The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I share how fear creates interference between us and our divine potential. I explain how to replace fear with faith, find the light, love, and lessons in every experience, and recognize that failure is simply feedback guiding us toward growth. Most importantly, I share how to remove the interference of ego, trust in the omniscient, all-powerful, and all-knowing, and take consis...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Justin White to talk about the habits, mindset, and discipline that create lasting success. We discuss why contractors and entrepreneurs need to understand technology, perceived value, profitability, and the importance of knowing their bottom line. I share how daily non-negotiables around sleep, health, family, faith, finance, time, and meaning have shaped my li...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Casey Jacox to talk about fatherhood, resilience, faith, and the lessons that have shaped the way I raise my four children. We discuss why kids watch what we do more than they listen to what we say, how failure can build strength, and why vulnerability creates stronger relationships. I also share the importance of non-negotiable time, prioritizing your own healt...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Shawn Jennings, CEO of Real House Inc., to talk about the journey from chasing financial success to building a life centered on faith, family, and purpose. Shawn shares how helping a childhood friend struggling with addiction ultimately inspired a recovery organization that has served people for more than 20 years. We discuss the uncertainty that comes with entr...

In today’s episode, I sit down with John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffman to talk about the lessons that came from losing everything, rebuilding my life, and learning to stop letting ego control my decisions. We discuss the difference between discipline and devotion, why repetition and honesty are essential to success, and how the meaning we assign to our past shapes our self image. I also share why re...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions, to talk about the realities of scaling a multibillion dollar company and finding renewed energy when business gets difficult. Matt shares why his greatest strength is knowing he can figure things out, how strategy and the right people have shaped his success, and why Crash Champions focuses on helping people in a t...

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Prendamano, founder of PreReal Investments, to talk about building wealth through real estate and the value of experience in navigating changing markets. James shares how his career grew from residential sales into commercial investing and why understanding taxes, market cycles, and risk is essential for long term success. We discuss the dangers of followi...

In today’s episode, I share why relationship capital is one of the most valuable assets we can build to create passion, purpose, and profitability. I explain how to strengthen trust through faith, give value before asking for anything, and be more interested than interesting. Most importantly, I share how removing interference, consistently investing in meaningful relationships, and approaching ev...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Colleen Joyce, CEO of Lawyer.com and children’s author, to talk about balancing entrepreneurship, motherhood, creativity, and personal identity. Colleen shares how traveling for work inspired her to write a children’s book with her daughter and why the project became something meaningful they could build together. We also discuss the growing importance of person...

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Maslow to talk about building EveryBody EveryDay, a supplement company inspired by his demanding life on the road. James shares how constant travel led him and his fiancée, Caitlin, to create a simple daily product focused on hydration, supplementation, and convenience. We discuss using AI during early product development, working with experienced scientis...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Lamè Kinikini, Founder and CEO of Elk Ridge Investments, to talk about how short term rentals can become a powerful tax strategy for high net worth investors. Lamè shares how Elk Ridge evolved from property management into an investment model built around maximizing the tax advantages available through real estate. We discuss the importance of understanding tax...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Noelle Russell, founder of the AI Leadership Institute, bestselling author, and expert in responsible AI, to talk about what it takes to build AI systems that actually work for your business. Noelle explains why leaders need to take ownership of how AI operates, from defining the human role to creating clear instructions, examples, and constraints. We discuss wh...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Todd Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs and co-founder of FreeSpoke, to talk about sports, technology, and the importance of informed conversation. Todd shares how his family approached rebuilding the Cubs around winning, preserving Wrigley Field, and supporting the Chicago community. We also discuss how FreeSpoke presents information from different politica...

In today’s episode, I sit down with UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin to talk about the lessons he learned through fighting, retirement, and figuring out what comes next. Forrest shares the moment he decided to go all in on The Ultimate Fighter , why professional athletes need to prepare financially for life after competition, and how becoming a father changed his perspective on success. We also t...

In today’s episode, I share how strategic alliances and meaningful relationships can accelerate your business and expand your opportunities. I explain how to create transferable trust, find the right people to serve, and build mutually beneficial relationships that create exponential growth. Most importantly, I share why removing interference, staying aligned with your divine direction, and focusi...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Mel Owens, an 11-year NFL veteran, attorney, entrepreneur, and star of The Golden Bachelor . Mel shares how spending 26 straight years playing football shaped his identity and prepared him for life after the NFL. We talk about taking advice, staying curious, and saying yes to opportunities that can send your life in unexpected directions. Mel also reflects on ra...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Lorenzo Payman to talk about faith, purpose, leadership, and the lessons that came from losing everything and rebuilding my life. I share how my mother’s response to my bankruptcy changed the way I viewed God, why asking for help became one of the most powerful habits in my life, and what mentors taught me about humility, self image, and intelligent leadership....

In today’s episode, I sit down with wealth advisor, tax attorney, and entrepreneur Nik Agharkar for a conversation about resilience, identity, and building a life around who you want to become. I share how losing everything forced me to confront the person I had become and reconnect with the values my mom taught me. We talk about separating yourself from influences that interfere with your potenti...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dylan Bloyed, host of the Business Leaders of America Podcast and an experienced leader in distribution and manufacturing. We talk about the choices that shaped my path from technology into sports and entertainment, the warning signs I ignored before losing everything, and the values that helped me rebuild. I share why personal branding is really about building...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Darren Prince, founder and CEO of Prince Marketing Group, to talk about recovery, discipline, relationships, and building a life around service. Darren shares why sobriety remains his top priority, the daily practices that keep him grounded, and how difficult moments create opportunities for growth. We discuss protecting your energy, taking inventory of the peop...

In today’s episode, I share how humility, gratitude, giving, and receiving have shaped my approach to life and success. I reflect on losing more than $100 million, telling my mother I had lost everything, and learning to see adversity as an opportunity for growth. I explain why simple daily practices can create lasting change, how our thoughts and perceptions influence our behaviors, and why askin...

In today’s episode, I share six lessons for solving the right problems by creating clarity before taking action. I explain how to separate facts from assumptions, identify root causes, find the highest-leverage constraint, and continuously adjust without emotional interference or ego. Most importantly, I share why alignment, action, and adjustment are essential to making better decisions, creating...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Alli Webb and Michael Landau, the sibling entrepreneurs behind Drybar and co-CEOs of Messy, to talk about building businesses, working with family, and learning from experience. Alli and Michael share how their early challenges as business partners prepared them to build Drybar together, along with the complementary skills that helped turn a simple idea into a n...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sam D’Arc, automotive retail leader and COO of Zeigler Auto Group, to talk about leadership, culture, sales, and building teams that can perform in a changing business environment. I share why cultures depend on clear values, daily practices, consistent communication, and leaders who understand what their people need to succeed. We discuss mentorship, knowing ho...

In today’s episode, I sit down with David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group and principal owner of the Baltimore Orioles, to talk about leadership, sports ownership, humility, and giving back. David shares why he views owning the Orioles as a philanthropic investment in Baltimore and what he has learned from some of the most successful owners in professional sports. We di...