The 9–5 Exit Plan

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with attorney, psychic medium, and award-winning podcast host Jason Ciofalo. Jason shares the remarkable story of how the passing of his grandfather awakened his intuitive abilities and led him on an unexpected journey into spirituality and personal transformation. We discuss balancing logic and intuition, embracing unconventional paths, overcoming adve...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Matinah Drew, Founder and CEO of Noble Hearts HR Consulting & Staffing. With more than two decades of experience in human resources and workforce development, Matinah shares practical insights on leadership, workplace culture, people strategy, and organizational growth. We discuss the leadership mistakes that hold businesses back, why strong HR inf...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Albert Butler, CPA, MBA, strategic advisor, author, and creator of the Legacy Alignment System. With over 25 years of experience in accounting, leadership, and business advisory, Albert shares powerful lessons on financial literacy, entrepreneurship, legacy building, and purpose-driven success. We discuss why accounting is the foundation of every s...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with speaker, author, and former sports medicine entrepreneur Dr. Ken Kaufman. After spending more than three decades building a successful business, Ken experienced a season where everything changed. Losing much of what he had built forced him to reevaluate his identity, faith, and purpose. We discuss resilience, adversity, spiritual growth, trusting G...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with psychologist Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, who brings more than 50 years of experience helping individuals, couples, and families achieve emotional growth and healthier relationships. We discuss the emotional challenges many boys and men face, how cultural expectations shape emotional development, and why emotional intelligence is essential for success i...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan , I sit down with bestselling author and Harmony Method™ creator Robin H. Clare. After a personal journey through addiction, recovery, and self-discovery, Robin developed a powerful framework for helping people align who they are with how they live and lead. We discuss purpose, personal transformation, authentic success, recovery, entrepreneurship, and why alignmen...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with coach, speaker, entrepreneur, and Reignite Resilience co-host Pamela Cass. After overcoming dyslexia, surviving cancer, and walking away from executive leadership during burnout, Pamela rebuilt her life around helping others discover resilience, self-worth, and authentic success. We discuss burnout, reinvention, leadership, self-belief, emotional r...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with CEO, bestselling author, and leadership strategist Mark Cook. After losing his father at a young age, Mark began a lifelong search to understand what truly matters in work and life. That journey led him to work alongside legendary leaders, study millions of elite performers, and help thousands of professionals navigate major career and life transit...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with social worker, NLP Master Practitioner, and InsightBridge founder Binyamin Klempner. Binyamin explores one of the most important questions in personal development: why do some people experience lasting transformation while others simply accumulate information? We discuss mental health, psychology, self-awareness, meaning, purpose, and the evolving...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, AI innovator, and founder of AvatarBuddy AI, Stephanie Sylvestre. Stephanie shares her journey from corporate leadership to building innovative AI solutions that preserve history, create digital mentors, and help organizations navigate the future of technology. We discuss artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, leadership, adaptabi...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Kurt Bush, certified Internal Family Systems Practitioner, trauma-informed coach, author, and co-founder of Brimstone Coaching Group. After years of leadership experience in both corporate and nonprofit environments, Kurt discovered that many successful leaders are quietly struggling with self-doubt, burnout, and disconnection. We discuss imposter...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with former IBM Executive Vice President and Senior Partner Anouk Brumfield. After more than 30 years leading global teams and billion-dollar business initiatives, Anouk transitioned into a new chapter as a coach, speaker, bestselling author, and mentor. We discuss leadership, reinvention, personal growth, purpose, and the courage required to embrace ch...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with charity founder, finance professional, and mindfulness advocate Saw Myint. Saw shares her journey of helping people in need, the lessons she has learned through decades of service, and how Buddhist-inspired practices can help us navigate stress, anxiety, and life’s many challenges. We discuss mindfulness, mental wellbeing, resilience, decision-maki...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with coach, speaker, and author John Salzwedel. After nearly three decades in the insurance industry, John found himself asking deeper questions about purpose, fulfillment, faith, and intentional living. That journey led him to discover that many people aren’t struggling because they lack ability—they’re struggling because they’re overwhelmed by competi...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Jocelynn Flowers, founder and CEO of J. Flowers Marketing. Since 2016, Jocelynn has helped entrepreneurs scale their businesses through intentional marketing strategies that focus on clarity, consistency, and genuine human connection. We discuss what truly drives sustainable business growth, why relationships matter more than ever in today’s digita...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with impact investor, entrepreneur, author, and global speaker Florian Kemmerich. After spending more than two decades helping build businesses, mobilize impact capital, and advise leaders around the world, Florian discovered a powerful truth: success without purpose often leaves people feeling unfulfilled. We discuss his groundbreaking concept of “voca...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with bestselling author, entrepreneur, and leadership mentor Diane Lampe. After rising from the bottom of corporate America to executive leadership, Diane discovered that achievement alone wasn’t enough. That realization led her on a decades-long journey into personal growth, leadership development, and understanding the hidden beliefs that shape our su...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with bestselling author and Magnificence Mentor Sue Paulson. After navigating two divorces, two bankruptcies, failed businesses, a near-death experience, and two battles with cancer, Sue discovered powerful lessons about resilience, self-discovery, and personal growth. We discuss how adversity can become a catalyst for transformation, why so many people...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with financial strategist, entrepreneur, and author Jeff Kikel. After more than 25 years helping individuals and business owners build wealth, Jeff developed a powerful concept called Freedom Day—the day your investments, businesses, and passive income provide enough financial security that work becomes optional. We discuss the mindset shifts required t...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with executive coach, author, and creator of The Game of Ten®, Steve Barton. After more than four decades in business and leadership, Steve discovered that many high achievers unknowingly operate from fear, self-doubt, guilt, and shame—even when they appear successful on the outside. We discuss emotional intelligence, leadership awareness, intuitive dec...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with Life Strategist and author Bernice McDonald. Through her Tiny Brave Steps method, Bernice helps people navigate fear, loss, uncertainty, and life’s unexpected challenges by focusing on small, intentional actions that create lasting change. We discuss self-worth, resilience, overcoming the voice of “not enough,” learning to befriend fear, and how ti...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with executive leader, investor, and board director Christopher Swing. With experience spanning healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, finance, consulting, and private equity, Christopher shares the leadership principles that have helped him drive growth, innovation, and lasting success across multiple industries. We discuss leadership, investing, relati...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with franchise coach, entrepreneur, and author Adam Goldman. After realizing the limitations of traditional corporate careers, Adam dedicated his career to helping professionals transition into franchise ownership and build businesses that create freedom, wealth, and long-term success. We discuss franchising, entrepreneurship, business ownership, financ...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with entrepreneur, business coach, and Ironbrij founder Louis Swart. With more than 35 years of experience building, scaling, and selling businesses, Louis shares powerful lessons on delegation, leadership, automation, and creating a business that delivers freedom instead of burnout. We discuss why so many entrepreneurs become trapped inside their own c...

In this episode of 9-5 Exit Plan, I sit down with TEDx speaker, former elite athlete, and founder of Harmonize With Life, Natalie Bouchard. Natalie shares her journey through leadership, performance, personal transformation, and the discoveries that led her to develop the Return to Center framework. We discuss self-trust, emotional resilience, internal authority, and why many high achievers still...