The Playbook With David Meltzer

In today’s episode, I share how to create real progress by knowing what you want, who can help you, and how to align your past with the direction you’re heading. I explain why success depends on playing for the right teams, understanding your role on them, and learning to love what you don’t like about what you love. I also talk about the value of being present by focusing on what to do now and ne...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Eugenie Addison, CEO of Sensei. Me, whose mission was born from personal loss and years of scientific research into airborne diseases. Driven by a family history of chronic respiratory illnesses, Eugenie turned her postdoctoral research into an innovative solution for healthier indoor air. We talk about her journey from building her first startup in college to c...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Helen Ye Plehn, artist, author, and creator of the Aura Color Wheel system. Helen shares her journey from panic attacks and depression to discovering her true soul purpose, which led her to develop a framework for understanding the colors of our energy fields and how they reflect our gifts, wounds, and lessons. We talk about the connection between aura frequenci...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dominic Ortiz, CEO and General Manager of Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, and Jamar Jones, the visionary founder of Foureva Media. Dominic shares how he transformed a shuttered property into a thriving regional destination by betting on vision, resilience, and the right people. Jamar explains how his belief in partnerships and creating powerful experiences led hi...

In today’s episode, I sit down with performance coach Chris Johnson, whose career has spanned from playing professional basketball to shaping some of the biggest names in the NBA. Chris explains why expansion—not transition—is the real key when athletes move from the court to life beyond the game. He shares how routines, habit stacking, and emotional intelligence create the “delta” that separates...

In today’s episode, I sit down with former NFL star Shawne Merriman to talk about the lessons that shaped his life on and off the field. From growing up homeless in Maryland to becoming one of the most feared linebackers in the league, Shawne explains how hardship built his character and fueled his drive. We discuss his “Lights Out” persona, the transition from football to entrepreneurship, and ho...

In this week’s training, I shared why live events and shared experiences have become the true engine for growth in both business and life. It’s not the products we remember—it’s the moments that shape us, the communities that support us, and the connections that carry us forward. With Mitch Thrower of Events.com , we explored how events create opportunities for lasting transformation, why technolo...

In today’s episode, I sit down with the legendary chef and restaurateur Wolfgang Puck to talk about the joy and purpose behind a life’s work. He shares how finding passion, not chasing money, has been the foundation of his success, and why quality, hospitality, and making people feel good are non-negotiables in creating lasting experiences. Wolfgang reflects on the defining moments that shaped his...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Rob Riggle, a Marine Corps veteran turned actor, comedian, writer, and producer whose career spans from Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show to blockbuster films. Rob shares how his time in the Marines built the discipline, resilience, and fear-conquering mindset that have shaped every chapter of his life. We talk about the realities of chasing opportunities,...

In today’s episode, I sit down with serial entrepreneur Amrinder Kamboj, CEO of Kamboj Ventures, who built a 14-company, $300 million empire after his first business went bankrupt. Amrinder opens up about the lessons he drew from his father’s struggles as an immigrant, the mindset shift that came from failing young, and how he now evaluates companies for scalability, culture, and leadership before...

In today’s episode, I sit down with two of the greatest running backs to play the game, Steven Jackson and Austin Ekeler. We talk about what it means to live out a dream that has a natural expiration date, and how identity shifts once a playing career ends. Steven shares the symbolic act of cutting his long hair at retirement to embrace a new version of himself, while Austin reflects on treating l...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dushyant Sharma, founder and CEO of Paymentus, a company valued at over a billion dollars that powers the bill payment systems behind utilities, insurers, government agencies, and more. We explore how Paymentus has transformed a service nobody enjoys into a customer-friendly, cost-saving solution by offering flexibility, clarity, and choice. Dushyant shares how...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Tony Smith, CEO and Co-founder of Restaurant365, to talk about the Restaurant Transformation Festival and the community it’s bringing together. Tony shares how years of building software solutions for the restaurant industry led him to create an event that blends connection, innovation, and personal growth. We discuss why hospitality professionals operate with a...

In today’s episode, I shared how true success starts from within. It’s not just about making money or chasing milestones; it’s about building the mindset, habits, and consistency that create lasting growth. I talked about the difference between earning money and engineering wealth, the importance of getting 1% better every day, and why taking intentional pauses is often the key to clarity and prog...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Aneesh Lal, founder of The Wishly Group, where he helps creators and small businesses build modern revenue engines rooted in trust and alignment. Known as the “Jerry Maguire of LinkedIn,” Aneesh has built a reputation for representing clients with an uncommon commitment to values, turning down $40 million in deals that didn’t fit their missions. We talk about wh...

In today’s episode, I sit down with John Assaraf, a two-time New York Times bestselling author known for teaching people how to strengthen the brain’s “neuro muscles” through his concept of Innercise. John shares his personal transformation from a troubled teen to a committed student of personal growth after one life-changing question from a mentor. We explore how small, consistent actions can rew...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Victoria B. Lozano, Executive Vice President of Brand Marketing at Crayola, to talk about how creativity shapes our lives across generations. She shares how Crayola’s mission has always gone beyond crayons, focusing on wellness, education, and inspiring simple creative moments every day. We explore how creativity improves problem solving, critical thinking, and...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Christopher “Chip” Paucek, a visionary entrepreneur and co-founder of Pro Athlete Community (PAC). Chip shares how PAC provides a lifelong locker room for professional athletes, offering mentorship, coaching, and education that help them thrive well beyond their playing careers. We explore the unique challenges athletes face when the lights go out—judgment, isol...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Sahil Bloom, investor, writer, and bestselling author of The Five Types of Wealth . We talk about the moment that shifted his perspective on success, when he realized time with loved ones was finite and worth protecting at all costs. Sahil shares how that decision led him and his wife to move across the country to be near family, and how he now views time as the...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dave Asprey, entrepreneur, author, and widely regarded as the father of biohacking. We talk about his new book Heavily Meditated and the tools he’s developed to help people reset their nervous systems, dissolve stress, and unlock inner peace. Dave explains how triggers are programmed into our bodies and how we can shut off the ones that no longer serve us. He al...

In this episode, I share why the habits that have brought me the most success often go against what the world tells us. True growth doesn’t come from saying yes to everything, moving faster, or chasing perfection—it comes from small, consistent actions, slowing down to gain clarity, and creating space for what really matters. By learning to say no, trusting the power of compounding behaviors, and...

In today’s episode, I explore how fear acts as a time traveler, pulling us into the past with guilt and regret or pushing us into the future with anxiety and doubt. I break down why fear can’t exist in the present and how grounding yourself in the now creates space for clarity, ease, and action. You’ll hear why canceling outdated patterns, clearing subconscious interference, and connecting to your...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Liz Claman, the number one business news anchorwoman in America, for a conversation on staying grounded in an overwhelming world. Liz shares how she manages the relentless pace of information, her long-game approach to investing, and why disadvantage can be a surprising advantage. We discuss the importance of teaching kids the value of hard work, developing irre...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ross Mandel, a longtime Wall Street executive and entrepreneur, for a conversation about resilience, rebuilding, and the lessons that only come through adversity. Ross shares how losing his father at 16 shaped his worldview and his drive to create lasting impact. We talk about growing up with nothing, recovering from major losses, and why values matter more than...

In today’s episode, I share how faith became my foundation when I hit rock bottom, and why combining it with wisdom creates unstoppable momentum. I break down the dangers of living in a zero sum game, the importance of asking uncomfortable questions, and how trust and vetting can prevent costly mistakes. You’ll hear why leading by example influences young people far more than lectures, the three l...