How'd it Happen?

In this solo episode, Mike channels Celeste Headlee’s TED talk called “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation.” Mike puts his own spin on them by using his experience of releasing over 300 podcast episodes and interviewing many amazing people along the way. There are certain habits and questions that take a conversation to the next level by eliciting interesting topics and showing others that you a...

We’re sharing this guest episode again because it is full of such innovative and exciting medical advances that more of us should be aware of. If you didn't catch this one the first time, here is your chance. Dr. Timothy Nelson is the founder of HeartWorks, an organization that developed from the Todd & Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome founded at the Mayo Cli...

Today’s solo episode of the How’d It Happen podcast was inspired by Jordan Peterson and his book, titled “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos. After reading this book, Mike felt drawn to create his own 12 rules of life, and in this episode, he breaks down his 12.5 rules of life. Those rules are: Hold doors open, look people in the eye, say hello, and smile. Words matter. Surround yourself with...

Kyle McDowell is a man who traded corporate might for the mightier power of collaborative leadership. Kyle shares all about his transformative journey, chronicled in his compelling book "Begin With We," where the shift from an 'I' focused worldview to a 'we' centered philosophy is not just theoretical but lived. In this episode, Kyle peels back the layers of leadershi...

In this solo episode, Mike dives into a topic that is near and dear to his heart, and that is when people call their business “small.” Businesses come in all sizes, but none of them are small.  Politicians like to refer to small businesses, and how they are the backbone of our economy, and they can talk about business as they wish, but the problem comes in when business owners talk about their own...

The unfathomable drive required to complete the Ironman World Championship and the tenacity needed to catapult a startup from inception to a successful exit; Steven Pivnik embodies both. As he unfolds his story from his early days as an immigrant, grappling with new beginnings, to his transformation into an acclaimed entrepreneur and endurance athlete, Steven lets us in on the parallels between th...

Have you ever tried to learn from the future? Probably not, because it is hard to learn from something that has yet to happen. We can imagine the future and create it, but we can’t use it as a lesson. What about the present? The present is fleeting and happening right now at this moment, so it’s not something we can really learn from either. What we can definitely learn from is the past. The past...

Markus Kaulius is an entrepreneur and bodybuilder, and in this episode, he shares his remarkable story of how he channeled his turbulent past into a catalyst for growth and success. He reveals the power of owning your history, the importance of shedding societal expectations to find your true self, and the critical role of action in turning knowledge into tangible change. This episode is an awaken...

Are you someone that stays charged, or someone that needs charging? That is the question of today’s solo episode. As humans, we don’t have actual batteries that need charging, but we know there are certain things that recharge us, such as rest and restorative practices. We have some sort of energy source within us, but for some people, it doesn’t seem that way. The way Mike sees it is that there a...

Picture this: you’re standing at a crossroads in your career, wondering if the path to fulfillment lies in the confines of your office or out in the vast world of possibilities. Kevin McGoff, Mike’s esteemed guest, takes you on his personal expedition from a bustling law career to a tranquil retirement, revealing the profound lessons learned about cultivating a purposeful life. Kevin traverses top...

We have been taught to trade our time for money, but there comes the point where we are allowing a disservice to ourselves by operating this way. The more of an expert we become in our field, the less time it takes us to reach a result, and that result is usually of higher quality than what others with less experience can provide. By continuing to trade our time for money, we will need to put in m...

Discover how Michael Santos, a man who once faced a 26-year prison term, emerged as a triumphant author, educator, and voice for reform. Michael's gripping tale of transformation from a convicted drug trafficker to a beacon of hope and change is a journey you won't want to miss. His candid revelations about the pivotal moments that spurred his profound metamorphosis offer a stark reminde...

Discover the incredible ascent of Cameron Bawden, who at 21 years old, armed with nothing but audacity and a single truck, built a pest control empire and a collection of flourishing companies. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs, as Cameron joins Mike to share the highs and lows of his remarkable journey. From his initial foray into the competitive Arizona market...

When Mike first stepped into the world of Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group, he was struck by the sheer warmth and impeccable service that seemed to flow effortlessly throughout the establishment. It's this very essence of Meyer's enlightened hospitality that Mike is eager to discuss, celebrating the Five A's that have redefined customer service: Awareness, Anticipat...

Ever felt the rush of a Eureka moment that rewired your entire career path? That's the spark igniting today's chat with Michelle Nedelec, an entrepreneurial alchemist who turns the base metals of budding businesses into gold. She takes us on a whirlwind tour of her origin story, from an ambitious plan involving dental dreams and global escapades, to the serendipitous pivot that led her i...

Unlock the secrets to extinguishing the 'dumpster fires' in your business with Mike on this Free Thinking Friday edition of the How’d It Happen podcast. Prepare to arm yourself with the knowledge to not only identify but also eliminate the messy, chaotic situations that chip away at your company's value and success. In this dynamic explanation, Mike dives into why the best in the bu...

Have you ever heard “Your network is your net worth?” Well it’s true. The magnetic pull of genuine human connection and business growth are greatly related. Join Mike and his remarkable guest, Steve Ramona, as they unravel the power of networking with a servant's heart. Steve, the prolific host of "Doing Business with a Servant's Heart" podcast and "Together We Serve"...

Have you ever envisioned the perfect exit from your business, only to be bogged down by the daunting unknowns? Turn that dream into a plan with the red, gold, and green thinking method. In this episode, Mike takes you through the transformative power of this simple, 30-minute strategy that could revolutionize your entrepreneurial journey. Through a candid reality check (red), a visionary future ch...

Join Mike as he welcomes Ken Rusk, the champion of blue-collar pride and author of "Blue Collar Cash." Ken shares his transformative journey from ditch digger to entrepreneurial success, proving that college isn't the only path to a fulfilling and prosperous life. Ken and Mike take a deep look into the essence of hard work, the art of setting and achieving goals, and the underrated...

Have you ever been so caught up in extinguishing day-to-day fires in your business that the thought of planning your exit seems like a distant dream? It's a common trap for entrepreneurs, but today's discussion is all about breaking free from that survival mindset to achieve a "dream exit" that aligns with both your financial goals and personal fulfillment. In this solo episode...

When the time comes to pass the torch of your business, the journey involves much more than a transaction—it's a transformation. Join Mike Malatesta as he sits down with Laurie Barkman, the insightful business transition sherpa, to illuminate the often-overlooked facets of preparing for a business handover. This discussion spans the emotional landscape business owners traverse, blending wisdo...

Unlock the secrets to crafting a business that's primed for the ultimate success: a lucrative exit. In this latest episode, Mike delves into the art of early exit planning, a strategy that too many entrepreneurs overlook to their detriment. It's about shaping your company to operate at maximum value at all times, not just when you're ready to sell. Tune in as Mike reveals how sustai...

Mike was recently a guest on the Ready Yet?! Podcast with host Erin Marcus, and he shared his successes and failures during his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of remaining curious and open to learning, and how he helps entrepreneurs with a Dream Exit plan to build and sell their business. This was such an insightful episode, that we wanted to share it on the How’d It Happen? Podcast as we...

Mike appeared as a guest on Michelle Nedelec's "Business Ownership Podcast" and shared his wisdom all about how to achieve the business exit of your dreams -- the Dream Exit™. In this episode, Mike unveils the often overlooked -- but critical -- phase of business ownership - the exit. Discover the importance of planning for your exit even when it seems distant, why every entrepreneu...

Today we have a very special episode for you. It is with heavy hearts that we bring you a recording featuring the late Dr. Mark Goulston, a renowned psychologist, author, and a dear friend to many in the field. Mark died on December 31 due to an unforeseen infection during recovery from a bone marrow transplant. Mark’s wisdom, compassion, and contributions to the world of psychology have left a la...