The Builders

In this episode of The Builders , Matt talks with Damon Darnall, a lifelong flyer and the founder of Sky Eye Network. Damon has been building and flying drones since the 1970s, long before the industry existed. What began as a childhood obsession turned into a career shaped by persistence, skill, and a fascination with what flight can unlock. Damon shares how the long path of building shaped his e...

In this milestone solo episode, Matt Levenhagen pulls back the curtain on how he now builds — with AI employees as part of his core team.  After scaling down his agency and returning to hands-on development, Matt discovered a new rhythm: collaborating daily with Claude, Composer, Codex, ChatGPT (Atlas), and Grok. These digital teammates help plan, code, debug, research, and even design. Through re...

In this episode, Matt sits down with Nikita Vakhrushev , founder and CEO of Aspekt , an eCommerce retention agency helping brands grow smarter through email and SMS marketing . Nikita’s journey from high school side hustles to leading a specialized agency is a story of experimentation, focus, and persistence. What started as a love for design and selling custom t-shirts evolved into a deep underst...

Aleksandar Svetski’s story is one of bold moves, brutal lessons, and a relentless drive to build. He made his first million by 23—then lost it all when government policy shifts crushed his solar energy business. From sales to renewable energy, from hospitality to tech startups, Svetski’s path has been anything but straight. Each rise and fall hardened his conviction in one thing: true builders cre...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , Matt sits down with Isioma Utomi , leadership development consultant and founder of Catalyst Experience Solutions , to unpack what it really takes to help people succeed at work — not just perform tasks.  Isioma’s journey began in engineering and process improvement, where she learned that behind every efficient system are people who make it work. Over tim...

In this episode of The Builders , Matt sits down with Ed Oyama , founder of Super Simple Marketing , to unpack what it really means to simplify — in business, in messaging, and especially on camera.  Ed shares his unexpected journey from math major and aspiring game designer to educator and entrepreneur, including 12 years in Asia running English programs and learning the art of communication the...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , host Matt Levenhagen sits down with Lorie Spence and Carolyn Pritchard , co-founders of Bridge Medical Communications —a life-sciences agency that helps biotech and pharmaceutical companies better connect with healthcare providers and improve patient outcomes.  Together, they explore what it truly takes to build a lasting partnership , navigate change in t...

On this episode of The Builders, Matt sits down with Tiffany Slowinski, owner of Team Spark Advisors and an Executive Advisor using Culture Index to help leaders stop guessing about people. Tiffany shares how a zigzag career through psychology, journalism, counseling, and local media sales led her to people analytics—and why builders should treat talent like any other core system: define the job,...

Stephen Wilson Downey returns to The Builders to share what changed since his last visit and why he pivoted from building an AI WordPress maintenance plugin to doubling down on services at Speire. We talk through the hard lessons behind that shift—protecting the “core” business, the realities of cost/scale, and how clear communication and measurable ROI became the bedrock of growth and client rete...

In this solo episode of The Builders Podcast , host Matt Levenhagen shares a candid reflection on redefining success. After years of growth and managing a larger team, he faced the challenges of revenue flattening, downsizing, and recalibrating his vision. Instead of chasing an old 3–5M agency target, Matt reframes success around gratitude, retention, and daily delivery.  He dives into the realiti...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , Matt Levenhagen sits down with Michael Kenny of Digital Gearbox to explore how businesses can thrive in a noisy, tech-driven world by leaning into timeless principles: ethics, relationships, and human value. Michael shares lessons from his diverse career—from hospitality and real estate to leading PPC campaigns at Digital Gearbox—and how those experiences...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , Matt Levenhagen sits down with Madi Waggoner , founder of Building Remote , to unpack her framework for helping entrepreneurs scale without burnout .  With over 14 years of experience in tech startups and consulting, Madi has guided more than 40 founders through the shift from solopreneur to CEO. Her LYFT framework — Leadership, Infrastructure, Fuel, and T...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , host Matt Levenhagen sits down once again with returning guest Jennifer Denny , founder of Elevated Marketing Solutions. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping not just marketing, but the way entire businesses operate day-to-day. Jennifer shares her hands-on approach to using ChatGPT projects and folders to streamline workflows, organize client deliver...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , Matt Levenhagen sits down with Téa Phillips , CEO of ATS and inventor of MetaFlex — the world’s first grip-strengthening compression glove. Téa shares her journey from engineering student to award-winning entrepreneur, driven by a personal mission to help her grandmother and others struggling with arthritis. From early prototypes to manufacturing hurdles,...

In Episode 237 of The Builders Podcast , Matt Levenhagen sits down with Hunter Jensen , CEO of Barefoot Solutions and founder of Barefoot Labs, for a deep dive into the mindset and methods of a modern builder. Hunter shares his journey from freelance developer to leading innovative AI solutions — all while keeping true to his philosophy of staying “cutting edge, not bleeding edge.”  This conversat...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen converses with Carol Tice , a digital nomad and expert in developing thriving online communities. Delving into the intricacies of starting and growing paid communities, Carol shares her journey from freelance writer to the founder of a successful online business. She highlights the pivotal moments that led to her success, the innovative...

In this solo episode of The Builders , Matt Levenhagen reflects on a pivotal moment in his business journey—one that many founders, creatives, and agency owners will relate to. After years of scaling a successful agency and managing a distributed team, Matt finds himself craving the simplicity and satisfaction of doing the work again—of coding, building, and being the craftsman. In a world that gl...

In this episode of The Builders , Matt talks with Matthew White, CEO of PlatypusOS—a new kind of browser designed for the AI-powered future of work. Matthew shares how a simple frustration with too many tabs sparked the idea to build a smarter, more structured browser—one that integrates seamlessly with your tools and acts like an assistant, not just a gateway to the web. From the foundation of Pl...

In this episode, Matthew Stafford shares his evolution from physical labor to digital growth—unpacking how he built an agency that helps e-commerce brands grow by focusing on revenue per visitor, not just flashy CRO tactics. He breaks down what “revenue optimization” really means, why traffic alone isn’t the answer, and how AI is giving builders a superpowered edge. This is a must-listen for anyon...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , Matt sits down with Gerry Hayes — founder of Dorio and the creator of Venture Staking , a bold new model that reimagines how people invest in startups. Gerry shares his journey from the world of law and government to entrepreneurship, and how his early frustration with the gatekeeping of traditional venture capital led him to build a more inclusive system...

In this episode of The Builders , Matt sits down with James Elliman — a cybersecurity-focused IT expert who’s built a thriving managed services company by eliminating complexity and frustration for small businesses. James shares how his journey began with tearing apart computers at age six, progressed through corporate IT burnout, and ultimately led to creating all-in-one tech solutions that puts...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast , host Matt Levenhagen sits down with Yaakov Sash, founder and CEO of Novospir , to explore how game currency, social interactivity, and AI are coming together to reshape the gaming landscape. With roots in Wall Street and a deep background in digital asset technology, Yaakov shares his unique journey — from building trading systems at major financial instit...

In this solo episode of The Builders Podcast , Matt Levenhagen opens up about the state of his agency and how he's actively positioning for long-term success amidst a rapidly changing world. From economic pressures like tariffs to the accelerating rise of AI, Matt breaks down how these forces are impacting service businesses—and how he’s turning disruption into opportunity. Instead of reacting wit...

In this episode of The Builders Podcast, host Matt Levenhagen welcomes Eli Tansman, CEO and co-founder of Cygnostic. With deep expertise in cybersecurity and AI security, Eli shares his journey from military cyber operations to building a global company at the forefront of protecting modern development workflows. Eli’s story is one of rapid evolution and intentional pivots—shifting from cybersecur...

In this episode of The Builders , Matt sits down with Dan Bennett, founder of Hot Sauce Video, to explore how creativity, calm under pressure, and strategic reinvention can carry a business through adversity. From playing in rock bands to helping entrepreneurs shine on video, Dan shares the building blocks of his journey — including how the pandemic pushed him to pivot hard and reimagine everythin...