The Playbook With David Meltzer

In this episode, I challenged the idea that kindness is a liability in business. I shared why leading with empathy, consistency, and integrity isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do. True success lies in showing up every day with purpose, treating people with dignity,  and staying true to your values.  It's not about pursuing flash, it's about earning trust. Good guys don’t f...

In today’s episode, I break down why capturing your true essence through content is the key to building a lasting brand and community. I talk about the difference between authenticity and frequency, and why being consistent with your skills, knowledge, and desire is what resonates most. I also share why finding your purpose isn’t about chasing anything outside of you, but about clearing the interf...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Michael Oved, founder of the "30 Years in 30 Minutes" podcast, to talk about what it takes to build real success and lasting happiness. I share how chasing money alone led me to lose over $100 million and why reconnecting with gratitude, accountability, and faith allowed me to rebuild a better life. We talk about the importance of asking for help, learning to en...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Dylan Smith, a keynote speaker, educator, and entrepreneur whose journey through adoption, misdiagnosis, and dyslexia shaped his mission to serve others. Dylan shares how overcoming the odds taught him that humility is not a weakness but a strength, especially when building real connections. We talk about the difference between what people do and who they truly...

In today’s episode, I share why purpose-driven leadership goes far beyond titles or strategies. It’s about creating cultures built on humility, clarity, and daily renewal. I talk about how transformation comes not from pressure or ego but from recalibrating your energy and leading through service. You’ll hear how gratitude, forgiveness, and joy can fuel long-term resilience, and why comparison is...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by James Maslow and NFL veteran T.Y. McGill Jr., a defensive tackle with a decade-long career and a foundation focused on empowering youth through education and exposure. We talk about the pivotal moment at age eight that shaped his values, his decision to give back through annual camps and charitable work, and how he’s preparing for life after football. T.Y. shares...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Andrea Marcellus, founder of AND/life and a leader in the world of integrated wellbeing. We talk about why lasting health starts in the brain and how most people approach wellness in disconnected pieces. Andrea explains the problem with chasing goals without clarity, how burnout stems from low energy, and why mindset is more powerful than any meal plan. She shar...

In this episode, I shared some my top takeaways from the month of April. From starting your day with the right mindset to turning tough moments into empowering stories, and embracing gratitude as a daily anchor, these habits aren’t just easy to do, they’re easy to skip. But those small, consistent choices move us forward the fastest. When we lean into the basics, we build momentum toward the life...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Wolfgang Puck, a culinary icon whose restaurants have shaped fine dining around the world. We talk about what it takes to create not just a great meal but an unforgettable experience, from hand-selecting ingredients at the farmer’s market to making every guest feel like the most important person in the room. Wolfgang shares how his mother’s encouragement and his...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Alexis Belton, a World Long Drive competitor and former D1 athlete who’s reshaping the intersection of sports, purpose, and business. Alexis shares how a bet on herself led to a third place world finish, a tour victory, and a new outlook on using golf as a platform for change. We talk mindset, monetization, and what it means to keep going when success alone isn’...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Jon Gordon, best known for The Energy Bus and his work with some of the world’s top athletes, coaches, and business leaders. We talk about what it really means to live your purpose, not just speak it. Jon opens up about the discipline behind a positive mindset, the faith that grounds his work, and how prayer, humility, and selflessness keep him aligned. He also...

In today’s episode, I unpack how Napoleon Hill’s timeless principles can guide a modern career path rooted in clarity, confidence, and purpose. I break down Hill’s 12 career pillars, from definiteness of purpose to accurate thinking, and explain how they align with vibrational awareness instead of rigid timelines. You’ll hear why imagination matters more than intensity, why motivation gets you sta...

In today’s episode, I sit down with James Maslow and Owen Hanson, a former USC walk-on who once brushed shoulders with Heisman winners and ended up running a multimillion-dollar black-market empire. Owen shares how ambition and access turned him from sports agent to international drug trafficker, and how a stint in federal prison sparked a new kind of hustle. From mop-bucket ice cream experiments...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Georges St-Pierre, the legendary MMA champion and actor celebrated for his dominance across multiple UFC weight classes. We talk about the mindset that drove his success, his resistance to comfort, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who keep you grounded. GSP opens up about navigating fame, the role of mentorship, and why humility matters mor...

In this weeks ‘Friday Training’ episode, I shared why culture, not charisma or short-term wins is the foundation of any great organization. When companies shift from being founder-centric to culture-centric, they build something that can weather change, inspire people, and last well beyond any one leader. We discussed the three pillars of lasting culture: a clear purpose, empowered people, and sys...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Casey Hayward, two-time Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee and 11-year NFL veteran, to talk about life beyond the field. Casey shares how his parents shaped his values early, why he gave one of the largest donations in Vanderbilt history, and how real estate became his post-football passion. We also talk about learning from mistakes, the importance of mentors...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Amanda Reese, a former Division I athlete turned elite event strategist, to talk about what really makes an event unforgettable. Amanda shares how she designs experiences around emotion, business value, and long-term impact, always keeping content and community at the core. We talk through her approach to matching the right people with the right room, creating m...

In today’s episode, I sit down with global entrepreneur and wealth strategist Jeremy Wong, who shares how a career-ending gymnastics injury at 18 set him on a path to building more than 20 companies and redefining what legacy means. We talk about the gap between good actors and good practices in wealth management, the value of asking uncomfortable questions, and how his DSL system helps people lev...

In today’s episode, I sit down with Ace Curtis, a motivational speaker and certified life coach who helps people build momentum through intentional growth. We explore what it means to be confident while also being open to support, especially for men who often feel pressure to figure things out on their own. Ace introduces his G.R.O.W.T.H. framework, a roadmap designed to help people reconnect with...

In today’s episode, I sit down with entrepreneur and speaker Chad Sanschagrin to talk about the shift from survival to transformation. Chad shares the personal turning points that helped him break free from victimhood, including the night he met his wife and made a decision to become someone he was proud of. We talk about forgiveness, spiritual alignment, and learning to love yourself when the mir...

In today’s episode, I sit down with music agent and UTA partner Mike G, who represents stars like Lil Wayne, Cardi B, Young Thug, and Rauw Alejandro. We talk about how the agent’s role has evolved beyond just booking shows, and why understanding everything from film and TV to brand deals matters more than ever. Mike shares what it really takes to build an artist’s career step by step, how he keeps...

In today’s episode, I unpack how releasing attachment to outcomes, validation, and status can clear the path to lasting fulfillment. I share why simplicity isn't about doing less, but about doing what matters with clarity and intention. When we let go of the need to impress, we reclaim energy to innovate, connect, and serve at a higher level. I explore how to reframe goals through the lens of purp...

In today’s episode, I break down how to use rules as instruments for growth instead of letting them box you in. From Napoleon Hill to Don Miguel Ruiz, I explore how principles, not rigid systems, shape consistent success. I share the mindset behind bending rules with intention, evaluating motive before action, and asking uncomfortable questions that protect your time, energy, and trust. Whether it...

In today’s episode, I sit down with former NFL executive and ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum. From his years leading the Jets and Dolphins, Mike shares how he managed the pressure of decisions worth hundreds of millions and why character always determined the ceiling for a player’s success. He reflects on lessons from Curtis Martin, the importance of consistency, and why small daily efforts stack int...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by artist and creative entrepreneur Mikael Brandrup, whose journey took him from corporate graphic design in Denmark to the heart of the global art scene in Los Angeles. We talk about burnout, identity, and how personal evolution led him to create without limits. Mikael shares how meditation and mindset work became his foundation, why he stepped away from a profitabl...