliberately

• 19:45  Overcoming personal and business crises: miscarriage, loss, and debt

• 23:18  Experiencing freedom and choice through financial clarity: trips, experiences, and family priorities

• 25:19  Building rhythms in life: date nights, family trips, and meaningful routines

Being a CEO isn't just about working harder—it's about knowing when to step back, lead with intention, and grow both yourself and your company. On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Patrick Thean, CEO coach and author of The Journey to CEO Success, to unpack the 7 key practices that help executives lead more effectively, achieve their dreams, and increase the value of their businesses.

Patrick shares his own journey of burnout, reflection, and transformation—from feeling like a "Chinese dish spinning on a lazy Susan" to discovering how rhythm, commitment, and courageous leadership can unlock sustainable success. Together, they explore how CEOs can avoid the trap of overworking, develop the right team, embrace vulnerability as a leadership tool, and align personal growth with company growth. Whether you're a first-time CEO or running a multi-million-dollar business, this conversation offers actionable insights to become the best version of yourself while creating lasting impact for your team, your company, and your life.

• 01:06 Patrick shares his personal journey, family life, and coaching philosophy

• 02:16  Defining the CEO: mid-market firms, growth ranges, and long-term client partnerships

• 04:33  What "success" really means for CEOs: combining joy and achievement

• 06:30  Why high-achieving CEOs often hit a ceiling; the limits of working harder alone

• 09:32  Symptoms of burnout: fatigue, irritability, and reduced joy in work

• 11:46  The vicious cycle of overworking and underperforming; the need for coaching

• 14:28  Patrick's methodology: conviction, commitment, courage, and predictable rhythm in leadership

• 17:52 Consistency as a core leadership principle: how emotions impact your team

• 19:34  Using vulnerability effectively: sharing struggles to lead and inspire

• 21:39  Choosing clients and relationships that align with mutual respect and chemistry

• 23:25  The 7 key practices from The Journey to CEO Success: starting with yourself, building alignment, culture, and strategy

• 24:13  Reflecting on transformation: how intentional practice improves leadership, personal life, and company growth

• 27:16  Patrick's "lazy Susan" metaphor: recognizing burnout, reflection, and aligning personal and professional growth

Money is more than numbers on a page—it's energy, reflection, and a pathway to aligning your life with your purpose. On this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Francesca Rea, senior wealth advisor, prosperity coach, and author of Divine Wealth, to explore how women can reclaim power over their finances and their lives. Francesca shares her journey from managing money in a rigid, masculine way to embracing the feminine side of wealth—learning to receive, give, and create abundance while staying aligned with her purpose.

Together, they dive into the mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of money. Francesca reveals the unique financial challenges women face, the limiting beliefs that hold them back, and how balancing structure with intuition can create not only financial success but also freedom, joy, and presence. From her own experiences with divorce, self-sabotage, and transformation, Francesca provides actionable strategies for women to attract the right clients, manage finances with intention, and build a life of abundance that reflects their true selves.

• 01:53 Overview of Divine Wealth: a mix of fiction and nonfiction weaving an 8-step process through a money retreat in Bali

• 02:42  Unique struggles women face with money: prioritization, societal pressures, and anticipating independence due to death, divorce, or decision

• 05:03 Common limiting beliefs: fear of greed, unworthiness, avoiding numbers, and feeling too busy to engage with finances

• 06:38 Masculine vs. feminine energy in money: extremes, balance, and the importance of structure and strategy alongside intuition

• 10:09  Money and relationships: starting conversations, establishing "we" and "me" accounts, and cultivating financial freedom within partnerships

• 12:11  Spiritual perspective on money: money as energy, mindful awareness, and the concept of a "money date" to nurture your finances consciously

• 14:54  Francesca's unique approach: combining strategic planning, mindset work, and spiritual alignment to generate results and fulfillment

• 17:08  Personal transformation: divorce, self-reflection, limiting beliefs, and learning to slow down, be present, and align money with life purpose

• 21:03  Doubling income while slowing down: intentionality, visualization, tracking, and magnetizing the right clients

• 24:46  Kyle reflects on his own experiences; Francesca shares the deeper impact of aligning money with life, presence, and empowerment

Real estate investing doesn't have to be scary, complicated, or out of reach. In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with Dr. Axel Meierhoefer, a master of creating wealth through residential real estate, to explore simple, powerful ways to build financial freedom and a better life. Dr. Axel shares how he transformed his own life from military service and corporate work to becoming a successful real estate investor, and how others can do the same—even from anywhere in the world.

They dive into the myths that hold people back from investing, the importance of focusing on cash flow over speculation, and how to define your "time freedom point" to live life on your own terms. From his early lessons during the dot-com bubble to the emerging role of AI and robotics in property management, Dr. Axel shows how real estate can be a consistent, reliable path to wealth while giving you the time and freedom to enjoy your life. Whether you're new to investing or looking for a better strategy, this conversation is packed with insights and actionable guidance.

• 00:53  Dr. Axel shares his military background and transition to the US

• 01:20  Journey from Air Force to corporate consulting and early real estate exposure

• 04:42  How real estate became a lever for wealth and prosperity

• 05:30  Debunking common real estate investing myths; focusing on cash flow vs. appreciation

• 08:31  Defining the "time freedom point" and calculating the number of properties needed to reach financial goals

• 09:47  How Dr. Axel spends his time: podcasts, gardening, lifelong learning, and curiosity about technology

• 11:31  How AI and technology will transform property search, evaluation, and management

• 14:07  Future cost reductions and efficiency gains through robotic property management

• 17:11  Vision for smart, service-oriented communities and sustainable abundance

• 19:49  Personal lessons from stock market bubble frustrations and the importance of understanding cycles

• 24:55  Kyle shares his own experience with investing and the value of strategy, not speculation

• 28:32  Dr. Axel's advice: find a mentor, get guided, and learn to invest with confidence

What if the reason your diet, supplements, workouts, or "perfect" health routines never quite worked wasn't lack of discipline—but missing information? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with functional genetics expert Dr. Sam Shay to explore how genetic testing can uncover the hidden drivers behind chronic symptoms, inflammation, food sensitivities, mood issues, and long-standing health struggles that traditional approaches often miss.

Dr. Sam shares his powerful personal journey—from childhood trauma, chronic illness, insomnia, and unexplained symptoms to finally finding clarity through genetics testing after nearly 20 years of searching. Together, Kyle and Dr. Sam unpack how genetics provide a lifelong roadmap for diet, lifestyle, inflammation control, supplementation, and behavior—helping people stop guessing, stop blaming their bodies, and start working with their biology instead of against it. Whether you're a practitioner wanting better client outcomes or someone who feels like you've "tried everything," this episode will completely change how you think about health.

• 01:03 Why genetics testing may be the most overlooked tool in personal health

• 01:25  Dr. Sam's "wounded healer" origin story and lifelong struggle with chronic illness

• 06:29 Why most people get overwhelmed and stuck when they run genetics on their own

• 09:00  Why genetics is the highest-value health test you can run once and use for life

• 11:24 How genetics determine carb tolerance, caffeine sensitivity, inflammation, and food reactions

• 15:24 Why cravings, overeating, and sugar addiction are often genetic—not willpower failures

• 18:47  The moment Dr. Sam got his genetics results and finally had answers

• 21:42  How genetics ended self-blame and helped him forgive his body

• 24:32 Feeling "in the right body" again: reclaiming strength, safety, and confidence

• 26:54  Kyle reflects Dr. Sam's story and the transformative power of genetic clarity

• 31:08  How practitioners and individuals can get started with genetics testing today

What if the reason your business feels overwhelming isn't a lack of hustle—but a lack of support? In this episode of The Story Engine Podcast, Kyle Gray sits down with business coach and outsourcing expert Kirsten Graham to unpack why so many entrepreneurs burn out trying to do everything themselves—and how the right kind of support can completely transform both your business and your life.

Kirsten shares her deeply personal journey from surviving the 2008 financial crash, closing her mortgage and title companies during one of the hardest seasons of her life, to rebuilding a business rooted in sustainable growth, leadership, and global team support. Together, Kyle and Kirsten explore the real reasons entrepreneurs resist hiring, the hidden cost of waiting too long to build a team, and how outsourcing—especially with skilled virtual assistants from the Philippines—can unlock creativity, clarity, and the feeling of being a "real" business owner again. If you've ever felt maxed out, isolated, or secretly wondered how everyone else seems to be doing it all, this conversation will change how you think about support forever.

In This Episode

• 01:00 – Kirsten's "Accidental" Path to Business Coaching
  How mentoring a former mortgage client led to a 15-year coaching career.

• 02:34 – What "Not Feeling Supported" Really Looks Like
  Burnout, overwhelm, and the invisible pressure entrepreneurs carry every day.

• 03:57 – The Real Beliefs Holding Business Owners Back from Hiring
  Why "I'll just do it myself" is a short-term mindset with long-term consequences.

• 05:38 – Hiring Too Late: The Hidden Trap
  Why waiting until you're drowning is the worst possible time to build a team.

• 06:01 – How to Train Without Burning Yourself Out
  Simple ways to create SOPs and train team members using screen recordings and systems.

• 07:07 – Where Entrepreneurs Need Support Most
  Marketing, podcasting, guest booking, tech, and bookkeeping—what Kirsten sees again and again.

• 08:52 – Why Skipping a Bookkeeper Is Costing You Money
  Missed write-offs, poor cash-flow decisions, and flying blind financially.

• 10:46 – The Human Side of Outsourcing
  Why hiring isn't just about delegation—it's about partnering with people who love what they do.

• 12:23 – "I Feel Like a Real Business Owner Now"
  The emotional shift clients experience once they're no longer doing everything alone.

• 13:42 – Hiring Too Late vs. Firing Too Late
  How both mistakes quietly drain your time, money, and energy.

• 16:15 – September 2013: The Breaking Point
  Kirsten recounts the moment she closed her businesses while caring for her terminally ill mother.

• 19:08 – What True Support Feels Like
  How having the right partner and team changes everything.

• 20:30 – A Conference That Changed the Game
  The moment Kirsten realized support meant freedom, not overwhelm.

• 22:06 – What Makes Kirsten's Approach Different
  Why her company isn't an agency—and why that distinction matters.

• 22:43 – Kyle Reflects Kirsten's Story Back to Her
  A powerful narrative moment that captures the heart of the episode.

• 27:43 – Final Advice for Entrepreneurs
  "If your time is worth more than $6 an hour, why are you doing tasks you hate?"