The Ambition Lab

What happens when someone spends 20 years as a Benedictine monk, takes a vow of poverty, and then becomes a money manager? In this episode, Douglas Lynam shares the unconventional journey that took him from the Marine Corps to the monastery and eventually into the world of finance. We explore the psychology of money, the Enneagram, “Money Monsters,” childhood wounds, wealth, purpose, and why under...

What happens when your biggest health struggles become the foundation for helping other people heal? In this episode, Anthony Guastella, a certified health coach and host of Anthony Guastella Wellness, shares how his own health challenges led him to rethink nutrition, wellness, mindset, and the fundamentals of living well. We talk about elemental health, hormetic stress, sleep, nutrition, the mind...

What if what you call self sabotage isn't actually trying to hold you back but trying to protect you? In this episode, Ali Christos, a Quantum Hypnosis and Beyond Quantum Healing practitioner, meditation teacher, and author, explores the subconscious patterns that shape how we think, behave, and pursue success. We talk about Quantum Hypnosis, past life experiences, ambition, self-sabotage, and wha...

What does it really take to build connection across cultures, communities, and different perspectives? In this episode, Mathias Lemos Castillo, founder of MLC Consulting, shares his journey from Uruguay to the United States and the lessons that shaped his work in cross-cultural consulting, inclusive leadership, and community engagement. We talk about cultural competency, building trust, creating g...

What if the next level of your business doesn't start with a new strategy but with a new version of you? In this episode, Mandi Dana, founder of Radiant Leadership, shares what she learned after nine years inside the Tony Robbins organization and coaching more than 16,000 people. We talk about identity, leadership, high achievement, burnout, and why building a successful business doesn't have to m...

What if building wealth isn't primarily about how much you earn but the decisions you make with what you have? In this episode, Tony Bradshaw, author of The Millionaire Choice, shares lessons from decades of leadership, business growth, and financial education. We talk about intentional wealth building, the 1% Better Every Day principle, leadership, purpose, and why financial freedom starts with b...

What if the reason your business isn't growing isn't your product but your price? In this episode, Per Sjofors, known as The Price Whisperer, shares what he's learned from helping nearly 1,000 companies across more than 40 countries improve their pricing. We talk about willingness to pay, pricing psychology, raising prices with confidence, and why better pricing can transform a business without se...

What happens when data driven podcast growth meets the joy of karaoke and community? In this episode, Mike Wiston, CEO of mowPod and creator of Friday Night Karaoke, shares how he's built businesses and communities around authenticity, creativity, and connection. We talk about podcast growth, building an audience that becomes a community, life in Japan, and why sometimes the best thing you can do...

What does it take for a loan officer to stop being an order taker and become a trusted advisor? In this episode, Tricia McIntosh, founder of MLO Advantage and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, shares lessons from working across nearly every side of the mortgage industry. We talk about building direct to consumer strategies, moving beyond Realtor referrals, creating a six figure practice...

What happens when AI can imitate creativity but can’t actually experience it? In this episode, Scott Morgan, founder of Event Horizon Studio and creator of the Qualia Avatar, shares his vision for the future of storytelling, creativity, and human experience. We talk about AI, consciousness, Hollywood, and why he believes lived human experience can never be replaced by a machine. Show Notes Connect...

What keeps a business healthy after the excitement of starting wears off? In this episode, Roger Pearson, Master Tax Advisor, IRS Enrolled Agent, and founder of Seagull Technologies, shares lessons from more than 50 years in business. We talk about taxes, legal structures, financial knowledge, and the overlooked fundamentals that can save entrepreneurs from costly mistakes. Show Notes Connect with...

What happens when a dream waits nearly four decades to be finished? In this episode, Rodney Phillips shares the remarkable story behind Dissension a novel he began writing at nineteen, left in a filing cabinet for 37 years, and finally completed and published at 56. We talk about delayed dreams, persistence, writing human conflict, and why it's never too late to finish what you started. Show Notes...

Discipline Builds Dynasties What does it really take to build something that lasts? In this episode, CJ Moneyway (Corwin Johnson), founder of Moneyway Media, shares his perspective on discipline, faith, consistency, leadership, and building a meaningful legacy. We also talk about his podcast, AI education, and staying focused on purpose when recognition and distractions compete for attention. Show...

Faithful in the Grind What happens when faith, trauma, ambition, and the workplace collide? In this episode, Wanda Marie Thibodeaux shares how her work as a Christian author, ghostwriter, and host of Faithful on the Clock has led her to explore the hidden struggles behind professional success. We talk about trauma, joy, ambition, and finding God in the middle of everyday work. Show Notes Connect w...

Beyond the Pain: Building Resilience and Creating Change What does it really take to help people break destructive cycles and choose a different path? In this episode, Michael T. Brown shares lessons from more than 25 years as a counselor, leadership consultant, resilience trainer, and Violence Interrupter trainer. We talk about resilience, leadership, mental health, community change, and the pers...

What happens when an engineer decides to rethink trust on the internet? Richard Kersey, founder of Chirpper, believes social media can protect both privacy and accountability without relying on constant surveillance. In this episode, we explore AI, online trust, anonymity, and why sometimes the best way to fix a broken system is to redesign it entirely. Show Notes: - Chirpper: "https://chirpper.co...

What if the key to helping students succeed isn't making them fit the system, but changing the way we teach? In this episode, Dr. Emily Levy shares how five years of research led to award-winning educational methods, EBL Coaching, and resources that have helped thousands of students learn with greater confidence. Show Notes - EBL Coaching: https://eblcoaching.com/ - Dr. Emily Levy: https://eblcoac...

What if you don't need more motivation you need more capacity to handle the pressure that comes with being driven? In this episode, Rob Tracz shares how resilience, clarity, and intentionality can help high performers avoid burnout, create momentum, and build sustainable success. Connect with Rob Tracz: Website: https://robtracz.com/⁠ Podcast: https://robtracz.com/podcast/⁠ Prime Performance: http...

What does it really mean to blaze your own trail? In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Jordan Mendoza shares the story behind building a thriving personal brand, growing a LinkedIn audience of more than 64,000 followers, generating millions of content views, and turning online relationships into real business opportunities. But behind the numbers is a story of resilience, fatherhood, setbacks, and...

What if some of the beliefs we've built our careers around quietly stopped being true? In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Danny Carpio challenges the traditional idea that bigger companies, larger teams, and more layers of management are necessary for meaningful impact. Danny is an organizational architect, systems builder, and author of The Unfirm: The New Unit of Scale Is You. Drawing from mor...

What makes you believe what you believe and could you explain why? In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Sheila Krygsheld shares how her own experiences, biblical studies, teaching, and years of ministry shaped her approach to faith, apologetics, and helping others develop confidence in what they believe. Sheila is the author of What Makes You Say That? and holds a master's degree in Biblical Studi...

What does it really take to build a brand that people believe in? In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Cat How shares the story behind building How&How during one of the most uncertain periods in recent history and why she believes bravery isn't a personality trait, but a business strategy. We talk about building a company during uncertainty, the difference between looking good and creating genuin...

What happens when you leave behind a 25 year career and step into an entirely new identity? Gary Pageau shares his journey from a long career in the nonprofit world to entrepreneurship, marketing communications, and founding the Dead Pixels Society, a community serving the photo and imaging industry. We talk about reinvention, building a business around content, adapting to industry disruption, st...

What happens when a great strategy meets an organization that can't execute? In this episode of The Ambition Lab, Joel Klemmer explores why organizations often struggle not because they lack talent or ideas, but because their systems, resources, authority, incentives, and accountability aren't aligned. Drawing from decades of leadership across business, public service, healthcare, technology, educ...

What happens when the coach realizes he needs to practice what he preaches? Brian Parana shares his journey from that wake up call to helping busy men over 40 lose weight, regain energy, and build healthier habits without turning fitness into a full time job. We talk about sustainable health, accountability, nutrition, leadership, and why taking care of yourself matters for the people counting on...