Know Your Why Podcast with Dr.Jason Balara

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Adam Salmen, who shares his remarkable journey from real estate finance to leading UMECC, a global industrial company, through strategic business acquisitions. Adam opens up about the challenges and rewards of navigating global manufacturing and the steel industry, offering a candid look at what it truly takes to build a...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Marvin Karlow, a former physicist turned successful business owner and M&A advisor, to explore the world of buying, selling, and valuing small to mid-sized businesses. Marvin shares how his background in physics shaped his analytical approach to entrepreneurship and deal-making, and why proper preparation and represe...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara speaks with Brian Samson about his transition from tech startup recruiting into the world of nearshoring and global talent. Brian breaks down how businesses are leveraging offshore talent in Latin America to scale efficiently, improve collaboration, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. He discusses both the opportunities...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara speaks with Paul Salter, a mindset and performance coach, hypnotherapist, and keynote speaker, about the role of the subconscious mind in personal and professional growth. Paul shares his journey from competitive athletics and sports nutrition into mindset coaching, where he now helps high performers overcome internal barriers that kno...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Laurie Maddalena, founder and CEO of Envision Excellence, about the evolving landscape of leadership and what it takes to build effective leaders today. Laurie shares her transition from HR executive to leadership consultant, highlighting how leadership styles have shifted from directive to more facilitative approaches. She...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Chris Gavre, who shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a pressure washing business to becoming a real estate investor focused on land home packages. Chris discusses his early success in wholesaling, the regulatory challenges he faced in South Carolina, and how those obstacles pushed him to pivot into mobile home...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Hillary Seiler, a financial coach who works closely with athletes in the NFL and NBA, about the unique challenges of managing wealth at a young age. Hillary shares how many athletes achieve financial success without a foundation in money management, making financial education and guidance critical early on. She discusses the...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Mark Hartmann, mergers and acquisitions advisor and author of Sweat Equity Payday, about the realities of preparing for and executing a successful business sale. Mark shares his transition from business owner to advisor, offering a behind-the-scenes look at exit planning, business valuation, and the importance of de-risking...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Croft Edwards, ICF master certified coach and author of The Liquid Accordion, to explore the evolution of leadership and what it truly means to lead. Croft shares how his early experiences shaped his leadership philosophy, highlighting the contrast between military and civilian leadership styles and the need for adaptability...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Robert Howell to discuss his unconventional path from working in Olympic event marketing to becoming a mobile home park investor and developer. Robert shares how he transitioned into real estate, eventually focusing on manufactured housing and mobile home parks as a way to address the growing need for affordable housing....

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Danielle Joleigh Bennett about her powerful journey from Navy veteran to entrepreneur, franchising leader, and executive coach. Danielle shares how resilience, discipline, and embracing change shaped her path through military service, business ownership, and gender transition. She explains how franchising can serve as a stra...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Jake Isham to explore his transition from filmmaker and actor to brand strategist for entrepreneurs. Jake shares how storytelling serves as the foundation of effective branding and social media marketing, explaining that branding defines who you are in the marketplace while marketing communicates that identity. Drawing f...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Chad Taylor to explore his path from early interest in finance to launching Seapoint Wealth Advisors as an independent financial advisor. Chad shares how mentorship played a pivotal role in shaping his career growth, helping him build both technical expertise and the confidence required to guide clients through complex f...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Logan Freeman to discuss his journey from growing up in Jefferson City to becoming a respected real estate leader in Kansas City. Logan breaks down the market fundamentals that make Kansas City attractive for investment, while highlighting emerging asset classes such as industrial outdoor storage and data centers. He sha...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Dr. Benjamin Granger, an organizational psychologist, to explore how leadership, workplace culture, and motivation shape both employee engagement and long-term organizational success. Dr. Granger explains how principles of organizational psychology apply directly to everyday business operations, from understanding core m...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Christina Kovacs about her evolution from completing a live-in flip to building a brokerage and expanding into multifamily investments. She shares how intentional networking and strong partnerships fueled her growth, emphasizing the importance of trust, clear operating agreements, and performance-based accountability. Christ...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Garren Hilow, a biotech entrepreneur who built and exited his company for $190 million. Garren shares how growing up in an entrepreneurial household shaped his ambitions and how he successfully navigated the highly technical biotech industry without a formal science background. By leaning into sales, communication, and s...

In this special 500th episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara reflects on his journey through podcasting, entrepreneurship, and real estate investing. He shares lessons gathered from hundreds of conversations with founders, operators, and investors, emphasizing that strong business principles apply across industries. Jason discusses how his perspective on debt and interest rates has...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with David Schnurman, entrepreneur and founder of Lawline, to explore his journey from aspiring business owner to building one of the largest online continuing legal education platforms in the United States. David shares how early ambitions and hands-on sales experience shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and helped him naviga...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Steven Loewer, founder and CEO of Lion’s Den Capital, about entrepreneurship, private lending, and building wealth through mortgage-backed opportunities. Steven shares how growing up in an entrepreneurial household shaped his career path and ultimately led him into real estate investment and private lending. He explains how...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Paul Lajoie, a CPA and seasoned entrepreneur who has bought and sold more than 20 small businesses. Paul shares his journey from corporate burnout to business acquisition, explaining how the desire to support his growing family pushed him to pursue entrepreneurship and financial independence. He unpacks the realities of...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews David Hori, an entrepreneur focused on acquiring profitable local businesses while preserving the legacy and culture that made them successful. David explains how his approach to business acquisition differs from traditional private equity and venture capital models, prioritizing long-term stewardship over short-term financi...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara interviews Jens Nielsen, a former IT professional who left the security of a traditional career to pursue real estate investing and high-performance coaching. Jens shares how his desire for freedom and passive income led him into entrepreneurship, where he discovered both the financial opportunities of real estate and the personal grow...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Mike Zlotnik, a seasoned real estate fund manager who made the leap from technology into commercial real estate following the 2008 financial crisis. Mike shares how experiencing a major market downturn reshaped his understanding of risk, cash flow, and long-term investing. The conversation explores real estate investment...

In this episode of the Know Your Why Podcast, Dr. Jason Balara sits down with Axel Berlin, a former internet addict who now helps others regain control of their attention and time. Axel shares his personal journey of recognizing and overcoming digital addiction, unpacking how algorithmic entertainment quietly hijacks focus and reshapes daily habits. The conversation explores the justifications man...