The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sande Golgart, a global executive known for his people-first leadership and commitment to building high-performing cultures. We talk about fear as a constant companion in the human experience and how recognizing the instant, ego-driven reactions it creates can open the door to better choices. I share how simple tools like stop, drop, and roll guide me back towar...

In today’s episode, I break down how daily practice shapes long-term success and why consistent behavior outperforms occasional pushes. I explain the human experience through time, intention, and the lessons our bodies are built to teach us. I share how separating each day into non-negotiable and circumstantial behavior helps me stay aligned with my goals, reduce resistance, and avoid doubling dow...

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Maslow and UFC Hall of Famer Forrest Griffin, a former Light Heavyweight Champion whose career helped bring the sport into the mainstream. We cover the grind behind his rise, the standards he now upholds as the UFC’s Vice President of Athlete Development, and why winning still hits harder than any paycheck. Forrest opens up about work identity, product int...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Kaye Doran, a women’s leadership coach, shamanic healer, and creator of Inner Expressions, whose work centers on helping women rise from within. We explore the moments that pushed me toward a spiritual shift long before I lost everything, including the warning signs I ignored, the night my wife confronted me, and the painful honesty that forced me to rebuild my...

In this episode, I explain why presence is one of the greatest skills we can build — not just to lead, but to serve. Drawing on the wisdom of Think and Grow Rich , I share how our mindset and energy shape a room before we ever speak. I cover the simple practices that help us guide any environment: leading with intention, winning the first moments, asking meaningful questions, staying centered thro...

In today’s episode, I talk about why most entrepreneurs already have their why but lose progress by interfering with it. I walk through the beliefs and habits that kept me grounded as a kid in Akron, the painful moment I lost everything including my mom’s house, and how that experience reshaped the meaning I gave to my past. I break down the five daily practices that fuel passion, purpose, and pro...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Luba Patlakh-Kaplun, the founder of Kidology, a mom of three, speech language pathologist, and dedicated advocate for families navigating IEPs. We talk about the loss that shaped both of us, the waves of grief, and the quiet moments where our parents still feel close. We get into mindset as the bridge between the human and the infinite, why asking for help is an...

In today’s episode, I explain why gratitude, empathy, and accountability form the foundation for real success. I share how mindset and non-negotiable behaviors create outcomes far more reliably than strategy, and why consistent daily actions matter more than perfect plans. From my own bankruptcy to rebuilding everything, I reveal how thanking God for loss reshaped my life and how redefining failur...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ed Delgado, the President and CEO of Ecuatoriana Airlines, to talk about reviving Ecuador’s iconic national carrier and the opportunity it presents. With over three decades in global aviation, Ed shares why Ecuador’s underdeveloped domestic market, where buses remain the main competition, makes it one of the few regions where starting an airline still makes sens...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Swedish creator and interviewer Theodor Ekstrand to explore the moments that shape who we become. We talk about the early beliefs I absorbed watching my mom raise six kids alone, the pressure to stand out in an academic family, and the rush of making my first million in nine months. I share how success created a deeper emptiness, how I tried to fill it with the...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by James Maslow, a multi-talented actor, singer, producer, and speaker known for Big Time Rush, and Will Weinbach, a music producer, entrepreneur, and athlete. We talk about why authenticity wins online, how sharing your struggles builds stronger communities, and why in-person experiences create lasting business value. Will opens up about his ten-week return to tenni...

In today’s episode, I shared why reaching your potential isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters with intention. When you lead with gratitude, focus on one meaningful promise, and build simple systems that keep you consistent, your results start to compound. That’s when people mistake preparation for luck. Success comes from aligning what you do, say, think, feel, and believe every da...

In today’s episode, I share the most valuable lesson I keep learning: life is simple, but only if you know how to use your 24 hours. Everything beyond that is uncertain. The key is learning to prioritize what truly matters—what you want, who can help you, who you can help, and how to get it done. I talk about how faith shortens the distance between struggle and resolution, how to engineer wealth t...

In today’s episode, I share how to turn competition into a calling by shifting from comparison to purpose. Instead of measuring yourself against others, measure progress against your own potential through gratitude, service, and consistent action. I break down the AAA strategy—alignment, action, and adjustment—and explain why being a steward of your brand before monetizing it builds lasting trust...

In today’s episode, I join Michael Chernow, founder and host of Kreatures of Habit , to share what I look for before investing in an entrepreneur or a business. I explain why my first priority is always the person—not the product—and how I qualify desire, teachability, and alignment with what’s working now and in the future. I also share the “thousand-step” rule that determines whether someone has...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Chris Cruz, founder and chief visionary officer of Creative Resource Consulting and creator of The Power of 3RE. Chris shares how his reset, rethink, and restart framework reshaped his approach to mental toughness, habit-building, and daily renewal. We talk about resilience through repetition, the neuroscience behind positive habits, and how faith anchors his re...

In today’s episode, I share how faith alone isn’t enough to move us forward without intention and disciplined action. I talk about how comfort can become interference, why small consistent habits protect our purpose, and how non-negotiable behaviors like sleep, movement, and family create a foundation for growth. I explain why faith should be the predisposition and intention the disposition—the dr...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Matt Curl, the COO of Apollo.io , to talk about how AI is reshaping the way sales teams work. We explore why the best companies treat their go-to-market process like a tech stack, how Apollo simplifies complex systems, and why the real power of AI lies in augmentation—not replacement. Matt explains how AI assistants can streamline lead management, personalize ou...

In today’s episode, I shared five lessons to help you stop drifting and start leading with intention. Too many entrepreneurs confuse being busy with being productive. Real success doesn’t come from doing more—it comes from deciding better. When your actions, thoughts, and beliefs align with purpose, progress becomes natural. From choosing quality over quantity to turning setbacks into setups, the...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Amber Vilhauer, a visionary entrepreneur who transformed a painful past into a purpose-driven life of service and impact. We talk about resilience, faith, and the mindset that separates those who quit from those who keep going when evidence seems stacked against them. I share how prioritizing intention over attention creates clarity amid chaos, why imagination i...

In today’s episode, I sit down with sales coach and behavioral science expert Nick Graz to explore the moments that reshaped my understanding of success, control, and fulfillment. I share how losing over $100 million became the catalyst for rediscovering gratitude, empathy, accountability, and effective communication—and how surrendering control led to intentional living. Nick and I discuss what i...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Christopher Trocola, CEO and founder of ARC Defense Systems, to talk about what it means to build ethical technology in a world moving faster than its own guardrails. We discuss the current state of AI—how it’s being used, abused, and misunderstood—and the urgent need for compliance that protects people, not just systems. Christopher explains how ARC acts as a b...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sage Steele, a world-renowned broadcaster and host who built her career on courage, conviction, and authenticity. Sage opens up about walking away from the comfort of ESPN to create a platform of her own, and how that decision taught her the power of freedom, faith, and resilience. We talk about learning to love what you don’t like, finding purpose in adversity,...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ryan Beckmann, an RV industry veteran with over 25 years of experience leading teams, scaling sales, and co-founding Dealer Backstock—a platform transforming how RV dealers and buyers connect. After building a reputation as a top performer and earning a 40 Under 40 award, Ryan realized that success, money, and recognition couldn’t fill what he calls a “God-sized...

In today’s episode, I share the ten secrets that have shaped my journey as an entrepreneur—from mastering cash flow to building a culture rooted in character, coachability, and consistency. I break down how patience, resilience, and adaptability turn uncertainty into momentum, and why your community, not your ego, defines your legacy. Entrepreneurship isn’t about chasing liquidity or perfection; i...