The 9–5 Exit Plan

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with technology executive, entrepreneur, and innovation strategist Aja Emmanuel. Aja shares his remarkable journey through enterprise technology, entrepreneurship, music innovation, and personal reinvention after overcoming major setbacks. We discuss AI, startups, product development, fundraising, storytelling, resilience, leadership, and what it truly...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with entrepreneur, bestselling author, speaker, and men’s mentor Mike Van Pelt. Mike shares his journey of helping men strengthen their faith, discover their purpose, and become intentional leaders in their homes, businesses, and communities. We discuss healthy masculinity, leadership, entrepreneurship, family, brotherhood, personal responsibility, and...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, business strategist, and innovation expert J. Calvin Shaw. Drawing from more than three decades of experience across real estate, retail, automotive, sales, and organizational leadership, Calvin shares practical insights on building cultures of innovation, developing entrepreneurial thinking, and preparing businesses for constant chan...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with therapist and creator of Access Loss Code™, Diane McDowell, to explore why so many emotionally intelligent people still struggle in relationships. Diane explains how protection quietly replaces authentic connection under emotional pressure, introducing her groundbreaking Access Loss™ framework and the four patterns that shape our reactions: Control...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, financial advisor, Air Force veteran, and author Dennis McCurdy to discuss the mindset required to overcome procrastination, build resilience, and create lasting success. Dennis shares lessons from launching multiple businesses, building wealth, overcoming failure, and helping others stop standing in their own way. We also discuss fin...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Dr. Kyle Harkema, author of Strategic Clarity and creator of the Strategic Orientation Index™, to explore why so many organizations struggle to execute even the best business strategies. Kyle shares practical insights into organizational alignment, leadership, company culture, strategic execution, and the behavioral patterns that determine whether...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with leadership strategist, two-time TEDx speaker, author, and Mindset Intelligence™ creator Ana Smith. Ana shares powerful lessons from helping thousands of leaders at Microsoft, GE, HP, and American Express navigate change while improving performance and protecting their well-being. We discuss neuroscience, leadership, mindset, attention management, b...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with U.S. Air Force veteran, AI strategist, and McLean Forrester founder Heather McLean to discuss how business leaders can successfully adopt artificial intelligence without losing sight of the people behind the technology. Heather shares lessons from military leadership, enterprise technology, entrepreneurship, and AI implementation while explaining h...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with international business and leadership coach Maggie Perotin to discuss what it really takes to build a profitable, sustainable business. Maggie shares lessons from her journey through corporate leadership, burnout, immigration, and entrepreneurship while explaining how entrepreneurs can strengthen their mindset, leadership, and business skills to be...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with award-winning visual artist, performance painter, motivational speaker, and cancer survivor Brett Ashby. Brett shares his extraordinary journey through art, resilience, cancer survival, performance, and purpose while explaining how creativity can become a powerful tool for healing, growth, and transformation. We discuss mental health, men’s health,...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Russell Van Brocklen, better known as The Dyslexia Professor. Russell explains why so many children with dyslexia struggle despite being highly capable, and how structured literacy and multisensory learning can transform their educational journey. We discuss dyslexia, education, confidence, parenting, learning strategies, and practical steps famili...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with mortgage expert and Next Wave Mortgage founder Phil Ganz to discuss how investors can use smart financing strategies to build long-term wealth through real estate. Phil shares practical insights on DSCR loans, investment property financing, scaling a real estate portfolio, navigating changing markets, and the biggest financing mistakes investors ma...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Todd A. Krause—TEDx Speaker, CPA, entrepreneur, author, and founder of Silversun Consulting. Todd shares how he transformed a business from $1.8 million to more than $4 million in annual revenue by focusing on leadership, workplace culture, and empowering people rather than relying solely on systems or strategy. We discuss entrepreneurship, leaders...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Alaa Kamaz, CEO of AKGROUP and an expert in risk strategy, leadership, and business consulting. Drawing on years of experience helping organizations across the Middle East navigate uncertainty, Alaa explains how entrepreneurs can transform risk into opportunity, make better decisions, and build resilient businesses that thrive in changing markets....

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with consistency coach and The Busy Woman’s Blueprint creator Alicia Dupree. Alicia shares how simple systems—not endless motivation—can help busy professionals, entrepreneurs, and working parents finally follow through on their goals without sacrificing what matters most. We discuss consistency, productivity, work-life balance, perfectionism, sustainab...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with human-first AI readiness strategist, author, and leadership expert Libby J. Goyco. With more than two decades of experience leading complex projects and organizational change, Libby explains why successful AI adoption is less about technology and more about preparing people, processes, and leadership. We discuss artificial intelligence, entrepreneu...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, technology leader, financial educator, and philanthropist Patrick Rayes. Patrick shares lessons from building businesses, working across multiple countries, and helping people navigate technology, investing, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving world. We discuss innovation, wealth creation, lifelong learning,...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with psychologist, Internal Family Systems Certified Practitioner, and author Dr. Joshua Pritikin. Joshua shares his remarkable journey from Wall Street software developer to therapist, exploring the connection between psychology, emotional healing, spirituality, and human potential. We discuss Internal Family Systems, trauma, personal growth, AI, self-...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with transformational speaker, business coach, and Make Your Pa$$ion Pay™ creator LuAnn Buechler. LuAnn shares how she transitioned from corporate success to purpose-driven entrepreneurship and explains why aligning passion with purpose is one of the most powerful strategies for building a meaningful business. We discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, bu...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with technology communicator, entrepreneur, and TechMobility Productions CEO Kenneth Chester. Kenneth shares insights from more than three decades covering artificial intelligence, mobility, climate innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging technologies. We discuss how AI is reshaping business, why entrepreneurs don’t need endless hours to build succes...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with comedian, entrepreneur, and Plauzzable founder Leanne Linsky. Leanne shares her journey from performing comedy in New York and Los Angeles to building Plauzzable, a platform designed to help comedians perform, connect with audiences, and earn income through live online comedy. We discuss entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, resilience, startup...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with marketing strategist and Women Conquer Business founder Jen McFarland. Jen shares why ethical, sustainable marketing consistently outperforms hustle culture and explains how entrepreneurs can simplify their marketing while growing profitable businesses. We discuss AI, personal branding, slow marketing, entrepreneurship, ethical business practices,...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with leadership advisor, five-time CEO, and STRATA Originals Co-Founder Alan McLaren. Alan has worked with more than 600 CEOs across 18 countries, helping leaders strengthen trust, improve decision-making, and lead effectively in high-pressure situations. We discuss leadership under pressure, influence, trust, executive decision-making, and the powerful...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with bestselling author and former educator Susan Gooch. Susan shares her journey from inspiring students in the classroom to writing The Carrington Series, a collection of novels celebrating strong women, lifelong friendships, resilience, and second chances. We discuss creativity, personal growth, storytelling, reading, reinvention, and the life lesson...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, AI strategist, author, and Famelyn founder Yeshwanth Vepachadu. We explore how Artificial Intelligence is reshaping careers, entrepreneurship, and personal branding—and why reputation has become one of the most valuable assets anyone can build. Yeshwanth shares practical insights on LinkedIn, AI, networking, trust, and creating opport...