The Playbook

In today’s episode, I sit down with Gary Stokan, president and CEO of Peach Bowl, Inc., to talk about leadership, longevity, and building something that lasts in big time sports. We cover his 47 years across coaching, brand marketing, and bowl season growth, including the frameworks he used to scale the Chick fil A Peach Bowl into a New Year’s Six mainstay. Gary breaks down relationship capital, s...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Danny Cortenraede, founder and managing partner of InStudio Ventures, to talk about what actually matters when you are building a company and trying to raise capital. We get real about the myth of overnight success, the grind behind it, and why relationships, resilience, and alignment matter more than flashy ideas. Danny shares how he evaluates founders, how dea...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Tim Storey, a globally known inspirational voice who has helped millions across 78 countries, from business leaders and entertainers to everyday families, find momentum through adversity. We talk about acting like the champion you already are, shaped by gratitude, discipline, and choosing the right people. I share how my mother’s standards formed my mindset, why...

In today’s episode, I talk through why comfort becomes a trap and how non negotiable behaviors create momentum when life feels heavy. I share how stacking small wins around sleep, movement, breathing, nutrition, and family clears interference and restores clarity. We get into lowering the bar during desperate seasons, creating immediate income before chasing big dreams, and why faith is a predispo...

In this episode, I share the six mindset shifts I see in high achievers who create momentum without waiting to feel ready. I explain why progress beats protection, how imperfect action builds belief, and why curiosity outperforms fear every time. We’ll talk about replacing excuses with solutions, building a growth identity through daily practice, and using simple systems to turn challenges into le...

In today’s episode, I break down why consistency alone eventually stalls progress, and how growth actually comes from evolving the behaviors underneath it. I talk through the idea of overnight success taking 17 and a half years, why progress feels painfully slow before it suddenly accelerates, and how most people quit far earlier than they realize. We get into non negotiable behaviors, intentional...

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Crook, founder and president of BlinC Games, a universal platform built to organize any game, anywhere, anytime. We talk about how sports, competition, and fatherhood shaped James’s resilience, leadership, and long-term vision. James shares the real story behind building BlinC from the ground up, from sleeping on floors and driving Uber to creating a syste...

In today’s episode, I break down how to stop fighting bad habits and start understanding them. We are not broken people, we are patterned people, and habits live inside loops of triggers, behaviors, and perceived rewards. I walk through how to map that loop, master the pause when fear and uncertainty hit, and replace low yielding behaviors with ones aligned to where you want to be or better. We ta...

In today’s episode, I break down how to stop fighting bad habits and start understanding them. We are not broken people, we are patterned people, and habits live inside loops of triggers, behaviors, and perceived rewards. I walk through how to map that loop, master the pause when fear and uncertainty hit, and replace low yielding behaviors with ones aligned to where you want to be or better. We ta...

In today’s episode I share how early morning meetups turned boredom into service and why curiosity beats being interesting. I talk about capturing what resonates and what irritates you then building a simple system to revisit it until the lesson reveals itself. We get into faith and entrepreneurship and why progress takes a thousand steps even when evidence says quit. I explain perceived value ver...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Bobby Parrish, founder of FlavCity and the Bobby Approved app, to talk about how a passion for real food turned into a community-driven brand. Bobby shares how 13 years of slow, intentional content building led to products shaped directly by audience feedback, from supplements to his new cafe division. We get into why clean ingredients matter, how c...

In this episode, I share why celebrating everything celebratable is one of the simplest ways to create unity, empathy, and real connection. When we focus on gratitude, light, family, and shared joy, we find common ground across every culture, belief, and tradition. I explain how appreciating differences—not forcing equality—builds stronger communities and a true mindset of abundance. By honoring n...

In today’s episode, I explain why time is my real love language and why 24 hours is the one guarantee we all share. I walk through how lessons get forgotten and recovered, and how the meaning you assign to your past can either cap your self image or push you toward “where you want to be or better.” From there, I lay out five daily practices: knowing what you want today, knowing who you can help an...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Mohammad Adib, CEO and co-founder of Titan Dynamics, a serial entrepreneur with multiple exits before 20 and deep roots in software, robotics, and defense technology. We talk through his path from building mobile apps as a teenager to creating additive-manufactured drone systems now deployed by the Department of Defense. Mohammad breaks down the integrator minds...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dan and Andrew Olson, the entrepreneurial minds behind Hook Hand Rum. We talk about why great taste alone is never enough, and how community, storytelling, and experience drive modern brands forward. Dan and Andrew explain their direct-to-consumer approach, the Original Crew membership model, and why building loyalty before scale changes everything. We also get...

In today’s episode, James Maslow and I welcome Aloe Blacc for a conversation about intention, community, and the real work behind creative success. Aloe shares how losing his corporate job pushed him toward music full time after years of quietly building his craft. We talk about the importance of marketing, the power of purpose, and why longevity requires more than talent. James adds his own persp...

In today’s episode I talk about why mindset and non-negotiables sit at the center of every outcome. Strategy matters, but behavior is what moves your life forward, especially when you accept that certainty isn’t real. I explain how sleep, daily priorities, and consistent action open doors you couldn’t plan for, and how meaning shapes your self-image more than any past mistake ever could. I also ad...

In today’s episode I sit down with Christopher Rognstad, the inventor and CEO behind THC Grow Systems and the Horticulture Camera. We talk about how a simple need for peace of mind during the pandemic pushed him toward building a remote control platform for indoor growers, powered by time-lapse imaging and real problem detection. He shares how he protects his ideas, why crowdfunding fits his missi...

In this episode, I share why service is the foundation of real success—and why it starts with taking care of yourself first. When you fill your cup, you serve with clarity and consistency, rather than burnout. I explain how surrounding yourself with purpose-driven communities, setting boundaries, and developing others multiplies your impact. When you give and receive with intention and choose alig...

In today’s episode, I share the lessons that reshaped my understanding of money, purpose, and the way giving truly works. I talk about growing up with a single mom in Akron, Ohio, building extreme wealth, losing it all, and realizing that generosity doesn’t create automatic financial return unless you learn how to receive. I explain the “dummy tax,” the trap of confusing survival instincts with a...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kwame Christian, the founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, for a conversation about what negotiation really is and why most people misunderstand it. We talk about recognizing when you’re actually negotiating, knowing your timing and risk tolerance, and understanding the difference between convincing and conveying your value. Kwame shares how he...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dave Schell, a former NFL player turned founder whose work in digital electricity is reshaping how mission critical power is built for the future. We talk about his journey from the gridiron to the energy sector, the fifteen-year path that led him to innovate inside an industry that hasn’t changed in a century, and why AI factories and data centers are now at th...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Matthew Mills, the CEO and chairman of Med-X, a company built on replacing toxic pesticides with natural, science-driven solutions. Matthew shares how years of research, agricultural licensing, and real-world testing helped his team create commercial grade products that reduce everyday exposure to harmful chemicals found in schools, parks, hospitals, and even ou...

In today’s episode, I talk about why frequency drives every choice I make and how purpose becomes the filter for everything from my work to my relationships. I share why consistency always outperforms sporadic effort and how the extra mile traps so many people in short bursts of motivation. I explain the power of small daily commitments, the way energy accelerates and compounds over time, and what...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur Troy Smith, CEO and co-founder of Chop Chop, to talk about a delivery model built to actually support restaurants, drivers, and customers. I walk through why so many restaurants lose money using traditional platforms, and Troy breaks down how his flat-fee, no-commission system restores control to the people doing the work. We get into the razor-thin...