The 9–5 Exit Plan

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with leadership expert and Venture Up founder David Lengyel. With more than 40 years of experience and over 400,000 participants impacted through his programs, David shares what separates exceptional teams from average ones. We discuss communication, trust, leadership, workplace culture, employee engagement, team performance, and how organizations can p...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with organizational leadership expert Sandra Coker, founder of Human Power Solutions and bestselling author of People Profit, to explore why investing in people creates stronger businesses. Sandra shares practical leadership strategies for improving employee engagement, building trust, strengthening company culture, and developing teams that drive long-...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Ben Davis, founder of JB Marketing, to discuss how Shopify brands can break through growth ceilings by building profitable Google Ads strategies. Ben shares practical insights on customer acquisition, measurement, conversion tracking, profitability, Google Ads, and why many businesses struggle because they focus on the wrong metrics. Whether you’re...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with organizational psychologist and change leader Karen Lewis-Enright to explore why successful AI transformation depends far more on people than technology. Karen shares practical insights from years of leading workforce transformation and enterprise change, explaining how trust, leadership, emotional intelligence, and organizational culture determine...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with technology entrepreneur and Nimap Infotech founder Sagar Nagda to explore the intersection of entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, and long-term wealth building. Sagar shares practical insights on building a bootstrapped global technology business, preparing for the future of AI, creating financial independence, avoiding lifestyle inflation, and teach...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Anna Brambilla, Founder of Your Franchise Pros, to discuss what it really takes to build and scale a successful franchise business. Anna shares practical insights on franchising, candidate psychology, leadership, operational systems, relationship-driven sales, and the strategies that help franchise professionals grow sustainably. Whether you’re con...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Kyle Bailey, founder of Frontburner Marketing, to discuss how home service businesses can attract more customers and increase sales through effective digital marketing. Kyle shares practical insights on SEO, Local SEO, website optimization, customer acquisition, and the biggest mistakes contractors and home service business owners make when trying...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with paid media expert and entrepreneur Matthew Slaymaker, founder of Slaymaker Marketing. Matt shares practical strategies for growing businesses through Google, Meta, YouTube, LinkedIn, and AI-powered advertising while avoiding the costly mistakes that waste marketing budgets. We discuss paid media strategy, attribution, creative testing, scaling camp...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with branding expert, entrepreneur, author, and Capsule co-founder Aaron Keller. Aaron shares lessons from more than 25 years helping companies like Patagonia, Hydro Flask, Arc’teryx, PepsiCo, and others build memorable brands that stand the test of time. We discuss branding strategy, creativity, entrepreneurship, AI, innovation, storytelling, and the p...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with career strategist and coach Julia Toothacre to discuss what it really takes to build a fulfilling, successful career in today’s rapidly changing workplace. Julia shares practical insights on career ownership, leadership, burnout, workplace influence, navigating difficult managers, and making strategic career decisions that align with your values an...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with entrepreneur and AI strategist Clive Moore, founder of GPT Studio and Agency in a Box. Clive shares why successful AI adoption has far less to do with technology than most people think—and far more to do with leadership, culture, and business strategy. We discuss artificial intelligence, leadership, entrepreneurship, innovation, workflow automation...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with Competitive Advantage Architect Craig Paxson to discuss how business owners can stop competing on price and start creating lasting market differentiation. Craig shares lessons from leading a company through crisis, transforming a $500,000 loss into profitability, and developing strategies that help businesses become the obvious choice for their cus...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with burnout coach, entrepreneur, corporate professional, and author Elisha Meek. Elisha shares her personal journey through burnout and explains how professionals can reduce work stress, overcome perfectionism, reconnect with their identity, and build lives filled with greater purpose—without walking away from successful careers. We discuss burnout rec...

In this episode of 9–5 Exit Plan, I sit down with architect, entrepreneur, author, and podcast host Alex Gore. Alex shares the lessons he’s learned from building an award-winning architecture firm during one of the toughest economic periods, creating internationally recognized projects like the Atlas Tiny House, and helping creative professionals build profitable businesses. We discuss entrepreneu...

In this episode of 9–5 EXIT PLAN, I sit down with meditation teacher, mental health counselor, and spiritual guide Dean Graves. Dean shares how meditation transformed his own life and explains how mindfulness, self-awareness, and spiritual understanding can help people navigate stress, improve mental well-being, and discover deeper purpose. We discuss meditation, emotional health, awareness, leade...

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,...