Direct or Detour

Drake Wolfe aged out of foster care with nothing—no home, no guidance, no plan. Today, he runs an AI empire powered by 150+ autonomous agents, with zero employees, and a mission to end the aging-out crisis for foster youth in America. In this raw and inspiring conversation, Drake shares how faith, execution, and radical automation helped him build Optimize AI, Agentix, and his parent company, Omne...

John Hankins didn’t just retire—he reinvented himself. After 35 years in tech and a lifetime of financial experience, John became a certified financial therapist at age 71. Now, he helps others—especially those approaching or in retirement—unravel the emotional knots tied to money. In this episode, John shares what financial therapy really is, how he blended social work with tech expertise, and wh...

Elijah Khan’s journey is anything but ordinary. From struggling to make ends meet as a working actor to building Accentify , a breakthrough app helping people master accents, Elijah has turned rejection and hardship into innovation and opportunity. In this episode of Direct Or Detour , Elijah shares how he transitioned from the grind of London’s acting scene to launching a tech startup during the...

Chris Scott's journey from Minor League Baseball umpire to startup survivor to founder of Boschetto is anything but traditional. In this episode, Chris shares how injury forced him to pivot, how burnout taught him to rebuild smarter, and why he coined the term Execution Debt™ to describe the hidden costs killing company momentum. His story is packed with sharp insights, tough detours, and a whole...

What does it take to turn pain into power? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , Cam F Awesome — 12x national boxing champion, former Team USA captain, and resilience keynote speaker — shares his powerful journey from being a bullied, anxious kid to becoming one of the most decorated amateur boxers in U.S. history. After losing his Olympic dream due to a paperwork technicality, Cam didn’t quit — h...

What do punk-folk music, children's cartoons, and Google's AI have in common? One man: Jason Barnard . In this episode of Direct Or Detour , Jason shares his extraordinary career journey—from touring Europe as a double bassist in a folk-punk band to starring in a global children’s cartoon, and eventually becoming a leading expert in digital brand perception and AI search behavior. Now known as The...

Hersh Rephun's journey defies every straight path you've ever seen. From screenwriting and stand-up comedy to launching a sneaker marketing agency and now helping entrepreneurs craft authentic personal brands—his story is a masterclass in embracing the detours. In this episode, Hersh opens up about losing a business during COVID, uncovering deeper truths through meditation and quantum consciousnes...

Vince Quinn went from spinning prize wheels at radio station events to hosting his own nationally syndicated show across 225 stations—then walked away. Why? Because the future wasn’t on air—it was in podcasting. Now as Co-Founder and Creative Director of SBX Productions, Vince helps business owners launch strategic, value-driven podcasts that actually move the needle. In this episode of Direct Or...

What if the thing holding you back isn’t time—but focus? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , I sit down with Cindy Baker , Productivity Coach, Speaker, and founder of Cindy Baker Coaching. After a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis, Cindy realized she wasn’t just procrastinating—she was unknowingly trading her dreams for distraction. Now, she teaches entrepreneurs how to manage their focus, not their t...

What does it take to grow a multimillion-dollar tech firm, own a 400-acre organic farm, and still find time to launch a new social media platform? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , Brian sits down with serial entrepreneur Dom Pereira —better known as @AskDomThat —to explore his incredible journey from growing up undocumented in Philly to closing $25M in contracts with his tech company GCN . Do...

After 16 years producing hit shows for MTV and E! News, Shannon Russell made the bold decision to stop "producing for others"—and start producing her own life. In this episode, Shannon shares how motherhood and a brutal commute sparked her pivot from the entertainment industry to becoming a successful entrepreneur and CEO of Second Act Success® Coaching. Now a business coach, speaker, and podcast...

Alykhan Jetha—known as AJ—is the CEO of Marketcircle Inc. , creators of the all-in-one CRM and productivity platform Daylite.app . In this episode, AJ shares his powerful journey from being a child refugee to building a multimillion-dollar software company—without outside funding. Discover how he overcame early challenges, navigated multiple pivots, and stayed focused on long-term growth in a rapi...

John Brink’s life began in the chaos of Nazi-occupied Holland and evolved into an 84-year (and counting) story of relentless ambition, resilience, and reinvention. In this episode of Direct Or Detour , John shares his journey from foraging for food during the Hunger Winter to founding North America’s leading secondary wood products manufacturer—all with just $25.47 in his pocket when he arrived in...

At 70 years young, Dale Kershner is far from slowing down—in fact, he’s just getting started. In this powerful conversation, Dale shares how he walked away from law school, dove into early tech and automation, and eventually found his true calling: coaching human beings toward peak performance. With 43+ years of experience working with individuals, entrepreneurs, and global companies, Dale brings...

What happens when a seasoned corporate innovator launches a side business—and it fails hard? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , author and entrepreneur William Holsten unpacks the highs and “Uh-Oh!” moments of his unconventional journey. From leading global innovation workshops to inventing backyard carnival games, William’s path is filled with creativity, risk, and resilience. He shares how a...

What happens when a French boat rental entrepreneur abandons it all to pursue a calling across the ocean? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , Dr. Alain Salas shares his riveting transformation from living on a sailboat in the south of France to becoming a sought-after chiropractic physician and creator of the Mind Clearing System. After hitting rock bottom with burnout, divorce, and a cancer dia...

What does it take to survive the ups and downs of entrepreneurship? Michael Ritsema, CEO of i3 Business Solutions, shares his incredible journey from near bankruptcy in 2001 to leading a thriving technology and cybersecurity firm today. From the challenges of sales, business pivots, and economic downturns to acquiring multiple companies and managing cyber risks, Mike’s story is filled with resilie...

What do music, freelancing, and digital marketing have in common? For Matt Diamante , they were all stepping stones in his journey to launching HeyTony , a thriving marketing agency. In this episode of Direct Or Detour , Matt shares how he went from playing in a band to studying advertising , landing (and quitting) multiple jobs, launching a website with investors, burning through his savings on a...

How does a molecular biologist pivot to becoming a sought-after professional photographer? In this episode of Direct Or Detour , we sit down with Jasmeet Singh , the founder of 415Headshots Inc. , a premier headshot photography studio with locations in San Francisco and Sacramento . Jasmeet shares his fascinating journey from the lab to the lens, blending scientific precision with creative artistr...

How do you go from being overworked and overwhelmed to building a business that runs without you? Madi Waggoner, founder of Building Remote, knows firsthand what it takes to step away from the daily grind and create a company designed for freedom. In this episode, Madi shares her journey—from struggling with burnout to helping entrepreneurs fire themselves from the day-to-day. She reveals the pivo...

What does it take to rise from the depths of adversity and build a thriving business? Tracy Brinkmann knows the answer firsthand. After facing personal and financial devastation—including addiction, divorce, bankruptcy, and the heartbreaking loss of his young daughter—Tracy turned his life around. Now, as The Dark Horse Entrepreneur , he helps driven parental entrepreneurs and coaches crystallize...

How do you turn an industry gap into a thriving business? Michael Cole, President of Next Level Technician, shares his journey from telecom distribution to founding a company that’s reshaping the staffing landscape for skilled technicians. Recognized on Charlotte Business Journal’s Fast 50 list for two consecutive years and a contestant-turned-judge on The Blox , Michael has mastered the art of br...

Embarking on a broadcasting career often means facing numerous challenges, and Marc Schmidt knows this journey well. As a podcast host and producer , Marc has overcome significant obstacles to establish himself in the media industry. In this episode of Direct Or Detour , he shares his inspiring story, the hurdles he encountered, and the insights gained along the way.​ 🔗 Connect with Marc Schmidt:...

In this episode of Direct Or Detour , we sit down with Adam Torres , Co-Founder of Mission Matters Media , a top-ranked podcasting and media brand dedicated to elevating the voices of entrepreneurs, executives, and experts. As a prolific author, international speaker, and media strategist, Adam shares how he built a platform that reaches millions, helping business leaders tell their stories throug...

Eric Burns began his career as a Cincinnati Firefighter, but his entrepreneurial spirit led him to the world of real estate investing. Starting with a student housing rental in 2016, Eric transitioned from residential to commercial real estate, ultimately founding Flowers Capital. He now guides fellow entrepreneurs toward financial freedom through passive income strategies. In this episode, Eric s...